Friends, enemies, countrymen.

Exciting news! Philadelphia is hosting a song writing contest! This is your chance to show off your musical skills and write the perfect theme song for this thing of ours.

Here are the details:

• The theme for the song should be about our world, the struggles and triumphs of being a participant in this thing of ours.
• The song should be original and not infringe on any existing copyrights.  (That means no stealing of lyrics)
• Submit your song here by 14th February.
• The winner will be selected based on creativity, musicality, and overall fit with the theme of the competition (our world).

Get those creative juices flowing and let's see what you can come up with! The winner will receive a special in-game prize and recognition for all time on the streets.  A kiss from JamesBaxter will also be included as a part of the overall prize structure.

The current prize pot stands at $3,000,000 but will be subject to change as and when I pick up sponsors for this venture.  So yes rich folk, I am looking to you for some generosity!

Good luck, and let the song writing begin!  I will get us going with an example of the sort of thing we are looking for.  I imagine this one to be recited in the style of Thrash, Metalcore or Groove Metal.

In the shadows, they lurk and hide,
A notorious society, a web of lies,
A code of silence, a world of power,
The American Mafia, every hour.

They rule the city, with guns and fists,
An empire of crime, an iron grip,
The American Mafia,
A symbol of fear, a reign of terror.

With the hat and suit, they walk the streets,
With a sense of entitlement, they can't be beat,
From speakeasies to gambling dens,
They run it all, with violence and men.

They rule the city, with guns and fists,
An empire of crime, an iron grip,
The American Mafia,
A symbol of fear, a reign of terror.

A world of corruption, a life of sin,
Their reach extends, their power within,
With gangs and mobsters, they won't back down,
A world of crime, the Mafia's crown.

They rule the city, with guns and fists,
An empire of crime, an iron grip,
The American Mafia,
A symbol of fear, a reign of terror.

They live in legend, they're never forgotten,
The American Mafia, a tale of crime and corruption.

Good luck all, I look forward to seeing your creative juices flowing!

~O

The prize for the winner of the competition has been increased to an impressive 9.5 million dollars.

This is a significant increase from the previous prize amount and is sure to attract even more participants from all over our world. The increase in prize money will provide a huge boost to the winner, and is a testament to the prestige and importance of the competition.

More updates to follow, stay tuned folks.

Polio stumbles across a music competition and wants to help increase the popularity of it, getting out an envelope made out to Olivia_Parentela it reads '$5 million love The Dog Pound'

After being awoken from her morning slumber by the sound of the postman being mauled by the dogs again, Olivia retrieved the bloodstained mail from the floor under the letterbox.

Brilliant, thank-you Polio, too kind!

That puts us up to 14.5 million total prize fund folks, the pot is growing nicely!

~O 

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

What do we need?  What do we need?

What do we need today?

What do we need?  What do we need?

What do we need today?

We need a leader we need a leader

We need a Leader of the Streets - OH YAY!

We need a leader we need a leader

We need a Leader of the Streets - OH YAY!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

What do we need?  What do we need?

What do we need today?

What do we need?  What do we need?

What do we need today?

We need a leader we need a leader

We need a Leader of the Streets - OH YAY!

We need a leader we need a leader

We need a Leader of the Streets - OH YAY!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Clap your hands and stomp your feet!

Give us a leader a proper leader

A proper leader of the Streets - OH YAY

With our leader, with our leader

With our leader of the Streets we'll stay!

Attention all songwriters!

The songwriting competition is heating up, with JohnFareham being the current defacto winner.

However, we don't want him to be the winner, do we?

So, it's time to step up and showcase your musical talents!

Submit your entries by the deadline and show the world what you've got.

Let's make this competition a truly competitive one! Get those creative juices flowing and let's rock the stage together!

*a bit of Coldplay*

When you do your best, trying to succeed, 
When you know what you want but think it is greed,
When you feel so sure, but you just want more
Stuck in reveeeeeeerse

And you see your friends they've forgot who you were
When you lose them all but it will not deter
When you love yourself, but you love them more
Could it be wooooorse?

Your leader will guide you home
stay in the city keep him on the throne
could it be time to moan?

And high up above, or down below
It's New York city so here we go
So if you never fly, you'll never know
Just take your chance, do not blow

Your dogs will guide you home
And ignite there bones
And I will make sure that i fix you

Tears streaming down your face
you've lost him, you cannot replace
Shot in the head, it time to chase

Tears streaming down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face, and 

my dogs will guide me home
keep me safe, keep me sound
time to return to the dog pound
 

Wellerman was making his way home to Philly guided by the ever so nice Paul_Finch who located Wellerman sleeping next to some trash cans after being shamelessly abandoned. As he walked past Olivia_Parentela he stuffed a wad of paper into her hands. 

Back in my day!... He trailed off before nodding out once again. 

There's a group of people who can never seem to see
Past their own emotions and their personal dignity
Every little thing that's said, they take it to heart
Their hypersensitivity is tearing them apart

Offended, always offended, can't you see the bigger picture?
It's like a never-ending battle, it just doesn't seem to wither
The world keeps turning, but they're still stuck in their ways
Offended, always offended, it's a never-ending phase

They search for reasons to be upset, to play the victim's role
They see insults in every joke and obstacles in every goal
They claim to fight for justice, but their anger's unjustified
They let their emotions rule them, their thoughts are sanctified

We all make mistakes, but it's how we learn and grow
It's time to let go of the things that bring us low
We can't control what others say or do
But we can choose how we react and what's true

Offended, always offended, can't you see the bigger picture?
It's like a never-ending battle, it just doesn't seem to wither
The world keeps turning, but they're still stuck in their ways
Offended, always offended, it's a never-ending phase

So let's rise above the hate, and let our hearts be filled with love
It's time to put aside the anger and see the world from above
We're all in this together, let's build a better place
Offended, no more offended, it's time to find some grace.

Baby got Crack

And she can not lie

I wish she could, so you won't die

Selling short dime bags, just a hustling schmo

It's better than some pimp, beating on a ho

I like big blunts and I can not lie

Fire one up to get high, high, high

In my backyard, you thinking I'm grilling

Making special K milkshakes that keep you all chillin

The girls come running, like big back Betty

Bouncing and thirsty cuz she always sweaty

She has the biggest butt I ever did see

I gotta add more junk to my cold iced tea

Makes me wish I was blind

When I see that behind

She pulled a wad of cash

from her sweaty ole ass

I used to like big butts

But now that's a lie

Paul and Sniffler the anteater had been talking. They had decided to enter the song contest. Paul was the songwriter and Sniffler of course had always been a dab claw at the piano surprisingly. Paul slowly wheeled in a piano and turned to face the audience. A small band of anteaters followed dressed in three-piece suits and fedoras. There was one that seemed to play electric guitar, a female anteater on bass and a wild-looking giant anteater on drums.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, for your listening pleasure I would like to present to you Sniffler and The Mafia Anteaters”. 

Sniffler walked slowly over toward the piano. He was wearing a red satin suit, high-heeled boots and very striking sunglasses. Taking his seat, he waited for Paul to continue. 

"Today Sniffler will be singing an up-tempo number called Mafia Anteaters." 

Sniffler jingled the ivory keys and the band burst into life after a brief piano introduction.

Anteaters with a thirst for power,

Gonna take down the city, hour by hour.

With their long snouts and sticky tongues,

They'll do anything to conquer and rule.

 

Mafia anteaters, they're on the rise,

They'll do anything to claim the prize.

With their criminal minds and dirty deeds,

They'll run this town with all they need.

 

They've got the streets under their control,

Their power's growing and taking its toll.

No one dares to stand in their way,

For fear of the consequences they'll pay.

 

Mafia anteaters, they're on the rise,

They'll do anything to claim the prize.

With their criminal minds and dirty deeds,

They'll run this town with all they need.

 

They're cunning and sly, always one step ahead,

Their enemies tremble, they strike fear and dread.

They've got a reputation for getting things done,

And no one will stop them, until their kingdom is won.

Sniffler pointed to the crowd as he begin the final chorus. They all knew it at this stage and began to sing along. Stiffler was dancing his heart out. StifflersMom was getting down her boogie. Paul was smirking. Happy to see his anteater friend finally get the recognition he deserved. SnifflersMom was crying and screaming that’s my baby boy. Everyone began singing together.

Mafia anteaters, they're on the rise,

They'll do anything to claim the prize.

With their criminal minds and dirty deeds,

They'll run this town with all they need.

 

So beware, if you hear the sound of their hiss,

It's the Mafia anteaters, and they mean business.

They'll rule the city, with their power and might,

And everyone will bow down to the anteaters tonight.

Sniffler finished with a flourish on the piano and the crowd burst into a stand ovation. Never had they seen anteaters play so well. Paul stepped forward to quiet the crowd.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I think there can be no doubt after that performance that Mafia Anteaters are on the rise”.

He pointed at Olivia_Parentela and looked her dead in the eyes.

“And they will get their prize”.

Paul walked off with the anteaters and their instruments to enjoy the anteater after-party.

Well well well.

It's been a thrilling journey so far in the songwriting contest with talented musicians Paul_Finch, Ketamine, Tutte, Wellerman, Polio and JohnFareham showcasing their creativity and musical abilities.

Although Wellerman is about to be disqualified for unspecified reasons, their contributions to the competition will not be forgotten.

The quality of music produced by the participants has made it a tough competition and it will be interesting to see who will come out on top in the end.

Keep up the great work everyone and let's see what the second half of the contest has in store!

And please excuse my senility, we are nowhere near the halfway point!

Keep them coming.

In response to a query I received, there is no limit on the amount of entries you want to put forward.  

DO NOT FRET FOLKS.

I cunningly converted the cash to credits.  Thusly,

THE SHOW MUST GO ON.

The prize however, has been converted over to credits.  So, the current pot stands at 30 credits to the winner.

The winner would have been Wellerman, but seeing as Olivia disqualified him, it will have to be someone else.  

KEEP THE ENTRIES COMING.

Have we learned nothing from history? When will the terror end? Calamity after calamity, and yet the unbridled violence of the mafia competition circuit barrels on. I suggest all participants take extra precautions over the coming days in order to prevent this from escalating into an all-too-common street competition bloodbath. And some still say we don't need a Leader of the Streets; fools. FOOLS. 

This is outrageous! You have made any enemy for life my friend! 

To show my immense anger I have written a new song. 

They wrote a song about the people who are always on the brink
Their hypersensitivity can drive you to the brink
But little do they know, the song has struck a nerve
And now the very people it's about, are about to serve

Offended, always offended, even by the songs we sing
It's like a never-ending cycle, it just doesn't seem to bring
Peace and understanding, no, it just fuels the fire
Offended, always offended, it's a never-ending liar

They say the lyrics are insensitive, they don't understand
But the irony is lost on them, they don't have a plan
To break the cycle of offense, and find a better way
Instead, they lash out, and add to the display

The song was written to bring attention, to a problem we all face
But instead of solving it, they've added to the case
It's time to listen, to understand and to learn
It's time to put aside the offense, and let peace return

Offended, always offended, even by the songs we sing
It's like a never-ending cycle, it just doesn't seem to bring
Peace and understanding, no, it just fuels the fire
Offended, always offended, it's a never-ending liar

So let's find a way to break the cycle, to put aside the hate
It's time to listen and to learn, it's not too late
We're all in this together, let's find a better way
Offended, no more offended, it's time to end this play.

With Wellerman's rage not subsiding he felt compelled to once again grace the world with his great vocal talent. 

Disqualify me? Nonsense. Wellerman moved towards his trusty boat which he sailed to the streets today (don't look to far into it) and began his rhythmic drumming on the side of the ship. 

I call this one 'Offenderman'

There once was a man who was easily offended
With words that would make him feel scorned and upended
He couldn't take a joke, or a lighthearted comment
He took everything seriously, and that was lament

Oh, the offended man, he's feeling so low
All the words that he hears, he just wants to throw
But when the words are spoken, he just can't let go
Oh, the offended man, he's feeling so low

He walked through life, with a scowl on his face
Never able to enjoy, life's little embrace
He couldn't find peace, or a moment of rest
All because he was always, feeling depressed

Oh, the offended man, he's feeling so low
All the words that he hears, he just wants to throw
But when the words are spoken, he just can't let go
Oh, the offended man, he's feeling so low

He needs to learn, to let things roll off his back
And not take everything so seriously, in fact
He needs to find joy, in life's little things
And let go of the hurt, and spread his wings

Oh, the offended man, he's feeling so low
All the words that he hears, he just wants to throw
But when he finds peace, he'll finally let go
Oh, the offended man, he'll feel aglow.

Thank you for listening to my songs. I feel better now. 

Jim clears his throat.

I have been speaking with JamesBaxter, Wellerman.  He has instructed me that Olivia has told him that you, most unfortunately, need to be disqualified from the competition once again.  

Now, as this is quite a complex and controversial matter, as we all know ghosts don't exist right.......

Jim pauses and belches up some sort of phlegm, it's consistency is indescribable, IT IS DISGUSTING.

I will allow you to PLEAD you case as to why you should not be disqualified.

As JamesBaxter seems to be highly regarded in the orating stakes......I will allow him, AND HIM ALONE, to be your advocate.

HOW DO YOU PLEAD?

I plead GUILTY, but not for the reasons you think. 

It was ME who ate that gibbon, sending Olivia down her dark path. It just looked so delicious and I didn't think anyone would find out. I had no idea that things would go so far. 

I need to compete in this competition to redeem the family name and right the wrongs that I have unleashed upon the world.