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

It's becoming obvious that the Christmas season is upon us. Signs of the season are appearing all over SpinDizzy. Many residents are starting to wear their holdiay garb, and some are even taking on holiday forms.

Patch O'Black, local Jellicle cat, not only has a reindeer form, but has built a wonderful Winter Wonderland area. It has a frozen lake for skating. A nice otter slide, and plenty of snow for snowball fights and building snowmen. Patch is hoping folks will visit. It's at three north, six east, take the path, then go to Jellicle Fields and finally the cold path.

BarterGarter, local gartersnake merchant, has been offering hot chocolate and candy canes at her cart and "Santa" hats are being worn by many. But the most obvious sign of the season is the 2003 SpinDizzy Christmas tree in the Rose Garden. Many folks have taken time to "trim' the tree. As is usual, by the end of the holidays, it will be overloaded with all manner of decorations.

And of course, the holidays are bringing out the good cheer and fellowship that this season is known for, an attitude that most SpinDizzy regulars practice all year round.

The idea for an interview column was that I (or someone else on the MUCK) would interview a different Spindizzy character each week. That way, we could all get to know each other better, and learn little-known facts that don't come up in every day conversation. If you'd like to do an interview for next week, go ahead (just be sure to tell me first so I don't do one too!).

Standing before you is an anthropomorphic cartoon rabbit. The first thing you notice is that her soft white fur seems to have a touch of pink, and is offset by her yellow dress. Findra smiles at you as she sees you looking at her, showing her large front teeth which you think make her look cute, but others might think goofy. Two soft ears emerge from the top of her head, one slightly bent downward, and someone has tied two yellow ribbons there to match her dress. Findra's arms end in soft furry hands, which are perhaps a cross between human hands and rabbit's paws. Her dress reaches down to her knees and two shapely legs lead down to her bare feet.

Adara pulls out her handy dandy notebook (just like Steve! Oh no!) and flips to a new page. "Basics first. Name, age..."

Findra chirrrs softly, "Findra Dolphin. 22. =:)"

Findra chirrrs softly, "Um ... yeah. =:)"

Adara hmmms, "That's an interesting last name for someone who isn't a dolphin."

Findra grins. "Well, I started off as a dolphin, but then managed to work out how to turn into a bunny, among other things."

Adara purrs, "That's not a change you see every day. How did that come about?"

Findra chirrrs softly, "I studied with the sea elves a little, and managed to pick up some of their druidic arts. One of them was the ability to change form."

Adara purrs, "And you chose a rabbit?"

Findra nodnods, ears flopping. "They seem to be a form that most people like." =:)

Adara makes more notes, "When and how did you first come to Spindizzy?"

Findra hmms and tries to think back. "It was quite some time ago, right in the early days of SpinDizzy, I think. I came here in September, 1998. I think it was either Austin or Skyler that mentioned the place, and asked if I wanted to come over and check it out."

Adara purrs, "Wow. So you're really like one of the founding fathers of Spindizzy. Or founding mothers, as the case may be. How much of what Spindizzy is today is result of your work- I know you're an administrator here, and probably contributed a lot to the modern look of Spindizzy (I wasn't here back then, but I'm assuming things have changed a bit)."

Findra laughs, "Founding mother? Me? Not really. =:) I didn't really do much when the muck was being formed. I didn't arrive until later on. Mostly, I've only contributed things much more recently."

Adara purrs, "Things such as?"

Findra chirrrs softly, "Oh, well the main one is just looking after the muck's server. I've tried to help out in other ways, like explaining how the Acceptable Use Policy applies to behaviour, and similar sorts of things."

Adara smiles and makes more notes, flipping that particular page over, "What is your favorite thing about Spindizzy?"

Findra grins. "Oh, that's easy. It's the fact that it's small, friendly, and it's not too hard to know everyone else on the muck."

Adara purrs, "Does that make it different from most of the other mucks you've experienced?"

Findra chirrrs softly, "Oh, yes. Mostly the mucks are so big that you can't possible know everyone on them, or so small that most of the time there's no-one else there. SpinDizzy's reached a rather happy medium."

Adara purrs, "I know that a while back, there was talk about recruiting more people on to Spindizzy. Considering what you said about, how do you feel about that?""

Findra chirrrs softly, "I don't think there's a problem with having more people on here. I'd hate to see SpinDizzy become something closer to Furry Muck, though. As long as people understand what it is that makes SpinDizzy special, and respect that, then I'm quite happy. =:)"

Adara checks her watch, "Well, I need to be leaving soon. I'm sorry we can't chat longer. Thank you so much for taking time out to talk with me.

Findra chirrrs softly, "You're most welcome. :) We can carry on some other time, if we see each other about!"

Adara grins, "OK! Thank you again. =)

Gilead's Otterrible Jokes:

What bird doesn't know the words?
Hummingbird.

What do you call a huge, predatory shorebird?
An Ea-gull.

What does the forest do when it gets cold?
It grows a thicker fir.

What type of tree takes careful tending by otters to survive?
Waterproof fir.

What kind of tree do giant vixens inhabit?
Cye-pres.

But if they lived in maples, what treat would flow under the bark?
Cye-rup.

Why don't lobsters ever share?
They're just being shellfish.

Why are donkeys stubborn?
They're just being asses.

What's the most popular license plate frame in the ocean?
I'd rather be humaning.

How do you make a fish hit the right notes?
You tuna fish.

Is a tarnished $0.10 coin a dim?

How can you tell Buckingham Palace has the best toilets in the world?
Everyone knows it's hard to beat a royal flush.

Where do weasels live in college?
In ferreternities.

Is an ermine with bronchitis a wheeze el?

Is a nerdy tree rat a square el?

Is a rotary linkage in the desert a cam el?

Is a centaur with a sore throat like hoarse, but not hoarse?

If you had two long-nosed procyonidae of equal rank, would they be co-atis?

Where do you keep spikey rodents?
In a porcu-pen.

What do you call a giant green deer with bulging muscles?
The Incredible Elk.

What do you call a cartoon deer with very slender, effeminate features?
A "Reign: The Conqueror" Deer.

What do you call an immortal monkey?
Connor Macaque of the Clan Macaque.

What do you call a really tiny bull monster?
A mini-taur.

What do you call a cold horse with a human torso?
A win-taur.

What do you call a horse with a human torso on vacation?
A 'taur-ist.

How can you tell when a vampire has alergies?
From their coffin.

If you give an otter a shave and a haircut while he's asleep, what do you get when he wakes up?
Bit. Twice.

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!

• Niknak - Female Darke
• Darla - Female Equitaur (Arabian Breed) - "It's Taur-riffic to be here! I'm still not used to being a Centaur but it's nice to meet so many others who are very nice and understanding about my, uhm, problems. *grins*"
• Ayame - female Collie

Welcome to latest edition of Bearing up, the advice column where Ba'ar (That's me!) has answers to your most challenging questions.

Dear Ba'ar:
Why are bears from Russia so pesky? One in particular keeps calling a Mullet Strike on me.
-Fished out

Dear Fished out:
Russian bears are so pesky because they're so proud. The bear is Russia's national animal and they're held in high regard over there. I hope this helps.

Dear Ba'ar,
Are the Lays "Chips in a Can" as good as Pringles?
From, Chip

Dear Chip:
Yes, even better. (This coming from a regular Lays addict who has been known to go through a can a week).

Dear Bearing Up,
It's winter now and the cold weather is making my coat thick. And I'm sleepy all the time. Am I a bear?
signed, Curious

Dear Curious:
Look in the mirror. If you're a creature with big round ears, thick brown fur, a big stocky body, huge treetrunks for hind and fore legs, a stub of a tail, and a thick long muzzle ending in a rubbery nosepad, I'd say it's definate you're a bear.

Dear Bearing up,
What should I get my cousin for Christmas?
from, Haven'taclue

Dear haven'taclue:
Ask him what he likes and dislikes and buy something based on his answer.

Dear Bearing Up,
Where can I get an eyeball pie?
signed, Iris

Dear Iris:
You get eyeball pie from an eyeball bakery.

Dear Ba'ar,
I live downstream from centaur square and the water has started tasting funny. Do centaurs pee in the creek?
from, Bottled Water Drinker for Now.

Dear Bottled Water:
Centaurs most certianly DO NOT pee in the creek (they use the restroom like anyfur else). The water's funny taste stems from the fact that the water is free from any unnatural chemicals or additives.

Remember possums (to steal a term from Dame Edna ;-D), if you have any questions, please page mail me (Ba'ar) online or send mail to big_bear@operamail.com. Thanks.

This week, Argon asked, "I'm doing a survey for @Action News. The question this week is, 'Who around here would you like to see logging in more often, and why him/her/it/other?

• Adara -- I would like to see myself logged on more. I don't get to spend nearly as much time on Spindizzy as I would like. I miss being here with my friends!
• Findra -- I'd like to see Mozdoc logging in more often. He's always so charming, not to mention hugely amusing! =:)
• BarterGarter hisses, "I know you're gonna get this a lot, but the answer is, me, of course. So I can be here longer. But as an alternative answer, I gotta say... Flutterz. She's too good a villain for my establishment."
• KevMan says, "Adara, Becuse it's nice to be with her."
• Terry puffs, "Ummm... Max. Because we need the black back."
• Morticon -- I want to see a number of people get back on more often, such as Dolly, Eris, DaemonNuit, Gratiot, Amy, Ashlyn, Moriarty, Vassily, and Rainbow, among others. I believe they all had something good to contribute to RPs, certainly made Spindizzy more interesting, and some are OOC friends. :)
• Leslie -- I really want Mrs Natasha to come back, Mr Argon.
• Tarka says, "Answer.... me. I have been so very busy that I don't get online much anymore."
• Elissa has no idea, really.
• Casandro says, "Carlos, he's cool. He's one of the few bats on here."
• Austin says, "I'd say the balloon community in general -- Dolly, Ceralor, Kiyoshi, Gutierrez -- just because they tend to bring out more whimsy, which we need."
• Darquette brays, "Oh I wanna thee Morticon connect more tho that I can try out more rethipieth for wallabieth...cooking wallabieth that ith. There'th Evil Wallaby Fricathee, And Meglomanica thtew, Brithbane thytle fried wallaby bitth...the litht ith endleth. (It's a joke..okay? :)"
• Ceralor squeaks, "Carlos, cause everyone loves mexican fruit bats that shapeshift!"
• Nimble wishes more Care Bears, like Tenderheart, would connect more often, so Care-a-Lot would be a busy place again :)
• Brenda -- Survey response I'd like to see Mephox log in here more often. Why? She's my girlfriend and soulmate, 'nuff said. =*^.^*=

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 Monday. 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