Stephan Pastis's Blog, page 20

Where The Trendy Things Go To Die

I've started fist-bumping people.

For those that don't know, it's that odd little gesture where you hold out your closed fist to someone and they bump it with their own closed fist.

I bring this up only to warn you that this trendy little gesture has now run its course.

How do I know that?

Because I'm doing it.

Please return to your standard high-five.

And The Winner of the Very Damaged Book Is….

Thanks for all the great responses to the (damaged) book contest!…I read through all of them…

And though the judging was difficult, I've decided to award the book to Jennifer Leikness, who said simply, "…if you give it to me, I'll get a tattoo of Rat on my ass."

It's hard to ignore that kind of dedication.

Photographic proof to follow.

The New Pearls Book is in Stores! And Watch the Video to Find Out How to Win Your Very Own (Slightly Damaged) Copy

The newest Pearls collection, titled 50,000,000 Pearls Fans Can't Be Wrong, just hit stores.  Or you can buy it HERE on Amazon.

And even if you hate the strip, you'll still love the book, because it has many, many uses.

Just click HERE to see.

News Flash from Florida

Took an airboat ride through the Florida Everglades yesterday.  Saw a number of alligators and crocodiles.

Was shocked to learn that real crocs do not walk around carrying buckets of KFC.

Key West, Florida

Am in Key West now.  Drinking.  Will blog later.  Must prioritize.

It's Organ Man's World Now. We Just Live In It.

When I was a kid, there was a store in the mall that sold organs.

And whenever you walked by it, there was this cheesy guy in a tuxedo playing one of the organs.

Since his goal was to sell you the organ, he made sure to use every pre-set beat the organ provided:  disco, mambo, swing, etc.

The result was a cacophonous assault on anyone dumb enough to keep walking by the organ store, many of whom heaped their subtle scorn on organ man in the form of laughter.

When the organ store went out of...

Not Everything in the Magic Kingdom is Magical

A few summers ago, I took my kids to Disneyland.

Nearing Cinderella's castle, my daughter Julia (four-years-old at the time) spotted Cinderella emerging from wherever it is the character actors hide at Disneyland.

Julia ran toward her like she had found the Messiah.  Eyes wide, arms wider, jaw dropped.

She crashed into Cinderella's leg like a human missile.

Cinderella was knocked off stride.

Recovering her balance, Cinderella looked down at Julia, who was now hugging her leg.  Holding on to it...

Tattoo You

Just got this photo from a Pearls reader who got a tattoo of Danny Donkey.

I don't know why, but I always feel strangely bonded with anyone who is willing to put one of my characters on their body for life.

So if you or yours has a Pearls tattoo, email it to me and I'll try and post it here.

Mushing Mom's Myths, One Pea at a Time

Most of my mom's dinners involved peas and mashed potatoes.

And when the two mixed, I refused to eat them.

I did not like the mushy potatoes clinging to my peas and I did not like the surprise of a crunchy pea in my potatoes.

To which my mom always said the same thing:

"Eat it.  It all goes to the same place."

Being four, I had no comeback.

Until now.

And that is this:

When we as a family all drove somewhere on vacation, we did not pick up homeless hitchhikers heading our way.

So take that, mom.

Thirty...

A Video Look At How I Write My Strip

I'm often asked how I come up with ideas for Pearls.

For a video look at the process, click HERE.