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Topics - American Otter

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1
Random Topics / 100 Years ago this month
« on: November 28, 2016, 02:02:49 PM »
This is late, but the video was only posted yesterday.

21 November, 1916. Off the Coast of Greece.

The Britannic, the planned to be most luxurious ship in the world sinks as a Hospital ship after striking a Mine.

Some of the accomidations. A Gymnasium for 2nd Class Passengers. A bigger A la Carte Restaurant, bigger reception area, And.... A Children's Play area for passengers. Just to name a few, oh, also an Organ for the First Class Staircase. Plus much more. Watch the video to hear about all the features.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr5HmOJtgSI

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Random Topics / I have Returned
« on: November 14, 2016, 02:41:07 AM »
Boy....

I cannot seem to stay active on this site. I do apologies, and well, not sure if anyfur remembers me from the past. But.... I can say this. Life has not killed me, even if it has. It have been a crazy past four years. But I am alive, and I should try to come back to semi active status.

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Random Topics / Hello and long time no see
« on: February 17, 2014, 06:28:45 PM »
Well, Here we are.

I just want to say that frankly after all I have gone through... I want to get back into this community. However, I do not know how many hours I can stay here per day, but I do want to say that I missed you all.

As for where I have been?

Well back in July of 2013, I had a fourth open heart surgery.

and then in January of this year 2014, I have an emergency open heart. Making it number five.

So, I have been recovering slowly and slowly expanding my range and that means coming back here now. So, yeah... I want to say that I hope you all are doing well and good to be back here.

4
Random Topics / My weekend experience
« on: July 11, 2011, 03:09:13 PM »
Okay readers of this item. I have promised and I will deliver what I promised, as much of a journal entry as I can of my journal in the sky on the Nine-O-Nine, a B-17 World War Two Bomber which flew over Germany and Europe.

The Nine-O-Nine is in fact has a nice little tidbit I learned about it. The 8th enjoyed the plane because it didn’t lose a single airman onboard during any of her 180 bombing missions. She was a lucky plane.

Okay, so I better start, I will on Friday Morning if you all don’t mind, I will and could go further back into the week if you want.

Okay, Friday Morning, I woke up, actually I was up easily a half hour before I need to, but I tried to sleep as much as I could. I was up at four in the morning and was showered, dressed, and above all ready to go. We left the house easily at five in the morning. We then arrived at the Airport at around five fifteen in the morning, and we were the first ones there. In fact we were the only car in the parking lot I think.


Pictured is the Jet Center, our meeting in my home town to get ready for the flight up to the Bombers.

Pictured here is the Otter himself with the start of what is to be known as the Bomber Smile.

Pretty soon, the first of the others arrive, (our group consisted of five people total) we got pictures with him, and with him and his wife. He is an ordinary soldier who got no medals, but was as much a part of defending the nation as anyone else in the armed services. He was enjoyable to talk to, but was by far the most silent of the group.

Next came Larry, a retired Marine during Nam, he was a gunner on the Marine helicopter, and whose father flew top turret on a B-24.  He is the one who moved my Grandpa’s captains bars to the fur collar of my jacket I wore in case we got up in the air high with the bombers. So the entire flight I had my Grandfather’s captain bars visible for everyone to see.

Then Bill, World War Two navy, who served in the Pacific on land bases, he was a wonderful person to be with and talk to.

The final person who arrived was Gail, one of the two early morning talk show hosts in the morning local AM station. (She was surprised at being TOLD she was flying on the planes)

With all that, we soon made our way inside the Jet Center, where we used the restrooms, got a safety brief and soon, was boarding the plane that would take us up to Gillete Wyoming. The Center we also learned we were getting two Airport Staff members and a CAP Youth. (CAP is Civil Air Patrol for those who might not have known.)

We then split into two planes, everyone else went on a smaller Cessna, while we went a larger plane that could sit six people including the pilot, I forgot the plane name or type for the moment. We were full up, as all the KCOL winners, plus one host got on the plane to fly to Wyoming. This was my first flight in an unpressurized plane.

This is the entire group in front of what I shall refer to the small flying limo.

We got into the Flying Limo, (It really looked and felt like a limo, cramped but then again it is an airplane. We donned our headphones, so we could all talk to each other and not shout over the roar of the twin engines.


Me wearing my headphones

We then taxied and after a while we took off.


This is taken by my father of the plane as it pulled away from the airport and towards the taxi way and the runway.
Not sure of how many of you are pilots but it was rather fun listening in on the conversation between our pilot Rob (he was the one that coordinated the bombers coming to our town, he is also awesome) We soon were in the air and we had a wonderful time, we spoke with one another, and I learned so much from Larry as he spoke of his time in Nam, I learned about the Helicopter he flew in the war, and a few stories.

This is a video of the take off, please click on the image to watch the video

Before I knew it, ((really about an hour at most)) we were told to be silent so he could talk to the airport control tower for Gillete Wyoming. We then landed and I got some good shots of the Bombers, on the ground here.

First image of the bombers from the plane on the ground.


This is the B-24


B-17

We then in almost the same ten minutes were boarded and we were strapped into a cushions on the floor and against the walls.


Me sitting down on the B-17

We were told that we had to be sitting during takeoff, which I was. We soon were able to get up and walk around the plane very soon after takeoff, and it was, it was downright amazing, the sounds of the engines, the roar as they rev’d then right before takeoff, and then take off.
You know how on all planes you can feel the plane taking off? I never felt it on the B-17, it was so smooth into the air it was downright freaky, because suddenly I realized the small window I could barely see, the ground was getting smaller and then one of the riders walked into the radio room.

I got up and well, I took a lot of video of the bomber, I kept on coming back to one part of the bomber, the bombardier seat, the front of the plane and just. It was like the big window in 20,000 leagues under the sea, only in the air and at the front of the plane. It was, I got a lot of photos there. It was fun, the roar of the engines, they were so loud I can still mentally hear them, and I couldn’t speak, I could not hear myself talk unless I had both ears covered then I could hear my voice due to the echo within my head.

The plane trip was amazing and I was just blown away by it. Just nothing but awe, however, due to the emotions, from seeing the gun turrets to even looking through the sight the bombardier used to drop the payloads, I began to get green among the gills. I finally had to get a plastic bag, and the half water bottle I had drank came up and I still heaved. After I was done I actually fell asleep, something I feel bad about but I needed it, I slept the last part of the plane trip, it was just a two hour at most ride, but, so many things I can say because of that.

The memories of the B-17 were amazing, I enjoyed it, I had a good time to see the plane, and so many shots outside the window of the airplane in action. Below are pictures of in flight actions, but sadly no pictures of us landing, due to the fact that I was strapped in and once again unable to find or see us land.













Yes that is an open hatch in the ceiling


Video, click the thumbnail, of the hatch, yes that is the wind of about 150mph blowing by the camera


This is another video of the front of the plane.

The noise you hear, the engines turning and the like. It is not justice on how loud they were in real life.
Well we landed to a nice crowd who were there waiting for us to land and my dad has gotten so many great shots, (So many that I will just link to where the photobucket account is for me to find the B-17 pics.)
I had a blast and before I even went to see my parents I got a picture of the only twin seated Mustang P-51 that was built, it was not a trainer and in fact it is and was a real fighter plane, took a nice number of German Fighters and One German Tank. It was a good plane.

We then had a nice conversation, more gathering and final pics of the group, and we dispersed for the afternoon.

I however was not done yet with the bombers, in Part 2, I shall explain and tell about the Hanger Dance.


and Part 3 was taking my two best friends to see the Bombers on the Saturday after they landed. You all have a fun day and here is the link I promised.

http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g184/VulpixTrainer/B-17%20Flyin/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ28

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Writer's Guild / The Metal Jungle
« on: January 12, 2011, 02:17:09 AM »
Okay Fuzzies and non Fuzzies, here is my first short story part one I guess... Yes there are small oddities but I tried to keep it focused on one character, and yes I am always improving, please let me know how it is. I do have hints as to what is going on, but I kind of am experimenting with a new writing style I never have before and I like it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Douglas Samuels blinked as he looked at the city map, then up at the street sign and back down at the map. “Okay… I know I should be close by… but, I cannot seem to find the hotel… and where the heck is Lutra drive?” The young man began to unfold and fold the map, trying to reach the map’s list of roads for the city. “I just hope I am not late for the convention.” He muttered to himself.

“Talking to oneself is a sign of insanity.” A voice spoke beside Douglas, he looked to his side in confusion and blinked, was that… “Nice Costume, I am guessing you are lost looking for that hotel as well?” The figure that spoke looked to be about ten, dressed as an Otter wearing the outfit of some kind of Naval Officer, his head was bare at the moment, but the subdued ribbons and metals were all to say his costume was of a respected officer or Admiral even? “I am guessing you are some kind of naval Otter?”

The Otter blinked and looked back. “Astute observation, and you, you must be an explorer, or a very lost tourist.” This elated a laugh from Douglas.  As he looked at what was a classic romantic Victorian Explorer of old, from the mustard yellow clothing and boots to the pith helmet with goggles and leather gloves, he had a satchel and to complete the look was a hiking backpack on his back. If only the Cab had not dropped him off at the wrong spot in the first place.

“You could say a little of both.” He returned to the map. “Now, well, this is confusing I am here in this area, but I don’t see any Lutra Drive.”
He blinked as an Otter head popped up between him and the map. “Ah… here we are.” He pointed to a small street he thought he didn’t see before. “I take it that circle is where you are goin?”

“Uh, well, yeah.” Was all Douglas replied looking a little nervous and confused at the exchange “It’s the Hotel, Science Fiction Fantasy Con, I am a little late I am afraid.”
“Ah no matter, you can follow me. Now if only the city had an electric line… or a steam powered tram like London, we could get there faster.” The otter mumbled as he took out what looked to be a compass and a sextant and after fiddling with both began to head towards the Hotel.

Douglas decided that the sextant was just for show and the compass was how he would navigate, but with a city… “UH… you want the map or,” He trailed off in his question with the Otter waved him off… the costume was really real he decided as he thought he saw one of the ears perked but it must be the shadows from the tall high rises.

“Nah, nah… I know where we are, and map orientation… Just follow me if you don’t want to get lost.” He then took off at a brisk walk and refused to answer any more questions, so Douglas began to think of what kind of back story he should create with this costume he had created. He adjusted the Pith helmet and picked up his pace to keep the Otter sailor in his sights. He couldn’t help but think of how this was an odd turn of events.

However as he continued to walk and follow this Otter he kept feeling like he was being watched from the shadows, as he continued he remember being told that cities were called metal jungles and for once he found his choice of dress a sense of irony, he was a jungle explorer for her Majesty the Queen Victoria of England for new Lands to bring out of savagery and here he was exploring the metal Jungles of the former colonies of America. He blinked and shook his head; wow his imagination was really running wild tonight or rather today. He blinked and saw an old fashioned lamp pole and thought that his brother mentioned something about them being using to run electric trolleys, when he almost heard the ding ding of a trolley bell and almost in shock jumped against a building and blinked as he thought he saw his image shimmer in the mirror almost like he was seeing another person looking back and he panicked a little, wildly looking for his little guide as he stuffed his map of the city back into the satchel, confused as to how empty the streets seemed here suddenly.

He spotted him turning a corner down the road and he raced to catch up, he turned the corner and froze unable to really see, yet seeing a sight that was almost whimsical before it faded to another empty street, but for a moment he thought he had seen a zeppelin tied to the mast of one of the sky scrapers, only it turned out to be a cloud going behind a half complete skyscraper, he blinked as he thought he smelt something akin to steam and oils but it was gone. The Naval officer was looking at his compass, but not moving, without thinking he moved up behind him, did he seem taller to him? He was not sure but spoke. “How do you like New York? A wonder they call it a metal Jungle.”

The Admiral, somehow he knew he was an admiral, only smirked. “I prefer either a nice airship or War Ship off Africa or India, but New York is nice, though the buildings do feel like caverns in a mountain.” This comment made Douglas pause, but asked another question. “Can I ask the name of the company I am keeping at this moment in my journey?”

He wasn’t sure but he thought he caught the small sign of a smirk. “You can just call me Admiral, and don’t worry we are halfway to the hotel. Where are you staying again?” The question took Douglas off kilter a little.

“Uh, the Royal Airship…” Douglas paused and blinked, “No, it’s the Royal Hilton…” he was shaking his head. “This is odd…”

“Not really, just a bit of jarring, It will soon pass, be thankful I found you and not some roving gang, I don’t think you would have survived an encounter with them, tribes in the metal jungle are worse than some of the native tribes in Africa I have come to see.”
Before Douglas could answer they were on the move again and this time he was seeing something odd. “When, thought?”

“Oh, I think they never bothered to tear them out, Good thing; they might be able to put in another steam Tram. Why New York got rid of them in the first place I wouldn’t know.”

Douglas sighed and decided to work on his character again, and decided on a few rewrites, he decided for one thing instead of being fully British he was an exchanged American in the program, using British Steam might to get into areas until the US could get their own airships running across the Atlantic. He growled a little as he remember that there was still a trial of the German Saboteurs that took out their airship production plants on the east coast. He looked up as he heard the sounds of propellers and saw a British fighter Plane in front of another Giant Airship, and then he gasped as he stumbled and found himself falling forward, he felt his head hit the pavement and his mind went blank.

“Wake up!!! Come on you’re going to miss the second part of the convention.” Douglas groaned as he blinked opened in confusion, the dream from last night felt so real, he thought he could vaguely feel a tail but it was fading away. He opened his eyes and saw his younger brother by a year smiling as he had been shaking him. “Come on… help me into my Sky Admiral Costume.” He whined as he moved to the closet. Douglas only blinked as he got up and quickly helped his brother into the costume. “Why you had to pick an Otter as well, you will be hot down there.”

“So what? It will be just like the Jungles of Africa?” Douglas stopped at that comment but only for a moment and continued to help him, mainly by putting the head on and making sure that seems were not visible. He then moved and put on his own Victorian Steam Punk Explorers outfit. For some reason he still felt like his mind was in a fog, like he was missing something, but he couldn’t put his paw on it. He shook his head, “great, thinking like my brother and his friends.” He looked up and tilted his head at what he thought were dark circles under his eyes but shrugged it off and put on his pith helmet and then put the green goggles over his eyes, not needing glasses helped his look and the goggles would hid how his eyes looked. He smiled and took his hiking staff from the closet and with his brother exited the room and headed towards the Convention rooms to see what goodies would be in store for them to purchase and send back home to the company of this unique world. Douglas only smiled at his imagination’s power.


6
Writer's Guild / The Reluntant Kitsune
« on: January 09, 2011, 09:53:53 PM »
Matthew Cole looked his pocket watch, denoting the time of the day. He smiled; he had more than enough time to take a walk before having to go to his grandparents' home for dinner. Thus the reason he was dressed up in his Sunday best, he was going to enjoy a before Christmas dinner with his family; a tradition that he greatly enjoyed. He put on a blue winter coat, zipped it up, and then put on a warm winter hat, with his winter coat's hood covering the winter hat, and tied the cloth strings around his neck to keep the hat snug on his head before placing on his hands black furry gloves with small threads of grey threads to made them a little more colorful. He opened his front door and stepped out into the cold of December. He turned around and closed the door, having twisted the doorknob to lock it; he turned around and placed his key into the dead bolt and locked that as well. His parents were Christmas shopping so they had agreed that they would meet up at the grandparents' home, he smiled. He walked from his house onto the bare pavement of his street, taking a short cut through his old Elementary School playground. He looked at the sky and the low grey clouds. He had grown accustom to seeing the clouds and he knew that more snow was on the way, his snow boots making a soft crunching sound as he began his trek to his destination.

Soon however he was pulling the blue hood down further down his head, the temperature had dropped quickly and faster than he had thought possible. He was regretting not going with his folks to shop for his cousins; but this way, his folks could at least maybe shop for him at the same time. He was now regretting that train of thought but now, he needed to push forward; he was already halfway there and he just needed to get through the schoolyard. However as he entered the schoolyard, a strange sight befell his eyes. In the chilling air, sitting on one of the large red swings was what looked to be a young lady, blondish gold hair and what looked to be the top of a winter coat. He couldn’t see well because the chair’s back blocked most of his view. But something threw up warning flags as he realized standing over the lady, whose head way bowed down, was a man, who looked like he had come from the pages of a war movie. He had two belts of bullets strapped around his chest, with a small dagger in his hand, the hard face of a buzz cut marine want to be was looking solely at the girl. The clothing the man wore was what looked to be military surplus winter gear, but he couldn’t tell the expression on his face at the moment.

Matthew picked up his steps and began to run only to hit a patch of ice on the road and began to slide. In doing so, Matthew let out a startled yelp and began to wave his arms widely before falling on the ground hard, just as he heard a soft noise that he recognized from the Bond games he played with his brother that it was a silencer gun. Standing up, he looked around and realized that he was in danger, without thinking he ran while crouched and hit another patch of ice on the snow. Losing control, he hit the back of the swing, pushing it forward. The girl moved her legs which were tied together to slam them into the chest of the military man, who went stumbling backwards into the snow.

She began to mumble something and Matthew not knowing what he was getting himself into, or why someone was using the school as an execution place, he yanked the gag from the girl’s face.

“Thank you,” she said before trying to get up, but she winced at the pain of the ropes that tied her down to the chair. “Can you get me undone?” She asked, staring at the unconscious man, worried about him waking up.

Matthew, still running on adrenaline and not knowing what was going on, only nodded dumbly and did as he was asked. He picked up the fallen knife and noticed that there were strange carving on it, and the hilt was rather strange, however before he could look too closely he was kicked in the leg by the two feet of the girl.

“Stop standing like a deer in the headlights, and cut the ropes," the woman shouted. He only nodded his head and began to saw through the rope with the knife, noticing that for some reason there were pieces of paper with weird writing, like Chinese characters that were attached to the rope, his mind was snapped back from his musing as he looked at the strange paper by a snap, the ropes right away became lose and the girl without thinking jumped out of the chair, leaving Matthew little time to get out of the way, in the moment that it took for him to look away, the girl was already gone.

Matthew stood in the playground stunned, how could someone move so fast? How could they get away… why… He suddenly grunted as he looked down at a burning pain to see a small switch-blade now sticking out of his clothing. He looked and saw the military dressed man stagger up with anger in his face.

“You lost my quarry, you stupid, dumb boy. You just did things that you will never fully understand. Now… I will want my knife back,” With that he walked forward, grabbing the handle of the knife and yanked it out, staining his coat a blood red, and then he pushed Matthew onto his back. For a moment the man looked saddened but the same coldness and hatred returned. “I will let you see the snow one last time, but be warned, you have paid for interfering with the Hunters.” With those words the man began to walk away.

Matthew no longer felt cold, but warmth running through his body. He was saddened, he knew he was dying and that no help would arrive in time; most people would be inside out of the cold. He already could see the darkness spread from the edges of his eyesight toward the center. He was losing feeling and his hearing seemed to be duller. He saw a blurred figure over him, but he couldn’t seem to focus correctly anymore. He was trying hard to see who was there and even tried to sit up.

“Whoa, easy, don’t you dare sit up, you need to rest, rest, you saved my life from death, and now… I need to do the same, but rest; all will be fine, just try and relax.” The voice was soothing and reminded him of the warm cozy nights staying up late talking with his family and enjoying the warmth of family. He soon drifted off to sleep thinking that he would wake up and face his judgment.

He slowly regained his senses and tried to open his eyes, however he found no bright light, no smell of hospitals or anything else but a wood type smell, along with an interesting musty smell. He looked around and realized he was in a bed, in a small room, the blinds were closed and a fire was in a stone fire place. The entire scene looked like it belonged in an old Western movie. He blinked and then yawned; he raised a hand to his mouth and blinked yet again. Something was wrong, he remembered the cold, the strange encounter and… he sat up fully this time and realized that he had been stabbed, in the heart no less, he looked at his chest and found that it was freshly bandaged and that it covered his entire chest. Whoever did this sure went overboard on the bandages, he thought to himself. He moved his hands and felt the spot where the wound should have been, but he only felt the bandage and no red spots appeared on the linen wrap. He only blinked and decided that he should try and sit up and see what is going on.

He slowly swung one leg and was about to swing the other when he noticed something about his foot. It looked odd and strangely shaped. He blinked again, bending his knee to allow his hand to feel the foot, what met his nerves and what his hand told his brain was an almost impossibility. There was a fine hair-like feel to it, along with what felt like rough pads on the bottom. He blinked and walked over to the fire, and noticed that he was still wearing his suit pants and then he saw in the fire light a sight that made him waver on the spot and to put a hand on his head. He had paws, a red like fur to them, and he was standing on his toes, not his entire foot. He then realized that something felt odd as well about his head, realizing that there was a reflective surface, a rough looking mirror and he walked over to it, only to blink, there staring back were two blood red eyes, however his eyes grew adjusted and the red turned to gold and the shadows of two large triangle like ears on his head also became clearer and he saw that they were black in color, also covered in fur. He then noticed something twitching and moving back and forth at about waist level, he moved a hand to feel it, and he stumbled back; a tail, he had a tail, he had received two signals at once, one from his hand and the other from the new appendage. He was wavering on his feet and felt sick, that is until he heard the soft sound of something moving a lock like item on the door. This was too much and next thing he knew he was on all fours and standing on all his limps; his mind made a finally connection before an overwhelming instinct took over. He was most likely a fox and a rather scared one, because his tail went between his legs, and he pulled his ears back; his eyes showed fear and he crawled away from the door and ended up under the bed where he shook and quivered in fear of what would happen next. Where was I? What happened to me? Why did that man attack me when I was running on nothing but fear? Why, why, why? He asked as the door swung open, allowing what looked to be sunlight into the room, then he heard footsteps, which stopped and the continued on, suddenly the door shut, the room was plunged into darkness, before he heard the sound of metal scraping upon metal and the room let in more lights, he then heard and recognized the same voice he had heard before.

“Little boy? Are you in here? Please don’t hide, I apologies for what I am putting you through, but I need to explain some things, please do not be afraid.” Matthew only shook still when suddenly the two feet he saw, a light blond colored fur, almost suddenly became four legs on the ground. Suddenly the fox head poked its head underneath the bed and smiled. “I found you, I see you wanted to play hide and go seek, but there is no time to play. I need to explain my actions to my clan, and you have to come with me.”

With those words the larger fox grabbed in her jaw his scruff. He thought she would kill him, but instead he was dragged on the ground before being lifted up off the ground. He realized something right then; he was not just a fox, but a baby one at that. He looked around and blinked, for there were two blond tails he could count, and his mind finally locked up and he passed out once more, as he was carried from the small cottage and into a world he was not at all prepared for.

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