In keeping with the founding fathers' desire that we actively engage in the pursuit of happiness, we're kicking off 2015 with a change to our publishing schedule here at Hope n' Change.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will still be our goal - but not our rock-hard promise. Rather, we'll post as often as significant news is taking place and inspiration strikes, and we'll send out an email to everyone on our subscriber's list to alert them to come a-runnin' to the website to see what mischief we're up to. Of course, you can still just drop by like usual - but if there's not a new post don't assume that the drones finally saw through our crafty collection of disguises.
Incidentally, here's the link to the subscriber list. If you haven't signed up, go ahead and do it right now. We will never, ever spam you or tell the government who you are, even if those filthy, torturing bastards in the Department of Justice's dimly-lit dungeon try pouring water up our nose and pointing at our genitalia while playing Barney songs at ear-splitting levels. Because frankly, that's a pretty typical bath day around here.
Why are we making this change? Because the Koch brothers' last secret payoff check didn't clear. No, no - just kidding. It cleared fine! Thanks, guys!
Actually, it just seems there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done lately. There are personal and professional chores to attend to - including some that are just plain fun (and which have been back-burnered too frequently over the past 6 years).
Some days, Hope n' Change comes easily - there's a big story which demands attention, and it has enough of a focus that it readily lends itself to cartoon commentary. On those days, the page nearly writes itself. Slow news days, however, can be a long painful slog here in the trenches - especially when there are other items on our "to do" list which could reduce, rather than increase, our stress levels. Not to mention bring down our bar bill.
SOooo, we'll give this a try and see how it works out. Odds are that this will represent only a slight decrease in our output: after all, it doesn't seem like either the news or our alleged leaders are likely to get any less stupid or offensive in 2015!
That schedule works for me! And remember, if you're not on a government watch list by now, you ought to be ashamed of yourself! Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete@Stilton-Unfortunately I must agree with your last paragraph. I don't see how a lame duck Obama will be any less offensive and damaging to our country. If the nascent uprising against the current Speaker of the House were to succeed it might be a good start to the new year.
ReplyDeleteHey! That's a Linotype machine. I operated one of those in the '50s like my father and grandfather before him. Only I went into aerospace and other fun things after school. Boy am I old.... On to another topic; there will always be enough idiotic political decisions (on both sides if the isle) to keep the whole Hope 'N Change staff busy 24/7. Stilt, you could publish H&C twice a day with the abundance of Fodder 'N Manure provided by DC, NYC, et al. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be right here, Stilton, whenever the muse strikes you. Have a terrific 2015! (And thanks for making every year just a little bit more bearable by whittling maddening things down to size.)
ReplyDeleteNo matter what, I'll be here in my Pavlov mode drooling in anticipation.
ReplyDeleteDamn. I think I am already feeling withdrawal symptoms.
ReplyDeleteMore time for other things is entirely understandable; good decision. I'm trying to make similar adjustments (but neglecting HNC isn't one of them.)
ReplyDeleteSo here's a couple of tips: Some occasional touches of 3 in 1 oil on that machine might speed things up a bit. And you still have Oklahoma in reserve.
@Karl Uppiano- I actually believe there may come a time when being on a government watch list during this administration will be seen as a badge of honor, like being part of the French Resistance.
ReplyDeleteAt the very least, it will show you were paying attention during all of this nonsense.
@TrickyRicky- I actually think Barry is about to get dramatically worse, doing whatever he wants whether it's legal or not. I predict that Barry's State of the Union speech may be a true "feces meets fan" moment.
@Fred Ciampi- You operated a linotype? Cool! I've always thought they were majestic and vaguely frightening machines - sort of a steampunk version of a writer's ego.
And yes, I really could publish more just to try to keep up with all the stupidity (anyone here remember when HnC was daily?) but spending too much time with Obama is like spending too much time taking meth - it ages a body prematurely.
@Standlow- Thanks! I'm not going anywhere, so we'll still be meeting here quite regularly.
@tude dog- And I'll try to reward you by prompting the occasional spit take.
@Geoff King- Don't think of it as withdrawal, think of it as building a hearty appetite!
@Rod- Basically I'm just rejiggering the ratios of personal, professional, political, and play time. And, most importantly, making sure that all uses of my time begin with the letter "p."
Fred Ciampi, Wow you made me feel better. I thought I would be the only one old enough to recognize that mechanical monstrosity.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, the newspaper I worked for when I got out of the Army was still using Linotype machines in 1970.
Hmmm....lost my comment. Anyways, take care business and enjoy your family and time.
ReplyDeleteYou get "Koch Checks"? Progressives have been claiming that I've been getting those for years. Alas, I've been slogging away on their behalf for free for decades. Guess I'm a "useful idiot" too.
ReplyDeleteBut I do know the feeling. For years, friends and associates have pleaded for me to run a blog, but I resist the temptation because since I'm not on welfare, I actually have to make a living, and it's tough to be brilliant, or at least clever on a schedule. (The 2nd is the primary reason I didn't become a writer; poverty was a secondary consideration)
So as much as we all hinge upon H&C, I really do hope you do take some time out for some "happiness". Either that, or a motivating raise from the Koch brothers.
Yes, I remember when you took it from daily to three a week for your sanity
ReplyDeleteI remember the bird footed boy too - haven't seen him in a while
At any rate, do what you want, we'll happily hang out and applaud the new stuff, and amuse our selves by flogging the remains of older toons.
Ah the old lead type machine, that brings back memories of working on a heidelberg windmill press of my youth.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Stilton and thanks for the unintentional trip down memory lane.
Do what you do do well, boy...remember that old song? Try as you may, Obamarama's machine will no doubt keep your nose to the linotype more than you want! But we all appreciate it!
ReplyDelete@It's No Gouda- I love linotype machines because they look like they were built by Captain Nemo. Seriously, "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" should blast out whenever someone is at that keyboard.
ReplyDelete@Bobo- Lost your comment? I'll contact the NSA and see if I can get it back...
@John the Econ- I freaking wish the Koch brothers would send something my way. It would help define HnC as a business rather than a manifestation of political OCD.
Frankly, I wish you did have a blog, but I can't recommend it as a money-making proposition.
And I'm not planning on taking a lot of time off from my usual schedule. But on those days when there's just nothing that speaks to me, I'm giving myself permission to focus on something else. Johnny Optimism doesn't write itself, you know. (grin)
@Pete(Detroit)- Back when HnC was a daily, I frequently posted a cartoon with little or no commentary. Over the years, that evolved - and made the whole process more time consuming.
And now that you mention it, I miss "bird boy" too. In recent months, I've done a lot more cartoons with news photos and word balloons rather than the retro black and white line art which was sort of a mainstay here. I think I'll try to get back to some of those characters - in part because I'm sick of looking at Obama.
@Buck O'Fama- The heidelberg windmill press sounds like something an German olympic weightlifter would do.
@PRY- Oh, I've tried to slow down before and the SOBs always manage to honk me off and drag me back.
Even now, I'm having to fight the urge to do a cartoon about Bill Clinton visiting Pedophile Island. (Hint: it would involve Monica's face on the body of Herve Villechaise.)
A young lady from South Carolina
ReplyDeletePlaced fiddle strings 'cross her vagina.
With the proper size cocks
What was sex became Bach's
Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
Blame it on Isaac Asimov and his "Lecherous Limericks." I can't help it. It's what happens whenever I hear "Toccata and ..."
@NemoMeImpuneLacessit- Okay, now that's funny! I miss Isaac and his muttonchop sideburns...
ReplyDeleteWhat should really blast out of a Mergenthaler Linotype Machine is " War March of the Priests" ... or at least "Die Wacht am Rhein."
DeleteStilton, keep up the fantastic work. Life so often puts demands on us, and those of us out here in Bitter Clinger-land appreciate all that you do!
ReplyDeleteStilton, we greatly appreciate any and every post, and realize you may just have a few things going on besides this blog that require your attention. You know... trivial things like making a living and taking care of your family... things that come with being a responsible taxpayer and citizen. After all, the days of pulling your own weight are over. We now have to pull our own weight AND some lazy, socialist whiner's weight as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, and for some reason, the linotype machine reminded me of Doc Brown's ice maker in Back to the Future 3.
Unrelated subject... today the House votes on their leadership. I know we're stuck with that turd, Boehner again, but I'm glad to see guys like Gohmert and Yoho taking a stand.
At least it sends him and those of us watching a message. I want some BALLS in congress! Even from the ladies!
ReplyDeleteSince it's easier to hijack Stilton's blog than to start my own, how about this?
ReplyDeleteNY Post: Companies Pay Off Al Sharpton to Avoid 'Racist' Label
This is how Jesse Jackson got rich, and since Al has a bigger tax bill, this is hardly a surprise. Actually, the only surprise is that there are actually weenie-ass companies who fold to this nonsense. Personally, I'm more likely to boycott these companies for sucking up to Sharpton.
Personally, I think being labeled a “racist” by Al Sharpton would be a boost for my overall business, which mainly caters to people who are sick of this nonsense.