Pumpkin carols?

We had a member of our bishopric say this same thing a while back, except he couldn't think of a hymn.

ZOMBIES!

There are some cartoons that I just know will never make it in the pages of the Church magazines. This is one of them.

Why is he mentioning micro brews?

Shouldn't witches be able to take advantage of modern technology as well?

What's on your mind?

This is a really, really old one. It's kinda silly, but I like it.

Things are looking up!

Everyone has worries about their physical condition as they get older. Some folks turn to exercise or plastic surgery. Others just need to tighten a few loose screws!

Or some stiff upper lip...

I got this from the potions book that was once owned by the Half-Blood Prince. It was scribbled in the margins toward the back.

Monday sketchbook: A spirited discussion

This reminds me of Commander McBragg. I drew the trophy guy with a fierce face because that's what taxidermists do, isn't it?

While searching records from The Village...

When zombies date...

Mmmm! Brains!

Dress up day!

Has it ever happened to you that you're the only one who dresses up? Or has it happened that people think you've dressed up but you haven't? I hate when that happens!

You may already be a winner!

As far as the eye can see...!

Sometimes as a cartoonist you have to give up good grammar for the sake of a gag. "...a sincere pumpkin patch in which to appear" probably would have the grammar people happy, but it just didn't work. Sorry!

That explains all the orange

Yes, it's time for the annual tribute to Linus.

Monday sketchbook: Twilight in the Land of Nephi

Hey, it's Halloween season, and I have to give at least a nod to Twilight. The big challenge in this one (and one of the main reasons it didn't make it past the sketchbook) is identifying Jacob as a werewolf, showing off his six-pack and including a Forks T-shirt to place him in the proper sphere. Another reason is that this Jacob looks more like Hobbes than Taylor Lautner (or even Professor Lupin for that matter!).

If nothing else, think of this next time you get to the book just after Second Nephi.

• Note from my Apprentice: "I suggested that Jacob might be mid-transformation, but that might be too scary for delicate readers of this blog."
  

Come prepared

I think they stopped using fire for firesides when they started inviting the deacons. Which makes me think, shouldn't they call it something like a "podiumside" instead?

Honk!

Here's one last thing out of the found pile from work. This was a cover for a public service announcement we did about driving styles using animal metaphors.

Chore time!

Like I said, we're cleaning out our offices -- the movers are coming today. This idea is not a bad option.

Just a little trim

Why is it that tough guys either have long hair or shaved heads? You never see one with a missionary haircut. Just sayin'.

Undisputed

As we pack up and prepare to move from nice offices with walls, doors and windows into open spaces and cubicles, we've been trying to figure out ways to make the transition a little easier. Here's one idea that could make things interesting.

An inconvenient truth

Turns out mom was right after all!

But wouldn't it balance it out with cooling off the whole outdoors by leaving the windows open with the AC running in the summer?

Monday sketchbook: In memoriam

NOTE: This isn't my usual pattern -- I normally run only one item from my sketchbook each Monday. But once again this is a special occasion.

While cleaning out my office the other day, I ran across some sketches I drew for my co-worker, Jayne Stewart. She was a wonderful friend, mentor and amazing person.


Because she lived in California, she did her job interview with the Oregon Department of Transportation by telephone -- while she was in her car (before any restrictive cell phone laws). During the interview she was carjacked, yet was able to continue and complete the interview with aplomb.

She injured herself working on a home for Habitat for Humanity. While treating her injury, her doctor discovered that she had cancer. It was while she was hospitalized for her cancer treatments that I drew these cartoon sketches for her.

She fought a valiant fight, and kept in great spirits to the very end. She told her doctor that she had to hold on until she was able to finish another volunteer project for the Willamette Valley Humane Society.


She passed away seven years ago tomorrow. One of the songs they played at her memorial service was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World." It was a fitting tribute and perfect for her.

• Jayne was instrumental in publicizing TripCheck.com, ODOT's travel information service. She always joked that she had a TripCheck logo tattooed on her hip, but she never volunteered to show us.

Pink Sunday

Today is "Comics Go Pink" day, in which several cartoonists are coloring their Sunday panels pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I couldn't quite bring myself to color the temple pink, so I opted for just a splash of pink in their clothing. However, knowing and admiring several breast cancer survivors, I am supportive of the cause. Click on the link above for more information.

Let's find a cure!

Treasures of trash

Because of a building renovation/remodel, we are vacating our offices at work. That means we have to go through files and drawers to clean out and pack up to prepare for the move.

As I was going through one of my files, I came across one that took a job from the initial sketches to the finished product. I thought it might be fun to take a look at that here on the blog.

The background is this: as part of a money-saving effort, the Powers That Be decided to cut back on certain aspects of janitorial service. To be specific, the PTB thought it would save money to have us empty our own garbage cans and recycle bins rather than have the janitorial staff do the job. Naturally there was some resistance, particularly from the engineers who thought emptying trash was beneath them.

Our approach was to make light of it, like it wasn't a big deal. So to start things off, I brainstormed some sketches of little cartoons to put on fliers that would be posted throughout the building.

Here's one of the first sketches:


We decided to develop a couple of the sketches a little bit more as we refined the ideas. Here's one that I kind of liked, but didn't make the final cut:


In the end, we decided to just go with cartoon drawings and a fun font. The PTB were afraid that someone might find the gags offensive -- and it was already becoming a way bigger issue than it eve needed to be. Here's what the final flier looked like:

And now, a few years later, emptying our own trash has become second nature, and very few people whine about it any more.

And we all lived happily ever after!

And a thousand points of light!

As long as we're talking politics this week, I figured I might as well throw this one in. Funny thing is, that's exactly what we were aiming for: a kinder, gentler construction zone!

R is for responsible

I keep thinking I should just post this without comment...

The whole truth

Ever read what a candidate says he (or she) is going to do once elected and then compare it to what he (or she) really did once in office? Ever really wonder about the actual reasons a person runs for office? It would be interesting, I think, to know the real reasons a candidate is seeking office.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

With elections just around the corner, it seems like everyday there is more last-minute literature in my mailbox, more ads on the TV and radio, and more uncertainty about who and what to vote for.

My son is working on an exit poll for his political science class. I hope He gets better results than Kris got on hers.

Monday sketchbook: Conference recap!

When I was a kid, I got in trouble for drawing in my notes at school. I've even had a few bosses look at me sideways when they've seen my notes following a meeting. However, that's where I do some of my favorite work!

These sketches are taken from my conference notes. Can you tell which talks or sessions they came from? Check your answers here!

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And be sure to check out my fellow cartoonist (and all around swell guy) Arie Van De Graaff's conference recap activity pages -- they're loads of fun.

Conference enhancement tips!

Besides the reprints of the talks that are published in the Liahona and the Ensign, the sessions and individual talks are available for download. Sweet!

And, if you haven't yet, check out the new Conference website.

Conference enhancement tips!

It's that time again -- time for General Conference! To help you get more out of it, we offer these (and other) tips!

In addition, if you want to download a conference activity packet, there are a couple to choose from: one is illustrated by my compatriot in cartooning, Arie Van De Graaf, the other is available from the Friend magazine's website.

Turn your tent

A long, long time ago, King Benjamin held a conference. He invited all the people to come to the temple to hear his words. In order that the people might better hear his words, they turned their tents so that they faced the temple.

This weekend is conference weekend. Turn your tent toward the temple.

• BTW, one of the running gags in Zarahemla Times is Grandma's family history stories, such as this one.