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.

Last week, the flood waters that had plagued SpinDizzy finally receeded. As reported in the January 16, 2005 edition of @Action News, and further reported in the January 23, 2005 edition, Zach, at the time, local water elemental, had flooded the area. The resulting flood caused inconvinience for some and joy for otters, er, others.

Last week, Darius, at the time, local Culvert Spirit, began asking for "offerings" claiming that these offerings would increase his power. He hoped to use this power to remove the water.

The hope of getting rid of the water sounded good to many, so offerings were made. Soon, Darius had the power he needed and he began eating away all the water. Leaving SpinDizzy in its normal state.

Zach too was effected, as Darius "ate" the water, Zach, who as a water elemental was made of water, dissapeared also, leaving behind... well, nothing.

Although the return of dry land was celebrated by most, as of press time, Zach's condition is still nebulous. How he shall return, and in what form, is unknown as of now.

Morticon, shedding for the evening his leadership of the Society of Evil Doers and in character "evil genius trying to take over the muck" persona, hosted a well attended workshop on Role Playing.

In a classroom setting, Morti offered hand outs on Powergaming, Rose Garden RPs, Private/closed RPs (briefly), MUCKwide RPs and Fights. Morti asked folks to read the hand outs, then detailed the points made in them. Questions and answers on each of the topics were discussed. Please follow the link to read the handouts.

Morti and the class discussed good and bad powergaming, how to best RP (Role Play) in the Rose Garden, Private RP's, which are usually more involved and "scripted", planning and implementing muck wide RP's such as the Planet RP and the flood RP that is reported on in the preceeding article.

Many points were made and ideas discussed, and some very good questions were asked. Although far too complex a subject to summarize, it would seem common sense, flexibility and fun for all concerned make a good RP.

Morti is hoping to hold more of these workshops if there is interest. Contact him if you would like more detailed discussions of aspects of RP, to suggest a topic, or if you'd like a repeat of the one last week.

Further Confusion, a nationally known furry con, was held January 13th-17th in San Jose California. A good time was had by all, especially since there were jellicle cats in residence singing and dancing to keep things happy and bright throughout. They could not be reached for comment, however, since every time they tried to be contacted they disappeared into thin air.

Everybody started sharing pretty words in the Rose Garden Saturday night. This got started because Elizabeth the panther wanted to know why Leslie the fairy-faux-bunny keeps calling her Mrs and other grownups Mr but says Uncle O'Black. Tanuki asked Elizabeth if she "Ever met a family where all the children call folks ma'am and sir?" And then Tanuki said how "In Japanese culture it is typical for children to address older ladies with 'obasan' and such. And mixing up the titles with the wrong ages is an insult." Obasan's a nice word and Gilead said he liked the word 'ariguma' which he says means 'raccutie'. Darius said 'Anaguma' means 'badger'. Leslie calls grownups by Mrs and Mr because it's important to be respectful of one's elders. Patch O'Black's an Uncle because Nikon O'Black's an aunt like Terra is. Tanuki said that was kind of like if you "ever had an 'aunt' that was just your mother's best friend?" and Elizabeth did.

Oh gosh also Mrs Rose hurt her finger and had a paper cut under her claws. She put it on ice and everybody's trying to help. Mr Gilead once got a piece of radish under one of his nails and that really hurt.

Q: What kind of insect doesn't want to associate with you?
A: A clique beetle.

Q: What do you call a bad-smelling primate?
A: A skonkey.

Q: Why did Gilead put a muffin on his hindleg?
A: He wanted to dress up as a bun-knee.

Q: Why did Gilead throw a muffin at Morticon?
A: He wanted to roll play.

Q: What do you call rolling marsupials?
A: Wheelabies.

Q: What's the foul smell that rises from the deepest part of the ocean?
A: The Marianas Stench.

Q: What do you call a really huge aquatic marsupial?
A: A whaleaby.

Q: What kind of marsupial is best at writing expert system databases?
A: A decision-tree kangaroo.

Q: How does a bull get information?
A: He'll ox someone a question.

Q: What monster leads the children of Spindizzy?
A: He-Who-Dwells-Behind-The-Rose-Garden.

Q: How do you tell which rodent is best?
A: Look at the rat-ings from the rodent critics.

Q: Why did the rodent shave his chin?
A: He only wanted a mouse-tache.
A: Or did he want the bald area to be a chin-chiller?

Q: Why did the female tree rodent throw her mate out of their drey?
A: They had a lovers' squarrel.

Q: What kind of rodent is Cye's natural prey?
A: An enor mouse.

Q: Why did the cat spraypaint his name on the wall?
A: He was a rum-tum-tagger.

Q: Why did the giant lizard's tail get sore?
A: It was a-draggin'.

Q: What happened when Santa's sleigh bogged down in a blizzard in the high Sierras?
A: You've heard of the Donner Party, haven't you?

Q: Where do you dig for weasels?
A: In the er mines.

Thanks for coming, to those who made it, and to those who didn't, I very much look forward to, and hope, that you'll join us next week!

A special thanks to the folks who made the event: Ai, Leian, KevMan, Raeth, Adara, Alfie, Laura, Premchaia. Thank you all for coming and sharing your ideas.

The topic this week was the the recent moon landing by Hyugens. Participants applied their own interpretation to it, from poems, to programs, to rooms, to sketches. Laura contributed a poem about leftover space trash, Ai a virtual photograph, Alfie a cartoon, and Raeth several photo manips concerning...well, you may just have to ask him!

This ambush on SpinDizzy 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.

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. They end at 20:30 MUCK time.

Editor's note: Be sure and see Chanspot's announcement in the Live Journal section of the paper below.

SpinDizzy's weekly Bardic Circle (Poetry/Filk gather) met Friday, January 28, at 7:00pm SpinDizzy time, in a Mountain Shelter, moderated by Ray. In attendance at varying times were: Elizabeth, Findra, Alfie, Shoe, Premchaia (briefly), and Ba'ar.

Ray began the session with several original pieces on a Winter Theme: "Rosepetals Swirling On the Breeze," "Winter Thoughts," and a Haiku, titled, "Winter." He followed that with a poem on the requested Theme of freedom, titled, simplistically enough, "Freedom." Alfie then read a poem by Wallace Stevens, titled, "Gubbinal."

Ray continued with another original poem, titled, "Poetry's Voice." On request, he then sang a Doctor Who filk, titled, "The Song of Current Companion," (words copyright Graham Woodland, 2000; to the tune of "Modern Major General" by Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan). Ba'ar followed that, reading an original poem, titled, "Con Zombies." Ray continued in that general vein, singing a filk, titled, "Back in the Middle of Fen," (words by Cyohtee; to the tune of "Stuck in the Middle With You," by Stealers Wheel). This sparked a discussion of conventions in particular, and fandom in general.

Eventually, the hour again grew late, and the moderator withdrew.

The next session will be Friday, Febuary 4, 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.

Notice: If anyfur would like to see any of the poems, songs, or filks mentioned in this or any previous edition of Spotty Journalism printed in its entirety in this column, please pmail Ray to request it. Space permitting, I will make arrangements. -R.

Can you guess where the quote was said and who said it. See the bottom of the paper for the answer...

Obviously being "Ashes to ashes and dust to dust," Zach has no "Quotable Quote" this week,

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

• One Year Ago / Tiny Bubbles and Big Ones Too
• Three Years Ago / Maxl Murdered Again - Only Expresses Regret At Not Being Able To Make Out With Dead Girlfriend

Notes from the SpinDizzy Live Journal Community

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

• Austin - And I feel fine

  Well, I got flung off the end of the world. In the Rose Garden Logan and hir robot-raccoon mind-clone Laura were engaged in a tug-of-war with Raeth, using me as the rope, and Raeth let go as I was stretched out across the whole garden; I ended up flying far north, past the spindizzy field into an undefined area.

  All I could see at my given spot was an undefined purple glow of disparate geometric shapes, flowing around; it was a bit like being inside an odd Flatland-based lava lamp. To the south I could see the Old Barn, at N8 E0. While Laura, Georgia, and later Zach rushed to the spot nearest mine they couldn't pierce the spindizzy field -- a noted contrast to earlier exploration parties, which had no trouble getting through, and a contrast to my own high-velocity pass through the field. I didn't see enough water for Zach to do much with it, either.

  Ultimately I was saved by SkyBlueHare, who as a cartoon found himself able to reach out, pinch me, and pull me back into the muck; he dropped me off by Laura and Georgia and Zach (and Vixie, who stopped by to be cute, I believe). I may have the sequence of events on that side wrong; I couldn't get there or hear what people were saying, and would accept correction.

  Exploring it later Laura wasn't able to run through the field, so it's more than just simple speed. Zach was able to find enough water to splash against the outside of the field, but didn't manage to get any through in either direction. And, of course, we're left with the mystery of just what was on the other side, and how to get back, if we so desire.
   

• Austin - You're getting to be a rabbit with me

  I suppose it's worth mentioning for those keeping track that findra and I have -- after a surprisingly long pause -- resumed the swapping of parts. In this case it's hindlegs, leaving me in slightly better hopping than in climbing shape. For the record this means we've swapped noses, ears, tails, and hindpaws; the rest is all original equipment.

  This was part of a whole set of body part-swap humor that broke out in the Rose Garden, which included Beltrami and one of her guillotine belts used on NeverNever, who was at the moment a jelli-mouse (well, a mouse made of gelatin) to separate NeverNever's head from her body. The body went on to take care of several minor tasks; the head Beltrami and roofae cared for.

  NeverNever was looking for a volunteer to swap bodies with, but all she could get was to detach Wulphe's tail. Those interested in borrowing a gelatin mouse body are advised to apply to NeverNever at their convenience.

  The whimsy of the events outweigh the biochemical outrage.
   

• Austin - In an unrelated development Darius asked to learn something of being a dragon, and Aushae helpfully turned him to an egg and helped him through to hatching as a silver dragonet. Gender has yet to be determined, last I heard.
   
• Chanspot - Ambush: What to do?

  To the dear folks of Spindizzy:

  The Ambush is something I very much enjoy hosting, and just as it begins to get together, I realize: I'm going to be absent almost every other, or every third, weekend.

  That isn't a way to run an event, is it? 'Pick a time, and stick to it.'

  Those who know me well know my life is changing, and will continue to change, right now. Part of what that involves is alot of travel, and spending time away from any reachable computer, perhaps for days. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen, and that will just be the case for the next little while.

  So now what? I love the Ambush, but...now doesn't seem to be the time. 'Pick a time, and stick to it,' doesn't work if you have to keep changing the date.

  I also realize starting it over the Christmas holidays wasn't the best idea ever, and I know better, but darn it, I want to do this. It's so much fun, and with the way it's set up this time...well, every session's been amazing. My favorite so far was the Worlds Fair theme, I think.

  Damn. I don't want to do this.

  But, I can't go week by week. For now, the Ambush is closing, until I get to a more stable point where unexpected and expected travel isn't going to crop up every other week, or every third week. What I may do, instead, is plot and plan a once or twice a month Ambush, as a semi-event, to jazz things up when they seem a little slow.

  How about we do that?

  Chanspot
   

• Austin - From a park you hear the happy sounds from a carousel

  Who out there has a beach, or lakeside, or some other room built on the fringe between water and land? For whatever reason this seems to be one of the most popular ideas for building rooms here. Now and then I've suggested building a Boardwalk, a chain connecting the beaches to one another in order to encourage people wandering around, exploring the lands, and maybe getting out of the Rose Garden and the beach east of it. We've also a good number of dolphin-based creatures who could similarly find some use in a boardwalk under the waterline.

  So, who's got them? Who would volunteer existing construction and new construction (for example, it'd be wonderful to have a theme park -- Cavy Island? -- to show off the sea) as spots to walk along the Boardwalk? I'm happy to do the coding, the setting up of a pathway and reasonable ways to wander along it, but I need places to walk around.

  The actual Boardwalk would have all sorts of attractions, from a millionaire's home to horse diving to a show of a guy pulling up a ``deep sea'' net and identifying, or claiming to, everything in the net; that's on top of shops, games, rides, and so on. We're certainly able to be at least as imaginative. Please respond or page #mail me or write on the bulletin board, and we'll see if we can put this together in time for the (northern hemisphere) spring season. If the holiday season needs to be lengthened we can add a Miss Spindizzy contest.

@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:
Where'd all the water go?
- Fish

Dear Fish:
It dried up

Dear Bearing Up,
I've heard that green M&Ms have some sort of effect on you when you eat them. What do green M&Ms do?
- Curious

Dear Curious:
If you eat too many of them, you get fat.

Dear Bearing Up,
Is it true Dr. Pepper tastes like flat Tab?
- Burpless

Dear Burpless:
No, it tastes like Diet Pepsi.

Dear Bearing Up,
Who's better? Pink Floyd or The Who?
- Off Key

Dear Off Key:
Neither! The Rolling Stones!

Dear Bearing Up,
Why aren't you hibernating? - Ranger Smith

Dear Ranger Smith:
Because I gotta do this column!

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. This week, Lupinetiger suggested I ask, do you like renaissance fairs?

• Ba'ar Re your survey " No I LOATHE them. The performers don't know how to treat their audiences with respect.
• Alfie - I've never been to one, but from everything I've heard, I'm sure I would like them.
• Findra - I love renaissance faires! I like hearing all those people trying to sound like Dick van Dyke.
• Elizabeth - I love RenFairs. Next one I go to, I want to dress up.
• Leslie - Dunno what a renaissnce fair is Mr Argon but it sounds pretty.

No quote this week due to evaporation.

Too much time and too many M&Ms.

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