Please don't forget to read the bulletin board. Enter +read from anywhere.

Old faithful Colombia, who has shared her power and strength for so many years as humanity's helpful companion in our endeavors to understand the universe and ultimately even ourselves has passed on, and along with it her brave crew. Our sympathies go to all who grieve and the lost souls of Colombia's last crew.

Furcon was held this week somplace in, I believe California. As I didn't go, I can only report what I've heard.

Gilead, local Otter, has posted some pictures which you can find by looking at the Bulletin Board on SpinDizzy. They show several folks from SpinDizzy in costume as their players.

In addition, I saw a post on a mailing list by a certain Alicentaur that, due to a restraining order, was prohibited from attending FurCon. I think I need say no more about that.

From what I've heard of earlier Cons, there were a lot of art, comics, and other exibits. Showings of videos, games, and lots of fursuits. Although I have often heard comments concerning Au de Fanboy, the events like this I have attended have proven the claim that the hall reeks of this scent for weeks after the event wrong. Most of the folks seem to be regular folks, with an interest in 'Furry', and art, writing, and the fun of meeting others with similar interests.

Hopefully, a more detailed report of FurCon 2003 will be forthcoming.

An Argonizationing Exhibition was held in Centaur Square last week. As explained in last week's issue, an Argonizationing Exhibition is taking simple phrases and making them as complex and obtuse as the writing of Jim Theis' The Eye of Argon.

Quite a few folks attended and five or six participated in 'puffing up' simple phrases. The talent and cleverness of the 'Argonizationings' were above usual standards, and new heights (or depths) of the art were displayed.

For the curious, the phrases offered and the Argonised responses are posted here. It was suggested that it might be fun to have the event host offer an Argonized statement, and ask the participants to refine it back to the simple phrase it was created from. If additional interest in such an event is shown, said event could be set up in the future.

If you're like me, and can't draw a straight line, you might like step by step directions in how to draw 'Furries'. As badly as I draw, I've looked at a lot of web sites and read a few books hoping to find easy to follow instructions on how best to reflect the cuteness shown in a lot of 'Furry Art'.

At last, such instruction is here! PotLAN, (An Alias, D'uh!) has taken the time and effort to help no talent hacks like me, actually do a reasonable job of drawing the sterotypical 'Furry' character. PotLAN includes the art of the 'Big Eyes', the right clothing, and even solves the mystery of drawing multiple tails!

This wonderful educational piece is on line and named, How to draw TEH FURRY! Click on the link to view this insightful Shockwave presentation.

Just so you know, the above named 'lesson' is satirical in nature and not meant to be taken seriously. it demonstrates, in a humorous way, all the stuff some artists do wrong in drawing 'Furry' chraracters. Take it as it is meant, as a cute joke!

This week, Argon told folks, "I'm doing a survey to be published in @Action News. The question this week is,'Who won the Superbowl?'

• Flutterz warbles, "S'thingie who's be ownin' s'matchin' Super Dish?"
• Austin says, "I'm pretty sure it was the Arizona Diamondbacks."
• Maxskunk says, "I say it was whoever the 7th caller was"
• PatchO'Black mews, "It certainly wasn't the folks in Oakland. Stupid rioters."
• Casimir -- The fishes did but Boki ate them!
• Malkernen -- No one. It was busy out saving the world. Super Bowl, AWAY!
• Jaurti freeze empathies, "The Bucks and deers."
• Butterfluff says, "The Pirates."
• Tanuki barks, "The Eagles. Oh wait, that's who _should have_ won the Super Bowl this year..."
• Sumanitu shrugs, "The Super Bowl? Is that what George W. smokes in his spare time?"
• Cye says, "The Advertisers."
• Gilead chirps, "Toilet Duck."
• Kinsor skriters, "I think we were just lucky not to be near it when it went off."
• Terry -- The only winner is the non-participant.
• Alex says, "Dun wanna answer. I don't like Football"
• The-Swan says, "Super Bowl's a super hero!"

Dear Editor,

What is wrong with the people in this country? I wanted to go to FurCon and got dressed up in my Conan the Barbarian outfit so I could go right from the airport to the Con. Because I was only weating a loin cloth, I put on a long overcoat so that I wouldn't get cold. I had clothes in my baggage that I checked in to wear later. I wanted to make a grand entrance into the con.

I went to the security gate, and the detector went off. Dumb me, I forgot I had my knives, knumchucks, chains, and my $250 authenic middle age broadsword I got from eBay. It is authenic, so I don't know how I forgot that.

Well, the security people pulled me out of line and took me to this room and searched me up and down! I was quite insulted! Although the body cavity search was fun.

To make matters worse, they confiscated (stole) all my props, even though I explained why I had them. They didn't even care. And I was a day late to the con! As an American citizen I am insulted that I would be treated that way. They acted like I was a crazy terrorist! I will never fly American Airlines again!

Sincerly,
C. O'Brian

Dear C.

What are you, just plain stupid? Nothing wrong with going to a Con, but even an idiot knows to pack swords and knives in their luggage and not carry them through the metal detector while dressed as Conan the Barbarian.

I'm surprised the folks at FurCon even let you in.

Argon,
Editor, @Action News

Submitting a story or artwork for @Action News is easy! Just send it to newspaper@spindizzy.org or qmail or page Argon about it.
@Action News is published weekly on or after 12:01 AM Eastern Time on Sunday. Most any type of story or article will be accepted. Generally, we'd prefer things that aren't out and out lies or flames about other folks, and have a basis in the reality of SpinDizzy. Things that occur in public areas are fair game. The things reported don't have to have actually happened, (any more than anything that happens here does) but make sure you don't overstep the social boundaries and rules of interaction that we have. These are pretty broad guidelines, but we expect good sense to apply.

Thanks! Argon, Editor @Action News