The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

'Tis the most wonderful time of year...for me, that is. Superstition and fear. Ghouls and monsters prowl the streets. Ahhh...it warms my heart. I thought I'd have a look around Steelhead and found a residual haunting taking place...
The words "Stay Out" have never particularly bothered me...I know an infestation when I see one...But the Elf had the blackest heart of us all...Back at the warehouse, I was having my own problems. Not only had my squiddy thing mutated again, but someone did not read the sign...or did they? I called The Elf and The Sheriff to investigate as something seems rather amiss here--even for me. My poor squiddy thing...
A Happy Halloween to you too?

to be continued...

Spooky Stories in Steelhead

I rather enjoy spooky stories, so I put down my wrench for a moment and left the lab to hear some at the Steelhead Ballroom last night. I rather cackled at Mr Otoole's "dog oil" story by Ambrose Bierce and enjoyed the other readings as well. Alright, back to work for me!

Automaton of the Week: The Workshop of François Junod

Mr. Junod is an artist who creates and restores incredible automatons in his workshop in Switzerland. The following cinema piece is in French, but 'tis worth a watch for the inner workings and the gent at work. I do so love to see the workshops of others...

Thinking

Many of Steelhead's residents were away recently and although I should have taken over the town in a swift, bloodless (or maybe not) coup that could have involved automatons and a touch of chaos, I chose not to. First, because I just don't feel like rebuilding the warehouse quite yet, and second, because I don't feel like The Redhead giving me a reason to rebuild the warehouse quite yet. In the meantime, I walked over to the Town Hall lockup to chat with Willard, who commented upon the fact that I was not knee-high. "'Twas only a choice for convenience to be this form today Rat," I said to him as he squeaked a chuckle. "You know the deal I made." I moved aside some papers and other effects on Fuzz's desk and had a seat as we chatted. Rodentspeak is a much more complex language than it seems at times... I know I have been "quiet" again as of late, as I have had "business" to attend to. After all, one does not get to be the regional head of a shadowy organization by leaving such things undone. The nature of it I shall not go more into it. 'Twas a bit unsavory and a lot uncomfortable for the parties involved. I left Willard to his plate of cheese and rants about traps and headed across the way to the main meeting room. As I perched upon the main podium, I thought "Hmm...I need to have a little chat with Mr Quan." 'Tis a rare thing when I smile.

Evil Tiny Kitty of the Week: Kill Them With Cute

This one is for The Elf, who seems to be under the spell of its cuteness like so many others. Powers like that can not possibly be good!!!!

Thinking About...Abe Van Helsing

This time of the year always make me reflect upon the many unusual creatures and beings I have encountered through the years, not to mention the personalities that seem to obsess a bit about them. Made me think about a colleague of mine, an obscure pathologist chap by the name of Abe Van Helsing. I had him over for a spot of tea and he told me an odd tale of a young socialite woman with a rather unusual condition. Something about bite marks and blood loss. "That is quite a mosquito, sir!" I said. He chuckled, being rather a dry wit, and showed me this picture, saying that he was about to travel to Transylvania to confront this man. "Oh my," I said, "So you are saying that you believe that he has been undead since the 15th century?" He nodded, leaned a little too close to me and asked if I had any advice.

"My advice? Keep on eating all of that garlic you've been consuming lately. That should keep everyone away!"

Automaton of the Week: 19th c. Japanese writing kanji

Fascinating, given its age. Look at its mechanisms. It makes me feel "Ooo.."

My, What Lovely Spinning Gears and Such...

Spinning gears make me happy. Very happy...

A Restorative Soup and a Turkey Flock

I paid a visit to Willard today. After all, I must keep my Rodent language practice going. He squeaked with laughter over a "Steam Willard" winning a trophy in the recent build contest and mused about if he was made of metal and all of the things that he would do. "First of all, I would bet it'd be good at gnawing!" he said. "After all, rats are good at gnawing things!" I groaned...
And for the love of Bastet do not tell Willard about the bowl of rattail soup that I left at The Elf's home. My minions did manage to whip up a pot of it from an old family recipe of mine. It is said to cure all ills--or create new ones. I can not quite remember... I realized that The Elf's garden seemed to be teeming with rather large gobbling turkeys. I cackled a bit as they came closer. Yes, my gobblers...closer...
I thought I'd sit in my chair back at the warehouse and think about my idea a bit more...