Malach will be on vacation from 7/30/05 to 8/7/05, with no hope of internet access (is there such a thing?). Now your probably asking yourself: What does that mean for me? Well I'll tell you my little buckos.
1. You will have a whole week not to partake in the wit and wisdom that is Malach.
2. There will be no Stool Sample Webcomics updates, besides the one for The Wraith, which I will update tonight.
3. Malach will not be patrolling the blog and forum worlds leaving little tidbits here and there.
Malach will be very happy if you could do the following everyday while he is gone.
1. Bump the webcomic, ranking buttons for The Wraith and JesusMan ; coveiniently located on the right side of this blog.
2. Visit all my affliiates, also coveiniently located on the right side of this blog
3. Go to these two links, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Votes_for_deletion/JesusMan and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Votes_for_deletion/Rubbersuit_Studios and vote to keep these two entries in Wikipedia. STICK IT TO THE MAN!!!!
4. Read and review our newest webcomic, Star Crossed Lovers. This comics is all ages, but fair warning, it is artsy and experimental.
5. Spread the word to everyone about this site and it's contents.
6. Look over my Business Proposal.
Thanks again for the support, my little buckos, and see you in a week!
I am Malach, and you most definitely are not!
Vacation all I ever wanted . . . . .
Business Proposal
Before I get to my proposal, I want to first show you buckos a couple of things. RubberSuit Studios and JesusMan are now listed with Wikipedia, the largest online encyclopedia on the net. The link to the main site is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubbersuit_Studios
and the link to JesusMan is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JesusMan
In addtion, JesusMan is now listed with Wikipedia limited listing of webcomics, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_web_comics, which list only about 200 web comics.
I would like to thank whomever or whatever added these, and show me that we have a few fans beyond those that have been following the series for the past few years. I am very excited and hope this is a new chapter in this site and it's products.
Now, lets get down to business. I have been thinking about the possibilities of the internet, and the ability of the internet to provide income. I also want to be able to provide high quality web entertainment. So here's my idea. I am looking for submissions of art, comics, animations, stories, poems, and things like that. I want to turn RubberSuit Studios, and Stool Sample as a place the buckos can go and find cool stuff on the net, an "artists commune" of sorts. I am still fleshing out this idea, but ultimately, I would like all our "affiliates" to get a peice of the pie, whether it be advertising, merchandise, or leads. I also want people who will commit to this long term.
So, if you are interested in joining our little umbrella, please e-mail me at rubbersuitman@rubbersuitstudios.com. I am looking for creative minds, and the sky is the limit. Throw me your ideas. I don't know about you, but I hate the 9 to 5.
One final thing, I will be uploading a older comic entitled Star Crossed Lovers in the next few days, and I will do 5-6 pages at a time. This comic is near and dear to my heart. I will also be on vacation next week, and will not be available via e-mail, or have no internet access, but I will have several comic updates upon my return.
I am Malach, you are not.
25 things you may or may not know about Malach.
1. I absolutely adore my wife in kids, they are the only things in the world that would make me kill someone. I would even kill someone if my wife asked me to do it. As the kids say . . . w00t!
2. My heroes inculde: Pablo Picasso, Albert Einstein, Chairman Kaga (Iron Chef), and my Parents (and no they are not there just cause they read this).
3. One time, in college (at Band Camp), shoplifted a tube of paint, from Ames Department stores, because the store was packed and there was only one register open. I had the money, but I did not want to wait in line. I think this is the main reason Ames is out of business.
4. I figured out I detest working for other people. I am not sure why. And it is not like I even hate my boss, actually, I very much like and respect her.
5. I am very low tempered. It takes a lot to get me angry. My hot buttons tend to be intolerance and hypocrisy. I am also not mean, I am sarcastic.
6. I own 1600 comic books (I have not collected since 1990). I recently valued them at $30,000, of course I could probably only get $6,000 for reselling them. I last valued them in 1996 at $10,000. So what should I buy now?
7. I love role playing games, and have been playing Dungeons and Dragons since I was 6. I have never joined the Church of Satan or sarcrificed a cat to Nyarlthotep even despite that fact..
8. I have a secret fantasy of become a professional Mixed Martial Artist, yes, I know I would be one hurting bucko. It looks like fun though.
9. I love to watching Cartoon Network, and the History Channel. I also love Deadwood, and the Sopranos.
10. I am avid daydreamer, and have a very active imagination, like a 6 year old.
11. I never have any trouble falling asleep, if I find myself not falling asleep, I make up a story and am out in minutes.
12. I hate driving and can't wait for the day when cars drive themselves and I can sleep in them.
13. I have never left the contiguous United States, in fact the farthest I have travelled from MA, is Marco Island, FL (which by the way had the best Chicago style pizza, I ever tasted). With the way the world in now, I am never leaving the US . . . Ok I might do Canada, but not Quebec. Quebecians are nuttier than a fruitcake.
14. If I ever won the lottery, I would create a full production entertainment (Film, Music, etc) studio, in New Bedford, MA . . . I have already picked out the land and have several projects in my head and I would buy the rights to the entire internet.
15. I have a secret dream to buy either Marvel or DC comics, and fix them. Is there really a market for Captain America in this day and age?
16. I work harder on my website and webcomics, than I do my real job.
17. I have a secret fantasy to find a immortality elixir, and live forever. I am not afraid to die, I am just afraid the afterlife in boring. And I want to see all the cool stuff in the future.
18. Speaking of boring, I find "going to the beach", mind numbingly boring. Don't get me wrong, I like to swim, but I don't find hanging out at the beach enjoyable, or laying out in the sun. And bring a book, I'd rather read at home. I am good for about 15 minutes, then I try to find something entertaining. And relaxing? Lounging out at home is much more relaxing.
19. Not counting my brother, there are only 4 people I attend High School with that I active speak :
The Angry Piper
The Angry Veteran
Theresa: Ironically, I attended High School with her, but we did not become friends until many years later.
Tracy: Whose husband I play softball with.
20. I think Cable Guy is Jim Carrey's funniest movie.
21. I am technically Catholic, but if you have read my blogs, you know I am very loose in that definition.
22. I think modern pop culture will greatly contribute to the fall of man. It is the 4th sign of the Apocalypse.
23. I detest Jorge Posada, and could not tell you why.
24. I run an advice column, entitled "Dear Malach" on a forum. At has over 11,000 replies, 780 pages, and 50,000 views. Here is the link. http://invisionfree.com/forums/Cartoon_Orbit/index.php?showtopic=1567&st=0. While I don't expect anyone to read it, it is rather funny. If you do read it the column has evolved, where Malach is a demi-god, with sporadic whims.
25. If I could be anyone other than who I am, it would be a person of my own imagination (and not JesusMan).
I am Malach, you are not.
We Love you Tedy Bruschi!
Tedy Bruschi announced to day, that he was going to take the season off from football. Tedy, you will be missed.
For those of you who don't know, Tedy Bruschi is a linebacker for the New England Patriots. This off season, he had a mild stroke. He was only in his early 30's.
Any familar with the NFL, is probably familar with Bruschi, and his contributions to making the Patriots from the laughing stocks of the league, to the most dominant football team of the last 5 years. Bruschi was a central figure to this resurgence.
Bruschi is not only one of the best middle linbackers in professional football, but, unlike many modern pro athletes, he is a wonderful person. A great husband, wonderful father, generous with both his time and his money, Bruschi is the type of person, you would want you kids to look up to. And he also lives to play football. No whining, grandstanding (well only snowangels), plays hard and at 100% on every down.
Tedy, you are beloved in New England, and we are all pulling for you. We hope and pray to see you throw on number 54 next year. In a time when the pro athlete no longer can associate with being the "little guy", you are a throwback, and I hope we see your smiling face on the Patriots sideline this year. You are and continue to be a inspiration to us all.
I am Malach, and you are not.
Story Time with Malach . . .
Once upon a time there was a old man, in a beat up jalopy, and he was going on vacation, about halfway through his trip, he saw storm clouds up ahead. He wanted to out race the storm, and get back on the highway. He drove down the dark rickety dirt road and came to a fork, not marked on his map. The left fork led into the woods, the right, down a open field, but right into the storm. He went left and entered the woods. The woods were dark and a bit scary, and soon, the storm caught up to the man, and it was pouring. Lightning flashed, and hit a tree, spilling into the path of the man, who crashed into it. The man car was totalled, but he was unhurt. He cilmbed out of the car and looking around saw a old victorian mansion about a mile away, with lights on, he headed toward the mansion for help.
Just at that time a young couple on their honey moon, was heading down the same rickety dirt road, just a few minutes behind the man. They were lost and trying to find the highway, and came to the split. They too saw the dark storm clouds, and took the left passage into the dark scary woods. They soon came upon the tree and the wrecked jalopy. The stopped their sleek european sedan next to the jalopy and got out, looking for the owner. Just then lighting stuck another tree, which tipped over onto the couples car crushing it. They did not find the owner of the jalopy, but saw a huge victorian mansion, about a mile away, with lights on. They decided to walk there and seek some help.
A few minutes after the couple a hippie in a VW Bus, was driving the same dirt road. Pot smoke poured out the open window. The Hippie was high and lost, and lo and behold takes the same rickety dirt road as the old man and the honeymooning couple, the same fork into the scary dark wood. High and not paying attention he smashes into the pile of cars. He is unhurt, and quickly sees that there is a old victorian mansion up ahead, that has lights on, he decides to go there to seek help.
A few minutes after that, a nun, driving a beat up sedan, comes down the dirt road. She decides to take the fork into the woods, and as that will take her through God's Country. She turns down the road and comes upon the massive pile up of cars. She stops and gets out hoping she can help, that is when a huge gust of wind, knocks a large limb off a tree, and crushes her little car (sorry angry piper). She sees no one in the wrecks, but does see the large victorian mansion with lights on up ahead, she decides to go there to seek help.
About this time the old man walks the mile or so, through ditches, fens, and pouring rain and arrives at the mansion in about 20 minutes. He walks up the large marble stair, to the front door and rings the bell. A few minutes pass, and a large gentleman in a butler's outfit opens the door. "May I help you" he says in a cockneye accent.
"Yes," says the old man,"I seem to have been in a accident down the road, may I use you phone?"
"I must ask the Master", says the Butler, "Please wait here". The Butler leaves, shutting the door. He returns 5 minutes later. "The master says you may come in, but the storm has knocked down the phone lines; but master says you may stay the night, and use the phone in the morning when they are fixed".
"That is very nice of your master, I will accept his offer", says the old man.
"Follow me says the butler". The Butler takes the man through the main foyer, and up a long stair, then down a long hall, then up another long stair, and then down another long hall, and then up a long stair, and down a long hall. At the end of the hall are 4 doors, the Butler opens the first one on the left, and says "you may stay here", and the old man enters the room. It is finely furnished and has a change of clothes for him.
About this time the couple has walked the mile or so, through ditches, fens, and pouring rain to the mansion. They walk up the large marble stair, to the front door, and ring the bell. A few minutes pass, and a large gentelman in a butler's outfit opens the door. "May I help you" he says in a cockneye accent.
"Yes" says the couple, "We seem to have like been in a accident down the road, and need to use your phone?"
"I must ask the Master", says the Butler, "Please wait here". The Butler leaves, shutting the door. He returns 5 minutes later. "The master says you may come in, but the storm has knocked down the phone lines, but master says you may stay the night, and use the phone in the morning when they are fixed".
"Well this is a fun start to our honeymoon", they say.
"Follow me says the butler". The Butler takes them through the main foyer, and up a long stair, then down a long hall, then up another long stair, and then down another long hall, and then up a long stair, and down a long hall. At the end of the hall are 4 doors, the Butler opens the second one the left, and says "you may stay here". The couple enters the room. It is finely furnished and has a change of clothes for them.
About this time the Hippie has walked the mile or so, through ditches, fens, and pouring rain to the mansion, and come down from his high. He walks up the large marble stair, to the front door, and rings the bell. A few minutes pass, and a large gentelman in a butler's outfit opens the door. "May I help you" he says in a cockneye accent.
"Yeah man" says the Hippie, "I like, was in a crash back there and need to use your phone, man."
"I must ask the Master", says the Butler, "Please wait here". The Butler leaves, shutting the door. He returns 5 minutes later. "The master says you may come in, but the storm has knocked down the phone lines, but master says you may stay the night, and use the phone in the morning when they are fixed".
"Groovy man", he says.
"Follow me says the butler". The Butler takes him through the main foyer, and up a long stair, then down a long hall, then up another long stair, and then down another long hall, and then up a long stair, and down a long hall. At the end of the hall are 4 doors, the Butler opens the first one the right, and says "you may stay here". He enters the room. It is finely furnished and has a change of clothes for he. He immediatle crashes onto the massive bed.
About this time the nun has walked the mile or so, through ditches, fens, and now pouring rain to the mansion, praying on her rosary beads. She walks up the large marble stair to the front door and rings the bell. A few minutes pass, and a large gentelman in a butler's outfit opens the door. "May I help you" he says in a cockneye accent.
"Thank Jesus" says the nun, "I seem to have like been in a accident down the road, and need to use your phone?"
"I must ask the Master", says the Butler, "Please wait here". The Butler leaves, shutting the door. He returns 5 minutes later. "The master says you may come in, but the storm has knocked down the phone lines, but master says you may stay the night, and use the phone in the morning when they are fixed".
"Your master is very kind, thank you", says the nun.
"Follow me says the butler". The Butler takes her through the main foyer, and up a long stair, then down a long hall, then up another long stair, and then down another long hall, and then up a long stair, and down a long hall. At the end of the hall are 4 doors, the Butler opens the second one the right, and says "you may stay here". The nun enters the room. It is finely furnished and has a change of clothes for her. She immediately kneels down to pray.
Aproximatley a hour after the group are lead to there rooms, and they have all but gotten ready for bed, there is a knock on the door of the old man. The Butler is there, "the master would like to meet you before you go to bed, will you please follow, me" and the old man does.
Next, there is a knock on the couples door, they have all but gotten ready for bed. They opne the door and the butler stands there with an old man. "The Master would like to meet you before you go to bed, will you please follow me" says the butler, and the young couple get in line behind the old man.
Then there is then a knock on the hippies door, he has all but gotten ready for bed, he opens the door and there stands the butler, an old man, and a young couple. "The Master would like to meet you before you go to bed, will you please follow me" says the butler, and the hippie gets in line behind the young couple.
Finally, there is a knock on the nuns door, she has all but gotten ready for bed. She opens the door and there stands the butler, an old man, a young couple, and a hippie. "The Master would like to meet you before you go to bed, will you please follow me" says the butler, and the nun gets in line behind the hippie.
The group of them now go down the long hall, and down a long flight of stairs, and then down another long hall, and down another flight of stairs, and then down a long hall, and down another long flight of stairs, into the foyer, and through a archway into a dining room, they can see a kitchen beyond. Standing by the table is a older distingushed gentleman, with a pipe and a smoking jacket.
"This is the Master", says the butler. And everyone is introduced to the master and each other.
The Master speaks, "I am sorry at your unfortunate incident, but feel free to stay the night, one thing, please do not leave the floor you are on as this house is haunted, and the ghost are very violent". The Master leaves the stunned audience before they can question him any further.
"You may follow me" says the butler, and he leads them out of the dining room, via the archway, to the foyer and up the long stairs, and down the long hall, and up another long flight of stairs and down another hall, and finally up a long flight of stairs, and down a hall to their rooms, they all thank the butler and soon are fast asleep.
The old man wakes up in the middle of the night, he is deathly hungry, and decides that there should be some food, somewhere in here, so he leaves his room. He goes down the hall and down the long flight of stairs, down the hall and down another long flight of stairs, and down the last long hall and down the last long flight of stairs, to the foyer, through the arch, into the dining room, and through a swinging door into a large gourmet kitchen. It was very dark, and spooky, but the old man finds the fridge, and opens it. In the fridge, is a huge purple, one eyed, four armed scary monster, but before the creature can do anything, the old man rips off one of his arms, and takes a bite. "MMM, rich food is good." He shuts the fridge, and cradling the arm, he leaves the kitchen, back through the swinging door, into the dining room, back under the arch to the foyer, then up the long flight of stairs, and down the long hall, up another long flight of stairs, and down another long hall, up the last flight of stairs, and down the last hall to the first door on the left, and into his room. By that time he had finished his meal, felt better, and went to sleep.
Just as the old man fell asleep, the couple wakes up, are extremely hungry. They decide that there should be some food, somewhere in this large mansion, so they leave their room. They goes down the hall and down the long flight of stairs, down the hall and down another long flight of stairs, and down the last long hall and down the last long flight of stairs, to the foyer, through the arch, into the dining room, and through a swinging door into a large gourmet kitchen. It was very dark, and spooky, but the couple finds the fridge, and opens it. In the fridge, is a huge purple, one eyed, three armed scary monster, but they are so sleepy they don't notice. Before the creature can do anything, the couple rips off one of his arms, and takes a bite. "This is good, honey try some". They shut the fridge, and share the arm, as they leave the kitchen, back through the swinging door, into the dining room, back under the arch, to the foyer, then up the long flight of stairs, and down the long hall, up another long flight of stairs, and down another long hall, up the last flight of stairs, and down the last hall to the second door on the left, into their room. By that time they had finished his meal, felt better, and went to sleep.
Just as the couple faded off into slumberland, the hippie wakes up, and has the muchies. He decides that there should be some food, somewhere in this crazy funhouse, so he leaves his room to find a snack. He goes down the hall and down the long flight of stairs, down the hall and down another long flight of stairs, and down the last long hall and down the last long flight of stairs, to the foyer, through the arch, into the dining room, and through a swinging door into a large gourmet kitchen. It was very dark, and spooky, but the he finds the fridge, and opens it. In the fridge, is a huge purple, one eyed, two armed scary monster, but he is still feeling the effects of the shrooms, and doesn't notice it. Before the creature can react, he rips off one of the creatures arms, and takes a bite. "Yum, that is far out". He shuts the fridge, and eats the arm as he leaves the kitchen, back through the swinging door, into the dining room, back under the arch, to the foyer, then up the long flight of stairs, and down the long hall, up another long flight of stairs, and down another long hall, up the last flight of stairs, and down the last hall to the second door on the left, into their room. By that time he had finished his meal, felt better, and went to sleep.
About this time the nun wakes up, is extremely hungry. She decides that there should be some food, somewhere in this large mansion, so she leaves her room to find some. She goes down the hall and down the long flight of stairs, down the hall and down another long flight of stairs, and down the last long hall and down the last long flight of stairs, to the foyer, through the arch, into the dining room, and through a swinging door into a large gourmet kitchen, all the while blessing the house. It was very dark, and aspooky, but the she finds the fridge, and opens it. In the fridge, is a huge purple, one eyed, one armed scary monster, but the nun hardly notices. Before the creature can do anything, the nun rips off his last arm, and takes a bite. "Wow, this is better than Mother Superior's gruel." She shuts the fridge, and eats the arm as she returns to her room. She leaves the kitchen, back through the swinging door, into the dining room, back under the arch, to the foyer, then up the long flight of stairs, and down the long hall, up another long flight of stairs, and down another long hall, up the last flight of stairs, and down the last hall to the second door on the left, into their room. By that time she had finished her meal, felt better, and went to sleep.
The morning arrives and there is a knock on the old mans door. "Breakfast will be served in one half hour, the master expects to see you there", says the butler.
There is then a knock on the couples door, "Breakfast will be served in one half hour, the master expects to see you there", says the butler.
Next, there is then a knock on the hippies door, "Breakfast will be served in one half hour, the master expects to see you there", says the butler.
Finnally, there is a knock on the nuns door, "Breakfast will be served in one half hour, the master expects to see you there", says the butler.
A half hour later, the old man, couple, hippie and nun leave their rooms, and meet in the hall at the simutaneously. The Butler is there waiting. "Follow me" he says. They follow down a long hall, and down a long flight of stairs, and down another long hall, and down another long flight of stairs, and finally down a third hall, and a third flight of stairs, to the foyer, through the arch and into the dining room. The master is already there. The guests take a seat and the master speaks.
"We have a problem," he begins, "I asked you not to leave your rooms, but some one did; but before we discuss this nasty matter, please have some breakfast. I don't have much to offer, but Corn Flakes and Rice Crispies, please tell my butler what you would like."
The Old Man says, "Corn Flakes."
The Man and Woman from the Honeymooning couple both state "Rice Crispies."
The Hippie says, "Rice Crispies."
And the Nun states, "Corn Flakes"
"Good" says the Master, "Now we can talk about who ate the arms off my monster."
And do you know what the moral of this story is? DO YOU?
The moral of this story is that 3 out of 5 people prefer Rice Crispies to Corn Flakes.
I am Malach, you are not.
14 Albums everyone should own . .. Pt. 1
There has been a lot of debate recently about music, what is worthwhile, what is wrong with modern music, and good stuff you never hear across the internet world recently. The following are 14 albums, that if you consider yourself a music eficianado, you should pick up. My criteria for this list was artist, who have had some influence on music, but perhaps did not get the recognition they deserve. Or perhaps an album, that has been overlooked. This is my little effort to pull the kids away from the corporate shlock that is shoved down their throats.
1. The Amazing Royal Crowns (self titled): The Crowns were a New England based phenemonon, that broke up before they could really make it big. Take Elvis, swing, rockabily, and punk, and combine. They played some very catchy tunes. The closet thing I can compare them to is Social Distortion or Reverend Horton Heat. This band still has heavy influence on much of the punk scene to day (I am not refering to Green Day)
2. The Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique: A classic of modern hip hop, rock, and alternative, this changed the Boys from partying frat boys to actually artists. Very few people liked this album originally, as it was way ahead of it's time. Still is.
3. Jeff Buckley - Grace: Listen to Jeff Buckley and hear the voice of God. If not for his untimely death, he would be one of the greatest singer/songwriters of my generation. This album is very hard to listen to and not shed a tear.
4. Cake - Comfort Eagle: Cake has had some seminal hits over the years, but nothing as wonderful as this album. Combining spoken word, some black humor, jazz, funk and rock, Cake will get your hips moving, the chicks singing, and even a mosh pit flowing. We ARE buliding a religion.
5. Ani Difranco - Little Plastic Castles: You can't go wrong with any thing by Ms. Difranco. Excellent singer song writer, huge influence of modern female angst/rriot grrl music. Ani is Joi Mitchell, only better. Social concious, and folksy, with a touch of rock.
6. Faith No More - Angel Dust: Many people seem to forget the groundbreaking work Faith No More did. But forget the Real Thing; Angel Dust is one of the greatest albums ever created. This is the first Album of FNM, that Mike Patton had a lot of creative control on (Patton is my favorite Male singer), and the creativity is years ahead of it's time. I dare you not to like it.
7. Fugazi - 13 Songs: Again an band you really can't go wrong with, ushered punk, emo, and social consious music into the modern era. Schockingly, Fugazi never signed to a major label, nor charged any more than $5 to see a show, and still got rich.
8. Helmet - Meantime: If you like heavy music, go here. Helmet unshered in the modern era of the loud, wall of sound style of music. They were not metal, they were not hard rock. I saw them in 1992, and the sound waves from the music made me vomit. They have a very interesting vocal stylization.
9. Luscious Jackson - Natural Ingredients: These ladies, are the female version of the Beastie Boys, with a bit more funk. Excellent Album. Will make you feet move.
10.Morphine - Cure For Pain: Another band you can't go wrong with any of their albums. Morphine also met an untimely death, their lead singer died of heart failure on stage. Morphine is unlike anything you have ever heard. The band consisted of a Bassist/Vocalist, a Sax, and Drums. They made this very tribal, beat, sexy jazz rock.
11. Liz Phair - Exile in Guyville: Experience the real Liz Phair with this album. This is one of the greatest albums of all time. The stuff liz has done recently was done to "sell albums", not these.
12. Pixies - Doolittle: The greatest band you never heard of. This band had more influence on modern rock than any save Nirvana. This band stuff is eclectic and weird, but amazing. If you have not heard the Pixies, do yourself a huge favor.
13. PJ Harvey - Dry: Polly Jean makes amazing music that is all. Stuff that will blow your mind. If strong women scare you stay away from this one.
14. Ween - White Pepper: This is the Beatles of the modern era. Never having the same album twice, this is one of their best works. You will be shocked that this gets no radio play when you hear it.
Have fun with these, more to come in the future. I am Malach and you are not.
Dubya Jr. aka Tony Blair or Things that make you go Hmmm. . .
I swore I was not going to comment on the London Bombings, and not actively participate in the Blog Wars with a post, but Tony Blair, aka Dubya Jr., has forced my hand. Blair, the idiot, recently stated to Parliament:
Particularly with the shock of knowing that those that have perpetrated this
were actually born and brought up in this country, I think it is particularly
important we recognize the worldwide dimension of this
Well no shit Sherlock . . . The Stupidity of this man, and the Bush Administration shocks me. Don't you idiots realize the rest of the world hates the US and the UK. Even some of your own citizens hate you, and would do anything to destroy you and your country. The US, and UK, have basically thumbed there nose at the opinion and ideas of the rest of the world. These terrorist organization work like the drug trade and gangs, and that is why a "War on Terror" is unwinnable. They get recruits young, and "brainwash" them to their way of thinking. Do not be shocked if terrorist attacks occur in this country perpertrated by US citizens.
And both these administration seem to be blinded by the fact, that the rest of the world, does not appreciate them.
See that short and too the point, I am now open to your Blog Wars comments.
Gene Hackman, my mortal enemy . . .
Good Day. In a effort to diffuse the Blog Wars, having no interest in attacking the Bush administration, and no real comment on the terrorist attacks in London, I have decided to post something a bit lighthearted . . . how Gene Hackman is my mortal enemy.
A little background first, as most of you know I play a lot of sports and was also pretty darn good pitcher at one time (another story). Some of you may or may not know, that beyond a freelance artist, a creator of webcomics, husband, father of tow toddlers, my fulltime job is the Director of Disability Services, for a very large non-profit in Southeastern, MA. My road into human services is also another long story; because I very much enjoy working with persons with disabilities, I also volunteer for Special Olympics (yes, I can hear your jokes now). I do a lot of different things for SOMA (Special Olympics- MA), but my favorite by far is Unified Softball.
For those unfamiliar with Unified Sports, quickly it is slow pitch softball, half the teamates are "normal" athletes and the other half are disabled. You play at all times with half and half, fielding and batting. There are several divisions, based upon skill level, and the team I am on, is a top skill level team; this team is almost good enough to take on a "normal" men's softball team, as is all the teams in that division (you should come see it some time, you'd be impressed), or at least give them a run for their money. The majority of player who are disabled are mentally retarded, but there are some who are boderline, and few others with other disabilities.
Which brings me back to me, and Gene Hackman. Not to toot my own horn, but I am a VERY good slow pitch softball pitcher. I can throw a curve, and slider, high arc, low arc, and a knuckle ball (it is an actual underhand knuckler, I am the only one in any of the leagues I play in who can throw it). Now before you start thinking about strike outs, that is not the goal, it's still slow pitch softball. My goal is to induce pop flies, and dribblers, which I do fairly consistently. In all the years I have pitched, I have only ever found 1 batter who can consistently hit my stuff. GENE HACKMAN. I think in the years I have played against him he is something like 18 for 20 against me.
Gene Hackman, as my team affectionately calls him, is a guy named John, who plays for The Fitchburg (Ma's) Giants. What little I know about John is the following.
1. He is around 60
2. He was institutionalized for much of his early life (again this was common in MA, and is another blog).
3. He is funny as all hell.
4. He looks like Gene Hackman, if Gene went the route of the Unabomber.
First, John is a talker, always talking, teasing, a little playful trash talking, and no matter what pitch I toss he, he ends up at first base. Slider, curves, knucklers, he hits it all and hits the ball hard and to holes. All the time rounding the bases, he jaws at me. I have met no other batter, disabled or not who can do this to me. He drives me nuts, but I love him.
We had a tourney today, and played his team three times. He got up at least 8 times. We got him out once. I tip my cap to him.
This brings me to one of my favorite rants . . . the word retard(ed). Would you call someone who you thought was acting stupid the N-word (for those of you who do not know what the N-word is, go ask your parents, I find that word to be the most insulting word in the language, and refuse to write, or say it)? Well the word retard(ed) is just as hurtful, and derogartory. Mental Retardation is generally a birth defect marked by an IQ of under 75, and dificiencies in 2 of 10 activities of daily living (ADL's). It effects 3 in every 100 persons born in this country (yes it is that common). It is caused by genetic defects, problems around birth, and later health issues. When you say someone is "a retard" or that something is "retarded" you are implying by that statement that someone or something stupid occured. That is as insulting as using the N word to describe something that is stupid. Remember that next time you use that word, which seems to be ever popular among the kids (very common word to use at forums). It is more than likely that if you do not know anyone mentally retarded now, you will someday. It only takes one car accident to put you in the same boat. I see that everyday. Think about what you are saying.
Updates
We are hosting a new webcomic, entitled Adventures in the New West. It is about a wagon train, that sets out West in the 1980's. A bit crudely drawn, but funny. Check it out, the first 4 pages are now loaded.
I will begin work of the next page of JesusMan tomorrow. This means that a new page should be up by Wednesday. The Wraith by the Weekend. I have also loaded two Webcomics List buttons to your right, click them once a day to keep the doctor away.
We are 2000 hits away from 300,000 hits, not bad since the site opened 2/22/05. Thanks as always. We are now averaging 20,000+ hits per week.
If you would like to support this site, click some ads, buy some shiite through Amazon via this site.
I am Malach, you are NOT!
Malach is Back! or Bye Bye New Beige.
Last night, while my captors slept, I escaped . . . My powers immediatley returned, and I obliterated any remains of the Brothers Selakaunt. Too bad about that nice bounty they got from there demands. Hated to destroy that stuff.
They move went mostly succesful. Everything is in the new house and 60% unpacked. It is very nice to move out of the city of New Bedford . . . more on that to follow. But a few observations about moving:
1. Moved in to a house 3 times the size of the old one, yet I had to knock a wall down to get an armoire up the stairs to the master bedroom . . . I still can't fit the box spring, and cannot knock anymore of the wall down. The stairs looks pretty freakin's sweet opened up like that.
2. Why is it, that when I rent a U-Haul, I always end up with the crappiest ones? This one was not the worst but, it was not good. AC not working, inspection sticker from 2000, 258,000 miles, had to floor it to get it going, and would not go faster than 55. And speaking of U-Haul, I figured out how they make their money . . . . Boxes. $40, for 17 boxes.
3. This house is large enough where one of us can get away from everyone else and still be in the house.
4. I have a seperate studio building, with heat, electricity, and CABLE.
5. On a whim, me and a few friends shaved our heads. I have a very round head.
6. Said this before: I hate Wal-Mart . . . But I love Wal-Mart . . . it's like heroin addiction.
The City of New Bedford, MA
I have talked about New Bedford (New Beige) in previous blogs, so some of this might be repetitive. I am not going to go into the entire history of the city, but will hit the high(low)lights. I have a love/hate relationship with the city, like Wal-Mart.
New Bedford was incorporated in the early 1700's. If you have ever read Moby Dick you would have at least heard of the city, the first chapter of the book, is set there. New Beige's past is glorious: Whaling Capital of the World, at one time the richest city in the world, Home to Frederick Douglass, the Delano-Roosevelts, Henry Huttleston Rogers, Albrect Beirstadt, Hetty Green, and occasionally Mark Twain and Harriet Tubman. The first Asian visitor to the New World, came to first New Bedford, and the first shots of the Revolutonary War Naval Battles were fought off it's shores. The epicenter for the Underground Railroad, and the playground of the rich and famous. That was New Bedford.
Something changed. Some changes gradual, some immediate. The first major event, was the outlawing of Whaling . . . You would have thought that would have killed this city, but no, city leaders back then, could think toward the future. They coverted to fishing (New Beige is still the #1 fishing port in the US) and manufacturing, and lo and behold, New Bedford, while less shiny, was still a jewel in the crown of the New World. Some of the world's largest and most financially sound industries were originally formed here.
Gradually, over the course of the next 150 years, manufacturers began moving out of the environs to more profitable ones, very gradually. So gradually that no one began noticing until the 1970's and 80's. Manufacturers would move, new ones would move in but not as many, and slowly, the change occured. Higer wage postions, with companies that cared, soon became low wage position with companies who cared nothing for the worker or his working environment. And the city leaders did not notice or did nothing about it. The upper class began to move out of the city, and waves of immigrants (who were willing to work for low wages and in poor conditions), began to move in and form their own neighborhoods. They would become financially sound and move out of the city, and the cycle repeated itslef. Even today you can go into certain neighborhoods of the city, and no one speaks english. Finally, the manufacturing jobs mostly disappeared, and if it wasn't for the fishing industry, this city would have died.
That brings us to the 70's, 80's, and 90's. The city began to fade. Race riots, 15% unemployment, businesses constantly closing and finally,the nail in the coffin, the influx of drugs, gangs, and organized crime. New Bedford became about drug trafficking (Fishing was always a good cover, the fishing industry here is still very much like the Mafia). In addtion, a political machine was established in this city, and it became pretty hard to do anything politically without answering to that machine. A machine that cared more about increasing it's financial well being, than the city itself.
This brings us to today. Today New Bedford is a city on the brink. The political machine is still there, but is fading, especially now that the mayor's wages are more in line with other cities in the region (the mayor of New Beige only made $48,000 a year, but that has been raised over the past couple of years to $98,000, more in line with the average which is $102,000), and qualified candidates are now running. Drugs is still a major issue in the city, and probably is the biggest "employer" in the city. You can buy a bag of herion on the streets for around $4. Murders are down this year (about 8). Gangs control many of the neighborhoods. Unemployment is still an issue, but down to about 8%. 60% of the population has a High School Degree, 10% a Bachelor's (this is also up). The latest influx of immigrants to this city are hispanic, and like the previous immigration population (which was portugese) no one speaks English. The largest employment populations of this city are Fishing, Human Services, and Retail. Property tax is out of control (3x the surrounding communities).
But there is hope. The city has been cleaned up and is beautiful. There are very few abandoned buildings (one of the reasons was property was dirt cheap, I bought my first house for $35,000, a few years ago you could buy an old Whaling mansion for $150,000), and many have been restored to their former glory, downtown has become a jewel, and rivals even Newport, RI. The public housing projects have gotten cleaned up, and the Housing Authority has a zero tolerance policy for crime. You can actually walk through them at night now. And the Neighborhoods have begin to mobilize to take the street back.
I moved into the subrubs, only 4 miles from my old home, but you would think I have moved to Jupiter, the change in atmosphere is that much. I am almost embarassed to tell you I feel, disdain for the old neighborhood.
UPDATES
Neeless to say, I have not worked on JesusMan or The Wraith at all. Hopefully I will get one uploaded next week. There are two new issues of Necromancer Ned. I hope BUG gets me some Notched Blade to tide you guys over.
I also added some new mural images to the main site galleries.
Thanks for all your concerns, and well wishes, they are VERY appreciated.
I am Malach, you are not.
Demand #3
These guys are insane animals, now that they have met the first two demands, they now demand:
A picture of Kelly the Ball Girl, marked with her lips, or, the space between David Ortiz's Teeth, for of all things, to rent for parties!
Is there no end to their madness?
DEMAND #2
Oh man they are getting nutty now, get this:
A used razor blade that was used to shave Robert Mugabe!
These guys are radicals help me!
I have found that bumping my webcomics has given me some power . . .. they come again I must go.
Demand #1
The have asked me to post this:
We the Brothers of Selakaunt, demand one extra large beach towel, with the Earth image of Spiderman on it..
More to come
HELP ME!!!
Damn, they are using hole punchers and puching holes in the original art of JesusMan Comics. IS THERE NO END TO THE EVIL THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO INFLICT. They have left for the time beings, something about having to "take the Cosby kids out for a swim", what ever that means, but they won't be gone long. They told me they would soon be posting demands, little by little for my safe return on several forums I frequent.
Dinner looks to be brussel sprouts . . .
Malach is dead?
I post this in great risk to myself, as I am currently being held hostage by some unknown, yet powerful entity. They have placed me in bonds, and stripped me of my powers, it took my last remaining strength to post this via my mental acumen.
A war began . . . a large war. I was swept up into the battle. I was captured by some very powerful beings, beings of great evil. They bound me with magic, powerful magics. I risk my personal life to get you this message. I am being held in a strange place, and place with no time, everything is frozen. Try as I might, I cannot break free of this prison. My tormenters have made no demands. They seem to delight is fuggin's around with me, shaving my head, and rubbing my skull, they keep me up, and let me sleep little, turning me into a nervous wreck.
The war contnues, though I know not who is winning, nor do I care. This is what happens when you have few allies, and concern yourself only with them accumulation of power.
I must leave you, they come . . . Oh god, I hear clicking.
