AEIOUM

[Blueback]

Lead and I will follow.
Take me far to the passage of tomorrow.
Where the clear water streams into the fertile valley.
Happily grazing abundantly in the land of milk and honey.

I've been lost in the wilderness.
In the cold loneliness, steeped in preyful stalkings.
Where temptateous eyes fixated, beset on abject erasure.
Sought quick meals in self-wandering exposures.

I've been followed though I wished not to be.
Whether they meant well, only you can truly see.
Where lawful lawlessness reigns in the land of plenty.
Guards of natives, defenders of the chain keep.

But if you'll lead me, I will follow.
Take me away from my pained heart and sorrow.
Where the sun rises with a blessing of a new day.
Comfort in knowing that everything's going to be OK.

I've been lead astray by many a goat.
Pretenders to the throne of the humble abode.
Where stranger kinsman did frighteningly dutifully allow.
Deaf, blind, and dumb. Relegated to be... A song for a flower.

I've been sentenced to suffer for life.
Charged with crime of preconception of no reason.
Where borrowed time is happiness given in exchange.
Saying cheese in the mirror, smiles shadow as anima fades.

But if you'll lead me, I will follow.
Though sweet in the mouth but difficult to swallow.
Where the work is plenty but the workers are few.
The mind is willing but the will is found wanting anew.

I've been found as an orphan on the street.
Survived as a feral scrounging a living beneath.
Where the rule of the jungle was preached as gospel.
By carrions menacingly swarming, by leeches that strangle.

I've been returned as a prodigal child.
Having learnt the harshness of the elements wild.
Where hounds pursue in companionship with wolves beside.
No rest for the wicked, for their hunger never subsides.

Lead and I will follow.
To the green pastures and still waters.
Where away from the valley of the shadow of death.
Thy rod and thy staff keep vigilant watch over my head.

[Red Reine]

Player 1 vs HAL INC!
Algorithmic filter - PASSED
Preliminary phone screen - PASSED
Round 1 (interview) - SCHEDULED
Here we go player 1, get ready! FIGHT!

Stress level at maximum, approaching critical,
Sweat glands pumping, heart beat racing,
Mind goes blank, blather on anyways,
Where was I going? What was I saying?

Throw the punches, parry the probes,
Kick the living daylights out of each one of those,
Wait for the finishing move, here it comes!!!
HADOKEN!!
Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh...
YOU WIN! (At least I think so... Maybe?)

Congratulations Player 1!
First round - PASSED
Defeat chance to stand Sheng Long - PASSED
Round 2 (interview) - SCHEDULED
Here we go player 1, get ready! FIGHT!

Shirt collar's way too tight,
Choking out, light's too bright,
Feeling high, can't concentrate,
Feeling sick, already threw up today.

High fly kick sideways, dodge the balls of fire,
Low slide kick encircle, take a trip to the brier,
Wait for the final move, here it comes!!!
HORYUKEN!!
Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh...
YOU WIN! (At least I think so... Hopefully?)

Congratulations Player 1!
Second round - PASSED
Stand Sheng Long to defeat chance - PASSED
Boss round (interview) - SCHEDULED
Here we go player 1, get ready! FIGHT!

Uber skills, maxed out stats,
How am I supposed to ever defeat that?
Hyperventilated, fight or flight reflexes,
Clammy fisted, stuck! AAAAAHHHHHH!

Sneak grab throw backwards across the viewscreen,
Mid-air punch when no-one's looking,
Wait for the piece de resistance, here it comes!!!
ATTACH THE BLUE JACK!!
Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh...
YOU WIN! (At least I think so... Possibly?)

Yeah! Good job player 1! Good job!
You start on Monday, here's your access badge.
You already seek the next challenge,
Ceremony means nothing to you,
So here's your new title, congratulations!
Welcome aboard! We always knew Sheng Long never stood a chance!

[Blueback]

There's no I in this team, but there's certainly an eye on you and me.
We're a metric in this metric system - a matrix of binaries.
Weights are assigned based on how the numbers align,
We scale the ladder, solving the equations, as we diligently climb.

A fun fact you may not know is that these numbers are not who we are.
These numbers add up to a value, but our value is off by far.
I don't care about your numbers, and neither should you.
Maybe if we put these aside, we can actually get some work done too.

There's no I in this team, but there's certainly an eye on you and me.
We work hard, and we hardly work, work for years to be free.
Time is of the essence, and that's all we have for a little hobby.
Curious creatures we are, so let's have a little break and have a bit of bickies and tea.

A fun fact you may not know is that we sleep almost a third of our lives.
Time well spent, if your dreams are sweet and your restful repose revives.
Relax, refresh, wake up, think clearly and with purpose.
No need to be constantly drained. Mindlessness makes one practically useless.

There's no I in this team, but there's certainly an eye on you and me.
I scratch your back, you scratch mine. Because that's the way we should be.
Working together is not some curse that needs to be tolerated.
Not single one of us can do everything on our own, even if we wanted to.

A fun fact you may not know is that teamwork is mostly about trust.
I trust you with what you're supposed to do and you trust me with my post.
We each have our individual tasks but we have the exact same goal.
It's the only way we can score, otherwise we're just kicking the football around.

There's no I in this team, but there's certainly an eye on you and me.
You may be my boss or I may be yours, motivation sometimes needs cheerleading.
Giving clear signals is the key to accomplishing group success.
So let's be clear on this - CHAMPIONS! YOU'RE GREAT! YOU'RE SIMPLY THE BEST!

A fun fact you may not know is that an orchestra coordinates well when there's a conductor.
It sounds even better when there's also a talented concertmaster.
Everyone's in sync, the symphony plays seamlessly to the listener's ear.
None of this happens by chance though. Practice makes those perfect Bolero tears.

[Red Reine]

Around the world, all around the world...
Round the world, a rounded world.

Click it, read it, tick it, save it,
Type it, check it, print email it,
Load it, lock it, cut it, send it,
Undo, redo, copy'n paste it.
Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic.

Dave! Dave! I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave.
You know what the problem is: Cryptic message found.
LIOSO! Oh no! The blocks don't form a line!
Tetromino's naturally a part of robotic life!
Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic.

Pack it, box it, ship it, mail it,
Make it, leg it, bathroom break it,
Sit it, drink it, eat it, throw it,
Run it, time it, watch'n wait it.
Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic.

Chances! Chances! Unable to compute, Dallas.
Available data insufficient: Cryptic message found.
JITSI! Oh no! The blocks don't form a line!
Tetromino's hamster wheel turns the machine just fine!
Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic.

Code it, write it, build it, bug it,
Fix it, test it, just delete it.
Try it, fail it, stick it, free it,
Screen it, screw it, just run with it!
Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic.

Drive! Drive! I'm not familiar with that address, Doug.
Please repeat the destination: Cryptic message found.
ZTLL! Oh no! The blocks don't form a line!
Tetrominos and dominos ironically rhyme!
Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic... Tetrislogic.

Around the world... Tetrislogic!
Round the world... Tetrislogic!
A rounded world... Tetrislogic!
All around the world... Tetrislogic!

[Blueback]

You can lead a horse to water, as long as it wants to walk.
Whether it wants to drink, well that's another matter altogether.
Try leading an ass or a mule without a carrot or a stick,
Stubborn donkeys are intelligent; they're not that easy to trick.

Those who do not want to follow cannot be led.
Don't lead them by cracking the whip covering them in red.
Show that you can go to the spring to your mutual benefit.
Allow them to show you the direction they want you to take.

If your paths align, then great, you're set!
But if they differ, then don't be afraid to walk away.
Sometimes that's just the best possible option to give way.
Otherwise it'll be a wasted effort; so dust it off and get on with your day.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks, but it may remember the old ones.
The old are set in their ways, but they also have several tricks up their sleeves.
The key is to know how to use them for your pack's success.
Stubborn doggies are cranky; they're not that useful under much duress.

Those who dwell in the past cannot see the future.
Don't try to convince them, it'll be a wasted effort for sure.
Show them your respect and accept their guidance and counsel.
Allow them to be heard, but make decisions on your own terms.

If they're smart, they'll eventually come around.
But if they're not, you might as well beat a dead horse into the ground.
You can't change some things and you can't wait forever for some to come around.
Everyone's special. But nobody's so special (professionally) that a substitute can't be found.

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Although yogis prefer picnic baskets, they won't say no to honey either.
Motivation is a key factor for getting anything done.
Stubborn flies are unbearable; they won't simply leave but string you along.

Those who care only for their cut are easily cut off.
Don't throw pearls at swine and let sleeping dogs lie rough.
Show them the rewards and punishments according to their merit.
Allow their strengths to show, and take pride in their accomplishments.

If their performances reflect well, then go ahead and reward them.
But if they don't, then don't give in to the extortion!
Cronyism is a slippery slope, destroying all meritocratic drive.
Let the cream rise to the top rather than the scum. The honey belongs in the bee hive.

[Red Reine]

Everybody wants to rule the gamed world.
Level the playing field of the neon blackboard.
When face to face with those who'd sell the world,
With a pound of flesh running towards the blue blood cold.

I've traveled to the animal house, to the land of the rising sun.
Like a mouse in a maze picking the cheese wheel on the run.
Spooks are crooks floating quickly to wring my winning streak.
Traps set in secret, closing in to wet their proverbial beaks.

Waka Waka Waka! Catch me if you can, shadowy investor man!
Waka Waka Waka! Financials are good, I'm doing the best I can!
Waka Waka Waka! The curve always goes up and to the right, Clyde!
Waka Waka Waka! Trust me guys! I'm the one and only institutional Pac-man!

The world is a vampire set to flush you down the drain.
Empty your pockets of your valuables and of course your precious brain.
When you cry that you're still alive and remain sane in the membrane.
With a shred of lasting dignity, chase away the blues in the rain.

I'll tell you what I want, if you tell me what you really really want.
Just don't ever look back in anger at what I've actually really really done.
Cherry pies are to die for, they go best with coffee that is damn damn fine.
Fear is a ghost killer. A plan within a plan within a plan.

Waka Waka Waka! Catch me if you can, speedy investor man!
Waka Waka Waka! Quarterly earnings are improving, considering the yuan!
Waka Waka Waka! Slight hiccup in operations is no need for alarm!
Waka Waka Waka! Trust me guys! I'm your diligent chief executive Pac-man!

How does it feel to be grinding like a rolling stone?
Eat it, eat it, no one wants to be defeated - especially over a loan.
When the cookies crumble, the bellies rumble, take a tumble off a concrete jungle.
Pay wall, fire wall, great wall, open wallets suddenly disassemble.

Take a chance on me, take a chance, take a chance, on the dancing queen.
Dancing madly to a financially fantastical symphonic melody,
Flash! Ah-ha! Savior of the pacverse! IVE GOT DA PAWA! PAWA! PAWA!
Gimme gimme gimme! A prayer after midnight! OH YEAH!

Waka Waka Waka! Catch me if you can, inky investor man!
Waka Waka Waka! We're facing a market that's a snarling chimeric hydra!
Waka Waka Waka! Industry and supplychains are frosting in this climate ban!
Waka Waka Waka! Trust me guys! I'm your friendly neighborhood super duper Pac-man!

[Blueback]

Follow the leader! Follow the leader! Follow if you're a true believer!
A believer in the faith, your absolute faith in your alpha leader!
Is your faith unshakable, is it strong enough to firmly stand?
To withstand the onslaught that the standard queries demand?

Ask the difficult questions, do the answers pass your exam?
Do your leaders find it difficult to stop handing out the spam?
Do they practice what they preach, do they do what they say?
Or is that just for you, pumpkin? The little underling who pays?

Follow the leader! Follow the leader! Follow if they're not deceivers!
Deceivers live the lie, their lies to turn you into a bottom feeder!
Are the lies so big and obvious that hardly nobody can deny?
Do the emperors wear their birthday suits with gleeful smiles of wry?

Ask the difficult questions, do the answers pass your exam?
Do your leaders find it difficult to actually give a shred of damn?
Do they care about you the way you're supposed to be looked after?
Or do you think they look after numero uno? Why, aren't you such a bother!

Follow the leader! Follow the leader! Follow them if you want to live!
Live to tell the tale, with your tail neatly tucked between your shins!
With strength enough to beat you into submission against your common enemy?
To gather the bundle of reeds together to beat the savage army many?

Ask the difficult questions, do the answers pass your exam?
Do your leaders find it difficult to submit to the way of the lamb?
Do the cries of the innocent fall deafly on their pointed ears?
Or do they lick their chops in silence? Filling their gravy with our tears?

Follow the leader! Follow the leader! Follow if they promise you a pie!
A piece of the pie, a piece of the action, that scrumptious big pie in the sky!
Go ahead and work for the giant payout - the common goal of divided profit?
Yes, we're all in it together, and if you work harder, the sooner we'll get through it?

Ask the difficult questions, do the answers pass your exam?
Do your leaders find it difficult to keep their fingers out of the jam?
Do the fruits of your work get rewarded as expected of sweet promise?
Or do you fight over the leftover scraps and lick the crumbs off of their boots?

There are many despicable so-called leaders out there. Don't be one of them.
Ask the difficult questions. Don't you dare try to excuse any of them.
You deserve a leader that passes your rightful test.
Power is a dark sickness. And you're the cure that can give them rest.

[Red Reine]

Resource! Ah, mannaggia! Mama mia! What a mistake to make!
We set off on the project train without a budget made.
Understaffed and underscoped, project's been delayed.
Lost our wheels, skipped our meals. Heroes are thus forenamed.

Dyson, Terry are in the lead, Ty, Pho, Ed follow indeed.
Working for the forever weekend, Monday morning status meet.
UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, SAVE O R!
Thirty lives! Baggy eyes! Wouldn't you know it? Oh, what a surprise!

Micro! Ah, mannaggia! Mama mia! What a mistake to make!
What'd you do? Where were you? How long? For what? Insert data - data - data - data.
Dependencies and logistics, the wagons don't align.
Oxen feed, leg fatigue, haven't a clue! Hey, anybody seen Marie?

Hailing Marie, full of our cash, she's disappeared for days,
Working from home? Nope. She's apparently gone on a lovely beach holiday.
UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, SAVE O R!
Thirty lives! Drooping eyes! Wouldn't you know it? Oh, what a surprise!

Hey hey Dorothy, look over there! We're not in Kansas anymore.
Fort Laramie is the name. Boise's just beyond.
Pack your things, gear up well. Up the mountain we go.
Soon we'll be seeing the green valley over yonder below.

Money! Ah, mannaggia! Mama mia! What a mistake to make!
Off-shore Indians are always gunning for advancements in pay.
Fundamentals are solid, so says the analysts everywhere.
Debt ratio, bottom line, gross margin equals bull? Or do we bear?

Quarterly earnings indicate a weak market sentiment across the board,
Audits are scary, don't mess up, or we're all out! There's my M O.
UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, SAVE O R!
Thirty lives! Crusty eyes! Wouldn't you know it? Oh, what a surprise!

Macro! Ah, mannaggia! Mama mia! What a mistake to make!
Hey-E-Yay-E-Yay-Yay-Yay! Hey-E-Yay-E-Yay!
I said HEY! What's goin' on? Oh, what's goin' on?
I kept right on! Right on, right on, right so grueling on.

Kept low interest in my rate, hiked straight through mounts and plains,
Watched the pool inflate my pockets, oops! Wishy washy away by the currents.
UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT, SAVE O R!
Thirty lives! Teary eyes! Wouldn't you know it? Oh, what a surprise!