Today, I’m doing something I’ve never done before, and I’m not really supposed to be doing it. Instead of some old cartoon from the past, I’m showing you previews of the coming week. That’s right! Each panel in the “comic strip” above is from a panel that has never appeared in print or pixel. Granted, they don’t make much sense when assembled in one strip, but that’s never been a major impediment around here before. Technically, I’m not supposed to show you stuff before the syndicate has released it; if you come here tomorrow and find Snuffy Smith, you’ll know what happened. So, watch for the above panels, in newspapers the week of Christmas!
Oh! By the way, if you aren’t already a member of the Facebook group Arlo and Janis Fans, now would be an auspicious time to join. The group needs 21 more members to reach 500. Officially, I don’t have anything to do with the site. Mostly, it’s the work of Jim Young, a fine fellow with a lot of time on his hands, apparently. I know it would make him happy to hit the 500-member mark. And me, too!
81 responses to “Christmas Releases”
So then, Jim in TN, you’re the Jim with “a lot of time on his hands”. š
Seriously, it’s good of you to do something that promotes something worthy like A&J. (Although I’d guess that promoting it on an A&J FB page is akin to preaching to the choir.) I’m not denigrating FB or its usefulness, but right know the last thing I need is something else to check on or another password to remember. If that ever changes and I open an account, my first stop will be at the A&J page so you can “friend” me, or whatever it is you do. (In Spanish-speaking locales, do they “amigo” people?)
I had wondered about that, emb, but thought there might be some correlation between frame and hand size. It seems pretty accurate, at least visually, every time I’ve seen someone try it. At a little over 6’2″ and with broad shoulders and not exactly slender wrists, my thumb and forefinger lack a bit over an inch meeting.
And yes, that’s quite an attractive artist’s wife on TIP today. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to learn that her posing for him involved her having to take off all her clothing. Notwithstanding the old joke…
Artist: “May I paint you in the nude?”
Model: “You may paint me, but you must keep your clothes on.”
GR6, et al.: In your explanation of the formula for weight relative to height, you neglect to say that the 5 pound increments are to be added to a basic 100 lbs. Glad to see it in your formula, though.
Yep, haste makes waste…or sloppy formulae, anyway.
Debbe š Bonus: A non-traditional Christmas song, by a non-traditional group, but I like it, and I hope you will, too..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1rYmzQ8C9Q&index=6&list=RDg356nWqiikI
Love the idea of showing some previews of upcoming strips. Thanks Jimmy! It’ll be fun to predict the other 3 panels. Its kind of like those contests when a cartoonist draws a panel, but leaves the dialogue up to the readers to see what they can come up with.
JJ, I’d be glad to join that group if it weren’t for the fact that I’ve never had anything to do with Farcebook and never intend to.
If any of you really want to know what your BMI is, here’s a convenient place to find out: http://www.zeff.us/metabocalc.cgi BTW, the BMI was designed for population studies and isn’t accurate when applied to individuals. (Not that this stops doctors from misusing it, of course.)
I read and re-read today’s cartoon panels, “Christmas Releases,” as I usually read A & J—until I understood it. Not that I do every time; sometimes I need a nudge. But I read this one until I understood this: Janis brings mugs to the salmon-colored sofa. Arlo accepts them but rants a little. But he acquiesces and even brings the take-out shrimp dinner in like the gentleman he really is. They sit on the salmon-colored sofa watching the screen (I hope it’s “A Night at the Opera” with the Marx Bros.!) and have a nice evening. We see them having cookies for dessert. Arlo’s right! It is a slippery slope. Next they’ll have so many meals watching the screen. That ain’t right for a happy A & J marriage or anybody’s or any meal—except on fun casual occasion, o’ course. I remember Charlie Brown’s house smells like TV dinners (lesson learned!). But I find myself remembering lots of A & J cartoons—even from 10 years ago, I sometimes surprise myself.
Like Jimmy wrote, sense has never been a major impediment around here before. Was I surprised to learn I was wrong! But Jimmy’s style is so hint-y!
What if Walt Kelly would contribute to a panel or so of A & J? Now, that would be major nonsense.
Jimmy, Just back from our year-end San Francisco gig, all had a good time. Starting with today’s blog and will work back as time permits. Good luck with that FB thingy, Loon and I aren’t FB types.
GR6, I find that tradh in my spam filter on a regular basis. Never open, just delete.
Sorry, on a different computer and I posted at end of yesterday’s comic. It is sad, so leave it there and don’t read if depressed. Sorry.
Love, Jackie
Oh Jackie! I’m SO sorry! Sending huge hugs and much love your way for you and your family. I feel confident speaking for everyone when I say we are here for you if you need a shoulder to lean on. Her wishes may not have been your thing, but it sounds beautiful. Much love to you.
Oh, Jackie, I am so terribly, terribly sorry for your loss. I know it broke your heart to post that, as it did mine to read it. But thank you for letting us know, as some of us would have worried mightily had we not heard from you for several days. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, and that I am sharing your loss in spirit, at least.
Note to other readers: Jackie had taken Mike and her mother to Tulsa for treatment for Mike, and they were staying over at a motel to minimize Mike’s travel. Just after they arrived at the motel, her mother had a seizure and collapsed. Paramedics got her back to the hospital but she never regained consciousness and she passed away.
Jackie:
Thoughts and prayers. Sad to read your post [at the end of ‘Next’, above], but it was right and good of you to post it.
Wife and I were working on a joint email yuletide letter four years ago when we learned of her terminal leukemia, so, shortly after she died I added something like, ‘that’s as far as [wife] got, . . ..”, went on with the rest of the story, and emailed it. Also, wrote and phoned equivalent info to various others, and wrote an obit for the paper for others. Total shock and heartbreak everywhere.
Remember to take good care of yourself. Blessings.
Jackie
Praying for your Mom and your family.
{{{Jackie}}}
Aww, Jackie. I am so very sorry. It is so hard to lose your Mama no matter how old you are. You and your family are in my prayers, as are all those who are going through hard places right now. A member of my niece’s family also died suddenly a couple weeks ago; seems like there are a lot of sad things happening among folks I know in the past few months – and yes, your warmth and openness makes me feel like I do know you, Jackie.
Ditto, the above, Jackie. I cannot add anything to what has been already written.
Copied and pasted from what I wrote when I read yours yesterday, Jackie:
Oh, Jackie. I know I speak for many here in the Village when I say I wish I could give you a physical hug of sympathy instead of only a āvirtualā one, but please do know that you do have our hugs and our prayers. Thank you for letting us know.
Love, Nancy Kirk in AZ
Dear Jackie, so terribly sorry. It’s so hard to accept. Please take care of yourself and Mike, he is your first priority; when your family arrives, they can take some of the burdens from your shoulders.
Lovingly, Charlotte
Thank all for the prayer and love. The two woman army has arrived and are going to get their dad to the hospital and the PET scan and pre op procedures and registration. Thien they are going to shop for the red dress as the one I had planned to order cannot arrive in time. I am to get van’s tire fixed and talk to funeral home again and the florist to make sure they have flowers ordered, all that sort of things.
Funny about what is tragic in life, I went to see about tire at tire shop next door and I noticed an older/middle aged woman and some cute small kiddies. Waiting for the tech to come put air, I spoke to what was husband/grandfather. His c/c didn’t go thru and he was $11 short in cash.
Didn’t ask for money, was saying how sorry he was my mom had died. I handed him $20 and you would think I had given him a fortune. I just said “Merry Christmas.” He wanted to bring me the change and I said, no just keep it for the kids. He was so excited, he take could them to McDonalds.
I could/would have given him more but he refused. Beautiful little kids.
after all the race riots, maybe they can have a little faith.
Love, Jackie
Jackie, I am so very sorry for your loss, but I am also sure that because of your loving care your Mama had many more years on Earth than otherwise. Remember the love.
Jackie, I’m very sorry.
I also am sorry about your mother, Jackie. Prayers are headed your way from Utah.
And, since Christmas is just a week away, here’s an original song from the perspective of a Wise Man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD4S1WhJajk
And in keeping with the Cuba series of strips that were reposted, here is a set of photos from the travel section of the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/centralamericaandcaribbean/cuba/11300839/14-sights-to-catch-before-Cuba-changes-forever.html?frame=3141902
If anyone feels the desire for a nice bit of humor, try Dec. 18th version of “Luann Againn” (sic). Don’t think I ever saw that situation before; even the MBH liked it.