Aston University + gerbil merch thread

[GrimbutGerbil]

By request. The shop is here

https://grimut-gerbils.teemill.com/

Hey @Boiledbeetle , just discovered copilot so I asked it to make a gerbil & a beetle dancing in a saucepan of water. Forgot to put it on a stove, & the first one looks a bit mousey - but here they are, in your honour!

😍 Love it. From the looks of them that water had not long boiled!!

You're going to have to do a Number chart for us when you remove items! So people can say can you put No 3 back on so I can buy it! Or screenshots!

How much is it to pay for more than 30 items?

Purely out of curiosity!

origin story:

As a four year old during the summer of 76 I declared I was a boiled beetle (as it was a blazing hot day) when asked if I was a boy beetle or a girl beetle!

These days the boiling comes more from menopausal hot flushes

I've just started reading Grimbut's book. It's fascinating!

GRIMBUT THE GERBIL

Chapter One: Grimbut's Bold Leap

In the bustling heart of Gerbil City, amidst the hustle and bustle of scurrying paws, lived a middle-aged gerbil known as Grimbut. Her fur, tinged with the wisdom of years, carried whispers of silver among its chestnut waves. Grimbut was a figure of renown, a beacon of success in the gerbil business world, her name synonymous with innovation and determination.

Yet, as the seasons turned, so did Grimbut's aspirations. The once exhilarating pursuit of business triumphs, the electric atmosphere of negotiations, the relentless spinning of the corporate wheel—all began to dim in her eyes. Grimbut's heart longed for a venture that would rekindle the embers of her passion, a pursuit that would bring a new sense of purpose to her life.

With the dawn casting a warm glow over the cityscape, Grimbut embraced a decision that would chart a new path for her future. She stepped away from her illustrious career, leaving a legacy of unparalleled achievements and a wake of astonished colleagues. Grimbut was poised to navigate a course filled with uncertainty and promise.

She took ownership of a charming, albeit slightly neglected, t-shirt factory on the city's fringe. This establishment was famed for its peculiar staff—a group of easily distracted gerbils whose fascination with the narratives woven into the fabric often led them astray from their tasks. It was a place where imagination and disarray performed a delicate ballet, and Grimbut was determined to transform this hidden gem into the pinnacle of gerbil fashion.

As Grimbut crossed the threshold of the factory, she was greeted by the mingling aromas of ink and cloth, punctuated by the sounds of mirth and the occasional lapse into daydreams. A smile graced her features; this was where she was destined to be. With a spirit brimming with dreams and a mind teeming with ideas, Grimbut was ready to infuse her magic into every fiber of the t-shirts that would soon carry her signature.

Thus began an extraordinary journey...

I'm having difficulty putting this down. I'll just read chapter two then I'm off to bed

Chapter Two: The Astonishing Misprint

The sun had barely peeked over the horizon when the order from Aston University arrived at Grimbut's factory. It was a substantial request, one that could put the factory on the map. Grimbut gathered her team, a motley crew of easily sidetracked gerbils, and set to work with a fervor that matched the importance of the task.

However, in the whirlwind of production, something went awry. The t-shirts meant to showcase the prestigious university's emblem were now adorned with garbled spellings that would make a dictionary weep. "Aston Unervisty," one shirt read, while another boasted "Astun Uvinresty" in bold, confident letters.

The gerbils found the mishap to be the height of comedy. Laughter echoed through the factory walls, and even Grimbut couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. But where others saw a disaster, Grimbut saw opportunity. With a twinkle in her eye, she declared they would sell the merchandise as is.

To the surprise of many, the t-shirts were a hit. People found the errors endearing, a refreshing break from the norm. The 'Astonishing Misprint' line became an unexpected trend, and orders began to pour in.

Riding the wave of success, Grimbut decided to expand the product line with t-shirts and bags featuring feline portraits. But the gerbils, staunchly opposed to the idea of glorifying their natural adversaries, went on strike. In a bid to keep production moving, Grimbut brought in a rat, a known expert in textile printing.

The rat, upon seeing the cat images, let out a squeak of terror and fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of ink and chaos. Grimbut was at a loss. The factory was silent, the machines still, and the future uncertain.

It was then that Grimbut had a stroke of genius. She offered the gerbils an extra Tunnocks tea cake per shift, a treat they found impossible to resist. One by one, the gerbils returned, lured by the promise of the sweet, chocolate-coated morsels.

With the factory once again buzzing with activity, Grimbut smiled. She had turned a misprint into a triumph and a strike into a parade of productivity. The future was bright, and Grimbut was ready for whatever came next.

Some of the t-shirts

Fantastic, that there is a sleevless top. Yes a vest top, not strappy top.

Boiledbeetle · 29/05/2024 16:40

Above is the time of the post that boiled put up with both pictures I love. Could I have one of each, I'll go with size 16.

If that's ok.

I am enjoying the story @Boiledbeetle Can we have chapter 3 tonight please if we promise to be good?

Only if you promise to be a good girl, eat all your vegetables and actually clean your teeth before bed not just run the toothbrush under the tap!

I lyked tha ratty cameeo!

'easily distracted gerbils' 😁 if MN FWR were rodents running a t shirts factory. We've found our spirit animal.

Is there a role for the support wren?

Who knows what the next chapter will bring! Maybe a support wren, maybe a university scrapping the message board the gerbils use in order to accuse them of ratphobia.

Rens ar wun ov me favrit burds - smol butt fystie!

@Boiledbeetle Does ye reckin peepl fink Ize yur sok poppet? We seemz too allwayz bee onlyne at tha saym tyme. And wee bowf lyke yousin Ay-Eye...

https://iapetus.co.uk/products/She-is-Fierce-Card-by-Sam-Cannon-p556046517?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvaAR5UGsDO5eyBlN9stMbMfe4rRNA3ddTo8L5ad3-NboHfLbA6z02hoCG38QAvD_BwE

(I recommend Sam Cannon's art.)

Ahem.

Grimbut Gerbils have been out for lunch.

Grimbit Gerbils have a grievance.

Grimbut Gerbils were served tart au citron...with citron sorbet.

Too much citron. Gerbils are displeased.

Too much.

Wait... You're NOT one of my socks?!

Are you sure?

That should have come with a sensitive content warning screen. I'm surprised you didn't have a glass of limencello to go with it.

That combines the worst of so many things! Lemon! Curdy looking stuff that resembles the consistency of school custard and did I mention lemon?

Are all you women of a certain age ready for listen with beetle?

OK now settle down...

Chapter Three: Legal Whiskers and Caramel Wafers

The factory was abuzz with worry. The gerbils, usually a jovial bunch, were now huddled in corners, whispering anxiously among themselves. The success of the 'Astonishing Misprint' line had brought them fame, but with it came the fear of repercussions for their initial mistake. "What if we're sacked for being nincompoops?" became the question of the hour.

In their distress, they sought the counsel of the world-renowned gerbil employment lawyer, Ben's Support Wren. Known for his sharp mind and sharper suits, Ben was the go-to legal expert for gerbils far and wide. With his office nestled in the highest oak of Gerbil City, he was as much a fixture of the skyline as he was of the legal scene.

The gerbils scurried to his office, their tiny hearts pounding with trepidation. Ben listened intently, his head cocked to one side, as they recounted their tale of misspelled merchandise and unintended success. Once they finished, Ben cleared his throat and delivered his verdict with the confidence of a gerbil who had read every book in the legal library.

"You cannot be sacked for being idiots under current gerbil employment law," he declared, much to the relief of the gathered crowd. A collective sigh of relief swept through the room, and the gerbils' spirits lifted. They chattered excitedly, their fears allayed by Ben's reassuring words.

However, their jubilation was short-lived. Ben's bill arrived, and it was hefty. The cost of legal wisdom was 200 Tunnocks caramel wafers, a sum that made their whiskers quiver. The gerbils were industrious but not wealthy, and the price seemed insurmountable.

Undeterred, the gerbils launched a crowdfunding campaign. They reached out to their newfound fans, sharing their story and their need. The response was overwhelming. Donations of caramel wafers flooded in from all corners of Gerbil City and beyond. The community rallied behind them, their generosity as sweet as the wafers themselves.

In no time at all, the gerbils had amassed the required payment. They delivered the wafers to Ben's Support Wren, who accepted them with a nod of approval. The gerbils had navigated the legal maze and emerged victorious, their employment secure and their bellies soon to be filled with delicious caramel treats.

As they returned to the factory, the gerbils realized that together, they could overcome any obstacle. And with a lawyer like Ben on their side, they were ready to face the future, no matter what it might spell.

What a joyous little corner of the internet this thread is!

"What if we're sacked for being nincompoops?" became the question of the hour.
The gerbils had a clear case of WORIADS - WORried I Acted Decidedly Stupid.
Relax, they can't touch you for it!

I'm genuinely thinking that they just got the wrong tub out of the freezer.

Lemon on Lemon.

Bar Humbag.

Although if I should ever open a bar, that's now its name.

You mean insane don't you! It's OK you can be honest here at the asylum!