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Currently not on view
Currently not on view
Following the 1609 Twelve Year Truce with Spain, and the Treaty of Münster which ended the 80 Year War in 1648, the war-damaged cities of the Dutch Republic were rebuilt and began to enjoy a new-found economic prosperity based on sea and river trade. The reconstruction and subsequent development of towns also required the increased use of tiles as a building material.
The earliest tiles were made of clay found along the floodplains of riverbeds; the clay was a blend of eroded rock fragments infused with minerals and organic matter, including iron, which produced the red color of tiles after firing. The first Dutch tiles were unglazed and used on the floor. Because the porous tiles deteriorated rapidly, however, lead and tin-glazing were quickly introduced to protect and waterproof the tiles. The technique of tin-glazing was first used in Europe by Moorish craftsmen in the early Middle Ages, but this method was introduced to the northern provinces of The Netherlands only in the beginning of the sixteenth century.
The Dutch craze for tiles in the home as objects of both utility and decoration – as a building material tiles reduced fire risk, kept out the damp and were an easy surface to keep clean - resulted in the establishment of factories not only in Delft, but throughout Holland to satisfy a constantly increasing demand.
The process of manufacturing and decorating Dutch tiles rarely strayed from several unvarying steps: The clay was first washed and left to mature, followed by massaging in a pug mill, which consisted of a large vertical wooden barrel containing metal cutters that were moved through the clay by a horse walking around the barrel. The prepared clay was then pressed into square wooden or metal frames and rolled flat. The frames were then lifted away and the clay was left to dry. Once firm, the clay was trimmed to size and biscuit fired at 1000 degrees Celsius for 20 to 40 hours, followed by up to three days of cooling within the kiln. Following this, tin glaze, which is a lead glaze to which tin oxide has been added, was applied. After the second firing, the tiles gained an opacity which provided an excellent background for decoration.
This group of wall tiles represents an early period in the development of Dutch tile making. From the late 16th to the early 17th century, emphasis was placed on figurative designs with a vibrant pattern covering the entire surface. The central scenes in this panel, depicting a dog, a bear, a sheep and a hunter, are framed by roundels accompanied by rosettes in reserve, a technique where the background is painted blue and the design itself is left white.
Currently not on view
Title: | Animals and Hunter in Roundels |
Date: | 1600-1625 |
Artist: | Artist/maker unknown, Dutch |
Medium: | Tin-glazed earthenware with polychrome decoration |
Dimensions: | Overall; 9 7/16 x 9 1/2 inches (24.0 x 24.1 cm) |
Classification: | Plaques/Reliefs/Tiles |
Credit Line: | Gift of Anthony N.B. Garvan, 1983 |
Accession Number: | 1983-101-4--7 |
Geography: | Made in Netherlands, Europe |
We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.
Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don't worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.
Currently not on view


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Monday, August 23, 2010
Chapatis and Pooris: One Dough Two Breads - Blue Monday
From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...With our trip to India, Nepal and Tibet just weeks away, I thought I'd start to experiment with some of the more common foods of the region. I do this before all of our adventures begin and, more often than not, the first dish I attempt to make is the bread of the area. I adore bread and was delighted to find that the dough I worked with for this post actually makes two Indian classics. In India, a whole-wheat flour called atta is traditionally used make these breads. The flour can be hard to come by, but a reasonable facsimile of it can be made by combining three parts of whole-wheat flour with two part of white flour. The difference between chapatis and pooris lies in how they are cooked. Chapatis, which resemble tortillas, are a flatbread that is cooked on a griddle. Pooris are deep fried to produce hollow and delicious pillows that are perfect for scooping up food. Both breads are best eaten shortly after they are made, but the dough can be made up to a day before it is cooked, if it is refrigerated in an airtight container. Here's the recipe for these tasty and easy to make breads.
Chapatis and Pooris...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Nancie McDermott
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup warm water
Directions for Chapatis:
1) Sift both flours and salt into a medium bowl.
2) Add water and mix with hands to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead, adding flour as needed, until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
3) To cook chapatis, roll dough into a thin cylinder and cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Cover balls until ready to roll. Flatten each piece into a disk and place on a floured board. Roll it into a thin disk that is 4 to 5 inches in diameter.
4) Using a medium frying pan set over medium-high heat, cook chapatis one at a time, turning after 1 minute and cooking second side for another 30 to 60 seconds. Press quickly and firmly at various spots on the surface to encourage it to puff.
5) Remove and set aside. Cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm. Continue with remainder of dough balls, stacking them together until ready to serve. Yield: 12 chapatis.
Directions for Pooris:
1) Sift both flours and salt into a medium bowl.
2) Add water and mix with hands to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead, adding flour as needed, until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
3) To cook pooris, roll dough into a thin cylinder and cut into 16 pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Cover balls until ready to roll out. Place a cookie sheet on work surface to hold pooris as they are rolled.
4) Flatten a ball into a thin disk. Place on a floured work surface and roll into a pancake 3-inches in diameter. It should be 1/4-inch thick. Place on cookie sheet and continue to roll remainder of dough.
5) In a medium frying pan set over medium heat, bring 2 cups vegetable oil to 360 degrees F. Slide a pooris into oil. When it begins to puff, use a slotted spoon to press it into oil. Move spoon around the edges to help it puff. Turn it over when first side browns, about 15 to 30 seconds. Remove pooris from pan when second side is browned. Drain on paper towels. Continue with remainder of disks. Serve while hot. Yield: 16 small pooris.
You might also enjoy these recipes:
Puffy, Fluffy Spinach and Green Chilli Pooris - Ko Rasoi
Naan Indian Bread - Food Lovers
Bhatura - Tigers and Strawberries
Parantha: Onion Stuffed Indian Bread - Cook @ Ease
Garlic-Chard Roti - eCurry
Indian Dosas - One Perfect Bite
This post is being linked to:
Smiling Sally - Blue Monday
70 comments :
- Joanne said...
I love Indian breads. It's so funny how the same dough can give rise to two totally different things. They look great!
- August 23, 2010 at 10:37 AM
- Rita said...
What a wonderful trip ahad for you. Love the idea os experimenting with recips befor you leave.
Looks perfect.
Rita - August 23, 2010 at 10:42 AM
- Katie@Cozydelicious said...
I've always been a bit afraid of making my own Indian breads, but you make it sound very doable... I might hav eto give it a shot! And I'm so jealous of your upcoming trip!
- August 23, 2010 at 10:53 AM
- Sanjeeta kk said...
Good try Mary! You made the chapatis and pooris ;look gorgeous.
- August 23, 2010 at 10:53 AM
- Unknown said...
How exciting regarding your upcoming travels! These breads look amazing. Don't you just love the simple things in life? Thanks for sharing the recipe Mary!
- August 23, 2010 at 10:55 AM
- LV said...
It would not matter to me what you cooked or from what country, I would enjoy it. Nice that you can travel and share your love of cooking with s.
- August 23, 2010 at 11:00 AM
- Diane said...
I love Indian breads but have never ben very good at making them. After seeing this I will give it another try. Diane
- August 23, 2010 at 11:00 AM
- From the Kitchen said...
The Indian lady, Kuki, who taught classes for me when I was in the "business" made lovely breads. They are so easy and make quite a hit. Your trip sounds wonderful. Remember me to the Dalai Lama. We met him, years ago, when he was visiting I.U. and his brother in Bloomington.
Bonnie - August 23, 2010 at 11:06 AM
- StephenC said...
What fun! Do you think I could make chapatis with a mix of regular flour and chickpea flour? I have a bag of it and have made only a type of cakey flatbread with it.
- August 23, 2010 at 11:07 AM
- Ginny Hartzler said...
I have never heard of either of these, but they look wonderful. How do you eat the flatbread like one? Do you eat it like a roll, or use it as a wrap or maybe put something on it?
- August 23, 2010 at 11:19 AM
- SmilingSally said...
Ooo, you're going to India. How exciting!
Happy Blue Monday, Mary! - August 23, 2010 at 11:24 AM
- Susi's Kochen und Backen said...
I have never heard of either but I would love to try them based alone on your recipe and pictures :o)
- August 23, 2010 at 11:28 AM
- Nina Timm said...
That is so exciting to get two recipes from one. I have not heard of a single person who has been to India and not enjoyed it!!! Travel safely!!
- August 23, 2010 at 11:30 AM
- Soma said...
You have done a stupendous job Mary!! Not even many Indians get the poori puffed the way you did :-)
Have a great trip and hope you enjoy your trip. - August 23, 2010 at 11:31 AM
- Sushma Mallya said...
I love both these with spicy gravy...its come out perfect mary
- August 23, 2010 at 11:32 AM
- pam said...
I love flatbreads! They are my favorites.
- August 23, 2010 at 11:54 AM
- T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...
Good for you, experimenting with dishes before you go! I usually wait until after, and often I eventually forget what I've learned.
- August 23, 2010 at 12:10 PM
- Judi said...
Happy BLUE MOnday!
I LOVE bread too and what a great idea to make some breads of the areas before you visit. The pictures look delish and maybe I'll just have to give them a try too.
I really enjoy some Indian foods...
have a wonderful trip. I am going to go back and read more about your blog...
Do come by and visit me when you have some time also.
Judi - August 23, 2010 at 12:35 PM
- Gloria Baker said...
What lovely and nice chepatis! look wonderful! xx gloria
- August 23, 2010 at 12:36 PM
- Judi said...
I am a new follower now too!
Judi - August 23, 2010 at 12:36 PM
- Allie and Pattie said...
Mary, I'm excited FOR you!! I've always wnted to visit India and Tibet- I look forward to your stories! The breads look fabulous
xoxo Pattie - August 23, 2010 at 1:04 PM
- Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...
Beautiful breads!
I have just joined in on blue mondays... and have found a great new cooking blog. - August 23, 2010 at 1:15 PM
- Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...
Oh YUM!! Happy Blue Monday to you girl...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
- August 23, 2010 at 1:22 PM
- The Diva on a Diet said...
I just love your adventurous spirit, Mary! And immersing yourself in the cuisine of your destination is such a wonderful way to preface a trip. Love it!
I also love chapatis. As always, you've given me courage to think outside the box and try this for myself. Thank you!
Have a beautiful day! - August 23, 2010 at 1:26 PM
- M @ Betty Crapper said...
How exciting to have such a wonderful trip to look forward to. It will be here before you know it.
- August 23, 2010 at 1:29 PM
- Katerina said...
It is amazing how flat bread can be found in almost all countries and cultures. Bread is a basic nutritional food. I love these Indian flatbreads.
- August 23, 2010 at 1:45 PM
- Julie said...
How interesting are these two breads. Amazing how two doughs can do different breads.
- August 23, 2010 at 1:51 PM
- Monet said...
I just love it when I can find a dough recipe that can be adapted. I am a big fan of flatbreads right now, and I'm excited to add both of these to my list.
- August 23, 2010 at 1:52 PM
- PeggyR said...
The bread looks yummy. I'm sure you are excited about your trip, I hope you have a lap top so that you can keep us posted while on your journey!
- August 23, 2010 at 2:15 PM
- flying eagle woman said...
this post brought me wayyy back. i learned to make chapatis at a commune in the late 70's and carried it with me throughout...my favorite used to be chapatis with goat cheese and some sort of greens...I may even try the pooris
Happy Monday! - August 23, 2010 at 2:24 PM
- Schnitzel and the Trout said...
Beautiful breads and I want to try both! I am so excited for your trip!!!
- August 23, 2010 at 2:27 PM
- Houdini said...
It's amazing what exotic breads you tackle and show us. Thinking of your forthcoming trip, some travel envy is building up around here, but my time will also come, still this year :-)
- August 23, 2010 at 2:39 PM
- Namitha said...
Awesome job. They have come out perfect ! Wish you lots of fun in the coming trip :-)
- August 23, 2010 at 2:49 PM
- nannykim said...
Poowee , I was hoping it was made with rice flour...ah well. It looks great too! Wow, looks like and exciting time is ahead of you!
- August 23, 2010 at 2:52 PM
- Shy said...
The Pooris looks Good. You always have yummy food in your post for yourreaders. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
- August 23, 2010 at 3:00 PM
- Jessica said...
Love these breads! Thanks for sharing this easy recipe. I'll have a go at it and see if I can do as well as you! ;-D
firstname.lastname@example.com - August 23, 2010 at 3:10 PM
- Adelina said...
Wow! You are a master, Mary! They look perfect- my puris never puff this evenly! And if you fold the chapati, then flatten, you get paratha, a slightly puffed chapati!! (like in the puff dough technique!. Is your trip to all those great places just leisure? So nice to be able to cover this much in 1 trip!
- August 23, 2010 at 3:25 PM
- Suman Singh said...
WOW..they looks perfect..
I hope you enjoy your stay in india..have fun! - August 23, 2010 at 4:27 PM
- Federica Simoni said...
buonissimo questo pane!!!complimenti come sempre!ciao!
- August 23, 2010 at 4:29 PM
- Annie said...
I love these breads they are so easy to make. I'm going to try them.
Have a nice day - August 23, 2010 at 4:52 PM
- Ana Powell said...
Lovely Indian breads, great work.
Wishing you a great week ♥ - August 23, 2010 at 5:02 PM
- Claudia said...
Love how different one recipe can be. It's fascinating to see similar recipes pass from culture to culture. Baking bread is the best preparation for a trip! It puts you in the mood and starts bringing the travels to your home.
- August 23, 2010 at 5:25 PM
- Deana Sidney said...
Great easy recipe to make one of my favorite breads... congrats on the award.. you do have such a lovely blog!
Have a great trip... how exotic it will be! - August 23, 2010 at 5:35 PM
- Jen_from_NJ said...
I love bread also. Two types of bread from one dough - fabulous! Baking bread is the perfect way to get in the mood for traveling! I am so excited for you!
- August 23, 2010 at 5:38 PM
- Unknown said...
I do love bread of any kind!! I had pooris at restaurant here and was in love instantly! These sound really easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
- August 23, 2010 at 6:52 PM
- Faith said...
One dough, two breads sounds great to me! Indian bread is incredible and I would love to try this, Mary!
- August 23, 2010 at 7:20 PM
- scrambledhenfruit said...
This bread looks delicious both ways! Thanks!
- August 23, 2010 at 7:57 PM
- Ciao Chow Linda said...
I remember making pooris once and it was so fun to see them rising in the hot oil. Your bread duo is wonderful.
- August 23, 2010 at 7:59 PM
- Bakericious said...
looks delicious, I love to eat with spicy curry, yum yum
- August 23, 2010 at 9:51 PM
- Melinda said...
Sounds interesting.
Melinda - August 23, 2010 at 10:25 PM
- Jeannie said...
These chapatis and pooris are so easily available here that I have never thought of making them...my favourite is the chapati...I was told once by a friend that she has to get the chapati to be as round as possible or face the wrath of her in laws! I wondered if she's just pulling leg?
- August 24, 2010 at 1:43 AM
- Little Inbox said...
Chapati is quite common here, but not the Pooris. Here, we usually eat it in Indian store rather than make it on our own.
- August 24, 2010 at 2:14 AM
- MaryMoh said...
That's very interesting....one dough for 2...great! :D Looks like lots of fun to make. I have to try, They are very delicious with curry....my favourite combination. Hope you have a lovely day.
- August 24, 2010 at 3:09 AM
- cocoa and coconut said...
I'd love this with my favourite curry...chicken korma!
- August 24, 2010 at 3:29 AM
- Red Nomad OZ said...
These bring back happy memories of a childhood in Fiji - can't wait to see what inspiration your travels bring! Enjoy!!
- August 24, 2010 at 5:13 AM
- Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...
What better way to start an armchair food journey. Can't wait to hear about the trip... the food, the sights, the sounds.
- August 24, 2010 at 5:50 AM
- Cheah said...
What a coincidence! I posted a Chapati recipe too. Yours look great and so are the pooris. Was directed to your blog by Jeannie. Have a great day!
- August 24, 2010 at 5:57 AM
- Lori said...
They are perfect looking! Ready for any curry that comes their way. Oh I can not wait to hear about your trip. I just know you will have some good stories to share.
- August 24, 2010 at 6:40 AM
- Sutapa said...
Lovely delicious and perfect chapatis and pooris!
Thumbs up!
A gift for you in my blog make some time to visit!
Love Always. - August 24, 2010 at 7:13 AM
- Unknown said...
Your breads are making my mouth water! I love these two, puris are my favourite and I pride myself on making them, but O dear, 2 years may have passed since last time!
I am off to check out your older posts now, since I have been unable to check for a while. What pleasure! Cheers Mary! - August 24, 2010 at 7:23 AM
- My Little Space said...
Mary. both of your chapatis & pooris look beautifully done. Did you make the curry too? Yumm.... Your grandchildren going to help you to finish these! hehe... Have a wonderful day.
Cheers, kristy - August 24, 2010 at 8:22 AM
- George said...
Wow. These look wonderful.
- August 24, 2010 at 8:58 AM
- Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...
i like to enjoy chapatis with chicken curry, simply yummy. Have a nice day.
- August 24, 2010 at 9:08 AM
- Jennifer said...
Mary, both those breads look yummy, too complicated for me tho :) I hope you love your trip maybe you can pack me in your bag
- August 24, 2010 at 11:25 AM
- Lyndas recipe box said...
Your upcoming trip sounds incredible Mary! And the bread looks delicious too. I'm also a bread person, when it comes to the homemade stuff.
- August 24, 2010 at 11:39 AM
- Eliana said...
Love Indian breads Mary - and these look amazing!
- August 24, 2010 at 11:50 AM
- Kim @ Two Good Cookies said...
I have always wanted to learn how to make more Indian-style breads. Thank you so much for these...it makes it seem far less intimidating!
- August 24, 2010 at 12:09 PM
- Chele said...
Oh lucky you to have such a wonderful trip planned. Fantastic food to start you off on the right foot.
- August 24, 2010 at 2:51 PM
- Historical sites with charmine said...
WOW! You are going to enjoy the food in India.Atta is very common here and is made of whole wheat flour.It's nice that you are open to trying new dishes,these have turned out well,we too make them at home.
Try these dishes in India,butter chicken,tandoori chicken,mutton biryani(Andra style)paneer butter masala,fried fish,crab curry...oh well, I think you'll love the food here.Try momos too,these are steamed dumplings with chicken filling.
These breads(chapatti,poori) can be eaten with curried vegetables,curry, or cottage cheese(paneer)
Go to Goa if you can the food there is great,or you could taste Goan food in Delhi in some 3*,5* hotels-not expensive.
I'm going on my holiday too in a few weeks,have fun. - August 25, 2010 at 4:09 AM
- Tracy said...
Sounds like you have a great trip ahead of you! I'm envious! Your bread looks great.
- August 25, 2010 at 12:03 PM

subset: commoncrawl


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By Malcolm Foster
The Associated Press
TOKYO, Japan (AP) — A bluefin tuna sold for a record $1.76 million at a Tokyo auction Saturday, Jan. 5, nearly three times the previous high set last year — even as environmentalists warn that stocks of the majestic, speedy fish are being depleted worldwide amid strong demand for sushi.
In the year's first auction at Tokyo's sprawling Tsukiji fish market, the 222-kilogram (489-pound) tuna caught off northeastern Japan sold for 155.4 million yen, said Ryoji Yagi, a market official.
The fish's tender pink and red meat is prized for sushi and sashimi. The best slices of fatty bluefin — called "o-toro" here — can sell for 2,000 yen ($24) per piece at upmarket Tokyo sushi bars.
Japanese eat 80 percent of the bluefin tuna caught worldwide, and much of the global catch is shipped to Japan for consumption.
The winning bidder, Kiyoshi Kimura, president of Kiyomura Co., which operates the Sushi-Zanmai restaurant chain, said "the price was a bit high," but that he wanted to "encourage Japan," according to Kyodo News agency. He was planning to serve the fish to customers later Saturday.
Kimura also set the old record of 56.4 million yen at last year's New Year's auction, which tends to attract high bids as a celebratory way to kick off the new year — or get some publicity. The high prices don't necessarily reflect exceptionally high fish quality.
The price works out to a stunning 700,000 yen per kilogram, or $3,603 per pound.
Stocks of all three bluefin species —the Pacific, Southern, and Atlantic — have fallen over the past 15 years amid overfishing.
On Monday, Jan. 7, an intergovernmental group released data on Pacific Bluefin stocks that environmentalists believe will likely show an alarming decline.
"Everything we're hearing is that there's no good news for the Pacific Bluefin," said Amanda Nickson, the director of the Washington-based Pew Environmental Group's global tuna conservation campaign. "We're seeing a very high value fish continue to be overfished."
The population of another species, the Southern Bluefin, which swims in the southern Pacific, has plunged to 3 to 8 percent of its original levels.
Stocks of bluefin caught in the Atlantic and Mediterranean plunged by 60 percent between 1997 and 2007 due to rampant, often illegal, overfishing and lax quotas. Although there has been some improvement in recent years, experts say the outlook for the species is still fragile.
In November, the 48 member nations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, or ICCAT, voted to maintain strict catch limits on the species, although some countries argued for higher limits. The quota will be allowed to rise slightly from 12,900 metric tons a year to 13,500.
Quotas were as high as 32,000 tons in 2006.
A total catch limit on the Pacific Bluefin has been imposed only recently in the eastern part of the Pacific near the United States and Mexico, but not by the intergovernmental group that oversees the western Pacific, Nickson said. So-called effort limits in place now — restrictions on the number of vessels and days fishing allowed — are not effective, she added, and fisherman also are targeting juvenile populations and spawning grounds.
"This poor species is being hit from every angle," she said. (end)


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Friday, August 15, 2008
Big Damn Heroes
Who the heck is that guy on the cover? Why, Orcus, Demon Prince of the Undead, of course. "But he doesn't look a thing like Orcus!" This is absolutely true, but then Orcus hasn't really looked like himself in a long time. For those with short memories, here's how ol' Goat Boy looked in the 1e Monster Manual (which is itself an almost perfect copy of his previous appearance in Eldritch Wizardry):
Now, I understand and accept that the illustration of even iconic characters will change over time, as each artist interprets the character differently. But, as the 4e MM cover interprets him, I only see the faintest resemblance to the original conception of Orcus. There are some ram's horns, wings, and a skull-tipped wand. Oh yes, and hooves. Kinda. Other than that, though, it looks rather like a different creature to me -- a buffer, more bad ass one. And that's almost certainly the point. The original Orcus illustration has scrawny, satyr-like legs, almost vestigial wings, and a pot belly. What self-respecting adventurer would be afraid of him, right?
But the new re-imagined Orcus is Schwarzenegger with a goat's(?) head. You can tell he's a force to be reckoned with just by looking at him. He's even adopted a body builder pose just to show of us demonic musculature. And he's wearing his WWE championship belt to boot. Oh, and his tail now has spikes all over it now, for some reason or other. Clearly, this is a guy worthy of being the opponent of your player characters, not like that wimp Dave Sutherland drew back in the 70s.
There are a lot of issues here, so I'll start with the differing esthetics. The original Orcus, though a wholly imaginary creation of Gygax (or was it Brian Blume?) looks like a medieval demon. He's a strange concatenation of human and animal parts, some of which look atrophied or distended. He's clearly not natural. In some sense, he might even be called metaphorical, for many of the features of medieval monsters were highly suggestive to the medieval mind of certain qualities that, culturally, they associated with certain referents in the real world. That Orcus' wings are too small to carry his bulk is irrelevant; all that is necessary is that he have wings, for wings equate with flight. The physical plausibility of their operation is utterly beside the point.
Now, I'm not trying to suggest in the slightest that the Sutherland Orcus is a careful product of someone with a deep understanding of the medieval mind, because that'd be laughable. However, the Sutherland drawing, like most of the drawings in the original Monster Manual, is broadly consonant with medieval esthetics. Or perhaps I should say that it calls them to mind. There's something weirdly primal about that goofy Orcus DCS drew. I've always found medieval demonic images to be far creepier than modern ones, precisely because they have some atavistic connection to aspects of my cultural memory. Modern demons are just imaginary creatures; they're not monsters, if you catch my meaning. Wayne Reynolds' Orcus isn't a demon. Look at how muscular and physically powerful he is. That's a creature that inspires fear for my life, whereas Sutherland's Orcus is one that inspires fear for my soul.
I'm just going to ignore the fact that this piece is another strike-a-pose piece from the latter day Elmore school, even if it is far more dynamic than most Elmore pieces. Of course, "dynamic" is a relative term, since it's not clear from context that Orcus is actually doing anything other than flexing his muscles for the judges. Take a good look at his wand, though, and compare it to the one in the Sutherland illo. The Reynolds version looks as if it's an actual skull (plus some vertebrae) mounted onto a black metallic handle. The DCS version is just a skull, possibly even just a carved one, atop a black wand. What are the odds that 4e has introduced a backstory to Orcus' wand? I'll bet you the the identity of the skull's original "owner" is made clear (or will be before long). A god whom Orcus slew perhaps? Or some powerful being Orcus defeated in his ancient climb to demonic princedom? Maybe I'm being unfair, but the new version of his wand just begs for explanation and brandification. It's not merely a symbolic representation of Orcus' affinity with the power of death; it's instead a trademarkable image that helps build IP.
There's also the potentially bigger issue that says a great deal about the design philosophy of 4e. By picking a single (yes, he has a couple of henchmen with him, I know), powerful opponent for the cover of the Monster Manual rather than illustrating several, I can't help but think that this is what's deemed the ideal 4e encounter -- the set piece against a "boss" monster (known as "solo" monsters in 4e). I know it's unfashionable to make comparisons between 4e and video games, but so be it. The reality is that there's clearly been a shift toward a "cinematic" model for combat in 4e, treating them as big special effects extravaganzas, where the player characters get to show off how cool and powerful they are. The placing of Orcus on the cover of the MM is WotC's way of saying, "Isn't this the kind of bad guy whose ass you want to kick?" There's nothing wrong with that, if that's what the average D&D player actually wants out of the game, but I hope I can be forgiven in saying that that's a huge shift away from the philosophy and esthetics of OD&D, never mind the pulp fantasy literature that inspired it.
The cover of the Monster Manual pretty well cemented my dislike for 4e. I disliked the contents already for various reasons, but the cover was the icing on the cake. The fetishization of the D&D's most powerful entities has always sat poorly with me, but 4e's cover takes it to new heights. It's a reductionist mentality that treats even the Demon Prince of the Undead as another notch on your character's belt as he claws his way toward immortality. Indeed, it's a wholesale rejection of the Gygaxian "naturalist" approach to fantasy roleplaying. I hesitate to call this the worst MM cover ever, given how poor its competitors are, but I will say that this is the first cover whose philosophical underpinnings are so reprehensible to me that it actually makes the cover of the 1e version look inspired by comparison. That takes a singular kind of badness. Bravo.
34 comments:
Excellent analysis. I had no idea it was supposed to be Orcus until I read it somewhere in the book I assumed it was an efreet or a pit fiend. Also for a little Elmore defense I just got a copy of the Expert rules and the Elmore illustrations within are really good at illustrating the events of a D&D adventure - inluding recognizable depictions of spells (I especially like the speak with dead illustration). They are not from the pose in front of a dragon school of art
ReplyDeleteI agree that when compared to the millieu set up by OD&D this cover would be next to nonsense.
Otherwise I actually think this is a really nice cover, espcially in light of the new millieu that 4th Edition has established. It's a dynamic, cinematically-stylish depiction of a monster "you don't want to tangle with, or maybe you do".
As far as MM covers go, I think it's my favorite.They are not from the pose in front of a dragon school of art
This is true. Elmore circa 1982-83 is generally quite good and I retain a fondness for several of his works from that period. Unfortunately, his later illustrations are what made him so well known and popular and I find it hard to forgive him for them.Otherwise I actually think this is a really nice cover, espcially in light of the new millieu that 4th Edition has established.
I don't disagree with this at all, but of course my critiques are all entirely from the perspective of old school D&D. As I've said elsewhere, I have no doubt at all that 4e is probably a very fun and well designed game that does exactly what it sets out to do. The problem is that what it sets out to do is at serious odds with the origins of the game and it's frankly a joke that it bears the same name as the original.Well, one of the biggest flaws for me is that it's internal art, and that just seems a bit, well, cheap.
You know, I hadn't even thought to mention that, but it's a very good point. But then the 4e MM reproduces a lot of art from the 3e era, which I admit I find odd. WotC surely had the budget to get new art for everything, especially on a big project like this. Why didn't they?"The problem is that what it sets out to do is at serious odds with the origins of the game and it's frankly a joke that it bears the same name as the original."
And I completely understand your persective. I just wanted to present my broader feelings on the matter.
As an aside I think the cover is the best piece in the whole 4E MM. I found a great deal of the interior art far from evocative as adventure fuel or even nice as simply pictures. If you want interior monster art that really makes you want to beat them up and take their loot, you gotta go farther back to the older stuff.I just assumed it was some kind of undead dire lich minotaur/ranger. I was inclined to give it a pass before, but now that I know it's supposed to be Orcus, I just want to laugh at it.
It's so overdone that it's not scary, it's merely stylized. You said it, this guy makes me fear for my life, but I just imagine a big gun could kill him. The old Orcus might not by physically intimidating, but I get the feeling the gun wouldn't work, which is scarier.- AnonymousAugust 15, 2008 at 11:58 PM
I really like the analysis between the classical-styled Orcus and the beefy photoshoped Orcus.
I really hate the new art. It looks to garish and over the top. The new Orcus is far removed from its roots, and makes it feel like a comicbook super-villain. The classic Orcus (and the other demons, and even Devils) had the right "feel"! Such art looked like they tried to go for the types of illustrations found in the Lesser Key of Solomon, or the beautiful woodcarvings of Gustave Doré, like the Davine Comedy and Paradise Lost (as seen in the old DMG). The old art of demons and devils really looks scary. As a kid, I was really creeped out by them. And you know that it really creeped out a lot Christians into condemning D&D as "The Devil's Game"! The new art can never inspire such fear! The old Orcus might not by physically intimidating, but I get the feeling the gun wouldn't work, which is scarier.
I agree. A lot of the older demon/devil illustrations have this strange way of reminding you that their physical body is just a shell, a container for their otherworldly power rather than a manifestation of it. You can't judge whether they'd be able to pulp you with their bare hands by the way they look, as their appearance might very well be deceiving.Such art looked like they tried to go for the types of illustrations found in the Lesser Key of Solomon, or the beautiful woodcarvings of Gustave Doré, like the Davine Comedy and Paradise Lost (as seen in the old DMG). The old art of demons and devils really looks scary. As a kid, I was really creeped out by them.
Yes, yes, absolutely. I wholeheartedly agree. There's something really disturbing about a lot of the older illustrations. They tap into something primal and they inspired genuine uneasiness in me as a younger person. The new demons are just monsters.I can't help but think that this is what's deemed the ideal 4e encounter -- the set piece against a "boss" monster (known as "solo" monsters in 4e).
The 4E DMG and MM emphasize the utility of combined arms--having several different kinds of monsters putting the hurt on the PCs in their own way -- and demonstrates how to make that work.
4E Solo encounters usually aren't all that interesting (to me, anyway) because the element of maneuver is de-emphasized.- AnonymousAugust 16, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Well, they certainly couldn't have them bear-breasted now, could they?
Such art is a thing of the past, my friend! It the 2nd edition all over again, but worst!
Have you read the new GSL? They dont even allow third parties books to have anything racy! No gratuitous sex, nudity, or violence! No slave, serfs, or disabled folks! In other words, only kid-friendly Saturday morning cartoon fiction may apply! Who the hell is calling the shots this time, Dr. Raymond Cocteau from Demolition Man? Dame it, Wizbros sucks! Have you read the new GSL? They dont even allow third parties books to have anything racy! No gratuitous sex, nudity, or violence! No slave, serfs, or disabled folks! In other words, only kid-friendly Saturday morning cartoon fiction may apply!
To be fair, WotC had similar restrictions on 3e's OGL as well and they're just following a general American trend to look to "entertainment" as the cause of social ills rather than a symptom of them. I don't want to get into a debate about this, though. I'll only say that, while I agree that it stinks that D&D has become increasingly bowdlerized to appeal to the mass market, it's not as if WotC is doing this in a societal vacuum.4E Solo encounters usually aren't all that interesting (to me, anyway) because the element of maneuver is de-emphasized.
It's interesting then that solo monsters seem to my unlettered eyes to be the "cream of the crop" in 4e, the stuff of final climactic battles. I'm glad to hear that combined arms tactics get treated well in the game, although I do worry that it'll be done in a highly mechanistic fashion.although I do worry that it'll be done in a highly mechanistic fashion.
Yup. The effects of the various powers and abilities are very specifically laid out in terms of squares, hit points, healing surges, etc. It's not easy to pick and choose the rules you want to use in 4E. The rules density is high and the impact of messing with those rules is never clear-cut. It's not a toolkit full of importable or disposable ideas like other RPGs.
That said, in my experience, the main bits of the system appear to be decently designed and run well as written, so I don't feel the need to tinker much with it. One of the joys of DMing 4E has been discovering synergies between the various abilities -- like how kobolds ought to maneuver, or how a stirge is lousy meat for an encounter but excellent spice. They're in there, but they're left for DMs and players to discover.
(moving on to a more general discussion of the oldschoolishness of 4E, if that's okay...)
Though there is a ton of mechanical specificity in 4E, when I'm DMing it, I don't feel like I'm just some WoW bot or something. In addition to all its kewl powerz, 4E also includes some pretty good advice on how to deal when players go off the reservation and want to try stuff that totally isn't defined in the rules.
In any 4E game that's run according to the letter and spirit of the rules, players are free to try any crazy stuff that they like, in or out of combat. One of the other delights of DMing for me is when my players get creative in response to the hard stuff I throw at them. When they're being creative, it means they're engaged and having fun, it keeps me surprised and on my toes and in the moment, and it means I worry less about how they'll get through the adventure because they will find their own way.
(Mind you, I have really good players. But maybe 4E can help people who aren't great players become great players.)
When my guys do creative stuff, as DM, I have the usual absolute power to decide I'm going to wedge their actions into the system, or to disregard the system if I think the most interesting outcome is obvious and the dice won't add anything. 4E provides very good support to me if I do decide to engage the rules while judging something creative. I think this is a great feature, especially for novice DMs, who need to see that the rules aren't the entirety of the game, and that player and DM creativity is what distinguishes tabletop play from WoW-play.
So yeah, while 4E is a big ol' skirmish wargame, it is also a nice do-what-thou-wilt framework that is provoking creative play from my players. While it's absolutely not old-school in one regard, I think it is pretty old-school in another.
Is that a big deal to old-school RPGers? The ability for players to go anywhere and do anything, with the DM deciding how it comes out?
btw, though I am not a grognard, I always enjoy reading this site. The table of wizardly disfigurement was particularly cool.My beef with the beefy (not porky) Orcus is that he's obviously escaped from Doom/Quake - not that he looks "new," or even insufficiently medieval/Freudian, but that he looks like a video game monster. I believe this is the source of the feeling that you could now gun him down, BTW.
4E is a big ol' skirmish wargame
I still can't quite unwrap all the layers of irony around this statement and the way it makes me feel sad. I didn't start playing skirmish wargames, and I've never really liked them (so I'm obviously not a grognard). For me the interest in D&D, and RPGs generally, is that they promise so much more than that. I've a sneaking suspicion that in some ways 4e has come full circle from chainmail, closing me back out (although marriage and children did that years ago, to be honest).Is that a big deal to old-school RPGers? The ability for players to go anywhere and do anything, with the DM deciding how it comes out?
No, it's not; I'd argue that that's one of the foundational pillars of old school play. What I would question is whether or not 4e as written actually supports such a play style or whether that's just a function of how you, as DM, interpret its rules. That is, almost any game can be played in an old school fashion (though some make it harder than others), but very few games are actually written in a way to that supports it. You say that 4e "provides very good support" for adjudicating unusual circumstances the players may engineer. What do you mean by that? Does it provide "rules" for how to handle such things or is it just a compilation of anecdotes to serve as examples and inspirations?- AnonymousAugust 16, 2008 at 11:36 PM
James, I really have enjoyed your series on the D&D covers. I would be interested in seeing your commentary on the old FF & MM2. I realize that these are not the main stream books, but based on how poorly the MM covers are, I would be interested in seeing your commentary.
Bret "Mr Baron" - AnonymousAugust 20, 2008 at 9:31 PM
You say that 4e "provides very good support" for adjudicating unusual circumstances the players may engineer. What do you mean by that? Does it provide "rules" for how to handle such things or is it just a compilation of anecdotes to serve as examples and inspirations?
Next time you're at your FLGS, take a look at the DMG, page 42 (easy to remember if you're a Douglas Adams fan). The section is titled, "Actions the rules don't cover," and I found it quite pleasing when I first read it.
Since 4e is constructed on an architecture of (supposedly) pretty rigorous math, the intent of this section is largely to guide the GM on ways to translate creative actions into mechanical effects that benefit the party. It's easy to assume that the suspense of new school play is simply whether a character's stats are high enough that statistically average dice rolls will allow him to overcome the difficulties presented - but this section is a reminder that it's still a game of imagination and innovation.
For example, Matthew Finch's Quick Primer gives an example where a PC leaps off a ledge to attack a monster. The old-school DM is expected to decide whether this would make the attack easier or harder, and by how much. The 4e DM has to make similar decisions, but is guided by simple advice, e.g. that the basic bonus or penalty of +/- 2 should be sufficient for most cases - it will have a meaningful effect on how the encounter plays out, without making the character's existing statistics superfluous. These sorts of things are expected to apply to other areas where new school gaming relies on skill rules rather than arbitration, as well. When looking for a pit trap a player's decision to pour water on the floor in order to spot cracks more easily may give him a bonus to his Perception roll.
There's a great example where a rogue wants to try the classic swashbuckling move of swinging on a chandelier and kicking an ogre in the chest, hoping to knock it into a brazier of burning coals. In this example, the DM's process of reasoning is shown: since this is an action the DM wants to encourage, he picks an easy difficulty for an Acrobatics check (so it's not a sure thing to pull the trick off, but it's likely enough to work that it should be a viable tactic whenever the opportunity appears). Another roll pits the PC's Strength against the Ogres (again, the tactic will work better against creatures who are not a great deal larger and stronger than the PC, which in 4e is indicated with various statistics). Finally, assuming the rolls work out, the DM is guided to determine an appropriate level of damage for an improvised source: is a brazier of burning coals likely to inflict low, medium, or high damage? Is this source of damage a one-time thing that will memorably impact the encounter, or is it just one of several attacks that the players will likely use every chance they get? These questions are used to determine the damage dealt, and like most other things in 4e, damage is scaled to level.
Clearly, this game is still a far cry from anything resembling Old School, but I think this section illustrates that the game designers are at least bearing in mind a little of what makes old school gaming fun. It's certainly a good distance from the 3e method that seems to depend on an encyclopedic listing of every possible circumstance. Rather than "A Rule for Everything," or "A Few Good Rules and a Clever DM," the philosophy is "Robust Rules, Rigorous Math, and Ways To Make Them Sit Up And Beg." Which is pretty cool.
Full disclosure, though: my 4e campaign never completely got off the ground. A few changes in player availability forced me to attempt revisions in my premier adventure, which brought me face to face with the fact that as much as I like 4e, as much as it has improved (in my opinion) on the design philosophy of 3e, it's still too fiddly to be easily adjusted. Since I like being able to adjust things on the fly, this was discouraging. So I switched back to Savage Worlds, which has always managed to be the perfect fit to my preferred gaming style. Clearly, this game is still a far cry from anything resembling Old School, but I think this section illustrates that the game designers are at least bearing in mind a little of what makes old school gaming fun.
They certainly can hum the tune, but they seem to have forgotten the words. Go back over the way you described the 4e DMG's advice for how to adjudicate the rogue swinging on the chandelier. Look at the adjectives and adverbs you chose: "appropriate level of damage," "memorably impact the encounter." I realize they're words you chose, not ones in the DMG (I went and looked at the section in question), but I think they capture the philosophy behind 4e, one that isn't old school at all, namely the notion that the world scales with the PCs, who are the axis around which everything turns. There's nothing wrong with this approach, if it's what you want out of roleplaying, but I much prefer a less literary/cinematic approach.It's been almost a year since you posted this, but I'm reading your blog from the beginning to the end, so forgive me for adding a late voice to the conversation. :)
I think you're right about how the Orcus re-design reflects the attitude of 4th Edition (and I loved the comment about the WWE Championship Belt!) To my mind, there's a definite resemblance between Original Orcus and New Orcus, and the stylistic changes are in keeping with the overall changes that D&D has gone through especially since 3rd Edition came around. And the Book of Vile Darkness Orcus fits perfectly into this "evolution of man" triptych.
The original Orcus illustration doesn't do anything for me. And it's not just the art quality. The problem for me is that he looks no more dangerous than half a dozen "goat man" monsters I've seen in D&D and other roleplaying games. I just can't see myself fighting that guy. And this is the same problem I have with Demogorgon, who, unlike Orcus, I actually have a connection to (through the Baldur's Gate games.) He just doesn't look all that menacing to me, compared to other D&D monsters.
So I prefer the new illustration. I don't love it, for a number of reasons. Orcus looks like a bloated dwarf. And he looks pretty dumb, too. There's no intelligence or menace in his expression. Just the threat of physical violence. Nothing really demonic about him. And what's with the context? He's in some generic "green glow" dungeonscape, rushing headlong towards you. Is this how you encounter Orcus, Demon Prince of the Undead? "You pick the lock and open the door. Through the portal you see a room about 100 feet deep and 50 feet wide. You see an Orcus standing in the middle, guarding a mound of glittering coins. It sees you and charges. Oh, and there are some liches and stuff also. Roll for initiative."I would've much preferred to see Orcus sitting on a twenty-foot-high throne of bone, steeped in shadows, at the back of a massive cathedral with dark red light streaming in through stained-glass windows and illuminating just enough of the aisle down the nave to show the shuffle of hordes of undead gathering before their demon god. Even better if the illustration showed a group of adventurers moving down that aisle, shrinking back from the shadows.
Overall, the Book of Vile Darkness Orcus is my favorite. But that illustration lacks context too. And he doesn't look all that intelligent, either.I too have been reading your blog from front to back and arrived here and find myself questioning what appears an almost fetish level reverence of what seems to me just poor artwork.
Now lest I be condemned to new school sensibilities, I began play in '75 - '76 and still have Chainmail (with fantasy supplement), those LBBs in a white box and all the supplements. It just seems to me that Orcus was not one of Sutherland's best works. The original artwork does not appear creepy to me at all, just amusing, as it did in the late 70's.
It is my belief that Gygax himself would have made some of his more dangerous monsters look more menacing if he had the artists at the time able to really pull that off, we know he certainly approved of some of those menacing dragon pictures like the cover of the basic rules. I guess we will never know.
As you have often said we need old school sensibilities with high production values. Old Orcus is not it.
BTW I own both official miniatures of Orcus; the old pot bellied pig looking one from the 80's and the massive new one that just came out.
I would have preferred a new ferocious looking Orcus with his piggish features intact and even his potbelly, but then I liked pig faced Orcs with so many worshiping him as a cult master. In fact when I have used him there has always been Orcs involved.


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Thursday, January 10, 2008
Where do You Live?
* Either send a post card or a letter.
* Write the date on the card or letter.
* Write where you live (town, state, country).
* Write a little about the area where you live.
What major cities you are near, what your area is known for, any famous people from your area, what you like about your area, landmarks/tourist attractions, climate/weather, major industries, population of your town, etc.
(If you write in a language other than English, please provide a translation.)
* Place a photo of yourself or family or house in the envelope if sending a letter.
* Mail it to
Dawn Meehan
PO Box 66274
Chicago, IL 60666
Thanks for your help!!!
92 comments:
- Amber said...
sounds like fun~
first commmenter??? - January 11, 2008 at 12:02 AM
- Amber said...
fingers crossed!!!!
- January 11, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Wow, are you going to get a LOT of mail... I don't think your local post office will like you for that one!!
I'm envisioning truckloads of envelopes, brought in by dozens of dump trucks, becoming mountains all over your lawn, your neighbor's lawns, and your house... which your kids will be only too happy to play in : )
I can't wait for the blog updates when the trucks start rolling in with your mail! If you can tunnel your way back to the computer, that is ; ) - January 11, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Wow--I'd like to hear how much mail this generates for him! Good luck! :)
- January 11, 2008 at 12:29 AM
- Amber said...
Doing the 10 million dollar happy dance over here! 1st commenter bragging rights! Now I'm sending your son a letter FOR SURE!! :) Have a good night! - January 11, 2008 at 12:29 AM
- nutralady2001 said...
There'll be one coming from me. Expect to be inundated lol
- January 11, 2008 at 12:38 AM
- Rick said...
I'm in!
Is there a due date for our part of the assignment?
Does your son realize that he's going to get a pile of letters that will reach from Chicago to... umm... Austin? ( Pun intended )
http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com/ - January 11, 2008 at 12:50 AM
- Michelle Kemper Brownlow said...
He is gonna be the coolest kid in school!
20,000 postcards makes for a reeaaaallllyyy heavy backpack! - January 11, 2008 at 12:54 AM
- Misty said...
I agree...you will get tons of mail...your son won't even know what to do with it all!
- January 11, 2008 at 12:57 AM
- Kristy said...
I'm in Germany on a Military Base. I'll send you a postcard. I actually have some up in the cabinet so I don't even have to go to the store! I'll get it out in the mail tomorrow. Glad I can help! :)
- January 11, 2008 at 2:14 AM
I did it....
- January 11, 2008 at 2:35 AM
- Suburban Correspondent said...
Getting us to do your son's homework...what next? He can probably make a really neat (and huge) collage out of all the postcards, though. Cool idea.
- January 11, 2008 at 3:35 AM
Oh Boy...you'd better start recruiting some volunteers to help Austin with all the mail he will be getting!!!
Look for my postcard....from the wonderful village of Brockport, NY!! It will be in the mail today. :)
Have Fun!! {{Sarcasm...Sarcasm}}
Oh...you HAVE to keep us all updated on this one Dawn.... :)
Donna :) - January 11, 2008 at 6:48 AM
- Debbie @ Three Weddings said...
Miracle on 34th Street (the one with Natalie Wood) comes to mind!
- January 11, 2008 at 6:54 AM
Does he just need postcards from America or all over the world?
I can offer a small village near Berlin/Germany/othersideoftheworld
Take care
dasPossum - January 11, 2008 at 6:57 AM
- Hoffman Family said...
What a fun assignment. Keep us posted as to how many responses he gets. His class will be impressed. Your PO Box will be filled in a few days!
- January 11, 2008 at 7:05 AM
I'd like to help out with that! Is a letter from Sweden ok?
- January 11, 2008 at 7:30 AM
Letter written (well typed) and mailed from Ireland - hope he likes it!
- January 11, 2008 at 7:37 AM
- Barb said...
Expect one from Melbourne, Fla aka "The Space Coast" very soon. Glad I could help.
- January 11, 2008 at 7:54 AM
SOOOOO wishing that I had a hugely popular blog too...if I ask real nice will you use your blog to help my girls sell their stupid Girl Scout cookies? tee hee hee
Tina in Ohio - January 11, 2008 at 7:56 AM
- Julie said...
You are going to get TONS of mail, you DO realize this, don't you?!?! I wonder if your son can even comprehend the amount of people who are going to respond to your request on his behalf. What a cool mom...I hope I can be cool someday!!
- January 11, 2008 at 8:19 AM
- momteacherfriend said...
Our letter is on the way to the mailbox.
- January 11, 2008 at 8:44 AM
Usually a lurker, but wanted to add to this one :)
we live in the UK, would this be of any help I sent you details of me and my five litle monkeys?
let me know lol, firstname.lastname@example.com
Sammie x - January 11, 2008 at 9:00 AM
- As Cape Cod Turns said...
All I can envision is the mountain of mail that Regis and Kelly get for a contest. Then they open the floodgates and jump into the mail. You might need to add on to your house for the amount of responses you are likely to get. Maybe you could borrow a bay in one of your relative's "car garages". LOL!
www.ascapecodturns.blogspot.com - January 11, 2008 at 9:07 AM
- Sandra Poarch said...
Wow what a great idea for a project. He probably doesn't know yet how lucky he is to have such a famous Mom but he is getting ready to find out.
Please post updates. - January 11, 2008 at 9:23 AM
- Kelly said...
Is there a way we can email it instead?
firstname.lastname@example.com - January 11, 2008 at 9:24 AM
This is always a fun project. I first read about it several years ago in Family Fun mag (BTW, LOVE this mag. Lots of fun easy activities, crafts, and recipies for kids). I believe the objective is to get a postcard from every state in the union and as many countries as possible. Expect a TON (or two) of postcards from NY, CA, TX, and FL. It will be harder to get them from places like Alaska and Hawaii (though I have a friend with family in HI and in American Samoa. I think I can take care of those for you). How cool would it be if your son can get one from every state by himself!
- January 11, 2008 at 9:43 AM
- Unknown said...
Are you SURE you want so much mail?
I'm from Boston and I'm in. - January 11, 2008 at 9:48 AM
- Lucille said...
I do hope you bought the postal delivery person a Christmas gift this year!
You are going to get TONS of mail!
Awaiting the picture of your son surrounded by thousands of postcards!
www.whosgoingtotellyou.blogspot.com - January 11, 2008 at 9:52 AM
Neat assignment! Expect a postcard from New York very soon.
www.booksaroundtheclock.com - January 11, 2008 at 9:53 AM
- Jennifer said...
I'm actually learning a lot about my community because of Austin's project! THANKS!
- January 11, 2008 at 10:03 AM
ill try and drop one in the mail =D cant wait to see how many he gets =D
- January 11, 2008 at 10:20 AM
- Adamsmom said...
I am going to have my kids work on this as a project. It will be neat to see what thye want some other kids to know about where they live. When is this due?
- January 11, 2008 at 10:27 AM
- Hally said...
Please please take pics of all the letters that will arrive! Ours is in the mail today!
Good Luck Austin!
ps....thank your mom. You're going to be a HERO at school. - January 11, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Expect one from Houston! I printed a picture of my family on cardstock to use as a postcard. What a fun project!
~Christine~ - January 11, 2008 at 11:06 AM
My mailman is glad he's not our mail carrier!! It's in the mail! It's kind of fun to share info about our little city!
Chris from Burnsville, MN - January 11, 2008 at 11:09 AM
When is it due? I'm half across the world, and it will take almost a week for a letter to get there...
Can I send it to you via email? - January 11, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Make sure you post a picture of all the cards/letters and of course of Austin too!
- January 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Ok, after reading the comments thus far I couldn't resist; "Gee Dawn, I think you're going to get a lot of mail!" ;-) Anyhoo--for all your posters who are always trying to be "first commenter" [& haven't yet realized that you could have numerous comments already sent in & waiting to be approved & posted] when they're done reading your post they can hop on over to Surviving Assorted Home Mayhem & take a shot at first commenter status ;-) But seriously, great idea for help on Austin's assignment--good luck with that.
- January 11, 2008 at 12:04 PM
- Slatsette said...
I am totally sending one. When I moved to Idaho I had to think.... "Where is that again?" *Grabs map*
It's an interesting place geographically and geologically- so I shall attempt to increase your son's 'Idaho Awareness'. - January 11, 2008 at 12:06 PM
- Heather H said...
How fun! I will get working on when the little ones nap today.
- January 11, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Thank you for giving us a chance to give something back to you and your family. I hope we do not overload the boy with all the info he will be getting.
- January 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM
- Mary said...
sounds like fun! Did any of your kids have the Flat Stanley school project? We had so much fun with my nephew's Flat Stanley doll!
- January 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM
- Lowa said...
I may be able to do this, will see if I remember and make time.
This reminds me though, I wanted to ask you. Do all of your kids have the names of cities?? I love them! Especially Lexington and Brooklyn. I guess Clayton isn't a city and I don't recall all your kids' names, so maybe I am way off. But it seems the majority of them have city names. - January 11, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Letter typed and sent from Houston.
Can't wait to hear how this turns out! - January 11, 2008 at 1:09 PM
- Michael M. said...
In 5 years, this little caper is going to end up on Snopes.com just like the little kid who was supposedly dying of cancer and wanted get well cards. I think he is 25 now and his parents had to move because the letters cards never stopped! :)
Have fun! - January 11, 2008 at 1:30 PM
- ShellyBlake said...
I'd send a card - but I think I live too close to you! I'm in the NW Suburbs of Chicago. But good luck Austin on your project!!
Shelly - January 11, 2008 at 2:00 PM
I suggest drawing the outline of the world onto a big paper and gluing some hundreds of postcards to the place where they came from ..
.. should make a great map about internet usage! - January 11, 2008 at 2:01 PM
- Camryn said...
You might want to edit your posting to put in a "send by" date, otherwise six years from now you'll still be getting these. :)
Also, you might be interested in http://postcrossing.com - January 11, 2008 at 2:27 PM
- Jennie said...
What a fun project! Letter is on its way from Papillion, Nebraska!
- January 11, 2008 at 2:31 PM
- MaNiC MoMMy™ said...
OK, he is soooo going to kick butt on that project!!!
BTW, got my second blood donor thanks to you!!! She came via your blog, so THANK YOU MY FRIEND!
Countdown to lunch... let's see, how many hours...
never mind, I suck at math. I like words more better. - January 11, 2008 at 2:31 PM
- Unknown said...
I will get to the avionics museum this weekend and get a postcard for him! :) Its either that or peaches, and I am sure that you will get at least a couple from Georgia with peaches on them.
- January 11, 2008 at 2:37 PM
I can so do this for you. Mine will be coming from Southern California-Ventura County to be exact. I actually work for the newspaper in the area and if I can get my hands on a copy of the annual 'Living Here' section that was just published, I'll send along a copy since it goes into far more details about my area than I could ever write about.
- January 11, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Paris, FRANCE;
Card will be sent tomorrow morning.
Will you do the same when my children will have school homework of geography?
Since I read your blog it appears your life is so similar to mine, I get the impression we're old time friends. Please continue sharing daily post. Catherine - January 11, 2008 at 3:03 PM
hey dawn, ive got mine all typed out, but im not sure how long it'll take for a letter to get to you (im in vancouver) can i get it to you in an email instead?
- January 11, 2008 at 3:08 PM
- Roger Miller said...
Uh, just buzzed over from manic's site, she says that she hearts you.
I live in Batavia, IL, and if I can find a postcard from here, I'll send it on it's way. I will also try to get my brothers and parents to send one, they are further abroad (Japan, Hawaii, Nevada).
What a cool mom you are. :-) - January 11, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Letter sent from Los Angeles! Can't wait to see the results.
Holly - January 11, 2008 at 3:12 PM
- Julie said...
Okay, I got my letter (complete with photo of my kids) mailed out this afternoon - I had fun looking up a few "interesting facts" about where I live.
- January 11, 2008 at 3:32 PM
- Crazy Raven Productions said...
I've written up more than anyone would ever want to know about my town. Just have to get a new ink cartridge so I can print out a couple pics. :)
- January 11, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Smart to use the PO Box, Dawn. Do you want them from "other" places mostly? I'm pretty sure I'm quite nearby (like 20 minutes?). I can provide a highlight -- I found out last night that a neighbor is going to be on Survivor that starts next month. And we have really cool ski jumping competitions....
Michelle - January 11, 2008 at 3:53 PM
- Erica said...
Card coming from Paris, TX, home of the second largest Eiffel Tower and the only on with a cowboy hat! :-)
- January 11, 2008 at 4:14 PM
- Elisabet said...
Wow! Cool assignment! Austin can count on getting a post card of the Grand Coulee Dam!!!
- January 11, 2008 at 4:46 PM
- Blog Owner said...
- January 11, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Written and will be in the mail tomorrow! Good luck with the project!
- January 11, 2008 at 4:58 PM
- MotherOnTheEdge said...
Letter scrawled from Scotland will be on its way tomorrow morning! Hope you can read my writing :s
- January 11, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Come on, (certain) people, buck up and send a real letter through the real mail! It will be so much more meaningful than an email, although it WILL require getting off your computer chair to go and mail it!
- January 11, 2008 at 5:49 PM
- Nicki said...
I'm interested to find out how many letters and cards you end up getting. I would send one, but since we are in the same general area, I don't think it would help him much. Good luck with your project Austin!
- January 11, 2008 at 6:20 PM
- pjgal2000 said...
I am so happy to do this for you and Austin. He will certainly see how popular his mom has become. I am going to send him a picture post card of our tiny town here in Georgia and a letter telling him all about the exciting things that sometimes happen here. I can't wait to hear how all this turns out!
- January 11, 2008 at 6:20 PM
I remember reading that your children are all given names after cities.
Won't it be cool if you get postcards from cities that match your kid's names?!?!?
How fun is THAT! - January 11, 2008 at 6:21 PM
- judee d said...
What a great idea. No postcard at hand but a scrapbooked card is on its way from Cranbourne, Victoria Australia. Would love to know the results.
Keep smiling and healthy
Victoria Australia. - January 11, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Have to see if I can find a Camp Lejeune Post card for him!
When is this project due? - January 11, 2008 at 7:28 PM
- January 11, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Hope you have the BIG size PO box!
~Molly in NH - January 11, 2008 at 7:52 PM
- monica said...
Fun!! I've done this for a friend before that had to have a postcard from that area. He's going to have way more than anyone can imagine!?! Fun!!
- January 11, 2008 at 7:58 PM
- michlejoy said...
Please keep us updated on the project. I think it would be cool to find out ourselves who reads your blog from a geographical standpoint. You are global.
We can also find out if anyone lives near each other and then start our own local Dawn Meehan fan clubs. LOL. I am going to mail mine tomorrow from West Palm Beach (Palm Beach Gardens)Florida.
Michele - January 11, 2008 at 8:54 PM
- Supplanter64 said...
And for Austin's second project, have him send all of us thank you cards. Ha ha ha ha! Ok... just kidding. He might have to get a part time job for the next 3 years just to buy enough stamps.
- January 11, 2008 at 9:10 PM
- Mystii said...
Darn! Won't do me any good to particiate *sigh*. We live just south of Chicago so it probably wouldn't help him much if I did send a postcard. Hope he gets lots of them though!
- January 11, 2008 at 9:34 PM
- Shari said...
Dawn-I sent a page of information off today with a picture. I put my email address in there if he needs to know more. Glad I can help!
Shari - January 11, 2008 at 9:55 PM
- Shandra said...
i used to teach kindergarten and for the 100th day of school we did an assignment kinda like this. i sent out and email and asked friends to send it on and email us back telling us where they were from and a little bit about the area. we got a TON of emails! my students were so excited! this almost makes me miss teaching... almost. anyway, i'll try to send a card.
- January 11, 2008 at 9:57 PM
WOW!!! What a neat idea for an assignment. I don't live anywhere as cool as some of your other readers, but I will get a letter and a picture of my family out from Oklahoma City, OK and we just had our 100th Year Centennial Celebration, so we will have plenty of facts. Maybe I need to mention to my daughter's teacher or not lol. Tell Austin WTG on having a Mom so popular that he is going to get a TON of mail. Keeping Julian in my prayers too, that little guy is still fighting and I am so happy about that. My heart starts going wild every time I see there is an update. For your readers that were asking about where they could find out more info on him it is Carepages.com juliansworld
- January 12, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Don't forget about the ones that may come from oversea's I am in Australia and would be more then happy to send a letter over! Though not to exciting here small country town but just survived flooding!
- January 12, 2008 at 12:31 AM
I can't wait because I get to send Austin a letter from Austin, TX! Man, is he going to get a ton of mail!
- January 12, 2008 at 3:24 AM
This is wonderful! I am sure you are going to get so much mail on this one, I even forwarded this to all my address book!!!
My son is in fourth grade and this will be great for him to have to write about and find neat things in our area to share with Austin.
Looking forward to helping out! - January 12, 2008 at 9:30 AM
- Elizabeth F. said...
I will get a card in the mail asap! Good Luck.
- January 12, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Just reading todays blog and Ive had an immediate picture in my mind of the poor lad Harry Potter when the owls delivered all of the mail in one day. Sure hope ou dont end up on the island in the middle of the ocean though Dawn
Card on its way Charente South France Europe - January 12, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Oh, boy. You should invest in a few stocks for stamp comapnies!
Expect a postcard from the nickel capital of the world :) - January 12, 2008 at 7:24 PM
OMG you live in a area with the numbers 666 in the zip code. I would have to move or would have never moved there in the fist place. That is kind of scary!!!
A letter is in the mail. Good luck to your son. he is going to get tons of mail!!!! - January 12, 2008 at 10:19 PM
- Carla said...
The postcard is on the way!! Hope you are ready for the deluge!! :)
- January 13, 2008 at 9:08 PM
- Carla said...
I find it hilarious that everyone wants to be the first to comment!! Maybe I can be the last??
- January 13, 2008 at 9:09 PM
- Carla said...
- January 14, 2008 at 4:10 PM
(Well, no, Carla, you're not... sorry.) This is a pretty cool assignment. How big is their map???? ROTFL just envisioning the little tykes trying to stick 'em all on a classroom size map. Ha! Forget your mailman, the teacher isn't gonna be too happy either. Make sure your son insists that all of his get put up like the rest of the kids. Oh, it just gets funnier. Crackin myself up. Thanks for all the laughs.
- January 19, 2008 at 3:23 AM
Okay Dawn, I'm usually just a reader but in the fine USPS man's hands today is a envelope for Mr. Austin straight from Austin, TX. Well technically I live in Lockhart and work in San Marcos but Austin's the main hub around here. We're actually right between Austin and San Antonio. Hope he enjoys it, I put post it notes on each one with a bit of history.
- January 25, 2008 at 11:07 AM


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This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.
And I'm Linda Wertheimer. Today the State Department advised all U.S. citizens to leave Yemen because of extremely high danger for Americans there. The U.S. Air Force has flown some State Department personnel out of the capital, Sana'a. In all, 19 U.S. embassies and consulates remain closed across the Middle East and Africa because of a security threat. We're hearing more about what is causing all the concern. Intelligence officials say they intercepted an electronic communication between two top al Qaida leaders and they were talking about an attack in the works against Western targets.
NPR's counterterrorism correspondent Dina Temple-Raston has been following this story. And she is here with the latest. Dina, tell us about this intercepted communication.
DINA TEMPLE-RASTON, BYLINE: Well, U.S. officials say it's between Ayman al-Zawahiri, the man who replaced Osama bin Laden, and another man named Nasser al-Wuhayshi, who, until a couple of weeks ago, was the head of al Qaida's affiliate in Yemen. I say until a couple of weeks ago, because officials told us that it appears that Wuhayshi was elevated to al Qaida's number two spot last month. Wuhayshi used to have direct connections to bin Laden. He was his secretary.
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TEMPLE-RASTON: Well, they have a pretty good idea where the threat might come from - Yemen - but they don't know the target. Officials said that the intercepts entailed Zawahiri, the head of al Qaida, telling this new deputy to launch an attack but there was no sense of where and when, aside from it being soon. So the U.S. decided to close these diplomatic missions out of an abundance of caution.
And clearly, last year's attack on the U.S. diplomatic embassy in Benghazi in which Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others were killed is clearly affecting their thinking here. And the fact that the direction went to the former head of al Qaida's affiliate in Yemen has focused attention on Yemen. You know, U.S. allies like France and Germany and the U.K., they've closed their missions in Yemen until further notice.
The president of Yemen was in Washington last week. He may have also alerted President Obama to something that was going on. And they've been talking about something called the threat stream. Basically, officials hear one thing that worries them - like an exchange between two leaders - and then they look for evidence in the chatter among operatives that sort of supports that.
Officials told me that there appeared to be movement of operatives, intense chatter among people they were listening to, and you bring all those threads together and that reinforces what they heard in the intercept.
WERTHEIMER: Dina, we are talking about al Qaida again. I mean, we hear on the one hand that al Qaida has been severely weakened in the last few years. Is it resurgent now?
TEMPLE-RASTON: Well, al Qaida's role in Yemen has always been an issue. You may remember just last year there was an infiltration of the group and a double agent made off with a new kind of underwear bomb. What's interesting about this latest alert is that Zawahiri, the leader of al Qaida's core group, is reaching out directly to an affiliate, this al Qaida group in Yemen. And instead of just making a generalized call for an attack, he's reached out to a particular person.
So, you know, is this indicating some sort of management structure change for al Qaida? Are they adapting in a new way? We don't know yet but that's something that intelligence analysts are looking at.
WERTHEIMER: It's hard not to notice that this is all happening at a time when the National Security Agency, the NSA, is facing increasing criticism over its surveillance programs on Capitol Hill. Is all that connected?
TEMPLE-RASTON: Well, the House nearly passed legislation last month that would've clipped the NSA's surveillance programs. And then in a hearing last week the Senate Judiciary Committee grilled officials from the director of National Intelligence and the NSA about those surveillance programs. And officials were back on their heels, saying they were open to whatever changes lawmakers wanted to make as long as they could keep the programs.
Now, all these same members of Congress are being briefed on this threat and they're being told that these intercepts were from high ranking al Qaida officials. So the whole subject has changed. Now they're listening to briefings based on the effectiveness of these programs and telling them how important they are. You know, State Department officials have said they want to get back to business, they want to open these consulates, but it looks like this terror threat could last all month.
So the momentum that was building to change the NSA's surveillance programs, it's going to be all gone.
WERTHEIMER: Dina, thank you.
TEMPLE-RASTON: You're welcome.
WERTHEIMER: That's NPR's counterterrorism correspondent Dina Temple-Raston. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
You know, a funny thing about DC comics. Their "cartoony" artists are generally much better draftsmen than their "realistic" superhero artists.
Owen Fitzgerald is kind of the father of the DC "funny human" comic lines. Owen was an animator and layout artist for many classic cartoons and drew comics on the side. He drew a beautiful comic series in the 40s called "Starlet O'Hara in Hollywood"
and a few others before he started doing Hollywood star comics for DC. His Bob Hope comics started a style that was adopted by other top cartoonists at DC who all developed their own takes on what was basically Owen's style.
Owen is a master of pretty girl art, in fact, in my opinion, far superior to any of the Archie artists, even though I like some of them very much. Owen is a much more observant artist than the average comic artist. While most comic artists imitate other comic artists, Owen actually draws his style from life. His poses are very natural, his anatomy (esp. the girls) very studied and yet he brings an elegant animated cartoony flair to his work.He is great at composing crowds of girls, and manages to give each one her own distinct pose, while at the same time making all their poses flow together into a complete design.
He also gives each girl her own hair style, so I imagine he must have collected fashion magazines and copied real hair styles to get his ideas from. He does the same thing with their clothing. He doesn't use stock skimpy outfits that most men draw on their sexy girls.
Owen doesn't use a lot of detail within his scenes. His poses and compositions are so strong they carry the work. He is working on the top levels of the drawings. Many lesser artists try to clutter up their lack of knowledge with lots of details, hoping to hide the fact that the underlying drawings are weak.
Owen's style evolves constantly. If you collect his comics you can see him trying endless variations of his basic style.
A lot of people mistake Owen's books for Bob Oksner, another skilled cartoonist. Oksner had a different style before he started doing celebrity humor comics for DC, and it looks to me that he was influenced by Owen's work.Oksner is more detailed and less cartoony and less fluid than Owen, but he has a solid knowledge of real anatomy, great compoistion and perspective. I loved his comics when I was a kid.
I'm not sure if this one is Oksner. It could be Adams or maybe Ross Andru, but it's all part of the DC funny human school of drawing, which is much more natural and less stiff than their typical superhero books.
Here's Oksner's early style, obviously influenced by Milton Caniff. It's funny that Owen's background is animated cartoon style and Oksner's is comic strips, but the two later converged into similar styles coming from such different directions.
Here's Oksner's hippie style, still amazingly solid and composed.
Oksner or Adams??
I remember Shane Glines telling me that Mort Drucker spoke highly of Owen Fitzgerald's work and said that he was partly mentored by him. (Shane tell me if I got that wrong!)
Mort is a giant in his own right for his work at Mad, but I also love his DC work. He, like Owen is a real admirer of female charms.
I don't know if Neal had any contact with Owen, but he certainly spoke highly of Mort, and Adams' own cartoon style is very reminiscent of Drucker's.
Oksner or Adams? I've seen them credited to both.
All 4 of these artists' styles overlap and sometimes it's hard to tell who did what. Here are a few that I'm not sure of, but they are all great.
The girl in this one sure looks like Owen, but the rest seems like someone else.I don't know how they grew artists like this in the old days, but I sure wish there was a way to do it today!