May 29, 2006
I Scream You Scream
Knock! Knock!
Who's there?
Ice cream soda!
Ice cream soda who?
ICE CREAM SO DA PEOPLE CAN HEAR ME...
Today is a special day in the history of ice cream.
On May 29, 1948 the first Ice Cream Freezer was patented. Before this
time, ice cream was hand cranked and enjoyed on the spot, putting a
literal crimp in hands as well as party style. Early home refrigerators
of the 1920's used ice blocks to cool and preserve, which naturally
didn't do much to keep ice cream frozen. With the freezer, ice cream
could be bought and stored for longer periods of time, paving the way for
longer shelf life -- if you can keep your hands off (and spoons out!).
One really cannot have a proper birthday celebration without ice cream
(even the Lactose Intolerant have their own versions of ice cream).
What's a piece of birthday cake without ice cream? Well, it's naked
cake -- cake in its own birthday suit!
Thanks to the ice cream freezer, folks can now stock up well in advance
of birthday parties and other celebrations (not to mention, stockpile
comfort food for less happy times). Mmmmmmm, Mmmmm, yummy! So it's
fitting that today, we celebrate a special date which makes our special
days so much more special.
So get some cake, a big scoop (or two) of ice cream, and join us in
singing "Happy Birthday, Ice Cream Freezer!"
Posted by photocartoonist at 1:35 PM
May 26, 2006
The Buzz
By DEANNA DAHLSDA
For generations, cool kids have used buzz marketing to get the word out on
all the cool events and gossip. There were no posters or giant hallway
banners for the party at Brian's house, yet everyone knew not only when and
where to show up, but what to wear. And the undesirables never knew about
it until Monday, when it was over and everyone was talking about it.
Passing notes, even in class, was one good way to start spreading the news,
as was whispering as you passed in the halls. The news spread from cool kid
to cool kid just fine. Like today's emails, instant messages, and 'tell a
friend' features on websites, cool kids are still passing the hottest tips,
the latest information from one cool kid to another cool kid.
Like a website? Want to show them where you got the best deal? Want to
invite them to the party at Brian's house? Cut and paste the URL or the
MapQuest information, and presto!
Like the teachers who found you holding the note and asked you to share it
with the class, there are companies and governments who want to read your
notes. Some companies just want to know if you think they are cool.
Others, like Google and Google Mail, proclaim they want to base their
popularity rankings on your votes of what is cool and interesting. But the
governments, they just want to make sure you like the right things. And if
they disapprove of what you think is cool, you may end up in detention or
worse...
I don't know about you, but I don't want others reading my notes -- not the
ones I send, nor the ones I receive. Nor do I want others to tell me what
parties I can go to, who my friends are, or where I hang out in my free
time. I'm an adult, darnit. And when it comes to my children, I prefer to
be the one to monitor, teach and yes, if necessary, remove inappropriate
materials from their hands.
Posted by photocartoonist at 8:09 PM
May 24, 2006
Don't Send Me
By KAT CAVERLY
From my mailbag:
comment: I do not wish to receive e-cards. How can I block them?
That is a very interesting question; how do you block receiving e-cards?
Well, e-cards are sent to you from your friends and family. You could start
by telling them that you do not want to receive e-cards. I assume you prefer
paper greeting cards. Tell them!
But be gentle, because e-cards like all greeting cards are social
expressions; expression of love and friendship.
There are many ways of blocking e-mail too. Ask you ISP. Check the manual
for your e-mail program. You can block whole domains like hallmark.com, or
americangreetings.com, or my sites.
Or you could simply hit the delete button.
I hope this helps.
Posted by photocartoonist at 12:36 AM
May 22, 2006
Don't Worry, He's Only Listening For Good Reasons
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Like Santa, President Bush claims the NSA's information is merely to
find out who's being naughty or nice. Unlike Santa, Bush doesn't admit
his network of elves are listening.
From a legal standpoint, warrantless wiretapping, listening in on
citizens' phone calls, be it by NSA agents or elves, is illegal. The
actions of Bush, his administration, NSA agents etc. are as frightening
as any boogie man and illusive as imaginary elves when it comes to
prosecution. Living under the boogie men (and paying their salaries),
not only do we citizens have to worry about our rights & liberties
diminishing, threatening our individual lives, but dangers to the nation
as well. By not complying with the law, the literally un-warrented
wiretapping leads to wasted man-years and actually weakens national security.
I'd like to believe that Bush's interests about my life are as benign as
Santa's -- that all Bush wants to do is to find the bad guys and maybe
wish me a Happy Birthday. While not fiscally responsible, it's not so
scary. But in Bush's world, pursuit of his Naughty or Nice List is at
all costs -- or at least at the costs of the expendable citizenry.
While being on Santa's Naughty List means I have no holiday gift, being
on Bush's list has far more consequences... And the collection of
information in an illegal manner suggests that the agenda is also not
straight-forward. What is Bush's criteria for his Naughty List? Do I
have to worry that my online activities, my phone calls, and my general
association with No Evil Productions will put me on President Bush's
Naughty List?
Posted by photocartoonist at 9:52 PM
May 19, 2006
Graduating Class
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Most graduates leave school and begin the long hard trail to finding a job in the field they desire. This is especially so in the areas of the arts, where many grads are unable to make a living in their field of dreams. Many have to take day jobs 'anywhere' in order to pursue their dream careers at night. But on May 19th, our very own Suzanne Jones graduates from New York's New School University with her Bachelors degree concentrated in Film Studies/Screenwriting -- and she already has her day gig in her field working with NoEvil Productions.
Suzanne is one of our Dream Team members, working as both a writer and a voice talent. She writes song lyrics (and sometimes music with Chris Leap, the music maestro), she writes scripts for shorts and ecards, and she also performs character voiceovers as well as sings some of the kooky songs. Suzanne says the voice work is her favorite work, "I am thrilled to do vocal work for the company! It's dream come true!"
A dream cone true for the lady who left her theatre studies at Howard U. in Washington, D.C. to come to New York and work in theatre. And work she has:
"With my twin sister, Stephanie, I perform as "The Jones Twins" -- a spoken-word, cabaret performing duo. Okay, we are performance artists! Not long ago, we did a playwriting fellowship at Bard College through the women's theatre company Voice & Vision. We were named Emerging Artists by Franklin Furnace Performance Archive. We've collaborated on musical theatre work that has been seen at New York’s Public Theatre, the Smithsonian Institute, the Ohio Theatre, as well as music and theatre clubs like Brooklyn's BAM, Irving Plaza, Makor/92nd St. Y, CBGB’s, P.S. 122, Poetry Project, and many more dives in NYC, LA and beyond. I've also done commercial voiceovers and voices/soundtrack work for independent films."
A self-described multi-disciplinary artist, Suzanne made the determination to work in animation as a writer, "with the farfetched hope of also finding a way to be a voice actor as well." Her search for work led her to the Animation World website, and Kat Caverly's ad. All this in April, 2005 -- a year prior to her graduation.
Recently, I sat down with Suzanne and asked her a few questions...
What drew you to this work, to No Evil Productions?
"Well, Kat was the first thing. She’s got so many great ideas; she is an innovator. I've always looked at creative work that way -- you should strive to do something that hasn't been done before. I like to invent new forms -- probably why I have always been drawn to avant-garde/alternative venues. I feel that Kat is exploring new frontiers with the work and the way it is distributed and that is amazing!"
"And personally what draws me to it is the ability to work at home -- essential for me as the single mom of a 6 yr. old girl. And, ultimately, this job is helping me realize my life-long dream of working creatively in the cartoon industry. I'm writing and doing voices and music for cartoons! What could be better?"
I hear that Birthday Birdies is a special project of yours -- tell us about that.
"The Birthday Birdies is a little ecard that we did. It's faux Girl Scouts giving a birthday pledge and Kat wanted me to write their birthday pledge, which I did. The fun part was recording the pledge. There are three voices reciting in unison: me, as the goody two shoes character; Kat as the kooky cut-up; and my little girl, Sasha, as the main voice -- because she is an actual child (as much as Kat and I may want to be!)"
How cute! And how much fun to work with your daughter! Hmmmm... A six
year old daughter, a new college degree, such a long performance resume
-- tell me, how old are you?
"A lady never tells!"
Ah, the old brush off. Another unexpected move, Suzanne. *wink*
"Good to know that no matter what I do, my eccentricity comes through!"
Eccentric, yes, but always a class act.
Congratulations, on your graduation, Suzanne!
Posted by photocartoonist at 12:50 PM
May 17, 2006
Is Political Satire Misunderstood?
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
I have two passions in the evenings, Monday through Thursday: The Daily Show with John Stewart
and The Colbert Report.
What makes these political humor shows distinctive from one another is the style of humor.
John Stewart and his team present the 'evening news' using humor to illustrate the stupidity
of today's political scene. No idea, ideal, platform, organization, person or icon is safe from
their scrutiny and mockery. While I laugh and clap along with The Daily Show, it's the Colbert
Report which amazes me. This is because Steven Colbert does things a bit differently;
Colbert does political satire.
Playing the role of political pundit Colbert's talk-show character ostensibly supports the
president. Note, that reads ostensibly, for in his role as host of the personality-driven
pundit show, he uses irony, sarcasm, and wit to expose folly, vice, and stupidity -- even to
the point of seeming witless himself; thereby poking fun at the President and his politics.
Colbert's form of caustic caricaturization both amuses and amazes me.
I am amused at his performance and the wicked writing of the team, but I am amazed as I
cannot imagine being able to pull it off. I can easily get up on my soapbox and preach, but
I've never been able to manage satirical writing. I think this is because I am too aware of the
number of people who would take it seriously. If I were to write a satirical piece, I would need
to include both disclaimers that read "This is humor folks -- This is satirical!" and even then I
would likely need to break out of character and return to the soapbox.
I am too afraid that people would believe it if I said "My lunch today was a bowl of starving
children, washed down with a glass of their mother's tears. And I had baby seals for dessert."
I would cringe in fear of the emails, calls and letters from folks calling me insensitive yes, but
even more than that, I fear legal prosecution stemming from the police visiting my home based
on reports of cannibalism and animal cruelty.
Do I give folks too little credit? Do I underestimate the humor of the public? I don't think so.
Recently Colbert hosted the White House Correspondent Dinner, and he was not fully appreciated.
Many seemed to feel that Colbert's hosting, in his satirical political pundit persona, was
inappropriate. Words used to describe reactions were 'bewildered', 'unhappy' and 'a little on
the edge'. But what did they expect?
In fact, how was he even selected to host? In my mind, the committee conversation went
something like this:
"Hey, this Steven Colbert's pretty popular, especially with the young
people, let's ask him."
"It says on his website that he's a Bush supporter... With the President
himself attending, he'd feel right at home..."
"He could add youth to our demographic..."
"Yes, my son in college talks about Colbert all the time, let's get him
so that my son thinks I am cool too!"
Not a one of them understanding that Colert's TV show is a character of political satire,
the decision seemed to have missed its mark. For those of us who enjoy political satire,
this only adds to the humor (and I wish I had been there to see it!). But for those of us who
fear writing and performing political satire, it only proves our point:
political satire can be so misunderstood.
Posted by photocartoonist at 11:49 AM
May 15, 2006
Purple for Peace
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
May 16 is Wear Purple For Peace Day: The First Intergalactic Holiday.
That last part is important, because this is one of the very few clues
we have to the origins of this holiday.
According to HolidayInsights.com, this holiday is about projecting
peace from this world outward, to aliens, so that they know we are
peaceful and will visit us. Currently, however, this holiday is being
used to promote peace globally.
Within the USA messages such as blue and red join to become purple for peace
project a mission of national unity and peace. Schools are using the
color and the message, if not the official holiday date itself, to preach
peace and non-violent coping skills to their students. Among such
lessons are the lives and work of Martin Luther King and Gandhi, tools
such as this Kid’s Creating Peace Pledge, and discussions on
bullying. Who can complain about this? Apparently, some folks not only
can, but do...
I've seen a number of bloggers upset that the promotion of peace and
"Wearing Purple For Peace" is a horrible thing to do. Specifically, they
point to the war in Iraq and state that those who support peace do not
support our troops. I don't see the correlation. How can anything be
more supportive of our troops than peace and bringing our boys and girls home?
One blogger wrote "peace is not an option right now. I
feel like this is 1) poorly thought out as I think it belittles the
sacrifices our troops are making -or- 2) a political move using children
that are way too young to understand matters of war and peace (and the
tangible relationship between the two)."
In the case of point number one, I fail to see how praying for peace
equates belittling the sacrifices of our troops and their families. If
they are 'fighting over there so we don't have to fight them here',
isn't that at least in part saying we want peace for the majority of our
citizens? Aren't they supposedly fighting for freedom, American values
along with The American Way? If so, isn't peace one of our values? At a
very base level, isn't the primary objective of going to war to win, end
the war, and have peace? Valuing peace not only supports the very
notions, the mission, of their war duty, their sacrifices, but also
values the very lives of each soldier. Peace is the most supportive
prayer I can imagine.
In point number two, the blogger makes two points. Point 2. A states that
children are "too young to understand matters of war and peace." This is
a large broad statement. In the context of "Wear Purple For Peace", what
is too complicated? Who isn't 'for peace' ideally? Certainly "Wear
Purple For Peace" and non-violent conflict resolution skills are notions
deemed appropriate for all ages. Why would we not want out children to
be trained to persue this priority? As for point 2. B, the "tangible
relationship" between war and peace, I'm not sure I'm old enough
to understand... Unless she means what I stated above, that the primary
objective of going to war is to win, end the war, and have peace, I'm at
complete loss for how the two are related -- at least in any positive
manner.
So again, I have to wonder, how do prayers for peace belittle our
troops? How can Wear Purple For Peace, as May 16th or as a display of
one's hopes, do anything other than value the lives of all involved? How
can peace be anything other than wonderful?
Personally, I'll be wearing purple -- both for peace for our nation, our
world, and a desire to meet friendly aliens. How about you?
Posted by photocartoonist at 10:09 PM
May 12, 2006
Gardening Angels
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
As a mother, I often feel like a gardener. I take the environment and
seeds I have been given, and I try to grow the best damn beings I can.
It's an awful lot of work -- dirty work too. As a parent, you've got to
be willing to roll up your sleeves, deal with manure and all manners of
sticky matters, and yes, spend a lot of time on your knees (praying that
you've done things right!). But like all gardeners, we know that
backbreaking effort is required prior to sitting back and enjoying the
oohs and ahhs of those who walk by.
Mothers and gardeners tend to their charges in similar ways.
Gardeners with roses know that when cold winds blow they need to
insulate their American Beauties with Styrofoam cones; when mom is cold,
she makes the kids put on sweaters.
Both gardeners and mothers spray to protect their lil sprouts from bad
bugs.
Gardeners remove unwanted plants which threaten to chokeout their prize
plants; moms weed out the bad seed 'friends' and other unsavory types.
Gardeners put up fences, scarecrows and if necessary, use wolf urine to
protect tender, vulnerable plants; parents set limits, use rules, and
monitor activities and phone calls to protect our children from those
predators who would feed off of our children if it weren't for our
watchful ways. (If it would work, I would succumb to spraying my own
mama-wolf-urine around to keep my own children from falling prey!)
Some of us even have late bloomers -- one bloom proudly displayed in a
season which would otherwise be dark is beautiful payment for such
diligence.
We mothers may not have the richest soil, the fanciest tools and
gadgets, or the space, money and support we dream of, but we still try
to raise the healthiest, showiest, sweetest smelling offspring around.
And, in the end, we hope our little sprouts have offspring of their own,
and they too grow strong and healthy under the watchful eyes of the
parents who tend to them.
Yes, moms are like gardeners. So we ought to know that every garden
sleeps, rejuvenating itself for the strong growth season ahead. It is
this sleep which allows for a fruitful harvest. But we as moms often
forget to take this rest period ourselves.
This Mother's Day, I hope each Mother out there takes the day for
herself to bask in the blooming faces of her children.
(This short rest is needed, for Monday will bring more weeding, tugging
and tending...)
Posted by photocartoonist at 2:25 PM
New York City :: 25th Anniversary
By Kat Caverly
Twenty-Five years ago today I saw New York City for the first time from the window of a plane. My
audible gasp let everyone around me know it was my first time. Would New York be gentle with me?
I was born in Chicago but I found my home when I landed in New York City. It scared me and no
place had ever scared me before this. I was on my way to Paris but decided that I would stay in
New York until I was no longer afraid. And by that time I didn't want to leave anymore.
There is an energy to this city. An energy that I knew right away would make things happen; an
energy that made things possible that I wouldn't have even dreamt about anywhere else. Mostly
it was the energy of the people; people from all over the world. On the streets I heard every
language; even languages I had never heard before.
I met the love of my life here, also in 1981; Tom Reeve. 1981 was an amazing year and it was
way before the Internet and although now I have expanded my horizons and I know that I no
longer have to be in New York City to connect to the energies of other artists, I am a
New Yorker and I am proud to say so.
Happy Anniversary New York City...here's to the next 25 years!
Posted by photocartoonist at 12:24 AM | Comments (2)
May 10, 2006
Zing, the Humdinger
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
This Mother's Day I am struck by the power of 'other mothers' that ought
to be honored. For example, Necessity is the Mother of Invention.
Invention is a from of creativity, the Mother of which is often
arrogantly seen as the creator himself. As a writer, I often feel that
I give birth to my projects -- and as any editor will tell you, writers
are often as good at receiving criticism about their written works as
mothers are about their children -- but it is rather vain to think that
there isn't some higher power which calls forth and delivers Creativity
itself. Long ago, we had a name for these creatures, these Mothers, if
you will -- we called them Muses.
The Muses are the nine daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus, each of whom
presides over a different art or science. This Mother's Day, I'd like
to acknowledge one Muse who, in my opinion, isn't honored enough.
This Muse and I first met in grade school. My wonderful third grade
teacher read to the class every day after lunch. I loved this so much
that I never ever dared to fall asleep as many of my peers did,
but rather eagerly awaited this time of day. One month, she dedicated
her readings to us from a book of Greek mythology; this was my
introduction to The Muses in general. Being a young child, I tended to
take some things litterally, so when in one of the stories the teacher
read the word 'amusing', I heard and interpreted it as 'a Muse, Zing'.
From that day forward, I believed there was indeed a Muse named Zing.
Zing was the Muse of humor and all things funny. From the lowly
inspired 'pull my finger' to the best vaudeville Zinger (which further
cemented her name, of course!), Zing was the genius, the spark, the
impulse which brought it forth. While I was saddened and somewhat
embarrassed to learn of my mistake (Boy, had she pulled a real Zinger on
me!), I was delighted to know that there is indeed a humorous Muse,
Thalia Muse of Comedy.
Thalia is also one of The Three Graces. This is because she is a Goddesses
of Charm and Good Humor (trickery on grade school children aside), and
quite a fetching woman herself.
This Mother's Day, I'd like to salute Muse Thalia, or Zing as I still
call her. She certainly has devoted her time to me, blessing me with
the creativity and compulsion to not only write, but to live my life.
Like my real Mother, I don't know where I'd be without her. So, "Thank
You, Zing, and Happy Mother's Day!"
Posted by photocartoonist at 9:16 PM
May 8, 2006
It's Still America
By THOMAS HUDSON REEVE
It’s still America. Everyone or their ancestors came from somewhere else,
and although it has been going on for centuries now they were all pretty
much in the same boat.
They faced the unknown with courage and hope, they worked, they
persevered, and they blended their voices into the raucous chorus
that is the United States of America.
For all that time there have always been some who have said,
“Now that my people are here let’s pull up the ladder, no others allowed.”
They forget that we are all the others, and that we are all the same.
Posted by photocartoonist at 10:30 PM
May 5, 2006
The Star Spangled Banner :: La Bandera De Las Estrellas
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
The National Anthem being sung in Spanish isn't news. Well, it might have
been in 1919, but not now.
In 1919, the U.S. Bureau of Education commissioned a
Spanish-language version of "The Star Spangled Banner." The State
Department's website also features four-separate versions of the anthem in Spanish.
And while one might not be able to hold President Bush and his staff to know
the number of versions of the national anthem (quoted by several sources to
be nearly 400), I do think we can ask him to remember his own Presidential
Inauguration. Bush's 2001 inaugural ceremony featured pop star Jon Secada
sang the national anthem in English and Spanish; as they did in much of Bush's
campaign. Apparently it's OK to lure in disenfranchised voters with their
language and culture -- and the promise of meeting their needs as citizens
-- as long as you denounce them later.
I normally don't quote Condoleezza Rice, but she made some sane comments on
this issue. On CBS's Face the Nation, she said "I've heard the national
anthem done in rap versions, country versions, classical versions. The
individualisation of the American national anthem is quite under way." And
she added "From my point of view, people expressing themselves as wanting to
be Americans is a good thing."
I can think of only one way to mark Cinco de Mayo this year: To sing the
national anthem in Spanish. Or, if you cannot bear the thought of your own
inability to sing in Spanish, perhaps a call to your own legislator to tell
them that you are against Senator Lamar Alexander's resolution which would
require the national anthem only be sung in English.
Posted by photocartoonist at 1:24 PM
May 3, 2006
Lunch At The Cool Kids Table
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Do you remember being in school and entering the lunch room? You could
be a visitor from another galaxy and see the divisions... the group of
jocks here, the geeks there... pockets of persons defined by their
actions and interests which become their labels. I see it again when I
visit my children's schools. And as their schools have more ethnic
diversity than mine did, the pockets are often arranged by color and
accent as well as afterschool activities. Even in grade school there
are little pockets of little people.
Despite these pockets of people being formed somewhat naturally based on
interest, each group is not only visually separated, but they are rather
visually identified. The clothing, the school jackets and athletic
uniforms, help you id the jocks. The pocket protectors and A/V
equipment of the nerds etc etc. But you are also identified by the
company you keep. And this is where the groups are unnaturally formed,
for no longer can one person leave his group, even temporarily, to join
another. Each is branded with a label. Even as adults this happens.
Models can't know anything about advances in nuclear medicine.
Accountants can't be funny or draw etc etc.
It's silly, because people have more than one interest. We can, and
ought to be able to join and leave groups at any point, based on our
interests and abilities. Remember how those kids in The Breakfast
Club all discovered that if they looked past what they saw, and what
labels each person had, they had many things in common? The internet is
like a giant Breakfast Club experience!
Sure, we were all fed that "Free to be you and me" stuff, and while I'm not
knocking it as an ideal, humans still like to categorize people. We
like to label them, group them with others with the same label -- and we
prefer to have them remain that way. Now, the internet provides one of
the greatest freedoms of all: the freedom to be "me and me" (or "you and
as many 'you's as you'd like").
Where once upon a time -- or more specifically, a place -- your key to
the A/V room may have prevented you from sitting and talking film with
the pompon squad, the internet has taken that all away. You are only
seen by your user ID, and whatever information you provide in a profile.
While the media is full of stories of the dangers of the internet,
warning you that 45 year old Bill is really 13 year old Susan, or vice
versa, this anonymity of only revealing what you wish has its benefits.
You want to be seen as a wild artist type, choose a user ID that
proclaims this to the world! Put 'bon vivant' as your job title!
Voila! Now, I don't recommend lying. Omit details you feel limit you,
or opt to use real descriptors you find fit the group best. (Leave out
your model portfolio at the medical site. List your hobbies, but leave
the work are blank.) But don't lie -- because if the other kids accept
you and you've lied, well, who will you eat lunch with? (Only the
group labeled 'liars', that's who!)
No longer are you judged by your hair style, athletic awards and
spelling bee certificates (or lack thereof), job description, or
considered to be too pretty to know what you are talking about. If you
can no longer be judged by your unseen pocket protector or letterman's
jacket, your gender, race, age, employer or any label you wish can also
be unseen. (At least as long as you choose not to disclose it!)
You can have unique user IDs and profiles at each site (interest group)
-- even more than one ID at the same site, should you wish it...
Persons will still gravitate to areas of interest, but they may not only
move fluidly between groups, but they can also belong to multiple groups
-- have multiple labels -- at the same time. Now the A/V nerd can be a
football expert. The accountant may present his own comics. (Maybe the
A/V nerd grew up to be an accountant, and now he or she is both a
football expert and a webcomic, who knows?!) What we now have are
individuals reacting to each other based on mutual interests and forming
opinions based on personality, ability, and the individual experiences
of interacting with each other.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if this way of relating to one another on the
internet was transfered to us in real life?
Posted by photocartoonist at 2:34 AM