Thursday, April 2, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
My ORACLE (the owl)
I have been asked by many in the Empire to explain a little more about ORACLE (the owl). So, here is the story of how I met ORACLE and what he does.
I first met ORACLE near Headquarters (HQ) a couple of years ago while I was wandering around bestowing my benevolent domination on various things. He was perched on a low branch in a tree, and was so still, I barely noticed him. In fact, if I were some other animal (such as Minion #1 [@tipperthedog]), I don’t think I would have noticed ORACLE at all that day. I, however, having extra-keen powers of observation, immediately noticed ORACLE and inquired as to his name and business there at HQ.
ORACLE told me that his name is ORACLE and he asked me what I was doing there at HQ. I replied that I asked him FIRST. He said that he would tell me his business after we have a meal together because that is what civilized animals do – have meals together.
I called Minion #1 and had her prepare a bowl of kibble for us. ORACLE refused to touch the kibble which I thought was rude for such a civilized animal as himself, but then spotted SPYCAT (enemy!) who was about to mangle yet another vole. At this point, ORACLE swooped down upon the vole, removing it from the clutches of SPYCAT’s paws and – you are not going to believe this – he swallowed the vole whole.
I was concerned about this since the Empire is allied with the voles, but ORACLE assured me that he was ensuring that the vole would not suffer at the hands of SPYCAT. …which I suppose made some sense.
In any case, ORACLE explained to me that I should continue to keep SPYCAT at bay and that he would provide me with the emperor-like wisdom, expert advice on dominating things and news of other parts of the Empire. I wasn’t too sure about it until he explained to me that all great emperors have an ORACLE to advise them and if I was a great emperor, then I needed an ORACLE too.
Here is some of ORACLE’s recent advice:
“Good counsel has no price.”
I THOUGHT that this meant that his advice was free, but ORACLE is always asking for something such as food or nesting materials.
"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."
This is indeed true. I used to wear a crown, but it was so heavy and I had to hold my head just right to keep it from falling off that I ended up getting a neck-ache. See, this is the type of advice makes me think that ORACLE is so wise.
“Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war, that this foul deed shall smell above the earth.”
When ORACLE said this, I assumed that he was talking about my poop, but on later reflection I realized that this was not true. I now understand that he was talking about Minion #1’s poop (which is MUCH more foul than mine).
"You could be bounded in a nutshell and count yourself a king of infinite space.”
I THINK he means here that I am large – ok – FAT. He thinks I am fat. But I will have EVERYONE know that I do NOT take up infinite space. I only take up the amount of space that fits comfortably under my blankie.
“How now? A rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead!”
On this matter, I do think that poor ORACLE was confused. Those were dead VOLES, not RATS that SPYCAT attacked. Also, he mispronounced the word “cat”. It is probably due to his strange accent.
Anyway, that is the story of how I met ORACLE (the owl) and a brief explanation of his role in the Empire. Please let me know if you have heard of any other ORACLEs as wise as this one.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Alliances, Enemies, and Other Relationships
First, I want to correct the notion that all members of the same species are allied with each other and that the Empire treats them all the same. It seems odd and short sighted to me that that it is the PEOPLE are the ones who seem to want to propagate this idea the most. When the fact it is the PEOPLE who seem tohave innumerable alliances and wars within various factions of their OWN species. The one exception to this rule is the INSECTS (EVIL!). Nearly all of the insects are EVIL and are to be treated as such.
Next, the main alliances within the Empire are between the residents of HQ: myself (of course), Minion #1 (@tipperthedog), some people (I don't know the names they call themselves), some birds who live near HQ and surveil SPYCAT (ENEMY!), the Voles of HQ (whom I attempt to protect despite their seeming desire for self destruction) and a white-tailed rabbit who I call FLUFFY.
The next tier of alliances is with those who live outside of the immediate area of HQ, but who are friends in one way or another. There is, of course, those who are in my cabinet (such as @PennyCat). Then there are those such as ORACLE (the Owl) who live in their own secret hideout near HQ, but not IN HQ.
I realize that this is all very confusing, but to make it all crystal clear, I have devised a chart. If you study this chart carefully, it should answer all of your questions. In the unlikely event that there is still some confusion, please leave me a comment, e-mail or tweet. I really don't know how I managed to rule my Empire before twitter. I have to remember to thank the ORACLE for telling me about it.

Saturday, March 21, 2009
Paris Mission Debriefing





Everyone I talked to about Napoleon seemed to think rather poorly of him, but the man himself was actually quite pleasant...a bit short, but I (unlike many others) never judge anyone by height. I believe that Napoleon's best quality was his innate ability to conceive superior military strategies. He also bought me a lot of food (which is in itself a superior military strategy).

I decided to spend the night at an appropriate location for my triumph over France. A large monument called Arc de Triomphe. Napoleon told me that this was created especially in anticipation of the DOMINATION OF FRANCE. It turns out that it was really cold there and that the police didn't like me being there. I am sure it was just jealousy that THEY hadn't thought to buy Napoleon dinner before.

After a very long flight, I ended up in a place called New Ark. I boarded the next plane and ended up in Phil a'Delphia. None of these pilots seemed to understand where I lived and where I was trying to go. I kept asking for a flight to HQ, but NONE of them knew where it was. At this point, I was cursing the fact that I had kept the location of HQ a secret from everyone.
Oh well, in any case, I did make it back to HQ where the people were still blundering around as usual, Minion #1 was eating SPYCAT's food, SPYCAT had declared war with the local Mole population and where my blankie was awaiting my return.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Ouah! Ouah! Bon Jour!
Well, I did make it to Paris eventually. I was able to purchase a ticket from Newark to Paris. The flight took only 6 hours, but it it was already TOMORROW when I got off the plane. Time is different here.
In any case, my first impressions of this city is that cars are very small and colorful, buildings are big and colorless and the best part is that DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE TRAINS! This makes it very easy for me to get around the city. In fact, dogs seem to be fairly well respected in most parts of the city. Aside from the obvious reasons that being dog-friendly is good, it also means less work for ME when I complete my DOMINATION of Paris because there are fewer rules I will have to change.
I have also been able to find satisfactory accommodations near Port Maillot. I am on a very high floor which is good for seeing a lot of the city out of my window and for dominating things.
I do hope that Minon #1 (@tipperthedog) is doing a good job running HQ and maintaining the integrity and respectfulness of the motherland of the Empire. I also hope that she doesn’t get her tongue stuck on anything since I won’t be there to help her.
My next mission is to go find some people who can tell me where they run this place from so I can begin negotiations. I will report back soon. Au revoir.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Airplanes, Xenophobes and Jail Cells
Ok. This is NOT starting off well. First, I found out that you have to BUY A TICKET before the let you on the plane! And those tickets cost HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. Where do they expect me to get that kind of money? Really? I mean, I’m a DOG! I always thought that money was a people sort of thing, but it turns out that people control all of the airplanes and they want money if before they let you get on them!
I was able to find an ATM and access one of my Swiss bank accounts, but then I found out that they only sell ticket to people. I told the ticket agent that her refusal to sell me a ticket was xenophobic and discriminatory. She looked at me with a confused look (sort of like the look Minion #1 (@tipperthedog) gives me when I try to explain things such as how to tell time or the basic principles of economics to her). Anyway, at this point, the ticket agent just said that it was a RULE that she couldn’t sell tickets to dogs and that I would have to take it up with the management.
Well, since I didn’t want to miss my flight and had no desire to speak with the “management” of an organization that would hire such a person anyway, I decided to modify my strategy. I eventually found a woman who was going to Newark International Airport and who was willing to buy my ticket for me.
The only downside to this was that I had to board the flight in a trap-like device that looked like a miniature jail cell. As if it wasn’t enough to be treated like a second-class citizen, I had to endure the humiliation of spending the entire flight in this cage!
Anyway…the next task is to procure a ticket to Paris!!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Beware the Ides of March
"A blind hen can sometimes find her corn."
I take this to mean that the French don't think much of the intelligence of chickens. I agree.
"A churl knows not the work of spurs."
This is really just nonsense and has no meaning as far as I can tell. Minion #1 (@tipperthedog) says that it means that bad people aren't honorable, but I think she is just making that up. I really have no idea what she is saying half the time either.
"A clear conscience is a good pilow."
Honestly, the French have no sense of what makes a good pillow. I prefer my blankie. I hope that they have more than consciences to sleep on in France or this could be a long trip.
"A dog may look at a bishop."
Well...of course...I look at anything or anyone I please. I don't need their permission. They should be asking MY permission (as the emperor).
"After a feast, a man scratches his head."
I have NEVER seen this happen. Perhaps it is a mistranslation of the well known dog proverb, "After an itch, a dog will scratch." Hmmm...hard to tell.
"All cats are alike gray at night."
I don't understand the singling out of cats in this one. Pretty much EVERYTHING is gray at night, right?
"Half figs, half raisins."
Ummm. I don't know what figs or raisins...probably some exotic French word for sleeping or eating. THAT would make sense. I pretty much spend half my time sleeping or eating. Hmmm...maybe these French will not be so bad after all.
Well, this exercise hasn't really gotten be very far in better understanding the French. My next task will be to plot out my itinerary. Stand by for details...
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Domination du Monde
- They reportedly have a lot of CHEESE which is very licky according to Minion #1.
- Two of my idols live there: Nicolas Sarkozy and Napoleon Bonaparte
- Research the location of France.
- Research the location of ME.
- Research how to get ME to France.
Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way.Isaac Goldberg
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Waypoint #6 - The Bridge to Nowhere
After stopping at a quaint little riverside eatery, Minion #1 (@tipperthedog) and I were finally able to cross the Bridge to Nowhere...which is actually the bridge that takes us back to HQ. So, it's actually NOT a Bridge to Nowhere, but a Bridge to HQ.
Here is a picture before our dinner. |
- Learned that flowers are NOT licky.
- Added a small bridge and a big LION to the Empire.
- Learned that LIONs wear armor and are NOT licky.
- Discovered that WARSHIPs are AWESOME (and hopefully come in blue for my birthday).
- Found out that treasure maps from the salesman by the bus station are NOT accurate.
- Met Jimmy One-Eye who helped us dig at WAYPOINT #4.
- Ate a three course dinner at a nice restaurant before winning a battle at the Bridge to Nowhere which is now also part of the Empire!
Waypoint #4 - Buried Treasure
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