For want of a kraken, the kingdom was lost

[pbray]

If I turned the swampy part of the backyard into a water feature, do you think I could coax a kraken into moving in? And would he count as a home security system and add to the property value?

I'll admit I've become a bit obsessed. It's not my fault--kraken is just such a fun word to say, I find all sorts of reasons to toss it into casual conversation. And now I keep thinking how cool it would be if I could greet my guests with "Release the Kraken!"

Was a crazy busy week at work, including halfdays both yesterday and today starting at 6AM. And to top things off, a writer who shall remain nameless sent his critique partners a story about the plague, which made his readers fall ill. Seriously, when this anthology comes out, I'm recommending it be read while wearing gloves and a mask.

I did manage to get writing time in, though not as much as I'd hoped. Didn't make it to the gym, due to low energy and a suspicion that the other patrons really didn't need to share my plague germs, but hope to get there tomorrow.

Bike is in the shop for spring tune-up, and should be ready sometime this week. With luck, by the time the next weekend rolls around, I'll feel nearly human and ready to hit the road.

Comments

[urbanwolf]

I shared your Kraken story with my friends. While we were watching Spartacus on Starz. Resulting from this, 'Release the Kraken!' has become a euphemism for sex.

I just thought you should know what you sparked. ;)

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I think a kraken would be a very good thing.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Much better than the crocodile-infested moats that lesser authors prefer.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Hugely better.

Try wrapping it in stock S&S tags...

[zornhau.livejournal.com]

"Unleash the Red Kraken of Doom!"

"Ae-i! The Holy Kraken of Destiny slumbers tonight."

Re: Try wrapping it in stock S&S tags...

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Exactly! It would be the gift that keeps on giving.

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

1. I don't think you would end up with any guests after a bit.
2. And it would lower the property values, certainly. I mean I can double check with my father, real estate agent amazing, but I think i am right here. They strike me as high maintenance. And soggy. And possibly smelly.
3. So does that make it a good story, bad story or just an effective one?

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Well maybe it would eat the neighbors first, which would allow me to buy the adjacent properties at a discount. But I do agree that my guest list would eventually diminish.

As for the plague-inducing story, I can honestly say that it inspired a visceral reaction :-) Luckily the symptoms were not a one for one match, as an annoying cold/flu isn't the same thing as the Black Death. But next file I get from jpsorrow will be run through the virus checker. Twice.

[benjamintate.livejournal.com]

Ah, you got that annoying virus file from jpsorrow as well. I'm still coughing from that bug.

[fireun.livejournal.com]

I dont know. Next time we flood it might escape into the river, and then you are down a pet.

I bet you wouldnt have a problem with neighbor dogs using your yard as a glorified bathroom if you installed a kraken.

and, honestly, I am not sure mdbl would ever leave your place. she has a love of all things with tentacles.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

And then I'd have to find somewhere warmer for him to spend the winter....

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

A kraken would totally count as a home security system. Some relative four or five generations back (far enough back that I never met him, just read his journal) claimed to have seen one near Norway, but I suspect it was only a giant squid. I mean, otherwise, why wouldn't he have brought it home and set it up in his own back yard as a security system?

[pbray.livejournal.com]

He probably didn't have any good kraken bait. Plus, you know, there's always explaining your net pet to your significant other. "Goodwife, he followed me home." "Right. And the both of you will sleep in the pond this night."

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

Aye, I can see where the difficulty comes in.