Archives for category: Social Network

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Rob D Light had been thinking long and hard and came to the conclusion he should apply for the job Sunny turned down the other day. So he went and saw Norman T Newbie III, clutching his CV he had been labouring over for a long time. Norman didn’t even look at the paperwork. He just laughed heartily. “We don’t want Dedes like you. Wait until we come to power. We know what to do with the likes of you.”

Rob felt very ashamed, quickly gathered his things and left. Norman T Newbie III was still laughing as if it was a brilliant joke. Little did Rob know that Norman actually doesn’t have the authority to hire anyone.

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When he paused at the next street corner, Mouse passed by and saw Rob D Light was all depressed. She felt so sorry for him and instinctively gave him all her small change.

“What are you doing?” asked Mr Vague appalled. “You know he is going to the next bottle store now to buy some booze.”

Mouse wasn’t fazed at all. “He might,” she said “and so does my colleague and half the population when they get their wages.”

 

 

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“Admit it,” said Sunny to Mouse (who is a workaholic) “you have all laughed at me because I want to be an artist.” He just assumed that Mouse and the others all thought artists are slackers.

“We have not laughed at you, Sunny, we laughed about your approach,” Mouse explained and pointed to the billboard she just had installed. Then she reminded Sunny, that he spent years trying to find a patron without having any work to show. Worse, while he was trying, he ate all the other Dede’s pizzas. Everyone can recall the last sure thing he followed up. The time, when he tried to get the money from his deceased great-uncle in Nigeria. He is still waiting. The reminder, though true, madeĀ  Sunny very uncomfortable and he quickly headed for the exit.

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Then Rob D Light passed by the billboard, looked at it and shook his head. “Lucky them who still can afford dreams,” he thought, “I simply need a job for survival.”

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Norman T Newbie III had to go and see Sunny, the artist’s assistant, to get his protective coating. He quite liked the young aspiring artist and thought they had much in common. At least they both wear a baseball cap. He wasn’t afraid to ask “Hey, do you want to work with me? I am head of security for Top Dog.”

Sunny didn’t even have to think. “No thanks” he said, “I am definitely not working for that guy!”

“You can say what you want about Top Dog, but he certainly keeps his promises!” Norman T Newbie III said contentedly.

“What makes you think that?” Sunny asked surprised.

“He said I will get my final coat, and here I am already.”

Sunny sighed. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but the coating is common procedure for Dedes!”

After Norman T Newbie III had left Sunny went to see his teacher L’Artiste.

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“Is he really Head of Security?” asked Sunny quite depressed now. He knows he is considered one of the losers because he wants to be an artist.

“No way” said L’Artiste to console him. “He has just fluffed up his CV to make himself more important. He is no more than a common thug who does Top Dog’s dirty work!”

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I knew I was in trouble, when I opened my eyes and Devil and Mouse were sitting on my legs, so I couldn’t run away. Devil, glowing with anger, said “now, admit it this campaign is a flop! We wanted to increase our readership, and yes, we thought giving away a Dede was a good idea. Instead we lost quite a few followers!” And Mouse added “it is your fault because you want to turn a reader into a puppet! Who wants to be a puppet?” I didn’t see it quite that bad. Yes, we lost a few followers, but we also had some people who referered us to their friends and some very positive comments. Don’t forget I had just woken up, so I asked “What shall I do, shall I give up then?”

“Don’t be such a sensitive artist! But what on earth were you thinking!” Devil rolled his eyes. “I simply thought this would be a fun artistic collaboration project with one of our fans!” I replied. “Still,” said Devil, “make sure the followers know they will get a Dede, but if they don’t want it modelled on them, it won’t be.” “No problem” I said and this seemed to calm them down.

But they weren’t the only disgruntled Dedes this morning. The puppets that were lined up for the “Embrace Diversity” Project yesterday were unhappy too. They had gone to the studio and then their photo wasn’t used.

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At least the green one, Nosy Neighbour, was very vocal about it. He so would love to know what’s up with Ms Sm. He watches her from behind the curtain, but has no idea what is going on. So he happily agreed to pose with her. Ms Sm was much more reluctant to be on show. Though she totally agrees with the “Embrace Diversity” idea, she does not want to put herself on the line. She has had too many bad experiences. Gee was she relieved when she was saved by the milestone in the last minute. She happily keeps her secret to herself.

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And then last but not least, Top Dog took advantage of the current befuddled mood amongst the Dedes and continued to present himself as a victim to gain power. He finally dug out this old picture that proves the artist tried to muzzle him. Be careful, he keeps a file on everyone. In these files he documents all the mistreatments he had to endure. Perceived mistreatments, I should say, but here he disagrees again!

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Today Mouse and Push Push, the elephant talk about their relationship for our “Embrace Diversity” series. There shouldn’t be any animosities between them, but poor Mouse has an irrational fear of elephants, simply because they are so huge. It is as irrational as having a fear of green mice.

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Elephants are indeed vegetarians and truth be told, Mouse should be more afraid of Cool Cat or Foxy Lady. Surprisingly she isn’t!

Lucky for Push Push, she is the one elephant Mouse knows personally, so of course with her it different. It is simply, the better you know something or someone the least fear inducing they are.Ā  Mouse still reckons Push Push is a klutz, though she would never tell her to her face and as a precaution keeps her at arm’s length. Funnily enough Push Push’s friends warn her about Mouse. They believe, the little rodent could get up the elephant’s very long nose. This is nothing more than an old wives’ tale and Push Push is not worried at all. She is simply a gentle giant who sometimes can be a bit awkward. And it surely hurts when she steps on your toes, accidentally or not!

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The Dede’s maxim has always been “Embrace Diversity,” but not in a lovey-dovey, goody two-shoes kind of way. Like anybody else they clearly have likes and dislikes. They might hate a situation, but never the individuals in it. At the moment Top Dog annoys them. They now call him a Me-Me, rather than Dede, as he obviously flouts their values. Before he brings the Dedes into disrepute, and as a counter- balance to his behaviour, Foxy Lady proposed the Dedes take pictures with an “unnatural” friend. She made a start and asked Harvey, the gambling rabbit, to pose with her.

You need to know that Harvey is a womanizer and Foxy Lady is a very independent modern vixen. When Harvey first met her he was instantly smitten. He followed her around and showered her with attention. And this is something she really can’t stand. One day she got so upset she snapped and said she’d rather have him on her dinner plate. Gosh, he sure interpreted this the wrong way. I won’t tell you what happened, it is simply too embarassing for Harvey. (No need to go searching for it on Facebook. The story isn’t on there either.)

Never mind. They keep out of each other’s way these days. And anyway, Harvey is now married to Pavlova the lab rat and everything is forgiven and forgotten.

 

 

 

 

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It didn’t take Top Dog long to jump into action and he assembled all the Dede Dogs, and Foxy Lady too. Close enough he thought, as he needed the number for his plan to work. Though he regretted the inclusion of Foxy Lady quickly when she asked him straght into his face: “Why should we follow a self-promoter with a bad hairdo?”Ā  “Because I can save you!” He answered confidently. “From what?” asked Lapdog now. She was still beaming from being voted Super Dede 2016.

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Top Dog was saved by Lou, the young puppy who turned to Foxy Lady and scolded: “This was very unDede of you. You judged Top Dog by his appearance, not his values or his programme! We Dedes simply don’t do that!” Foxy Lady was surprised “What values? What programme?” she replied.

Mouse has put together summaries of the performances to make it easier for the readers to vote. But she doesn’t want to overdo it and started off with three and the last two contestants will follow tomorrow.

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This time we start with the oldest contestant Granddad Max. His body might not have been up for it, as in the first week he had to call in sick. However his mind is still young and he often wonders who the old codger is who appears to be living in his bathroom mirror. Granddad prides himself on his listening skills and the other contestants seem to respect him. In the last week they voted him spokesperson when they had to answer a curly question.

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Chambermaid entered the competition as the favourite. Unfortunately when it was her turn she was stressed about some chores she had to do (she always has some chores to do). For her skills, she showed us the man she tried to shape (though she wasn’t entirely happy with him). She put him up on a pedestal in front of her here, so that he has the same height as her. Sadly in last week’s panel discussion we didn’t hear her voice at all.

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Snippedy, the clown revealed he is hiding behind a mask and rather prefers to open up a bottle of spirits than himself. He likes to make fun and stands on his head to get a new perspective, but he would never attempt to actively change his surroundings. In the last week he fell for Top Dog’s story and would happily follow him anywhere, though he hasn’t admitted it openly.

Like the post and all three candidates get a point. If you want to propel one into the lead, you can comment on this Dedes. Every comment counts as five likes!

 

 

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Lots has happened, but nothing exciting. Just little things here and there indicating the wheels are falling off the competition. The last week of the Super Dede competition was – to say the least – a flop. I wouldn’t call it a total flop, but a flop nevertheless. We had a couple of questions from readers and Top Dog was obviously waiting to twist one of the questions so he could turn the spotlight on himself. Remember, he isn’t even a contestant. But he really managed to throw a spanner in the works. Not a good ending to the week.

Saturday is usually a day of rest for the Dedes. Except for Mouse, who seems to run on long-life batteries and by the looks of it doesn’t need a break. She used the day to discuss what happened the previous week and what to do next with the external consultant, Millie.

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But Mouse couldn’t find Millie for ages. When she finally spotted her, she was – with all her belongings packed – abseiling down the cabinet.Ā  “I have had enough of you Dedes” Millie called out to Mouse. And then she said she had read on Instagram that the 2nd of July is the toy traveller day. So she wanted to go and find some friends more suitable to her. (Now this is a story in itself. The toys she met were mainly Russian and she didn’t know she had to find a fountain. This somehow got lost in translation. We’ll keep that story for another rainy day).

But one thing is for sure, the exit of Millie left Mouse in the lurch. Then on Sunday Devil chucked it in as well. He headed for the door mumbling that Top Dog had really spoilt it for him. Meanwhile, Rob D Light had carried a hat full of names into the headquarters. Remember that any comment made during the competition is entered into the draw for a signed copy of the first dedepuppet book “Hermit’s Web or the few friends I need, I hand-craft myself.” Rob has been keeping track of the commenters and wrote their names on pieces of paper to go into the green hat in which we usually keep our spare cash. The hat has never been so full.

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Mouse is determined to see the competition through to the end. After all, she was the proud winner of the inaugural Super Dede Competition and she knows all too well how exciting it is to win this title. A real Super Dede will do anything for the Dede community. So, this morning she fronted up to the followers and announced sternly that this Friday the Super Dede 2016 winner will be crowned, come hell or highwater (looking out the window, highwater is more likely).

So this week, images of all the contestants will appear one more time, complete with a summary of their performance. The followers are invited to Like their contestant. Any comment about a contestant will add another 5 likes. And of course,Ā  all the comments will also go into the draw for the signed dedepuppet book.

 

 

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It was a sad day for the Dedes. They had received no questions whatsoever. No one, absolutely noĀ oneĀ wanted to know more about them. Mouse and Detail conferred with the external consultantĀ MillieĀ again. She was adamant, that the show must go onĀ andĀ suggested the floor should be open to the other Dedes to ask questions.Ā  This morning Devil rounded up all the contestant on stage. They are supposed to work asĀ a panelĀ this week.Ā AnyĀ one of the contestants can answer the questions if they feel like it.

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“Here is a question for you” said Devil “what are we actually doing here, if no one wants to know more about us.” He had hardly closed his mouthĀ when all hell broke loose. The contestants got agitated “OMG” said one, “Oh dear, we are still no bodies” the other. “There is no base for our exist….” the next. Granddad Max found the reactions too emotional. “Shush.Ā We will discuss the question” he said and then turned to Devil “and we will comeĀ back to you.”

Then he shuffledĀ everyoneĀ off stage into the kitchen for lunch. It was a very loud and long lunch.

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Finally they came back onto the stage. They had decided Granddad Max, the eldest, would be their spokesperson. He stepped forward and of course the audience expected to hear their reason for being there. Granddad sighed and said “To be honest, we have no idea! The question is one you have to ask the artist!” Devil wasn’t happy with their cop-out. “You have to do better than that! The artist is not in the competition. I can’t ask her.”