4Zale

The most sensual and visual animal is known as the human. We react to what we see. And to a lesser degree, we are auditory. Sounds can cause a reaction too, and the combination of them can change our lives. But even one of the other can do the same, if, it changes our perception of things. Especially in the realm of humor.

So what does all this have to do with zen and funny things we love to see?

Laughter feels good, and there is a good reason for that. Many eastern philosophers and yoga experts believe that the laughing chakra is in the same area as the sex chakra. I guess the powerful lesson here is to use them wisely and not at the same time. In other words this could be very upsetting to a soul-mate unless you can tactfully explain that your laughter chakra short-circuited during lovemaking. Stranger things have happened I guess. One caveat: If you are the female partner and should this happen to you, please respond, without missing a beat, the predictable compliment/lie “But size doesn’t matter, it is what you do with it.”

I never bought this line, and don’t think it should ever be mentioned, but nevertheless, it is what I classify as an “ego test”. A woman will say it, simply for the reaction to see how strong our ego is and how secure we males feel.

But back to cartoons. Cartoons are truly nothing more than a small piece of art, hopefully humorous, that tell a much longer story, using what I like to call “extreme editing”. Though we call ourselves writers, we truly are more editors than writers. Yes, we can write, and, though a cartoon may not have any caption or “word bubble” at all, generally some text is added to “drive the point home” Most cartoonists are instinctively aware, though, that if it can be done with no wording, a picture only, that is a triple bonus to the psyche, and, when we can occasionally do that, we get complimented way beyond our actual talents. But that’s ok. It’s good for the ego.

Humor, and believe it or not, cartoons in general, can influence our society greatly. As far as cartoonists go, we often think of them as “bigger than life”. I can assure you, being one, we are just like everyone else. We just don’t crave the limelight; but the limelight craves us, it appears. This fascinates people. When you mention names like Charles Schulz or Gary Larson, some wonder if they are even in the same species. They are. But like everyone else, laughter is important even to those who purvey it.

So zen happens. Especially with humor (and sex) and it all starts in that silly chakra. Always keep that chakra open, as, as long as there is life, there will be humor. And as long as there will be humor, there will be people who will utilize it to make us feel better about ourselves, whether alone or with a mate.

Though the cow is not man’s best friend, it is often his best food, or at least best-tasting food, and is possibly the funniest animal on the planet. Though this may be hard for some city-dwellers to fathom, I can assure you Mississippians and other inhabitants of the southeastern states were laughing at cows long before The Far Side was a twinkle in Gary Larson’s eye.

Even in the rural south, many of us were considered a bit “off center”, yes Virginia, I would fall into that category, would imagine what the cows were saying. “Got Milk?”, was not one of the most asked questions. It was a given. But as we would pass the cows, and there were many, down the many lazy country roads in Ms. we would make believe, as children, that we were the cows talking to each other. Of course our intrepretations could never match Gary Larson, but we were able to make each other laugh, thanks to the nearby bovine community.

Until Al Gore invented the Internet (there actually is some truth to that story…more in another article), I felt certain this was “just a good ol’ boy southern thing”. By the time I was twenty, I was already collecting “All Things Bovine” as were so many of my peers. It was just the thing to do. Corn was semi-funny, but how many puns and jokes could be made from corn aside from “The Jolly Green Giant had to have been a stalker” or “The Jolly Green Giant’s son is grounded after school as he was caught viewing web corn”. Corny, sure, but had to be said.

Cotton? Just not funny in any way shape or form. Cotton candy is semi-funny but not a knee-slapper.

I have come upon the realization that there are cow figurine and other type collectibles, or cowlectibles as I like to call them, worldwide, and I have corresponded with numerous other cow lovers.

Perhaps it is the way they stare at us with their souldful brown eyes. Perhaps it is the way they stand patiently while being milked fhappily without blinking an eye.

Maybe it’s because Ol’ McDonald had a cow e-i-e-i-o. Who knows? We just love our cows.

After high school and well into college when my peers were all checking out med schools, law schools, and how to become CPA’s, I was trying to figure out what cow items would sell the best. I would be the cow selling king of Mississippi if not the world. I had grandoise udderly ridiculous ideas and still do.

After many an informal focus group, I have discovered that many of the most popular cow collectibles today come in the form of funny cartoons manufactured onto products. Aprons, hoodies, t shirts, mouse pads, and other types of gifts that can be utilized are favorites of many. This pertains to me too. I collect a great many cow t shirts for instance and sometimes sweatshirts, a few aprons and mousepads, but I always like them to be funny or silly. The sillier the better.

Many of us are visually-oriented people. We instinctively know that if we are not feeling well, sad, blue, depressed or whatever, we can look at a funny picture or cartoon or product featuring a cartoon, and we will often “snap out of it” and even share it with a friend or neighbor.

People love receiving gifts. They smile and say “thank you” generally. But give them a “cowtoon collectible” and they jump for joy! I give them to people who grew up in the city. Oddly enough, they seem to enjoy them even more. Maybe its because many of them were not used to seeing cows growing up, and, upon first glance, notice the beauty and serenity of the cow persona (is there a cow persona?); well there is now.

Rick London founded Londons Times Cartoons in 1997. After ten years, it has shot to the top of the Alexa rankings and lures over 4.5 milion visitors per year. He also owns estores that feature his cow cartoons on all sorts of funny gifts and collectibles.