I think of a comic strip such as this one from 2009 as “hitting for average.” In four panels, it has no less than three gags. In the first gag, Arlo makes a quip at the expense of Ludwig the cat; the third panel is a sight gag, with Arlo as caveman facing down a saber-toothed beast with what appears to be a seven iron, or perhaps a six; in the fourth panel is the standard punchline. I say “hitting for average,” because it’s like the indispensable baseball player who can be depended upon to get on base with above-average regularity. Of course, it’s the homerun hitters who make all the money.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday.
183 responses to “Evolving Situation”
Thanks, R.A. I was familiar with the book but not the movie. I will try to find it.
Jackie, I sleep on one side of the bed when alone and on the other side when not alone. I can’t explain that, either. Well, I can’t explain the former, anyway.
I got an email, I believe from Spotify, alerting me that Jennifer Nettles will be in concert within reasonable driving distance early next year. She’s a woman for whom I’d do a Dickens impression and lick her ankles.
Yesterday, I happened to mention JN’s concert to P&PHS. “Oh!” she gushed. “I LOVE Jennifer Nettles!” Also, she has begun touching me more, and not just my head as one would expect from a hair stylist. And she normally talks quite loudly (it is a noisy salon environment) but uses a much lower, almost intimate, voice when she speaks to me, with lots of direct eye contact. Hmm.
Yeah, yeah, I know. But it’s like science fiction…there’s probably nothing to it, but it is fun to think about. 🙂
I’ve never plugged one of these before, but really, Sergeant Overton deserves to live out his long life at home.
https://www.gofundme.com/help-richard-overton
Well, let’s just say I saw this one coming Ghost. I’d say the choice is between a good haircut and something else. I don’t think you can have both but then I never had that choice.
My late husband had a similar situation, my evil twin ironically also named Jackie. Equally endowed but not as attractive as yours sounds. Otherwise scenario sounds pretty similar. At least as far as it has gotten now. You guys look attractive of course because you are and an up grade from what they had.
That English muffins effect has not hit my brain yet.
Oh lord, me sarcastic? Never! I prefer to consider it sardonic.
Or pragmatic.
I actually DO have the tee shirt.
Laura, you and Sandy have me laughing now! Some of the best moments in life involve silliness and messes. It sounds like you two were well matched. Who set up your blind date with Sandy?
Jackie, I do value a good haircut. And P&PHS is both too young for me and not really my type. Her status has already reached its maximum level…eye candy.
Thank goodness one of you has commonsense. Apparently my late husband had more than one type. Me being one of them. I still struggle with that.
It is same philosophy I have about employees. I am always friends but you can stay friends. It is hard to find good employees.
Water department just left, we have the leak isolated and surrounded. Now to capture a plumber.
Jackie, no fancy trap needed. Just open a septic tank upwind of town. Several plumbers have treated me with the line, :SNIIIIF: Ahh! that’s the smell of Money!
Hope no one’s having lunch. Sorry ’bout that.
Ruth Anne, a Terry Pratchett Christmas movie sounds great. I did not devour Discworld like I did other series. But I see more and more references to his works crop up in the most unexpected places. I feel I’ve missed out. I’m also interested to find time for
Spider Robinson’s, Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon. That may have been recommended here?
Callahan’s is funny and weird and as cultisth as Pratchett. They are uneven but as Jimmy said, they can’t all be home runs.
Have always loved music, some instruments more than others. I always thought of myself as a string lover and realized piano, harpsichord ARE stringed instruments. Listen to a lot of piano and always have. One of my favorites now is Brian Crain whose arrangements are beautiful.
Love his piano version of Hallelujah. You can find Brian on YouTube or Pandora. https://youtu.be/dmCkRjWY4w8
Smigz, I rented a room from this couple. Sandy worked with the guy, and they thought we would like each other. I was recently divorced, and Sandy was separated from his wife. I really wasn’t looking for a new partner, but I was crazy about him from the start. Lucky me. He felt the same.
Funny, I met my late husband on a blind date, something I never did. I actually kept a schedule to keep track of dates and events and he wasn’t on it because my room mate had cancelled her date with his fraternity brother and I thought ours was too.
Never kept another date, cancelled them all. Stayed faithfully married for 48 years. Did I mention he was gorgeous, smart and charming? He was still on day he died. The end of life nurse looked at him as we waited to take him off life support and remarked at how good looking he was, how beautiful his silver hair was.
Christmas and now are very hard for me. His birthday is same as ML King, his and mama’s double funeral date is coming up next week. So four bad ones in a row and I always hate my birthday and Valentine’s Day as well.
Morphy, all the Callahan’s books are good reading. The first two or three are made up of short story collections as they originally appeared in science fiction magazines. After that, Robinson was writing genuine novels with a connected plot. Some will make you want to laugh, some will have you crying, and all will make you think.
Jeez I just read some public comments on Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher’s deaths. Never done it before, ain’t never going back!
They were pure vitriol and venom. Makes TDS look innocuous. Where do these people hide, under rocks? God help any celebrity.
Decided I am not snarky at all.
“Social media” seems to bring out the worst in so many people that I’m thinking it’s badly misnamed.
I went on a total of three blind dates I can recall. The only one that ended badly (two months later) was the last one…Bat Guano Crazy Lady.
Well, the 86 year-old coach of my favorite college team passed away today… This year is ending much too slowly and painfully!
Mark, thanks for the heads up. That review would be blurb-worthy for the next print run. I’m glad I remembered I’d first heard it here. Sounds like Spider has fans in the village.
Short story writing can be really good. Obviously not my strong point in creating. But If I consume more of it that may help.
I’ve seen that Discworld has a complex chronology, and fans have opinions on where/when to start. Is Callahan’s best done as published?
GR6, my dad had a joke, I’ve lost the setup. try to remake:
Vendor at the Ballpark: Git yer Red Hots — Hot Dogs — Cold beer!
Fan in the Stands: Two dogs, please!
the exchange is made down the line of distracted fans.
Fan: Hey, Lou! These dogs are green and cold!
Vendor: It’s just the name, Mac! Just the name!
Laura: I wish that I lived nearby as I would love to squirt you with a water gun. That is a wonderful story that I’m sure that my wife the Romance Novelist would enjoy.
Ghost, I’ve said it several times here, but social media is like nuclear energy in that when it is used for good, it is wonderful, but when it is used for bad it can be catastrophic.
Trucker I enjoyed Lavell’s offenses very much. I’m afraid that 2017 will see more of our beloved heroes pass on. A reminder to appreciate those still with us.
‘Course he had another, less popular. Punchline only:
“you don’t wanna know how he makes the donuts”
Can’t decide, submit, don’t submit, do, don’t.
I dood it!
Speaking of reviews … https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-29/the-best-bad-restaurant-reviews-in-recent-history
Good one, Ruth Anne! Thanks.
Breaking: Rolling Stones Guitarist Keith Richards Found Still Alive
In a startling development for the Rock n Roll community, world famous Rolling Stones guitarist and songwriter Keith Richards was found alive on Wednesday. Crew members said they found his animated body sitting beside an amp, picking at a guitar and murmuring some incomprehensible melody.
I hope no one is offended!