Peanuts TV Specials (Pt.1)

   I have started watching TV specials of Peanuts online. As you can see I'm really enjoying it! I don't remember this being aired in our local tv channel when I was a kid... or maybe I have just missed it. I really like watching the cartoons. It's not only the story that I'm after but also I love seeing the drawings. What makes me like the cartoons even more is that its not only humorous, but it has depth in every story. It's not your usual cartoons wherein its only entertaining. For example today I have seen the episode entitled, 'Why Charlie Brown, Why?' The episode tackles about the realities of life, about cancer. It's not a fantasy cartoon. It is the truth. It's the real thing.

This is just the part one of my blog post. This is a short blog post about each and every episode that I have seen. I'll just write a short description on each episode, based on what I have understood. Sometimes I get so fixated on the drawings only, that I realized I watched the whole episode without understanding the story. I love to copy one of the scenes in some of the episodes that I have watched. They are in my mini-Moleskine sketchbook.

So without further ado, here are the episodes that I have seen. These are the cartoons that were shown in the U.S. and not in another country. I think they also have a Peanuts French produced cartoons, I read that these episodes were not shown in the U.S.

Peanuts cartoons

1. A Boy Named Charlie Brown - We are introduced to Charlie Brown here who thinks he is a failure. Here we also see Snoopy, as a fighter pilot (his dog house is his plane, we all love this! right?). Here we also get to see Lucy runs his sort of Psychiatric kiosk, and Charlie comes for to her for advice, but he's just tortured by Lucy telling him all his faults/mistakes/deficits which made Charlie feel even more bad about himself. Then he joins a spelling quiz bee, and he represents their school. Here he tries hard to be the best. Linus, has separation anxiety with his blanket, but soon finds it. Charlie loses the quiz bee. He has no desire to go to school to show his face, but Linus gave him a real good advice, the truth is the world did not end when he lose. So life goes on for Charlie again, and he tries to kick that football, but still didn't hit it.

2. You're A Good Man Charlie Brown - this tv special was made into a Broadway musical. I've been wanting to watch this for a long time and I'm glad this year I was able to see it. I guess, everyone is familiar with the 'Happiness' song. That song was familiar to me because Lea Salonga (A Disney singer, and a Tony awardee from her perfomance in Ms. Saigon), recorded that song in when she was still a kid. This episode is about Charlie Brown's life musings, and of course about the 'Little Red-Haired Girl' which I can so relate, ah! unrequited love. We get to see here that Lucy likes Schroeder but he doesn't seem to care, and is gets annoyed. Also we get to see them writing an essay, about, 'Peter Rabbit'. Lots of happenings here, anyway in the last part Charlie Brown noticed that his crush, 'The Little Red-Haired Girl', nibbles her pencil just like the way he does. So he comes to the conclusion that this day has not been a bad day after all. Closing song is the Peanuts gang sing 'Happiness' song all- together.

3. Happiness is a Warm Blanket Charlie Brown - This episode is about Linus and the separation anxiety that he has again with his blanket. His sister Lucy decided that he must part with his blanket, especially their grandma is going to visit them. We get to see here Snoopy chasing Linus blanket. I like how Linus explained to everyone, and make them understand how each of us has his own 'security blanket'.

4. It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown - This is about Linus believing in the Great Pumpkin. Actually, never heard of that, only the Santa Claus and elves thing. Snoopy was mistaken by Linus as the Great Pumpkin. Linus never quit believing about the Great Pumpkin until the end.

5. Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown - I like this episode. Very cute! They write each other a valentine card, Charlie Brown expecting he will get a lot brought his own suitcase. But in fact he never got one. Sally pines for Linus. Linus has his eye set on their teacher Miss Othmar. We see Snoopy and Woodstock eating chocolates that was thrown by Linus out of disappointment.

6. She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown - This is about Peppermint Patty and her ice-skating skills. We see that Marcie tried hard making Peppermint Patty a dress for the competition. Snoopy can do some stuffs here make a nice costume for Peppermint Patty, and even be a dj in the competition. We also get to see Woodstock and his humming skills, he's a bird after all he!he!he!

7. Chaos in the Classroom - Marcie is chosen here as a traffic patrol. Peppermint Patty filled for her when she fell asleep on the classroom.

8. You're the Greatest Charlie Brown - Here Charlie Brown enters the Decathlon. We get to see Marcie tries her hand in sports but we know she's not really that sporty. We see Snoopy here as the 'masked marvel' joining the competition together with the egotistic, Freddie Fabulous.

9. You're not Elected Charlie Brown - Sally has her frustrations with her locker she can't open it. She doesn't want to go to school. Charlie Brown says he will help her. Linus thinks Charlie Brown is fit to be a candidate as a school body president, but Lucy thinks there's a better candidate and that's his brother Linus. Linus becomes elected as the student body president.

10. The Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk - Charlie Brown and Linus visits Linus cousin Dolly. They meet the Wright brothers here. Snoopy and with woodstock tries to fly too. Peppermint and Marcie were shown as mechanics here.

11. You're in the Super Bowl Charlie Brown - We get to see Snoopy here as a coach and woodstock and his fellow birds are his team. Charlie Brown and Linus liked the same girl Melody, and they decided to get his attention by entering a contest kicking a football. In the end, Melody won because she's in fact a good kicker.

12. Why, Charlie Brown Why? - I've just seen this episode today. This is a touching episode. I like this one. It shows Linus friend, Janice getting bruised easily. At school she said she's not feeling well, Linus said she should go home of go to the school nurse. Charlie Brown and Linus noticed that Janice has been gone for days, they decided to visit her to the hospital. I like this episode because it shows life's realities. It also shows the soft-side of Linus, he cried on the way home after visiting Janice. It hurts to see a loved-one suffering. Janice has cancer. It also is an informative show. Janice explains to Charlie and Linus the tests that she has undergone, and the treatments that the doctors gave her. Linus promises when she gets better she will push her in the swing, like Charlie does for her sister Sally. Spring came and Linus sees Janice. They go to the swing. Janice said she has a surprise for Linus. In the end, we see Janice cap, fell and her hair has grown again. I like the message of this that even if someone has a cancer there is hope.

So that's all for now. I'll just post next time if I ever get to watch other Peanuts cartoons online. Hope you check it out also!

My Birthday... Happy Today!

  I thank God for its another year for me. Praise God for another birthday! It's been a year of laughter, sometimes sadness, but overall it has been a wonderful year for me. Thank God for all the provisions that He has given me. I got a stable job, my bible mates at work, and a few true friends in my life. Thank you, and you know who you are.

For my birthday cake today, its peaches and mango symphony cake from Red Ribbon. I wanted to have a Peanuts themed cake maybe this Christmas I will have it. I also got a Charlie Brown 'Good Grief', pullover from Vans. Perfect for the cold days. My mom gave me a bottle of vitamins, and my aunt a special gift. Thank God for my family! I think I'm quite satisfied with my Peanuts collections. They remind me about life's realities, and to not give up even in trying times. That's why I like Charlie Brown, and I'm reminded of myself through Marcie, and I'm like Snoopy who has an active imagination. I'm also like Linus who still has insecurities, I also see myself in Schroeder, who loves music, and cranky at times like Lucy.

I'm happy because this life of mine is a reminder that God loves me. That He created me, and He gave me life. I am not perfect but my prayer, as always is may I do His will for me. That I may be a good follower of His. Even if i fall, and fail may He guide me always and protect me with His rod and staff, from the enemy. You are my life's song, Lord!

Yes, I still pray for my future partner even if I'm not that young anymore. I pray that we will find each other in God's perfect time. If He has another will for me, may I be contented in my life, whatever state I'm in. Soli Deo Gloria!

Peanuts Movie, A Reply and My Snoopy Watch

  As promised here's an update! I have seen the Peanuts movie just last week. I bought my own dvd copy, since my workmates have deleted a copy of this movie from their files. Anyway, its good that I have my own copy since, I'm a Peanuts fan! I rarely watch movies on cinemas now because they are a bit expensive, and you get to watch them only once. If you have your own copy, you can watch it comfortably in your own space.

This movie was released on 2015. It is not the same as with the Peanuts animation shown before on tv. This one is a 3d version. This is a new story, and while this is a new story, it remains faithful to the strips of its creator the late Charles M. Schulz. His son Craig and Bryan, his grandson co-wrote the story for this movie. What I like about the movie is that they remain faithful to the old animation. The elders and the teacher in the movie, never spoke a word but only that famous sound, like a garbled, blowing of a light-horn. The voice actors was also done superbly! Kudos to the talented child voice actors chosen for this film. The dvd, comes with additional bonuses, it also included Meghan Trainor's music video and behind the scenes, for the OST 'When I'm Dancing'. In the music video Meghan's family was also included. Just like this Peanuts animation, a family affair! Bonus clips from the movie is also included in the dvd, as well as my favorite part. How to draw a few Peanuts characters!

Last Thursday, after searching for any Schulz family on the social media. I just wanted to tell them about me as a fan of their father and his works. I have found the social media of the eldest son, Sir Monte Schulz. I know that he's a writer. From one of the member's of our fb group page (a Charles Schulz,and  Peanuts fan page), I was told that he was one of America's best pilots. The Red Baron and Snoopy thing, his father got that idea from him. I wrote a message telling him that I'm one of the billion of Peanuts fans, and I posted a photo of few of my related Peanuts memorabilia. Like my Vans Peanuts sneakers, comic books, apparels, and dvd. I received a reply yesterday morning, a short thank you. Well, that reply was enough for me. To be able to communicate with any of Schulz's son is an honor. Thanks to the wonders of  the internet.

Yesterday, I also received my Snoopy watch. It was shipped from overseas. It is a China made watch. Everything is China made these days, since labor is cheaper there. Anyway, the distributor of that watch is from a company in China. They have a website, just click on this: Floraltime. The watch came in sort of metal box with a Snoopy design, and a Chinese character. There is also an imprint of Peanuts Worldwide. It comes with a price tag it is 208 RMB, equivalent to a thousand bucks here. There is also a seal of authenticity, and a brochure but its written in Chinese. The watch dial is not that large, and the strap is thin, leatherlike, with a Charlie Brown and Snoopy comic strips dialogue design. I posted it in our fb group, and a member 'liked' the photo it asking me where did I buy it.

It has been a great week. Whenever I feel blue, Peanuts is one of the things that lifts me up. I like my Peanuts toy figures, I often look at them. They are so cute! Like a line from a song says, "Happiness is anyone, and anything at all. That's loved by you!"... - (You're A Good Man Charlie Brown)

More Peanuts!

 

Nope! Even if I love peanut butter, and nuts this is not about food. This is another ode to my most favorite comics strip characters, Peanuts by the late Charles M. Schulz. This week, my order of Peanuts character toy figure arrived. The character figures here are similar to the ones included in the 'Peanuts Busy Book' kit. The only difference is this one no book is included. The products came from China, and as we all know almost everything comes from China now since the labor is cheaper there compared to other countries. The figures are just fine, they're not that really perfect but they all look similar to the Peanuts characters. The character figures comes in a set of 12 pieces. We have Shroeder and his piano, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Snoopy and his doghouse, Woodstock on a bird bath and Franklin. I am very happy because Marcie is included here, and I can relate to her character most since, most often when I like someone, it is unrequited. Just like Marcie's feelings for Charlie Brown. Charlie sees her only as a friend. Anyway, so much so for the drama. The photo that you see here, I'm the one who arranged the figured and the background is my idea. I just did a bit of editing on the background title. As if the world conspires with what I love. Vans released their Peanuts merchandise just this year.

Next, is the Peanuts Classic Treasury Full of Timeless Comics volume I. Aside from the four facsimiles that I've got (More Peanuts, But We Love You Charlie Brown, Good Ol' Charlie Brown, and Go Fly A Kite Charlie Brown) I also purchased this. I bought this on a regular price so its quite pricey. Anyway, as a bibliophile, I got this. This one is a hardbound and the best comics strip of Charles M. Schulz is compiled here, from 1950 to 1975. Even my facebook page has a touch of Peanuts. My cover photo is Charlie Brown's cafe kiosk in Singapore (I took that photo when we passed by the cafe before). My facebook cover is none other than Marcie. I wear glasses also, just like Marcie. I'm happy now with a few of my Peanuts collections. (sneakers by Vans, toy figures, and comic books). I often visit the fb page of fellow Peanuts fans, 'The World of Charles Schulz featuring good ol' Charlie Brown'. I like the characters in Peanuts, maybe because my personality is similar with its creator, the late Charles M. Schulz. This is a part of my happiness. Certified Peanuts fan here!

The World of Charles M. Schulz ft. Charlie Brown

   As a geek we are all passionate about something, be it a hobby or an interest. These days I'm going 'gaga' over Peanuts. I have also seen a documentary about Charles M. Schulz. Peanuts comics strips is very familiar to all of us. My older brother and I had a toy before from Fisher Price, a photo viewer which includes Snoopy and the Red Baron clip. The Fisher Price viewer was a gift from the US from our late aunt who is a doctor. To date, Peanuts is the most successful comics strip worldwide. It has been around the time of my grandparents up until now. In our local newspapers, Peanuts is included in the weekly newspaper comics strip corner. A musical entitled, 'You're a Good Man Charlie Brown' was made, and it has also a tv animation special. The comics strip is also published in 75 countries worldwide, translated into various languages. Recently, a movie was made based on the original strips.

 My late aunt also has a comic book of Charlie Brown entitled, 'But We Love You Charlie Brown'. I've been looking for it for a year or two now, but its not included in the box that my late aunt had packed which contains all her old books. Thankfully, I was able to acquire three books from a popular bookstore in my country. They are the best works of Charles M. Schulz compiled in a book. It is really a classic. Truly heaven sent when I went shopping yesterday. I splurge at a Vans store here. Just in time they are featuring Peanuts sneakers and slip-ons, plus other apparels. I bought two sneakers. (You can see it in the photo here), socks and a shirt. I also bought the dvd of the latest Peanuts 3d movie, which includes an instructional video on how to draw Peanuts characters. I'll just update you if I have acquired new Peanuts items. I also joined The World of Charles M. Schulz, an fb group page. It is a haven for all the Peanuts fans/collectors. (The caricature drawing a photo of Mr. Charles Schulz and Snoopy I got from one of the members from that fb group page, we don't know the artist but there's a signature. So if he/she reads this I'm asking permission to post).

I also recommend that you watch Mr. Charles M. Schulz documentary video. From A & E Biography, entitled Charles M. Schulz: A Charlie Brown Life. I'll just include here some important facts from the documentary that I have seen.

Charles Monroe Schulz was born in November 26, 1922 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was an only child of Carl and Dena Schulz. His father was a self-made man and owns a barbershop. When he was only 2 days old, his uncle renamed him 'Sparky'. During the Depression era, reading comics strip is one form of entertainment. Charlie knew he had a talent that other kids don't have, and that was drawing. He used to get high marks in schools, and was accelerated to another level, but there came a time when he was not performing in school the way he used to and none of his teachers ever asked him why. One time his art teacher asked him to draw in groups of 3 anything, and Charles filled that paper. He sent one of his works to Robert Ripley before (he drew their dog named Spike), that drawing was published. From then on he knew he wanted to be an artist. He was afraid to go to art school, so he enrolled in an art correspondence school that his mother suggested. He became a student at Art Instruction school, wherein he also worked as a teacher. Charles or 'Sparky', was drafted to military, in time he was promoted as Staff Sergeant. So his dream got postponed, but he never stopped drawing. Eventually, he became a cartoonist, and he was hired by a Catholic magazine to do lettering for the comics pages called Timeless Topix. He then went on to have his own comics strips called Lil' Folks. Lil' Folks was not that successful, after it was dropped, he developed a comic strips, which will later on be called Peanuts (the name of his strip was from the suggestion of the president of United Feature Syndicate), even Charles doesn't like the name. But as they say the rest is history. Who doesn't know Lucy? who is crabby and forever critical, Linus, has a security blanket and its more than a prop, it is part of a language. Schroeder knows Beethoven, Pigpen is known to move the earth if not the heavens, and lastly Charlie Brown, wherein everybody has an opinion why Charlie Brown is Charlie Brown. He is the picture of a person going through daily life of suffering but is proud and resilient and he carries on through life, through thick and thin. Also, we must not forget Snoopy, who has a vast imagination just like his creator Charles M. Schulz.

If you have read Peanuts for a long, long time. I'm sure you already know what kind of person its creator, Charles M. Schulz is. Why I like Peanuts? The creator is a Christian, and I can relate to almost all of the characters of the Peanuts gang. Especially Charlie Brown, and who wouldn't forget that very popular scene about unrequited love and the taste of Peanut butter. Also, that little Red hair girl that he mentioned in his comics strip, it is the girl that he likes in real life. The girl's name is Donna Mae Johnson-Wold. Well, just like me he never got together with his first-love. But I'm still looking on the bright-side! Just like Charlie Brown.