THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: jwhouk on 15 Dec 2012, 19:55

Title: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Dec 2012, 19:55
And we head into another week.

Everyone got their new Mayan Long Count Calendar ready to go?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Kugai on 15 Dec 2012, 20:10
Waiting for it to arrive in the Mail

It should be here by Friday
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: MillionDollar Belt Sander on 15 Dec 2012, 22:25
This doomsday better be REALLY spectacular.  As a Mormon I've been hoarding food and water and supplies for The End.   Which is SILLY because I belong to the Church Of The Chosen.   If we're the Favored Ones why are we stockpiling supplies?   We'll be departing FIRST leaving the rest of you behind...

Hey wait a moment,  this was all a PLOT by the non-believers to get free stuff out of us during the Rapture, WASN'T IT?!    HAH!  I'M ON TO YOU!


(don't take  the above too seriously.  ;) )
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Soulsynger on 16 Dec 2012, 01:19
It's always the end of the world somewhere.

I say: Bring it on! (And a happy new Aeon of Aquarius, everyone!)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: HiFranc on 16 Dec 2012, 01:25
Talking of the end of the world, you may like this (http://www.onthemedia.org/2012/dec/07/assessing-risk-robot-uprising/).
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: techkid on 16 Dec 2012, 01:28
So long as we make the week with our QC fix, I don't care how the world ends.

Like how I posted on my Facebook wall in response to some apocalypse reposting:

Two possible outcomes:

1. The world (which I read as "human civilisation") continues, which is cool, I guess.
2. The world ends, which will be the most interesting thing to happen in my life.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Vurogj on 16 Dec 2012, 03:40
I (more or less) get all the poll references except the third one. Could someone give this confused Brit a reference? Google isn't really something I want to go to to search "three girls and..." anything really.
Title: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2012, 03:43
Two words: "Wapsi Square (http://wapsisquare.com/)".

EDIT: It's a long story. You could do either an archive binge or get the six books, then follow from about mid-March of 2011 onward. The story of the Calendar Machine takes up most of the first four books, though.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: de_la_Nae on 16 Dec 2012, 07:40
*clicks on the Wapsi Square link*

What.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Nevinz on 16 Dec 2012, 11:33
Option One was one of my favorite songs in high school. It ended every dance at my summer camp, sometimes played two or even three times.

Ah, those were the days.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2012, 11:38
Short version: Minneapolis-based woman works as a museum curator, stumbles upon the supernatural and an apparent accident going back tens of thousands of years that caused time to reset and repeat 56 times. Woman, along with three girls who were transformed into golems by the society that caused the time reset issue, fix the machine that caused the reset - permanently.

That doesn't include the demons, monsters, mythological beings and a dog who likes pizza.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 16 Dec 2012, 12:32
Dogs like everything.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2012, 13:11
Dietzel's a bit different.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Pilchard123 on 16 Dec 2012, 13:20
Short version: Minneapolis-based woman works as a museum curator, stumbles upon the supernatural and an apparent accident going back tens of thousands of years that caused time to reset and repeat 56 times. Woman, along with three girls who were transformed into golems by the society that caused the time reset issue, fix the machine that caused the reset - permanently.

That doesn't include the demons, monsters, mythological beings and a dog who likes pizza.

It's better than it sounds. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BetterThanItSounds)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Caspian Sea Monster on 16 Dec 2012, 13:41
Dogs like everything.

(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbr845JeJm1rnhr7qo1_500.gif)
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbr845JeJm1rnhr7qo2_500.gif) (http://skullpanda.com/post/33397287954/special-guest-appearance-by-baker-if-it-was-up)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 16 Dec 2012, 13:44
I'll be pissed if the world ends Friday, I have TSO tickets for Saturday.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Pilchard123 on 16 Dec 2012, 13:44
Would you know if the world ended?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2012, 15:18
It's better than it sounds. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BetterThanItSounds)

Oh, hey, thanks!

Quote
An ordinary big-breasted Latina girl from Minneapolis has regular conversations with gods, monsters and demons but is convinced there's a rational explanation for it all. Oh yeah, and she can teleport.

Though I think that I'd use the term "otherwise ordinary" there.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 16 Dec 2012, 15:21
One of my more delightful former coworkers was a lady who said she looked forward to the Rapture because, hey, free stuff.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: WAYF on 16 Dec 2012, 16:22
Also, you know what the end of the world's a great excuse for? Parties. ;D

EDIT- I wonder if Jeph is going to do an extra silly comic for the 21st? You know, a giant meteor is hurtling towards earth, but it's raining, so everyone puts up their umbrellas, and the meteor bounces off. Something like that. :P
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Mr_Rose on 16 Dec 2012, 16:42
Dogs like everything.
Dietzel's actual reason for buying so much pizza (how he orders it in the first place, much less pays for it, remains a mystery*) appears to mostly be so that he can share it with the cute pizza delivery girl… good job Pintsize hasn't figured that trick out yet or Pizza Girl would never get a moment's rest.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2012, 16:59
It's the end of the world as we know it!

I feel fine.    8 (38.1%) <--- REM song quotes FTW. 
Oh geez, what did Pintsize do NOW?    2 (9.5%)
Wait, I thought those three girls and that big-boobed pixie from Minneapolis fixed that?    2 (9.5%)
Nyahhh! The meteor missed us!    1 (4.8%)
Is Raven doing theoretical temporal physics again?    4 (19%)
Not happening. Cassie showed us Dallas in 2013. It's all good.    3 (14.3%)
But... but I wanted to know where Pintsize sleeps!    0 (0%)
The global AI hasn't turned into SkyNet... YET.    0 (0%)
Personally? I don't really care, as long as there's waffles and space ham.    0 (0%)
Hanners hasn't read all the posts yet.    1 (4.8%)
Other (please specify in space provided; use back of paper if necessary)    0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 21
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: TheCollyWolly on 16 Dec 2012, 17:46
Option one is proof that REM wins everything forever.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: riccostar on 16 Dec 2012, 20:10
"feeling pretty psyched!"

I foresee a lopsided poll
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesariojpn on 16 Dec 2012, 22:58
Dumb query, but is the Livestream crashing for anyone else?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: K1dmor on 16 Dec 2012, 23:15
Dumb query, but is the Livestream crashing for anyone else?

 Yes. The link doesn't work.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 17 Dec 2012, 00:51
Sam just got skyrocketed towards awesome.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Overkillengine on 17 Dec 2012, 00:53
...waffles.

She forgot waffles!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: ysth on 17 Dec 2012, 00:55
http://xkcd.com/1104/

Same girl?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Skewbrow on 17 Dec 2012, 01:04
Possibly. Here is a college age version. (http://www.dumbingofage.com/cast/attachment/castdina/) Willis may have been the first to introduce a female character big into dinos, but I am guessing that XKCD was the first of these three to run a paleontology gag. One word proof: Velociraptor.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Near Lurker on 17 Dec 2012, 01:11
You'd think all these dinos would be reopening old wounds... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: hakko504 on 17 Dec 2012, 01:13
I feel fine.    8 (38.1%) <--- Beatles song quotes FTW. 
Fixed.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Blackjoker on 17 Dec 2012, 01:37
Hmm, well a few other possible idea of to build...

Espressowl?

Some kind of rube golberg rig that not only gives coffee but strongly encourages tipping?

An anthroPC that offers to sell snappy comebacks?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 17 Dec 2012, 01:52
That outfit looks good on Dora.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Akima on 17 Dec 2012, 02:01
(http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/files/2011/12/Anomalocaris_reconstruction.jpg)
Anomalocaris feels pretty. It was up to a metre long apparently. And yes, Dora does look good.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: westrim on 17 Dec 2012, 02:06
She could make figures of modern political figures, like Coffee Annan or Muammar DaCoffee
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Soulsynger on 17 Dec 2012, 02:27
Sam just got skyrocketed towards awesome.
Seconded. That expression on her face is cute to no ends. (I'm gonna call that look the Horrorpedia-look)

@Comic:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Tova on 17 Dec 2012, 02:43
Quote from: Faye
Robot bacon zombie coffee ninja UGH

Thank you, Faye. Thank you.

Oh, and regarding the end of the world. You've probably already seen this, or something like it, but in case you haven't - here is this week's weather forecast.

(http://carmenscafe.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/calendar.jpg) (http://madhatters.me.uk/2012/12/16/next-weeks-weather-forecast/calendar/)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 17 Dec 2012, 02:54
I feel fine.    8 (38.1%) <--- Beatles song quotes FTW. 
Fixed.
"I'm so glad...that she's my little girl/She's so glad...she's ending all the world!"
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: FunkyTuba on 17 Dec 2012, 03:32
Other: ... because I missed the free-shipping-will-make-it-there deadline for xmas.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 17 Dec 2012, 03:34
Possibly. Here is a college age version. (http://www.dumbingofage.com/cast/attachment/castdina/) Willis may have been the first to introduce a female character big into dinos, but I am guessing that XKCD was the first of these three to run a paleontology gag. One word proof: Velociraptor.

Here she is in action.   (http://www.dumbingofage.com/2012/comic/book-2/05-saturdays-all-right-for-slighting/macys/)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Soulsynger on 17 Dec 2012, 04:02
Anomalocaridid : care for anomalies, it did


Oh god, my brain.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: LordVaughn on 17 Dec 2012, 04:04
I always joked that the Mayan Apocalypse was misinterpreted (due to me knowing that they had such great belief that their civilization would survive well into the 4200s): Basically, the Mayans  found a way to transform themselves into glitter to ensure their survival. Unfortunately, on December 21st, that spell would break, and people who either tracked glitter into their homes or had glitter on them suddenly find Mayans in their place. To this, we would probably beat them to death as we suddenly realise that we've had random strangers all over us and in our houses the entire time.

On another note, Faye taught her student well.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 17 Dec 2012, 04:08
Either Sam talks fast or Dora's "startle" reaction is set for "delay." Little Miss Snakecatcher got in quite a few words before Dora jumped. This and Sam's expression make this even funnier.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Soulsynger on 17 Dec 2012, 04:24
Either Sam talks fast or Dora's "startle" reaction is set for "delay." Little Miss Snakecatcher got in quite a few words before Dora jumped. This and Sam's expression make this even funnier.

I read those as simultaneous but your's is funnier indeed. oO
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 17 Dec 2012, 05:35
Followed by:

SAM (to Faye): "What do you know about Pokemon?"

A year or so down the road, strip time (we're all dead, real time): Northampton is the center of a licensing empire based on hundreds of different models of coffeemaker because coffee aficionados realize "you gotta catch 'em all."
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Soulsynger on 17 Dec 2012, 05:55
Aldous Huxley / Satoshi Tajiri crossover... I like it.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesium133 on 17 Dec 2012, 06:19
Quote from: Faye
Robot bacon zombie coffee ninja UGH

Thank you, Faye. Thank you.

Oh, and regarding the end of the world. You've probably already seen this, or something like it, but in case you haven't - here is this week's weather forecast.

(click to show/hide)
That reminds me of this weather forecast for Virginia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVEPvXBEOSE&feature=youtu.be).
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 17 Dec 2012, 06:27
Wonder if maybe we've had a little timejump here. At least, both ladies have had time to go clothes-shopping. Dora, in particular, seems to be going for a mature-but-still-youthful, casual-but-sorta-professional (a button-front shirt will do that for you) look.
And Dora seems to be trying, really trying, to be positive and encouraging and is struggling to remind herself to not get angry at her friend/employee/right-hand-whether-she-wants-to-admit-it-or-not.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Schmorgluck on 17 Dec 2012, 08:47
her friend/employee/right-hand-whether-she-wants-to-admit-it-or-not.
Her Dragon (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheDragon)?  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: TheEvilDog on 17 Dec 2012, 08:54
Anyone notice that the second thing Dora said to Faye was "Why do you hate money?"

If I remember correctly, Faye started they tyrannosaur espresso machine as a way to get back into sculpting. It was Dora who pushed her to do a second piece for that gallery. The thing here though, is that its not "Why do you hate money?" its "I can't get my 10% from you any more". Faye has never seemed to me like one of those artists who would live off their work, the art is what they love to do.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: westrim on 17 Dec 2012, 09:18
Anyone notice that the second thing Dora said to Faye was "Why do you hate money?"

If I remember correctly, Faye started they tyrannosaur espresso machine as a way to get back into sculpting. It was Dora who pushed her to do a second piece for that gallery. The thing here though, is that its not "Why do you hate money?" its "I can't get my 10% from you any more". Faye has never seemed to me like one of those artists who would live off their work, the art is what they love to do.
But it sure is nice if you can both make a living off of it and love it. Dora made very good points in that initial encounter about Faye avoiding things.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Zebediah on 17 Dec 2012, 09:31
I think Dora's point is that if you can find a way to get paid for doing what you love, you have won the game of life. So why stop playing?

Not that Faye is quitting, she's just branching out. She's done dinosaurs, now she wants to try babboons or something.

By the way, did anyone else see Jeph's tweet about "Anomolocarids in popular culture" on Wikipedia? Nobody's actually edited that into the Anomolocaris (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anomolocaris) article yet, but it could happen...  :evil:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 17 Dec 2012, 09:32
To carry the Pokemon reference a little further, Dora has evolved from Friend/Boss to Agent...

It's a very different dynamic. 



And I used to do what Sam just did.  I had a high school teacher that I would regularly startle with a question before/after class.  She nicknamed me "the silent creeper" (before that had other connotations).  My parents got used to my sudden appearances and disappearances.  And though not as large, I also have the Elliot ability to be undetectable in a group, sometimes to the extent that people thought I was at events where I wasn't...   :roll:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Thrudd on 17 Dec 2012, 10:03
[stupid internet ate my post]

Why hasn't anybody mentioned this as yet as a possible model for the next espresso machine?  A Cappuccino Monkey!  :psyduck: [I may have broken something earlier *twitch* ]
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 17 Dec 2012, 10:23
(_)

See that?  It's the pun jar. 


Pay up. 
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Thrudd on 17 Dec 2012, 11:02
What pun?
I meant a machine that made coffee like this
(http://blogof.francescomugnai.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/monkey_cappuccino.jpg)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesariojpn on 17 Dec 2012, 11:24
[stupid internet ate my post]

Why hasn't anybody mentioned this as yet as a possible model for the next espresso machine?  A Cappuccino Monkey!  :psyduck: [I may have broken something earlier *twitch* ]

Or a Suzuki Cappuccino! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Cappuccino)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Toe on 17 Dec 2012, 14:04
Jeph turned Dora's head into a guitar pick! :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: de_la_Nae on 17 Dec 2012, 14:22
(_)

See that?  It's the pun jar. 


Pay up.

You're going to break that out for that, and not Westrim's "Coffee Annan or Muammar DaCoffee "?  :-o
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: PintsizeForPresident on 17 Dec 2012, 14:58
(_)

See that?  It's the pun jar. 


Pay up.

You're going to break that out for that, and not Westrim's "Coffee Annan or Muammar DaCoffee "?  :-o

He is our beloved leader, we call him Kim Jong Pun.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bluesummers on 17 Dec 2012, 15:38
He is our beloved leader, we call him Kim Jong Pun.

(http://s8.postimage.org/wt9nucvut/tumblr_lx7rz3l_Xdh1r3gqwio1_400.jpg)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: riccostar on 17 Dec 2012, 16:27
Jeph turned Dora's head into a guitar pick! :psyduck:

I agree that the Dora art seems a bit different in this strip. I think if her head is a pick then it is a Gibson pick, it is too rounded on top to be a Fender one.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Dec 2012, 17:54
It's the end of the world as we know it!

I feel fine.    23 (45.1%)
Oh geez, what did Pintsize do NOW?    4 (7.8%)
Wait, I thought those three girls and that big-boobed pixie from Minneapolis fixed that?    3 (5.9%)
Nyahhh! The meteor missed us!    1 (2%)
Is Raven doing theoretical temporal physics again?    5 (9.8%)
Not happening. Cassie showed us Dallas in 2013. It's all good.    4 (7.8%)
But... but I wanted to know where Pintsize sleeps!    1 (2%)
The global AI hasn't turned into SkyNet... YET.    1 (2%)
Personally? I don't really care, as long as there's waffles and space ham.    1 (2%)
Hanners hasn't read all the posts yet.    8 (15.7%)
Other (please specify in space provided; use back of paper if necessary)    0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 51
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: TheCollyWolly on 17 Dec 2012, 21:08
I agree that the Dora art seems a bit different in this strip. I think if her head is a pick then it is a Gibson pick, it is too rounded on top to be a Fender one.

Looks like a jazz/mandolin pick to me. Jeph's starting to draw his heads differently these last few comics. Or is that just me?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: westrim on 17 Dec 2012, 21:42
He is our beloved leader, we call him Kim Jong Pun.

(http://s8.postimage.org/wt9nucvut/tumblr_lx7rz3l_Xdh1r3gqwio1_400.jpg)
Indeed. Like my father before me I shall lead the Great QCNation and swear to forever fight the Evil Procrasti Nation.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Kugai on 17 Dec 2012, 21:51
Maybe she should do an EspressoWhale
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Soulsynger on 17 Dec 2012, 23:19
I'm having too much pun in this thread. Please continue  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: pwhodges on 18 Dec 2012, 00:51
Perfect parenting (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2344) from Faye!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesariojpn on 18 Dec 2012, 00:55
Wait, it's winter, and it's summer in the strip......
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: idontunderstand on 18 Dec 2012, 01:03
Jeph is sure taking a "light" period! I don't mind at all though.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Doc on 18 Dec 2012, 01:08
Wait, it's winter, and it's summer in the strip......

So there's a two seasons time lag.
But is the comic still in the summer of 2012 or already in 2013?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: pwhodges on 18 Dec 2012, 01:15
We know well that time flows differently in the strip, while still remaining basically in step with the present; beyond that it's not worth thinking about, really.  Having a different season in the strip provides a little escapism in the depths of winter, I suppose.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: westrim on 18 Dec 2012, 01:15
Wait, it's winter, and it's summer in the strip......

So there's a two seasons time lag.
But is the comic still in the summer of 2012 or already in 2013?
For all we know, it could be the summer of '69.

Or it could be 1942, the  year of the birth of my father, the Eternal General Secretary. After all, the comic is intentionally vague on dates and though it has explicitly mentioned years before, they could easily be under a less enlightened calendar. All we really know is that it basically looks and acts just like now ('now' being whenever a comic is written) but with some advanced tech literally walking around courtesy of the Workers Party.

Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Akima on 18 Dec 2012, 01:20
Faye has the all-seeing eye. Her hypothetical kids are doomed.

And it *is* summer right now, what is everyone talking about?  :wink:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Jepser on 18 Dec 2012, 01:22
For all we know, it could be the summer of '69.

Or it could be 1942, the  year of the birth of my father, the Eternal General Secretary. After all, the comic is intentionally vague on dates and though it has explicitly mentioned years before, they could easily be under a less enlightened calendar. All we really know is that it basically looks and acts just like now ('now' being whenever a comic is written) but with some advanced tech literally walking around courtesy of the Workers Party.
It couldn't, though, because of music references.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: westrim on 18 Dec 2012, 01:23
It couldn't, though, because of music references.

Different calendars, comrade.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Jepser on 18 Dec 2012, 01:27
It couldn't, though, because of music references.

Different calendars, comrade.
Let me put it differently, then: QC is definitely taking place in the equivalent of the early 21st century, whatever calendar they adhere to.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: dreed on 18 Dec 2012, 01:29
First: Comic Book Time (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ComicBookTime)
Second:  What kind of cellphone is she using?  How cheap is her dad? 
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Tova on 18 Dec 2012, 01:35
... it's not worth thinking about, really.

*blink*
I had to check that I was at the right forum there for a moment.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 18 Dec 2012, 01:37
Faye has the all-seeing eye. Her hypothetical kids are doomed.

Indeed. I think it's been established canonically that she would eat her young.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Schmorgluck on 18 Dec 2012, 01:56
Kudos to Faye for serving a perfect "no bullshit" look at Samantha.

Kudos to Jeph for drawing it perfectly, too. I mean, come on, it's exactly that.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Vurogj on 18 Dec 2012, 02:11
What kind of cellphone is she using?  How cheap is her dad?
It looks very similar to a clamshell Motorola my stepdad uses because "it's robust and simple, it does what I need it to do". I like it for the whizzy noise it makes when it's opened and closed. Googling for it makes me think it's at least 10 years old. the V66 maybe?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: K1dmor on 18 Dec 2012, 02:21
Faye has the all-seeing eye. Her hypothetical kids are doomed.

 Faye discover she likes kid --> Start thinking babies are cute --> Angus has a heart attack after she told him that she wanna have one.

And it *is* summer right now, what is everyone talking about?  :wink:
Well, it's is here in the south of the planet at least  :-)


Second:  What kind of cellphone is she using?  How cheap is her dad?

 Maybe he just doesn't have much money...
 
 (http://i.imgur.com/7o9vt.jpg)

 Seeya.-
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 18 Dec 2012, 02:51
Dang, Dora, how horrible that a 12-year-old wanders down to the coffee shop without express written permission from her father  ::)

Also maybe in the QC world the poles are flipped seasonwise, meaning the Northern hemisphere has summer and Australia is cold right now. And Akima, I'm curious, growing up, did you not have a winter break? Because our winter break in the States is centered around Christmas and New Year's, but those are already part of your summer break.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bev on 18 Dec 2012, 03:05
Dang, Dora, how horrible that a 12-year-old wanders down to the coffee shop without express written permission from her father  ::)

Also maybe in the QC world the poles are flipped seasonwise, meaning the Northern hemisphere has summer and Australia is cold right now. And Akima, I'm curious, growing up, did you not have a winter break? Because our winter break in the States is centered around Christmas and New Year's, but those are already part of your summer break.

Nope, it's hot as fuck here right now, I can tell you that.

Maybe it's because the comic updates so much but I can never tell when a character is going to return from a seemingly long absense or be dropped for good, Sam being one of those characters. I guess since a whole week of comics usually only equals a day in the QC universe, it hasn't really been that long since Sam was last in it. (I miss some people like Raven...)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 18 Dec 2012, 03:10
There's no set x strips = y days, the space arc took about 60 strips to do at most 2-3 days, I think, but occasionally they'll jump a few days or even a few months because why not.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: techkid on 18 Dec 2012, 03:19
Students here get like 6 to 7 weeks off during the Christmas period (usually starts within a week before). So sort of like a summer break, but nothing like what you guys in the States get...

And Bev, I don't know which part of the country (or which country, but anyway) you're in, but these past couple of weeks, it's been fuckin' Melbourne weather here!

Please note (for our non-Aussie fellow Questionables): in Australia, "Melbourne weather" is a somewhat derogatory term meaning that you're basically seeing seasonal variations in temperature and conditions in the space of only a few days. Every few days.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Schmorgluck on 18 Dec 2012, 03:27
What kind of cellphone is she using?  How cheap is her dad?
Given that this is Samantha we're speaking about (http://questionablecontent.net./view.php?comic=2018), I suppose he went for something robust rather than fancy.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Schmorgluck on 18 Dec 2012, 03:36
Faye has the all-seeing eye. Her hypothetical kids are doomed.

Indeed. I think it's been established canonically that she would eat her young.
Actually, it was Dora (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1317)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesariojpn on 18 Dec 2012, 04:05
Second:  What kind of cellphone is she using?  How cheap is her dad?

A flip open "dumbphone." Some of the bargain carriers/plans still use them to keep costs low, plus it's a good alternative to giving kids a smartphone while still having them connected.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: FunkyTuba on 18 Dec 2012, 04:13
I'm aligned with the escapism theory... It's summer in the comic when Jeph wants to draw summer. I could use a little summer right now.

Also, given Sam's history, I think that Dora's right to make sure Sam's at least given her dad a heads-up... besides, she's about to lose whatever amount of help Faye would otherwise have been as an employee though because it's summer she might be able to afford it if SMIF's out of session too.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Throg on 18 Dec 2012, 05:06
Faye has the all-seeing eye. Her hypothetical kids are doomed.

And it *is* summer right now, what is everyone talking about?  :wink:

Sure.

In the QCVerse, Northampton is in Australia. The United States are in the Southern Hemisphere. Pie floaters are a New York thing. 
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Black Sword on 18 Dec 2012, 06:18
I could use a real winter. There's been no snow in the area for years now and that's depressing me.

Anyway, flip phone for younger kids.... I approve of this parenting. I think I'll keep that in mind for myself in the future, in case of reproduction. Also, good job, Faye, on the all-seeing parental eye! Some are born with it while others learn it. It seems Faye's in the former group.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: SomeCanadianWeirdo on 18 Dec 2012, 06:41
Definitely love Faye in the last two panels, and Dora's shock that Sam takes Faye more seriously than her is amusing.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 18 Dec 2012, 06:52
The "all seeing eye" is more in the mind of the beholder than it is in the ... purveyor. 


Then again, there are some people who, out of respect, you just can't lie to.  I like to think Faye is one of those for Sam. 
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 18 Dec 2012, 06:57
I know I'm late to the party on a lot of things, but ... are flip phones already part of technological prehistory? I had one as recently as four years ago. I have a Droid smart-ass phone now and I even use it for phone calls.

And, yeah, Sam could show Dora a little more respect, though I think it's just a tween's way of calling her out on her need to control. "You're not my mom," and all that. I wonder if this is meant to reveal a *deeper meaning* in that Dora feels proprietary and protective and Sam, perhaps picking up on cues from Dad, sees her as just some girl Dad dated once, coupled with "Not My Mom."
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Mr_Rose on 18 Dec 2012, 07:21
Flip phones still exist though they are exclusively "dumb" as the form factor is not conducive to at-a-glance notification—Motorola tred to fix tat by adding a second, mono screen on the outside of the clamshell, which went about as well as could be expected—but they don't have to be calls-only; most of them have cameras and music players all the usual bells and whistles too, just no ability to add software features on a whim.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Zebediah on 18 Dec 2012, 08:11
I was using an old dumb flip-phone until a couple of months ago, so yes, people still use them. And Sam's dad may have given her his old phone when he upgraded. If it still works, why not use it?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: celticgeek on 18 Dec 2012, 08:17
I am still using a "dumb" flip phone.  At my age I don't want a phone that is smarter than I am. 

I still can't use most of the features on my "dumb" phone, even though I have been through the instructions for all of those features.

One of my objectives when I retired (nine years ago) was to learn how to use those features - massive fail.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 18 Dec 2012, 08:58
The "all seeing eye" is more in the mind of the beholder than it is in the ... purveyor. 


Then again, there are some people who, out of respect, you just can't lie to.  I like to think Faye is one of those for Sam.

Agreed. It's more a function of respect for the person who is being not-lied to.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: TinPenguin on 18 Dec 2012, 09:04
What kind of cellphone is she using?  How cheap is her dad?

The kind that makes calls, and sends messages, and tells the time, which is all a 13-year-old needs.

...or anyone, really.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: pwhodges on 18 Dec 2012, 09:59
That's what I used to think.  But then I got an iPhone.

Mine has also guided me through fog on Dartmoor, checked my speed when exercising, given me access to my servers to fix my boss's email while I was at Heathrow airport, told me the tides when planning a beach walk with the dogs, shown me the weather radar (updated within 15 minutes), done currency conversion when shopping, kept me amused waiting for a train (Angry Birds!), enabled me to check the forum while on the move, provided a choice of dictionaries, oh, and also makes calls and does text much more easily than my earlier phones.  All in the one slim package that fits in my pocket.

Not to mention the sound level meter, the guitar tuner, the anime and manga stored on there for me to watch or read any time I have a moment, the camera when I'm not carrying my real one, Skype to bypass the carriers charges speaking to my son in Germany, a star map, an anniversary reminder,...
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: FunkyTuba on 18 Dec 2012, 10:06
Dora = Potential mom substitute
Faye = Surrogate sister
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Thrudd on 18 Dec 2012, 10:51
Then again, there are some people who, out of respect, you just can't lie to.  I like to think Faye is one of those for Sam.

I think it is more of a skill that some people come to naturally and some have to learn and others have no chance at all at acquiring.
I used to be a Scout and eventually ended up as a Group Scouter  :psyduck:
One thing I have learned is that all kids will fib at some point to some degree without a twitch or stammer.
The art is not to call them out but just give them "the look" and 19/20 they will crack due to internal hormone driven drama and angst plus that remaining bit of fear of parental displeasure.

I believe Fay has been around enough BS to sense when it is being served.

Now, as for Dora ..... well, a tween showing up during school hours would set off the hooky alarm, especially in someone who may have done the same but can't keep track of calenders.  :wink:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: TinPenguin on 18 Dec 2012, 11:38
@pwhodges: What you say is true, but although I won't deny those are useful capacities, they still do not come into "need" as I see it. And to reiterate the key point, certainly not for a child.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 18 Dec 2012, 11:40
Faye has the all-seeing eye. Her hypothetical kids are doomed.

Indeed. I think it's been established canonically that she would eat her young.
Actually, it was Dora (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1317)

I remembered that one, but thought it was both.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Akima on 18 Dec 2012, 13:53
And Akima, I'm curious, growing up, did you not have a winter break? Because our winter break in the States is centered around Christmas and New Year's, but those are already part of your summer break.
We have a school year made up of four, about ten-week, terms (http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/calendar/?do=setViewperiod&categoryid=21&viewType=yearView). We have one big, roughly five-week, summer holiday, starting about a week before Christmas (21st December was last day of term this year), and ending around Australia Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Day) (26th January). The other three holidays are roughly two weeks each, though the one associated with Easter is often "stretched" by the holidays associated with that festival. Our "winter break" is usually the first couple of weeks in July. My main complaint was that I was usually back at school by the time Chinese New Year came around...

In Australia, the summer holiday season merges Christmas with the annual summer vacation. Traditionally, families celebrate Christmas at home, and set off for their summer vacation on Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a good day to stay off the roads.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 18 Dec 2012, 13:56
I have a flip phone and it's perfectly adequate - more than adequate in fact. I have never needed the games and the camera is totally useless. I am also quite in accord with those who point out that Sam is 12 years old (or 13? Either way she is a child) and does not need a smartphone. I did have a phone at that age - in fact from when I was seven - because I used to go places alone, but all I needed was call functionality.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: riccostar on 18 Dec 2012, 14:26
I honestly don't think giving Sam anything worth more than fifty dollars would be a good idea.

Also, seeing as he owns an apparently successful coffee shop he may have learned to go as inexpensive as possible without giving up functionality.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bev on 18 Dec 2012, 14:30
And Bev, I don't know which part of the country (or which country, but anyway) you're in, but these past couple of weeks, it's been fuckin' Melbourne weather here!

Funnily enough, I'm in Melbourne, but you're right it has taken a turn here, it's windy as fuck now. We've had some stinkers though, around the 38 degree mark, which is hot for me being from Tassie.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Tova on 18 Dec 2012, 14:33
@pwhodges: What you say is true, but although I won't deny those are useful capacities, they still do not come into "need" as I see it. And to reiterate the key point, certainly not for a child.

If you're going to go into "need", do remember that lots of us grew up without a phone at all.

But I don't see how that's relevant.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Redball on 18 Dec 2012, 14:40
Well (he said, his tenorish voice dropping an octave), if you're talking about deprivation, I didn't live in a house with a TV until I was 15! So there!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Sidhekin on 18 Dec 2012, 14:59
Well (he wrote), if you're talking about need, I knew I didn't need the TV long before I got rid of it!  Just so!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 18 Dec 2012, 15:03
I didn't have a TV util I was 16 and then only for two years!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 18 Dec 2012, 15:04
It is amazing how much Disney Channel one can watch in two years.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 18 Dec 2012, 15:41
Saying nobody needs a smartphone is like saying nobody needs a computer. Sure, it's true, but phones these days are basically computers you bring with you.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 18 Dec 2012, 15:50
Don't the stages of technology go something like:
1) Wouldn't it be neat someday if ...
2) We're never gonna need anything like ...
3) Well, yeah, you can have one if you're rich.
4) I gotta get me one of these ...
5) How'd we ever get along without ...
6) (sometimes simultaneous to 5) this $%*%&$ thing ...
7) You have one of those? Get with the times, grampa!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: MillionDollar Belt Sander on 18 Dec 2012, 15:53
Saying nobody needs a smartphone is like saying nobody needs a computer. Sure, it's true, but phones these days are basically computers you bring with you.

So are laptops.

When I can do complex 3D modeling and post-processing for extrusion-printing on a smart phone I will buy one.

Until then TracFone all the way.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: henri bemis on 18 Dec 2012, 18:10
Dang, Dora, how horrible that a 12-year-old wanders down to the coffee shop without express written permission from her father  ::)

I think I understand where Dora is coming from.  I was around Sam's age when my dad introduced me to his new girlfriend (now my stepmom).  I thought she was pretty cool and would ask her to do things that, for a kid who wasn't her boyfriend's daughter, would have been totally fine with her.  But she also didn't want to step on my dad's parenting-toes until she knew me and my dad better.  That's how I interpreted her reaction, at least. 

If Sam's dad was somehow really pissed off about it, I wouldn't see their relationship lasting.  But I understand the desire to err on the side of caution with a new partner's kids.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bluesummers on 18 Dec 2012, 18:29
If Sam's dad was somehow really pissed off about it, I wouldn't see their relationship lasting.  But I understand the desire to err on the side of caution with a new partner's kids.

Wait...I thought Tai and Dora were together...or is that just casual for now? I'm a little confused...
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 18 Dec 2012, 18:30
What relationship? They went on one date and decided to be friends. And yeah, Dora's dating Tai.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: henri bemis on 18 Dec 2012, 18:33
Oh god, you're right!  Scratch that, then.  I was getting my timelines all mixed up.  I sped through the whole comic up until the lake party, so some earlier stuff is kind of a jumble now, and that was just my first reaction to it.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 18 Dec 2012, 19:09
Saying nobody needs a smartphone is like saying nobody needs a computer. Sure, it's true, but phones these days are basically computers you bring with you.

So are laptops.

When I can do complex 3D modeling and post-processing for extrusion-printing on a smart phone I will buy one.

Until then TracFone all the way.

I do find my smart-ass phone useful for e-mail and quick googling (or bing-ing if you prefer). I store e-books on it which is handy for killing time when I don't want to bring my bookshelves with me, and I even have a sketching app on it, which is more fun than it is anything else. But it's a little flaky and the trick it has of freezing up until I remove and reinsert the battery can be a source of ... I dunno, amusement?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: mustang6172 on 18 Dec 2012, 19:10
Faye has the all-seeing eye. Her hypothetical kids are doomed.

And it *is* summer right now, what is everyone talking about?  :wink:

Sure.

In the QCVerse, Northampton is in Australia. The United States are in the Southern Hemisphere. Pie floaters are a New York thing.

I thought it was August in the QCVerse.  I was excited for 18 months from now when Jeph finally gets to the next fall comics.  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 18 Dec 2012, 19:18
Why give a kid more phone than they want? We don't know what Sam wants but her priorities seem to lie elsewhere than gadgets.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bluesummers on 18 Dec 2012, 19:24
Oh god, you're right!  Scratch that, then.  I was getting my timelines all mixed up.  I sped through the whole comic up until the lake party, so some earlier stuff is kind of a jumble now, and that was just my first reaction to it.



(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9dsrimDPP1qij8k6.jpg)

READ IT AGAIN!!!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: henri bemis on 18 Dec 2012, 19:44
I will!  :laugh:

I just had a sort of automatic "aww, Sam, I been there.  You should get better at lying, girl!" moment.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Kugai on 18 Dec 2012, 20:53
The "all seeing eye" is more in the mind of the beholder than it is in the ... purveyor. 

That depends on The Eye (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Eye_of_Sauron?file=Eye.jpg)


Faye - the Mom to fear.    :-D
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: musicalsoul on 18 Dec 2012, 21:37
Don't the stages of technology go something like:
1) Wouldn't it be neat someday if ...
2) We're never gonna need anything like ...
3) Well, yeah, you can have one if you're rich.
4) I gotta get me one of these ...
5) How'd we ever get along without ...
6) (sometimes simultaneous to 5) this $%*%&$ thing ...
7) You have one of those? Get with the times, grampa!

I'm not sure I've ever read anything more accurate. I got my first cell phone when I was sixteen and the only reason I got it then was because payphones had begun disappearing and I needed a way to call my parents when I needed a ride. Now, at 25 I can't help but wonder how people ever got along without them. I mean, there's been so many times I've used mine because my car broke down, or I had an accident, or got stuck in a ditch (I have really bad luck with cars), and having a cell phone made things just, well not quite as terrible. I didn't hop on the smart phone band wagon until about two years ago when my flip-phone of over six years broke in half. And I could live without my droid, but it's so convenient.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 18 Dec 2012, 22:24
I'm using a severely out-of-date Palm Treo.  Got it used about 7 years ago.  I love it, but it's no longer a smart-enough phone - the web browser (Blazer?) is so out of date it can't display most pages, so I wound up cancelling my data plan.  So it' really just for phone, text and low-res pics. 

I think I need a new phone, but part of me says I shouldn't ditch this one until it dies.  Which should be any day now.  At least, that's what I've been saying for the last three years or so...
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 19 Dec 2012, 01:15
Coomic's UUUUUUP! 

So's the sword....

But did she hit the orange?  Is it neatly sliced in two halves on the floor? 
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Skewbrow on 19 Dec 2012, 01:22
My phone is a Nokia N96 from 2008. It has GPS and Navteq map/streetfinder software, which has helped when my work has taken me to cities I'm not familiar with (Dublin, Ireland and Bergen, Norway quickly come to mind). Even when I was drunk I was able to get back to the hotel/B&B in Dublin. I have read QC (even the forum) with its browser, but would not consider using it for reading e-mail or heavy duty browsing (Symbian is not a nice OS for some things). 99% of my use is texting, calling and GPS-tracking or taking pics (the camera is ok and easy to use). It has DVB-H capability so I checked out the available TV-broadcasts. Can't say that I enjoyed watching TV on a 3½ inch screen (or thereabouts). Many others must have felt the same way as the operator has discontinued that service.

In these parts we had a saying (at least before Nokia started downsizing) that if you drop an iPhone on the floor, the iPhone is broken, but if you drop a Nokia phone on the floor, the floor is broken. Scratch that. Three months ago I rode my bike from work and it started pouring just before I made it home. I asked my kid where Mom is, he replied that she's gone to a nearby farm to pick some rasberries. I realized that it is my conjugal duty to save the little woman from the rain, so I quickly dumped my backpack, reached for the car keys, and decided to take a leak before I go. In the bathroom I heard a splash. Drat. My belt pouch was open, and the phone had dropped into the toilet bowl. Thankfully I realized what had happened before I started ... streaming.  I let out a few words unsuitable for polite company, picked up the phone, took out the battery, rinsed the leather case & dried it the best I could. At that time the phone had been acting up and draining its battery at a disturbing rate. But after drying out overnight it worked fine, and the battery problem disappered! Why did I tell you to "scratch that"? The toilet bowl was not broken!

---

Looks like the force is not with Sam. At least not yet.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: St.Clair on 19 Dec 2012, 02:01
Very, very poor technique.  Not only does she not keep her eyes on the target, she doesn't even keep her grip on the handle.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Somebody on 19 Dec 2012, 03:08
Faye's very, very lucky.

Also, with that swing arc from that position, how'd the sword end up at THAT angle?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Vurogj on 19 Dec 2012, 03:13
It's all a plot. Panel 4 Sam and Faye have hatched a cunning plan (TM Baldrick) to jimmy the panel 3 till and make off with the takings!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Asterus on 19 Dec 2012, 03:27
... How? She was swinging down! The sword appears to have lodged into the ceiling from Faye's position! Also: Sam must have super strength to actually get something of that mass stuck in the ceiling. Or maybe we finally know where Raven's Parallel entanglement processing core (http://questionablecontent.net./view.php?comic=1979) went. (On a side not, I hate archive diving for little one-shots)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 19 Dec 2012, 03:46
Could've been a second swing where she let go. As for phones, my phone's SIM port decided to go caput the other day. It's still under warranty, but AT&T's draconian policy to treat all rooted phones the same as phones that have been dropped in water or slammed into the ground means it was effectively dead. (I can still use it on wi-fi but I needed to order a new phone).  So now I'm going from a rooted Galaxy Note to a non-rooted Galaxy S III (that I managed to convince them to sell me at contract renewal price, even though I'm not due for an upgrade for nearly a year, so that was nice, I guess).  I ordered it yesterday, I should get it tomorrow and holy shit, I'm without a phone for two days. It's not THAT bad but it's weird, and since I rely on it to get jobs (I'm a substitute teacher), I may not be able to work tomorrow, but...meh, worse things have happened.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: percivaltercy on 19 Dec 2012, 03:49
... How? She was swinging down!

I beg to differ...
The curved "wind" lines are behind the sword, it's going up, Sam is just a tenth of a second before losing the grip, the weight of the blade is balanced enough so that the sword will fly upwards and get stuck in the seemingly soft ceiling.
Improbable, but possible.
Faye doesn't show any indication that she has seen her life pass in front of her eyes...
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: LordVaughn on 19 Dec 2012, 04:08
... How? She was swinging down!

I beg to differ...
The curved "wind" lines are behind the sword, it's going up, Sam is just a tenth of a second before losing the grip, the weight of the blade is balanced enough so that the sword will fly upwards and get stuck in the seemingly soft ceiling.
Improbable, but possible.
Faye doesn't show any indication that she has seen her life pass in front of her eyes...

But for it to end up at an angle like depicted, she would have not only had to have deliberately thrown the sword, but actually thrown it in a similar fashion to a throwing knife from her position. Either that or it had flipped at least once in a counter-clockwise direction, and actually cut a slash into the ceiling rather than a stabbed hole, possibly getting stuck in an air vent.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Redball on 19 Dec 2012, 04:14
In an extraordinarily rapid movement, she brought the sword down, then up, leaving the orange in three pieces, the sword in the ceiling and Faye unscathed. Remarkable!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Mr_Rose on 19 Dec 2012, 04:31
Sam must have super strength to actually get something of that mass stuck in the ceiling.

Why? 3-5lbs is not a lot and its designed to be pointy…
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Border Reiver on 19 Dec 2012, 04:50
It's the "Sword in the Ceiling"

She who draws the Sword from the ceiling shall be Queen of CoD!

Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Akima on 19 Dec 2012, 05:22
Also: Sam must have super strength to actually get something of that mass stuck in the ceiling.
The sword was propelled by the power of funny! Presumably she let go of the grip at the top of her swing? That's what you get when you start doing silly cutting stunts without working on your technique first first...
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 19 Dec 2012, 06:17
... so what happened to Sam's "I'm calling him right now" in the previous comic? Dora's making another call to Jim? Was Jim  not picking up? Was Sam actually calling Oranges R Us for a delivery?

Dora's taking this remarkably well, considering.

ALSO: Sam loses grip just before the top of her swing, sword doesn't have enough vertical distance to travel to complete a tumble, point gets stuck in ceiling tile (or bottom of cash register in previous panel), mass of hilt carries it forward, resulting in angle depicted in 3 and 4. I've seen it happen with pencils (seventh-grade study hall was boring as hell).
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Binary on 19 Dec 2012, 06:26
On the topic of whether anyone really needs a mobile phone - apparently Dora decided to do without hers in panel 2.    :-D

I caught the end of the livestream, and I think Jeph had gone back to panel 1 and was re-drawing the phone and Dora's arm. I guess he forgot to fix panel 2 to suit.

I've given him a heads-up via e-mail and Twitter but if the message gets lost in the noise perhaps one of the mods could mention it to him if it isn't fixed in a day or two.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bluesummers on 19 Dec 2012, 06:36
Or, she actually holds it closer to her ear in the second panel intentionally...I dunno, I tend to take anything the artist does as canon, even if it might not be intended.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: pwhodges on 19 Dec 2012, 06:59
perhaps one of the mods could mention it to him if it isn't fixed in a day or two.

We have no special access to Jeph; I just email him like you do (never had an answer).  A year ago he once replied to me in the hidden moderators' forum, on a rare visit.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: sitnspin on 19 Dec 2012, 07:20
Don't the stages of technology go something like:
1) Wouldn't it be neat someday if ...
2) We're never gonna need anything like ...
3) Well, yeah, you can have one if you're rich.
4) I gotta get me one of these ...
5) How'd we ever get along without ...
6) (sometimes simultaneous to 5) this $%*%&$ thing ...
7) You have one of those? Get with the times, grampa!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpUNA2nutbk

Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: FunkyTuba on 19 Dec 2012, 07:50
I love that they've agreed to a playdate and now they're just negotiating venue.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Sidhekin on 19 Dec 2012, 08:52
So, what I'm left wondering ... how'd the raccoon (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1155) fare?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: percivaltercy on 19 Dec 2012, 10:17
ALSO: Sam loses grip just before the top of her swing, sword doesn't have enough vertical distance to travel to complete a tumble, point gets stuck in ceiling tile (or bottom of cash register in previous panel), mass of hilt carries it forward, resulting in angle depicted in 3 and 4. I've seen it happen with pencils (seventh-grade study hall was boring as hell).

That's exactly what I meant. Properly worded.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 19 Dec 2012, 10:19
perhaps one of the mods could mention it to him if it isn't fixed in a day or two.

We have no special access to Jeph; I just email him like you do (never had an answer).  A year ago he once replied to me in the hidden moderators' forum, on a rare visit.
Ha, yeah, I saw this and went "wait, we can do that?" That would be pretty cool, but nope, we don't. We just run the place for him so he doesn't have to look at it.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 19 Dec 2012, 10:22
"in loco parentis"


As opposed to "comletely loco parentis"
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesariojpn on 19 Dec 2012, 10:47
... so what happened to Sam's "I'm calling him right now" in the previous comic? Dora's making another call to Jim? Was Jim  not picking up? Was Sam actually calling Oranges R Us for a delivery?

Maybe Sam couldn't get her dad the first time, so Dora is doing a follow up?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Lazurii on 19 Dec 2012, 11:01

I'm not sure I've ever read anything more accurate. I got my first cell phone when I was sixteen and the only reason I got it then was because payphones had begun disappearing and I needed a way to call my parents when I needed a ride. Now, at 25 I can't help but wonder how people ever got along without them. I mean, there's been so many times I've used mine because my car broke down, or I had an accident, or got stuck in a ditch (I have really bad luck with cars), and having a cell phone made things just, well not quite as terrible. I didn't hop on the smart phone band wagon until about two years ago when my flip-phone of over six years broke in half. And I could live without my droid, but it's so convenient.

The Hubby and I don't own cell phones.  We get along just fine.  We've had car troubles and such, just like everyone, but the universe seems to like us.  It's always been something we could fix on our own (we always kept tools in the trunk) or someone would stop and help us out. 

We used to have cell phones, but it was too expensive for the use we got out of them.  Since getting rid of them we've had the pleasure of noticing that the world is a much friendlier place than we originally thought.  It's been nice.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Dec 2012, 13:22
It's the end of the world as we know it!

I feel fine.    31 (44.3%) <== Michael Stipe may want residuals...
Oh geez, what did Pintsize do NOW?    7 (10%)
Wait, I thought those three girls and that big-boobed pixie from Minneapolis fixed that?    3 (4.3%)
Nyahhh! The meteor missed us!    2 (2.9%)
Is Raven doing theoretical temporal physics again?    7 (10%)
Not happening. Cassie showed us Dallas in 2013. It's all good.    4 (5.7%)
But... but I wanted to know where Pintsize sleeps!    2 (2.9%)
The global AI hasn't turned into SkyNet... YET.    1 (1.4%)
Personally? I don't really care, as long as there's waffles and space ham.    3 (4.3%)
Hanners hasn't read all the posts yet.    9 (12.9%)
Other (please specify in space provided; use back of paper if necessary)    1 (1.4%)

Total Members Voted: 70
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 19 Dec 2012, 14:09
I can see the phone in Dora's hand in panel two, you can see the shape of her palm obscuring the majority of it.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Dec 2012, 14:48
Holding it that way, though, would mean Jim wouldn't be hearing her very well.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bluesummers on 19 Dec 2012, 15:34
So, what I'm left wondering ... how'd the raccoon (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1155) fare?

He ran out the door faster than Faye could catch him, went on his merry way, and eventually started up his own coffee shop. Unfortunately, the health inspector had a slight mishap during a routine inspection, saw an employee rat that was helping to grind beans, mistook it for an infestation, and shut the place down. The raccoon (we'll call him Barry) decided that perhaps the barista business wasn't his niche, so he went on to work as a bus driver for the MTBA. He earned acclaim for his excellent driving record, and went on to become a CDL instructor for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Along the way, he fell in love with a tanuki named Francine, and before long they were engaged. Not long after the honeymoon they tried to start a family, but doctors informed them that Francine was infertile, which broke their little hearts. They persevered, though, and with the help of artificial insemination and a surrogate badger named Susan, they will be expecting their first little bundle of joy within the next few weeks.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: riccostar on 19 Dec 2012, 15:42
Daw  :-D

Imagine the "mummy, why am I a badger?" talk though...
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Midwesterner on 19 Dec 2012, 17:41
I love the way Dora phrased that first line, and I should have expected Faye to get the sword stuck somewhere semi-half panel.

Also, in the poll, on the "Cassie showed us Dallas in 2013" link, that's New York in the comic. Is that the joke I'm just missing?

Edit: Dang, Sam, that was you that got the sword up there?

(http://i50.tinypic.com/30t1ch5.png)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Dec 2012, 18:36
Ah, yes, you're correct on that. Obviously she was visiting the Empire State Building at the time.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Y on 19 Dec 2012, 19:05
I wonder if she got the sword stuck into the vent instead of the ceiling, and if that's Dora's phone how she decided to call him instead of letting Sam do it.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bluesummers on 19 Dec 2012, 19:12
I wonder if she got the sword stuck into the vent instead of the ceiling, and if that's Dora's phone how she decided to call him instead of letting Sam do it.

I wonder if Raven is/was hiding in the vent.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Kugai on 19 Dec 2012, 21:10
That would explain where she's been all this time.


Nice work though. 
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesariojpn on 19 Dec 2012, 23:22
I wonder if she got the sword stuck into the vent instead of the ceiling, and if that's Dora's phone how she decided to call him instead of letting Sam do it.

I wonder if Raven is/was hiding in the vent.

Wouldn't there be blood dripping down?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesariojpn on 20 Dec 2012, 00:03
Livestream link doesn't work again.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: CrowFairy on 20 Dec 2012, 00:34
I've been really lucky and catching the comic just minutes after it updates (Today was within a minute--completely by accident; yesterday was within 7 minutes). :-D That said,

I AM SKULLMASTER,

and I love Sam. <3
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 20 Dec 2012, 00:47
I have two grown daughters. 

Been there, done that. 



Have the emotional scars.  Wear 'em with pride. 
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: ysth on 20 Dec 2012, 01:01
It doesn't seem like Faye to be helping Sam defy her father.

Could she be drunk?  We haven't seen her show up to work snookered, have we?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 20 Dec 2012, 01:03
I thought Faye seemed uncharacteristically silent...

Maybe it's because of the mask?  Now that she's a skull, and Sam's the skullmaster, she doesn't have a choice? 
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: WAYF on 20 Dec 2012, 01:05
I wonder if she got the sword stuck into the vent instead of the ceiling, and if that's Dora's phone how she decided to call him instead of letting Sam do it.

I wonder if Raven is/was hiding in the vent.

I'm predicting that Sam's grounding is lifted a little in tomorrow's strip because Faye finds that Sam accidentally impaled a raccoon with the sword. Faye has a certain dislike towards raccoons hiding in air vents.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Moanerette on 20 Dec 2012, 01:12
Faye doesn't have a relationship as such with Jim, does she? Whereas she likes Sam, and I don't think she'd want to let her down by saying "Fun's over" at an unimportant moment. Plus she is doubtless anticipating a rant from Dora once they are alone.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: steveh11 on 20 Dec 2012, 01:13
OK, it's official:  Sam is my favourite character.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Soulsynger on 20 Dec 2012, 01:25
"Skullmaster, master of skulls" seems a bit tautologic, doesn't it? °O

Regardless, I still don't get what the big deal is with Sam visiting Faye in the shop. ...
Was she supposed to be somewhere else?
Did she neglect her chores to go there?
Did she not tell Jim that she went?
...
On second thought those are all very plausible and possible reasons. I enlightened myself just now.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: westrim on 20 Dec 2012, 01:53
"Skullmaster, master of skulls" seems a bit tautologic, doesn't it? °O
Skullmaster is one of the employees of our Department of Redundancy Department (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment), part of our effort to make sure that we have a backup of everything necessary for the happiness of our citizens.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Skewbrow on 20 Dec 2012, 02:14
Any (other) votes for Skull Druj?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Yarin on 20 Dec 2012, 02:27
sam is my new hero
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 20 Dec 2012, 02:50
We probably don't see Jim enough for me to say this, but it doesn't seem like him to be so harsh. Come on, dude, she walked down to the coffee shop.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: LordVaughn on 20 Dec 2012, 03:27
I think it's more that she got a sword stuck in the ceiling rather than the fact that she made it to CoD unattended.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: percivaltercy on 20 Dec 2012, 03:27
I don't see why Sam is grounded.
It's not like she took a sword by herself and caused mayhem.
She's been supervised by "an adult". Whether the adult will get written off by her boss or not, that's another issue...
Also, I don't think that Sam challenges her father like this usually. It's probably one of the side effects of being behind a mask, the anonymity and impunity...
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Near Lurker on 20 Dec 2012, 03:30
Could she be drunk?  We haven't seen her show up to work snookered, have we?

...yes?  Many, many times?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: gopher on 20 Dec 2012, 03:32
The way I read it is she has already been busted previously and off-screen and so was grounded for a week. Breaking this grounding has now extended the punishment to a month.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: crazdgamer on 20 Dec 2012, 03:58
"Skullmaster, master of skulls" seems a bit tautologic, doesn't it? °O
Skullmaster is one of the employees of our Department of Redundancy Department (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment), part of our effort to make sure that we have a backup of everything necessary for the happiness of our citizens.
Also, not the first time she's used the X, KING OF THE Y format. (http://questionablecontent.net./view.php?comic=2026)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Border Reiver on 20 Dec 2012, 04:36
The way I read it is she has already been busted previously and off-screen and so was grounded for a week. Breaking this grounding has now extended the punishment to a month.

I read it that way as well.  And he's remarkably good about the issue.  Although I suspect that this will change in the not to distant future.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: LittleKing on 20 Dec 2012, 05:18
How old is Sam supposed to be?

I'd say a kid leaving her house without telling her parent where she was going or that she was leaving at all (which is what I assume happened) IS a big deal. Yes, she only went to a coffee shop, but how was Jim to know that? Dads worry and a lot of bad things could have happened to cause her to disappear like that (from his point of view).
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 20 Dec 2012, 05:36
12 or 13, depending on when Jeph is talking.

Not telling her dad where she was is bad, but since the coffee shop is a more or less safe place(*), it doesn't seem like grounds for getting seriously bent out of shape. Of course, it's a coffee shop, so Jim has all the grounds he needs.

Faye has been known to drink at work, on multiple occasions (search for "Emergency Bourbon"), but there were no drunk bubbles and her speech patterns didn't change.

(*) It's run by quasi-adults known to Jim.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: techkid on 20 Dec 2012, 05:56
I'm no dad (thank goodness for that), but I figure it's mostly for not saying where she is until after the fact. Being a smartass doesn't help her cause.

That being said, SKULLMASTER, MASTER OF SKULLS is all-out awesome. I predict that to make Moment of the Week (though it would be hard to say whether it would make Moment of the Epoch, if you want to take the whole Mayan Calendar thing into account...)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: SomeCanadianWeirdo on 20 Dec 2012, 06:09
If we ever see a QC spinoff, it must be a Skullmaster series!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Dec 2012, 06:51
Hey, where'd Akima go?

(Checks watch)

Oh, yeah, it's the 21st already down in Aussieland.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Overkillengine on 20 Dec 2012, 07:04
Ah yes, tween rebellion. Jim better have taken his blood pressure meds, he's gonna need them.  :roll:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 20 Dec 2012, 07:14
If Sa -- er, SKULLMASTER, master of SKULLS mixes an Old Fashioned right now, things might be forgiven. But Faye can probably forget about future babysitting money.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Schmorgluck on 20 Dec 2012, 08:41
Of course, it's a coffee shop, so Jim has all the grounds he needs.
Did you do that on purpose?  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: StevenC on 20 Dec 2012, 11:59
Of course, it's a coffee shop, so Jim has all the grounds he needs.
Did you do that on purpose?  :psyduck:
He is PUNMASTER, MASTER OF PUNS
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: slydon on 20 Dec 2012, 12:28
the hidden moderators' forum
The mental image I have of this is terrifying.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Redball on 20 Dec 2012, 12:45
But how could it not exist?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 20 Dec 2012, 12:53
Where else would the hidden mods go to chat?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: TheEvilDog on 20 Dec 2012, 14:58
I wonder if Faye's silence is more to do hearing a father acting like a father, as in, laying down the law, than anything else.

Or maybe she's about to have some flash about her own father.

Or maybe we'll get a witty pun tomorrow concerning the Mayan calender.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: mustang6172 on 20 Dec 2012, 17:53
There is no Skullmaster only Zuul.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Platypodes on 20 Dec 2012, 18:02
Coffee of Doom may be a safe place, but we have no idea how far she walked from or what kind of neighborhoods she walked through.

In general, it's pretty questionable for little girls to go randomly wandering around big cities alone without their parents knowing where they're at.

It's also quite possible that Sam has pulled this stunt before and that Jim gave her some version of "Don't you ever, EVER take off without telling me where you're going, or you'll be in BIG trouble!" in which case it's appropriate for him to follow through.

Sam strikes me as the type of kid who needs a firm hand and won't be traumatized by it.  She's attracted to danger like ants to a picnic, and Jim needs to make sure she lives to grow up.  If he comes across a bit strongly, that may be motivated purely by love and worry.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Dec 2012, 19:02
It's the end of the world as we know it!

I feel fine.    36 (45%)
Oh geez, what did Pintsize do NOW?    7 (8.8%)
Wait, I thought those three girls and that big-boobed pixie from Minneapolis fixed that?    3 (3.8%)
Nyahhh! The meteor missed us!    3 (3.8%)
Is Raven doing theoretical temporal physics again?    8 (10%)
Not happening. Cassie showed us NYC in 2013. It's all good.    4 (5%)
But... but I wanted to know where Pintsize sleeps!    2 (2.5%)
The global AI hasn't turned into SkyNet... YET.    2 (2.5%)
Personally? I don't really care, as long as there's waffles and space ham.    3 (3.8%)
Hanners hasn't read all the posts yet.    10 (12.5%)
Other (please specify in space provided; use back of paper if necessary)    2 (2.5%)

Total Members Voted: 80
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Dec 2012, 19:05
Daw  :-D

Imagine the "mummy, why am I a badger?" talk though...

"Because you live in Wisconsin, dear."
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 20 Dec 2012, 19:34
Well, yes, but Sam isn't little any more and Northampton isn't a big city.

Although, given that it has ninja monks jumping innocent bystanders, it may be too dangerous for anyone to walk around.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bluesummers on 20 Dec 2012, 19:49
Although, given that it has ninja monks jumping innocent bystanders, it may be too dangerous for anyone to walk around.

People walking out after curfew need a permit...otherwise, the monks show no mercy. :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: riccostar on 20 Dec 2012, 20:03
The way I read it is she has already been busted previously and off-screen and so was grounded for a week. Breaking this grounding has now extended the punishment to a month.

I read it that way as well.  And he's remarkably good about the issue.  Although I suspect that this will change in the not to distant future.

I like this reading, I think it puts the reaction in the most logical light.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Sassafras on 20 Dec 2012, 20:14
It doesn't seem like Faye to be helping Sam defy her father.
I don't think Faye is doing that, exactly. I think they were playing Skullmaster before he even walked in, and now it's not like Faye can just drop Sam. She's staying quiet so as not to meddle but she can't really get away.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesariojpn on 20 Dec 2012, 22:35
(http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/9600000/shinigami-sama-soul-eater-9613332-576-432.jpg)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: K1dmor on 21 Dec 2012, 00:16
 So, Sam is not like a "litte-sister" to Faye, but a nice pupil  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Akima on 21 Dec 2012, 00:52
It's also quite possible that Sam has pulled this stunt before and that Jim gave her some version of "Don't you ever, EVER take off without telling me where you're going, or you'll be in BIG trouble!" in which case it's appropriate for him to follow through.
This may be where the "already grounded" thing came from. As in "Don't you ever, EVER take off without telling me where you're going, or you'll be grounded for a week!" So yeah, parental discipline FTW!

As for Sam's BO, judging from her previous escapades, who knows what she's been rolling in.

Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: westrim on 21 Dec 2012, 01:23
Kid's don't really get body odor until they hit puberty (and she doesn't look very pubescent), and she looks clean judging by her clothes and neat ponytail, so I'm confused.

Oh wait, I need to say something punny and great leaderly.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: K1dmor on 21 Dec 2012, 01:29
Kid's don't really get body odor until they hit puberty (and she doesn't look very pubescent), and she looks clean judging by her clothes and neat

 Maybe.
 But she used to play in swamps (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2026) , so...
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: techkid on 21 Dec 2012, 01:37
Some person: "<Asking simple yes/no question>"
Sarcastic person: "Duh. Does a bear shit in the woods?"
Sam: "Yes it does. Bitey (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2018) and the Froglord (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2026) already showed me that..."

Edit: GAH, ninja'd! Must work on my archive-fu...
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Alzarath on 21 Dec 2012, 02:25
*looks at title*

I may be setting myself up for a death sentence here, but let me be the first to say:

Ponies.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: pwhodges on 21 Dec 2012, 03:02
"Ponyleaks" is a call-back to the time several years ago when Jeph was renaming the forums to suit his mood (usually: upset with the forums!), and combined with Wikileaks.  I have retained it in the title for reasons which now amount to mere nostalgia.  There is more explanation in this thread (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,26928.msg1045442.html#msg1045442).  One of the changes spawned its own thread (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,22643.msg783846.html#msg783846).
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Mr_Rose on 21 Dec 2012, 03:06
So, wait, where the hell have all those ponies I leaked to you been going?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: pwhodges on 21 Dec 2012, 03:07
Here's my daughter on one:

(http://cassland.org/images/Kit-Flicka.jpg)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 21 Dec 2012, 03:33
I hope Randy shows up next week.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bluesummers on 21 Dec 2012, 05:47
So, wait, where the hell have all those ponies I leaked to you been going?

I hope you didn't leak me the one I got my 2-year-old niece for her birthday...I did not know at the time that it talks. I really did not at the time that it talks in both a man's and a woman's voice. Grab the left ear, and it says "I love it when you brush my hair!" (Woman's voice). Grab the right ear, and it goes into this creepy little song that sounds like Droopy Dog. "I'm a little, pony, clippity clop, clippity clop..." etc.

It's downright frightening.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Soulsynger on 21 Dec 2012, 07:06
So, wait, where the hell have all those ponies I leaked to you been going?

I hope you didn't leak me the one I got my 2-year-old niece for her birthday...I did not know at the time that it talks. I really did not at the time that it talks in both a man's and a woman's voice. Grab the left ear, and it says "I love it when you brush my hair!" (Woman's voice). Grab the right ear, and it goes into this creepy little song that sounds like Droopy Dog. "I'm a little, pony, clippity clop, clippity clop..." etc.

It's downright frightening.

And boom goes the ridiculousness jar.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: idrumgood on 21 Dec 2012, 07:08
The last frame of today's strip looks like Dora is shooting white nipple laser beams.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Game and Watch Forever on 21 Dec 2012, 07:32
And enjoying it immensely....
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Dec 2012, 07:36
It's the end of the world as we know it!

I feel fine.    38 (43.7%) <== We have too many REM fans on this board.
Oh geez, what did Pintsize do NOW?    8 (9.2%)
Wait, I thought those three girls and that big-boobed pixie from Minneapolis fixed that?    3 (3.4%)
Nyahhh! The meteor missed us!    3 (3.4%)
Is Raven doing theoretical temporal physics again?    9 (10.3%)
Not happening. Cassie showed us NYC in 2013. It's all good.    4 (4.6%)
But... but I wanted to know where Pintsize sleeps!    2 (2.3%)
The global AI hasn't turned into SkyNet... YET.    3 (3.4%)
Personally? I don't really care, as long as there's waffles and space ham.    4 (4.6%)
Hanners hasn't read all the posts yet.    11 (12.6%)
Other (please specify in space provided; use back of paper if necessary)    2 (2.3%)

Total Members Voted: 87
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Ph2 on 21 Dec 2012, 09:00
Kid's don't really get body odor until they hit puberty (and she doesn't look very pubescent), and she looks clean judging by her clothes and neat

 Maybe.
 But she used to play in swamps (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2026) , so...

Swamps do smell... incredibly fucking terrible. I can't recall the proper name, but there are a few swamps on the east coast (one in NC) that smell quite strongly of rotten eggs, dwarf feet, and fourteen week old puke.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Pilchard123 on 21 Dec 2012, 09:08
And boom goes the ridiculousness jar.

I believe you mean "ridiculosity".
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 21 Dec 2012, 09:17
It's the pedantry!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Redball on 21 Dec 2012, 09:22
Pedantriciousness. That tastes better.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 21 Dec 2012, 10:14
Oh, the pedanitry!
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 21 Dec 2012, 11:00
Interacting with Sam is probably good for the Pugnacious Peach.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Alzarath on 21 Dec 2012, 11:15
"Ponyleaks" is a call-back to the time several years ago when Jeph was renaming the forums to suit his mood (usually: upset with the forums!), and combined with Wikileaks.  I have retained it in the title for reasons which now amount to mere nostalgia.  There is more explanation in this thread (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,26928.msg1045442.html#msg1045442).  One of the changes spawned its own thread (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,22643.msg783846.html#msg783846).

Actually I was referring to the title of the comic, Snips and Snails, a pair of retarded loopy ponies (http://4chandata.org/images/threads/64743_sas.png).
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 21 Dec 2012, 11:59
I think the comic is referring to the rhyme about what little boys are made of - in my childhood, "slugs and snails and puppy dog tails", but according to the internet, "snips and snails and puppy dog tails" is the traditional version. That makes more sense considering Dora's final comment...

Also, kids don't get BO but they can still sweat - if she hasn't had a shower or bath in a day or two and is always as active as we've seen her, Sam could easily smell of stale sweat.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: judemorrigan on 21 Dec 2012, 12:19
I think the comic is referring to the rhyme about what little boys are made of - in my childhood, "slugs and snails and puppy dog tails", but according to the internet, "snips and snails and puppy dog tails" is the traditional version. That makes more sense considering Dora's final comment...
And the traditional counterpart to that is that little girls are made of "sugar and spice and everything nice."  You'll note the similarity to Dora's play on the expression.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 21 Dec 2012, 14:02
Indeed - and the version I know is only slightly different (sugar and spice and all things nice). I love how children's rhymes and songs are found all over the world; for instance Ring a ring of roses, which I've heard several versions of from Australia, Canada, and indeed English-speaking people in many other countries.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Alzarath on 21 Dec 2012, 14:05
Indeed - and the version I know is only slightly different (sugar and spice and all things nice). I love how children's rhymes and songs are found all over the world; for instance Ring a ring of roses, which I've heard several versions of from Australia, Canada, and indeed English-speaking people in many other countries.

Strangely I never heard of either of these. I mean, the one directed at girls I heard from the Powerpuff Girls intro. But never actually heard it used in a traditional sense.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: akronnick on 21 Dec 2012, 15:09
The last frame of today's strip looks like Dora is shooting white nipple laser beams.

Cannot unsee.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Shjade on 21 Dec 2012, 16:10
Indeed - and the version I know is only slightly different (sugar and spice and all things nice). I love how children's rhymes and songs are found all over the world; for instance Ring a ring of roses, which I've heard several versions of from Australia, Canada, and indeed English-speaking people in many other countries.

Strangely I never heard of either of these. I mean, the one directed at girls I heard from the Powerpuff Girls intro. But never actually heard it used in a traditional sense.

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails (and ingredient X) are what the Rowdyruff Boys are made of, as I recall.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Alzarath on 21 Dec 2012, 16:13
Indeed - and the version I know is only slightly different (sugar and spice and all things nice). I love how children's rhymes and songs are found all over the world; for instance Ring a ring of roses, which I've heard several versions of from Australia, Canada, and indeed English-speaking people in many other countries.

Strangely I never heard of either of these. I mean, the one directed at girls I heard from the Powerpuff Girls intro. But never actually heard it used in a traditional sense.

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails (and ingredient X) are what the Rowdyruff Boys are made of, as I recall.

Sounds a bit more familiar in that context. Speaking of which, has anyone watched the abomination called Powerpuff Girls Z? I couldn't watch past the first episode. You know something's wrong when the anime remake of a children's television show is more tame than the original.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Vurogj on 21 Dec 2012, 21:06
Just because I have to let my sci-fi geekiness out sometimes...

This "Ring a ring of roses" sub-discussion is a minor plot point in Orson Scott Card's Foundation-set short story "The Originist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Originist)". Good story, and relevant to this chat.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: HiFranc on 22 Dec 2012, 01:09
The last line of this week reminded me of Lenka's Everything at Once.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 22 Dec 2012, 04:25
Ring a ring of roses
Apparently the British and American versions have the sames line two and four, with the first line on my side of the pond being replaced with "Ring around the Rosie", and the third being replaced with "Ashes, ashes".  Also, what the hell is "A-tishoo"?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Mr_Rose on 22 Dec 2012, 04:41
Onomatopoeic sneezing. The rhyme originates with the advent of the Black Death and describes, loosely, some of the behaviours and superstitions surrounding it.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 22 Dec 2012, 04:58
Oh. Weird, I've seen "Achoo" and I guess that's sort of like it, but...three syllables?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 22 Dec 2012, 05:07
Come to think of it, I've never seen it used in any other context than that rhyme as a sneezing sound - usually I'd say "achoo". But Mr Rose is right, that's what I've heard the origin is too. The ring of roses refers to the rash you got, the "atishoo" is the sneezing, and then "all fall down" is dying. The pocket full of posies was a belief that if you kept flowers in your pocket, the bad smells which caused the disease wouldn't reach you.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 22 Dec 2012, 05:23
Then why'd they change it to ashes over here?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: DSL on 22 Dec 2012, 06:40
Then why'd they change it to ashes over here?

I'd say, just simple corruption in pronunciation over time. One little kid in a hurry mushes the pronunciation of atishoo, his or her playmates pick up, and the next thing you know it's all ashes.

Happens in the best of languages.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Bluesummers on 22 Dec 2012, 08:25
Then why'd they change it to ashes over here?

Another belief is that the "ashes" were symbolic of the Cold War/threat of nuclear annihilation, followed by the dying...but I'm not sure how the ring and the posies fit in with that line of thinking.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 22 Dec 2012, 12:32
Considering the "ashes" version goes back at least to the turn of the last century (my grandfather, born in 1898, learned it that way), no.  Nothing to do with nuclear war.  It's a corrupted sneeze. 
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 22 Dec 2012, 13:25
It being a corrupted sneeze doesn't explain why it's ashes here and a sneeze in the UK. Shouldn't both be used in both places if it was that simple?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Akima on 22 Dec 2012, 13:27
Onomatopoeic sneezing. The rhyme originates with the advent of the Black Death and describes, loosely, some of the behaviours and superstitions surrounding it.
Isn't the Black Death name associated with the great pandemic of the 14th Century? I understood the rhyme was supposed to refer to the Great Plague of 1665, and that this explanation is probably bogus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_a_Ring_o%27_Roses#Plague_interpretation).

Corrupted sneeze: In England, and Australia too, the sneeze is "Atishoo" or "Atchoo" which blur easily enough into "Ashes", I think.
Title: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: jwhouk on 22 Dec 2012, 13:59
And here I thought it had something to do with cricket.


&lt;/silly_mode&gt;
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Method of Madness on 22 Dec 2012, 14:32
Maybe it has do with burning the corpses to slow the plague from spreading?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Kugai on 22 Dec 2012, 15:28
Personally, I was thinking more along the lines of Master Blaster from Beyond Thunderdome.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: pwhodges on 22 Dec 2012, 15:28
this explanation is probably bogus

Not least, the version of the rhyme with those "symptoms" in it was first recorded in 1881 - rather a long way from the supposed inspiration.

A similar rhyme recorded in New Bedford, Massachusetts, about 1790, runs: Ring a ring a rosie / A bottle full of posie / All the girls in our town / Ring for little Josie.  Compare also a Yorkshire rhyme of 1882: Here we go round by ring, by ring / As ladies do in Yorkshire / A curtsey here, a curtsey there / A curtsey to the ground, sir.

The modern version was recorded in 1883 with the line: A-tisha! a-tisha!, and in 1915 with the line: A-sha! A-sha!, which show the development towards "Ashes, Ashes" quite nicely.

A bad taste parody of 1949 runs: Ring-a-ring-o'-geranium / A pocket full of uranium / Hiro, shima / All fall down.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Redball on 22 Dec 2012, 20:23
I usually trust Snopes. But here it claims it's unlikely the verse is connected to the plague: http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/rosie.asp (http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/rosie.asp)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Near Lurker on 22 Dec 2012, 21:34
"Usually... but"?  Everywhere I've ever looked has that rumor as bullshit.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: pwhodges on 23 Dec 2012, 00:50
One thing that is wrong in that Snopes article is the dating of the first publication of the plague theory to as late as 1961; my reference has it appearing in 1949, and I have a 1951 reference debunking it.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Barmymoo on 23 Dec 2012, 03:24
Interesting. While I was writing that explanation I was thinking that I'd heard somewhere it wasn't always considered true; I hadn't realised it was entirely debunked.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: riccostar on 23 Dec 2012, 20:06
Maybe it has do with burning the corpses to slow the plague from spreading?

there is logic here as well
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Kugai on 24 Dec 2012, 11:12
Indeed  *Raises eyebrow*
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 24 Dec 2012, 16:55
Now I'm imagining a Monty Python crossover with "I'm not dead yet!" at the bonfire.
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Pilchard123 on 25 Dec 2012, 05:21
Indeed  *Raises eyebrow*

Vetinari or Teal'c?
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Kugai on 25 Dec 2012, 10:03
Spock, son of Sarek
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: cesariojpn on 25 Dec 2012, 15:20
I usually trust Snopes.

Snopes has a few articles where they have false info and have never updated despite being told of it. Plus they were accused of having malware a while back. (http://www.gfi.com/blog/update-on-the-snopes-pushing-adware-situation/)
Title: Re: WCDT: 2343-2347 (17-21 December 2012) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Post by: Carl-E on 27 Dec 2012, 00:03
Having malware tacked onto your site by a hacker doesn't automatically discredit the site's content, you know.  One of the universities I worked for had a nasty bit of malware tucked into the online registration system for a few days before it was caught... apparently the work of a disgruntled student who couldn't get the courses they needed.