Well well well, little Devon is happily fucking his way through a cast of minor characters. It's a joy to watch.
*grin* There'll be more from Joules being posted in Dystopia soon. (See, I told you she'd write more in my continuum, than I would! *smirk* Not that I'm complaining, nononono...)

(After Majin Vejiita blew a hole in Buu...)
Announcer: ...and Buu was looking to fill the hole with a Super Saiyan sandwhich!
*cough* Well - aren't we all? *smirk*
Hey!? Buu sounds like Elmo! I knew that muppet was evil...

Things I want at Chez Otter.

A fernery - in pots is fine.
A fish tank and/or a pond.
A bigger bedroom - I'm tired of always having the smallest room.
Bookcases - lots of bookcases, cos then I can make space in my garage.
A lockable garage.
A long, flat space - side of the house maybe - for a skittle lane.
A place to set up a dark-room.
Enough lawn to play a reasonable game of boules or croquet, but not so much I get depressed looking at how much has to be mown.
A room each for the cubs.
A computer chair that doesn't cut off the circulation in my legs.

Well this is annoying, can get into Keenspace again, but some of the comics haven't been updated for a week...
Hm, Megatokyo seems to be ok. Good.

... and thus it came to pass that the school year did begin; and the all parents joined hands in a circle of celebration in the schoolyard, and yea, did dance their joy...

Now, here's a surprise. *rolls eyes*


What Kanji word best suits you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Last day of the holidays.
The cubs and I picked up their book order this morning, then we went to the local shopping suburb for the last minute 'oh-shit-I-forgot-to-get*insert school related item here*. You could tell the mothers there with school-age children - apart from the children tagging along, of course - by a certain wildness about their eyes, and the manic grin that greeted the question/statement 'so the kids are going back to school tomorrow.' I saw my inner thoughts reflected in a lot of faces. : )

It's s'posed to be very hot again tomorrow. Fun fun fun - but the cubs are better of at school in the heat than at home, the school's got air-conditioning.

I'm looking forward to having time to myself again...

Hee, Onna, the Gundam Wing pic makes me giggle, it's so... Hitler Youth!

I re-took this quiz, just to see if anything's changed in the past few months... it hasn't. *smirk*





Are you a Seme or Uke?

Phwooar! Runaway is finished and approved! It makes me feel like a real grown-up writer having someone else play in my continuum, though Joules'll probly write more there than I will! Having said that, Safe from harm isn't far off being finished and the second part of Kitty is ready to be dealt with.
Gods I love Devon, he's almost as compelling as Hijau. Hmmm, they're both red-heads...

There is no point playing Hide'n'Seek with a cat around, they'll give your position away every time!

It's interesting, don't you think, that Majin Vejiita gets cuts up about Gohan copping it. Is it because he knows how the news will affect Goku? Or something a tinge more personal?
*dreamy sigh* You've got to love a noble Vejiita though... 'By the time you wake up, Kakarott, I will be gone but this planet will be safe.'
Waaah!! *sniff*

[smirks at exhausted, snoozing tenshi and shakes head] Tch', no stamina...

The ningen had a brainwave while reading the next bit of Safe from Harm, earlier today. She's very fond of her original character, Devon (so is tenshi. And Carol and Sue. And the Purgatory Geese. So am I - he's tasty...). She decided some time back he was too good a creation to just make an appearance in Purgatory, and wanted to use him somewhere else... Well, he fits easily into Lutra's Dystopia continuum (in the ningen's Darkside pages), so she's writing him into that worldframe, in an initial story called Runaway. It'll probably be finished tonight. If so, and if tenshi approves it, it'll be posted soon thereafter.

Heh, can't wait!

Oh yeah, happy Australia Day.

Rain. Finally. Not a lot - not nearly enough, but it's cooled everything down and it smells wunnerful!

Roast vegetables - an hour to cook, five minutes to eat. *pout*

Fingers crossed, it looks like the piggle who wasn't well yesterday is going to be fine. She's moving around easily and her coat's shiny again. Phew...

Whenever you like, tenshi. Before, after, during...

[*wide, blue eyes* I suppose the pink feather boa is for me? Lemon cheesecake? Mmmm... Before or after judicious application of the rose-scented massage oil? *smirk*]

I've done something that might get me lynched - or not, depends on some peoples moods...
Nope, no hints, you just have to wait and see. (Of course, now that I've drummed up this interest, people will look at it and go 'is that it??' *grin*)

Melbourne's just had the hottest day in 60 years, apparently. It got to 44 degrees today. Bloody awful. KittenKong spent the day as a furry puddle on the floor and the ambient temperature in the house meant everything metal was hot to the touch. Of course, using the computer was out of the question... Worst of all though was I lost 2 of my 4 guinea-pigs. : ( Poor little things. Almost lost a third, but I got her inside to the - relative - cool, and rehydrated and I think she's going to be OK; she was still eating and drinking and grooming herself, even though she was a touch wobbly on her feet. See how we go, it's not going to be as hot tomorrow. We've had days so far this summer that were very hot, but each time it's cooled down enough at night to sleep properly. It didn't last night - 5 hours of broken, sweating sleep. I feel so rested. Not.
But there's nothing like washing your face with a spider to wake you up!
Was just some hapless garden spider that got brought in with the washing I think, but wouldn't you know it, the one time I don't check the face-washer before using it... *grin*

OK, there was something else I was going to mention but buggered if I can remember it. Really should write things down when I think of them...

[folds arms across chest and looks around...] Hn. Distinct lack of pampering around here, tenshi. Perhaps they don't love us anymore...

[retrieves rose-scented massage oil, lemon cheesecake, chocolate fudge ice-cream and a pink feather boa from under the sleeping furs, smirking evilly] I suppose, aijin, in that case, we'll just have to pamper each other...

Sod this weather! Grrr.. hot, don't like hot. Makes us all cranky and snappy. And it's been so long since we've had any decent rain - even on cool days now you can feel the dryness everywhere. All of our grass has gone and a lot of the plants are on their way out. I get very cross with news readers etc when, during the cooler months and rain is forecast, they make comments about it 'ruining your weekend'. Idiots.
*sigh*

Ok, enough whining.

My follow up chapter to the Joint AC chapter is almost ready, so is Joules' I think, now I can concentrate on 'Safe' - planning on having that finished by the time the cubs go back to school (next wednesday? eep! Where have the holidays gone!).
And after years of avoiding Bubblegum Crisis 2040 cos of the fan-boys drooling unsubtly, I think I'm going to have to sit down and watch it with my new appreciation of anime. Is it me, or is there really not that many adultish animes centered around women?

Onna, I really liked the grape pic : ) Can I have a copy, please?

Mmmm.... Stone's green ginger wine and soda water drunk out of my favourite chunky blue glass goblet - the one I used to take with me to SCA (medieval recreationists) feasts. Very refreshing, and if I have enough of it might be an effective anaesthetic...

I've worked it out, all I need is $2000, then the cubs and I can move. It's not an unattainable amount, really, I can probably have it together before the end of the year. Mind you, that amount is only enough for bond and first month on a new place, plus moving costs, it doesn't include getting a car. But that's not a major hurdle, as long as we're not too far away from the cubs' school and close to public transport we can get everywhere we need to.

Oh goody, I think the wine's starting to work - time for another one!

Oh, Onna and Joules, I'm watching the creation of this new race, the Hyoujin, with fascination.
So much detail! Wow, dead impressed...



.

(nicked off Joules blog:)

And how could I make my patented Potato Soup without real potatoes!? [Cue quick recipe: saute peasant-chopped bacon, onion and garlic in large saucepan, add (instant) chicken stock, fill pan with peeled diced potatoes and sliced Cumberland sausage, season with freshly ground black pepper, ground nutmeg and fresh basil and top up with water, simmer gently until cooked and thick and smelling irresistible and serve with sliced hot crusty buttered baquette... minimal preparation, cooks itself unattended, and lasts about five minutes in this house if you're lucky, regardless how much I make...]

Oooh, Joules! Can I come round for dinner, pleeeeease!?

Joules and I have been furiously plotting and scheming like - like plotting and scheming things and we're knackered. We think we deserve a little bit of pampering... *looks around, pointedly* Well?
*grin*

I've just witnessed a very interesting life and death struggle between 2 spiders.
A little earlier I watched a white tail spider walk across the ceiling near the computer. They're nasty buggers and I was about to bestir myself to get a broom and deal with it, when I looked up again and found it had strayed too close to a daddy longlegs. It took the DDL about 3 minutes to subdue and wrap the white tail before settling down to a well-earned meal. :)
I like DDLs, they're my friends...

Knackered.
Took the cubs to the Museum today to see the 'Mars and Beyond' exhibition.
It was very cool and my little space cadets loved it!
They didn't pay that much attention to the actual exhibits, alas - I would have liked to linger over some of them, I mean there were things like Newton's actual telescope and old film footage of launches, and mini-docs on SETI, as well as rocket pieces and all sorts of wunnerful space crap! But there was a magic little CGI 3D film about flying to Mars and skimming over the planets surface and you know how much I love 'flying' shots. We saw that 3 times. ^.^
There was loads of activities for kids to do as well. The cubs made felt finger puppets of the solar system - if I can I'll scan them, they're great. They also put together small cardboard models of a volcano and decorated a cardboard box that sat over the top of an RC vehicle - to make it look a bit like the rover thing that got the pictures on Mars - which they then took turns at piloting around a 'martian' landscape. In the children's museum they played a while with the best set of Lego I've ever seen (big, softish rubber blocks, the largest slightly smaller than house bricks, I want some!)
And then there was the merchandising. Lots of interesting stuff both at the exhibit and at the regular Museum shop. The cubs chose a stretchy rubber alien each, and I got some postcards for them and their father. I was going to get myself a fishie wind-sock, but decided against it, couldn't really afford it. There were slidey pens available, but they were the most expensive ones I've ever seen and they only had images of Phar Lap (a racehorse - an aus legend *rolls eyes*) in them so I figured I could live without one for now.
Still want one of those wind-socks though... Or one of each, there were 3 designs... Maybe next time... :)

Here is Okapiprincess's contribution to the Cucumber list:

102 Cucumbers don't mind being sliced up and used to refresh your eyes and feet.

... and here's mine:

103 Cucumbers leave you smelling cucumbery fresh, not like day old bread and stale beer.

The joint AC chapter is finished. Gods that was difficult to write (more difficult for me I think cos I'm not an angst-bunny) but it lays the groundwork for a lot of future threads.

*folds arms across chest* Oh honestly...
I made myself a soupy stew thing for dinner today and I fried the onions in oil with a little curry powder. The way the cubs were carrying on, flopping about with their t-shirts over their noses because of 'the smell', you'd think I'd flooded the room with mustard gas! Geez...

Grrr. Cartoon Network isn't playing Hamtaro in order. And that theme song is a bit dodgy:
Do your very best,
Get a hundred on your test,
And all of your dreams will come true!

Because as we all know, true fulfilment can only be had through academic success. Hmmm....

Emode quiz..

Lutra, your true color is Blue!

You're blue — the most soothing shade of the spectrum. The color of a clear summer sky or a deep, reflective ocean, blue has traditionally symbolized trust, solitude, and loyalty. Most likely a thoughtful person who values spending some time on your own, you'd rather connect deeply with a few people than have a bunch of slight acquaintances. Luckily, making close friends isn't that hard, since people are naturally attracted to you — they're soothed by your calming presence. Cool and collected, you rarely overreact. Instead, you think things through before coming to a decision. That level-headed, thoughtful approach to life is patently blue — and patently you!

No. NO tutus. I don't care how much you like shiny-sparklies, I am not wearing a rhinestone studded tutu. Or any kind of tutu. Though I won't mind if you want to wear one...

[glower] Tell your neko she's in trouble...

Rex Dupain? King of the bread? Strange names the ningens have...

I am not happy with KittenKong.
She ate my flashing uke-bunny ears. I woke up this morning to puzzle over the little bits of down spread all over my bedroom... and then I noticed the sad remains of my bunny ears next to the boules set.
Hmmm. Maybe KK ate the ears because her feminist soul was offended by them - or maybe it was because they were made of maribou...

Niki has found me a lounge-suite! : ) This means I now have all the furniture I need (except for a fridge) when the cubs and I move.

I was having a look through some of my 'funnies' files and found these couple of gems.
The first is an actual description of an item I was sighing over on ebay...

The Shitajiki = Pencil Board of Japan.

The Shitajiki pencil board is the healthy plastic board that the animation image etc. of the popularity was printed.
The mania who is collecting the Shitajiki pencil board is throughout the world.

The child of Japan likes the Shitajiki pencil board that the animation image etc. of the popularity was printed very much.
The school children of Japan spreads the Shitajiki pencil board under the paper, to make completely flat description and use.
The Shitajiki mania of Japan is doing the shitajiki pencil board, that the animation image etc. of the popularity was printed the collection carefully.

As for the Shitajiki pencil board of Japan, there is a characteristic in the animation, color, gloss, beautiful image of the popularity.

... and speaking of Japanglish, in the Gravitation oav, when uke-boy has a funny turn at the empty night club and Hiro says 'oh no, he's going into a fantasy coma!' - does that mean the same thing as 'day-dream'?

Soulsis sent me this next one ages ago...

101 reasons women prefer cucumbers to men

1. The average cucumber is at least 6 inches long.
2. Cucumbers stay hard for a week.
3. Cucumbers won't tell you size doesn't count.
4. Cucumbers don't get too excited.
5. Cucumbers never suffer from performance anxiety.
6. Cucumbers are easy to pick up.
7. You can fondle a cucumber in a supermarket.... and you know how firm it is before you take it home.
8. Cucumbers can get away any weekend.
9. With a cucumber you can get a single room.... and you won't have to check-in as Mrs. Cucumber.
10. A cucumber will always respect you in the morning.
11. You can go to a movie with a cucumber.... and see the movie.
12. You can go to a drive-in with a cucumber.... and you can stay in the front seat.
13. With a cucumber you can always wait until you get home.
14. A cucumber won't eat all the popcorn.... or send you out for Milk Duds.
15. A cucumber won't drag you to a John Wayne Film Festival.
16. A cucumber won't ask: "Am I the first?".
17. A cucumber doesn't care if you're a virgin.
18. Cucumbers won't tell other cucumbers you're a virgin.
19. Cucumbers won't tell anyone you're not a virgin anymore.
20. With a cucumber you don't have to be a virgin more than once.
21. Cucumbers can handle rejection.
22. Cucumbers won't pout if you have a headache.
23. Cucumbers won't care what time of the month it is.
24. Cucumbers never want to get it on when your nails are wet.
25. Cucumbers won't give it up for Lent.
26. With a cucumber you never have to say you're sorry.
27. Afterwards, a cucumber won't:
...want to shake hands and be friends.
28. ...say, "I'll call you a cab".
29. ...tell you he's not the marrying kind.
30. ...tell you he is the marrying kind.
31. ...call his ex-wife or therapist.
32. ...take you to confession.
33. Cucumbers don't leave you wondering for a month.
34. Cucumbers won't make you go to the drugstore.
35. Cucumbers won't tell you a vasectomy will ruin it for them.
36. A cucumber a day keeps the OB-GYN away.
37. A cucumber won't work your crossword with ink.
38. A cucumber isn't allergic to your cat.
39. With a cucumber you don't have to play Florence Nightingale during the Flu season.
40. Cucumbers never answer your phone or borrow your car.
41. A cucumber won't eat all your food or drink all your liquor.
42. A cucumber doesn't turn your bathroom into a library.
43. A cucumber won't go through your medicine chest.
44. A cucumber doesn't use your toothbrush, roll-on, or hairspray.
45. Cucumbers won't leave hair on the sink or a ring in the tub.
46. Cucumbers won't write your name and number on the men's room wall.
47. Cucumbers don't have sex hangups.
48. Cucumbers won't make you wear kinky clothes or go to bed with your boots on.
49. Cucumbers aren't into rope & leather, talking dirty, or swinging with fruits & nuts.
50. You can have as many cucumbers as you can handle.
51. You can eat cucumbers when you feel like it.
52. Cucumbers never need a round of applause.
53. Cucumbers won't ask: "Am I the best? How was it? Did you come? How many times?"
54. Cucumbers aren't jealous of your Gynecologist, Ski Instructor, or Hair Dresser.
55. A cucumber won't want to join your sports group.
56. A cucumber never wants to improve your mind.
57. Cucumbers aren't into meaningful conversations.
58. Cucumbers won't ask about your Last Lover.... or speculate about your next one.
59. A cucumber will never make a scene because there are other cucumbers in the refrigerator.
60. A cucumber won't mind hiding in the refrigerator when your mother is over.
61. No matter how old you are, you can always get a fresh cucumber.
62. Cucumbers don't leave whisker burns, fall asleep on your chest, or drool on the pillow.
63. A cucumber won't give you a hickey.
64. Cucumbers can stay up ALL night.... and you won't have to sleep on the wet spot.
65. Cucumbers don't leave dirty shorts on the floor.
66. A cucumber never forgets to flush the toilet.
67. A cucumber doesn't flush the toilet while you are taking a shower.
68. With a cucumber, the toilet seat is always the way you left it.
69. Cucumbers don't compare you to a center fold.
70. Cucumbers don't count to 10.
71. Cucumbers don't tell you they liked you better with long hair.
72. A cucumber will never leave you ...
...for another woman.
73. ...for another man.
74. ...for another cucumber.
75. A cucumber will never call and say "I have to work late, Honey", and then come home smelling like another woman.
76. A cucumber never snaps your bra, pinches your butt, or gives you a snuggy. [what's a snuggy?]
77. You always know where a cucumber has been.
78. A cucumber never has to call "the wife".
79. Cucumbers never have mid-life crises.
80. A cucumber won't leave you for a cheerleader or an ex-nun.
81. Cucumbers don't play the guitar and try to find themselves.
82. You won't find out later that your cucumber ...
...is married.
83. ...is on penicillin.
84. ...likes you - but loves your brother.
85. A cucumber doesn't have softball practice on the day you move.
86. Cucumbers never tell you what they did on R&R.
87. A cucumber won't ask for a promotion just when you're up for a promotion.
88. Cucumbers don't care if you make more money than they do.
89. Cucumbers won't wear a leisure suit to your office Christmas party.
90. A cucumber won't leave town on New Year's Eve.
91. A cucumber won't take you to disco and dump you for a flashy outfit.
92. Cucumbers never want to take you home to mom.
93. A cucumber doesn't care if you always spent the holidays with your family.
94. A cucumber won't ask to be put through Med School.
95. A cucumber won't tell you he's outgrown you intellectually.
96. Cucumbers never expect you to have little cucumbers.
97. Cucumbers don't say "Let's keep trying until we have a boy".
98. A cucumber won't insist the little cukes be raised Catholic, Jewish, or Orthodox Vegetarian.
99. It's easy to drop a cucumber.
100. A cucumber will never contest a divorce, demand a property settlement, or seek custody of anything.
101. No matter how you slice it, you can have your cuke and eat it too.