Illustration Friday: Robot

Missed the boat on this one, but I thought I'd share it anyways.

Meet the Econobot. This was an early '80s offering for poorer landowners who could not afford the more sophisticated robots that opened fridges to retrieve beer.

The Econobot claimed to have it all. First there was the TV head, but it only seemed to play the test pattern. But what a test pattern! Then there was the vending machine chest of glory that offered a robust selection of chips and cola, but said refreshments seemed to disappear in the middle of the night, and Econobot turned a bright red when questioned about it.
The Econobot is obviously one for telephony, what with its state-of-the-art rotary phone that it can dial itself for you. One side effect to this feature is Econobot often falls apart when you use the phone because its structural integrity depends on it. And what's that on the feet? Why, it's a player piano. Unfortunately all current models of Econobot can only play Heart and Soul, and this novelty gets tired faster than you can say "Tom Hanks in Big."

Finally, there is the giant massager hands, which proved to be the Econobot's final undoing after it turned a former Mr. Universe into a modern day Quasimodo. Apparently the Econobot was in vigorous mode when the tragedy occurred. But we still love you, Econobot, in a retro kind of way.

Illustration Friday: Spotted

Nothing says Easter like a spotted egg. I was just about in a chocolate coma yesterday due to too many eggs, and it was in this state that I hallucinated an egg offering me more eggs. That is the sad truth about chocolate: there's either too much or not enough.

Illustration Friday: Speed

When I first thought of speed I was sitting at work on a Friday, and I was amazed at how time virtually stood still between 2-4 p.m., as if some greater power was fussing with the speed of time to taunt me and get more work out of me.

It then occurred to me that for every second of those two hours a hummingbird could beat its wings for up to 200 beats a second. Amazing! I love the blur the wings create when they move, yet the hummingbird doesn't look tired (but it must be!!)

I've only seen hummingbirds on film, so I hope some day to see a live one. Until then, I raise my glass to the bird that hums.

Illustration Friday: Spring

Spring...the loveliest of seasons and, sadly, the shortest, at least in Toronto. But for those few weeks when buds start a-buddin' and people slowly discard the 3 layers of clothing that just barely got them through the winter, there is amazing transformation all around us. The sidewalks start filling up again, kids start playing stickball and people are finding more excuses to get out of the office. Glorious time!

This was a quickie illustration today. I was imagining the bud being somewhat like a hibernating bear, and nothing says YAWN like a season's worth of sleep. On a side note, never disturb a bear (or a bud, for that matter) when they're hibernating. Deep sleep makes one sensitive.