Laaaaaange Zeit war es ein Gerücht, aber heute wurde es offiziell bestätigt:

Die Weinsteins haben den Fraggle-Film angekündigt. Da singen und schwingen wir doch mal unser Bein... ;-)

Originalmeldung

Fraggle Rock is making it's way to a movie screen near you in the next few years. The Weinstein Company has announced they're making a live action movie musical of my favourite show of the 80's!

According to Variety, the film will feature the core characters we all know and love (Gogo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red) and the rough plot will see them taken outside Fraggle Rock, where they interact with humans who think they're from space. Here's hoping they do Jim Henson's genius proud!

Now if you'll excuse me - I think I'm going to go back to YouTube and look up my favourite Jim Henson scenes from Fraggle Rock, the Muppets, Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal...

Fraggle Rock is making it's way to a movie screen near you in the next few years. The Weinstein Company has announced they're making a live action movie musical of my favourite show of the 80's!

According to Variety, the film will feature the core characters we all know and love (Gogo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red) and the rough plot will see them taken outside Fraggle Rock, where they interact with humans who think they're from space. Here's hoping they do Jim Henson's genius proud!

Now if you'll excuse me - I think I'm going to go back to YouTube and look up my favourite Jim Henson scenes from Fraggle Rock, the Muppets, Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal...

A live-action feature musical based on the 1980s children’s television series “Fraggle Rock” is making its way to theaters, via the Weinstein Co., trade paper Variety reports.

The entire story can be viewed over here.

Since Jim Henson Studios sold their rights to the Muppets to Disney back in 2004, you have to go here to see the latest and greatest on all things Muppets (though it is Disney style).

If you were born in the seventies, you might remember the doozers--tiny green construction workers that built crystal towers out of radish dust in a underworld land called Fraggle Rock, also populated by the brightly coloured creatures called fraggles.

As a child, I always thought the fraggles tendancy to breakoff and consume whole sections of the doozers' handiwork was kind of mean, it's only recently that I've begun to understand Jim Henson's intentions, the creator of Fraggle Rock, regarding this relationship.

Apparently, the fraggles' appetite functioned as an important eco-system constraint,  keeping the doozer's perpetual drive to build in check.  So, what happens out in the 'real world' when there aren't any fraggles to keep us doozers within our limits? 

Another construction site go up in Vancouver.

I just want to freaking finish, whether it be a 5K, half-marathon and ESPECIALLY a full marathon. (I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the only thing preventing me from not jumping on the subway after mile 15 was the fact that I knew my sisters were waiting for me at the end in Central Park. They would have been pissed.)

Losing weight was very cool and I like how running still keeps it off. I pick really pretty races, like the Covered Bridges Half-Marathon, and take my sweet time; listening to my iPod and daydreaming about what kind of treats they will have at the finishers area. (Once again, Covered Bridges is the way to go...free Otter Creek beer and rockin' chocolate chip cookies. Ewww, don't eat them together though.)

Now, ya' see..Bryant's different. He's a sprinter. (I think he told me he finished a 5K in 37 seconds and traveled back in time like Christopher Reeve in "Superman II"...or something like that.) Also, he and his friends get together and watch tapes of runners, well...running.

See? That's crazy.

And it's more than putting just one foot in front of the other for Bryant. It's the entire body working at an optimum level so you can run as efficiently and safely as possible. That means not just running, but overall strength training as well. He also says that building muscle is good for the whole metabolism situation. You'll continue to burn calories when you're in a resting mode. This theory sounds vaguely like The Doozers from Fraggle Rock. They're the adorable race of construction workers who built structures all day, which the Fraggles loved to eat as snacks. But the Doozers just kept on building. I really hope this is accurate, because Doozers are the freaking cutest and it's nice to think about them again. (See below)

Anyphway, I am officially 179 years old now, at least in running on city-streets years. My knee has started acting like a real a--hole and I wanted to get some tips on technique to prevent any major injury. This is why the cosmos brought Bryant and I together. Dear Bryant didn't know one very crucial thing about me.

I have no muscles.

Bryant doesn't believe me, but I have proof! Whenever I picked up a hand weight in the past I instinctually dropped it and said "Oh. Well that's too heavy" and went back to my life on the treadmill and stopped trying to fight gravity.

Yep, scientifically proven. There are no muscles in Sarah Jackson's body; just a complicated system of pullies and/or levers getting me through my day. But Bryant continues to believe the world is round and makes me do ridiculous exercises like push-ups, lunges and squats. He's nice and breezy, but sometimes when I want to stop and explain that what he's asking me to do is simply impossible due my muscle-less condition, he gets all worked up, "Don't give up on yourself! Come on! Come on!" I roll my eyes and indulge him; "alllll-right, Bryant..." staying in a plank position for 10 more seconds with a 25lb weight on my back.

Bryant is talented and inspiring, but he's refusing to ignore my very obvious plight! Yes, of course, there has been some change in my performance. I can do several sets of push-ups and sit-ups now, but that's obviously because my pullies and levers have re-programmed themselves to work under these new, stressful conditions!! But most alarming is how he continues to ignore the visual evidence! I mean, you're actually starting to SEE all of my machinery now... in my arms and my abs!!

Poor, sweet, naive Bryant. When will he learn?

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

"Fragen wollen wir hierbei insbesondere danach, inwieweit sich am Horizont einer möglichen 'Biologisierung des Sozialen' neuartige Formen von Herrschaft und sozialer Ungleichheit herausbilden, etwa indem sich Normen des 'perfekten' Körpers, der unbegrenzten Leistungsfähigkeit und des 'unauffälligen' Verhaltens oder auch Mechanismen der genetischen Diskriminierung durchsetzen. Zu untersuchen ist aber gleichzeitig, ob sich gegenläufig dazu Chancen für eine neue 'Biosozialität' (Paul Rabinow) eröffnen, d. h. für die Bildung von sozialen Gemeinschaften (bspw. Patientenorganisationen) und die kollektive Artikulation von Interessen auf der Grundlage einer kulturell reflektierten und gestalteten Natur. "//uni-augsburg

"Schmarotzer Mitesser, zweihändiger Faulsack, Durchausnichtselbstversorger, gesetzlich geschützter Menschenschinder. Zu den S. gehören alle Übermenschen und alle von ihnen erzeugten Sklaven."//Physiolugus//Wer beliebt ist und die entschiedene Unterstützung seiner Familie genießt, braucht keine Angst zu haben, daß der Schamane ihn beschuldigen wird. Aber zänkische, kleinliche Leute, die weniger geben, als sie nehmen, oder die aggressiv sind und kein Blatt vor den Mund nehmen, die sollten sich vorsehen."

" Das deutsche Wort Schmarotzer für einen Parasiten stammt vom mittelhochdeutschen smorotzer ab, das soviel wie Bettler heißt."//politisch korrekt

"smorotzer stm. mendicus VOC. 1482. schmorotzer, schmarotzer, knauser"//Matthias Lexer

"Schmarotzer mag keiner. Andere sollen gefälligst ebenso einzahlen, ebenso mithelfen wie man selbst am großen Ganzen, sonst werden Menschen schnell sauer. Was das eigene Verhalten angeht, sind wir da toleranter,"//Der Spiegel (Meines Erachtens ist die vorgelegte Studie jedoch so konzipiert um ebendies zu unterbauen ) "Das strikte Regime half - insgesamt liefen die Geschäfte für das Kollektiv besser in der Gruppe, in der gestraft werden konnte. Sanktionen machen es eben viel leichter, sich ums Gemeinwohl zu sorgen."

„Unsere Ergebnisse belegen also, dass es von gesamtgesellschaftlichen sozialen Normen abhängt, in welchem Maß Strafen fürs Schmarotzen akzeptiert werden.“///science in focus//„Die Vergeltungsaktionen im Spiel wären im realen Leben zum Beispiel psychische Rachegelüste, die jedoch nicht zu konkreten Taten führen müssten“, erklärt der Ökonomieprofessor.

" Sie zeigten jedoch, welch große Wirkung der soziale Einfluss auf die Entscheidung jedes Einzelnen habe und wie schwierig dieser Effekt vorherzusagen sei."((spon//

"Wer rastet, der rostet", weiß der Volksmund. Für den Graumull (Cryptomys anselli) gilt zuweilen offenbar genau das Gegenteil: Wer nur lange genug rastet, der ist im entschiedenen Moment topfit. Die eine verrichtet 95 Prozent der Arbeit, die andere hingegen frönt dem gepflegten Müßiggang und nimmt kaum bis gar nicht am normalen gesellschaftlichen Graumull-Leben teil.Die Müßiggänger haben deutlich mehr Fettreserven, da sie sich sogar von den lieben Mitbewohnern mit Futter versorgen lassen. Und alles offenbar nur, um sich in einem günstigen Moment vom Bau zu entfernen und eine neue Kolonie zu gründen.Die Strategie sichere das langfristige Überleben des Genpools einer Graumullkolonie."//Nature in Spiegel online

"Ob die Mistel die Bäume schädigt, wird dann oft gefragt. Von Schäden kann man nicht sprechen, wohl aber von einer gewissen Anstrengung, die sich an den von Misteln bewohnten Ästen als eine merkwürdige Verformung zu erkennen gibt, die einem angespannten Arm mit heraustretenden Muskeln verblüffend ähnlich sieht.

Jedenfalls überwiegt die Freude am Mistelbusch eine etwa mögliche Ernteeinbuße."//Zeit bei Meyers

"Die steuerfreien Milliardenrückstellungen bringen mehrfache Vorteile für die Atomkraftwerksbetreiber: Sie produzieren erstens billigen Atomstrom, sie brauchen zweitens die Gewinne langfristig nicht oder nicht voll zu versteuern, und sie lasten die spätere Entsorgung der Kraftwerke zu einem guten Teil der Allgemeinheit auf, indem sie die Aufwendungen dafür aus dem Steuerstundungseffekt der Rückstellung finanzieren.Rückstellungen sind Ausdruck des sogenannten Imparitätsprinzips: Verluste und Gewinne werden in der Bilanz gegensätzlich behandelt. Während Gewinne erst dann auszuweisen sind, wenn sie realisiert sind, wirken Verluste bereits dann gewinn- und damit steuermindernd, wenn sie nur drohen."//Die Zeit 1998

"Es ist ein sehr sicheres, inertes und leistungsfähiges biologisches Filtermedium, das wenig Raum im Filter benötigt. "//easy-life

"Parasitismus (Schmarotzertum) im engeren Sinne bezeichnet den Nahrungserwerb aus einem anderen Organismus, wobei dieser auch als Wirt bezeichnete Organismus geschädigt, aber entweder gar nicht oder aber erst zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt getötet wird.

Parasit kommt von griechisch παράσιτος, pará- für neben und sitos für gemästet – ursprünglich für Vorkoster bei Opferfesten, die dadurch ohne Leistung zu einer Speisung kamen.

Parasitismus zeigt sich in sehr vielfältigen Formen. Es gibt Zweifelsfälle, in denen es schwer ist, zwischen Parasitismus und anderen Interaktionen zwischen Arten zu unterscheiden. Parasitismus ist jedoch ein häufiges Phänomen: Die überwiegende Zahl aller Lebewesen parasitiert.

Im fortgeschrittenen Stadium der Evolution entwickelte sich häufig ein Gleichgewicht, bei dem der Parasit profitiert, ohne dem Wirt, der ja seine „Existenzgrundlage“ darstellt, mehr als nötig zu schaden oder ihn gar völlig zu vernichten."//wiki:Parasitismus

"Wolfgang Clement könne nicht zulassen, dass Menschen auf Kosten anderer lebten und Unterstützung von der Allgemeinheit erhielten, wenn sie nicht dazu berechtigt seien. 'Das nenne ich parasitäres Verhalten"

Ein Parasit ist jemand, der etwas besitzt, aber die Allgemeinheit nicht daran teilhaben lässt."//burks a´la spon

Das Phänomen Parasiten-Singles in Japan - Ökonomische Bremsen oder Wegbereiter eines neuen Gesellschaftssystems?//click and buy (1.2 Tagesrationen)

"Es gibt keine liberale Form von Parasitenvernichtung.::::Naturwissenschaftlich betrachtet lebt der Parasit auf Kosten eines anderen, ohne eigene Leistung. Er lebt von bereits Vorhandenem, hilft, das Vorhandene zu verbrauchen und beteiligt sich nicht am Wiederaufbau...Es gibt kein System ohne Parasiten. Wo das Parasitäre liegt, ist eine Frage der Perspektive...Die Menschen sind von dem ständigen Willen beseelt, sich ihrerseits von Parasiten zu distanzieren, zu befreien....So liegen das Immunsystem und der Parasit in einem ständigen Wettkampf: der Wirt bekämpft den Parasiten und der Parasit den Wirt. Ein Kampf, der den Körper ständig in Bewegung hält, der Körper muss flexibel reagieren, der Parasit hält ihn, seinen Wirt fit – und umgekehrt. Der Parasit tötet seinen Endwirt nicht. Aber der Parasit garantiert Veränderung, nichts bleibt wie es ist.

Michel Serres, der ein Buch über den Parasiten als Metapher geschrieben hat, geht so weit, das parasitäre Leben vom Nicht-Parasitären nicht mehr trennen zu wollen, vielmehr spricht er von einer Kaskade des Parasitären, an deren Spitze der Mensch steht: er parasitiert am "Fest des Lebens", nährt sich von der Ressourcen der Erde, bringt Störung in die Ordnung, ist aber genau darum kreativ."//Kirsten Esch in telepolis

"Die winzigen Mitbewohner machen uns zwar manchmal krank, sie helfen uns aber auch vor allem beim Verdauen, halten krankmachende Keime fern und die Immunabwehr auf Trab."//wissenschaft.de

" Als Symbiont bezeichnet man die kleinere der beiden an einer Symbiose beteiligten Arten. Den Lebenspartner mit dem größeren Körper nennt man auch Wirt."//wiki

"Der biologische Ausdruck Symbiose bezeichnet eine Lebensgemeinschaft zu beidseitigem Nutzen, das heißt ein Individuum profitiert von seinem Symbiose-Partner und umgekehrt. Die schwächste Ausprägung der Symbiose kann auch als Allianz oder Synergie bezeichnet werden.

Die Scheintöter auf Horror, die ihre starken Gefühle mit den Denkern teilten. Nach dem Aussterben der Denker waren die Scheintöter zwar weiterhin lebensfähig, aber unglücklich und wütend.Die Symboflex-Partner der Zweitkonditionierten sind ein Beispiel für Parasitismus. Sie hielten die Zeitpolizisten geistig versklavt und waren ohne diese nicht überlebensfähig."//Perrypedia

"Auch bei der Symbiose im engeren Sinne gilt die Vorstellung von einem Leben in Harmonie als überholt. Tatsächlich erfordert jede Symbiose eine strikte „Kontrolle“ und „Überwachung“ des Partners, damit das „Ausnutzen“ einer Leistung ohne Gegenleistung verhindert wird. Diese einander entgegen gesetzten evolutionären Tendenzen können so gedeutet werden, dass ein „Wettlauf“ zwischen den Symbiosepartnern stattfindet, als dessen Ergebnis der gegenseitige Nutzen sich auf den kleinsten gemeinsamen Nenner beschränkt."//wiki

"Da es weniger Symbionten als Wirte gibt, werden nur wenige humanoide Trill mit einem Symbionten vereinigt. Die Auswahl, ob ein Trill würdig für eine Vereinigung ist, wird von der Symbiosekommission beschlossen."// memory-alpha

"Natalia Nikishenkova, a scientist with Biochimmash, a former Soviet weapons development center, shows how grass seed (right) treated with the plant growth stimulator Symbiont is nearly three times the size of the control group's grass seed (left)."//PNNL

 

Parenting: For The Birds?
One of the tasks of my most recent gig (yes, there have been a few more than I'm proud of) was spending roughly 15 minutes in the morning unlocking campers on the lot. At the end of the day, we'd make our rounds and lock them back up.

Okay, technically, I can't really say 'we' since I was part of a duo and my partner in crime rarely made his rounds. I looked at it as a chance though to get off my duff and get some fresh air. And if you've seen this duff lately, you know that a little bit of walking could go a long way.

Check it out sometime. It's quite spectacular really.

Anyhootie, one early morning, shortly after spring had sprung and the air was fresh as it can be with the exhausting humidity we have 'round this neck o' the prairie, I noticed an ungodly squawking when I sauntered around to the motor homes.

I ignored it as we adults often do when we get our minds buried in the mundane day-to-day gobbledy-snoodle we train our gray matter to which it should pay its attention.

But the squawking became really very un-ignorable after a week or so.

I know this because I tried. I really did.

One morning, when I was much more mentally alert and peppy than usual, I stopped and looked for the source of this screed of insanity. And there was the culprit. The psycho bird was standing on the other side of the chain-link fence cawing and squawking to beat hell. It was pretty put off by the fact that I was standing there.

I moved on.

"Freak," I remember stating aloud--as I've been known to do. (I'm from the school of 'who better to talk to than yourself?' At least your listener agrees most of the time that way.)

Later, though, it was my duty to show one of the motor homes to a pair of gentlemen who came in to kick tires. I remember one of the guys being unusually tall and the other ridiculously short. It was such a noticeable size difference I remember the folks in the office telling a couple of wisenheimers about it later.

So, as Unusually Tall Guy, Ridiculously Short Guy and Average Medium Guy (me) approached the RV where I had been accosted earlier that morn, the bird began its unholy tirade once again.

"Wherever that damned bird is, someone needs to shoot it," the taller gentleman said sarcastically, though obviously annoyed.

Though I hate to admit this now, I wholeheartedly agreed.

I told them the story about how I'd been hearing it day after day, but had just actually noticed the creature making the racket that morning. I didn't actually think they were listening, but it piqued their interest. We investigated.

There about a foot-and-a-half behind the bird, in the landscaping on the other side of the chain divider--the one that separates the rest of the world from RV-Land--we discovered three eggs nestled in a makeshift rock nest under the minimal shade provided by the sparse landscaping. They were camouflaged enough that we didn't notice them for a while, which didn't please our little friend since we were standing far too close to her three little embryonic masterpieces.

Yes indeedy-doodles, we had angered Mama, but now that the source of the problem had been identified, I felt relieved. We finished the Tour de Asphalt Lot and moved inside to the comfort and goodness of air conditioning.

It wasn't until the next day when I started my appointed rounds that I had a parental epiphany of sorts.

I breezed around to the motor homes again and, like every morning for several weeks, the bird began its angry beak-lashing of the geeky guy with the funky duds.

And it was at that very moment that it occurred to me: That bird, the freaking crazy one, and I...weren't all that different. Natch, the bird and I were pretty much one in the same.

(Sure, it was a mama bird, I'm most definitely a papa human, but those might be the only differences at all.)

Since the very conception of my little one, I inherently took on the protector instinct, as do many parents. Yessir, that one kicked in from the very first moment I located that positive pregnancy test sitting atop the washing machine, and it's only gotten stronger every day since. And seeing the miracle of life and the tragedy of loss several different times in the past few years has only heightened my appreciation for the preciousness of the time we have with our chicks (as in the child variety; not like the opposite of dude).

That, and I just turned 30, which I view as the ultimate mental foray out of the mistaken theory of the invincibility of youth and right on into the realization of the concept of mortality. Just you wait, whippersnappers, you'll someday pick up what I'm throwin' down.

But, that's an entirely different post altogether. Back to the bird story.

The bird and I were two species with two of the same missions: parenthood and protection.

We won't get into the egg concept or how I had always called my little one 'Bird' since day numero uno and actually dressed him in a bird costume for Halloween last year. And I won't even mention the fact that I call my wife Lady Bird Vrb sometimes (I also call her June Carter at different times, but only after watching 'Walk The Line' and/or seeing the video for 'Hurt' where she stands behind Johnny at the piano, both of them frail and aged and ponderous and beautiful and provocative and wonderful). All of those things crossed my mind too. (I often imagine my brain--if ever opened up and spelunked--would be found to contain eight pounds of jelly beans, seven Fraggles and numerous PIN numbers.)

No, I couldn't help but laugh about how that crazy bird and I had such a parallel universe.

Take away the feathers and put hair in places where it shouldn't be, and I am that bird most of the time. I might appear crazy at times, but it's only because I take my job as protector very seriously.

As does she.

I gained a new appreciation for the squawking that day and began to look quite forward to it since I could relate. (Pretty sure the bird never did, but birds aren't typically saps who over analyze everything.)

A few weeks later, the squawking was gone. I walked over to the fence and, sure enough, there in the rocks were broken eggshells. They had hatched and mama was off teaching them to make their way in this crazy world, I imagined with beaming pride.

Yep, we parents have our work cut out for us, getting these babies ready to jump the nest and take flight. It's a task many of us take very seriously, but at the same time enjoy immensely.

So forgive us, in advance, for those times when we squawk.

De entrada, un pegadiza música que coreaba con acompañamiento de palmas: "...ven a fraggel-rock... plass, plass..."

He de reconocer que yo disfrutaba con ellos de niño, por eso me ha llamado la atención leer en tuaw que se van a vender el iTunes los capítulos de esta entretenida serie, al módico precio de 1,99 $ por capítulo. Claro, esto es en la tienda americana, pero espero que no tarde en contagiarse a nuestro país.Linda infancia la nuestra.

Por cierto, ¿cuál era el nombre de esos diminutos obreros que salían en la serie, construyendo siempre estructuras transparentes, en silencio, sin una sola frase de diálogo? Me temo que mis recuerdos se agotan ahí...

  This is the Wall Map at Bark Hut - Toothbrush One is Darwin... Toothbrush Two is between Adelaide River and Pine Creek. Toothbrush three - all the way to the right. 

Phone calls during the night, we know, are Bad. Phone calls after you get up, but before breakfast aren’t good either.  Within twenty minutes of leaving Toothbrush One, I had the news that we had had an accident at Toothbrush Two – one truck had backed down into another.

 BUGGER. BUGGER BUGGER.

I said some other words but... this is a G rated blog (So Kris can show her girls- when it’s not too sad), so I’ll leave them out.

The reason why I don’t like trucks operating too close together, is that 35 - 50 tonnes travelling at 40kmph, doesn’t stop exactly quickly... and you end up with

This is not what happened to our truck. This was a fatality about five years ago, I believe: in South East Queensland. The brakes on the rear truck failed and it went sliding into the one in front. However, one truck backing into another is just STUPIDITY.

 And Dangerous.

 BUGGER.

Then at about 0615, as the Project Manager (he has a broken leg and can’t drive) and I drove in (Green Car is at home resting, this week) the phone rang again. Bear in mind: it’s still dark and I’m running on a breakfast of Pepsi and Crown Mints.

We’ve had incidents at Toothbrush Three.

 BUGGER BUGGER BUGGERBUGGERBUGGER.

And did I say it?

BUGGER

 I cannot comprehend how you can drive off in a vehicle that is still attached to a fuel bowser. Especially when you have to step over a 6inch thick hose to get to the ladder to climb up into the truck.   Nor do I understand how you can put Unleaded fuel into a Diesel Landcruiser. And if you get bitten by a bug.. harden up and dry your eyes, Princess.

(Not kidding – I have a 15 page incident report to complete because someone got bitten by a March Fly.)

The First one is a massive case of BUGGER and that’s what I would like to do to the two people involved.  With a Fish fork. Driving off with a fuel hose still attached means that neither the driver nor the refueller were paying attention to their jobs.

TWERPS.

Putting the wrong fuel into your work car:  you are officially an IDIOT (I find this incident amusing because we don’t employ that person, and it’s not our vehicle).

Twerp!

And... yeah – I’m still on ‘Harden up, Dry your eyes” for the bug bite.

Sympathy. I know when to feel it.

It’s now Monday afternoon, I’m beginning to suffer from a dose of the sleepydrunkies (when you’re feeling so sleepy and tired that you’re about 0.08 BAL). I think this is a good time to share my recipe for the cure for sleepiesdrunkies.

 It’s very simple: Strong coffee.

I call it Fraggle Coffee.

This recipe should not be confused with the one for the cure for the caffeine deprivation withdrawals (that one involves ice-cream) I start to feel on Saturday afternoon. We’ll call that one Caffiedone.

 Ok – Making the non-sleepiesdrunkies Fraggle coffee. You need a cup, a tablespoon, sugar, UHT milk (don’t argue!) and Coffee. Plus some hot water.

Noting that I drink this in the middle of the Northern Territory, where the water that comes out of the cold tap is boiling hot, I use only a little hot water.

To start: three tablespoons of coffee (don’t argue!) two tablespoons of sugar (Uh!!! I said don’t!) and a half a cup of hot water. From either the hot or cold tap. And then add another half a cup of the thick UHT milk. Stir. Drink.

 Wait ten minutes and the sleepydrunkies turns into Red Fraggle.

   - See the resemblance?

Which, considering I will be spending my day chasing after people... is a good thing. And tonight:  the border for our friend the Peach Blanket. I have two balls of merino – I’m not afraid of anything!See you tomorrow!

Lessee...

My usual level of stupid inability to sleep kicked in yesterday morning and I worked on Arcadia's blanket which has made great progress... scroll down to the end if you want to see!

 A quick trip to Australia Post so I could collect my yarn haul - heee! heee! it's all *mine*!!!

 I treated myself to a ball winder. It was in the post today as well!!!

I used my ball winder. I made 168m of rowan spun eventually become a ball.

And after turning 2,000 yds of silk in spaghetti I've realised I need a skein holder.. but hey...

So I needed a pick-me-up..

 And then I went home because I had visitors.

The closest thing to a man in my life and his mother!

And his father - who is 6'8" and who doesnt mind that the first thing I ask him to do when the family comes over... is change the lightbulbs.

Because I cant reach and I have serious light bulb issues.

See my finger?

A lightbulb cut it. I spent three hours waiting in an Emergency room for someone to stitch it.... or give me a tissue. There was blood pooling on the floor but I was told they'd get to me.  I ended up calling the vet and I met him at home, and he put three stitches in. I had to promise not to try and bite or kick him otherwise he'd put a twitch on me.

A blown lightbulb and the thought of changing it makes the roof of my mouth go funny. Its the most irrational phobia I know.

Any way... the sharp eyed ones among you may recognise the Fraggles and the Gorgs on the TV behind the Tall Person.

Yes.. I was watching the Fraggles. As the Founding member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Muppets (Fun Fur is Muppet Murder!!!) I have to get regular doses.  Add that to the fact that I bought the new Terry Pratchett today (!!!!!) yes.. I have issues. (Though not as many as Terry Pratchett - he's bringing up the question of female identity again... this time with golems).

Anyway - the hot news for the weekend: I've now finished joining the squares in Arcadia's blanket.. just have to go round a few times for the edging and its DONE!!!

Woo hooo!!!  (And I goofed here - I've posted the picture BEFORE joining, not the one of the joined squares.. sorry!!!)

 But now its Sunday evening... The dryer is beeping at me to say my clothes are done so its time for me to head out again.... Back to Tb3, that view and ... adding another 250 kms to the Gown.   I'm beginning to wonder how far it will have travelled before its finished...

Miles to go before I sleep indeed.

Speak with you all soon....

La pluie n'a pas cessé pendant toute la fin de semaine. Nous y sommes donc retournés mardi soir apportant avec nous un pot de marc de café ainsi que quelques coquilles d'oeufs que Pascal a melangé à la terre autour des differents plants (nous verrons bien!). Marion prenait des photos pendant ce temps.

On a observé que les feuilles de haricots sont attaquées par les pucerons...ostie. Par contre, notre première fleur de tomatier est apparue et les concombres ont continué leurs croissances fulgurantes! Curiosité: les plants de poivrons sont moins développés que ceux de notre balcon.

Est-ce que les Fraggles mangent vraiment la salade?!?

Par contre, aucune trace des carottes et quelques maigres indices de laitue. Yannick suggérait la présence de Fraggles...qui sait?

But I had a revelation---emphasis on the "revel," since I thought of it while drinking. If middle, unknown America takes comfort in celebrity self-sufficiency and humdrum ---say, like, Tom Hanks withdrawing money from an ATM, or Sarah Michelle Gellar wheeling her luggage through the airport---then might not celebrities find solace in our excesses and embarrassments? Non-industry people lose face all the time. Wouldn't it make Lindsay Lohan feel better about herself to see a picture of another coked up troubled teen idling beside a telephone pole?

I give you my last four days as printed in the underground US Weekly.

Real People: They're Just Like Us!

They have liquid lunch on "the yacht":

And beckon you with bottle service eyes:

Look! Real People pass-out at sporting events!:

They rudely take calls on their cellphones looking like a Fraggle:

They get photographed in the afternoon tipsily, and unsuccessfully, hailing a cab:

And especially for Brittney from my friend Dan...

Real People pose nude in public with foliage tassels at a friend's cookout in Astoria:

And prefer a more natural approach to the car seat: