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Disaster was averted this week as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade got underway. As thousands of anxious parade watchers lined the streets to see the show, there was trouble behind the scenes.

As the parade was starting to get underway, the famous Charlie Brown chasing the football float (pictured above) and its accompanying football float sprang serious leaks. Being one of the crowd favorites, balloon technicians worked feverishly to repair the broken seams. But with the scheduled start of the parade only minutes away, it seemed that it would have to go on without the beloved float.

The other balloon floats were obviously concerned, and knowing that local balloons, Dolly and Beltrami, were watching the parade, signaled the SpinDizzy residents that their help was needed.

Quickly notifying Brenda, local part-time giant balloon cougar, they gathered together and (don't ask how,) went to the site of the parade. Dolly and Beltrami used some balloon magic to form themselves into the Charlie Brown and football floats, and Brenda was asked to join the parade to add an extra bit of spice to it.

Handlers learned quickly that they were there for show with the "SpinDizzy" floats, as they were fully capable of steering themselves and starting and stopping on cue. Dolly and Beltrami's "disquises" were almost perfect, although the TV comentators did make note of how lifelike the balloon cougar's fur appeared.

All three balloons made their way through the parade route without incident, and organizers expressed their deepest thanks. All three have been asked to appear in next year's parade as themselves. Dolly, Beltrami and Brenda said they were glad to help, and flattered by the offer. They said they would consider the offer for next year.

Spindizzy residents who spent their Sunday evening in the Rose Garden may have noticed that PatchO’Black, local jellicle cat, had lower jellicle levels than usual- so low, in fact, that he was beginning to fade altogether.

Elissa, local vixen kit, Zach, local human pre-teen, Mugen, local kitsune kit, and Mosi, local meerkit, decided to do something about it.

They were unsure of what “jellicle” meant, but they felt it must have something to do with the similar sounding word “jell-o”. So the kits decided to create a jell-o kitty in hopes that it would bring Patchy’s jellicle levels up.

Elissa found a cookbook with a jell-o recipe in it, and the kits managed to trudge through it as best they could, confusing the term ‘tbsp’ for a teaspoon, and using slightly dirty water from the fountain. They set the resulting mixture on a block of ice, hoping it would freeze in time to help Patch out before he disappeared completely.

Things looked hopeless, as it was obvious that the jell-o would not gel in time to help the jellicle cat. But KevMan, local bi-breed and father of Mosi, used magic to secretly set the jell-o mixture in record time.

The kits offered it to PatchO’Black, who instantly began to fade back in. As the kits rejoiced, Patchy informed them that it had not been the jell-o that had given his jellicleness back, but rather the love and concern of the little kits.

Once fully healed, Patch rewarded them all with some ice cream from his jellicle fields. Another jellicle disaster had once again been thwarted.

Windwhistler, local centaur, was in the Rose Garden one day when he told all concerned he was thinking of opening up a centaur themed tavern. Needless to say, this triggered a punwar.

Windwhistler "I was thinking of opening a centaur themed tavern."
Gilead chirps, "St. George and the Centaur Inn?"
Fala earperks at Windwhistler. "What would you serve there?"
Rown says, "Wine?"
Argon says, "Centaurs I'd suppose."
Rown ooos!
Mavra says, "Whining centaurs?"
Rown smiles
Gilead chirps, "Pardon me, but do you serve crabs here? Sure, have a seat. We serve anyone!"
Scandal laughs. "You could call it Legion and pack it full of Centaurions."
Windwhistler giggles
You say, "I thought we centaurs were bad punsters."
Windwhistler hipbumps Gilead.
Windwhistler hipbumps scandal.
Rown says, "Um, we are... At least I know I am.
" Scandal stumbles a little but stays on his feet and grins.
Rown says, "We're also writer, musicians and other professional types too."
Scandal grins. "You could call it Centaur Received."
Fala says, "And if not, it'd be Return to Centaur?"
Scandal laughs and nods.
Rown groans
Mavra says, "I have that book!"
Fala, "Book?"
You say, "Return to Centaur? Sounds like a Piers Anthony book or a Robert Asprin book."
Mavra nods. "Return to Centaur."
Scandal says, "If you want it to be more International it could be Centaur the Wide Sea.""
Zach comments, "Like the tinyness?"
Mavra says, ".. or, 'What a Foal I've been!' Yes, Piers Anthony."
Nikon yerfs softly, "Tiny? Where?"
Gilead chirps, "Left of Centaur?"
Zach comments, "I suppose I should start my sentence with Tiny"
Fala says, "...Hmm. How about Canter Inn?"
Gilead chirps, "Grounded and Centaured: A Pagan Hexapod's Guide to Meditation."
Argon says, "Call it Hoofrest."
Windwhistler holds his ears "I thought that we centaurs had the worst puns."
Rown says, "We are, but there are those that are worse."
Scandal laughs. "You could make it for foxes too. Then it could be the Fox 'n' Trotters."

Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Q: How does an otter stay warm in frigid weather?
A: They have built-in thermal otterwear.

Q: How do snake "ladies of the evening" keep warm all winter?
A: They sleep with their long Johns.

Q: Why didn't birds fight consistently for the North in the American Civil War?
A: Because they went South every winter.

Q: Why don't snowshoe hares, arctic foxes, and ermines ever join the Klan?
A: They're only white part of the year. Plus, they're nice critters.

Q: What did the Ottoman Empire do for Thanksgiving?
A: Engulf Turkey.

Q: What did the Otter Empire do for Thanksgiving?
A: Engulf fish. Then conquer Turkey.

Q: How do bears celebrate the winter holidays?
A: With a gala, months-long hibernation.

Q: What are coatis most thankful for around Thanksgiving?
A: That they're in the tropics.

Q: Who brings presents to the barn for Christmas?
A: Centaur Claus.

Q: How do wild canidae mothers keep their cubs warm in the winter?
A: They nag the cubs to always put on a woolf sweater before going outside.

Q: How do cats stay warm in the winter?
A: By sitting on top of the fridge, in a sunbeam, in the middle of the newspaper you're reading, within easy shedding distance of your coffee, on your new black coat, in your lap when you need to go somewhere, etc.

Q: How do red pandas stay warm in the winter?
A: They eat Szechuan spicy bamboo shoots, while roasting waterchestnuts on an open foxfire.

Q: What do arctic foxes use to add flavor to their gourmet sauces?
A: Lemming zest.

Q: Why couldn't the winter bear find the point x=3, y=7?
A: He was a polar bear.

Q: What eats penguins and falls apart?
A: Leper Seals.

Q: Why are penguins so great at pool parties?
A: Whether the appropriate dress is swimsuits or fancy suits, they have it covered.

Q: Why did the arctic fox's new car go out of control and fall off a cliff?
A: It was a lemming.

Q: Why was the car replaced free of charge?
A: The Arctic has strong lemming laws.

Spindizzy's weekly Bardic Circle (Poetry/Filk gather) met Friday, November 26, at 7:00pm Spindizzy time, in a Quiet Garden, moderated by Ray. In attendance at varying times were: Elizabeth, Slug, Nogitsune, Alair, Alicia, Adara, Gilead, Elericia, Roofus_roo, Stormsong, Windwhistler, and PatchO'Black.

Ray opened the session, reading "Twas the night of Thanksgiving" ( No author credited), in response to a request for a poem about "Turkey birds." He then read an original filk, titled, "Anime Eyes (Or, the Fanboy's Lament)" ( Original song Ebony Eyes by Bob Welch ). Ray then followed that with a pair of original poems, titled "The Vigil," and "Vigil's End." Gilead then read "Frustration," by Dorothy Fess Parker.

Adara changed the mood with a fey poem, titled, "Stolen Child." Elizabeth followed that by singing "Moondance," by Van Morrison. Gilead then sang, "Tonight and the Rest of my Life," by Nina Gordon, which he followed presently with a ribald limerick. Ray then sand a filk, titled, "I Fought the Borg" (to the tune of "I Fought the Law"), by Ellen Edgerton.

Stormsong then recited a brand-new, untitled poem, freshly-writ, about love. Elizabeth followed that by reading Robert Frost's "The Freedom of the Moon." Ray read another, original poem, titled, "Virtual Riches." At that point, PatchO'Black arrived, and Ray sang "Jellicle Fields Forever" ( Original music and lyrics by Lennon/McCartney). At that point, the moderator excused himself, ending the official session, to continue informally as attending furs might desire.

The next session will be Friday, December 3, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Spindizzy time (luge N5 W4, [B]asalt [P]illars, [E]nter [P]ortal). All are welcome, either to read or just to listen. Check the eventlist for more details.

In related news...

Friday, December 10, in lieu of the usual Bardic Circle, Elizabeth and Ray will be hosting a Winter Holiday Dinner Party at Gepard Manor, in Keresztulerdo. Details will appear in the eventlist, and also on the Bulletin Board. Everyfur is welcome; this will be an open-house event. Hope to see you there!

It was suggested (see below,) that we show headlines from years back. So lets give it a try. Click on the links if you'd like to go back and read the story.

• One Year Ago / /newspaper175.htm - Toon Community Upset with Disney
• Three Years Ago //newspaper75.htm - Prickly Morti

Notes from the SpinDizzy Live Journal Community

Remember, user names on the Live Journal forum may be different than those of characters here.

• Austin - I should have thought to mention this before, but -- obviously, given that the iBook I live on is in the shop and I don't know when it'll get out again, I don't have any of the e-mails going to austin or character at spindizzy.org. If you've directed anyone to send e-mail to either account for a character request, please, ask them to talk to a wizard online instead.

  With any luck I'll be back Monday, or Tuesday, and be able to catch up from there, but I know how eager people get to hop onto the muck when they have the chance. (If you haven't any idea what I'm talking about, you're lucky; it's been the running theme of my journal this week. Suffice to say, this makes that 1 September 2002 report about ``Provoked Dellway Destroys Austin Dern'' look like a mere trifle. And by the way -- newspaper #113, where it appears, seems to be missing from the server ... any ideas, argon_centaur?

  (Argon replied,) - You're right, /newspaper113d.htm was there, but wasn't opening. I uploaded it again, and it seems to be working fine. Thanks for the heads up!
   

• Xolo - Who's coming to Morphicon next year, and who'd be interested in a Spindizzy party or dinner?
   

• Austin - So, how many Spindizzy folk did get together to the con? Was there any sort of organized gathering or just irregular groups? Did the Coonlective have its first gathering in the fur or what? There are all questions I feel I cannot answer.

  (Argon answered,) - I don't know that there would be any benefit to the 'Coonlective actually meeting in person (furson?). Since they all share the same 'groupmind' and experience what the others do, I'd think one of us, yes, I too am a 'Coonlective cousin so to speak due to my Raccoontaur morph, could go to the con and we'd all have experienced it.

  But then, it would be fun to go just to visit with other SpinDizzy folks, 'Coonlective members or not, and be able to talk with inflection and emphasis in the conversation. Although doing so kind of muddies my mindset of 'seeing' my friends from SpinDizzy as their characters.

  Which I really do. When I think of, say, Morticon, who's player I have visited with several times, I 'see' him as a wallaby. When I think of Patch O'Black, who I have never seen or met in real life, I see a white kitty cat with a vest. In my mind, Cye is a giant fox, and Dolly (and Beltrami) are semi-clear balloon figures. It's just easy for me to see them as they describe themselves on-line. I guess it's sort of hoping that in doing so, they 'see' me as I describe myself.
   

@Action News, SpinDizzy's weekly paper, apparently has a fairly healthy circulation, so we figured we'd show just how healthy it is.

Each week, as long as there's room. I'll show the 'hit graph' for the @Action News website.

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

Dear Bearing Up:
How many days do turkey leftovers last?
- T. Turkey

Dear. T. Turkey:
They last until Thanksgiving night, when everyone gets a bout of the munchies and devours the rest.

Dear Bearing Up:
The grass in my yard is turning yellow in spots. I've put fertilizer on it, and watered it, but the spots won't go away. What should I do?
- G. Rass

Dear G. Rass:
Install artifical turf. Then you won't have any problems.

Dear Bearing Up,
After the election, I removed the Kerry sticker from my car, but my neighbor still has his Bush Cheny sticker on his. That's not so bad, but he also has his Bush yard sigh still stuck in his front yard. Is he just forgetful or is he bragging?
- D. Emocrat

Dear D. Emocrat:
He just wants to rub it in that Bush won.

Dear Bearing Up,
I've been to the doctor three times now about this cough in my upper chest. As a centaur, I of course, have two sets of lungs. At first he thought it was bronchitis, then he diagnosed it as "walking pneumonia" and gave me medicine for both. But the cough still hasn't gone away. Now he wants me to go see a lung specialist. Since he didn't have any idea what was wrong, should I pay his bill?
- Argon

Dear Argon:
Since you're a taur you should have consulted a vet first. Thus you should pay the bill.

Dear Bearing Up, There's this balloon girl I really like, but I'm not sure how to ask her out on a date. Any suggestions?
- H. Elium

Dear H. Elium: Get her HIGH and then ask her.

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. With Thanksgiving this week, what is it you are thankful for?"

• Firewind [OOC] I'm thankful for having a certain special bunny over here this week.
• Rown is thankful for the right to be as wild and free as he can be. In no other part of the world could a Centaur have such a gift.
• Zach mumbles from the vines, "I am thankful that I am still alive?"
• Windwhistler says, "In response to your survey, Argon...I'm thankful for being in a place where there are fellow centaurs."
• Ray - In this world, I am thankful for a place in which I have discovered new and unexpected wonders, most especially a certain Autumn flower who has blossomed in the garden of my life here.
• Raeth yips, "I'm thankful for having my wuffy friend IRL to cuddle with!"
• Nikon says softly, "I'm thankful for all my fur friends, my husband and my kits."
• Brenda dittoes Nikon! Er...minus the the husband and kits part....and plus her family part.
• Darwin is thankful for family and friends, of course.
• Vixie is thankful she's so cute.
• Laura churrrs, "I'm thankful for life, the universe, everything, and having good close friends, even if I've not met many IRL."
• Alair barks, "I'm thankful for family, friends and finally finishing university!"
• Mavra says, "I'm thankful for Argon and I finally getting married, .. aahh.. and this marvelous back-rub he's giving me."
• Suri says, "Zinc! In little zinc containers...""
• Ping squeaks, "Cheese."
• Royce churrs, "Raccoonery."
• Brenda says, "Other than the usual family 'n friends spiel, I'm thankful for stretchy clothing."

NOTICE
One lost Crown Prince of the Neo Republic Alexander Vulpnine
Last seen on North Spindizzy engaging in research of the local crystal and mineral grounds.
Huge reward offered in any information on known location of the Crown Prince. Bigger reward for finding the Prince. Contact Alicia Vulpnine if seen or even rescued Prince Alex.

A side effect of Macros and Thanksgiving feasts.

Submitting a story or artwork for @Action News is easy! Just send it to newspaper@spindizzy.org or qmail or page Argon, Carl or SDN 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