The Rat's Nest

Street art update

2009-11-02T10:39:28Z

I found this adorable mouse:

Judging from the state of him, he must have been hiding under my nose the whole time. At least, because he's so small and out of the way, he hasn't been ripped up like most of the others have been.

Remy and Rattus

2009-10-31T09:17:35Z

Remy and Rattus cook up a treat in the kitchen. This photo shoot happened during my last visit to the US back in June/July when I had the good fortune to visit nicodemusrat, who has built his own unofficial Remy. When I first saw Remy at FC last year I almost hyperventilated from the excitement! I was better able to contain myself this time and this photo shoot was the result.

Chipmunks in da hood!

2009-10-28T00:17:08Z

I saw this plush in a coffee shop over the tip jar and it made me think of harvardheinous:

It's a chipmunk in a hoodie with a, er... Anzac pin jabbed in his head. :/

When You Give a Rat a Cookie

2009-10-22T21:27:17Z

schnee's entry about cookies inspired me to post my own:

Street art update

2009-10-21T08:56:01Z

I managed to snap this turtle the other day:

From Street Art

Guns 'n' Ratties revisited

2009-10-11T10:10:46Z

Taking advantage of Final Cut Express, I have made a revised version of my Guns 'n' Ratties video, where I cavorted about with a modified Wii guitar for the amusement of MiDFur X attendees:

Hopefully this enhanced version gets across my intent more clearly. I think this performance is well worth remembering as this was easily the highlight of MiDFur X for me; that moment of magic that makes it all worthwhile.

Unfortunately, MiDFur this year doesn't include a talent show, so there's no opportunity for anyone else to showcase their talents and hopefully experience the same high I did. A talent show, regardless of whether I'm in it or not, has always been a high point of any con for me: It drives home the sense of community we have in this fandom. I have a lot of competing commitments on my time, so I think I'll give MiDFur a miss this year. I wish everyone who does go all the best.

Furry realia

2009-10-10T10:22:42Z

Furry treasures from around the world. The mouse tea set I won at the Anthrocon 2009 auction and the three wise raccoons were a gift from zelox_quo to ristin.

Street art update

2009-10-09T21:03:51Z

Just one more photo for the street art gallery:

From Street Art

I did spot a turtle (in a hidden location so hopefully he'll survive) but it was on one of the rare occasions when I didn't have my iPhone with me. Later, when my foot feels better, maybe I'll stalk the CBD and beyond with a real camera and see what I can find.

A smashing good time

2009-10-09T08:19:36Z

higgs_raccoon has kindly pointed out that NASA's planned crash landing into the moon in a little over three hours will be accompanied by live video feeds.

Finnish economist joke

2009-10-03T21:20:58Z

While looking up images of Banksy rats holding cameras (it's a long story) I came across the following joke in Finnish, sans translation:

K: Miten ekonomi ja ekonomisti eroavat toisistaan?

V: Samalla tavoin kuin alkoholi ja alkoholisti!

Now, my spoken Finnish is rusty and my written Finnish much worse, so I was quite proud of myself when I was able to translate it:

Q: What is the relationship between the economy and an economist?

A: The same as that between alcohol and an alcoholic!

Street art around Brisbane

2009-10-01T19:59:30Z

Recently I've been seeing this artwork get pasted up around the streets of Brisbane and I thought it was cute enough that I should be sharing it with you guys. I will add to this gallery depending on what else I find while I'm out and about.

Street Art

You people need some culture!

2009-09-26T08:57:31Z

As I hope you all know, I

do not

do memes, but I thought I should share my desktop image:

This is what graces my desktop. It is a ratty adaptation of Da Vinci's The Last Supper, and quite a good one too if you compare it against the original:

Unfortunately, it was created to promote a rodenticide, whose name will remain forgotten. Someone posted it on their LJ. I was so struck by it that I sought it out online and found that the full-sized version was made for killing rats. When I pointed that out on their LJ another furry very kindly produced this version with the rodenticide logo photoshopped out. I put it up as my desktop and it's stuck ever since. ^_^

EDIT: hawthorn pointed out this wonderful bit of Da Vinci-themed ratty artwork:

[Australia] Time to GetUp and act!

2009-09-23T22:52:34Z

If, like me, you've been concerned at the Australian government's draconian moves towards net censorship, you should add your name to this petition:

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/AddYourNameSaveTheNet

They will be displaying the petition in a massive ad in The Australian on Friday so they want as many Australian names as possible on it.

It's not too late to stop this descent into a nanny-state. Net censorship will affect you; it will slow down the internet and at the very least FChan is on the list of "objectionable" domains that will be blocked. And it will not succeed in its supposed aim of protecting children (how many times have we heard that excuse for limiting the freedoms of adults?).

For more information go to GetUp's campaign website. You can watch a clever ad here.

What Rattus Did at Anthrocon 2009

2009-09-23T02:59:58Z

After much encouragement and practical support from harvardheinous, I have put up an edited version of Harv's Anthrocon footage:

Although it's a wonderful celebration of Rattus (if Amara will forgive my usurpation of her tag line: "Where ego is a six letter word"), this video was my opportunity to practice using Final Cut Express so I won't be lost when I embark on my next "serious" video project. Those who prefer Vimeo may also rather view it there.

Belated reminder: Skippy: Australia's First Superstar

2009-09-19T02:19:28Z

I really should have reminded my Australian readers (all two of them) about this when it was airing on ABC1, but better late than never, yes? You can watch a review about it on SMH's The Guide and Australians can watch it on ABC iView (just search for Skippy if the direct link doesn't work). I wish I could share it more widely, but iView is locked to those on an Australian proxy. If you can find an anonymous Australian proxy that works, it will be worth the trouble.

Rats in the news

2009-09-07T01:18:12Z

Check out this adorable new rat they found in a 'lost' volcano in PNG. (If the volcano is lost, how did they find the rat?) He is 82cm, cute as a button and completely unafraid of humans. (Thanks to Porsupah for pointing this out.)

Photos from my trip to America

2009-09-05T07:47:22Z

For those who are interested, I have finally gotten around to uploading the rest of my photos from my trip to America. These photos chronicle my adventures exploring the east coast and then Anthrocon 2009 and then further inland, courtesy of savant_da_rat. Highlights include meeting Remy at Disney World, meeting Ziggy at Anthrocon, and meeting wolves at Wolf Park.

(I recommend starting at the bottom and working your way up so you get the photos in chronological order.)

Still more gift art

2009-08-31T08:37:01Z

harvardheinous very kindly commissioned this artwork in commemoration of our visit to Disney World. The reference material was again Rattus in his lab coat, but as he very correctly pointed out, I carry the spirit of Rattus with me even on the rare occasions he doesn't physically follow.

Trip to Disney World by *elipse on deviant ART

Thanks, Harv'

Introducing ... Ziggy!

2009-08-29T09:19:59Z

Ziggy is safe and sound in a loving, rat-oriented home. I hope he will be happy here. His fur is a little shaggy from the long flight here (and the roughing up he suffered from Customs); I have since combed him and his fur is lovely and soft.

HP You on You Project

2009-08-29T08:42:03Z

I found out about the HP You On You Project and decided on a whim to enter. I felt the competition's stipulation that you do not show your face fit in well with my passion for fursuiting and the introductory video made it look like quite a casual affair. I'd not have bothered if I'd taken the time to look at other people's submissions. By then I was committed so I carried on, although keenly aware how amateurish mine would look by comparison.

If you can find it among the competition's submissions, feel free to rate it up; not because it deserves it but because it's me. :)

Rattus on the Rapid T. Rabbit & Friends show

2009-08-27T21:16:24Z

The indomitable rapidtrabbit has finished putting together the interview Rattus did for Rapid, which includes a special guest at the end! I think it came out pretty well this time; I was much happier with my performance than I was the first time I appeared on the show as a puppet.

Please share and enjoy!

Burning questions of the day

2009-08-21T04:28:46Z

I found the following gem on WikiAnswers (multiple errors kept intact in deference to writer):

Can Mobilehome park evict tenet if tenet is dead and heirs not found?

I am sorely tempted to respond: "Yes, unless the tenant objects in writing."

Mermaid Parade at Coney Island

2009-08-17T21:06:09Z

The inestimable rapidtrabbit has pointed out that the episode of Rapid T. Rabbit and Friends featuring he and Rattus at the Mermaid Parade on Coney Island is now available online. Only the first five minutes features rat action but there are lots of clever costumes there in keeping with the theme. Unfortunately, mejeep wasn't there to capture it but while we walked past a stand with commentators, they asked why there was a rat marching with Rapid T. (for Transit) Rabbit and then they got it--the subways are full of rats!

Food for Animals

2009-08-10T21:12:20Z

There was so much awesomeness in one day, I had to spread it out over two! Not only was there the unexpected addition to my rodent family, but the wonderful conejitoverde made Rattus this amazing video! I'm so glad I had the good fortune to meet he and tarah_rosemoon at Califur. In retrospect Califur has proven to be a great boon to me. Thank you so much to waggs_wolf and rainhopperroo for giving me the impetus to come.

The patter of little ratty feet

2009-08-10T09:00:04Z

Heh. I got a bit carried away about that auction. I told myself I wasn't going to buy him, but I just had to put down a bid on him. I was expecting to be outbid, but it never happened. I won him. It's more money than I should be spending, but I'll take responsibility for it. I'll try to give him a good home.

And this fursuit isn't intended to replace Rattus. Rattus knows how much I love him. He saw how glad I was when I got him back after he went missing in transit in America. I almost cried with relief when I saw my suitcase at Sydney airport after my long flight home. I'll make room for three fursuits. Lots of people do that and more.

And Oz, you'll get to wear him too.