Speaking of saving labor, I don’t remember what was going on in the late fall of 2002, when this series would have been drawn, but it is obvious I was trying to produce a “quick” week of work. There is a lot of, shall we say, economy in the drawing. Plus, the gimmick of “answering” reader mail isn’t exactly an original one. However, life sometimes places one in a bind, even a cartoonist, but if the result is acceptable, all is well. I like to think this little series turned out well. Whatever was compelling me to hurry, I think the jokes are sharp. Sometimes, hitting a single in a pinch can be a very satisfying achievement.
90 responses to “Frequently Questioned Answers III”
You know, there may be some readers that don’t understand that, too. It’s OK….if they look long enough, they will see it.
JJ: I have to think of a +/- new topic 1x a month and write 700-900 words about it, and sometimes am at a loss. How you and others produce fresh stuff 6-7 days a week I don’t know.
Peace, emb
And especially never underestimate the difficulty of producing humor on demand.
JJ…I am enjoying this series of retros……in 2002. I didn’t even own a computer, only got the weekly newspaper, but when Mom owned the bridal shop in Jasper, she subscribed to their daily paper and that is where I picked up on A&J…I don’t recall ever reading a ‘just don’t get it’ strip Well, maybe one or two. 🙂 It’s a tough business, and I can probably speak for the whole Village, we are so glad you persevered.
Seems I replied OK over in step II of today’s or week’s retro blog. Had a interesting bacon cheesy gritty something with half a large fresh tomato added. I have had worse. Plough in through fridge and throwing away.
If asparagus isn’t spoiled may concoct something like an omelet for later, swallowing meds and shooting insulin, feeding pets, taking a bath. Just dragged out all my poor animals filthy dishes and buckets, filled sink with soapy water. Pet yard is disgusting and I intend to personally do all jobs I have paid others to do to remind myself why you can only fire someone once.
Debbe 😉 Re your daily nightly shot of W.T. with Honey: “Moderation in all things, including moderation.” – My maintenance staff sergeant, as a toast when lifting a glass of 7&7.
Trucker, I have a friend who has been known to show up unexpectedly at birthday parties wearing a gorilla suit; that’s as close as I can come to topping your Santa suit story. (And yes, I do have some strange friends.)
Jackie, be careful taking your bath. Remember that most home accidents occur in the bathroom…and often make for very awkward encounters with First Responders. 🙂
TruckerRon, I have worn the red suit a few times (and yes, without the need for additional padding). The first time was probably 35 years ago. My land lady said her choir was looking for a Santa so I agreed. Her daughter was old enough to know what was what but her son was just on the brink of not believing.
Come intermission, I disappeared and Santa showed up. I selected the daughter to be my assistant and her son was proud of that. I thought the gig would be up when he sat on my lap because my voice is distinctive. I asked him if he had been good and he say “yes”. And then I asked about the incident the previous week where he got into trouble at school and his eyes got very wide. And then I asked about him hitting his sister and got a large gasp from him.
When I got back to my seat after intermission he exclaimed, “Gary you mised him. Santa was here and he knows everything…”. I suspect I am responsible for some therapy for him.
A photo from the last time I wore the suit: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=301582476538778&set=pb.100000610846856.-2207520000.1450642348.&type=3&theater
If they had give me more notice (of needing a Santa for the company Christmas party) I would have grown the beard out more.
Jackie, I have used a CPAP for close to 20 years. I have gone through a number of over-the-nose masks. The problem for me is getting a good seal with the mustache and beard. I have since gone to nasal pillows (nasal inserts). I know some people have a problem adjusting to them but they work perfectly for me.
We are getting ready to take our annual trek to spend Christmas with kids and grands in Louisiana. Son and daughter only live about 45 minute drive from each other, so we get to spend time with both families. Unfortunately, neither home is really comfortable for us, but we don’t complain because spending time with family makes up for it. If it gets bad, we could always go stay in a nearby motel. But then we wouldn’t see kidlums early in the morning.
This year we are sleeping at the son’s house. While we are away I will have limited access to the internet. My wish for everyone in the Village is good cheer for Christmas. Sometimes it is hard to find during the holidays, but a visit with Arlo & Janis is a good start. Merry Christmas!
Using the same panel reminds me of the old Hanna-Barbera cartoons.
They took shortcuts that Warner Bros. never did (as far as I can remember).
Gary, you look good in that Santa suit. I have been Mrs. Santa before at kids events. Used to do story time at library in costume. I remember Mrs. Santa had a mob cap and white lower cut white blouse and a dress sort of like Julie Andrew’s in Sound of Music with an apron, wire rimmed glasses, gray hair and a basket full of cookies.
We did Mrs. Santa at my candy-floral-gift shop with kids and at open house. By then I was too busy and by then someone else wore costume.
Gary, I do nasal pillows. The tubing made me have nightmares about snakes.
Never have played Santa. With my height, one of the guys i knew at work used to call me Lurch. On the other hand, at one of my other security assignments one of the saleswomen said I reminded her of Christopher Reeve in the Clark Kent getup. So, you see what you want, I guess.
Be very careful doing things alone, since you just left the hospital, Jackie.
However you do it, Jimmy, I like it! You pull off being funny more often than not. And you do it without questionable language, politics, picking on any regional groups or religions. I know you can’t manage any more than you are, but we sure need more like you in the business! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and many more successful years doing what you do!
What Mark said Jimmy! But if you could manage a sailing tee shirt I will buy them for Sail Oklahoma, about 100 at least and take orders at other events at no cost to you. Give me a reason to talk about my favorite cartoonist.
Mark I will come meet you in person to see how tall you actually are. I can tell it
Makes you self concious towering over us shrimp. I am coming to Florida at least for my birthday in February.
Hey, I had brilliant idea (told you blood surged to brain when they opened tap) Gary put photo of his Santa suit from Facebook so it can be done. Mark you already know what I look like, put Ghost out of danger of joining Facebook and post those photos of early me and me now. Gary you can too if you know how. The me now in the All You Need is A Smile photo was taken as I went out back door, no makeup nor hair done, just jeans and flip flops and a tee shirt and smile. And down about 15 pounds since photo taken.
For comparison of aging, Ghost in photo on grass I am 60 years younger and weighed about 110 lbs. Usual guess from those that actually know me is 30 years difference in time lapse, I only mention that because we know how you feel about women. No fake photos of me anywhere.
Back to world of boating. I have to go do some nautical things.
Jackie, there was a brief period when Livre de Visages would let me access your “page” (or whatever it’s called) on the InterWebNet. I did get to see the bare-shoulders portrait with the 60s swoop-down-toward-one-eye hair style I assume was made when you were in high school. (You looked seriously dishy, by the way, but I’m sure you heard that all the time.) I did not, however, see the “Lolita in the Grass” photo you mentioned.
Livre de Visages – I like that! (Of course, computer tried to make it liver.)
reading this retro strip jarred something loose in me noggin. I thought, “maybe I should answer a letter from the Bubbaworld Mailbag.” Then my next thought was “it should be a late notice from the electric company and the last panel is black with eyes showing.” So thanks for the nudge
Jackie, I have tried to copy photos from there before, but for some reason what works on any other site does not let you take the photos and put them elsewhere. My ex told me the only thing to do is to use a site like Flickr to post your photos and then post the link to that site where you want others to see it. When it comes to FB I’m at kindergarten stage. Until I started talking to you folks from the Village here, I mostly used it as a way to maintain a Spotify account.
Steve Harvey will probably be in the next Southwest Airlines “Want to get away” commercials.
Lets try it: https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/12249763_1528078084170594_9019712692092276613_n.jpg?oh=643386512d4fdc7ccc5ff324fc4e4291&oe=57149D45
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/v/t1.0-9/12247029_1528078110837258_3781155756849687044_n.jpg?oh=f27162f6ba36ff2d9cf1e2f9b90d4351&oe=570C9095
Ghost, are you paying attention? Check the one above and then this one.
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/12239557_1528078094170593_7132529754958984448_n.jpg?oh=b915dda5a39455c1f67bc84c21b9ac6d&oe=56DDF803
And this is the last of the lot.
I’ve talked about the cats we have here, here is one of the oldest. She was a kitten when I moved back here in 2010, so she is just over 5 now. She had a brother with the same markings, but he disappeared just a few days before the tornado hit here in 2011.
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/11010570_877446085651259_7317515858470721968_n.jpg?oh=bdd01343b6724ef77b3fcf58bacb9539&oe=56D5DBFC
Good night. Hope everyone has a good and safe week, especially those who are traveling to be with loved ones.
Thank you, Mark. That will give Ghost an idea of how tiny I was, the hair is bigger than I am in two photos!
OMG! Is that the famous (dare I say, infamous) red convertible!?
From the Department of Odd Coincidences, I also once owned and drove a red convertible. My hair wasn’t that big, though.