First, two awesome things rolled in one: Mass Dessertnic!

We’re combining our two study break events, our end of the year picnic and mass dessertion, into one massive party we’re calling the Mass Dessertnic! At 4pm this Friday, May 6th, join us in the TA yard area for food catered by Twisted Soul and dessert catered by you! Yes, this is a dessert potluck, so we hope you can bring something sweet! You can come anytime you like (4 PM) but you can never leave!

And then… and then… LASER TAG!

An event so awesome it deserves both capital letters and bolding! Sign up if you have a car, sign up if you don’t. This is a thrill like few others as you shoot at your loved ones gleefully.

Hey guys, long time no update, huh? But this one is a special one. Oh, yes, a special one!

Have you ever wanted to be on the NSO’s executive board? You know you have, you just know it! Well, you’re in luck, because elections are finally upon us. I know the current PTB is a tough act to follow (oh, quiet), but if you wish to run for any of these totally awesome positions, please email Lily (lipytel@vassar.edu) with the position you would like to run for and a corresponding speech (1-2 paragraphs).  If you are running for cultural attache you must also send a sample flyer in addition to your speech. (You can pick a topic. Try one of our existing events [http://vsa.vassar.edu/orgs/nosuchorg/events/] or NonCon 12.) You may send your speeches at anytime between now and Tuesday, March 29th and make sure you write NSO elections as the subject so we do not miss your email.

The five positions that constitute the illustrious PTB are as follows:

1.  First Minister (president)

2. Chief Bureaucratic Goombah (treasurer)

3. Chronicler and Keeper of Logs (secretary)

4. Cultural Attaché (publicizing and promoting the NSO and events)

5. Ensign Coordinator (actually normal title)

Did you know Inception is now the top rated Sci-Fi movie ever in imdb.com?

In happier news, welcome back! We hope you’ll well rested and relaxed, because you will need every ounce of available energy for what we have in store for you.

Old and new events return (and… are born?) next week. Check back next week for the updated calender. This week – and you may wanna be sitting down for this – is NonCon: The Preview. NonCon, which will take place Feb. 18-20, is NSO’s fabulous yearly convention. We have guests, we have games, we have merchandise, but most importantly, we have you. First and foremost, we want this convention to be by you and for you, so if you want to run a panel, a game, an event, or just lend a hand (this is quite the logistical *softer word for nightmare*), we’d be thrilled to have you.

For now, join us this Friday, 6 PM, Faculty Commons and The Retreat for a preview of what we have in store. Or, in other words, to play video games and goof around. We’ll provide the games, you provide the warrior soul!

How awesome was Harry Potter 7, hmmm?

The snow is playing hard-to-get with us, but professors certainly aren’t. Amidst all the tests and papers and whatnot, we just wanna take a moment to say thank you for a great semester. And you ain’t seen nothing yet. The PTB is especially excited for the upcoming semester, the Spring semester, and you know what that means – NonCon! NonCon is a convention filled with NSO stuff (galore?) – awesome guest speakers, video games, RPGs, board games, artist corners, merchandise and much more. It is truly our flag event and we eagerly work to make each year better than all the previous years.

So, first of all, mark your calender to an indistinct weekend next Spring – mid February, actually. Second of all, if you would like to be involved in this craziness of crazy, we’ll be delighted to have you. Whether you want to run a game, a lecture, a panel, want to display your art or just help out – WE WANT YOU! And either way, we are always open to suggestions, comments, ideas for events and whatnot. So come back next semester fresh with ideas.

Until then, we hope you enjoyed this semester as much as we did and we grant holiday wishes to warm you up in this annoying cold (the writer of these lines is Jewish and has no idea what she is talking about with this… happy Hanukkah anyone?).

Perhaps the most exciting weeks in the history of exciting weeks are upon us. Yes, that’s right, the midnight Rocky Horror Picture Show. Join us in the next two weekends, November 5-6 and 12-13 (the show will start at Midnight – I know, a surprise!), to see how it’s really done – that’s right, Glee, I’m looking at you. You ain’t got nothing on us. This year we feature an unprecedented all-female principal cast in a show that’s sure to make you say “bless my soul” for the love of all of that Rock ‘n Roll! Look for tickets to this awesomeness this week at the College Center.

In other news, as much as one can concentrate on anything else:

NonCon is getting closer! We’re looking for people interested in designing the shirts, which should include NSO 2010-2011 somewhere on them and reflect the interests of the org. The designer will receive a free shirt and custom baked goods (or other requested recompense). Please let me know if you’re interested. This Thursday, 5-6pm in UpC we will begin the planning – we need help in all aspects so make sure to stop by!

Chain mail is cancelled this week. Darling Genevieve will be in Rocky instead, so you know where to find her…

Social Dinner next week (November 8th) will also be movie night in the Deecee. We’d love suggestions and recommendations for something fun to watch while you eat – Princess Bride, anyone?

Also next, what many have been waiting for – Magic the Gathering Tournament, November 12th. Many more details to follow next week, but be aware or be… square?

And last but not least, a message from Justin Warren: “This Tuesday at 6:00 come eat dinner at the Student Chess Club interest meeting. We’re planning to create an official chessclub, so everyone who might be interested in learning and playing chess should come discuss options and ideas for making the Club. Everyone and all ideas are welcome! We’ll be at the ACDC (right side), and will be hard to miss. If you’re at all interested but can’t make it, please contact Justin Warren (juwarren@vassar.edu).”

What’s that? I think I see you shiver with antici… pation! (yes, this joke is grossly copied from the newsletter. What of it?)

To those who survived midterms, we will be joyous to see you back when we return from a short hiatus to rest our sore minds and save the world… except for that second one. Anyway, all this text just to say that the NSO is on break, so our weekly events will resume after the break, with vigor!

Also, as of this week, we’re holding library hours at the NSO room in the Raymond basement, where were have books, movies and comics galore. You can see the list at the Library page, although keep in mind that we have since bought more and more books and movies – we can stop whenever we want, we swear.

• This week, library hours will be Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 PM (NOT Wednesday) and Thursday, 6:00-8:00 PM. Come check it out. You don’t actually have to check anything out, but chances are you’ll find it hard to resist.

Do you feel like stuffing your ears with cotton so your brain won’t stain the floor as it leaks out of your ears? I know, me too!

But enough with the TMI. It’s a pleasure and an honor to introduce a shiny new event, what you’ve all been waiting for: Magic: The Gathering – Casual Saturdays! This enchanting event will take place on Saturdays (how shocking), from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Faculty Commons, next to the Retreat. Join Ian Relihan and Jacen Simon every Saturday afternoon for some quality time with the one of the most prolific and most popular collectible card games ever made, Magic: The Gathering! Bring your favorite deck and battle against fellow students from the far ends of the world – namely, Joss, Chusing and the South Commons, and don’t forget your trade binder!

Aww, don’t have any cards? Not to fret! Most players will be more than happy to lend you a spare deck. Don’t know how to play? Don’t worry! This is a casual event, and everyone will be happy to help teach you. And don’t forget to bring a friend! Magic is, above all else, a social game, and everybody appreciates the arrival of a new contender.

Of course, this goes without saying, the rest of our weekly events continue to be awesome, undisturbed by all this magic going around.

If we only I had a TARDIS handy.

How in touch are you with you Japanese side? If the answer is between -100 to 100, join us Wednesdays 7 PM for a decidedly addictive Anime Night at the Noyes MPR. This Wednesday, we’ll be kicking off with the intriguing and controversial “Elfen Lied”. It begins in a prison-like research building, when one of the subjects/prisoners violently escapes in a scene that will leave your heart-pounding and your fingers clenched to your armrest. I don’t know what about you, but something this controversial, I have to see this. Keep in mind, though, that this is a very adult anime. If that’s not your thing, feel free to join us at about 7:45 when we’ll vote between two episodes  of “Cowboy Bebop” or “Trigun”.

Next up, on Thursday 8-11 PM, you’ll have the chance to blow off some steam playing Super Smash Bros Melee at the Faculty Commons (a lovely space next to the ATM at the Retreat) where you’ll be able to knock each other off the planetscreen. We will play single, double and free-for-all. Everyone whose blood boils and has a short temper is welcome to join.

Friday at 6:30 PM, Josh Klein is will be running the RPG World of Darkness using “Changing Breeds” for a main venue at the Jewett Conference Room. He’s looking for 3-4 players to join him regularly – no experience or knowledge necessary and all materials provided! To sign up or get more information, feel free to contact joklein@vassar.edu.

Another RPG that will start soon, probably Friday nights at Cushing (though this is flexible), is a Vampire RPG called “The Danse Macabre“. Keith Johnson is looking for regular players, as well as more sporadic supporting characters. For more information, contact kejohnson@vassar.edu.

Saturday at 2 PM, come learn the ancient art of chainmail at the Strong MPR, where you can make original never-before-seen jewelery for you or your friends, or even, for the especially diligent among us, a whole shirt! Materials, as well as individual instruction, will be provided. No prior knowledge necessary.

Oh, yes, we know what you’re still looking for, but fear not, for we are gathering the necessary materials for a weekly Magic event. So hold your breath (for as long as possible without dying, our lawyers have told us to say) and look for updates here or in the newsletter.

And lastly, this is not an NSO event, but our aspiring writers might find this interesting: Science & Science Fiction Writers’ Club
Are you a fan of sci-fi? Whether you’re a prolific writer or just an avid reader (or any combination of the two!), you should join us! We read and critique each others’ works-in-progress, discuss previously published stories and intriguing science articles, and watch fun sci-fi films. Join us this Saturday, Sept. 25 at 6pm in Olmsted 300 for a lively session! Contact Jackie at jakory@vassar.edu to be added to the mailing list!

… to make you quake with fear!

Yes, yes, as you might have guessed, the “undisclosed movie” we will be watching in the “undisclosed” meeting next Sunday at 6pm, at the Davison MPR is Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog. (Try typing that five times without taking a breath!) So practice your vocals and gurgle some saltwater, because it will be legen… -wait for it- DARY! Yes, I know, right actor, wrong fandom. But still! If Neil Patrick Harris and Joss Whedon require us to sing along, who are we to refuse?

- In other news, the events meeting will be held next Wednesday, Sept. 15, 7pm at UpC. if you would like to run a weekly event, or if you have an idea for a not-weekly event, please come to our Events meeting. We’ll hash out everyone’s ideas and come up with suitable locations and times for events. Of course, if you can make it, or better yet, can’t wait, early ideas and questions may be addressed to Franz, the NSO’s event’s coordinator, at frveres@vassar.edu.

- If you’d like to join us for a trip to the New York Renaissance Faire (and you’d be crazy not to!), please let us know by tomorrow! Just a reminder: the trip will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18 (more details to come). Also, if you have a car and you are willing to drive, please say so and specify how many people you can fit (gas receipts will be reimbursed and much gratitude is guaranteed!).

- Phew. Lastly, if, for some unfathomable reason, you’re not on the mailing list, feel free to email our renowned first minister Carolyn, at cagrabill@vassar.edu.

Hello, new school year!

The NSO is excited for 2010-2011. We’re planning lots of events, like students activities fair, New York Renaissance Fair and Rocky Horror Picture Show, so keep an eye on the website for updates.

We’ re also excited to have new PTB members joining us. Check out the new list of org officers on the Officers tab. We look forward to hearing your thoughts about the NSO.