Archives for the month of: August, 2016

IMG_1975

Mouse loved the inspirational quote our blogger friend Tony from xraypics sent. She thought of Top Dog and relaxed a little. If this is true, there is no way he will ever come to power.

“But what if,” asked Boy depressed, “you are the fig tree and the world wants nothing but peaches?”

Mouse didn’t know what to say, she is not one to think on her feet. When no response was forthcoming Boy mumbled “I might as well give up now!”

IMG_1977

Devil quickly pulled out another quote, sent in by blogger Jessie from A world namedBoy looked more content and agreeable. Even though both quotes say basically the same: There is no need for him of trying. But then his mum called out from the laundry, obviously battling with his smelly socks “It’s not so easy sometimes.” Ah well, unconditional love!

 

 

IMG_1967

Today is Truth Tuesday again. As we didn’t get new questions, I am showing you a snapshot of my puppet play area. I work with natural light in the morning. That is why on some days the pictures are duller than on others. The sun simply doesn’t work on command, at least not mine. On stage there are two Dedes currently in progress. One is an owl that is earmarked for @moss.creek (the winner of the last contest) and a unicorn. Do you have any suggestions for other characters the Dedes need?

IMG_1970

Yesterday Mouse asked for inspirational quotes to keep her going in the face of adversity. We got a few and the Dedes are presenting some of them over the next week. Here Punch Drunk makes a start and shows what @nevermindsmallthings commented. Well, it’s not the right thing to say to Mouse right now, and mhm, to be honest it is a little depressing rather than inspirational, but it is very Dede! Punch Drunk just loved it so much and since we hardly ever see him, he was allowed to go first. We don’t want him to wander off to Top Dog’s camp too.
Feel free to send us your quote.

 

IMG_1953

“Can’t we just ignore that Top Dog guy and have some fun?” said Alien to Devil and Mouse, who both look very bewildered at the moment. Alien believes a good laugh can heal all wounds, and the situation definitely needs to be defused somehow. But is ignoring the right solution?

IMG_1958

Devil and Mouse retreated to a corner to have a quiet discussion about Alien’s suggestion. They do not want to ignore the clear and present danger and are concerned that everything seems to be becoming too sombre. Yes, they agree, the situation needs to be defused, though neither Devil nor Mouse feel much like laughing at the moment. They feel their hard work has been devalued through Top Dog’s actions, but they must battle on to hold it all together.

“Do you know,” said Mouse to Devil, “I really could do with some inspirational quotes.”

Does anyone have one for Mouse?

 

IMG_1945

Alien was still shaking when he came back to the others. Pointing towards where he left Bossman he shouted breathlessly: “He is expletive mental.”

“That’s a classic!” commented Philosopher, who had taken a nap close-by. “Now watch Top Dog’s next move!”

IMG_1948

“Respect me! I demand respect!” screamed Bossman after Alien had left.

“That will never happen” remarked Top Dog confidently. “Only I, Top Dog, understand your plight and I tell you: Forget about this corrupt debating club the Dedes are run by. They are all liars. Support me and I will get rid of all the aliens, rodents and devils who currently running Dedeland.”

 

IMG_1940

Esta Blished said they should talk to the followers of Top Dog. Luckily Alien is a friendly chap and curious by nature, so he went straight to work and made a list of Dedes he has to talk to. First up was Mr Vague. He looks a little bit like a bear and Alien thought he might find some more clues from him. He ask outright, “why are you following Top Dog?”

Mr Vague hung his head and admitted “I find life very confusing and I am intimidated by all this information that is thrown at me. I have to make decisions here, there and everywhere, when all I want is to be left in peace. It is simply too much. Someone who knows better has to tell me what’s good or bad.”

Alien just listened and took notes, but reserved judgement.

The next one on the list was Bossman. But gee did he get a different reception here.

IMG_1943

Bossman is struggling to keep his business afloat.

“Expletive, I expletive don’t expletive talk expletive to expletive aliens” he screamed. Alien didn’t understand what he said as there were too many filler words, but he got the message. He turned round quickly, and with a big smile and shaking knees he said: “you don’t expect me to take you seriously, do you?”

.

IMG_1935

The Dedes are at the end of their tether and have no idea what to do next. It finally dawn on them that they can’t change Top Dog but the freedom they are accustomed to, is seriously jeopardised. Now all eyes and hopes are on the magical worker Esta Blished.  In her younger days the fairy godmother was very active in politics. She relentlessly fought for liberal values and equality. With age, unfortunately, Alzheimer’s was creeping up on her. At first no-one seemed to notice. Her friends simply thought she was a little tired after all these years of hard work. And now it is too late – Esta is away with the fairies most of the time. No-one knows how to use her magic wand to continue her excellent work.

The Dedes decided to have someone with Esta Blished at all times. In the hope, she will have a lucid moment before everything goes to the to the dogs.

IMG_1937

Sure enough, with all faith suddenly pinned on her, Esta Blished felt obliged to say something. Alien was with her at the time. He recorded everything verbatim, but thought it was more of an oracle than a lesson in magic. Here is what she said: “Listen to the ones who follow Top Dog. Not to gain power over them, but with true empathy. Should the dog meet the bear we will have the biggest schoolyard fight ever!”

Actually she did say the biggest school yard massacre, but Alien thought that was to harsh and edited it out.

 

IMG_1930

“The narcissist is not going to change. Unfortunately @francisvalela is right there,” said Devil’s Advocate to Bad Conscience.  “To be honest, from Top Dog’s point of view there is no problem. With his promises he is the successful saviour of the world. We have to face it, it is us who have the problem! Those who believe him, certainly don’t want to hear from us they are mislead. No-one wants to be told they are wrong! What are we going to do?”

 

IMG_1921

“Here is one fellow who helped me become more understanding about others” said the Benevolent King and shoved Bad Conscience forward. In the old days, the King had huge problems with his subordinates, but nowadays he is loved by everyone. Well, it is easy to love him… He has no power at all and is a mere figurehead.

Bad Conscience really helped me to reflect on what I was doing” he continued. “Maybe we should send him to Top Dog. He might be able to help him too!” He obviously remembers the time when he was imprisoned vividly. He is so grateful there is no death penaltiy in Dedeland. If there was, he wouldn’t be standing here today. He still might be loved by everyone, though, more in a martyr kind of way rather than a truly refined one.

IMG_1925

Bad Conscience always looks a little down and introverted, but he has his uses at times. “Give me half a chance and I will latch onto you… That is how it usually works” he explained. Of course he believes he is a nice fellow. He doesn’t speak much but enjoys to go over the old stories  again and again. Truth be told, most Dedes dislike like him, as he extremely difficult to shift.

“But believe me” he said frustrated “I’ve tried the likes of Top Dog before, they are immune!”

IMG_1916

The Dedes started a new feature called Truth Tuesday. And today is the first one. They had the idea, as they occasionally get questions that are not related to the storyline. If we get questions, they will be answered on Tuesdays from now on. We are quite happy to do a shoutout for the person who asks. If you don’t want to be mentioned, please note this in your comment. Of course the questions should be in the Dede spirit and we reserve the right not to answer. With that sorted, we actually got a question last Sunday. A follower from Turkey asked “How many persons are you?”
Well, I am one person and there are sixty-five Dedes at the last count. As far as I am aware, I am reasonably sane and do not have multiple personalities. 😉

IMG_1918

Meanwhile, Norman T Newbie isn’t particularly interested in what the readers ask, he wanted to know,  why is everyone so upset about Top Dog. He seriously believes that it would be fantastic, if he came into power and explained:  “For us it would definitely mean a brighter future. Usually puppets have a resurgence, when freedom of speech is curtailed!”

Scardy Pants who was within earshot said “I’d rather not test that one out.”

IMG_1908

Yesterday, the Dedes had a break and did a bit of house-keeping. They announced the winner of the latest Instagram contest and also decided to start a new feature called Truth Tuesday. Readers can ask questions and on Tuesday, the Dedes will answer as honest as possible. Apart from this, nothing happend on the weekend. Unfortunately, as soon as there is a bit of a lull, Top Dog rears his ugly little head.

“C’mon guys” he said right after breakfast today, “you must see everything is terribly wrong in Dedeland.” And then he ranted on that the administration is run by a busybody rodent (Mouse). He even doubts that she has a work permit. He also pointed out that we have some unemployed puppets and looked disdainfully at Rob D Light, who was still sleeping under his blanket of newspapers. “And to top it all off” he said concluding his monologue, “the artist wants to make new Dedes. What shall we do with this influx? Tell me, what has this world come to?”

Everybody looked a bit sheepish, but no one said anything. It seems fatigue is starting to set in.

IMG_1913

Nobody said anything, except for the new puppet Norman T Newbie. He was clapping his hands wildly and shouted excitedly “Well done my hero. No, we don’t want to have new Dedes!”

Of course Top Dog enjoyed the admiration. “I could go on and on” he said. “Truth Tuesday, struth, what’s that all about? No one wants to know the truth! It is far to complicated. Quick and easy solutions are the fashion of the day. Black and white! Who needs grey?”