(Kiri goes over her outfit and mine prior to the inauguration of her father as president of Sirius. As this is a formal affair, she instructs me in the proper etiquette required of me for when I attend in astral form. From the receiving line to the invitations to casual conversation, there is a proper formality for events like this.) 

---

Kiri: so, we've got free chitchat time.

Russ: all right dear, we've got a lot of free chitchat time actually.

Kiri: uh-hmm.

Russ: couple things actually, working on things that...with your dad and Gonzo.

(her dad is about to be installed as the President of Sirius and Gonzo is his bondmate. Gonzo is a nickname she is called in the family)

Kiri: oh talking of which......

Russ: uh-huh.

Kiri: I had my outfit approved, dad approved it.

Russ: dad doesn't want a fight if dad wants it.

Kiri: no, because it has padding inside the front.

Russ: oh you didn't tell me that.

Kiri: you didn't ask.

Russ: mental pictures.

Kiri: do you think I would have given you that satisfaction?

Russ: yes.

Kiri: no.

Russ: yes.

Kiri: no.

Russ: doesn't mean it doesn't make me give you a good laugh. Anyway......

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: January 20th if I remember right?

Kiri: correct.

Russ: we're set and I'll be there.

Kiri: uh huh and we have a guest coming back with us, coming back to stay at the apartment.

Russ: right, Huna?

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: if I remember right.

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: I'm trying to remember that conversation we had.

Kiri: (starts singing from the "Lion King") Huna, Matada, Huna Matada......

Russ: good, I am looking forward to it. Still trying to figure out what I'm going to wear yet.

Kiri: I'll figure out something for you, maybe skintight, Lycra type outfit with.....

Russ: nevermind, I'll figure out something. So how's life treating you other than that?

Kiri: actually what I was thinking was something like maybe a dark green trousers right? Dark green high jacket, high collar on it with a white shirt underneath right? And a cravat, very formal. Or there is the other option that I had, a pair of dark blue trousers with riding boots right? And a tail, a jacket with tails.

Russ: what color is the jacket?

Kiri: jacket would also probably be dark green, which would match the dark blue trousers. No, no, let me finish.

Russ: alright.

Kiri: okay, with a low, wide collar as opposed to the high collar okay? And it's not that color green either, it's darker. Okay, almost an emerald green okay? With a light, pale blue shirt right?

Russ: I'll be in the reception line okay?

Kiri no, you won't be in the reception line, you will be in the line that comes in. We will all be in the line that comes in.

Russ: yeah, well that's the reception line.

Kiri no, the reception line is the people........that's the receiving line, there is no reception line.

Russ: oh it's the receiving line.

Kiri: the receiving line will be the outgoing president, his wife, the incoming president, Gonzo and then the administrators and the civil servants. The high administrators and civil servants, I think there's like three of each.

Russ: oh, so we're not standing in line shaking hands. We're actually....

Kiri: moving down the line.

Russ: we're moving down the line?

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: all right. Can't we make the jacket dark blue?

Kiri: no.

Russ: why not? The shirt's light blue and the pants are dark blue, why can't the jacket be dark blue?

Kiri: for the simple reason that it won't have quite the same affect you see.

Russ: is this a Sirian thing?

Kiri: uh huh. The other option was white......

Russ: I'll have to take your word on Sirian stuff so....

Kiri: yeah, the other option was white pants, riding pants right? With the boots. Riding boots actually go very nice with it. With the lighter green jacket right? With the tails and a top hat and a cravat.

Russ: I'll stay with the second choice then.

Kiri: uh-huh, that is my idea.

Russ: all right so the light blue shirt over a low collared jacket. Has the shirt got ruffles in it?

Kiri: no.

Russ: well is it just a button up?

Kiri: well you have a tie.

Russ: buttoned all the way to the top.

Kiri: you have to wear the tie.

Russ: I know that, I wear one every day. What color is the tie?

Kiri: your choice. Can't be a solid color though.

Russ: what do you mean it can't be a solid color?

Kiri: can't be black, white, green, it has to be black or white, red or white, yellow or white or any combination of colors.

Russ: you mean red and white?

Kiri: red and white.

Russ: how about blue and green?

Kiri: if that doesn't clash and Karra agrees.

Russ: okay. Well we'll have to do it on the computer and see what it looks like.

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: and riding boots and a cravat. Cravat? No, no cravat.

Kiri: no cravat. You can wear a cravat in replacement of the tie.

Russ: what's a cravat again?

Kiri: it's kind of like a man's type scarf.

Russ: oh right, right, right. And it's a bow-tie or a tie?

Kiri: yeah a tie, no bow-ties, bow-ties are looked upon as crass.

Russ: oh so it's a tie?

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: hmm, a lot can be done with ties.

Kiri: oh yes.

Russ: God, this must be a Sirian thing.

Kiri: oh it's very formal, very, very formal. Do we have a cat doing vertical takeoffs?  Defeating the laws of physics again.

(a cat in the channeling room was jumping at something)

Russ: all right, I'll tell you what love, here we go. See that picture?

(holds up a drawing)

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: can we do a tie like that?

Kiri: possibly yes.

Russ: you know, in an ocean format.

Kiri: kind of an oceany type look?

Russ:yeah, right.

Kiri: uh-huh. Actually I was thinking probably a dark blue might look a little better and more dramatic.

Russ: I like it, I like that.

Kiri: more that kind of blue.

Russ: ohhh, very nice.

Kiri: uh-huh, because the jacket will be more that color right?

Russ: yeah.

Kiri: and with the pale blue shirt right? I'm looking for a pale blue. Okay so your shirt will be that color and then with the tie being that dark blue right? With the jacket being that dark green, now you understand.

Russ: okay I see and what color is the pants?

Kiri: well we were going to do them a dark blue as well to match with the jacket or we can do them in white.

Russ: what kind of blues we have around here that match?

Kiri: match them.

Russ: match them up.

Kiri: it is a really dark blue, almost a cobalt blue.

Russ: okay I can work with that. Any hat?

Kiri: if you want to wear a hat but it's either......

Russ: I mean I don't know what the customs are.

Kiri: hats are unimportant. Besides, you take them off when you're inside.

Russ: no I'll just do without. Because then I have to have a cane?

Kiri: not necessarily but gloves will do if you're wearing a big hat, a top hat, then gloves would be necessary that would have to match your trousers.

Russ: I'm just not a glove kind of guy. All right.....

Kiri: I'm wearing white gloves that come up to here.

(points to a spot on her upper arm)

Russ: no I like the idea you've got, that's a good idea.

Kiri: my stockings will also match the color but you won't see my stockings.

Russ: I wonder if I can get my sapphire to go in astral form. Get a sapphire earring?

Kiri: no, I wouldn't recommend it. If you want a sapphire tie pin, we can do that.

Russ: ohh, that'd be nice.

Kiri: uh-huh, I know that Mark's dress uniform he's going to be wearing.

Russ: hmm, so a sapphire look on that.

Kiri:uh-huh.

Russ: ohh I like that look.

Kiri: yeah, Mark's wearing his dress uniform right? And what we're doing is, if it's okay with him, we need to ask him, we are going to put his coat of arms on the sleeve instead of his regiment flash.

Russ: he'll approve.

Kiri: I don't know, Mark can be a stickler for form sometimes.

Russ: I like that idea, I think that's going to be a real nice outfit.

Kiri: yeah.

Russ: there's dancing I'm hoping I can stay long enough for.

Kiri: well the reason why the outfits are designed like they are is that you don't have to go to somewhere to change because they are easy to move in.

Russ: right, well see I was trying to practice at your place was maintaining form.......

Kiri: yeah I noticed that.

Russ: and length. That's why I'm working on duration.

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: very difficult, God I couldn't get through that glass of wine. Maybe I should've held off on the wine.

Kiri: yes, I think it might be best. Now etiquette, as I have attended a few formal functions and I have behaved myself at them despite popular myths and legends. There are probably an equal number that I have misbehaved.......

Russ: they're just stories someone told once. Come on...don't....

Kiri: there are probably an equal number of the ones that I have misbehaved at than behaved at. Now it is quite acceptable not to drink.

Russ: oh, okay.

Kiri: now polite behavior is if everybody's drinking you drink however there is a little trick, I will demonstrate.

(takes a sip from a tea cup in front of Mark but doesn't drink).

Russ: you didn't actually drink.

Kiri: correct.

Russ: right.

Kiri: got it on my lips, it looks like I drunk but I didn't, got it on Mark's lips.

Russ: well  I'll work on that then because I think the alcohol definitely throws me off every time I drink that stuff in astral form.

Kiri: correct, probably does.

Russ: hits me harder.

Kiri: uh-huh, well there is less of you to resist against the alcoholic content. Okay, now something that is very important, if you are drinking let us say this is a wine glass, finger.

Russ: oh finger out?

Kiri: as with drinking tea. You've seen Mark do that correct? I don't know if it's a similarity that has hung over but the finger is very important.

Russ: Sirian custom and a British custom?

Kiri: uh huh.

Russ: it's probably hung over.

Kiri: the nod.

Russ: the nod?

Kiri: yes there is a nod.

Russ: is this in deference to people of higher rank?

Kiri: correct. For example, if you take somebody's hand to shake it right? You can't go, "How are you?" Which seems to be quite popular and common on your planet. It is you with one hand out straight, curve the finger,"How are you?" The hand stays perfectly still. If the person of higher station, let us say you are shaking hands with the president right? The outgoing president, he will not nod to you. He will not tip his head. And it is just the tip of the head. It is because you are paying him respect.

Russ: right.

Kiri: if you meet somebody of equal rank, you do not nod. If you meet somebody of lower rank, you can nod if you are paying them respect. Let us say you are the ambassador as opposed to big sis right?

Russ: uh-huh.

Kiri: and you are meeting Tia.

Russ: right.

Kiri: little trick there, didn't actually touch her okay? And you shake hands. Take her hand, so you are like this right?

(demonstrates)

Russ: uh-huh.

Kiri: and she would nod to you right? And out of respect for her for her achievements, if you wish, you could nod back and it would be equal. Equal to equal as opposed to some of your cultures on your planet where the higher you are the less you bow. So that if you are bowing to let us say an ambassador as you, you would have to bow quite low. If you were bowing to a president of a nation, you would be almost bending in half.

Russ: well true.

Kiri: here, it is just a head nod and it is equal to equal. For example....

Russ: since everyone is of higher station than I am, it won't be very tough to figure out.

Kiri: uh-huh. Just do what I do okay? Just follow Karra's lead as well.

Russ: all right, well Karra is the ambassador so she's going to be doing it differently.

Kiri: (laughs) ambassadors appear to be about the lowest on the list.

Russ: oh really? For some reason I had a different impression.

Kiri: oh, it's ambassadors and up. Ambassadors, presidents of other planets, members of Councils, which are above ambassadors in the social structure.

Russ: what about base commanders?

Kiri: those would be the equivalent of presidents of other worlds. Which it goes, the outgoing, the incoming presidents of Sirius, presidents of other worlds, Senators, Council members, ambassadors and family members.

Russ: oh, I knew we were in there somewhere.

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: are the kids coming?

Kiri: no.

Russ: they'll be coming to Sirius?

Kiri: correct.

Russ: but they won't be going to the actual ball.

Kiri: you think that we would we would have the hooligans running around?

Russ: even on their best behavior they'd still be running around.

Kiri: correct, it would be reminiscent of certain people being found naked in a swimming pool with other people.

(referring to an instance on Sirius she had described in an earlier session)

Russ: yes well I can't imagine anybody would do that actually, but if they were, I can imagine it would be frowned upon.

Kiri: yes, very frowned upon, especially at an inaugural party and function.

Russ: yeah well you got bored, what can you say?

Kiri: hell, I was a teenager.

Russ: I know.

Kiri: teenagers always get bored.

Russ: I heard the whole story backwards and forwards.

Kiri: uh huh, besides, my headlights were constantly on there.

Russ: well your dad's probably just worried that you'll repeat such incidences.

Kiri: I'm 58 hon. I'm not a child anymore.

Russ: I didn't say you were dear. You've got 942 years to go more or less.

Kiri: I've already had this conversation with my father, "I am not a child anymore."

Russ: I can imagine you had this conversation.

Kiri: and his comment was, "Sweetie pie, you will always be a child in my eyes. You'll always be my little girl. " And it's sort of like, "thank you dad, but I am fully mature, I have two wonderful children, I have two bond mates, I am quite happy thank you."

Russ: well your dad's probably a little nervous.

Kiri: uh-huh. Besides, I've seen the guest list and there's nobody on there that I've had an affair with.

Russ: well that's encouraging.

Kiri: there's nobody I've been in compromising positions with either or one night stands.

Russ: well you been off that planet for a while now.

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: it might be a different situation completely.

Kiri: I don't think so, I've never enjoyed moving in those social circles.

Russ: well that's true.

Kiri: maybe their daughters I would of had affairs with.

Russ: well luckily your life is taking you in the correct path that you needed to live, excellent. How's work been?

Kiri: I have quieted things down a little.

Russ: have you?

Kiri: uh-huh. I mean this is how big and formal it's going to be. Leah's family, the Tenuvial family, has been invited.

Russ: really?

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: why? Not that I don't mind, but I just....

Kiri: uh huh, well actually Leah's mother and father have been invited.

Russ: what connection does the Tenuvial family have with the Tanaka family?

Kiri: they are senators, or he is a senator.

Russ: so Huna and Leah are going to be there?

Kiri: they haven't been invited, it doesn't quite work that way.

Russ: oh.

Kiri: when you send out an invite to Senator Tenuvial and his bond mate, you can't bring guests.

Russ: oh.

Kiri: when I received my invite, it was for Kiri Tanaka. When Tia received her invite, it was for Tia Taal. When Mark received his, it was for Sgt. Crocker retired.

Russ: I don't know what mine said.

Kiri: yours was addressed to ambassador and her bond mate and you were mentioned by name. You see they're very specific and they have to be. Now the thing is it wasn't sent by your father-in-law, my father. These are invites as a courtesy to him from the outgoing president.

Russ: oh really?

Kiri: that's the way that it's done. When he retires from the president's office, he will send out a list as a farewell and as respect for...

Russ: the incoming president.

Kiri: correct.

Russ: what is this gentleman's name...I mean her name, excuse me?

Kiri: the president is Lady Tryan

Russ: Tryan.

Kiri: yes, you address her as either President Tryan or Milady.

Russ: I like that.

Kiri: uh-huh. No, it is better to use the more modern term which is President Tryan.

Russ: oh, okay. All right.

Kiri: see, I know a lot more and I behave a lot more and I keep my urges under control.

Russ: yes you do.....President Tryan.

Kiri: uh-huh.

Russ: thank you for your instruction.

Kiri: uh-huh, now one other important....very important thing. If you are with somebody that is very, very talkative that wants to talk to you and talk to you and bend your ear and to say this and say that, you can say and by putting up your hand should stop the conversation. And you can say, "at this time, I think it is not appropriate to continue his conversation." or put up your hand like this and say, "can we continue this conversation at a later time?" Which is basically ending the conversation politely and leaving it open to be continued at another time. Now normally and it is accepted behavioral patterns is, basically what you're saying is, "look you're giving me too much information, you've given me information overload, let's change the subject, let's talk about something else."

Russ: well see I have a special problem in that matter because my astral travel is based on my ability to stay mentally enthused throughout my entire trip. For me to actually maintain a corporal form, or any form whatsoever, I actually have to be involved in what I'm doing, otherwise I just go drifting off and fade off. If someone is holding me there in conversation and I start getting bored, I wake up back here going.....

Kiri: yeah, but let's say they manage to keep you focused enough but you're having sensory overload on it right, what do you do?

Russ: I'll just explain to them, "hey look it....."

Kiri: uh,uh,uh, impolite.

Russ: oh.

Kiri: hand up, "let us continue this conversation at another time."

Russ: okay.

Kiri: now what do you do?

Russ: oh, hold my hand....

(The tape ends)