Between sadness for lives too short and outrage at what is going on in Portland, OR right now, I’m kind of worn out. So I’m just going to leave you with today’s ‘toon, ‘kay?
There were never such devoted sisters…
Be the Bear
Bob T Panda
Keeping our fingers crossed that we will hear the pitter patter of little paws in DC soon… Happy BearDay Mommee Mei!
We know so much, and yet so little about the people we encounter here. In the early days of online chat rooms, making connections with people had a somewhat sketchy, if not downright sleazy, implication. But as the world of social media developed and grew, it became a place to form relationships with people with similar interests.
I first dipped my feet into the social media stream when I started putting my panda ‘toons online. I wanted to see if there were panda fans out there (ha ha ha, right?) who might find my ‘toons about badly behaved panda kindergarteners and their beleaguered feline associate, humorous. It turns out that there was an appreciation for panda satire amongst the lovers of pandas that congregate on line. I mean the panda lovers congregate, not the actual pandas. But then again…
At some point I connected with the folks that organized an IRL Panda Convention in San Diego, home to the magnificent Bai Yun and her fuzzy stud muffin hubby, Gao Gao. It was not without a bit of trepidation that I made my foray for an extended meeting of real life panda fans. I had already met some of the DC panda clan. But that was just a meet up at the zoo and then lunch. This was a whole weekend of pandemonium. This would have been in early 2013, when the cute Wu Self made his public debut. If I remember correctly, he slept through most of it.
Later that fall, I returned to DC, after Princess Pinky was born, and once again met up with the DC pandaratti. The DC folks are a unique bunch, mostly because the zoo is in the middle of the city, and there is no admission fee, (although many of them are zoo supporters through FONZ: Friends of the National Zoo.) When a zoo is that accessible, it’s only natural that people go frequently and form close friendships with people they meet repeatedly.
Later in 2013, when the SOB GOP shut the government down, I turned to Twitter to join with other people expressing their outrage in general at such short sighted malfeasance. But I also found, there there was a whole community of panda fans there, that I like to call #PandaTwidder. Needless to say, bonds were formed over the injustice of The Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Panda Cam Shut Down of 2013.
Those who are familiar with my story of how I got into panda satire (and those that haven’t, should read this page of the Panda Chronicles that tells the story of my Pandapiphany…) know that pandas first invaded my brain in early 2008, and then by late 2008, when the economy had gone to hell in a hand basket, they proceeded to save my sanity. (That claim is somewhat open to question.)
And while I love those little fluffy black and white bears more than I can say, it is the people who love them and share my fascination obsession with them that have really saved me. We now find ourselves in even worse times than the financial meltdown of 2008. (2020: hold my beer) We have an incompetent, quite possibly criminal “president” careening toward 100’s of 1,000’s of deaths from an out of control pandemic (which he takes no responsibility for), we have unidentified military-like personnel beating and kidnapping people off the streets in Portland, OR, we have millions of people out of work who have lost their health insurance and if the GOP controlled Senate doesn’t take some action on disaster income relief, millions will be out on the street.
On Sunday, one of the guiding lights of Panda Twitter passed away from a heart attack. Who knows how you cross paths with anyone on Twitter. Some one you follow, follows someone else, before you know it, you are in a 12 way conversation about whether this panda or that panda is the best panda ever, and don’t you think mebbee Bubba needs to lay off the Binky Bars. However I met Jayelle, she was a fan and friend of Panda Satire from the time we met. She was a fierce defender of social justice and voting equality. She loved her wife and she loved her brother and his family more than life itself.
It’s impossible to know everything about those you think of as your friends on Twitter. But if I know nothing else, I know these things: First, that one of her last thoughts must have been, “Damn! I don’t get to vote for Joe Biden and see Trump leave the WH in disgrace.” Not necessarily in this order, I think she told her wife she loved her, that she apologized to her most beloved niece and nephew that while she wouldn’t be there in person to see them grow up, she would always live on in them; to her brother who has serious health problems, that she was so sorry that she wouldn’t be there to support him, like she had been doing for so long; that she was furious that she wouldn’t get to see Bubba Wallace win his next race.
Jayelle had a huge heart and shared it freely with people on Twitter she would never meet. Who knew it would let all of us down so very badly. Rest in Power, Jayelle. Your absence leave a hole that can’t be filled.
When you can’t make fun of politics via panda satire, the terrorists have won
Panda on
Rest in Power, Jayelle
Bob T Panda
We all have our first panda, and so they become our favorite panda for all time. Mine is Mr. Wu. I was already watching pandas when Yun Zi and Po were born, but I wasn’t really WATCHING them, if you know what I mean. Maybe they didn’t have the den cams yet, or I didn’t have the internet at my house, (or a MePhone) so my panda watching time was limited.
Watching Mr. Wu from birth, he inspired many ‘toons and had the stage to himself, before the Meihems and then Pinky came on the scene to steal his thunder.
Dis. Will. Not. Stand!
21) Rusty the scuppers, pirate crew…
An explorer’s work is never done.
“You are right and Wu is wrong…I’ll never do it again, mommy.”
Whatever could be in the box the panda kindergarten is delivering to Mr. Wu?
Will the panda kindergarten get it put together before Bai Yun gets home?
“Up in the Air, Junior Pandas…”
Nothing like a snappy graphic to um…solve a problem!
May Day! May Day!
Mr wu’s cousin, da Sooperpanna, appears courtesy of Bruce Sebring, creator of the Sooperpanna Chronicles
Bet ya didn’t see this coming…or maybe you did.
This week we lost another shining light in the fight against inequality. Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis passed away this week after a struggle with pancreatic cancer. Maybe it is the continuous assault on truth and fairness and vulnerable people that comes in a never ending stream from the WH. Maybe it is the pandemic and the weariness of the (necessary) restrictions, but news of his death hit me hard.
I have to believe that enough people learned from him, and are carrying on his work. I have to believe someone who fought so hard and paid for his activism with physical assaults would not leave us unprepared for the fight to regain the soul of this country. The impact he had on this country are immeasurable. Rest in Power, John Lewis. I hope from wherever you are, you will be able to watch and see that your sacrifices were not in vain.
March by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (Illustrator)
This powerful, three-book, graphic autobiography written by Lewis (and Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell) is Lewis’ first-hand account of his fight for civil and human rights and the American civil rights movement he was a part of. If you haven’t read this already, I highly recommend this series.
Let’s all get in some #GoodTrouble
Panda on
Bob T Panda
It is difficult, as I may have mentioned last week, to show a ‘toon starring the Meihems that doesn’t have Pinky somehow messed up in it. Since Pinky’s early years were sans at home siblings, the Meihems filled that valuable role, that of someone to fight with! (Not that I’d know anything about that, heh, heh!)
So, in celebration of the Meihems’ upcoming birthday season I present one of my favorite stories starring The Meihems (and PINKY!!!!)…
Princess Pinky Bao Bao…what have you done now?
Time to call in …Inspector panda!
Inspector Panda is on the job!
“Hello, Bai Yun? this is Lun Lun…about that detective you suggested…”
…of course Boo-mints are pretty good too.
Will the twins get a merit badge for their road trip? will Lun Lun fess up to where the girls are? will Inspector Panda get a clue, or at least more twitter followers. Stay tuned!
Oh, Pinky…what have you done?
Howdy, Mr Kitty, kindly tell us where a tired old cowpoke can get a boo beer and a cuppycake.
enquiring minds want to know….
Fast furry friends…for now
One of the little known wonders of the world.
I love a good art forgery, don’t you?
Oh dear, the Mei-hem twinkies have made Pinky mad. Uh oh.
Panda on!
Bob T Panda
As I ponder the political paradigm shift that is at our door, sometimes I am drawn to the dark visage that is on the other side of the door.
Hang on to your hats, kids, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!
I think that maybe I am not doing anything to help the current debacle we are facing. Then I remember:
So many people have told me, that these ‘toons help them face the day. Laughter in times of tyrannyis a political act. So let’s do all we can to laugh in the face of fascism.
Mr Wu speaks out!
The first appearance of the Meihems!
Huzzah! a guest appearance by little Po!
Sweet dreams, little bears!
Huzzah! It’s Bert and his brother Ernie!
…and their jammies! Huzzah!
Pinky is VERY powerful. Be afraid, be very afraid, Mr Wu.
downloadable paper panda upgrade
Ready for panda kindergarten!
You wouldn’t believe how hard it was to find ‘toons with Bert and Ernie without Pinky in them! We’ll feature some of the ‘toons that Pinky has horned in on…I mean, when Pinky joins the Meihems, but now, let’s remind everyone how animals feel about fireworks on the 4th of July!
uh. oh.
Huzzah for Rumpy Dog!
Oh Panada, Oh Panada, how tasty are your maple leaves….
Panda on,
Bob T Panda
I don’t know about you, but I can hardly get through the day without being overtaken by an overwhelming urge to nap. Not that napping is a bad thing (pandas love to nap!) but it does add to the confusion I have about what day it is. Just when I think I am getting ahead with my panda satire, I find that, no, I’m just ahead of my posting schedule.
I’m so grateful for all of the felty panda orders and for those of you who have found something to lift your spirits over at Redbubble! I just delivered a whole bunch of paintings for a show at the Rob Schouten Gallery (Not wasting my fine art degree, still!) If you’d like to see what I’ve been up to, in between felty pandas and naps, click here to see the show!
Personally, I thought Pinky was being very clever and innovative with her cubpaigning
Panda on!
Bob T Panda
It’s time to be counted among those that believe that America should be better than it has been lately. I’m reading an article in the New Yorker, about Iceland, and how they have dealt with the COVID 19 pandemic. From the first moment they heard of cases in China, back in early January, they started moving the pieces needed to combat this virus into place. By the time the first case surfaced in February, they were ready. While they had quite a number of cases, they have had very few deaths. Through mandatory quarantine and contract tracing, they were able to keep the cases under control without ever locking down the economy entirely.
Imagine that.
Among other ways of being counted, don’t forget to fill out your Census form!
Do we have to count panda adoption fees?
These days I often feel like I have a sharp pain being my ears. And now, no other countries want us to come visit! Who can blame them. But if you must travel, you can always fly Pand-Air! (From the oldies but goodies file!)
bears in the air…
Beware…..
Pandas have a better idea…
notice the stylish design….
please have your tray table in their upright position for take-off…
…and most of all, don’t panic.
see, doesn’t this look just like British Airways’ new paint job?
I rest my case.
Many pandas travel via Pand-Air!
Pand-Air…it’s the only way to travel
Panda on as best you can!
It’s time for another day of Sunday Panda Fun, because what else do we have to live for? There will be new ‘toons coming down the web this week. Huzzah!
But what to share for our Sunday Funday ‘toons…Truth to tell, I can’t remember from one week to the next which ‘toons I shared last week (although it seems that maybe Pinky took over, last week..) As I have entered a new phase of felty panda making, it seems appropriate that this week’s Sunday ‘toons should celebrate that International Panda of Mystery…
Wanting to stretch my creative capabilities, I decided to make a felty Deluxe Babette, and feeling very pleased with the result, posted a picture of her on Twidder. A fan of felty pandas demanded that Babette come to live with her immediately. How could I say no?
Which leaves me in something of a quandary.
I plan on making more, as well as experimenting with some other of the as yet unrepresented pandas. I love the idea of making one of a kind pandas. It excites my muse, as it were. But how to let everyone who might want one see them… So here is what I am thinking. If people are interested, they can let me know via the contact form on the buy stuff with pandas page. I will make a list in the order people contact me.
This will not commit you to anything, other than receiving a photo of the next available panda, then saying “yes, I’d like that one”, at which time I’ll send an invoice and once it’s paid, I’ll ship within the week. Or you’ll say “no” and I’ll contact the next person on the list. I will also be posting them here, as well as on Twitter and Fezbook. (You can also contact me on Fezbook and Twidder, though I can’t guarantee I will see those messages before I see them here)
Here are the first two Babette, international Panda(s) of Mystery! Alas, these two are already spoken for!
Babette the first!
Babette, all dressed up for a costume ball!
This outfit really needed to be seen by more than one angle. 🙂
All My Pandas……
Wheel…of…PANDAS!!!!!
Huzzah! More Wheel…of…PANDAS!!!
I’m not a Doctor but a play one in a cartoon!
We call it “extra Fluffy Tuesday” around here.
Says Babette de Panda: “It’s all about MOI` “
Babette and Bee, the Bear have a “discussion”
Babette has ..um…toned her wardrobe down in honor of this important occasion.
“Madame Babette sees all!: I see cake in my…er…your future!”
Babette, in her leading lady role in Wagner’s Cuppycake cycle
As you might have gathered, Babette de Panda is quite a mentor of Pinky! Have a fun Sunday (or at least as fun as you can have during the days of Mitten’s reign of terror.) You can also have fun with cut out paper pandas, including Babette de Panda, on the Have Fun with Pandas page!
Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda
No…we can no longer have Nice Things. The problems of racism and economic inequality have long been with us. Now, HWMNBN has given very explicit permission to the people who behave badly towards others, and to exercise that bad behavior unapologetically.
I know that much of what we see in videos and opinion pieces, are designed and edited to elicit our outrage and horror. We may never go back to the way things were but I hope we can think about if they were the way we want things to be. I know this isn’t how I want things to be.
The new slogan of the GOP seems to be” “Keep us in power, so we don’t go to jail.” Who needs a 58 page policy platform?
Oh, Bob, you didn’t really say that, did you?
And look who Bob’s suspension replacement is! Huzzah!
Mehitabel did NOT approve this cartoon.
Archie, is that you?
We KNEW that was you!
I was really afraid this was going to happen.
Now where did that cat go?
Despite the fact that Bob is still wearing his vacation outfit, he’s back and ready to report!
But maybe you should be careful what you admit to, Pinky.
Mehitabel! Can you take a meeting?
Economics and privilege shouldn’t be a zero sum game, that in order for one person to do well, another person has to suffer; how can someone think that one couple’s marriage lessens the validity of another? Maybe we can all work toward making EVERYONE’S life better.
This was way too much fun. :o)
Keep panda-ing on, folks
Bob T Panda
…and probably not in a good way.
I have to admit, the last couple days have been very hard. More than 100,000 people have died in the US from COVID19. Protests have turned into riots, which seem to be fueled by HWMNBN pouring gasoline on the flames, as well as the very real possibility that those white supremacist groups that showed up at state Capitols with not so much as a slap on the wrist, are showing up, to increase the violence and use the (mostly) peaceful protesters as cover.
HWMNBN’s Liar General is claiming that these are “radical left extremists.” I’m pretty sure this is a lie. Audible violence is mere blocks away from the homes of people I care about. I am safe (for the moment) in my forest hideaway and feel very fortunate that this is so.
There is not much I can do from here, besides send adorable, funny pandas out into the world.
Our lack of taste is only exceeded by our sense of the absurd.
And just how did the panda kindergarten get her address?
Who’s the bear???!!!
Varooooooomba! Thanks to Lynnie Ness for alerting us to the “off label” use of the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner.
The panda kindergarten is so very helpful.
He’s small for now, but Bubba Bei Bei is shaping up to be a whole lot of panda!
See? I told you it was broken!
Take care everyone!
Wands Up!
Stay Safe!
Bob T Panda