Whenever things get real in the strip, someone inevitably chimes in with something like, “Arlo sure is being mean!” Or, “Arlo’s not being very sensitive to Janis.” When I was in the 5th grade, seriously, our teacher introduced us to the two essential elements of fiction: conflict and resolution. If you’re going to write fiction, any kind of fiction, things are liable to get testy. Then, things are put right, or they aren’t. Either way, a story is told. Admittedly, a comic strip is not the ideal vehicle for complex narrative. It unfolds so slowly, and readers, for whatever reason, seem to have well-formed expectations of how the characters should act. Of course, my advice to those who become unsettled by events in A&J is always the same: be patient.
232 responses to “Great Expectations IV”
JJ: With all due respect, you have shown that a comic strip can be “an ideal vehicle . . .” Peace, emb
I guess what amazes me is that they didn’t have the “baby conversation” earlier in their relationship. You know, like before marriage. But hey – it’s a comic strip! Reflects real life when those conversations don’t occur. I think Janis’ reaction in the last panel is spot on with respect to reactions of (some) women vs (some) men. Can’t wait to see how they make up.
Bonnie, even though this is Arlo and Janis I don’t think that we will see that part. Debbe, will do. I opened the blinds and set him in a sunny window a few minutes ago since it is a little chilly this morning, in the 50’s. You take care. Does someone know how to go back and find Denise’s last post?
Old Faithfull about to erupt any second. Peas.
Debbe can relate to the belt – we used Tacky Glue and some stitches.
“”GR 😉 , I’m still trying to figure out how you pulled a groin, someone elses’ at that :)””
I myself use a chain and a tractor. 🙂
There is a scene in Must Love Dogs where John Cusak takes a blond bimbo to Dr. Zhivago and she does not “get it” Diane Lane and John both say how they wish the two could have met under different circumstances and the bimbo says “It’s just a movie!” John adds “It’s also a book” and she replies “Well that’s cruel!”
My wife and I use “It’s just a movie” line all the time. I think it applies for comic strips too.
Jerry in FL, all you can do is pick a date on the calendar on this page, click on it and start scrolling through the posts till you find what you want. Don’t think there is any kind of search function here.
Quote from today’s Writer’s Almanac:
Friendly, Fred, broadcast journalist (b. Ferdinand Friendly Wachenheimer, NYC, 30 Oct. 1915). “Television makes so much at its worst, that it can’t afford to do its best.” Wr.A.151030
Peace, emb
I honestly cannot recall ever being disappointed to find out I was not pregnant. But then, we all agree I am not normal. Some perhaps many seem to have a need to nurture. If one is to believe what one reads they also love being pregnant.
I seem to have missed that emotion if not the pregnancies.
Another datum for you peanut butter lovers out there, especially in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Arkansas and Virginia…
http://www.syracuse.com/product-recalls/2015/10/skippy_peanut_butter_recall_metal_shavings.html
Skippy Extra Crunchy?
Thought for the Day: “An educated man has been defined as one who can entertain himself, one who can entertain another, and one who can entertain a new idea.” – Commander Edward Whitehead (the Schweppes guy)
Oddly (or perhaps not), almost all of the people I know who meet those criteria are much nearer my age than my godson’s.
I get the FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts via email (again, yay InterWebNet, and you might want to consider subscribing), and it’s surprising, at least to me, how many Brand Name food companies are subsidiaries of other Brand Name food companies. Ex: Hormel/Skippy
Thanx, Ghost, for that recall warning. Of course, I live in Southern California (not affected) and make my own nut butters, but it might be important to some of us.
And, getting back on-topic for the classic strip, I think the right question would have been, “You don’t want another baby?”
Anon – I never wanted a baby ! or anything to do with baby-dom
That is OK, I was a product of brain washing and family pressure from grandparents who weren’t great role models to copy it turned out.
So now Livestrong has decided I am a woman and sent me article on nine foods to eat for better sex for women. I will see what that says and consult my nutrition gurus here.
Had two egg omelette in honor of Debbe and girls, mushrooms, chopped tomatoes stuffed, sliced cucumbers, grapes and a 1/3 piece of garlic Naan. If I added right that is 280 calories. No fat, salt or sauces on anything. Brunch.
Your lunch sounds yummy and healthy, Jackie. Good for you.
I feel like the expert here on pregnancy and babies. Six pregnancies, one resulted in twin girls, so seven babies in all. Thank goodness, no complications and they are all healthy. Only ONE of them was planned; the rest were surprises (especially the twins; the doctor hadn’t detected the extra baby.) We were pretty dismayed by each at first but got used to the idea by the time of the birth, and the babies were so cute and adorable and lovable that we were very pleased with each one. Chris and I loved them very much, and he was a great father. He helped a lot with care, washing dishes and doing laundry and cuddling them a lot. It’s kind of funny, because we were both only children!
We were so lucky with the whole experience, and I feel really sorry for anyone who didn’t have things turn out so well.
Charlotte, in some cases it’s better never than late.
In line with Gene and wife and garden, I finally put some garden photos up on my Boat Widow page of my fall garden. I have another sixty or so feet of spring garden up by kitchen area. We just put it to bed for winter under ground cloth and cypress mulch so it can be uncovered in Spring and ready to plant.
In the classic ‘toon above, Janis wants Arlo to validate her feelings. It’s a hard thing for some folks to master, but is essential in the chaplaincy. A classic, funny video that illustrates the need people have for validation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg
Here’s something I sent to a controversial outfit, but it applies to any that ask for donations. Many have a box to check that says “Make it monthly.” Often it is already checked; you have to uncheck it if you want to give a one-time donation. I’ve often had to send a follow-up to change it, but there may be a better way. Here’s what I just wrote one outfit.
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“Dear organization:
You did it again and I fell for it. It is UNETHICAL to have that monthly box checked beforehand. My $100 was intended as a one time donation. Please ensure that it is so recorded: ONE time, not monthly.
Starting today, 30 Oct ‘15, my resolution: If that monthly box is pre-checked [either tax-deductible or not], I DONATE NOTHING. I am blind-copying this to two groups [and also sending it to one blog], and hope it goes viral.
Peace, but also ethics,”
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Feel free to send this to any such outfit. One size fits all, Maoist to Tea Party, devout to atheist, organic to artificially sweetened.
Peace, emb
Here’s another: if they send you a postage paid envelope to return your donation, put cut newspaper or whatever in it and send it back.
emb, many of those organizations are wasting a great deal of money on mailing costs for their solicitations. As my dad declined into dementia he wrote to many organizations, not to donate, but to give his opinions. He has been dead over 5 years and we still get letters asking him to donate to this cause or political organization. I have followed the Post Office’s blanket recommendation of crossing out his name, writing deceased and return to sender, then putting it back in the box. Even with this, there are many repeat offenders.
Jerry in FL, I have heard of a better idea. Save them all, then stuff the return envelope with another group’s solicitation, then mail them back.
Been doing many of those for years. Also unsubscribing. Still think it would help if my pre-checked box suggestion went viral. Already have a response that one umbrella org. does not regulate what subsidiary outfits do. Tough bounce. Maybe they’d have to.
Peace, emb
I/we do not donate on-line or by phone, period. It is quite easy to get funds to known benevolent groups by other means.