I’m thinking I might try illustrating a question and answer every now and again. I worked up a picture for the Fanta question, and I’m going to post it tomorrow morning. I’d appreciate hearing if anyone has trouble with feeds or other displays; feedback about the picture itself is also welcome.

Dear Little Bald Bastard,
  Wanna Fanta? Please?
- DoubleThickShake

Dear DoubleThickShake,
  If you’re talking about the horrible solution of carbonated water, complex chemical “fruit” flavors and high fructose corn syrup, I’ll pass. I’d like my blood sugar to stay below “Immediate Diabetes” for as long as possible.

  If you’re using “Fanta” as a euphemism for some sort of shameful sexual act, the answer is still no. Also, you desperately need to think up a better come-on, or give up your last fleeting hopes of ever scoring.

  [click picture to embiggen]

Dear Little Bald Bastard,
  Why do people have to use silent letters? Seriously! They should just be eliminated.
- Fonetically Challenged

Dear Fonetically Challenged,
  Silent letters are artifacts from the slapped together, ad hoc conglomeration of words that is the English language. They are the linguistic equivalent of the appendix, glaring evidence that the language just sort of happened, without any conscious (or competent) guidance.

  Ditching silent letters would go a long way toward simplifying a notoriously difficult to learn language. Unfortunately, spelling nerds have opposed every effort. For those of us without any particular physical prowess or intellectual acumen, an obsession with perfect spelling gives us a rare opportunity to feel superior to more gifted individuals. We’re not about to give up our secret weapon.

Interviews and artwork in the new book Colorful Illustrations 93°C were ripped off wholesale from Darren Di Lieto’s Little Chimp Society. Dozens of original illustrations and interviews with the artists who created them have been copied and repackaged as a $100 book.

It’s the modern nightmare of electronic distribution. On the one hand, it’s an inexpensive way to get your work in front of a worldwide audience. On the other hand, a fake publisher in Hong Kong can copy it all and publish it under a fake ISBN with very little fear of legal retribution.

If you or someone you know/love/share fluids with is a big fan of overpriced art books, please make sure they know that purchasing this particular tome is a kick to the soft bits of all hard working artists who share their work online.