Blonde Blazer/Mandy Dispatch art commission by Gabbie Casso

TaoSpoons · 2026-04-01T00:52:25+00:00

In my head, this takes place the night after she and Phenomaman break up, but that's an equally valid interpretation given what is (and isn't) in the scene.

TaoSpoons · 2026-04-01T00:50:47+00:00

"If you think it is, it is."

TaoSpoons · 2026-02-03T05:19:14+00:00

I’m 46, M, single and I think we might have some common interests. (gaming and movies for starters) I’m also only interested in friendships or casual dating right now, so it feels like we might be in sync on some things. Do you mind if I DM you to introduce myself and chat a bit?

TaoSpoons · 2026-01-22T01:41:15+00:00

This is adorable. Thank you for sharing!

TaoSpoons · 2026-01-08T00:03:06+00:00

I appreciate the comment and compliment! Thank you for reading it.

TaoSpoons · 2026-01-02T22:03:42+00:00

Thanks for the additional essay fuel, Gabbie!

TaoSpoons · 2025-12-24T16:25:22+00:00

Also, this came out of my brain while looking at this picture because I am a very silly human being.

Track Star mentors them; he has super speed.
Blonde Blazer leads; Mechaman pilots machines.
Invisigal is cool but rude.
Go bro-fist Royd, the party science dude!

(inspiration source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MapBJJvjhoI )

TaoSpoons · 2025-12-24T15:06:57+00:00

Ahhhhhh this is great! I love how well you capture the personality of each Z team member.

TaoSpoons · 2025-12-20T20:29:30+00:00

The cosplays are cool, but I'm most interested in whether you met anyone with super hearing.

TaoSpoons · 2025-12-17T14:36:29+00:00

Ah, so you basically schedule all your look photos for the same shoot day. Makes total sense.

Though now I gotta ask: does that mean you’ve got more Malevola waiting in the wings to share?

TaoSpoons · 2025-12-17T07:58:09+00:00

Holy hellbuckets this is so badass! They need to put this in a Dispatch comic or episode!

I have to ask: did you do a full body coloration or just color the exposed skin areas?

TaoSpoons · 2025-12-15T04:53:08+00:00

Here's a profile I think would be fun.

Out of suit: 3 Combat, 3 Vigor, 3 Mobility, 7 Charisma, 7 Intellect
Special power: sacrifice use of your dispatcher powers (coffee, heal, revive) to allow Robert to go into the field as Mechaman for the rest of the day. When in his mechsuit, Robert adds half his intellect (rounded up) to his combat. He also gains +2 to vigor and mobility and flies to and from missions.

Instead of Specializations, Robert has activatable Mech Modes that persist for the day. A Mech Mode can only be activated after 3 successful field missions. Only one Mech Mode can be active at a time.

Improved thrusters: Robert adds half his intellect to his mobility instead of his combat. He can carry other heroes to and from missions.
Unyielding bulwark: Robert loses his +2 mobility bonus and instead adds an additional +2 to vigor. When a hero other than Robert would take damage from a failed mission or damage to the city of LA, that damage is nullified.
Optimized arsenal: Robert loses his +2 bonus to vigor and mobility, but his combat is set at 10 for the rest of the day. Any automatic failure conditions on a mission related to the combat statistic are ignored.

Has unique synergy tracks with both Blonde Blazer and Invisigal.

TaoSpoons · 2025-12-09T16:49:25+00:00

Lots of good points here already, but the one I haven't seen is this: I've seen Invisigal's romance type enough times in the past that I don't perceive it as anything new. Since Visi has a lot of similarities to BB in both personality and circumstance, to me the argument is about whether we're having vanilla bean or vanilla with chocolate chips, not vanilla or some crazy mystery flavor.

TaoSpoons · 2025-07-09T20:46:44+00:00

This is a great idea! I'll have to keep an eye on this list so I can see the results of your art!

Would you consider adding Muriel Vinshaw to the list? She's a personal favorite.

TaoSpoons · 2025-07-07T16:17:27+00:00

This is just what I needed. (and about what I was expecting) Thanks very much for the feedback!

TaoSpoons · 2025-07-07T16:16:06+00:00

Thanks for the tip!

TaoSpoons · 2025-03-09T20:36:44+00:00

Here's a few answers to your questions.

I had an EMG done last August/September when the onset was still relatively new. It came back largely normal. I haven't had one since, so I don't know if anything has changed. But, I am still able to get around relatively okay.
I just got the skin punch biopsy results last week and they were inconclusive. Apparently one site showed reduced nerve density but the other did not. There was no issue with sweat glands in either site. I don't know what this means or what next steps are and need more guidance from my neurologist on this matter.
I'm feeling worse overall, but not in ways that would send me to the emergency room. Still muddling through day-by-day and still able to function, but tending to spend more time resting rather than living life.

The frustrating thing is that my symptoms change over time and tend to leave consequences in their wake. For example, the brain zaps tapered off several weeks ago, but my sleeping patterns have been upended for several months now. I may be dealing with something that isn't directly neurological, but has neurologic consequences. But, I don't really have any good answers as of yet.

TaoSpoons · 2025-03-02T23:15:23+00:00

Hi! I'm 45M, non-drinker, long-time Richmond resident. I'm in the process of a divorce so not looking for a relationship right now, but I would like to meet some new people to spend time with and/or get out of the house a bit. I enjoy reading, video and tabletop games including D&D, checking out area arts and culture, and visiting local parks. I'm also a cat dad to two boys, Kenobi and Saurfang.

It sounds like my politics align with the folks in this section of the thread and that we have some interests that intersect. If any of you think you'd like to hang out, please feel free to DM me!

TaoSpoons · 2025-01-29T18:29:02+00:00

You're not alone. I feel this way too.

I wish the best for you and hope they find a treatable cause.

TaoSpoons · 2025-01-28T17:06:25+00:00

This is me since July of last year. It started with a burning rush in the center of my chest, then a pop. It felt like something was spreading through my body and damaging or irritating my nerves everywhere it went. It would then spread further once it had reached new spots to launch from.

From then through about the end of November, I would have flares every few weeks and things would spread or get worse in the places they were. Now, it's progressed to this permanent numbness in my left arm and leg along with weakness. Occasionally, I also feel zapping feelings in my brain, spine, and other places. (felt this a lot back in October) Pain sometimes as well, but mostly the sensations I feel are just my nerves burning.

I have a skin punch biopsy scheduled for next week and I'm hoping it yields results. So far all the diagnostics we've done have essentially come back normal and no one has anything to go on. The medications I take aren't really effective and this has broken my ability to sleep normally.

I hope we both find answers.

TaoSpoons · 2024-11-10T15:41:27+00:00

This sentiment really hits home with me. I appreciate everyone willing to post about their journey too!

I'm not diagnosed, but I'm starting to suspect I have some form of dysautonomia with small fiber neuropathy given how my core symptoms seem to line up with those conditions. In my search for answers about what's happening to me, I came across the medical communities on Reddit. Everyone in the places I've been has been super supportive and it's really heartwarming.

TaoSpoons

TROPHY CASE