Is that a green slip?

You know what's awesome about today's strip? The kid actually making a comment about "growing cobwebs" instead of actually seeing Chumply sitting there, covered in cobwebs. Though, pst, kid--you don't "grow" cobwebs. There's this whole process involving spiders. I do like that we're seeing the beginning of this process.

When I first glanced at the strip, I thought that it was the morning; in my mind, robe = morning or night. It wasn't until I noticed that Chumply was in a tux that I got what was going on. However, this is one of those situations where I can't feel too bad for the husband, because he's obviously been married to this woman for a while; by this point, he should know how long it takes her to get ready for a night out. So Chumply, go grab a book or something while your wife prims up (I always use "primp," but whatever). And stop looking so surprised.

Mmm, meat.

Looking at today's strip, I again find myself thinking that something about the eyes looks weird. Look at Lulula and Sonny's eyes. Don't they look off? Anyway, the mom is clearly smoking something if she thinks that her son looks "drawn." I mean, honestly. He's hardly wasting away. Are mothers-in-law really like this? I suppose some are, but it's really not something I have any experience with. Does the mother live in the same town as them? If not, why is she talking about her butcher? It's not like Lulula can go there. It's nice, though, if she lives in a place that even still has a butcher's shop...unless she means that he's set up in a grocery store. Hmm.

I could live without the guy spelling out for us what's going on. I got it, OK?

I'm rambly, I know. My apologies.

Well, it IS cold in here

I can kind of get behind today's strip. I get the concept of if you think you're cold, you assume others are cold. Most of us learn that this isn't the case; particularly a woman being cold while two men aren't. Usually, however, this simply results in one person whining about the temperature--something I'm definitely guilty of. The hungry thing...I don't know. She's probably making food less because she thinks others are hungry than the fact that she's hungry and wants food. The dad and kid will probably whine if she makes herself something but doesn't whip up something for them, so she makes a bunch so everyone can eat. Honestly, I don't know. That's not something I've encountered.

Reunionate? Really?

Today's strip provides a nice continuation from last Friday's strip. Sure, Loopina appears to have changed outfits, but that's OK, as apparently this reunion lasted well over a weekend. Such stamina!

I do feel bad for Loopie here, but then, that's the risk you take when hosting people. It's common courtesy to offer to help clean up when you're a guest, but it's something I wouldn't necessarily count on, if that makes sense. You'd think, though, that if people brought food, they'd at least want their dishes back, right? Maybe they used disposable containers, which would make Loopie's job a bit easier, at least.

In the end, I can sympathize with the hostess, but can't back her anger in the end. One of those "Plan for the worst, hope for the best" situations--hope that people will help you clean up, but don't expect them to.

Mind you, I can say this because I rarely have people over, much less host any sort of large dinner.

No squid? I'm disappointed

Today's strip is actually quite appropriate for this time of year--a party! Whee! I'm just having a hard problem figuring out the point. Loopina brought all of her favorite foods, and people are complaining about individual dishes. I...what? I guess maybe it should've been potluck, but people would probably still object to some of the dishes. And the thing is, the complaints (too spicy, too salty, two vegetarians, no fish, no sugar) each apply to only a few of the dishes. Too spicy? Well, have the ham. No salt? Try the turkey. No fish? Ham or turkey. No sugar? Skip dessert. I imagine that the side dishes are mostly vegetarian. It's not like none of these people can eat, and Loopina will have to lug this food home. I guess she doesn't want people whining? Hey, I thought that was what family reunions were about.

At least the movie isn't about doctors

Today's strip is so blandly inoffensive that I'm having problems focusing on it, other than it was submitted by "Paula and Paul" which is just wrong. I'm kind of grateful that there isn't a male version of my name so I don't have to worry about that sort of situation.

The situation here is somewhat universal; it's not like it's the "salesman" (I've always thought of them as "clerks"; I mean, in the movie Clerks, one of the guys worked at a video rental place!) at the "film rental shop" (is it OK to still call them "videos" if they primarily rent DVDs?) is the only person who recommends movies you don't enjoy. Even the best of friends don't necessarily enjoy all the same movies. You do run into dull movies now and then.

Man, this strip is putting me to sleep. But I gotta ask--Why are there actual pillows on the couch for Mom and Dad to be sleeping on?

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!

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.

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.

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.

Almost a feel-good Friday

I admit that I stared at today's strip for a few moments, uncomprehending. Wow, I thought. So today's strip is just giving credit to someone doing something nice? That's...kind of cool, actually. And it would be. Most of the topics are about the tiny, petty little things that tick people off. What a great change of pace, to have a strip like this! Of course, upon examination of the strip, I found that while it's partially a "Good job!" strip, it's also a subtle complaint against the people who gave the PILES of presents that need assembly. Do that many toys really require assembly? Would a steam shovel like that be something that someone puts together at home? I don't know. Instead, I'll ignore the complaint, as it's a bit subtle, and focus on the cake. Mmm, cake.

Yesterday's strip is also a bit confusing. Once again, it's not the concept that I have a problem with ("They can sleep through a loud tv program, but not a bug flying around the room!"), but the execution. The top panel is the real culprit. Is that kid sleepwalking? And just have the mom be sleeping, not yawning. With her eyes closed. But for content? I don't really have a problem. I should say that I don't really see an issue of sleeping through a tv show but being bothered by a mosquito (which, duh, yes, kill it!). Things like that happen to me not infrequently.

And I'd like to point out that this is at least the third Fifi Meisner-submitted strip (the other two). I really should look her up.

Lu's mom is as busy as my grandmother

Parts of today's strip make sense...but parts just confuse me. Really just one part--the "and often" in the bottom panel. I guess Mom frequently guilts Lu into calling, but also has a social life. I guess I just don't see the disconnect there. I wish my sister would call more, but that doesn't stop me from going out with my friends. Of course, I also don't leave her messages like that. I think Al should've had the message include the mother saying something like, "Is it asking too much to call your poor mother, all alone? I sit around and look forward to talking to you, etc." It would've come together much better, I think.

And Al, you don't "turn on" your "voicemail," particularly when by "voicemail," you mean "answering machine." Lu isn't on a cell phone, dialing into her voicemail. She's hitting "Play" on her answering machine. There's a difference. Al, feel free to drop me an e-mail, and I can go over the details.

(Although, honestly, it's stuff like that that makes reading this strip so charming.)

It's nice that someone was transcribing the birthday party

While I'm not a huge fan of today's strip in general, I am impressed with Al playing around with the format a bit. The flashback? Very nice. As for the content...it's strange. I kind of understand where Migraina's coming from; when you get a present, you don't open it and say, "Yuck! How awful!" On the other hand, she could've just said, "What a lovely top! Thanks so much for thinking of me" instead of detailing what she dislikes. And honestly, the clerk at the store doesn't really care why she's returning it. Is it in any way torn/stained/etc.? No? Then he doesn't care. I admit that sometimes I feel the need to justify why I'm returning something, though. But I'm weird like that. And I doubt Migraina is acting out of guilt, which is why I do it. (I have an overactive guilt complex. No, I'm neither Catholic or Jewish.)

In fairness, that is an awful shirt. But honestly, I'm not going to knock Migraina too hard. She was polite to her family members and not particularly rude to the clerk, so I'm good with her.

Except Brian IS perfect

Today's strip illustrates why people who are infatuated shouldn't marry anyone. No sane person believes that they like everything about a potential mate. And what is it with introducing a fiance/husband to the parents so late in the game? But really. If you seriously think "I love everything about this person," you're not mature enough to get married. Nobody's perfect. I mean, I'm sure that even though I currently think Brian Roberts is perfect** (cutest boy in the world!), when the day comes that we actually meet, then proceed to fall in love, etc., I'll find out that he has some habits that bug me. (Probably.) And I know that my parents each do things that annoy the other, but they're coming up on 40 years of marriage.

Anyway. I understand that Al is going for the contrast with "love everything about him" but all of those "hate"s in the bottom panel are a bit disturbing. I guess I should just be happy that she isn't telling him directly that she hates him--just all of his habits.

I can't feel too much sympathy for Nudnik, though. Clearly this was rushed, and he should've paused at his fiancee using the "love everything about him" line. He was just as deluded, and doesn't get any sympathy.

**I'm kidding. I know that he isn't perfect. If he were, the Orioles would probably be doing a bit better. Not that a .314 BA is something to scoff at. That being said, if any of you know him or have ties to the O's, send him my way! We're clearly Meant To Be.

A pinnacle in TDIETland

I am in love with today's strip. It's not that I can't relate to wanting someone to break up with their current partner; I totally get that. I do think it's a bit much to sit there and be all, "Good riddance!" as they break up. Particularly when it's your child. She's probably going to be upset about this, Mom and Dad. Of course, she looks way too old to be living at home, so she deserves some judgement from the folks.

But there is nothing that is not awesome about the guy she brings home. First off, that they're married! Excellent! He's writing an autobiography! They're going to live at home! He's, like, 70! He calls them "Mom ol' gal" and "Pop person"! He has a ponytail! I really hope that this is the first time they've met and it's 2 weeks after she broke up with the guy in the top panel.

Kudos all around.

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.

The urge to barf his bits. Ew.

Today's strip is one of those where I don't object to the overall message of the strip, but the execution just makes me say, "Come on!" The husband wants something called "Barf Bits"? Seriously? No. No company would ever sell that as a product for people to purchase and consume. I could see some company selling that as a gag (*rim shot*) gift, but that's it. No husband would be complaining that he couldn't eat his barf bits. No no no. And why does the mother look so upset in the top panel? Is it because she knows that her family is going to complain as soon as she gets back? If that's the case, then she should say, "OK, nobody has any suggestions. So don't complain when I get home and haven't bought the snack you like."

Interestingly, it seems the family is bothered that she got something similar to what they like, but not quite the right item. Either she doesn't know that Wheat Crums and Pistachio Wafers and Barf Bits are their favorites (doubtful), or she chose those possibly generic items to save money. Or she just enjoys pissing her family off, in which case, kudos to her. They seem like brats.

And really, it seems that they were all at home when she went shopping. They could've come along.

I like how we just have a "The urge." It's not "the urge to" do something specific. Just an urge.

Free that kid!

I'm not sure I get today's strip. Well, I get it, in the sense that I see that a fight morphs from being about taking out the garbage to being about something else entirely. And I guess this is a "do it every time" situation, because yeah, that's pretty much how fights go. Once the floodgates are open, anything goes. I guess what I don't understand is why this is even a strip. Are we supposed to think, "How wacky! They started talking about one thing and wound up talking about something else!"? Because...honestly, that's pretty much every conversation. I just feel bad for the kid. This is obviously something he's seen before. He looks like he wishes his parents would just get divorced already.

A couple other notes: Again with the mention of the husband's sister! It's such a recurring theme in this strip that it makes me wonder whether Mrs. Al has issues with Al's sister. And who keeps the garbage can like that in their dining room? Even assuming that the kitchen is on the other side of the cans, that's just a bit too much. Those cans look like they belong outside. And lastly, submitted by "You know who"? No, I don't know who.

It's all about the aunts

I can't help but sympathize with Migraina in yesterday's strip. I think part of it is that I don't have enough information. Is Aunt Elpina on Migraina's side of the family, or her husband's? Because if it's her husband's side of the family, honestly, he should know. She really should at least know how Aunt Elpina is doing...assuming that she hasn't been in the hospital long. To be frank, though, when my aunt was in and out of the hospital last year, I couldn't tell you what hospital or who her doctor was (and honestly, unless it's local, why should they know?). I generally knew how she was doing, but wouldn't necessarily know how long she would be in for. Yet, like Migraina, could at the same time give details about the lives of television characters ("a bad case of amnesia"?). I guess...that makes me a bad person? I'm not proud that I know as much random television trivia as I do, but that doesn't mean I don't care about my family. Dammit.

In today's strip, we contemplate the empty nest. Which is funny to me, only because today I became an aunt! Yay! That has nothing to do with TDIET, but I'm really excited about it. Honestly, I have really nothing snarky to say about today's strip, to the point where I'll ignore "J'ever". I imagine that is what the house feels like. At least at first. Then you get over it and enjoy not having to deal with those bratty kids. Particularly if you don't have their college to pay for anymore.

It's like politicians have a bad rep or something

Al takes a bold step in today's strip, venturing into the world of politics. Sort of. I think the key here is that as a politician, Foghorn only makes pledges about education, highways, and taxes. We're never told whether he actually keeps these pledges. (Of course, he's just a candidate, so this might be a moot point.)

As for his family harassing him, I feel the son clearly has a valid point. He needs to go to his soccer game (though it's not like he's in uniform). The allowance issue...I don't know. Why is she asking now? I feel like perhaps there was something tied to raising the allowance, but we'll never know. Trimming the hedges is something that he can't do if he's taking Junior there to his soccer game. See, Foghorn? Take the easy chore to get out of the harder one?

I think the daughter is just out of luck, though.

(It goes without saying that Foghorn is overreacting. If people in real life acted the way these people do "every time," a lot more people would be in anger management.)

(And I had a fantastic time in Florida, thanks for asking. I'm trying to deny that I'm actually back.)