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I have to say that when I took over publication of the SpinDizzy newspaper, I never expected it to last as long as it has. The Ferret was an on again, off again publication from Toons Furr and Fluff or TF&F. The first newspaper of SpinDizzy was The Floating Log of Death which only lasted two issues.

This publication, which only lasted two issues and was was edited by Maxl, local badger and was intermittent in its publication.

I took over publication and as I've noted before, found the name somewhat offensive. It reminded me of a joke I'd heard in grade school about a group of kids who on a dare went into the local haunted house. As they explored around they heard voices shouting for help saying, "If the log rolls over we will drown!" The group kept hearing this and as some of them were creeped out and ran for the door others followed the voices upstairs. One by one kids ran out, frightened until only one brave kid was left. He followed the voices still shouting, "Help! Help! If the log rolls over we will drown!" The kid heard the voices coming from the bathroom and there, in the toilet, were a bunch of mice standing on... er, a "log" of waste, begging, "Help! Help! If the log rolls over we will drown!"

So "The Floating Log of Death" brought that image to my mind and I decided when I took over the publication to change its name. Why @Action News you may ask? Some MPI commands use the phrase, "@Action=so and so", and I've seen a lot of TV news shows calling themselves "Channel 7 Avtion News", so it seemed to fit. No one has complained so I guess the name works.

I edited and published the paper for about five months until a disagreement convinced me to turn publication over to Kulan, local wallaby. I urged Kulan to do two things. One was to keep the @Action News name and the other was to continue weekly publication. As publication was intermittent, I again took over editorship and publication of the paper in October 12, 2000, and have been doing so ever since.

So, what's getting a paper out (nearly) every week like? Eh, it has its ups and downs. At the start, it was hard to get articles and stories. But some folks, Soul Fox, Suri, Gilead, Leslie, Mouser, Boki, Austin, and of course, Ba'ar, now Associate Editor, over time started contributing. I found I had to do the actual "reporting" less and less which I have to admit was a bit of a relief.

I suppose as far as my work on the paper, I'm best known for the "Doze Garden" cartoon strip. I'd not really thought of doing a series, and I named this particular strip "The Doze Garden" because it showed folks just idling and not doing much of anything. Something that to this day still occurs but far less often.

To the grandmother catbus: PatchO'Black hopes he may become a nekobasu. I believe he would be excellent. He enjoys and seems skilled at being all kinds of cat; he enjoys gathering cubs and friends to tour novel places; he is reliable and caring. I would be happy for my friend to be also a catbus. --Beltrami Done. See what else you can find about this.

The Rose Garden(#304RLJ) Twin wide avenues of grass, with canals running north-south and east-west, converge in a large clearing. Seas of roses of all colours, interspersed with large trees, surround the clearing. Fungible benches and picnic tables, the bulletin board, drinking fountains, vending machines, and small plastic buildings all nestle in the flora. Grass gives way to sand to the south and east, and ripples of water flow up the eastern canal. From northwest glimmers hints of a crystal palace. A road from there hooks southwest and runs east. Morning clouds dot the cyan sky. The sun is not clearly visible. Call it 8 am, 'solar' time. Obvious Exits: [D]own, [E]ast, [N]orth, [S]outh, [U]p, [W]est, and radio Contents: Portia, Beltrami, Pathfinder, Nimble, Speckles, Roofus_roo, Nocte, Aleph, GrumpyBear, Ancient Oak(#8234J), Fountain, Bulletin Board [Fake], and SIGN - URL Listener Active! [Fake] ## There are possible non obvious listeners here Argon waves. Aleph waves. Pathfinder tailwaves Beltrami watches her palette and the light elements. A chipmunk wheels a cart full of iced chocolate drink for sale out. You say, "Hi there." Beltrami blinks...she nods to Argon. Speckles is glommed down and swept away by a plastic hippopotamus mouth. Speckles has left. Portia lilts, "Hello Argon" Nimble's fur sparkles and appears to shorten, suddenly becoming a smooth sheen... Roofus_roo hides. Roofus_roo waves though. Beltrami grins at Nimble! You say, "Hi, Portia. And Roofus. How's red pamda life?" You say, "Panda life than is." Nimble unwraps hir tail... squeeking softly as sie does so. Portia lilts, "Well, I'm find Argon. I'm not sure about red panda life over all." You say, "You seem to enjoy it." Pathfinder chuckles at the centaur "Red panda life goes well, at lease for me. Argon smiles. Room: The Rose Garden -Stat-Name----------------Sex---------Species--------------------------------- EyeofArgon Male Centaur IC Portia Female Red Panda IC Beltrami female Balloon Kangaroo Pathfinder Male Red Panda SQRL Nimble -unknown- Balloon Critter ? Roofus_roo fluff male Faerie Red Kangaroo Nocte[9m idle] Female Kawaii Kitty Aleph male human crng GrumpyBear[7m idle] Male Stuffed Toy ---[ Found 9 characters. ( 9 Awake ) ]---------------------------------------- You say, "Pathfinder, are from the same place Portia comes from?" Portia lilts, "Seem to enjoy what Argon?" You say, "Life as a red panda." Pathfinder hmms as he waits to see what Beltrami little light display does. Shakes his head in a no to the centaur. Portia takes a seat on a bench,"Oh yes. Well I sort of like being me." [Beltrami just looked in your direction! (female Balloon Kangaroo)] Aleph has disconnected. Portia lilts, "Oh, and just in case he crosses your mind, Argon, Pathfinder is not my boyfriend, love interest or relation. Just thought I'd cover all the points right now. I so dislike rumor." Pathfinder chuckles at Portia "Well maybe that will change with time Portia.......:) Beltrami taps on her palette and hops to the other side of Pathfinder on the bench. She looks over to Nimble and her Roofus? Portia blinks at Pathfinder and blushes. You say, "You never know." Nimble squeekies and swishes hir tail. Roofus_roo erfs. Pathfinder smiles at Portia "Time is a river and you never know where it will take you. Enjoy the ride and learn all you can. Beltrami nodnods to them and signs OK? You say, "Just wait until you know her better before giving her hugs. She's a little shy." Portia lilts, "I am not shy Argon. I just wasn't raised that way" Pathfinder chuckles at the centaur "What did you say your name was again? You say, "Argon. Like the gas." Pathfinder hmms "Argon the matchmaker......:) Portia lilts, "Atleast where I'm concerned. I don't know if he does it to the rest of the Spindizzy population" You say, "Eh... I'm not trying to match up Portia. I'm honestley not sure what her status is." Beltrami taps her palette, and instantiates a set of small, green fabric belts wrapped around Pathfinder's wrists, ankles, belly, and neck. Each has a small clear plastic dome in one spot. Portia grins at Argon,"I'm not honestly sure what my status is either You say, "Ok, what's Beltrami up to over there?" You have 11890170 puns. Pathfinder hmms? Looks at each of the belts then over at Portia. Portia lilts, "It's okay Pathfinder. Beltrami is a kind soul." Pathfinder says, "Oh am not worry. Just curious about what am getting myself into is all." Portia lilts, "You'll see." You say, "Maybe she's harnessing him up like a horse for a ride." Portia smirks and shakes her head,"no." Pathfinder laughs, sticks his tongue out at Argon Portia lilts, "That would be something I might do." Portia lilts, "not Beltrami" Pathfinder chuckles at Portia Beltrami dips her head down...she signs OK and points to Pathfinder? Beltrami points to the globes on Pathfiner's right wrist, and upper right arm? Pathfinder looks at them. Touches one Beltrami nodnods. She taps on her palette, and the globes on that arm glow green. You say, "Kryptonite? You aren'f from Krypton are you, Patchfinder?" Pathfinder hmms, watches if anything happens and if not will move to touch a second globe Nimble's wings flutter slightly... Beltrami points up Pathfinder's arm, then taps on her palette. Pathfinder touches the globe on his upper arm then, You say, "So, is she painting you, or what?" A nonanthro snake pair groom. Pathfinder says, "Am not sure Argon" Beltrami's palette shines a light on Pathfinder; his arm disappears, momentarily. Argon raises an eyebrow. Beltrami taps again, instantiating a new arm, twice the length of Pathfinder's old- but the same diameter and number of joints; it simply looks longer. Pathfinder chuckles a bit at that "Ok. Now I understand. And I take it that what the color green does. You say, "Well, you'll be able to reach the potatoes on the other side of the table now." Beltrami wavers a hand..she nods and then shakes no. Pathfinder says, "Ok the color doesn't matter then?" Beltrami frowns...she looks through her index cards and holds up 'PLEASE REPHRASE' Pathfinder hmms "Does the color you use have a set effect? Does green make things bigger? Beltrami holds up one finger and shakes no. She holds up two and wavers a hand. You scritch Portia! Pathfinder nods, flex his larger arm "Ok Beltrami. So can you get my arm back to normal to match the rest of me please. Portia blushes at ARgon,"Beltrami, woudl you like for me to explain it to him?" Pathfinder says, "Sorry am not understanding her. Am having a attack of the lackwitted at the moment." Nocte has disconnected. Portia lilts, "Oh, it really just takes gertting to know Beltrami and asking questions" Pathfinder nods Portia leans against Argon feeling a little cuddly Beltrami nodnods to Portia and taps her chin. Beltrami looks down from Pathfinder and nods...she looks up, making sure? You page, "How about a patpat?" to Portia. Pathfinder hmms and waits for Portia to explain what he missing here. Portia lilts, "Logan, the different colours represent the intensity of the growth or shrink." Portia lilts, "Sort of like the intensity of light waves. You know where Red vibrates at a higher frequency than Green." Pathfinder nods "Ok. Right ideas but on the wrong track. Portia nods at Pathfinder and smiles. Portia whispers, "What about patpat?" to you. You page, "Would you care for one?" to Portia. Pathfinder hmms "Thanks for clearing that up for me." Smiles at Beltrami "And thanks for taking the time to show me this. Now if you could return my one arm back to normal please? Beltrami frowns and nods..she taps her palette and repatterns Pathfinder's arm. Portia lilts, "What? You could become the sheriff and really be the long arm of the law" Portia shrugs to Argon You patpat Portia! Pathfinder laughs "I could handle her changing all of me then just a part of me Portia......:) Beltrami taps again and instantiates Pathfinder's arm, as it was before. Beltrami nodnods? Portia blushes and giggles. She flicks her tail. Beltrami nodnods? Portia blushes and giggles. She flicks her tail. Pathfinder flexs his arm, smiles at Beltrami "Thank you. And I take it you want to alter all of me?" Roofus_roo would think it to be a safe bet. Nimble goes home. Nimble has left. Beltrami grins and rubs her paws together... Portia lilts, "I don't think it is a manner that she wants to alter all of you." Portia lilts, "But I'm sure she would be willing to." You say, "Into what? Other than centaurs, red pandas are about the best you could be." Portia blushes at Argon,"Is that so?" You say, "Well, don't you think so?" Portia lilts, "I sort of prefer macropods to Centaurs" You say, "So I've heard. But would you rather be a 'roo or a red panda?" Beltrami smiles and bows to Portia! Portia lilts, "My top three would be Macropods, Red Panda and then either centaur or dragon" Portia lilts, "Oh, it isn't a matter of what i want to be.. it is a matter of what I like" Portia lilts, "Those are two seperate issues" Pathfinder chuckles at Beltrami "And just what are you thinking about doing to me Beltrami? Am curious but really don't have much time left before I need to go Beltrami blinks- she shrugs and rubs the back of her neck. She taps her empty forehead. Pathfinder blinks "You want to make me palm size? Portia grins,"Maybe making you a temporary Giant Red Panda You say, "Heh, an overdose of cuteness." Pathfinder hmms "I need coffee. Am not thinking straight at all now. Beltrami grins...she points to Pathfinder, then Portia? Portia lilts, "There is a nice little coffee shop just north of here. I'd be happy to show you." Portia blinks at Beltrami,"Whaqt about Logan and myself dear? Pathfinder says, "I might not be able to fit in it if Beltrami has any say in the matter." Portia lilts, "Oh, it is a BIG coffee shop" Argon chuckles. Pathfinder just sit back and listens Portia closes her eyes as she leans on Argon a bit. Argon stands steady. You say, "Portia and I have been friends for a long time, but just friends as she'll tell you. I have a lovely wife that.even for a nice red panda I wouldn't leave." Aleph has connected. Argon smiles and scritches Portia. Aleph hugs Portia! Portia blushes and softly returns the hug nervously. Portia nods,"I wouldn't want him like that anyways Beltrami points to Pathfinder and signs OK? Beltrami waves to Aleph! Aleph hugs Beltrami! Portia hugs Aleph! All... is pipe. Beltrami hugs Aleph! 'You take drugs, Danny?' 'Every day.' 'Good. Then what's your problem?' 'I don't know.' Aleph says, "Space Ghost!" Portia chuckles. Aleph pulls the lever. Pathfinder hmms "Ok Beltrami. Let see what you have in mind. Aleph sits next to Portia. Portia lilts, "If it is a pocket Red Panda.. I have pockets today" You say, "A re panda balloon?" Aleph says, "Everybody's always messing with stuff." Portia lilts, "Austin plushied me once. It was embarassing" Pathfinder laughs You say, "Aww, a red panda plush would be cute." Beltrami nodnods to Portia? Portia lilts, "Yes, but NOT me." Aleph says, "It's like they start messing with stuff, and it's like aaaahhhhhhhh" Aleph says, "And the next thing you know, everything is crazy-go-nuts." Pathfinder chuckles at Portia some more You say, "They're fun to snuggle." Portia lilts, "But I wasn't even in mint condition." Aleph says, "How are you today Portia?" You say, "Plushes are best when they are well loved over time." Portia lilts, "My stuffing was all squishy.. and when you are used to blinking.. glass eyes are wierd" You say, "Heh." Portia lilts, "Oh, I am fine Aleph.. just well.. not my normal stony self" Beltrami taps her palette and covers Pathfinder in an orange light from it. Beltrami points to Pathfinder, then to Portia's paws. She tugs them apart, then back together, and holds her palms up? Pathfinder says, "I think she asking if you want a pocket size red panda." You say, "Then she sould fit in your pocket, Pathfinder." Beltrami nodnods. Portia lilts, "Me made smaller to fit in HIS poket?" Portia lilts, "pocket" You say, "Or a pouch." Portia blinks and shrugs,"I guess.. it wouldn't hurt. Portia looks at Argon and says,"Yeah." Beltrami rubs her shoulder...she hops back to Pathfinder and taps on her operator palette again. Portia lilts, "And Aleph, yes.. I am made of flesh and organs and things.. " Portia lilts, "I was talkinga bout my normal demeanor.." Pathfinder hmms and wonders what Beltrami is going to do as there been some confusion over the whole thing. Just waits to see what happens next. Aleph says, "Oh." Pathfinder says, "I don't find you stony at all Portia." Beltrami nodnods...she sets the orange light covering from Pathfinder's head to toes. She taps a light blue elements on its rim and slides it forward, focusing the beam. Pathfinder shrinks, reaching always from bottom to top of beam from his position. Argon watches where he steps. A rhino examines a cart of tofuburgers, and buys one. Pathfinder blinks, looks around as his viewpoint changes. You say, "Hope you can reach your doorknob to get in." Portia is suddenly glad she didn't wear a skirt today. Beltrami sets Pathfiner to about two feet tall-she looks at Portia and signs OK? Then points down? Portia nods to Beltrami.

Cows belong in the moo-litary.
Bunnies that fly are in the hare force, if they're in the infantry and they sound a retret, its a receeding hare line.
Pigs often work as EMT's and medics, driving the hambulance.

This is a reminder that you have one more week to put in your nominations for Festival King and Queen. Those with 2 or more nominations will move onto the ballot available for voting on March 18.

Thank you all for your participation so far. In order to put in your nominations, simply type vote from any location and choose 19 for Queen and 20 for King to cast your nomination. Nominations close the morning of the 17th promptly so that your votes can be counted and the ballot can be assembled.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to help.

Yours truely,
Portia Lee

This week we chat with Viana, local reindeer.

Viana has arrived.

Viana smiles and looks around, "Nice spot you've got here. I'm especially fond of the painting."

Ba'ar smiles "It's cozy."

Viana nods "I like cozy spaces."

Ba'ar growls, "Thanks for helping me out with this interview Viana."

Viana nods, "Oh, no problem. I'm always willing to share the truth about being a reindeer. There's more to us than being Santa's sleigh pullers you know."

Ba'ar growls, "So what brings you to balmy Spindizzy, being a snow loving deer and all?"

Viana thinks for a moment, "Well, it's kinda a long story. Basically, while Svalbard is the perfect temperature, cold, snowy, all the things I love, it isn't very large. All the reindeer more or less know each other, and newcomers are few and far between. Seems most don't like the cold, which I think is rather silly..."

Ba'ar growls, "So you came here in search of adventure and space?" Viana nods "Pretty much. And to find a place where carrots actually grow. Svalbard has a lot of lichen, and the occasional berry bush, but no carrots, and I like my carrots!"

Ba'ar growls, "So I understand you're a distant relative of Santa's reindeer. Is this true?"

Viana laughs, "Oh, distantly yes. Comet's my closest relative, being my mother's aunt's husband's nephew, I've met him a few times at our annual herd gatherings in fact."

Ba'ar growls, "So you do meet the '9 tiny reindeer of fame' from time to time?"

Viana thinks for a moment, "Well, I've met Dasher, Dancer, Cupid, and sadly Rudolph..."

Viana adds, "And of course Comet."

Ba'ar cocks his head, "Rudolph? Sadly?"

Viana shakes her head "Oh, well, he's really quite a snob and all. Ever since people started singing that song about him, he's gone from being annoying to well, arrogant. He really wasn't so badly treated either. He just was a bit of a crybaby, and hated when he couldn't have his way. Santa finds him useful though, so I guess that's all that matters really."

Ba'ar growls, "Everyone thinks he's special because of that red nose of his?"

Viana nods.

Viana bleats, "Well you know, a nose is just a nose in my books...some even say he got plastic surgery. But that's only a rumor I think.""

Ba'ar growls, "How are the rest of the reindeer?"

Ba'ar grins, "Any more dirt you'd like to dish out on them?"

Viana smiles, "Well, Comet and Cupid are especially nice, and Dasher's really sweet once she opens up. She's a bit shy at first. I've never met Donner or Blitzen, so I can't say for them. Dancer's very talented, she usually dances in my herd's dance competition, winning every time."

Viana laughs, "I can't dish out dirt on the others I've met. They're just too nice. Pulling Santa's sleigh really hasn't gone to their heads, although I've heard through the grapevine that Prancer has a bit of a temper..."

Ba'ar nods, "So now that you're here. What's a typical day like for you-or is there one?"

Viana snorts "Well, my days really vary. Some days are quiet, and I'll just go out and about or other days I end up starting snowball fights in the Rose Garden, and carrying little Than along in my antlers. It really depends."

Ba'ar considers, "To the best of my knowledge, you're the only reindeer in Spindizzy. Do you ever get lonely for others of your kind?"

Viana thinks for a moment, "Well, I do miss the herd. It's really strange to be out on your own without your community. We're a really close knit group, so yes, sometimes it's lonely, especially with all these tropical loving furs. But the friends I've made have really helped eased my homesickness, and if I could find a good patch of lichen, SpinDizzy would be pretty much heaven."

Ba'ar growls, "Who do you admire the most-here or otherwise?"

Viana smiles, "Well, here I'd say it's a tie between PatchO'Black and Vixie. I admire Patchy for his generous nature, and Vixie for her confidence and cuteness. But outside of SpinDizzy, probably Comet. He's the best jumper we have in my herd, and because of that he gets to pull Santa's sleigh, which brings my herd great honour."

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

Viana bleats, "Well, one of these days I plan on finding a way to lower the temperature here by about 10 degrees, but for right now, I'm just making friends and trying to make this place my home."

Ba'ar nods, "On a related question..how do you handle the warm temperatures ?"

Viana laughs, "Well, and this is a bit of a secret because I'm sure everyone will find it funny, but I bathe in icewater before I leave the house in the morning, and I sleep on a block of ice at night. That usually helps, but on really hot days, I wear my special coat that is made like one of those gel ice packs you can put in the freezer. That's how I survive the summers."

Ba'ar grins, "I'll bet you do alot of swimming."

Viana nods! "Oh yes, swimming is the best way to keep cool, especially in nice mountain lakes, although the beach usually does the trick as well."

Ba'ar grins, "What secret fact or desire about you would surprise our readers?"

Viana shrugs "I don't really have many secrets, I'm pretty open and honest I guess."

Ba'ar growls, "One more question before we go...Do you have any words of wisdom for our readers?"

Viana grins, "The secret to enjoying winter is to be prepared. Bundle up (unless you're like me and have tons of fur), and go outside. You'll find it lots of fun. Oh, and also, Santa DOES know who's naughty and nice...and he's always watching! So be good!"

Ba'ar grins, "Good advice that. With that in mind, that concludes our interview. Again Viana, thanks."

Viana smiles, "Oh no problem, it was fun."

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 hear the word furs or furries used to talk about the people on SpinDizzy, but not all have fur. How come this is??
- S. Caley

Dear S. Caley:
Because they have scales, even though they're furries!

Dear Bearing Up:
Who should I get to do my taxes? H and R Block or H and R Brick?
- F. Latetax

Dear F. Latetax:
I recommend Leona Helmsley. Her philosophy is "only the little people pay taxes".

Dear Bearing Up:
What does Vixie think about Elmo?
- Puppet

Dear Puppet:
To Vixie, Elmo's a cutie wannabe!

Dear Bearing Up:
Suri seems to think I murdered somone. How can I convince her I didn't?
- S. Argon

Dear S. Argon:
Find the one you supposedly 'killed' and have him or her tell Suri off.

Dear Bearing Up:
My alarm clock goes off too early. What should I do?
- D.Oze

Dear D.Oze:
Set it so it goes off late.

Dear Bearing Up:
Will my chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost over night?
- W. Rigley

Dear W. Rigley:
Nope, it'll be just as fresh in the morning as when you put it out,

Greetings all, Ba'ar here with the Spindizzy @Action News Survey for this week. What's your (In Character) guilty pleasure? ?

• Ba'ar says, "A good meal followed by a good bellyrub."
• Vixie says, "The answer for me has to be chocolate."
• Rawr says, "Air!"
• Argon says, "Mavra."
• Borris looks around..... "Eating Seals"!
• PatchO'Black mews, "I don't think I have a guilty pleasure. Are cats suppose to feel guilty about anything?"
• Persephone says, "Making myself into a kit. ;)"
• Gina_Doberman says, "Cheez-It's. the ones with the white cheese!"
• Lou's guilty pleasure is grossing folks out with otherwise normal behavior.
• Angel_bear says "Sudoku puzzles. Big time waster, I get lost in them, but I love 'em."
• DTF says, "At the risk of being swatted by Nesta, I shall not answer. Let's just say she likes some things."
• Sanogan says, "A hot steaming cup of Earl Grey with lemon and cinnamon."
• Than smiles as she answers the survey "I like lotsa candy an' lotsa chocolate, an'... I like my ears petted lots."
• Gilead says, "Making thinly veiled innuendo, just to see who gets it."

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

• One Year Ago / Main Computer found!
• Three Years Ago / SpinDizzy Air Show Draws High Societyk

@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.

Why there is no Taur-zan

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