Monday, March 31, 2008

Skittles Conundrum

Can someone please explain to me what is going on in this commercial? I've watched it a few dozen times now, mulling over what matter of creature the main character is supposed to be, and have yet to make sense of this spot.

I've had a few people write to me and tell me that the man with the crutch is a living piñata. I really couldn't get that from his outfit. I thought he had been attacked by bees. I supposed that a living, working, man-shaped piñata is perfectly logical.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Monday, March 24, 2008

Kishi Seeks Attention

Our poor cat, Kishi, was raised by our golden retriever. Unfortunately, now she's on the outs with Abby and just can't get the big dog to pay her any mind.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

A Head Scratcher

This is the strangest review I've read from one of our local movie reviewers in a long time. Tom Long's review of DOOMSDAY -- I thought the movie was a fair, fun watch though sometimes its cross-referencing went too far at times. I felt like I was doing my own version of "Pop Up Video" with all of the references that Andrea and I kept throwing out as different films were imitated.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Is There Such A Thing?

Is there such a thing as a "Best of" Cashiers du Cinemart? I mean, the 'zine has been labeled as a "mediocre fan publication" so I wonder when people suggest that I wrap up things with a "Best of" book what would be considered "Best"? I'm very open to suggestions (and not just fishing for compliments). To refresh your memory of what all has been in every issue, visit the archives on www.impossiblefunky.com.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Down But Not Out

Last week I came to a decision as I was driving home from my local Credit Union where I had taken out a loan to pay off my credit card debt.

I just can't do it anymore. I am a fiscal dunderhead and can't seem to make a profit from my admitted "hobby publication," Cashiers du Cinemart. Apart from the first issue of the zine when I was using the copier at one job and mailing meter from another, I never managed to break even on an issue. With each increased step of quality, the costs grew. Sometimes these were offset by revenue from advertisers and distributors (though individual sales were always countered by postage costs).

With the combined decline of independent distributors, higher postage and postage rates, and the lack of interest from advertisers, Cashiers du Cinemart has become a money pit for me. I won't be gauche and get into my EBIDA, suffice to say that there's far more money going out than coming in.

That said, after fourteen years of writing, laying out, editing, and publishing Cashiers du Cinemart, I have to throw in the towel.

The idea may continue in some form or another in the future. I'm still not fully committed to web publishing for longer articles, holding on to the idea that print remains the best medium for reading. I'm looking into options of various "print on demand" services that will eliminate some of the heartache and headaches of publishing and distribution while passing on the cost to my faithful readers. For that, my bank account will thank you. In other words, there may be a Cashiers du Cinemart #16, but it sure won't look or show up like the last fifteen issues. The zine may be down, but not completely out.

I never got into zine publishing to make money, but I certainly didn't get into it with the intention of taking out a loan every few years to pay off the last issue or two.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support. Stay tuned for future developments!

Addendum: I'm not giving up writing by the way. I tried putting in pieces at a few places in the past and found that I'm too highbrow for the lowbrow rags and too lowbrow for the highbrow rags. I'm all about the midbrow, I guess. :)