Just recently I participated in a jam comic starring Watusi the Talking Dog. Never heard of a jam comic? Neither did I until just recently. The concept is pretty simple. A cartoonist creates and draws the first panel for a four panel strip. He/she then gives the strip to another cartoonist to provide the second panel. Then that cartoonist gives it to another artist to create the third panel and the strip is finally finished when yet another cartoonist completes the final panel. The goal is to create a cohesive storyline by building on each panel and hopefully making a funny strip.

A cartoonist named Dale Martin was the originator of the jam comic I participated in. Dale is a very talented cartoonist from Kansas and the creator of Watusi. My collaboration with Dale and local cartoonist, Dennis B. Harrell, can be seen here!

Working on "If the Shoe Fits" was a fun challenge for me! Thanks to Mr. Harrell (and Trent Reeder) for passing the strip onto me and thanks to Dale for letting me play along! And, hey, check out Dale's site and buy some of his comics!

February 28, 2003

Rodney Overton (Tom Cherry) is all set for his show

I've been having a bit of trouble walking across the parking lot at the place that I work (I would tell you its name, but I had to sign a paper that disavows such information). The lot is covered with scattered icy spots and I have been slipping on them. Tuesday found me on my hinder as I strolled on some black ice and I tumbled into some shrubbery Thursday as I was returning from lunch. I admit to having a clumsy side, but I'm thinking I may be the victim to some sort of parking lot conspiracy. I'm thinking the higher-ups at work may be threatened by the cock of my walk and want to see me taken down a peg or two. Ice may be their means for my destruction! If there are any ambulance chasers or shysters reading this, please contact me if you think I may have a possible lawsuit on my hands. 

I know I have mentioned somewhere before that Those Funky Idiots has crossed state lines and can now be seen in beautiful Stillwater, Minnesota from time to time. However, I never had the chance to throw a link to their wonderful cable system, Valley Access Channels ! I've been to their site a few times and I'm very impressed by the variety of shows they offer. It's nice to see a public access system that isn't afraid to air public access shows from around the country. Kudos to VAC and thanks for giving the Idiots a shot!

February 27, 2003
Hello, friend! I don't know if you know this or not, but I have been gone for a few months. And now I'm back and you're back, too and I'm ever so glad! Thanks for hanging about and waiting for a fat cartoonist to get his act together! You're certainly swell!

I don't know if you noticed or not, but I have made a few changes around here. I don't know if you remember, but this here column was once known as Scribbles and Scratches. It was a nice ol' name, but I was in the mood for something a little different. Thus Active Blather was born! I think it's a pretty, little, catchy title and I'm going to keep it for awhile. I hope you don't mind!

What else? Oh, the cast section has been updated with new drawings and new characters! And I added a section called "etc." which features a couple goodies. One of the things you'll find there is some press clippings about Those Funky Idiots and you'll also find the new home for Teatime for Irma (A special thank you to Baggio and Miss Fuzzell for holding down the fort while I was here and there! You guys are the coolest substitute teachers ever!)!

And I think that's about it for now! Of course, I always have considered this site a "work in progress" so more changes could be just around the corner. We'll see.

Well, I think I have provided enough blather for one night, but I will return! Thanks again for all your patience and your goodwill! 

Good night and good day!