I find Marten's situation to be kinda depressing.
We need to start considering on having a "projection" merit badge for forum posters. ;)
We need to start considering on having a "projection" merit badge for forum posters. ;)
I think every one of us would immediately earn it.
Guy A:"Did you hook up with the guys last night?"
Guy B:"Yeah. Guy C hooked us up."
Guy A: "Was Girl 1 there? Y'all should hook up."
Guy B: "She hooked up with me after. We, like, hooked up."
Guy A: "So...did you hook up?"
Guy B: "No."
make little lightbulbs go off in his head, thus brightening the future
I was wondering the same thing.
It seems shipping in a poll is allowed. Who knew? °O
On one side is Faye, a woman he was crushing for the longest time, and on the other side is a Dora, a woman he went out with before a break up. Both of them have moved on and seem to be achieving some form of happiness
He'll hit a final power chord at the end of the last song causing a thunderous crescendo and women from all over will throw themselves at him
thanks for your understanding in this matter, and for giving us some privacy as we sort everything out.Accordingly, I would ask for there to be no speculation here about the matter.
Tai has the fact she is a woman running for her. Trying that line randomly in the street will only get you maced.
Because of blue balls? :-DRomantic, she said.
True. I believe it is implicit that Tai means that for appropriate social situations, not really randomly. But even in a hookup-opportunity environment (club, party, etc.) a straight guy doing that line cold has a better than even chance at being labeled a creep, unless he's the hottest/coolest dude in the room.Tai has the fact she is a woman running for her. Trying that line randomly in the street will only get you maced.
A straight man trying that possibly gets maced, but more likely gets forcibly told to p*** off. A straight woman who tries that gets slut-shamed.
I don't think Tai quite realizes how fortunate a position she's in if it works for her (though presumably only at times and in places where most of the women around her are bi or gay, not when done randomly in the street.)
Once more unto the breach dear friends, ONCE MORE!!!!
Tai is clearly not the person to go to for hookup advice. Not for Marten anyway.
In that context?Tai is clearly not the person to go to for hookup advice. Not for Marten anyway.
Any good Tai puns here? Hookup Tainselor?
all the best to Jeph and Christie.Once more unto the breach dear friends, ONCE MORE!!!!
Or close the wall [of text] up with our fanboy dead ...
Cry 'God for Harriet, Randy, and Yelling Bird!'
Any good Tai puns here? Hookup Tainselor?Tairapist. Not going to catch on. :evil:
After you see her all your relationships are Tainted...
After you see her all your relationships are Tainted...
all the best to Jeph and Christie.Once more unto the breach dear friends, ONCE MORE!!!!
Or close the wall [of text] up with our fanboy dead.
In fandom there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of geekdom blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the troll;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the comments a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the keyboard
Like the spirit of Yelling Bird; let common decency u'derwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a fanboy
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful feeling of security.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest Knights of the Brooms made entirely of dicks.
Whose blood is fet from parents war-proof!
Parents that, like so many Pintsizess,
Have in these parts from morn till even violoated forum rules
And sheathed their keyboards for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your moderators; now attest
That those whom you call'd administrators did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to flamewar. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in cyberspace, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your posting; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harriet, Randy, and Yelling Bird!'
I haven't read it yet, because I want to know if I'm supposed to sing it to the tune of something.
I haven't read it yet, because I want to know if I'm supposed to sing it to the tune of something.
On one side is Faye, a woman he was crushing for the longest time, and on the other side is a Dora, a woman he went out with before a break up. Both of them have moved on and seem to be achieving some form of happiness
The way I see it, Marten has been rejected by both of them because they (i.e. Dora and Faye) had serious emotional issues preventing them from having/continuing a relationship with Marten. It strikes me as pretty crass for either of them to be teasing him because he isn't with anyone now. They've moved on? Yes, but having trampled all over Marten in the process.
And, elsewhereHe'll hit a final power chord at the end of the last song causing a thunderous crescendo and women from all over will throw themselves at him
Dream on. Doesn't happen. Don't ask me how I know that.
I haven't read it yet, because I want to know if I'm supposed to sing it to the tune of something.
I don't think so. "Once more unto the breach" is a Shakespeare quote, and the response to it appears to be a QC-ized parody of the rest of that particular speech. One giveaway is that it's written in iambic pentameter, Shakespeare's signature meter.
(There may very well be a well-known tune to which you can sing things written in iambic pentameter, but if so I don't know what it is. "Greensleeves" is iambic quadrameter, so that won't work...)
Bonus points to anyone who knows which Shakespeare play that speech is from. (I'm not sure myself, to be honest, although I have a suspicion.)
Having anxiety about posting this now, in fact.
I heartily recommend a low dose of sertraline. :)Alcohol is the recommended medication. The problem is getting the correct dosage. Not too little, and certainly not too much. Taken properly, it lowers your inhibitions and social awkwardness, while still maintaining a (relative) sound quality control of people you might want to hook up with.
I'm in Marten's boat; it may seem weird, but I really am not sure I'm up for fun at social occasions. Oh sure, they're great when you're in them, but before and especially after it's anxietyville about what should or shouldn't have been done; did I make too many corny jokes, scratch my ear too much, have too many chips, on and on and on. However, I also don't know how the hell to tell if someone's into me. Sure, stances and proximity and other stuff, but either I've always failed to notice the signs, or there never have been any signs to look for. And the latter is really depressing, so I try to avoid thinking about that possibility.This is where "training by doing" and willfully exposing yourself to scenarios outside of your comfort zone comes in.
[...]
Why does he need to find a romantic relationship?
Eh, it only works on paper.
Well, it's better than saying that all your relationships get tied in tight knots...You mean Taied?
Well, it's better than saying that all your relationships get tied in tight knots...You mean Taied?
So... Marten is going to have a Tai fighter (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1022) on his wing? Don't they always crash and burn? Unless you mean the other kind of Tai fighter (http://www.rawaimuaythai.com/2010%20fight%20results/4%20June%202010%20Nongaew.JPG)...
Yeah, I think what Marten doesn't like is having other people's idea of fun.You couldn't have put that more profoundly.
I'm in Marten's boat; it may seem weird, but I really am not sure I'm up for fun at social occasions. Oh sure, they're great when you're in them, but before and especially after it's anxietyville about what should or shouldn't have been done; did I make too many corny jokes, scratch my ear too much, have too many chips, on and on and on. However, I also don't know how the hell to tell if someone's into me. Sure, stances and proximity and other stuff, but either I've always failed to notice the signs, or there never have been any signs to look for. And the latter is really depressing, so I try to avoid thinking about that possibility.Same here. People talk about going to pubs and clubs and the like, and good for them. But that's not my scene. I once said to someone (and probably also had on a dating website at one point) "My idea of a good time is nice food, good company and nice scenery". Besides, money is a (very) limiting factor, and I can barely really go anywhere like once a month or less.
*awaits the one-off 'All Tai-ed Up' QC Eroge omake*
I was right......new character introduction.
Yeah, I think what Marten doesn't like is having other people's idea of fun.
It's Henry V's speech to the troops during the siege of Harfleur, or so sayeth the Bard.
This is where "training by doing" and willfully exposing yourself to scenarios outside of your comfort zone comes in.
Almost everyone is the same way. Once you realize that, it becomes much easier and more natural to ACTUALLY enjoy social occasions. Just have to get yourself out there.
Concerning the "signs": Some people are better at "writing" them than "reading" them. If you don't think you're getting any signals, try giving them. Someone might pick up.
... Bailey!I was right......new character introduction.
...Maybe it won't be a "new" character. Just someone who hasn't been seen in a while.
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/pet_peeve_114.png)
Where are the library interns (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2203)? And Momo? Please don't tell me they have been there all day (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2477), that gag has been used already.
Here is a less promising link (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2267). If Tai do not have other friends than via Marten, how on earth will she succeed as wing-lady?
... Bailey!I was right......new character introduction.
...Maybe it won't be a "new" character. Just someone who hasn't been seen in a while.
(C'mon, he even pronounced her "pretty hot"!)
My problem with parties is that I can't cope with the noise, the weird lighting, the crowds and the late hours. I'm quite good at chatting to new people, but only if I'm not too busy trying desperately not to shut down from the overstimulation.
One of my favourite Tai pages: http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=727
Maybe Marten could wear a black hoodie to the party. Or a jacket and tie and no shirt.Well, Marten was a huge success at the Smif Nerd-Con (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1528), but it might not work in another setting. The other guests at the party need to be MLG fans, otherwise he will just be a weird (and creepy) guy. I would recommend ordinary clothes this time.
Bailey reappeared in 972 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=972), but I don't think she's been in QC since then.Calling it: Marten will spend the party talking to all of these, plus other girls from the past, plus two unnamed girls, shown only from behind, who may or may not be Sara and Ellen with new hairstyles and new art.
If it's a character from the past, Luna (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1548) is/was at the same college. And possibly Lydia (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1424).
...also I want to see Angus in "his" shirt.
Wondering what to wear is a female obsession.
http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=898...also I want to see Angus in "his" shirt.
We already have, way back before Angus and Faye started dating. Faye said it looked like Gay Pride meets Star Trek, and Angus admitted he bought it just because he knew she would give him some great snark about it. I'm sure somebody here can find the strip in question...
Rubbish! Please don't make such sweeping generalisations.Sorry. Generalisations may be offensive. I just thought the "what to wear" session did not match Marten's habits and personality. It now appears he does, but his friends will never know, as the end result is always the same. He just spends a long time in the closet.
I like how Marten has Angus' shirt on backwards
I want a "my mommy likes to spank people" onesie
ironically, natch
This is not foreshadowing, and could not conceivably be mistaken for such. :angel:
...also I want to see Angus in "his" shirt.
I want a "my mommy likes to spank people" onesie
ironically, natch
I think the mommy spanking shirt would be a good ice breaker at a party.
It was the one with the dildo. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1828)I want a "my mommy likes to spank people" onesie
ironically, natch
Wasn't Marten wearing something like that on one of his baby photos? Or was it just a normal shirt for a small kid? Anyway, I'm quite sure we've seen an item of clothing worn by Marten with that line before.
Just wondering...does Marten still have that "I AM THE PRETTIEST PRINCESS" shirt?
So...what are the odds Jeph has Marten go to the party and just enjoy himself without actually meeting any girls?Hmmm… probably close to the odds of Marten coming home with a guy. But I still reckon the "wacky hijinks" option has better odds than any sort of hookup or having a regular good time put together.
That seems realistic, but for one reason or another I suspect it won't happen that way.
WHO WANTS TOAST?
Jeph doesn't write things into the story unless they actually mean something.Chekhov's party! Also are you saying that Steve eating cereal will have SUPER SPECIAL MEANING?
I'm starting to think Marten might need a change of scenery that doesn't involve TCoD. I don't think Faye and Dora are really the people he needs to be around, since all they seem to do is make rude comments about his life, as if they don't even remember the kind of crap they've made him go through. I can relate to having to let a few old friends go after the friendship ran its course (I think most people can, to be honest) which is why I say this.
Jeph doesn't write things into the story unless they actually mean something.Chekhov's party! Also are you saying that Steve eating cereal will have SUPER SPECIAL MEANING?
It's probably quite clear at this point that I've found that continuing to hang around exes prevented me from moving on with my life. :roll:
I wish Marten from now on would spend less time at CoD, and concentrate on other activities.After the Marten/Dora breakup, he was distancing himself from CoD for a while, and met Padma. Unfortunately, he soon was back to his old habits.
#### it, ninja'd. That's what I get for working 16 hour shifts. :P
Pintsize? Giving good advice? Either he did something, or he's about to do something and is trying to preemptively make up for it before Marten knows.
Marten will leave the party with Tai, who's so dead drunk Marten will have to tuck her to bed.Not before Tai has puked in his lap. Jeph seems to have a fetish for this. :-D I wish someone would make a compilation of all the puke scenes we have witnessed.
Change sucks.
#### it, ninja'd. That's what I get for working 16 hour shifts. :P
THAT's what you get for working 16-hour shifts?! Not money? You should find a new job! :-P
"That's why I hate change. It changes things."
It's probably quite clear at this point that I've found that continuing to hang around exes prevented me from moving on with my life. :roll:
Or, and this might be more disturbing, Pintsize thinks Marten's social life has hit such a low point that he actually needs the help. He did express sincere companionship-based feelings with Marten to Momo back in the day after all.
Being friends and being friendly are very different things Hodges
Or in my case, because you break up based on the fact that you were better suited to being friends than life partners but you still like each other very much - which was the reason you started dating in the first place.
Pintsize? Giving good advice? Either he did something, or he's about to do something and is trying to preemptively make up for it before Marten knows.
Or, and this might be more disturbing, Pintsize thinks Marten's social life has hit such a low point that he actually needs the help. He did express sincere companionship-based feelings with Marten to Momo back in the day after all.
Am I the only person who has stayed close friends with exes more often than not?
the world's turned upsidedown.<insert your own Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reference here>
There's nothing wrong with being friends with an ex. Most people don't do it because of old feelings and things. I'll never be as close to any of my ex's as I was when we were really good friends, let alone dating. I think it's for the best, but if people can work it out and not have too many old feelings or drama then more power to them.
Marten doesn't necessarily need to cut off all contact, but perhaps limit his time at TCoD.
Maybe Marten will catch the eye of two ladies, or more. Hijinks ensue.
Re party: I am calling it now. Vicky.
Re party: I am calling it now. Vicky.
After what Faye did to her in CoD? Faye would break him in half for trying to date her again after what she did to him- perhaps if it was her, it is the start of a rift between Faye/Marten that could be a longer, deeper arc that rocks the group?
Maybe Marten will catch the eye of two ladies, or more. Hijinks ensue.
Plot twist - triplets, with a hive mind.
Isn't that just one extended person though? I thought the idea above was to evoke "the drama" by use of conflict…
http://www.questionablecontent.net/1662 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/1662)
Well, she explicitly stated that Marten is not her type. Elliot, however, fits perfectly in the description she gave*.
- Lt. Potter (She was reassigned to earth)
Does she? Also if it's not the intern people expect, then it has to be Gabby, yeah?
The unexpected intern paradox?
It likely won't be Claire, so that leavss Gabby or Emily. I also doubt it will be Emily, leaving Gabby. But now we expect Gabby, so it can't be here either...
[And I'm not sure someone hasn't mentioned her already, but I wouldn't rule out Lydia.
I'm betting on Cosette, having just left Steve for his inability to do anything but eat cereal in the mornings.
Raven's roommate was Raven's supplier for the "hair gel".
I'm not exactly sure what a drum circle is. I thought the drum solo was the canonical percussion form that blew the minds of the expert while boring everyone else.No no. A drum solo sounds awesome no matter how much you know of the matter. :P
Am I the only person here who doesn't outright hate Vicky?
I am curious how people who hate her react to Dorothy at the start of Dumbing of Age.
Nah, Marten would never get together with one of Steve's exes, at least not without getting express permission from the man.
But nobody would expect the time traveling stainless steel sauropod maker of coffee goodness. :psyduck:Does she? Also if it's not the intern people expect, then it has to be ...That is what you would expect.
If we should expect the most unexpected, then...An AnthroPC ..... stinkface ? ..... she does have decision making issues so would be par for the course.
okay i'm going to turn off English Student mode now and scuttle back to my box.Sheer Luxury. English majors. Feh! All we physics majors got was a damp paper bag in the middle of the freeway as a timeshare. :-P
Gina Riversmith
The unexpected intern paradox?A Spanish intern. Nobody expects the Spanish intern.
It likely won't be Claire, so that leavss Gabby or Emily. I also doubt it will be Emily, leaving Gabby. But now we expect Gabby, so it can't be here either...
Domineering? She's been stern with Sven on a matter of principles, but it doesn't count as domineering in my book. Did something slip off my memories?And I'm not sure someone hasn't mentioned her already, but I wouldn't rule out Lydia.
Someone musical with a domineering personality.
Sheer Luxury. English majors. Feh! All we physics majors got was a damp paper bag in the middle of the freeway as a timeshare. :-PConsider it a compliment. They know you have learned enough to make a transformation on the paper bag to enlarge it, make yourself comfortable in there, reinvent central heating, and create a research lab :roll:
[Faye spilling milk on Vicky was assault]THANK YOU.
I agree about checking they wouldn't be hurt by it. I suppose what I really was thinking about was that I find it odd that people sometimes talk as though there's a rule that you should never date your friend's exes, without really seeming to explain why.
I have no idea what a drum circle party is. And even after coming in here and hearing the explanation, I still don't have an idea what it is.
Assault seems an exaggeration.
QuoteSheer Luxury. English majors. Feh! All we physics majors got was a damp paper bag in the middle of the freeway as a timeshare. :-PConsider it a compliment. They know you have learned enough to make a transformation on the paper bag to enlarge it, make yourself comfortable in there, reinvent central heating, and create a research lab :roll:
So physics majors really are powerful sorcerers? I knew it!Short answer, yes. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8TssbmY-GM)
Assault seems an exaggeration.
Gina Riversmith*applause*
Assault seems an exaggeration.
As Zwammy says, it's actually more of an understatement. Assault simply means putting someone in fear of an attack; actually carrying out the unlawful application of force is battery.
If we saw that in real life that employee would have been fired and the coffee house sued.I would say "might", not "would". The witnesses get to decide what happens, though as Dora hints at, it is only special circumstances that allow this. (If it were to happen more often, the coffee shop would get a bad name ... it might even stick in court. With Vicky as the only case, they can get away with it, no problem.)
If we saw that in real life that employee would have been fired and the coffee house sued.I would say "might", not "would". The witnesses get to decide what happens, though as Dora hints at, it is only special circumstances that allow this. (If it were to happen more often, the coffee shop would get a bad name ... it might even stick in court. With Vicky as the only case, they can get away with it, no problem.)
And what makes you think she hasn't already damaged their reputation?On the contrary, her cruel flavor of snarkiness is directly responsible for a great deal of their business.
Dora's comment that that kind of behaviour would usually lose her the job. This is a first, it seems.And what makes you think she hasn't already damaged their reputation?If we saw that in real life that employee would have been fired and the coffee house sued.I would say "might", not "would". The witnesses get to decide what happens, though as Dora hints at, it is only special circumstances that allow this. (If it were to happen more often, the coffee shop would get a bad name ... it might even stick in court. With Vicky as the only case, they can get away with it, no problem.)
And what makes you think she hasn't already damaged their reputation?On the contrary, her cruel flavor of snarkiness is directly responsible for a great deal of their business.
What's funny is Dora is wrong about him meaning a large. Grande is used for medium (which is weird, consider the word LITERALLY MEANS LARGE).
Yeah, usually it happens the other way, like when McDonald's renamed their drink sizes a few years back - small became kids, medium became small, large became medium, and what they now call large is just excessive...
Though renaming the small size "kids" is clever. It psychologically puts it off limits to adults and makes it highly likely they'll buy the larger, more profitable sizes.
Don't do a cross-country Greyhound trip.
Protip: Don't do a cross-country Greyhound trip.I once went from Maryland to Oklahoma and back on a Greyhound bus. NEVER AGAIN.
I'm not quite comfortable with the Marigold/Dale sex talk.
Thing is, when confronted with a long trip, I am under the impression Europeans prefer trains or planes. Buses... Well, not so much. Some nationalities do use them, but not so extensively as the Americans, I think.Your impression would be correct. I think.
And when it comes to eating, in foreign land, I have always found something other than Mc Donald's. Generally a doner fast-food. I take a durum, by the way.When I was in Brazil, the people I stayed with were surprised that I refused to eat at McDonald's. Why would I when there were better (and much cheaper) options available?
well, at least I was with people I knew.