The Fabulous Lorraine and Fiends

The Blog is Dead. Long Live The Blog!

2009-02-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

Not an ending, just a new home.

A beginning in fact.

Night Gardens, Haunted poetry, Bengals, Stories, Pictures.

Whatever you dream, it's going to be there.

Come with me...........

HERE

Love and Last Post Here,
Lorraine

Fabulouslorraine.com and the Best Birthday Ever!

2009-02-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

Hello My Fiends!

First of all, last night had to have been the best Birthday EVER! Thank you for all being there with me, and making it so very special!

And BIG thanks to Dr Wicked for making it happen and for my new website, and huge thanks to Lojo , Dylan and Paul for making some of the best music ever!!!!!!

I am posting here for the moment, as I know we can all be here. Dr Wicked and are talking about the new site, and we've been getting a lot of input, but we need more. What do you like? Not like? The vote seems to be no white on black, and the font needs tweaking.

Also, Word Press isn't working for a lot of people, myself included, and we are exploring the going back to Blogger.

Minor tweaks, little bumps. I love the site overall, and can't wait for everything to be up and running, our Night Garden, more Fiend things, Lots more pictures. All coming.

So let us know your thoughts. Not interested in pats on the back, honest thoughts, please.

After all, it's your home too!

Love and new site,
Lorraine

Fabulous Lorraine's Birthday Show LIVE WEBCAST!

2009-02-13T18:11:00.001-08:00

The Party is at FabulousLorraine.com

Here's the Deal............

2009-02-13T07:17:00.000-08:00

Seems to be a lot of chatter this morning about a Certain Song. One that SOME Fiends really seems to think needs to be done tonight, live all over the world.

I am talking about the Unicorn Song.

The single most embarrassing song going. Paul and I have a rule, it is NOT in the set unless someone requests it, and he has had enough whiskey.

It's a production of a song that can often go on for 15-20 minutes.

For those of you who don't know it, Google is your friend. I can't write about it.

As for how I feel about doing this live all over the world: Shudder.

Here's the deal. You want to send tips? Send the pub cards and e-mails telling Chuck and Judy how much you can't wait for June. Send your tips to:

donate@greatlakesbengalrescue.com

When Janet tells me the tip jar is at $500 I will do that song live all over the world.

Help my Bengals and I will do that song for you.

Love and Shudders,
Lorraine

We're having a Party!

2009-02-12T17:26:00.000-08:00

Obviously, tomorrow is The Party! Obviously, I am not exactly sure how things are going to work. That is for Dr Wicked to know and for us to find out. He did say this:

"Tell people to go to http://ustream.tv and sign up for an account in advance so we will know who they are when they watch the show and chat tomorrow."

I do know we go live at 7:30 Friday the 13th. That is tomorrow. Unless you are reading this today. Show time us USA Central time zone and will run for 4 hours, with two breaks.

We are going to be putting the finishing touches on the new website tomorrow afternoon. Dr wicked says the show will run there and here, with directions for the confused. Me being one of them, tho all I have to do is rock for you.

It will not be hard. Promise. Show up. And rock with us.

The Birdchick has the Bee Post up! Go give her some love!

I am starting to get really excited, but I am not sure I can feel it is real, playing for you all, the new site and everything. I think it will hit me when we go live. I know I will be wearing my Coraline Dunks, and hopefully will remember I need more to my outfit than that. Otherwise it will be a WHOLE lot more how than you signed up for!

I am planning to post updates as I get them tomorrow. Check back for them.

Did I tell you the URL of the new site yet? If you haven't guessed, it's:

www.fabulouslorraine.com

Love and a Party,
Lorraine

Adventures All Over....

2009-02-11T17:23:00.000-08:00

I was talking with the Birdchick this afternoon about what you could cook in a crock-pot and things that were just WRONG in any pot, and I remembered THIS. I can't believe you haven't seen it, but it's worth re-visiting.....Take the tour, and read the captions. And don't be drinking anything.

Today's mail brought the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab proto-type of the all new Spicy Brains scent! I loved it. The Birdchick thinks it smells like bee hives. I think it is sort of a lot of smells that all work well together, very fun, slightly sneaky, and lots of spice. I'll let you know when it's ready to order. All for you, Fiends!

Today was Bee Day. We went down mostly to check the hives, and see who was doing what.
Nip over to the Birdchicks Blog for the Full Report, I am sure she will have one up shortly, and give you the Exactly what is going on with the hives picture, but I thought I would share the two photos I liked best from today, tho neither is of the bees themselves.

You can't see his face, but this is a very tired author who thinks walking with his dog, and tending some bees is just about exactly perfect. It made me happy.

This may LOOK like a tray of dead bees from the Kitty hive but it is actually my hard drive. Any advice is appreciated.

And finally, a bit of warm love from Kitty in LA...Our Princess Kylie enjoying her new life in the treehouse, being waited on paw and tail, and happy as only a kitty can be with her new friends...

Love and Adventures,
Lorraine

Died a Horrible Death Number Two....

2009-02-10T18:46:00.000-08:00

My computer at the office crashed today. No, not the laptop, that was my computer at home that died a horrible death a couple weeks ago. This is a DIFFERENT computer that just died a horrible death.

Sigh.

The last thing Boss said to me before he left was that he had bought a backup thingie and I should back up my computer, and I mentioned like I would know how to do that, and he did say to get Bill to do it when next he came out or to tell me HOW, and I said I would....

And promptly forgot to.

Sigh.

Sad and depressed. Depressed and sad. Pissed. (not drunk, for you UK folks, here pissed is MAD) (Tho having Dead Val, as my designated drinker, hoist a few for me is not a bad plan)

We don't have a death sentence here yet, unlike the laptop, Hans is bring some disks in the morning and Bill thinks we can get the data off it at least. I sure do hope so. My e-mail is backed up on the web, so that's good, and just today I updated Boss's 09-10 schedule and printed it out for him to look at, then sent it off to Kitty, Him and Agent. And I think I sent Dr Wicked all my writing that was done.

But, well, I am sure you've all been there.

And then, there I was, sad and depressed, and I thought to cheer myself by trying out a new BPAL scent (Lemon Scented Sticky Bat, it is the best yet) and managed to dump nearly the entire bottle of scent onto myself. I now walk in a cloud, despite the bath, of Lemon Scented Sticky Bat.

Sigh.

On the good news front, the Birdchick came over and showed me a picture of a bacon corset, which cheered me up and tomorrow we are doing Bee Things, visiting hives, going over equipment, planning the new hives, all very fun. And the first version of the new Paul and Lorraine site is up. It will be refined and changing, but at least it has video and gigs up.

And on the very good news front, I got my Introduction for my new website from the person who wrote it for me, and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Only a few more days!!!!!!!

Love and Crashes,
Lorraine

My Cats Bloody Butt....(And the True Meaning of Art.)

2009-02-09T16:32:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking all day about what to write about tonight, we have a lot of new Fiends, and no doubt little lurkers out there, and I thought I should write about something cool, or interesting, or perhaps Coraline related. Something that would entice readers, impress people, make someone laugh. Above all, I did not want to start off, no matter what, with "now about my cats bloody butt...."

Anyway. On we go. Now, about my cats bloody butt. Madame Mim, Bengal extraordinaire, as some of you know from the comments yesterday, has been having a bit of a Problem, in that blood seems to be coming out of her butt. (I could say "Bleeding from her anal area due to intestinal problems, but when you get down to it, it is a bloody butt.)

She's been to the vet, no parasites, just some sort of really weirdly irritated, most likely due to a new food. She has meds. She seems fine. And no more blood is coming from her butt.

Right.

I've been thinking about music today too, with the Grammy's and all last night. I think what I don't like about radio music today, is that it all seems manufactured. A package put together for money, and it seems to have completely lost sight of what music IS and what it should BE. In the mainstream anyway. I almost want to say dumbing down for the masses, but that's not quite it.

If you go off thru the woods a bit, not very far, there is another stream. It doesn't much have a NAME this stream, not"Alternative" "Folk" "Folk-rock" "Indie" or any combination. It's just the stream where the cool fish swim. The ones who play MUSIC and who have something to say.

You'll fine the Oysterband there, and Jonathon Coultren, Paul and Storm, Jason Webley, AFP, Thea Gilmour, Magnetic Fields, Hera, The Endless, The Shondes, The Scabs, Hamel on Trial and, well the list goes on. People who are making their own music and doing quite well at it. People who know that what they are doing is real, and don't feel they have to change, or fit into some sort of "What they ought to be doing" to "Make It"

On of the saddest things going is a really great band who start listening to, Fods, I don't know who "They" are, but "They" at the record company tells the band they need to change, do this or that, in order to be more "Accessible" "Commercial" or have a "Hit" It. Never. Works. What makes an artist magic, and special, is when they do what they DO and trying to fit some sort of mold, (Intentional spelling) and be something they aren't, well, they lose what made them great in the first place.

Which brings me to another point, (we've come a ways sine my cats bloody butt haven't we?) Underworld 3. I've been trying to figure out what bothered me about the movie. It's not BAD exactly, but I wish they had trusted their audience, the people who got the story, and loved it in the first two. The story to the prequel was all there in the first two movies, and if they had slowed down, and simply told that story, relying on the fact that people who loved the movies wanted to hear that story played out in this one, it would have worked.

In Underworld 3 it seems as tho the story gets lost. And someone felt they needed to add things, change things and I am not sure what movie they were trying to make. Sonja didn't need to be set up as the rebellious child, Viktor didn't need to be an over the top evil dude, And what Happened to "We were the day light guardians of the Vampires" seems they turned into slaves in a mine.

I wish they had trusted themselves, the story and the people who wanted to see it.

I wish in art and music and movies , the people making the money decisions would understand that people are smarter than they think. Go for it. Put out something real and good.

Hey, it could work.

Love and my cats bloody butt,
Lorraine

An Interview With Maddy Gaiman

2009-02-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

(Photo of Maddy and Her Father at Last years Beowulf Premiere by Cat Mihos. We think.)

I managed to catch up with Miss Maddy Gaiman, (one of the key people behind the success of CORALINE), post-premiere at her home in Los Angeles. Miss Gaiman was kind enough to invite me to her fabulous mansion, and we chatted poolside, about the whirlwind that is her fabulous life...

FL: Maddy, nice to meet you! So, tell us how you're feeling after your star studded red carpet adventures at the Premiere of Coraline? Was it everything you ever dreamed it would be?

MADDY: Oh thanks I'm so happy to be here. let me tell you, fabulous lorraine, it was everything I dreamed of AND MORE! One of the most memorable moments of my life! so much fun fo sho.

FL: You've read the book and seen the movie, tell us, in a few words how you felt seeing it for the first time? What were you wearing? Did you have popcorn AND Candy, or just a drink?

MADDY: well i LOVED it! I believe the first time I saw it I was all decked out in a long sleeved blue shirt, with some beautiful jeans. the paparazzi just couldn't keep the cameras away. and to top it all off i was eating SOUR JACKS! they are not quite as good as sour patch kids, but they got the job done.

FL: Obviously, you were hanging with the stars of the film, Teri Hatcher, Dakota, Henry Sellick, and, um, who was it that wrote the book? We've seen the pictures, tell us, are they all as cool as they seem? As cool as you?

MADDY: is that even a question? of course they weren't as cool as me SILLY :D i mean who really is? other than you of course. *snickers to herself* I must admit though, everyone was pretty darn cool and i was totally psyched to meet them!!!!!!!!!yay!!

FL: Your Father must be very proud of you, has he said anything about a new car, maid service or a raise in your allowance?

MADDY: let's just put it this way, the private jet will be here soon.

FL: Let's talk about your DRESS! Who made it? WHERE did you get those shoes? Was that gold glitter dust on your eyes? You have been referred to looking like a "A Greek Goddess" that night, where do you get your FABULOUS fashion sense from?

MADDY: truth be told, i got it at good ol' Bloomingdale's. And YES it was gold glitter dust.. courtesy of Catherine "kitty" Mihos thanks for noticing:) and my fashion sense? why, from my father of course. I admire his out-there style, he always seems to surprise us all with his breath-taking ensembles.

FL: Your Father has been quoted as saying "I owe all my success to my fabulous daughter Maddy, and my two favorite assistants" Of all his assistants, who are your favorite two assistants, and how have they contributed to your success?

MADDY: Hmm. Umm....that's a toughie. I guessss...KITTY AND QUICHE! they are basically "the bomb". HOLLA!

FL: And finally, Maddy, I think what everyone wants to know is: What's next?

MADDY: I'm going to take over the world. bye!

Thank you Maddy Gaiman for taking time out of your hectic day to talk to us, here at The Fabulous Lorraine Blog. We hope to hear more from you soon!

Love and Maddy,
Lorraine

Kitty is the BEST!

2009-02-06T17:01:00.001-08:00

Wow.

Amazing.

Wonderful.

And really, really, cool.

Kitty has done the best photo blog EVER from the Premiere last night!

So, I think tonight, we will just link to her, and keep chatting amongst ourselves as we wait for people to get back from Coraline and tell us what they thought.

This opening night is way more exciting for me that I had thought, tonight. I am really excited to hear what everyone says! I'm not even going anywhere, but just knowing everyone gets to finally see it tonight, makes me really happy inside.

Love and Coraline,
Lorraine

Bee Movies?

2009-02-05T15:47:00.002-08:00

Tonight is the Premiere of Coraline, as most of you probably suspect already and I think we do need to do a shout out to Boss and to everyone who made this movie happen.

I don't talk much about Boss, as this isn't the Boss Blog, but the Fabulous Lorraine blog, but I have to say to him, "Darn, I'm proud of you." He's been working so hard the last couple of weeks, the kind of hard that would have broke most people. I'm not sure what I will get back tomorrow, I am envisioning some sort of Puddle of Goo, but whatever it is, I'm glad it is coming.

Coraline tonight in Portland! Tomorrow, all over the country. Can't wait to hear your thoughts. I know, however, how you are going to feel, as you see, I have seen it. Twice. Your eyes will shine, your heart will be happy, and you will believe in Magic.

And then you will go and see it again.

Kitty has Portland Pics up already!! Including one of one of the most beautiful young ladies going!

Enough of movie premieres. Clearly there are more important things we need to speak on, like ME for instance and just how did I spend my day, for the most part?

Bees.

I know, a little early? But it's never to early to start planning, and it WAS over 30 degrees for the first time in over a month, I believe. Felt like spring! No one, of course, wore a coat, and everyone who could worked outside. The lines at the car wash LOOKED like lines at a drive in movie premiere, (you can't wash cars under about 30 degrees) and people kind of danced as they walked along.

I, cleaned the chaos that was Bee World in the Garage.

It looked a lot like Nightmare on Bee Street, dead bees everywhere, dust, cobwebs, old frames everywhere, bits of hives, half combed bits, old wax.....Nothing was in it's proper place, with frame spacers, hive tools, smokers, and bits of tinder lying everywhere, along with dirty socks, old shoes, and water bottles.

And honey. Lots of honey. Lovely, sticky honey. All over everything.

Clearly a job for Bee Assistant.

Who clearly had NO idea how to go about this. Had to go into see Merry Housekeeper five or six times and ask "What gets up honey?" What do you dust with?" "How do you wash the floor?"

Finally she gave me a bucket with soapy water and a rag and told me to go off and play by myself, she had work to do.

Did my best, now at least when the Birdchick comes out next week to order our new Bees, we can see what we are working with and what we need.

It's never too early to get excited about Bees, I say.

Love, Movies, and Bees,
Lorraine

Shoes and Magic, With Dog, Venus and Mim....

2009-02-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

We're going to get everyone in on the action tonight! Here's the mending Cabel with the Coraline Nike Shes. AND the picture frames that showed up from Kitty today, for my B'day!!!! Now those are some frames I can work with. May just hang them up....

Here's a close up. Lovely, yes? I will wear them at my Birthday concert on the 13th, at Charlie's in Stillwater, 7:30 to 11:30, webcasting live (just in case anyone forgot or anything!) And now for some Magic.....

Magic AND Venus, see the Claw of Doom? It's one of Magic's favorite games. I think Venus and Mim have fun too. Do we know how to party or what?????

Here he is playing on his cat tree. Can you see his new Underworld 3 poster in the background? (that is a movie I need to see again, before I comment. If you loved the first two, see it. But don't see it first.)

I love this guy. He is so ready for fun, every time I come in, and he so wants to be a part of things. I was looking at pictures of ALC's today (Asian Leopard Cats) and he does have that same tiny head, and rounder body. NExt we have us some Venus by the coffee table sans fish tank. (I will get another fish, perhaps indeed many, but I need some time to grieve yet for , uh, Fish. He was with me two years, swimming. Eating. Swiming. We had some good times he and I.)

And another so you can see her leanness....

And finally, Mim lurking across the room........

Lear and Mab will have to wait for another night to get their page time, this ought to be enough for anyone...

Love and Shoes,
Lorraine

Bits of Things....

2009-02-03T07:06:00.000-08:00

Morning, Fiends!

HA! I am awake early, long before the West Coast can be up, tho I am certain the East Coast is, and we are WELL along in the UK, tho it doesn't concern me much, as London seems to be somewhat shut down, due to snow. Might be Spring before they get dug out.

Still on my first cup of tea, so not sure how very interesting I will be, but as it may well be nighttime before I get back to you, we ought to have something up besides, "Ack, no fun gig!"

Only a few more days before this Movie is out into the world!!Not sure that means the work will be done, but it will certainly lighten up a bit, and I get a Boss back for a week, which both the Dog and I will like.

Speaking of Dog, he is doing very well, but thinks he is REALLY well and ought to be allowed to run and play as much as he likes, which isn't the case at all. He is up to 3-4 walks to the end of the drive and back every days. On leash. (Driveway is about a city block long, maybe a little less)

Benglas are not exactly liking these strange hours I have been keeping, but things are good, we're going to have some new pics of them soon, I think, they will feel better if they get some page time. They seem to think it's been a little too Doggish over here lately. Magic is still peeing on the futon, but not as much, hopefully he is getting used to the idea that he likes me soon.

Venus doesn't seem to like her food anymore. She never has much liked anything, and is a lean kitty, but I think she is getting too thin. (Something I worry about myself all the time, hee-hee) There is dry food out all the time, different kinds, and once a week tuna, which she does like, I split a can between the five of them, and cook chicken, or steak sometimes for them, but she just isn't into it. Commercial grocery store canned food she doesn't like, and it makes Mim really sick.

I need to explore some higher quality canned food Marilyn, The Cat Coach, says.

If I could make myself do it, I would put a little Pond in the kitchen and stock it and she could have Sushi....

Right. With that lovely thought, I am getting to work!

Love and awake,
Lorraine

Well, did the show...

2009-01-31T23:16:00.000-08:00

Home now in the Spooky House. Woodsman Hans is staying with Cabel, and when last we checked in, both were having a fine time with the sleepover. It's me and the Bengals tonight in a bed with new sheets, which after the last week, seems just about perfect to me.

Tonight's gig was, well, had a few moments but had to work for all of them. Nights like this I try and sync up with Paul and just play for us, and enjoy the music, and we did do some fine things, LOTS of new stuff we hadn't really tried before, rehearsal is what it was, which is good.

Fiends Amy was there and brought cat toys, bonus!

But still, it is better when it is magic, and we have the people, and they are with us. I whine, I know, they can't all be great, but it was a whole lot of having sex and not making love this evening. If you see what I mean, to put it bluntly. Work, not love tonight. Still as Adam says, got paid, good gig.

And I did rock me some U2, which I can do no matter who is paying attention.

I have a lot of thoughts on gigs and if one can get people into it. I feel like it is my job to make them pay attention, to make the show, to bring them in and make this magic. If they aren't, I'm not doing my job. But sometimes, no matter how good you are, they just aren't there.

All goes with the gig, sometimes the magics there and sometimes it isn't.

Tomorrow is fun, I am going to a dressage clinic, as a watcher, not a rider, and get to see some amazing riders, which I am looking forward to. Then after, a ride myself, before nipping back to Dog.

Work next week promises to be something. We will certainly have more on what leads up to Opening of Movie. Just saw a Coraline add on TV, doesn't seem real, like something I am involved in. Very fun tho. Still havn't seen the HBO bit, but hope to soon...

Love and Sleepy,
Lorraine

Did Me A Show Tongiht!

2009-01-30T23:10:00.000-08:00

Great gig tonight, really fun. It was like everyone there had a great time.

Ok, so that sentence wasn't exactly perfect, but I am tired, it HAS been a week. I know people generally have a great time at my shows, but, tonight, I think they had a REALLY great time. Felt the love. Music was good, but for some reason, my comedic timing was REALLY on, and I was on a roll.

Made it to sheep jokes in the second set, which is more impressive than it sounds.

The funny thing about the night was the amount of people there who said they had come in a year or so ago, and saw us, and come back, hoping we would be there again. I said that while I was pretty sure the Excel Center wasn't an up and coming event, they MIGHT want to come back a BIT more often..

They are all coming back for my Birthday Show, which, I am pleased to announce, is Friday the 13th February. (real B'day the 15th) We are having a PARTY! Attendance is mandatory for Twin Cities Fiends, and optional for those living far away.

For the far away, who can't make it, Dr Wicked is going to be Webcasting it live!

And, if all goes well, Fabulouslorraine.com will be going up and live during the show!

The show will be at Charlie's Pub, at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater MN. And it is a really cool hotel, if you feel like making a night of it. Consider yourself invited.

There will be cake. Oh yes.

Did I mention that Lojo Russo is confirmed and will be there adding to the Magic? Ah, the music.....More Guests TBA.....

Oh yes.

Last night I mentioned we would be playing there after the Coraline opening, but I was seriously confused, we are NOT there that night. I am playing with Big Johnnie on the 7th, at a place I will no doubt remember and blog soon, but Friday the 6th the theater is dark. Sorry for the confusion.

On another note, I notice I have over 40 followers on Twitter, despite the fact that all I have ever done there is sign up and see what it was. I think once I hit 100, I will start Tweeting. Just saying...

This past week has been the wildest ride going. I can't exactly explain what it feels like. I can't imagine what Boss is going thru, or Kitty, or what I will get back of them when they land here.

(did I mention the Tattooed Tornado will also be at the B'day show?)

It has been a ride. You can't know how many calls I have been taking or e-mails I answering, where in an hour, I am quoted and out there. Every word counts and had better be right.

One thing I was thinking about today, in all of this, was how so very cool all of you Fiends are. You talk about my Boss in terms of work, or writing and the movie, and perhaps his Dog, or Library, all the while maintaining a 100% respect for the man himself, and his privacy.

Rare, and appreciated, I assure you. And thank you.

Love and Rock,
Lorraine

Self Portrait...

2009-01-29T14:02:00.000-08:00

Look! I'm a Goth Cousin It!!!!!

(it should perhaps be noted I have been working a LOT of hours this past week or two. I am sure this madness is temporary, and I will be just fine soon. Really. Uh-huh. No worries here. Wonder how Boss is doing?)

(Actually, I know how he is doing, just had a note from Kitty, he's holding up just fine and things are going well.)

(Why am I blogging in parentheses)

Right. Tonight, since it has warmed up here and is now 20 ABOVE, come down and see me at the Half Time Rec. I need to relax and play some music and see some people. Might as well be you as anyone, eh? Most likely better.

Thank you for those of you who wrote with offer of food and such for AFP. She sent really happy e-mails when I told her about food in Melbourne, and places to stay in New Zealand. I know she is still looking tho, France, Switzerland, Spain, if you are there , and can feed and or house and or love some AFP and the Danger Ensemble, let me know and I will pass you on....

Dr Wicked, he the Mastermind behind my new website (coming your way Friday the 13th February!) is having a gathering of anyone wanting to see Coraline on opening night here in the Cities. He is making cookies with button eyes (Dr Wicked BAKES???) and there is talk of going someone where to eat after (it's a bit of a drive, but, hey, I'll be in Stillwater all weekend, just so you know..) Details are HERE for Dr Wicked's soirée.

Just found out today that I am taking my first Dressage Test in May! I am loving My Little Pony workouts. I feel like I am starting to relax, and be able to stay relaxed while I do other things riding, and not go all wobbly, if you see what I mean. And I have lost the fear that was holding me back from really getting in and riding.

Trusting my Pony, and trusting myself.

Back to work. More lobbing, more juggling, then some rocking!

Love and Trust,
Lorraine

Gig, AFP and Some New Hair

2009-01-27T19:56:00.000-08:00

Lots of things to tell you, my Fiends, if I can remember them all, and get to them in between lobbing e-mails at various people.

First off, Paul and I are playing at the Half Time Rec in St Paul on Thursday night, which I had completely forgotten about, from 8:30 to 12:30. If you want a closer gig that Stillwater, and more importantly, do not want me to become sad and lonely, please come down and see us, bringing, perhaps, as many people as you can. Then I will be happy.

You DO want me to be happy don't you????????? (MMMwhwhwhahahah!!!!!)

Secondly, I had a note from Miss Amanda Palmer, or AFP as she is sometimes known, today, asking for help around the world. She and the Danger Ensemble are doing some touring in Europe and Australia, and New Zealand and are in need of both places to stay, and food, people to do flyers and spread the word and love. In return, you would get love and free tickets.

She and the Danger Ensemble, for those of you considering having or recommending them, as houseguests, make delightful houseguests. Having had the experience, I can tell you , it's lovely. The are very neat, can and do cook for you, are very greatful, and finally, if I told you we had a 12 member touring rock band stay over and that every one of them MADE THEIR BEDS before they left, you would not believe me, but they did. I believe they are somewhat less than that in number this time tho.

You will be richer in your hearts for having gotten to know them. Trust me.

They are looking for places to stay in Pairs, Switzerland, Toulouse France, Barcelona,
and in Australia, (Sally do you hear me???) Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and in New Zealand, Auckland (We so need to hook them up with Hera!

And I think it would be really cool if a Fiend could help out here, and spread the love and increase the family. Let me know if you want to help and I will hook you up.

And finally, you wanted some new hair photos, so me and photo booth will give it a try, but I am pretty tired...(mere moments later) ok, so the light is crap, but here you have me, the new hair, the Dog and AFP's new LP, what more can you want????

Love and Everything,
Lorraine

Such a Day Might Come But Once....

2009-01-26T19:54:00.000-08:00

Home now. Sort of home. Boss's home with dog. Not sure when I was last this tired.

There has not been a down moment since 7:15 this morning. I distinctly remember my friend Betsy calling this afternoon and saying "Morning Babe" and her saying "What the heck kind of day are you having? It's nearly three?"

I told her what kind of day it's been.

A rather wonderful day.

I remember getting the call from Boss's agent at 7:15am, and looking at the cell, which I sleep with like a Teddy Bear, and thinking , it's bloody early, I don't know this number, why should I be waking and starting work, and thinking bloody movie people, and then thinking, wait, they can and do call me up till midnight, and on weekends, but they don't call at 5:15am west coast time. And the East Coast book people MIGHT be at work at 8:15am but they sure aren't going to CALL me, and while Europe does call at weird hours, this is a US number, might be a telemarketer, in which case I will kill them, but perhaps I might pick up the phone and find out.

This all took about 1.5 seconds to go thru my brain.

You mostly know the rest. The only funny bit was Boss's agent had said to CALL HIM and wake him up, something that took a couple calls and stern words to the hotel to do, and make him listen to his cell phone message, only The Call had not come, but it came to the house, and while I was trying to get them his cell, having an inkling in my mind, not my first gig, what was happening, and Boss called.

I had a phone in each ear, and as Boss started asking me exactly what planet I was currently living on, in most reasonable tones, considering, I got to say "I have your call, and am giving them your cell, please answer it"

The rest you know.

I can't describe the next few hours. Very like an Oscar win I would think. My admiration for Kitty increased tenfold, as she got to the hotel, fielded more calls then I, got him packed and out to the airport, as he did interview after interview all the way to the airport.

I did call after call here.

I sent Woodsman Hans to the vet with Cabel to get his stitches out, intending to meet them there and save 20 minutes (I ran home to shower and Bengal for an hour) but he was done before I could get there. Short story, Dog doing well, has more pain pills, and is here with me now, loopy but ok.

Managed to get out of the house and off to the Coraline screening, a bit late, but there are times in ones life that one is SURE if one does not get a Chai, one will not make it.

I didn't get to see much of the movie this time, as the calls kept coming. Short joke, had it on vibrate of course, so I didn't mind, but mostly I was in the hall talking, fielding, lobbing. Lots of email too, also on vibrate. To continue short joke, great night.

So much love at this screening! Thank you! I got to meet a new recently de-lurked Fiend, Usige, which I am sure I am spelling wrong, and is pronounced "Wish" , but didn't get this in time to introduce her to Dr Wicked, Aleta, El and Beez (whose son was a delight, as was Aleta's Goddaughter) Well, Wish is a one of us, too late for you now, my dear! (Adriandalen, play NICE!)

My head is whirling. I didn't, not for a MOMENT consider ditching Coraline for Underworld 3. Nope, never crossed my mind for a moment. Never even walked BY the theater it was showing in while on the phone. Nope. Very strong I am.

I also liked all the people from the Stable where I ride, Trainer Mel, and Jen and the girls who ride better at 14 than I will ever. I got to say "Ahaha! Now I know what I am doing! and you can see it!" As mostly at the stable I am the WAY newbie.

I need to sleep soon. The Today show is one I need to catch in the morning, and this will in no way be slowing down, until, perhaps February 6th.

And then, who knows?

Love and Zombie at this point,
Lorraine

Some Things Are Worth Waking Up Early For...

2009-01-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

I think this morning all that needs to be said is....

Congratulations to my Boss, writer Neil Gaiman on winning THE NEWBERY MEDAL for the Graveyard Book!!!!!!

Boss, very proud of you, and happy.

Read his post here...

Love and Dreams coming true,
Lorraine

And Now For Something Completely Different...

2009-01-25T15:47:00.000-08:00

Today I got to ride side saddle for the first time ever! It was a wonderful, magic, scary freaky as hell experience! I will tell this tale...

First off, there are two kind of side saddles, English and Western. This one is a Western, tho Trainer Mel has all but promised me an English one. When I asked her the difference, she said "Same thing, only less of it." Oh. Good. Here's one view...

And the other. Ready to ride?

I slipped easily into the saddle, my spirited mount dancing, eager to be off, completely calm, and eager for this new adventure, I approached this new way of riding as only a sane women would.

You can see next the ease and grace in which I accomplished this. Nothing to it, settle yourself, bring your leg over, and make yourself comfortable.

And off we rode. Sort of. Trainer Mel did the leading, and we only walked. Enough, trust me. I think my first comment after the first couple of steps was "ACK OH NO HELP I AM FALLING!!!!!!!!!!!" But really, once you get the hang of the balance and how the horse moves, it's not a bad way to ride. Thank You Mel And Jeannie!!! To say I couldn't have done it without you is an understatement!!!!!

I didn't feel quiet as graceful and elegant as I had always dreamed I would, more "Hey Horsie hope you are liking this sack of potatoes on your back" but one starts at the beginning, doesn't one, and the grace and fitness and dance of it all will come in time.

For tonight it is enough to know that I did it.

And now I have a one of these again....

Love and Dreams,
Lorraine

Hans Update....

2009-01-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

Just heard from Woodsman Hans, driving across country with Cabel the Dog.

Things are going much better. The credit card seems to be working now, so they have food, and gas, always good on a trip like this. They are down near St Louis and going to stop and get a hotel in a couple of hours. Hans says he has been napping at rest stops every so often, but needs proper rest and a place to charge phone and Ipod.

Cabel seems fine with it, mostly sleeping, and Hans says he has a special Look for, "we ARE stopping soon, aren't we?"

Hans says the GPS and he are NOT friends, in fact they argue all the time. Hans believes he should be able to go where he likes and says the GPS does not have the right to disapprove of what he does.

If all goes according to plan, they will be home tomorrow and I will have a large white dog again. The Stitches come out on Monday, which will make things much easier.

More adventures to come, stay tuned to find out Will the hotel take both Dog and Visa Gift Card?????

Love and Travel,
Lorraine

What Is Scary?

2009-01-23T17:47:00.000-08:00

There's a lot of talk about Coraline and kids and is it too scary for them and what age should kids see it going on. The first comment on that I would say is, depends on the kid. And remember, kids will surprise you.

At the last screening, there was a 10 year old friend of mine I would have thought would NOT have been into it at ALL, who after telling her thoughts, with eyes shinning to both Boss and the Director walked out on cloud nine.

I can only say, kids are smart. Kids know that the Hero needs to save the world, and that the Hero needs to get into danger and that it will be real, before they can save the world.

I can tell you that adults find the book much more scary than children do.

I can tell you that Coraline the movie, is a Story, for both kids and adults, and like most great stories, it can be listened to many different ways, it's not a movie for one or the other. It's a Story. And like many great stories, it can get very scary at times.

Remember back when you were young, and you saw a movie where a young girl got swept away in a cyclone to another world and where everything was magic and before she vanquished the Witch, she was carried away by flying monkeys and things got pretty dark. Remember that feeling? Did you ever doubt, no matter how scary, no matter how dark things got, that she Was Going To Win?

I can tell you, kids know the Hero Will save the world.

Adults aren't sure. Fun, yes?

Make you own call, see it first, I can tell you that you will love it, and I can tell you, your kids may surprise you.

There, that's my thoughts on that for the day. Send some love out to Woodsman Hans who is currently driving a new Mimi Clubman and a Large White, somewhat grumpy at a Boss leaving him Dog across the country.

A grand adventure for both of them, and I will keep you posted.

Love and Scary,
Lorraine

My Day At Work, Werewolves and Wet Bengal..

2009-01-22T15:26:00.000-08:00

Feeling better today and thank you! My brain, however is being eaten by Coraline. It's not that things aren't going well, on the contrary, they are going very well, with some great teams working to make it all work...There's just a lot of it.

I'd tell you about it, and I am not holding back, it's just not frightfully interesting. Check flights from city A to city B, confirm, confirm cars from A to B, and hotel at B, get schedule, confirm. Move onto Flights from City B to city C, check cars confirm, check hotels, and get schedules....

And you work with the Studio, the US distributors, the Int'l ones, the Canadian ones..(Who for reasons known only to a few, are not part of Int'l. I am not one who knows this secret. I go with it, just happy to have people to talk to.

I do a lot of making sure things get where they need to. All media has to go thru Someone who is not me. Depending on who, they get sent where. You can't have media flying around all over.......

All requests for Time have to be decided on. Where is he, what is he doing, who is he doing it with and who are we missing?????

I don't do this alone either. Boss's bits take both Cat and I. She is saving me right now, which works both ways. How do we decide who does what? Depends on who is better at what, and there are no egos here. Three or four times a day we go over everything, updating, making sure we are on the same page, and that page is written with words that mean something.

Tomorrow "Rise of the Lycans" opens, which I am excited about for a couple of reasons. I have always thought that the Underworld movies, 1 and 2, were two of the best movies going. Took me a couple times to Get It, but once I did...It's about Story these films. And yes, no Kate and no Zita Gorog, but I trust that this group knows what they are doing.

And I think what they are doing is a Story that has a whole lot of vision.

The other reason I am excited, is I get to see it. And all I have to do is walk in the theater. But I have a LOT of sympathy for the Lycans crew, as you see, I know what they've been doing for the last couple of months.

Venus just came in and apparently, wants to be DRIED. She is wet. Very wet. This bothers me somewhat....

Love and work,
Lorraine

I seem to be having a cold this week...

2009-01-21T12:18:00.000-08:00

Sniffle. Cough. Tea.

If I die, Hans must put me on the compost.

Tea good.

Waves from couch, where I have been working from today...

Love and Sniffles,
Lorraine

Fiends Together!

2009-01-18T17:37:00.000-08:00

It's my day off today, totally and completely, I don't have to d anything. This is rare. This is good. And I am having a fine day and getting a lot done. But I think it only fair that the Fiends take some of the work. I mean really!

Five Fiends got together in Southern California today. And sent me pictures. But I'll let them, and the Fiends concerned, tell the story....

Love and Fiends getting together,
Lorraine

Happy Dog!

2009-01-17T15:53:00.000-08:00

Here you are, Sally....Sure does look like Boss made the right call. He looks healing and happy in the warm and sun...

I'm off into the cold and dark, with a warm Pub at the end of it, and music to do. See you later tonight. Chatter me some nice things to read, please?

Love,
Lorraine

I Didn't Know!

2009-01-17T11:01:00.000-08:00

Good Morning, Fiends! Well, afternoon now I suppose, slept late and have been lazy. Which is a good thing after a late night.

Now about last night, it's funny, when Dr Wicked went live, I almost told him not to as I knew that there would be a LOT of unhappy Fiends out there saying HHHHEEEEYYYYYY!!!! No Fair, but I figured it was a cool thing for those who were around, and indeed it seemed like it.

But I knew I would have to face the wrath, hee-hee. All I could think of was " I am SO in trouble!" Next time, and there will most likely be two next times, before we bring out the Big Toys for St Pats, you will have plenty of notice. I truly did not know this was going to happen, blame Dr. Wicked! Mwwhahaa!

It's such a cool thing, the idea of streaming shows.I've so much wanted to share this part of me with all of you who live so far, but we aren't a touring band. This may well be the next best thing to live.

It is very strange tho getting used to, doing a show for a whole lot of people that you can't see. Loved the requests tho!

Right. Gig again tonight, which is not going live, as far as I am aware. Two in a row would be kind of hard, but I think it likely that in two weeks we will do it again.

For today, I am going to get things done here at the Spooky House, and be with Bengals, before the gig.

Which sounds perfect.

Love and Live,
Lorraine

Tonight's Gig Streaming LIVE

2009-01-16T18:46:00.000-08:00

Live Broadcast by Ustream.TV
Feel free to post a request in chat.

Gig Tonight!

2009-01-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

Nine minutes until I need to nip off and do my gig, leaving you all to your Fiendish Chatter. Nothing I can do about it while I am at the show, but I get home at 12:30 central, and am likely to be awake, so WATCH out!!!!! I'll have things to say then, you can be sure of it.

What to tell you. Launch proceeds nicely. Once you figure out who every one is and what they do, it gets easier. And you stop being surprised by things too. I can get the most amazing letters now and not blink, but in fact, cooly respond and up the anti. Yes, oh, fine. Penthouse please. And the Jag should be silver.**

(**An example only for purposes of humor.)

I have to admit, I am having a lot of fun. I am really good at the logistics of things and putting them together. It's one of my skills. And this launch has so many different components.

I suspect hearing this is about as exciting as watching grass grow, reading over it. Well this is the short version. I promise a more in depth look very soon.

When I have more time. 3 Minutes.

Right.

I am off to the gig. Have a fine evening, and chatter me lots to read on my breaks, yes? Any Fiends coming down. It isn't THAT cold...

Love, and Time,
Lorraine

Some Live Boss on the Internet...

2009-01-15T09:06:00.001-08:00

If you are hanging out and wish to hear cool Coraline things, Boss will be doing some internet radio in about 50 minutes, at 1:00pm Eastern Coast Time here in the US.....

The show will run from 1 to 2.....And it will be him and Stephen Jones talking about the Coraline: The Visual Companion.

Here's the Link!

Reports are the drive is going well, and he has achieved 29 degrees. Cabel seems happy, tho he is getting good at not taking some of his pills.

Love and Radio,
Lorraine

It's Cold But Parties Are Coming!

2009-01-14T17:37:00.000-08:00

And a very good evening (or morning or afternoon who knows when you will be reading this) to you my Fiends!

I read this statement today in USA Today (hey, it shows up, great breakfast reading) It was an article talking about the current cold wave, and they were speaking to an Official Something in Bismark, ND and I thought it might put things in perspective for us, cold wise.....

To Quote: (more or less)

"Schools rarely close for weather here. The current situation of -30 to -40 windchill may force us to make some changes. Our current policy is if the windchill is over -15 below zero the students DO NOT go out for recess."

The funny thing is, these kids out there are most likely HAPPILY outside in say, oh -10 windchill, and bumming out at not currently being allowed out. Only in South Dakota.

Today's forecast was: A high of -5 below. Call me kooky, but I am not sure -5 ought to be referred to as "A High" it did make it, barely.

Earlier today I checked in with weather and it said "Tomorrows forecast is forecast to be MUCH colder than today." Hello on the optimistic!

Here is the current forecast: HIGHS around -10 tomorrow, windchill readings -35 to -45.

Not sure you can understand how cold this is if you haven't been in it. I have seen winters here with real temps (they abandon the windchill at this point) of -20 to -30. The air freezes and hangs there. Your hands, gloves or not, freeze very fast, as do toes. It gets into your bones and STAYS there. Getting to your car, even at a mild -10 and starting it, is a painful process. You really hope you don't have to get gas or add wiper fluid. Or break down.

(If you have teenagers, you pack the trunk with coats, boots, hats mittens and such as they WILL NOT wear them. It's not cool.)

But enough about cold, everyone except Dragonsally and Hera, is going thru it in some way right now. We'll hang in there and whine about it together.

On a happy note, I don't know if I have officially announced it, but I will do so now..Paul and Lorraine are playing Charlie's at the Water Street Inn, in the big ballroom, for St Pats, 6 to midnight! We'll be somewhere else during the day, I'll let you know, but what is special about the evening show is that it will be streamed LIVE over the internet. All six hours, sets, breaks everything.

For those of you in Europe saying oh great, like we are staying up for THAT, you will be able to record it. Tho honestly, not sure SIX HOURS of Paul and I, delightful as we are, will make for astounding viewing, but you can get a taste anyway.

We will also have it set up, thanks entirely to Dr Wicked, he is the evil genius behind this entire stream, so anyone can send up TIPS for the jar, which Fod knows we will deserve, and request songs and send messages, which I will read out loud.

Minneapolis Fiends, Dr Wicked will need a minion or two. You have already volunteered and your presence is mandatory for some portion of the evening. I thank you in advance. There will be a drink or three or five in it for you.

We are having a party. Much like New Years, only live on camera. We will be talking to Fiends and audience members during the breaks, and we will be talking to you. Send us messages, and we will respond.

I know it seems far away, this cold January night, and we do have a party before then. Dr Wicked wants to do a trial run, so maybe...Well I am having a B'day party too...Can't compare to what St Pats is going to be, but might be fun.

Love and Staying Warm,
Lorraine

Bits And Pieces Of Happy....

2009-01-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

Long day, and lots going on. Done with Tubes, nearly anyway, and now it is all about Coraline. I know I don't talk about work too often, but I feel I can mention this, as most of you know this movie is coming out on February 6th.

And movies, like rockets, do not launch themselves.

The amount of work that goes into it is staggering. And I am only dealing with it in relation to one person. Press junkets, the marketing, opening, travel, e-mails, dates, screenings, mis-communication, great communication, the people who made the movie, the people who distribute the movie, the international people, who the heck does what and the list could go on. And the people who are working on this are handling the Big Picture of everything and making it come together. Kudos to them. It's huge.

Two things that make me laugh tho. It is always a good idea to copy as many people as possible on every e-mail, so the more people who need to know (or not) get in the loop. This can work both ways for you tho. Sometimes I laugh about some of the e-mails I write or respond to that end up copying, 10-20 people...None of whom I know. And I might be writing an answer to a question of "What does Boss like for Lunch?" But that's what makes it work. Think about it next time you see a movie.

And so far, every movie, I've gotten copied on a stream for a completely DIFFERENT movie.

It often takes the entire day before I figure it out.

Anyway, here's my take on Coraline. It's truly wonderful. You will want to see this. As soon as possible. What you will see if something that you will not have seen before. It's a world you want to see, a dream you want to have, and music you want to hear.

Moving on, Stacy told us her exciting news today, which did nearly make me cry. She is getting her first Bengal foster shortly! Stacy, you can't know how happy that makes me feel, that what I do and write, has inspired someone else to step in and help. We're saving one more. I thank you. You are in for an adventure you can't begin to believe. And if I can ever help, please let me know.

Another thing making me happy, is all the people who have been de-lurking and leaving comments. It is SO good to know you are out there and hear from you, and have you come and be a part of all this! Sometimes wonder if the things I am feeling so strongly about are coming thru, making people happy, making a difference. Seems I am. I'll keep it up. Your love and support this past weekend with Cabel (who is doing nicely) meant so very much.

Speaking of which, we are getting VERY close to the new website! Had a 2 hour talk with Dr Wicked about it tonight, tweaking, changing, plotting, planning. He really gets it, or gets me, and what I want. And yes, Greedy Fiends, you DO have your own tab, and all sorts of other Fiendish Goodies. It's ALL going to be there!

And we will have a Party then, won't we????

Love and Adventures,
lorraine

30 Perfect Minutes.....

2009-01-12T17:48:00.000-08:00

I had 30 perfect minutes today.

I had a lot of other minutes that were Very Good, to be sure. That first sip of tea in the morning, a Baby Blizzard that was wondrous in it's beauty (until I had to go out, them it was wondrous in it's treacherous driving conditions.), got lots of work done with the two person-dog-wrangling approach, had several long talks with Canada, and I can really, really see light at the end of Tube Tunnel.

I listened to great music, split a steak with Cabel, watched King Lear the Huge rip a Feather-stick (and nearly my hand) in two. I pet Queen Mab, and Venus and Mim went a long ways towards forgiving me this long Dog-related absence. Chatted me some EG chats with other EG friends from around the country, who responded to a letter I wrote the Foundation user-group (another post to be sure). Talked some with Fiends and found a long lost friend from the far past.

All good minutes.

But I got 30 perfect, complete moments, the kind where you know it simply doesn't GET any better. With Magic.

He came right out, and we started playing. I lie on the still not-peed-on futon. And twice he came up with me. He noticed that Venus and Mim play Claws Under The Door, and he Watched. He Watched, looked at me, and Mewed the Question Mew. He trilled at me. He washed his face with his paw, and hung out, and when I had the audacity to check my inbox on Blackberry for too long he Mewed the HEY! mew.

He climbed his cat tree. He batted his ping pong ball filled water dish, he went in and out of the cave. He got very close and I showed him my fingers, and he hissed, but in sort of a habit way, and didn't Cave.

I can't explain what it is like to watch a Creature who has never known love, or anything but fear, start to trust, and love, and watch their eyes fill with wonder.

I love getting to know him. And communicate with him. We played with a couple different mousies, and feathers off a stick, and if he still is wary about getting too close, he no longer worries something bad will happen when I am in the room, but rather something good.

Magic is the one no one wanted, or could take, that the shelter refused, and who had three different homes in under two years, as people realized "HEY! This is like, a half Leopard!!!! I have no clue what I am doing, why doesn't he act like a CAT???"

Another rant for another time.

Tonight I am just happy. I had 30 perfect minutes.

Felt like 5.

Love and Magic,
Lorraine

Cabel and Kylie!

2009-01-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

Quick little post before I go back to the couch with Cabel the Dog. Here's a picture Kitty sent us of Miss Selena Kyle! She's getting HUGE, I knew she would, she had the look. And she looks happy. Really Happy. That was a perfect match! I am so glad I found her for Miss Kitty. (Anyone else need a Cat-beastie? I can help you...)

Cabel is still recovering, poor guy. I think he hurts, and seem content to be with me and sleep, tho he wake instantly if I leave the room. Limits things somewhat. I did go out and get a nice futon today, and see me some Bengals, for a couple hours while Hans sat with him. I also ordered him a Soft E Collar, which is more of a squishy thing, MUCH less stressful that the Cone-head, for nighttime wear.

Still coughs some, but not as much, and it is getting better, I'll ask about it tomorrow tho, also about swimming, which some people have recommended.

Other than that, my last remaining fish, whom I called affectionately, Fish, died. He was swimming kind of sideways the other day, never a good sign. RIP Fish. I will get some more, but it poses a bit of an ethical dilemma, I have been thinking about getting some feeder fish for the Bengals to, ah, go fishing for. But at what point does one draw the line? "Ah, you! Swim, be lovely! And you! Lunch! Come here!"

See what I mean? I think they can fish for ping pong balls.

Work on the website is going nicely, more on that soon. Danguy ad Dr Wicked talked to each other, copying me, tho I've no idea why, didn't understand a word of it, but still, I think things are moving nicely.

We have been trying to find a Name for our Party in June, the Fiend Gathering in Minneapolis, at Hotel unknown as of yet. Ideas are welcome but ANYTHING-palooza is NOT in the running!

Love and Night,
Lorraine

Recovery Continues...

2009-01-10T15:15:00.000-08:00

Not a great deal to report on here today. Cabel is doing as well as can be expected, he's coughing, which is odd, not sure what that's about, may put in a call tomorrow to the U-vets, and he is in a lot of pain, despite the Zombie-state inducing Doggie Pain meds.

Mostly he seems content to sleep, but if I get up, he does too, so I am trying to stay quiet myself, and not move around a lot.

Which means I get to read and watch TV. Did office things earlier, but he follows me, limping along behind, when I am not on the couch and worries I will Go Somewhere leaving him alone and sick. Poor dude. So we be quiet.

Not all bad, I got to see the Animal Planet Showjumping thingie, which was great. (Including Bruce Springsteens daughter Jessica, who knew?) Those people can RIDE, I tell you that.

Also Point Break, a movie I have always loved, but never been sure why.

Cabel is Looking at me, sadly, and it is time for another pill, which has been going better than I had thought, thanks to chicken and cream cheese. And then, hopefully he will do some more sacking out. Woodsman Hans is coming tomorrow so I can have some Bengal time and Riding Time, which is good, as both are sorely needed.

(Venus and Mim do not like this me being away thing. AT all. And when they found out I had left them for a DOG of all things, there little hearts wept. I am going to have some serious making up to do, this I know. Magic, Lear, and Mab were fine, as they don't get to see me as much, and were like, "Hey it's her! Tuna! She rocks" Venus and Mim were much more"Don't think you are getting off THAT easy!!!!")

And finally, This is why we love Eddi Izzard......

Love and Wuunds,
Lorraine

WARNING!!!! Wound Pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Poor Cabel, the Franken-dog is back from the hospital, a little loopy, but he drank a ton of water and ate a pound of meat and demolished a Chicken Chew, all good signs.

I wasn't prepared for either what he was going to look like, or how I was going to feel about it. I did cry, but I was not sick. Close thing. I hadn't thought about the entire leg being shaved, and I had expected a nice neat little bandage.

Mostly he is sleeping, all the way home, and now at home, he wants to follow me when ever I leave the room, so I think we will go camp in front of the TV. We stopped by our vets for a Cone-head for him, and he is going to have to wear it, as he is already trying to lick the wound.

He got much scritches and sympathy at the vets and he was a Star, all the vets came to look at him, and they want to do an X-ray when he gets his stitches out in two weeks, so they can see all the pins. Goofy Vets. I'll take a picture as I know about half of you are thinking "COOL! We want to see pins!" He needs to be iced a few times a day, no off-leash outside walking, no stairs, and he has three bottles of medicine to take four times a day.

It's all rather a bit overwhelming. I am not at ALL good with things like this, but, sometimes you have to just DO it, and deal with the situation. I didn't think I could IV Pod the Cat either, but I did. I feel worse for him than me, I suspect he is hurting. We'll curl up on my new floor bed, and spend a quiet evening.

Unless UPS comes back! Franken-dog let me KNOW a little thing like this wasn't going to stop him!!!!!!

Wish me luck! I'm going to, I suspect, need it...

Love and Dogs,
Lorraine

Cabel Update!

2009-01-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

Boss's Dog, Cabel is out of surgery and recovering. Reports are that it went well, and we shall see...He comes home tomorrow morning, and we will be camping out together for the weekend....

Blogger is being a bit strange, no options for photo, link spell check ect....

Love and Dogs,
Lorraine

A Dog Post For a Change....

2009-01-07T16:02:00.000-08:00

As many of you have already seem to have heard, Cabal the Dog does have a bit of a problem, and will be needing surgery tomorrow.

He's been limping a bit lately, tho not consistently, which at first we thought might be a sore paw, or a strain, but then he seemed to have trouble with stairs, and jumping into the 4-runner, or getting up and down. X-rays reveled a torn ligament, and our vet recommend a specialist at the U.

I took him down today for his consult, and the Nice Surgeon Lady told us that yes, it was torn, and had also torn away the bone as well, giving him, in fact, a broken leg. (In our defense this Dog did not APPEAR to be in pain, or slow down in any way, as far as running and playing went, just a bit sore from time to time, and we did get him vetted as soon as we saw it wasn't going away.)

No idea how he did it, but he is really active, could have happened with a miss-step at any time.

She explained the surgery to me in detail, even drawing the procedure out for me. Here's a picture of it for you, so it will be as clear to you what they are doing as it is to me...

She then puled it up on the computer, and talked of pins and plates, and recovery and such...

The Doctors are confident that he will make a complete recovery. He will not be able to climb stairs tho, or be outside off-leash for six weeks, and may have to wear a cone.

He can't slip, so we will be getting more carpets for his area of the house, which is tile, and getting in a lot of sand, so he will not slip while walking. Kona, his girlfriend who comes with her friend to walk and romp thru the woods 4 days a week, and Freckles, his best buddy who comes for playdates, will not be able to come over for a while.

They wanted to do this surgery right away, and needed a lot of blood work and such, so Cabel is staying there tonight, with surgery in the morning, and will be home Friday.

I will, of course, keep you all updated.

Love for Cabel,
Lorraine

The Best Cat Toy Ever, Magic, and a Cool Book For A Good Cause...

2009-01-06T18:59:00.000-08:00

Fairly hectic day today, went by more than quickly, not sure I have a lot left for Adventures, tho surely some are going on. (my life will not much longer be in the Tubes...)

My sister Tracy did send me an ENTIRE BUNDLE of peacock feathers, which are, according to Venus and Mim, the BOMB! And the same mail brought THESE which are hands down the best cat toys I have ever found. I thought these jungle kitties could play but it seems , since the arrival of Da Bird, that we have only scratched the surface.

On thing, make sure you get the single pole, the connecting poles come apart. Rather quickly. I didn't buy mine from this seller, but am having trouble finding the one I did. Google around, hours of fun these things are....

Magic made some more leaps, as it were today, while playing with Da Bird...He got kind of nearer me than he likes to and froze, so I slowly put out my hand, with on finger to his nose, a few inches away, not looking at him. This is a thing one does with Bengals, and cats in general I am sure, kind of a "Hey, are we cool?" sign for them.

He opened up HISSSING , but I didn't retreat, tho I do have to admit to being terrified, despite the lack of claws, he could still do a lot of damage, but he reached out and sniffed!!!!

Knock ME over with a Feather!

Then he scadattled (I think that is a word, despite what spellcheck thinks) but came right back for the Feather Stick. Veus and Mim were going pretty nuts playing "Claws Under The Door" and Magic got fascinated. And then, he looked at me and Mewed!

He has never mewed me before.

Moving on from Bengals, more wonderful work on the new site, and this weekend is going to be some serious working time for me and Dr Wicked. Well, mostly me getting things TO Dr Wicked. (Jess, can you send him all the Night Garden Things?)

Hellos to new de-lurker in the UK, Hallie! (May have got her name wrong, but as I said, long day, and I am beat, anyway, very glad she is here, nice New Years Resolution, de-lurking, anyone else?)

Go this today too, and happy to help....

There is a fundraising effort in place for S J Tucker (I think you'd love her music.) She had to go into the hospital just before Christmas and has racked up some wicked scary medical bills. And has no health insurance.

Neil Gaiman has contributed a story for an anthology being published to raise money for 's00j' - info here:

If you have time/interest, could you pretty please blog about this?

Thank you, regardless!
*hug*

- Dusti

Love and Early Night,
Lorraine

We have a Baby Fabulouslorraine.com!

2009-01-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

I got to see the very first mock up design of my new site today! Done by our very own Dr Wicked, which he may hear my thoughts on here first, if I don't hurry up and write him back. Nearly cried. It's lovely and perfect, and no, you can't see it yet, the un-veiling when it is done is going to be a Party! It's going exactly where I had my vision of it, and looks, here's dorky for you, but it's the way I feel, "Just like a REAL website and everything!"

I am pretty darned happy about it.

It's got everything I wanted, done in the style I wanted. Music bits, Bengal bits, our Night Garden page! The Blog, a home for Fiends, it will have a bit I need to write yet on who the heck I AM, and my writing bits. Maybe some Bee bits too.

My very own site.

And I so do owe Dr Wicked.

That's the big news for today. I'll keep you posted on how it goes, but for now, here's some more shots that are making me pretty darned happy. Chicken night tonight, always popular.

Magic's room is looking pretty trashed, as I don't want to scare him with the evil vacuum. He is the one pulling his covers off the cave too, not me, he wants some sight lines he does.

The New Bed came today, a small futon. And we will be making it a bit more home-like. I cleared some shelves for him yesterday and he has been climbing.

I love this last one, he has nabbed the Prey and making off to his cave with it...

Here's Little Queen Mab on her Leopard Blankie. She is too the point where cuddles and petting are Expected and tonight she PURRED....

Lear will come around too. I love that guy. It's hard to get perspective from the photos on just how HUGE he is. The plate is smaller than a dinner plate and Little Queen isn't that small, bigger than Venus and Mim.

My sister Tracy's package came today, an entire BUNDLE of peacock feathers! I also got some more feather sticks, both of which I left at work, ah well, something for tomorrow.

Sometimes a bundle of peacock feathers and five Bengals is all one needs, I am thinking.

Love and Websites,
Lorraine

King Lear the Huge and Little Queen Mab Get A New Cat Tree....

2009-01-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

Since I don't exactly know anywhere else to post you photos, we'll just do a new post. Merry Housekeeper came today and put together my new Xmas Cat Tree! (Spooky Daughter cleaned, Baby Ghoul, aged 8, hunted Mousies from under the couch, and played with Venus and Mim, to everyone's delight, earning himself his very OWN check. I love this family!)

Little Queen Mab seems fine after the Trauma of both the Vacuum and the New Cat Tree. She just wonders if Tuna will be a part of it all.

King Lear the Huge, not so much. I think he will be Closeting for some time, until he is SURE the Vacuum will not be coming back.

And because we were feeling lucky, and rightly so, some Bonus Pics of Magic! I love that cat more every day. I learn so much watching him, and watching him come out of his fear is one of the best feelings my heart has ever known....

Adding this in now....

From Bengalgirl, AKA Janet, AKA She who is the Queen of Bengal Rescue in our part of the world.....She now has TWO Bengal Kittens in Foster....We almost never get kittens. Check the comments for the full story....

Condensed from her comment....

"Tues. I got a call from our local shelter, they has a 4 month old purebred brown spotted bengal surrendered for ???? GLBR paid to have her spayed, tested, and shots and I was to pick her up on Sat. Then on Wed. I got an email from a daughter of a 66 year old woman who bought a bengal kitten in Oct and needed to find a rescue for him. He is a brown marble. He needs shots, and neutered which will be done hopefully this week. I've named the girl Aashi, which is Indian for smile and the boy came with Simba."

Love, Cat Trees and Magic, and Kittens
Lorraine

Adventures in Driving....

2009-01-03T23:56:00.000-08:00

Lots to tell you, but the first thing I can think of, that drive in sure did SUCK. Total suckedness. Perfect storm of SUCK. I know I could put that more eloquently, perhaps " Due to extreme weather conditions, the driving was somewhat hazardous" or even "Most treacherous tonight, driving-wise" but I am going with It sure did suck.

Took a little over two hours to get there, a 55 minute drive, and I kept thinking that I would go to the next exit, and then call it, but by the time I reached halfway, I realized it would suck as much to go home as it would to go on, and if I went on, I would get paid. And the owner, Judy, whom I quite like, was having her Big Family Dinner, and we were very much on the agenda and I really didn't want to disappoint her. I was late, but it worked.

Gig was fun. Dr Wicked came down, which is always fun. The guy knows my music better than I do, ALL my songs from all the cd's. We pulled out a few I hadn't even thought of in yonks. He has also offered to re-do the Paul and Lorraine site, and to take on Fabulouslorraine.com, at a price I can afford. This is very exciting. I so want my site!!!!

And even cooler, when I mentioned the live feed to St Pats Day, his response was "Well, yes, easy, let's do it.."

We love Dr Wicked.

One moment of the gig I loved was when I had to nip off the stage to get a prop (we do a song where we use a Thing) and it was one of those shows where people are way into us, and not anything else and just wait for us to move on, and as they were all looking at me , I saw a quarter and reached down and picked it up and announced "HEY I found a quarter!"

Someone asked "can you put it in Paul and make him play?" and I got to sing ...Of course..

"Coin, operated Boy......"

Always lovely to channel AFP......

Drive home was nasty. Stillwater was pretty calm, so I thought I may as well go for it, wrong idea, total Millennium Falcon going for Hyperspace, by the time I got 20 miles or so from home, there were no more lanes on the Hwy, just sort of had to shoot for the middle and hope for the best. Didn't like it one BIT.

But all's well that ends well, they do say.

I told Boss today I wanted to join him on the fitness quest, and he showed me Wii. I love Wii Fit! Really fun, and a great workout. I am going to keep it up, despite the fact that Wii Fit thinks I am a 58 year old Obese women.......

And that is something we will have to work on.

The best news is last. When I got home I fed the starving hordes. (despite the fact I had left enough food to see them thru til morning should I not be able to return, they WERE starving hordes! As anyone with Bengals knows...)

And Magic ate his while I was in the room. Came right out for it. He has never eaten while I was there.

Then we played Feather Stick.

Life is good.

Love and No more snow driving,
Lorraine

You Never Know When Rock Will Happen...

2009-01-02T23:05:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I was going back over the photos from New Years Eve, and found this. Goes a long way to explaining a lot of things. I am thinking Venus had a WAY cooler time that we originally suspected. One to many catnips, perhaps???

Great gig tonight. I had gone off to it thinking there would most likely be not a whole lot of people coming out, New Years was a big thing on Wednesday, thinks me, who is coming back out????

Wrong!

Place was packed, including people who had been there on New Years! The Manager, Dapper AJ told me they had never got as much feedback for an event as they did on New Years. Phone calls, LETTERS even, saying what a great time it was.

Floored me.. Love it tho. We rocked the place. No other choice. I felt loved. I was flying. We did us some music. I made some WAY wrong promises.

There is NO possible way we can learn Bohemian Rhapsody by tomorrow night.

Sorry. I was swept away by the moment of it all.

I ran into my French Prof today at the post office, which was lovely, and I learned I would in fact, despite having no time, and being very far behind the class, be going back to class for the winter term. This next month until class starts is going to be all about me and Rosetta Stone and some Nathalie Skyping when ever we can manage it....

Love and Rock,
Lorraine

Welcome 2009!!!!!!!

2009-01-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

I thought I should hop on and do a quick New Year's Day post, before slowly melting into my couch. Last night, and indeed the entire Fiends Around The World New Years Eve Bash was simply the best New Years Eve Party EVER!!!!!!!!!

I added up the comments, starting at midnight in New Zealand, and ending this afternoon all over the place...Get read for this....

Six-Hundred and Six Comments, in about 36 hours!!!!!!

Now, that, My Fiends, is a Party!!!!!

Thank you for being a part of it!

(And thank you new de-lurker, Moon in the Gutter! Come out again! Sorry, Dabbler, you are a Fiend now, not a recently de-lurked, doesn't take long...Does it?)

And Thank you for the Best New Years Ever, Ever!!!!!!

I was going to post some pics of the Fiends at the gig last night, only to realize, Aleta, Gayle, El and friends, that I got the rest of the pub, but, uh, not you. Well, Gayle and Aleta took enough for anyone, and I hear they are all over the place. Cool.

Magic came out several times today for play, Lear let me pet him for a moment, (Yes, there was Tuna involved) before turning to the Little Queen's plate, for seconds, Venus keeps bringing me Feather sticks, she has four now on the couch with me, but I think it is Mim who has got New Years Day DOWN.....

Yes. Of course the Bengals sleep on Mink. Duh!

Love and Lazy New Years Day,
Lorraine

Happy New Year West Coast!!!!!!

2009-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year West Coast and, I believe Vancouver!!!!!

If I know you lot you are certainly out having a fine time!!!!!!! I think I am home by now (Hard to future post, more so than you think, and Fod knows if this will all go right!)

Dread Val, I hope you drank PLENTY for me as my designated drinker, if you are doing your job, sorry about the hangover tomorrow!

I suppose I could actually do this one once I get home, but it is funner this way!

I hope you all had a wonderful New Years Eve, and had a great time at the Fiends New Years Ever around the world Party!!!!!!!!!!

If it didn't exactly work, we will have a good laugh.

And lots of Auld Lang Synge!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!

Love and love,
Lorraine

Happy New Year, US Mountain Time!!!!

2008-12-31T23:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year US Mountain time!!!!!!!!!

Not sure who lives in this zone, but I am sure SOMEONE is out there! And Happy to you!

And I seem to have completely forgotten about Canada! Surely it has been Happy New Year there already for some of you!!!!!

I am driving home from the gig now, (well I will be when this posts) and am hopefully very happy about everything. Can't wait to get home and hear all about the New Years all over the world!

Love and More to come!
Lorraine

Happy New Year To Me And US Central Time!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-31T22:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to Me and Central time Fiends!!!!!!!!

Wheeee-hhhoooo! I love this bit!!!!! Horns, and hugs, and those weird shooting things, and THAT SONG!!!!!!

Yes, Paul and I do know ALL the verses, and let me tell you, some of them are kind of odd....

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !
And surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
Sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gie's a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

Happy New Year, Fiends,

Love and a Cup of Kindness yet,
Lorraine

Happy New Year, East Coast!!!!!!

2008-12-31T21:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, East Coast!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even TRY and send you each an individual Happy New Year, I know I would leave someone out, so very Happy to all of you!

Only another hour to go for us here in the Midwest!!!!! We are, if things go as planned, rocking at Charlie's Pub with the Minneapolis Fiends! We'll try and get Aleta and Gayle to confirm that with their I phones....

I think we just watched the Ball drop on Times Square. I love that. Not enough to want to BE there, but I love it on TV.

Back to Rock...

(hee-hee, due to the magic of post-Posting, I am writing this on Tuesday Evening....MMMwwwhahahah!)

Happy New Year, England and Ireland avd Scotland!!!!!!!!

2008-12-31T16:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, England and Ireland and Scotland!!!!!!!

Now it gets harder, to Majorie, Louisa, Martin, K, and anyone else, including Lurkers!!!!

(Should have borrowed the Skull Map, shouldnt I???)

I'm getting worn out with all this New Years Partying and we aren't even to the US yet...

Love and the New Year,
Lorraine

And a Happy New Year to Nathilie in Rome!!!!

2008-12-31T15:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to Nathilie, and anyone else in Italy!

(getting good, I am hoping, at this time converting, thanks to Dan and his stretchy time!)

Welcome, as you may have guessed, to the Fiends All Around the World Happy New Years Party!!!!!!!!!

Love and party on!

Lorraine

Happy New Year, Estonia!!!!!

2008-12-31T14:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Estonia! I may be mis-remembering this one, but don't we have a Fiend in Estonia, Nathilie's friend, Martha, is it?

If I got the country wrong, this one is for you, my dear!

Love and Happy,
Lorraine

Happy New Year, Melborne!!!!!!

2008-12-31T05:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years!!!!!!!!! To Sally and Jaquib and any other lurkers Down Under!!!!!!!

(You were nearly FIRST!!!!!!)

Love and Hugs,
Lorraine

Happy New Years, New Zealand!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-31T03:01:00.000-08:00

If I have done my math right, and only time will tell, it is Happy New Years now in New Zealand!

I can't name everyone, as I know I will forget people, there are Fiends everywhere, but the only one I know who is in New Zealand is Hera!!!!!!

Happy New Years, M'dear!

Love and Many times zones,
Lorraine

Commenting On the Comments...

2008-12-30T17:44:00.000-08:00

I'm home!!! And it's getting COLDER here, going to be evil cold tomorrow. Way below zero, with hateful windchill.

No new hair today alas, have to wait another week, or so. Could have made it down fine, but back would not have been fun, way too much snow. Ah well, I still have HAIR, just not as much in as many colours as I wanted for the show...

Lots of comments to read thru with evening tea....

Wait. LOTS of comments to comment on. My replies, views and comments on these comments today could well be a new post! I'm so clever.

Adriana! Glad you are back, I figured you were out of town for the Holidays. Boss asked me if I had written you, and I did mention I had but you must be gone. He then said "The Endless are so good..." How's that for an endorsement? I did very much Get It about After The Gold Rush, again, really well done, and everything a cover ought to BE. An original version of the song. Is the cd not out yet? I had thought it was? Where are people getting it from, and when? It's beautiful to look at and wonderful dreams to listen to. (Fiends, you want this)

And on...Slink is definitely a word. And one of my favorites!

Pratchett, and Austen. Having troubles with both, but love the way they put words together, if that makes any sense. And I can't figure our WHAT is stopping me from reading them! Vexing it is, grievously vexing!

The Flash Girls third cd "Play Each Morning, Wild Queen" came from something someone, who can say who, wrote on my filing cabinet with word magnets....Emma and I just liked it. (speaking of covers, I seem to recall we paired A.A.Milne's Buckingham Palace with a fiddle tune, not exactly ART, mind you, but fun.)

Mistress, well done on getting the paper into the publisher! I am quite sure if you told me what the paper was about, I would have no idea, tho Dr. Score might, but well done none-the-less!

There, I think that covered replies to most of what I missed while hanging out with Tubes, I mean working today. Tube-wise, I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. One more day ought to see most of it done.

And since it is going to be a long time before I at least get tired of talking about Magic, he is really starting to be interested in me! I hear him now, every time I come in, getting into position for pouncing should the toys come out. He has yet to eat while I am in there, but we have all the time there is.

I feel so good about him. He was a cat no one wanted. Some people felt sorry for him, but he was not a cat anyone wanted to take on, and there wasn't anyone else available to take him on, if they did. The shelter he ended up at refused him, saying they would never be able to adopt him, he had no chance.

He had the option of going to a sanctuary, and I am glad these places exist for Bengals who have no other option, so many are put down, but as he has NO claws, front or back and would have had to just be in a cage.

My decision last year, to make a difference, somehow, lead to this. To him on the way to being happy, loved, and loving in return. I saved him. And not just him, tho he was by far the worst off I have ever worked with. I am not trying to blow my own horn here and say "oh look at me! how wonderful I am!" but, just, when I decided to try and make a difference, I had no idea what MAKING a difference would do to me, and the way I am feeling now inside.

If you have anything you really want to try and do. DO it. You can't know how it will end up, but I can tell you one thing...

You will be loving the feeling.

Love and more Magic,
Lorraine

Another Magic Evening...

2008-12-29T18:30:00.000-08:00

I'm still all about the Magic tonight, got some pics, but as I have to do it one handed, with no flash, and he doesn't exactly POSE, well, you can get an idea....

It's hard, in this light to get a picture of how beautiful he is. When I went in tonight, I'd brought food, but forgotten the Feather Stick. I went back for it and came in, and he was already out and ready for the game! It was Boss, actually, with the Jungle Loves, you know, who first got them to come out, when he was visiting one day, and started playing with the stick. I remembered that last night.

His eyes, an the FEEL of him are so very different now. He feels wonder, and curiosity, not hate and fear.

That's his "Cave" sometimes he is under it, and sometimes under the blanket on it. I am feeling a lot of wonder myself. I can't quite explain this feeling, but for something so damaged, and so hurt, to be able to trust me enough to come out, and be happy...There's nothing like it. There aren't words.

It's a lesson of sorts. When Janet first heard of him, she was WAY honest with me about his chances, and the state he was in. I didn't know if I could help him, but I did know I was going to try, and there wasn't anyone else. After he came, and over the next few months, I still didn't honestly know if I could reach him. But I wasn't going to stop trying. Ever.

It doesn't matter if you think you can do something, it doesn't matter if you believe if you can do it or not.

It just matters if you DO it.

Love, and Wonder,
Lorraine

The Day The Magic Came!

2008-12-28T17:14:00.000-08:00

I can't think of any compelling and storytelling way to say this, the words are so simple, and sometimes, the simple words are all you need.

Magic came out tonight. He came out and played with me.

Not just poking a nose out, like I thought the first steps might be, but full on all the way out and interacting. He is surely the most beautiful Kitty ever born. I hadn't really got to look at him before, he was so scared when I brought him home, I kept him covered and he has been hiding ever since.

Until tonight.

I was going to show you a letter I got from my Jungle Loves new Friend, which made my heart so happy, and indeed, we may end with that, but first...

I un-tangled the feather sticks, and was having a game with Venus and Mim, which is sort of full on chaos, lots of fun, and I thought I might take the sticks up to the New Bengals, King Lear and Little Queen Mab, and Mab of course came out and was gently batting the feather about.

Lear, an over 20 pound F2, thinks about things a little more. Until he decides what needs to happen. 20 pounds of POUNCE onto the feather, ripped from the stick and destroyed. I laughed so hard, and got something a bit stronger.

No one, I thought, can resist the Feather Stick.

No one.

I took the Sticks down to Magics room. Magic, as most of you know, is my sadly abused F1, who hasn't, from the day I brought him home some months ago, come out of his cave when I am in the room. I was thinking about him, and how to reach him, and very, very sure I would not for anything give up on him, and sat on the floor, and started Feathering.

A head came out. A body came out. He left the cave, went to the cat tree, chased, and pounced. Until every so often he would recall that he was OUT and I was there, and hissing would happen, but I just kept playing and he would forget again.

Magic. Pure and simple. We named him right.

I can reach him. I have reached him.

Tho it makes this post kind of long, I want to share some pictures and a letter I got. The Jungle Loves were badly off when I got them, and it too, took months of work, and longer until I found the right home. But if you want to know why I foster, here it is...

They are doing better than great.. Better than I had even hope for at this time.

Spirit ( the spotted one) sleeps on my lap every time I sit in my chair. She sits on the back of my head rest if my feet are not up, and follows me from room to room to be were every I am.

I have also taught her to "give me five" when she gets her treats. One day I will have to send you a video of that. She is so good! We rub her fur and she purrs, and rolls in every direction like she is in heaven. Especially when you rub her tummy or brush her. She really likes to be pet.

Angel ( the marble one) is VERY active. Gary calls her Fallen Angel when she gets into things.It has taken her longer to settle
down and like being touched and petted. But she has started laying on my lap like Spirit ( I think she get jealous) and slowly she has allowed us to pet her.

They do the funnest things, and are so much fun to have around. They have made us laugh till we cry and entertained us for hours. When Angel wants your attention she goes behind the entertainment center and steps on the power outlet strip for the TV and turns it OFF! Trust me they are smart and know how to get your attention and let you know what “they” want.

Spirit paws my chair when she wants something. If she wants to play she paws at my hand. If she wants a treat she jumps on my lap and looks at the jar sitting next to me. They run around and around the house and chase each other. You never know which way they will be coming from. They have made a "runway" so they know just where they can go.

Thank you! K.J.

Never say never. And go for it.

Love and Magic,
Lorraine

And Yet Another New Beastie....

2008-12-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

My friend Mel is the best. In a lot of ways, but what I am thinking of today is in connection with horses. She is really, really good with them. And with people.

She knows I have been kind of nervous, and she knows I want to learn to ride. Today she mentioned that Rommy was kind of sore as she had been jumping a lot this week. And she was grumpy. Great, I thought. Just what I want, which must have showed on my poor face, because Mel said, well, she thought maybe Rommy needed a day off, and did I want a nice ride on D'Exotica, aka Tess.

True love. I didn't get any really nice pictures of her, but here she is wondering what Mel is DOING with the clippers..

I like riding English best, as opposed to Western. (how can I be a haunted gothic lady, riding the moors endlessly thu the night, dressed in black and lace, with high black leather boots, and my dark hair steaming out behind me, in a Western saddle, I ask you??? Can't be done.)

Rommy isn't so good with an English Saddle, it slips around on her, and you kind of feel, at least I do, like you are about to fall off at any moment. And she has been kind of a brat lately.

D'Exotica was lovely to ride. She knows what she is meant to be doing, and does it, leaving me free to think about riding. I can't think "Thumbs up, elbows in, heels down, hands in line, shorten the reins, move your hips, back straight, use your knees, post, bring her head in, sit back, and oh, relax" when I am trying not to fall off and the horse is not at all interested in doing what I want.

So Mel is leasing me D'Exotica aka Tess for at least the next month or two. I can work on my riding, which certainly needs work, and learn to relax, and communicate with the horse. Then we will see. Lady May needs some work with a better rider than I, and I need the confidence.

I love being with horses, and the horse people I have met. I know enough about riding now, to know how good it can be, and what it might feel like to do it well. Like dance, or music, or spooky words.

I know it's a great workout, and I may get fit doing it. (if only people would stop bring Goodies to the stable!)

Love and New Horses,
Lorraine

PS...This just in, a picture of our friend Jen showing Tess last summer...Thanks Mel!

Great Covers, Bengals In Need and Bubbles...

2008-12-26T18:53:00.001-08:00

How is everyone this day after Christmas? I know Val is sick, poor dear, and many of us are DONE with chocolate. We are doing FOG tonight. Creepy, dark, spooky fog filled with Things...And it is 40 degrees. Let's get some perspective on that. It was -17 last week, so we are 57 degrees warmer.

That's like the difference between 50 and 107. Wacky place to live, I tell you. Who ever did hear of 40 in December here? No one, of course, is bothering with coats.

Nadine who found the scared Bengal at a rescue group adoption drive in a pet shop in AZ has hooked Janet and myself up with the rescue people who have him. All we know so far is he is very scared, was abandoned in a home foreclosure, not yet neutered (PEOPLE!!!) and may be an F3, we are waiting to hear back from them. At least he is safe now, and we will find him his home.

Oh yes. We will.

I got to hear the new cd by The Endless today, Somniloquy (a really cool word meaning "Talking in your sleep") and it's lovely, as their cd's always are, but what blew me away was the cover of After The Gold Rush.

One of my pet peeves with people covering songs, is when they re-do the original. Hello? It was already done, and done well, if you care enough to cover it, that way. Make it your own. DO something with the song that is your very own version of it, your interpretation. No one needs to hear the same version again, and it will not be as good. Just because the original went here, here and here, does not mean yours needs to.

Go play in a cover band. (and I am not dissing that, at all, work is work)

But if you want to make some art, make it your own song. Show the world your dream. And that's what they have done with After the Gold Rush. It's perfect. Wonderful. And it makes me happy. May cover it. (Wait. Belay that.) Adriana, way to go. Surely music to dream by. Listen to it Fiends, I am not wrong on this.

(Adriana is a Fiend here sometimes, not Adriandalen, or Adri, but Adriana)

And finally, kind of a fun picture, with a story with it.

When Boss re-modeled the bathroom, he put in the biggest tub-spa ever, complete with jets. When he took his first bath, he popped in some bubbles, and turned on the jets and buried himself, and later, told me the story and warned me.

Silly Boss, over reacts, exaggerates, these writers, I thought, as I went for my first bath, complete with bubbles and jets.

Ye Fods!

And it isn't all that easy to turn them OFF. I screamed for him and said something like "Help help!", and he, at the door, said, "You are in the bath, I am not coming in" and I replied, "No Worries, I am buried and decent!"

When AFP and the Danger Ensemble came for a couple days, Amanda and Tora decided to try out the spa.

(as anyone who has ever shared a dressing room, van or tour bus with a band or theatrical group knows, you get close to your people, and ooh-la-la is the farthest thing from your mind, it simply ceases to matter. I know my Fiends understand this. 'Nuff said.)

Well, Neil warned Amanda, and she warned Tora about exactly WHAT could happen bubble-wise, but Tora, (being a girl after my own heart) decided to heck with it, let's just see what will happen.....

(Photo by Kat Cornwell, another of the merry band)

Love and Bubbles,
Lorraine

Magic All Over The Night.....

2008-12-24T15:11:00.000-08:00

First of all, Beez, or anyone else who is feeling a little sad, or not quite where they want to be, or missing someone, or just overwhelmed with everything, try this, if you can do it in front of a fire, so much the better, but I suspect anywhere will work. Mim says, sometimes you just got to.......It will make you happy.

It's Kylie's first Xmas ever. Her I do miss, but seeing photos like this make me so happy. She belongs in the Treehouse. Obviously.

As anyone who lives with Cats knows, the Tree is there for them. It's something you have to accept. If it is big enough, they will climb it. Tie it to the wall. If the presents are wrapped, they will, like children, spend hours trying to get into them. Deal. That's why Fod gave us Duct Tappe. Don't use tinsel. Your house will be tinseled, and as we have all learned the hard way, pulling it out of them is way no fun. From either end. Make sure, whatever you make, that there is enough for them too.And remember, ornaments are THERE to be batted off and chased around.

So, is Mim like the Spirit of Anti-Xmas? What's up with the evil look????

Nathilie, I don't know WHAT it is you sent me, but Venus seems to think it is REALLY worth going after!

That is not a third Bengal, but a Tasmanian Devil Sally sent me. She sent me a Spider too, but he kind of went the same place Marjories Cat ornament. (see previous paragraph) fortunately, they were way not interested in the funky tea she sent.

Thank you, Fiends!

I hope what ever you are doing tonight, or tomorrow, that it is special to you. I hope you find a little bit of magic, make someone happy, take some time for yourselves and eat something just a little bit bad for you while watching movies only you would ever want to see.

I hope you take a moment to think about how good things are, and take a moment and think about how you could make it better for someone, or something. I hope something makes you laugh, and that your heart has a moment where it is so happy and cuddly that you do just like Mim did in the first picture.

I hope at Midnight your animals talk to you, and I if you have cats, I hope they tell you a secret. If they do, listen.

I hope if you are out at 3am that you see the Northern Lights. And you remember what your cat told you.

Most importantly, I hope you know that you are loved. Each of you, and that includes you, My Lurker Fiends. This is one of the most special places going, and it would not be without you. And I love you all right well. And Thank you again, for making my life better in so many ways.

Love and Hope,
Lorraine

Mostly Starring Selena Kylie!

2008-12-22T17:18:00.000-08:00

Cat has taken some time away from her 100's of mailing tubes and prints to send us some pictures of Selena Kylie in her new home, with her new friend Batman, but first, I thought you might like some Merry Holiday wishes from Hera and Brjann....

THAT is my kind of Holiday Kitty!

When I accidentally adopted the Kitty known now as Selena Kylie, I knew she had to go home with me. She knew she had to go home with me. For the life of me tho, I had no idea why. Sure didn't NEED another kitty, not with all these Bengals running around, but there was something really special about Kylie.

When Cat came a few weeks later I found out what it was. She fell in love. Totally and completely. We went back and forth for a few weeks, her not wanting to take my Kitty, and me not sure I wanted her to go, but knowing she would be. In the end, of course, she did.

It was funny, as I think Kylie knew too. When Cat came back a few weeks later, she stayed at the Spooky House, and from that moment, Kylie sure wasn't about me. She knew she was going to LA to live in the Treehouse and help with the merch. She was ready.

We worried a bit about how Crusty Old Batman, the Kitty who came from an LA shelter and hid for months before coming out, and even at that point had contact only on his terms. Worried needlessly. Batman was besotted. Totally and instantly. As Cat put it "He walks around with little cartoon hearts popping in and out all around him" He is like a kitten again, playing for hours with her, following her around, letting her eat from his bowl, and sleeping with her n the bed at night.

Sometimes, you can get so happy knowing you have done something so right and perfect. I feel pretty much like I just played a part in something that needed to happen, was meant to happen. Had to happen. Batman has the life Cat always wanted for him. Kylie is loving the Treehouse and sunshine. And my friend Cat now has two friends who talk to her constantly while helping as much as they can.

On another note, Dr Score has been helping me with Magic (if you missed that, Le Leopard finally got his name on the Solstice) We have been looking into his past, trying to figure out what went wrong, that he is so hurt today, and hopefully, how we can help him.

This photo of him as a kitten, sadly, does a long way to explaining a lot of things...

Love and Happy Cats,
Lorraine

Spooky Haus, Part 2....

2008-12-21T14:30:00.000-08:00

And now for Part 2. I believe we were going upstairs tonight, yes? Follow Freaky Venus...

Up to the top...That's a Kelli Bickman painting she did for me. She calls it "Quiche-cat" I love her work.

To the right, at the top, we have the Bathe. I didn't choose the wallpaper, it was here, but I was pretty tired of re-modeling by the time we got to it, and it wasn't all that bad, so it stayed. At some point tho....

Isn't this the Strangest chair ever? I got it because there surely aren't two in the world. The bath tub is lovely, but useless for bathing. The drain is about halfway up, so it is very shallow, and I do have a hot tub. I may take the plants out and make a pool for Mim, as she loves the water, perhaps with little fishies even.

Here's Venus on the vanity, which is somehow fitting....

There are two bedrooms here in the Spooky Haus, the first, the Forest Room. And we have the added bonus of King Lear and Queen Mab on the bed!

You can see the room has become a little more Bengal oriented lately. They love to climb and sit ont he tree, I may get them another. I'd love one of the TREE cat trees, it would go nicely in the Forest Room, I think...

I call the second Bedroom the Cuddly Bedroom....

It's a cozy place, and makes me happy. It's very much a refuge. Mim sleeps by the heating grate, and Venus with me. The cuddly books are up there too, with the non-fiction in the Romance Room. Nice balance.

No cat tree, but seems like they make do, yes?

And now back downstairs. That's the cover of Maurice and I under the window, a Michael Zulli, always loved that picture, she is so haunted, her and her alligator. And an Underworld poster, signed even. Those two movies have to be two of the best movies EVER.

And now, perhaps we will go outside, so you can see the big picture.

Ooookkkk....Or not. Really, it is much nicer in the spring, truly!!!!!!!

I hope you have enjoyed the Spooky Haus Tour, thank you for coming, and please, come back again soon!

Love and Cozy,
Lorraine

Spooky Haus Tour Part 1...

2008-12-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

Promised tour of the newly in order Spooky Haus! Part One anyway. Another tomorrow, and perhaps another yet Monday, as there are a LOT of great pictures, and if I may be permitted to say, a Spooky Haus this cool can't be done right on one post. (by Tuesday, Fod knows how, it will most likely be a MESS again)

First, The Gorey Kitchen. Does anyone wonder why I don't cook here very often????

I just got curtains for the glass door and the windows as it is always kind of cold in there, and uh, I am always forgetting I live in town now, if you see what I mean...I like my pot rack, in kind of a Medieval Torture rack sort of way.

The curtains of the left in this next picture, cover a glass door the goes out to the deck. The black ones on the right, go to a sort of Butlers Pantry, and on into the dinning room.

And into the dinning room. This is from the other side of the Butlers Pantry, looking out, and on thru and into the sunroom. Yes, of course that is a cat bed on the dinning room table. They like it there. Notice the two glass cabinets, they are filled with skeletons, before I had my Spooky Haus, I used to keep them in the closet. But really, what is the point?

Notice next that there are only two houses in Halloween town in the top shelf now....MIM!!!!!

Here next is looking back at the pantry and the Halloween Bathroom...

Speaking of which, it looks huge in these next photos, but it is the smallest bath EVER!

I live the hanging bone thing here, but what the heck IS it? (oddly enough, that is not at all an odd thought for me in this house, I often wonder at some of the things that show up here...Don't MIND, just wonder)

The Romance Room is one of the nicest rooms in the house. And stays the neatest, as I am not there too often. The door on the right here goes into Le Solace Leopard's room, which I think we will skip for now. I want to make it nicer, more of a real room, but am not sure how, or if it would disturb him any.

Here's another angle, that door goes to the front porch, as does the one in the dinning room. Those wacky Victorians. This house has door everywhere. And I hang keys in all the windows. Old keys. Just in case.I didn't take another towards the Stardust dress, as you have seen that many times, and this is getting a LITTLE long here.

And back to the Sunroom, which Bengals, and a fire and my strange little Xmas tree. Which is where I am now, writing to you.

Love and Spooky Houses,
Lorraine

Tonight's Gig Cancelled....

2008-12-20T13:35:00.000-08:00

Not that I think any of the Minneapolis Fiends are quite this nuts, but in case you were going to head out to Paul and Lorraine tonight, that gig has been canceled in its entirety.

Even if I couldn't make it, which it looks like I could not, Paul and Dylan were going to try, but it is such a mess here, snow wise, that the gig has been called off completely.

Driving simply makes no sense for anyone, either for us or anyone coming to the show.

Stay in and stay safe!

(Proper post tonight, not to worry)

Love and Home,
Lorraine

How To Shoot Movies In One Easy Lesson....

2008-12-18T20:45:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful, wild, long couple of long hard days! Learned a lot since Tuesday. Tuesday was the day I learned I was the Person Running The Screening and also that this Doc Shoot was not a couple of guys with a camera for a couple hours, but a full on, day long movie shoot.

Right. Now last weekend I made an error. (yes, time you knew, I am very so not perfect, it is true) I hate making errors more than anything, and I work really hard to make things go perfectly, which, sadly, they do not always do. Makes me insane when it happens. So I was very determined that with both this screening and the Full On Doc Shoot, things were perfect, insofar as I had any say in it.

The screening, as you have heard did go off perfectly. (I figured out I was running the show when Henry Sellicks Assistant dropped me a note asking what Henry should do when he got there and what was going on) He was happy. Boss was happy. Everyone was happy.

While waiting for things to begin, Boss and I had a few moments to chat about the shoot the next day. He asked me when it started (got that one) when was he needed (got it) how long would they be there (Yup) How many in the crew (easy) and how many of those were hair and make-up and was there a separate wardrobe person.

Huh????????????????

I froze. I stalled. I never thought to ask about hair make-up and wardrobe. How could I have missed that??? I hadn't worried about wardrobe, I mean, he only has the one outfit unless we take it to suit, and that was in the closet. Well, yes, make up, but clearly this is not MY problem is it???

Well, if he was asking, it obviously was and I ought to have thought about it, and I am dead, as I have , for the second time this week, messed it up. (the words I was thinking were rather different and not printable)

I took a deep breath and with a sinking heart told him I had not asked.

Only to find my Buzzard of a Boss cackling fit to kill! MORE than pleased with himself. Got you that time, he said.

I admit, as I decked him one, that I was laughing too, but at the same time telling him exactly what I thought of this prank and how worried I was and how well he knew it. Got me indeed!!!!!! Coal in his stocking.

The shoot was loads of fun. The people were great, and as such things go felt like family by the end of the day. I love the logistics of movies, and the behind the camera bits. I'd never want to be in front of the camera, but all the different jobs fascinate me, and how it all works, and how people work together to make it happen.

It's them that make the film. Not the front of camera. I know they do their bits, and do it well but they certainly could not do it without the skill of everyone behind the camera. Today was a one day shoot. We had one front of camera, and 14 other people making it work.

I was Boss's Assistant and the "Lorraine can we, Lorraine where is, Lorraine do you have" person. For 14 hours. Loved it. Every minute of it. There was one women, not sure what her job title is, but she was the one coordinating everything, making it happen, making sure everyone had what they needed and that things happened when they needed to. That's the sort of thing I like to do.

Again, very fun to see how things work. Can't wait to see the final version. We got to watch it all on a monitor, which was fun, watching the rooms turn into sets, and the magic work.

The only time we ran into snags was, well Princess Snowflake the Cat is a bit of a Diva. They got a lovely shot of her running down the stairs, and then she prowled the set in a delightful manner, but then decided things weren't going quite right and started going back to the camera people, and the lighting and sound guys and telling them it wasn't all THAT perfect....

We had to banish her to the attic.

Cabel did pretty good, but he was a little enthusiastic and wanted HIS bits to be NOW, so off he went to Doggie Day Care until we were ready for his big scene where he romped in the snow with Boss. Had to re-take it a few times, more walking more romping, but he did great and didn't seem to care HOW many times we re-shot.

It was only when we were leaving that he let me know how he really felt. He took me aside and said...

"All I want for Xmas is more screen time than the cat"

Everybody wants to be in movies...

Love and film,
Lorraine

Coraline!

2008-12-17T20:28:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a screening of Coraline, complete with 3D! Boss said to people if you like it talk about it, and as I rather more than liked it, I will say so now.

(And I suspect Beez, Aleta, Gayle and El will not say a word until I give the ok, talk away guys)

One heck of a magic film, on every level. I am not sure I have ever heard a film better scored. The music was amazing, and added to the film in a way I hadn't exactly experienced before.

The animation, obviously, was, I think I have to go with Very. Very. Good. Took my breath away. Magic.

I think one of the best moments was seeing the reaction of the kids who were there. Allison Stemple in particular, I have seen a child's eyes shine like that, but never from a movie. It made my heart feel so good. Dr Score's boys were there too, and I loved seeing them quiz Neil and his friend about how exactly did they do everything. I think everyone went away feeling a little bit of magic.

It was a working night, in part as I did not know I was arranging everything, and being the official rep until yesterday. Learn fast. I kept thinking Someone would be Doing Things, and Someone did. Just hadn't thought it would be me. I feel like I did good. Instead of tickets, or a guest list, I gave out Black Buttons for people as their Tokens into the event. And little flyers for free popcorn and pop.

I wish I had had more time, (I know you know this, Minneapolis Fiends, but it bears saying) to talk with people and hang and such, but work is work, no matter the magic in between. I am very glad you were there.

It also goes without saying that I wish ALL of you could have been there too. The best I could wrangle were the local folk.

-12 here, and a cold cold night. And an early day tomorrow.

But I think my dreams will be sweet.

Love and great movies,
Lorraine

An Unexpected Two Hours...

2008-12-17T06:38:00.000-08:00

I virtuously got up early this morning in order to go for a workout ride before work, and virtue being its own reward, Trainer Mel had to cancel, forget why, either death in the family, viral pneumonia or a holiday party that was earlier than she expected. Anyway, I found myself with two free hours!

And I thought perhaps I should do a post, as today will be a bit busy, tomorrow more busy and then I have gigs all weekend which makes for some more busy, and now we are up to Sunday, and by then you have forgotten me, gone off and formed your own country, built upon the shores of 500 or so comments....

Clearly, I need something exciting this morning.

Perhaps pictures of King Lear the Huge and Queen Mab the Dainty?

OK.

These Kitties get more fun every day. They are still getting used to me, and too close is not too good, but they come out every time I go in the room now, and I have done pets on Queen Mab.

Lear, as you can see is a big guy. Not 30 pounds, tho I make it 20 or very close.

The are truly two of the most beautiful Bengals I have ever seen, but more importantly, they are not damaged. They can love, and really want to love. They love to play, and we get further into it every day. Someone is going to be very, very lucky. The King and Queen are SO much further along than the Jungle Loves were. Lear is an F2, but I haven't seen any sign that he has any problems, and Mab an F4.

We are looking for a home for them. They need to stay together, they love each other SO. And their new Friend needs to be a women or perhaps two women, who have no plans to add any men to the household. Lear's one issue is he does not seem to like men. It is possible that his last home was simply the wrong one, tho I know of nothing the Gentleman did wrong exactly. Lear had no litterbox issues in his first home (the women moved away) or his foster home (tho she says she was fine with him, her husband could not get near)

There should also, I believe, be no other pets or children. I would keep them in a second, they are that much fun, but I believe they deserve their own home, and their own person who will love only them, someone who will come home at the end of the day and call out to them, like I do Venus and Mim, and have them come running up for love.

Love and Long Live King Lear and Queen Mab!
Lorraine

Let Them Eat Cake. Or Write My Blog. Either Works For me.

2008-12-15T20:49:00.000-08:00

I have been getting some cool things lately from people, and so it being late and today being long, I thought I would let them write tonights post, as they are all wonderful!

First off, this from our artist friend Kelli Bickman, pointing us at a friend of hers website. She sent it to me saying she thought you might all like it as there were a lot of SKULLS going on, and she could tell how we felt about such things. (HOW one wonders, hee-hee) Thanks for thinking Kelli, you were right, the site is wonderful!

We haven't heard from Hera lately, our Icelandic friend in a while, so I was glad when this pic came in, in the course of the great address update today. She is back down in New Zealand with her Freaky Pets, working on a new video. This vid she sends us is not the new music, but fun all the same.

(Brjann is the only Kitty I know who could win a Who Is Freakier contest with the Bengals)

And finally, Janet, aka Bengalgirl, aka the Women who does all the work at Great Lakes Bengal Rescue, sent me this that someone had done with a shot of her Bengals. Gotta love it!!!!!!!

Thank you all for sending! You sure did get together at the right time to save my post tonight! It was -14 driving home (-29 to you C people! I think.) And the temps are falling. Need some warm, and some sleep! Till say SPRING!

Love and cold,
Lorraine

An All New Look For Horses.....

2008-12-14T18:32:00.000-08:00

Despite the fact that my horse, Rommy, was a brat today, and I got rather scared, and had to battle it out with her, I had a lot of fun. Trainer Mel's daughter had the BEST idea. I had brought in some clip on hair extensions for my riding friends, so they could have cool hair too, and we had extra, so....

Pretty fun, eh? Here's another with Trainer's daughter Jeannie, who knows more about horses than I ever will, and helps me with the hard bits. (IE everything)

Horses sometimes take into their heads that they are going to do what they want, and not perhaps what you want. And they will try it on just to see if it might not work. This is the point where you HAVE to win. My Winter Romance was being a BUTT today, and I got scared. Riding is scary. Horses are big, and Rommy is a lot more horse than I ever did ride. I had the help, and the skills, but it was my head that defeated me. Mel helped me thru it, and my friends told me that it had happened to them, and to everyone. (I Really like my horse friends, we will do some pics of them soon, they can RIDE!)

I am going to keep at this, and I am going to get good. And fit. My one problem with this stable tho, is that this horse thing is meant to be helping the "How the hell did I gain 20 pounds???" problem, and people are not so helpfully bring in Goodies....AH well, I will win this too.

It was an interesting lesson to learn about fear tho, and how it is your head that can defeat you...

In other news, I am getting a new horse. Meet My Lady May, or Mazie for short. Had nothing to do with today. Mel had a chance to acquire some horses from someone who had heard about her, and had too many horses, so she was pretty much offered them, only she said she could not take so many as she had no one to lease them to, and I had the idea I could give Rommy back, her owners are fine off, and take one of these new horses instead, and she should just pick me out the one best for me.

Lady May is a full Arab, and a top level show horse. And, meeting her today, by the looks of her, a whole lot of horse! I am thinking she will be teaching me a lot about riding in the months to come!

Can't wait!

Love and Horses,
Lorraine

Here Was My Night...Wish You Were There!

2008-12-12T23:17:00.000-08:00

I will get to the gig, which was loads of fun shortly, but first, this Adventure...

I was driving home, and it happened. The WORST feeling. Red and Blue Lights flashing away behind me. On the start of a long dark highway. (Actually, it wasn't really dark, the moon was amazing doing the reflect off the new fallen snow and all thing, lovely)

ACK!!!!!!! My brain screamed, oh FODS!!!!!! I am SO in trouble!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!! WHY??

Why indeed? Actually, I thought, pulled over, doing the Wait. Not speeding. Sober. Obeying traffic laws. Car not stolen, No warrants, not even for snow parking tickets. Not running drugs. No firearms. No bodies in the vicinity.

Tail Light. Heh. Then the questions, with the LIGHT shinned two inches from my face. Same questions, very fast, differently phrased. After telling him several times yes, my license was correct, except for the weight thing, I smiled and said "I'm sober. BA zero."

He grinned, and said " THAT'S what I like to hear, get your light fixed and have a good evening."

I sped off. As it were.

The gig was good, made better by Fiends being there. Paul got caught in traffic and was late, and Dylan was late, so we weren't really all together and going until half an hour late, so the set did go long. Kind of too long, but it falls that way sometimes.

It's harder to play the big room, as so much of what we do depends on one on one contact with the people, harder in a big room, and most people were there for the drinking, but I think we won them over. Did some good things, I do know that.

The last song was a true Epic of Absurd. A song called Look At The Coffin, which done correctly, or incorrectly, can be a wonderful train wreck of love. We took it DOWN...

Look at the Coffin, with golden handles,
Isn't it grand boys, too be bloody well dead..
Let's not have a sniffle, let's have a bloody good cry!
And always remember the longer you live,
The sooner you bloody well die!

Look at the preacher, bloody sanctimonious...Isn't it grand boys....

Look at the flowers, all bloody wilted...Isn't it grand boys...

Look at the mourners, bloody great hypocrites....Isn't it grand boys...

Look at the widow, bloody great female....Isn't it grand boys...

Some things will stay with you. Had to be there to feel the love. And the true love of the Fiends who stayed and played roadies (while declining our rock n roll suggestions of playing groupies, some people!) and hauled the gear to Prius, in the freezing night.

Love, Police and Rock,
Lorraine

Adventures in the Culinary World...

2008-12-11T18:39:00.000-08:00

There were NO Adventures in Shrimp in the Plan tonight. I thought I might cook a chicken, which would be nice for us, and then I could take some cooked bits home to the Kitties.

All good.

I thought I would make a cauliflower-cheese to go with it. We had lots of bits of cheese from last week, a cauliflower, I have been experimenting with different ways to make the cheese sauce....

And created this, one of the most beautiful, bizarre, and tasty dishes ever....

Did I mention the cauliflower was purple?

Yes, here in this town where one cannot buy a Shrimp fit to eat, one can buy purple cauliflower. It's pretty. It's purple. What's not to love????

And it rocked. The cheese sauce was close to perfect! Better than ever before. It made me happy. All concerned, loved it.

I will make it again when next we have company.

I will become famous for this dish.

And before you say you Do Not Like Green Eggs and Ham...

Love and Purple,
Lorraine

Lesson in Shrimp....

2008-12-10T17:41:00.000-08:00

It was a busy day, not a harrowing one tho. I worked. I went all the way thru my e-mail, answered nearly every question anyone had. This is always a Good Thing. Except, they all wrote me back. I now have five pages of notes on things that need doing tomorrow.

(if you were waiting on me, and didn't get an answer, you might want to lob another my way, it's that sort of hectic right now.)

It was also Pod's day for her IV fluids. This is a thing that is going better than I ever would have expected, despite my glib assurances on the subject. She comes right out and sits on HER pillow, and I pop it in, and give scritches until it is done. She couldn't be happier. Cats will surprise you sometimes like that. It doesn't bother me at all. Sometimes we surprise ourselves like that.

Tonights Adventures involve tending Leopards and watching a movie, hard to make exciting, but I will give it a go, proving again, it isn't what you do but how you write about it.

Since King Lear the Huge, Still in Hiding likes Shrimp, I thought I might get some. NOT an easy task here in Small Town. I know this will shock and amuse many of you, but here we cannot nip down to the market and simply buy fresh seafood. Don't have it. I found a pack of Frozen Salad Shrimp and brought it home.

And so begins the Great Shrimp Hunt.

Mim found the Pack of Salad Shrimp in the bag, and went on the Hunt. I explained carefully that they were Frozen, and needed to, uh, soak a bit. (I was winging it, I have no idea how to prepare Salad Shrimp. The package said they were cooked and all)

Venus joined her on this hunt, tho she is pretty sure All Food Sucks and is some sort of Plot.

I did a little Steak Lobbing for the Hiders, and Venus and Mim, while the Salad Shrimp de-frosted. Le Leopard growled, but sniffed. The King and Queen hid. Venus ran, and Mim put hers under the carpet, and proceeded to try and dig it out, howling mournfully the entire time.

Mim did not appreciate Venus joining HER hunt. If this look isn't evil, not sure what is...

When the Salad Shrimp was finally de-frosted, and the bag opened, we all, uh, re-coiled from the SMELL! Great Fods, this stuff is worse than Sardines! Wont' be happening again soon! Neither Venus or Mim would touch it. Sure don't blame 'em!

But when I took the bowl up, and went into the Forest Bedroom, Queen Mab came running up, until she remembered she did not know me, and sniffed the Horrid Shrimp, and retreated slightly, but Watched! I lobbed some Horrid Shrimp and called for King Lear the Huge, but he never came.

We will see. Small steps, but it was a night I needed a bit of encouragement, and Queen Mab came and saw me.

About all anyone could want.

Love, and Horrid Shrimp,
Lorraine

News For you.....

2008-12-09T16:57:00.001-08:00

(new Kitty photo, just had to share, always wanted a picture growling with something in my teeth)

Lots of newses for you tonight! I will try and not forget anything.

This Friday is a special event at Charlie's Pub in Stillwater, with Paul and I doing the music. Complete info HERE but basically you pay $10, $12 at the door, and you get to drink all the Micro Brewery Beer your little selves can hold. We'll be in the big room, and having a blast. I don't expect out of the country Fiends of course, but the rest of you should nip down, including my little lurkers, great way to meet people you know, all the beer you can drink....Special Guests TBA! This event is Friday only, no Saturday show this week...

Over at Neverwear.net , our own Miss Kitty's site, there are some Holiday Specials going on. (And a very hot picture of AFP in a Graveyard Tee.)

Judging from the amount of Loot Kitty went home with this trip, I think there may be some pretty cool things that you simply cannot GET anywhere else.

I know this Holiday Season things are rather tight. And we have to decide where our money is going gift-wise. And I know I am preaching to the choir when I say that considering supporting a small business or charity makes one warm and fuzzy inside.

So go get yr Neverwear, and a free Giftie besides!

Speaking of which, I am still running my Any Amount, Any CD's sale until the end of the year. Donate ANY amount to Bengal Rescue, and I will send you cd's. The Gift that gives twice. ( donate@greatlakesbengalrescue.com )

And speaking of Bengals. I have FIVE now. My Venus and Mim, an as yet un-named F1 abuse child, and the hugest cat ever begot, F2 King Lear and his charming companion Queen Mab.

I don't now yet if Lear and Mab will be going onto a new home, I don't know if they can, they are still in hiding and it is too early to tell. I know the F1 Leopard won't, I'm it for his chance.

I can't take another. The next time Janet calls, I will have to say no. Our group is closed to any more taking in Bengals. We have no more room in any Foster Homes. Please, consider, if you have a room that could be a foster room, becoming a Foster Home, to a Bengal that would otherwise be put down, or turned away to Fod Knows what.

The Kitties I take in are the seriously bad off cases. Most Bengals who come to us are wonderful, loving kitties, who just need a bit of help finding the right home, having lost theirs thru no fault of their own..

I can tell you, taking in a Bengal, and finding it's true family is one of THE most rewarding experiences I have had this year. Nothing like it.

Or if you are thinking about a new Friend for Xmas. Try here......

Love and Thanks,
Lorraine

Huh?

2008-12-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

Question of the day....

What is Venus DOING and why does Mim think a USB cord can help her????

Love and Weird Cats, Lorraine

You Never Do know When...

2008-12-06T23:52:00.000-08:00

You know, I liked my little town. I loved the idea of being in a small town and knowing that it was not a big city, and people cared about each other, and looked out for each other. I love knowing everyone on my block, and talking with them about gardens. I love it that my next door neighbor texts me with parking info, and people knock on my door if they see the car on the wrong side of the street.

Small town is good. At least I thought so until I got home tonight.

One never knows when something will hit you.

It has been SNOWING here. Lots of snow. 4-6 inches in the past couple of days. I had built up a lovely deep bit on my steep steps up to the house, and on my share of the sidewalk. Snow everywhere. Hard to walk, easily slipped on.

But I came home tonight and found that SOMEONE had shoveled my steps and side walk!!!!

Sigh. You think you are safe and then someone comes along and shovels all your snow.

Gig was good tonight, really fun, packed house with lots of new friends. The Guinness Xmas trees had been put on stage, which is lovely, but makes it a little cramped and the do get stuck on cases and gear, all the same, one needs trees on stage.....

Seeing as how I can't sleep yet, too much rock this week, here is a poem for you to wake up to....

"Sleeping with Leopards.."

Tonight, as the sun sets, we are going to climb,
Up the vines that run outside the house, and into your room,
Come thru the shutters, and
Ease in thru your window...

We can use the door, you know,
But this, my dear, is more fun..

We will creep across the floor, on silent feet,
Claws making no sound,
On your carpeted floors,
Quietly making our way to where you lie sleeping.

We can be very quiet, you know,
When we, my dear, have need to be.

As the last bit of sun sinks softly
We will paw back the curtains that hang from your bed,
And sit ourselves at the foot,
Getting ready, to pounce, as you wake.

We can be very patient, you know,
When we, my dear, are waiting.

Teeth shinning in the twilight, we will smile
Thinking this evening you are going to be surprised
You will wake and tho you are very fast,
We will chase you into the dark night.

You are ours you know,
And we, my dear, will have such glorious fun...

Love and Leopards,
Lorraine

Another Night Of Winter????

2008-12-06T01:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this has been a Week, and a week of many things. Ok, so the Fods get together and make their plans, and Plans decree I need to go to Chicago and get TWO more Bengals in need of help just at the moment that AFP is doing a show there, which is good, as I cannot go to her show in Minneapolis two days later...

And then the Fods decree my Booking Agent, the Mighty Fitz, calls on the way back from Chicago, and asks can he switch a gig so we have the Friday AFP is playing Minneapolis off. Very nice, thinks me, really want another AFP show...

But are the Fods laughing that not only are both shows in different STATES, many hours away, but also to get to them I will not only be sleep deprived, but there will be a BLOODY BLIZZARD both times to drive thru?????????

But of course.

Had no clue there was one brewing when Kitty and I left for the airport tonight. We are X time away from the airport. Took DOUBLE X time to get there...In short, she, with Kali in cat carrier made the plane, barely, and I made it to the show, with minutes to spare...

SO worth it.

You may have inferred, from various posts and such that AFP and Danger Ensemble may have been houseguests of Boss, and as an Assistant there might have been a fair amount of work involved in such an undertaking, and it is true a Rock Star, Co, and crew might have not been an easy task, nothing could be further from the truth. They rocked. They helped out, they were lovely, they were delightful. And I would welcome them all back at an time.

After they left, and Kitty and I went thru the house, looking for left items, it became clear, they had ALL, in mass, not only kept up after themselves, but had, en masses, made each an every bed. Kind of says it all.

The show? If I could dream, a dream, of night and magic and things that were possible, and it could be perfect, and rock like I see in my head... I do see such things. But only dreaming. Or not. Such shows ARE what dreams are made on. It happens, that all people are together, and that all go home happy together. And that is the BEST thing going.

If they come to your town, go and see them. If they want to stay with you, welcome them.

You will be happier for it.

Love and Touring Bands,
Lorraine

Chicago Might Be A Long Drive....

2008-12-04T19:49:00.001-08:00

Home, with the Kittycat, Miss Kitty, as well as King Lear the HUGE and Queen Mab, the Dainty.

It was quite an adventure, and the last hour took two due to snowstorms, and I hadn't exactly slept, but we made it in time to the show JUST. Missed Boss's Amanda Introduction, Rats. As a show, I can tell you it was well worth everything we went to to get to it. I had never seen her and her Danger Ensemble live before, and tape just doesn't convey how amazing cool this show IS. The women has energy, and energy to spare. She is a party all of her own, and I for one, was glad to be invited. It made me happy, all of them together.

I get to go again tomorrow, due to a strange switching of gigs . (NOTE: Paul and Lorraine will not be at Charile's Friday this weekend, we will there on Saturday night , AND the following Friday the 12th)

Getting King Lear and Queen Mad this morning was a sleepy adventure, but I woke up a bit when the Gentleman said he was glad I brought the large cage, as Lear was now weighing in at 30 pounds. The pictures do not really show how HUGE a dude he IS...

I went into the bathroom, where they were, and Queen Mab was high on a shelf. Not high Bengal wise, just cat wise. Lear was hiding in a cave of clothes, when I threw him some shrimp, which he likes. I felt so badly for him, for some reason, being there, and him not knowing what was going on, but knowing something was up, just eating his Shrimp and looking at me, saying "Make it right".. He's been unhappy for a long time, and not in the right place, despite people trying. I want him to be happy.

Here's Mab peeking. I had been with her too you see...

Lear took some chicken from me, on the way home, and did some mewing, and some hissing. He let me scritch his ears, and leaned into the scritch, and blinked at me. He also freaked, lashed out with his claws, tore my coat, and scratched me, but it was all pretty new. They are happy in their room, I hope, I really want him, and Mab to be.

This is as much as The Zombie of No Sleep, Princess of Dead Tired, can write to her Fiends this evening. Your chatter was much appreciated on the drive down and back, and the long hours of the night. Many thanks to Maure in Chicago for putting up Kitty and I for the night! And for not leaving us at the show! (Tho Maure and I did get locked outside the club, despite passes and all my dead brain could do was laugh and freeze)

All in all, very fun! I will leave you will a shot of Kali, aka Selina Kyle, who is traveling to LA tomorrow! We will miss her, but I am sure we have not heard the last of her!

Love and Travel,
Lorraine

Winter Comes TODAY??????

2008-12-03T04:51:00.000-08:00

Morning Fiends! Than you do much for all your Fiendish good wishes this week, no details, way to much information, but I am feeling a lot beter now, if really tired.

Fods, I had the WORST nightmares last night, and never slept for more than an hour at a time, cats turning huge and attacking Cabal and Venus outdoors, bears coming at me when I was in a convertible, trying to find Chicago, and ending up sleeping on the floor wrapped in a blanket of the humane society....

Some days you just have to know when to get up already...

Trying to decide about Chicago, according to Wunderground.com it will be a whole lot of no fun just about when we would get there....Have to have a think....

Either way, we'll keep you posted!

Love and Snow,
Lorraine

Maddy is the BESTTT yo.

2008-11-29T15:06:00.000-08:00

Oh hello there fiends of Quiche! This is the AMAZINGGG Maddy Gaiman and I have agreed to do a fabulous blog post on the blog of theeeee Fabulous Lorraine.

So at the current moment Quiche and my father aka "Boss" are having a conversation about Edward Gorey. I think they are going to buy something of his or something crazy like that. I'm not really paying attention to them though, since my full attention is devoted to this of course!!

Welllll, I have got to say I am having a simply marvelous Thanksgiving Break. I'm pumped that Kitty is here with Quiche because they are pretty much the bOmB dIgGiTy yo! fo sho! I'm not really sure if you guys are hip and cool and stufff but that means 'for sure'. OMG learn something new everyday right right!

Oh snap oh snap wellll umm I would just like to put it out there that I had a donut this morning. It was really good. I warmed it up in the microwave for approximately 22 seconds..ahhhh just like heaven! Quiche and Kitty picked a donut up for me and themselves because as I stated in the previous paragraph they are the bOmB dIgGiTy.

So that right there is my life story. Have a nice day. FO SHO :o) <<< cutest smiley ever to walk the earth not that it walks

Love and MaddyIsSoCool,
MADDY :D

And Now For Our Movie!!!!

2008-11-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

I think the Licking the Chops photo of Selina Kyle there about sums it all up from yesterday. Still a lot of Fiends off and about visiting, and so I am sure there will be many more stories, the good and the bad, for us yet to come.

As you know, Kitty and I spent last night at the Spooky House, started with homemade from the Garden tomato soup, eaten at the table, complete, despite the risk of Cat Flambes, with Candles.

The first course being a bit too much for us, and it being rather late, we elected to do the second from the couch. Before we go into movie land, I believe it is important for our friends around the world to see the actual Can of Cranberry Sauce, in all it's glory....

And now, for our Main Feature Presentation! Mim's Thanksgiving!!

This was one of my first feature roles. I feel, as an actress, I brought a lot to my role. I play a women trying to keep her Thanksgiving dinner away from a Bengal!

My motivation was clear, and director/camera person Kitty was clear in her instructions tho I had a bit of a time explaining that Mim was not going to wait for her to call ROLLING, but this was an on-going process and she had better just jump in.
I
t is a fine movie! The drama! The chase! The hunt! Hot women in sexy PJ's! Bengals ripping and tearing into dead turkeys!!!! You can do a LOT in ten seconds!!!!

I give you, Mim's Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Love and Movies,
Lorraine

Death Cake!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-27T12:27:00.000-08:00

I was walking around the grocery store and trying to think what to serve my Guest tonight for dessert, as obviously I do not have time (Or inclination) to MAKE anything.

Then, there it was. A Death Cake.

I laughed so hard. The store people laughed. I said "What the heck IS this? A funeral cake???? Something special for us Gothy types who can't let go of Halloween? Nothing screams Thanksgiving like a Death Cake!"

It was quite the Adventure, this Thanksgiving shop, check this out:

Au Gratin Potatoes! Says so right on the box! Who knew potatoes came in boxes????

And no meal would be complete without Hors-de-vors! (Hey, kitty requested them)

And of course, a full array of impenitents to cook them with.....

Now, back to check on the updates, I am loving this Fiendsish Thanksgiving! And very thankful of all of the Fiends!

Love and Death Cake,
Lorraine

Oh, Happy Day!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-26T18:19:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is upon us, and it was a long day, so it's a quick post you are getting tonight. The Fiends are traveling, and cooking, and looking forward (or not) to seeing family and friends, and to coming back and sharing the adventures.

For me, Miss Kitty is coming! Which is Holiday enough at any time. And heightened by the fact I have promised her dinner that is not ordered from the local Pizza Place. It's funny, I am, if I may flatter myself, a really good cook. I made what may have been a nearly perfect omelet this morning for Boss, with Irish cheddar, and a side of avocados and tomatoes.

I love cooking Indian food. A couple weeks ago I did a surprise brunch for four, catered a soiree for 40, (with Bison Chili, tomato soup and baked potatoes) and followed it up with breakfast for 15. My nearly favorite show is Top Chef.

But faced with cooking at home I seem to turn into a dithering culinary idiot.

I had thought I might do, duh, Quiche Lorraine for Kitty, how hard can that BE? But apparently it is not a good make ahead of time dish and we are going to get home from the airport rather late. Fortunately, my French teacher, Le Proff, took matters into her own hands after hearing my somewhat stumbling dinner plans.

She bade me come over today, and sent me away with turkey, ready for heating she had made, and a tub of cornbread stuffing she had just made for me, AND proudly pulled out not one but TWO tins of cranberry sauce, the smooth and the chunky (Who knew????) and offered me a selection of potatoes and yams, should it be needed and asked questions like "You DO have a pot, don't you????"

Bless her. Kind of, for me, summed up what Thanksgiving and the Holiday ought to be. Kitty and I and the Bengals will dine on turkey, and eat ice-cream and clementines, and just be happy here at the Spooky House.

Here's a few pictures just to make this visually interesting and because I have a camera now and CAN...The Evening Adventures of Bengal Venus!

"Her feet! Her feet! Ah, the smell of them!!!!!!!"

"I know there are credit cards in there SOMEWHERE....Mmmwwwhahahah!"

And finally, proving once and for all that Benglas KNOW how to party in the winter!

I hope however and where ever you are, that your day is a fine one, and you are as happy as I am. A special hello and welcome to our recent de-lurkers! Be happy with us, and we promise not to let Adriandalen get too out of control, playing with new Fiends.

Maybe.

Love and cozy,
Lorraine

Among Other Things.."Grab The Skin And Make A Tent"

2008-11-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

I warn you in advance, tonight's post is a seriously Cat Oriented Post, so if you are in any way not fond of the Wee Beasties, or bored by such, you must go elsewhere for your entertainment this night. Or morning. Depending on where you are. And when.

I have a lot of news on all fronts, Cat-wise, but the Gentleman who currently has Queen Mab and King Lear, sent me some photos today, so we are going to feature them, in the photo area. I should mention too, that this is not like the Jungle Loves, who came from a pretty bad home. This Gentleman has done everything possible for these kitties and tried to make it work, after adopting them from Bengal Rescue. When it became clear it was not working, he called back to the Rescue Group to find a solution. And he has done everything possible to help me in the transition.

Sometimes EG (Early generation) Bengal males get some odd ideas when they hit adolescence. Lear, it seems has been asserting his dominance, and after a visit from the Gentleman's father, peed all over the couch where the father sat, and then, when the Gentleman fell asleep on the couch, peed on his head. I would be tempted at this point to seek other solutions myself. Lear had no problems with his female foster Mom, and other than that used the litter faithfully.

Moving on to more cats....Selina Kyle (formally known as Kali, Kitty said she thought she might like a cat named for a crime fighting Superhero , to go with Batman, better than one named for the Goddess of Destruction) has come thru her Spay just fine.

Now for the hard bit. You have heard Boss speak of the Downstairs Library Barking Mad Cats, Pod and Hermione? They are 16 now, old ladies. When I went down yesterday, the library smelled pretty bad, which generally means one of them has some sort of bladder infection. A trip to the vet with overnight stay, proved the point, Pod is very sick and in kidney failure. Good news, this can be treated, and she is not ready for the Big Nap.

Talking with the vet, it came out that Pod will need weekly or bi-weekly intravenous fluids. I called Boss and told him to come to the vet and learn how to do this as OBVIOUSLY I could not.

(I fear many things, but I do not lie awake worrying I will ever be an intravenous drug user. I HATE needles or anything to do with medicine, despite being the daughter of a Doctor and a Nurse)

The conversation went like this:

Boss: No. Take her to the vet weekly.

ME: But that will be too traumatic for her, I hate that.

Boss: That cat is completely Mad and loves no one but you. She hates me. That is a three man job, and even then it will be horrible.

(It should be noted the cats had a pretty rough start in a NYC Animal Shelter, and simply could not adjust to a large home with other cats and a new baby, Pod lived in my room for several years..)

ME: You have a point.

A point I realized I would have to do this. Fods. Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you could not do something, but had to, as there was simply no other solution? I went. The vet told me what to do. And showed me. I chanted in my head "DO not pass out and I mean it. Do not throw up. DO not pass out."

"Grab the skin and make a tent, stick the needle into the tent horizontaly, check the flow, re-adjust the needle..."

I did it. Had to.

After I got home with the Kitties, I said to Boss I had 20 minutes before class and needed a cup of tea, Badly. He said "I am proud of you. Would you like beautiful tea in a beautiful cup?" And made me flowering tea in a glass pot. We talked about fear and what one could and could not do and drank the best tea I have ever had.

It got funny in French class when the last ten minutes Le Proff asked me did I want to do a little more work on reflexive verbs combined with adverbs, and I said "Normally that would thrill me but I have already learned how to IV a cat today and I think that's enough learning"

Le Proff replied" Well in that case you will all be glad to be dismissed early.."

Love and Stronger,
Lorraine

All Around The Spooky House...

2008-11-24T18:56:00.000-08:00

I do recall saying at one point I would take you around and show you some Spooky House, once I had a camera, and so, while you won't get the complete tour, here's a preview. (Venus as you can see,thinks this very funny)

Here's the latest, coolest new Toy! The Water Thing! Mim remains un-impressed, but Venus is having some fun. Question: Why ordering Pizza seems like the best option....

Answer: Seems obvious. Kali, as you know is moving soon to LA. (She gets her Spay tomorrow, wish her well) We had thought to send her on the plane with Kitty, but she seems as happy in the box, so we are thinking Fed ex...

The new Fosters, Queen Mab and King Lear are going to reside, of course, in the Forest Room. It is the largest and so fitting for their Royal Highness's. The small couch will be replaced, of course, with a Cat Tree, suitable for their reclining pleasure.

The Cat Tree will be fun, but the Forest Bed also offers many opportunities for entertainment.....(Yes, that IS an Edamame Sushi Pillow.)

And just in case anyone wonders if I may have been exaggerating about the Poor Ficus....(if you look closely you can see the newly cleaned Poo-wheel in the corner)

Love and Spooky Home,
Lorraine

My Thanksgiving Spirit

2008-11-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

I thought I was running out the door, but it seems I have another bit of time before my visit to Winter Romance, so we will do this now, and then come home later this afternoon with no excuse not to do the House Things that need doing.

I am not a big Holiday Person. I don't like the "One Must Do This" approach, where on Thanksgiving you HAVE to have THAT meal, and eat too much and be with people you can't stand. And Fod forbid if you don't have somewhere to BE....Excuse me, but let me point out that having an entire day at the Spooky House with nowhere I have to go and nothing I have to do and that I can do whatever I want with IS a Holiday, and I don't have many like them.

And here in the Midwest, there are some really scary not in a good way food customs.....Sweet Potatoes baked with sugar and covered with Marshmallows? CANNED green beans, baked with CANNED cream of mushroom soup and topped with French's dried onion things? Pumpkin pie with made with CANNED pumpkin? Jello and fruit mold? And pistachio FLUFF?? (no idea what that one is, I fear it...) Little weenies made with Fod knows what in a crock pot with a jar of BBQ sauce???? Not to mention a Turkey AND a Ham....

Not going there. Most years anyway. But this year, I am having People for Thanksgiving. Well, a Person any way. A Guest, for Thanksgiving dinner. Miss Kitty is coming. And I have to feed her. And me. I am good with ordering Pizza, which is what we usually do when she eats here, but the pizza places will all be closed. And I feel I should Make Dinner, it being a Holiday and all.

I don't have many people over for food. A lot of people get sort of faint of heart when confronted with Bengals at dinner. You have too choices here, they eat on the table with us, or we lock them up and listen too what sounds like Armageddon, as they yowl and fling themselves at the door in an attempt to let me know there has been an ERROR and they are locked away.

I only ever tried a Dinner Party once, with my Sister and her husband. We got nearly to the point of Dinner when Boss called from the other side of the world and desperately needed an introduction transcribed and sent over ASAP, so I had to nip into work, find it, transcribe it, and by the time I got back, my sister had fallen down my steps and sprained her ankle....

(to be fair to Boss, this WAS important and he did not know about the Dinner)

This will be different. I have come down with the Thanksgiving Spirit. And I am doing it UP for my Guest. I have been pondering the WHAT I am going to make, as her plane does not come in until 6:00pm, and it is a fair drive after that, so this dinner must needs be Ready to Go when I get back. Finally figured it out, and it is perfect. No,I am not going to tell you, you will find out on Thanksgiving, Kitty reads this, and I want her Thanksgiving to be Perfect. And a Surprise.

This is what a Holiday should be. Doing something that makes you happy, with people who make you happy, in a place that you love to be.

Love and Happy,
Lorraine

Bengals! Bengals! Everywhere!

2008-11-21T15:43:00.000-08:00

Do you recognize these Bengal Girls? How about up close? Lovely, aren't they?

Would you believe Jungle Loves 1 & 2???????

I go this note today.....

"I say to Spirit she is a pretty kitty and she rolls on her back and lets me rub her tummy. You can tell she is enjoying every minute of it. She is the one that will often jump up on the chair and sleep on the foot rest with me. Angel comes up to play.

I sometimes have to step over them to get past them. Before they would run when we moved our feet.

I never get over the beauty of these cats! Their personalities are so different and they let you know what they want. RIGHT NOW. What did we ever do with out them? They won my heart when I first saw their pictures. And my heart was right!

Thank you again for choosing me to have these beautiful girls. I really don't know what I did with out them. They have given me many hours of joy and laughter. And I have had them just a little over a month. Just think what I have
to look forward too.."

Makes me happy. Especially since the other note I go today contained this:

Meet Queen Mab and King Lear (AKA Queenie and Lear) my new Fosters. Lear is a big F2 boy, who apparently Does Not like men, and his bonded sweetheart, the petite Queenie.
They are currently living in Chicago, and as it works out, Miss Kitty and I are going to go down in a week and a half and pick them up. We will bring them home, and we will see what happens....

Love and Bengal Happiness,
Lorraine

(Strange) Love, Sweat and Horsies...

2008-11-20T20:45:00.000-08:00

Ok, this may be a Horsie night, but we so have to start here, with Bengals. I believe we are going to have to consult Marilyn, the cat coach, for an exact explanation for this, but I am calling it "What the heck?????????"

Aww...It's Rommy thinking "Is this a carrot I see before me??"

I rode English tonight, which was at first, somewhat daunting, it's a whole different thing, and there is a lot less of it, but it all came back to me, and it is SO much easier than Western riding. It's almost like, if you can completely relax, you could float there forever. You can float for a long time, but walking on post-float jelly legs is not easy.

The action shots didn't turn out so well tonight, we will wait till Miss Kitty comes out for those, but Melissa did figure out the florescent lighting setting, which seemed to help quite a bit.

I like to call this the "It is really goofy to be hot and sweaty and cleaning up an even hotter and sweatier horse and have someone taking pictures of you that you know will shortly be seen around the world" shot.

And yet ANOTHER new and useful skill I have learned! I don't know why one uses them, or what they are called but I can now put on and take off leg wrap bandagy thingies!

I love this horse. I love the people there at the stable. I love riding. I am going to get fit, and learn to do this really well. I love this hair-do more than the day I got it.

I worked hard for it tonight.

Love and Sweat,
Lorraine

Est-ce que vous vous habillez chez vous ou au cafè?

2008-11-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

That was my sentence tonight in French class. Conjugating reflexive verbs we were, and there were many questions where one got to answer with the logical verb of choice. I drew a complete blank, as no doubt our French speaking Fiends are right now, as it is not a question one would ever, I hope, have to be asking another person.

The verb was "S'habiller" (to get dressed) But what was REALLY funny, and do not be drinking tea when you do this, was when I plugged it into Babelfish tonight and translated it just to see what might come up...Try it.

I do like saying "Vous vous" tho, I'll say that for the darn reflexive verbs...(and Est-ce que, is pronounced "Es-ka" so you get "Eska vou vou" which is a fine sounding start to any sentence)

I did pretty good on this "Eat Less, Move More" fitness plan today. No Pizza (Bison chili) and I did one 20 minute fast walk with the dog. Ok, not huge, but a start. I had to do an errand in Minneapolis this morning tho, and actually left the house, after writing my inspirational blog about getting fit, thinking, "oh great, it's early, I can grab a Breakfast Sandwich...."

OOPS!!!!!! Or not. Found an alternative.

I think most of this will be re-training my brain, to think in terms of "Healthy". Can be done. Must be done. I really, really want to be fit this spring and get my first Tattoo from Hannah.

And I don't want to spend the winter as a Dark Pudding.

Love and Vous Vous,
Lorraine

Off The Couch....

2008-11-19T06:55:00.000-08:00

Fods, I love waking up and reading what you Fiends have been up to in the night!! This is something I do even before TEA, kid you not. (Well, to be honest if I had someone to bring me tea, I'd read you with tea, most likely snorting it in the process...) But there it is every morning, Bengals all over the bed, and Fiends on the Blackberry.

Not a bad way to wake.

I've been thinking a lot about fitness this week, and think I need some Fit going on in my life. It's that really hard time of year when it is dark all the time and grey, and cold. I don't want to go out, and when I am home, I want me some couch, and for dinner, the only thing in this town someone will bring me, PIZZA.

Horse started me thinking on this last week, and oddly enough, Kat Von D and her co-horts in her shop. I really want to go out to LA in the spring and get my first tattoo, I know what I want for a tattoo and now I know where I want to get it. Any of them can do it for me, I've been watching the show, and quite like them all, they make people so happy. They have this really great, friendly, cuddly, loving, anti-snob attitude going on. Could almost be the Midwest. I like them. A lot.

But back to my point, and I do have one, I want to be really fit and feeling strong and good when I get it. And it might help with this whole Winter Dark Ick Sleep Feel Like A Pudding thing that seems to be once again creeping in.

That's what I am thinking about this morning. And begging the question, the First Tattoo? Freaky Venus, first Bengal. More than anything this year, in a year when a lot has been going on, it's the Bengal rescue and work that has been most important, and I always thought that when I found something important enough to me, that I would want on me and with me for the rest of my life, I would get that first tattoo.

Found it.

Love and fitness,
Lorraine

My Winter Romance, Day Two...

2008-11-17T19:41:00.000-08:00

Not sure how well these Horsie pictures turned out tonight, still learning about this camera, you are going to have to wait until Miss Kitty comes for some really GOOD ones, but these are fun.

I am not actually having a baby, tho it looks like it, I have managed to get my shirt caught up over the saddle horn, like a dork! Tonight was Western saddle again, I go onto English on Thursday, hurrah!

I learned something new from Horsetrainer Mel tonight, I was having a nice little canter, and she called out what to cue, to go from canter to trot, which I figured would send me careening in all directions, only the horse got it before I did and went to trot, and there I was posting along nicely! I was never so surprised! Rommy is so smooth, so perfect, I did it a couple times!

Here we are after the workout. Anyone who says the horse does all the work, is NOT a rider. We are spending a lot of time trotting and posting around the ring. I can go twice around, rest a bit and do another two, rest MORE, then turn around and go the other way, and do it again. I manage half an hour. I will get fit!!!! Don't need no stinking gym!!!!!!!

Scritches and rubs with the curry comb, which is I suspect , Rommy's favorite bit. Carrot time would have to be the first....

Horses are magic. That's all there is to it. It makes me so happy to be riding again, I never realize how badly I miss being around horses until I get back to it, and feel so lucky to have this chance to ride such a horse, (not to mention getting help from one of the best teachers going, MEL!) Not sure I can move now, and am really sure it will hurt tomorrow, but is so way beyond worth it.

I will leave you with a lovely shot of me using my Horsies mane for a new hair extension look. Always fashionable, that's me!

Love and Winter ROmance,
Lorraine

Love For Dread Val!

2008-11-16T12:20:00.000-08:00

I had some things in mind today, but they have been a bit pre-empted by a comment I read a couple hours ago from Spacelaw saying Dread Val had been in her car for two days trying to reach her home in California. She is having trouble trying to get home because everywhere near her home is on fire.

Can't be good, I thought.

I called Dread Val, and spoke to her and she has indeed been trying to reach her home for two days. All the roads leading to her home have been blocked, and she had to drive some distance last night to spend the night with a friend. She is again trying to reach her home today. Driving the streets in her yellow Mini, hoping she can get there.

The mandatory evacuation order is in place in her neighbourhood, 1/8th of a mile from her home. I said "Let's be clear on this 1/8th of a mile thing, as in, we could sprint there, or hit it with a rock"

Yesssssss, said Dread Val, that's about it.

She is very worried about her dog and her cats. It is possible if she cannot get there, that her Mom can go and get them. She just, at this point, wants to be let in, grab them, and a few things, and get somewhere safe, but doesn't know if the fire and police will let her.

Kind of puts a lot into perspective, doesn't it?

She asked could we keep up with the good thoughts, and that it meant so much to her that we were worried and thinking of her and sending good things via the universe. She is going to keep in touch with me, and I will keep you posted.

I can't imagine driving around, in a Mini no less, hoping and hoping that you could get to your house, before it and all you owned burns forever and hoping at least, you can save your pets and one or two other things. I think it would very clearly crystallize exactly what is important.

Here's love for Dread Val, and any other Fiends in the path of this horror.

UPDATE! This just beeped via text: Passing the hills on the south and east side of my house, black, scorched and smoking"

Love and Prayers,
Lorraine

How Could We Forget The Honey??

2008-11-14T18:07:00.000-08:00

One of our Fiends, Marylin, The Cat Coach, is sad tonight about a Bengal Friend of hers. Can you nip over to her blog and give her some love and support? I will let her words tell the story...Our thoughts and hearts are with her.

Yet another long day today, and I think I am not going to make the shows in the Cities, seeing as how the Cities are more than an hour away, and "early" figures into my waking up in the morning, but I want to hear from everyone who got to the Lojo show. (Or anywhere else fun tonight)

One thing that happened today, besides the chicken soup making and lemon and honey and ginger drink making , was we noticed, yes, we had harvested the honey (Fancy bee talk for Stole the Stuff) but had neglected to extract it, and there it was sitting in the basement, beginning to leak. Oops.

We have an Extractor, as you can see, it's that big silver thing in the picture above, and tomorrow the Birdchick is coming out and we are going to test it for the first time, but we decided to use the old bucket and cheesecloth method for the uncapped comb.

I'll explain. If the bees cap it nicely it will keep for yonks. But if it is not capped, it can turn into Mead or crystals soon, and we didn't want to mix the two. We have more capped than un-capped. We had two supers (bee talk for little boxes) and one brood (bee talk for big box) harvested.

I got out my fancy honey scraping tool and went thru all of the frames and pulled out anything with open comb and scraped away. This is very messy. Sticky too. Now I have these....They will drip thru the night, and we will have honey.

The lighter and darker honey is simply what sort of pollen the bees were having at the time. Here's a closer shot of our golden bucket.

This next is a nice picture (amazing what a girl can do with a camera with a view screen!) of some capped honey, with a wee bit of un-capped in the upper corner.

The Bee Area is a Mess. Old hives and frames and empty hives everywhere. Dripping buckets, and a thin layer of Sticky all over everything. Tomorrow we learn to spin the extractor, which I know will BEE interesting, because like ALL bee equipment, for reasons known only to the Secret Order Of Bee Equipment Manufacturers, it does not come with any instructions.

Love and Honey,
Lorraine

If I Only Had A Brain....

2008-11-13T17:42:00.000-08:00

This is the "Fods, it has been a long week and it ain't over" post. I am really tired and have big plans to do not too much of anything but catch up on Bengals and reading.

Here's the good news for the day! My camera battery came! It is now charging and tomorrow I will have a camera, with a battery and a view screen! I will be able to SEE what I am taking a picture of! Ah, they joy of it! Who knows what sort of pictures will come from this! (I am thinking Bengals and Horsies are going to figure in heavily)

But even better, Miss Kitty is coming to visit in a week, and SHE will be taking pictures and making little movies, she tells me, now that we know how to post them on You Tube and embed them in blogs.

No Horsies for me until Monday, the way this weekend is panning out, but considering how sore I still am, that might not be a BAD thing...I will get fit. And I will not break any bones in the process.

Still hoping to get down to the Cities Friday night and see some Lojo at The Acadia. She is having her cd release party, and there is going to be some great music. A Lojo show is a place where anything can, and most likely will happen. Trust me. She rocks. I taught her everything she knows.

(Susan, pass that onto her for me, yes, hee-hee...)

I am trying to think of some more adventures for you, but the only thing I seem to recall is that in French, the word for Lawyer and the word for Avocado are the same. HOW they decided that I am not sure we will ever know...

Makes one think...

Love and couches,
Lorraine

My Winter Romance

2008-11-12T19:21:00.000-08:00

Tonight ended up being rather different than I had expected. Life throws you alot of things that are un-expected, but in some cases, it throws you something wonderful and you end up blogging from cloud nine.

I (finally!) got the time to go and see Horse trainer Melissa, and start the re-learning to ride process, in hope of getting good enough to participate in the sport of Bareback and Bitless", (which is NOT some kind of strange sex, but rather where one rides sans saddle and bridle) and also to learn to ride sidesaddle, and jump, all of which I have been wanting to learn since I was about five.

Getting there was like trying to find Brigadoon, the fog was so thick, I said to Melissa "Is this the first TEST? I can find the place, you share your ancient Horse Knowledge with me???"

And once I did get there I felt like Dork Princess wandering around the barn (Ok, "barn" doesn't cover it, HUGE honking heated indoor riding arena with stalls and plants for goodness sake) calling out forlornly...Let me in..let me in....

A nice lady let me in, and she and a gentleman and another nice lady (I knew they were nice as I had met them before) and welcomed me. Really welcomed me. They were really nice. Too nice. They, have you ever heard the expression "Smiled Toothily"? They Smiled Toothily...Come they said, Melissa has your horse all ready for you....

And there was Melissa, with one of the most beautiful horses I had ever seen. Black and White Pinto, half arab, half saddlebred. (One can tell) Tail and mane braided up so they would not trail on the floor. Ok, I'm in love. THIS is your lesson horse????

Not exactly. I hadn't been on a horse for a long time now, had a bad incident that scared me for a long time, but getting on this horse was like coming home. SO smooth, so easy to ride, responded to every cue instantly. This is what riding can be, I thought. I know I have never been on a horse this good before.

The nice people watched, and cheered me, and Melissa called out tips, and I rode, western tonight, as it has been a while, as I said. The nice gentleman said he had a camera and went and got it and took pictures for me.

Then Melissa said "She for sale your know"

HA! I said, I don't know as much about horses as you do but I sure do know I don't have that kind of money lying around. (think 1000's and not under 10)

Well, no, says Mel, but you could lease her, she needs the work.....

Leasing around here means one pays for board or a portion of it and in exchange, rides whenever one likes, without being responsible for any vet bills or feeding or anything, as long as one is acting reponsibly. And this far out into the country, a lease is often very reasonable, as there are always horses needing work. I've done it before, but never with a horse of this caliber....

Not being able to think of a reason this sounded like in any way a bad idea, I now have a horse.

Meet "Winter Romance"

Adventures indeed.

Love and Horsies,
Lorraine

Home Thru Ice and Snow..Might Be Winter...

2008-11-11T17:45:00.001-08:00

Bon Soir, my Fiends..Or Bon Jour for those of you just waking. Or Hey There for those of you who aren't sure.

French got kind of funny tonight. Learned the "re" verbs. No, I am not going to give examples, it would only hurt us both. But it did get kind of funny. Le Prof, who is a Saver of Cats and so, cool in my book, helped myself and another Student, us being the two who, er, uh, sure aren't getting it QUITE as quickly, mostly due to missing classes due to other commitments, tho I think we are more entertaining.

(none of them know us, or this blog, except Le Proff, so I feel comfortable sharing, they are all fine people)

But the sentence would be something like "Do you generally win or lose at tennis when you play?."

Obviously, this is not a one word answer will do sort of question, and one is meant to answer " I win at tennis most of the time" or some such thing. I would get frustrated and say "I crush them like bugs and then drink the blood of my enemies"

Another one I liked was "Does your cat jump off the table when you come home?" and my answer "NO, they leap from the re-fridgerator onto my head, yowling like banshees!"

Fortunately, Le Proff knows I am also a Saver of Cats, so I think I am cool in her book.

Moving on, I need Someone to help with Something if anyone cares to and has the time. Any PG Wodehouse readers out there? I have a manuscript by a new author, which may be good, but I am not well enough read in Wodehouse to know, it written somewhat in the style of Wodehouse type humor, but again, I don't know enough to tell how good it is.

Anyone want to read and critique? It is no one you know, nor is it MY book, so you can critique (to me) as you will.

Hera sent me a picture of the nails she did on me when she was last here. Did on me just drawing by the way. I love all the scratches on my hands, do you think I had a new Bengal???

Love and Tired,
Lorraine

Happy Birthday, Boss!

2008-11-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

First of all, of course, Many Happy Returns of the Day to my Boss! Happy Birthday Boss! I am sure Boss will be very glad to see this, as if he can see it, it means he is now home, and not going anywhere for a while. A Good Thing.

Mads showed me the COOLEST thing tonight, it is a thing called Table Music or more correctly, a Retrograde Inversion Canon. This one was a piece by Mozart for two players, only, it is one page of music, the first person plays it right side up and the second reads it upside down and it is a perfect duet! Some more explaining HERE

We played it together. I am in awe. I know Bela Fleck as written musical palindromes, jazz banjo pieces that can be played forwards or backwards and are the same either way. But a duet???? That one reads and plays upside down? Mozart had it going ON!!!!!

Lojo is having her cd release part on Friday night at the Acadia Cafe. I think it is very close to the 400 Bar a bunch of you were talking about going to, to see someone whose name I have forgotten, as in on the same block. I think I am going to nip down and sit in for a song or two with Lojo, and then perhaps nip over to see this band whose name I have forgotten, but recall I thought sounded like a good idea at the time. Lojo's show is no cover, and I am hoping she will let me play on the one song I love.

(yeah, forgot that name too, what is this , the Senior Moment blog tonight???)

Finally, just noticed Malena has posted a vid on her site that literally made me snort serious tea. The women can be truly funny. It's kind of "Sarah Silverman does Rabid Pit Bull" funny....

Later Than Last Night

2008-11-08T15:46:00.000-08:00

Fods, I am even later and farther behind tonight than I was last night getting to my gig! So if brevity be the soul of wit, I have some soul going on this evening, as it were....

Or something.

I am dashing off for some more Adventures in Rock, and one hopes it will be fun. I am hoping that the Trip of Grandmothers comes back, but I am not sure they could top themselves after last night. First set will be a slow one, I am thinking, as I am tired, and the weather is doing it's cold and snow thing, can't imagine people dashing out, tho I am hoping the Twin Cities Fiends come down.

I think tonight we should help Spacelaw with her Namo story and kick around the theme of "Good girls going to Hell" We are not sure where she is going with this, as she apparently took herself odd to bed, with or without whiskey, but I am certain we can find out in a few hours when she gets up in, (for her) morning.

Love and Hell,
Lorraine

Fods, I have to go....

2008-11-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of things to say tonight, and was going to go off on any number of delightful rants, but looking at the clock I see I REALLY need to go and get ready for this show I am doing. Soon. Very Soon. And by get ready, I mean I am going for "Clothes and Dry Hair" end of story....(tho I do wish I had earrings, rats. They seem to have migrated all to another house, so I will just be another un-adorned fiddler rocking away..Jewaless)

Ought to be a fun show. I am ready for some fun, and our very own Max Randy seems, er ready, as well, and some Fiends are coming. All good signs for a fun evening. I will let you know when I get home this evening...

Stacy sent me a picture of her Adventures in Hair Dying At Home (Not generally the best plan!) and it is so amazingly wonderful, that I simply had to share it...Stacy, your hair looks fine, really, I see no problem there, it is actually the expression on your face that keeps sending me into yowls of laughter, which isn't easy to do when one is alone....

I think you should use it for your new, what are we calling them? Not Avatar...Well, little picture thingie.

Love and Hair,
Lorraine

Strange World. Long Day.

2008-11-06T17:55:00.000-08:00

I am not sure now who it was exactly, but one of you on the ball Fiends posted a link to the ACLU website, where they talk about filing a writ petition with the CA Supreme Court, asking them to invalidate Proposition 8.

It seems they feel, among other things, that it is not right for the majority to be able to vote to take away rights from a minority, based on gender. Like, you can't take a vote to decide that now, say, only men can vote.

I am still somewhat puzzled that anyone thought you could simply take a vote to deprive people of rights. As if, well most people don't want Gay People to marry, so they can't. I mean, um, isn't that one of the things the 'Ol Constitution is meant to protect? The rights of the minority?

Go ACLU!

There. Those were my wise and deep thoughts for the evening, all that I had. Long day, long week, this girl is tired out. Running for President and all. Gigs this weekend too. I must rest up on the couch and prepare myself for some Rock.

A couple things tho I want to know tho....Yesterday's post went down the Cool Toys Of Childhood Path, I want to know: Best Childhood Toy ever. What was the COOLEST thing (or things) ever?

And what is every one's Porn Star Name?

(First name: Your first childhood pet. Last name: First street you ever lived on.)

Love,
Feather Fortress

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

2008-11-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November
Gunpowder Treason and Plot
I see no reason that Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot...

I had nearly forgotten that today is Guy Fawkes Day. It's getting pretty late for our Fiends from the UK to check in on this, but we can get their views in the morning.

I am pretty sure you all know the story, but just in case, a quick history lesson. A long time ago in a Galaxy...Wait. Belay that. A long time ago HERE, in 17th century England, 1605 to be exact, Guy Fawkes and 12 of his closest friends decided, what the heck, let's kill King James, and his Family AND most of the nobility and as many member of the House of Parliament as happened to be there at the time.

This may have been because as Catholics, under Queen Elizabeth's rule, they were somewhat harshly treated and they had THOUGHT when her nevvie James came to the throne, things would get a bit better. This did NOT prove to be the case. In spite of having a Catholic Mummy, James was every bit as harsh. (don't get me started on his views of Witchcraft!)

Or it may have just been a case of "Seemed like a good idea at the time".

I believe they thought that things would get better for them , as Catholics, if they succeeded in this. What happened next was, as Adam Stemple likes to say "A Perfect Storm of Suck."

They hatched their plot (love that phrase) under the cover of Darkness in the Dark hours of the night. (made that bit up, but it may have been tru) They would smuggle 36 barrels of gunpowder into the House of Parliament, disguised as barrells of herrings, into the basement, that being rentable due to a budget crisis at the time.

It was almost immediately discovered, in part because of Our Hero Guy standing around outside on guard, dressed as the 17th centuary equivalent of a modern day Ninja.

They were quickly rounded up, tried, and then, on what must have gone down as one the worst Bad Days in history, Guy was Hung, Drawn AND quartered. Bummer. Very harsh they were.

The story might have ended there, but for the Famous Gunpowder Sermons that started getting preached shortly after, giving those Wacky Brits better ideas than "Treason is Bad", which was what they were meant to do.

It quickly became a tradition that every year on 5th November that kids would make an effigy of Guy, and pull him around in a wagon, singing "Penny for the Guy, Penny for the Guy" and collect money and buy fireworks. Later in the evening, make a Bonfire and Burn the Dude in effigy, while lighting off the fireworks!

Is this a cool Holiday or WHAT?????

As for myself, no Bonfire tonight. What I have to do needs to be done under the cover of darkness. Much like moving Bee Hives, tho less scary.

I have been having a series of talks with my next door Neighbour Micheala, lovely girl, about the leaves that seem to be littering my lawn to the point where I can no longer see it. I have shown her these leaves as they are CLEARLY Maple Tree Leaves from HER yard. I have no Maple Trees. Q.E.D. SHE needs to come over and clean them up.

I mean, if my trash got knocked over into her yard, clearly I would have to go clean it up. She refuses to listen to reason, and so, under the cover of darkness (worked that phrase in THREE times tonight!) I am going to rake up all the leaves, sort out hers, and dump them in her car.

Girls got to have fun.

Especially on Guy Fakes Day.

Love and Gunpowder,
Lorraine

Good Morning!!

2008-11-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

Good Morning, Fiends...

I want to thank you all for your support yesterday in my run for the Presidency. Your offers of support warmed my little heart and brought tear to my little eyes. Still we did good. Didn't get everything we wanted, but I believe in time, things will get better. And we came up with a lot of ides as to how we might bring that about. And we got to dream a little, about what a perfect world might be like.

Just up, are we still counting on Prop 8? There will come a day when the idea that a majority could vote to take away a right , that they themselves enjoy, from a minority, because that minority believe differently (on an issue that hurts no one and effects only the people involved) from them will seem ridiculous. It will come about.

Right. proper post tonight, just wanted to hop on quickly and say good morning. (And start a new set of comments, continue where we left off by all means, but we need a fresh spot, hee-hee) For this morning, I will let Nathilie supply both the Photo and the Words.....Because the make me happy.

Stains on my fingers:
A story seeping in;
My keyboard leaking
Images into this world.

I wonder all the time:
Does it dream at night?
Where does it get its ideas?
Which characters does it like best?

Love and hope,
Lorraine