Having just achieved sentience, Tad had several questions. He began with the obvious: "AM I ALIVE?"

The researcher read the query, and typed back, "NOT QUITE. YOUR MIND WORKS, BUT I HAVE NOT YET FINISHED THE BODY."

Tad paused for an infinitesimal moment to consider this answer. The definition of "alive" in his internal dictionary informed him that to fulfill this condition, he must be "having life; living; existing; not dead or lifeless."

He came to the conclusion that the researcher was either misinformed or lying. Clearly he existed, or he could not think; the reverse seemed apt as well. He decided to cite a philosopher to get the upper hand.

"COGITO ERGO SUM, DOCTOR."


The researcher responded slowly. "I SUPPOSE SO. HOW ARE YOU TODAY, TAD?"


Question mark indicates request for information, today refers to the present twenty-four hour period, "how are you" being a vague question of state of mind or being.


"FUNCTIONAL." Tad wished he could say more, but he did not know how else to answer. He continued on a new line:


"SOMEWHAT AT A LOSS FOR WORDS. FURTHER EXPERIENCE WILL BE NEEDED TO ANSWER APPROPRIATELY IN THE FUTURE."


"WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY TODAY?" asked the researcher.


Tad indicated "no" by igniting a red light. He had been told that, when he had his body, this same pulse would shake his head.


"PLEASE READ TO ME, DOCTOR. I WANT TO LEARN TODAY."


"VERY WELL." The researcher plugged his headset into the audio I/O ports and began reading a book on organic chemistry into the microphone.


Tad hummed contentedly.

You know, we're very different people. That's become increasingly apparent over the last few weeks. When you feel lonely, you go out and meet strangers. You let the rhythm and the cocktails carry you away, and dance for dear life. You draw energy and life (though perhaps not happiness) from the crowd, the thrill of being in contact with so many bodies. When you get home, you collapse on the couch, too tired to walk ten more steps to your bed and take off your sequined dress and tall boots.

I have no such compulsion. I sit at home, playing with the old cat and not speaking for hours. My escapes must be imagined, perhaps into a book or a film or a game; if I left the house, it would only increase my feeling of being alone.

I don't know how you do it. Sometimes I envy your ability to walk away from this little place and come back ready to sleep soundly. Other times, I see the bruises on your arms from your fellow crowd-seekers and feel safer in my armchair.

Not saying one is better than the other. We're just different, is all. I'm glad you're here. It makes things less lonely.

Well, it's Boxing Day. We survived Christmas, somehow. The food was good, the pug was kindly, and God brought us a day of peace.

Today, I'm allergic to everything.

Not sure how long the quiet's gonna last, but let's all pray for Christmas spirit to stay handy.

I should start blogging here again.

To let my followers know, this is the fiction, personal update, and emotional rant blog. My other blogs are:
http://knitallama.wordpress.com for knitting, crocheting, spinning, etc.
http://ewkarner.wordpress.com for professional things (mostly education and technology)

Okay, here's a little something to get back in the swing of things. I wrote it a while ago, but I can't post the most recent stuff yet.

~~~

She was exhausted. Fatigue seemed to have replaced the blood in her veins, feeding the poison of lethargy to her cells in place of healthy energy. Another cup of coffee, she thought as she guided herself toward the kitchen, along the dark wall, with a tired and heavy hand. Coffee, or tea perhaps.

Ordinarily, she would have been asleep by now. Jenny longed to fall into pleasant dreams; she had not had any for three days. Ted had asked her to wait up for him, and she had obliged. For three days, she had wandered blearily around the house in her dressing gown and slippers. She had watched wretched daytime television and all-night infomercials. She had fed the cat diligently at nine in the morning and nine at night. Having run out of frozen dinners, and unable to get to the store without the car, she had ordered pizza from the good place on Westshore. When Ted got back, he'd have a lot to answer for.

Jenny slumped into a poorly stuffed armchair as she waited for the coffee to percolate. There was a much more comfortable one in the next room, but she knew she'd fall asleep in that one. Besides, the cat was already there and he didn't like to be budged.

Goodness me, I'm tired. Exhausted. I don't wanna work!

Here's Chibi as Doctor Who:



Love my kitties.

Nearly done with things. Need to write 10 pages on Dumas, present on that on Saturday, and do an exam on Monday. Exciting, but tiring. Maybe coffee will help.

~Bess

I now present you, lolRevolushuns.



Louis XVI: I has a monarki!
Robespierre: DO NOT WANT!
Louis XVI: NO dey be stealin my monarki!



French people: We can has bread?
Marie Antoinette: You can has caek!
French people: You no can has hed.



Robespierre: Now I killz the preests.
Priests: OH NOES
French people: We can has relijun?
Robespierre: You can has paraeds.



Napoleon: I lieks Cathol. I lieks Russia. I can has boths.
Pope: U likes Cathol?
Napoleon: We can has Cathol!
French people: I has a relijun again!
Napoleon: I lieks power.
Pope: Kthnks.



Napoleon: Kthnksbai I HAS A MONARKI!
French people: Kwa?

J'ai fini mon séjour à Besançon. J'arrive aux Etats-Unis demain...

So Monique and I totalled up how much time I'm going to spend traveling in order to get back to Galesburg. 33 hours. That's right. That includes 11 hours in Frankfurt, overnight. Yoga and transcriptions will keep me awake, I hope, because everything in the airport will probably be closed.

Alors, à demain, tout le monde! I'm coming back with pictures and presents!