TITLE BORE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
The film, as they say in the motion picture business, is in the can. Shooting for the Company's film has finally wrapped up. Soon begins the daunting task that is the editing process.

Deep in the Company Bunker lies a mountain of exposed film awaiting splicing

With the active days of running through graveyards and subway tunnels in costume behind them, and no new rushes to anticipate once this week's footage comes back from the lab, editing comes as something of an anticlimax to some of the misanthropes. There is approximately thirty hours' worth of mostly extemporaneously shot footage to whittle and shape into a cohesive ninety minute movie.

* * *

In related news, Headquarters recently received a letter from the attorneys representing the project's chief bennefactor. In it Mr. Busey requests, among other things, that the phrase "Eat Shit And Die" be tacked on to the film's title.

Miss Lastname makes her screen debut

Not surprisingly, the list of demands was met with varying degrees of outrage and opposition among the Company's the rank and file. Nevertheless, it was determined the addendum to the title would be honoured after matters were put to a vote.

So while Company has yet to decide on a first name for its picture in progress, atleast it has a last name.

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A DYMO DOZEN...

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:
Someone (or someones) in Texas likes us -- though we still haven't a clue who it might be, because they're not telling -- and, frankly, it's giving some of our members the creeps.

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

True to what seems to be a fledgling tradition of disconcerting packages containing delightful gifts, this vintage Dymo carousel store display turned up on the Bunker doorstep yesterday. How this can be remains a mystery unto itself. Unlike Headquarters, where the Company conducts most of its business, including shipping and receiving, or the Clubhouse, where the Company holds its shows and sundry events, the Bunker's location is top secret. We don't disclose its whereabouts to the closest of friends, family or bedfellows.

Included in the box was this unsigned note

We presume this gift can be credited to whomever sent us those 800 popcorn bags last summer. Though this package is postmarked, believe it or not, Bigfoot, Texas, a quick search on Google maps reveals it to be relatively close to the origin of the first mystery package.

Arguably the holy grail of labeling tapes

While there is some uneasiness among the ranks about accepting gifts under such circumstances, the issue will be put to a vote at the next meeting, since other members are eager to put these offerings to use. Enclosed with the carousel were a number of rare gems, including woodgrain, and a roll "property of" tape. The latter being the most seldom seen of the Dymo brand tapes.

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TOMO ARIGATO MONSIEUR COURTEMANCHE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
The Misanthrope Specialty Company has recently made a number of significant acquisitions in Lower Canada; not the least of which is a new place for members to lay their hats and friends when in Montréal.

photo by Reverend Aitor

The new Company branch, overlooking scenic Parc Lafontaine has been tentatively been dubbed "Hindquarters" by the Headquarters staff. Though its christening won't be put to a vote until Sunday's congregation, unofficial consensus indicates the moniker will in all likelihood become official.

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Another interesting addition to the Company assets comes in the form of a most extravagant. housewarming gift from recent ally, Michel Courtemanche.

New additions to the family (photos by Heywood McGillicuddy)

While not quite as advanced as Courtemanche's own Hawk robot butler, having one's coffee brought in via vintage Omnibots does a lot to console one after getting a glimpse of what luxuries one is missing when choosing the life of a cash-strapped Toronto artists over that of a French-Canadian entertainer.

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CAMERAS IN ARMS...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
Headquarters has just received word of a most generous surprise, courtesy of our Hollywoodland benefactor.

For those of you not currently subscribed to the Misanthrope Specialty Co.'s Epistolary Service, below is a taste of what you're missing. The following is an excerptfrom the e-mail T-Bone sent this evening.

(photo by T-Bone)

"I'm staying in an ugly little place just outside Rolla, Missouri. Hiked into town for a beer and a couple of tins of beans to cook on the hot plate. When I came to in my room I was greeted by two things I knew weren't there before I left. The ominous stink of fresh bug poison and an equally ominous cardboard box placed in the exact center of the room.

(photo by T-Bone)

"I sat on the lumpy bed for what must've been hours. A tin of beans in my hand, breathing in the insecticide fumes, staring at the plain brown box with no return address or markings of any kind. Ready to smash it into the carpeting at the first sign of sound or movement from within."

And that's all you get from the horse's mouth. Rest assured, the box that had Mr.Bonaparte so perturbed contained not bad news but great news.

(photo by T-Bone)

As it turns out, T-Bone's new friend tracked him down to his motel and had a gift couriered over to further assist the Company in it's motion picture-making endeavors. A vintage Bell and Howell 16mm camera is nothing to sneeze at.

(photo by T-Bone)

The Company wishes to publicly thank Mr. Busey once again for his invaluable allegiance to its cause. Much of what's to come would not be possible without him.

It should also be pointed out that T-Bone would never have gained entrance into Busey's world had it not been for that fateful night that Mr. Van Hest helped him and his comrades interlope their merry way into that L.A. party this past summer. For this he, too, is owed a world of gratitude.

* * *

YOU LOVE TO HIATUS...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Behold; a new addition to our list of prints for sale. Hot off the presses.

"The Three Gracies" - New print this week by the men and women of the
Misanthrope Specialty Co.

We've categorised The Three Gracies as a cautionary tail, though what exactly it is we're cautioning against remains the topic of debate.

* * *

While our Sunday meetings continue to be quiet affairs, with most of our members scattered across the continent, those of us left to coordinate the curating of completed work work and the exchange of works in progress are as busy as ever.

This week's Company mailbag is brimming with recently completed illustrations, many of them done on stationary from an array of hotels and motels during our agents' breaks whilst on the road. Clearly our members have come down with stationary fever once again, as there has been a steady stream of work coming in on all manner of vintage and antique letterhead; some dating back as far as the early 19oo's.

There's still a fair amount of sorting and voting to do, but discussions about a new stationary-themed show are already in progress. What we can tell you is that it'll likely be held Labour Day when the Company re-convenes for the season, and that we intend to make good on our previous threats to make our next opening night a Clubhouse slumberparty. Keep tuning in to this web log for more details as the date approaches.

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It should also be said that his is our final installment of Meeting Minutes for the season. While contributions to the web log will nodoubtedly continue, the Company offices will be closed during the month of August. Be advise that letters and electronic messages may go unanswered until after Labour Day.

--Don't change this summer!

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GIFT BAGS...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
The postman left a mysterious parcel on the Bunker doorstep today. The return address was Hondo, Texas. A little perplexing, given that we don't know anyone in the area, added to the fact that the Bunker's location is a closely guarded secret.

photo by Erkuden Sakana

The package's content does nothing to shed any light on the situation. 800 empty popcorn bags.

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