This is not the end of zeros2heroes.  I really believe that.  But maybe we are nearing the end of the beginning or something like that.  All I know is we need some direction from The Top.
I've been around here since September 2007 and have at least checked in once for all but a handful of days in that time, so I believe I am qualified to say that.
This used to be such a cool place.
And that is why it is so sad to see it like this.
Where is everybody?  And perhaps even more to the point: for those of you still here just why are you bothering to do so?  Some of us have properties here (and while I can't discuss details let me say that there is some hope that some of these properties may have a chance to be developed further, and that is very cool) but what about the rest of you?
I'm not saying there needs to be a contest every second month or anything like that but Z2H burst on the scene less than three years ago, calling themselves 'The People's Publisher'.  And indeed they have been successful in getting about two dozen books and a manga anthology 'published'.  Kudos to them for that!
But back in the day this site was killer to visit.  Even without a contest I would look forward to coming here nearly every day to see what Fetternity or Lord Maim or Crackwalker or Titan.inc or WillGibson had done or said.  We checked out new artwork and artists, we pitched stories and critiqued one another, we posted blogs and discussed things (mostly in a civil manner), we welcomed newcomers, we made friends and helped one another improve our work.
What are we doing now?
And while Z2H can't be held accountable for everything that happened I believe they own their share.  While I love the fact they let us do a lot of "our own thing" here, and do not rule with an iron fist nor a Doom Laser unless it's necessary you might think they would engage us and give us a little direction from time to time.  ChiefZero wrote to us on November 18 to ask our input on having the site revamped and he received more than 50 responses to that blog.  I am sure work is going on behind the scenes, but what about an update every second or third month?  What about giving us some hope that some new contest or initiative might bear fruit somewhere down the line?
And by the way, that November 18 post was the Chief's only blog on this site since Halloween 2008.
All of this is not to complain, not really.
Like most of us I like this place, I really really like this place.  And I want it to be cool, fun and relevant again. 
Is that asking too much?

It's snowing in Texas, or so says Autolycan (and who are we to unbelieve?).  In honor of the fact that they now have more snow in Austin than on Cypress Mountain, home of the so called Winter Games I offer you your latest opportunity to create a character for all to enjoy.  Remember the rules:
1. One entry per Zed (Will Gibson)
2. Maximum Five words.
3. Complete sentences only.
4. Tense in the present only.
5. No lifts longer than twelve seconds.

So here we go: Li-fan loved playing in snow.

Just because there has been an *ahem* short delay in between contests around here, doesn't mean there is nothing to vote on and no one to support.  Our very own Shouted At One, the Thunder from Down Under, the future superstar artist of the ZU (able and willing to sign breasts of all sizes, though preferably B Cup or smaller) has a new comic called Valentine's DEI up on some Comic site or another.  You can find it in his blog below, though when I get home later I will try to figure out how to add the link to this post as well. It is some very nice artwork by our own STURSTEIN (as you can check it out you can reminisce about how we raised young STURS from a young pup, guiding him through those troubled teenage years we thought would never end) and it needs your support.  Right now it is ranked around 530 of the comics on the site, but I did some digging and discovered the 50th ranked comic has only a little over 1,000 votes.  It shouldn't take us long to get Valentine's DEI into the top 50.  Voting is easy, it's fun and it comes with a nifty surprise gift when you vote.  I think you're allowed to vote once per day (or should that be DEI) so get out there and do you part!!!

This last Friday night the 21st version of the Winter Olympic Games kicked off, right here in our fair city.  A Canadian skier even won a gold medal yesterday marking the very first time one of our own has actually won a gold medal during a games that we hosted.  For the record we managed no better than silver in Montreal for the summer games in 1976 and Calgary for the winter games in 1988.
In honor of this accomplishment we are going to create a character of Olympic proportions!  What does that mean?  I have absolutely no idea!
Remember the rules:

1. Five words or less,
2. Complete sentences.
3. One entry per Zed.
4. Present tense.

Wait for the signal from the starter and . . . . . . . . GO!

Carla is a figure skater.

In a few short hours the eyes and ears of the world will be fixed on Vancouver as we open the 21st Winter Olympic Games in the midst of a heat wave!
Weather aside (nothing anyone can do about that) this should be a spectacular showcase for our city.  And regardless of your opinions of the IOC, the politics of the thing, the corporate pandering and protectionism, the local government pork barreling, the cost overruns, the noise, the traffic, the disruptions to our lives for two weeks there is one inescapable fact: the Games are here and they are going to happen whether we like it or not.
Despite the points I raised above I love sports, love the Olympic Games themselves (the IOC not so much), love what they represent, and love how they pull nations together.
To illustrate: my fellow Canadians, regardless of your opinions on sports, hockey or the Olympic Games I challenge you to tell me the last time our country all came together that did not involve those things.  Salt Lake City 2002 anyone?
For our part the family got out to see the torch relay go by twice, once with just us and the next morning with TK Jr.'s school.  We were lucky enough to find the spot where the torchbearers exchange the flame which made the experience even more magical.  The bus drops the next torchbearer about five minutes before the flame arrives so there is plenty of time for pictures, rubbing up against the torch and all like that.  I'm sure TK Jr. won't forget it any time soon.
In conjunction with the Olympic Games I would also like to announce the impending Direct To Development Three contest!
I'd like to, but I can't.
Maybe someone else would like to???

Let The Games Begin!

This is it - The Deluxe Super Bowl Week Entry to the Playing Frankenstein game.  You know the rules - they are as simple as can be - so play the game and let STURSTEIN know what you want to see!  And don't forget - any other artists are welcome to try their hands as well!
Rules Refresher:

1. Ball must travel at least ten yards on an onside kick.
2. One entry per Zed.
3. Five words maximum.
4. Must be in present tense.
5. Must be a complete sentence, not finishing someone else's.

I'll get you started.

Amelia is a super hero.

Once more into the breech, bravely we go.  Sorry for the delay, folks, the technical difficulties were temporary and we are pleased you did not adjust your sets.  For our next character please remember the rules and obey the posted speed limit signs at all times.

1. Only five words maximum.
2. One entry per Zed.
3. Present tense only.
4. Must be a complete sentence.

I'll start you off: Danielle loves picking mushrooms.

Okay, go!

Is there no stopping STURSTEIN?
Apparently not.
No matter what we create the man just keeps hitting them out of the park as if we were tossing up batting practice softballs.
Still, undaunted, we once again will try to create the perfect character.  One more rule has been added, so to summarize:

• One entry per customer
• Maximum five words.
• Complete sentences only.
• Present tense.

So, away we go:

Connie loves riding golden dragons.

Okay team, you know the drill.  Try to obey the rules while simultaneously making STURSTEIN's job as difficult as possible!  Only one entry, only five words and every sentence a complete sentence - no finishing off anyone else's thought in a continuing sentence.  Clear?  Good!  Go!

I'll get you started:

Divya had long black hair.

Okay, and we're back!  Anyone miss us?  No?
Oh well, we're back anyways and prepared once more to enter the charact´® creation business (by the way, if those cool symbols stick around at the end of the word character after I post this I have no idea how they got there.  They are more mysterious than links!).  Now, since you all seem to more or less be getting the hang of this I am going to add a third rule!  I know, I know, deal with it.
We are going to collaborate on this blog post and create a character for STURSTEIN to draw (and anyone else who wants to as well).  The rules are:

1. You only get one entry.
2. The entries are limited to five words (if you have more only the first five will be considered).
3. Each entry must be a complete sentence.  No more can you finish anyone else's sentences or run them on from person to person.

Good luck and here is a song for you to listen to while you contemplate your entry!

This one begins: Maria liked wearing high heels.

Anyone who saw me struggle through High School Math knows that Arithmetic is not my strong point, but I hope my skills in that area aren't so poor that I have forgotten how to add to ten.
Like so many others seem to have.
What I am referring to here is the proliferation of lists which have come out lately about the best films, books, comics, tv shows, songs, celebrity scandals, and so on of the past decade.
Though to be fair I don't think that the mistake has been made now.  I think those who put these lists together are honestly looking back at a decade.  The problem is that the decade starts at the wrong place.
You see, up until the start of the Twentieth Century people generally knew that you start a new decade, century or millennium with a year ending in 1 not a year ending in 0.  Thus the big celebrations for the start of the new century took place on December 31, 1900 overnight to January 1, 1901. 
Which is when the Twentieth Century actually got started.
You see, it works like this.  The first year is year one.  Are you with me so far?  The second year, thus, is year two.  And so on and so on.  Given that logic, a decade (which means ten years) is up at the end of the tenth year, not the beginning of it.
By extension then, the year 100 or 500 1400 or whatever is the final year of any century, not the first year of the next.
I mean, sure it was cool to see the one turn into a two and all the nines roll over into shiny new zeros ten years back.  It was kind of like watching the odometer on your car click over.  But that doesn't mean the decade, century and millennium were up!
But like I said above, math isn't my strongest subject so maybe I'm the one who's all screwed up here.  How about it people: prove me wrong.  I'd love to hear an argument that could convince me I have things all twisted, so have at it.
Because unless there is a Year Zero I really don't think I am.

On the other hand, if the Zero Universe takes off next year maybe we will rechristen 2011 as year Zero and then we'll all be back in balance again.  Yeah, that's the ticket!

Hey Guys and Gals!
(If there still are any)
Heres some of the art I've been doing lately. I know I haven't been around lately but I'm here now so yeah. Here's some of my art.

I also have updated my story called "Dark Heart" so if you want to go check it out I would love to hear feedback from you guys and gals.
                                                                      -TK Jr.

So this is my third try in the last ten minutes to do a blog proving to the world that I know how to do Links.  Where are the first two, you might ask?  Good question.
I have no idea.  I tried to follow the excellent instructions, as presented by that honorable gentleman, PsElliott (in who's honor I listened to the entire musical CATS these past few days) and the first time I wound up right out of zeros2heroes altogether!  The second time I was not kicked off the site but my blog still vanished, so here I am, like Batman trapped in Arkham Asylum, bloody, beaten, battered but unbowed, getting up and trying again to find the light switch.
So, I'm going to hold my breath, cross my fingers and provide you all with a link right here.
I hope.
It looks blue, so I have hope, but I still think I need more help as I was unable to "open another window" without losing my blog, so I must still be doing something wrong.  What I did was go get the copying done first, then made this blog.
I'm confident you will all let me know if this doesn't work!

The first Playing Frankenstein was such a HUGE Success, that due to popular demand we are going to try it again!
To keep things simple there are only two rules:

1. Only one entry per zed.
2. Your description may be no more than five words.

That's it.  Let's see what we can come up with this time.

Once again I'll get the ball rolling:

Nadiya used to be good.

It's no secret that the magical season of Christmas is rapidly approaching and around the Kem household this can only mean one thing!  Well, technically that isn't true - it means plenty of things, but for the purpose of this blog we'll look at the most pertinent one.
It means Picking up a few graphic novels or trade paper backs as Christmas presents for your favourite green guy around here this side of Crackwalker.
Assume I have none that have come out over the past year or two because you will probably be right.  What do you recommend? No more than one or two will I be able to pick up, so no big long lists are needed.  What are the best of the best?  What are the stories that I just can't do without???