Please don't forget to read the bulletin board. Enter +read from anywhere.
Please also enjoy The spindizzy_muck LiveJournal community, open to one, all, and others.

The SpinDizzy tradition of decorating a wallaby for Christmas was upheld again this year. It has been the custom that Suri, local lemur, would gather a box of wallaby decorations and join the group in the Rose Garden. With everyone in the spirit of the season, all that was left was finding a wallaby to decorate.

The suggestion of going to the wallaby forest and cutting one down was turned down by Suri in favor of having a fresh wallaby delivered. Although her plan of just waiting until one 'fell off a truck' seemed sound to her, the issue was solved when Morticon, local wallaby and alleged leader of the Society of Evil Doers appeared.

The crowd took the hint and started out by wrapping the wallaby in Christmas lights to keep him in place. Then garland, sparkles and ornaments were added. His tail was decorated with strings of popcorn As a finishing touch, a suction cup star was placed on his head.

Once decorated, the crowd enjoyed some holiday fellowship while the wallaby's complaints went unheard as more and more decorations were added to the Christmas wallaby. Soon, its lights were bright and the decorations sparkled, and the Whoville folk gathered... er, wait, that's another story.

Finally the wallaby was loaded down with decorations and it was agreed that this year's wallaby was the best looking ever. Next year it is hoped to get an aluminum wallaby.

Zach, local pre-teen flying squirrel (at the time), found himself a water elemental this week. A young otter made entirely of water. Although liquid, he was able to hold a close approximation of his normal shape which started out at about four inches tall. By the end of the week, he was over a foot tall and working on staying in form at larger heights.

Zach's ability to interact and control his water shape caught the attention of Annon, local sales rat. The rat saw potential in Zach to collect the money in wishing wells.

Nikon said, "Annon, you know that gets cleaned out and given to charity." Annon replied, "Eh, if you look at it the right way, I could be viewed as a non-profit organization!"

The sales rat then pulled out a document, "Eh, just dampen one corner of this and I'll take care of the legal details." Annon gave Zach his best rattish smile, "The signature is merely a formality."

Zach then glared at Annon, saying "Watch it mouse, you didn't say what's in it for me." to which Annon replied, "Eh! No mice here, just a salesrat. How does fifty sound?"

Zach bubbly commented, "Fifty what?"

Annon mnmmed, "Well naturally that would depend on what you find, wouldn't it?"

Zach bubbly commented, "Maybe I'll just take it all and then share what I like." Annon sidled close to Zach and said, "Eh? Well if you're going to just give loot away I'll stick close!"

No arangements were made publically between Annon and Zach, but as of press time, Zach was still made of hydrogen and oxygen and was an otter

Morticon, local wallaby and alleged leader of the Society of Evil Doers (SED) along with local Holiday decoration, seemed to have found true love at last. This week in the Rose Garden, after engaging in his usual banter concerning his low opinion of centaurs, his attention turned to Tami, local coyote.

Tami, loosely associated with the SED, is often seen with or around Morticon, and there had been rumors of their relationship being something more than professional. These rumors seemed close to being confirmed when the wallaby bent down one one knee in front of the coyote and popped the question. Suprised, Tami seemed quite happy, saying, "You really do care!" before giving Morticon a snug.

Marital bliss however was not to be. As soon as Tami calmed down, Morti popped her wedding bliss bubble by saying, And I was kidding. I'd never marry a fleabitten coyote like you."

Dissapointed, Tami gasped and thwacked Morticon. The centaurs present cheered on the thwacking of the wallaby.

So there I was... on the 23rd story of the Carew Tower in Cincinnati... To my left was a band of deadly ninja, and to my right was the roughest band pirates ever known! The exit trapped around the other side of the building, I had to either fight my way out... or jump! Then, just as things seemed at their worst, I had a moment of inspiration. Cutting open my pillow, I threw the feathers into the air, making Brenda sneeze, and they were all blown away! Fortunately for me, my small size left me BELOW the rail, and I was saved! Having defeated them, I moved on to face my biggest challenge yet!

Okay, so maybe none of that really happened, but I did finally get to see a real, live fennec in person for the first time at the Cincinnati Zoo (which I'm fortunately enough to live a short drive away from!) After squeezing through a huge croud of people in the nocturnal exhibit, I finally got to the fennec's enclosure. I can honestly say in person, they are far, far cuter than in any picture! Though I wanted to badly to hold it and pet it, it was behind glass, and sadly, asleep. I managed to drag my friend back to see it one last time, but it was still napping. The zoo does apparently have a program you can sign up for where you stay the night, and see all the animals late at night when they're more active, but I doubt that would be happening any time soon.

Of course, you can find out more about fennecs from Jim, probably, seeing as how he OWNS one! *jealousy abounds* Yes, fennec foxes do make nice pets, though they aren't entirely domesticated, and may run away should they be let loose outside. I wouldn't consider getting one too quickly though, they cost upward of a thousand dollars, and require constant attention and care, being very social creatures.

You can read up about the cute lil critters in any of the following links.

Fennecs in the wild...

http://www.chaffeezoo.org/animals/fennec.htm
http://www.sazoo-aq.org/02meet/02sublinks/fennec.html,
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/desert/animals/fox.htm
http://www.pbs.org/sahara/wildlife/fennec1.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/4075/fox.html
http://www.lpzoo.com/tour/factsheets/mammals/fennec_fox.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/146.shtml

And for those interested in having a pet fennec fox...

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/fennecfoxes/a/fennecfoxes.htm
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/fennecfoxes/p/fennecfox.htm
http://members.shaw.ca/petitepaws/index.html
http://www.pangeapets.net/Main.html
http://centralpets.com/pages/critterpages/mammals/other_exotics/OEX4713.shtml

Just as the Ancient Oak, or "snack tree" in the Rose Garden doesn't always offer snacks when the command "snack" is entered, the "fund" command has had some humorous results added.

Usually, when you enter the command "fund, you see, "(Your name) types FUND and gets $10,000 richer! This is all well and good, and is an easy way to get more pennies or shinies or whatever the currency of the day is when no Wizstaff is around, but not very much fun.

So now when you enter "fund", it's sort of a roll of the dice. You may very well become $10,000 richer, or you may get, "(Your name) types FUND, and a reptilian gargantua ravages the city, or, (Your name) types FUND, and Someone else's name) is teleported into the game! There are a number of interesting alternate responses to the fund command so see if you can find them all.

Be aware though, that when you get one of the alternate responses, you'll lose all your money and your credit returns to zero. So use the fund command with care.

Due to the Holidays, the Bardic Circle is on hiatus until after the first of the year.

Can you guess where the quote was said, who said it and as a bonus this week fill in the missing word. See the bottom of the paper for the answer...

This week's Quote...

"Oh, sure. If ____ just happened we'd see it popping up all over the place, and at inappropriate times of year."

Back issues from a year and more ago. Remember when...?

• One Year Ago / BarterGarter’s Cart returns! Sort of...
• Three Years Ago / Centaur Super-Hero Group Forms

Notes from the SpinDizzy Live Journal Community

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

• Austin - (From Pogo by Walt Kelly)

  Deck us all with Boston Charlie

  Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
  Walla Walla, Wash., an' Kalamazoo!
  Nora's freezin' on the trolley,
  Swaller dollar cauliflower alley-garoo!

  Don't we know archaic barrel,
  Lullaby Lilla boy, Louisville Lou?
  Trolley Molly don't love Harold,
  Boola boola Pensacoola hullabaloo!
  

  Bark us all bow-wows of folly,
  Polly wolly cracker n' too-da-loo!
  Hunky Dory's pop is lolly gaggin' on the wagon,
  Willy, folly go through!

  Donkey Bonny brays a carol,
  Antelope Cantaloup, 'lope with you!
  Chollie's collie barks at Barrow,
  Harum scarum five alarum bung-a-loo!
   

• Austin - So I was wandering around in the bookstore and spotted a book with the provocative title There Will Be Dragons, by John Ringo. From the cover it seemed to be based on a premise that might appeal to muckers at least initially -- in a far-future world technology and economics are geared to let people pretty much just clown around, be themselves, turn into dragons, whatever as they like.

  The book proper starts up when things fail and they have to go to war over who knows what; I didn't buy the book and am curious if anyone in these parts has. I've never read Ringo before, and have a rule about the longest novel I'll read from a new author when I haven't got the endorsement of someone I trust. And, well, the prologue mentioned the all-knowing master computer concluding it was jolly well time the humans had a war; that's not an attitude I much care for, but if it's needed for a good ride I can accept it.

  So, if someone has read it, is it enjoyable? Is there plot, character, and setting in reasonably professional measure? Is there at any point reasonable people would toss the book out the window? How does it compare to Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon's FurryMuck novelization Chrome Circle? These are all questions I feel I cannot answer.

  This resulted in an interesting discussion of books involving "furries" and other SpinDizzy resident types in the "real world".

@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.

As you may recall last Wednesday the hit graph showed 2,610 hits. I asked readers for any information they might have about why there were so many folks looking at, /newspaper127.htm but no one seems to know. Morti reminded me that they use the same Goodle search engine as @Action News and SpinDizzy.org, and it may take a week or more to update. But at this time, no references to the muck or the paper are on Fark,com If you can find the link between Fark.com and @Action News, please let me know. Thanks!

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:
I've seen quite a few cougar pictures, but why aren't there more pictures of people transforming into cougars?
- Brenda

Dear Brenda: Because People are so much cuter.

Dear Bearing Up:
Why do I have to give others presents? I'm greedy and think I deserve them all!
- M

Dear M:
Because it's better to give than receive.

Dear Bearing Up,
If you're a bear, shouldn't you be hibernating?
- Sealy

Dear Sealy:
What ? Me hibernate and miss out on all the Christmas Fun? GET OUT OF TOWN!

Dear Bearing Up,
Santa left coal in my stocking! But I've been good. What went wrong?
- T. Tim

Dear T. Tim:
Nothing. Santa knew you needed the coal for the fireplace to keep the family warm.

Dear Bearing Up,
I've been taking Aleve and Celebrex for years and never had a heart attack. With this government saying it's bad, I'm confused. What should I do?
- Bayer

Dear Bayer:
You should take them until you do have a heart attack and then stop.

Dear Bearing Up:
Thank you for the nice complement last week saying that by marrying my lovely wife, Mavra, I gave her the best gift of all. I have always said I was very lucky she chose me, so I am the lucky one. Just wanted to clear that up.
- Argon

Dear Argon:
Don't mention it. You were (literally) made for each other.

Dear Bearing Up,
I wanted a Gameboy but all I got was a chess set. Why did Santa not give me what I wanted?
- R. Rich

Dear R. Rich:
Santa thought you might need dn intellectual challenge rather than go for a mindless video game.

Dear Bearing Up:
How can I make Morticon behave?
- S. Claus

Dear S. Claus:
You can't. It's part of his basic nature to be evil.

Dear Bearing Up,
I have tried to take good care of my Christmas tree. I watered it regularly and put a little vodka in its container but it's starting to turn brown and lose its leaves. Have I done something wrong?
- P. Bunyan

Dear P. Bunyan:
Yes. The vodka is making the tree drunk.

Those of us at the Bearing Up desk want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, A Happy Holidays, A Joyous Hannukah, A Festive Festivus and the best Kwanza ever. (If we left anyone out, we're truly sorry!)

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.

Q: Who brings presents to all the good wolverines, badgers, and meerkats?
A: Santa Claws.

Q: Who comes down the hay silo and brings presents to all the good foals?
A: Centaur Claus.

Q: Who brings treats and sweets to all the good SpinDizzians?
A: Patch O'Black.

Q: Why should you carry an umbrella on Christmas Eve?
A: Rain Deer.

Q: What's an ill-behaved dog's favorite holiday treat?
A: Leg Nog.

Q: Why did all the children go flash-blind one foggy Christmas Eve?
A: Rudolph was out sick, and Santa got a red-nosed coati to fill in.

Q: How do giant robot mecha celebrate Christmas?
A: They kiss under the missile toe.

Q: How did the myth start that pademelons go lame on Christmas?
A: All the Peppermint canes.

Q: What is Patchy on December 25?
A: A Felis navidad.

This week Argon asked, "I'm doing a survey for @Action News. The question this week, suggested by Mavra, is, 'Who do you consider to be SpinDizzy's Resident-of-the-Year?

• Austin - I consider Aushae to be the Resident of the Year.
• PatchO'Black mews, "Nikon is my choice, but I'm biased."
• Brenda doubts it's her.
• Gilead chirps, "I think...Sunshine. Because she's nice."
• Mavra says, "I would nominate Butterfluff as 'Resident-of-the-Year' because I only started to get to know the 'Fluff well at the beginning of the year and even now, Butterfluff still affects me."
• PatchO'Black mews, "The Fluff was special."
• Nikon says softly, "Butterfluff is who I would pick too"
• Ba'ar - "Forgive me for saying this but my vote for PEOPLE of the year are you and Mavra...you FINALLY tied the knot."
• Findra - My vote for resident of the year would be Firewind because ... well ... just because.
• Elizabeth - "For me, it would have to be Butterfluff. Butterfluff brought me to Spindizzy almost a year ago. Sie taught me to enjoy life here and learn to role play. I thank hir for all that sie taught me and for bringing Ray here. I truly loved hir and miss hir terribly.
• Morticon - Character of the year? Easy: Our many varied guests! Without them, we'd never get new members in our community.
• Ray - I cannot think of anyfur who has had as much impact on SpinDizzy this year as our dear, departed Butterfluff. The Fluff should be honored on the cover of the @Action News with the distinction of 'Resident-of-the-Year.' Personally, I would not even be here, myself, if it were not for the Fluff's passing, and I know many others have been affected by Butterfluff, as well, both in its passing, and in its life here. Butterfluff will long live on in the hearts of many, and its influence will be felt, indirectly, for years to come.
• Aushae sultrily sibilates, "I'd almost say Austin, but he doesn't resides here as much as here resides him.
• Warusa - My nomination for 'man of the year' would be Morticon. He's done so much to liven things up.
• Aleu - All the furs who took time out of their lives to schedule and plan all the events, like the Olympics, the Christmas party, etc.

This week's quote was brought to you by the latest best seller, "Where Do Things Come From and Why?" It's the perfect gift for anyone who wants to know it all. Of course you already knew that, right.

I bet you're not surprised by today quote location, which of course is the Rose Garden. The quote was said by Austin and the missing word was Snow.

Congratulation to all of you that guessed right!

Waiting for Santaur Claus

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