July 28, 2006
Friday, July 28th, 2006 is System Administrator Appreciation Day!
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
This annual event is in its 7th year and honors those folks who keep servers and networks running smoothly. You may not see them, you may not even think of them -- at least until you have a problem! System Administrators work long hours, weekends, and are constantly on call. You have a problem, you call and wail for them to make everything all right. And they do. They're sort of like moms that way.
Also like moms, our System Administrators know us better than we know them. Sometimes they even know us better than we know ourselves -- or at least they know us at our worst and still put up with us. Like our moms, our System Administrators aren't shown much appreciation for all the work they do. (When's the last time you called your System Administrator just to ask how she is?)
So, on this one day, do more than recognize all your System Administrator does for you -- Thank him for all the things he does for you and your business. You may know know his birthday, but you can celebrate how he is always there for you.
Unsure of how to celebrate? Well, as with most celebrations, cake, ice cream and ballons are a great start. If your System Administrator isn't nearby, email ecards and gift certificates. For additional celebration and gift ideas, check out the official website.
Posted by photocartoonist at 3:08 PM
July 26, 2006
Introducing Tic and Tac
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Unlikely friends, perhaps, but Tic the mouse and Tac the elephant are best of friends.
Does this seem an unnatural friendship? Aren't elephants afraid of mice? No, Virginia, they aren't afraid of mice. That's a myth or old wives tale presumably based upon the human love of comedy -- and seeing a large animal afraid of a small one is pretty funny. But Tac is not afraid of Tic; these two are friends.
These two do have a problem, however, and that is what to get that special someone for their birthday. Tic believes cheese is always the perfect gift.
Tac thinks flowers are rather cheery and persuades Tic they'd make a wonderful birthday gift. But what kind of flowers? Tic of course, thinks cheese flowers would be best, and delivers quite an enthusiastic pitch. But Tic's rather an amiable sort, and abides by Tac's selection of a beautiful non-cheese bouquet.
While Tac may prefer his flowers in water, and Tac likes his with cheese, they both agree on wishing your friends and family a very happy birthday.
Posted by photocartoonist at 10:37 PM
July 22, 2006
Will Amin Play His Cards Right, Or Will Be Be Trump-ed?
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Amin finally sings "I'm a Yankee Paki cabbie..." in this latest episode of Taxistan. The orginal song lyrics by Thomas Reeve are as rich in details as the eclectic decor of Amin's cab. As the short song ends, Amin notices a man at the curb who is anxiously flagging a taxi.
Who does Amin pick up this time? In his dark power suit, with his bad toupe blowing in the breeze from the open taxi window, it's none other than The Donald himself who enters Amin's taxi.
By a twist of fate, The Donald finds himself not only in need of a ride, but a personal driver too. Trump's just fired his own personal driver and he makes Amin an offer. But of course Amin must prove himself first.
Will Amin impress The Donald? Will he join the ranks of corporate America? (And if he does, will his cab become just as drab?) Will the experience leave Amin singing a different tune? And perhaps most importantly, will Amin get paid his fare this time?
Watch the latest episode to find out!
Posted by photocartoonist at 10:40 PM
July 19, 2006
July 19th is Flitch Day
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
A flitch is measurement of bacon, equaling half a pig. But before you jump to the conclusion that this holiday celebrates excess and making a pig of yourself, which would be a very American tradition, I'll direct you to the following information.
Flitch Day is an old custom, originating in Dunmow, Essex, England. Once a year, a flitch or 'slab' of bacon was given to any married couple who could prove they had 'not wished themselves unwed.' To offer their proof, a couple went before a mock court. In this court was a jury of bachelors and maidens, to which the the married couple would try to prove that they had lived in harmony and fidelity for the past twelve months. If they succeeded in convincing the jury, the couple was awarded a flitch of bacon from the local monks. Not surprisingly, it is said that very few "took home the bacon."
There are historical references to this day as far back as 1104, and it was a regular civic event in Dunmow by the late 1800's. Eventually, those who settled in America, brought the tradition with them.
I suggest that the citizens of Dunmow may very well be the founders of Reality TV. For it sure sounds like unscripted entertainment full of ways for the married couple to be unpleasantly surprised with evidence contradicting their claims.
Not only does this custom still live in England, but it's an event now held every four years, and frequently televised.
Now the question remains, how long until FOX airs "Bring Home The Bacon" -- complete with single jury members with firsthand infidelity information to share.
Posted by photocartoonist at 2:25 PM
July 16, 2006
Sticky Business
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
July 15th, was Gummi Worm Day, as listed at the National Confectioners Association website. Just when you thought all holidays weren't commercial, we make such an announcement! However, we don't celebrate Gummi Worm Day for its crass consumerism -- no, there is ingenuity to admire here. (And who doesn't want a reason to eat Gummi Worms?!)
There likely wouldn't be a Gummi Worm Day if it weren't for Gummi Bears. The Gummi Bear, or Gummibärchen, is a German creation. Invented by Hans Riegel, a candy maker from Bonn, Germany, in 1922, the story goes that Riegel and his wife, Gertrud, noticed the popularity of a gelatin fruit candy that other candy companies were selling. Looking for a competitive edge to enter the market with their own fruity gelatin candy, they thought "What would children like?" And dancing bears was the answer.
So, HARIBO began to mold the fruit flavored gelatin into the form of a dancing bear. The original bears were taller and thinner than the little chubby bears of today (a 1950's update), and they became popular among the children of Bonn. So popular that only one year later the Riegels made a "risky" investment in a car so that Gertrud need no longer deliver the daily 200 pounds of dancing bear candy on her bicycle. The Riegels need not have worried, for the launch of Gummi Bears eventually lead to a family fortune. Such a fortune only occurred because the Riegels been correct that bear candy makes us happy!
Gummi Worms themselves were born of similar creativity. In 1981, another German candy company, Mederer Corporation, was looking for a new way to market gummy candies. Their idea was to create a candy that parents would find mildly shocking, but that kids would love. They hit upon the idea of Gummi Worms, and sold them under the Trolli name. These worms became quite popular, and even inspired other 'shocking' desserts.
In fact, the popularity of Gummi Worms, Bears and other animal shapes, lead to the 1985, Disney cartoon show, "The Adventures of the Gummi Bears." A first of its kind, "The Adventures of the Gummi Bears" was Disney's first foray into television animation and lasted 94 episodes (in 65 shows). At the time, very few cartoons had the production values the Gummi Bears did. The quality of production was so high, so unheard of, it even exceeded the quality of many Japanese animated TV shows being made at the time. Because of this, Gummi Bears is often credited by animators and animation historians as having jump started the television animation boom of the late 1980s (and continued through the 1990s).
While often listed as one of the worst shows, "The Adventures of the Gummi Bears" is also the 47th most desired unreleased show on Tvshowsondvd.com. Proof, that the Riegels were right: Children, and adults, do love Gummi Bears -- and worms, and sharks, and frogs, and even Gummi Ampelmännchen!
Strangely, while Gummi Bears and Gummi Worms are German confections, there is no German Gummi Holiday. Since there are no German holidays in July, I propose that Germans pick a day in the sticky heat of July, and celebrate Gummi Bear Day. Afterall, we do love our bears, and who doesn't want a reason to eat candy?
Posted by photocartoonist at 8:58 PM
July 11, 2006
July 11 is National Cheer Up The Lonely Day
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Sometimes, we curse our hectic lives, forgetting to be thankful for so many of the reasons we are so busy. Without friends and loved-ones making requests of our time, we'd really be rather lonely.
Without errands like buying potato chips and beer for the weekend barbecue, stopping by to mow Aunt Edna's lawn, picking up hubby's dry cleaning, getting the donuts for the office party, and finding the waterwings for the youngest's pool party, we'd sure have more time -- but aren't these errands proof of the people in our lives? We are needed, we are wanted, and we sure aren't lonely!
There are many folks who don't have such blessings. They would love to know they are needed and wanted. They would love to be so busy that they didn't need to stare at the clock wondering how to pass the hours.
How many times have you thought of sending just "a little something" to a sick relative, your recently divorced friend, or the widower down the block, just to cheer them up? National Cheer Up The Lonely Day is a reminder to follow-through on those thoughts.
Today, send those people you've thought of silly ecards and quick emails just so they know you thought of them. Make out-of-the-blue phone calls to brighten their day. Take your lunch break to make a list of everyone you can send a card to, and after work, head to the greeting card store and buy stacks of them. Sure, jotting a little note, signing, addressing and putting postage on them is more 'work' to do after dinner, but you'll feel so wonderful knowing you made someone's day!
Don't worry that by mailing a card or a note today that your kindness will be belated; the idea here is to put into action your care and concern for other people. Don't stop now. Just go buy those cards. Then sign them, and send them -- while you are thinking about it!
Posted by photocartoonist at 11:25 PM
July 7, 2006
Whose Holidays are They Anyways?
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Not a month goes by that I don't hear someone make a comment that holidays are the creations of greeting card companies and retailers who conspire to take our money. Often called Hallmark Holidays, many folks seem to think that holidays are founded in corporate greed.
How cynical.
Sure, many 'holidays' are not recognized by the US government as legal days off from work. In more official terms, days such as Mother's Day, Valentine's Day etc, are more like widely celebrated occasions. And true, some 'holidays' are not even widely celebrated, but celebrated by only a few -- or, to many of us, are only just dates noted on calendars (quite often made by the same folks who bring you greeting cards). But while these 'holidays' may seem to be a con to get you to commit additional crimes of consumerism in a world already full of sinful spending, is that what these days are really about?
Holidays were created by people. Not consumer-driven people who want to stick their hands in our pocketbooks, but people who want to make sure opportunities are not lost to us. Holidays were created by people, for people, so that we'd have reason to celebrate things we'd otherwise take for granted.
Some holidays celebrate people and relationships. Days like Granparents Day remind us to appreciate the folks who gave us cookies, taught us to fish, and those people who first took our side in a disagreement with our parents. It's not just about Grandma's own birthday, the celebration of her as a person, but a day to remember her for her role in our lives. Participation in Valentine's Day isn't an exercise in economic excess, but a chance to honor your partner. This day serves as a reminder for us not to overlook the one person we likely can't afford to lose.
Some holidays mark events. Without Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and National Women's History Month, would we stop our whining and complaining, and make the time to be thankful for what we do have? Would we stop our activist ways long enough to remember all those who fought for the freedoms we do have? Probably not.
Other holidays note things and events which seem trivial. But even strange holidays such as Chocolate Pudding Day, Ugly Truck Contest Day, and National Hugging Day offer us riches. By inviting others to celebrate with us, we all get a chance to share smiles, spend time with one another, slow down for a moment, and create memories. These charming and quirky little holidays offer big reminders: Enjoy your loved ones. It's not the silly holidays themselves, but the opportunity to connect and celebrate with others which matters.
Observe any of the seemingly silly holidays we often mention here, and you have an excuse to celebrate. Sweet treats, smiles, flowers, memories, balloons, cards, trinkets, hugging friends and family -- even ugly trucks -- what can be wrong with all that?
Posted by photocartoonist at 1:23 PM
July 4, 2006
Be Independent
By Kat Caverly
There are many shades of Liberty and I believe in Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of laughter!
Happy Fourth of July America!!
Posted by photocartoonist at 2:23 AM
July 3, 2006
Ugly Americans? Maybe we are just young!
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Americans are often considered loud, rude, rebellious people who think they can buy their way in or out of everything. So I thought on this anniversary of our nation's birth, we'd take a look at our history as young punks.
Nations are formed of real people, and like real people, our identities were formed in our youth. We Americans, like any young adventurous adult struggling to find ourselves in the world, left our family homes in England, looking for some form of independence. Like those who enter college, we lived away, yet were still tied to the Crown's apron strings.
Much like today's college students, we began to chafe at the expectations of our parents -- only instead of turning in good grades and being grateful for all our parents were doing for us, our role as dutiful child meant we had to pay taxes as well as behave. Soon we felt we were not only not being given enough credit, but we weren't being given any respect. Taxation without representation was the equivalent of paying our own bills yet still being told what to do. When we'd had enough, we did what any young person would do: We rebelled and made a stand for our independence.
Along with winning our independence, we decided to stick our noses up at anything we deemed part of the establishment we so rebelled against. We saw the highfalutin manners of "polite society" as not only very passé and Old World, but as contrary to the egalitarian New World we were creating.
We citizens of this 20-something year old nation were full of ideals and ready to act upon them daily. Affirmations, of sorts, we demonstrated our lofty aims for a class-free society in loud, coarse, and rough behavior and language. If we met someone with more genteel ways, we became downright rude. Upon meeting a rather well-to-do gentleman with polished manners, the course of action was logical: Give him the "I'm as good a man as you" attitude, complete with sneers at his polite airs.
But then something happened; the Industrial Revolution.
A time of tremendous social and economic change, this revolution created a consumer economy and a huge middle class that felt that they had 'arrived.' Not only at a higher level of income, but at a higher plane of existence. The farm and the tenement beliefs and social customs would simply not do for those of us who had made our way in the world.
Like the Nouveau Riche, this new middle class believed they could purchase appropriate manners to accompany their newly purchased homes, stylish clothing, and other gadgets. Commerce was happy to feed them.
From the 1850's on, the market was flooded with etiquette books, which gave us the rules of "polite society". Where we once mocked such airs, we now happily bought them, literally. In our silly quest to buy the proof of our status, we didn't consider that the rules we were buying were based on (if not taken directly from) the practices of the 18th Century aristocrats that we had rebelled against and their society that we had overthrown and made obsolete. We bought the books, but we also bought the ideals. For many of these books described 19th Century America as it was, but as we hoped it would be.
These manners gradually diffused throughout society, and by the 20th Century, these manners were in use by all Americans. By the time WWI had ended, there were no longer such Victorian notions of class and behavior, but a more watered down version of common courtesies for all. What was kept were the common sense rules such as "Don't chew with your mouth open" and "Don't interrupt people" -- the sort of things your mom still tells you.
What we can see from all of this, are our roots as loud, rude, rebellious people who can buy their way in or out of everything. Where some see character flaws, I see a nation of people who have gotten where they are today -- a free nation with the least amount of class restrictions and mammas who raise us with common courtesies.
As nations go, we are still rather young, and it remains to be seen how we will grow and mature. But there is certainly reason to celebrate being American. Ugly or not, we do have the greatest country in the world. Even if we do say so ourselves.
Posted by photocartoonist at 11:58 AM
July 2, 2006
Truth, Justice, and the American Way
By KAT CAVERLY
"Truth, Justice, and the American Way"; these words had more to do with the formation of my basic ideals than my family, truth be told. So, yes, I have a strong opinion about the character of Superman. I consider him family.
I first discovered Superman comic books at the corner drug store in 1961. And I think the monthly issues were 12¢. Four times a year the BIG books were published. They were a quarter. And I bought every one of them until the summer of 1966, at age 11 when I decided that I was too old for comic books.
I started collecting again the year that DC decided that Superman was DEAD, Superman #75, January 1993. What??? How could that be?? Superman was invulnerable, or at least he was back in 1966. Well to say the least Superman's abilities, and his stories, have always gone through as many changes as writers and illustrators.
I love the notion that there was someone fighting for what was good about mankind. And yes, Superman is a uniquely American character, but also an alien; not from this country. The metaphors fly too but what offended me most about this new movie, "Superman Returns" was the references to Jesus Christ.
Yes I did NOT like this new movie. But I hadn't liked the first Christopher Reeve version either and never saw the others in the theater. They just don't ring true to me for some reason. I like all of the other comic book genre movies; Spawn, Spiderman, The Matrix, so I thought with all of this great effects technology, I am going to LOVE this new Superman.
When I first saw some preview photos I noticed that Superman's eyes were brown, YES, brown! They at least had the decency to make his eyes blue for the release. And the costume, looked too rubbery. This actor he looked the part, just a bit too young for this time in Superman's life. I would have loved Tom Welling to do this movie, but his contract with "Smallville" must have prevented that being even a possibility. Ok, Brandon Routh has that look of goodness that is necessary, but I hated the way they depicted the flying. It was mostly floating.
And the story, geez, I guess they spent all of their money on the effects. When are they going to write a Superman movie worthy of this character? With Spiderman, they got to tell the whole story, from the beginning. That story has been told and "Smallville" has done a great job of telling the story of what happened right before Clark Kent became Superman. Now is the time to tell the next part, WHEN did Superman start being Superman?
Sure I know, but it is a story worthy of a movie and it could be set in our modern times of worry about terrorism. We don't need a "Saviour"; we need a hero!
Posted by photocartoonist at 5:00 PM