Dec. 2006 Blog Posts Note: Some links may no longer work
Friday, December 15, 2006
Check out Girl Scouts site Girl Scouts are getting a chance to enjoy again the Sunday strip that ran several months back where Gracie talks about her aspirations. We received lots of e-mail about that strip. Glad our friends over at Girl Scouts of the USA liked it! Check out their post here. When it's cookie time, show your support people! ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 2:50PM. Comments to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Baldo cartoon to debut in California As some of you know, we have been working on a Baldo cartoon. The news has been finalized: We will have our world premiere at the San Diego Latino Film Festival! It takes place March 8-18, 2007, at Ultra Star Cinemas in San Diego's Mission Valley area. We'll be there as part of the festival's focus on Latino animation. We'll share more of the exciting details here as they develop. Hope to see Baldo's SoCal friends there!
---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 10:13AM. Comments to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Thursday, December 14, 2006 What about old folk remedies? Hello there... Not sure if you encourage people to send in ideas for strips ... but when my family gets together, we laugh at all the home remedies our mother used on us as children. There are so many ... the whole egg thing if she thought somebody had given us "ojo" ... and so many others. Every Mexican family has their own versions. I think your strip should show Tia Carmen using some of these. Or have you done this already? Hahaha. Anyway ... it's something I'd like to see in your strip. Take care. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Virginia at 9:35PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: We've done folk remedy stuff in the past, but not lately. It's always fun to do. You got us thinking. Keep an eye out! Post by HCantu at 7:52AM Dec. 15.
The last big batch of Pitos You guys are craaaaazy! Everytime we ask for Pito suggestions, we get swamped. But that's cool! Carlos and I dig reading your stuff. Here are the latest submissions from readers:
locosojos - When your teen rolls his eyes because you ask why he's late. - submitted by Gwinn
earbling - When your sisters ears are covered in earrings and she can't hear a word your saying. - Jacob
patatu - Attack of obscure origin. - Louise
fregandoing - When my older brothers would bicker and get loud, my mom, taking my young, ungrammatical lead, would tell them to stop "fregandoing." (Fregar is to pester or be a pain.) I bought three of your books (two and one) to give as gifts. Baldo is fun! - Lucille
gritaera - What happens when you come in at 1am and your father clearly said 10 pm. - Onelia
cincuenta-era - A time to celebrate turning 50 years old. - Julie
trabajolico - Said of those who work two or three jobs or who love to work! - Katherine
esplanod - A real "yawner" of an SUV. - Bob
watchate = be alert apurale = hurry chansaque = maybe chayito = he is a little shy - R. Sierra
coachador - A guy who knows everything better about the NFL,NHL,NBA on mondays and shares his wisdom in the office, but his only sport is couching every Sunday. Known as monday morning Quarterback. - Uwe
honqueando - When someone pulls out in front of you when your driving. Honking your horn! - Jared
traffical - When there is way too much traffic on the streets. "I apologize for being late, it was very traffical on my way over to your house today." - Tina
lunner - The one meal you have in the afternon that is a combination of LUNch and dinNER. - Doris
attidude - What you see when a bunch of teenage boys hang out together. - Kerri
gordaria - A fast food restaurant with too much rich food. - Grace
foneglow - The dots of light from cell phones that come on in a theater when the announcement is made that now would be a good time to turnoff your phones and pagers. From the back of the theater, it looks like sunset in a subdivision...lights being turned on all over. - Connie
plendejo - This is a combined english word and spanish word (spanglish) I made up ... PLENTY and PENDEJO (fool) = PLENDEJO. - Vidal
pregunterio - When you ask a question, but are filled with a hundred more. - Surizaday
hungflu - You are not feeling well but go to the party and drink too much anyway. In the morning you have the "hungflu." - Lucille
nokayro - When your abuelita makes you eat beef tongue. - Elizabeth
jammitize - To put on one's jammies or pajamas and get ready for bed…as in "Go get jammitized…it's time for bed!" - Randi
mimir - The accion of sleep. Is usually used with to talk to children. Te tienes que mimir porque ya es tarde y manana tienes que ir a la escuela. You have to Mimir so you can rest. - Francisco
sockatines (so-kah-TEEN-es) - Combination of socks and calsetines. example: Mom I can't find my sockatines! - Roy
anasibo (an-a-sibe-o) - When a younger/older sibiling is so freakin annoying! - Ryan
compraholic - The irresistible desire to shop. - Olive Tree School
There you have it. Carlos and I will go through all the e-mails and pick the ones we like to maybe include in a future Baldo. We'll def contact you if we decide to use yours. Please, no locosojos! Thanks all for reading! ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 10:35AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006 Sounds like a good idea Hey Guys, thought you guys might find this interesting ... check it out, it's called comicspace and it's like myspace except it's geared towards comis, cool huh? www.comicspace.com talk to you later! ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Ray at 5:57PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com
Creator of Green Lantern dies Martin Nodell, creator of the comic book superhero Green Lantern, has died. We never met him, but his work certainly was influential on lots of people in the comics business. Read the story here. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 12:07PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
This one from my mother My mother, who was from El Salvador, whenever one of us lagged behind, dithered about doing chores or homework, told us to stop babosandoing, the act of behaving in a sluggish manner. This word continues in our family to the point of a couple of our spouses have picked it up and use it, especially mine when I dither about something. I love your strip, particularly the set when Tia Carmen told about being courted by the Mexican tour guide. I grew up with Gordo and still miss the strip. Are you going to publish a collection? Keep up the good work. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Jess at 11:56AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: Jess, we have two books out! You can find em both at Amazon.com:
We ask, you send ... and send ... Our Pitos request always gets us a flood of submissions. Here's another round from readers:
chucherias - That's what I call souvenirs, mementos. - submitted by Kristy
duxyfug (verb) - To jump on a llama in zero-gravity or under water. duxyfug (adjective) - Super Awsome, Great, Cool. - Max
squonk - To close one nostril with a finger and blow fiercely out the other. - Seb
refresceria - The word u use when the gardener asks you where your going, translation is "I'm going to the store to get the crew some beer." - Robert
incentivize - Hanging a car air freshener from your rear view mirror to get that new car smell. - Jaime
destickify - Loosening that rusty radiator cap. - Jaime
jierk - Describing someone that is a jerk, dork and is weird. - Leah
mercedes - A town in Texas, devoid of luxury automobiles, named for a woman who could have bought a fleet. - Steve
overleftation - There are so many leftovers from last week you say there is nothing to eat. - Kevin
furserious - Meaning something so outrageous is told to you, you have to combine "Are You Serious!?" & "Are You For Sure!?" together to make Furserious. - Meagan
hobbly-hoy - My Mother called me this because I was a tomboy. She said it was neither girl nor boy. - Hazel
gozinta - Like 2 gozinta 4 two times. - Pat and Fred
Thanks for your submissions. We'll choose the ones we like best to possibly draw up and publish in Baldo. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 7:26AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006 Welcome Connecticut! Check it out. A whole new group of folks in Connecticut will be joining the Baldo community. Read the story here. Welcome readers of The News-Times! ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 10:29PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Here's a whole mess of Pitos The e-mail keeps piling up. Here's a sample of what we've been getting.
occupadi - A potty that is occupado. - submitted by Jane
chancleta - Massive destructive weapon Latina mothers use to threat and use with their children. - Ceci & Antero
schlongendicular - Off center. Not horizontal, parallel, vertical or perpendicular. - Joan
jaguay-fai-vo (the old TV show Hawaii Five O) - What my mother uses when she cleans her kitchen counter.. For the life of me, I can't get her to say Formula 4-0-9 or Windex!! - Maria
chicocle' - The 2-litre bottle of soda that has gone flat, but you still have to drink ("cause soda costs money!"). I think I've got the spelling right. It is pronounced Chee-coke-lay. - Peter
smuckey - When the air is gray with smog and icky. - Tina
chicanada - A large group of Chicanos at a public function. - David
wasband - What you call your husband after the divorce and during the payment of alimoney. - Heather
panzaa - Like Kwanzaa only celebrated with lots of Tamales and Menudo. - Emma
leepsticiada - Ok...here is a " Pito" that my sisters and I use with each other a lot. Anytime we see each other and we are all made up with makeup and lipstick ... we ask each other ... "Why are you all leepsticiada? Are you going out or what?" - Virginia
Thanks everyone for your Pitos! We'll post more as they come in! ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 4:41PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
The Pitos keep coming in Hello! We read your comic "Baldo" every day and saw that you were looking for "Pitos". Here is ours: "Blirt" Someone you dislike so much that you don't even want to say their name. We hope you can use it in one of your cartoons! ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by H., J. & J. Dornhofer at 9:00AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Monday, December 11, 2006 He likes what he hears ... and sees I just got done listening to your interview on Fanboy Radio. I thought you guys were both really funny and came off as really likeable and real. I checked out your Baldo site and immediately was transfixed. It's soooo good. Wow. You guys are doing great work and I'll keep checking Baldo in the future. As a cartoonist/animator who is also Latino ... you done did me proud! :) Keep up the good work! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post by J.Lujan at 4:24PM. Comments to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: Hey everyone in BaldoLand, check out Jim Lujan's cool site at http://www.jimlujan.com/. Post by HCantu at 4:29PM Dec. 11.
This Pito goes with el golfo Here's a suggestion for Pitos, in case you haven't received it before: frijol - in golf, considered the same as a GIMME. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by A.Ramirez at 3:17PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
When's the Pitos book coming out? Guys: This is what I really like about your comic strip. You take things that are totally Latino and put them in the paper! I love your Pitos and I can totally relate! When are you putting out a Pitos book? ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Mario at 2:05PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
You want a Pito? Here ya go! How about: soplofono - another name for a blowhole (bufadora). ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Bob at 1:52PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Tengo un Pito Here's one I've used for muchos a-os ... aquitated - when you get frustrated with something or someone. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Frank at 1:35PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
What's this Pitos stuff? I enjoy your comic strip most of the time. I think you’ve diverged into social issues, with the words that you put in your occasional ‘pito’ comic strips, such as todays (11 December, 2006, Monday) – ‘hielo’. These words ARE in a dictionary, sir – the Spanish dictionary. They are not English, which many of us prefer to use. We speak English in America , sir. I’m a disabled veteran, working for the U.S. Army, Civil Service. I come from a family of military people. We all fight/or fought for the right to be left alone, you see, amongst other rights. Daily, we are being forced to speak a language we don’t want to use, by increments. Your strip is one of these increments. I don’t think I’ll read it any more. IF you had come to me, or others like me, and said ‘I’d like to teach you Spanish’, well, we could have worked something out. Instead you try to infiltrate American English culture. NO WAY!! NEVER! NOT ON MY WATCH! ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by CR at 1:03PM. Comments to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: quelaque?: Expression when someone makes a bizarre argument or statement. Post by HCantu at 1:34PM Dec. 11.
'Art' can be dangerous Please do not glamorize vandalizing railroad freight equipment. Hundreds of trespassers die each year while on railroad property. Your 11/26 Sunday strip could encourage young people to place themselves in extremely dangerous locations to create similar "art." You might wish to refer your readers to www.operationlifesaver.com. I do enjoy your work. Except for this one issue, please keep it up! ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Scott at 10:34AM. Comments to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Ehstopalay with la 'watchale' i know there's a lot of "spanglish" being thrown around today. i find myself doing it too and it dissapoints and frustrates me. not everyone understands spanglish or why it's incorrect, so i feel that using spanglish in your comic strips (when not part of the punchline) robs hispanic culture of one of the most important aspects of its characteristics. Spanglish turns a beautiful, rich, passionate language into a lazy, insulting, laughable one. I disagree with some of the research out there that says, "it's ok" to use spanglish. In short: Spanglish is an insult to hispanic culture. i guess i could just as easily stop reading your comics like i've stopped reading many others, but i think you guys do have potential, and talent. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Hugo at 9:57AM. Comments to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: We hear what you're saying. We're sending all our characters to Spanish class! Post by HCantu at 10:15AM Dec. 11.
Friday, December 8, 2006 You're pushing some extreme limits I am an active member of the Minuteman project, a former US Army soldier, and one of the most patriotic citizens you can find in America. Which brings me to my issue. You obviously support "reconquista" and that is a problem. Reconquista is the same as a terrorist orginization. It may not be violent, but it does seek to overthrow local AMERICAN governments. I can not stand by and let you print this propaganda to have my country ripped away from me freely distributed any longer. And I will not be ignored. You have to stop this insanity, and I want to know what you plan to do to correct this issue. I'm not asking you to correct it. I am telling you to correct it. I recommend you do it immediately. I'll be keeping in touch. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Zach at 3:16PM. Comments to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: I disagree with your interpretation of this week's story line. If anything, I think Hispanics would be upset. But I respect your opinion. My father served in the National Guard. My uncles served in the U.S. Army and in the U.S. Navy during World War II. And like all good Americans, they would say you have every right to express your views without threats or punishment for doing so. I think that's what they fought for. Post by HCantu at 3:37PM Dec. 8.
I really like your strip because the main character works in an auto parts shop, as I currently do and some of the situations are so true. I just didn't understand why the idea of reconquista had to come into play. Also: I'm sorry if my message came off as being overly harsh. The subject is a touchy one for me, and it caught me in an odd way. Post by Zach at 12:29AM Dec. 9.
This is my country, too; and I paid 2 years and 2 months in Viet-Nam with a USMC recon outfit. I taught a lot of new guys the trade, and I watched some of them go home feet first. This red-neck b------ thinks he can call this "HIS" country should talk to some of my Cherokee friends in West Tejas and Oklahoma. They have a different idea about whose country it used to be. I'm not going to stand on my soap-box all day. I just have little tolerance for people who think their way is the only 'right' way. Post by Osito.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006 Hey! Where's gangster Baldo? What happened to the haircut theme? ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Robert at 8:01AM. Comments to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: Yes, Baldo got a haircut. But that storyline ended with Baldo's photo in the yearbook (above). Now Baldo's hair is back to normal. When someone gives you a haircut you may not like, your old hair DOES grow back. And in Baldoland Time, Baldo's hair has grown back already. Post by HCantu at 8:05AM Dec 6.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006 Baldo's stupid ... and good day It disturbs me that you would make light of a situation that truly is not only un-American, but also not even close to funny. In today's paper 12/06/06 you made light of the movement known as "reconquista". Grow up. If that is truly the way you feel you should 1) get out of the United States of AMERICA and 2) be man enough to not hide your true feeling behind your stupid cartoon. I feel no other comments are necessary, except that now your cartoon will no longer be read in my household. Good day. --------------------------------------------------------- Post by Michael at 5:29PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Breaking news! FoxTrot ending Seems Bill Amend is calling it quits. Read the story here. Sad to see it. Bill was an inspiration for lots of us in this business. Also, our colleague Aaron McGruder explains more why he quit The Boondocks a few months back in this story. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 1:03PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Set Che straight please Someone who is native american like my wife (navajo) needs to set the boy straight that they weren't there first. The indiginous people (native americans) were here first. Might be funny if some natives broke up the party at the hamburger joint they are going to. My mom is half hispanic and half Yaqui. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Rick at 11:55AM. Comments to baldomail@baldocomics.com. We're on Fanboy Radio We're getting ready to get on the phone this morning to tape an interview with our friend Scott Hinze over at Fanboy Radio. We'll let you know when the podcast is posted (we think it's tomorrow). In the meantime, check out their site. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 10:14AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com. The winner's Maria from Miramar Just a note to all the great people I met at the Florida SuperCon last month. We had a blast! And, yes, we did raffle off a signed and framed Baldo Sunday print (above). Congrats to Maria Fuentes of Miramar, Fla. We love you Mar! --------------------------------------------------------- Post by CCastellanos on 9:59AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
You guys are obscure I really like obscure references in comics. How many people do you think got "The revolution will not be deeply fried" in today's strip? ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by David at 8:03AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: As many who get Auto y Rod Inc. Post by HCantu at 8:05AM Dec 5.
And it keeps on going, too, huh? I'm sure you'll get many other emails about this, but I wanted to express my disappointement about your recent cartoon with Baldo saying that hybrid cars are kinda slow. You work very hard at removing stereotypes of your characters, why do you continue a sterotype of hybrid cars? I own a Honda Insight and it gets 60-70 mpg, yet is rated for 0-60 in 12.5 seconds. Not blistering, I know, but about what you can expect for a typical compact, like a Honda Civic. I typically keep up with freeway traffic at 65 (or 75) mph. I've heard of some taking their cars and drag racing them. The Insight has a govenor that keeps the top end at about 102 mph - not what I'd say is slow. Honda sells a hybrid Accord and Civic that are no slouches. The Toyota Prius is not clogging traffic either. Maybe Baldo (and/or the writer) needs to test drive one and see what they can really do. Keep up your otherwise fine work. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Al at 7:52AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Monday, December 4, 2006
Got some Pitos for ya I’m sending two Pitos from Mrs. Willey’s fifth-grade class in Katy, Texas. After reading the novel Frindle about a boy who invented a new word for a pen, each student made up a new word of his/her own and gave a definition for it. Here are two of our most popular invented words: splonkey – a monkey that is a great speller wampacrumps – a cereal that has the same shape and taste as chicken wings The kids and I will be watching and hoping to see one of our words in your comic strip. Thanks for doing this – it’s a great idea! ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Susan at 5:49PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
Forget 'em! The strip was goood! I liked Saturday's strip (12/2) about hybrids, sidewalks and the environment. Does it have a permanent URL that I could link to from my website? ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by John Z. at 5:06PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: You bet Jay-Z. You can find the URL here. Post by HCantu at 5:10PM Dec 4.
Love the monsters My wife & I follow your strip in the Orange County, Calif., Register. I loved the art work in the strip for Sunday 12/3/06 and of course the story of father and son working on the tired old car trying to keep it alive. Comparing it to Dr. Frankenstein and Igor working on the monster was a brilliant touch. Keep up the good work and keep throwing in panels like these once in awhile to keep us readers on our toes. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Craig K. at 4:46PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
It's only three months away Hey all: Might as well give you a heads up as soon as possible. The San Diego Latino Film Festival in Califas in March 2007 will have a focus on Latino animation and graphic novels. Lots of Latino cartoonists have been invited (including us Baldo dudes). Check out their site here. We'll keep you posted con developments. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by HCantu at 12:46PM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com.
The hybrid crowd is offended I am an avid reader of the comics and enjoy yours but was disappointed in Saturday's strip. I own a hybred car and it is a misconception that they go slower than other cars. Not that everything read in comics is true, it does not help to have facts wrong when you are trying to break stereotypes. Thanks for listening. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Lill at 11:33AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: OK! OK! Hybrids are fast! They're zoomy! They're dragsters! Let's race! Yeah baby! Post by HCantu at 12:06PM Dec 4.
Saturday's strip: Whaaaaaaaaa?! What makes you say hybrids are slow? Insight: top speed -- uncertain. I slowed down after 107 mph. Typically drive speed of other traffic in DC area -- 65-75. Honda Civic: not sure of top speed, but accellerates even faster than the Insight -- and easily handles all traffic situations Prius: pretty much the same as the Civic, just a bit slower on accelleration from 30 to 60 though the same to 30 -- and about the same as all but the most powerful cars. Many hybrid owners drive slower because they are concerned about energy use and all cars get much better fuel efficiency at 55 than 65 -- by 10-15%. But they would drive slower even without a hybrid. Despite this harmful misinformation, I generally like Baldo. ---------------------------------------------------------- Post by Steve at 11:16AM. Comment to baldomail@baldocomics.com. COMMENTS: That Baldo reads the crappiest magazines. We'll make sure he cancels his sub to HYBRIDS WHATEVER and gets HYBRIDS ROCK instead. Post by HCantu at 11:21AM Dec. 4.
