Baby goat daaance!

Free bird

I'm out!!

Actually, the Directive agents were surprisingly nice to me. I answered all their questions honestly, of course, though I think they were a little confused as to why I would help a friend rescue the love of her life from unjustified, extralegal detainment.

Some of you made remarks about what a moral person I was for turning myself in. No, the truth is I was just afraid that they might take revenge against Canada or St. Francis if I ran, and figured it would be better for all concerned if I just ponied up and took my medicine. That's all.

I swear, though, I don't know if I can do anything quite so cheeky again. I don't want to start making too many enemies because my loved ones are so vulnerable. I even considered handing the reins over to the Tracer Foundation and distancing myself from St. Francis altogether. I still might; as painful as that would be, it'd be better than several dreadful alternatives I can imagine.

In other news, Section X has taken notice of the company I've been keeping, and they wanted me to ask you guys if you might have any interest in helping us to try to find Skye. If you recall, she's been missing since late 2008. Anyone?

OOC: time skip synopsis

Over the two-year period eclipsed by the IC time skip, Ben's life has remained rather stable. The majority of his excitement comes from assisting Section X with various wildlife and environmental crises, with some emergency medical assistance provided on more rare occasions. He has dated a few guys here and there but nothing serious as developed, and he persists with his schoolboy's crush on the Magnificent Mountie.

His lawsuit against N! was recenty resolved to his satisfaction after two years of tenacious litigation. He asked only for enough money to cover his legal fees and a full retraction, which was finally published.

St. Francis continues to do well, with Ben posting the usual assortment of huggables on the site's blog. Carlos Ruiz flew through veterinary school in Canada and developed improved mastery of his nova powers with Ben's guidance. Although rural Virginia was the tentative location for SF2, plans were revised following the election of Mark Green as President of the United States. The second St. Francis Animal Sanctuary is now in rural Mexico, much closer to Dr. Ruiz' home.

Condolences

I'm sorry, America, so very sorry.

The good news, if there is any, is that the majority of you (by at least half a million people) rejected the fearmongering of Mark Green.

I'm going to see what can be done about offering asylum to American novas who, no doubt, will suffer rather unkindly under the Green regime.

So come up to Canada, eh? Seriously, we're nicer!

Sleepless at St. Francis

Here's a little joke for you:

A man walks into the vet's office with his dog. "I have a problem," he says. The vet examines the dog thoroughly and says, "Well, I can't find anything wrong with your dog, he seems to be in perfect health." The man says, "Yes, but what should I do about the giant spider laying eggs inside people and the evil computer from the future that's attempting to interfere with the upcoming American election?"

Yeah.

My area of expertise is fairly circumscribed, and my ethics are rather simple. I try to live and let live and pretty much treat people how I'd want to be treated. And while I aspire to do everything I can to avoid inflicting harm, I'm not perfect. Like anyone else, I have some pretty intense feelings that can cloud my judgment or incite me to act in ways I later regret.

Without going into specifics, lately I feel like I'm being pulled into things that are much, much bigger than I am, for which I'm just not equipped; events that are so convoluted and vast that I can't even comprehend them (let alone do anything about them), and situations that are so improbable and their consequences so dire that any satisfactory moral solution escapes me.

And it's making it difficult to sleep at night.

The concert

If you haven't heard the news already, you will soon: Psychopomp is back from the dead.

I only know this because Tess Turbo hooked me up with backstage passes to his memorial concert in New York. It was a lot of fun, at least at first. The air was practically vibrating from all the energy of the crowd and the performers, and I got to meet a couple of new people including Rook (yes, that Rook!) and author/explorer Gordian Phock.

I've never been much into novox music, particularly the harder stuff. I actually didn't know much of anything about Psychopomp except that he had recently died, allegedly. Anyway, the Church of Michael Archangel showed up to ruin everyone's good time as usual, but I guess this was planned by the concert's organizers as Psychopomp turned them all into dancing zombies during his rendition of "Thriller." Surprise!

On the one hand, I could see the humor in it. Watching any large number of people doing the Thriller dance amuses me (it doesn't take much, honestly) and the CoMA isn't exactly the most sympathetic crowd. I'm sure a lot of folks were satisfied to see them get their just desserts.

But on the other hand, it did strike me as a pretty egregious display of power. Temporarily turning your groupies into zombies at their request is one thing, but it is an altogether different matter when this is done to people against their will -- particularly when it is an obstreperous group of religious fanatics whose agenda is to make novas seem threatening. I'm afraid we're going to be hearing a lot about this for a while. Good for Psychopomp's publicity, I guess, but bad for the rest of us.

And to top it off, I had what I can only describe as a panic attack while he was performing. I had to leave the concert early and I didn't even get to watch Tess' set, and hers was the one I was most excited to see. All in all, it left me feeling kind of down. The afterparty had an open bar, and I ended up drinking more beer than I should have and flirting with people completely out of my league.

I'm back!

A week by myself in the great outdoors was just what I needed! My camera was the only real piece of technology I took with me, and I was able to get some really nice photos:

A friend recently remarked that the "deafening silence" of the wilderness would be too much for her to handle. I was thinking about this at one point on my trip, and it's not like that at all. You know that right after you turn the TV down very low, you struggle to hear anything, but then your ears adjust and you realize you never needed to have the sound set so high in the first place.

The wind through the branches; loons, ducks and geese; squirrels, rabbits and ermine; moose, elk and wolves; your heartbeat; your breath coming in frigid gasps; your footsteps crunching through the snow; twigs snapping; the crackle of a campfire.

It's the sweetest music in the world, but you need to turn the volume way down to appreciate it.

P.S. While I was away, St. Francis received an anonymous $100,000 donation! THANK YOU, whoever you are!!!

Mon Dieu

I saw the whole thing on TV: the standoff in Boulder City, the nuclear attack, the showdown between Pax and Mal. I don't know what it was that moved me to tears - sick horror at the potential devastation and loss of life; amazement and confusion as the two most powerful men in the world fought each other; or tremendous pride at watching people I know place themselves in extreme danger to selflessly protect the welfare of others. Several times I asked myself what I might have done had I been there, and (selfishly) I was just glad that I wasn't.

N! refused to publish an acceptable retraction, so it looks like I'm going to be involved in serious litigation soon, but after today that all seems so insignificant.

I'm going camping for a while, both to clear my head and unburden my heart. My support staff will be handling intakes, emergencies, and adoptions until I'm back.

I love my job

and Dakota loves li'l Booties!

The art show

I recently received an invitation to my friend Tina's art show. She's incredibly talented, and a lovely person. I had been so busy that we hadn't seen each other in forever, which I felt bad about, so I accepted even though it meant traveling all the way to Spain.

So I'm stuffed into my tux and I arrive late, and anyone who's anyone is already there: Mothman, Tess Turbo, Lance Stryker, even Divis Mal. I ate beaucoup hors d'oeuvres, drank champagne, made some small talk with the celebrities, and accidentally knocked over a statue.

Everyone was well behaved and everything was going smoothly until some spidery "elite" guy crashed the party. He had very nearly killed this woman, so I stepped in to help her, and then the next thing you know Team Tomorrow swoops in and just levels the place without any warning whatsoever!

Man, I don't get it. I don't understand people's fascination with violence and the high regard afforded to those who make killing a way of life. It is not admirable, and certainly not heroic. I also don't understand how my life got so crazy all of a sudden. I don't know how I went from being a country vet to finding myself in the thick of things. How is it that I'm now rubbing elbows with Divis Mal and dodging fallout from Caestus Pax?

Anyway. The art was beautiful while it lasted. And the evening wasn't a total loss; I can't say too much, but something incredible happened, and it's hard to believe that I was part of it. It's simultaneously wonderful, and terrifying, and I don't know if the world is ready for what is to come. But.. wow.

By the way, Anastasia, you did real good. Thanks for being there when we needed you. (And thanks to everyone who called to make sure I was OK.)

UPDATE: What the hell? So, OK, tonight I saw this N! News story, according to which I was at the art show conducting "surveillance operations" for Section X. (Really? In Spain?) It also said that I called in Team Tomorrow! Are you fucking kidding me??!

I was watching this on TV and my jaw just dropped. I was so hurt and angry! I mean, this is beyond irresponsible reporting. Where are they getting their facts? Or do they just make shit up? Anyway, I've decided to write them an angry letter to clear the air and demand a retraction. (Not that I'm expecting one.)

So, anyone out there know a good lawyer? I'm not gonna stand for this libelous crap.

It's official

I'm a dork.

Ben's arctic adventure

Where to start? OK, so I was in the middle of an adoption when Skye from Section X appeared looking for me. Me! She said a number of whales had been beached up north and asked for my help. Naturally, I agreed, so then she flew me and some friends out that way and we got down to business.

I can't offer many details, but we discovered the source of the problem and are still considering how to handle it. I guess the really exciting thing is that Skye invited us to Section X headquarters where OMG I got to hug the Magnificent Mountie!!!!

Skye also offered to deputize me as a reserve member of Section X. Said I'd get a special red-and-white uniform and everything. Sounds exciting, eh? It's a very tempting offer, but I just don't know how much time I'd be able to devote. I have two animal sanctuaries to manage these days, and even holding down one is pretty much a full-time job on its own.

On the other hand, I would get to see more of "M&M" (pronounced "Mmmmm!"). I can work for days on end without getting tired, so I'm sure I could probably spare a weekend a month or something. I mean, it's not like Canada is the center of many major crises. And maybe it'd be a good way to promote St. Francis and find more homes for our friends, eh?

I guess I ought to sleep on it.

New arrivals

Maestro is a suave African gray parrot whose previous owner recently passed away. His vocabulary is very colorful, and his intelligence is startling. Suki, one of our resident Siamese cats, finds him very intriguing. Wouldn't you like to take this pretty bird home with you? (Cage included.)

This poor girl got lost and found herself stuck in a fox trap. Animal control found her and their veterinarian amputated her leg, which had become badly infected. She says her name is Marzipan and she misses her human very much. If you recognize her and want her back, she's all yours! (And she promises not to chew through her leash anymore.)

Q: Who wants a bunny?

A: You!

This baby skunk is undomesticated and not up for adoption (for obvious reasons). But she's such a cute li'l stinker that I just had to share her picture.

"Talking With Animals" excerpt

"I suppose I might have made a decent physician," Boxer says, "but there are a lot of other novas out there using their gifts to benefit people. I didn't see too many helping animals, who are often the most in need of it. Aside from issues of abuse and exploitation of domesticated animals, wildlife habitats are increasingly threatened by the changes humans are making to the environment. These beleaguered creatures deserve to have their voices heard."

Benjamin Boxer's story is similar to that of many novas. Finding himself on the verge of death (after being trapped in a bizzard while on a camping trip), his eruption gave him the strength to survive. In addition, he found that his ability to heal himself could be extended to others who were sick or injured. "I also discovered that I was able to communicate with animals. I'm not sure how it all relates to what happened to me out there, but they started coming to me for help. It's like they knew that I would understand. Instinct, I guess. And to be fair, they're also not shy about coming to assist me if they perceive that I need it."

He has some difficulty describing what it is like to communicate with animals. "It's more than emotional impressions, it's more than images. The way that animals communicate among themselves doesn't approximate speech, yet somehow my brain is able to translate their feelings and perceptions into a form I can comprehend: words. I experience it a lot like speech. Or maybe telepathy is a better term, because even animals that don't make much noise can still 'talk' to me. And the more complex the animal's mind, the more complex their communications are. Highly intelligent and social animals even name themselves, did you know that?"

Boxer's abilities propelled him through veterinary school easily. "Of course I had to learn how to assess symptoms, interpret diagnostic tests, administer medication, and perform surgery just like any other vet. But in practice, I find it more useful to simply ask an animal what is wrong and heal them accordingly." Curiously, he administers his curative powers through the act of hugging. "It's weird, I know," he says, chuckling. "And there are lots of jokes that have been made about it. I mean, some novas can heal people just by looking at them or whatever. But for me, healing is not an act of will so much as an act of love."

"I guess if I didn't have love for a particular animal or person, I wouldn't be able to heal them. But I haven't had that experience yet. Even when I've had occasion to minister to a particularly violent person or dangerous animal, I'm able to see and feel past that. I know that they're only dangerous because, at some point in their lives, they were terribly hurt."

Boxer used his inheritance and all he had earned through his practice to establish the St. Francis Animal Sanctuary, a veterinary and animal placement facility that has become world-famous for wildlife rehabilitation. "It was incredibly difficult for the first few years," he says. "We were a new charity, and a pretty small operation, so it was really hard to attract donors. A lot of my full-time staff were essentially unpaid volunteers for months at a time, but they stuck with it because they really believed in the mission. A lot of folks associate my name and face with St. Francis, but the truth is I owe its success to the people working alongside me, and our financial supporters."

With more and larger donations, St. Francis has grown accordingly, with another facility already in the planning stages. "I'm considering a couple of different locations. I do love Canada, and I think Ontario might be a good place for it. On the other hand, Canada has a St. Francis already, so I'm also looking at land in the United States. Possibly somewhere in the Appalachians."

Boxer's role as an advocate for animals has expanded as well. He is regularly consulted by Canadian officials on matters pertaining to wildlife management and relocation, and is among the first notified to organize emergency clean-up efforts in response to oil spills. "I do a fair share of lobbying, too. But I still can't get the government to end the annual seal hunt," he notes, with heavy regret. "Maybe in time. I'm not about to stop trying."

Hooray!

I'm very pleased to announce a new addition to the St. Francis family! Carlos Ruiz comes to us all the way from Mexico City, and will be joining our team part-time as an intern to learn the details of managing an animal charity while attending WCVM in Saskatchewan. Bienvenido, Carlos! Hope you brought a coat, eh? :)

In somewhat related news, a very generous donor has provided us with sufficient funds to establish another St. Francis, with the location yet to be determined. We are all extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity. Although I hope that Carlos will eventually be in a position to direct SF2, I will be supervising its construction and operation for the time being. Any experienced veterinarians, veterinary technicians, or animal lovers who would like to volunteer are encouraged to apply by shooting me an email.

Think I'm in love

O Canada! Looks like we have our own team of superheroes now! Go Section X!

OK, sure, they're a little stereotypical, but OMG the Magnificent Mountie is hawt!! Gotta love a man in uniform. I've been staring at his promotional shot all day and I swear we went to high school together.

Woof!!

Whew!

Last night I had this recurring nightmare in which the world exploded after being hit by some meteor. But not just any meteor, no -- that wouldn't be nearly strange enough. This meteor was fired from a giant starship lurking in a time/space rift to the future. And I would wake up, and it would be the same day, only to have the same thing happen over and over. It was like, I dunno, Groundhog Day meets Armageddon.

But the strangest part -- well, no, I won't even go into that. I needn't cause anyone any embarrassment by discussing the funny things they do in my dreams. Let's just say it was quite an eclectic cast of characters. Waking up, I really did feel like Dorothy coming back to Kansas: "And you were there... and you... and you, too!"

I'm just glad it's all over. One thing this dream reinforced is that I'm not one for daring escapades and heroics. No sir, a week outdoors is about all the adventure I can handle.

Before I close this entry, I do want to take a moment to pay my respects to Caroline, who passed away this morning. I didn't know her very well, but she seemed like a good person in the end, even if she might have said or done things during her lifetime to suggest the contrary.

This little piggy

needs a good home! Once he's ready for solid food, that is. Anybody out there need a charming little swine to love?

Félicitations!

Congratulations Jake and Andy! Or should we call you "Jandy" now? ;) I'm so excited for you two!!! I'm already getting a li'l misty at the thought of how much in love you guys are and how happy you're gonna make each other. I'll be sure to bring my own box of kleenex to the wedding, I always cry at these things.

On that note, I'm really grateful to live in a country that recognizes and respects same-sex relationships. When I finally do find my prince (or he finds me), it's comforting to know that we'll be able to enjoy the same rights as everyone else.

Pegged

	Love-a-Lot Bear You love to take care of others and people love being around you because you make them feel appreciated. You are very sweet and soft-spoken. You are also a romantic and consider yourself an excellent matchmaker, so you tend to be a bit nosy. But everyone still considers you the sweetest person they know.
Take the Which Care Bear Are You? Quiz!