Mid-Life Crisis

by Jimmy Johnson

June 3, 1998

All of the classic Arlo & Janis comic strips you’ve been seeing here for the past few weeks are contained in my WordPress image gallery and have appeared on the Web site before. With the recent emphasis on the Web makeover and with other distractions, this saves me a little time in the morning. However, by now the uploaded gallery of old material has grown huge over the years, so I hope no one will feel shortchanged. I bring this up now, because of the above. I like this strip from 1998, and it is the
dénouement of a conversation on the beach where Arlo is ruminating about expectations, realities and their differences. I would like to show you the entire dialog, but this is the only strip from that week in my WordPress gallery, which is my point. The evolution of A&J is very evident here. Chronologically, it’s much closer to the earlier strips, but its art and writing are closer to today. We talked about that.


Today's "Arlo & Janis!"

15 responses to “Mid-Life Crisis”

  1. TruckerRon Avatar

    Because I have a “filter” I think, but never say, lines like Arlo’s. Wisecracking isn’t wise if it cracks your lady’s heart.

  2. Mark in TTown Avatar
    Mark in TTown

    Keep at it Jimmy. Change is a process, not an end.
    From this site in March 2005: OK, OK, I know, I know! The truth is, I’ve been working and posting on the road for several weeks, and I finally returned home this week. The furnace was out (needs to be replaced); my DSL connection had to be reactivated; mail and bills had to be sorted and tended; old friendships had to be toasted. You know how it is. Hence, the spotty updating. I don’t want you to worry: 2005 is going to be The Year of the Web at Arlo and Janis Amalgamated. Mark my word.

    1. Jimmy Johnson Avatar

      That’s dirty pool!

      (Addendum: I believe January, 2005, was when I was making the conversion from the old FrontPage Web site to the WordPress platform. That was a momentous time!)

      1. Mark in TTown Avatar
        Mark in TTown

        That quote was not a complaint. It was to show that I understand you are busy and something is always changing. I am amazed that you got as much on this website as you have over the years.
        And I didn’t start out for that quote, I was trying to find a link to the set of strips you referenced. The one you ran today always makes me laugh, no matter when I read it.
        If you search arlo and janis archive on Google, some of the old pages from your blog come up, like the one I lifted your quote from.

        1. Steve From Royal Oak MI Avatar

          Yeah a few of us have been following that long. We have more highlights in our hair (some have less) but still following just the same.

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Mark you got Ghost. He asked me where you had been over Christmas and New Year’s? I replied sitting at his desk in Tulsa working for holiday double time.

      Now I see why.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        Yep, worked Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. Took Christmas Day off, got time and a half for New Year’s. Might as well work since I wasn’t going anywhere anyway. Save my time off for warmer weather.

  3.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    I don’t know about anybody else here, but as soon as I read the first panel, I knew Arlo was going to misunderstand what Janis meant.

  4. Canuckguy NB Avatar
    Canuckguy NB

    It’s the Venus/Mars thing.

  5.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    “He wasn’t a Christian.” That’s ok, neither are most Christians.
    Peace,

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      I have a cartoon meme that says “Forget about putting Christ back in Christmas, let’s put Christ back in Christianity. ” i don’t dare post it but it is truth.

  6. Jackie Avatar
    Jackie

    My secret ingredient is powdered cocoa. Adds richness.

    And Mexican herbs bought at hispanic groceries like marjoram and cumin.

    And pork plus lean hand chopped beef since I no longer have access to venison.

  7. Old Bear Avatar
    Old Bear

    Special Theory from a few years ago

    https://www.gocomics.com/9chickweedlane/2009/10/21

    Next day also-

  8.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    This is my all-time favourite Arlo & Janis strip.I don’t remember it being in the collection I got a few years ago.