KELL’S COUSIN

Saturday, September 6. 2008

I had the dorm room to myself since Rachel went back to Domain to spend the weekend with Joan. (Joan, being an equine, asked Rachel to help her pick out horseshoes. Equines are one of the few species here that wear anything on their feet.)
During the brief time I spent as a human that was the most difficult adjustment. Fenton and I found that human feet are very tender; nowhere near as tough and study as our normal paws. Having some kind of a barrier between unprotected skin and the ground was necessary, but it also separated us from a sense of our environment. I did notice, though, that a large industry exists in human world to produce footwear in an endless variety.
Kell got an E-mail today that her cousin Sheila is coming for a visit. I’ve never met her, but I know that Dad and Kell once considered her as Coney’s godmother. (They eventually settled on me, and that was even before I became engaged to Fenton.)
The other news concerned Rudy’s fleas. Apparently parasites have created mortgage companies that sell the rights to live on us. Rudy had to suffer the indignity of being under foreclosure and then auctioned to the highest bidder who tried to sell his blood, but he had the last laugh with a flea dip. Unfortunately, we can’t take flea dips too often due to their toxicity, so Rudy’s experience might become a common one.
With no Enormous Reptile Con I’ll be here all day to respond to messages. Fire away!

Posted by Lindesfarne at 23:07 | Comments (43) | Trackbacks (0)

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Thank you, Lindesfarne, for clearing up Joan's species. As I said, I had odd, personal reasons for not 'spilling the beans' myself. (If that phrase doesn't mean anything on your side, it means to let a piece of information out that shouldn't have been made public.)

I was also wrong in saying Joan had not been illustrated in the webcomic over here. Thanks to the artist (who apparently has an eidetic memory), I was told that she appeared in the first panel of the following link:
http://www.kevinandkell.com/2005/kk0513.html
If the people on this side don't trust embedded links ( I don't!), that means it can be found in the webcomic archive for May 13, 2005. Joan is the red-headed lady standing behind Rachel. I will say, in my defense, that she was not identified as Rachel's date.

Walking without shoes over here can be done. If we do it often enough, we form an area of hardened skin we call callus, which helps with many of the problems you experienced. It is less sensitive than 'normal' skin. You weren't here long enough for this to happen. However, since some/many humans are lazy, there are often items such as broken glass lying around which will still injure the foot. It is usually safer to wear shoes or sneakers (types of footware) for this reason. We also wear coverings over the foot itself, between the foot and the shoe. These are called socks or stockings, and were originally intended (I think) as an additional cushion and/or insulation. Today, socks are worn by either gender but stockings are usually only worn by females. The little 'body bags' that you hang on your mantelpieces at Christmas time are old-fashioned stockings. There may have been more humans who ended up in you world than we're aware of.

While I understand that flea dips can be toxic, could daily immersion in water drown the little bloodsuckers without unwanted side effects? Or would this violate the rules in your society? (Remember, on this side of the portal, insects are not intelligent. They work solely by instinct/genetic programming here.)

#1 CharlieG on 2008-09-06 23:50 (Reply)

How sweet. You'd think more hoofed species would require shoes. They do save on wear and tear, which is always a good thing.

Rudy's problems seem endless, the poor fellow, but at least he has Fiona there to help him through. Why can't he file an injunction, or report the parasites as squatters? He certainly didn't co-sign the escrow papers.

There is one question that's been tugging at my mind for a bit. Is your uncle George Persian? He's quite the handsome fellow, and your aunt Danielle is quite lucky to have him. I was just wondering because he has the features, smooth fur, almond-ish eyes, tall, sleek build.

#2 Gabriel LaVedier (Link) on 2008-09-07 00:01 (Reply)

George is a Fennec Fox, actually. He and Martha were married and had a child, Fiona Fennec. She is Rudy's girlfriend. George and Martha divorced. Martha married Rudy's Uncle Ralph Dewclaw and George married Danielle Kindle, one of Kevin's sisters.

Kind of. Danielle is actually a human transported into Lindesfarne's world, although this is not widely known on her side of the portal. So is Lindesfarne herself. This is why she has such overwhelming curiosity about us humans.

Also, from my admittedly biased point of view, I think George is lucky to have Danielle, not the other way around!

With the way people on L's side fall in love around her family, I wouldn't be surprised if pretty much everyone we meet won't end up in the Dewclaw Clan, one way or another. Maybe that episode where Fenton was responsible for the Cupid myth is truer than we knew...

#2.1 CharlieG on 2008-09-07 02:48 (Reply)

...And after playing spelling monitor last week about "Retile," I go and say "who ended up in you world" instead of your world...

#3 CharlieG on 2008-09-07 01:10 (Reply)

Glad to hear that Rudy did the sensible thing. The flea-dip wasn't mentioned in the webcomic, so I was left wondering if, perhaps, the on-going legal wrangling was what prevented him from dealing with them.

I guess I'm not a very tactile person; I've never noticed any difference in my apprehension of the world when barefoot.

I hope Sheila's visit is a pleasant one. In the past, it's seemed like Kevin gets off to a rocky start with Kell's family members.

#4 Tuyu on 2008-09-07 01:11 (Reply)

You probably didn't notice one of the other important benefits of shoes, and that is protection from the elements. Shoes are water resistant, and keep your feet dry and free from environmental annoyances, like mud or worse. (You probably wouldn't experience the "worse" unless you travel into the wild.) Isn't wet fur annoying, and isn't mud hard to clean? Presumably, your other clothing keeps the rest of you dry, right?

It's fascinating that the wanton killing of intelligent fleas is normal in your world. Is is a similar rule to predation, it's not supposed to be anyone that you know? So that means you better not talk to your parasites!

#5 Greg (Link) on 2008-09-07 01:39 (Reply)

I'm afraid a lot of humans don't really have much experience with fleas on this side (nothing implied, Charlie -- just meant that as a general statement), or at least not in the places I've lived. As you probably know, human hair is so fine that we're, for all intents and purposes, furless, aside from a small patch on our heads. So, those bugs don't pester us much, and we don't really have a high tolerance for parasites in general (meaning we kill them off pretty quick in the rare event that we actually get them).

Then again, a lot of our pets don't really have them either, especially in city areas, so maybe it has to do with the fact that your parasites are smarter than ours, too.

#6 Koronak on 2008-09-07 02:18 (Reply)

Not to harp on about the shoes, but they can also make your feet look "good" depending on taste. That particular method, however, can do great injury to feet. Personally, I prefer going barefoot, but since I dislike dropping computers on my foot, I usually wear shoes to work.

I vaguely remember Sheila being mentioned, but I don't know how well Kell liked her. Is she still a born-again meat eater? If that's anything like the born again Christians over here, there could be a lot of trouble...

#7 Selina Grace on 2008-09-07 04:16 (Reply)

Forgive the more idiotic and stupid of our kind for preventing us from going barefooted more often. If it wasn't for the broken glass, sharp or rusty pieces of metal, and a few other things, we humans would probably walk bare-footed more often.

Even we humans have to deal with fleas. They get deep down into carpets, and when they breed enough, they'll swarm any warm source of blood. I feel for Rudy. I think there's some sort of sonic device that has a frequency too high or too low for canines to hear, yet it's supposed to drive away fleas.

#8 Jumanji (Link) on 2008-09-07 08:42 (Reply)

Fleas and other species that exist as parasites, while intelligent on this side of the portal, are still regarded as fair game for flea dips and other measures that keep them in check. Everybody (herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, insectivores, etc.) takes whatever actions are necessary to maintain our own health. This also applies to viruses and bacteria.
As someone else mentioned, George is indeed a fennec fox. His family came from the Mideast. He and Danielle are lucky to have each other, and they both regard themselves as lucky to have Francis.

As for Fenton inspiring the Cupid legend...That certainly was the case in regard to me.

#9 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2008-09-07 10:35 (Reply)

Lindesfarne, please consider: George fell in love with Danielle Kindle, despite the social disapproval for predator/prey relationships. That Danielle died in his arms as a result of bringing down the radical group, Rabbits Revenge.

Then Danielle Kendall, who on our side was an IRS auditor, gets thrown to your side and isn't bounced back by the birds. The birds then transport her to Ms. Aura. She gets out of the box she's in and scampers away, before Ms. Aura can see her. She goes directly to your home. She ends up meeting George, who is certain she's not the real Danielle. Despite this, the magic of love occurs again. George and the displaced human Danielle fall in love, marry and have Francis.

With this number of coincidences (remember that at least one person who went through the portal ended up in England

), perhaps my remark about George being lucky to have Danielle makes a little more sense...

#9.1 CharlieG on 2008-09-07 16:59 (Reply)

Hundreds of years of glory, and the production of such notable rulers as Darius and Xerxes, and the region gives up George Fennec. A noble link in the chain indeed. You'd think his "noble lineage" would come with more walking-around money. But he makes do well enough with his looks. His personality needs a touch-up but fatherhood part two (Electric Boogaloo) has been good for him in that respect.

#9.2 GabrielLaVedier (Link) on 2008-09-07 23:42 (Reply)

Reptileus Concarna reporting in with a broken nose (The date with the pomeranian did not end well) and steve wants more money becuse he had to chace Kyle around town all night (Being a pit bull and all).

In other news me and my partner Billy (A goat) are training a new rookiee (Were mall cops at the clearing by the way). His name is denis and he's quite a handfull (Fintch who just got kicked out of med school).

Lindesfarne I wish your brother the best of luck with his flea problems (me and chomp are lucky not to ever get them but Kyle comes home with them every day in the week). I also hope the visit from your exstended family member goes well also. I myself have a family of 36 but i havn't spoken to them since 1990 when my wife was killed by... uh... best not to mention that... good luck to all of you.

#10 Reptileus Concarna on 2008-09-07 10:41 (Reply)

Another footwear type for REALLY bad weather are boots or galoshes. These are high reaching, very thick material. For people like duck hunters, they can reach up to the hips. Then there are snow shoes, which look like badminton paddles. Sandals have no tops, just a plate for the sole and straps to hold them on. High-heels are worn by some women and force you to walk on tippy toe. I hear some oriental women wear footwear that crunches the foot up. Yes, we have a wide variety of footwear.

#11 Tom Mazanec (Link) on 2008-09-07 11:24 (Reply)

I was gonna suggest Rudy just get a flea dip if they're so much trouble, but I guess it was just that obvious a solution!

Beside protections for our sensitive feet, and a fashion statement, shoes can also be used as personality expressions:
Sneakers - Casual.
Sandals/Flip-flops - VERY Casual.
Boots - Tough, Rugged Individual.
Loafers - Formal.
Moccasins - Formal but Casual, or Casual but Formal.

It's actually quite an interesting history the more you look at it!

#12 ReFlex76 (Link) on 2008-09-07 12:01 (Reply)

So shoes communicate messages to other humans that we communicate through scent and other senses?

#13 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2008-09-07 14:01 (Reply)

Yup, kinda. Our sense of smell is pretty much horrible, so we generally rely on eyesight more than anything. As a result, a lot of our clothing can be used to display personality traits or choices, including shoes. Still, that can extend to the rest of our clothing, too -- if you have really bad or inappropriate shoes and clothing, it's a safe bet that you won't be taken particularly seriously in some circles.

Beyond that, it's widely said that, to humans, body language and tone can almost say more than the words themselves, for better or worse. Many of us have to be trained to use that to our advantage, though.

Also, on a side note, most of the disguises we've seen in the comic wouldn't stand a chance of working here. Scent masking wouldn't help against us, since we wouldn't notice it anyway; on the other hand, visual disguises can work, but they have to be pretty good.

#13.1 Koronak on 2008-09-07 20:46 (Reply)

Responding to Koronak a little late, sight isn't the only sense humans can rely on.. for instance, feel is a -huge- sense if you train it properly. Being vibration and wind sensitive through the sense of touch can be a huge advantage simply moving around. The other senses can be trained further on top of that, so that humans can technically become just as if not a little more sensitive then other species. It just takes some work (read, up to a decade of training). There are even reports of some humans being sensitive to electrical fields, right down to the level of a being's electromagnetic aura.

#13.1.1 Teonnyn (Link) on 2008-09-10 11:49 (Reply)

Surely, your non-shoe clothing communicates messages of formality and status, right?

#13.2 Greg (Link) on 2008-09-07 23:19 (Reply)

Yeah, in a lot of cases, that's true. If you wore, say, a Hawaiian shirt to a meeting with a large company or a formal interview, you wouldn't be taken very seriously. Similarly, run-down or extremely out-of-date clothing could be taken as a sign of both less formality and possibly lesser status. Who designed certain clothing, or the matieral it's made of, can also play a role in upper circles, though I'm not particularly familiar with that.

Overall, it's just a matter of picking appropriate clothing for a situation. For example, you probably couldn't know a person's status on the street based on their clothes unless they were either hyper-rich or went out of their way to get the best clothes (or both). On the other hand, personal choice really does have a lot to do with it; for example, there are these hooded sweatshirts here called 'hoodies'. I don't know if they were ever a big style symbol or not -- I just know I don't like them.

Then again, I've never really been interested in clothing, so those are just my personal observations. Is our relationship between clothing and status/personality any different on your side? Being that we're more of a sight-based species than a scent-based on, I mean.

#13.2.1 Koronak on 2008-09-09 12:03 (Reply)

Yep, there is quite a variety of footwear. Guys like to poke fun at women for supposedly having large collections of shoes. When it was discovered that the wife of a deposed Philipine dictator had over 2,000 pairs in her closet, it was joked about for a long time.

I used to have just two pairs, one everyday one and one for special occasions (not counting worn-out ones for gardening), until my workplace ordered everyone to wear steel-toed boots, which took a little time for some to get used to.

Shoes of some kind have been around since even before modern humans, as although forest or jungle dirt is no problem for a foot, jagged rocks, burning sands, or other terrain can be. Not everyone wears shoes, though. Some people, especially in poorer countries, can't affoard them. And then there are primitive tribes in some isolated areas which never made them.

As for parasites, humans can deal with them better than other mammals with their nimble fingers and lack of a fur coat. I remember reading one scientist theorizing one of the reasons humans lack fur might have been females prefering males with less fur as it was a sign of less trouble with parasites. Still, parasites have been a problem. The bubonic plauge in the Middle Ages which killed a third of the people in Europe was spread by flea bites. Head lice can still be a problem in schools with kids sharring combs and other items that touch the head.

By the way Lindesfarne, you say George's family is from the Middle East. Has there been any tension between that region and the rest of the planet in Domain's world?

#14 Bixyl Shuftan (Link) on 2008-09-07 14:18 (Reply)

I may also interest you to know, Lindy, that we know that Kell tried the shoe thing for a brief time. On the back of Bill's first K&K book is a strip where Kell's at the beauty parlor and she's wearing high-heels. We know she likes to try new things, but I guess they just weren't her thing, especially being a hunter.

On a technical note, I've only been able to post one entry per visit to your blog. Once I post a comment, any further attempts don't work. No error msg., no nothing. I have to completely exit the website, then re-enter to post again. This happens with IE and Firefox and on different computers. Any ideas?

#15 Mortar on 2008-09-07 14:24 (Reply)

Yes, there is tension in the Mideast here. There are currently conflicts going in Iraq and Afghanistan, which apparently are also ongoing in the human world as well.
I'll admit I'm fascinated as to why humans don't have fur except above neck level for males and higher for females. It's as if humans spent some part of their development as a semi-aquatic species and lost the fur below the waterline. That's just a theory, and impossible to test from where I am.
To Mortar, I'm not sure why you're unable to post more than one comment. It might have to do with the portal...

#16 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2008-09-07 16:05 (Reply)

Oh we're covered in hair, most of it's just not thick enough to be visible, and the places that it is other than those you mentioned aren't considered polite to discuss.

As for disputes in the Mideast, while I'm not personally fond of war, it does keep me in business. You'd be surprised at the number of high-ranking officials on both sides of the conflict that will pay to have something smuggled to them via the black market.

#16.1 Nifar on 2008-09-07 17:21 (Reply)

Yes, the 'Aquatic' theory of Human development has been knocked about on our side as well: besides furlessness, it has been invoked to explain the distribution of Humans' body fat and the 'dive reflex' as well.

Another explanation for our depilated condition involves our ancestors' move from forest to grassland, and the adoption of bipedalism: with less (horizontal) surface area exposed to direct sunlight, less insulation was needed; and naked skin radiates excess body heat better than a furry pelt. When Humans migrated from Africa to colder climates, however, they did need more insulation. While those of northern descent are generally hairier than other types of Humans, body hair was not sufficient - hence the invention of clothing.

As for the mention of Chinese shoes: unlike the deformities caused by some Human shoes (high heels &c.), the Chinese purposely bound their females' feet to make them look smaller and 'sexier'; the tiny shoes were then made to fit these mutilated limbs. Fortunately, this custom has long since fallen into disuse.

This, of course, leads to the issue of 'body modification', and the fact that Humans have rarely been satisfied with the natural state of their bodies. In fact, there is hardly any body part that Humans have not removed, augmented or distorted at one time or other, in the quest for 'beauty'.

(end of rant) Well, Lindesfarne, I hope you find this information useful; best wishes to you and yours!

LA/wts

#16.2 LA/wts on 2008-09-07 17:33 (Reply)

Yes, I know about body alteration; my ears were bobbed at a young age. Good thing, too, or less everyone else would recognize me as the double of Princess Chertsey.

#17 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2008-09-07 18:00 (Reply)

On the subject of smell raised by Koronak, I believe what you say about the human sense of scent. During the brief time I was human I felt as I were in a sensory deprivation tank, and hedgehogs don't even rely on scent to the extent that canines do.
It's true that it's fairly easy to disguise oneself here simply by rolling around in something. Most folks, even those with good to fair eyesight, don't see beyond what their sense of scent tells them. That's why Corrie was able to live as "Dale" for so long.

#18 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2008-09-07 21:10 (Reply)

I was wondering when Rudy was going to stop whining and get himself cleaned, though I also wonder why didn't Fiona just blurted to him again and again the obvious answer before things got out of hand with that auction....

...say, speaking of scents, does Fiona have to lock herself away from Rudy for several days out of each month?

#19 The J.A.M. on 2008-09-07 21:43 (Reply)

To J.A.M.'s question about Rudy and Fiona....No, she doesn't.
And on that note:
See you next Sunday, everybody!

#20 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2008-09-07 23:05 (Reply)

Golly, I don't know if I should say "oh dear" to that response...

#20.1 The J.A.M. on 2008-09-07 23:29 (Reply)

I'll do it for you. "Oh dear" indeed.

Although it would be informative and interesting to learn what sort of taboos exist for teens dating, and interspecies couplings, I'm fairly certain the farther Lindesfarne stays conversationally from her brother's love life the happier she'll be.

At least that's true for my siblings; Imagining the kid that shoved Cheerios up their nose being romantically attracted and/or attractive is just ... alien to me. XD

#20.1.1 Chistery on 2008-09-08 14:03 (Reply)

Well, Fiona HAS confided with Lindesfarne on occasion...

#20.1.1.1 The J.A.M. on 2008-09-08 23:55 (Reply)

That's true. I shouldn't underestimate the power of girl talk! :o

Woe betide those who do.

#21 Chistery on 2008-09-09 04:20 (Reply)

"Fleas trying to conduct transactions in a society-like manner. Actually, that does explain about these places called Blood Banks...hummm. Get them to drink synthetic blood in exchange for the right not to be put to death via a flea bath. Could work.

Has anyone noticed all the Human looking icons used by the ancient Egyptian feline society? Quite interesting. I must study up on it, when I have the time to."

#22 jup-reindeer on 2008-09-09 16:24 (Reply)

That is a very interesting point Jup. I cant remember what side that you are on..Sorry..I think Lindsfarnes? I cant remember..If I am Wrong I am sorry. Here the Egyptions revered cats. They even mummified them in death. weather to be put with their owners i am unsure. For me though I am a "Cat person" meaning that I have 2 cats as pets. would love to learn the why about this. I studied Anicent North America instead of Egytptology.

I can say this though...Am addicted now to Lindsfarnes blog! Esp the different sides of things....like shoes for instance. I would love to go barefoot!
thequestion I have for those on Lindsfarnes side. And this may sound a little silly...How do you treat your natural resorces? Example forests, Lakes, and the ocean? To me it must be far cleaner there than here.
Untill next time! and thanks for any one that replies!
GhostRider

#22.1 Ghost Rider on 2008-09-10 03:15 (Reply)

"It's quite alright. Gets a bit confusing to follow where all the messages are coming from. Tend to mash together a little bit. I am on Lindsfarne's side.

Thanks to the human suit, I have had a little bit of experience with the notion of elongated feet and shoes. Alas, being only costumed and form fitting around my hooves, they offer little more then basic support for standing up on hind legs and appearance. I can only guess what it must be like to have the real thing.

As for natural resources, I would like to say that we have remained in harmony with our environment. Alas, there are those with power that embrace some disturbing new ways. Some forest ranges that protection methods, nor personally owned sections could claim to have a hold on have been seeing slash cutting for use as a resource. Some rivers have been receiving an alarming raise in unnatural contaminants. For such affected rivers that lead to the seas, well...

At least, there are movements in the form of protests, write ins...and some illegal activities...being performed to detour those that are causing such damage. After all, the water that you drink should never be combined with poisons. The air should be as pure as the moment the tree recycled it.

Like I'm one to talk. This laptop that I am using now is a compilation of new age technologies that would probably pollute a stream, should one try and pass through it."

#22.1.1 jup-reindeer on 2008-09-10 16:06 (Reply)

Waitaminute... If your on Lindesferne's side of the portal, how are you able to continue blogging after she's left and shut down the portal, hmmmmm? >:)

#22.1.1.1 Mortar on 2008-09-12 17:55 (Reply)

Because you can't shut down the portal, just the communication equipment. Besides, we were able to see Lindsfarne's blog before she ever had communication equipment.

#22.1.1.1.1 Nifar on 2008-09-13 10:39 (Reply)

Logically, that would mean that Jup is in fact NOT from Domain and by extension, human. But, hey, that's OK. All in good fun, eh.

#22.1.1.1.1.1 Mortar on 2008-10-02 00:36 (Reply)

I think in some cases they were buried with their owners. But they were more often buried alone. As to why the Ancient Egyptians considered cats sacred, it most likely has to do with their eating the mice that raided their grain stores.

The Egyptian's love of cats did get them in trouble once. One city under attack by an enemy gave up when the invaders stopped catapulting boulders at them and instead began launching cats. They couldn't stand seeing their sacred animals hurt.

As for going barefoot, only in my Second Life avatar.

How those in Domain treat natural resources is an interesting question. I recall hearing an elephant over here only eats a small fraction of the vegetation it tramples, so would their counterparts over there be about as wasteful, or do the examples of others encourage them to "clean up their act?"

#22.1.2 Bixyl Shuftan (Link) on 2008-09-10 17:46 (Reply)

You probably won't read this until Sunday, but given your scientific interest I'm sure you'll find this interesting.

Right now in our world, research scientists have just switched on the LHC, or Large Hadron Collider - which will accelerate particle up to near light speed and eventually colide them together in an attempt to recreate the conditions right after the Big Bang. It's an impressive experiment, and I'm wondering if there is an equivalent on your side of the portal. Opinion about it over here seems to consist of a mixture of excitement has been over what could be discovered and paranoia as to whether we'll all be sucked into a black hole - which would be a annoyance, to say the least.

#23 JF on 2008-09-10 15:41 (Reply)

"I am reminded of a little notion from science fiction regarding the progress of knowledge. It claims the reason that intelligent societies are not in contact with one another between worlds is because every race capable of exploring the boundries of what can be will find that fatal flaw and destroy itself.

Of what I have learned, I find Humans to be both very facinating and scary. However, if your world is losing even more contact with it's original structure then ours is...then, I can only hope that knowledge keeps up with exploration into the unknown."

#23.1 jup-reindeer on 2008-09-12 04:17 (Reply)

I think it would be more then an annoyance... Chomp has several theories as ti what may happen.

His worse case scenario states that "another" big bang could happen and destroy the current universe "he states that the explosion could be limited to our own solar system if conditions are right".

He also state the idea that it could effect the portals, and seeing as Chomp knows a lot about the portals (Then again half the members of the FEU and the GBC are also experts on the portals) i think he may be right.

Then again i do doubt some of his ideas, like the idea that he could make an artificial portal. I highly doubt anyone could do such a thing (Then again i doubted the existence of maelstroms but boy was i proven wrong).

#24 Reptileus Concarna on 2008-09-11 11:33 (Reply)

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