Spring
Loaded: A Message from the Editor top
of page | cover page
As the
song goes, "Another year over, and a new one just begun."
I have to say that, despite a year filled with unprecedented
national and global tragedy, 2001 was also a great year
to be a Pezhead.
For
me, the fruits of this past year are obvious and many. Mere
days before it was underway, I learned of the Pezamania
11 convention just hours away from me. I quickly made plans
to attend this, my first convention. When I arrived I was
amazed at the world of Pez in which I found myself. I met
many wonderful, kind, and interesting people, saw more Pez
than I ever thought possible, and added more than a few
things to my collection. I also joined PEZheads online (www.pezlist.com),
quickly discovering its worth as a valuable resource for
Pez collectors and enthusiasts. Among the Pez items I acquired
in 2001 were the Pokemon dispensers, a 1970s orange candy
shooter, and the official Pez Halloween costume (worth it
for the hat alone).
And,
of course, 2001 brought about the debut of Pezhead Monthly,
largely because of Pezamania 11. I have very much enjoyed
exploring the world of Pez in this newsletter through interviews,
poetry, almost-quotes, and other literary devices. I look
forward to continuing this journey in 2002. Possibilities
for next year include a Pez Poetry Slam and a Pez Photo
Gallery, among others. I'd also like to expand the size
of this newsletter, perhaps with the help of some new contributors.
"Another
year over, and a new one just begun." This year starts
out with a bang for Pezhead Monthly; we've got a
great issue for you. There's a recap of 2001, with a Pez
perspective of course. There are also some Pez palindromes
to ring in the palindrome that is this new year. Rounding
out the issue are returning pieces including Pez Poetry,
the Pez Almost-Quote of the Month, Five Questions, and the
Month in Pez.
On behalf
of everyone at Pezhead Monthly (which, currently,
is only myself), I wish you a happy, safe, and fun New Year.
May your Pez dispenser never be empty.
Joe
Durrant
Editor, Pezhead Monthly
joe@pezheadmonthly.com
2001:
The Year in Pez top of page
| cover page
Looking
back on the year that was 2001, we can see that Pez played
no small part. Join me, if you will, in this stroll down
memory lane.
January
6, 2001: It's official: George Bush is the next
U.S. president. To appease a harshly divided nation after
a two-month long election dispute, Bush offers to lead all
250 million Americans in the largest ever Pez Dance of Joy.
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February
6, 2001: Actors Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman
separate. Cruise enjoyed taking his Pez dispensers out
of the package, while Kidman liked to keep hers mint
on card. Their separation was indeed inevitable.
March
2, 2001: Magician David Copperfield
collapses during rehearsal for his network TV special.
Apparently his inability to cause Pez to disappear
from pop culture's radar was too much for him to bear.
April
17, 2001: Someone, somewhere, received his
or her first Pez dispenser today. It's a small world
after all.
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May
23, 2001: Senator Jim Jeffords decides to leave
the Republican Party. He cites as a major reason for this
decision President Bush's refusal to allow him to participate
via videoconference in January's nationwide Pez Dance of
Joy.
June
26, 2001: The state of New York votes to ban cell-phone
use amongst drivers. A similar ban is soon proposed on loading
Pez dispensers while driving, as it is very easy to become
caught up in this joyful activity and thus become diverted
from the road.
July
19, 2001: I attend my first Pez convention, thus
elevating me to a whole new level of Pezhead-ness and giving
me the necessary inspiration for the debut issue of this
newsletter.
August
26, 2001: Four winners split a $294.8 million Powerball
lottery jackpot. Those are four people that Pez collectors
definitely shouldn't mess with in eBay bidding wars.
September
22, 2001: Miss Oregon Katie Harman wins Miss America
2002 title. The judges were particularly impressed when
she said that if chosen Miss America, she would champion
the causes of "world peace, the environment, and Pez
awareness."
October
7, 2001: Barry Bonds sets a new baseball record
with his 73rd home run in a single season. Impressive, yes,
but can he load a full package of Pez candy all at once?
Now that takes talent.
October
29, 2001: In a traffic dispute, actor Gene Hackman
breaks out into a fistfight with another motorist. This
is what happens when people don't share their Pez.
November
22, 2001: The 75th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day
parade takes place in New York City. A nation wonders what
exactly it should be thankful for after 75 years without
a Pez dispenser float.
December
24, 2001: Millions of children around the world
await the arrival of Santa Claus. He's sees you when your
sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He comes down your
chimney in the middle of the night. He's clearly a stalker
and a trespasser. How did he make it on a Pez dispenser
in the first place?
Pez
Poetry top of page | cover
page
Pez
Haiku #5
If
I were a Pez,
The first thing I think I'd do
Would be to get loaded.
New
Beginnings
The
twelfth Pez candy is dispensed,
The last one of the bunch,
Those candies, once alive, intense,
Are gone with but a crunch.
The chamber that was full one time
Is now a barren place;
The hopes and dreams once in their prime
Have left without a trace.
Let
not this chamber go without,
Do not deny its share.
There's other Pez to have, no doubt,
And not a one to spare.
To end this darkness and suspense,
More Pez shall now be sowed:
Another twelve to be dispensed,
Another twelve to load.
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