Cartoon Sunday: The Gaffe Grant Wonley Made At A Bar In Ireland

How's it going my gumdrops? Did you enjoy celebrating Saint Patrick's Day yesterday? Hopefully, you enjoyed celebrating such a festive Irish holiday safely and NOT at the dangerous expense of others. 

Other than sleeping in and doing the usual chores yesterday, I had nothing personally special planned. Does watching Black Clover, Stardust Crusaders, and Naruto Shippuden on Adult's Swim's Toonami block count? 

Speaking of Saint Patrick's Day, Black Clover, and Toonami, it was a tad disappointing to discover, that Adult Swim planned NOTHING special for the block's 21st anniversary.

What would've been more logical? How about marathoning a series titled, "Black Clover" on Saint Patrick's Day for Toonami's 21st Anniversary? Hmmm... Such a hard decision there. 

Considering that Cartoon Network originally launched the Toonami block on Saint Patrick's Day 1997, it would've been more logical to celebrate the block's 21st anniversary and Saint Patrick's Day with a Black Clover Marathon. 

Yes, I know there are those Toonami fans STILL ranting about Black Clover being chosen over My Hero Academia for Adult Swim's Toonami block. Some are those same Toonami fans from last year, who are still ranting about One Piece being removed from the Toonami block and being replaced with Tokyo Ghoul.

 

RANT: Toonami Fans And Their Incessant Crying

Either way, you gain some, you lose some. 

Even though Saint Patrick's Day is over now, there will still be a few more Irish themed blogs I will be publishing and re-sharing with you all for this month. There are ONLY 2 more weeks left in March. Hopefully, you have been enjoying these blogs this month. 

Originally, I was going to share the link to Episode 1 of Black Clover today in English Dub. Then at the last minute, I changed my mind. Instead I thought I would share this hilarious animated documentary by Grant Wonley. 

It is always best to learn about foreign countries, their cultures, customs, religions, and especially their social environments before visiting them. I have been saying this to friends and other people for the last 16 years. 

People cannot always say and do whatever they want, whenever they want to whoever they want. This is especially when they are in foreign countries as VISITORS. 

Grant Wonley's short animated documentary is a hilarious depiction of the time, when he visited Ireland. Wonley recounts the time, when he made a gaffe at a bar in Ireland.

The Gaffe Grant Wonley Made At A Bar In Ireland (2016)

Thank you my gumdrops! Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, +1 on Google Plus, and leave your feedback in the comments section below!

Cartoon Sunday: The Foreigner's Guide To Irish Accents

How's it going lurkers? Hopefully, everyone is enjoying these Irish and Saint Patrick's Day themed blogs, so far. Every time I work on these blogs, I always learn something new.

As I began writing these blogs last week, I stumbled upon this animated vlog about Irish accents. I have not heard many people with Irish accents. 

Normally, I hear those with Australian, British, Mexican, Cuban, and Asian accents. There have been shows and movies that I have watched in the past with American actors playing Irish roles.

Even though I have known for the last 30 years, that U2 is an Irish band, I never paid much attention to Bono's accent. 

Years ago, I did manage to hear the late Glenn Quinn's Irish accent. I was amazed to learn that he was Irish because he spent 7 STRAIGHT YEARS playing as "Mark Healy" on Roseanne.

Glenn Quinn As "Mark Healy" From Roseanne

It was not until Glenn Quinn played the character, Doyle on Angel, that I discovered he was Irish; When the late Glenn Quinn joined the cast as "Doyle" on Angel in 1999, his Irish accent really surprised me. This only proved, that he was a very talented actor gone too soon.

Since today's Cartoon Sunday blog is about Irish accents, here is an animated YouTube vlog from Facts Media LLC. explaining about the different types.

 

Facts Media LLC: The Foreigner's Guide To Irish Accents (2015)

Want To Learn More About Leprechauns?

 

How's it going lurkers? Thank Grimm it's Friday and Happy Saint Patrick's Day! This weekend, there will be no Song Saturday or Cartoon Sunday blogs.

Yesterday I realized that I have published about a dozen Saint Patrick's Day and Irish-themed blogs, throughout these last 4 years. 

In case you missed any of those blogs, 2 will be linked in this blog. The rest you can find in my Blog Archive, which is located at the bottom of this page.

Meanwhile earlier this week, we began with Bill Tytla's animated short, The Wee Men for Cartoon Sunday. Tytla's The Wee Men somewhat explained about leprechauns and their roles in Ireland. We already established that leprechauns run and hide with their crocks of gold but do we REALLY know why? 

Before explaining any further about their antics, let's explore the origins of the word, "leprechaun."

According to Irelandseye, "leprechaun" may have derived from the Irish term, "leath bhrogan." Leath bhrogan means "shoe maker," which was what we watched this past Cartoon Sunday in Bill Tytla's The Wee Men. The leprechauns in the short were shoe makers.

However, there is a possibility that "leprechaun" may have derived from "luacharma'n," which is Irish for pygmy.

Even though leprechauns are considered to be the national fairies of Ireland, those in the north Leinster area originally used the term "leprechaun." 

"Lurgadhan," "lurican," and "lurachmain," are 3 other variants of leprechaun.

Apparently, it is a common routine for these "wee men" to be found in an intoxicated state caused by home-brew poteen yet they still manage to be productive workers.

So, why do leprechauns run and hide with their crocks of gold?

Roaming and pillaging throughout Ireland, the Danes supposedly left behind ancient treasure. 

The roaming and pillaging led to the leprechauns appointing themselves as the guardians of the gold. This could also be a reason why leprechauns avoid any social interaction with humans.

Leprechauns view humans as being "foolish," "flighty," and "greedy creatures."

Once a leprechaun is caught by a human, the leprechaun uses his gold coin as a bribe from 1 of his 2 leather pouches. Most people don't know that leprechauns carry 2 different coins in separate pouches.

2 Coins That Leprechauns Carry:

1) Silver Shilling- Leprechauns carry this magical coin in 1 pouch, which returns to the purse every time it is paid out.

2) Gold Coin- Leprechauns carry this in a different pouch from the silver shilling. It's used as a bribe for anything they feel is a "difficult situtaion," after being caught by humans. The coin also has the ability to turn into leaves or ashes after it is given away.

In addition to having 2 different pouches for 2 different coins, there are 2 distinct classifications of the so-called leprechaun family. There are the leprechauns, that hide and protect the gold and there are the cluricans, which have the tendency to borrow or steal almost anything.

Cluricans wait until it is dark to raid wine cellars and larders in people's houses. This is along with harnessing sheep, goats, dogs, and domestic fowl. 

Then, cluricans will ride them throughout the country at night.

After conducting research about leprechauns, I find this all to be very fascinating. It's amazing what you can learn, especially online.

As said earlier, if there are any previously published blogs you may have missed about Saint Patrick's Day and the Irish in general within the last week to 4 years, my Blog Archive is below on this page.

Song Saturday: Henry Cowell's The Banshee (2017)

Cartoon Sunday: Bill Tytla's The Wee Men

How's it going lurkers? Looks like some of you really enjoyed yesterday's Song Saturday blog. 

So, how creepy was it to re-read yesterday's blog about the banshee with Henry Cowell's song, "The Banshee" playing in the background?

Since we are already on the topic of Horror, I read yesterday morning on Anime News Network, that the Seinen Horror Action Anime, Tokyo Ghoul will replace One Piece on March 25th.

Toonami Replaces One Piece Anime With Tokyo Ghoul Starting On March 25

Even though One Piece fans get the shaft as usual, this is fantastic news for us Horror Anime fans.

For a year or so, I have said that Tokyo Ghoul should've aired on Adult Swim's Toonami block after Parasyte -The Maxim- ended. It would've been the perfect replacement for Parasyte.

With the constant promotion during the shortly lived Anime Wednesday block, it originally seemed as if Chiller TV was going to air Tokyo Ghoul.

Speaking of Chiller TV, Dish Network removed the channel from its package, last month. This means the channel will be even MORE niche than it already was on for the last decade. Both Dish Network and Direct TV were the ONLY packages, that carried Chiller TV.

Right now, I shouldn't complain too much. Tokyo Ghoul is a series that I never had a chance to watch in its entirety online because of my hectic schedule and because of Hulu. That online streaming site shafted all its loyal users, who watched free online streaming shows.

In order to watch Hulu's programming, it NOW requires you to sign up using your social media accounts. 

This is all because the company wants to track our personal information and because Hulu wants to compete with Netflix.

Since I don't have Netflix or use Hulu anymore, both are irrelevant to me. At least I will have another show to watch on Adult Swim's Toonami block on the weekends.

In 2 more weeks on Toonami, I will be watching Tokyo Ghoul, Naruto Shippuden, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Tokyo Ghoul's a small victory for Horror Anime fans and for yours truly.

Meanwhile, I have another animated short by Bill Tytla for today's Cartoon Sunday. 

Last week, I shared his 1949 short, Leprechauns Gold. 2 years before Leprechauns Gold, Tytla created The Wee Men. You are probably wondering why I did not share his 1947 short before his 1949 short. 

I purposely saved The Wee Men for today's Cartoon Sunday because Saint Patrick's Day is on Friday, this year. Therefore, you may consider today's blog an early Saint Patrick's Day Cartoon Sunday blog.

This 1947 animated short by Bill Tytla has relevance to Saint Patrick's Day. The Wee Men is similar to the 1949 animated short, Leprechauns Gold.

Legend supposedly has it in Ireland, that leprechauns live with a hidden pot of gold.

If anyone succeeds in capturing 1 of the so-called "wee men," he must lead to the gold's hidden location.

In The Wee Men, the leprechauns make shoes and deliver them to poor people. 

On Patrick's 121st birthday, he wants to prove his manhood by delivering the shoes he and the other leprechauns make to the poor.

In the process of shoe delivering, Patrick is caught by a greedy landlord, who wants to steal the leprechauns' gold. Their pot of gold has been buried under a tree stump and the landlord wants Patrick to reveal the location to it.

Bill Tytla's The Wee Men (1947)

Song Saturday: Henry Cowell's The Banshee

How's it going lurkers? Was the last Song Saturday NOT  creepy enough for you? Chances are great that you will say, "Yes." The last blog wasn't intended to be creepy. However, you are in luck today!

Before listening to today's song by the Classical Music composer, pianist, and theorist, Henry Cowell, learning about the banshee is a MUST. Growing up, I have always heard people loosely mention the banshee in discussions but never really knew much about it.

According to Irelandseye.com, the banshee is widely known in Irish Mythology as a female spirit, that is appointed to warn those from certain Old Irish families about their times of death.

Wikipedia additionally mentions that the banshee is also known as "the woman of the fairy mound" or "fairy woman." The spirit warns 5 Irish families with her shrieking and "keening." 

Keening is supposedly a traditional form of vocal wailing in grief of a dead person. This is something customarily done at Irish and Scottish funerals by women.

Who are these 5 Old Irish families?

The O'Niells, O'Briens, O'Connors, O'Gradys, and the Kavanaghs are the 5 Irish families in need of warning. Notice that most of these Old Irish family names have last names starting with "O'."

While the banshee's shrieks and keens forewarn the 5 families at night about death, she can appear in 1 of her 3 guises. She can appear as a young and beautiful woman, a stately matron, or a frightful, old hag. The banshee is most commonly known as a frightful, old hag.

The preceding 3 guises of the banshee represent the triple aspects of the Celtic Goddess of War and Death, which happen to be Badhbh, Macha and Mor-Rioghain.

Even though those 3 guises are the banshee's most popular guises, she can also appear in a few other guises in the form of animals associated with witchcraft in Ireland. 

The banshee can appear as a hooded crow, stoat, hare, or a weasel.

After stumbling upon Henry Cowell's song, "The Banshee," listening to it automatically gave me the chills. Listening to this bone chilling song is like listening to a Horror film score. The way he played this piece on his piano exudes horror.

Imagine listening to "The Banshee," while reading a Horror novel, short story, listening to an audiobook, or simply watching something on your TV or computer screen with a really creepy vibe. 

Actually, I have a better idea. After reading today's blog about the banshee, re-read it as Cowell's "The Banshee" plays in the background. It should enhance your fear about this creepy spirit from Ireland.

Early yesterday morning, I was in the middle of reading an online article, as Henry Cowell's "The Banshee" played in the background. I began to dose off and suddenly awoke by the sound of the strings on his piano. "The Banshee" scared me awake. 

The sound of the piano strings was more effective than waking up to an alarm clock.

The creepy sounds of "The Banshee" automatically causes me to imagine heavy gusts of wind and gray fog, ice cold rain, and falling temperatures from a thunderstorm. 

Someone wakes up from howling and shrieking noises, while everyone sleeps on a dark and dreary night. 

The sounds linger and a man emerges battling insomnia. As badly as he tries falling back asleep, the howling and shrieking noises continue.

The man leaves his bed to roam around the dark hallways, in search of where those loud noises are coming from and from who. After getting closer to those noises, he opens a door and witnesses a frightful-looking old hag, crouching over someone's corpse, in a large puddle of blood!

How morbid is the imagination of yours truly before Saint Patrick's Day?

When listening to Henry Cowell's "The Banshee," what imagery comes to mind? Is it just as dark and creepy as what I imagined? If so, let me know in the comments section below.

Before I forget, make SURE to turn your clocks 1 hour AHEAD tonight for Daylight Savings. We will be "springing forward."

Anyway, re-read today's Song Saturday blog, while listening to Henry Cowell's "The Banshee."

Henry Cowell "The Banshee" The Piano Music Of Henry Cowell (1925)

Cartoon Sunday: Bill Tytla's Leprechauns Gold

How's it going lurkers? These next 2 Cartoon Sunday blogs somewhat have creepy tones to them.

Is it just me or does it seem like animated shorts from the 1920's to 1970's had creepier illustrations?

I don't recall of any animated shorts from the 1980's and '90s, especially animated shorts with creepy art illustrations. We had more cutesy illustrations. Otherwise, some looked really generic, abstract, or were just horribly illustrated cartoons.

If there were any animated shorts, that aired on local and cable channels, during the 1980's and '90s, I don't recall of them. Then again, I reached puberty very early in the early 1990's and outgrew MOST of the cartoons and TV shows meant for children. 

Now, here I am in my mid-30's discovering and watching cartoons, again.

We already know there is a stigma to watching animation as an adult. However, there is always a justification for why it is highly acceptable for adults to rush to the movie theaters to go see the latest Disney film.

Regardless of how adult animation elitists want to justify it, most Disney films ARE cartoons in movie form. Disney films are usually sugarcoated and dumbed down content meant for children.

As an adult, I view the characters and stories in animation differently.

Yes, I know those characters are NOT real people. Although, the characters and the stories DO have some "human-like" (also known as anthropomorphic) qualities with more realistic topics.

Bill Tytla's animated shorts somewhat reflect realistic characters with human-like qualities to them. 

Only judging based on 2 of this Ukrainian American animator's shorts, which I have seen, Tytla's works were similar to Ub Iwerks.

Cartoon Sunday: Ub Iwerks' Skeleton Frolics (2016)

Cartoon Sunday: Ub Iwerks' The Skeleton Dance (2016)

Like last October when I featured Ub Iwerks' animated shorts, these next 2 Cartoon Sundays will feature Bill Tytla's animated shorts in the spirit of Saint Patrick's Day. Today we have Bill Tytla's Leprechauns Gold. 

Leprechauns Gold is an Irish themed animated short depicting leprechauns, during their annual gold-washing ceremony. 

They also manage to outsmart an evil landlord, who plots to steal their gold in the process.

Bill Tytla's Leprechauns Gold (1949)

Cartoon Sunday: Jeremiah Warren's The History Of Saint Patrick's Day

How's it going lurkers? We have only 4 more days until Saint Patrick's Day! Since last month, I have been searching around the Internet trying to order special desserts for Saint Patrick's Day.

Originally, I planned to order something reasonable from Galaxy Desserts for my family. 

After seeing how expensive their cupcakes, macaroons, and other desserts are, I changed my mind. 

Winning free Chocolate Mousse Satisfaction Cupcakes from Galaxy Desserts, 3 Valentine's Days ago was fantastic. 

However, spending $60-$130 or MORE on macaroons, cupcakes, or any other dessert individually is outrageous.

As much as I LOVE desserts, that is WAY too expensive. I can buy something just as delectable for a more reasonable price at a local grocery store or Sam's Club.

Even if I happened to be rich and famous, I still would NOT waste all my money on overpriced desserts. It's not like I'm ordering a wedding cake or holding a banquet.

Wednesday night, I made a 2-hour shopping errand with my mother at the stores. While shopping, I didn't see as many Saint Patrick's Day pastries or other types of desserts on display. The stores are probably waiting, until the next 3 days to sell them.

In some areas, a few Saint Patrick's Day events have been held over this weekend, since the holiday falls on a Thursday this year. Milwaukee held their Saint Patrick's Day Parade, yesterday. On Friday, there was a Corn Beef Hash Sandwich Eating Contest.

Chances are highly great, that I will be unable to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day for the most part. My mother has a doctor's appointment on that same day. 

Maybe before the holiday, I can buy some treats at the grocery store for my family.

With all this talk about Saint Patrick's Day, I decided to share another educational video. This is another educational vlog regarding Saint Patrick for today's Cartoon Sunday.

YouTube vlogger, Jeremiah Warren explains the history of Saint Patrick's Day in this animated vlog.

Jeremiah Warren's The History Of Saint Patrick's Day (2011)

What We Didn't Know About Saint Patrick's Day

How's it going lurkers? Today is Saint Patrick's Day! Most people, who know me, don't know that I have Irish blood.

Over the years, I've had ignorami accuse me of lying about being Irish. It is mostly because I have a Caramel skin complexion as opposed to appearing a ghostly white.

Apparently, they assume that every Irish person (if not everyone with European blood) is pale, never had interracial relationships, or any flings with other people outside their races.

Talk about some dumb ass Americans! Our educational system in America is so low compared to other countries. This is why people from other countries laugh at us.

Here's a shocker about yours truly. You know the Irish engineer, Casey Jones? He is an ancestor of MINE. In fact, when my great-grandmother was still alive, she despised Casey Jones. It was mostly because she ALWAYS heard stories about the man throwing Peppermint Candy to children on the Indian Reservation, as a child.

Throughout that woman's life, she HATED Peppermint Candy. Meanwhile, I LOVE Peppermint Candy and anything containing mint in general. It normally cures my nausea, too.

Whenever I feel nauseated, I always try eating or drinking something with Peppermint or Spearmint in it. 

This Saint Patrick's Day blog is not necessarily intended to explain more about me. If the preceding does give you more insight about me personally, then I'm glad it helps you.

Since it's Saint Patrick's Day, I know there will be some zombies roaming around drunk, if not drugged up because of the holiday. 

Some already had an early start to celebrating Saint Patrick's Day, 2 days ago. Believe it or not, there WAS an actual purpose for Saint Patrick's Day, that most of us didn't know.

As we already know, the holiday fell on a weekday this year compared to a weekend. 

Some Irish Americans really hate the way most meatheaded zombies celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. The zombies use it as an excuse to get shit faced.

Instead of me publishing a long blog about the holiday, I'm sharing an informative vlog by YouTube vlogger, MrBettsClass.

In this vlog, Mr. Betts teaches his viewers about Saint Patrick's Day's original purpose and about Saint Patrick.

Mr. Betts: A Beginners Guide To St. Patrick's Day (2013)

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!!!