Go Global!

Tell me sir, just what does the term "Global Economy" really mean?

History Lesson

When I was a kid in school, I was assigned to a Secret History class -- this was a class that only certain kids were allowed in to, and no one else knew what was being taught except those involved (once a week, as far as the rest of the school knew, the select students would go to "speach class"). The above semi-competent drawing was an illustration I did for a class report on the Martian invasion of 1889. Yes, we were found out what really happened...

Search for Anxiety

I get the feeling there is some research facility totally dedicated to finding ways to make us live in trepidation of the future.

Hmmm, I guess The Sword of Damocles could be their official emblem.

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When I was a kid, I'd read that the sun was supposed to burn out (or go Nova, perhaps) in something like EIGHT BILLIION YEARS. I got very worried.

Romantic Story!

COUPLE REUNITED AFTER FIVE YEARS

Independent News Service

"We had a big fight, and broke up five years ago" says Sybil Denton. "My family didn't approve of Sebastian (Linqvist)"

"I thought I'd never see him again, even though he never left my heart"

"Then one day as I was in the shower, and I noticed a little peep-hole in the cealing -- It was Sebastian!! -- He NEVER left, he'd been hiding in the crawlspace above my apartment for FIVE YEARS!! He'd been keeping watch on me all that time -- you know, making sure I was OK, and all..."

"It's so romantic, like something out of a movie!"

The happy couple will be exchanging vows this weekend in a special ceremony at the Higginbotham mortuary.

Laugh While You Can

Laugh Riots are great -- until the Fuzz show up with their billy clubs and teargas...

Life is Cheap

Not mere words, but a way of life!!

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Remember Fauntleroy Squad!, that action/adventure show from the sixties featuring fancy-dressed kiddies smashing the crime syndicate? -- hmmmm... I didn't think so....

Press the Button

A while back (June 12th, 2008), a cartoon was posted touching on the the subject of the odd thoughts of a particular elevator rider. Here, we visit yet another frustrated traveler of the mobile cubicle

The Horror of Normal

About time for some Frankenstein variations!

FRANKENSTEIN: The Joe Six-Pack Years

Frankenstein the Paralegal
"...that's the biggest paralegal I've ever seen!!!"

Seasquirrel

A quick sketch.

Seasquirrels!! Yes, everyone loves to see these charming critters gambolling about under the waves and chasing peanuts tossed by delighted children! But I guess things aren't all carefree frolicks for our strange little friends: There are the Aquabillies, who view these nature's clowns only as Neptune's Varmints and "good eatin' ", often they'll squirm out of their briny shacks, armed with their Civil War era weapons (no doubt retrieved from the CSS Tuscaloosa) to take pot-shots at these adorable denizens of the deep.

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Interesting, these days, running 26 miles in a marathon earns one the admiration of others, yet, if one chooses to walk 20 blocks instead of ride a bus, ones sanity is questioned...

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In the old days, while talking on the phone, if you wanted (or needed) to give the impression that you hadn't shaved and had stubble on your face, you had to resort to using some sort of equipment specifically designed for that purpose (or in emergencies, a lint brush or fine sandpaper); I'm sure these days, one can spend 99 cents and purchase some sort of "ap" for your mobile communication device

View From the Bell Tower

Quasimodo has read the gossip tabloids, and now cries for all the beautiful people who must carry the burden of attractiveness, wealth and fame.

7-8-9

Well, OK -- I've resumed this foolishness. Here's something that popped into my head...

One often hears about Despots who rule with an Iron Fist, utilizing Jackbooted Thugs to keep them in power. You'd think that some enterprising shoe company, such as Hush Puppies or Buster Brown would have had the notion to combine these two elements into one very profitable item: the Iron Fisted Jackboot.

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Last week someone told me that someone else said that I look like John Denver (that's preposterous!), and then later that week, I was walking down Van Buren with a friend, and a gaggle of (apparently) suburban youths where walking towards us; One rather chubby fellow pointed at me and exclaimed "Stephen King!!!" (seeing the others in the group were 90210ers, I assume this individual was the designated clown ). Of couse now I have visions of Jack Nicholson busting down a door with an ax to the tune of Rocky Mountain High....

Not Quite Yet

Will start posting regularly on Wednesday (ha -- haven't drawn ANY cartoons yet!!), but thought I'd get this out there --- a couple of variations on an RPB poster I've done. Show is this Friday.

Of course, like a lot of color in these things, but I thought this one looked pretty cool:

A Place For Pix

A quick note:

Have just started my photo blog, "Meanderpix". The link is right over there, in the other column under "other blogs"...

Braincation

Well, I guess I should put something on here for the first anniversary:

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A pair of my glasses!

OK -- back to my vacation from blogging!

Apostles of Dreck,

There seems to be a popular belief that if something would offend the family on Father Knows Best, then it's got to be entertaining.

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WELL -- this post completes one year of THE MEANDER BOX. I'd set out to have a post every day for the first year, but seem to have ended up with 367 instead of 365. I'm gonna take a break!

I figure I'll start up regular posting on 7/8/09 (though tomorrow, 6/7, will be the first anniversary, perhaps I'll post something) -- Perhaps a few posts a week, but not seven days a week. I probably will do cartoons for the Meander Box, and start a different blog just for photos -- we'll see!

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Looking up Down Town, Friday 6/5/09

Where's Alfred?

I guess some people would take it as a compliment...

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Pics from Thursday 6/4/09. Some fellow was feeding the gulls by the river

Messed Connection, Dusty Panes

For amusement, I'm sure many of us look at those "missed connections" personal ads in the weekly paper. I thought an interesting project would be to write a few insane ones (well, they aren't really that different from the ones in the paper -- one of these even has a real incident (slightly altered, perhaps...))

BoT CUTIE
You stepped on the elevator holding a ping-pong paddle. I said " The brains may be Jersey City, but the clothes are Traina-Norell." You looked puzzled and afraid.
Coffee?

22 CLARK BUS
I know this is a longshot. It was Friday 5/22, about 5:30pm. Bus heading north from the Loop. I was sitting across from you. Our eyes met for a second. Was that a moment? Would have asked for your number, but you jumped off the bus while I was distracted by the screaming.
ME: Tall, good looking guy with the devilish grin and piercing gaze.
YOU: Pretty, petite blond. School ring on little finger of left hand. Blue blouse, top two buttons undone. Short blue skirt, some seam threads broken. Small run in left stocking just below the knee. Black high heals, looked new. Ears pierced, but no rings. Peach fuzz on neck (noticed when the sun hit just right ). Copy of Payton Place, Mentos, sunglasses, bottle of something (Perrier? I couldn’t see clearly with the quick glimpse I got) in your purse.
Coffee?

CORNER OF IRVING PARK & CALIFORNIA
YOU: Gorgeous brunette on the second floor with blinds up.
I was the bald guy with binoculars and the maori tatt on his face, trying (oops!) to hide in the bushes across the street. You can do better than that guy you’re going with.
Coffee?

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Pics from Wednesday

Something in my living room
Where's that window washer? Well, thought the grime on the windows gave them an interesting look once the sunlight hit them from the side.

From the Pits

There really should have been a 1950s 'B' picture with that title.

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Pics from Tuesday 6/2/09

These subjects are some of my favorites to take pics of from the Metra train:

Live Long and Suffer

Bill hated his job, but he kept it because he worried about being without insurance. The pressure of the job actually made him sick, so he ended up having to go to the hospital regularly for treatments -- which of course meant he absolutely couldn't be without insurance. Eventually, his life became going to work to pay for his medical bills and insurance and going to the hospital. The hospital treatments kept him alive so he could continue the cycle...

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At the corner of Franklin & Adams, a resurfacing project has exposed some of the old street. Interesting to see the streetcar tracks.