With this being my last column for the semester, I thought I'd give thanks and credit where it's due.
First off, I'd like to thank the editor in chief, Ingrid Allstrom, who gave me the Wednesday slot for some unknown reason. I've been at the Cougar since the spring of '97, and Ingrid is without a doubt the third editor I've worked for. She got me started on writing these things on the computer and has had to endure my countless questions. For that I thank her.
Thanks also to fellow cartoonists John Palamidy and Aaron Neathery for putting up with my "Hey! Wanna see next week's strips?" to which they've always responded with, "Uhh...sure. Heh, heh. That's pretty ... good."
I like to think that together we've made the Cougar Comics something other than an annoyance to crossword puzzle solvers. I like to think that. By the way, Mr. Palamidy has a book of collected "Coogie" strips coming out soon, so help support a starving artist.
Toward the end of last fall, I befriended the devil and always controversial satirist Kevin Pennell. Although he may not admit this, it was through our common love of watching beefy guys who like to dress in spandex and bathe in baby oil locking legs (I'm talking about wrestling, perverts) that we got to know each other.
We tried to figure out the best way to mess with readers and decided to waste space for three weeks, starting off a fake feud that for some reason was bought hook, line and sinker by way too many people. Kevin isn't Satan. He's just one of his demons.
I'd also like to publicly thank Jesse Handy for my Handy Award, which sits proudly atop my imaginary mantle. I hope to parlay his recognition into a successful, though imaginary, career. Thanks for putting up with my begging and pleading, Jesse.
Although Mr. Handy will be graduating, his fans will be pleased to learn that he's reunited with his former band mates from Living Colour. He'll be using his stage name: Corey Glover.
Joey Guerra is Entertainment Editor here at the Cougar and a "Special to the Chronicle." He's one of the best things about this paper, and I wish him good luck.
You know, Joey, now that you've made the big time, how about hooking me up with a cartooning job at the Chronicle? What do you mean you don't know who I am? I'm the dorky-looking Mexican who never says anything. No, not Russell. Ed, the "coconut."
Professor Paul Guajardo teaches English 3361. His class has helped me learn more about my Mexican-American identity than I thought I wanted to know. To those Hispanics who think I'm not raza, enroll in his course and maybe you'll learn something.
I'd also like to thank those who e-mailed me. Whether you liked or hated my contributions, at least you cared enough to write.
To mis hermanas in M.E.Ch.A. who sent me the fax: Yes, I would like some royalties for my shirt and bandanna designs.
Anyway, until next time, I'm done.
De La Garza, a junior political science major who can be reached at edelagar@bayou.uh.edu, was feeling warm and squishy when he wrote this.