Snorky Figgles goes Political!

Please, please read this article. Snorky Figgles, who has grown up a teensy-weensy little bit (although, of course, in my eyes he is still a baby!), has now started talking about causes. It is he who, in the middle of a Google image search on the word "pig", found this post.

To entice you to read the article, Figgles insists that I show a photograph that we found on that post. As is my inevitable practice when watching something pigling-like, "Soooo CUTE!!" And, also, so sad.

Patao-ing the Piglets

An excerpt from an e-mail exchange between Pigglett and me:

Pigglett:
My little piggie is angry with me again... he is showing me his tail. Summer, any suggestions for patao-ing him...?

Me:
Well, Pigglett, you have to have some knowledge of what your piggie likes. I know some things that Snorky Figgles is very fond of, and if he's angry with me (i.e., showing me his tail), I can always get him to turn around by saying one or more of the following ---

(a) Who wants peach-colored melons?
(b) Fi is coming to town!
(c) I'm going to blog, anyone want to sit next to me and dictate?
(d) I have a story about Pigglett/Pigglett's piglets/Pigglett's zoo!
(e) Is anyone up for a photo-session?
(f) I definitely love you loads more than Gruntster.
(g) Let's read A Good Good Pig / My Family and Other Animals / a Blandings Castle book / The Pig Family!

I'm sure there are a thousand others that I could use, but these are the ones that spring to mind immediately. Any others that spring to your mind?

Fans of Figgles!

It has been a while since Fi took a look at this blog. I was sitting next to him a few hours ago as he read through some of the previous posts that he had missed. He was very interested in the group photographs on the first couple of posts of 2009. He has, of course, been introduced to all members of the group, and spent a little time intently looking at the picture with the four of them together. I wondered what was on his mind but kept quiet, waiting for his comments.

A little while later, as I was working on my laptop, I heard a little giggle next to me. I looked up at Fi. He smiled at me and said, "Snorky Figgles IS a very cute pig."

I knew there was a reason why Fi's My Fi!

Being Nice

We are a little busy this month and had planned to keep it quiet, save the occasional dig at the Big Bright Pink Pig. However, Fi was here a few days ago and we introduced him to Gruntster. Fi counseled Figgles and me to try to accept Gruntster as he is. After all, you really should not judge a book by its cover. (This rule does not apply to Snorky Figgles, in the sense that he IS every bit as innocent as he looks.)

So, we're trying to be nice to the large, luridly colored Pig. We aren't yet reconciled to the idea of another photo-session with him, but we have been inviting him to occasional bedtime readings of Wodehouse's Blandings Castle series. After all, we are growing up and should try to live up to our ripe old age of nearly ten months. Plus, it would be rather mean to exclude even a creature like Grunster -- especially a creature like Gruntster! -- from audiences with the Empress of Blandings!

Okay, I think we should stop right here before we start off on Gruntster again! Of course, this has cut the length of our meanderings down to a tenth of what they might have been. Poor you.

Moral Science Class

I was booking Fi's trip to Chicago and we had an interesting conversation on text message.

Me: Seats: window or aisle?

Fi: Window.

(Five minutes go by. Then...)

Fi: Aren't you jealous of my window seats?

(I actually am, so it takes me a little bit to compose a reply that sounds neutral.)

Me: Well, I'll try to be grown-up about it.

(He has to rub it in.)

Fi: I'll give you a situation. What if there's a little child sitting in the seat next to yours, and s/he requests your window seat. Will you give it? Okay, I know you will, but will you feel bad about giving your window seat up?

(What an erroneous assumption. I hasten to correct it.)

Me: Of course, I won't give up my window seats. I work hard to get them. I book my seats especially because I want them! If the little child wants a seat, s/he should ask her/his mother to book them in advance.

(Apparently we started a discussion in Moral Science right about here.)

Fi: I spoke to Snorky Figgles about this. He says he needs to talk to you tonight about the value of sharing.

(This is hitting below the belt! Is he trying to tell me that I don't raise my little Figgles properly??)

Me: ... (speechless).

I went home. I did have a talk with Figgles that night. Any guesses what he said? Or, rather, any thoughts on what he should have said? Your take, please?!

The Other One

When Snorky Figgles joined me in Chicago last year, suddenly a bunch of my friends realized there was another 'dimension' to the Summer they'd known. As a result, I've been gifted several additions to the Figgles family since last summer. While I still have to discover all the facets of the personalities of Xiao Guai and Jelly (and, of course, Figgles himself), I absolutely knew what I was in for with Gruntster.

Gruntster, who? This is who.


He came to me along with Jelly on New Year's Day, a Christmas gift from a friend. (Not the same friend who gifted me with Jelly. I'm afraid this friend doesn't know me too well or she probably would have thought long and hard about allowing Gruntster into Snorky Figgles' company. Of course, having said this, I do appreciate the thought behind the gesture.) But, aside from the fact that he was large and glaringly and flashily colored, it also bothered me that he tried to sit like a two-legged creature, could sing and wiggled his ears to the music. Only pigs in Animal Farm try to sit like humans; and I could do without any Orwellian creatures around my little Figgles and family. As for the singing, any pig worth his name does not 'sing'. Pigs do not need to. They're the philosophers of the animal kingdom, not its' court jesters and musicians! Let's leave that to the wart-hogs, shall we?

I was pretty confused when I saw Gruntster for the first time. I initially thought he was a bee (stripes on his stomach). Then I changed that to a cow (the snout looks more like a cow's than a pig's). I actually had to read the label to figure out the horrible truth. I would like to meet the person who envisioned and designed a pig looking like Gruntster. I'm not certain he will walk away from that interview with me, alive.


Look at this picture. Can't you see the difference between my innocent little Snorky Figgles and Gruntster? It's like the 'evil twin' concept that cinema gives us so many examples of. I've been having nightmares where Gruntster's dressed in leather and dark glasses and is chasing Snorky Figgles, a knife in one hand, and, of all horrible ends to pig-stories, with a chopping board in the other hand! Figgles may be having the same visions. I had to coerce my sensitive little darling into this photograph, he turned his nose higher up than it already is, and muttered something about Gruntster's presence "somewhat altering" the tone of the 'family' picture. I must say, I have to agree. And I also have to commend Figgles upon his diplomacy, I couldn't have put it less offensively myself!

I'm still too full of shock to say much more. Still trying to be non-judgemental (very difficult) and reserving my comments for when I have more data! Please write in, expressions of commiseration are greatly appreciated.

Happy 2009 From The Zoo!

I got into town on New Year's Day 2009, to find Snorky Figgles and Xiao Guai anxiously awaiting my arrival. Apparently they had 'the feeling' that there was going to be an addition to the family. I think my littlest roommate might have spilled the beans beforehand, because I had barely walked into the apartment with my bag when she pointed to the little Christmas tree with an "All yours!" to the gifts still under them. I opened up the goodie-bag to find this:


My littlest roommate wanted to name her 'Woolly' but I wanted something with her (my roommate's) name in it too, so she's 'Jelly'. She's really soft and warm, and I think she'll be a good "Mommy" factor within this little unit. Here's a "Family Picture".


Well, not quite "Family Picture". I forgot to talk about The Other One. I think I'll do it later, I don't want to have to give good and 'weird' news in the same post. For now, Snorky Figgles, Xiao Guai and Jelly wish all of you a wonderful 2009! Wish you good health, peace, joy, success and many wonderful surprises this year. And if it has to be bad news, let it be something you can handle and, hopefully, learn from.

Pig-tails!

There was a sad pig with a tail

not curly, but straight as a nail.

So he ate simply oodles

of pretzels and noodles,

which put a fine twist to his tail.

- Arnold Lobel.

It is really so easy to get Figgles to eat his noodles now!

Quiet

My colleague, S, who gifted Xiao Guai to me, has left for China. Her one year as a visiting research scholar is up, but I hope to see her in April - and I hope we have several opportunities to meet and collaborate over the course of our careers. My little Xiao Guai took it hard at first. Things were rather quiet initially, at work and at home - I missed S and Xiao Guai realized he missed his homeland. Luckily for both of us, Snorky Figgles was around.

I believe Xiao Guai's started to look much happier after several sessions with my little counselor. After all, what can't be cured must be endured, no?

Pirate Pig

Snorky Figgles, like all self-respecting little pigs of his age, has become a little curious about the classic, R.L. Stevenson's Treasure Island. I've seen him reading the book. And his line of thought seems clear from the questions he's been bringing up lately, including:

** Are pirates always bad? ('Usually, yes.' Actually it depends on how you define morality, although I think I'll defer this discussion to a later time.)

** Why is rum associated with seafaring men? ('And can I have some?' 'No!')

** What other books feature the sea and seamen of long ago? (My goodness, I know I've read some but, for now, the only ones I remember are 'smuggler' books - like Du Maurier's Jamaica Inn. And, erm, The Pirates of the Caribbean series of movies.)

** If I have to run away to sea, which is the closest sea that has pirates? ('Well, technically, piracy is outlawed. You're not allowed to be a pirate.' 'Oh.' 'Um, but it would be the Caribbean - according to fiction.' 'Ok, can you please show it to me on the Atlas?' 'Sure.' Good way to start with a little bit of geography, right?)

Anyway, so the other day I was putting away a little trinket or two, when I found I'd misplaced my heart-shaped pendant. I looked all over for it, and finally found my it on my little pirate.

Snorky Figgles looked so cute and un-pirate in his get-up that it is easy to overlook the otherwise obvious question: should the questions and the pirate games scare me?

Busy

While I work towards submitting the abstracts that will hopefully take me to my beautiful island destination next April and far beyond that in the course of what I hope very much will be a productive career, my little genius is busy figuring out words and ideas. We sit and read together when I'm home but some days I'm late coming back (as is very usual these days), and I've found his little snout deep in the enjoyment of the pictures in the centerfold. Sometimes, I find him trying to re-read what we've already covered, apparently trying to pronounce the words carefully and correctly, the way I teach him. I can't help but be overwhelmed with emotion when I look at his ears, pricked up, enthusiastically absorbing information. My little darling!

Of course, sometimes I've also found him like this.

'Genes' tell, don't they? I remember a bunch of times that my mother has caught me in the same position. A little pat on the only visible part of Snorky Figgles sets him right again. I believe my mother resorted to much the same measure back then. History, as they say, ....

Limping Back

My little Pig, as you know, likes it when I talk about him. That's the purpose of this blog, isn't it? Since I've been very busy of late, many people (Pigglett, Fi, Mom, etc.) have started to complain that Snorky Figgles has also been deprived of his ... erm, 'writing fix'...? Which means that, at this point, he's certainly not one among the most written-about pigs on this planet. (I'm sure he is on that list, when I write regularly.) Unfortunately, they are absolutely right. He's been sitting like this for a while now, and refuses to show me his charming little snout.

I'm going to have to make a strong effort to get back into his good books. Of course, it didn't help matters that we got a picture of Piggles looking like this, after we got back from our vacation to Bombay.

Anyway, we've had a wonderful trip to India, as you've probably read here. I've spent the last month (and more) catching up with work, and hope to write again very soon. For now, I feel I ought to focus on making my little darling piglet feel more loved and wanted, so in the mean time, on Pigglett's recommendation, I'm reading this little bedtime story aloud to him.

Good idea??

P.S. Another one that was written almost a month ago, and wasn't posted because I didn't have the time to format the pictures. Well, I'm almost there! After I post this one, I'm off to cajole Snorky Figgles into showing me his cute little snout. (Actually uploaded 10/06/2008.)

Adventures at Home

We've had some hectic mayhem since the time we got here to warm, wet and wild Bombay, last Sunday. I'd thought Snorky Figgles would have trouble with the weather and the heat and humidity, but he coped much better than I did!! No jetlag, either. I think the answer to that lies in the touching first meeting of the two brothers, Piglett's Piggles and my Figgles. Take a look.

We've had several other activities, including but not limited to
i. Playing with a Figgles-colored balloon:

ii. Meeting a "real" Butterfly:
iii. and, Getting very excited about some wall murals depicting pigs:

Snorky Figgles even tried to make an international call to Fi, to tempt him to come home, but unfortunately Fi isn't that easily persuaded. Nevertheless, we HAVE had a lot of fun! My only worry is that Snorky Figgles will make a fuss once it's time to leave.

P.S. Like the previous post, this one too has been sitting here because I haven't been able to upload the pictures for so long. Well, we're getting there! (Actually uploaded 10/06/2008.)

Introducing Xiao Guai

My lovely colleague and friend, S, gave me a Chinese panda, christened Xiao Guai, for my birthday. I asked her what the name meant, she said it meant 'small and cute', and suggested 'Cutie' as his 'English' name. I think I like the original (Xiao Guai) much better. Fi did some of his own research and was told that Xiao Guai meant 'small and naughty child'. After this revelation, he also absolutely refuses to call Xiao Guai anything but Xiao Guai. Good. Pigglett, though, has had some trouble remembering the name, and has rechristened him XYZ.

Whatever his name, I'm thrilled that Snorky Figgles has a companion to play with, now that I'm having frequent sixteen-hour work days. Look at my little philosopher and his latest victim new friend!

P.S. I wrote this on the date indicated, however, I was really involved with work all these weeks and couldn't take the picture. The mists are only just beginning to clear, and I hope to be posting much much more frequently from now on. (Actually uploaded 10/06/2008.)

A Little Break

Snorky Figgles and I have been very active of late, which perhaps explains, although it may not justify, our absence here. Snorky Figgles has had friends over, and so have I. We have both had Fi over, so my little darling Piglet was really excited and happy over the weekend! (So excited that I believe he's turned a shade pinker.) Also, I have been working hard over some preparations towards our vacation in August, so I haven't been able to document happenings at this end too faithfully. But, rest assured, we'll be back soon!

In the meanwhile, I got a lovely little birthday gift from the Fi. What made it lovelier was this wonderful surprise on its front page:
I didn't know Fi is an artist too! I'm thrilled!

I think the weird thing happened after we showed this picture to Snorky Figgles. He was quiet and didn't say anything (apart from the already high level of excitement he was under) but today, I found this on my desktop.
Apparently my darling Pig is also taking after me. Granted, he's had some trouble with the non-plottable curvy lines, but c'mon, these are fledgling attempts. He'll learn ... and soon!

Oh, wonderful life!

Bedtime Reading

I've been having some really hectic and stressful days, trying to get as much work done as possible so that we can take our vacation in August without a pang. However, I do try to spend as much quality time as possible with my little piglet once I get home from the lab in the evening. I know it is probably too soon to expect my little peachlet to read on his own, but it's never too soon to start reading aloud to him. I have been giving him the run of my general collection to see if there's something that appeals to him. Snorky Figgles is tiny but has a very decided taste in books, as decided as in melons, for example. He seems to have it narrowed down to two interesting books. Take a peek.

Which one do you think he will choose eventually??

Silent 'Night'

A few days ago, we talked about how I've been trying to create as dark an environment in my room as possible so that my little Figgles sleeps soundly, like all other babies. Pigglett came up with the very interesting and relevant comment that babies need darkness and pin-drop silence. Well, I'm not certain how easy it is to get that quality of quiet, but I don't want to take chances with the sleepy-time of my darling little Snorky Figgles. So, we've come up with an idea. Here goes....


All interested parties: Does this meet with your approval now?

My little Foodie

I don't really have anything new to report from Snorky Central, except that the melon obsession is growing. My sister, Pigglett, has started to entice Figgles into going home... apparently she's in the process of growing (or procuring) all sorts of Figgles-colored fruits and other yummies in India so he feels like staying back with her after our vacation in August instead of coming home with me like a good pig. I absolutely have to think of something to weigh the scales in my favor...!

In the mean time, my roommate P bought a 'Figgles-melon' and insisted that Figgles be given some. I told her he'd had quite enough food that day already, but while I, back turned and talking to P, was trying to instill some discipline into Snorky Figgles, he was busy doing this.

I tried to get mad at him, but look at his curly little tail!!

Rock-a-bye Piglet

Last weekend Snorky Figgles and I cleaned my room. This may sound like a routine exercise to you folks, but if you've been following the chronicles since July 2005, you will know that the condition of my room normally ranges from academically messy to "18-th century pig-hand living in the pig-sty"-messy. (Lucky Figgles? Not really, that soft peach-pink skin has been upbraiding me every day since he's been in Chicago. This pig likes C-L-E-A-N.)

So, anyway, cleaning my room is a BIG deal. So big, that I'd budgeted four or five entire weekends (read: Saturdays) for it. Yes, for one tiny little grad-student room in Chicago. Last Saturday, finally, after several half-hearted attempts to clean parts of my room, Snorky Figgles and I decided to dive into the pig-sty and make the place fit for him to live in. I turned over the room, dusted the corners, moved every article of furniture there was, vacuumed with carpet-cleaning powder, re-configured everything differently, installed a few shelves and lights, and finally cleaned and put all the articles back in place, while Snorky Figgles sat ringside throughout (completely covered in a bedsheet to keep himself clean and sneeze-free), faithfully cheering me on through his thick veil. As a result of this rare phase of organizational hyperactivity, both Figgles and I were really exhausted on Saturday night. I work every other day of the week, and you know that Figgles wakes up along with me and my morning cuppa, so, basically it's mid-week and we're still feeling the effects of all that 'fun'.

Anyway, that's the reason for the comparatively longer absence. My colleague just asked me if there've been any more logs here, and I mentioned to her that due to all these reconfigurations, we're both quite tired. It was then that she reminded me that Figgles was just a baby and, like all babies, he needs to sleep for at least twenty hours of the day. She looked quite fierce as she mentioned that I wasn't looking after my little pigling well. I cannot argue with her since she's just come back after visiting her friends and their week-old baby daughter, so, of course, she knows better! So, I've decided that from now on, my little pigling will get many more hours of sleep. I won't wake him up in the morning. In fact, even though my room is Really Bright (courtesy of the skylight), I will make special arrangements for Figgles to get his forty thousand winks a day. What do you say to this?

KIDNAPPED!

Having gone through the same experience two nights ago, I now know how to empathize with parents (like mine, for instance) who get nightmares about their children being kidnapped and stolen away from them. It is a little difficult bringing the dream world into the real world, but we seem to have done a good job of it. Take a peek.



Most certainly a burglar, no? Who else could've got into my dreams and tried to sneak my little Snorky Figgles out, dressed in, of all things, a heavy coat, a thick muffler, leather gloves and a gentlemanly baseball cap --- in this sweltering heat?? (Trying to be conspicuous, no doubt. Like the bushy beard disguise.)

P.S. Just to be clear, I am NOT Figgles' Mommy. Figgles is Figgles and I am Me, but can any of us resist the spell?