LINE DISEASE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The painting pictured above represents something of an olive branch.  A public goodwill gesture from some of the naysaying members of the Company in Toronto to their Away Team counterparts.

"Please Come Back To Us: a public apology" by the M.S.Co.

In reviewing this summer's weblog posts, some of the Misanthropes grew concerned that their attempts to preclude the tour might end up being misconstrued; both by the Away Team and the reading public. They wanted it known that there is no true animosity between the two camps.  Infighting is sort of what the Company is set up to do by design.

Indeed, from it's very inception, the Misanthropes agreed the Company should be a house divided against itself, mired in its own bureaucratic democracy.  It's just more fun that way.

*  *  *

In unrealated news, sometimes the M.S.Co.'s membership finds itself in complete agreement.

 photo by Tallulah Lastname

Last week, for instance, all camps agreed unanimously that it'd been too long since the release of a Company catalogue. Nearly five yeas, asamatterofact.

True to their fickle dilettantism, the easily distracted Misanthropes became sidetracked with new diversion and offshoots thereof, leaving the once monthly review of the Company's collective output to flounder. In 2003, The Misanthrope Specialty Co.  Encyclopædic Catalogue, Illustrated, Monthly was scaled back to a quarterly publication, but even that became too much to live up to. It fared a little better as an annual before falling completely by the wayside in 2006.

Finally, the time has come to revive the all but forgotten publication.

 "The Killer" and its catalogue counterpart

A new Editor-In-Chief has been appointed to spearhead the Company's Publications Division.  Assignments have been doled out, and now the company has begun the process of compiling a comprehensive five-volume catalogue of selected works from 2007 to 2011.

Unlike in previous incarnations, the new editions will not contain scans and photos of the original Archive illustrations.  Instead, the Misanthropes have been busily re-creating their work in the slightly more simplified form of line drawings.  Each collectively made original will now be reinterpreted by a single illustrator. Depending on the whims of the Misanthrope assigned to any given illustration, some reproductions may be more faithful to the original than others. 

New drawings of old paintings by the M.S.Co.

It is not yet clear when the Catalogues will be published, and at what interval.  For that matter, the Company has yet do discuss whether it will continue to put out new volumes with any regularity after the 2011 volume is complete and on the streets. Right now the Misanthropes are busily focusing on the task at hand.

As usual, curious readers are advised to stay tuned to this weblog for further details as they come to light.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated:37
Number completed: 20
Number inducted: 3
Carried over to next week: 7

* * * *

MY SoCal LIFE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

It's official. Last week's motion to summon the wayfaring Misanthropes back to Headquarters' choleric bosom has been debated and subsequently quashed today. The Away Team's odometer will keep turning, us-stymied by the opposition. As a matter of fact the travelling contingent is extending its stay in Los Angeles, and now it's the Toronto-based coalition that's being called to join their colleagues across the the boarder. There is a gig in the works.

This latter turn of the tide stems from a liquid brunch earlier in the week with one of the Company's Hollywood patrons. It seems Mr. B, the owner of Screaming Hell Hogs Eat Shit and Die, wants to parlay the Company's visit into a private screening party and wants the Misanthropes in attendance. All of them.

(He who owns the Company's 35mm motion picture masterpiece (photo by Pepper, Polaroid by T-Bone)

Now, it isn't easy to convince all of the Misanthropes to drop everything, all at once, and pack their bindles, paid expenses or not. Especially now, with the post-postal strike backlog only just cleared up. But the visionary Mr.B knows how to sweeten the pot. He's enticed the Company with an exciting new commission none of the members could vote against.

The details still need hammering out between Mr.B's lawyers and the Company's legal department, but all will be revealed soon.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 34
Number completed: 19
Number inducted: 11
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *

DEFICIT OF A SALESMAN...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

(*the killer) by the Men And Women of the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

While most reports from the road indicate the travelling Misanthropes are having a mostly good time, chasing their tails all over the United States, another tempest is brewing in the Company teapot.

This week's tumult stems from from the Accounting Department's audit of the Away Team's finances, weighed against the Treasurer's reports from previous M.S.Co. tours. A sharp decline has been noted in the Retail Division's profits, prompting the Company's Chief Financial Officer to raise a red flag of admonition.

Beat the recession with these Lydia and Rufus' new coupons. Now in circulation.

The recorded profits from this weekend's Renegade Los Angeles was no more than $17. Last week's yield in San Francisco -- historically one of the Company's most profitable shows -- was similarly discouraging. Across the board, this summer's tallies have hit record lows. Tabling and booth fees, along with the cost of fuelling the Company fleet keep escalating, but the moneyed hordes are not coming out to buy in the same numbers as in years prior. Not by a long shot.

Perhaps there is something to this double dip recession talk radio keeps prattling on about.

Whatever the causes, the Away Team's adventure is running a deficit. Naturally, those within the M.S.Co. who voted against the tour in the first place are seeing red. Today, a motion to cut the tour short was put forward. Furthermore, the Company bean counters are petitioning for a three-year moratorium on touring altogether.

Trade in this dollar for to save eighty cents on any goods and services at participating retailers

The proposed changes to the Away Team's agenda was hotly debated via teleconference, but voting will not be held until next week. Things being left where they were at the end of today's protocols, the out come of next week's vote is difficult to predict. In the meantime, the tour is to continue on it's current trajectory until further notice.

* * *

photo of mysterious project in progress by Cottonwood Fields

Also on the Company's plate, a slew of exciting commissioned work. Posters, books, portraits, schmatta and so much more. Things are getting busier every week, and the administrators at Headquarters is breaking a frantic sweat trying to coordinate the increasing workload with its wayfaring Stateside workforce.

Stay tuned to this weblog for further details as they arise.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 39
Number completed: 22
Number inducted: 15
Carried over to next week: 10

* * * *

FREEDOM OF REPRESSED...

by Heywood McGillicuddy, Chairman,
and Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Exhibit A: Misanthropy

True to its name, the Misanthrope Specialty Co. is rife with pet peeves. This should come a surprise to none; the Company members all wear their curmudgeonry on their dirty shirtsleeves. Furthermore, it's reflected in much of their creative output and merchandise.

One gripe which inevitably bubbles to the surface after a weekend of peddling wares at a show is a lack of decorum by trigger-happy photographers. Much disdain has been expressed for those shutterbugs, be they amateur or professional, who sidle up to the Company booth and, with no acknowledgement of the presiding merchant, proceed to photograph the merchandise. Doubly so if the photographers in question take aim at the Misanthropes themselves.

Exhibit B: Double misanthropy

Obviously, not everyone is of the same mind, but it is the general sentiment of the Company that having a blog, and the fact that one's cellular telephone is equipped with a camera shouldn't be taken as inference that one has been issued an all-access press pass.

In response to this, the Company passed a bill some time ago, authorizing its members to respond to such lapses in courtesy in kind.

Old policy:"No pictures, please"

The preferred, though unofficial, implementation of this policy has typically consisted of the interjection of a single digit into the photographers' field of view. This method, however, has not been for everyone, so it was recently put to the Company to find a more passive alternative for the deterrence of unauthorized photography.

The solution was voted in today, and will henceforth be in effect at all subsequent shows, craft fairs, etc.

New policy: "Ten dollars, please"

Rather than becoming indignant, or pretending to do so for the sake of confrontation, the M.S.Co. has decided to put a price tag on unsolicited picture-taking. The Company will be happy to sell you the photos you just took without asking for a measly $10. Exact change is preferred.

As for those individuals with the good sense to introduce themselves and state their intentions before they start clicking away, the Company is usually willing to waive its fee.

* * *

In other news, the Company is cranking out drawings at full throttle.

"American In Peril" by the Company Away Team

The Away Team, in particular, has been quite prolific since it was granted partial autonomy during the postal strike state of emergency. Despite the logistics being stacked against them, given their lack of studio space, sleep, showers and regular hours, the itinerant Misanthropes have their cushy Toronto-rooted counterparts beat in terms of drawings initiated, completed, and even inducted this week.

"Stupid Garbage" by the M.S.Co. Away Team

Perhaps the touring members of the Company are more intune with eachother than those left bickering in the Bunker. Or perhaps their standards for what gets inducted are simply lower. Regardless of the reasons for the imbalance in productivity, this week's numbers appear to have ignited something of a competitive spirit between the two camps.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 47
Number completed: 30
Number inducted: 22
Carried over to next week: 10

* * * *

STRIKING IT BITCH...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

("Stupid Fucking Moron" by the men and women of the Company)

The wheels of industry are once again churning at the M.S.Co. The Europeans have arrived in Toronto, hunkering down with the others in the Company Bunker, and T-Bone and Cotton have joined up with the Away Team. This amalgamation of previously spread out Misanthropes into two distinct camps leaves the Company in a better position to ride out this protracted postal strike. The harumphing is subsiding.

Ofcourse, even with the consolidation of membership and amended protocols, circumstances still preclude the needle on the Company Catastrophometer from going all the way back down business as usual levels. Canada Post's indisposition cannot be ignored completely.

Online and mail-order purchase of Company wares remains unavailable

The exchange of certain supplies and sundry secret goods between Headquarters and the Away Team remains vital to Company operations. Relying on services of FedEx and UPS as alternatives, keeps the traffic flowing, but take their toll on Company coffers. These are also not viable alternatives when it comes to the Company's mail-order business and Etsy shop. The M.S.Co. retail division consequently remain closed.

* * *

The strike also calls for the revision many of T-Bone's plans, along with the Company's plans for him.

Portrait of the Company's intrepid Bailiff

With Mr. Bonaparte now tethered to the Away Team, the M.S.Co. regretfully announces the suspension of this year's instalments of his popular Notes to Headquarters travel supplement. Hopefully it doesn't need to be cancelled altogether. Last year's compilation of T-Bone and Cotton's adventures was a runaway hit with subscribers to the Company Espistolary Service.

Then there's the Motel Bible Project...

In a concerted effort to help T-Bone complete his mission, the Company has decided to adopt the project as an M.S.Co. subsidiary. Strategies are being devised to cover more ground, making up for lost time.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

The members of the Away Team will henceforth endeavour check into separate motel rooms, or, when possible, separate motels, switching bibles out as per T-Bones specific instructions.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 39
Number completed: 25
Number inducted: 11
Carried over to next week: 5

* * * *

PEACH BLANKET BINGO...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

"Porthole View" by the M.S.Co.

The M.S.Co. is doing its best to work around the continuing labour disputes between Canada Post and the postal workers' union by reducing the need to mail work back and forth between the various members of the Company. The Miner's Prayer, and Montréal misanthropes have assembled in Toronto, and the European contingents may soon be on their way. T-Bone, too, is putting his side project on hold and is en route to rejoin the away team.

Protocols are also being reworked to circumnavigate reliance on the postal system. The Away Team and Toronto camps will henceforth operate, partially, as separate entities; holding on to a percentage of their respective illustrations for completion, evaluation and induction independent of the other team.

* * *

Unflattering Portrait of Tofu Baby

Down in the Peach State, the touring misanthropes had their hands full this weekend, representing the Company at I.C.E. Atlanta. Once the show was rapped up, the convoy headed over to Athens, Georgia to carry out their secret meeting and drawing session. They are holed up at Rancho Cocoa, hosted by longtime allies, the French Toasts.

Hanging out with Tofu Baby at Rancho Cocoa

Raul and Missy have built an impenetrable fortress of cuteness, candy, cakes, bunnies and cats. How they get away with all this adorable sweetness without making everyone puke is a mystery for the ages. Even the sourest of misanthropes can't resist the sugar-powered giddiness of Rancho Cocoa for long. As a result, it looks like results of this week's away team drawing session might boast a record number of uncharacteristically darling, even dainty illustrations.

Rancho Cocoa's infectious joy is fuelled by equal parts cuteness and icing sugar

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 34
Number completed: 17
Number inducted: 7
Carried over to next week: 6

* * *

NIGHTS of COLUMBUS...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

(photo by Erkuden Sakana)

Canada's postal workers are on strike. And despite the National Post's groundbreaking article, wondering if, in the age of e-mail, texts, and twitter, anyone will even notice, the absence of mail does infact affect many, including the M.S.Co.

(The news)

With much of the Company's work in progress stuck in transit, this marks yet another week that the M.S.Co. has failed to induct a single illustration into it's archives. A real thorn in the sides of those members hung up on routine and craving the bureaucratic sense of completion that accompanies the christening of finished drawings and voting on which ones make the cut. Needless to say, this only adds fuel to the harrumphing at M.S.Co. Headquarters.

But it isn't just Company protocols being hindered by the strike. This month's shipment to the Company's mail-order subscribers is also being held hostage by the striking postal workers; as are various, prints, cards and commissioned portraits purchased from the M.S.Co. through its Etsy shop and various other channels.

Even orgonite dealers are being affected by the strike

Rest assured, the Company is taking measures to minimize the impact of this hold-up. The wheels of production do keep turning, despite delays in the postal system. In the meantime, however, the Company has closed down its Etsy shop until further notice.

* * *

Meanwhile, south of the border, the touring misanthropes have pitched their camp in Ohio. The away team is on a procurement mission, combing Columbus' legendary thrift stores for much-needed supplies, and stocking up on pipe tobacco at Smokers' Haven.

(pressed and sliced flakes of delicious, delicious tobacco)

This is one of the Company's preferred brick and mortar tobacconists. Owner Premal Chheda's passion is pipes, and his shop caters primarily to enthusiasts of the brier. There is even a workshop in the back, where pipes may be brought in for repairs and refurbishing, and celebrated pipe maker Bill Shalosky can often be found hard at work on his handmade pipes.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

The Smokers' Haven gang was kind enough to bring the misanthropes in after hours. This week's away team meeting and illustration session was carried out in the indulgently smoke-friendly luxury of the the store's smoking lounge.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 43
Number completed: 10
Number inducted: 0
Carried over to next week: 27

* * * *

WHOSE THE MOSS?

by "Madame X", Head Curator of the M.S.Co. MVSEVM
of Natural and Artificial History:

(photo by Erkuden Sakana)

Today on the Company agenda, the preparation of new exhibits for the M.S.Co. MVSEVM of Natural and Artificial History.

(photo by Heywood McGillicuddy)

One of the benefits of having a greater number of misanthropes abstain from this year's tour has been the ability to not just to keep the MVSEVM open and running through the Summer months, but also to develop and advance the MVSEVM's programming and exhibits.

* * *

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

Also in MVSEVM news, the Austin expedition has yielded a treasure trove of indigenous epiphytic air plants. Known locally as ball moss, tillandsia recurvata is a member of the bromilliad family, and close relative of Spanish moss. Despite its moniker, it is not a moss but a flowering plant.

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

The stuff literally grows on trees in central Texas, affixing itself to the shaded interior branches and drawing all of its nutrients from the moisture in the air trough their leaves and stems, rather than from soil, or the trees themselves. Their roots serve only to anchor them in place.

Ball moss has an unfortunate reputation among many of the locals. They are erroneously thought to be parasitic, damaging the trees they grow on. Commonly regarded as an unsightly pest, nobody objected to the misanthropes coming onto their property and climbing their trees to fill shopping bag after shopping bag of ball moss. One elderly homeowner even thanked the team, going as far as to bring out a pitcher of sweet tea and offering the Company five dollars for their troubles.

(photo by T-Bone)

Headquarters eagerly anticipates the shipment of what T-Bone insists on referring to as "a mean case of ball moss."

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 18
Number completed: 8
Number inducted: 3
Carried over to next week: 3

* * * *

CAR PIRATE SPONSORSHIP...

by Talullah Lastname, Company Clerk:

Not long ago, on this very web log, the Company reported on the Sweetie Pie Press' recent loss.

"315 144.5 Km" by the men and women of the Company

The demise of Becky Johnson's car had taken an unexpected and sizable bite out her budget, putting her summer touring plans in jeopardy. Determined, she launched a fundraising campaign through the Kickstarter website.

In the hopes of raising the $6500 needed to get the show back on the road, the Sweetie Pie Press is offering a plethora of rewards incentives in exchange for pledges. The principal is not unlike PBS' sponsorship pledge drives, except that what the Sweetie Pie Press is offering in exchange for your support might be a little more appealing than Coronation Street tote bags or Dr.Who coffee mugs.

(Unflattering couple's portrait by Reverend Aitor)

As a matter of fact, the good Reverend Aitor has come out of hiding to offer up some very special incentives of his own.

Two lucky sponsors can opt to receive an 8 x 10" single Unflattering Portrait for a pledge of $50. Given that the starting price for a 4.25 x 5.5" portrait is $35, the Company feels this is a particularly good value. Also on the table, for a pledge of $100, is one 8 x 10" couples' portrait.

Perhaps of added interest to some is the fact that Aitor will undertake the portraits himself. He's been pulling back from the portraiture game, and turning down most requests for Unflattering Portraits since franchising the project to the M.S.Co. last summer.

"But Wait; There's More" by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

After a little further deliberation at tonight's meeting, it was decided that the rest of the misanthropes would not be shown up by Aitor's goodwill gesture. Most of Company is very fond of the Sweetie Pie Press, and empathetic Ms. Johnson's cause. That's why the M.S.Co. is attempting to repay some of its karmic debt by donating some original artwork to the campaign.

Available for purchase via the Sweetie Pie Press' Kickstarter
Campaign. Please click on the image for a larger view.

Rust In Pieces, Boris Carloff and 315 144.5 km are both 21.6 x 27.9 cm gouache and ink illustrations, commemorating the death of Ms. Johnson's 1987 Pontiac station wagon. They are each available for respective pledges of $89.99. The Company has also officially licensed a limited run of twentyfour signed and numbered prints of each for $24.00 a piece.
Please bear in mind that this fundraising effort ends on the 28th of April.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 30
Number completed: 17
Number inducted:6
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *

PUCES POOPED...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The Toronto and Montréal branches of the M.S.Co. convened at Hindquarters this weekend, after a mildly disappointing couple of days of trying to peddle Company goods to an often empty room.

A post-POP breather (photo by Becky Johnson)

This new wintertime incarnation of Puces POP didn't quite measure up to the good-time frenzy of it's autumnal counterpart. And while attendance and sales can never be guaranteed in these, it is the Company's post-mortem opinion that better promotion and planning would have gone a long way. Throngs of attendees are easily steered into the market space when the event is run in conjunction with Pop Montreal. It's a giant festival, and people come from all over to participate and watch. But without the festivals coattails to ride, and in a less trafficked location, Puces Pop needs to work a little harder at attracting the public. Or even at informing people of its existence.

Completed title page for "Three Women On The Bus" by the men and women of the M.S.Co.

The drawing portion of this weeks' meeting was focused mainly on finishing up work for Pilot, and voting on which illustrations would make the cut.

One of the misanthropes' favourite things about working for Pilot, is the luxury of time they afford their illustrators. Assignments are given out well in advance of their deadlines. This grants the Company plenty of wiggle room for its collaborative process, as works in progress are mailed back and forth between its various members stationed across the continent and parts of Europe so everyone can make their contribution to the project.

The eponymous Three Women, as illustrated by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

Also in Pilot-related news, the Company is also preliminary talks with Pilot's cock pit crew about a feature portfolio spread in the next edition. This is indeed a flattering prospect.

More concrete details will on the matter will be posted once the Pilot and M.S.Co. camps have hammered out all the details.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 30
Number completed: 17
Number inducted:6
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *

LETTING THE GENEALOGY OUT OF THE BOTTLE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

the Goikoetxea bloodline, as interpreted by the M.S.Co.

The Goikoetxea-Iturraspe family of Araba, Spain, have been longtime benefactors of the M.S.Co. Their patronage dates back to that brief period when the misanthropes were running their Sunday meetings out of the intensive care unit of a Pamplona hospital. Pepper and T-Bone shared the recovery room with the Iturraspe twins. They'd all been gored in the running of the bulls, and in the weeks that followed the members of the Company became acquainted with the twins and their visiting kin. The rest, as they say, is history.

The running of the bulls in Pamplona

Recently, Fernando and Carmen Goikoetxea-Iturraspe approached the Company with a project too enticing to pass up; a fully illustrated family album, detailing the strange history of both the Iturraspe's and Goikoetxea's converging ancestries. The Company has since been entrusted with shoebox upon shoebox of photographs, letters, documents and sundry keepsakes to sift through, interpret, and weave into a genealogical narrative.

(photographs courtesy of the Goikoetxea-Iturraspe estate)

It's the Family Day long weekend in parts of Canada. What better time to share some of the developments in this family-oriented endeavour? Stay tuned for more postings on the family history project as it continues to evolve.

* * *

(photo by Pepper and Heywood)

In unrelated news, the Company's Montréal contingent has been petitioning Headquarters to have the Misanthrope Specialty Co. return to la belle province in an official capacity. Indeed, the Comapny's autumnal hiatus and post-tour burnout resulted in the misanthropes sitting out much of the action there was to be had in recent months; leaving it's Québécois memebers to twiddle their thumbs on the sidelines. This week a unanimous decision was made to remedy the situation.

(Puces Pop flyer courtesy of the Pin Pals)

Puces Pop descends on the City of Saints next month, and the M.S.Co. is throwing its hat in the ring. This spin-off from the ever growing music festival turned international arts, film, children's festival and general cultural symposium that is Pop Montréal seems like too good a time to pass up. Further details will be released as the date approaches.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 22
Number completed: 15
Number inducted: 7
Carried over to next week: 5

* * * *

COCK-A-DOODLE DUDES...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Alone of Valentine's Day? Come and cry on the Company's shoulders.

Today is the day. The Valentine's Day. And the Company has been working double-time making, selecting and hanging work for this evening's Clubhouse exhibition. Last nights meeting ran well into the wee hours. A number of new pieces were completed and voted on, and last-moment curatorial arguments pertaining to which older pieces belonged in the second floor gallery were finally settled. It turns out there is no shortage of art adhering to the themes of love, heartache and sexy times in the M.S.Co. archives.

Sexy Doodles line the Clubhouse maze wall

Then, ofcourse, there was the the persistent distraction of the Sexy Doodle Pads. Few of the misanthropes were able to resist filling in "just one more" of these strange naughty novelties. Indeed, there is a small faction feverishly churning out fresh doodles to this very moment. The Clubhouse doors are scheduled to open in a few short hours, and the maze wall doodle exhibit continues to expand.

As of noon o'clock this afternoon, the Company Clerk tallied one thousand eight hundred and fourteen completed Doodles.

And the hits just keep on coming.

Of those counted, almost half were submitted by contributors outside the Company. But the aforementioned Company doodle addicts have been working up a storm ever since, and contributions continue to trickle in. Already, the exhibition boasts more variations of that blank-groined pencil-toter than anyone needs to see. And yes, in the spirit of overkill, there will be blank doodle pads available for those wishing to participate in tonight's festivities.

* * *

What future film projects lie dormant in the Company vault?

Meanwhile, deep inside the M.S.Co. Bunker, thirty hours' worth of shot footage lies in a basement vault. Offcuts and leftovers from the editing of last year's motion picture extravaganza, Screaming Hell Hogs Eat Shit and Die.

The Company had various long-standing schemes to make use of the surplus footage, but first had to establish whether the reels rightfully belonged to the misanthropes or to the film's purchaser. Hell Hogs had been sold part and parcel to a private collector well before its completion, but the outtakes and assorted byproducts had not been considered and therefore no stipulations had been made for them in the purchasing contract. A lengthy correspondence between the Company's legal department and Hell Hogs' owner's attorneys ensued.

Some of the contents of the film cans

As it turns out, the extra footage is the sole property of the Misanthrope Specialty Co. The Company is free to do with it as it pleases "provided it does not use the suffix 'Eat Shit and Die' in the titling or promotion of any film, video, media or print project(s) that may result thereof." Fair enough.

Editing of the new, not yet titled, project is slated to commence next week. The project's parameters and objectives were hammered out at last night's meeting. The reels are to be reworked into a series of twelve films; each based on the story of one of Christ's apostles. A little something to release this coming Easter.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 18
Number completed: 8
Number inducted: 6
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *