Balloons and chocolate - Valentine's Day 2022

 

Balloon sharks (Cephaloscyllium sufflans) are a species of catshark - they can inflate themselves with water to defend against predators. They probably can also stuff themselves with chocolate and not share.

Sharktivity #25: Pray

I’ve been finding it a bit hard to draw something fun or lighthearted in the midst of all that the world is going through. The injustices all around us are growing and it is heartbreaking. From #blacklivesmatter in America to the migrant worker deaths in India to rise of fascist forces everywhere and a virus to top things off, things seem bleak. So I thought this is as good a time as any, in addition to speaking up and fighting for justice, to pray. 

This has also been a sharktivity during these awful times because when we feel helpless and unsure of the future, it’s the most basic thing we can do. We humans cause all kinds of terrible consequences thanks to our selfish ways and then blame God for all that happens (whether we believe in Him or not!). Well, thankfully, we feel a little hope, a little less lonely and a little grateful for what we have when we pray.

Let's pray that the world gets a little better with every struggle.

Happy New Hope!

After Carrie Fisher was critically ill, I came across quite a few tweets about how 2016 is the worst and that 2016 must not claim Princess Leia too. Well, the world had just lost George Michael and that reminded us of the dozens of other celebrities who died this year. Sadly, not only did Carrie Fisher pass away but so did her mother Debbie Reynolds. And needless to say, twitter was not feeling the holiday spirit.
But celebrities dying were not and could not be the worst about this year. Terrible things happened all around. Some accidentally but many deliberately. It's not okay to terrorise people and it certainly isn't okay to kill innocent children. What is the point of destroying someone else just because you are miserable? What gives someone the right to exploit a helpless person just so that they can gain pleasure or profit? Who says that being tolerant of their own beliefs but not those of others, gives them the right to dictate what prejudice is? We have become self-involved and impatient and intolerant to the point of misplaced fury. Our children are becoming insolent, uninvolved and unmotivated. And then we say that it's been a bad year. It's only going to get worse. If we think we can fix it, we're bound for disappointment. Millions of people thinking they are right isn't going to set things right.  But let us start with the basics like honesty, moderation, wonder, respect and then we will know what it means to hope.

Hugging Day?

I was supposed to post this yesterday. That's how much I care about "hugging day". I can't believe they actually have a "hugging day".

Feels like home.

It's been a while since I did a "Fence Conversation" and every now and then I feel like writing a mushy one. This is probably the mushiest by far. I was having a similar conversation with a friend and thought it was a really good line and had to use it.
We're all looking for someone to call 'home'. I just hope that when I find mine, it is shark-friendly.

The Pilottes! (and an irked Oceanic whitetip)

It's pure coincidence that this tale of love and restraining orders appears right after the Valentine's Day one. I probably need to find myself someone who will either cure me of cynicism or laugh at such things. Laughter, we'll go with the laughter.
By the way, I'm very proud of the name of the group "The Pilottes".

This is just a random comic idea inspired by those little striped fish*.

For those who are puzzled by this, please read about Pilot Fish.
*Oceanic Whitetip sharks always seem to be surrounded by Pilot fish and that's what inspired this comic.

Bazinga hug!

I was going to have the last panel say "Bazinga" in hopes that 'The Big Bang Theory' will sue me and send Jim Parsons to deliver the notice. The Shark would hug him for sure. (I hope)

I think we should hug now.

How can I say this without sounding completely inhuman? ... I'm not one of those people who hugs someone every time something (or even nothing) happens. I think hugs are great when necessary or when you're caught up in the moment. But when they're doled out like they were free samples of food, they don't seem as special during the times of need, right?
It's pretty funny how most of my friends who know this about me either tell everyone else not to hug me or make sure everyone does hug me.
That being said, we all need hugs every now and then. Even sharks.

I actually did two versions of this sketch and decided I liked the above one better but here's the other one anyway. 

No, I'm not asking for a hug.

I'd drawn this over a month ago. It could be sort of a follow-up/link-up to an old strip. It's not particularly funny but I like how my squirrel turned out.

Love and other icky things

 If one wants to see what Valentine's day is all about, you just need to go to any place that sells cards and other ridiculous things like stuffed white bears holding hearts and flowers. I went to Landmark the day before and as always the silly jewelry counter guy asked me if I wanted to buy diamonds. I was already annoyed that they don't sell recycled paper (but very craftily label them all as "Recyclable" and have the recycle symbol) and I almost stopped and asked why on Earth would I buy diamonds from a bookstore. I mean, what kind of book-hating bookstore would diversify into jewelry and cosmetics (this attracts hoards of people who don't read) ? I also wanted to tell him that it being Valentine's day, he should be asking all the guys if they wanted to buy diamonds. If I didn't hate talking to people so much, I'd be a great salesperson.

 

  

 

You'll notice how I very cleverly did not answer any of the questions.

Also, if there is a bunny in any of my strips, it will almost inevitably get whacked. This reminded me of a funny post my friend had put up which had a bit about rabbits which led to me coming up with these rabbit cooking instructions:
1. Cut off and use tail to brush off any extra dirt.
2. Dip bunnies in veet hair removal cream to get rid of their stupid bunny fur.
3. Wash thoroughly.
4. Chop off ears - can be fried and served as chips.
5. Stuff bunnies with required stuffing (carrots and other silly stuff) and roast and toss into stew.

Title credit goes to my friend Dumpsy.

That's right... go throw a hissy fit!

This is a strip I drew for a friend as a farewell present. I had to censor out some bits because those lines have to do with certain private jokes that probably will not make sense anyway. I wasn't planning on putting it up but the weird rodent/ tasmanian devil creature is just too adorable to be locked up. So here is the PG-13 version.
Don't you simply love the term "hissy fit"? There's so much you can do with it. I really do love the people in my life who I can pick on and who pick on me and drive me to draw cartoons of them looking like strange creatures. I'm so glad that God keeps providing me with such friends no matter for how short a while.

ps - I don't think I could ever pull off the ridiculous outfit on the shark. Not even if you paid me or dared me. I still have a dare pending.

Well, if you insist...

I would have added the little stick with all its possessions wrapped up in a handkerchief but the shark isn't actually doing the leaving. It's just scooting about trying to make small talk about current issues, I suppose.

I do love those little scooters. I bought one back from the States a couple of years ago. It's hot pink and fabulous and hidden somewhere at home. Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that I wasn't a child even some years ago. I wish we were like Japan where people would ride around on little kick scooters and people wouldn't stare at you but applaud you for being so eco-friendly. I could try the eco-friendly option we have here and walk it out but unfortunately, the friendship is not such a mutual one.

ps - Just so we're clear, I do not check every five minutes to see if people are back from vacation because I miss them.

Dig that Sulking Violet!

I can get into sulking modes every now and then. It used to be a regular feature on my face while I was growing up. I'm much better now. I don't really want to admit that something this "small" can make me feel better, but there are times when it does. But forget I said that.
I'm quite proud of my fancy chair. But it wasn't fun to draw over and over so I just traced them out the next four times.

There comes a time when everyone could do with a hug. But don't tell anyone I said that.

I drew the left one first and then I felt that it might seem a bit unnatural/rare so I thought I'd do one a bit more familiar/characteristic. Just so that people don't think I've gone soft.

Anyway, the point is that I now see why Walt Disney declared that he loved Mickey Mouse more than anyone or any woman or something like that.

Ask yourself, "Do I love chocolate?"

I did the first three parts of this a long time ago and I recently found the pages and I was like "Oh God, that's so emo!". But I agree with the thought that if you don't love yourself, you wouldn't be able to believe that others love you. So I decided to redo the sketches and end it in a non-emo way. Chocolate seemed apt.
I think there was a nostalgic moment of inspiration when I did the "Chocolate?" part. I remembered those early Amul chocolate tv commercials - "For someone you love" - which showed clips of people giving out chocolate bars to those they cared about who seemed like they could use some. I'd probably think they're too mushy if they made commercials like that today but back then, I loved those ads.

If everyone had a wall, they'd be happier

I really like this one for some reason. Maybe it's the fact that we're on a stone wall. I love stone constructions. And I love sitting on walls and other similar things and just being. It would help if there was something amazing to look at though. I guess this one is also about having someone to share the wall with and not having to say anything.

However, that wall took forever to draw! I wanted to try pasting the sketched characters on an actual wall photo but you apparently need Photoshop skills for that.


I currently have this as my "wall" paper. Pardon the pun.

This is probably the only way you'd get me to sing!

I can't play the guitar for nuts. And I couldn't sing to save my life. This is yet another way of living vicariously through your art.

I've been falling in love with duets and cover versions of songs lately. There are so many awesome duets out there. And I absolutely love the "Let's call the whole thing off" song by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. It is one of the most adorable love songs ever. I thought I'd play around with the words a bit. I know it's cheesy. Poetry is not one of my strong points either. And no, we're not singing love songs to each other.

I'll write about the music bit on my other blog.

In case you can't read the lyrics properly, here they are:

You say eether and I say eyether,
You say wherever and I say whatever;
Eether, eyether, wherever, whatever
Let's call the whole thing off!
You like feta and I like cheddah,
You want pizza and I order pasta;
Cheddah, feta, pizza, pasta!
You say sarcasm and I say yeah right,
You say bite me and I say alright,
You say laughter and I say lawfter…who says lawfter??
You say after and I say now,
Laughter, lawfter, after… it’s awfter,
Let's call the whole thing off!
You like vanilla, No I like Vanilla!
You, sa's'parilla and I sa's'parella; What on Earth is Sasparilla?
Vanilla, My vanilla, No mine!
You say wyte and I say hwhite,
We both say hwhite... we do?
Let's call the whole thing off!
But oh! If we call the whole thing off, then we must part,
And oh! If we ever part, Then that might break my heart! (yuck!)
So, if you like pajamas and I like hyenas,
I'll wear pajamas and throw out the hyenas.
For we know we need each other,
So we better call the calling off off.
Let's call the whole thing off!

ps - Cheddah is poetic license. The red lines have been added by popular demand.

Yes, yes, love makes the world go round

Overly bubbly-happy people are annoying. I know a few of those. They're like high care bears. It's fun to pick on them.

No touchie

I know it looks like the shark is nipping at him. But it's actually meant to be a gratitude hug. The 'Yuck' philosophy at play.

Goodbyes suck!

Here's us saying goodbye to Julie and Celeste. Supposedly.