December 31, 2005
If Pigs Could Fly: 2005 in Review
It was the best of years. It was the worst of years. No, no, scratch that. 2005 was
a year that will go down in infamy. No, no, it was a year when pigs could fly!
This year has convinced me that anything is possible. The Internet is as
amazing as ever. Broadband is even more ubiquitous and sales on e-commerce
sites are the best ever.
We have expanded our content into wireless in Europe and Asia. We created over
two hundred animated e-cards and made our first ever presentation of an idea
for a cartoon series. Ok, it got rejected but even that is a rite of passage. This is
the year we started producing shorts, which required starting to write actual
scripts. And we started to expand our casting of characters into a full-blown
voiceover department, directed by Thomas Hudson Reeve.
Our team grew from a nice round seven to a staff of twenty-two amazing professionals!
We are a band of writers, directors, performers, voices, singers, artists, creators, and
dreamers; digital masters, new media moguls, and maniac movie makers! 2006 is
going to be our year.
Posted by photocartoonist at 12:06 AM
December 28, 2005
In Memory of a Maspeth Queen
photo©Thomas Hudson Reeve 2005
It was the day before Memorial Day 1994. The lead story on the CBS 11 o'clock local
news in New York City was about over 30 cats who had been abandoned in an empty
house in Maspeth, Queens after the owners moved. Isabella was one of those cats,
only six months old. A Maine Coon cat and a beauty, Isabella was as mysterious
and aloof as she was beautiful.
I did not see this report and Isabella had been cared for over a year before she
came into my life. Never fond of people (can you blame her) she really loved other
cats. Gentle and sweet, we only hoped to get close enough to such goodness.
It was a pleasure sharing our lives with her. Good night, sweet Isabella.
We miss you.
Posted by photocartoonist at 10:17 PM
December 26, 2005
A Merry Little Christmas
A Photo Essay by KAT CAVERLY
It all started with a "miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer" but it was the fact
of many years of dragging a live six foot pine tree up four flights and
having to figure out a way to get it out of the apartment with the needles
falling off (cutting of and bagging the branches and lowering the remains
out the window was always exciting!) that inspired the miniature tree.
This new tradition started in 2003 with baby pine trees. And I had dreams
of keeping the trees and "growing" our own live tree and decorating it
year after year. But every year I only succeeded in watching the trees
slowly die. Pine trees do not like living indoors. And it turned out that
they didn't like living on our roof either.
So this year, we are trying the live rosemary bush. It smells wonderful,
is the right shape and colors, and we can EAT it! And with this new Christmas
tree I received a collection of hand-painted miniature glass eggs, made in
Poland. And Tom made a string of miniature Christmas tree lights from
"grain of wheat" bulbs used for scale model train sets! WOW
This tree really does look very traditional, almost Victorian, but in miniature. And
by doing macro-photography of these tiny ornaments I was able to see details
that even I have missed looking and handling these delightful little decorations.
Last year, Tom gave me a collection of tiny Angels and Santas for my tree. I had started
out my collection with some antique tiny glass balls, as well as some small delights,
but I was thrilled by this collection And now I get many new ornaments, both
full size and miniature; a welcome addition to a wonderful tradition.
Nothing makes me happier than a new Christmas ornament!
This little piggy is also from the ornaments from 2004 and he looks so different
in this macro photo!
In September 2004 we created some VR ornaments and I have asked Tom to
photograph my new favorites from 2004 and 2005. I love playing with the virtual reality!
Posted by photocartoonist at 7:00 PM
December 25, 2005
Merry Christmanukwanzaamadan
portrait of Thomas Hudson Reeve by Kat Caverly
December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas
Blessed Hanukkah
Peaceful Kwanzaa
Happy New Year
Wouldn't it be best if we all celebrated all holidays all of the time?! All the silly talk about
the evils of saying "Happy Holidays" and that it dimishes the Christian holy day of Christmas,
well I for one say lets INCLUDE everyone and acknowledge each holiday and holy day.
Maybe a deeper understanding would help realize Peace on Earth.
Isn't THAT what Christmas is all about?
portrait of Kat Caverly by Thomas Hudson Reeve
December 25, 2005
Posted by photocartoonist at 6:39 PM
December 24, 2005
It was the Nights Before Christmas
A Poem By KAT CAVERLY
It was the night before Christmas
When all through my pad
There was nothin happening
It was really quite mad
All my stockings were washed
I had nothing to do
‘cept read old magazines
and pretend they was new
And my dear Daddy-O curled up for his nap
But I was all flip
and ready to snap
All the cats were just winkin about forty times
But I was just hanging
and makin up rhymes
When out on the street
I heard somethin go down
It couldn’t be good
There’s always trouble around
I went to the window and unlocked the gate
I shut off the light and peeked through the grate
The glare from the streetlight broke the night like a stick
And made all the livin things beneath it look sick
When what to my wondering eyes fall upon
But a Red Checker Cab with it’s off-duty light on
Now the driver played bongos, so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be Beat Nick
And the gang of street color had heard and they came
But Nick, he was cool, and called ‘em by name
Yo Dash-a Yo Dance-a Yo Prance-a Yo Vixen
Heh Dopey Heh Sleepy Heh Grumpy and Nixon
Clear off that stoop! Don’t write on that wall!
Now go away! Go away! Go away all!
He came over and looked up at the fire escape ladder
He jumped and he climbed He made such a clatter
To the roof he went, but then turned around
Cause you see up there, no chimney he found
He was dressed to the Nines in some very cool threads
His color this evening, as always, was Red
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
The goatee on his chin was as white as the snow
His shades were quite dark and fit him just right
He had no trouble seeing, although it was night
The stub of a camel he held tight in his teeth
And the smoke rings encircled his head like a wreath
I laughed when I saw him, HA, he made me quite nervous
All he said was, " This is cool, Momma, not at all like Port Jervis"
He started to play a cool riff on his drum
Kept on eye on his cab A tow truck might come
He snapped his fingers at the end of his poem
Said, " It’s been cool baby, but it’s time to be going’"
He jumped in his taxi
His power steering squealed
He laid down some rubba as he spun his back wheels
And I heard him exclaim as he ran a red light
"Cool."
copyright © Kat Caverly all rights reserved
Posted by photocartoonist at 11:30 PM
December 23, 2005
Holiday Symbols
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Most of us recognize the Dreidel Song: "Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel, I
made you out of clay..." Even if we are not Jewish, we recognize
the sweet song. But how many of us know what a dreidel is?
The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter inscribed
on each side. Each player receives a given number of coins or candy
pieces which they each place into the kupah or kitty. Then the
dreidel is spun. When the dreidel falls, it will fall on one of the 4
letters, each of which has an outcome of what happens to the kitty.
So what is the connection between the dreidel and Hanukkah?
The story of Hanukkah begins in the reign of Alexander the Great, when
Alexander conquered Syria, Egypt and Palestine. He allowed the people
under his control to continue observing their own religions but more
than a century later, a successor of Alexander, Antiochus IV was in
control of the region. He prohibited the practice of the Jewish religion
and oppressed the Jews severely. By 168 B.C.E. the Jews' holy Temple was
seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus.
The dreidel game was popular during this time, and it was used as a
shield for gathering to study the Torah. When Jews gathered to study,
they had the dreidel ready in case they heard soldiers approaching. If
the soldiers appeared, they would hide the holy scriptures and pretend
to play with the dreidel, and thus avoid execution.
After three years of fighting, despite having fewer men and weapons, the
Jews defeated the Greek army, and secured the Temple. In order to
rededicate the Temple, oil was needed for the menorah, which was
supposed to burn throughout the night - every night. There was very
little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks - just enough
oil to burn for one day. Yet the oil burned for eight days, precisely
the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil. Hanukkah is the eight
day festival which commemorates the miracle of the oil and therefore the
rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E.
And so the dreidel is a symbol of the revolution against assimilation
and the suppression of Jewish religion. As symbol of Hanukkah, its
Hebrew letters stand for the phrase, "A great miracle happened there".
It's a symbol of faith. And where there is faith, there is love.
DREIDEL SONG
I have a little Dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then Dreidel I shall play.
/ Chorus:/
Oh Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel
I made it out of clay
Oh Dreidle, Dreidle, Dreidle
Then Dreidel I shall play.
It has a lovely body
With legs so short and thin
And when it gets all tired
It drops and then I win
~/Chorus/
My Dreidel's always playful
It loves to dance and spin
A happy game of dreidel
Come play, now let's begin!
~/Chorus/
Posted by photocartoonist at 11:16 PM
December 22, 2005
The Twelve Relatives of Christmas
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Anything can, and will, happen at holiday celebrations.
No, I'm not talking about those parties with co-workers, where folks
photocopy their butts, drink too much and risk being gossiped about at
water coolers (if not getting fired) - I'm talking about family gatherings.
Like those office Christmas parties, family gatherings are just made up
of all the people that belong there. And where there are people, there
are characters.
At the office, you have Talks Too Loud Guy, That Lady Who's Always
Singing, The Guy Who Eats Everything, Drunk At Every Party Lady From
Accounting, Drunk At Every Party Lady From PR, and I Can't Believe
He Married Her (the couple who arrived early because he
had to show how he married 'up,' not the couple found necking in the
supply room).
But all of them are members of families too.
At my home we have Shouldn't Do The Cooking Lady (which, I admit, is
me), Chewing With Mouth Open Kid, Eats Everything Girl, Twirling In Her
Party Dress Until She Gets Sick Girl, and I Can't Believe He Married
Her (my husband who definitely married 'down').
Some family characters we only see once a year, or they only display
certain characteristics at holiday time. Such as My How You've Grown
Great Grandpa, The Aunt Who Wears All The Gift Wrap Bows On Her Head, or
I'll Have One More Drink Since It's A Holiday Grandma. But all are
characters, no doubt about it.
You put all these characters together at a party, and all sorts of
things happen. Folks will drink too much. Folks will be gossiped about
at water coolers, even if they aren't employed there. And folks would
photocopy their butts if there was a copier about.
Now that's what I call a traditional holiday celebration.
Family celebrations: where no one gets fired, but maybe somebody
should.
Posted by photocartoonist at 9:47 PM
December 21, 2005
I Really, Really Love You
By KAT CAVERLY
In this season of goodwill towards man, my attention turns towards LOVE.
Partly because I am finishing up production for Valentines Day
(I know, I know I am also late with this holiday) but mostly because
THE Season fills my heart with love and joy.
And just in case I haven't told you lately, I Really REALLY LOVE You!
Posted by photocartoonist at 8:32 PM
December 20, 2005
The Holidays are Going to the Dogs
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Americans spend an average of $5 billion each year on presents for their
pets. With 69.1 million U.S. households (63% of homes) owning a pet,
nearly 154 million pet parents are expected to spend a combined $2.6
billion on pet gifts - this holiday alone!
There are 43.5 million of us owning 73.9 million dogs, and 37.7 million
of us owning 90.5 million cats (which just goes to prove the Crazy Cat
Lady stereotype, doesn't it?), and most of us will buy our fur babies
holiday treats this year.
And these sales figures do not include the pet themed items we buy for
ourselves. You know, all the mugs, tee shirts, key rings, welcome mats,
coasters and assorted other items we buy which all have the breed names
& likenesses on them. (We don't just love our pet, we love all the
others like him!) And this includes greeting cards.
Some of us will even send cards on behalf of our pets. (Well, to be
fair, we do it on behalf of our human children and even our spouses, so
why not?)
While cats are known to love computers and keyboards, they may need a
little of your help to send Dad an ecard.
Step One: Pry the cat off the keyboard.
Step Two: Select & type greeting.
Step Three: Send greeting
Sure, you've done all the work, but you're a cat owner, this should not
be a surprise.
The best part is, we have an ecard that your finicky feline will approve
of: It's full of feline grace and dignity - and it's mew-sical!
Ah Cappella Angels
Dog owners need only follow steps 2 and 3 (unless they also have a cat!),
and with dogs, whatever card you pick will be fine. No, make that
whatever card you pick on the dog's behalf will be sensational!
(Dogs are easy that way.)
However, if you'd like to honor your canine this Christmas, may we
suggest one that's guaranteed to be a howling good time?
A Howling Xmas Carol
Note: Kat Caverly and NoEvil Productions are not responsible for any
growls, howls &/or yowls that your pet emits when such ecards are played!
* All data from American Pet Products Manufacturers Association
Posted by photocartoonist at 12:08 AM
December 15, 2005
The Newest Member of Team NoEvil
Aatman Soni
Male
Born: Dec. 3, 4:07pm
7 pounds
Proud parents: Nayan Soni and Shefali Nayan
Baby Aatman and Papaji Nayan both agree; they are both speechless!
Mommy wrote a beautiful poem:
As I wait for a tiny blink,
A shining sparkle in your eye
As I wait for your little hand
that Grabs my finger in your fist
As I wait for your little feet..
That can still not feel the earth
As I wait to see that streak of smile..
And move your tiny lips
As I wait to hear you squeak and cry…
I already weave for you,
Little wonders that life has for you,
Little treasures that will open for you
And lots of love from me that will surround you.
©NoEvil Productions
God bless this beautiful family,
Posted by photocartoonist at 2:08 AM | Comments (1)
December 14, 2005
The Bureau of Birthdays::Enforcement Division
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Finally, a greeting card that acknowledges the feelings of the person
who has missed sending a timely birthday card!
No one likes to admit failure. We'd rather live in denial. But we
can't forget about it. Not sending a birthday card is a major slight,
and slighting someone dear, makes us sweat. We worry about the
repercussions of being a bad friend - a bad person! Forgetting to send
a birthday card on time, oh, what will the punishment be?!
While we know our friend or family member will understand, we feel
guilty. Maybe even too guilty to send a belated card - it's admitting
we were late, and perhaps just moving past the whole issue is a better
thing to do...
Perhaps a visit to the Bureau of Birthdays, Enforcement Division, will
help you change your mind!
When the Sargent says, "When I'm finished with you, you won't be on a
single Christmas card list from here to Honolulu!" you'll realize,
sending a greeting late is better than sending none at all.
Posted by photocartoonist at 12:30 AM
December 13, 2005
HOra HOra HOra: Is Santa Really Jewish?
Yes Virginia, there really is a Schmanta Klaus!
Did you ever wonder just where Santa Claus came FROM? Sure he lives in
the North Pole now (cheap, non-union labor) but what started it all?
And HO HO HO, what's THAT all about?
Well, thanks to the Internet I was able to track down the big red daddy's origins
and much to my surprise I discovered that Santa is really Jewish! Well that explains the
HO(ra) HO(ra) HO(ra).
The Hora is a folk dance; a dance that is done to the song Hava Nagila.
HOra HOra HOra is an animated original song by Kat Caverly, Peter Forrest, and
Veronica Charnley; animation by Nayan Soni for NoEvil Productions. See it today
on AtomFilms.com.
Posted by photocartoonist at 12:04 AM
December 12, 2005
A Christmas Collection
By Kat Caverly
I started collecting Christmas ornaments in 1984;
my first Christmas with Thomas Hudson Reeve. That first tree
was New York apartment small and the cheap drugstore angel
I bought for that Christmas is still one of my favorite things
(Tom actually tried to throw her away a few years ago! The nerve!).
We use to get a live tree every year; a six foot tall monster that Tom actually
lowered down to the street with a rope through the window after the season. And
every year I got new ornaments to mark the wonderful holidays we were sharing together.
Shirley Virtual 3D Ornament:: rollover her!
A few years ago I finally convinced Tom to let me keep my ornaments strung on wires
around my office and instead of a big live tree, we started getting a little one. And with that
Tom started buying me miniature ornaments.
Now I get a new large ornament and a new miniature ornament every year!!
And nothing makes me happier!
What make YOU happy during the holidays?
Posted by photocartoonist at 11:16 PM
It's Christmas Time in Hell's Kitchen
By KAT CAVERLY
Anywhere but Manhattan when you start seeing lights strung up on the buildings
you know it's Christmas.
But in New York City you can find Christmas lights year round, and the city is
always so lit up like a Christmas tree. Maybe this is why I love it so much here.
Personally I collect Christmas ornaments and I have them strung up in my
office year round. My excuse is that I work on Christmas projects ten months
out of the year and I need the inspiration. Truth is I just love having them
around.
I also collect Christmas music and this year I found a song that I have been
looking for since 1981; Flash Your Dreads. Now that I truly have dreadlocks
I want to "Flash my dreads, flash my dreads, flash my natty dreads..." with
this song from "Yard Style Christmas" by Barrington Levy/Trinity 2.
Few things bring me such joy as ornaments and Christmas music, but snow
and holiday decorations lighting up Hell's Kitchen come close. And I got
both this week. Happy Holidays.
Posted by photocartoonist at 12:04 AM
December 11, 2005
Twas Some Nights Before Christmas
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Children enjoy the magic and the excitement of the season, largely due to
Santa, who magically brings them surprises. As children, it's fun to
believe in the legends, lore and magic of elves, Santa Claus and Saint
Nick, especially when they prove their existence by bringing gifts!
But as adults, we often lose the joy of Christmas. As we take on the
role of Santa, we trade the belief in magic for the role of magician.
And as we do that, a little of the magic dies for us. We no longer
enjoy the legends and lore because now we see how the magic is wrought.
Wouldn't it be great to believe in something again? Something exciting
to overcome the boredom. Something we'd be excited to believe in.
Someone to snap and awaken us from our daily grind and bring us the
mythos of the season. Perhaps what we adults need is a more
sophisticated holiday figure than Santa. Someone more cool than Saint
Nick...
What we need is Beat Nick!
Posted by photocartoonist at 8:57 AM | Comments (1)
December 10, 2005
The Bah Humbuggers
Do you know someone who has the bah-humbugs this year? Is that
someone you?
You know the ones, the folks who can only complain about everything to
do with this time of year. They can't manage a cheery 'Happy Holidays'
but rather scowl or manage to make the greeting sound ironic.
Perhaps you want to wish them a wonderful holiday, but you fear coming
off as corny... How can you send a little Christmas cheer to those who
so strongly resist?
Here are ecards so full of holiday cheer that even these who are more
like Scrooge than Tiny Tim will be forced to smile.
For the hardest to please, a rousing chorus of "Santa's Coming and he's
gonna Kick Your Ass" ought to do the trick!
For those Grinches who you must be more polite to, there's The Bah Humbuggers.
And if these ecards don't bring a smile, perhaps they provide a reminder
that their low spirits won't keep you from celebrating!
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Posted by photocartoonist at 12:12 AM
December 9, 2005
Seasonal Greetings
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa - There are many holiday celebrations this
time of year.
There was a great debate on The View this about holiday greeting cards.
The women were discussing holiday greeting cards and whose
holiday they ought to be celebrating.
Joy said that sending a holiday greeting card was like sending a
birthday card: you send it to the person in celebration of their
day, and so if you celebrate Christmas, but they celebrate Hanukkah,
you ought to send a Hanukkah greeting card.
But the others felt that holiday cards are a way to include others in
their own celebration of the season.
So, what do you think? What do you do? Do you send cards for
your holiday, cards for the receiver's holiday, or play it safe with a
'Seasons Greetings' card?
Posted by photocartoonist at 9:57 PM | Comments (2)
December 2, 2005
December Birthdays
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
My sister's birthday is in December (the 16th) and she's sort of
resented that fact. I've listened long and well over the years, and
I think I have her top 5 reasons December birthdays suck.
#5 You can't have an outside party at the beach. I have a June
birthday, and had plenty of those as a kid, so I heard her complain
about this for at least 16 years. Mom tried skating parties, but those
are cold & girls can't show off pretty dresses.
#4 Too many sweaters! Sweaters being a top holiday gift, as well as
top winter birthday gift, well, let's just say she has enough to wear
each sweater only one day of the winter fashion season.
#3 No time for a birthday party. Between office parties, family
celebrations, the holiday school programs, neighborhood round robins
etc, there is no time for another party to celebrate her day - even if
she threw it herself, she wouldn't have the time!
#2 Combined gifts. People buy her one gift for both her birthday and
Christmas. Sure, it's a bigger gift, but she misses the attention on
her own special day - and combined with the next one Yikes!
#1 No birthday cards! Along with the combined gift giving, busy people
forget her birthday and then 'include' her birthday well wishes as a
line on their holiday cards. No birthday cards - now there's a way for
a person to feel slighted!
The Big December Birthday Parade
So, this year, send your dear December-born friends and family birthday
cards marking their special days.
Even if it's a belated birthday greeting, it's all about them! Believe
me, not only do the December born understand being busy this time of
year, but they'll appreciate any special thing you do for them to
acknowledge their special day - even if it's several days late!
(And by fixing complaint #1, you'll be able to slide on complaints 2-5!)
Posted by photocartoonist at 9:46 PM | Comments (2)
December 1, 2005
Innocence and Playfulness: Shefali Nayan
Opening today December 1, 2005 the Hacienda Gallery in Mumbai, India is proud
to present Stirring Quartet featuring the works of our very own Shefali Soni.
This is an exhibit of four alumni of the noted Faculty if Fine Arts, MS University,
in Baroda, India. Jasmine Shah Varma, Mumbai-based writer and independent curator,
writes about Shefali"s work:
"Innocence and playfulness are abundant in Shefali’s renditions. The childlike and
naive quality of her paintings are balanced with proficient compositions and skillful
handling of paint..."
Shefali Nayan lets childlike wonder and a bold sense of color guide her work. My favorite
subjects are her animals and before the show even opened today the Cow and Cat paintings
were already sold to collectors.
The show continues through December 10, 2005.
Posted by photocartoonist at 11:37 PM | Comments (3)