The Next Rotation - The Universe of Fenris Fox
13 March 2007
The end of an epoch... but not of an era.
This blog to be closed on Blogspot - moving to LiveJournal.
As I've written before - division of my mental resources is bad; most days, my scatterbrainedness makes it seem as if there are few to distribute.
I now have a LiveJournal - a few readers have likely known this for some time.
Until now, I only intended the LJ account to be for commenting on others' LJs; however, as I soon was absorbed into the massive warm pile of digital fur, I realized that things should change.
[LJ has an extremely large furry population - every species, interest, and/or hobby is likely to have several communities tayloring to it.]
The aggregation features on LJ are really nice - it's easier to be able to check one page. Also, I've made a lot of new friends on there - so, as a service to them, my primary blog will be moving to LJ; that way, they can aggregate my content, as easily as I do theirs.
Both links to my new blog - the one in the sub-headline, and the following one - are (unlike most of my links) non-popping links - for finality, they will lead away from this blog.
My blog's new home, and the beginning of the LiveJournal epoch: http://fenrisfox.livejournal.com
As I've written before - division of my mental resources is bad; most days, my scatterbrainedness makes it seem as if there are few to distribute.
I now have a LiveJournal - a few readers have likely known this for some time.
Until now, I only intended the LJ account to be for commenting on others' LJs; however, as I soon was absorbed into the massive warm pile of digital fur, I realized that things should change.
[LJ has an extremely large furry population - every species, interest, and/or hobby is likely to have several communities tayloring to it.]
The aggregation features on LJ are really nice - it's easier to be able to check one page. Also, I've made a lot of new friends on there - so, as a service to them, my primary blog will be moving to LJ; that way, they can aggregate my content, as easily as I do theirs.
Both links to my new blog - the one in the sub-headline, and the following one - are (unlike most of my links) non-popping links - for finality, they will lead away from this blog.
My blog's new home, and the beginning of the LiveJournal epoch: http://fenrisfox.livejournal.com
"My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or other of us has got to go."¶ 3/13/2007 12:54:00 PM 0 comments--Oscar Wilde, late A.D. October 1900.
09 March 2007
Quote: "The Whisper in the Wind"
Although the song is not new, I still am moved whenever I hear "I'm Already There," by Lonestar. Very few songs are powerful enough to captivate me with a passing ear, on a cruddy radio - they usually have to make it to my headset. But, this one did.
It's no wonder, with lyrics like this:
I thought of another application of the imagery in the song, though: while the original is a love song, it could be modified to create an impressive poetic eulogy - at a funeral.
Some believe that when a furson dies, their spirit becomes one with nature; even those who believe in a "traditional" Heaven or afterlife (myself included), believe that the soul of the departed somehow "hangs around," in an ephemeral, intangible way - like being in two places at once.
If so, it would be comforting to think that they may be a small note, in the whisper of the wind.
(The same kind of comfort that the stars give to the Kings of Pride Rock.) ¶ 3/09/2007 12:28:00 PM 0 comments
It's no wonder, with lyrics like this:
"I'm already there...I don't know if Lonestar has a separate songwriter.. but if they do, I hope the guy got a raise after this.
...I'm the beat in your heart;
I'm the moonlight shining down;
I'm the whisper in the wind,
And I'll be there 'til the end..."
I thought of another application of the imagery in the song, though: while the original is a love song, it could be modified to create an impressive poetic eulogy - at a funeral.
Some believe that when a furson dies, their spirit becomes one with nature; even those who believe in a "traditional" Heaven or afterlife (myself included), believe that the soul of the departed somehow "hangs around," in an ephemeral, intangible way - like being in two places at once.
If so, it would be comforting to think that they may be a small note, in the whisper of the wind.
(The same kind of comfort that the stars give to the Kings of Pride Rock.) ¶ 3/09/2007 12:28:00 PM 0 comments
The Middle Theory
By Fenny F. (Jeff R.)
Written: A.D. 8 March 2007 (Gregorian); A.E. 8 March 3310 (Kitarian Standard).
Original Web Release, First Edition: A.D. 9 March 2007.
*****
Sometime in the [Kitarian] 32nd century A.E.
The gentle fox showed he was not the hardened, heartless being that many youkai are, when tears fell from his eyes.
Dr. Roberts noticed this, and faced a conflict within – after all, it was a kitsune who tricked him in the first place, marooning him in this land – a land seemingly after time.
However, his own experiences – and the entire collected folklore of the Japanese people – could not explain the creature he now observed.
After all, since when do youkai risk personal harm, to protect the lives of mortals? And when the time came – when he could save either his friend, or a host of strangers he never knew.. his choice was unusual – for mortals, much less demons.
The Doctor wondered, “Have I found – in this member of the race which betrayed me – the unique soul whom I have sought for so long? Perhaps.. I should ease his pain – as he did for so many others.”
He looked at the crushed-hearted monoke-warrior, then spoke, “Time can be such a pain in the wookus sometimes, can't it?”
A bit confused, Fenny looked up for a moment at Roberts, his ocean-blue eyes almost as wet as their image-sake. “Life can be a pain – but time?”
“The idea that once something happens, it's always set and done – forever, we sail a constant heading toward the future, with a never-varying speed. Many of my people – for thousands of years, in fact – used this idea in the governing of their lives. They called it 'linear time.'”
“Yeah.. at times like these, it really sucks.”
“Linear time was not the only idea of time put forth by the human species, though. Certain cultures thought, for example, that time was cyclical. To them, a clock would likely be revered not only as a small timekeeper, but as a calendar as well.”
“There were a few of my kind who also had a similar idea,” Fenny lamented. “They were ridiculed.. their ideas relegated to the domain of myth.”
“And then, there was a third idea – a middle path, so to say. One.. that I have experimented for years to support.”
“Middle path? What kind of idea? And.. what did your experiments show?” Fenny had known for quite some time, that Dr. Roberts was a practicing experimental scientist.
“The Middle Theory, as I have dubbed it, suggests that time – like the surface of a planet – has two types of behaviour, depending on the vantage point of the observer.”
“Two types?”
“Yes. In the many years of the older models' existence, no one ever thought to combine them. You see... to us, because most of us exist for such a short time in the grand scale of the Universe, time seems linear – flat. Much like a person standing on the surface of a planet, because the planet is so big – and so close – relative to the observer, a round planet appears flat.”
“So, wait just a minute. You're saying that our seemingly linear existence, is actually round?”
“In a manner of speaking. And – just as someone can see the roundness of a planet by distancing themselves from it in a spacecraft...”
Fenny understood – and finished the Doctor's theory. “...you can see the roundness of time, by backing away.”
“Exactly.”
“But.. that leaves one problem. How does one back away from time, when we are creatures which are so intertwined with it? Even as a 9-tail, I cannot do that.”
“Not on your own... But that's when technology comes in.” The Doctor pulled out a golden watch from a small bag next to him. “This is the embodiment of my life's work – something I have never shown another living soul, until now.”
“A watch? Why does a watch need to be secret?”
“Looks can be deceiving – you, of all fursons, should know that, youkai. But.. you are no ordinary demon – I saw the proof a few minutes ago, when you cried. You have a heart.. a conscience.”
“Well,” Fenny yerfed, blushing, “I do what comes naturally. And.. whatever that watch is, it is beautiful.”
“You like her, do you? That's good.. because she's yours, now,” Roberts said, handing the watch to the fox.
“I can't possibly accept this! It's obviously special to you.”
Dr. Roberts chuckled heartily, then said, “No worries, Modestsune. I've built five of them – one for me, and four for others; but alas, you are the only one so far I believe I can trust.”
“Trust? You must be desperate to place that in a kitsune,” Fenny yerfed with a giggle. “What is it, anyway?”
“That depends. It is a representation of cyclical time... it could be the greatest piece of technology the Universe has yet known. Or.. it could be a weapon – an instrument which could unravel all the good there ever was.”
“Umm...”
“It is the proof of my theory.. the machine which distances its user from linear time, allowing them to escape it.. a time machine.”
“But.. why?”
“Escape the binds of linear time, Fenny... take hold of the wheel – for at last, you control your own rudder and sails.. But use that command cautiously – with great power, comes great responsibility. May I suggest your first mission?”
“What?”
“Save him.. right that wrong.”
Fenny thought for a second, then wrapped the Watch's chain around his paw, clenching it in a death grip. He gritted his teeth.. and just before vanishing, said, “Thank you.”
THE END
***** ¶ 3/09/2007 12:16:00 AM 0 comments
By Fenny F. (Jeff R.)
Written: A.D. 8 March 2007 (Gregorian); A.E. 8 March 3310 (Kitarian Standard).
Original Web Release, First Edition: A.D. 9 March 2007.
*****
Sometime in the [Kitarian] 32nd century A.E.
The gentle fox showed he was not the hardened, heartless being that many youkai are, when tears fell from his eyes.
Dr. Roberts noticed this, and faced a conflict within – after all, it was a kitsune who tricked him in the first place, marooning him in this land – a land seemingly after time.
However, his own experiences – and the entire collected folklore of the Japanese people – could not explain the creature he now observed.
After all, since when do youkai risk personal harm, to protect the lives of mortals? And when the time came – when he could save either his friend, or a host of strangers he never knew.. his choice was unusual – for mortals, much less demons.
The Doctor wondered, “Have I found – in this member of the race which betrayed me – the unique soul whom I have sought for so long? Perhaps.. I should ease his pain – as he did for so many others.”
He looked at the crushed-hearted monoke-warrior, then spoke, “Time can be such a pain in the wookus sometimes, can't it?”
A bit confused, Fenny looked up for a moment at Roberts, his ocean-blue eyes almost as wet as their image-sake. “Life can be a pain – but time?”
“The idea that once something happens, it's always set and done – forever, we sail a constant heading toward the future, with a never-varying speed. Many of my people – for thousands of years, in fact – used this idea in the governing of their lives. They called it 'linear time.'”
“Yeah.. at times like these, it really sucks.”
“Linear time was not the only idea of time put forth by the human species, though. Certain cultures thought, for example, that time was cyclical. To them, a clock would likely be revered not only as a small timekeeper, but as a calendar as well.”
“There were a few of my kind who also had a similar idea,” Fenny lamented. “They were ridiculed.. their ideas relegated to the domain of myth.”
“And then, there was a third idea – a middle path, so to say. One.. that I have experimented for years to support.”
“Middle path? What kind of idea? And.. what did your experiments show?” Fenny had known for quite some time, that Dr. Roberts was a practicing experimental scientist.
“The Middle Theory, as I have dubbed it, suggests that time – like the surface of a planet – has two types of behaviour, depending on the vantage point of the observer.”
“Two types?”
“Yes. In the many years of the older models' existence, no one ever thought to combine them. You see... to us, because most of us exist for such a short time in the grand scale of the Universe, time seems linear – flat. Much like a person standing on the surface of a planet, because the planet is so big – and so close – relative to the observer, a round planet appears flat.”
“So, wait just a minute. You're saying that our seemingly linear existence, is actually round?”
“In a manner of speaking. And – just as someone can see the roundness of a planet by distancing themselves from it in a spacecraft...”
Fenny understood – and finished the Doctor's theory. “...you can see the roundness of time, by backing away.”
“Exactly.”
“But.. that leaves one problem. How does one back away from time, when we are creatures which are so intertwined with it? Even as a 9-tail, I cannot do that.”
“Not on your own... But that's when technology comes in.” The Doctor pulled out a golden watch from a small bag next to him. “This is the embodiment of my life's work – something I have never shown another living soul, until now.”
“A watch? Why does a watch need to be secret?”
“Looks can be deceiving – you, of all fursons, should know that, youkai. But.. you are no ordinary demon – I saw the proof a few minutes ago, when you cried. You have a heart.. a conscience.”
“Well,” Fenny yerfed, blushing, “I do what comes naturally. And.. whatever that watch is, it is beautiful.”
“You like her, do you? That's good.. because she's yours, now,” Roberts said, handing the watch to the fox.
“I can't possibly accept this! It's obviously special to you.”
Dr. Roberts chuckled heartily, then said, “No worries, Modestsune. I've built five of them – one for me, and four for others; but alas, you are the only one so far I believe I can trust.”
“Trust? You must be desperate to place that in a kitsune,” Fenny yerfed with a giggle. “What is it, anyway?”
“That depends. It is a representation of cyclical time... it could be the greatest piece of technology the Universe has yet known. Or.. it could be a weapon – an instrument which could unravel all the good there ever was.”
“Umm...”
“It is the proof of my theory.. the machine which distances its user from linear time, allowing them to escape it.. a time machine.”
“But.. why?”
“Escape the binds of linear time, Fenny... take hold of the wheel – for at last, you control your own rudder and sails.. But use that command cautiously – with great power, comes great responsibility. May I suggest your first mission?”
“What?”
“Save him.. right that wrong.”
Fenny thought for a second, then wrapped the Watch's chain around his paw, clenching it in a death grip. He gritted his teeth.. and just before vanishing, said, “Thank you.”
THE END
***** ¶ 3/09/2007 12:16:00 AM 0 comments
Fenny's Memoirs: The Parchment
By Fenris Fox (Jeff R.)
Written A.E. 26 February 3310 (Kitarian Standard); A.D. 26 February 2007 (Gregorian)
Original Web Release, First Edition, 9 March 2007.
*****
Preamble
If I think back far enough in my long life, I can remember many watershed moments in the history of my people.
One incident that started out in that faded blur of light and color we call the past, is the day we uncovered remnants of a race long past... and were amazed by the genius and brutality they showed at different times, on opposing paws…
…But most of all, how much we are alike, kitsune and humans.
***
Prologue: Earth – circa A.D. 5000.
[Note: This section is an adaptation of the story recounted to me, by one of its major participants. This took place far before my time.]
Sometimes, forbidden fruit can come at a terrible price.
That is the hard lesson a human of a time long past, would experience first-hand.
I suppose he can take solace in the thought that he survived – and was able to help me retell his story.
Dr. Mark Roberts – a scientist once Godless, and perhaps still answerless – was in orbit of his blue marble of a homeworld one day in the early 26th century on his planet’s calendar – the Gregorian Calendar.
As logical as Roberts is, he is still a man – never ceasing to be amazed by how lonely and insignificant his world looked, in the grand desert known as outer space. Nearly 550 years of space travel had failed to change this basic emotion.
His orderly view of the Universe was about to be shattered forever.
On board his ship, an apparition appeared to him.
At first, the man of science thought he must be going mad. After all, since when do odd things such as this – a spirit claiming to be Lucifer – appear in the world he knows?
Of course, those would turn out to be the key words – “the world he knows.”
In reality, it turned out to be kitsune from my world – a being of the same type as myself. He tricked Roberts.. using chronotechnology to travel into the past, and a simple jutsuI to change his appearance.
No, it wasn’t me; but, whomever it was, they set up a chain of events, which would have profound effects on my kinsfurs history – and ultimately, on humankind as well.
Regardless, Dr. Roberts came to the future – bringing with him a digital database of his people’s history – and five pages of ancient parchment.
***
I.: Kitaria Prime – A.E. 1906
I seemed to have stumbled upon, by mere chance, what may have been one of the most interesting discoveries in archaeological history.
At the time, however, it meant nothing. I was almost sure it was a written record, though I could not read it. Only a hunch had me press for their decipherment.
Fifty years flew by, as if they were the mere flutters of eyelashes. While for much of that time, our linguists scrutinized the massive digital archive left on durable hydrocarbon-based media, I found myself going to the Kitarian Archives on a daily basis.
While they surely had less bulk than the computer chips, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for the five age-fuzzed pages of parchment.
I watched for hours on end, day after day, as the dedicated team of preservationists lovingly and painstakingly strengthened the worn animal hide, and dozens of artists and calligraphers gently restored the fading iron-gall ink.
I already felt a bit of reverence for these pages. It was amazing that they had lasted for so long. Preliminary tests showed them to be thousands of years old – at the least. We had no true idea, because they were off the scale on every test we had at the time.
***
II.
Eventually, the linguists told me that the out-of-place characters at the bottom of the largest of the five parchments were most likely names.
I immediately wondered why one name was so much larger than the others. Was he a king?
A few more years passed – and then finally, in 1956, an announcement was made…
…the language has been deciphered.
***
III.: Kitaria Prime – A.E. 1956
While it was decided that a full Kitarian-language translation would be published, the amount of information gathered was monumental. No fur knew what piece to release first.
Having considerable influence at the time, I made a special request – that the 5 parchments be released first… and that I not be told their contents beforepaw. I would find out about it in the world media, along with the rest of foxenwolf-kind.
The words that followed still ring through my head to this day:
“…we hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal…”
***
Epilogue
Whenever vulpinely possible, I come back to the Kitarian Archives once a year.
Once the other data in the find was published, I realized something worth more than gold:
We are a lot alike, kitsune and humans; neither of us is perfect. We both have had many, many times of shadow; occasionally, though, a spotlight manages to slice through all darkness.
Perhaps one day – when our kind has used all energy available to us – we, too, will be as lucky as homo sapiens was…
…to, without moving an inch, or uttering a single spoken word, touch the hearts of someone – somewhere – whom we shall never know.
END.
***** ¶ 3/09/2007 12:04:00 AM 0 comments
By Fenris Fox (Jeff R.)
Written A.E. 26 February 3310 (Kitarian Standard); A.D. 26 February 2007 (Gregorian)
Original Web Release, First Edition, 9 March 2007.
*****
Preamble
If I think back far enough in my long life, I can remember many watershed moments in the history of my people.
One incident that started out in that faded blur of light and color we call the past, is the day we uncovered remnants of a race long past... and were amazed by the genius and brutality they showed at different times, on opposing paws…
…But most of all, how much we are alike, kitsune and humans.
***
Prologue: Earth – circa A.D. 5000.
[Note: This section is an adaptation of the story recounted to me, by one of its major participants. This took place far before my time.]
Sometimes, forbidden fruit can come at a terrible price.
That is the hard lesson a human of a time long past, would experience first-hand.
I suppose he can take solace in the thought that he survived – and was able to help me retell his story.
Dr. Mark Roberts – a scientist once Godless, and perhaps still answerless – was in orbit of his blue marble of a homeworld one day in the early 26th century on his planet’s calendar – the Gregorian Calendar.
As logical as Roberts is, he is still a man – never ceasing to be amazed by how lonely and insignificant his world looked, in the grand desert known as outer space. Nearly 550 years of space travel had failed to change this basic emotion.
His orderly view of the Universe was about to be shattered forever.
On board his ship, an apparition appeared to him.
At first, the man of science thought he must be going mad. After all, since when do odd things such as this – a spirit claiming to be Lucifer – appear in the world he knows?
Of course, those would turn out to be the key words – “the world he knows.”
In reality, it turned out to be kitsune from my world – a being of the same type as myself. He tricked Roberts.. using chronotechnology to travel into the past, and a simple jutsuI to change his appearance.
No, it wasn’t me; but, whomever it was, they set up a chain of events, which would have profound effects on my kinsfurs history – and ultimately, on humankind as well.
Regardless, Dr. Roberts came to the future – bringing with him a digital database of his people’s history – and five pages of ancient parchment.
***
I.: Kitaria Prime – A.E. 1906
I seemed to have stumbled upon, by mere chance, what may have been one of the most interesting discoveries in archaeological history.
At the time, however, it meant nothing. I was almost sure it was a written record, though I could not read it. Only a hunch had me press for their decipherment.
Fifty years flew by, as if they were the mere flutters of eyelashes. While for much of that time, our linguists scrutinized the massive digital archive left on durable hydrocarbon-based media, I found myself going to the Kitarian Archives on a daily basis.
While they surely had less bulk than the computer chips, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for the five age-fuzzed pages of parchment.
I watched for hours on end, day after day, as the dedicated team of preservationists lovingly and painstakingly strengthened the worn animal hide, and dozens of artists and calligraphers gently restored the fading iron-gall ink.
I already felt a bit of reverence for these pages. It was amazing that they had lasted for so long. Preliminary tests showed them to be thousands of years old – at the least. We had no true idea, because they were off the scale on every test we had at the time.
***
II.
Eventually, the linguists told me that the out-of-place characters at the bottom of the largest of the five parchments were most likely names.
I immediately wondered why one name was so much larger than the others. Was he a king?
A few more years passed – and then finally, in 1956, an announcement was made…
…the language has been deciphered.
***
III.: Kitaria Prime – A.E. 1956
While it was decided that a full Kitarian-language translation would be published, the amount of information gathered was monumental. No fur knew what piece to release first.
Having considerable influence at the time, I made a special request – that the 5 parchments be released first… and that I not be told their contents beforepaw. I would find out about it in the world media, along with the rest of foxenwolf-kind.
The words that followed still ring through my head to this day:
“…we hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal…”
***
Epilogue
Whenever vulpinely possible, I come back to the Kitarian Archives once a year.
Once the other data in the find was published, I realized something worth more than gold:
We are a lot alike, kitsune and humans; neither of us is perfect. We both have had many, many times of shadow; occasionally, though, a spotlight manages to slice through all darkness.
Perhaps one day – when our kind has used all energy available to us – we, too, will be as lucky as homo sapiens was…
…to, without moving an inch, or uttering a single spoken word, touch the hearts of someone – somewhere – whom we shall never know.
END.
***** ¶ 3/09/2007 12:04:00 AM 0 comments
06 March 2007
The Forepaw-Chair Lawyer: English-only Laws & The First Amendment
With all the hullabaloo in the last year or two about "English-only" ordinances - designed mainly with the intent of dropping support in the Spanish-language for said speakers (one thought on this, is that it's to "make" them learn English - but I suppose one could take it any number of ways, if they try) - most opposition has been based on the 14th Amendment (i.e., civil rights).
I'm not a lawyer - hence, the title; it's only a hypothetical idea - but as I read it, wouldn't the First Amendment provide legal ammunition to getting such ordinances overturned?
Now, for the stretch - where I play "Devil's Advocate" (in the interest of full disclosure - I feel we need a "universal language" to function as a nation - at least for official use): Wouldn't "freedom of speech," include the language in which that speech is expressed?
In other words.. not only is a person free to say what they want - but also to do so in any language? It shouldn't matter whether that language is English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Swahili, Esperanto, Pig Latin, or Leetspeak.
Any thoughts? ¶ 3/06/2007 05:28:00 PM 0 comments
With all the hullabaloo in the last year or two about "English-only" ordinances - designed mainly with the intent of dropping support in the Spanish-language for said speakers (one thought on this, is that it's to "make" them learn English - but I suppose one could take it any number of ways, if they try) - most opposition has been based on the 14th Amendment (i.e., civil rights).
I'm not a lawyer - hence, the title; it's only a hypothetical idea - but as I read it, wouldn't the First Amendment provide legal ammunition to getting such ordinances overturned?
" Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech... "At least one Supreme Court case had a ruling extending this to state and local governments (private individuals and enterprise, as far as I know, tend not to be barred by the 1st Amendment).
Now, for the stretch - where I play "Devil's Advocate" (in the interest of full disclosure - I feel we need a "universal language" to function as a nation - at least for official use): Wouldn't "freedom of speech," include the language in which that speech is expressed?
In other words.. not only is a person free to say what they want - but also to do so in any language? It shouldn't matter whether that language is English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Swahili, Esperanto, Pig Latin, or Leetspeak.
Any thoughts? ¶ 3/06/2007 05:28:00 PM 0 comments
