I received a snippy letter in response to this little series that ran 10 years ago, from a paid spokesman of the National Association of Tanning Bed Operators, or something like that. He took exception with my skepticism about the wisdom of people who crawl into a coffin-like enclosure to be bombarded, close-up, with technologically produced ultraviolet rays, all for cosmetic reasons. I might or might not be wrong about the short-comings of artificial tanning (I wouldn’t do it!), but I didn’t really take seriously an opposite position that someone was paid to hold. Then again, where would our government be if its members were as close-minded as I?
A Tan for All Seasons
By Jimmy Johnson
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61 responses to “A Tan for All Seasons”
I can’t believe this, first comment of the day! Jimmy is right about tanning beds but the situation here is funny. So happy to get on the Website right away, no fooling around! Good morning, everybody!
Not closed minded, just opinionated. If as you age, you develop no opinions, you are merely empty minded.
If, as you age, you don’t learn the simple truth that exposure to UV rays causes cancer, you may continue to live (until you die from cancer) in denial.
As a rule, I support the individual’s right to do as they please, as long as it does not adversely affect others and as long as they are willing to accept the personal consequences. That said, I do actively discourage the penchant of many of my friends, mostly female, to use tanning beds. One of whom (40-ish) has already had to have a rather large hunk of her once lovely back carved out, and another (50-ish) who has had a deep-rooted malignancy cut out of the front of her otherwise lovely right thigh.
Besides, why hide the beauty in a tanning coffin when there are so many lovely beaches upon which it could be displayed for the admiration of all.
I agree, Nancy K, about the importance of the Village and A&J in our daily lives. I often think, too, of the Villagers we haven’t yet met, the quiet ones who regularly read Jimmy’s blog and scroll through the comments from time to time. Imagining all those nice folks gives me the warm fuzzies.
Just as important as having opinions is being able to change them when life smacks you in the face with different data and new experiences.
I always wished that they put people on a spit rotisserie style so that they get evenly brown. I know that is mean of me, but like Jimmy, I never got it.
I did get a bit too much sun a few weeks ago when I walked 20 miles and everyone dully noted that I should have used sunblock. It was a clear day on Saturday and yes, I forgot the sunblock. I may have bronzed up a bit, but fortunately I didn’t do too much harm to my face, except for my nose that I kept wiping my nose which was running much faster than my legs(which were walking, except when the photographer was taking my picture).
Need to edit before I hit send…
Today’s topic reminds me of a particular cartoon. I still wonder how Jimmy got away with that one. 😉
http://www.gocomics.com/arloandjanis/2005/05/19
(Spoiler Alert: It’s part of the retro series which Jimmy is currently running.)
Did I mention I have some great stories I can’t tell involving my all-female staff and tan lines? I believe I did.
And my all-time favorite “Janis tanning” cartoon…
http://www.gocomics.com/arloandjanis/2009/03/11
The expression on her face says it all. She knows Arlo, and she knows how to get her way with him.
Ah, the wonders of technology: http://consumerist.com/2015/03/31/you-can-now-turn-any-google-map-into-a-pac-man-game/
The only time I ever allowed myself to be exposed to that much UV at one time was when I had a skin condition, about forty years ago. The treatments were about fifteen seconds long, I was standing in a little booth and all I was wearing was a pair of goggles. If I got any tan from it, I don’t remember.
You may wish to review our Village ordinances Steve. Cannibalism is a no no.
The Ghostly remark on tales of tan lines, speaks volumes about the wearer. Go for the all over bronze, it says I am free.
Jackie, like me, you probably thought 9CL would get less annoying once Martine went to Le Grand Mouvement de Résistance in the Sky. Silly us. It is now, however, delving into territory I find considerably more interesting than comb overs, even if you are not personally a devotee of them. (Panties, I mean, not comb overs.)
No one would ever mistake me for a Scotsman when I speak, but neither would they mistake me for Larry the Cable Guy.
Loon:
Just for decoration, not eating…..
Nibbling the decorations can be fun 😉
“[JJ] …where would our government be if its members were as close-minded as I?” They are mostly more close-minded, narrow minded, and bribe-minded, and are just about where we would expect them to be. Our current system, especially now that corporations are people, but even before that, selects for that kind of attitude and behavior.
OF webcam is offline, I think.
Peace, emb
Here I am in Pittsburgh Texas that is, center of chicken raising cculture. Just had worst grilled chicken wrap ever. When will I learn to tell them no sauces? Heck, I can’t even make myself understood, I feel like I am foreign.
Ghost, there is no hope for 9CL, I’ve given it up. Just JJ now.
Not disclosing how much or little I am wearing or where. I know you are most eradite, Ghost, no doubt there. Remember that song line about good old boys like me? Learned to speak like the man on the 6 o’clock news?
Is that erudite or eradite?
Erudite; one of great knowledge.
Think looking at someone’s postings, there was too much wine served with lunch.
Denise I thought warm fuzzies were flannel pajamas and bunny slippers.
Pittsburg…Gateway to Gilmer.
Ursen, no, warm Fuzzies are in H. Beam Piper’s novels, and well worth looking up.
Like this: http://www.zarthani.net/Images/little_fuzzy-cosmos.jpg
And how would you know that tidbit, Ghost?
Small reward to pass Go, black today. Loon is right, of course, although not widely legalized in America.
Les demoiselles think that a tan is where it’s at. The fact that a cow hide also gets “tanned” and looks like it does is no deterrent.
But if you must, the natural, organic way is best. Even Arlo cannot complain when the accomplishment is presented in this manner:
http://www.gocomics.com/arloandjanis/2000/08/16