Happy New Year (tomorrow)

The 'Happy' part of your traditional New Year's salutations may have 'teeth' this time around, especially if you follow the Chinese traditional calendar. This is a year of the 'Horse', noted for its bringing of happiness above all else.

Good luck with that!

Words... in the manner of Weasel

This as a little bit of New Year silliness which I initiated at this time last year.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, so...

Rarebits... in the beginning (almost)

Following on from last week's look at some later episodes from my magnus opus comic strip, I thought it might be of interest to show some strips from 1986, the first full year of its run. Notice the different style of drawing compared with the later 90's stuff? In '86 I was still in my 'big nose' period and, not a little influenced by the the style of Bill Rechin and Brant Parker's Crock strip.

In the beginning, I chose to draw the strip at a size allowing two episodes to an A4 sheet of ordinary bond paper, using a common or garden Pentel R50 ball-point pen (or similar) for the line-work. Often, I  added various Mecanorma pattern shades burnished directly onto the art. Finished strips were always photo-copied for delivery to the publishers... because, I had lost far too much original art by trusting it to editorial/production staff in previous years. Remember, this also was long before the days when personal computers became a standard piece of household or, even business furniture. All cartooning projects were still 'hand-made' and distributed either by hand, or by snail-type delivery methods.

Although the circumstances which led to the advent of Rarebits didn't allow for it, I learned in the first few years of the absolute necessity for planning characters, situations and general premise of a continuing strip BEFORE launching into it. Having to do it 'on the fly' is not only annoying for the author... but, also confusing for followers of the feature. Nonetheless, I still love story-telling in the sequential art method!

Monkey business?

Scott Morrison has announced that the 'once a week' face to face media briefing on Asylum seeker arrivals etc., will henceforth consist of a press release only.

Presumably, to avoid direct questioning on what is going on?

Just rubbish...

... in any way you care to look at today's post. It was generated during yesterday morning's constitutional walk when I noticed belatedly* emptied rubbish wheelie bins strewn all over our street in an un-usual hap-hazardly manner. No wind to speak of ... so what could've caused the empty containers to be tipsy-turvey, I wondered.

At that point, the cartoonist's view took command of the private investigation... and, here's the (unlikely), but perhaps more satisfactory conclusion I reached.

* because of xmas/boxing day public hols.

 

Legal fees ...

According to the press, Work-safe in Victoria is reported to have paid bonuses to Law firms involved in work-place injury litigation to encourage them to limit the extent of court costs wherever possible. Ostensibly, the smaller the legal fees billed to Work-safe, the more money is available for payment of successful claims to injured workers.

Hmmm ....

The Boxing Day Test?

Yesterday, we spent a very pleasant lunch and afternoon with relatives on the other side of greater Melbourne. The journey usually consumes plus or minus 90 mins in moderate traffic each way, but we tried a different route yesterday and made each leg in around an hour. We used my car so son and grand-daughters could all fit in the one vehicle.

Despite a 'normal' attitude to alcohol in my earlier days ... I never drink whilst being responsible for driving anywhere at anytime nowadays. Soo, my son drove us to Murrumbeena and, I did the return trip, so he could split a coupla 'coldies' with cousins. In the event, he didn't imbibe any alcohol either, but we stuck to the original plan.

I only mention the above alcohol reference, because the party yesterday was mostly al-fresco with a really hot sun over-head and the food part of the equation extremely delicious and plentiful. Naturally, I spent too much time ignoring the direct sun when I could've taken advantage of seating under cover... over-ate (as you do at these affairs)... and, those elements plus the long drive home combined to wake me early this morning feeling quite dizzy and unwell. Though it reminded me of past hangover experiences ... it was definitely NOT a case which would normally be described as 'tired and emotional'!

Today's cartoon, whilst triggered by this morning's brief malady, depicts a 'run of the mill' result of OZ seasonal revelling ... not mine in particular.

Knock yourself out...

Despite the magical feats he performs at this time each year, even Santa has to pay heed to biological imperatives, just as ordinary blokes have to do when embarking on long and arduous travel tasks.

Dear reader... whether you treat this day with the reverence of a deep religious holiday or, simply a day of love, joy and goodwill to all... pleeease remember your own health and well-being before assaulting mind and body beyond its known frailties or limitations.

Why?

Because, I love you and, selfishly want you around to brighten my life tomorrow!

Hark! 'tis the season to be jolly?

Well, not for everyone! I'm thinking of the crassly criminalized children being held in remote tropical island concentration camps by creatures who think they are jolly good fellows. Not in my book!

And, whatever political pretext or party idiology you so-called 'leaders of opinion' represent... don't think for one nano-second that you are doing it on behalf of this 78 year old, who at this moment, is feeling bloody ashamed to be a loyal Australian-born citizen witnessing what you are doing!

May you all burn in hell for it!

Clive Palmer walking on water?

Surprise! surprise! Both the Federal and Queensland state governments have granted Clive Palmer's Waratah Coal company the go ahead with development of the massive China One coal mine and rail infrastructure in the ecologically sensitive Galilee basin. Strings are attached, but will they be rigorously enforced?

One can't help but also ponder the 'Quid pro quo' (if any) needed to swing the deal!

 

Doorstop dictums

If the various 'task-forces' already established, or being mooted by government to assess the many problems facing Austraia

continue to proliferate at the current rate, they may soon become a factor in softening the expected rise in unemployment. Not necessarily though their deliberations... but the sheer numbers involved in the process(?)

Down memory lane ...

As I've mentioned here before, during the mid-1980's the editor of a weekly computer trade newspaper asked me if I would be interested in doing an IT oriented comic strip to (hopefully) lighten up the generally heavy emphasis on tech. matters in the publication's text coverage. Despite a fairly full work slate at the time (I still had a 'real' salaried job in the airline industry... plus a healthy amount of ostensibly 'leisure' time taken up with various regular cartooning work)... I plunged into research of computer history, soon lighting on a statement that the first computing 'device' in the world may have been Stone Henge! That set the scene for Rare-bits, an epic piece of nonsense which survived for about 10 years, finally going down with the entire mast-head c1995.

Though basically a piece dealing with 'grown-up' opinions, around 1994 I dreamed-up a source of relief by wandering into the world of children at 'Henge primary'... not realizing then, how kids would develop into  the 'cradle to grave' computer wizards they have become in the new millennium!

Today's selection is from that year.

 

Cartoons from 2005.

Because of a family member facing major surgery interstate tomorrow, our grand childrens' Mum was out of town and their Dad was at work all day today. Sooo, Granma and Grandad had to fill the void (as you would)... which was an enjoyable task (as it is)... but, left no time for pondering and compiling a blog based on contemporary happenings.

Thus, today's 'filler' is a combo of two 'strip' format illustrations which were published in March and June 2005 along-side articles dealing with historical elements of telephony development.

Showing HRC the 'right' road?

Continuing with the game of imprinting his right-wing Tory ideas on every institution he can, Attorney General George Brandis has now given the Human Rights Commission a 'poke in the eye with a burnt stick', by appointing fierce critic and rabid 'freedom of speech' advocate Tim Wilson to the HRC board.

Of course, harmony reigns... NOT! But, that's what Geo. was probably hoping for anyway.

Happy retURNs!

If you're going to win something back after quite a few years without it... I can't think of a more comprehensive way to do it than the OZ test cricket side achieved yesterday! Might as well polish 'em off 5-0 now, just to gild the lilly.

Whadoyareckon?

A view from the top.

Apart from the usual shock, horror and blame placement, the body of Joe Hockey's mid year budget report can be translated thus ... the slash and burn proper begins now!

Public Servants and recipients of government assistance... be very, very afraid!

Mr. Rabbit's first 100 days

Wow! The 'adult' Tories have been in charge of the power 'levers' for 100 days! Judging by the shambolic performance so far, one hopes that the 'penny has dropped' on the realization that glib slogans don't hack it when the buck stops on your plate!

My immediate reaction is to hope that the next 995 days whiz past as quickly as the first 100!

Power pushers.

Queensland is pondering the privatization of their electricity sector. Good luck with that!

Reading about it prompted an anti-diatribe on my other blog accompanied by this cartoon, which lampoons the annoying door to door sales 'people' forever trying to convince one to churn to another shop-front energy retailer to achieve 'great' savings!

As far as I'm concerned, the privatization of Victoria's power industry was a sick joke by Kennett which has left nobody laughing (perhaps also including the fools who bought into the shonky deal?)

GOT to GO!

On Friday, members of an over 50s, not for profit website titled GOOD OLD TALK (GOT) and based in Queensland, learned that the site will be closing down either on December 31., or early next year. I have been a member there for a number of years and, authored a daily-posted blog since Jan 2011  featuring my cartoons. The site claimed a fluctuating membership in the vicinity of 6 or 700 people for most of my time there ... a quite substantial audience.

Sad, but not unusual for 'talk'-sites largely operated with volunteer helpers.

COAG

With the federal government intimating almost daily that "there is no money available for anything!" ... I wonder what purpose was served by flying state and territory leaders into Canberra for a COAG meeting today (at great expense, no doubt)?

Vale Holden.

Reminds me of my poker-playing days. "Hold 'em or fold 'em." Doesn't matter.

The ordinary punter rarely comes out on top, whatever happens!

Groucho-ish?

I have long been diagnosed as having three 'fused' vertebra at the base of my spine. Provided I maintain a reasonable level of exercise, this probable legacy of a mis-spent youth playing games like football causes me no bother whatsoever. However, now and again some simple (but unusual) sudden movement can tweak the area of the injury causing inflammation which is quite painful and, tends to severely restrict normal movement such as walking (which is an essential component in keeping the injury under control).

After an unrestricted and enjoyable 45 min. morning walk on Monday, I accidentally 'tweaked' my back about mid-afternoon. Until recommended tablets took effect to curb the inflammatory generated pain, I was virtually immobilised. Monday night was almost sleepless, but by the middle of yesterday I was able to move about again (gingerly). Funnily (for observers), ability to 'walk out' this complaint produces a bent-over gait very reminiscent of Groucho Marx at the height of his fame in hilarious Marx brothers' comedy films of the 1940s. I did a 40 min. walk in that manner this morning, starting at around 8am. I just know school kids and other walkers who were about at the time are probably still laughing at my expense.

In retrospect, I wish I'd thought of wearing a Groucho mask!

Olden days.

We all reputedly yearn for the fabulous (in retrospect mostly?) 'olden' days? Yet another opportunity about to happen?

Missing link?

The Victorian state government will probably press on with its manic decision to spend 6 to 8 BILLION dollars on a tunnel designed to link existing freeways/tollways with the aim of easing currently near-intolerable peak hour traffic congestion. This despite abundant declarations by experts warning that experience shows building more urban road infrastructure simply encourages many more people to abandon public transport for car travel. Now, a leaked 'secret' study commissioned by the government tends to support 'in spades', the contentention of opponents that existing traffic congestion is likely to 'balloon' substantially when the project 'comes on-line'!

Fittingly... the project has been titled 'The missing link' by glib copywriters handling government advertising of their 'wonderful' contribution to the already billed 'marvelous Melbourne'. Some people apparently never quite made it out of the morass along the path of human evolution?

Crock!

Are we witnessing the end of the rainbow for Qantas? I certainly hope not ... having spent more than half of my adult life as an employee of that great company.

On the internet, they know who you are!

Back in 1993, a freelance cartoonist scribbled a dog operating a computer with the caption "On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog." He sent it off to the New Yorker magazine on spec. It was published and quickly became a slogan for the then rapidly developing internet. It also proved to be one of the all-time most popular cartoons published by the mag. and, shared licensing fees paid for reuse of the cartoon and/or slogan in other publications over the past 20 years, is estimated to be +/- $500,000 shared 50/50 by the author and publishers!

Of course ... on today's internet, virtually everything posted can be traced back to the originator by anyone equipped with readily available tracking technology. Hence, today's cartoon lolly-pop.

Vale Nelson Mandela.

In almost every aspect of human life, he was a giant inspiration to anyone wishing, hoping, to find modern living examples of the courage, strength, wisdom, decency, humour and, goodness of heart that any one of us might aspire to display as a singular characteristic… let alone all of those features residing in one individual. To me, Nelson Mandela embodied all of those traits (and more).

I feel blessed to have lived during his time.

Sadly, the world will wait a long time to see the like of him again.

Murdoch meddling.

The megalomaniac Rupert chose to become a U.S. citizen so he could better prosper in his insatiable drive for power.

OK! Stay in the 'States and annoy the hell out of your friends of choice Roop. Leave this country, its people and valued institutions (eg, the ABC) alone.

I assure you, you'll not be missed for one nano-second!

State security?

Today's revelation of ASIO raids authorised by Attorney General Brandis (with more than a passing connection to legal action initiated against Australia by East Timor over alleged espionage?) seems to support a growing impression that 'interests of state security' is fast becoming a routine excuse for politicians to do as they bloody-well like to protect themselves from criticism for acts that would normal stink to high heaven!?

Will a 'Patriot Act' be the next step to institutionalize their status of invulnerability against awkward questioning on any aspect of government?

Back to the future?

As could easily have been envisaged by thinking persons, when/if put into practice,  the holy 'Law and Order' platform of Tories will tend to fairly rapidly fill gaols and other repositories of convicted felons and lesser crooks. And, since the building of non-profit  centres such as prisons is an expense not normally attractive to aspirant voters, very little is done in that area when 'law and order' doctrines are not to the forefront of politics.

Result? Critical overcrowding of extant penal facilities such as that which now confronts the Vic.state government (and, probably Queensland as well?). What to do?

Simple! Supplement current corrective facility accommodation with ... 'Shipping containers'! I kid you not! The Vic. 'brain storms' are setting up trial container solutions in selected Northern areas of the state almost immediately. Apparently, a similar scheme has been found to work in N.Z.

I wonder if only a cartoonist's mind would visualize this as reversal of history? That is... Oz gaol, to the hulks, then transportation ...

They're baaack!

Around 7am this morning, first bush flies of the summer 'gang attacked' me as I was crossing our local park on the return leg of my morning walk. I was not equipped with the usual eucalyt 'switch' with which to discourage their thirst for snot and/or sweat ... so, had to resort to useless epithets and the traditional Aussie salute in an attempt to repulse the little buggers.

I googled the pests (musca vetustissima) after arriving home. Was struck by how their characteristics mirror those of most politicians. • need to be born surrounded by bullshit (or they die). • feel obliged to get up people's noses to sustain their future development (they relish the source of moisture) • they change direction with the wind (which actually transports them from rural birth-place to the 'burbs and finally, • they rely on the numbers to prosper.

Interestingly, it's the females who drive us nuts ... and, they instinctively hate 'enclosed areas' so apparently, will only follow a human host indoors by accident.

Cartoonists' B-B-Q

After an unusual spring season featuring mostly bleak, cold weather punctuated with only a few typical warmish days in isolation, happily the first official day of summer was warm and perfect for out-door activity. Which was appropriate for local Cartoonists, since today had been selected as the wind-up B-B-Q to mark end of social activities arranged by the local chapter of the ACA for 2013.

I especially enjoyed it, because I've been unable to attend regular night meetings of the association due to a combination of the exceedingly long peak-hour cross-city drive and the need to provide almost constant care and support to my good lady wife. Today, I met a fellow 'toonist I've not seen face to face for over 20 years and others I'd not been able to see or talk to since the same event last year. A beaut break from the usual hum-drum.

Because the food and talk consumed all afternoon, I've roped in a 'filler' cartoon prepared back in late 2011, but (as far as I can recall) never actually published.

 

Privatising Gov't. assets

Joe Hockey says the states should privatise government assets to raise funds ear-marked for improvement of infrastructure. The Q. premier says "No way Jose - without a prior mandate to do so from the electorate!"

I hope Mr. Newman has studied the un-mitigated shambles left for Victoria to contend with after Kennett had sold everything in sight during the 1990s. All the promises of cheaper utility and transport costs have turned out to be 'furphies', while transport infrastructure is perhaps in a worse run-down condition than it ever was before the 'coming of Kennett!'

Goodonyer Cam. For the first time, I agree whole-heartedly with a stance of yours!

Regional irritation.

Some new form of irritant is causing discomfort in several Asian capitols and most of the Australian states.

What, or who could be responsible?

Pyning for Gonski?

"When in government, we will commit to the agreed level of school funding as prescribed in Gonski" or, an undertaking to the electorate clearly to that effect by Mr. Rabbit's group.

Apparently that was then... this is now.

HO HUM!

Machiavelli alive and well in Vic. parliament

   
In a nutshell, the governing parties in Victoria now lack a majority on the floor of the lower house with about a year of their 'fixed' 4 year parliament yet to run. Because of alleged bias in favour of the bereft government, the speaker has become a target for the vitriol of 'those opposite' to the extent that he shut-down parliament altogether for the last fortnight due to 'persistent unruliness'. Resuming the bun-fight yesterday and, with only a week left of the pre-xmas session, he produced another (on the face of it) questionable stunt by banning two opposition members from participation in proceedings for 6 days (aka the only sitting days remaining) before the circus moves into holiday mode! This action miraculously restores the government's one seat majority until the parliament next meets in 2014. Wow!

Unbelieveable?! Not the action itself so much... as the fact that we continue to pay these worthless buffoons to carry on with their moronic capers!!!

Are these the polls that count...

... or the polls the government counts on?

Coalition polling has started to go south already! The new government's combination of apparently doing nothing for a time, then fumbling a number of critical policy issues once they had surfaced post-election, putting a key regional relationship under the hammer as a result of their hesitant reaction... and, lately going all secretive in their interface with electors, must have weighed heavily on their credibility(?)

Is that persistent background 'whirr' in my head a spot of tinnitus affecting my own hearing... or, the sound of leadership buzz-saws limbering up in the right wing?

 

Ashes to ashes?

This arvo, I heard that Michael Clarke has been charged by the ICC with sledging during yesterday's early wind-up of the first test at the Gabba. The naughty word he used was bleeped on this morning's TV news so, I too have sanitized my cartoon by substituting a visual gesture for Clarke's phonetic gymnastics.

Did they do this sort of crap back in Bradman's day? I think not.

What I do on a rainy day...

Stay in-doors doing cartoons of course.

Tomorrow, a brother-in-law has a birthday, so I put together a one-page e-Card for the occasion this morning.

Good news for Victorian crooks?

According to a recent news report, Victorian prisons, other 'correctional' facilities and, even Police holding cells, are bursting at the seams with little or no prospect of relief in the near to medium future. I imagine other states may be suffering the same problems... with the hairy chested (but, thick-headed) variety of 'law and order' politicians generally rampant in Australia at the moment?

An immediate reaction might be to apply a 'by-pass' system to delivery of convicted felons, similar to that used to divert emergency ambulances from grossly overflowing hospitals? Except that, every other form if incarceration is chock-a-block as well.

They'll be wanting to resurrect ye olde English HULKS next ... whilst maybe 'foxing' around to find some god-forsaken patch of unclaimed land unto which our surplus convicts might be ... er... transported perhaps?

Billy the blind miner's dog.

Ms Gillard (who was she again?) has joined in the spy controversy, giving her audience some words of wisdom on behalf of the group driving the Ozbus when it actually ran over Indonesian sensibilities.

Not that it hasn't been zig-zagging all over community feelings since being driven by the new outfit.

I spy ...

As the spying drama remains topic of the day ... here's a bird's-eye view.

OK...it's a mess! Moving on...

Spying on 'friends' is probably considered pure bastardry by ordinary people of any nationality. But, only if you get caught!

That Australia has done both is patently obvious to anyone with half a brain. Despite the smoke-screen about everyone does it, so that makes it 'alright', own up and move on ... before the collateral damage really gets out of hand!

BTW... make sure any demonstration of regret doesn't result in another dose of unintended embarrassment for all concerned.