POP GOES THE EASEL...

by Tallulah Lastname, interim Secretary:

(Puces Pop logo by Pin Pals)

Yes it's true, the Misanthrope Specialty Co. is heading into La Belle Province this weekend to hock it's wares at the Puce Pop Marketplace. Drop by 105 St.Viateur O Saturday and/or Sunday; we'll be there. See the sights, hear the sounds, taste the smells.

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(photo by Reverend Aitor)

As an added bonus, the Good Reverend has agreed the make himself available to scribble out Unflattering Portraits of those who dare sign up for one.

UNFLATTERING MONTREAL
Saturday October 4th:
1:30pm - Josée T.
2:30pm - Available
3:30pm - lunch break
4:30pm -David + 1
5:30pm -Gorka Coria

To book an appointment, simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Portraits take about thirty to forty minutes per person (couples, oddly enough, count as two persons) and are done by donation. Pay what you think it's worth.

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THRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENZA...

by Tallulah Lastname, interim secretary:
Attendance at Sunday's congregation was nearly halved by a particularly feverish attack of the dreaded swine flu among many of our peers.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

In an attempt to contain outbreak, our feverish colleagues have been quarantined to the Bunker, under the altruistic care of Lydia Caulpepper, our newly appointed Company Nurse. With the public's best interest in mind, Lydia wishes to point out a disconcerting irony: all of our members who opted to get last year's flu shot have fallen prey to the H1N1 virus. Food for thought.

(photo by Heywood McGillicuddy)

But the Misanthrope Specialty Co. isn't one to just sit around idly in the face of a pandemic. The wheels keep turning. Once an interim Baliff and Secretary were appointed to fill in for our fallen bretheren, it was business as usual at Company Headquarters.

"Up Too Late" by the Misanthrope Specialty Company

It isn't unusual for unoficial or subsconscious themes to creep their way into an evening's session, so it's no surprise that so many images of illness, convalescence and even pigs turned up in much Sunday's yield.

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TADDLE TALE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
The Misanthrope Specialty Co. wishes to announce the release of a new print this week, starring none other than the nameless girl with the empty fishbowl.

"Lost In Taddle Creek" by the members of the Company

Our blindfolded heroine holds a special place in the Company's collective heart. She hearkens back to one of the very first Sunday session, in 1999, when the Company was still unnamed, incomplete and based in Miner's Prayer.

Was she ever so young?
Our recurring redhead in her first incarnation, ten years ago

She's turned up again several time since then, in a variety of incarnations, but had somehow eluded being shared with the public at large. What better way to celebrate her tenth birthday than by commemorating her with her own open run print?

Our 5x7" print is printed on light blue "ocean mist" card stock. Subscribers to the Company's Epistolary Service can expect their copy in the mail shortly. The rest of you can procure this item via the Company's Etsy shop for a measly $4.99.

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SHIRT DISTURBERS...

by Heyood McGillicuddy, Chairman:
It looks asthough bickering Toronto comedy duet, Iron Cobra, has finally put that artwork they commissioned from us to good use.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

The shirts made their debut not in Paris or Milan, but in Atlanta at last week-ends World Domination Theatresports Tournament and proved a runaway hit. Already, there are almost three hundred corpulent southerners proudly stretching out our twin cobra design.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

If you too wish to be the coolest walking billboard on your block, the only way to get your meaty paws on the merchandise is to find Iron Cobra. Luckily for you, they are playing monthly show at Toronto's aptly titled Comedy Bar.

Perhaps we will see you there.

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THE MORNING AFTER SPILLS...

by Cottonwood Fields:

We are proud to report that Stay The Night was an unmitigated success. Our subscribers and their guests filled up and fouled up the Clubhouse for our one-night exhibition, sale, concert, screening and sleepover.

(photo courtesy of Edur Coria)

There were many new faces in the crowd. In most cases, it was a pleasure to finally meet men and women with whom we correspond face to face. Some guests failed to observe the proper dress code and were either turned away or sent home to change. This hadn't been so prevalent an issue in the past, but these semi-secret events have steadily been drawing more and more people. This prompted some reevaluation of policy among the misanthropes and temporary slackening of the rules.

The fact of the matter is t hat not everyone is in a position to purchase what the Company deems "suitable attire" and shouldn't be penalized for it. While most of our own wardrobe hails from the lowliest of thrift stores, we admit a pang of elitist guilt for harbouring the expectation that everyone has twenty dollars to blow on an old suit. As with legal fees and cover charges, perhaps dress code too should be considered on a sliding scale. We've now resolved to keep a limited number of loaner jackets and ties on hand for future Clubhouse events. That being said: If you show up to a Clubhouse event in fancypants designer jeas or glittery dance club wear, you will be turned away.

* * *

(detail from "Too Soon" by the M.S.Co.)

The night commenced with general mingling and inspection of the exhibition, followed by a little talk by Heywood. The Misanthrope Specialty Co. Dilettante Orchestra bookended series of readings and presentations. Though it hadn't been planned, some of the patrons took the stage from time to time to share their own tales of travel and motel horror stories. Before before we knew it, it was time for everyone to change into their p.js for a little more fun before rolling out the blankets and sleeping bags.

The Orchestra serenades its overnight guests with an extended
rendition of St.Louis Cemetery Blues (photo by Arthur Corey)

An unexpected majority of our guest stuck around for the sleepover portion of the night. Those who did were treated to a second, gentler set by the Orchestra, and an all-night marathon of the Company's films for those who chose to beat the night.

The morning after was a little less cheerful for some. We remained true to the motel-themed spirit of the show in enforcing a strict eleven-o-clock checkout time.

* * *

(Polaroid photo left behind by an unknown participant)

A word of advice to those considering and all-night art opening: The serving of alcohol at art openings is an age-old trick to loosen the purse strings of inebriated patrons -- but did you know that the serving of coffee and juice to a crowd of hungover and under-slept patrons is doubly effective? And not nearly as costly.

We learned this completely by accident, but you can rest assured we'll be using the old one-two punch of booze at night and coffee in the morning the next time we decide to throw a slumber-party show.

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RETURN TO FORUM...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
The Misanthrope Specialty Co. reconvened in the Bunker yesterday for the first Sunday session following the summer hiatus. Company members returned from their respective furloughs with refreshed enthusiasm. Many brought along four weeks' worth of bottled ideas they'd been fermenting all August long and were eager to finally uncork them before a jury of their peers. There was much discuss.

"Don't Think We Haven't Missed Your Around Here, Charley,
Because We Truly Have" by the men and women of the Misanthrope
Specialty Company

Not surprisingly, it turned out to be a day-long concourse. There was all manner of business, old and new, to ponder; policy and proposals to debate; plans to hatch; not to mention a hefty stack of backlogged drawings to pass around.

"Unstoppable One-Mule Parade" by the Misanthrope
Specialty Co.

One item on the agenda that may be of interest to our wild scattering of friends and foes is the prospect of another Company Convoy next summer. Nothing has been set up just yet. Possible dates and locations have yet to be discussed, but the Company voted unanimously [pending one absentee ballot] in favour of pursuing yet another North American tour.

"Wanderlust can be an insatiable bug," our pathologically dissatisfied impresario once cautioned in a letter. "The more you start to ramble, the more you come home wishing you'd had time to do."

It would seem said bug is a contagious one, as even our most firmly rooted hermit crabs have caught the fever.

* * *


A taste of what's to come.

The rest of the evening was spent at the Clubhouse preparing for tonight's show. All tallied, we have ninety-six new drawings on display -- most of them on motel and hotel stationary acquired over these past two years of touring.

In keeping with the motel theme, T-Bone has sent in a weighty stack of his ever-popular Gideon Stash Bibles.

What secrets are hidden between the covers of -Bones motel bibles?
Besides salvation, ofcourse.
(photo by Heywood McGillicuddy)

Despite growing pressure to make these little little gems available for sale, Mr. Bonaparte has requested we make it clear that this batch is for display purposes only. While efforts are being made to change that, this may be the republic's only opportunity to see T-Bone's handiwork, short of chancing upon one in an U.S. motel room.

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