Where do you get your ideas? That is, without a doubt, the question I am asked the most. The No. 2 question would be, “How far ahead do you work?” No. 3 would be, “Do you ever work in just your underwear?” And so it goes, but the first question probably outnumbers all other work-related questions combined. The above classic A&J reminds me of another, older Sunday A&J cartoon, which reminds me of a story. I am sorry, but I don’t have immediate access to the second cartoon, or I would be showing it instead.
The cartoon you’re not seeing also features Arlo and Janis in the yard, gardening. Janis is planting flowers, and Arlo is assisting. Janis is depicted wearing a comfortable knit tank top. As she leans over to plant another seedling, the top gaps open slightly. Subtly, Arlo also leans forward for a more advantageous perspective. Then, he sits back and thinks to himself, “There’s just something about a peek.” Silly, huh? Well, to this day, that remains the most commented upon A&J comic strip I’ve ever produced. People, many of them women, loved it and told me so. Apparently, there is something about a peek.
So, where did that idea come from? From a frame shop, of all places. I had brought something in to be custom framed, and the proprietress, a smartly attired lady, was assisting me. My project was spread between us on her work table, and we were discussing mats. She was wearing a scoop-neck Angora sweater of bright yellow. When she leaned forward to shuffle samples around my artwork, it was clear the sweater had nothing underneath but her. I suppose the ultimate act of gentlemanly sacrifice would have been to look away entirely. I can’t say I did that, but I did the next best thing. I tried to concentrate on the task at hand and pretend nothing was more important than selecting the right mat. Soon, I was out of the shop and gone. It was, in the scheme of things, an absolutely insignificant and irrelevant happening. But I remembered it! And it inspired what is arguably the most popular Arlo & Janis strip ever. Go figure.
19 responses to “This Old Thing?”
pIt’s my favorite and I think it certainly holds true. At 6’5″ I have been the recipient of many such peeks without trying. And in one case I got flashed by a seat belt. The lady was wearing a button-up top which the shoulder belt flipped open when she turned left to face me( I was standing outside the car).
If you’re seeing a peak, it’s more than “gaps slightly open”! ? Perhaps a peek?
Thank you. I’ve noticed I’m not as sharp with spelling as I once was.
Jimmy Thank you for confirming that you are a human just like the rest of us. We have all encountered the same scenario and just enjoyed it. Occasionally the “wardrobe misfunction” continues and we either need to walk away or very awkwardly point it out. Boy is that awkward.
I walk at lunch time and the office is usually pretty warm. Once I had a v-neck sweater, so I threw it on under my coat and did my walk. I decided to keep the sweater on as it was actually cool enough to wear it. About an hour later I got a call from one of my designers, about 4 desks away (we have no walls) and she told me that my sweater was on backwards. I said Oh %$#! and the entire office got a big laugh.
It occurred to me she must go through the same exercise with other customers all day long. I think she wanted to be comfortable and didn’t care.
My peek at her peaks piqued my curiosity!
Ah, yes – the “forbidden fruit syndrome” rises again!
JJ, regarding your spelling…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldQrapQ4d0Y
Re 3-26-19 cartoon: “Spagetti”…combining two of my favorite things, Italian food and skimpy female clothing. 😉
More later. (Bet you saw that coming.) Ironically, I have to help Jackie put out some more skimpy female clothing at Steals & Deals. We’re hoping for some upcoming pretty weekends here, and we’re also hoping some of the out-of-town ladies may not have packed a sufficient amount of sun-friendly garments.
“Spagetti”? Must be some type of reduced size pasta. As always, I blame speel-chek..
A simple search took me to https://www.arloandjanis.com/apeek.htm in the old site, including a reference to the frame shop owner, too! Truly a classic
I’ve been in similar situations before. I’m pretty sure that the ladies knew exactly what was visible.
Blackboard sandwich-board sign spotted outside a bar a few years ago: “Spell-check is my worst enema.”
Just goes to prove:
“Under our clothes we are all naked.”
I remember a peek several years ago, right before I bought $1,000 of dance lessons
About two years ago, my wife and I were driving through Ohio University and left by way of Court Street, the main drag for the campus. One of the co-eds on the sidewalk was wearing a swimsuit bottom that was little more than a thong.
My first thought was “I’m glad she’s not my daughter.” Yep, I’m officially old.
A peek is a wonderful thing. And in many cases wanted I would bet.
And this is why your fans read your blog.
I agree, a nice peek brightens the week! I may be getting older, but I pray never too old to enjoy!