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  • Little Injuns

    A conversation between two cowboys looking over an American Indian reservation.

    Cowboy 1There are a lot of injuns down on that reservation.
    Cowboy 2Yup, partner.
    Cowboy 1I wonder what type of injuns they are.
    Cowboy 2Well partner. There is a lot of different injuns down there. You point one out and I’ll tell you what kind they are.
    Cowboy 1Okay partner. How about that one putting up the wigwam ?
    Cowboy 2That’s an Apache.
    Cowboy 1And that one, the one weaving that hair ?
    Cowboy 2That ones a Sioux.
    Cowboy 1And what about that one running through the camp with a pail of water, going ‘Nee Nah, Nee Nah!’ ?
    Cowboy 2Ah! That’s just a Fire Injun !!!

  • The Curious Creatures

    The curious creatures came about, or at least I was introduced to them, after various conversations on IRC (Internet Relay Chat) and through one of the news groups I was participating in at the time. The first curious creature to be known by the wider world was the invisible turtles. I have kept this page through various versions of the site really to remind myself where this all started… Unfortunately over time the dates of when this all happened have disappeared, I’m guessing about 1999/2000, so I have dated the page for the end of 1999 though the conversation was over some days/weeks and compiled at a different time.

    A thread was started on the comp.sys.atari.st newsgroup. I have compiled the thread into an easier to read conversation.

    Special thanks go to the following people who contributed to the discussion; Guy Harrison, Rich Tietjens, John Price & Tony Greenwood.

    Thanks should also go to Dan Ackerman & Paul Womar for coming up with some of the titles and acronyms I used.

    AdeHi Atari Peoples 🙂

    I have some bad news, a new virus has been found, and it could easily be affecting your computer! The virus is known as BTV, or Baby Turtle Virus.This virus doesn’t seem to be very dangerous but can easily make a mess of things and COULD in the wrong situation cause serious damage!  At this time there is no known way of wiping out this virus, many suggested methods have been very difficult to carry out!
    (For more info on suggested methods email me!)
    If you have any extra info on this virus please post here so we can all share and maybe wipe out this dreadful thing!
    Ooops nearly forgot to tell you the symptoms so you know what to look for and will know if you have the virus or not!

    Symptoms :-
    Extra letters appear or letters disappear in texts or typed commands, I have also noticed it occurring while I have been using IRC!
    GuyThis is symptomatic, more typically BTV occurs whilst in a somnambulistic state.
    AdeIt seems to happen more late at night so I think maybe there is something that triggers it to work at night!
    GuyCertain compounds can be a significant factor such as potatoes, hops and anything else which may be fermented and subsequently ingested.
    BTV is programmed to be mostly inactive until these conditions are met, at which time, it triggers and performs all manner of inexplicable activities.
    AdePlease let me know if you have any information! This is really getting to me now, and others.
    GuyI’m afraid you really are quite badly affected. I’m sure you are by now aware the initial symptoms are thuds in the night. The next stage is tripping over objects which are patently not there. It is some weeks before reproduction occurs and the effects you describe become pronounced. You will consider yourself unfortunate indeed, to discover that the later stages of the affliction are completely unknown.
    AdeThanks Guy, didn’t realize it was this bad 🙁

    Anyway there is a programme around to help out here, it’s called Asymmetrical String Sequencer, or ASS for short which tries to help out with the problem, (written by someone called Dex), DO NOT use v0.1 as this is no help to you look, for version v0.2.version 1 called ASS_v01.lzh, version 2 called BIGASS02.lzh.

    Okay more info soon (I promise).
    RichRighty-O, can I have some of that stuff, I’m not seeing anything unusual at all right now.
    AdeOn, On , I’m not on anything!
    BTW ASS has been found not to work so some new software is now available.
    The new software : Analytical Re-sequencing String Enhancer, is now available, easy to register, you get your own version. So stick your ARSE in the disc drive and load up, if any one wants toborrow your copy of the software tell them, “To get their own copy instead of using your ARSE”.
    More info about the Virus itself to be released tomorrow!
    JohnAde, I’m surprised you’re recommending this, when it’s widely known to suffer from pre-emptive immunisation of the last enhanced string.
    AdeThanks John, forgot about that, for those who still need help you’ll need to run the following prog too.
    Backwards Re-sequencing Enhancer And String Tester. This programme will take a lot of getting used to. Use a test string to see if it’s ok, you will need to have a good grope around BREAST for the best effects.(The info I promised will now be here tomorrow….)
    JohnA good front-end for BREAST is the Intelligent Pre Processor for Literal Extensions. I can hardly wait to get my teeth into the new version.
    AdeThanks John I think the New IPPLE Software, (from now on known as NIPPLES) is a great front end for BREAST.
    I’ll definitely be getting my teeth into NIPPLES 🙂
     (Nearly forgot the Virus Info)
    (It’s got something to do with Adult Turtles.)
    (More information tomorrow.)
    JohnAde, I normally make a charge for my services as a straight man, so you’re doing well out of me so far. As for the further info on that virus – well, it’s always “tomorrow” with you isn’t it! When it comes out, I expect you’ll post it to a new thread called “Software protection against malicious subversion”.
    AdeWouldn’t I have to post this to lot’s of groups? 
    (Any knights of the round table may find the above thread of interest, so maybe not such a bad idea….)
    AdeHello again people.
    You may of been wondering why the information on the Baby Turtle Virus still isn’t here!
    TonyNot really? you already told us it will be here “tomorrow”
    AdeWell it still could be, look out for excerpts from the book in the future!
    GuySubjective argument at GMT 23:59.59?
    AdeWell due to copyright reasons and the such I can not give you the information, but for all those still interested the information and many other fascinating facts can all be found in the book, ‘The Invisible Turtles’ (I suppose TIT for short) the author is around here sometimes so I don’t want to offend him, and I thought it would be a good chance for everyone to buy the book.
    GuyThe book, is, quite unfortunately, as transparent as the turtles, but if anyone wants to give me an advance then I will consider putting pen to paper in the hope that these infamous little beasties can be shown for what they truly are [more on that in the book].
    Ade(This wasn’t a publicity stunt or anything honest)
    GuyI can whole heartily vouch for the poster’s dishonesty.
     🙂
    AdeP.S. (Pinch of Salt) which is what any of the above and any of the previous articles should be taken with….  Please note though I don’t believe any of this salt will kill the Turtles unless the Author can tell me differently!
    TonyHAAA! your bottle was going Ade, only a wimp would feel the need to explain that its a little iffy :), just couldn’t keep it up could you, hahaha.
    GuyThey got you as well. Everybody except yourself knows you meant to type “jiffy” but one of the little buggers (BT’s) got under the “j”. Salt, or S.A.L.T (Satire And Lumbago in Turtles) is a vicious rumour spread by members of the similarly named treaty which came to nothing, where said members attempted to pass legislation on the maximum length of limbs attached to the upper torso.
    Ade(It might be in the book so don’t forget to buy it!)
    The Invisible Turtles price £29.95 probably not available from any good book shops.
    GuyUnless I get an advance!
    TonyAT LAST!!!!!!! All the get rich schemes I have come across, and there have been more of them than perverts?? thousands of get rich posting (no offence there Rich) and finally I see one that doesn’t have a dollar sign in front of it, is this a first ?, the whole world uses the internet, but only one country posts these get rich things….then came Ade 🙂
    Guyand Swampy … :-))
    TonyActually 29.95 isn’t that bad?
    GuyExcept when your calculator gives that as the answer for PI.
    Ade/me wonders how many other people will be happy with a get rich scheme! So Don’t forget available now for £29.95 …Or it could be serialised in one of those really up market newspapers! (Then again maybe not!)
    AdeHELP!,
    They’re coming to get me. I can’t take it anymore, They’re everywhere.
    HELP!
    Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh………..
    GuyYou have been infected by mumbling frogs. These creatures talk to their victim whilst asleep, making subliminal suggestions. After a period of time, the victim becomes convinced that the invisible
    turtles are out to get him. This is a very subtle ploy, for in fact they _are_ out to get him, except that having publicly displayed an apparent psychosis, the victim is no longer believed at all, leaving the invisible turtles free to complete their hideous work.
    AdeHi again to all interested in the BTV and I.T.’s  This may of be of interest to some of you.
    Due to the increasing rise of I.T’s and BTV a course on how to deal with these problems is now available. The type of course is Special High Intensity Training, so all information can be gained in the shortest amount of time. A special introductory price of £125.00 for the full course will be charged on the return of your application at the beginning of the course.
    GuyI’ll sign up!
    🙂
     [kitchener – pointy hand etc]
    AdePlease note this isn’t another cheap way to make money out of you it’s one of those things that we think is beneficial to you all. (The mumbling frogs will remind you of this once they’ve read this message!)
    GuyThere is an ancient ritual performed by the Darwinian’s Against Ritual Lemming Exterminations & Kleptomania. It consists of going out on the town for the night, not losing your plunger, finding a doctor and removing his life force. To date the group have still not succeeded.
    AdeThe application form for the course will be posted tomorrow. Also course tutors, but you can probably guess already who’s trying to make money out of you!  ooops! I mean helping you in your moment of need!
    GuyYou forgot to mention that everyone gets a free Personal Organic Recyclable Natural Map of Acorn Growth. Dr Swampy 🙂
    AdeI noticed they’re drinking my goldfishes water now! and they keep moving my things!
    BTW, I don’t believe in mumbling frogs, they told me not to!
  • More Than One

    This was originally written way back in 1998.
    9 years before my son was born; but his name happened to be the first name I picked for this skit.
    The other character was called John, but as Adam has a friend called Jake
    , I changed it to that.

    I seriously hope this skit is something they will never act out, or anything similar. But some days I do wonder….

    AdamNope, that wont work either.
    JakeWhat wont work?
    AdamThis. I’m trying to use a fork this time.
    JakeNo luck?
    AdamNope, it wont work with the fork. I’m sure you were wrong.
    JakeTry using something else, there must be another way to do it.
    AdamAre you sure? I think using the knife was the only way.
    JakeOf course you can, there must be more than one way.
    AdamI dunno, I’m sure that was the only way.
    JakeHere, try this knife instead.
    AdamNo. I think that would still be the same way. It has to be done a different way. Not just with a different size knife.
    JakeWell, you would really need something sharp. These other kitchen utensils just wont do.
    AdamYeah, I tried the fish slice first.
    JakeAny luck?
    AdamNo luck at all.
    JakeWell as I said there is more than one way.
    AdamHmmm….. I wonder if boiling it, and then peeling it off will work.
    JakeIt has to be worth a try. I’ll go and get a saucepan, you get another one of them.
    AdamThat’s going to take some time. I’ll see if I can find another method to be getting on with.
    JakeShall I put it in before the water boils or after?
    AdamHmmm …. put two on we can try it both ways.
    JakeOkay, good idea. I hope this works.
    AdamYes. This is a lot of work just to check if a saying is true.
    JakeI am sure it is.
    A little time passes.
    AdamWell the water has boiled. I’ll put the other one in.
    JakeOkay, I can’t wait to see the results.
    AdamMe neither.
    A little more time passes.
    JakeIt looks like they’re done.
    AdamOkay. You take one and I’ll do the other.
    JakeCoo, it’s peeling off really easily.
    AdamYes, this one too.
    JakeWell it is true then. There really is more than one way to skin a cat.

  • A Forest Walk

    Aggie and Bettie are two old friends that have some less than usual conversations. This one was while they were walking in a forest and passed a fallen tree.

    AggieOoooo Look! That tree’s gone and fallen over.
    BettieOh dear! Are you sure it fell over?
    AggieOf course it did, it wouldn’t just appear there.
    BettieHow do you know? You know what the say.
    AggieWhat? That trees don’t fall over they just appear there. That’s silly, I seen a tree fall over when I was a little girl.
    BettieI see one fall just last week. Big thing it was, came crashing to the ground and knocked a little tree over too.
    AggieThe tree I saw when I was a little girl was enormous and thundered to the ground taking two other trees with it. Big trees they were too.
    BettieCoo, what a sight. I bet it hurt your ears all that noise.
    AggieOh yes. So noisy it made my ears bleed. You don’t get trees crashing to the ground like that nowadays.
    BettieNo, much quieter trees nowadays.
    AggieSo what do they say?
    BettieEh?
    AggieWhat do they say about the trees?
    BettieOh that. You know. ‘If a tree falls and no one hears it, does it make a sound?’
    AggieDo they? What a silly thing to say. Trees are always noisy when they fall.
    BettieBut what if it didn’t fall?
    AggieEh? It did fall you just said it did.
    BettieNo I never.
    AggieYou did. You said it fell without making a sound ‘coz no one heard it.
    BettieBut if it fell without making a sound., did it fall?
    AggieIt did fall. It can’t get on the ground otherwise.
    BettieBut you said all trees make a noise when they fall. So if it didn’t make a noise it couldn’t have fallen.
    AggieCooo! I think you’re right. Do you know there could be trees all over the place that we don’t hear that are standing up one day and laying on the ground the next.
    BettieIt makes you think doesn’t it?
    AggieDoes it? I suppose it does.
    BettieOh yes, it definitely makes you think. Think about all those lumberjacks.
    AggieOoooo! All those muscley lumberjacks with their big choppers.
    BettieOh yes! Can’t forget their big choppers.
    AggieI wouldn’t mind a lumberjack at home. With his muscles and big chopper.
    BettieAlfie wouldn’t like it though.
    AggieNo, poor Alfie. He wouldn’t like it at all. Anyway why are we thinking about them?
    BettieThinking about who?
    AggieThe lumberjacks.
    BettieOh them! Oh yes! Well all that hard work they do, there’s no need for it.
    AggieThere isn’t?
    BettieOooh no! They should all leave the woods and wait for the trees to appear on the ground, save all the chopping.
    AggieOoooo yes! So it would. Be a lot easier. They can get on with their singing then.
    BettieSinging, do they sing then?
    AggieOooo yes! Haven’t you seen them on the telly? Singing about chopping down trees and dressing up.
    BettieThey’ll just have to sing about waiting for trees now.
    AggieAnd dressing up.
    BettieOoooo yes! Can’t forget the dressing up. What do they dress up in?
    AggieI wouldn’t know. Silly people they are.
    BettieYes, yes, that is true.
    AggieOh look! Another tree.
    BettieI wonder if that one fell.
    AggieI bet it made a lot of noise if it did.
    BettieYes, big crashing noises like thunder.
    AggieOh yes! I’ve always liked the noise of thunder.
    BettieYes, and the crackle of lightning.
    AggieLightning doesn’t make a noise. If it did I’m sure it would be a whizz not a crackle.
    BettieIt sort of gives a crackley feeling. You know, all that natural electricity.
    AggieCoo yes, the electricity. Especially the blue ones.
    BettieYes much nicer than the white lightning.
    AggieYes. Alfie likes the blue electricity too.
    BettieNo dear, I think its Electric Blue that Alfie likes.
    AggieOh yes. Though he does get breathless after watching it for a few minutes.
    BettieWell the lightning always does that to me.
    AggieOoooooooo look! Another tree.
    BettieOooooooo yes! There’s something sitting on it. Can’t quite make it out.
    AggieIt’s quite small and has a fuzzy face.
    BettieOooooh! Is there a helicopter near by?
    AggieA Helicopter?
    BettieYes, if there is it’s probably Noel Edmonds.
    AggieNo, it has a bushy tail though.
    BettieOh. Then it’s a squirrel. That’s how you tell the difference between them.
    AggieI see. So Noel has a helicopter and squirrels have bushy tails.
    BettieThat’s right.
    AggieWell let’s go and get a nice cup of tea.
    BettieOooo! That’s a good idea. We can have a mindless natter over it. We get so little time for mindless natters nowadays.
    AggieYes. Got all this philosophical thinking to do about trees.
    BettieAnd Noel Edmonds.
    AggieOh yes! Can’t forget Noel Edmonds.
  • Time Travel

    Time travel is an easy and natural process. It is something we do every moment of our lives and for the remaining of our existence afterwards too.

    Time moves constantly forwards and we move along with it. To time we are always standing still, just in different positions.

    Before we look at how we may be able to time travel through time we will look at our world as made up of four planes. The first three planes are X, Y and Z. The fourth plane is time. Understanding the first three is simple. X, the directional plane of east-west. Y, the directional plane of north-south. Z, the directional plane of up-down (or altitude). We can easily mark ourselves at a point on these three planes. We can also mark ourselves at a point in time, at the moment I am at point 3rd August 1998, 16 hours, 13 minutes and 36 seconds. But just as I am writing this my point in time has changed, though my point in the other three planes has stayed the same.

    Time measurement is then a bit more difficult, we are not really measuring where we are in time but how much time has passed or will pass, to a certain event. In effect we are always at point zero in time, thus we are not travelling in time at all, just to completely contradict what I said at the beginning.

    So how can we move through time?
    Travelling through one of the other planes is easy enough. You just need to walk, dig, climb or use some means of transport. But time is not that easy. What we need to do is the same with the other planes. First we need to learn how. How do you move in the fourth plane? Now it does not take most of us long to learn to walk in the first and second planes. And we can move a little in the third without any aides, try jumping or falling!

    So why is it so difficult for us to move in the fourth? Should I be thinking of it as movement?

    Moving forward in time is going to be easier than moving back. This plays with reality and it getting messed up far less.