Strange goings-on around Ditto Town? Well, in my time, we've faced zombie flowers* and evil organizations; what's the worst that could happen? *Goes to the store and buys a pump for The Rose-Tree Dryad, so she need not blow it up "manually"*

(*Technically before my time, but still. )

My mom's out of town

When the cat's away, the mice will play? Seriously, though, how's it going? And that's great about your taxes!

Well, this has happened quite a few times over the past couple of years (my mom would often go down to Iowa to go visit her dad and take care of things), so things went relatively smoothly. Even though I got kind of tired of "frozen dinner" kinds of meals. (I really need to learn my way around the kitchen a bit more! )

Ha, I suppose Facebook has spoiled us for the rest of life. I find myself wanting to hit "like" on work emails to acknowledge receipt without having to actually reply! Actually I think Outlook should add that as a feature. I hate it when I send something to a bunch of people and a dozen of them reply with "Thanks" or "Will do." It's such a time waster because I have to open each one to see if it's just an acknowledgement, or if they have follow-up questions or comments. If I could just see that they hit "acknowledge" it would be a lot faster.

That would be really nice. I wonder if e-mails will eventually move towards that--after all, it would be useful, and I can't imagine it'd be that difficult of a feature to add. (Coming from a non-programmer, I should probably say. )

By the way, I like your nickname, Willow!

I am the same with my course. I am currently doing pharmacy but I have applied to switch to psychology next semester. 2 units I am doing are the same as the psych course and the other 2 the psychology department manager said I can use as the electives that you do the second year. In short I can sill finish my degree in 4 years.

I'm glad that the switch will go smoothly for you! It's too bad about your classes and roommates, though; hopefully, that either gets better or easier to deal with through the end of your semester.

Sigh... I really want to be productive today, but... but... the Internet is calling to me.... It doesn't help that I really want the end of this week to get here--Captain America: The Winter Soldier comes out this weekend, and I am so unbelievably excited about that. A) Captain America is my favorite Avenger/Marvel character, B) I've read the comic this story is based on and it was really good, C) all of the trailers have just looked incredible. I won't be surprised if I end up liking this movie better than The Avengers. (And my birthday's a week from today--best. Birthday. Present. Ever.)

[/rambling rant]

*scrambles for a place by the read-aloud, waving to everyone "Hi, I'm Mel, if we haven't met, and it's perfectly lovely to meet you and see you (again for most folks)" and momentarily distracted by the chocolate AND a bouncy house* What are we reading? I love listening to people read! (Though I'm not actually a fan of audio books...they're non-participatory.)

Or maybe I should stop by the bouncy house to work off some of the excess energy that raced through my body as soon as I heard that we're camping out in the Square in preparation for uh... well, maybe Rya could tell us a story about zombie flowers? o_O

*will mention in passing that she's read at least four of the Temeraire books* I'm not entirely positive I've read the fifth.

Spoiler

Did they actually end up in America? If so, I haven't read it.

I'm just going to open up a bag of marshmallows over here and hope that this camping expedition includes a campfire. (Not that I need more sugar, apparently...)

Ack, haven't been in here in ages.

First off, welcome (rather belatedly) to NW, You Will Find Me Bigger!

Secondly, I'm not going to catch up with comments, but it's been lovely to read through and see how everyone is doing! I'm keeping busy; taking my last class and trying to finish my research so I can graduate sometime soon, hopefully.

Thirdly, I think you all are wise to find a good place to camp out in preparation for this Event. Batten down the hatches but be prepared to buck up your courage if it's needed!

*scurries over to the read-aloud* Hmmm... *whispers to Mel* Have you figured out what we're reading yet?

Valia, I'm rather fond of Dr. Seuss... Another popular choice might be a volume from this series called The Chronicles of Narnia... perhaps you've heard of it?

"One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish..."

*waves to all the newcomers* Good to see you all! There is safety in numbers.

Your upcoming camping trip sounds lovely, Willow! I hope you have a wonderful time, and that the weather is obliging!

Oooh, thank you muchly for the pump, Rya! *promptly uses it to inflate the bouncy house* Much better.

*reaches into the Big Duffel Bag of Be Preparedness and pulls out a box of graham crackers* Methinks these plus Mel's marshmallows and chocolate from the Chocolate Tree would make some delicious s'mores.

Oooh! Are we reading books aloud? I love listening to books read aloud.

*sits down on a log and begins toasting some marshmallows while we wait in the firelight and keep watch on this most peculiar and penultimate of evenings*

Mel, Dr. Suess is good! "I would not eat them on a box." But, oh, yes, I believe I have heard of that series you mentioned.... That's a good one, as is this other one...The Lord of the Rings, I believe?

The Rose-Tree Dryad, do you have a particular book you'd like to listen to?

*scurries off after a last glance around the Square to make sure everything is ship-shape* You never know when an Event can sneak up on someone...

Ooh! Hmm. How about Alice in Wonderland? I haven't read that book in a very long time, but I have the strangest feeling that we are all about to fall down a rabbit hole of some sort...

But I suppose it's probably just my imagination.

*sidles in, her dark red dress swirling around her*

Well, I haven't been in here for awhile. College has consumed me! Hello everyone!

To the newcomers: Welcome! I'm TheGentleWarrior, however you guys can call me TGW, GW, Gen, or Genny. I'm one of many names. Glad you could join such a marvelous place!

To briefly catch up on some of the chatter here.... I TRULY hope the fury of zombie creatures are released on the forum tomorrow. I'm prepared to deal with many things but not those! However, I do have my bow and arrows hand should we need them.

I also brought some stuff of my own *thunks down her duffle bag* Hmm... jerky, trail mix, energy bars, phasers (straight from the 24th century! ), individual first aid kits and... ah! Patches in case Rose's bounce house springs a leak. I knew you forgot something Rose!

I also invited a few of my friends to join us in whatever is to come. They should be arriving tomorrow morning. Look out for them guys, they might be a bit lost if they don't see me immediately.

*settles down to listen to what appears to be a read-aloud group, with her bow and arrows at the ready beside her... just in case*

*slings a hammock near the edge of the firelight and settles in with a book*

Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on this edge of the clearing to make sure nothing's sneaking up from this direction. Perhaps someone would like to do the same on the other side.

Shall I start the read-aloud with the book I've brought?

Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, and it has been told in another book called The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe how they had a remarkable adventure.

Oooooh, excellent choice, Willow!

*fluffs a few pillows and watches the mixed light of montereve steal across the sky while toasting a marshmallow to crisp perfection and listening to the familiar chapter*

Oh my, there is a moderator in our midst. They seem to be an endangered species these days. Extra vigilance, one and all!! We must keep her safe!

Unless... unless... rumor DOES say that the living mods are prime suspects...

Oh dear.

Oh dear.

Ditto. It's the difficult question of, "Do I wear tortoise shell armor today and keep my hands at the level of my eyes, or does that just make me look suspicious?"

Some days it just isn't easy being a mod, even when there are plenty of marshmallows to go around.

So, what's all the excitement here? *reads back and forth and sideways and around the forum* Aha.

*surrounds Moddie Mel with a rather sturdy (and somewhat sticky ) marshmallow cape for ultimate marshmallow-y-ness protection*

Waving to all you SquareOnions as I meander my way elsewhere, via the chocolate tree, of course —You Will Find Me Bigger (Willow!), the Marshmallowed Meltintalle, Ryadian and Valia and stargazer and Twigs and Bella (all of whom should probably be marshmallowed, as well ), Gen, Lady Galadriel, IloveFauns, Rose.

Ah yes, that's the nice thing about marshmallows. They double as nice little pillows for absorbing incoming projectiles.

It's a good thing you brought patches for the bouncy house, Gen; I think we're going to need them. I shall go down with the bouncy house if need be.

*hugs all of the mods* I DON'T WANT YOU TO DIE.

Ahem. Sorry for the capslock.

*rather thinks that tortoise shell armor is an excellent idea for a day like today, because even if Mel is the murderer (of course not!!! Right?! ), the thought of a murderer that looks like a tortoise is kind of awesome, in a terrifying way*

Do you think we're down a rabbit hole now, The Rose-Tree Dryad?

TGW! How're you doing, dear?

Oooh, excellent book choice, Willow!

Ah, Jo! How thoughtful of you, marshmallows!

I am saddened and shocked, shocked, I tell you, at these strange demises that have met my fellow moderators! I think both tortoise shell armour and marshmallow capes are wise protections...

I'm off back to work, but stay safe, moddies, and please uncover the mystery, fellow members! No one is safe until you all find the responsible party(parties?) and put an end to this terrible time...