From: dspeck@ee.ryerson.ca (DOUGLAS SPECK)
Subject: An Introduction - T-Bear delurks!
Organization: Ryerson Polytechnical Institute
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 21:19:01 GMT


   As the Underwater New Year's Party(tm) slows down, and the patrons start
to wind down, the virtual water drains quietly down to the floor. Naturally,
patrons have had plenty of time to change back to their customary forms, or
out of their costumes, as appropriate.

   Shortly thereafter, there is a loud *POINK* sound, followed by the thud
of a large weight falling to the floor. As folks turn to look, they see a
medium size panda bear, who has finally delurked in a more or less dramatic
manner. He's about 6 feet tall when standing on hind legs, and is round,
roly-poly, and looks cuddly. His thick fur is black and white in the usual
manner, and his large eyes are brown. When people see him, he is ruefully
rubbing his fundament, onto which he has just fallen -Ouch!- (that was the
thudding sound).

   He bows to the room, straightening up by the expedient of somersaulting
forward and standing up. Progressing to the bar, he places down a Loonie
($1 coin, Cdn.), gets from Mike (who's no longer in Neptune drag) a large
mug of A&W root beer, and turns to face the crowd.

   "Greetings! My name is Theodore E. Bear, generally shortened to T-Bear.
A couple of the patrons may recognize me from some email, but now I have
come out of the dark corners(tm), to find my place in the Place(tm). My 
fur is very soft, just right for hugs 'n cuddles, and in fact, my specialty
is - you guessed it - the (T-)bear hug. I hug lots, and only bite by 
specific request. Scritches accepted happily."

   "I have been lurking for several months (since September), so I am
reasonably current on events. Speaking of which, congratulations to the
new fathers among us, both Brumby (in December) and Darkshot (on Jan 6).
I was very sorry to find out about the Didi-Sprite's illness, and I am
deeply glad that she is better (but please take care with your medication,
Didi!). Thank you very much, DM/DS, for your wonderful New Year's party
- it has been a memorable one, even from the dark corners(tm). How will 
it be topped for next year? Guess we'll find out then. And Kitten, don't 
worry, I won't call you wench unless you prefer it."

   Having made an attempt to catch up on some current events/threads,
T-Bear steps up to the chalk-line, downs his root-beer, and toasts,

	"To the Place, the wonderful Place,
	helping those in need,
	and those who are alone.
	May the Place be in all	our hearts
        for a long time to come."


<<CRASH>>

T-Bear gets a bamboo-shoot Pizza from the VPM, which is still sitting on
the bar, and wanders over to the fireplace. He settles down out of the
line of fire of incoming glasses, finishes off the pizza (his favourite
kind), and promptly begins to imitate a bear rug - nose on front paws, 
back feet stretched straight out to each side, and rumbling (cats, and,
apparently, foxes (right, Tanais? ;), purr, bears just rumble contentedly.)
('Specially when they're being scritched. [hint hint :] ).

Rumbles 'n snorts, ;)
T-Bear.




-- 
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+    dspeck@ee.ryerson.ca - aka  T-Bear                                 +
+                                  see - I even have a furry .sig file! +
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Newsgroups: alt.callahans