Diggings, Delvings and Dolls

For those who don't know, I've been keeping reptiles as pets off & on since I was a kid. Some of my favorites are the tropical snakes of the boidae - boas and pythons. Some are big, all are beautiful, and many, if not most, make excellent pets - especially for those who have allergies to fur or feathers. The U.S. Senate, in the name of preserving the Everglades, and at the fully funded urging of the Humane Society of the United States (Not the same folks who run your local shelter - these guys are primarily a lobbying group, and have stated that they'd love to outlaw ownership of all exotic pets.), is considering a ban, which may well encompass _all_40_ species of python, as well as anacondas and boa constrictors:

 

This is one of those things that annoy me. This is one of those rare things that motivate me to write to Senators and Presidents.

~Bruce (We now return you to your regularly scheduled light-hearted fun.)

Here's your Hallow'een costume!



~Bruce

Hey, FL! Check these guys out, and please accept my apologies for not thinking of you guys sooner!

A friend of mine, Nathan by name (An occult specialist and paranormal investigator AKA The Demon Hunter), and two of his friends premiered a new TV series, "Extreme Paranormal" on A&E last Monday, the 19th. You can still catch the episode here:

http://www.aetv.com/extreme-paranormal/

(Nathan's the good-looking one, LOL!)

The next episode is on A&E next Monday night at 10:00 Eastern time, and I'm told it's even scarier!

I'm told that if the ratings and responses are good enough, A&E will pick "Extreme Paranormal" up as a regular series, which would make some very good friends of mine very happy.

You see . . .

I watched the show with Nathan, his fiancee and a wonderful, creative group of friends - ever watch a ghosthunting program and get chilling, funny, fascinating color commentary during the commercials from one of the ghost hunters? It's pretty cool - you should do it if you get the chance!

For more fun and spookiness with Nathan and the team, check out their web-radio show at their site:

http://www.ghostanddemon.com/

~Bruce

Current Location: Home
Current Mood: Chilled - and rather proud!

One of the things I love about working at the Aquarium on weekends is that no two days are ever the same...

Today was a short one, just a quick behind the scenes tour before the aquarium opened up. When I left, there was a truck parked on the front walk. Big one. A monster, in fact.

Her name's "Black Widow", and she's there to celebrate the movie that's beginning its second run on our IMAX screen - "Transformers; Revenge of the Fallen". That was pretty cool, and I'm sure it was thoroughly planned by the folks up in the offices on the third floor, but then . . . coming down the river, low and fast . . . it took me a moment to recognize it, 'cause I _never_ see F-16s around here . . . !!

It was a little surreal.

But it was pretty darned cool.

~Bruce

"If there is one person or more on your friends list who makes your world a better place just because they exist and who you would not have met (in real life or not) without the internet, then post this same sentence in your journal."

That'd pretty much be everyone who's going to see this! You guys brighten my days!

~Bruce

My wife's Serendipity Cookie, Zoso, got home today from a sleepover at Auntie Spampy's house - and brought a new suit home with him! He brought a matching one for his brother Spike, too.

Jenifer described Zoso as "Too stinkin' cute" in his new duds... She was too right!

Spike and Zoso are off for a walk in their Sunday best, 'cause Spampy Stuff is the _bestest_ stuff!:



( For more of Zoso and Spike's adventures, click here! )

~Bruce

Current Mood: content

[Rant]

So last year, I didn't get to go to this annual celebration in New York's Central Park. This year, I had the day off work, so I planned a leisurely day, consisting of getting up late at about 7:00, enjoying a cup of coffee while listening to last night's edition of "Reptile Radio", a web broadcast relating to - reptiles, what else? Collected freshly charged batteries for my camera, and deleted some old photos off my memory card. Showered, and left the house somewhen after 11:00.

And spent the next five plus hours in my car, in which the AC does not work, in New York City traffic, just to get there, get from 76th down to Columbus Circle and back up to 110th - and not finding a place to put the car. No breakfast, as I was happily anticipating the promised free samples of Japanese foods, along with performances and other joys of discovery. I could have taken photos of the array of white tents and stages, some with sweet-smelling smoke drifting from underneath oishii edible delights - but just didn't bother. Now, I'm hot, frustrated, annoyed beyond belief . . . and hungry.

If I ever, ever, ever mention driving into New York City for a midtown event (So far, I haven't found too much trouble parking at friends' apartments or at Dolpa...) would all of you together just please collectively smack me in the head? Hard?? Please???

So Japan Day Omedetou, New York City - I hope _somebody_ had a wonderful time there today!!!

[/Rant]

~Bruce

So I've been enjoying the heck out of this, and just have to share!

If you would like to watch streaming terebi (television XD) from Japan, just download and install the little "Keyhole TV" program you'll find here:

http://xorsyst.com/japan/watch-japanese-tv-online/

Once you've opened it, you can choose from among several TV and radio stations - on the right side of the window, a number shows you how many other folks are watching. (If lots of people are watching, there's probably something on that's interesting. The first time I tuned in, it was about three in the morning over there, and I was getting a lot of testpatterns!) You can set "Top Most Off" to run the program in the background (good for radio) or "Top Most On" to keep the TV program riding above your web browser or whatever else you're doing.

Right now, I'm watching "Don!" which seems to be a bit like the Regis & Kathie Lee show here in the 'States.

~Bruce, who hopes you will enjoy!

Current Location: Home - it's where my computer is, after all . . .
Current Mood: content
Current Music: "Don!" on Nihon TV

Two in one day?

Not sure I can handle this . . .

For those in the New York City area, Sakura Matsuri at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will be held beneath the cherry blossoms (like, where else?) on May 2-3.

From the site:

Sakura Matsuri, New York City's "rite of spring," marks its 28th year with over 50 events and performances celebrating Japanese culture and the blossoming of BBG's 220 cherry trees. Visitors to the weekend-long Cherry Blossom Festival can enjoy a range of performances from traditional Japanese music and dance to concerts by some of Japan's hottest J-pop stars, plus taiko drumming, an anime voice actor panel, bonsai pruning workshops, J-pop DJs, a traditional kimono show, and demonstrations and workshops for all ages. Bring your camera and join anime comedian Uncle Yo and the World Cosplay Summit Team USA in a giant Sakura Matsuri cosplay photo shoot!

where you can go to see a listing of performances, workshops, exhibits and demonstrations:

http://www.bbg.org/exp/cherries/sakura.html

I wanna go - maybe you do as well?

~Bruce

This is just cute - Hiragana, Katakana and Romaji - the way they sing it in nursery school in Tokyo:



Hope you enjoy!

~Bruce

Okay, so my posts are generally about dolls or Japanese culture, but this one's about pets.

I have pets. Probably too many, but we love 'em. (Most of the time) Dogs, cats, reptiles, tropical fish and a parrot. There's a bill in Congressional Committee right now that would effectively eliminate my - and your, should you be the sort of person who keeps pets - ability to keep most of them, other than (maybe) dogs and cats. It's called "HR669", and in the name of eliminating the threat of invasive non-native species, would require the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate any non-native species of animal in the US for inclusion - or exclusion - from a federal "approved" list. Any animal _not_ specifically approved would be illegal to import, acquire, breed or transport across state lines. This could potentially include nearly every tropical fish, parakeet, canary, parrot or other pet bird, most species of reptile, hamsters, guinea pigs, amphibians . . . You get the picture.

Text of the bill:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-669

This bill is being lobbied for hard by organizations which would love to see all pet ownership (other than - perhaps - dogs, cats, and farm animals - and eventually those as well) made illegal in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave". If you disagree with the concept of a pet-free America, here's a website that'll help you let your representatives know of your disapproval:

http://www.nohr669.com

We now return you to your regularly scheduled BJDolly discussion. Thank you for your consideration.

~Bruce

Current Location: Home for Holy Weekend
Current Mood: angry
Current Music: Soap Operas and Japanese Language Podcasts

Please excuse the background, LOL - the setting is supposed to be more "in the wildlands", but a few moments at home was all I could find to work with for some photos of Felaion I've wanted to shoot for a long time. The plant he's working with is an oxalis I've had for just over a year - maroon leaves with violet centers and pink flowers, it's the only plant I have which is as exotic as Felaion is. Oxalis has no magickal properties that I am aware of...

He works alone, tending the herbs which are a part of his Craft . . .



( Felaion's tale continues to begin, under the cut... )

The Japan Society in New York City is hosting the exhibit "Krazy", featuring the art of manga, anime and video games. Cosplay events, tours and art & culture classes to tease your time and wallets:

http://www.japansociety.org/event_detail?eid=6ee001d9

~Bruce

It's late here, but never too late to wish you the happiest of birthdays!

~Bruce

All the VOLKS dolls are getting ready to have their picture taken in the garden, in kimono. Not all of them have worn kimono before . . .

Characters (In order of appearance):
Victoria - VOLKS SD Masha
Phoenix - VOLKS SD16 Olivia
Spike - VOLKS Yo-SD Kuuta, he belongs to my wife.
Sarah-Satomi - VOLKS Yo-Tenshi Mamu
Nozomi-Cho - Elfdoll Soah
Kisho-Ryuu - VOLKS SD13 Link

( NWS-NKS - Resin Toplessness Behind Cut )

Did you know that VOLKS puts all the Super Dollfie photos people send them into photo albums to display and share at Tenshi no Sato? They're such wonderful, delightful people!

~Bruce

Current Location: Where else?
Current Mood: touched

July 13th.

Bryant Park, New York City (Avenue of the Americas, between 41st and 42nd Streets)

Traditional Japanese Obon Festival!

http://www.newyorkbuddhistchurch.org/

Taiko!

Participation Dancing!

Remember The Karate Kid? When Mr. Miyagi took Danielsan to Okinawa? Like that!

These guys will be there as well: http://www.myspace.com/happyfunsmile

I hope I can make it, 'cause it sounds like a gob of fun! Monosugokuuu!!

~Bruce

Current Location: Home - in the middle of a Tuesday?!
Current Mood: pleased
Current Music: Japanesepod 101

I've been wanting to take these since . . .

well, a reeeeeaaaaaaalllllllyyyyy long time ago.

My resin family grew a little this year, as we were joined by Victoria(VOLKS SD Masha) and Sarah-Satomi (VOLKS Yo-Tenshi Mamu). Victoria was raised in south-western Africa, but sent to school in England. She didn't thrive at all in the cold and damp there, so was returning home with her father when their ship was lost off somewhere off the Cape Verde Islands or the Ivory Coast. That all happened a hundred and fifty years ago, so just exactly she happened to wash up here is a bit of a mystery! She does seem to have found a friend though . . .



Phoenix has been trying to bring her up to speed on life in the 2000's, but we're not quite sure how well that's working. (Kisho suspects Phoenix of being involved in Victoria's appearance on these shores, but isn't certain . . .)

Nozomi-Cho (Elfdoll Soah) has been left alone?!



Only for a few hours - Kisho-Ryuu (VOLKS SD13 Link) has been off playing soccer with the guys.



I hope it was a good game!

Sarah-Satomi has joined them at the table.



I think Kisho's bragging on the game . . . 'Zomi seems to be hanging on his every word - wonder if it's his words or his green eyes?



Hey - Look what Spike (VOLKS Yo-SD Kuuta) has found!



It's a painted turtle!



Hey, everybody - how about a picture?



Hey! Kisho! 'Noli!! Spike!!! This way, guys!!!



Happy Springtime, everyone!

~Bruce

P.S. - RTRs = Real Tiny Reptiles!

O.K. - I may just be a little late to the party, but one of my BJD friends pointed me in the direction of this delightful online comic:

http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/index.php

By Phil and Kaja Foglio, and billed as "A gaslamp fantasy." Think "Jules Verne". Think Steampunk. Think of Victorian-era Europe as the domain of competing Mad Scientists, each seeking world domination (or at least survival!) by the means of inventing anything from little robots to biological monsters. (and let's face it - any story which involves "Jaegermonsters" and trilobite sigils has something going strong for it right from the opening panel!)

The best part?

It's all free, and updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday - and you can get a direct feed to your LJ! You can also join the Yahoo! Girl Genius group and the LJ Girl Genius communities, should you feel so inclined. You can also print out things like gift tags, paperdolls, little airship mobiles, bookplates and what-have-you, and listen to fun, goofy radio plays.

The worst part?

In the week or so since I first encountered the charming Agatha Clay, I've read the comic up to date, and now have to slow down my consumption of it and go on a GG diet. (OMG! I just realized that's what's written on the side of one of our snakes!! "gg"!! Perhaps I should change her name to "Agatha", LOL!!)

Go.

Play.

Now!

~Bruce

Current Location: The pathways of my imagination
Current Mood: geeky
Current Music: My wife's television choices. In other words, Law & Order.

Hi All!

The BJDs have been busy preparing for the Holiday Season! Though 'Zomi celebrates New Year's more than Christmas, and Phoenix favors Yule, they all agree on bright lights and good friends!

Today, they all got together to decorate a tree for a brighter season. (Which, since they set it up in my bedroom, may just keep me up all night!)



( Full_Story_Behind_the_Cut )

We'd all like to join in wishing you . . .



the very brightest, merriest, warmest and happiest of holidays!!

~Bruce, Karen, Nozomi-Cho, Kisho-Ryuu, Phoenix, Victoria, Aiko, 'Noli, Zoso, Spike, and Sarah-Satomi