Creative accounting

By MartiThat's life, Work

It’s been a while since my last Frank cartoon so thought I’d introduce a mirror just to see what would happen.

As usual, his boss came to the rescue with an innovative take on it.

Mirrors are inspiration to many, so I did a quick Google hunt for some fun mirror quotes:

Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter? Pablo Picasso

I busted a mirror and got seven years bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five. Steven Wright

The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it. Dudley Moore

Natural beauty takes at least two hours in front of a mirror. Pamela Anderson

April 9, 2015

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How to make chocolate Easter eggs

By MartiAnimals

It’s obvious, I guess. What goes in, must come out.

Have a wonderful Easter, and overindulge knowing that these chocolate facts will be in your side

Chocolate may reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack and diabetes
Chocolate makes you smart – UK scientists completed a study that indicated that flavanols (a particular one found in chocolate) helped wit mental maths capabilities. “The findings suggest students who binge on chocolate when revising for exams may gain a real benefit from doing so,” the British Telegraph reported.
Eating chocolate can add to your life span. Research suggests it can add up to 2 years – that’s two extra years of chocolate eating

So, now, you know how good chocolate is, how many extra eggs are you going to eat this Easter? Let me know.

April 3, 2015

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The impact of western society’s overindulgence

By MartiThat's life

Have you taken a close look at your household consumption lately?

I do regularly as we seem to collect a ridiculous amount of stuff. I religiously purge as we go and always make sure that the recycle bin is full. I follow the reduce/reuse/recycle philosophy by buying things with minimal packaging. One of my pet hates is green grocers who think it’s a good idea to cling wrap vegetables and place them onto a foam tray – avocados, bananas. (Is it just me, or is that just the most stupid idea to have evolved this century?)

I was thinking of introducing a new weight management system for the house involving a set of scales at the entrance for stuff brought home. Bring something new into the house, then offset it with something else you take out.

Enough 0f my rambling. What are your overindulgence pet hates?

March 27, 2015

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Guess who’s crashed the party?

By MartiAnimals

Maybe you don’t have an Ohrwurm, perhaps you have beans stuck in your ears

You’re in for a real treat this week. I’m going to share with you the song ‘Bohnen in die Ohren’ (beans in the ears). My father used to play it incessantly at night time, while I was trying to go to sleep in my bedroom, which unfortunately shared one paper thin wall with the living room.

You absolutely must listen to this shortened rendition by Gus Backus to the very end (it only goes for 1:26 min). The lyrics are stupid at best; so stupid you gotta laugh.

A quick translation, so you get a better feel…

Yes, my mother says, Don’t poke any beans in your ears, beans in your ears, beans in your ears.
Yes, my mother says, Don’t poke any beans in your ears, beans in your ears.
Yes, you must speak louder, I have beans in my ears, beans in my ears, beans in my ears…
You can’t hear the teacher, with beans in your ears….

All this Ohrwurm talk reminded me of this song and I Googled it, not thinking I would actually find it. But surprise, surprise, there it was. I played it to my children, who thought it was so wonderful(ly annoying), they downloaded it from iTunes while my back was turned.

So, what do you think of the song? Feel sorry my my cruel upbringing?

March 19, 2015

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Can’t get that song out of your head?

By MartiUncategorized

Well, maybe it’s an Ohrwurm!

Thanks to Jen, from Espresso Science, I discovered the wonders of OhrwÃ¼rmer. The literal translation of this German word is ear worms (Ohrwurm for one) and it is used to describe the phenomena of hearing a catchy song or jungle, which goes over, and over, and over, and over in your head until you go crazy.

Gotta love those Germans for coming up with such a visually descriptive name. I can’t help but picture a tiny worm singing inside it’s unsuspecting victim. Not surprisingly, scientists are fascinated by this insect and have undertaken various studies to get to the heart of the ear worm phenomena. The three key elements are: the type of music, the person and situation. But rather than go into it in great detail here, check out Jen’s comprehensive research into this little bugÂ to reveal the true nature of this singing beast.

When I read Jen’s article, the German aspect reminded me of Nina and her 1980’s song ‘Ninety nine red balloons’, which proceeded to get stuck in my head for the next 20 minutes.Â So, what ear worms have you experienced? Love them or hate them?

March 12, 2015

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Double Selfie

By MartiThat's life

I love watching people take selfies, it’s a wonderful way to reflect on modern day human behaviour (if I had my time again, I think I would become a behavioural scientist). I’ve observed everything from the ‘make me smirk’, to out right strange. Whatever the selfie scene, many make great sources of cartoon content.

Have you seen a memorable selfie moment recently? Do share and we’ll keep it a secret just between you, me and the internet.

February 28, 2015

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The ghost selfie

By MartiThat's life

Selfie gone wrong?

Ever taken a selfie where you’ve missed yourself altogether? Or maybe, you saw someone else getting into a selfie pickle.Â

Let me know and we’ll chuckle together, by leaving a commentÂ below.

Hey, I’ve just moved to a self hosted site, so if you used to follow me on WordPress, then subscribe to my email list to make sure you don’t miss out on more cartoons and freebies.

February 20, 2015

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A soft bump

By MartiThat's life

I have my work friend to thank for this one

She looked at my arm and said, ‘You’ve been bumped by an angel.’ Not understanding, I said rather intelligently (not), ‘Huh?’ She plucked the lone feather which was stuck to my jacket and showed me. It made me smile. Hope this cartoon makes you smile too.

And an important message for current followers of this site. I’ve finally plucked the courage to change over from this WordPress hosted site to self hosting. What does this mean for current WordPress followers of this site? It means that you’ll receive an alert when I convert. If you wish to still keep in touch (and I’d love you too as it might be rather lonely out there), then you’ll be promoted to re-subscribe. For current email followers, there’s no change as the emails will continue.

Why the change? I feel that I’ve outgrown the current environment and want to have more freedom with the development of my site. I have no skill set, so I’ll have to learn as I go. Rather than a well thought out plan, it’s a bit more like a leap of faith. Wish me luck and hopefully you’ll join me.

February 9, 2015

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Join me in an online experiment

By MartiFreebies, Space and Aliens

Help me sky rocket the charts & click to download my new free iBook, ‘How to make an alien activity book’

And yes I realise not everyone has an iPad, so if you have friends with children who you think would enjoy this, then send them this link.

Yes, I’m still here at the bottom of the image in the hope that if you haven’t clicked yet, you’ll do so now with a bit more patient prodding.

Those of you who have followed my site over the last 4 years know that I don’t go shoving my stuff down your throat (very often). So, if you’ve enjoyed my work so far, your finger clicking help would be appreciated as the e-world is a tough environment to crack. If you really want to make my day, then rate it on iBooks too.

So, back to the experiment. You’ll be able to check in live to see if the eBook is making traction. Once I have 5 ratings, there should be an overall rating displayed in the iBook Store. (Why 5 – well, even Google was a bit stumped on what number it was and the best it could find was ‘hear say’ on forums). Anyway, together let’s see what happens.

Are you in? Then click now.

February 6, 2015

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Evolution disruptors

By MartiDinosaurs

The unpublished works of Charles Darwin – Evolution Disruptors

Yes, you’ve probably heard of Endocrine Disruptors, but have you heard of Evolution Disruptors? Here’s my definition:

Evolution disruptors are man-made or naturally occurring objects that, at certain levels of exposure, can interfere with the natural selection genetic process and alter the future evolutionary path in animals. It can result in adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and genetic mutations in both humans and wildlife. A wide range of objects, both natural and man-made, are thought to cause evolution disruption, including the selfie stick.

Can you think of another examples?

February 2, 2015

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