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

The SpinDizzy Air Show, held above the Rose Garden this weekend was quite successful and drew a number of participants and observers from all over SpinDizzy.

Most of the SpinDizzy regulars showed up in airborne forms. Although a few somehow missed the two weeks of talk, announcements and discussion concerning the event. The fact that the 'forms' for the air show weekend were 'pretend', and weren't real, gave many folks (like myself) who are reluctant to change the excuse to have fun.

On Friday night, the following folks 'changed' as follows;

Roofus_roo - Inflatable Fae'roo, Adara -- Hummingbird, -- PatchO'Black -- Jellicle Bat, Shoe -- 2-headed snake, Eris -- ghost bat, Carlos -- hummingbird, Standen -- Aerospace Fighter, Ikuri -- Cetan (In an A-10 Thunderbolt II), Argon -- Hot Air Balloon, Natasha -- slightly stretched elastic coati, Gilead -- Raven.

A good time was had by all as everyone got high. (In the air!)

My dear readers,
It has been many a year since I went into retirement but it has come to my attention, after all these years, that once again the paper needs for me to write.

Today marks the fifth year anniversary of the evil organization, SED (Society of Evil Doers). Yes my readers, you have heard that right. The SED is now five years old. They are out of their diapers and into the world of real crime.

Now is the time to ask what has changed over those last five years? Where is the SED today? And, how will the SED grow in the future?

First, let us take a little walk down memory lane. Here is the first article ever written about the SED, originally published in the TFF Ferret. (Ed. Note; Tarquol saved the article, but a complete copy of the issue of The Ferret containing this article has been lost.)

CRIME WAVE, OR IS IT JUST A MYTH?

Why has crime on TFF picked up in the last few weeks? Just the other day, 3-14-1998, Lucky was robbed right in the park! He had a watch and a wallet stolen and no one really saw a thing. This robbing of the citizens of TFF has got to be more then a coincidence, more then just a random crime. We interviewed Lucky about what happened in the park. "It was like horrible. Every time that I turned around something more of mine was stolen. But they never got my pot of gold! Nor my Lucky Charms!" He is keeping his cool though. We wish him luck on finding a new watch and wallet.

That is not the only things stolen in the last few weeks. This next is a bit frightening. It seems that over the last few weeks the Wizards have one by one lost there ID badges. It is rumored that a rather small rodent like person has been seen with them. We asked the Wizards about this. Austin, who I might add gives much funding for this paper, was good enough to give us an interview. "Well I am not really sure what you mean when you talk about stolen Wizard badges and all. I do know that some people have talked about them going missing. I just don't think that I should comment any more on it though." Ah, that was so very well put. I couldn't have said it better myself. To get the full story I also went to Shadow, the newest of the Wizards here on TFF, congrats and all, and asked him what he though of the situation. "Well, I realize you've already talked to Austin, so I don't have much to add. I will say that I take this theft as a somewhat serious affront on the wizhood and the MUCK as a whole, and that steps are being taken to retrieve the stolen items and if possible identify the culprits."

Lets go back the first question though. What does this all mean? Why would even the Wizards fall victim to crime? Well we here at the TFF ferret are on a lead. Someone anonymously called in a report of an organization called S.E.D. We asked around about this from our sources in the alleyways of TFF and only got this name so far. Sister-hood of Elderberry Downs. From what we can find out thought this is not the real name. I will do more Investigating into the mater!

Tarquol, Investigative reporter.

Truly.... that does bring back memories for me. Now where has the SED been since that time? As part of my research for this article I interviewed Morticon and asked him the same question. Morticon: "It's been pretty dismal the past few years... lack of help... uninspired rose garden denizens, me doing nearly every plot imaginable over the years."

He paints a grim picture of an organization in decline and decay. One has to ask themselves what the true motives of the present day leader of the SED are, though? For I have gotten a different story from my secret contacts.

"The SED is doing mostly private SED-related RPs that are very complex and active. No one seems to have noticed that the SED has not been doing any public crime of late. We are just waiting for the right time to take over the muck! Long live Morticon!"

So what is the future of the SED then? Where do people see it going? Again I asked this question of Morticon when I interviewed him. He said,: "The future is dark - and that's a good thing! We have more minions--- err... associates than ever, and have had recent successes! The HQ is bigger and more advanced than ever before, and my clawed paw is stretching further over the Spindizzy landscape. Things can only get better! I am always looking for new helpers."

Nothing that someone of reasonable intelligence wouldn't expect the leader of the darkest organization in this history of Spindizzy to say. I have gotten another story from others though, one far darker for the SED My secret contact had this to say. "Morticon desperately needs a minion who is brimming with ideas and an unstoppable commitment to the SED. I'm afraid, though he is our great leader, he is getting a little soft around the gut of late. Even his almost unstoppable lust doesn't seem to help anymore."

A dark picture of the SED indeed. When I first heard about dissent in the ranks of the SED I pounced upon that topic faster then an otter to water. During the interview with Morticon I asked him this question... "What about the rumors of your almost unstoppable sexual desires? Is it true that all female members of your organization must submit themselves to a personal full strip search at each meeting performed by you?"

He squirmed around for some time before answering the question.

Morticon: "I deny all relations with the females! That would have been another Wallaby with Terra!"

With that it is time to wrap up with one quote from Morticon. Something he asked me to do in exchange for an honest and forthright interview.

Tarquol, "Any final thoughts Morticon?"
Morticon: "Yes! I want more to join the SED!! If you think you have what it takes, contact me or any SED representative for more information!"

Be well and be kind.

Tarquol.

Boki, local Gull found a CD in the $.99 cent bin at the Dollar Store by the Crash Test Dummies called 'God Shuffled his Feet'. This was a 'One hit wonder' group that got their fifteen minutes of airplay with a song called, 'Mmm mmm mmm mmm. The song the album is titled after, 'God Shuffled His Feet,' reminded Boki of Spindizzy. The lyrics from the song are here.

Boki took this song and made a parody of it, which follows;

Austin Wobbled His Nose

After Thursday, He was quite tired, so Austin said:
'Let there be a day
where we can be something else instead.'
Gathered up with creatures that had been remade,
Went to the Rose Garden and sat in the shade.

The people spent their time
And with Austin there, they asked him questions
Like: Do you have to eat,
All the things the ancient oak has given?
And if I can block spam with a killfile,
Can I stop telemarketers by being set haven in real life?

Austin wobbled his nose, and glanced around at them,
The people wagged their tails and stared right back at him.

So he said: 'Once there was a gull
Who woke up with a D flag,
to him it was a toy
Until he flew out in the air
All his friends, him they couldn't see
Was he behaving himself or was he picking his beak?'

Austin wobbled his nose, and glanced around at them,
The people wagged their tails and stared right back at him.

The people sat waiting On the benches out in the garden
But Austin said nothing
So someone asked him, 'I beg your pardon:
I'm not quite clear about what you just spoke-
Was that a pair of gulls, or a single bloke?'

Austin wobbled his nose, and glanced around at them,
The people wagged their tails and stared right back at him.

This week in the Rose Garden, a global response from Austin started a string of puns...

Argon snuggles Austin! Halley's comma was a very famous comma ... he probably wrote home a lot.
Argon says, "Heh. Halley's comma."
Cye args.
Argon grins.
Argon says, "He did some memorable work. I like the work he did during his period period."
Gilead'd rather not hear about his colon.
Alderem says, "He won an award though. The Apos Trophy."
Argon holds up two charts with lines going across a grid, "He had a profound effect, as shown by these para graphs."
. PatchO'Black mews, "It was sad how he died...leaping off Exclamation Point."

At that the discussion ended, however Boki noted that the apparent suicide of Halley's Comma only served to underscore his noted career. Or would that be underline? Or perhaps we shouldn't cross the line and re-hash old history?

Every other week, I will be calling attention to the new members of our community. (Editor's Note; ...with the permission of each of the new folks featured, of course. Folks who don't want to be featured in this series, will of course, have that wish fufilled.) This is not to embarrass them, but rather I do it in the hopes that it will encourage everyone to give them a special welcome and friendship.

The following members are new to our community as of a week or two ago at most. Please give them a warm welcome and offer assistance if needed. Who knows, you might even make a new friend or two!

• Dimitria - female Human
• Roland - male Human
• Jiffy - male Tree Squirrel
• Sorsha
• Zeffy - West Merry little breeze - "Heard there was an Air Show and wanted to stop by to shoot the breeze...er, wait a minute...I better rephrase that. *heh heh*"

This week, Argon told folks, "I'm doing a survey to be published in @Action News. The question this week is, ''Based on your character, what superpowers would you have?"

• Steve chatterchitters, "Clue repellence."
• Cye says, "Villain foot stomping power!!!"
• Tanooki has the power to turn people into raccoons!
• Findra has the power of FLUFFiness.
• Gina_Doberman has the power of flea repelling.
• Rose says, "I have the ability to listen to 70s songs for hours on end, and not be affected."
• BarterGarter hisses, "My superpower is the ability to refuse service to naughty DREAD pirates."
• Fenris growls, "Superior Senses and Stamina, Argon."
• Bones chirbles, "I would be able to transform into a 7 ft tall 350 lb hamster with beady red eyes, but only when I'm really psyched ;)"
• Gino -- "Argon ..my superpower would be to rob the villain of the power to speak"
• Ba'ar -- "Argon..My superpower would be to bearhug the villain into submission."
• Gen says, "But, no, I guess my power would be time travel."
• Mavra jets, "Heh, based on *my* ability already, I'd be even more 'psychotically psychic'
• Vixie says, "I don't need superpowers, I'm capable of being in charge as I am."
• Alderem says, "I would be able to produce chocolate just by thinking about it!"
• Gilead resumes. "I can cause everyone to fall asleep, turn anyone into another otter, change my appearance at will (except for my eyes and fangs), become invisible at will, and survive in any environment. And all magic in the world gets there through my tongue."
• Eris says to Terra, "Around here? Mostly it's silliness, laughter, and annoyance.."
• Terra chirrbles in response to Argon. "Seduction."
• Butterfluff is a super research librarian, able to get data out of the mustiest tome or most obscure clay tablet.
• Rown hmmms. "Well, I'm faster than a speeding ardvark, more powerful than a limping human, able to leap small fences without tripping. and I'm witty too. :-)
• Tarka -- The ability to romance men and women!

Dear Editor,

Just wanted to share my thoughts on the loss of Mr. Rogers this past week. He was one of the earliest puppetry influences on my life, having watched the show faithfully when young. It, and Sesame Street were two of the shows I watched most as a kid.

Unlike Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers never changed, marketing and making a quick buck wasn't what he was about. He was the real thing, and we may never see his like again.

I was reading online tributes to him, and one thing came to mind. He had a positive impact on so many lives over the years, and I think we should all strive for that. If everyone cared for others like he did, and worked for the good of all like he did, we'd all be better off. I hope one day someone will look back on my life and have something positive they can remember. I think the greatest tribute to a life well lived is how much we impact others, and are fondly remembered for that.

Sincerly,
Vixie

Dear Vixie.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about Mr. Rogers.

I think he influenced many lives in many ways. More than just by the way he spoke directly to his viewers, but by his many acts of kindness and generosity he displayed throughout his life.

On the day of his passing, Skyler, local Bunny Slippers Wiz, changed the description of the Rose Garden to match that of the set of Mr. Rodgers' show. He also changed the money, which can be seen by entering sc to neighbors in your neighborhood.

I hope that you, in your work with puppetry, and all of us can have as positive an effect on others our whole lives as Fred McFeely Rodgers did in one episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

May he live forever by the side of King Friday and and Queen Sarah in the Land of Make Believe.

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