Doctor Cutup would be a surgeon, wouldn't he?

There are some questions I have about today's strip: Is the surgery elective or not? Is surgery actually elective if you know you have to get it done eventually? Why does a doctor need to come in if he's on vacation to do a surgery, unless it's some rare surgery that only he knows how to do? And if that's the case, is that surgery something that would really be optional for a while? I admit that most of my knowledge in this area comes from the early days of ER and Grey's Anatomy, so I'm hardly an expert, but something about this just doesn't seem to add up.

I would like to point out that the doctor is taking a staycation, which is very "in" for 2008.

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.

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.

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.

It was the poor schools that led to the vandalism

Clearly I've just been trying to avoid TDIET lately.

I feel like I'm the one missing something about Wednesday's strip. I guess it's upsetting that schools need money? More money than they received from a lottery? Are we supposed to get worked up about asking for more money for schools?

Yesterday's strip just completely blows me away. I'm kind of gobsmacked. Have we ever seen juvenile delinquency like this before? Al is clearly still in the 1950s--when was the last time anyone had to write lines? (Other than Harry Potter in Order of the Phoenix.) Seriously, the vandalism. It just keeps throwing me off. It's idiotic, though; Hekkie should be using a pseudonym (like the rash of "Borf" graffiti in the DC area a while back) (hmm, I should look to see whether "Borf Hates Bush" is still up next time I Metro into the city). What's getting to me is the color, honestly. The bright red and yellow of the graffiti just really stands out. I definitely think Al should do more criminal-themed strips.

I'm not sure what to make of today's strip. Clearly we're supposed to take Fignewt's side. It looks like Annoyia is wearing a robe--but it could be anything, really. And she does go back on saying that she wouldn't care. It looks like she very well may be the type of woman that you look at and go, "Well, no wonder he wants to stay late at the club." (And are there "clubs" like this anymore? I'm sure it's where Fignewt hangs out with other members of the Loyal Order of the Caribou, but why not just say "bar"? ...Because bar = bad and club = respectable, of course. What was I thinking?) Does he go out every night? Why? And how late is late? I really feel like I need the full history here. And also, don't use "friend wife."

Of crappy husbands and crappy cousins

Yesterday's strip continues the recent thread of retirement and dealing with a retired spouse. I honestly have nothing new to say about this (other than "The urge to retire him to the moon" actually makes some sense, so good job, Al!). I am kind of curious about the top panel--what does Dragbutt thinks his wife does all day that will go away once he's retired? And why does she seem pleased by that? You'd think that she'd realize that cooking, cleaning, etc., doesn't go away when someone retires. I don't know.

Man, I really feel bad for Arfo in today's strip. That's just a crappy situation that Fignewt left him in; even Mrs. Fignewt's expression seems to imply that she knows that this sucks. This is a situation where I really feel like I need more information. Did Fignewt really have to go to his mother's? Why? I don't think I can make a judgment without that information. This really all depends on the personalities involved. I just want to know why it's "Living on the brink." That's just silly.

I didn't even realize I had a "hair" tag

I just don't get today's strip. Usually the hypocrisy in TDIETland is a tad more subtle--Fignewt is upset at his wife for spending money on her hair, but then he blows a ton of money on his clothes. Or something. I suppose the reason that it's so blatant is because it was sent in by a barber; he probably saw wives get scolded for spending money at his place, then the husbands come in and get the full treatment. Though it's not often that a "barber" would offer expensive frills; when I think "barber," I think your basic shop where a man can go in and get a shave and a haircut. The kind of place depicted in the strip would employ "hairdressers."

This bothers me, though, because as soon as Fignewt got home from the salon, his wife should tear him apart. He obviously knows that the hairdresser doesn't simply "comb your hair." It's been a while, but this kind of strip annoys me. The wife just needs to not accept that kind of crap treatment from her husband.

And why are the people who work at his salon all French?

That all having been said, I did kind of chuckle at "Headicare."

Now I have a helpful egg cooker!

I'm trying to figure out why it's important in today's strip that Fignewt is retired. It's highlighted in both the expo box and Elpie saying that he needs to get a life (when she actually means he just needs to stop bothering her--which, really, would be what most people would say). I guess we have to assume that when he had a job, he wouldn't hover that way. Probably because he came home and found dinner on the table, as it should be.

I kind of feel bad for Fignewt, though; look at his face in that top panel. He doesn't look demanding or anything, just a bit sad. Aww. Maybe that's why it's important he's retired--he doesn't really feel a sense of purpose in his life, so tries to help out. Sure, what he's saying is annoying, but now I feel bad for him.

Same with the bottom panel. If they'd chosen something other than fried eggs, I might be less sympathetic, but I have major problems with them myself (mostly flipping them, to be honest). And Elpie is just pissing me off. And what's up with the layout of the house--the bedroom open to the kitchen like that? Particularly since it doesn't look that way in the top panel.

I always seem to wind up sympathizing with the wrong person in these things, don't I?

Memory like an elephant

Today's strip raises an interesting question for me. The submitter chose to be "Pul-leeze no name, no address" because he knew that his wife would read the strip and recognize herself. Now, we know that Al is very good about giving the submitter a copy of the strip. In cases like this, does the submitter get a copy? He couldn't display it or anything. Sometimes a "No Name" submitter could still get one; those are the ones where the person is whining about a neighbor. But whining about a spouse? I can't imagine that the submitter could have the strip around.

Anyway. The strip itself. I don't understand why there's something noteworthy about a husband having a bad memory and a wife having a good one. I guess we're just supposed to think, "Yes, that is frequently the way it is!" And...I guess it kind of is. In most couples I know, the woman has a better memory than the husband. So, um, good job, anonymous submitter?

Except that this is much more about a nagging wife than a woman having a good memory. She retains all of Fignewt's transgressions (and those of his stuck-up sister, who, by the way, seem to be rampant in the TDIETverse). That still has nothing to do with Fignewt having a crappy memory. It would've been better if it had been something like "Migraina never remembers when Fignewt tells her important information [picture of Fignewt bringing home the Big Boss for dinner, while Migraina has nothing prepared], but when it comes to remembering something Fignewt did wrong, heh heh, need I say more? Ohhh yeah! [bottom panel]"

The key is to pick up an easy meal while you're shopping

The big mystery in today's strip is the spelling change in Migraina's name to Mygraina. Is Al trying to trip us up so we no longer see the connection to the word "migraine"?

I will make a confession. I totally do this thing all the time. I'll go through my cookbooks, find some recipes, do a big trip to the grocery, and come home and have, like, a hot dog. Or order Chinese. This is possibly because I tend to do my shopping after work, so after all that, it's like 8 and I really don't feel like putting any effort into cooking. There was an episode of a British show called Bob and Margaret (which I totally miss) that was basically this--a big trip to the store, followed by going out to eat.

Anyway, kudos on an idea that actually does happen with a fair amount of regularity. I'm going to ignore the fact that we're clearly supposed to be exasperated with My/igraina. My only disappointment is that we don't know what she's making for Fignewt. It obviously involves squid, but I'd love to know what else. (Also, "fixins"?)

Times in my life I've dealt with my house being on the market: 3

Today's strip gets kudos for including my car and Fignewt. And...that's about it.

"Their old homestead"? Are they in Oklahoma in the mid-19th century? It's a house. Or a home. And I imagine they did jump for joy. Selling a house is a pain in the butt. You always have to keep it fairly neat and clean, because who knows when someone's going to show up to look at it. You get kicked out so realtors can show it. And it's weird trying to make plans when you're not sure when you'll be moving. There's really nothing enjoyable about selling a house, and I'm not even mentioning people coming into your house and making snide comments about it.

On the other hand, I can also understand driving by the old house and sighing over it. And really, who knows what their situation is now? Maybe they moved into a place that turned out to be crappy. It's entirely possible that they didn't realize how small apartments can be, and just miss having the room. And if this conversation is anything like ones I've had, as soon as they get past it, Lula will say, "Yeah, but remember what a pain it was shoveling the driveway?" and Fignewt will say, "Yeah, that was awful. And our utility bills are so much lower now!" And then they'll both forget about it.

I mean, I sigh over places I used to live...for about two seconds. And we're talking about places I was all too happy to leave. Such is life.

Life in TDIET has aged Fignewt beyond his years

Wow. I guess Al got too lazy and decided that today's strip should be the strip from December 5, only using an older woman instead of a bratty teenager. And again, with the insane traffic! And the cars from the 1970s! I mean, sure, my favorite car has returned, which always makes me happy. Except I feel bad that it's stuck in such a crazy traffic jam all the time. Kudos for the color this time, at least.

Poor Fignewt. He probably looks as old at his aunt because he's always being yelled at and dealing with crazy people. I'm happy that Al hasn't made him the bad guy in a strip (...yet).

But really, we shouldn't be getting upset because someone with bad eyesight has voluntarily taken herself off the roads. It's annoying for poor Fignewt, but it makes the streets safer for the rest of us. He's taking one for the team.

And I like the bus behind him that's going to "Shad Row."

Wouldn't The Late, Late, Late, Late Show really be The Early Show?

I am happy. Why? Because today's strip marks the return of Fignewt, my favorite of Scaduto's names. Woo hoo! Although at the same time, I'm annoyed at the return of the use of cobwebs to signify that someone hasn't moved in a long time. Of course, the question is, why is Fignewt up to see Leadbutt watching The Late, Late, Late, Late Show? Shouldn't he have gone to bed ages ago?

So anyway, we have a case of "Do as I say, not as a I do," but really, Fignewt should do his homework, not watch television. And that's the beauty of being an adult--you can stay up until all hours watching television! Whee!

Al does get kisses, though, for the "blows his toupee" comment.

Mmm, cookies

My absolute favorite part of today's strip is that the husband's name is Fignewt. As in the cookie, I suppose, though I don't understand what that might mean about his character. Anyway, I don't remember seeing him before, butI'm tagging this entry with his name in the hope that some day, we will see Fignewt again.

I can't imagine that Pestina and Fig made it to marriage before discussing previous relationships. Isn't that the sort of thing that starts to come out when people are dating? Not necessarily in depth, of course, but most people would at least mention an ex or two. Those relationships help shape future relationships. It is fantastic how she seems to be asking him in passing, as she wanders through the room.

What's not plausible is that he's all, "Oh, I don't remember." Suuure, Fig. I can understand not really wanting to talk about it (and being confused as to why Pestina is asking now). The correct thing to do here is to say, "Only a couple, honey, and they were nothing compared to you." Then go back to watching your commercials in peace.

And why does the expo box assume that Lula Patoot is an old flame? Fig only mentions her name. Pestina's reaction is obviously over-the-top, but I probably wouldn't be too pleased if my husband had been that evasive after I asked about his old girlfriends.

Also of note is the fact that either the chair is a swivel chair, or Fig and Pestina got matching chairs for all the televisions in the house.