Way too deep thoughts for a Friday night

Today's strip provides an interesting dichotomy (...or something; I have a headache). Al and his readers acknowledge that nurses no longer dress like Florence Nightingale...but that seemingly hasn't prevented him from drawing them as such. Is it because the typical TDIET reader feels more comfortable with it? Is it just easier to have nurses in the strip wear those outfits, because having to distinguish various color scrubs is a challenge in a one-panel strip? Probably a combination of the two, actually. I wonder if a number of the people writing in aren't ol' time patients, but rather people pointing in the anachronism of the way nurses are portrayed.

I will say that while I can see the scrub top having a design like that, I can't imagine those pants and striped socks like that.

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.

I wonder what Woopee Magazine is about

I hope everyone had a nice holiday and fun new year.

I love today's strip if only because it introduces us to Barfo Magazine. How cool is that? That being said, I can't imagine being that excited about a new magazine at the doctor's office. Though since spending time in doctors' waiting rooms seems to be a big part of the lives of the average TDIET reader, I shouldn't be too surprised. Again, I will simply say that this is why I always bring my own reading material.

Kudos for having the magazines in the top panel actually say 2008. And now I'm depressed because Al didn't make it to 2008. *sigh*

The Al hatred boils over

I went digging through the archives a bit to find the strip that today's strip repeats, but couldn't do it. Honestly, as soon as I saw "Florence Nightingul" I wanted to just write "Screw you, Al," and be done with it. (And...am I blind? I'm not seeing a contributor. Huh. So this one is all Al.) Maybe it's that I started working with a lot of nurses and for nurses, but, dude. Not cool. I see how it's annoying, but it's not like the nurses ganged up to most inconvenience the patient. What, like they're supposed to stop treating other patients during an emergency so they can pop by? I guess this patient could've been having an emergency (what exactly was he buzzing them for, anyway?). But, honestly. Shut it, Al. I'm not in the mood.

...Sorry. I imagine I'll be less cranky on Monday.

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.

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.

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.

Side effects for TDIET include nausea

In today's strip we learn that side effects of medications are scary. My solution to that is to just not look at the side effects. Seriously. I'd comment on the potential side effects, but that'd just get annoying. I honestly can't read them all at once, because my eyes roll too much and that doesn't do good things to my contacts. Although I will say that pizzaitis of the pepperonitis doesn't sound bad. Mmm, pizza.

I will also give kudos. The wife's comment in the background is a pretty good one.

Cleverness in der strip

I...I'm not sure what to say about today's strip. I saw the top panel and got annoyed--another strip about waiting to see a doctor? Al just did a strip about it last Wednesday! It hasn't even been a week! And then I got to the bottom panel. And I admit that I was impressed. It perhaps isn't the most original joke, but it shows a degree of cleverness that's usually lacking. So, kudos to Al and Mark S.! I hope Mark is a reader of this blog or the Comics Curmudgeon, as that would help keep my worldview somewhat intact. I mean, I will say that Lugger needs to calm down a bit if the wait has had such an effect on him. But still...amusing.

I do need to briefly mention yesterday's strip. I usually don't even look at the weekend strips, but an anonymous comment sent me there. And oh, so worth it, and not even just for the mention of the Loyal Order of the Caribou. There's also the hobo from the 1930s, transported to the current day to beg for coffee money. (Honestly, that look is out-of-date even for Al.) There's a mention of belching and a jackass husband who goes to mind-numbing meetings to get away from his wife (and there's no "c" in Yakeena, Al). There's a wife by the name of, God help us all, Nudella. But no, the best part is Knockwurst von Smeek, whose wife rolls her eyes as he breaks his neck. That might be mild concern, but...I'm still a bit scared. There's too much ambiguity there.

At least the doc would up on the latest technology (if there is any in TDIETland)

Today's strip is a perfect example of why I get frustrated when I see that a strip is set in some sort of medical environment. Seriously, a strip about doctors who look young? It was annoying enough in a recent episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. I mean, I shouldn't be surprised to see it here--it's certainly something people have been joking about since the 1950s. It's just so over the top. For an artist who has problems making kids look young, Al sure does a good job here of making this guy look about 12. Why can't he do that more regularly???

And the comment of the nurse in the background just puts it over the top. Obviously this kid isn't ACTUALLY 15 or whatever. Although it's not like people in their 20s (...and 30s and 40s) don't play video games. But I imagine if a kid is a doctor at a young age, he actually is aware of his responsibilities.

This would make me happier if the doctor didn't look particularly young; it's just that the patient, in fact, just felt older. I mean, I look at college students and think they look young, when obviously they looked the same when I was in college. It's just that I got older.

Make your own calls, dude

Sorry about the belated posting...work, life, etc., etc.

I'd like yesterday's strip a lot more if it reflected my life--I was totally with Al in the top panel. Sick on weekend? Check. It only lasting a day? Check. I always seem to get sick on the weekend, but be well enough to go to work. He lost me in the bottom panel. I cannot imagine calling in sick on a Monday and saying that I wouldn't be back until Wednesday or Thursday unless I was in the hospital or something. And I cannot imagine calling in sick for my husband if he were just lying in bed, talking to me. Good God. And who would say "72-hour virus"? Also, it's "sniff," not "snif." Clearly Dragbutt hasn't learned the art of the mental health day.

Today's strip takes us into the world of Catastra and Wimpo's dining preparation. What's really scary is Wimpo's "U-ulp!" at the end of his dialogue bubble. He's clearly frightened of Catastra. I don't particularly blame him; she's scary. At least the dinner sounds decent--roast, potatoes, garlic. There's no bad there. No squid, either. Really, Cat should just say that she's tired, period. She's trying to get sympathy from someone who clearly won't give it (understandably). What's particularly confusing is that it looks like the kitchen is totally clean. I'm trying to figure out whether Wimpo is unrolling his sleeves, signifying that he also cleaned up. Then why would Cat have been in the kitchen? Just telling him how to clean? It's a mystery.

I like the addition of the name Pestley

Ah, a return to the medical world in today's strip. And I really wish that Al would stop starting these things with "Ever happen to you?" because the vast majority of the time, no, it hasn't. I was going to compliment Al on not having the patient with a bandage around his head or arm in a sling, but then I realized that he explicitly says what's wrong with him, so...not so impressive.

Honestly, though, other than that...yes, that would be annoying. If anyone has more thoughtful opinions about it, feel free to sound off in the comments.

Al chooses not to bash the doctors (for once)

Well, I'm happy that today's strip doesn't bash the medical world--just a patient! I actually have mixed feelings about it. At first I was thought, "Yeah, that's stupid of Dizzia." And I still do kinda feel that way. She's true that a doctor who has to see all these patients (I'd hope that that's actually a practice with a few other doctors) probably won't spend much time with each one (which is why you need to be assertive when you go to the doctor, but that's another story)--although that's more of a slam on the health care system in the United States than anything else. As for why there aren't any patients at the second doctor's office, well, that looks like a much smaller practice. I've never seen a waiting room like that; the ones I've been to have all been like the ones in the top panel. I mean, there isn't even room for the patients' files! I wonder if that's a specialist. Or is it first thing in the morning? I hate not knowing context!

At least the submitter isn't from Florida

I'm sorry. Are they kidding me with today's strip? Who cares if the doctor has old magazines in the waiting room as long as his practice is up-to-date? Though, really, judging from the not-surprising lack of computers in the office, I somehow doubt he's totally up-to-date, despite the jargon that Nurse Nulla is using. (And "internal dandruff elimination"? I get the feeling we're supposed to find stuff like that funny. Al? I don't.) But if we go strictly on the premise--the doctor is totally cutting edge, but only has old magazines in the waiting room--is that amusing? I guess. I'm just annoyed with the execution.

Also, I don't have much sympathy for people who come to a place where they pretty much know they'll have to sit around for a while and yet inexplicably don't bring along anything to do. Old magazines in the waiting room is pretty standard fodder for complaints. People know this will be an issue. The answer isn't to complain; it's to bring a book with you. Honestly, people it's not that hard.

I do admit that seeing 2001 and 2002 being acknowledged as a while ago threw me off a bit. Chances that Al initially wrote 1961 and 1962? Pretty good.

And a heads' up: I'm going out of town tomorrow, and probably won't get a chance to update again until Monday.

TV, hospitals, and more tv

Wednesday's strip makes no sense to me. The basic problem is that if a movie is being aired on television, then it's already out on tape. (And, by the way, Al, most of us buy DVDs nowadays.) If it's on tv and not already released for purchase, then you're probably watching it on pay-per-view or On Demand...and in both cases, you'd be seeing the original uncut version. And if the movie is that bad, then it's probably rated R, which the parents should've noticed. So, no sympathy from me. I do like the replacement use of "You're just a meany--you ol' fuddy duddy." We just don't use the phrase "fuddy-duddy" enough these days.

Yesterday's strip once again takes us to a hospital (although submitted by someone from DC, not Florida, so that's nice). Do hospitals actually provide menus to their patients like this? That would be obnoxious if you were given a choice and didn't get it...but really, is this an actual situation? We don't know why this guy is in the hospital (no IV or bandages), but roast beef, mashed potatoes, pie, coffee, and biscuits (mmm, biscuits) does not sound like something that a hospital would offer to most of its patients. At least there aren't any totally bizarro foods mentioned.

Is it wrong that in today's strip, I'm more interested in the food on the table than in the actual substance of the strip? I didn't think so. I'm just trying to figure out whether that's a fast food bag next to the hamburger and the bottle of ketchup. Or is that soda? Probably soda. Maybe those are fries? I'm not sure. I appreciate the newspaper proclaiming that the ballgam that Arfo wanted to watch was a "big game"--subtle. Nice. Why he's so intent on listening to the news, though, is beyond me. Unless he's making a point about not being able to hear the tv. Situations like this always get me. I assume that Arfo and Migraina have been married for a while. He's sitting about 1 foot from the television. I refuse to believe that he can't just tune out his wife. But I do feel for Arfo. It reminds me of growing up, my dad would insist on having the tv on a certain channel...and then would read a newspaper. But we weren't allowed to change the channel. Typical.

More on hospital visitors

Today's strip, not surprisingly, is set in a hospital. And submitted by someone from Florida, if you can believe it. I know! What are the odds?

The submitter does realize that it's not Nurse Nulla's fault he can't have visitors, right? I don't know why someone would be denied any visitors (quarantine?), but I'm pretty sure it's up to the doctors, not the nurses. And I doubt it's so the patient doesn't have to put up with small talk. Really, he broke his leg. I don't see how that precludes visitors.

As for the nurse herself, well, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, dude, just tell her to leave. "I'd like to take a nap." "I want to read a book." "I think I hear someone calling for you." And so on. And really, she's only trying to keep the guy entertained. (And psst, Al? Walter Cronkite is no longer on the air.) So launch into a debate of whether Apolo Anton Ohno, Joey Fatone, or Laila Ali deserves to win Dancing with the Stars.

I do love "Whatta think of the awful world situation?" Al's getting political!

Mmm, achin' bacon

Today's strip is annoying because it's trying to equate two totally different situations. In the top panel, there's a problem because the doctor is trying to communicate with Barfo using lots of big words. The problem here is not Barfo, it's Doc Epsom. He's not doing his job and letting a patient know what's wrong with him and what he needs to do for it.

There is no problem in the bottom panel. Barfo is communicating with the chef, who understands the shorthand that's being used. To make it like the top panel, Barfo would be using that language to, say, give the diners the dinner specials. It'd be one thing if Barfo were also a doctor and couldn't understand what Epsom was saying. But this? No.

And please. The King's English? The only thing that matters is that the person being spoken to understands what's being said.

May catch-up

In Tuesday's strip...I just don't know where to start. Quite franky, if a guy showed up to pick me up for a date and it went like that, well, it'd be a first and only date. But it seems that the girl is used to it, and really, they're going to hang out with their friends at the mall. Seems pretty tame. I guess we're supposed to be horrified at the car, clothes, and language, but I have a pretty hard time getting worked up about the language when Al includes the "It goes something like so--but like, we mean, oh, yeah-h-h-h." Honestly, he's parodying himself, right? A casual reader might think that that's supposed to mock how the kids talk; it'd be a nice argument if Al didn't use that sort of thing frequently. Favorite parts of the strip: The "Luggo Buggo" and the nice couple walking by in time to witness this horrifying act.

Yesterday's strip just baffles me. If you call out sick, then your boss probably won't call you--unless your boss is a jerk. Or you're one of those super-important types, but even then, people try to avoid calling people who are sick. Call it common courtesy. And though I can't say that I've never taken a mental health day (assuming that by "ducked work" Al means "called in sick when he wasn't), I can't feel too bad for Lugger in the bottom panel. I would say that he should just have his boss call his cell phone, except that that would mean Al includes a cell phone in a strip in a way that normal people use them. Can't have that! I do love how Mrs. Lugger was practically just copied and pasted from the top to the bottom panel--only her outfit has changed.

Today's strip finds us returning, not surprisingly, to the world of medicine, hospitals, and the numerous problems surrounding visitors--an issue Al has gone over numerous times before. The only thing I find particularly noteworthy about this strip is that submitter isn't from Florida. Quite frankly, if I were a nurse and had a patient ringing for me all time, and accompanying it with calling out like that, I probably wouldn't go running to his bedside, either. I'm happy that Al didn't do what he usually does and give the patient a bandage on his head and/or arm to indicate that yes, he does belong in a hospital. Though an IV drip might be a nice touch. Anyway, I'm debating what I think about using "Nightingales" instead of "nurses." I think I like it, actually. I believe at one point, that was fairly common.

(..."My hot wheels are rarin' t'go"? Hee hee. It's funnier if you think he's talking about a toy car.)

Suck it up, Ferdie

Holy crap. How many times is Al going to do variations on this same strip? I almost think I should refuse to say anything about today's strip, seeing how we've seen similar strips at least twice before. Apparently there is just tons of wackiness when it comes to people visiting (or not!) sick people.

I really can't blame these people too much. It seems somewhat natural to be more concerned and visit when someone is in the hospital, as opposed to just being at home. Sure, it would've been nice if someone had stopped by Uncle Ferd's place...assuming he told them. He had to have. But I wonder how he put it. I wonder how close these relatives live. But God knows I've felt like crap and nobody's come to help me. I'm not feeling much sympathy for Uncle Ferdie here.

And honestly, don't complain. At least they came.

I'd like to point out that this is at least the second strip submitted by J. Lopez of Seattle (the other one; and one from Toledo). Talk about a loyal reader, oh yeah!