The urge to stop rerunning ideas?

Today's strip is a slight variation on a strip from May...to the point that just now, I couldn't remember which one was today's and which one was the older one. (Hint: The nurse in today's is blonde.) For pete's sake, it's boiled scrod instead of roast beef in both of them! We learned from helpful reader rowboat last time that hospital patients in Germany do get to pick off of a menu, and that they usually get what they want. And again, it's a case of complaining. If Fignewt can't have roast beef because of dietary restrictions, yes, someone should've told him. But in general, I can't get worked up about this. Mostly because I'm spending my time comparing the two strips. I think the old one is better.

And Happy Halloween, all! I wish Al would get on the bandwagon of themed strips. Ah well.

My band now has a name

I'm in love with today's strip because of three words: "faraway ranch people." It really can't get more awesome than that. Anyway, this strip reminds me of this one, and my commentary from then remains pretty similar. This has absolutely nothing to do with how physically close to a doctor you are. I don't even see how that figures into the equation at all. The doctor doesn't really care about travel time. He didn't then, he doesn't now. The underlying issue is how soon a person can get an appointment. And back in the olden days, I don't think you necessarily made appointments with doctors. Seriously, the more I think about this, the more my head hurts.

Also? "Yesteryear in the good old days"? Kill me now. There's...I have to stop looking at this strip. It's driving me up a wall.

They didn't even mention the dinner at 4 that afternoon

I can certainly see the truth in today's strip, though it's hardly something that happens every time. My grandmother moved into a retirement community (though one not far from where she lived her entire life; she didn't move away) and seriously, folks, she is busy all the time. Card clubs, trips to Ocean City, etc., etc. She has a bunch of friends and they're always doing stuff. I'm convinced that for her, it's like college without the hassle of having to go to class and worry about what to do with your life. On the other hand, my other grandmother moved into a similar community, and really doesn't like it. So. Does happen, but not every time.

I've decided that Gram and Gramp moved down from Baltimore, judging solely from the "Hon" in the top panel. Also, my grandmother is from Baltimore, and I call her Gram. But can anyone tell me what a Jazzaria is? All I can think of is a cafeteria where you jazzercise.

Yes, old people can have fun too. But why shouldn't their kids be upset? Gram and Gramps are clearly moving far away, and the kids are worried about their welfare. Oh no! The horror!

Now we know who's causing global warming

I really don't know what to make of today's strip. I feel bad trying to say anything bad about it, because pollution is bad, mmmkay? But it's just so bizarre. Isn't smoking pretty much already prohibited in all workplaces already? I've encountered a few places (like my old job, for example) where there was a smoking lounge, but most places don't have anything like that anymore, much less allow people to light up at their desks. Or assembly line station. And would a boss try to ban it because it pollutes? Most people ban it for, you know, health reasons. Not that air quality doesn't affect our health, obviously, but I've never heard of this sort of correlation.

Man, I just hope Honcho is doing something about that pollution from his factory. Honest, guys, I just don't know what to say here. Well, except that "diffo" is just wrong. As is the hyphen between "cigarette" and "smoking." (And does that mean that pipes and cigars are A-OK?) And also, use different words in the expo box and how people are coughing. That's just lazy.

Is that a hanky on the nightstand?

How could I not be happy with today's strip? It has both Migraina and Dragbutt? It just perks up the day. Add in the scandal of the two of them in bed, and it's like a perfect storm. I actually would've loved it if they had separate twin beds, like on tv from the 50s.

Anyway. I can sympathize with Dragbutt in the top panel, as I've had similar things happen to me. (Know what's unnerving? Being woken up by your sister hitting you in the face with a pillow.) (And my snoring has gotten better, thanks.) Although, really, this seems like something that would've been addressed earlier in the relationship. Of course, after 50 years of marriage, my grandparents used to complain that the other snored, so maybe not. (For the record, they both snored.) ANYWAY.

Dragbutt, just do the same thing to her. Honestly. Quit yer whinin', man up, and buy each other some nasal strips or whatever. Don't passive-aggressively whine about it. And again, isn't he used to this after years of marriage?

But does she have the urge to scream?

I admit that today's strip made me all warm and fuzzy--it was submitted by a teenager! There's hope that TDIET will live on. I don't care if she's reading it ironically, it still makes me happy. Not that Loopina looks like a teenager in the strip; maybe a tweener. The bow in her hair reminds me of the year (fifth grade, maybe?) that I wore a headband every day. Good times.

I guess the moral is that Loopina's mom is crazy. Look at all Loopie has to do in the top panel--she's lugging a huge box, there's a broom behind her and other boxes and piles all around. This seems like a major project. Is she cleaning out the garage or something? Why is her dad just sitting around? (Oh, right. Because he doesn't have to worry about cleaning, or intervening on behalf of his daughter.) Are the two jobs comparable at all? Is this something that happens often?

Yeah, Loopina's mom sucks. OK.

At least it says to keep the kids and pets away

Reading today's strip, I just kept having to repeat to myself "Exaggeration." Mind you, a lot of what the directions say doesn't seem that bad--wear gloves and a face mask, spray liberally in baseboards and cracks, etc. That's logical. If you have an infestation, you have to go to lengths to get rid of it. And obviously you aren't going to spray pesticide on food or silverware. I think it really comes down to what exactly you're dealing with--is it a huge problem?

I love the shocked expressions of the mother and son. I imagine they'd have that reaction to the complete instructions of many household items.

The return of Rachael Ray

At least in today's strip, unlike the last time we explored this topic, the at-home chef managed to complete the recipe in the correct amount of time. That being said, we have seen the insanely large numbers of dishes before. Honestly. The woman making the recipe obviously knew how many dishes she was dirtying. If she glanced at the recipe beforehand, she knew there'd be a ton of them. But really, how are there so many dishes? I just don't understand. There are piles of them everywhere! It looks like some have even snuck into the living room. How could that meal require so many dishes? This just makes no sense to me.

Blah blah, exaggeration. I understand. But there's a limit, people. That being said, I love her agreeing with the television. "Me, too!"

You'd think food would bring them running. Though it is TDIET food.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that people gather in the kitchen, so today's strip is something that people will pretty much do every time. I'm not really sure of the complaint here. Is is that everyone is in the kitchen, or is it that they all then disappear when dinner is actually ready? We always got kicked off the kitchen table shortly before dinner (so we could set it), and thus kind of had to scatter. So I'm not really sure which is the problem. I think it's that everyone is around, then disappears right before the food arrives. Well, I guess that could be annoying, but it just leads to someone yelling "DINNER!!!" really loudly.

Yeah. I'm not feelin' this one.

Also, at first I thought that the girl behind the mom was, like, her sister, but I think she's supposed to be a teenaged daughter.

Congrats, Fifi--you got your own tag!

So the premise of today's strip is that if a couple only goes out to eat once a month and eats very casually at home...they should have low expectations? Honestly, if I only go out to eat once a month, I want it to be nice. And waiter, rolling your eyes if I complain about wilted lettuce is not going to help your tip. I also wouldn't be happy with lukewarm water and dirty napkins. Most of these aren't unreasonable complaints! It really shouldn't matter how people eat at home; if the people at the next table eat off their fine china every night, but have similar complaints, are those valid? Fifi sure does seem to have an issue with messy people. Particularly people who are messy in private, but want things neat in public. I don't really consider that hypocrisy, but it sure does piss Fifi off.

Also, what does "live like they're camping out" even mean? They only have hot dogs, hamburgers, and smores to eat? They sleep in sleeping bags on the floor? They need to leave the house to use a bathroom?

Do most TDIET women have jobs outside the home?

I'm not sure that I totally get today's strip. Obviously, I understand the premise. She's didn't put much money in, but wants to benefit as well. There are a lot of problems, though. This is TDIET. What are the chances that Annoya has a job outside the home? Probably slim. So really, Barfo's money is hers, anyway. Do they actually have their own checking accounts? And even though Annoya didn't put a lot of money in there, she did put the occasional coin in there. But it could've added up over time. So how can this be divided fairly? And I'd like to point out that unless that's all pennies (clearly not--the coins are silver), a jar that comes up to Barfo's waist should hold WAY more than just $205. I have a mug that I put my spare change in. It maybe comes up to just above my ankle. It probably has a good $10 in it. And that doesn't have any quarters in it. Presumably, Barfo's jar does. And honestly, if Barfo didn't want Annoya to get her hands on that money, he should've done something else with his change.

Yesterday's strip is yet another foray into the world of people who work from home, combined with the perennial favorite of retirement. (Probably just to contradict my assertion above about women not working in the world of TDIET. But Annoya was wearing an apron. I rest my case.) Anyway, at first I thought it was just about Fignewt having to deal with his wife entertaining while he's working. I just hope his office has a door. As for errands...well, no, Mrs. Fignewt shouldn't expect him to have the time to do that. But one of the benefits of working from home is that you can. I'm just saying. In any case, clearly he need to explain to his wife--again--the concept of working from home. And if it doesn't work out...well, they need to figure something out.

Fondue is food, not a name

I'm really impressed with Fondue in today's strip--he appears to have landed an airplane into some sort of blue void. Is there an airport there? Similarly, what in the world is that on the table in the kitchen? Is that lemonade coming out of the mug? What's in the green container, relish? Mysteries abound.

I'm not sure how this situation leads to the conclusion that one is "losing it." It does make one pause that this guy can fly a plane but can't work a microwave...particularly if it's a microwave the family has had for any period of time. Some of them are confusing, but if this isn't the first time or two that Fondue has tried to heat something up, then he gets no sympathy. But hey, I'd rather he be really good at flying planes than operating a microwave, quite frankly.

It's not "folksy" to leave off the "go," Al

OK, while today's strip doesn't happen every time, it sure does seem to be something that happens frequently. Although it's usually car repairs that eat up that extra money, not television repairs. Do people even repair televisions anymore? This does seem to have something to do with an HDTV, so, maybe. And honestly, if I were getting an HDTV repaired, I'd be grateful that it was only $100. But if you substitute "car repair" for "television repair," this situation happened to both a friend and I earlier this year. So...valid entry.

I do wonder what the chances are that the repairman overheard Mr. Idiot TV Owner thank his aunt for a gift of $100. I mean, who says that? Most people would just say, "Thanks for the check!" The head swivel is also freaking me out.

Artwork on vacation

Sorry for the absence yesterday. I returned to my office and turned on my computer...which promptly went "Pop" and started emitting a foul odor. Needless to say, it was not long for this world. I didn't get another one until 4, then had class, then had to do work at home! Fun! Anyway.

OK, I know that I've been away too long when I actually find the name "Pablum Pistachio" in today's strip to be somewhat endearing. However, I've fallen into the trap of actually remembering that the strip is called "They'll Do It Every Time" (emphasis mine, obviously), and I can't believe that every artist and every person who advocates a clutter-free lifestyle is actually a slob--possibly to the point of having some sort of psychiatric problem with hoarding. I do love Al's take on art, though. Always a good time.

Yesterday's strip offers a take on travel. The whole thing is intriguing. Mr. Annoya (why not Annoyia again, Al?) clearly has been hearing about Palm City for ages. He doesn't look even a little excited to go. Does he know what he's in for? And do women really insist that their husbands come shopping with them? I hate shopping with other people (most of the time). Unless she thinks he'll spend the entire time on the beach leering at nubile young women? Actually, that's a possibility. Feel free to speculate about the story of that mother and her son in the front of the panel--he looks quite displeased, and she looks upset. Maybe she just told him that she and his father are getting divorced. Any other theories?

No, it's OK, I'm fiiiine. Just go.

I refuse to believe that there are still husbands like the one in today's strip. Who would actually believe a spouse who includes something like, "No need to stay home for me!" in granting permission to go away for the weekend? I'm not one to condone passive-aggressiveness, but that right there is classic, and should be recognized by everyone. The guy is pretty much screwed at this point, and clearly has to do something to make it up to the wife--even though, honestly, he did nothing wrong. But that's just the way this works. Unless he does this regularly and is secretly having an affair. I doubt that's the case, though.

And submitter? I don't think it's something that just fishermen deal with.

Maybe it's time for the waiter to retire

I'm baaack! Thanks for your patience--it's been a crazy few weeks. But now I'm back (literally and figuratively; I was actually in Atlanta for a conference last week). Whee! I'm just happy I return to a restaurant strip instead of a medical one.

And we have a waiter with some major anger issues. He should only be pissed if Daffeen (why not Daffina, Al? Or Daffia?) and Mr. Daffeen didn't tip him, and even then, the cursing is entirely inappropriate. I can only hope that the couple at the next table, who apparently has been staring in horror for the entire evening, is horrified at the waiter's reaction, not at Daff ignoring her food. Or maybe the waiter is just upset about wasting food.

Obviously this is not something that happens every time. People send food back fairly regularly, and this waiter should be used to it. Heck, I don't know if I'd tip him much--check out the sneer in the top panel! And what's "modom"?

Also, I don't think the woman can be sent "back" to the moon, as I doubt she was ever there in the first place.