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The trouble with Spindizzy's connectivity forced the cancellation of an April Fool's Prank again this year. The prank, which would have involved the announcement that the muck was shutting down due to unspecified problems continuing service with the ISP of Findra, elastic bunny-coati, was cancelled when Findra, Skyler, and other server-oriented wizards were frustrated with actual problems continuing service with the ISP of Findra.

Several years earlier a similarly intended prank, in which the directions the 'north', 'south', 'east', and 'west' exits would have taken one would be altered, was cancelled when the server crashed early that morning, and it was necessary to set things right so that the misdirections would not be interpreted as database corruption.

Austin is considering giving up the April Fool's Prank business altogether.

Since the renovated Rose Garden added ambient noises which come about randomly, one thing seems to be reliable: the random noises love Beltrami, balloon kangaroo. By design the noises -- everything from the radio to people wandering around in the background to local bursts of weather -- should appear randomly, but the mute balloon seems to bring out the noise. Even her hopping around is prone to cause a small cloud to rain balloons on the garden, or to set a weather balloon bouncing into the water, or to cause a chimera cub to dash up to a mugato grownup. Roses sway in the breeze, and a grasshopper may rest in them, almost from the moment she arrives until she exits.

The ironies of this may be considered individually. Morticon wallaby thinks it likely the ambient sounds are simply Beltrami-biased. Beltrami had no comment.

Aleph, human, claims that the report he's preparing to the Council of Humans, will be a positive one, in response to questions raised this week by Austin. Aleph had insisted he was "...just listening quietly," but Austin claimed to know the signs of an academic survey when he saw them. Aleph promised, "Don't worry, I'll only tell them about the good parts. I won't mention the slave labor."

By later in the week, however, the Council of Humans had taken "...the week off to go to Joshua Tree. Bunch of slackers, really." Austin speculated that "Humans are peculiar creatures. Never really did have them figured out, except for shoulders." Aleph said, "Once you figure out the shoulders, the rest is just details."

To this, Austin reflected, "Hm ... figure out the shoulders ... why, that's great advice! Thank you."

Andros, centaur, has high hopes that his spaceport will be open soon, ready to receive and launch people into near-Spindizzy city space. He hopes to build one with a United Federation of Planets sort of theme, inspired by 24th century stylings. That's to be the merry sort of Next Generation 24th century, as opposed to the later grim Deep Space Nine sort when someone un-invented lights across the Federation.

To date Andros has not needed any wizardly help getting the projects going, to the vague disappointment of Austin.

Suri, nostril-less lemur, speculated Saturday morning -- we think -- that "...time would be interesting if it incremented a day each time you slept, so that everyone got out of phase." Austin was just impressed that anything happens the rare nights when he skips coming around here. Expanding on her idea, Suri explained to Morticon that the day would advance one if you fell asleep, "...even if you didn't mean to."

Bigears, fennec kit, wondered, "So if you take a bunch of cat naps in the day you can advance weeks on end?" And Austin wondered what if you had insomnia. Morticon asked, "And if you never sleep, then the day doesn't finish? ... We could have 35 hour days!" That fit her scheme: "You could stay up and let the yesterday group catch up with you. As you stayed awake, the people from yesterday would keep waking up in your day."

We're not sure precisely how that would work, but it is an intriguing idea anyway.

PatchO'Black, Jellicle Cat, responded warmly to an apparent suggestion from Beltrami, balloon kangaroo, with an outline of what it is he looks for in Jellicle forms. This gave Bigears, fennec kit, the thought that if Patchy didn't mind being a blue kangaroo then he could be a kangabloo. The incident seems to have begun when Than, lioness, got comfortable in Roofus Roo, fairy kangaroo's, pouch, but could not get similarly situated in her Uncle Patchy.

Patchy mentioned that male kangaroos don't really have pouches, but the evidence of online experience indicates that actually pretty much every male kangaroo except Spaceroo does.

PatchO'Black has a few rules for his forms, even donated ones. First, he wants his color scheme to remain the same. Despite widespread misinterpretation he is a white cat, with only the one patch of black on his back, which looks "...like a bottle of ink has been spilt on me." (A surprisingly number of people think he is a black cat.) The other key one is that he wears a sports vest with abundant pockets, with a picture on its back related in some way to the form.

He is particularly interested in a ThunderCats form (he anticipates that would have a special power over plants, with special skills in the application of pitchforks) and in a form connected to a lion-gargoyle as seen in Disney's cartoon Gargoyles. He is open to other bodies.

The morning pie eating winner: NeverNever

The Afternoon Archery winner: Christie

The Evening Pie eating winner: Christie

The Evening Archery winner: Than

The Single Rose winner was : Than (Rose 2)

The Unusually shaped Vegetable: Angel_Bear (Heartshaped Strawberry)

Q: What would you call it when all kennel residents suddenly vanished without a trace?
A: It's a dog gone mystery.

Q: What do French dogs order for take-out?
A: Chien-ese.

Q: What's green, fluffy, and grins?
A: Sam O'Yed.

Q: How does a dog scout go camping?
A: In a pup tent.

Q: Why did the evil mad scientist make thousands of young dogs run in a wheel connected to a big generator?
A: Da da da Da da DAAAA! Puppy Power!

Q: What's the world's dirtiest dog?
A: The germy shepherd.

Q: What kind of dog has the cleanest floors?
A: The Komondor. (It's not really a pun, but look for a picture of this thing. 8-/ )

Q: What's presumably the world's most frigid dog?
A: The Bitchy Freeze, or whatever they call it...

Q: What small, brown dog can't see anything but it's nose?
A: The cock-eyed spaniel.

Q: What kind of dog makes the best rugs?
A: The Afghan hound.

Q: What sizes of clothes does a sled dog wear?
A: Husky sizes.

Q: What do you call a sled dog with two heads?
A: A malamutant.

Q: What's the most impolite dog?
A: The pointer.

Q: What sort of dog should you send to bring back part of Canada?
A: A Labrador retriever.

Q: What kind of dog is really a sauce made of bread and cheese?
A: The Welsh Terrier.

Q: What kind of dog is made out of lentils?
A: The Dahl-matian.

Q: Why are short-faced dogs often ill-tempered?
A: They're pug-nacious.

Q: What kind of dog likes to sublet?
A: A boarder collie.

Q: What kind of dog just doesn't care?
A: The Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

Q: What kind of dog hides its valuables...well, in the one place a dog can know they're safe?
A: The Papillion.

This week we chat with Phoex, local fox.

Phoex has arrived.

Phoex waves.

Ba'ar smiles, "Hello Phoex. Long time no see."

Phoex says, "Hello Ba'ar, yeah it's been a while."

Ba'ar growls, "What kept you away?"

Ba'ar growls, "If you don't mind me asking."

Phoex says, "Well mainly work and school, been rather busy IRL. Also been a bit busy helping run another MUCK."

Ba'ar nods, "Okay 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?"

Phoex says, "Hmm well I've been around for about 2.5 years now, mostly idling I'm sad to say really"

Ba'ar growls, "What brought you to Spindizzy?"

Phoex says, "Well I know Nikon and Brenda (to an extent) on an IRC server I used to frequent. They mentioned Spin Dizzy and I was curious about coming."

Ba'ar growls, "Well, then. I see you have feathers. Were you born with them or were they added by magic?"

Phoex says, "I was born with them, they weren't very useful as a kit though. Too weak really *grins*"

Ba'ar growls, "So what are the advantages of having wings? Also what are the disadvantages?"

Phoex says, "Well an obvious one is being able to fly, it's really quite fun and useful to boot. On the downside though, it makes weight watching very important and they easily bump in to things if they're not sized right."

Ba'ar growls, "I also see you have more than one tail. I trust you were born with that as well?"

Phoex blinks and looks behind him, "Hm? Well yes, most people think of multiple tails on a fox as a sign of magic though. Makes for some interesting reactions some times, especially by superstitious people."

Ba'ar growls, "And you're a non-magical fox?"

Phoex shrugs, "Not really, I do have a bit of talent, nothing spectacular though. Mainly playing with water and fire as well as the ability to fly properly."

Ba'ar gorwls, "Was this inborn or was it learned?"

Phoex says, "Inborn, but like all talents it's got to be learned too. Flying came naturally, it's pretty much instinct but the rest I had to learn."

You growl, "So with your multiple tails and magic would it be safe to say you're a kitsune, one of those magical foxes?"

Phoex laughs, "I suppose, though there is a lot of the stigma associated with the term in some circles. Also their magical abilities tend towards illusions and mind play from what I've heard."

Ba'ar nods, "So what's a typical Spindizzy day like for you-or is there one?"

Phoex says, "Well mostly I just sit around watching conversations. I'm not much of a socialite to be frank, sometimes I go exploring"

Ba'ar nods, "Do you have a favorite place to hang out?"

Phoex says, "Not in particular, the Garden generally has the most people around, so that's where conversation is. "

Ba'ar nods, "So who on Spindizzy do you admire the most?"

Phoex says, "Hmm admire.. I don't know really, I'm friends with a few people, but in general I really don't admire people."

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

Phoex says, "Well I'd like to meet and talk to more people, be a bit more visible as it were"

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

Phoex says, "Hmm tough one... Probably the multiple tails, most people can't see them since I had a friend try and hide them."

Ba'ar growls, "Why did you try to hide them, if you don't mind me asking?"

Phoex says, "Well mainly because of the kitsune stigma that seems to follow them everywhere. It got very annoying after a while"

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

Phoex says, "Mostly don't let life get to you too much, things go a lot smoother if you can just let the bad slide away"

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

Phoex says, "Thank you Ba'ar *grins*"

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:
How much is that doggy in the window, anyway?
- Pet

Dear Pet:
More than you can afford.

Dear Bearing Up:
What's better, XM or Sirius?
- Music

Dear Music:
Neither! Your own CDs!

Dear Bearing Up:
What's it about eggs that makes them so good for you?
- Chick

Dear Chick:
Cholesterol!

Dear Bearing Up:
I'm an Atheist. Should I watch Narnia? I've heard it's a Christian Allegory?
- Argon

Dear Argon:
Not if you want to get a sudden urge to go to church on Sunday after seeing it.

Dear Bearing Up:
What are the best games for couples to play?
- Married

Dear Married:
Mind games!

Dear Bearing Up:
What do you think about William Shatner starring in the upcoming Over The Edge movie?
- Ham

Dear Ham:
I.....don't....know....I'll.....havetothinkaboutit!!

Dear Bearing Up:
What do you think about rap music?
- Snoop

Dear Snoop:
I think that 'rap music' is an oxymoron.

Hi gang, Ba'ar here with your @Action News Survey for this week. This week's survey, suggested by Argon is...what do you like (or dislike) about the new Rose Garden?

• Argon says, "Maybe not indicate the time of day. Ad folks come to SpinDizzy from all over the place, they may each have a different idea of what time it is. Unless the RP or general silliness that happens in the Garden depends on what time it is, most folks seem to assume it's whatever time it is there that it is where they come from. Not a big deal, and overall the "new" effects are fun. In fact, the time business is really the only thing I can find to mention. Overall a nice job!"
• PatchO'Black mews, "I'm just curious about the crystal palace...."
• Gina_Doberman likes the new canals.
• Crystal says, "I haven't paid it too much attention, although I have always found random events that appear do get old after a time.

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

• One Year Ago - / Don't worry about the big falling
• Three Years Ago - / News Flash! Leaky Otter Strikes again!

@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.

Argon's back to back Narnia exibitions were popular with one segment of the audience.

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