Rotty Blog

So I went and entered “Jeeraffe” in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts Annual Juried Art Exhibition. I (honestly) believed the juror would have a good laugh when he saw it, and maybe even call somebody else in the room so that person could have a laugh at me as well. And then he would toss my entry in the “rejected” pile and get on with his life.

But life doesn’t always turn out that weird “normal” way, and that juror, in that little room, decided that, in spite of all the other legitimate paintings he had already tossed in the “rejected” pile (mine included), “Jeeraffe” was worthy of being included in his little show.

No, I’m not kidding.

I really don’t think they understand the point of The Rots. I’m hoping this doesn’t make them legitimate now; that would be the kiss of death.

The show’s opening reception was November 29 at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier, and the picture up above here proves everything I just said. They even gave him his own wall with his own lighting! (My apologies to the lady who found her way into the photo.)

And, strangely, the words “cute” and “adorable” came up several times…

The show runs November 28 through February 14, and the SAMA Web site is the next thing you’ll read: Link: http://www.sama-art.org/ex_ev/ligonier.htm

So if you’re anywhere near Pittsburgh, and you’re anywhere near a Pirates fan, you’ve probably heard that we’ve managed to screw up once again.

Xavier Nady wasn’t enough. They went and traded Jason Bay.

I was watching a Pirates game two years ago (July 29, 2006, to be exact) when I drew this Rot in my sketchbook. Sorry about the quality; it was one of those sketchbooks with the naturally speckled, recycled paper. Jason Bay was playing, and inspired me to draw “Jasun.”

I’m afraid the Pirates will have difficulty being contenders if they don’t understand the point of “building” a team. But as a longtime Southwestern Pennsylvanianer and sports fan, I will gladly apologize in this very spot if they prove me wrong.

It’s official! “The Rots” is a certified registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. So now, every time I use the name, I can put a registered trademark symbol after it:

The Rots®

Pretty cool, huh?

And hopefully, that might deter some evildoer who wants to steal the name for their own evildoer purposes.

Well, I just found out yesterday that the check I sent last December 3rd to the Copyright Office, along with a stack of greeting cards published in 2006, has finally been cashed. I hope that means the copyrights aren’t far behind. I apologize for the wait, and hopefully those cards will be up for sale soon.