So, last night I purchased a blue Betta fish for my class, and a small tank, and today I took him into school and after a democratic vote the kids elected to go with my suggestion of Bruce (as in Bruce Lee and Bruce Wayne, and indeed 'Finding Nemo', and not so much Bruce Willis, as we're hoping to avoid the fish from Dying Hard).

Last week's 4 day residential trip to Chantaburi with 25 kids in tow was awesome. Much fun, much learning, no badness (well, other than a couple of kids barfing on the bus, poor buggers, but that's par for the course, yeah?).

Anyone got any particular tips on Betta care from their own experience? I've been reading MASSES online about how to try to keep them from expiring (for I have something of a fishslaying reputation...) but would appreciate any first-hand tips!

Meanwhile, people with young daughters - how gorgeous are these Steampunkish ensembles?

(In other mememe news, I'm up to my neck in report writing and rehearsals for Blood Brothers. Fun fun fun!)

Oh! I know what I was going to ask! So, for the people who know about Sound Design things - is there any way that I/you/one can extract the vocal bit from an MP3 recording? Or is that crazy talk? 'Cause I'm vaguely wanting to direct a production of Doctor Horrible's Singalong Blog for the Fringe next year, and I did write to them and ask about rights, and it's something like a hundred dollars or something, but they warned that there aren't any copies of sheet music or what have you to be had. And I'm strongly doubting that you can just buy the music sans vocals. Any thoughts on how one might achieve it, in order to give people backing tracks?

there aren't any copies of sheet music or what have you to be had

If you know someone musically talented, they could write out the music just by hearing it. I'm not that person, but I have a friend who can do that.

If you know someone musically talented, they could write out the music just by hearing it. I'm not that person, but I have a friend who can do that.

Fair point - but, see, being someone who knows nothing about sheet music (and can't afford to pay a pianist/musicians) I'd just been thinking in terms of playing music for people to sing along to, rather than getting somebody to play the music on an actual instrument.

they warned that there aren't any copies of sheet music or what have you to be had

Not officially. But this is why we have fandom.

P-C, you are foamy like a foamy thing covered in foam. I heart you like Romeo hearts Juliet, Mulder hearts Scully and Robin hearts Batman. You are made of pure, unbridled WIN. Here, have the internets. And a cookie. And Veronica Mars on a silver platter.

loves P-C muchly. Also loves Fandom.

Meanwhile, people with young daughters - how gorgeous are these Steampunkish ensembles?

I am particularly amused by the attitude/poses of the wee models.

Did no one learn when Emily drove cross country and her cat ran under the brake pedal??

Anyone got any particular tips on Betta care from their own experience? I've been reading MASSES online about how to try to keep them from expiring (for I have something of a fishslaying reputation...) but would appreciate any first-hand tips!

Don't overfeed him. They can be picky eaters and it may take a couple of tries before you find the right brand of food. Keep his water clean and conditioned. They don't need an awful lot of room, but they're more active the more they can swim around. Ours is very reactive. He has a little dance he does when we go to the tank.

Barb, two suggestions: get a towel or something that completely covers the carrier and drape it over it so they can't see out and feel more protected. This helped a lot the last time I had to take the cats on a long drive.

Also, maybe try feliway (kitty pheromones) spray for the carrier to calm him down.

Perkins is made of wise. I hear great things about Feliway.

The biggest mistake I ever made with my cats of olde was to "let them see out" on our drive from SF to SD. Oh, the yowling, oh the beleaguered humanity.

Plus, Barb, you could try Rescue Remedy. It's a Bach Flower Remedy you can find in any healthfood store. A few drops rubbed into the underside of the ears, or in a water bowl (served BEFORE the trip) might help.

Our new vet rubbed some into the fur on Bartelby's face during our last visit. He actually fell asleep. In. the. vet's. office. I cannot overstate the awesome of this!

If you are going to let them out of the carrier a barrier between the front and back seat is a good idea on a long trip