RESPONSE TO THE PENIS GALLERY. Part two. DING DING!!

Ok! FINALLY, some time. As promised part two of my 'response to the penis gallery'! In this response, I will respond to the comments directed at me from the aforementioned 'countflatulence' post in which HE was responding to MY July fourth post. (Whew).

So let’s start with all of the relevant ones from beginning to end.

'robo says':

""Yeah, I went to Handel's site....Handel is Ann Coulter."""

First of all, a big thank you about the comparisons to Rush and Ann Coulter. I am very flattered. (Especially to Ann). Believe it or not, I have NEVER read a single Ann Coulter book! I want to though. Maybe soon. But I am very familiar with her, and think that she’s just awesome!

'robo' says:

"""He's like Rush Limbaugh without the drug problem."

Well thanks for the benefit of the doubt on the drug thing! But I'm more sure that that comment was more of a dig at Rush than a compliment for me. Obviously from someone who:

1) Has had a very sheltered life.

2) Has been very blessed in life, to not have to experience much physical pain in life.

3) Is just hateful person, and more than willing to take pot shots at people like Rush.

So being that I want to return the favor to 'robo' of giving the benefit of the doubt, I will choose JUST #1.

'robo' says::::::::

"""Just kidding. Handel's political rants make even less sense than Ann Coulter's idiotic babble.""""

Well, what can I say.......Maybe if I pepper my sentences with 'cock', and 'fuck', and 'shit'...then perhaps you would be able to follow a little easier. But then I don’t think I would be doing everything in my power to teach you. I think of myself sometimes as a " “Anne Sullivan” type, and you robo, ‘countsy’ and the others are my lil Helen Kellers, slamming your heads against the water pump saying: "Gooooo twa! GOOOOOOOOOO TWAAAAAAA!!!". So sorry 'robo'. I simply cant lower the standards so that you and 'countsy' can pass the class. This after all is NOT public education. So along with the aforementioned words, you’re going to have to learn some of the two syllable words as well. But don’t fret! I'm a very patient person. What? Patient.....'pAy----sh-----ENT'. SOUND it out, youngster.

"ricart says""

"""I will say this for him... he had a nice post about Alex Toth. ""

Thank you. Toth was and will always be amazing. He is already deeply, deeply missed.

'ricart' says:::

""The rest not only sounds like Coulter, it sounds like it was lifted from Coulter. It's all designed to enflame rather than enlighten. Piss people off on both sides of the spectrum and don't allow for a middle""

Believe it or not 'ricky', I actually very much appreciate your comment. It is a thoughtful response and while I don’t think I would agree with you on much of it, I thank you for it.

In response; I don’t 'lift anything. Nope. Also, I'm not 'trying to piss people off'. Its just that I wont water my opinion down, OR water down the truth in order to make friends based on the shallow ground of compromise. I don’t feel comfortable with that. Neither does 'countsy'. Just look at his past posts. He has no want or desire to taper down his opinion. And yet you have no problem with HIM saying what he says, because well, you agree with him. But when others with an opposing view come in. Well! Then that’s crossing the line. And you view them as inflammatory. But to be fair, I know that you include franken and Carville ( I believe he’s the name you couldn’t remember). But in this case, with 'counsty' and myself.....you see me as the 'inflamer'. Yet NOT 'countsy'. Interesting no? Double standard, yes.

'rickyart' says::::

"""""'Most Americans are neither conservative nor liberal... most people can't be graphed easily on a single sliding spectrum but feel differently about a variety of issues and subjects. But Cable news and the like need the extreme conflict to keep viewers interested, so they put on the entertainers.""""

I only 'kinda sorta' agree with you on this topic. To be sure, this country is most definitely politically divided. Between the people that actually VOTE. Then you have that small little sector of voter: The 'mushy' middle. The people that are like reeds in the wind. Listlessly swaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaying from one side to the other. Those that really basically believe in nothing. Have no real core. Just swaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaying back and fourth. The clueless. Now before you get all breathless with being insulted. YOU said it yourself....:"""So if you a leaning one way or the other, they might tip you to one side because of their over-the-top rhetoric."""

THERE ARE CLEAR differences between parties and their beliefs. There is no reason to be leaning ONE way or the other. You should KNOW by now what it is YOU believe in. Not wait to be "tipped".

And then you have the people that are barely aware of what day it is. That have way too much on there minds than to be bothered with becoming aware of the issues. Things to do! Such as going to the mall, or getting a keg for the Saturday get together, Or learning to fart and burp at the same time. These people are the ones commonly seen on 'the tonight shows' "Man on the street" segments. HILARIOUS, but extremely depressing at the same time. These lazy minded people usually when pressed, tend to say " uhhhh yeah, I'm a democrat, because... uhhhh, they are cool." And really they say that, because the democrat’s view of things appeal to the lazy minded. The only problem for the demoncrats is that, well...these people don’t vote....they're at the mall, remember?

Remember when, before the election, dems were touting what a big turnout they were going to have with the youth vote? And NOBODY turned out!!!! HAHAAAAA! The IRONY is FANTASTIC! “the want to give a message that appeals to the lazy...." But then the lazy don’t VOTE!!!!

PISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry folks...that was to wake up 'robo'. If you don’t throw in one of those, his eyes roll back into his head. And I DO so want to include him as much as possible.

'''''county says"""::::

"""You know what's interesting though is I did see a similarity (gasp!) to something I posted recently. The idea in my "I'm Keen on Dean" post that I assert that Republicans hate America and liberals love it."""

Wow...Well, firstly the day that I ever cop anything from ‘countsy’ is the day I should just stop and give it all up entirely. 'countsy' is not the most original individual. Creatively or thoughtfully. Don’t get me wrong, he’s talented, but he's stunted. I guess we all SOMEWHAT fall victim to that. Some more than others because they get 'comfortable' with it.

Back to the question at hand...I'm not sure EXACTLY how he thinks I 'cop' from him. His 'keen on dean' post, is basically saying that this left wing moron is a 'straight shooter'. (right...sure he is). I was commenting in my bloggy about a GALLUP poll that came out saying that Republicans are more patriotic and loved their country more than their leftist, selfish, flag burning counterparts. Exactly, HOW is that 'copping' from him?

'countsy' says:::::

"""""I also realize that Handel seems to eerily cop from me on occasion. Look at his early posts and mine on kagematch,
I see similarities. Hmmmm...."""

Oh really? Aaaaaand where exactly are the similarities in those debates? In every one of those, where I wiped the floor with you? Please do tell me where in kagematch you are talking about sweety. Just curious.

"Cop from you"...Please. Its makes no sense. If one were ever to 'cop' from someone, I don’t think that the 'norm' is to 'cop' from someone so obviously below ones self. Try again, cookie.

"Robo"" says::::

"""This is the interesting thing about Handel. He has a lot of great things to say about art, comics and animation. The guy knows his stuff when it comes to those things. I like his article on the Daredevil comic too."""

Well thank you 'robo', I think you’re pretty too.

'countsy' says:::

""I'm not saying Handel never has a point. It's just the source is so tainted, that it's harder to give even a decent idea credence coming from him. His lack of respect for others' points of view also makes even his stories of how he was moved by Daredevil hard to swallow. You have to feel someone is capable of sympathy to give them sympathy."""

'Source is tainted'? How? Look, you either disagree or you agree with what I have to say. You dislike me because I don’t 'pet' you like 'robo' or 'scrbles' and the rest. I've been honest with you. Ever since our peepers met for the first time across a crowded blogger room. The problem was and still is that you have an ego and you get easily bent out of shape when confronted. I understand that. You are more comfortable being in conversation with your bubble of small thinkers. Which reminds me, hold on a sec.

PISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok..I'm back. Lets move on.

'Ricky schmutz' says::::

""" …Dead on about not being able to take a guy seriously when so much of what he says is absolute do-do. How do you tell when he is being straight with you when he can go from reasonable to hysterical from post to post? The natural assumption is that he is never straight with you""

Well here’s the thing lil ricky. One thing about me, Is that I am always up front and straight with EVERYONE. About everything.

I come from a different political side than the rest of you, to be sure. I love this country and you guys like to burn the flag. And that’s where we both can say that we are both trains heading for a collision course. Our values are totally different.

ARTISTICALLY, I haven’t made a single comment to 'robo', scrblbs' or even 'count' that was meant out of malice or spite. I WILL not JUST compliment someone for the sole purpose of stroking someone’s ego so that we can all go to lunch. Its dishonest, its disingenuous, Its narcissistic....Its sickening.

If I had the same political mindset as the rest of the pack, I don’t think it would be that big of a deal. But the fact that I don’t, Is a big source of the battles. But again...I am always 'straight' with people. Well,,,I sure try to be in any case.

'countsy' says:::

""It's anyone who blasts others for their points of view and ideas, who wants to eviscerate them for even putting them out there. It's anyone who claims others are narrow minded and afraid of contradiction and then refuses to allow open debate about their own views. If I'm not mistaken, Rush Limbaugh is the same way. I believe he doesn't allow callers on his show, right? Or liberal callers? If anyone knows different, let me know. I (obviously) don't listen to his show."""

Oh, please, you can almost hear violins in the background, do you need a hanky 'county'? Pooor lil fella! I certainly don’t mind you saying anything you want. I'm just gonna challenge you on it. And when I do you start to cry and pout about it, like your fee-weengs are hurt. If your going to say stupid things, then we are going to have a lil talky bout it sugar. Deep down you know that that’s the case. You want to make charges. You want to make accusations and attack. BUT you don’t wanna be challenged on it. And when you are, you cry foul and play the part of what all democrats are at heart....victims. With a sad, small, weak, victim mentality.

tsk tsk tsk.

As for Rush's show. Yeah, his show is more of a 'information' type show. So is Hannities show. I don’t listen to either one because I tend to like more of a debate type of show. A fun and spirited debate. I've heard Rush debate though....He's incredible. I wish his show was more like that.

Dennis Prager is fantastic. So is Larry Elder. And they (and other shows that I listen to) are about 80-90% leftist callers. They are encouraged to call. That’s why its so interesting and fun.

The funny thing is that Dennis is a Jew and Elder is black. And they are both despised and called 'self haters' and "uncle toms". Hmmmmm, By WHO I wonder??? Hey 'Countsy', does your line :"""""....It's anyone who blasts others for their points of view and ideas, who wants to eviscerate them for even putting them out there"""....

Does that line of yours apply here? hmmmmm?

"lilrickart" says::

""Rush and his ilk do take callers, with opposing views. Those who disagree with conservative dogma are shot down pretty fast."""

It’s a debate sweetie, Not a 'get on and just start spewing your leftist nuttiness' (ONE of the many reasons npr sucks so badly and ESPECIALLY why air-head america SUCKS really badly-and not surprisingly why they are failing).

If you get on a Prager show, or Larry Elder, and IF you have something to say, you should be able to defend it and why you think that. If you cant, (and some do have trouble because their beliefs are not very well thought out, or logical) then your gonna have some troubles. But please don’t make excuses for them like "oh they are just not slick enough, or the callers are nervous"....that’s pathetic.

hold on a sec......

PISSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

Ok...and lastly.

robo says:::::

""""Hey! FYI, although he is not commenting, Handel has been checking this blog out 2 or 3 times a day. How do I know? He has been visiting "Chippy and Loopus" 2 or 3 times a day for the last 4 days spending anywhere between of 40 seconds to half and hour clicking through the pages, and most of the time he clicks over from this very blog!
He's a PC user by the way. Scary thing that Site Meter. Want to know his monitor resolution?"""

I always kind of get a giggle with robo...Like this for instance. Sometimes its as if he thinks hes the only one in on something, like site meters, and he wants to let ya know that he’s learned about them and that NO ONE else probably knows about it. "Aren’t I clever? Look what I know!"

Yes 'robo' site meters are neat-o. But what’s even MORE neat-o are ISP protector filters, software that allow you to protect your internal information, files, and overall hard rive. One of the nifty things is that it gives you decoy addys.(several with a premium grade--too expensive and not needed). The downer is that I can’t have a site meter (unless I go with the premium pckg).Want me to post on your bloggy with a Canada addy?

Anyone who does any amount of computer work SHOULD get this! You do have to know a little bit about computers beyond just where the power button is, so story artists shouldn’t concern themselves with this.

But you are right. I do check the bloggy circuits often. (And not just you and ‘countsy’). I'm stunned that that’s a surprise for you. I think you and 'countsy' are FASCINATING! Not as much as you both think that you are. But interesting all the same.

That’s about all for now. There might be another on this, as I see that another post has been posted on 'countsy's’ bean.

But stay tuned.

COMING SOON!

Hey all....gots me some things to say. My 'part two' response to the penis gallery. A tribute. And some more on the cultural event of the decade. COMIC CON!
And some other junk as well. But it'll have to wait a few more days till I get some spare time..Busy playing catch up at the moment.
For those that I talked to: thanks. And it was good to talk WITH ya! Send me an email but as I said to you on sat, It might take me a lil while to respond.
Check back next week for some postings. I promise you.......it'll be fun.

STAY TUNED FOR PART TWO...

Of the post directed to the 'penis gallery'. Sorry all. It's just that its friday and COMIC CON time!
I wont be able to post part two till next monday (after comic con). Feel free to drop by artist alley (right next to eric joyner), for some good conversation with a swell guy!:)
COMIC CON BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABYYYYYYYY!!

A RESPONSE TO THE 'PENIS GALLERY'.

Well. I thought I’d take a brief intermission from the comic con posts, to answer a few comments from what I’ll call the 'penis' gallery.

There are a few 'artist' blogs that I visit and have all too often argued on. One of them (we'll call him "count flatulence") felt compelled to write a lovely little post on his own bloggy, after reading a July fourth post on my bloggy.

I'd like to address some of the things that were said. The good, the bad and the stupid. While there is usually very little good, there is alot of bad, and a TON of stupid. So I will have to make this a two parter. So hold on to your nose rings, here we go.

After screeching like a stuck pig about my post on July fourth, OBVIOUSLY angered and hurt by it, He then for whatever reason vents about our FIRST arguments waaaay back in February:

"COUNTSY SAYS:"

......."he would post anonymously and viciously. His comments were personal attacks as much as comments as on peoples art."

Let me correct ole 'countsy'. Correcting him is something that I find I have to do far too often. When I FIRST started to post, it WAS indeed anonymously. I had posted on other forums, but never on a "BLOG". I didn’t see the need to join and take a name for myself as I wasn’t really planning on sticking around to post on a regular basis. I really didn’t see that I had the time to do so! So I posted my first posts as 'anonymous'.

My first posts were basically directed at 'countsy's post about 'freedom of speech'. On a thread titled "lest we offend". He was basically spewing all the typical, soaring rhetoric about ‘freedom of speech’ and ‘expression’ to someone who had made a comment about the pic that he had up at the time.(which was a nasty drawing about Bush if I’m not mistaken)

I had said that I agreed with much of what he said...but that “I always get suspicious of those people---especially on the left--- that preach so hard about 'free speech'. They are usually the first to want to stamp it out"

What followed was a barrage of nastiness of which I just gave as well as I got. And wouldn’t you know it? What followed was the TOTAL deletion of that specific thread and the calls from the 'penis gallery' to Ban ME totally. Funny how quickly 'free speech' gets thrown right out the window, isn’t it?

Which goes to show how dead on CORRECT I was about WHO are the first to want to stamp on ‘free speech.’

So I was indeed banned from 'countsys' blog....And the funny thing is, I was called a 'coward'...ME! After smoking him, 'robo', scriblles, and everyone else that was posting at the time. Smoking them all in debate after debate...Yet I was called the ‘coward’ for posting anonymously. So...I gots me a lil name.

..............................."HANDEL"...............................

The debate continued...not only did I get a name o' my vewy own. But I got my own 'blog' to talky talk all I likes. About any and ALL subjects.

It didn’t go over very well with my America hating leftist pals though. Tuff.(lovers of 'freespeech' that they are!)

Only after calling them on the fact of their hypocrisy in the starkest, most embarrassing way possible...THAT IS WHEN they did a turn about and desperately tried to FORGET the obviously quite embarrassing (yet quite telling) showing of their hypocrisy.

Anyone from the other forums that I go to, who wants me to mail you that thread--contact me via email, I save everything that is written, for proof against lies and mis-quotes. And it comes in QUITE handy.

COUNTSY SAYS:

"""" Handel is still a chicken shit. I saw his blog today and he had a new post up. . Here's the difference between him and me however. I'll defend my point of view. He STILL doesn't allow comments. chickenshit. I welcome opposing points of view."""

HAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!! You have gotta be kidding me. I have battled EVERYONE in his THREE rooms. And EVERYONE in ‘robo's’ room. Giving my 'point of view’, AND defending my point of view. In fact, there isn’t one person that can say that they've done that AS MUCH as I have. Not ONE.

And yet he thinks I'M the 'chicken shit'.....crap! I'M STILL waiting for a response from him on the 'minimum wage' argument that we were having BACK IN APRIL. I believe the last thing written by him on that was “I’ll respond when I want to! WAAH WAH WAH!" (That’s pretty much a quote folks, except I think I added an extra 'wah'.)

He "welcomes opposing points of view"...right...not until I kicked his puckered lil rumpus, and exposed him for the dweeb he is for attempting to 'ban' me.

Bottom line folks...is that what REALLY bothers "count flatulence" has nothing to do with 'defending my point of view', It has everything to do with ARGUMENTS, and the fact that I keep winning them.

Hold on for part two, which will have to do with the 'comments' made about his post about me from (what I'll call) the 'penis gallery'.....I feel that it would be only fitting to hand them their asses on a silver platter, to go along with 'countsy’s' head.

COMIC CON: THE "FAN/GEEK"

When attending these types of things. You encounter a WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE variety of people. From the older 40-50 year old to the pre- teenager dressed up as their favorite "sailor moon" character. You also get to see a lot of the “hardcore” fan. You know the ones I’m talkin about. The ones that have their batman shirts on, or better yet, the ones that have their batman SUITS on!

You see so many different types of fans that you find yourself tending to roll your eyes as you pass them by. Upon going with some friends and fellow industry people, we were having a dinner after a fun day at the con. And as these things go, we were discussing the day, and the four that I was with were just hammering on allot of the people that we had seen during the day. Making fun of them in every way! One tends to get caught up in the discussion and I was no different while I laughed along with my group, I had been thinking about it the ENTIRE second day..And I just couldn’t seem to get it out of my mind

So the time that dinner rolled around once again,,(same place. sue us, we like sea food), There was even MORE conversation about the assorted people that we saw. I sat and listened as the jokes flew. This time I didn’t laugh.

I said to them:”.....But wait. Aren’t these people...US? I mean really?? The only difference is that THEY are just a little more honest about it? I mean crap! If only I could have enough courage to put on a killer batman outfit!! HA!"

Well needless to say, that kind of spurned a bit of a light debate at our table. But really...I mean the only difference is that we (at my table) are now within this industry, But it wasn’t all that long ago that we would go to these things with the hope of talking with our favorite artists and writers,(We STILL DO!). And we're talking about the "civil war" story arc, which is probably the same conversation that they are having at the OTHER table. And we're wearing our own industry paraphernalia, toting our own bags of crap that we spent the day acquiring. And WE'RE scoffing at THEM? Since when did we get so coo' for schoo'?

Fact is...we're just trying to cover up our own 'geekiness' as if we are somewhat 'above' that sort of thing. And yet...we are amongst the first to mark the con on our calendars.

Lets remember....once a fan, always a fan....lets just be honest about it, and stop being ashamed of it.

THE BIG EVENT

The time has once again come. A time of where unbridled joy is mixed with unspeakable horror. Where the vile and the beautiful come together in a sense destroying fusion of terror and delight. Where if you dare to venture...you will be lucky if you survive.

That’s right my lil nipplets! I'm talkin' bout COMIC CON TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!!!

A time when we in comics, animation, film, television, games and toys. Professionals and fans of all sorts gather together to have a one to four day

Visual extravaganza!!!

The San Diego comic convention is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) comic book convention in the world. Held annually since 1970, and will be once again happening on the 19th of July(PREVIEW NIGHT).

Now for anyone who has never gone to one of these things (and if your a fan in any way), I gotta say...you HAVE to do this, at least ONCE in your life. It truly is an experience that is both exhilarating and nauseating. Exciting and exhausting. Beautiful and gruesome. All rolled up in one big fantastic sensory OVERLOAD.

Over the next few posts I'll have a few thoughts about San Diego comic con and conventions in general.

So....let me give you an idea of what "comicon" is all about.

I HIGHLY suggest that you spend more than one day at this thing. that’s right...get a HOTEL ROOM. Make a full on vacation of it. OR plan it AROUND your vacation and bring the family. If they (and by ‘they' I mean your wife) just cant stand the sight any more,, then send her packing to see the sights by herself for the day. I mean man…. it IS San Diego for poopers sake.

I like to stay in any of the hotels CLOSE by the con. Because after a day of meet and greets or just running around the floor, Trust me. Your gonna want sompin close! My hotel of choice is the Hyatt. A little pricey but mmm MMMM good! You can split the costs with your pals that will be sharing the room with you.

I like to get in early and since I am what is regarded as a "pro",,,I don’t have to stand in the long lines. Luckily the San Diego con is much more organized than the other conventions around the country( my opinion). With far less horror stories!

Once you do get in and your about ready to go through those doors. It’s like every dork gene in your body about to explode. You get through those doors and KAPOOW!

Your hit with so much visual stimulant you have to kind of blink a few times to adjust your frikkin eyes. So much color and items, it’s as if a great big comic book puked all over the place.

If you’re a newbie to it, It will be a bit overwhelming at first. So pace yourself. The first thing that gets you is the scope. It’s big, big BIG. With big huge company booths from all the top comic companies. Marvel, DC, Wildstorm, Image, etc.

Along with all the dealers and venders of anything and everything related. FROM comics to games to toy companies to people selling original art to animation to film to YOU NAME IT.

If you go with people/friends, I recommend you meet up with them somewhere at a set time. Say at the food stand (that will happily sell you a coke at the same price as the Jim lee trade paper back that you just bought.).

Why? because if you are there to do any sort of real buying, a lot of your experience is going to be about prowling in a very fast and methodical way. And trust me. Your going to slow each other down.

The con has several things that make this “EVENT STATUS”. Such as artist ally. A great place to meet up and talk to some of your favorite creators. And possibly pick up a sketch at a reasonable price.

The portfolio review is also great. Where industry pros will give you a very… and I mean VERY honest crit of your work.

Also: the programs and panels can be hit or miss, But if you get into one with people like Erik Larson, or Frank Miller...Your gonna be properly jazzed afterwards. So Bring a change of undies.

Another fun thing is all the kooky people that like to dress up as they’re favorite whatever. From pokemon to vampirella.To every star wars monkey that you can think of.

It can be creepy, but it is fairly harmless. And if you are a people watcher as I am...It’s a hoot. Its like a mardi gras without all the herpes and aids. But sometimes WITH the smell unfortunately.

Word to the wise...DO NOT EAT AT THE CON. Its too damn expensive and you can get way better food out and about. PLUS you'll need a bit of a breather for your eyes and lungs after a few hours. Use the time to get out and take your bags of crap to your hotel (another reason to get a room CLOSE BY).

After you leave the con, grab some great dinner somewhere downtown! Hang out with friends and talk about the day and swap stories over beers and margaritas (YEAH BABY!!).

And then off to the night time events for you! From the Eisner awards to the after party of the masquerade show. Where else can you watch wonder woman dance with an ewok?

The masquerade party is too damn long. I've never really enjoyed it. But it is usually always packs em’ in. (different strokes for different folks I guess).

Bottom line.…Your gonna have fun. Dress appropriately because your going to get hot. And always have some deodorant with you! Because while everyone else around you will be stinky, and sweaty. You can at least lift up your arm and smell the sweet aroma of someone that planed ahead.

ENJOY!

MORE BAD TIMES...ALAS.

Welllllllllllllllllllll, Its more bad times for our leftist friends.

As most of you know (or perhaps you don’t as it wasn’t covered all that much-why? because its a victory for the republicans), that Karl Rove has been cleared of any and all wrong doing that he was accused of (by the nutty left). And the special counsel said that he (Rove) would not be indicted. Serving as a good solid kick to the gut of the left. As they were wishing to whatever god it is that they worship (god of tofu perhaps? or maybe the tree gods.) for an indictment.

Also coming in the same time frame was the Iraq resolution that was argued and debated on the floor of congress.

Congresswoman' maxine waters screeched "many democrats are a'gonna git trapped!!!"

Trapped?

And just how does one get trapped when all this is, is just to get your, YOUR personal viewpoints recorded for history. Unless of course that’s what you consider being trapped. The paper trail record of what it IS that you actually believe in. This paper trail, this wonderful record consisted of statements that pretty much brought out for all to see what exactly the dems are all about. They couldn’t even say that they wanted to "WIN THIS WAR". Which was one of the statements.

Isn’t that pathetic. Not a surprise. Only that it was wonderful to see them placed in this position of a "NO squirm zone"

From waters to boxer to kook ball murtha. They had to put their black hearts out there for all to see. And boy did they!

freaky deaky brilliant!

Now when they look back 60 years from now, Hopefully Iraq will be a thriving ally of ours (God willing), the world will see who was working for freedom and democracy and sadly..(Again not surprisingly) who wasn’t.

Another event was President Bush going TO Iraq, to talk with Iraqi leaders face to face rather than over the phone. Something that the dumocrats poo-poo'ed as a 'stunt'.

Is it any wonder why our service people dislike, and distrust the leftists?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND as if that wasn’t just as deeeeee-licious as all get out! Even though it wasn’t covered at all by the media There was the stripping of post from the crooked congressman William Jefferson (DEEEMONCRAT) because he got busted for bribes and stashing it in his fridge! Pretty much taking all the steam out of their sails, and they could no longer really say with a straight face that "republicans = corruption, so trust us even though we hate our country democrats".

Bad times indeed for the demonrats.

But the demonrats had at least ONE victory to point to. A week or so later, two of our service people were brutally murdered by the terrorists. Mutilated and killed in a barbarous fashion.

So at least the demonrats have THAT to work off of for inspiration. Because remember...In order for the left to win, America has to lose.

"SIMPSONS" INTRO like never before seen.

If you tune in to see the "simpsons" one night and THIS is what you see...put down the bottle...and go sleep it off.
pretty fun though. ENJOY.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=49IDp76kjPw

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA!

Well today is the Fourth of July! So HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!

And to celebrate this fantastic day, to celebrate this fantastic country, the best country in the world. Let’s state the fact that is without question:

CONSERVATIVES LOVE THIS COUNTRY, leftist democrats.....hate this country.

Well perhaps that’s not news to most, only to those on the left of course. But its true and one has only to look no further than the Gallup poll just released the other day, stating that a whopping 74% of republicans are found to be EXTREMELLY patriotic and proud of their country.

While only 40% of leftist liberal democrats are even remotely proud. (Awww po' bebe's)

So often I find myself in heated battles with those on the left that say that they LOVE this country! That they are JUST as patriotic as anyone. That republican’s don’t have a lock on patriotism! They stand there just befuddled that anyone can even THINK that!

Oh really? Well let’s look at the facts, shall we?

Who are the ones that always want to tear up and stomp on the flag?

Who are the ones that are the first to want to tear down our military (whether in funding or verbally), the very people that protect our freedoms. Whether that’s the freedom to simply walk down the street or the freedom to gather with your likeminded elitist leftist friends, donning your favorite stinky "peace" t-shirts and in fact, BURN the flag.

Who are the ones that are constantly the first to BLAME this country for anything and everything? The first to say that this country "is no better than any other country". (this as they step into their mustangs and saunter to a two hour lunch with the directors somewhere on sunset).

Who are the first to want to do away with the saying of the pledge of allegiance?

Just a few examples, and believe me...there are tons.

But yet...these limpy spine, spoiled, little ingrates will do nothing to back up their blather. Like move to Canada. Or move to the Netherlands (the lefts idea of the "IDEAL").

Or better yet France!

Naw...and why would they?

Demonrats are stupid, crazy and if that means that they have to be deemed a hypocrite so that they can get together at the local java and jazz and bitch about this country.

So be it. They know a good thing when they leach off of it.

Hmmmmm, kind of reminds me a little of....a "parasite". But that’s a return to another conversation, and a much more accurate usage of that word than when it was originally used.

Don’t’cha think?

LOSING OUR GREATS...

As most of you know, We lost another one of our legends. The truely great ALEX TOTH passed away on may 27th at the age of 78. Its said from his eldest son, that Alex died at his drawing table doing what he does and always loved doing. If thats the case, Its the elegant end to a truley fantastic giant of our industry.
This guy is a guy that was looked at as an inspiration and influence from everyone from Bruce Timm to Alex Ross.
He was a brilliant and opinionated artist. Opinionated...He makes ME look tame in comparison. His views on the artform were STRONG and for the most part SPOT ON.
With the passing of Alex Toth along with the passing of the great Joe Grant almost exactly a year ago from Alex Toths passing
The originators...We are truely losing all of our greats.
Enclosed is a strong view from the great Alex Toth on the state of an industry. God Bless ya mr. Toth and thanks for the inspiration.

"ALEX TOTH VIEW FROM THE INSIDE."

"I'm rewriting this for the umpteenth time, in different ways, yet saying the same thing -- that the party's over, kiddies! Since I was born in 1928 -- and was just old enough to applaud the first comic books in the early and mid-1930's, I've witnessed the best and worst of the form from then to now -- I loved the medium of the comic book as I did the syndicated comic strip in its countless forms, subjects, treatments -- in my time. Now in the autumn or winter of my life, my eyes have seen the bad drive out the good, the terminal deterioration and all-but-lost/dead adventure strip -- and the fun and magic, and delicious innocence and surprises in the comic book; which, unless room is made for such again, will not, cannot, should not, survive.



The ugly, mean, vile, banal, twisted, sick, bloody celebration of torture, rape, cruelty, filth, demonic and socio-political psycho-babble -- and death -- is disgusting stuff to me -- and it's our youngest writers/cartoonists/editors cranking out this garbage! Which is sub-anti-human drek, devoid of original thought or of moral, ethical values -- it is hopeless fatalism, nihilism, anarchy, pointy-headed anti-everything gibberish -- and most of it dares to label itself 'adult' -- 'for mature readers' -- etc, ect -- which is nonsense!



Much more 'adult and mature' are the stories no one can, or will, write about and illustrate: Joy, wonder, love honor, humor, wit, intelligence, invention, compassion, trust, respect, duty, character, sacrifice, sentiment, family, discovery, exploration, history, the myriad peoples, customs, and stories abounding out there in the world -- human stories!



It's just too easy and predictable to grind out incessant repetitions of the doom and gloom, post-armageddon bilge, garbage anti- and non-heroic bumbling 'heroes', to feed the sickness of its own making -- damn how well it may be written or drawn! It's garbage! Created by the young for the younger and youngest readers -- who, for twenty years of it, almost two generations now -- keep buying it! It's beyond me! I fear for our future -- if we're to have one (?) -- if such is 'entertainments' for our fathers and leaders of tomorrow! What might their offspring be like, then, I wonder.



Nope, sorry -- I see no future for us, for them, for comics, tv, movies, etc, unless we kick 'sick', and give kids back their childhood years of innocence, hope, faith, joy, wonder, morals, morale, just plain good clean fun --



The sick kick plagues comics everywhere, east to west, from Japan to England to Europe to here --(I don't know about our Southern Latin neighbors)-- we've had enough of desolation of spirit and shock to our senses. The comic book is, in the hands of today's worst practitioners and proselytizers of this mind-set, committing suicide! and murder! of its traditions, roots!

It cannot stand --
As it is, it should not!



A pox on it, and those who uglify children's minds and senses and expectations with their miasmic miserable muck and mayhem!

And the pale horses they rode in on!

'Cursed be the fool who destroys wonder!

Remember?

I do . . ."

© 1991 Alex Toth

BAD DAYS FOR LIBERALS/DEMONRATS......

But wonderful days for Conservatives, our incredible military and everyone else that loves this country and freedom in general.

For starters, last week (June 7th), the roach known as abu al zarqawi was was killed by our fantastic guys in uniform. AND on the same day, Iraq filled two critical positions in their government. You would think that EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE, would be thrilled with this news. Well everyone but our sweet little radical lefties, also known as:...the demonrats.

As I sat there, reading the news via internet, and watching the incoming reports on TV, I could almost hear the shriveled little blackened olive pits that stand in for their hearts-----breaking.

You see this is bad news, BAAAAAAAAAAAAAD NEWS for the nutty left. I am positive that the reaction that they were having as they read and watch the same reports of this incredible news, that their reaction would be the total opposite of MY reaction. And I made bets with myself on what I would see.

And sure enough...My assumption was spot on. OOOOO the sorrowful faces that I saw at the death of this terrorist. Even as they stood before the microphone to say what good news this was. And then turn and try to downplay the meaning of this achievement.

Nutty 'san fran nancy pelosi'....democratic 'leader', (AHEM)...came out and said, “I salute the troops...." And then went on to talk about social security!

THAT WAS IT! …." I salute the troops...”.

SURE you do.

Glum faces all on the political hard left. I found myself actually looking for black armbands on them to mourn the loss of zarqawi.

But why? Why this reaction?

Were these NOT fantastic achievements? Is this not great news? Isn’t this good for ALL? To stomp out this roach and take in a treasure trove of intelligence and have the Iraqi government fill TWO key positions in there cabinet. Isn’t that a good thing? Well obviously, yes. Yes it is.

So why all the gloomy faces from the demonrats?
Well. ANY good news is bad news for them. Because they depend on sadness. They depend on tragedy. They depend on bad things happening to give them SOME sort of traction. EVEN if that is at the expense of the country. They don’t want zarqawi dead. Because He HELPS them. As long as he keeps those beheadings a’ coming, then they can point and shriek about "quagmires" and "Vietnam". He (zarqawi) is, in essence....an ally for the crazy liberals.

With the number three terrorist taken out, a person who is responsible for THOUSANDS of deaths..(THOUSANDS!).He is a pawn no longer on the 'payroll' of the spineless ‘cut and run’ liberals.

And that is EXACTLY what they are...'cut and runners'. They want out of this war. They do not have a good track record with evil or dealing with evil. Wrong over and over and over again. History is a good indicator of the liberal heart (and spine) when faced with true evil. And one of the reasons they are always wrong, is that they view THIS country to be as evil as or more evil than say....nazism/facism, communism, and now radical Islamism in the form of the Taliban and al-qaida.

Such brave folks. And why not? Its safer to take a stand against a government that WON’T slit your throat and hold your severed head up to a video camera, and then post it on the internet. Brave indeed.

So a bad day for our little pets known as the loopy lefties...The cut and runners. To them, a better world is one with Saddam Hussein still ruling, the rape and torture rooms still in effect and heavily in use. zarqawi still alive and beheading innocents. And the U.S. trying to coddle osama bin laden, to try and "understand why he hates soooo ve-wee much!"

The "cut and run" label is a perfect term for the demonrats. Because they've never met an evil that they aren’t willing to deal with in their own interesting way....To hang their heads, tuck their tail firmly between their legs and skulk away with a whimper.

The modern democrat.

PS: So long zarqawi! Hope you took some marshmallows so your hiney isn’t the only thing roasting.

"ROOTS" part two

As with my early influence in animation, likewise I have JUST as strong an example in comics.

I of course had read and collected tons of comics when I was a kid. .It was a passion that I Still carry to this day. More than any other 'art loves' that I have, nothing else comes close. From Ditko and Kirby, to John Byrne, Lee and Silvestri. From Neal Adams to Arthur Adams. Love it.

But even with as many comics as I had gone through, there was one example in particular that comes to mind that had a MAJOR impact on me. That ensured that I would follow SOME sort of career in the sequential arts field.

Way back in 1982, Christmas day...A little punk kid was laying on the floor reading a present that was given to him by a pal. It was a comic book. That comic book was

"DAREDEVIL" # 181.

Story by Frank Miller

Art by Frank Miller

Inks by Klaus Janson

For anyone that knows anything about comics, they know that it is the death of Matt Murdock’s girlfriend. The death of Electra.

In brief, she is sent to kill Matt Murdock’s business partner Foggy Nelson, but cant bring herself to do it when Nelson brings up matt Murdock’s name to her . Specifically saying : “your Matt’s girl”..

She lets him go...And soon finds herself in a battle with the hitman for hire, Bullseye, who has tracked her and wants to take out the assassin that took his place under the Kingpin.

Yeah...the Daredevil movie tries to follow it, and I give it kudos for trying to follow the spirit of the comic. But it falls very short of capturing the drama and emotion that the comic creators hit you with--- with the effect of a sledgehammer to the noggin.

Up to this point, the creators have shown you both the soft side and cold hard killer side of Electra. You FEEL for her as much as you are stunned by the coldness of her assassin persona.

And they remind you of her inner turmoil all the way up to the part where she tells foggy in the cab that she "has been hired to kill you"... (Cold killer side).

And then.......she lets him go, after hearing Matt’s name...(softened side).

You feel for her. as she hangs her head, leaning on the cab. Torn between the two worlds that she finds herself in .

And then you see Bullseye emerge from the shadows, and the fight ensues.

And its brutal. BRUTAL. Again the movie does its best to follow the comic, but when you compare the movie to the comic, its astonishing how "soft and mushy" the fight scene comes off as opposed to the comic. As Electra holds her own for awhile, only to get the crap kicked out of her!

BULLSEYE :"your good kid, But me.....I'm MAGIC."

Bullseye pulls out a game players card, flings it at her---slashing her throat. Not just nicking it (as in the movie), but slashing it!

Bullseye then picks her up, places an arm around her waist as if he’s dancing with her....he's enjoying the hell out of this. Not in an over the top way that the Irish Bullseye plays it, as in the movie. But in a sly and cool Brooklyn, hitman way. Subtle. Which is much, MUCH more unsettling.

BULLSEYE: ...."and now...for my next trick."

He takes her own sais and.... (Turn the page...)

A big splash of Bullseye as he runs her through with her own sai. With a big, greasy smile on his face.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAH!!!

HARSH!

HARSH!

HAAAAAAAAAAAARSH!!!!

And then he lets her go...he puts on a jacket and hat, and follows her as she stumbles off...dying.

Hoping that the one person that she goes to...in these final moments...will be the ultimate in knowledge. Daredevil.

She Crawls to the door, leaving a trail of blood. Matt answers the door, knows immediately who it is. He holds her as she takes her last breath...

a crowd gathers around...and in that crowd a dark figure lights a match to his cigarette....the flame lights his smiling face....Bullseye.

The rest of the comic was a classic battle between Bullseye and Daredevil. With even more WONDERFULL twists, that I wont give away.

when I finally rolled to the end, I remember closing the comic, And just laying there. Stunned. Stunned at what I had just read. Stunned at what I had just seen…Stunned.

I remember gathering all of the Christmas loot under the tree in an orderly fashion (as we were supposed to do), But the only thing I took immediately back to my bedroom, was that comic book. Where I laid on the bed, and went through it again and again. Drawn into the emotion, Drawn into the rage, drawn into the heartbreak, and drawn into the love. Drawn into the (once again) HEART of the story. And this book had it, in spades!

I still have this same comic book. And I still break it out to go over it again and again. And refer to the pacing whenever I need a reminder of brilliance in pacing. And staging. It is an extraordinary comic. And one that I point to as having a huge impact to my getting into this wonderful field. No one does it better to this day, then the creators in comics.

“ROOTS” part one

Like anyone else in the "arts" industry. I too have my early influences. And like many, they include Comics and Animation.

And while there were many things that probably molded me to the point where I am now (artistically speaking), I can point to two specific EARLY examples of things that had a PROFOUND impact on me, and pushed me with a force that no doubt more than assured that I would be in this industry in one form or another.

The two examples were in both (surprise, surprise) animation and comics.

About 700 years ago when I was around 7 or 8 years old, one of the earliest movie experience I have was when me and my cousins were taken to see a re-release of Disney’s "the jungle book".

I remember sitting in that theater, popcorn in hand, RIVETED to this film. Sure, chances are that I had seen other cartoons. Other movies, mixed in with more than my share of crappy TV shows. But this movie. THIS Disney film had something different for me. More than any other. The film (for me) wasn’t like any thing else I had seen. For one thing, it wasn’t about a good character fighting against a typical aggressor. It was about loss, being lost, discovery, and sacrifice, and letting go. While some of this is similar in Disney’s future Tarzan, Where Tarzan lacks is that.... well….. there is no emotional pull, no REAL emotional pull in the film. With all its flash and snappy animation. The story fails in that regard.

While jungle book with all its high techy'ness of its time (Xerox baby!), has emotional pull and then some. It works so well that you barely notice that the 'bad guy' in the film is hardly even there. Shere Kahn works basically as a vehicle to continue the story forward. He is just a big fat clock on the wall, because part of the story is that its a race against time...it is only a matter of time, before the killer Kahn gets the man cub. So...get the kid to safety. How? get him to his people. In essence.....let him go.

Shere Kahn gets to come in a few times, ask questions and walk out, until his big finale battle at the end. The bulk of the story is basically character development between mowgli and big brotha Balloo the bear, and of course Bagerea the panther. That’s the investment, right there. Done so well that when you get to the end, and you are sitting in the dark theater lookin at that big stupid bear that you've just fallen in love with, after putting everything on the line for this kid...is now lying on the floor. dead.

When Mowgli tries to wake him up and is unsuccessful, It just rips your gut out. I remember vividly how LONG that scene seemed to go on when I was in that theater. Now it seems to flash by pretty quick. But to an 8 year old kid, sitting in a dark theater. Well.....it packed quite a punch.

When Baghera starts his eulogy, seemingly to underline the death of the Balloo character, And the spotlight hits the slumped bear, It hits that point of being just excruciating.

And then....the bears eyes flutter, and then open. WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOA!!!

He’s alive. And not just alive, but he lets baghera CONTINUE his monologue, while he listens as he just lays there. Loving EVERY WORD of it!

BALLOO : .." maaaan, he's crackin me up..."

Now....as a kid, you've just pooted THREE times within five minutes time. 1) the death of the bear. 2) the revelation of him being alive, and 3) and then your just stoked at the idea of him being a jerk and letting Baghera continue his eulogy! That’s good stuff folks. But that’s not all....not quite.

Now we have the sacrifice of letting go. The bitter sweet ending of having to say goodbye. Not just because Shere Kahn still lives, But because he NEEDS to be with his own.

To have the life that he was born to have. Which is underscored when he see's the girl at the watering hole.

BALLOO : ..."forget about those, they aint nuthin but trouble..."

Mowgli then has to make a choice....stay or go. He chooses to go. The bitter sweet goodbye comes to the fun ending of Balloo and Baghera walking off into the jungle
to an upbeat tune.

The emotional ups and downs of the end were to me, a then 8 year old punk kid, An extraordinary way to tell a story.

In contrast, Tarzan never had the feeling of sacrifice. In the end he swings off with his chicky (Whose daddy even stays WITH them), and all is well with the world. Again, no sense of sacrifice. No sense of emotional investment. And why would there be? Why would you be expected to feel anything for a film that has nothing to feel FOR?

For all of its high tech glitz and beautiful fluid animation. For all of its beauty...It lacked the very thing that made the 'Jungle Book' a TRUE masterpiece. A TRUE classic.

HEART.

And for an 8 year old kid sitting in a dark theater, with popcorn in hand.....that was an amazing lesson in storytelling.

Bliggity Blogity BOO!!

Well its been some time since my FIRST "introduction post". Now I told you that I might not post as often as one might think. For a couple of reasons. One being that I just wasn’t sure if I would have the time to POST as often as I think the blog would deserve. So there might be loooong periods of time between some posts, IF I were to continue this 'Blog' thing.

So I figure that since I took that initial first step. I'll do a little more. you know...BABY STEPS!

Between my first post(march 18th) and THIS post, I've been in and out of other bloggies. Arguing with both elitist "arteeeeests" , And with people that genuinely hate this country. Very often I found that the two went hand in hand. Its rarely ever difficult arguing with them though...all you ever have to do is hit them with facts and watch them drown in there own silly arguments. More on that at another time.

The blog world is a very interesting one. So many people have one now. Wasn’t always the case not too long ago .Now everyone and their aunt petunia on their mothers side has one. The wonderful thing is that they are soooo varied. You have your political blogs, You have your art blogs of any sort, animation, illustration, design, fine art(so called), etc. You have quilt blogs, cooking blogs, travel blogs, PET blogs!!!etc etc etc. Online journals of ANY and ALL sorts.

Like anything else one the net, there is alot of good blogs, and a WHOLE lotta caca. When its good, Its great! And when its bad.......oooooooooo is it bad!

And then there is the "in-between blogs". Many 'art' blogs fall into this category. But again...I'll touch on this at another time.

In case you are unfamiliar with my political leanings, Let me be straight up with you on this. I don’t burn the flag, or flip it off, or spit on it. I don’t wanna change the pledge, or ban it entirely. In short, I love this country. So YES...I suppose that would automatically rule out that I would be a leftist liberal in any way.

I would be a conservative in the arts field. I know that must sound as strange as say a conservative who also happens to be a homosexual or (((gasp!!!))) stranger yet: BLACK!!

BUT believe me...there are more of us out there than you might think. Most of us tend to work and go home to our families. staying out of the fights. Some of us just don’t think its worth the time to sit and argue with juveniles who think EVERYTHING is relative. I mean there SURELY are better things to do than argue Whether or not hitler was evil (or to hear our leftist friends),, maybe he was just having a bad day with people with long beards and yamakas ( and for that matter...their children as well.).

For anyone that knows me...You would know that I am not one of those people that just keeps quiet. I'm not one who just laughs under their breath as some left wing cacklesak makes with one of many nutty conspiracy theories of how Bush orchestrated 911. likewise, I'm not one of those who will sit and listen to a colleague go on and on (AND ON!) about how great a drawing/painting (etc) is , when he/she knows full well that its poo but they would rather lie about it because to do otherwise would put them in bad stead’s with their buddies who are also in the same blog. OOOOOOORRRRR walk around a gallery and agree with the snively masses, that a tampon glued to a canvas next to a dead mouse is some sort of "deep statement" about hunger in the Ethiopia region. Nope....taint gonna keep quiet. And I think that by now.....I've made that perfectly clear. This brings me back to...”blogs”.

"Blogs" have been deemed the "new media", by political conservatives, and I must agree whole heartily! No longer does the public have to rely on the same three leftist channels for their news. The "blogs" were pivotal in slapping dan rather around when he threw out on the 'news' airwaves, the fake documents on bush. Without the blogs...danny would have gotten away with it. Because his BUDDIES on the other channels werent gonna take him to task. HOOORAY for the "new media"!

The 'new media'....which serves as a sort of "watch dog", of the old (leftist) media. Cnn, msnbc, cbs,abc,nbc,new york times,L.A. times.(insert newspaper of your choice here).

And maaaaaaaaaan do they hate that...being kept "in check".

Now that’s not to say that the leftists don’t have their fair share of the bloggy pie. NONONO! Believe me...they more than have their squeally, shrill voices out there spewing the same old same old. The point is.....that they have NO CONTROL over the voices on the blogs. They don’t have any control over the voices of talk radio, like they do on the tv stations and newspapers AND entertainment avenues. And that irks them sumpin fierce. these "tolerant" ones.

Its not as if things are split right down the middle as far as the media. Its not as if its EVEN on both sides. Its just with these TWO LONE OUTLETS: 'blogs and talk radio, They don’t "own" everything anymore. Other voices are heard. Instantly. And to the "open minded progressives", these defenders of the first amendment, These..'fighters' of and for 'free speech.'

well...they just hate that.

So...that said...SINCE It makes the flag burners mad and pissy... well, It seems only natural that I just HAD to get my very own 'bloggy' then.....didn’t I?

"COUNTERSTRIKE" A fine ‘howdy-do’

Well hello all! And welcome to our little slice o’ the bloggy pie!

I guess I'll start off by going through the basics. An introduction of sorts. The WHO'S-its,

WHY'S-its, and WHAT'S-its of what this is all about.

THE WHO'S

My name (for blogs sake) is "Handel". I am a professional in several "arts" industries. Comics, children’s books, Animation (both feature films and television), as a story artist, animator, character designer, and visual development. I've also done crap loads of illustration for books, magazines, etc.

Painting, drawing, Sculpture and Gallery work.

I don’t say this for bragging, I Only mention it so that there is an understanding that there IS a source of reference that I have, when I start spouting off MY OPINIONS about these and other industries. Of which there will be no shortage of.

I have been a professional in these industries for quite awhile. And its been a hoot. Once you learn to bypass the egos, It really is a great ‘bid-ness’ to be in.

THE WHY'S

So why am I doing this? Well I've actually thought about doing a blog type of thing for sometime. But have always resisted due to the fact that these things often, NOT ALWAYS, but very often turn into "fan site's" of sorts. With themselves being the fans...of. well......themselves.

People posting pics and drawings from themselves and co-workers, all of which they heap ENDLESS praise upon.

One has to only look at any number of "blogs" to see that that is indeed the case. And believe me, we’ll be talking about those types in detail.

So why should I do a blog? I mean I have my OWN website that serves as my online portfolio with a minimal comments page, where I would answer questions and discuss certain topics. But it is and always has been a MINIMAL type of forum. But it DOES suit its purpose.

I already have my own journals of which I write in almost religiously. You know the typical type of important journal stuff.: “today: got up, pooped. Had breakfast, coffee, showered. Put on wife’s underpants and frolicked around before going to work.” You know. the usual stuff.

Plus: Do I even have the TIME to do a "blog" regularly.

So after giving it the usual time to think It over--- I came to my usual conclusion of ......"NAH!"

But in February, A friend of mine in the animation industry, pointed out this one particular blog--run by a group of story 'artists'. Of which I thought a few entries were rather interesting. But their blogs DID fit the mold of “BLOG FAN SITES” . Where everyone knew each other and just spewed the “GOSH, GOLLY GEE WHIZZZZ , YOU ARE THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD!” comments about each others work. So I thought I would post a comment, a REAL actual SUGGESTION. Just to mix things up a bit.

So I posted a reply. A very mild crit, to TWO of the boards. And you would have thought that I called there Momma’s fat.

“THE AUDACITY!!! WHO ARE YOU TO MAKE A SUGGESTION! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!! ARE YEEEEEEEEWWWWW IN THE INDUSTRY? WHAT DO YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWW DO???WAAAHH WAHHHH WAAAAAH!!!”

I had, in effect, bruised some egos. You see…In the animation industry, well…in any arts industry OVERFLOWING with smarmy elitist’s, even the slightest suggestion, can rupture an inflated ego. And God forbid that THAT happen.

So I had broken the golden rule of the 'industry blog', which is ONLY PRAISE IS WANTED.

Ironically, There IS a "comments" page. But what they REALLY want is ...............................

C O M P L I M E N T S.

An ego stroking. (more on this later.)

After a good back and fourth which consisted of me basically defending my mild crit, along with me showing them for what they are..(ahem..((cough cough!!)).hypocrits((cough cough))!!) What happened was, that THEY (being the 'progressives' that they are) ..ended up banning me from there respective blogs.

To be truthfully honest, I SHOULD have been banned, and they had every reason to ban me from them. After all, I didn’t meet the requirement which was to be a fellow butt sniffer, and heap endless (fake) PRAISE on them. """oooooooo your sooo neat-o!" OOOOOOOO your so brilliant! No YOU are! Nooo YEEEWWW are!" I had the audacity to offer a real COMMENT to them. ((GASP!!))

So therefore…...banned.

So I thought that’s that. And went on my merry way.

Afterwards, I was surprised to hear from so many of you---not just the regulars to MY site, but even a lot of those that post on THOSE SAME BLOGS! ( don’t worry, I promised you via email that I wouldn’t say who you are --don’t want you to be banned to! >:)

So many comments mentioning that it was good to hear a real debate and that you liked what you were hearing---even if some didn’t agree with me- that they liked the thought provoking conversation.

I was asked to start ......a blog.

SO!.....after much thinkin about it, and going back and fourth and talking with some of you and some friends, I thought ...."ok. lets give it a go. but with a condition."

Which brings us to.........

THE WHAT'S

What’s this gonna be like. what sort of blog is this to be. Well its going to be me basically giving my takes on any number of things. From politics to animation to people IN the industry! I'm even gonna be giving opinions and reviews of blogs that are out there right now! The GOOD, And the ones stinkin up the joint. And we're naming names. A virtual smackdown and bitch slappin’ of the highest degree. Because those that know me, or at least know me from my past posts on the butt sniffer blogs; you know that I dislike elitist ass creepers. (you know who you are. and if not, your gonna be reminded:)

Now, just so that there IS an understanding...

1) I will NOT be posting EVERYDAY. I am not a story artist after all---SO I simply don’t have the time to hit it everyday..(just kidding. sort of). As much as I would LIKE to. but I will as OFTEN as I can. And I will sincerely try.

2) This IS NOT a blog where I am going to post any of my work. As I mentioned, I have a site that serves as a portfolio, and that will have to do. Neither will I post a link to it. WELL….I shouldn’t be too hasty on that decision about posting any work. I may in the future. We’ll see. But for now. this is just to serve as a blog of thoughts. I WILL be posting OTHERS work to show, to illustrate points—good and bad.

3) There WILL be a COMMENTS area up SOON. Unlike those who have a link to a comments page but only want compliments. I really DO like to engage in debate and conversation. although since its going to be hard to carry on a long debate due to lack of time. When I go onto another subject, I'll ask you to feel free to send email to the listed addy. Its different from my online portfolio addy because I don’t wanna clog up that box.

The comments page will be up shortly---I wanna play a little catch up first.

It wont always be a harsh look at the arts industry. I will also point out the best of the best- from blogs to artists. The people that I think are deserving of the comments and compliments. And more importantly, WHY I think they are worthy of it. Who I look at and say.....”wow”.

And lastly; there is no promise that this will stay up forever. If it just gets to the point where I feel that I cant give the time to it that I think it deserves, Then I will just delete it. OR maybe just add all this onto my site.

Make no mistake about it, we will be going to the mat sometimes, and I’ll be calling it the way I see it. It is of course MY OPINION. And I’m not always right. so I look forward to learning from you as well. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and put on some of my wife’s undies- For I am late for my midmorning frolicking.

As for you ELITIST ass creepers out there...................................welcome to THUNDERDOME.