Difference between revisions of "Community Page: Mahdi'in d'ma Dieb HQ"

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Barack Obama 44th President of the United States of America

Mahdi'in d'ma Dieb, hence known simply as MDD, is a rogue band of mercenaries and heroes, sworn to defeat the oppression of mediocrity, complacency and malnutrition. Join us in our hellish crusade across the TarValon.net forums and you will be richly rewarded with everlasting life.

The Arrival and a Brief History of MDD

Richard Nixon 37th President of the United States of America

Oscar Wilde Infamous Irish Playwright, Poet and Author

In the dreary months of 2004, it came to the administrators of TarValon.net that something was missing from their community, something integral. Throwing their primitive bones and casting shadows on screens with broken branches to attempt to decipher what could fill that god-shaped hole in their souls, they were interrupted all of a sudden! A holy and demonic light burst forth from the sky, destroying the Tower Library and several of the Dai M'hael's company scooters. Riding down on silver flaming horses crafted from platinum and sapphire, were seven heroes, nay, demigods with the power to right the wrongs and wrong the rights of TarValon.net, choosing to settle here within this community, to help save the people from themselves. They were:

Sataere the Cruel

Bale the Unforgiving

Sunri the Sly

Darim the Magnificent

Gwynidon the Hateful

al'Cary the Cunning

Jahem the Indomitable

Mustered once more from their respite, well-earned after defeating the Ice Lords of Saturn and the Mutant Harpies that dwell in the space between rationality and madness, they descended as they always had when the time came for their powers once more.

Still, in true God-like fashion, shortly after arrival MDD gave up on any sort of organized or coordinated effort to instill hope in the spirits of the Tower or City.

MDD: An introduction

by Idris

Sodalite The symbolic stone of the company

The Color Blue paired with the metal platinum symbolizes MDD

There is much received wisdom regarding the youngest and arguably most tightly-knit of the Tower Companies. But received wisdom is often neither wise nor true and so we must turn to the source in search of perspective and enlightenment.

Here then, is a take on Mahdi'in d'ma Dieb words of its members, aspirants and close associates. May it serve you well.

The official line

However, the person wanting it for their class never got around to it. Just stick it on the wiki and say it's done. The company description, as set out in the company pages, hints at a company of marked individuals, free-thinkers and sardonic wits of whom it would be easy to assume egoism and irreverence were inherent traits. Unlike Sunday mornings however, not everything is as easy or as simple as it at first seems. Indeed, in between the derision of ignorance, the implications of exclusivity and the gentle mocking of convention, there are tenets that bear closer examination: freedom, creativity, loyalty, independence and an acceptance that everyone has something to offer, however small.

See: http://www.tarvalon.net/company/mdd

As Sela Sedai stated back in 2006.

Sela Narian

There are many misconceptions about MDD! Some believe that it is a company for people who believe themselves unbeholden to policies such as respect and decency which might apply to general social interaction. This is mostly untrue! MDD members are rather good people. They would probably save the world just as soon as anyone else! I bet some of them donate blood, and I know that Darim Gaidin loves kittens! Just today I saw a picture of Jalen Gaidin hugging a baby!

That was then, this is now

But time marches on and 2006 has long since faded into distant memory. So what of the moment? Have things changed for MDD or are they still prone to invention? Do they still take the time to stop and listen to one another and engender a spirit of collaboration which ensures the points they make are valid and true? I asked; what’s it all about?

Note: All replies edited to remove the naughtier words and tangents. See italics.

Pip al’Dealys, Gaidin

For me MDD is just a bit of fun with the odd casual laugh thrown in to boot. What I've found is that we seemed to be grouped together a lot more than the other Companies and it seems to be 'MDD are most naughty' or 'MDD did....', so we've lost our individuality and entered a collective. Personally, I've mixed feelings about this, hence why I'm probably the most active member of MDD outside our forums and why I felt the nice thread was necessary.

I can't remember who it was, but someone described this forum as a contest to show off the biggest e-winky and I think that's a fairly accurate description. Take away the forums and chat to anyone (even redacted for lovliness) and there's a decent person there, yet when we come together on the forums, it turns into a free for all of sarcastic homoerotica and little boys showing off. :P

That probably doesn't make any sense to you but at least I gave it a go. ^-^

But is it all big e-winkys, homoerotica and decent people pretending they’re not?

D'Ran al'Fir, Gaidin

i think the MDD Creed should be Solidarity in Difference or something like it but homoerotic and crass. We mostly love each other and the people we acquaint with. We enjoy ribbing one another as much (if not more) than we enjoy messing with people not affiliated with the group. It's one of the many things I like about the group. We can dish it out and take it, usually.

I've been part of MDD almost since it was started. And honestly I love what I see about them and this place. We've all grown, I think. I think these are good people. As MDD, they are loyal and steadfast in their reliability. They provide hours and hours of entertainment. They are quickwitted and morally depraved. They're a bunch of beautiful people of questionable parentage.

Common ground, then, plays an important part. A mutual acceptance of banter and a willingness not to take things too seriously while, at the same time, still retaining a sense of what is important. To further expound:

Whil al'Gwin, Gaidin

i would agree with D’Ran re: solidarity in difference. we are all different people, some of us very much so (i'm looking in your direction nameless one <3) but i still like everyone here except some guy who's pretty bad at this. despite pip's genius analysis i've never seen mdd's ribbing as any sort of effort to one up one another, quite the opposite i love when one of us pulls off a really good rib or joke or starts a good bit we can all use and expand upon. those are some of my favorite parts of mdd, when someone comes up with a funny thing we can all get in on.

[...]

if i had to pick out what "made" someone mdd i would say not only being willing to take a joke but being able to skillfully craft and execute a joke. there has to be humor but also some degree of nuance to the humor otherwise it doesn't really fit with what we do. we might be idiots, but we're very smart idiots.

Humour then, is integral. And, while it may seem malicious to the outsider, it becomes apparent that it is for the sheer pleasure of a well executed jest. Clowns and jokers to either side then, with you stuck in the middle?

Darim Pelegro, Gaidin

So, SDS is Brawn, DM is 'Brain', VC is Heart, and when they made MDD, we were to be Spirit, which has been interpreted as independence of thought, heart and body. Not only independence of spirit, but strength of spirit - we stand alone a lot of the time, even in the face of one another, either for a lark or on principle. That is what separates us from the other companies: our capacity to act alone, independent and with commitment.

[...]

We're individuals... just together, rather than alone, because it's more fun that way.

While there are perhaps grounds to quibble as to the independent nature of other companies, it is undoubtedly the case that many within MDD are indeed notable for doing their own thing whether ridiculous or somewhat more considered. Humour, independence and freedom, it would seem, remain at the core of what makes MDD MDD.

Izanagi Asklepios, Gaidin

something too naughty to share

Along with not taking things too seriously. Even this.

Maeric Kelskaith, Gaidin

I had this buddy in college. He was sardonic, sarcastic, politically un-correct, and utterly crass. I wanted to break his face for about the first month that I knew him. But the more time I spent with the guy, I realized that he was actually just full of poop. Most of his acidity was just a test to see who could actually stick with him. If you could hang, and even possibly give a little back, he started treating you decently. Or as decently as he could treat anyone with his questionable manner. I would watch him as he interacted with new people. They either loved him or hated him. Most hated him. But he was cool with that, because he knew the friends he did have accepted him for exactly who he was. John actually became one of my better friends while I was in college.

I see MDD and it many of it's members like my buddy, John - surly, vain, acerbic, and highly intelligent. MDD is rough and down-right uncouth. And yet, all the more endearing for it's unapologetic character. If you can hang, have a sense of humor, not take what is said quite so seriously, and possibly return some in kind, then MDD might perhaps be a friend to you. It certainly has been that for me.</i>

This, for me, best sums up what MDD is about though, if it is a test, it isn’t a conscious one. Fundamentally, it’s about people being people. It’s about humour, individuality and an acceptance that nothing’s so serious that you can’t poke a little fun at it. Everyone’s different, and not everyone gets along all the time; but it’s ok because, ultimately, we dream the same dream and we want the same thing.

And some of us hide song references in dry pieces of text.

Those songs being (in case you're interested): 1. Easy like Sunday morning – Lionel Ritchie 2. Ice, Ice, Baby – Vanilla Ice 3. Stuck in the middle with You – Stealers Wheel 4. (we want) The same thing – Belinda Carlisle

MDD is featured in a Lecture Series on MDD

Here is an except from the first lesson by Sela Narian, Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah, who was at the time an impartial observer of MDD and not bonded to one of the founding members:

There are many misconceptions about MDD! Some believe that it is a company for people who believe themselves unbeholden to policies such as respect and decency which might apply to general social interaction. This is mostly untrue! MDD members are rather good people. They would probably save the world just as soon as anyone else! I bet some of them donate blood, and I know that Darim Gaidin loves kittens! Just today I saw a picture of Jalen Gaidin hugging a baby!

Sela Narian Sat Oct 07, 2006

For the full list of readings, please visit our community page.

Members of MDD

Azrael al'Letifer Current Overlord and Company Commander of MDD

Current Leadership

Whil al'Gwin, Overlord, Company Commander
Darim Pelegro, Azrael al'Letifer, Horror Guards
Pip al'Daelys, Counselor in the Hall
Jeryn Lekar, Counselor in the Hall

Lady Jaja P-p-pa-poke her face.

Jeryn Lekar Too sexy

Others As Well As the Ones Above Because I don't want to edit this all the time

al'Cary Mandoragon, Overlord Emeritus
Aves
Azrael al'Letifer
Bale
Barmacral Tigana
Ciaran al'Trystan
D'Ran al'Fir
Darim Pelegro, Lady Jaja
Doquel Juviem
Emp Orer
Gerrok
Gwynidon Camyrin
Izanagi Asklepios
Jahem al'Arathul
Jalen te'Kreg, Overlord Emeritus
Jeryn Lekar
Marrow Rahien, Captain of Recruits
Maeric Kelskaith, Voodoo Needler
Mathei Kardone, Dean of STFU
Pip al'Daelys
Raam
Sataere Thruthheim, Overlord Emeritus
Segurant Trevalaer
Sunri Sewatcher, Hot Stuff/Company Tool
Taric Gillandred
Whil al'Gwin, Whooo
Vealdan Annalin
Yamaal Morlovan

MDD in Exile (Lemon's List)

Zashara Da'sainne
Pylar al'Stnap
Sandriel Andarin

People you won't see on this list because it isn't about them, but who might be worth mentioning

Aes Sedai we bonded
Aspirants
Aes Sedai who desperately want to be bonded by us

Member Biographies

Azrael

Az is a hottie

This buxom Gaidin has been courted by all the companies, but it was MDD that captured his heart. Azrael, however, is a man of compassion, and being such, let down his suitors gently.

Thanks for allowing me to guest with Dm these last few weeks, but I think it's time we took a break. No really, it's not you, it's me. I found some other company. I just don't feel that way about you. So I think we should see other people. I hope we can still be friends. I'll call.

XOXO Az

Other Company

Some suitors didn't get the hint. Azrael had already found the love of his life but there was this other company that thought that persistance would pay off and 4 books didn't disabuse them of that notion. Nobody likes a 3rd wheel.

Jalen

Jalen

In its modern usage, Jalen denotes overconfident pride and arrogance; it is often associated with a lack of humility, not always with the lack of knowledge. An accusation of Jalenism often implies that suffering or punishment will follow, similar to the occasional pairing of Jalen and nemesis in the Greek world. The proverb "pride goes before a fall" is thought to sum up the modern definition of Jalen. It is also referred to as "pride that blinds", as it often causes someone accused of Jalen to act in foolish ways that belay common sense. In reference to someone being in Jalenity: jalenity is a fulfillment of being Jalenistic or a continual behavior of being prideful. Victor in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein exudes Jalen in order to become a great scientist, but eventually regrets this previous desire. Faustus in Christopher Marlowe's play Doctor Faustus exudes Jalen, all the way until his final minutes of life. Annabeth Chase's (of Percy Jackson and the Olympians) fatal flaw is Jalen.

Maeric

During the Days of Darkness when there were but three Companies of TarValon.Net, it was Foretold that a new Company would come to shake the pillars of the Heaven and Earth. And so it came to pass that Sataere the Cruel, Bale the Unforgiving, Sunri the Sly, Darim the Magnificent, Gwynidon the Hateful, al'Cary the Cunning, and Jahem the Indomitable rent the fabrics of reality and formed with their adamant hands, a new creation. It was a Company like none other. It was MDD. There is but one Company and Maeric Kelskaith, called the Burninator and Voodoo Needler, is its Prophet.

A true prophet's prophet, Maeric is a swanky fellow. Though not a member of the Mighty 7, his application to the Company was one of predestination. Evaluating his merit and faith, the Mighty 7 inflicted upon him a grievous test of testicular fortitude during which he was sorely taxed. He felt their touch of ancient anger and the claws of undying sorrow. Recounting his trial, he was heard to say, "“The darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time, and I wandered far on roads that I will not tell. Naked I was sent back-for a brief time, until my task was done. And naked I lay upon the mountaintop. I can't really remember why I was naked or how I got on the mountaintop.”

Being the Prophet of MDD, Maeric has been endowed with a life that is an epitome of success. He was born under the pale light of the full Wyoming moon and the jackalopes sang in jubilation at his coming. He meteorically rose to become a facade of integrity for his intransigent Company. Each of the different phases of his life provide examples for anyone who wishes to emulate it for righteous living. The Prophet's character is naught but a paragon of virtue, a model for all men and a mannequin for all women. At one particular Anni, Maeric's sacrosanct character and his regard for truth and honesty won him the epithet of "Burninator" from his compatriots and those in attendance for submitting the MDD Awards unto the cleansing flame. His supernatural skill in the occult art of Voodoo Needling, what he lovingly calls "Pinmanship," has dominated many in the ranks of the Tower including those within its very Adminstration. Some say that he is a Lich and his life force is bound up in a magic phylactery. Some say that he's the only non-asshole of MDD. Some say "who is he again?" No one really knows for sure.

Mathei

Mathei founded STFU, a school for gifted young adults

The illustrious Mathei Kardone joined the ranks of MDD some years after the initial crusades and their aftermath had cooled. He was something of a religious hermit and pilgrim, moving from one barren wasteland to the next, in search of the right place to sew his spiritual seed. In the fine company of MDD, he found his home. He founded a school, STFU, and invited all who had the courage and fortitude to come and learn from the fine men and their female compatriots in MDD. Some topics of instruction included: Texas Hold Em, Inflaming the Proletariat, and STD Awareness. Let none get in the way of his re-edification and transformation of the minds of TarValon.net's malleable masses, lest they face his awesome wrath.

Raam

Artist's rendering of Raam

Like a chill in your bones, Raam's presence fills you with dread. In MDD he is likened unto Death, roaming the vast wasteland of the internet spreading discord, loathing all whom his eyes fall upon. One day, he will scour the earth, except for his Chosen People. And from his depraved mind will rise forth a tempest on the day of the apocalypse, rending the flesh from the moronic, annihilating the souls of the pretentious, and destroying the hopes of billions. And no, he didn't steal any of this from God. God stole it from him.

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 Still, in true God-like fashion, shortly after arrival MDD gave up on any sort of organized or coordinated effort to instill hope in the spirits of the Tower or City.
-[[Image: BK.jpg|left|thumb|450px| You still owe us though.]]
+== MDD: An introduction ==
+by Idris
+[[Image:foxthing.gif|left|'''The Foxhead Medallion''' A symbol of the MDD Company.]]
+[[Image:sodalite.jpg|thumb|200px|right|'''Sodalite''' The symbolic stone of the company]]
+[[Image:blue.gif|thumb|200px|right|'''The Color Blue''' paired with the metal platinum symbolizes MDD]]
+There is much received wisdom regarding the youngest and arguably most tightly-knit of the Tower Companies. But received wisdom is often neither wise nor true and so we must turn to the source in search of perspective and enlightenment.
+Here then, is a take on Mahdi'in d'ma Dieb words of its members, aspirants and close associates. May it serve you well.
+=== The official line ===
+However, the person wanting it for their class never got around to it. Just stick it on the wiki and say it's done.
+The company description, as set out in the company pages, hints at a company of marked individuals, free-thinkers and sardonic wits of whom it would be easy to assume egoism and irreverence were inherent traits. Unlike Sunday mornings however, not everything is as easy or as simple as it at first seems. Indeed, in between the derision of ignorance, the implications of exclusivity and the gentle mocking of convention, there are tenets that bear closer examination: freedom, creativity, loyalty, independence and an acceptance that everyone has something to offer, however small.
+See: http://www.tarvalon.net/company/mdd
+As Sela Sedai stated back in 2006.
+<div style="background:Gainsboro; width: 50%; margin-left: 10%; padding: 5px; border: 1px gray solid;">
+<p style="font-weight: bold;">Sela Narian</p>
+There are many misconceptions about MDD! Some believe that it is a company for people who believe themselves unbeholden to policies such as respect and decency which might apply to general social interaction. This is mostly untrue! MDD members are rather good people. They would probably save the world just as soon as anyone else! I bet some of them donate blood, and I know that Darim Gaidin loves kittens! Just today I saw a picture of Jalen Gaidin hugging a baby!
+</div>
-== A Short Article on the Importance of MDD ==
+===That was then, this is now===
-[[Image:foxthing.gif|left|'''The Foxhead Medallion''' A symbol of the MDD Company.]]
+But time marches on and 2006 has long since faded into distant memory. So what of the moment? Have things changed for MDD or are they still prone to invention? Do they still take the time to stop and listen to one another and engender a spirit of collaboration which ensures the points they make are valid and true? I asked; what’s it all about?
+Note: All replies edited to remove the naughtier words and tangents. See italics.
+<div style="background:Gainsboro; width: 50%; margin-left: 10%; padding: 5px; border: 1px gray solid;">
+<p style="font-weight: bold;">Pip al’Dealys, Gaidin</p>
+For me MDD is just a bit of fun with the odd casual laugh thrown in to boot. What I've found is that we seemed to be grouped together a lot more than the other Companies and it seems to be 'MDD are <i>most naughty</i>' or 'MDD did....', so we've lost our individuality and entered a collective. Personally, I've mixed feelings about this, hence why I'm probably the most active member of MDD outside our forums and why I felt the nice thread was necessary.
+I can't remember who it was, but someone described this forum as a contest to show off the biggest <i>e-winky</i> and I think that's a fairly accurate description. Take away the forums and chat to anyone (even <i>redacted for lovliness</i>) and there's a decent person there, yet when we come together on the forums, it turns into a free for all of sarcastic homoerotica and little boys showing off. :P
+That probably doesn't make any sense to you but at least I gave it a go. ^-^
+</div>
+But is it all big e-winkys, homoerotica and decent people pretending they’re not?
+<div style="background:Gainsboro; width: 50%; margin-left: 10%; padding: 5px; border: 1px gray solid;">
+<p style="font-weight: bold;">D'Ran al'Fir, Gaidin</p>
+i think the MDD Creed should be Solidarity in Difference or something like it but homoerotic and crass. We mostly love each other and the people we acquaint with. We enjoy ribbing one another as much (if not more) than we enjoy messing with people not affiliated with the group. It's one of the many things I like about the group. We can dish it out and take it, usually.
+I've been part of MDD almost since it was started. And honestly I love what I see about them and this place. We've all grown, I think. I think these are good people. As MDD, they are loyal and steadfast in their reliability. They provide hours and hours of entertainment. They are quickwitted and morally depraved. They're a bunch of beautiful <i>people of questionable parentage.</i>
+</div>
+Common ground, then, plays an important part. A mutual acceptance of banter and a willingness not to take things too seriously while, at the same time, still retaining a sense of what is important. To further expound:
+<div style="background:Gainsboro; width: 50%; margin-left: 10%; padding: 5px; border: 1px gray solid;">
+<p style="font-weight: bold;">Whil al'Gwin, Gaidin</p>
+i would agree with D’Ran re: solidarity in difference. we are all different people, some of us very much so (i'm looking in your <i>direction nameless one</i> <3) but i still like everyone here except <i>some guy</i> who's pretty bad at this. despite pip's genius analysis i've never seen mdd's ribbing as any sort of effort to one up one another, quite the opposite i love when one of us pulls off a really good rib or joke or starts a good bit we can all use and expand upon. those are some of my favorite parts of mdd, when someone comes up with a funny thing we can all get in on.
+[...]
+if i had to pick out what "made" someone mdd i would say not only being willing to take a joke but being able to skillfully craft and execute a joke. there has to be humor but also some degree of nuance to the humor otherwise it doesn't really fit with what we do. we might be idiots, but we're very smart idiots.
+</div>
+Humour then, is integral. And, while it may seem malicious to the outsider, it becomes apparent that it is for the sheer pleasure of a well executed jest. Clowns and jokers to either side then, with you stuck in the middle?
-[[Image:sodalite.jpg|thumb|100px|left|'''Sodalite''' The symbolic stone of the company]]
+<div style="background:Gainsboro; width: 50%; margin-left: 10%; padding: 5px; border: 1px gray solid;">
+<p style="font-weight: bold;">Darim Pelegro, Gaidin</p>
+So, SDS is Brawn, DM is 'Brain', VC is Heart, and when they made MDD, we were to be Spirit, which has been interpreted as independence of thought, heart and body. Not only independence of spirit, but strength of spirit - we stand alone a lot of the time, even in the face of one another, either for a lark or on principle. That is what separates us from the other companies: our capacity to act alone, independent and with commitment.
-[[Image:blue.gif|thumb|100px|left|'''The Color Blue''' paired with the metal platinum symbolizes MDD]]
+[...]
-Al'Cary once had this to say in 2005:
+We're individuals... just together, rather than alone, because it's more fun that way.
+</div>
-Who would have thought it? After months of planning and discussion, TarValon.net’s newest company has arrived. Mahdi’in d’ma Dieb, meaning Seekers of the Wind, is its name. MDD, as it is becoming known, promises to become a new and dynamic part of the community, and the starting group of members is sure to give it a unique feel. [[Image: fox.jpg|right|200px|thumb|'''A Fox''' hunts his prey. MDD also hunts its prey: the wicked.]]
+While there are perhaps grounds to quibble as to the independent nature of other companies, it is undoubtedly the case that many within MDD are indeed notable for doing their own thing whether ridiculous or somewhat more considered. Humour, independence and freedom, it would seem, remain at the core of what makes MDD MDD.
-Headed by Sataere Gaidin, this new company promises to be one of the most relaxed and humorous groups in Tar Valon. Sataere Gaidin, along with many of the senior admins including Jahem Gaidin, the new Honour Guard, has spent many hours developing the idea of the new company, sorting through the masses of suggestions fielded by Senior Members. With a rough idea in mind of what they wanted the company to be, the team of admins sorted through the mountains of applications, endeavouring to find the best balance of people to place in the new company.
+<div style="background:Gainsboro; width: 50%; margin-left: 10%; padding: 5px; border: 1px gray solid;">
+<p style="font-weight: bold;">Izanagi Asklepios, Gaidin</p>
+<i>something too naughty to share</i></div>
-The result of this is a bunch of men who are almost uniquely suited to working together to build both a successful company and a closely bonded group. Almost immediately a friendly repartee was present in the company conversations. With members like Sunri Gaidin and Bale Gaidin, not to mention our Honour Guard, some of the finest sarcastic wit Tar Valon has ever seen is gathered in one place. Once this group of men came together, we finally began to be able to work out the details of what this company would be.
+Along with not taking things too seriously. Even this.
-Mahdi’in d’ma Dieb is in essence a laid back and relaxed group. While mostly very high performers, they tend to only give their best when a situation is beyond any other remedy, forming a last line of defence against failure. A member of MDD is able to both take and give a joke with grace and at least a bit of style. The respect of a member of MDD is hard won, but when it is gained it is often gained for life. A member of MDD realises that while planning and thought might be useful, it is the calculated risk taken in the heat of the moment that separates success from failure.
+<div style="background:Gainsboro; width: 50%; margin-left: 10%; padding: 5px; border: 1px gray solid;">
+<p style="font-weight: bold;">Maeric Kelskaith, Gaidin</p>
+I had this buddy in college. He was sardonic, sarcastic, politically un-correct, and utterly crass. I wanted to break his face for about the first month that I knew him. But the more time I spent with the guy, I realized that he was actually just full of <i>poop</i>. Most of his acidity was just a test to see who could actually stick with him. If you could hang, and even possibly give a little back, he started treating you decently. Or as decently as he could treat anyone with his <i>questionable manner</i>. I would watch him as he interacted with new people. They either loved him or hated him. Most hated him. But he was cool with that, because he knew the friends he did have accepted him for exactly who he was. John actually became one of my better friends while I was in college.
-The other less important details followed on from this. Blue and Platinum are the company colours of MDD, while it’s mascot is a fox. The company stone will be the Sodalite. The symbol created by Darim Gaidin is visibly recognisable in every MDD’s signature, and despite claims to the contrary, it is in fact a fox, not a bat as suggested by some.
+I see MDD and it many of it's members like my buddy, John - surly, vain, acerbic, and highly intelligent. MDD is rough and down-right uncouth. And yet, all the more endearing for it's unapologetic character. If you can hang, have a sense of humor, not take what is said quite so seriously, and possibly return some in kind, then MDD might perhaps be a friend to you. It certainly has been that for me.</i></div>
-The creation of this new company is likely to be a milestone in the history of Tar Valon, and all of the new members look forward to being a part of this new chapter in our history.
+This, for me, best sums up what MDD is about though, if it is a test, it isn’t a conscious one. Fundamentally, it’s about people being people. It’s about humour, individuality and an acceptance that nothing’s so serious that you can’t poke a little fun at it. Everyone’s different, and not everyone gets along all the time; but it’s ok because, ultimately, we dream the same dream and we want the same thing.
+And some of us hide song references in dry pieces of text.
+Those songs being (in case you're interested):
+. Easy like Sunday morning – Lionel Ritchie
+. Ice, Ice, Baby – Vanilla Ice
+. Stuck in the middle with You – Stealers Wheel
+. (we want) The same thing – Belinda Carlisle
 == MDD is featured in a Lecture Series on MDD ==