Money Matters

Potpourri perhaps would be the more appropriate title for this blog post; but I'll save it for next time.

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Let's first, tidy up the loose ends of Tiny Tim's visit. Some people may have doubted that I did indeed, hand over more than $16,000,000 to the unique entertainer. To back up my claim, here's one of the bills . . . 

 aa

 . . . and a sketch I made the night of the Fantasy Day Party and Show at Clute Community Center in Watkins Glen, NY 

         $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 

Still on the money trail, we have a good statement for the year so far: We're talking about coins picked up while strolling around town, mostly in company of Bella, our canine buddy. $1.61 as of February 29. (four quarters, two dimes, some nickles and several pennies) Make that, $1.63; I found two pennies today! (March1)

SO, with cash, coin and currency at the core of this chapter, the following items should fall--loosely into that category. Even VINCENT is aware of how important the dollar is in our everyday life.

In 1988, for the Price Club (now CostCo) Journal I was commissioned to depict the scary financial situation of that time. The same drawing was subsequently used to hi-light a similar period in the nation's history; and I guess it would be just as appropriate were it to be published today. Just change the years.

Continuing to follow the money trail, here are some cartoons from different venues, different years, which seem to fit.

I shouldn't even mention Income Tax, 
should  I?

But this drawing, done about 20 years ago reminded me of how much more difficult filing would be if it had to be done "the old fashioned way."
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Time out. If you knew how difficult it is for me to do this, you'd appreciate it a lot more, for sure. But I like digging through the dusty files and finding things I'd forgotten I'd done.  It is fun.
Happy March 1!
Jim

Tiny Tim Comes to Visit

1981. I was Jim Whiting, broadcasting on WFLR, a 5000 watt station in upstate New York. A contest had been held to give my 6 to 9 a.m. program a title. The Early Worm--not an entirely complimentary, but certainly appropriate title--won out. My duties included reading the news torn from our AP teletype machine, reporting school closings (snow, or an occasional stray cow which might be causing traffic problems on Route 14) and once in a while, spinning a 45 rpm record or two.

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It was fortuitous one morning that I noticed a new release from Solid Brass Records; Tiny Tim, the ukulele plunking falsetto voiced singer whose Tiptoe Through The Tulips best selling record of several years ago is the artist featured. Is he attempting a comeback? In any case, Tell Me That You Love Me is a bouncy little tune and hey, I always got a kick out of Tiny's (or should I say, Tim's?) slightly weird approach to music.

           & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & 

What intrigued me more was the flip side of this 45 rpm record: Comic Strip Man. The lyric had Tiny Tim fantasizing about leaping over tall buildings and rescuing fair damsels. I immediately began to fantasize! “It's a perfect theme song for the Third Annual Fantasy Day in Watkins Glen!" Fantasy Day allows anyone to be, for one day: a fireman, policeman, restaurant owner, radio announcer, doctor, lawyer, cab driver. It would take another blog to tell how Fantasy Day came about. But for now, let's look at how Tiny Tim accepted my invitation to join us on a magical day for all!

It was surprisingly simple getting to talk with someone at Solid Brass Records. Words to Comic Strip Man were written by Henry Scarpelli, an old friend of mine; Henry ran interference for me and surprisingly simple again---“Tiny Tim will arrive by car the morning of May 19 . . . to participate in Watkins Glen's Fantasy Day.” That was the wonderful message I received within hours. My home town was in for a charming disarming fabulous Fantasy Day!

                        <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>

Once he's arrived in our town, Tiny's transportation includes an ambulance, a firetruck and a limousine.

Fantasies flourish, as Nixon gets arrested, Bobo gets interviewed and Tiny gets his tulips.

 ============================================== A Watkins Glen fire truck arrives.

Wonder Woman alights --

Tiny belts one out for the crowd--and WW.

A surprise birthday cake is wheeled out for me; out pops my best friend, Bernita. 

Tiny joins the Senior Citizens' Parade down Franklin Street.

Tiny meets the school bus, signs autographs and entertains at the high school gym where more than a hundred students donate blood.

Yet another autograph
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *The limo takes Tiny Tim to Clute Park Community Center where the Evening Show takes place with added local talent. 

It was worth the sixteen and a half million dollars I paid Tiny Tim for him to share his time and talent to make this edition of Fantasy Day one of the best.

You can see that I'm happy.

$ $ $ $ $ 

Thanks to Lauren Lodge for most of the photos you see here.

We'll get back to VINCENT, Li'l Ones, Wee Women and maybe Bella next time. 

Thanks for hanging in with us. Spread the word.

Jim

Another Eclectic Collection

Question is . . . or rather, questions are: “Why the skateboarding turtles?” And, “How come you take such a long hiatus between posting to this here blog?”

No simple answers. On the other hand, it's not too complicated either.

Question #2: Been too busy, or at least trying to look too busy.

Question #1: Well, the rapid reptiles are sort of a metaphor; indicating the Encinitas Whiting lifestyle.

You do believe that, don't you?

?????????????????????????????

Bella has another three weeks to complete her Dog Obedience Course. She'll be so smart we'll soon be doing the obeying. Probably have to get a larger mortarboard for her swelled canine cranium too.

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Speaking of time left, this VINCENT strip is the next to last one which views the waning days of the magic convention. After such a great adventure what can possibly compare for our short sorcerer?

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Next up, the syndicated LI'L ONES and WEE WOMEN. Which is your favorite?

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

The fact that you've come back to see what's happening in Jim's Muses makes me glad

and

I hope this final muse will amuse.

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Looking forward to a connection with you in February . . . if not sooner.

Jim

Oh, by the way, I know that older eyes need all the help they can get ... so I hope you appreciate the larger type here. No extra charge.

To Each and Every One

We--being Bernita, Jim (that's me) and Bella (yes, she is our recently acquired canine over whom we get more than a bit silly at times) wish you the very best during this multi holiday season. Please pick one that suits you perfectly.   


Shown here is a card, a sequel to the English version which I did at least fifteen years ago. I believe many a parent will relate to the scene depicted.

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VINCENT continues his adventures at the International Brotherhood of Magicians convention in Portland, where, to my knowledge the IBM convention never actually took place. But hey, this is only a comic strip; anything can happen.

Dogs have been on my mind of late so I dug out another oldie from the AD LIBS file written by Len Bruh (AKA Larry Hurb) and illiustrated by yours truly.

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Not everyone looks upon snow with a negative eye.Here's proof positive (at least 90%)

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In parting-- would you say that my picking up ten pennies while walking with Bella this morning is a sign that the economy is improving?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

WAIT! I almost forgot: The publisher of ComptorEdge.com informed me yesterday that the price of That Does Not Compute! has been reduced just in time for gift giving!  99 cents, fer gosh sakes! More than 150 cartoons about computers and computors . . . oh the trials and tribulations. Please take a look anyway. Jack Dunning wrote most all the gags. I did all the cartoons. Want a sample?

Click here to see the sweet deal:  www.computoredgebooks.com  Or Copy and Paste if need be.

Thanks for stopping by.

Talk to you next year.

Jim

Jim's MONTHLY MUSES

Well, sometimes the muses are fewer than the pictures--which may be be
 photographic or cartoonish. Either of the two latter categories will be
easier for you.  And maybe for me too.

DID WE LEARN ANYTHING YET?

Yes, we did learn something at the PetSmart Pet

Training Program. We learned that teaching a dog 

is not easy. But it's rewarding. And we do believe 

Bella is making progress. We are also.

That's the little lady craming for the final exam 

which took place Sunday, November 6. Note the  look of intense concentration on her face.

Shortly after the ordeal: the Reward.

Now see the proud look of acheivment on her face. Or is it boredom?

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Moving on ---- to Portland, of all places, we catch up with the VINCENT aggregation as they finally enter the hallowed halls

 of the magic convention.

Next, LI'L ONES, WEE WOMEN AND something for the cat lovers watching.

That's it for this time.  Bella just requested a walk. 

Til soon, Jim

Meanwhile

Vincent, the Magician realizes that he and his

entourage, consisting of his long suffering wife 

Wanda and sometimes insufferable maid Agnes,

have arrived at the wrong city. There is no Magic 

 Society Convention here!

Not to worry. A quick trip cross country to New England and Presto!

We'll be staying on target with our friends as they enjoy the next few days in their magical Nirvana.

Meanwhile-----again----it's almost seven weeks since the adoption of our youngster. The three of us are getting along fairly well. Fifth week of Obedience School (for Bella) coming up Sunday. The opportunity to capture a  family portrait hasn't happened yet. But we have plenty pictures of our teenager.

We've not seen a LI'L ONES or WEE WOMEN cartoon in a while, so let's take care of that right now.

 And with that, it's time for me to go as well.

Til soon, friends,

Jim