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Events of particular interest include Morticon's gifting to Portia of a luminous Ruby Ball, along with some uncharacteristically kind words...

The buffet dinner was served in the Dining Room, while some furs wandered the Manor; Than and Christie took at face value the invitation the explore, and ended up quite quickly in the Kitchen's Walk-In Freezer, where they made short work of the frozen desserts stored there. I reassured DTF and Nesta that that was quite alright, so long as the kits didn't overindulge to the point of discomfort. A trip to the lavatory was necessary to clean the kits up, however...

The festivities continued in the Manor Ballroom, with dancing and light conversation. After a bit of trepidation, Nesta found her feet (all four paws, as she was in liontaur form, that night) for dancing with DTF.

Eventually, around 9:00pm, things began to wind down, and I left the remaining guests to their own devices, food and drink still well-provided for. It is my hope that Gepard Manor will host more such gatherings in the new year to come.

Civet Slangs and Sounds for Spindizzian Civilians

The civet is a curious, active and usually quite vocal critter though many folks don't fully understand its speech pattern and posturing.  This amazing animal is able to convey many things using its seemingly limited language.

From my studies I have been able to get an idea or even understand what a civet means simply by listening to these sounds and noting postures.  I am Doctor Woordenschat and today I will offer you some of the common verbal language elements of the common 'magical' palm civet. 

Although many of these sounds begin with V it is not uncommon for a civet to substitute other guttural letter sounds such as B and G to create a somewhat different yet otherwise similar meaning.  Additionally the sounds are also optionally shortened or lengthened for effect.

vrack (vra(ah)hck) – This is most commonly a greeting by many civets showing that it recognizes the individual or individuals it is posturing too or with.  It other meanings seem to beas you have got my attention what do you want now or the likes.

vit – A fundamental of the civet language which is a general affirmation of having and keeping a civet’s attention.  It typically means what’s up, how’s it going, or I am in agreement or interested.  It is not uncommon to here a series or stream of vits from the civet.

vitters – The vitter is actually a long quick repeating vit which typically means a probable yes with some concern or please continue, more than likely.  If a civet continually vitters it means the creature is quite fascinated with the current topic.

 
vit vit vit – A distinct sound from the simple vit usually stated when a civet is tired of what the subject is saying or doing, additionally a civet may deem the individual obstinate or otherwise no longer useful.  The triple vit may also be stated in a less than friendly way but almost always indicates that you have lost the civet interest and attention. 

vur, vuhrs, vurur or vuuhruuhr (examples) – Another staple of the civet language and which generally interpreted as satisfaction, a positive note or pleased contentment.  It is said the cheerfulness of a civet may be measured by the length of it vur.

vivurs – This is an interesting combination of the vit and vur which usually notes a genuine maybe, please explain or oh really.
 

vurrit – A fascinating mix of the vur and vit in reverse order which usually identifies a sense of mischief and nosiness, meaning something such as it is none of my business but I am going to do it anyway.

vragh, vraagghs (examples) – This is one of the more guttural sounds a civet makes when indicating a sense of agitation, annoyance or frustration.  When made by another civet or even critter it will be interpreted as a cry for help or a contest dependent on the speaker.  Much like the vur the span of a vragh will indicate how perturbed the civet is.

rarghs – Much like the vragh this sound indicates anger, hostility and a more pure outrage but may also be you are so eaten.  It is usually rarely heard but may happen from an agitated or sick civet.
 

This covers some of the very basics of the civet and its means of communication.  I hope it will be useful to you the reader.  Words of caution do be careful when speaking as not to taunt the common 'magical' palm civet.  This may occur by using their language improperly as they have been known to eat folks.  Many a journalist was lost (though eventually retrieved) to pass on this information.

Q: Did you hear about the new feline soap operas on next year's TV schedule?
A1: Nine Lives to Live.
A2: Days of Our Nine Lives.
A3: All My Kittens.
A4: As the World Revolves Around Me.

Q: Why was the eager young yearling colt looking forward to New Year's Eve?
A: He heard he'd get to see the balls drop.

Q: Where's the best place to get a cheese wagon wheel on New Year's Eve?
A: Timer's Square.

Q: Did you know that Dancer and Prancer and Dasher and Vixen and Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen and Rudolph go really wild and throw a huge Bacchanal to celebrate the end of the holidays?
A: Sure, why do you think everone wishes each other a Happy Nude Deer a few days later?

Q: How do Orcas celebrate the new year?
A: They wait for the ball to drop then crack open a bottle of Shamupagne.

Q: Why isn't anyone looking forward to 2006?
A: The year has already gone to the dogs (according to the Chinese zodiac).

Q: What do procyonidae do on December 31?
A1: Party hardy, and tailring in the new year.
A2: And they hang out in Times Square trying to lift the big shiny ball.

Q: Why did the new computer monitor received for Christmas get returned on January 2?
A: It wouldn't stick to its resolution.

Q: What do Wahs celebrate on the night of December 31?
A: Nothing. Chinese New Year is in February.

Q: How does Mario celebrate New Years?
A: He goes to the city to watch the Barrels drop. Then jumps over them and saves Pauline.

Q: Why is Donkey Kong a typical primate?
A: When threatened, his defense is to go above his opponent and move his barrels.

Q: How do Grizzly Bears celebrate the New Year?
A: They hibernate.

Q: Why do pigeons eat those little silver wedding cake decorations on December 31? A: So they can enjoy the droppings of shiny balls.

Q: How do rats celebrate the new year?
A: They hang out in your food and watch the droppings drop.

This week, we chat with Christie, local rabbit.

Christie has arrived.

Ba'ar smiles, "Hello Christie and thank you for helping me out."

Christie giggles, "I always wanted ta be inna paper! I'm happy ta helps!"

Ba'ar smiles, "Now's your chance to be in it...Now then, let's start. Our readers know about you and some have even met you 'in the pelt' as it were. For one thing, how long have you been here in Spindizzy?"

Christie says cutely, "I'm new! I hasn't even been here a munth yets!"

Ba'ar smiles and nods, "Welcome! So, what brought you here?"

Christie says cutely, "I wanted ta find sumplace that was coolies'n stuffs, where I could find all sortsa new friends 'n all-- I's been kinda a lonelies bunny, till I got heres!"

Ba'ar growls, "You didn't have very many friends where you came from?"

Christie shakes her head, "was WAY too bigs! 'n I only could ever makes a couple friends :(

Ba'ar nods, "So what's a typical day like for you?"

Christie shruggies, "I mostly jus' plays 'n stuffs, wif Thanny if she's on-- she's my bestest friend! or wif any of my uther friends dats on, 'n sumtimes I even makes new ones!"

Ba'ar growls, "So who do you admire the most?"

Christie blinkblinks, "um... *thinks fur a minit* I guesses I'd hasta say Thanny, or mebbe Auntie Elissa, or Auntie Nesta... I dunno tho-- alla my friends is specials!

Ba'ar smiles, "So who do you admire the least?"

Christie fidgets, a little nervously, "dat morticon peoples is kinda scary..."

Ba'ar nods, "He is indeed. Fortunately he's not terribly competent. So what would you change about Spindizzy if you could?"

Christie giggles, "Dat's easies! more kidsie peoples!" :)

Ba'ar nods, "Do you have any plans for the future?"

Christie nods 'n hopes ta finds a mommy'n daddy sumday!

Ba'ar growls, "What happened to your mommy and daddy? Surely they're still alive?"

Christie shakes her head 'n hasn't never had none :( "Jus' Auntie Elissa, 'n now Auntie Nesta, 'n Unka DTF"

Christie ohs! "'n unka Roofus! Can't furget 'bout hims -- he gaveded me my magic wand!"

Ba'ar nods, "So what secret fact or desire about you would surprise our readers?"

Christie says cutely, "Um... I dunno, mebbe dat I's a princess?"

Ba'ar growls, "In closing, do you have any words of wisdom for our readers?"

Christie nodnods, "Grownups get too upsetted 'bout stuffs! They all gotta relaxes 'n just not worries-- eat more candy, 'n watch more toons 'n stuffs!" :)

Ba'ar smiles, "We do indeed. With that in mind, that concludes our interview. Thanks."

Ba'ar fluffies Christie's headfur.

Christie blushies 'n hughugs!

Ba'ar hugs you back. "You were great. "

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:
Is Morticon going to turn over a new leaf in the new year?
- SED

Dear SED:
Yes, instead of being simply incompetent, he's going to be laughably hopeless!

Dear Bearing Up:
I'm a centaur, and recently signed up for dancing lessons but was thrown out before I could take a single lesson. Why is this?
- Rownettea

Dear Rownetta:
That's because you have TWO LEFT FEET!

Dear Bearing Up:
I'm a centaur, and recently signed up for dancing lessons but was thrown out before I could even take a lesson. Why is this?
- Rownettea

Dear Rownetta:
That's because you have TWO LEFT FEET!

Dear Bearing Up:
The theatre system I bought for Christmas was so powerful it blew out the windows. What to do?- Smashed

Dear Smashed:
Get stronger windows!

Dear Bearing Up:
How do we know that the Easter Bunny exists?- Wondering

Dear Wondering:
Ask Santa Paws, he'll tell you!

Dear Bearing Up:
I gained alot of weight during the holidays. How do I lose that extra weight?- Fatso

Dear Fatso:
Learn to live with your extra girth. It's fun to be fat!

Dear Bearing Up:
I gained alot of weight during the holidays. How do I lose that extra weight?- Fatso

Dear Fatso:
Learn to live with your extra girth. It's fun to be fat!

Dear Bearing Up:
I got a new DVR for Christmas but I can't program it for the life of me. What would you suggest? - Clueless

Dear Clueless:
Give it to the nearest kid. He or she will have things fixed within 15 minutes.

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 baar.bear@gmail.com. Thanks.

Hi there. The Spindizzy @Action News Survey for this week is.....What resolutions have you made for 2006?

• Argon says, "To answer the survey. my resolution is to be a nice guy, to give the other folks a fair shake, and to not be a jerk."
• Lupinetiger wurfs, "get a girlfriend?"
• Gina_Doberman says, "I resolve not to make any resolutions!"
• Eliahn's resolution wouldn't make any sense.
• Snowstripe pokes Ba'ar. "Well, Ba'ar... that's my answer. I have an external screen, which means my resolutions for 2006 are 1280 x 800 and 1024 x 768."
• Terry yips, "Average uptime?"
• "Mine's the unorthodox 1156 x 864," barks Tanuki.
• Lou considers that could stop depositing on folks valuable gifts.
• Rown says, "To travel more of course. :-)"
• Chalice-Flame says, "I dunno...my goals havn't changed, I want a reliable career, move onto working on a relationship, work on getting a diagnosis of my bleeding disorder and work on my hobbies."
• Gilead's goals are to kill fish, eat fish, usually in that order, maintain his pelt, maintain and mark his home range, and mate with lots of female otters.

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

• One Year Ago / Local Holiday Tradition Continued
• Three Years Ago / Cye Asked to Act as Sheriff

@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.

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

Thanks! Ba'ar, Associate Editor @Action News