Author: El Zee

When not working as a botanical illustrator or crafting artisanal marionettes, and being a fixture in the coffee shops of Klamath Falls, El Zee delves into the quirks of everyday life, unearthing stories resonant with depth and introspection.

The ChatGPT-Enhanced Smart Toaster™

El Zee,

September 1, 2023March 12, 2026

Reading Time: 8 minutesWhat could possibly go wrong with that?

Stories

A young boy sits at a classic diner counter with patrons and a server in a nostalgic American setting.

The Choo Choo Diner

El Zee,

August 30, 2023March 12, 2026

Reading Time: 2 minutesYou know, I have one simple request. And that is to have a burger served to me from a frickin’ model train!

Art

A playful and stylized illustration of a naked red-haired female figure seated on an antique toilet, ready to pull the chain.

Rolly Crump

El Zee,

August 30, 2023March 12, 2026

Reading Time: 5 minutesThe Hidden Beatnik Behind the Mouse: How a Risqué Poster on The Dick Van Dyke Show Led Me to Discover Disney’s Most Subversive Imagineer.

Stories

Illustration of two children, a boy and a girl, in a suburban setting with vintage elements.

“Boyfriend”

El Zee,

August 30, 2023March 12, 2026

Reading Time: 3 minutes“Do you want to walk me home?” I stand baffled. However, I will agree to…

Deckard from Bladerunner contemplates the, "I'm not a robot." Captcha challenge. Looking unsure.

Can Deckard ever be sure?

El Zee,

August 29, 2023March 12, 2026

Reading Time: < 1 minuteI mean, if you were a robot, you might be programmed not to know.

Stories

Interior of dingy rural convenience store under harsh fluorescent lights. Young teenage girl in white frilly bluegrass dress emerges from restroom door at back, smoothing her dress with serene expression. Several people scattered throughout store recoil in horror, clutching chests and covering noses. Rainy afternoon visible through windows. 2007 Ozarks setting.

The Restroom

El Zee,

August 29, 2023March 12, 2026

Reading Time: 4 minutesIn the Ozarks, a tale of the South, darker than Deliverance, unfolds.

Politics

An illustration depicting an energy generation concept, where Abraham Lincoln's resting place is transformed into a power station. The setup includes Lincoln's figure wrapped in copper wire, with neodymium magnets positioned around him. The design suggests that the spinning motion of his figure, driven by the political state of his party, could be used to produce electricity.

Proposal: The Abraham Lincoln Tomb Electrical Power Generation Station

El Zee,

August 29, 2023August 25, 2026

Reading Time: < 1 minuteContinuing its unwavering commitment to sustainability and green energy, the GOP proposes an innovative plan…

Commentary

Two individuals in elaborate animal costumes with military decorations, resembling a bear and a cat, at a convention.

Communist Furries

El Zee,

May 1, 2023March 12, 2026

Reading Time: 5 minutesA NextDoor thread about bullying quickly spirals into a bizarre discussion about “furries” in schools and “teacher activism,” culminating in one user’s accidental immersion into the world of Communist Furries. Amidst wild conspiracy theories and misinterpretations, this thread highlights how online discourse can take strange turns, blending real issues with absurdity. All hail Marx & Lennon!

Commentary

A Cautionary Tale of Confidence vs Reality: Elizabeth Holmes

El Zee,

March 19, 2023March 12, 2026

Reading Time: 3 minutesElizabeth Holmes’ story warns of what happens when confidence outruns competence. She mistook ambition for ability, and her faith in herself destroyed Theranos.