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On Sunday the 2004 Christmas Tree was to be taken to the retirement home. Instead it was nearly swept downstream toward the ocean. Waters begins to rise when Zach, the water elemental that takes the shape of an otter, decided to make good on his promise of a submersed Spindizzy. Zach rose to over a thousand feet high and then plunged down gallons upon gallons of water into the Rose Garden.

Unbeknowst to Zach the 2004 Christmas Tree was in the path of the rushing waves. Within minutes the waves knocked the tree free and started to send it to the sea. Borris, sailed over using his surf boat to use a crane to help the tree float above the water. Additionally, a few life preservers were added to help keep the tree from being submerged.

The tree due to the immense weight of its decorations seemed about to break. Suri joined in the attempt to save the tree by suggesting the use of rockets. Quick action by Skyler made use of some rockets on the balloon creator machine. Moments later Borris lassoed the SED Blimp and tied it to the sinking tree. Alicia did some some calculations, and Chanspot offered the always useful "Does that have to do with eating chocolate?" to the fray.

Moments later with Suri's encouragement, the SED blimp started to lift upward raising the tree. Skyler provided some balloon floats to the base of the tree provided by the balloon creator. Borris' call for help finally was greeted by a Russian naval submarine. The tree was then secured upon the deck and taken to the retirement home.

Mouser, local furpent, reports that the recent flooding throughout Spindizzy has become a serious problem for its smaller residents. "My home and tunnel network has been inundated, you know. I'm homeless at the moment."

He fears that the problem may be overlooked by the majority of the Spindizzy community. "I mean, a few inches of water may just be a minor annoyance for a centaur, or a new playground for an otter, but when you're built close to ground level, it's a catastrophe. I hate to think what the rest of the minifur community around here is going through."

Suggestions that Mouser's concern for the rest of Spindizzy's minifurs may be driven by culinary rather than humanitarian reasons went unanswered.

Roofus_roo, kangaroo, showed off an exciting new body this week. Beltrami, balloon half-dragon, suffered several months ago the loss of her operator, a small computer-like device capable of nearly unlimited manipulation of matter to the piracy of dread fae Flutterz. This week Roofus_roo voluntered to undergo a transformation process turning himself into a new, living operator.

Details of the process remain undisclosed, but at its completion Beltrami was happy to show off Roofus_roo, who now had the form of a transparent vinyl balloon -- like Beltrami -- which had inside a mass of colored lights blinking like Christmas tree lights (or like the bridge displays on the original Star Trek), many of which respond to the touch, and some which respond automatically to the environment.

This fairy-kangaroo form is itself dressed up in a cute, fairy-princess dress, the purpose of which was not explained past Beltrami's enjoyment of the look.

Roofus_roo has adapted to her new role as personal data assistant happily, from reports, and denies being under any programming compulsion to act that way. Powers demonstrated by press time include the creation of objects -- including a plate of sugar cubes for My Little Pony Big Brother Star-Sight, and other trinkets -- and the scanning of individuals, as well as the temporary displacement of water from spots in the Rose Garden.

As many admired the fairy robot balloon princess body Roofus_roo took on out of friendship to Beltrami, balloon half-draon, Daystar, jellicle kitten, asked if he could be an operator too. The three-inch-tall kitten was given a balloon body matching Roofus_roo's and Beltrami's, with lights blinking on the inside, and was told he was particularly suited to the observing and recording of data, to assist Roofus_roo.

Examples of this skill as helper were given when Star-Sight asked the inflated trio for sugar cubes, and Daystar was the one with a clear idea of what one sould look like. A spot of light glowed on Daystar, which Beltrami touched with her finger, dragged across to Roofus_roo, and pulled down to Roofus_roo's paws, where the sugar cubes were materialized. Star-Sight pronounced them fine.

Nikon, raccoon and mother to Daystar, stated she was happy to see her son taking on a new and exotic form, but that she did not wish this to be a permanent change -- she regards it as important that Daystar grow up with a variety of forms. Beltrami assured her Daystar coulbe turned back to a flesh and blood kitten by Roofus_roo when he liked.

The following conversation took place in the Rose Garden this week.

Kinsor wiggles his fingerclaws, "Me too! The washing machine died today!"
Peppermint yeeehaws at Kinsor! "Boy, yeah. Get a nice big puddle out of it?"
Kinsor skriters, "Well, its flashing PF. Probably stands for perfectly fine!"
Peppermint nodnods! "Or Petulant F... er, never mind."
Kinsor skriters, "I've thought similar thoughts myself!"
Peppermint thinks for a moment. "So it's flashing "PF" on a display of some sort? That sounds Pretty Fancy."
Kinsor skriters, "Perhaps it was stopped by a Powerful Force?"
Kinsor skriters, "Or it was indicating Pre-Friday?"
Peppermint nodnods. "Perhaps it's ingested a Poison Ferret."
Kinsor skriters, "Or it stopped working, for fear of washing something that was Possibly Famous?"
Peppermint sez, "It's probably just Particularly Finicky today."
Kinsor skriters, "It was haunted by a spirit who's Past could finally be Forgotten!"
Georgia speaks softly, "Or even exposing something as Potentially Fraudulant?"
Peppermint nodnods at Georgia! "Done any money laundering lately?"
Peppermint notes that that can be Prudent, Financially, however.
Kinsor skriters, "I might have washed some Particularly Fragrant socks."
Peppermint sez, "Seen any empty Porcupine Follicles lately? Could be a spine stuck in its craw."
Argon finds the gags Pretty Funny.
Georgia speaks softly, "It broke down. Better check the warranty, it could be Purposly Fake."
Kinsor skriters, "I'd have said it was Passing Fair, myself."
Peppermint denies any allegations of Pademelon Funnybusiness.
Kinsor skriters, "Are you claiming it was Possibly Fruitbats??"
Georgia speaks softly, "Maybe the machine broke because it was Painfully Full."
Peppermint sez, "It could simply be Pining for the Fjords.
Georgia speaks softly, "Could be it just Popped a Fuse."
Kinsor skriters, "That could be the Probable Failure!"
Peppermint shakes her head. "That would be a Prepostereous Finding. I'd blame Pretentious Fennecs, myself.
Peppermint aaaanyways.
Argon says, "Hee hee. Please Finish.
Peppermint grins at Kinsor. "Do you need a straw hat? They're the latest in Swampwear."
Georgia speaks softly, "A broken washer caused all this Prodegious Flooding?"
Kinsor skriters, "I hear straw hats will only be a Passing Fancy next year!"
Peppermint shakes her head. "They're Perennially Fashionable!"
Kinsor skriters, "I'd look Positively Foreign!"
Peppermint thinks you'd look Particularly Fabulous.
Kinsor skriters, "Plenty of Fans, no doubt?"
Peppermint sez, "Populous Flocks of 'em, Kinsor. Hey Suri!"
Suri says, "Populous Flocks o' Lemurs?"
Suri says, "pFister..."
Argon says, "pFister?"
Peppermint pfisters! "The Phabulous Pfaucet with the Pfunny Name!"
Peppermint pfeels Positively Fossiliferous for remembering that commercial.

The conversation then turned to phrases that had no matching letters and were not neccesarrily PC. Other than "Pretty Cute" which most everyone agreed refered to Vixie.

The Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which have rolled along examining Spindizzy and taking abundant pictures of the town for much of the past year, announced Saturday that they were not in any way the least bit jealous of the attention lavished on the Cassini mission to Saturn and the Huygens probe which touched down on Titan, the only moon of the solar system with an atmosphere.

While granting Huygens was the farthest from Earth any man-made object has touched down, the probes pointed out the short lifespan of the probe and while crediting its amazing pictures dismissed the interest in Titan as a nine-days wonder. They then took pictures of Mouser, fursnake, and Leslie, bunny-fairy.

With the flooding of the Rose Garden and the growing of swampy, mangrove-like conditions throughout much of the muck, schools of Archer fish have swum in and insisted they were always there. "We've been part of your backstory since day one," a spokesfish explained, "you just never happened to be there when we were talked about, and the historical panel displays just happened to overlook us when all of you studied them, that's all." The spokesfish was then easily taken captive by a stubborn, motive-free, obnoxious alien fish species wearing a latex applique on its head.

An unidentified male was found dead outside the front door to Spindizzy this Thursday. A parrot on the scene said he was a plumber come to fix a sink. Coroners tentatively identify the cause of death as heart attack. Further details were not available at press time.

Editor's Note: This event sounds similar to the story of an injured plumber published in another on-line publication.

To everyone, I just wanted to say: thanks for coming. Your presence and participation helped make it a wonderful event, and, I hope you'll want to attend the next Ambush. For those that didn't, I hope to see you there next time.

A special thanks to the folks who made the event:Tarka, Kinsor, Ai, Slug, Gem, Elericia, Argon, Ray, Premchaia, Felina, Suri, Qurrhieyu, KeithBear, and Peppermint. Thank you all for coming and sharing your ideas.

The topic this week was the the World Fair, originally a topic inspired by Suri and then reshaped for the Ambush. Participants applied their own interpretation to it, from poems, to programs, to rooms, to sketches. Ray contributed a poem, Argon contributed a drawing, Premchaia contributed an alien artifact, Gem shared a futuristic robot, Tarka a program to spread Doom around Spindizzy, and Ai a futuristic television, which I am trying my best to steal.

This ambush is and should be a change from Ambushes previously...please consider coming out next week and finding out just how! There's also a FAQ available, viewable simply by visiting B&P (n1 e8, b, look afaq). You can view the last week's topic by running over to B&P and typing 'l theme.' Normally, all entries are deleted after the Ambush, but some individuals may choose to retain them, or even publish them. This week, Ray and Argon opted to share theirs, and I believe Premchaia's may still be seen at B&P, so please drop on by.

Ambushes are held each Sunday at 19:00 MUCK time, give or take a few minutes. You can get there by "luge n1 e8," and then "b," or just hopping on the fossa.

Note: This week's ambush may be taking place on a Monday instead of Sunday, due to the Con. Please check the eventlist and/or the bboard to see!

The next Ambush is scheduled for January 23.2005. This week's Ambush is cancelled due to Further Confusion.

Shared items:,

Ray - "Alien Culture in the New Millennium ( a work of social science-fiction)" (01/09/05)

Welcome to the wonders of a culture unknown
Rising from the ashes of Millennia flown
Rationality's the standard
Common conscience is the Rule
In place of all the ignorance Mankind has shown

How could such a culture become reality?
Human life achieving a higher quality
Eschewing fear and foolishness
Man, at last, might then exchange
Fear and blind tradition for Rationality

So, hope that this new wonder may somehow endure
Amidst other cultures whose suspicions are sure
Which might decide to quench this flame
Before it gets to spread
Like some disease which manages to destroy its cure

- Ray

Ai - High Definition 3D Holographic Room
This metallic room is small and has a fenced off circular center. In the center of the room within the bare light what appears to be a newscaster reading off the news from his desk. It becomes odd when he suddenly disappears and is replaced by a running athlete who is running in place and occasionally jumping over objects that appear out of nowhere. The next image after that is of a modern space shuttle taking off for space. When you move around the room, you can see all of these images as though they're real and touchable. Obvious Exits: [O]ut

Owner: Ai

Q: What do you call a very soft primate?
A: A minkey.

Q: What do you call an electrically charged arachnid?
A: A scorp ion.

Q: What kind of weasel makes a great judge?
A: A fairret.

Q: What do you call sticking a tree rodent's tail in the toilet and flushing?
A: A sqwirlee.

Q: What do you call the transgressions of a female fox?
A: Vix sins.

Q: What do you give a fox when she has a cold?
A: Vixen's Vap-O-Rub. (thanks to Vixie)

Q: Is the star of a planet populated with foxes a vix sun?

Q: What do you call a pile of fish securing a loan?
A: Colotteral.

Spindizzy's weekly Bardic Circle (Poetry/Filk gather) met Friday, January 14, at 7:00pm Spindizzy time, in a Mountain Shelter, moderated by Ray. In attendance at varying times were: Raeth, Slug, Phoex, Elizabeth,

Ray began the session, singing, "21st Century Man," from the Electric Light Orchestra album "TIME" (1981). Raeth then read a poem by George Carlin on being a Modern Man. Slug followed, reading William Stafford's poem, titled, "At the Un-National Monument Along the Canadian Border." Ray continued with an original sonnet, titled, "Feet of Clay."

Raeth then read an unfinished, original poem about a fox. Ray followed that with another, original poem, titled, "The Play of the Cards." Slug performed a "GoogleVerse," Googling George W. Bush, and selecting the first lines of the first five listings as his poem. He also Googled Slug, and Ray, with interesting results. Ray followed that with another, original poem (written at the last Art Ambush) titled, "Alien Culture in the New Millennium ( a work of social science-fiction)." Ray then concluded the session, singing "Endless Lies," from the Electric Light Orchestra album "BALANCE OF POWER" (1986).

The hour grew late, and the session ended.

The next session will be Friday, January 21, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Spindizzy time (luge S7 E4, [B]asalt [P]illars, [E]nter [P]ortal). All are welcome, either to read or just to listen. Check the eventlist for more details.

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...

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

"If you look at the last page of ___________, there is even a rant about how we are destroying the wild places and breeding like rabbits.

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

• One Year Ago / Spirit and Opportunity On Track
• Three Years Ago / Missed opportunity

Notes from the SpinDizzy Live Journal Community

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

• Austin - So how are people taking the slightly flooded Rose Garden? I haven't heard much about the actual flooding itself, outside of administrative overhead getting all the pieces together, although I have to admit on looking at the swampy marshland there now ... I have to wonder if we'll see the G.I. Joe team's computer expert Mainframe sneaking out for a quick date with the evil Zartan's sister Zarana. Of course, my mind thinks of things like that, whether they're needed or not.

  Xolo - I ignore it as best I can, and carry on playing.

  Chanspot - Surprised there aren't any Croc Hunter takeoffs.
   

• (Xolo) - SED Blimp taken over by the French!
  Slug chirps, "That gives me an idea..."
  Slug consults the Necronimicon.
  Slug can't find it!
  Suri peers.
  Slug chirps, "Somebody stole my plot device!"
  Suri says, "I bet it was politicians!"
  Slug nods!
  Slug chirps, "French politicians."
  Suri gasps! "Gasp!"
  Slug chirps, "Indeed."
  Slug chirps, "Only one force can stand up to the Politicians, now that they have stolen my plot device."
  Slug chirps, "We must consult... Lawyers!"
  Suri acks!
  Lupinetiger erfs
  Lupinetiger wurfs, "you're going to do an encantation with those demons? how can you control them for so long?"
  Slug chirps, "I can't control them, but I have no choice!"
  Lupinetiger wurfs, "at least try for lobbyists first!"
  Slug chirps, "Most of them are controlled by the Corporations, though. French Corporations."
  Slug chirps, "Then again, the same is true for the lawyers..."
  The SED Blimp has arrived.
  Suri oos! "Blimp!"
  Slug suspects that the Coporations control the SED Blimp, too.
  The-SED-Blimp LED-boards, "Suri!"
  Suri prunkles.
  Slug believes that the French liberal media has their eyes on it, though.
  The SED Blimp hovers overhead.
  The-SED-Blimp LED-boards, "Buy french bread!"
  Slug oh no's!
  Suri ACKS!
  The-SED-Blimp LED-boards, "Baguettes for all!"
  Suri says, "The French have suborned the Blimp!"
  Slug chirps, "I bet they put the plot device in the blimp!"
  Slug looks up.
  The SED Blimp drops samples of French hygene products.
  Mouser hisses, "We'll have to buy Freedom Bread in protest..."
  Slug wonders where he put his robin hood nerf arrows...
  Suri hides under the shrubberies.
  Slug nods at Mouser.
  Slug first tries throwing rocks. Of course, the blimp is way too high for Slug.
  Suri peers out fearfully.
  Slug's always hated that blimp. Why is a long story...
  Slug next tries an idea he picked up from the movie Mars Attacks. A movie that all of two people watched.
  Slug will use music against the blimp!
  The SED Blimp runs away!!!!
  The SED Blimp has left.
  Suri yays!
  Slug chirps, "Aw, I didn't even get to turn it on..."
  
   

@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.

Hi folks, Ba'ar here. Just a note to let you know that out of town on vacation and there will be no Bearing Up this week. The column will return as usual next week. See you then!

Editor's note: Just for fun, I thought I'd run the "Bearing Up" column from about a year ago.

Dear Ba'ar,
Can't we all just get along?
--Unpeaceful

Dear Unpeaceful.
I guess not. We're too different.

Dear Ba'ar,
Why do we have traditions?
-History

Dear History:
So we don't forget the foolish acts we've done in the past.

Dear Bearing Up:
I've seen a commercial on TV for Charmin toilet paper showing bears in the woods who use the advertiser's product. I always knew that the Pope was Catholic and that (some) bears (go) in the woods, but do they really use Charmin?
Argon

Dear Argon:
No. Newspaper's MUCH softer and easier to handle.

Dear Bearing Up,
My computer runs slow. Should I buy more RAM, or just get a new computer?
B. Gates

Dear B. Gates:
Neither. Take it to the gym and put it on a treadmill.That'll make it run fast.

Dear Bearing Up,
How come the record companies sell such crummy music? When I could get it for free on Napster, I'd listen to some of it but now that they want me to pay for it I'm not going to. It's junk! What's wrong with those people?
R. Davies

Dear R. Davies:
They CALL themselves musicians..but they really aren't. It's a conspiracy by the record companies to get you to listen to and accept substandard music.

Dear Bearing Up:
Giant cockroaches are eating me out of house and home! I use bug spray on them but they drink it like soda pop. What should I do?
F. Kafka

Dear F. Kafka:
Call in Kagemushi the samurai cockroach. He'll help you by beating the tar out of the roaches that are invading your home.

Dear Bearing Up,
We are looking for a new spokesbear for Charmin Bathroom Tissue. Please contact us so we can sign a contract!
P. Gamble

Dear P. Gamble:
I'd love to boys, but when I consider how fleeting stardom is, I don't want to do it. Thanks for asking.

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, "At this very moment, when you see hear or read this, are you at Further Confusion?"

• Borris says, "Nyet"
• Georgia speaks softly, "The honest answer is no."
• Ray - *Smiles* "I'm an East Coast fur. I should be so lucky as to be able to attend Further Confusion (imagine a con for bovine furries... Udder Confusion). My gentle envy goes out to those who get to be there, this weekend. Have fun!
• Eliahn yips, "no."
• PatchO'Black mews, "I'm not."
• Pa'hti headshakes.
• Findra - Yes, I'm at Further Confusion.
• Elizabeth - No, I'm not, but would like to go sometime.
• Alfie - Only in spirit.
• Argon isn't there either.
• Carl - Me either

Zach's Quoted Quote Answer

Zach's Quoted Quote Answer

_An Unnatural Selection_ classic companion guide to creating genetically engineered creatures. Why just read it wheen you can breed it.

Ah ha maybe I got you this time for the the quote location happened at the "<Water>" Rose Garden. The quote was said by Slug, Shiny Seeking Sneaky Skunk and the the missing word was Dragonology

Congratulation to all of you that guessed right!

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