A blog featuring Hillbilly, a comic strip about life in Appalachia (and the rest of the U.S.A). Also, updated info about the Appalachian Peg Game and how to purchase one!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
What is a Hillbilly?
What is a Hillbilly? How should I know? How should anyone know, really? There probably is some kind of information out there somewhere about Hillbillies, maybe in one of those places where you can find books and information and stuff, like a library. Instead of doing real research I decided to just ask people what a Hillbilly was or is or wuz, depending on who I was talking to and the dialect I wuz or wasn't using. Most responses were like, "Hill-what?" or "Excuse me but I am turbo texting on the latest I-Maxi-Pad" or whatever the latest device out there is. Since I have a beard a few people said that I ought to know. But, really, my beard is way too short to be confused with rabid mountain folk who don't have access to scissors or beard trimming accessories or electricity. Isn't that how we think of Hillbillies?
Maybe, maybe not. After all, we live in the 21st century! Everyone has scissors! And, going out on a limb, electricity as well! It seems, then, the stereotypical Hillbilly can't get a break. It could be there just aren't enough "real" Hillbillies to believe in the mythological/stereotypical Hillbilly anymore! Say it ain't so, Li'l Abner. Speaking of which, it is too bad there are not more, or any, for that matter, Daisy Mae-types running around. Yes, there are attractive women in places where you would think you could find some Hillbillies. And yes, there are men and women, too, with quadruple muffin tops in those same areas (and unfortunately everywhere it seems, yikes!). Men, come on, you aren't suppose to have even one muffin top! What kind of hormones are they putting in our food! Anyway, the real point of this is to find more women who look like Daisy Mae. Hillbillies come back (if you look like Daisy Mae from Li'l Abner, natcherly)! Everyone else wear less revealing clothes.
Of course, when thinking about the concept of HILLBILLIES (dramatic, ain't it?) there is something (dare I use a cliché? yes) of the noble savage that comes to mind. Call them survivors, call them self-reliant, call them unfettered from modern society, just don't call them because they probably don't have telephones or cell phones. Ah, maybe, maybe not. Hailing from a state right in the heart of Appalachia you can become sensitive to the stereotype of the Hillbilly. But if you live in a place where someone might call you a Hillbilly just by default (hi, West Virginians) all you have to do is look around and see that the latest I-Maxi-Pad the xenophobe who looks at you with stereotypical eyes owns is also owned by half the state. There is internet here, too! And so are guns, with people who safely know how to use them!
Don't worry. The HILLBILLY is still alive and well. Just because he doesn't have a beard (though he might), tie his pants with a rope and own an outhouse doesn't mean he has left the planet. No, the spirit of the HILLBILLY lives on, maybe in each and every one of us who call ourselves survivors, self-reliant and to a lesser extent cell phone haters. Though the word redneck has taken the place of hillbilly as a term of endearment and derision, the h-word still has meaning, too. The mythological HILLBILLY is out there, self-reliant and self-made as ever (At least on Duck Dynasty. And, yes, there are hills in Louisiana. Good for them). So, no matter where you live, embrace your inner noble HILLBILLY with pride (beard optional).
Maybe, maybe not. After all, we live in the 21st century! Everyone has scissors! And, going out on a limb, electricity as well! It seems, then, the stereotypical Hillbilly can't get a break. It could be there just aren't enough "real" Hillbillies to believe in the mythological/stereotypical Hillbilly anymore! Say it ain't so, Li'l Abner. Speaking of which, it is too bad there are not more, or any, for that matter, Daisy Mae-types running around. Yes, there are attractive women in places where you would think you could find some Hillbillies. And yes, there are men and women, too, with quadruple muffin tops in those same areas (and unfortunately everywhere it seems, yikes!). Men, come on, you aren't suppose to have even one muffin top! What kind of hormones are they putting in our food! Anyway, the real point of this is to find more women who look like Daisy Mae. Hillbillies come back (if you look like Daisy Mae from Li'l Abner, natcherly)! Everyone else wear less revealing clothes.
Of course, when thinking about the concept of HILLBILLIES (dramatic, ain't it?) there is something (dare I use a cliché? yes) of the noble savage that comes to mind. Call them survivors, call them self-reliant, call them unfettered from modern society, just don't call them because they probably don't have telephones or cell phones. Ah, maybe, maybe not. Hailing from a state right in the heart of Appalachia you can become sensitive to the stereotype of the Hillbilly. But if you live in a place where someone might call you a Hillbilly just by default (hi, West Virginians) all you have to do is look around and see that the latest I-Maxi-Pad the xenophobe who looks at you with stereotypical eyes owns is also owned by half the state. There is internet here, too! And so are guns, with people who safely know how to use them!
Don't worry. The HILLBILLY is still alive and well. Just because he doesn't have a beard (though he might), tie his pants with a rope and own an outhouse doesn't mean he has left the planet. No, the spirit of the HILLBILLY lives on, maybe in each and every one of us who call ourselves survivors, self-reliant and to a lesser extent cell phone haters. Though the word redneck has taken the place of hillbilly as a term of endearment and derision, the h-word still has meaning, too. The mythological HILLBILLY is out there, self-reliant and self-made as ever (At least on Duck Dynasty. And, yes, there are hills in Louisiana. Good for them). So, no matter where you live, embrace your inner noble HILLBILLY with pride (beard optional).
Sunday, October 6, 2013
How did this all get started ?!?
I thought I would write a little about the origins of Hillbilly and the Appalachian Peg Game. The APG started out as a kickstarter project, and only 7 people backed the idea. No where near the amount I wanted. Not stopping from lack of interest (or lack of knowledge of the product on the part of the consumer is more like it....the game is fun and even funnier that the "blah" triangle shape, but anyway....) I kept the dream going through this blog. And I created a webcomic called Hillbilly. Hillbilly was originally part of an ad of sorts I designed to promote the APG, and then I thought I would continue with the comic because I liked doing it.
Here is the "copy" I put up on kickstarter:
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Here is the "copy" I put up on kickstarter:
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"Can you figure out how to get to Heaven (almost) or be in a State of Love? Classic peg game gets the Appalachian reboot. Dichotomy Now!
The project I am working on is a simple derivative of a classic public domain peg game found almost ubiquitously as a triangle at a certain restaurant. The important difference is this has the pleasing asymmetrical design of the State of Almost Heaven (West Virginia to the uninitiated). The finish and artwork on the Appalachian Peg Game (APG) will change and improve once the project is started. The money will be used to buy supplies like lumber, sandpaper, blades and a saw. Depending on the amount raised and saw/equipment I am able to obtain then within one to two months the APGs should be completed and delivered. If 850 people are willing to help fund this endeavor at the minimum reward level ($20, wow!) then the project's goal will be met. In addition you will also have a unique reward in the form of a completed signed and numbered APG, promising way more than $20 worth of fun.
But there is more! Due to the geography of West Virginia the Appalachian Peg Game would not be complete without the dichotomous addition of the State of Virginia. Whether it is Heaven or Hell in West Virginia or Love and Hate in Virginia there is something for everyone found in the Appalachian Peg Game. The price is this same for a Virginia Edition ($20, cheap!), Indicate which one you prefer by choosing the reward of your liking. If you can't make up your mind or want a game that will put Almost Heaven and a State of Love right in the palm of your hand then for $35 you can have both.
I am hoping there is interest in the APG so I will be able to continue to produce the WV and VA Editions as well as develop other creative wood based projects."
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Wow! And to think I came up with this thing on a whim. I saw something about kickstarter somewhere and thought I would just go for it. I had nothing to lose, except, of course, my respect or dignity. But I didn't care, threw caution to the wind....and, like I said, ended up with seven backers (a few were probably spammers, too). Why won't strangers back something questionable from someone they don't know with little or no guarantee of a payoff?
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I'd also like to get adsense up and running, but google says there is not enough "talk". Well, Hillbilly has talk, but maybe they see that as "images". Perhaps if I blogged the "script" of the comic ....hmmm.....
But there is more! Due to the geography of West Virginia the Appalachian Peg Game would not be complete without the dichotomous addition of the State of Virginia. Whether it is Heaven or Hell in West Virginia or Love and Hate in Virginia there is something for everyone found in the Appalachian Peg Game. The price is this same for a Virginia Edition ($20, cheap!), Indicate which one you prefer by choosing the reward of your liking. If you can't make up your mind or want a game that will put Almost Heaven and a State of Love right in the palm of your hand then for $35 you can have both.
I am hoping there is interest in the APG so I will be able to continue to produce the WV and VA Editions as well as develop other creative wood based projects."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow! And to think I came up with this thing on a whim. I saw something about kickstarter somewhere and thought I would just go for it. I had nothing to lose, except, of course, my respect or dignity. But I didn't care, threw caution to the wind....and, like I said, ended up with seven backers (a few were probably spammers, too). Why won't strangers back something questionable from someone they don't know with little or no guarantee of a payoff?
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I'd also like to get adsense up and running, but google says there is not enough "talk". Well, Hillbilly has talk, but maybe they see that as "images". Perhaps if I blogged the "script" of the comic ....hmmm.....
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Hillbilly 10/06/13 (obamacare drones part 5/final)
And check out the OBAMACARE DRONES page for the whole series.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
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