Sunday, February 21. 2010
BREAK A LEG
I woke yesterday at sunset to find a bunch of E-mails and texts from the family back home, saying that Kell had broken her left tibia while hunting. It had happened in The Wild when she’d fallen into a gopher hole. I immediately asked if I should come home right away, but Kell said no; everything was under control.
Kell knew right away it was a fracture, and called Dad on her personal cell phone. (If she’d called the Herd Thinners predator distress line she would have been under their care...and often those who enter the company health system aren’t seen again until they’re found in a grocery store display case.)
Dad and Rudy found her about twenty minutes later and carried her to the minivan. Dr. Caduceus said it was a clean break, not a spiral fracture, and put it in a cast for the next six weeks. He said she’ll be back to full speed in about three to four months.
Today I asked again what I could do and Kell said nothing at the moment. With the Hare-Link staff downstairs she has a full house of people helping her out, plus Ms. Eyeshine across the street and Fiona, Corrie and Martha next door in the boarding house.
Then there’s her cousin Sheila. The whole reason Kell was out hunting when prey is nowhere to be found is because R.L. said he’d fire anyone who failed to meet a new quota. Now Kell is injured, and Sheila (who hasn’t hunted in forever) has volunteered to try.
Kell may need my help after all, but the bugs that I’d bring in don’t weigh that much.
Today's question: Am I an awful person for wondering how this will affect my wedding plans?
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Not an awful person at all! You thought of Kell first. Don't be embarrassed that you thought of yourself. It's only natural. Nothing wrong with you.
I think that it is an acceptable concern, once everything you can do to help has been taken care of. After all, this IS your big day, and you are premitted to be concerned about it. And none wants a member of the bride's family in a cast (or eaten) for the pictures.
Humans have a term for an insanely unreasonable and obsessive bride: Bridezilla. As long as your first thoughts were concern for Kel's health, and you only considered the wedding AFTER you knew she was alright, I think you have yet to become this fearsome creature. If you are still concerned, however, Tree seems pretty "down to earth," and may be just the being to provide an occasional warning if you should start to transform.
Btw, I am curious about how Fenton will arrange your guests when so many of them might be found on each others' menus. And what you will do to maintain safety when everyone is together on the dance floor. Particularly if you wil be inviting Angelique. Or, more precisely, her spouse. Do all of Fenton's reletives have the self-control they need for Tammy and Ray to be safe?
Humans have a term for an insanely unreasonable and obsessive bride: Bridezilla. As long as your first thoughts were concern for Kel's health, and you only considered the wedding AFTER you knew she was alright, I think you have yet to become this fearsome creature. If you are still concerned, however, Tree seems pretty "down to earth," and may be just the being to provide an occasional warning if you should start to transform.
Btw, I am curious about how Fenton will arrange your guests when so many of them might be found on each others' menus. And what you will do to maintain safety when everyone is together on the dance floor. Particularly if you wil be inviting Angelique. Or, more precisely, her spouse. Do all of Fenton's reletives have the self-control they need for Tammy and Ray to be safe?
Oh, we forgot the dance floor! Ok, everyone get stuffed first, and that is our safety factor. In fact IIRC, the wedding is after the reception for this very reason.
RL is a read concern, our solution is to surround him with his loved ones: A and the skunks.
Some of these concerns i posted solutions to or cautions of 2 weeks ago. I was an extensive part of those 50 posts. And I may have solved the Bat chorus vs Canids (and others) problem: earplugs.
I do not have an acceptable solution for the bugs vs bats problem. Sonic Jammers/scramblers/etc would work, but be uncomfortable for about half the guests. One could introduce them under carefully controlled conditions and hope that Predation must be Anon. would work, I have my doubts. I wanted them to be remote access, maybe via a cool Japanese telepresence robot, that would be safe, I am not sure that having a mobile robot with tummy telescreen would really sub for a bridesmade. But since F has made her wedding party announcements, I fear a large problem looms.
'Otter
RL is a read concern, our solution is to surround him with his loved ones: A and the skunks.
Some of these concerns i posted solutions to or cautions of 2 weeks ago. I was an extensive part of those 50 posts. And I may have solved the Bat chorus vs Canids (and others) problem: earplugs.
I do not have an acceptable solution for the bugs vs bats problem. Sonic Jammers/scramblers/etc would work, but be uncomfortable for about half the guests. One could introduce them under carefully controlled conditions and hope that Predation must be Anon. would work, I have my doubts. I wanted them to be remote access, maybe via a cool Japanese telepresence robot, that would be safe, I am not sure that having a mobile robot with tummy telescreen would really sub for a bridesmade. But since F has made her wedding party announcements, I fear a large problem looms.
'Otter
Bat vs bug solution try 2:
Cages.
In a similar way that L was hidden in Tammy's wedding, put them in cages, with locks on the inside, and wheels.
I have been told that surviving bugs have a wince/cringe/evasive reflex if they come from bat territory and are swept by bat frequencies. It may be useful to put something (cloth? correctly spaced wires?) to absorb the bat freqs that hit that cage.
'Otter
Cages.
In a similar way that L was hidden in Tammy's wedding, put them in cages, with locks on the inside, and wheels.
I have been told that surviving bugs have a wince/cringe/evasive reflex if they come from bat territory and are swept by bat frequencies. It may be useful to put something (cloth? correctly spaced wires?) to absorb the bat freqs that hit that cage.
'Otter
Glass enclosures, sonic absorbing enclosures would also work.
Unlike the dress, cages seem so...not right. There should be a way for Tammy and Ray to enjoy the party without being locked up like that.
#2.1.1.1.1
Hebi R.
on
2010-02-24 21:35
(Reply)
Well, then help generate ideas for this.
Tammy and Ray will be uncomfortable when sonar scanned, they will be subject to 'it was just an instinctual 'pounce and swallow', and 'bugs? yeah they served us bugs'.
And the alternative would be to make the entire Bat/groom side uncomfortable/blind with sonic jammers.
Even meeting the bats for a pre-dinner 'if you eat these you will go to jail' session presumes that no one arrives late and uninformed. And will subject Ray and Tammy to a groom side number of scans.
Mobile cages will allow movement, and being bridesmaid.
I know that F 'owes' T being brides maid, but I still feel that it was an unfortunate choice. Telepresence robot would add expense to the wedding, but would not create a situation.
Frankly Tammy should have just said no when she realized the situation. Lindesfarne can not take back this invite, it would likely be rude. Maybe she should explain the situation and check if Tammy is comfortable with it.
Tammy and Ray will be uncomfortable when sonar scanned, they will be subject to 'it was just an instinctual 'pounce and swallow', and 'bugs? yeah they served us bugs'.
And the alternative would be to make the entire Bat/groom side uncomfortable/blind with sonic jammers.
Even meeting the bats for a pre-dinner 'if you eat these you will go to jail' session presumes that no one arrives late and uninformed. And will subject Ray and Tammy to a groom side number of scans.
Mobile cages will allow movement, and being bridesmaid.
I know that F 'owes' T being brides maid, but I still feel that it was an unfortunate choice. Telepresence robot would add expense to the wedding, but would not create a situation.
Frankly Tammy should have just said no when she realized the situation. Lindesfarne can not take back this invite, it would likely be rude. Maybe she should explain the situation and check if Tammy is comfortable with it.
#2.1.1.1.1.1
Old Prof. Otter
on
2010-02-26 12:39
(Reply)
Actually a large 'if you eat these you go to jail' event could still be usefully done, even if it may put a damper on the whole festivities. More than just the bugs are on someone's menu.
#2.1.1.1.1.1.1
Old Prof. Otter
on
2010-02-27 00:42
(Reply)
I am only proposing what would be a kind of tit for tat.
When L went to her wedding, L was dressed in a costume that would not allow much dancing, and would have made eating very hard.
And this costume directly suggested a box, wall, container, etc to me.
When L went to her wedding, L was dressed in a costume that would not allow much dancing, and would have made eating very hard.
And this costume directly suggested a box, wall, container, etc to me.
#2.1.1.1.1.2
Old Prof. Otter
on
2010-02-26 19:43
(Reply)
No, you're not a bad person for wondering how someone else's crisis will affect yours. I'd say it's a 'human' reaction, although I realize that doesn't entirely apply.
Instead, first realize that this hypothetical situation doesn't apply, but would you have put off your wedding plans -- or even interrupted your schooling -- if Kell's needs warranted it? My impression is that you'd do so in a heartbeat.
What makes a person a good person isn't what they think, but how they respond when faced with the actual need.
As we get older, it's easier and easier to question our motives, because we generally get more and more complex, and the issues grow less clear.
On a separate note: if things had become sufficiently urgent, would Herd Thinners have accepted store-bought meat as a part of Kell's quota?
Instead, first realize that this hypothetical situation doesn't apply, but would you have put off your wedding plans -- or even interrupted your schooling -- if Kell's needs warranted it? My impression is that you'd do so in a heartbeat.
What makes a person a good person isn't what they think, but how they respond when faced with the actual need.
As we get older, it's easier and easier to question our motives, because we generally get more and more complex, and the issues grow less clear.
On a separate note: if things had become sufficiently urgent, would Herd Thinners have accepted store-bought meat as a part of Kell's quota?
If you are, you're pretty far short of "Bridezilla" levels. Awful would be "How DARE she spoil my plans like this!" and i've had contact with folk (via internet alone, thank heavens) who really were that self-centered.
But putting together a traditional wedding is an exercise in mass-planning, and you'd have had to deal with all this on a practical level for anything but a secret elopement, so I'm not sure any blame attaches to you for starting to consider the effects now.
But putting together a traditional wedding is an exercise in mass-planning, and you'd have had to deal with all this on a practical level for anything but a secret elopement, so I'm not sure any blame attaches to you for starting to consider the effects now.
Well I do not think that you are an 'awful person' anyway.
And your own anxiety level is high on your school work and wedding. Keeping up on both is important to you and to your family.
It will change things a bit, Kell will still be recovering at the wedding.
I had been thinking that you have quite a wolf pack in your extended family (Kell, Sheila, Elanor, Rudy, Bruno+Coney (there is a wolf in that combo somewhere). They should be able to hunt well even without one of their members down. Kell may have to bite each kill to claim it for HT. For that mattter, some of the old High School team could help.
You have very little hunting experience. Your total non-bug kill list is one assist to Rudy on a deer, I believe. I could be very hard emotionally to make your first kill.
For that matter, Eyeshine has not hunted anything except car problems. She may not have the time to help.
I am surprised that no one has published the new policy with a spin of HT will take more prey and ignoring that HT is likely to self-thin even more. Publicity could put some pressure on RL.
For that matter, those in HT who have cash can buy prey at the store, and maybe have that count, or just contribute equal cash. For RL this might be an equivalent result.
Joke for you:
One of the jobs I do is security.
A while ago I was watching a train station. After a few days I found that one person hanging around was selling Marijuana. Some of that was economic analysis of his stated business (it made no sense) and some way by smell. He was selling it in tobacco cigarettes, an d it was a new kind, one that I was not familiar with from my time in the dorms in the early 70s. Ever since then I have been more aware of what people are smoking near me. I sniff their smoke. Only once, with that first guy have I tried to analyze a used cigarette. Rudy would still say that I am sniffing their butts.
'Otter
And your own anxiety level is high on your school work and wedding. Keeping up on both is important to you and to your family.
It will change things a bit, Kell will still be recovering at the wedding.
I had been thinking that you have quite a wolf pack in your extended family (Kell, Sheila, Elanor, Rudy, Bruno+Coney (there is a wolf in that combo somewhere). They should be able to hunt well even without one of their members down. Kell may have to bite each kill to claim it for HT. For that mattter, some of the old High School team could help.
You have very little hunting experience. Your total non-bug kill list is one assist to Rudy on a deer, I believe. I could be very hard emotionally to make your first kill.
For that matter, Eyeshine has not hunted anything except car problems. She may not have the time to help.
I am surprised that no one has published the new policy with a spin of HT will take more prey and ignoring that HT is likely to self-thin even more. Publicity could put some pressure on RL.
For that matter, those in HT who have cash can buy prey at the store, and maybe have that count, or just contribute equal cash. For RL this might be an equivalent result.
Joke for you:
One of the jobs I do is security.
A while ago I was watching a train station. After a few days I found that one person hanging around was selling Marijuana. Some of that was economic analysis of his stated business (it made no sense) and some way by smell. He was selling it in tobacco cigarettes, an d it was a new kind, one that I was not familiar with from my time in the dorms in the early 70s. Ever since then I have been more aware of what people are smoking near me. I sniff their smoke. Only once, with that first guy have I tried to analyze a used cigarette. Rudy would still say that I am sniffing their butts.
'Otter
Wow, talk about coincidence...I just read about this new form of marijuana a few days ago. They first found some wolves distributing it, so it was dubbed K2. I'll include a link to the article...just in case it doesn't work on the human side of the portal, here's a quote: "The users are buying a product known as K2 — or "Spice," Genie" and "Zohai" — that is commonly sold in headshops as incense. Produced in China and Korea, the mixture of herbs and spices is sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Users roll it up in joints or inhale it from pipes, just like the real thing."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35444158/ns/health-addictions
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35444158/ns/health-addictions
There is a reply to Sheila's comment about 'how hard is it to bring down stupid' prey anyway: the stupid ones got thinned out long ago. These days an inexperienced predator is likely to be conned into a bad real estate deal than to make a kill.
'Otter
'Otter
You're not awful, you're a nervous bride. But I think you can relax a little. Since Kell's not in the bridal party you probably won't have to make any major changes, and besides, she'll have your Gran helping her recover. She'll be back to her old self in no time, you'll see.
You called twice and offered to help. Kell has a lot of support from everyone else. Once her needs are taken care of, it's natural to think of your own event.
I wouldn't worry too much. Rudy is co-captian on the hunting team. Even if Sheila can't catch a "stupid" herbavore she'll still be able to turn in enough kills. The Iron Rabbit could even do a little kill stealing. I'm sure it happens often enough at Herd Thinners.
On Earth there are a few guys named Herb. It's short for Herbert. Is that a name for beings on Domain? If so, how do they feel about plant eaters (Herb-evores)?
I wouldn't worry too much. Rudy is co-captian on the hunting team. Even if Sheila can't catch a "stupid" herbavore she'll still be able to turn in enough kills. The Iron Rabbit could even do a little kill stealing. I'm sure it happens often enough at Herd Thinners.
On Earth there are a few guys named Herb. It's short for Herbert. Is that a name for beings on Domain? If so, how do they feel about plant eaters (Herb-evores)?
It seems like Kell's leg will heal in time for the wedding (June - 4 months away - right?) and it seems like, with most couples, you're doing most of the planning yourselves (ie without much parental involvement), so nothing to worry about.
It occurs to me that this June will complete ten years of color in the "Kevin & Kell" comic strip. Maybe even the same day as your wedding!
You called & offered to help twice. Kell has Rudy & the rest of the school hunting team to help make up for her being laid up. Remember the time most of HT had trouble getting their shots. The school hunting team helped HT by doing the hunting for them because they had their shots.
So concentrate on your studies & planing your wedding. If Kell needs you I am sure she will call ask.
I think Fenton has it easy. All he needs is a tuxedo.
So concentrate on your studies & planing your wedding. If Kell needs you I am sure she will call ask.
I think Fenton has it easy. All he needs is a tuxedo.
RL's unrealistic quota looks like what he really wants is excuses to fire some of the staff.
And no, you don't look awful. You didn't bring up the wedding until the very end after you mentioned everything else.
As for Shelia, I see a few humbling experiences ahead.
By the way, do any herbavores in Domain fish, either to sell to market for extra cash, or to keep nearby carnivores off their backs?
And no, you don't look awful. You didn't bring up the wedding until the very end after you mentioned everything else.
As for Shelia, I see a few humbling experiences ahead.
By the way, do any herbavores in Domain fish, either to sell to market for extra cash, or to keep nearby carnivores off their backs?
Personally, I am looking for a different humbling in the future: I am looking forward to seeing Dorothy be amazed at Kell's drive to return to work. She is too smug about being the one who cracks the whip over the carnivores who happen to fall under her care. I hope she gets a tad of crow on her plate for once!
Oops! Does that make me a bad person? winks
Oops! Does that make me a bad person? winks
No I don't think it makes you a bad person.
As for Dorothy I don't think she will be suprise at Kells will to recover. Remember Kell is a working woman who enjoys her work.
As for Dorothy I don't think she will be suprise at Kells will to recover. Remember Kell is a working woman who enjoys her work.
As well as being a fin athlete. I think that Kell knows what it takes to keep in shape, and will be back fast.
'Otter
'Otter
Thinking things through a bit more...
Kell will go nuts with inactivity.
You could directly help her by laying some of the wedding planning on her lap. Your family is willing to help you, and you are equally in their concern. Do not go down and fail because of this.
And include Dorothy as a wedding planner too.
And you lost Elanor as a wedding planner to the hunting.
This wedding, as I have noted, needs much planning to avoid non-obvious disasters. (order the canid-etc anti-bat frequency earplugs early).
Which brings to mind the presumed pack.
A Rudy-Eyeshine team would work, he to kill, her to track.
I hope that Elanor becomes Alpha, as Sheila as alpha would be a disaster, and Elanor could teach some new dogs old tricks. She would greatly enjoy re-joining a pack, in any capacity.
Dorothy could give herself a new title, something like Paingiver to wolves. (grin).
I said that 'It would be hard emotionally to make your first kill' and that was emotionally human side sensible and Domain side foolish. You kill intelligent creatures every time you do any hygienic procedure, and every time you take an antibiotic. Intelligence can not be the determining factor in who is cared about, who is food/legit prey.
'Otter
Kell will go nuts with inactivity.
You could directly help her by laying some of the wedding planning on her lap. Your family is willing to help you, and you are equally in their concern. Do not go down and fail because of this.
And include Dorothy as a wedding planner too.
And you lost Elanor as a wedding planner to the hunting.
This wedding, as I have noted, needs much planning to avoid non-obvious disasters. (order the canid-etc anti-bat frequency earplugs early).
Which brings to mind the presumed pack.
A Rudy-Eyeshine team would work, he to kill, her to track.
I hope that Elanor becomes Alpha, as Sheila as alpha would be a disaster, and Elanor could teach some new dogs old tricks. She would greatly enjoy re-joining a pack, in any capacity.
Dorothy could give herself a new title, something like Paingiver to wolves. (grin).
I said that 'It would be hard emotionally to make your first kill' and that was emotionally human side sensible and Domain side foolish. You kill intelligent creatures every time you do any hygienic procedure, and every time you take an antibiotic. Intelligence can not be the determining factor in who is cared about, who is food/legit prey.
'Otter
I think Old Prof. Otter is right in saying you should have Kell help plan the wedding. It will give her something to do.
Do you think Aby Has the time to help Rudy with the hunt. Or was he talking about her brother Sam.
Do you think Aby Has the time to help Rudy with the hunt. Or was he talking about her brother Sam.
Someone up comment suggested Eyeshine. My comment followed that.
Frankly neither is likely to have the time, and the wolf pack could be a good hunting team, and as a team, some fun for the wolves.
Getting the neighbors in the 'save Kell' campaign might be harder, as most have lives of their own. Organizing the foxes in a hunting party could also be a bit fun for the foxes, and would help with the smaller game. But day to day hunting is work. It may still be needed to help Kell until she heals and the game returns (if it ever does being over hunted).
Frankly neither is likely to have the time, and the wolf pack could be a good hunting team, and as a team, some fun for the wolves.
Getting the neighbors in the 'save Kell' campaign might be harder, as most have lives of their own. Organizing the foxes in a hunting party could also be a bit fun for the foxes, and would help with the smaller game. But day to day hunting is work. It may still be needed to help Kell until she heals and the game returns (if it ever does being over hunted).
It was you who sugjested that a Rudy-Eyeshine team would work. Frankly I thing a Rudy-Bruno team would be better. Rudy to help his mother & Bruno because Kell was understanding about his relationship with Connie.
pairing Elanor with Sheila may also work.
Kell already has plenty of caring freinds & family to help her. What she needs most is something to do will laid up. Helping with Lindesfarnes wedding plans should take care of that.
She may even do some phone service for customers with questions about their bills Or calling them to remind them to pay up.
pairing Elanor with Sheila may also work.
Kell already has plenty of caring freinds & family to help her. What she needs most is something to do will laid up. Helping with Lindesfarnes wedding plans should take care of that.
She may even do some phone service for customers with questions about their bills Or calling them to remind them to pay up.
Actually it was Lindesfarne that said that Eyeshine was helping out, I just assumed that could mean helping with the hunting.
I was not happy with that assumption.
Actually we have only seen Sheila hunting, no other help.
'Otter
I was not happy with that assumption.
Actually we have only seen Sheila hunting, no other help.
'Otter
#14.1.1.1.1
Old Prof. Otter
on
2010-02-23 00:44
(Reply)
I am wondering if any of this help we are giving will be noticed.
I have just been gently reminded that the FAQ for the forum states that any idea will not be used, even the most lightly sketched. This is not the forum. What are the rules?
I have just been gently reminded that the FAQ for the forum states that any idea will not be used, even the most lightly sketched. This is not the forum. What are the rules?
Well if most of our planning does not make it to the official planning, then we will know. And if most of it does, or what is left out is superseded by a better plan, then we will know better the good way.
I want to do a point on privileged universes.
We assume ours is the one true one, the fountain of all fictions.
I recall from somewhere that there is a quantum granularity of time and space somewhere around planck's constant size. It was considered amusing as a fun idea that our universe was being simulated on a large computer. (XKCD had a strip that stated as much). Domain has been considered a virtual reality for the two characters from GPF, our reply that we know that an artist in our world draws GPF may not be the last word. In anycase Domain has two descriptions from two sources, and may be its own thing anyway.
'Otter, sleepily.
I want to do a point on privileged universes.
We assume ours is the one true one, the fountain of all fictions.
I recall from somewhere that there is a quantum granularity of time and space somewhere around planck's constant size. It was considered amusing as a fun idea that our universe was being simulated on a large computer. (XKCD had a strip that stated as much). Domain has been considered a virtual reality for the two characters from GPF, our reply that we know that an artist in our world draws GPF may not be the last word. In anycase Domain has two descriptions from two sources, and may be its own thing anyway.
'Otter, sleepily.
Sorry to hear about your mom! However, your family shows once again how special they are by everyone, without hesitation, swinging into action to try and help out. As for your concern over how it will affect your wedding plans, add in my vote for "completely understandable". It is one of the biggest days of a person's life. Naturally, in addition to your concerns for her, you would have worries about how it will affect this major event for you.
Frank is upset with himself for holding a grug for so long. Kell who is still conected to Sheila's cell phone reminds them if they don't meet their pray quota they will both be out of a job.
Frank may not have a job. But with Aby's growing Buisness their may be a chance Aby may need more office help. She could even be in charge of securing pelts from Herd Thinners for use in the Electric cars.
If she needs someone to help her Kell could always bring in Frank as a helper.
Frank may not have a job. But with Aby's growing Buisness their may be a chance Aby may need more office help. She could even be in charge of securing pelts from Herd Thinners for use in the Electric cars.
If she needs someone to help her Kell could always bring in Frank as a helper.
The herds are back early & alls right with the world. Now all Sheila has to do is keep up the good work & Kell should be OK.
Having Frank on her side should make things easyer for kell from now on.
If I remember right After Kell & Aby chased up a tree she visited all the cats she had chased up a tree to apoligise to them & to offer them a mouse cake. Had Kell been the one to chase Frank up a tree he would have had a visit from Kell by now.
Having Frank on her side should make things easyer for kell from now on.
If I remember right After Kell & Aby chased up a tree she visited all the cats she had chased up a tree to apoligise to them & to offer them a mouse cake. Had Kell been the one to chase Frank up a tree he would have had a visit from Kell by now.
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