My dearest compatriots, have you been affronted by the bourgeois and general air of unconcerned levity put forth by attendees of the Penny Arcade Expo? Does the incessant chatter of these wealthy popinjays regarding their enjoyment of of the Expo's multifarious activities and revelry in their companionship leave you feeling a mite bit peevish? Fear not, humble fellow, for your are not without recourse.

Enter: the Friends of the PAXless (FOPs).

While in years past, those among us who found themselves unable to book passage to the Northwest Territory for Penny Arcade's annual festivities may have found themselves quite vexed. Perhaps even overwhelmed. This year, you may set your watch and warrant that things will be quite different.

FOPs have dedicated their persons to providing alternate entertainment to endless flood of Expo-related news and tomfoolery that will soon permeate these hallowed grounds. It is our aim to provide small contests, daily activities, and entertainment to those who have not the wherewithal or weight to their purse to attend the frivolous festivities to soon commence in the Shire of Seattle. We propose to be the counterweight to the unceasing palaver and prattle of those ragamuffins who would speak of nothing but the Expo.

To be a FOP, one must devote themselves to the highest degree of video game fashion. This season, nonsensical yet gaming-related fun is all the rage, and so we must be diligent in our pursuit of such. If you have ideas for contests or activities for the Friends of the PAXless, or artwork or anything else you wish to share, please post your correspondence to Foptoid@gmail.com.

And so my friends, come, declare yourself a FOP! While the cats are away, the FOPs will play! Find funny, interesting, or otherwise entertaining tidbits for all of us to enjoy in the meantime, so we may not be lost in a blight of Expo-focused news. And when posting your blogs as a Friend of the PAXless, do not forget to include FOP in your title, so we may share in it, and glory in the mirth that those attending the Expo will wish they had not missed out on.

(Your first task is to find yourself an appropriately foppish name. Mine is Bartholomew Blatherhedge. Go wild.)