It all started with Monthy Python and the Holy Grail.
No, wait . . . the lie predates the movie. Every man-on-a-deserted-island cartoon I ever saw drew coconuts that looked like this:
Well, not exactly like that . . . they drew them whole, but still looking like this, with the familiar bowling-ball-like indentations.
Those are, in fact, coconut seeds . . . although even that is confusing because they are still called coconuts.
Here, I’ll let this guy explain.
I can’t credit the second of these next two photos/graphics because there is no copyright markings on it like there is on the first. I found then both on a forum. If the rightful owner comes forth and objects of their use here, I will pull them.
I mention all this because I’ve been looking for coconuts . . . wild coconuts, and I naively looked for the familiar store-bought version. You know, the one that is actually a seed.
Once I looked into it, I quickly realized my mistake.
“Wait just a second, Bob! Didn’t you see all sorts of trees with actual coconuts on them?”
Well, yeah, but I was just casually looking, and not paying a whole lot of attention.
“OK, I can almost buy that given your limited cranial capacity. But, why were you looking for coconuts?”
Well, I wanted to draw on them.
“Say, what?”
I wanted to grab a coconut and draw on it so that I could use it as a decor piece. Once I knew what I was looking for, I grabbed these two (one dried, one still immature — both had fallen from the same tree).
Just to show how naive I can sometimes be, I asked a local if it was OK to pick up coconuts. They looked at me kind of strange and I took that to mean “yes”.
By the way, on the second or third day here I snapped this photo at the Old Kona Airport park . . .
This is akin to the man on a deserted island cartoon . . . someone sitting under a palm tree. As an engineer, the first thing I thought when I saw this was that if Newton had sat under a palm tree instead of an apple tree we would still be trying to figure out this “gravity” thing.
Anyway, here are a couple of more views of “my” coconut.
I named it “Canvas”. Canvas is roughly 15″ long, and each of the three sides is about 6″ or usable surface area.
Since I only have Canvas, all my drawings attempts entailed me erasing and cleaning the coconut before doing a new one. This took a while, Bob.
I was not happy with my first attempt . . . a beach scene.
By the way, you can click on the photos for a larger version which will open up in a new tab or window.
Anyway, I was mostly un-thrilled with my efforts. I mean, I know I’m not an artist, but I thought I should have been able to do better. Thus, I set out to do a ship. I thought that would play well as a design on a coconut. However, I had to wait for a little bit since a gecko came to check things out.
Once he (she?) left, I quickly drew a simple ship . . .
I was not happy with this version, so I tried drawing a B&W version (I have a number of No. 2 pencils) . . .
It’s actually fairly easy drawing on coconuts with a pencil. I was going for a scrimshaw look, but I was also not too pleased with this since the design did not harmonize with Canvas.
After cleaning Canvas — graphite is difficult to clean from coconuts, I learned — I drew s slightly smaller version using my sepia pencils. Bet you didn’t know they made sepia No. 2 pencils.
I kind of rushed it because we had to go to the gym (yes, we finally found and joined a gym), but I thought it turned out pretty well. Plus, sepia drawings are easier to clean.
I needed a clean Canvas because my next attempt was more ambitious . . . a color drawing. I was not sure what to pick but inspiration came from the many hibiscus flowers around the premises.
I really should have used one of the smoother faces. That crescent-like feature creates nothing but problems.
I was actually pleased with the effort and decided to get really ambitious . . . a mask.
Again, I was rather pleased with it, but it consisted of simple patterns and shapes. Wanting to challenge myself, I decided to draw Disney’s Cinderella castle at night with fireworks going off. This took me almost ten minutes, so you know I put in some sweat and tears into it.
I don’t know . . . you can sort-of see the castle, but the fireworks are lost in the husk of the coconut.
Not sure what drove me to think “selfie”, but that’s what I decided to tackle next.
You see the problem, right? I drew the eyes too big. No way was I going to fit my whole face on what remained of Canvas. Once more discouraged, I decided to return to what worked: boats. Only, this time, I wanted a sailboat.
I labored in avoiding the big features on Canvas, but I think I used too much yellow. Still, much better than a fantasy castle as far as coconut decorations go.
But, what I really wanted was something Hawai’ian . . . This was my first attempt . . .
I was really happy with this. My drawing skills were improving by the minute . . . still, that could have been Texas. They have palm trees there. Or, maybe even Palm Springs. Sure, I drew lava in the foreground, but unless I tell you that — which I just did — you would never differentiate between it and Galveston Bay.
Nope, I needed something even more Hawai’ian than a row of palm trees. Only one thing I could think of . . .
Yes! I even managed to incorporate the bothersome crescent shape, making it look as if the guy is surfing down its face.
But, that too is a lie. I don’t surf. I don’t plan to ever surf. No, I needed something that was tied to me, to who I am, to what I do. There was only one possible solution.
That’s gonna look good in our lanai . . .
That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.
Disclosure: It occurs to me that I might have given the impression that I physically drew those scenes on the coconut. That’s understandable since I actually said I drew those scenes on the coconut. I was being politician-like in my description. You know, embellishing the accomplishments I made up whole cloth. These are some of the base figures I used and mapped onto the coconut face.
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Astute persons might have noticed these doodles, and correctly surmised they hold some significance for me, and perhaps for humanity at large.
If you click on the doodle, and nothing happens, this is the link it’s supposed to go to: https://disperser.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/palm-vx-and-i/.
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Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website. Could be they also torture small mammals.
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. . . my FP ward . . . chieken shit.
I liked the b&w ship, and the sail boat fitted nicely between the ridges.
And I was totally in awe of your talents until I read the end bit. Completely taken in 😀 But those skills are good too.
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Can’t tell if you are joking or not, but in case you are serious, thank you for even considering my talents as wide and varied as would be required for me actually painting those on there (by hand or digitally).
Literally, it’s a couple of clicks (or ten).
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Those are pretty cool! Did you know that you can write an address on a coconut and send it USPS? Kind of a fun thing for mainlanders to receive. Something your nieces and nephews might enjoy. How are the boys involved in the auto accident doing?
Sent from my iPhone
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I had read that somewhere before. Maybe one day I will do it . . . as for the boys, not sure they would appreciate the coconut. However, they are doing well. Much better, in fact, than was first feared.
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Great post! I liked the lizard best, and then the ship. And of course the Monty Python video, which really just never gets old!
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Thanks, Sandra. I enjoyed playing will all of those, and may try my hand at actually painting one . . . but don’t expect the same level or artistry.
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I’ll take a dozen of each, but only if you guarantee they won’t rot before they get to NJ!. Nice images. M 🙂
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I had a heck of a time finding one. I suspect that between the tourists and the homeless, coconuts do not last very long out where someone can grab them.
And, thanks.
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Heheheh very good. I was starting to think that you were going to give the coconut a name and start turning into Tom Hanks’ character in Castaway! Love the Disney photo especially. And the boat.
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I did name it . . . Canvas.
Thanks.
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Oh yes you did too. Sorry I did actually read your post but the thought of you with Wilson really was too much. 😂😂
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Wilson? I would never name my imaginary friend Wilson. Bob, maybe. Berto, sometimes.
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The ships and surfers look “naturally” great on Canvas. I don’t know Berto’s whereabouts, but I sense one of his relations had a hand in this post . . .
And thanks for the coconut lessons!
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Berto is probably sipping Mai Tais in Waikiki. And, I don’t know; I think I should take all the credit for these as I felt no guiding hand at any time during the process. If anything, I kept getting distracted by food.
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What a lovely bunch….Mr Trump!
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I met Putin once . . . I don’t remember . . . I think I did . . . he might have liked my coconuts, but I have no relation with him. I think.
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Your coconuts are beautifully stunning! 🙂 I like several of your renderings…especially the last one.
I love the taste of anything coconut! “Some times you feel like a nut…sometimes you don’t!”
The guy in the vid is very good at cracking open coconuts! That’s the first time I ever saw a tree/sprout out of a coconut! Cool!
Love Monty Python! 😀
HUGS!!! 🙂
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Thank you. Very kind of you to say.
And yes, a nice and easy way to crack open a coconut. I remember the first time we bought a coconut (we lived in Michigan at the time) and I had a heck of a time opening it. He makes it look easy. Next time I have one, I will have to give that method a try.
And, yes, Monthy Python . . . I’m sure they bear some of the responsibility for my own weird sense of humor.
One of my favorites . . .
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HA! I love this one, too! 😀 I can’t imagine anyone not loving MP! 😛
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The ship is my favorite. Well done, and it is reminiscent of scrimshaw.
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Thanks. I was going for that look and while I didn’t quite get there, I’m pleased with how they turned out.
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Your post was creative and informative and, as always, peppered with humor. The video about coconuts was great. I was wondering if it was you who added the flash about the sun 😊.
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Thanks . . . and I’m not sure about the flash about the sun. As in, I’m not sure what you are referring to. If it’s the emblem on Arthur’s shirt, no that’s in the movie. If it’s something in the video with the guy discussing coconuts, then I missed . . . but now I’m curious.
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It was in the video about coconuts, when he was discussing the sprouting of a new palm. I thought you were being funny and helping him out because he forgot to mention the sun.
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Ah . . . I didn’t pick up on that. But, to answer your question, I seldom have anything to do with shirtless guys. As in, never.
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I just thought it was funny explaining photosynthesis and then flashing ” oh, and the sun.” LOL
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Ah, I had missed that . . . twice. Yes, thaty’s funny.
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How much fun! (the line of palms and your logo are the best – however they got on there – smirk)
(And how I miss Rough Seas)
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Yes . . . that was a shock. I still occasionally cross her comments on here (and on the writing posts) and the realization she’s gone still comes as a shock in the moment.
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