Resurfacing briefly

Yes, I realize that I haven't posted in, and I'm estimating here, forever. I haven't died or fallen off the face of the earth. Work, however, has been insane lately, due to an upcoming conference. I've spent the past week or two helping other people prepare for it, leaving me next to no time to do my own work, let alone post about TDIET. However, I'm sure that if you randomly choose a posting from the archives, there's a good chance that the concept is the same as the strips that I haven't had a chance to recap. I should get back to a more normal posting schedule around Columbus Day.

Technology and Mary Worth

Are we supposed to feel bad for Fignewt in today's strip? Look how huge the "Batteries Not Included" notice is! It's on the front page of the instructions! He's an idiot for not noticing! In looking, though, I'm thinking we're not supposed to feel bad for him. You can see the instructions in the top panel, with cobwebs attached. Although what is it with the toys that require assembly in this strip? A couple weeks ago, it was a crane. Today, a truck. Kid, in my days, we pushed the truck. That's how we made it go. What a brat.

I know I've seen yesterday's strip before. It seems like a long time ago, though, and I don't have the time right now to hunt for it. I wonder whether Dorkley actually tries the suggestions he gets. And does it seem weird to anyone else that he would blow the money on doctors, but not actually get the prescriptions? It's like he's a hypochondriac, but can't fully commit to it. I'd also like to point out that in today's Mary Worth that Vera has what could possibly be a computer monitor on her desk at work. Mary Worth, people. Admittedly there doesn't appear to be a keyboard, but it's a lot more advanced than TDIET.

Well at home, you know it's a telemarketer

The most confusing thing about today's strip is the waiter's expression in the bottom panel. He looks, at the very least, amused. I mean, he's smiling. Maybe he figures that if these people are on the phone, they won't bother him too much? And God knows if I were a waitress, I wouldn't want to deal with the folks from TDIETland.

Anyway, I'm not so sure this is the case. There is a grain of truth in it, but I don't know that people who were adamantly anti-phones at dinner are now OK with being on their cell phones at restaurants. I do love the "Hee hee" when the woman realizes that both she and Lula are eating dinner.

In summary, Shut up, waitress

Holy crap. What are in the after-dinner mints in today's strip that a handful of them contains 3000 calories? I would really, really love to know what the actual suggestion was for today's strip. Because I could see someone declining dessert and then taking a few mints, and I could also see how a waitress/waiter might look askance at that (if the waiter/-ress was, you know, judgemental). But honestly, declining a dessert that's hundreds of calories vs. grabbing a few mints that might be a hundred calories total? There's no real comparison there.

And do restaurants honestly have signs that point out that they have mints? I've never seen that before. Most people are observant enough when it comes to those things.

Frantic catch-up

Today's strip strikes as kind of completely bizarre. Garbage cans? The kid who's clutching his mother in fear totally makes the strip. Clearly Dad has rage issues. You'd think he'd plan ahead when taking the garbage out, but apparently not. I kind of want the passer-by to lecture him on raccoons. Or, have a raccoon attack him! That would be awesome.

Yesterday's strip delves into a side of the medical world we rarely see--how doctors relate to their spouses. I'm kind of disappointed it's not more like Grey's Anatomy. Epsom is no McDreamy. The issue is Mrs. Epsom's expression in the top panel. I'd imagine that she's been sick before and dealt with his treatment (or lack thereof); her expression in the top panel should be more ironic; at least a smirk. I guess she doesn't want to know what a crap husband Epsom is.

In Tuesday's strip, we delve into the fascinating world of mommy issues. Love how Ragmop says "Ohh yeah" not once, but twice. Excellent. I'm also fascinated that he actually knows how his mother made this mystery concoction--honestly, the men in this strip don't seem that perceptive. And again, it's like Al can't say "divorce," but has to keep saying "Grounds for you-know-what." Unless by that he means "murder." Hmm. And again with all the dishes! Geez.

Newsflash in Monday's strip: Boys will do things for the girls they like that they complain about when their mother wants them to do it. (Man, what an awkward construction. My bad.) Although, honestly, it looks like Yorkie and his girl are planning to hike the Appalachian Trail, given the size of those packs.

And I do recommend that everyone check out Sunday's strip. As reader Cedar pointed out, it contains so many TDIET highlights--squid, yoyoitis, an odd highlighting of technology (i.e., CDs), "Oh, Daddy, what you said!" We also get a glimpse of how Al draws cats. It's...neither pretty nor realistic.