State of the Clan: 2023
It’s officially 2023! Three years into a … well lets be honest … a pretty fucked up decade!
Though 2022 was slightly better than it’s two predecessors it was still fairly rough. On a personal note, my health improved, unfortunately had a slight backtrack, though not as bad as a trip to the ER – so lets count that as a win. The good news, was able to establish a good doctor, got on a better treatment program which seems to be working. I had a lot more energy this year, and was able to finally finish one smaller story (showcased during Seven Days) and two major stories (showcased during Advent) plus update two videos, and a good amount of Aesthetics.
To continue the good news (at least on my end) I have a new job. I started at the beginning of this year, and well to be honest prepped a good amount of posts for the new year a head of time! Once things settle, I’ll be back into the daily grind that is Sylum.
Now before we get into the actual State of the Clan, a few things.
Sylum is and forever will be a safe place!
We work hard to make this place as stress free as possible. Rarely dive into politics, or into aspects world events.
Our goal is to bring a smile and fun to your inbox each day.
Now on to the State of the Clan!
Coffee House Friday
So we’re now into Mid January!
How is everyone handling winter? Staying warm? Or if it’s summer for you – how’s that going?
Gourmet Coffee Day
It’s National GOURMET Coffee Day! So basically the expensive stuff!
And yes … yes I have a snippet and it’s from my list! Sonya who asked for Ernesto/Andrew
Sylum Charity: Beanie for Cancer
We had no idea when we started our Foundation and set about raising funds for some much needed research, the incredible amount of support we would receive from people everywhere.
In 2014 we kicked off our first simple fundraiser, Beanie for Brain Cancer Campaign. Since then we have grown from selling a few hundred beanies locally to joining forces with the National Rugby League to create an annual Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.
Our Beanie campaign is now a nationally recognised fundraiser which has seen almost 1 million beanies sold!
To date the Foundation has raised close to $30 million and in 2022 MHF announced a $25 million Brain Cancer Research Centre at the University of Newcastle. The Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research is an exciting step forward for brain cancer research in Australia.
Other projects MHF have funded include a Brain Cancer Biobank, travel grants, multiple research projects around Australia including Fellowships and PhD’s. One of our proudest achievements as a foundation is implementing Brain Cancer Care Coordinators in rural and regional NSW health districts.
Ultimately research means better outcomes for brain cancer patients but research is expensive – so we will continue to make it our priority to raise funds and ensure those funds get to where they are needed most.
Our Foundation is a very small organisation that runs mostly on the generosity of our supporters and some community grants which allows us to keep the running costs to a bare minimum so that one day, maybe in my lifetime, together, we will find a cure for brain cancer.
Join our tribe… we believe anything is possible!
Mark Hughes
Sylum Inspiration: Máximo Barrosa
Integridad: Hunter
Máximo barely knew his father, and though his mother loved him dearly had a hard time taking care of him. He ended up on the streets trying to survive, when was taken in by Aguilar. It didn’t take him long to see Aguilar as a father figure.
Aguilar made sure he was educated, and had him work in Nerha Silks to learn a trade. As a young boy Máximo had a crush on Aguilar’s oldest, Josephine, and was devastated to learn she loved another. During that situation, Máximo learned that his father had a twin brother, Callum, and a hidden identity as an Assassin.
He trained with two of the for a year, taking the pressure off Aguilar during that time.
Maximo ended up going to Maysaf where he trained for ten years, and became a Master Assassin. He returned home with Aguilar, and started to take over the business. Knowing that Aguilar would soon have to ‘die/disappear’ he asked to be Turned.
Sylum Trivia: January 2023
Question: Name all the new characters that have been introduced this Advent (and uploaded to the wiki).
Winner get’s to choose one of the new characters for a snippet.
Thank You Day
As today is Thank You Day! I’m sending out my thanks to all of you!
For those who have stuck around for all these years.
To the new guys who took a chance and tried this weird thing called Sylum.
Thank You all for the support.
Boxing Day Results
So the results are in!
And this year’s winner is Tony!
Two things you get this day.
A small snippet! And a surprise after the snippet.
Sylum Inspiration: Jane Carter
Ehre/Weisheit: Hunter
Jane grew up in Seattle, Washington. Her father was a chef who owned a small restaurant, while her mother worked the front of the house. It was the local bbq place that everyone went to, she has found memories of coming home after school to a warm meal, doing her homework listening to the hustle and bustle of the community.
She went to school intent to become a lawyer, in her 3rd year of school she was called by the cops that someone had robbed the restaurant, and her parents had been killed. She knew her parents would not want her to quit school, but she changed focus and ended up working for the FBI. A few years in, she found herself stagnated and wasn’t sure what to do with her life, when she was approached by IMF.
It was her fifth mission she met Trevor Hanaway. It took three more missions before the two became lovers. They learned quickly to put their personal relationship to the side while working.
The one time it affected her work, was when he was shot by Sabine Moreau, then Turned by Benji. For the rest of the mission she had a hard time focusing, but determined to finish the job.
She ended up recouping in Mumbai from a bullet wound by the end of the mission. Hanaway appeared and told her they were Mates, she wasn’t that shocked as Ethan had hinted at it a few times.
Sylum Update: Twitter
I mentioned this a few months back that we’ll be shutting down our Twitter account.
We can no longer support or be a part of the whole shitshow that Twitter has become.
So this is the only warning you’ll get. If you follow us on Twitter to get updates, this would be the time to join the blog and get the posts via email.
The only social media platform we’re still posting to is Tumblr – if you have Tumblr you can follow me: Here
(Please Note: At the moment jetpack is being twitchy with the social posting. We’re supposed to get 30 free posts a month – yet here we are in January and it’s still not posting to any social media accounts. We’re working to figure this out. So seriously guys – subscribe to the blog! It will be easier)
We’ll be shutting down the Twitter account on: January 31st
