Ernie the Upside-Down Fish

My comp copies of the Writer's Yearbook 2007 arrived, yay! My article, "2006: The Year In Review" is the first in the issue and runs five pages (four and a bit, really :-)).

I wrote another kids' song yesterday. I didn't try to -- it popped into my head while I was taking a shower. I love when that happens. I recorded a quick version of it in Garageband as soon as I got to my office (a 28 second commute) so I wouldn't lose it, finished it at the end of the day, then sent it off to Allison and Jodi so we can (hopefully) learn it to perform in the children's round robin concert at FKO.

It's a food song. Surprising, eh?



I am babysitting a goldfish and some African violets for two families right now. The fish's name is Ernie, and his young owner told me not to be alarmed if he turned purple, grew bumps and swam upside-down. I thought she was joking. See the photo above: Ernie seems to swim upside-down most of the time. He's missing a fin, which probably accounts for his unusual choice of locomotion.

No sign of the purple bumpy part yet.
I've been told to knock on the bowl if I think Ernie's dead, to see if he wakes up.

One of my nieces asked me to babysit her Sea Monkeys (tm) last year, and left detailed instructions. I followed her instructions to the letter, yet I managed to kill them anyway. :-( They died one at a time, first dragging themselves along the bottom of the Sea Monkey Tank (tm) in a truly heartrending drama for about 12 hours before giving up the ghost. The last Sea Monkey (tm) had the audacity to expire one day before my niece returned. When he was in his tail-dragging phase, I begged with him to PLEASE hold on just a few more days. He ignored me.

(For those who have not seen Sea Monkeys (tm) in real life, I regret to inform you that they do NOT hold hands and smile and dance with each other in a circle, Whoville-fashion. They are brine shrimp. But they are still fascinating to watch for seconds at a time.)

I recently posted in Livejournal, asking for advice on how to keep Ernie and the Violets (what a great band name, eh?) healthy until their owners come to claim them, and my friend Luis offered the most amusing (though of dubious value in practical application, I suspect) advice:

Liquid Plummer! It's the wonder liquid. Good for both Goldfish AND violets. Also, Goldfish Love to be Juggled. I know, it's probably more than you are willing to do for a fish but believe me, The fish will thank you. Or look at you in a very fish like way....

Wish me luck. Many thanks to those of you who posted advice! Yes, even Luis!

Links O' The Day

One of the most amusing deodorant commercials of all time: Thanks to Jim Bowlin for the link.

Twirl A Squirrel: Thanks to Margaret Middleton for this link. :-D

William F*** Shatner (Part 1): A sad and shocking story of Wil Wheaton's first meeting with William Shatner. I am anxiously awaiting Part II! Thanks to Ray Vankleef for the link.

UNBELIEVABLE paper sculptures by Jen Stark, using only construction paper. Thanks to Ray Vankleef for the link.



Livejournal comments