Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Ocean Jug Band

For someone who grew up on a planet whose surface is two-thirds water, it's surprising how much I hate the ocean. Don't get me wrong. I love marine animals, and I enjoy the sunshine and the cool breezes at the beach as much as I enjoy frolicking in the ocean's gentle tide. I guess what I don't like about the ocean is that my favorite things about it seem to want me dead. Most of the animals in the ocean could easily kill me without even trying or meaning to, the pleasant ocean breeze only masks the inevitable heat stroke and skin cancer that the sun is constantly dishing out, and the "gentle" tide tends to treat me like a washing machine treats a kitten that hasn't figured out the difference between its bed and the laundry basket. I could possibly forgive all of this if the ocean was as delicious as the sea food that resides there, but the miserable ocean even tastes gross. For such a beautiful, incredible thing, the ocean certainly is a scary, nasty place.

The ocean even scares me when I'm not in it... like when I'm in airplanes. For me, the worst thing about a plane crash at sea would be the off chance that I might survive it. I would choose death over drifting alive in the open sea. Perhaps I could talk the stewardess into beating me to death with the fire extinguisher at the first sign of turbulence. But I guess she'll probably be busy helping everyone prepare for the imminent water landing, so I better just ask her to do it as I board the plane... even if it's not an overseas flight... just to be safe.

We are within a few days of my blog's fourth anniversary. Thank you all for coming here, and an even bigger, specialer thanks to those of you who have come back over and over again. I never thought anyone would like this kind of stuff, but I guess I hadn't counted on there being you. Happy 4th Anniversary, Blog! After four years, 325,000 visitors, and eight animal jug bands... we've only just begun!

22 comments:

Unknown said...

Great! Now I have that Carpenters song in my head, but it's being performed by a jug band.
Congratulations! I can't wait for the microscopic jug band. I bet you draw an awesome amoeba.

Chris Signore said...

Man, if this keeps up, the entire world would be overruled by Jug Band Music! XD

Very lovely piece all the same :)

mickael brunet said...

Great!!

Unknown said...

... and be sure to this: WE WILL TAKE YOUR WORD FOR THAT IT ONLY HAS JUST BEGUN! 'Cause all of us love what you do here. Don't even think about putting this blog to an end someday. Thanks, buddy - and a happy anniversary, too!

Rochelle Burrows said...

Yep! I love your blog! Been watching for a few years now. You always make me laugh.

Keep it up!

Chelle

PS: I hate the ocean too. Never used to, but then I saw my first squid on the discovery channel a few years ago and couldn't see the ocean in the same way again if they were homes to those things... ugh.

Aaron Ludwig said...

That dolphin is priceless. Well done.

Lindy Rae said...

I love the dolphin playing the jug. That's hilarious. I can only imagine the sound coming from those instruments.

Ian Summers said...

Great work.

Ken Chandler said...

I have to say the Sea Lion is my favorite, he's lovin' that banjo-- but the dolphin's technique is priceless. Makes me wish I had a blowhole. Okay, not really.
I love the ocean and sea creature fascinate me... being eaten by them, not so much.

brittney perry said...

the idea for the dolphin is brilliant. so impressed.

Jill said...

I'm amazed that someone who hates sharks so much made the Hammerhead look so friendly and harmless. But I still don't trust him...

Joal said...

Happy anniversary, Shane. I, too, like the dolphin's wind instrument setup. I also liked the idea of wishing the ocean was delicious, as if you'd be slurping it up if it tasted like chicken soup.

Ron said...

Wishing you a very happy blogiversary, Mr. Lewis. I've enjoyed your blog for a while, now. Very fun and inspiring!

Sean "It's a capital N actually" McNally said...

adorable and well drawn as usual. +100!

Alex J. Bell said...

As soon as I saw the dolphin I lost it. Great work Shane!

Fossfor said...

congrats on your anniversary! I love your jug bands, please do many more

Nathan Lindsay said...

wow. I award you 100 points for the inventive dolphin. And 15 points for that Orca reminding me of Hellboy with those forehead spots.

Carlo Gemmani said...

This is amazing!
I would like to work for Disney like you. Please, take a look on my blog! Can you give me any advice? Thank you!

Shaunna said...

I found your blog trying to find your name :) I'm featuring a postcard with your art on my site.
http://shaunnaf.blogspot.com/2010/01/pff-boogie-monsters.html

Adrian Ropp said...

Oy! This is awesome, and I especially love the dolphin jug-blowing. I wish now that I had looked at your blog about two weeks earlier. Hooray for Shane!

Ben said...

Epic edition to the jug bands.

Dottie said...

I love your blog. I found it 2 years ago :) keep it coming. You're very talented.