Internet Dream Lounge

Artist's impression of the virtual interview (from left to right: Easy-K, Chris and Merryweather).

Internet Dream Lounge (stylized as Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ　Ｄｒｅａｍ　Ｌｏｕｎｇｅ) was a short-lived YouTube podcast series. The premise of the podcast was to interview people with a sizable following over the internet. Its hosts were Merryweather (aka Merryweathery), a Danish web artist, and Easy-K, an EDM music artist. As of August 2020, the channel remains inactive, with all videos removed.

Prelude

On 4 September 2017, Chris retweeted Merryweathery, who announced that Chris would be the next guest star for the podcast. Despite the announcement's broadcast date set for the following week, days before the expected release, Merryweathery went on to announce the delay of the video; however, he was accepting additional questions for the interview. Based on one of Chris's Facebook posts, he completed an interview on or prior to 22 September. According to Merryweather, a re-recording was carried out on 3 October, for a 9th of October release.

Chris stated that he accepted the interview for the following reasons:

• He was not pressed on sensitive issues.
• He was paid.
• Merryweathery agreed to help Chris's Sonichu business as a "social media manager."

On 5 September, Merryweathery showed up on the Kiwi Farms in defense of the interview, upon receiving criticism from users that he was not going to get any new information out of Chris. He revealed to an extent the contents of the interview, notably an "interesting answer" from Chris with regards to the identity of the Magical Man.

Merryweathery maintained good relations with Chris after the interview. In December, he tweeted a gift to @WeWuzMetokur of a drawing of him by Chris, saying that Chris had done it as a favor.. Chris later drew an art piece for Merryweathery for his birthday.

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  Mister Kurmeto

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  Art for Merryweathery

Interview

Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ　Ｄｒｅａｍ　Ｌｏｕｎｇｅ　＃４ - Chris Chan
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Stardate	4 October 2017
Made By	Internet Dream Lounge
TRUE and HONEST Sonichu Fan Videos

Transcript

File:InternetDreamLoungeAvatar.jpg

Chris's Internet Dream Lounge avatar.

This media needs a transcript. Help CWCki by transcribing the content. If the media is too long, transcribe select portions which are funny or informative.

Intro (0:00-1:03)

Merryweathery: Welcome to another episode of the Internet Dream Lounge. I'm your host, Merry, and with me as always, my trusty, O faithful co-host, Easy-K. And on this show, we have the honor of presenting to our dear viewers: the eternal hero of love, the defender of autism and the God-Emperor of CWCville. The creator of Sonichu, Christine Weston Chandler.

Chris: Hey, everybody! How y'all doing?

Merryweathery: So how are you today, Chris?

Chris: I'm doing good. How are you?

Merryweathery: I'm good–doing quite fine. We already did this interview already. Uh, just want to re-record it because the last one was quite boring. Uh, and also, a few times, I slipped up and didn't call you by your proper pronouns. So, what was it you told me to do this time–uh, in ca–like, in order to make sure I don't slip up and call you he instead of she?

Chris: Pretend you're–ru–talking with [Speaking in a high voice] Natalie Portman! Hello, I'm Miss Natalie Portman! Let's have [Merry laughs] fun together[?], all right? [Chris chuckles].

Merryweathery: All right.

Easy-K: Dude, is Natalie Portman in the room right now?

Merryweathery: Ap–apparently, she is!

Easy-K: Is Natalie Portman here? [Chris laughs]

Heroes and villains (1:03-4:30)

Merryweathery: [Chris can be heard joking in the background] Anyway.. um. [Merry laughs] Anyway... uh... well, in order to not–uh–not–uh–mess up the pronouns and call her Christine–uh–she instead of he. I will be pretending it's Natalie Portman, so I hope that helps. Anyway, uh, Chris, I want to get straight into things and see that you have actually started your very own merchandise shop recently.

Chris: Yes.

Merryweathery: Good.

Chris: My very own merchandise shop.

Merryweathery: [Chris talks over Merry] Yes, we should buy some Christian... uh, Weston Chandler pillows. Uh, the classic ones, the ones with your picture from when you were a guy.

Chris: Yeah, well, something old and then also a bit something new if you wanna go updated.

Merryweathery: Absolutely. So, Chris, could you tell us a little bit about Sonichu, your creation? What's the l- the listeners who don't know about that?

Chris: Yes. Sonichu and Rosechu, are the Electric Hedgehog Pokémon in the city of Cwcville, Virginia, United States of America, and- with my help, or rather, with their help if I'm–when I'm in danger, we defend–

Merryweathery: Yes.

Chris: –The city of Cwcville from those who want to make true love and feeling and finding it illegal in the United States of America, and around the world.

Merryweathery: And of course the people who want to make, uh, true love illegal, well, that would be the, uh, i-i-in the lore of your comics, that would be the jerkops and Slaweel Ryam, who is based on a person who brought a lot of problems into your life. Uh, I've been asked not to mention her real name, um, but a lot of it is based on your real life experiences and your troubles are in your, um, adult life. I believe, a subtext for the comic is the Adult Chronicles of Christian Weston Chandler, or Christine Weston Chandler as it is now.

Chris: Yes. Give or take, but really the main antagonist is actually the embodiment of my loneliness and depressions. The one of which I have given a name based on one of my depressing life events. The infamous spiritual magician, Count Graduon.

Merryweathery: Count Graduon. And he's, like, the eternal, kind of, your nemesis in a way in the comic.

Chris: Yes, because apparently he was the one that could never feel love and he never could feel it for his son- for himself, he never could find it, so it- so, back in the medieval centuries, he would attack kingdoms and castles and eventually a knight beheaded him, and yeah, when- we had an archaeologist in England, he gets possessed–He finds the orb that he was encapsulated in and Graduon pur– [struggles to pronounce]. Uh, here's another one for the blooper reel. Graduon possesses him–

Merryweathery: [laughing] It's quite alright, Chris. Don't worry.

Chris: Graduon possesses him, and in the–in the body, Graduon guides the guy all the way to America. Or at least to be America. And the Cherokee–and the Cherokee clan recognizes this now spirit and exorcises Graduon from the poor archaeologist, and puts him in a new sphere encapsulation and hides that underground. And then in many years later, he is uncovered and put in a museum, the sphere. And that's where Slaweel and he met... a half witch.

Sonichu's origin (4:30-5:30)

Merryweathery: So that's the origin story of the villains. Can we–can we hear a little bit about how you came up with your title character, the Electric Hedgehog Pokémon, Sonichu, and of course, Rosechu?

Chris: Oh yes. Back in uh two th–back in March 17th 2000, from my Computer Graphics class at Manchester High School, we had to do a CD insert and cover, and I wanted to put Sonic and Pikachu on there, but copyrighted characters were not allowed. So I ended up combining the two, and that's how Sonichu was made. From then on, Sonichu and I actually grown closer together – we got to know each other. And then eventually, I made his sweetheart, Rosechu, followed by Blake—Black Sonichu—and then all the other characters that followed over the years.

M: So these are all hedgehogs and Pokémon? Like, hedgehogs from Sonic the Hedgehog and Pokémon from Pokémon?

C: Yeah. Classified as Electric Hedgehog Pokémon.

CWCville politics (5:30-7:31)

M: Obviously, the comics have been going on for some time now, and throughout your life, you've had some troubles, you've had some struggles. A lot of the characters in the comic–the villains in the comic–they kind of represent people who have brought you trouble in your real life. I mean, since Slaweel and you mentioned Count Graduon, who is not a single person as I understand it. He's more like a manifestation of, I assume your graduation from high school.

C: And the–and the years of loneliness and depression I've had to endure.

M: Of course. And–But there's of course the presence of trolls within your comic. There's not–there's a long list of trolls that, of course, I won't name. But, I just want to ask you. Because, of course, there was an attempt to crown Billy Mays as the mayor of CWCville, which you quickly shut down very fast. Would you like to tell us a little bit about that?

C: Well–I mean, I don't know why people insisted on [unintelligible] Billy Mays, who did the OxiClean commercials. It just seems so random. I never could understand that. But no, he could never be mayor, because he wasn't originally a CWCville resident. But, at least in my absence, did have my [pauses] secretary, who is also quite knowledgeable in the–managing the city—done very well—Miss Allison Amber.

M: Okay. So, uh–is it possible for someone other than you, to be elected mayor of CWCville?

C: Not really. 'Cause my father would have founded the city, and–and he ended up passing it down to me. 'Cause–

M: [interrupts] Okay–

C: –Too much. The origin story of the city of CWCville: My father founded it and built it.

M: [pauses] Okay.

C: And they passed it onto me.

M: So, it's like a monarchy.

C: Bit of a monarchy.

M: Interesting.

Fan productions (7:31-9:34)

M: All right. That–that's pretty interesting. Also, of course, there is umm–the Sonichu comics have sort of, ever since their debut in–Uhh... I believe the late 2009? So, when was it that your popularity kind of blew up, Chris? Can you remember that, yeah?

C: Yeah. It was more–it was like '09 or '10.

M: Okay, so around that time. Since then, there's been all sorts of creations of people fascinated by your life. There's been a Sonichu animated series, there's been a documentary, which you have seen, which we will get into later. There's been all sorts of creations, and people have actually come forward during your absence from the comic and created comics of their own. Someone created a comic book – like a web comic called Sonichu–I believe it was Revolution, which kind of told a more dark version. And one of the characters in it, Slaweel, was kind of–because a lot of the fans draw Slaweel as an attractive young blonde woman, I was wondering what you think about that. Because she is quite–in the comics, in the canon comic, she is an old woman. I was wondering what you think about, like reimaginings of the different villains of your comic in ways like that.

C: Well, I encourage creativity amongst my fans. But, although, this is [unintelligible] correction. I never really watched any of the created animated series because–

M: Yeah.

C: It just wasn't directly from me, and uh... There just some things lacking in there. But also, I think they definitely got Slaweel's blonde color from her Viking helmet. She wore a Viking helmet. It [voice cuts out on chat] with red horns. She was never a blonde. She was a lot older than that.

M: I suppose it was kind of a misconception based on early drawings of her then?

C: Yeah.

M: All right.

The abusive babysitter (9:34-10:44)

M: Early in your–like... early back in your timeline, like the farthest back you can remember, there was a...an event, which shaped you as a person. It was when your childhood babysitter, who I believe she's called Miss Roach, left you in your room, she locked you in your room, because you were interrupting her phone call. Now, I asked you this question in a private chat between you and I, but I would like to ask you again so you can elaborate on it in our interview: Would you ever consider putting Miss Roach into your comic as a villain?

C: Very unlikely. Because, I have very little information or recollection about her past or current appearance, much less her first name. So, that would be a big no.

M: Okay. Very well. Because a lot–like that's kind of like the ground zero of everything Chris-Chan. Of everything Christory, as it's called. Do you know that term, Christory?

C: Yeah, that's ok–yeah that's good.

M: Yeah [laughs]. All right. That's good. You like that one.

C: Yeah.

M: Yeah. All right. Wonderful.

Autism (10:44-12:06)

M: There are several moments in your life that have kind of been shrouded in mystery. Now, you are, of course, an internet legend. You have been documented more than some Presidents of the United States. [Chris chuckles] Your life has been, probably, one of the most documented things in... internet history, because you have put yourself out there. You have told everyone, "Here's my story. Here's all of it. I will not keep anything hidden from any of you."

And some people might say that was a bit stupid, some people might say that's admirable. You're brave, you put yourself out there. More people know about you and your life than most–like what is known about most celebrities. So, when an event like that is described by you, the... The sort of ground zero, the moment your babysitter locked you in your room. You mentioned that a lot, as in the past—correct me if i'm wrong—as having sort of been the cause of your autism.

C: I don't know about it being the cause of my autism. It might have been theoretically something in the genetics, or very unlikely, in one of the vaccines. But, it's prett—I would say, it instigated–it brought the autism up that one moment.

M: Okay. Very well.

Trolls (12:06-16:30)

M: Has anyone, of the trolls in your life–you've obviously had a long, like history of people who have tried to troll you, and who have tried to mess around with your life. A long list of people pretending to be girlfriends–pretending to be internet girlfriends. There was one time when you drove a long way to meet someone who wasn't actually there, and I believe it was an old black woman who opened the door?

C: Yeah...

M: Could you tell us a little bit about your real life encounters with trolls?

C: [sighs] A little bit. A little bit. [thinking] I can–doh–I... I don't have very many upon recounting. There was the one where I met her at Fashion Square Mall—my father was there—and... then we were met with the infamous Guy in the Pickle Suit. Just... [Merryweather sniggers] That was totally random. I don't know why, 'cept from like, you know, Sonichu doesn't like pickles, because he's allergic to pickles and pickle brine. I hadn't mentioned that [sound cuts out] before, but mentioned it later. And, uhh...

M: So, what was through it? Like, what went through your head when you saw the Man in the Pickle Suit approach you?

C: Umm... I was like– [mumbles] This is crazy. Just random. I really did not know what to think or expect at that moment. And then the girl left with the Guy in the Pickle Suit [Merryweather sniggers]

E: At that point, did you kind of–like put it together in your head, like "Okay, this was maybe like a setup."?

C: Yeah. Soon enough, I did piece it together like that.

E: Probably around the time, like your medallion came up missing?

C: Um... No. I would say, just shortly after the actual event.

M: Oh–

E: I'm sorry, if I could just interject: So, you did–did you, like notice that your medallion was gone?

C: My medallion was not removed from my person at that time.

E: Oh, it wasn't? After that?

C: You might be confusing it with the other theoretical ex who had me send it to her in the mail for safekeeping, and then that's when the original medallion was put in a pickle jar, cut apart, yadda yadda yadda.

E: I was given misinformation. I thought that–that's how they actually acquired your medallion.

M: No, no. Like, they–I believe it was someone who was pretending to be a girlfriend of Chris.

C: Yeah.

M: They asked Chris to send the medallion, and then they absolutely destroyed it and uploaded it to YouTube. Of course, Chris made a new medallion after that.

E: So, Chris, Natalie, Christine...

C: [Chuckles]

E: [Chuckles] Did–have you ever, 'cause a lot of these things that people do to you. They're just borderline–like illegal, some of them. Like that example right there. That's destruction of property. Like, you know. Yeah, you went–willing sent it to them, but that was your property and they destroyed it – destruction of property. Have you ever considered, like pressing charges against these people? I mean, 'cause really, that seems like it would be the best course of action for a lot of these cases.

C: Well, I don't remember the address I sent it to, and... I only know–I only would remember the pseudo-name that the troll was using at that time. So, how could I press charges against somebody I don't know who, he or she, fully is?

M: Besides, it happened–it happened a long–it happened a long time ago and–

E: Right.

M: I don't think–like, as much as the trolls have brought... Horror into your life, Christine, I don't think any of them have ever physically harmed you. Is that correct in saying?

C: Uhh... Yeah, not physically, but between their manipulations and blackmail, they did a lot of emotional and mental damage to me.

M: Okay.

E: So, you've never considered that? You've never considered, like pressing charges like ever?

C: Uhh... Yeah, my father had brought up pressing charges. But, like I said: Another state. Don't know who that person actually is.

E: Mhmm.

Internet Lumberjack (16:30-xxx)

M:

Analysis

The interview offers insight into Chris's sexual orientation and gender identity. In the second (and published) recording of the interview, Chris adopts the name Natalie Portman as a cue for his hosts to use his preferred gender pronouns. Given Chris's tendency to fantasize about inserting himself into lesbian scenes in media, Chris may have chosen Natalie Portman after her leading role in the film Black Swan.

Merryweathery introduces Chris to the game Fuck, Marry, Kill, where the chosen person is given the name of three individuals, and has to decide on whom they would have sex with, marry, and kill. Presented with Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump, Chris is swift to choose Clinton and Trump to marry and kill, respectively. In spite of the nonconsequential nature of the game, Chris is hesitant to straight up say he would "fuck Obama"–opting instead for a tamer verb. Though Chris claims to embrace the LGBT culture, Chris's discomfort may hint a Freudian slip on his attitude towards male homosexuality. In a second round, co-host Easy-K asks Chris to choose between Amy Rose, Rosechu and young Mary Lee Walsh, to which he selects to kill the human.

Chris's ego is prevalent in this interview. Optimistic for his then relationship with Jessica Quinn, Chris's sense of entitlement led him to expect Jessica will look after his ailing mother in addition to himself. Despite little recognition in the Brony community, Chris is confident he can ride the coattails of BronyCon 2018 by hosting a panel, based on the evidence that people approached him during his 2017 attendance. Chris later goes on to describe President Trump as a "narcissist".

Chris also claims in the interview to have a "psychic link" to his fictional characters, confirming that, despite years of opportunity for soul-searching and growth with his newfound transgender identity, he still adheres to his childlike belief that his characters really do exist in a plane of reality reminiscent of Toon Town from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" Interestingly, he prefaces this claim by saying "I know this sounds crazy...", acknowledging an awareness that rational people don't think this way about imaginary electric hedgehogs.

See also

• DStecks
• Chris and journalism
• Chris in the media

References

    Chats and calls