Deprived

I saw a survey recently that asked women which one they could not live without; sex or chocolate? Most women chose chocolate over sex. I suppose that chocolate is less complicated and risky, but is it really more fun than sex? I have trouble imagining that.

What is it that you can't live without?

(This cartoon is dedicated to my favorite foodies: Scott, Suma, and Eric)

Gods Past & Present



If the gods of mythology were around today, they would have some new additions. Caffeine alters one's consciousness, and we can thank the gods for that! 

Foliage Fall Out

When I was a kid growing up in Wisconsin, there were plenty of leaves to rake, and bag up each Fall. I didn't mind doing it most of the time, but I often thought that there had to be a better way somehow. We humans seem to have a strong desire to seek out ways to make things easier for ourselves, and we've gotten pretty good at it.

Fall is my favorite time of year, and as much as I love living in Texas I miss the beauty of Wisconsin in the Fall. Note the squirrel in today's cartoon. His winter food gathering effort just became more complicated. The squirrels in Wisconsin are huge compared to the ones here in Texas. Some squirrels are close to the size of your average house cat! It's the Darwin Effect at work -- only the strong survive the winters up North. My family did our part to help, and we put out food for the squirrels each Fall. We named all the "regulars" and could hand feed some of them.  

Humor & Pain

Pain is not the only source of humor, for there are many other factors to consider, but it brings up an interesting point. It has been said that behind the painted face of a clown, you'll find a sad person. Most comedians grew up in dysfunctional or unusual circumstances. It is that experience that gives them a different perspective on life. When they creatively share their perspective with an audience, it is perceived as humor by most us. So, comedy and humor are largely based on one's perspective, and the source of that perspective could very well be pain related.

You will notice a little rat peeking out of the cave. I have a great fondness for rodents (except for mice and hamsters), and they have been a traditional element in cartooning and animation from the beginning. When I was in my teens and early 20's I had a good number of pet rats. They are wonderful, smart, clean, affectionate, critters that are not properly appreciated by the public at large. Anyway, The Wise One's yet-to-be-named companion is there to provide an additional wordless commentary.

While we're on the subject of wise people wearing robes on mountaintops-- let me recommend one of my all time favorite movies; Frank Capra's Lost Horizon (1937). Like most Capra films, there is a message of hope, and an expression of higher values.
 

Skywriting Fail

I want to greet our new readers in the Dominican Republic, Qatar, and my ancestral home of Ireland. Welcome aboard! BuckToonz is now read in 54 countries and on six of the seven continents, with Antarctica being the only hold out. Soon I will unveil my outreach plan for the South Pole and whoever might be down there besides penguins.