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Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: BenRG on 14 Aug 2016, 13:45

Title: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 14 Aug 2016, 13:45
I'm pretty sure that these five options represent the current active plot arcs in Questionable Content. There are a few older ones that I think we may yet get back to like Faye and her big sisterhood with Sam and also Veronica learning how to be a good stepmom (which may restart if Brun is shown spending time at The Secret Bakery and Veronica comes in to talk to her boyfriend).

Me? The one that strikes me as being potentially the most funny is Clinton and Claire trying to resplice a few filial bonds. Just how much trouble could those two get into trying to get a matching tattoo? I'm not sure that there is a big enough metaphor for that one!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: brasca on 14 Aug 2016, 14:36
Bubbles and Faye trying to help each other heal.  This arc actually makes Faye likable. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: chaospersonified on 14 Aug 2016, 17:20
I want more of Bubbles and Faye.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 14 Aug 2016, 17:42
This may be another poll with a clear winner, I am thinking.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Aug 2016, 18:38
The odd thing about the Faye/Bubbles arc is that the one area that is helping Bubbles "heal" from her wounds - tea time at CoD - is the one area that has triggered Faye toward relapse.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: WareWolf on 14 Aug 2016, 19:47
I want more of Bubbles and Faye.

Me too. I'm dying to hear Bubbles' backstory. Not only for the drama but for what it'll tell us about the larger world they're in.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 14 Aug 2016, 19:49
The odd thing about the Faye/Bubbles arc is that the one area that is helping Bubbles "heal" from her wounds - tea time at CoD - is the one area that has triggered Faye toward relapse.

Then again, by going back to CoD, Faye was forced to face the concept that the world doesn't revolve around her. I imagine that some part of Faye truly believed that CoD would collapse without her and in turn seeing the positive and nurturing environment Faye saw while on a tea trip with Bubbles, forced her to realise that her problems, were hers alone, that she couldn't blame anyone. In a way, the negative energy that Faye brought in was affecting the others, in particular Dora; just as the negative energy the others brought in affected Faye.

There's pain in healing and Faye has felt some, but in doing so, she also learned how steely her resolve actually is.

TL;DR - We're gonna see more Faye and Bubbles healing soon.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Penquin47 on 14 Aug 2016, 20:50
Huh.  Wonder why Elliott's being so evasive about his other job.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Oenone on 14 Aug 2016, 21:03
Maybe he's scared he'll scare her if she knows he can be violent.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: SomeCanadianWeirdo on 14 Aug 2016, 21:05
Wow, first time we've seen Wil in a long time.  And that's probably the last time we'll see him for a long time.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 14 Aug 2016, 21:06
Huh.  Wonder why Elliott's being so evasive about his other job.

Because Elliott is the kind of guy who would rather talk his problems through rather than punch them out. Elliot's a big guy, probably has been all his life and he has the general physique of a fighter, so telling people he works as a bouncer straight away gives the wrong impression about him. The thing is, Elliot has a lot of body weight to throw behind a punch and he knows how to handle him. A guy like that, if he gets angry enough can do a lot of damage.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Neko_Ali on 14 Aug 2016, 21:16
I am guessing that the door didn't leave when asked.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: chaospersonified on 14 Aug 2016, 21:56
You know, I never thought about it, but it makes sense that a thick glass beer bottle would not easily break upon contact  a person's soft, mushy face. I'll file that away if it's ever relevant, which it won't be, for me, god willing.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: mad hands murphy on 14 Aug 2016, 22:00
Big Lad needs a harpoon
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: mad hands murphy on 14 Aug 2016, 22:02
This may be another poll with a clear winner, I am thinking.

I'm backing barn fart as the dark horse candidate
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Clubman8 on 14 Aug 2016, 22:16
You know, I never thought about it, but it makes sense that a thick glass beer bottle would not easily break upon contact  a person's soft, mushy face. I'll file that away if it's ever relevant, which it won't be, for me, god willing.

But don't people in both real life and movies typically bash the bottle over the skull, which is neither soft nor mushy? If the belligerent bargoer used that bottle to break his nose, he wasn't being very smart.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 14 Aug 2016, 22:22
Alcohol is known to have that effect on people.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: MrNumbers on 14 Aug 2016, 22:23
Thankfully it looks like the bottle was empty.

Had it been full...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: explicit on 14 Aug 2016, 22:50
You know, I never thought about it, but it makes sense that a thick glass beer bottle would not easily break upon contact  a person's soft, mushy face. I'll file that away if it's ever relevant, which it won't be, for me, god willing.

But don't people in both real life and movies typically bash the bottle over the skull, which is neither soft nor mushy? If the belligerent bargoer used that bottle to break his nose, he wasn't being very smart.

Well starting fights generally isn't smart in the first place. Especially if everyone around can clearly tell that you're in the wrong. And, you know, the guy you're hitting is huge.

Anyway, there's certainly a lot of factors that would go into breaking a bottle. Force, thinkness of glass, how the bottle was being held, squishiness of hit object, but if you were actually trying to win a fight breaking someone's nose is much smarter than hitting someone over the head. You're not going to bleed out/lose consciousness from cuts to the head in that short amount of time and you're banking on being able to concuss the person immediately, which is a lot harder than movies would have us believe.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: hakko504 on 14 Aug 2016, 23:07
You know, I never thought about it, but it makes sense that a thick glass beer bottle would not easily break upon contact  a person's soft, mushy face. I'll file that away if it's ever relevant, which it won't be, for me, god willing.

But don't people in both real life and movies typically bash the bottle over the skull, which is neither soft nor mushy? If the belligerent bargoer used that bottle to break his nose, he wasn't being very smart.
And in real life the skull cracks more easily than the bottle most of the time. The reason why the bottle breaks in the movies are that the bottle is probably made from crystalline sugar which break very easily. See this: http://www.instructables.com/id/Fake-glass-bottleSugar-glass/
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 14 Aug 2016, 23:11
One of the problems with alcohol in large enough quantities is that it basically turns an adult into a spoiled pre-teen who wants it all and wants it now and will fly into a violent rage if he or she doesn't get it. That's why bars tend to need people like Elliott and probably it's also why Brun kept a harpoon under her own bar counter.

At this point, I just want to note that: "So... Um... You like Kiki's Delivery Service?" is one of the cutest attempted ice-breaker lines in the strip to date. I wonder if Elliott is really interested in Brun or if he's just trying to be polite, friendly and welcoming (something that is entirely in-character for him)?

Huh.  Wonder why Elliott's being so evasive about his other job.

I'm guessing that he didn't want to upset Brun or give her the wrong impression about him by telling her that he got involved in a violent incident. However, I think that he would be surprised how phlegmatic she would have been about it.

Additionally, I don't think he was proud about how much damage he did to the door in that collision!

And in real life the skull cracks more easily than the bottle most of the time. The reason why the bottle breaks in the movies are that the bottle is probably made from crystalline sugar which break very easily. See this: http://www.instructables.com/id/Fake-glass-bottleSugar-glass/

There is a long history of actors and stuntmen being seriously injured and even killed because they were hit with real beer bottles rather than sugar-glass replicas.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Squiddlywinx on 14 Aug 2016, 23:12
Lady in the background of panel 3 is my new fave character. I really hope she gets more screentime and joins the main cast.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 14 Aug 2016, 23:14
In my experience bottles do not break very easily when applied to the human body. Hitting someone in the head with a bottle is more likely to just thump and cause blunt force trauma than shatter the bottle. Glasses, on the other hand, do shatter on skulls. The shape of a bottle is partially self-reinforcing. A glass's open top makes it much less structurally sound. And, yes, breaking someone's nose is a very smart opening salvo in a fight. I'm not a large person, I primarily rely on speed and training in fights to survive, especially against larger targets, which most of them are. Broken noses are extremely painful and disorienting. In a fight you should be trying to end it as quickly as possible. Actually knocking someone out is very difficult. Any single blow hard enough to render someone unconscious is very likely to cause serious head trauma. Crippling strikes, like breaking a nose or damaging joints, is a much wiser move than attempting to knock them out cold.


I apparently get into way too many bar fights for a 50kg girl.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Gyrre on 14 Aug 2016, 23:44
Sounds like that "door" flew off it's hinges.


*deposits one hinge replacement kit in the pun jar*
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: hedgie on 15 Aug 2016, 00:13
Why do I think in this case that the gentle giant was more of a splatter[1] than a bouncer.

[1] A splatter uses more force.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 15 Aug 2016, 00:15
Why do I think in this case that the gentle giant was more of a splatter[1] than a bouncer.

Mostly, these guys want to use the bare minimum force needed to restrain and deter aggression. The problem is that alcohol can dull the pain sensing nerves. Combine that with the aggression needed to start attacking someone in the bar nad it may have been necessary to do... a little more damage than usual to restrain this particular hooligan. I'm talking nerve clusters and possibly dislocated shoulders.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: explicit on 15 Aug 2016, 00:32
As someone who's worked security at a bar we were told to simply incapacitate. Generally that means holding onto the guy and using your body weight until help arrives. However, I imagine a bouncer who's by themselves would have to deviate from that plan sometimes. I only worked big events so we could simply use numbers and throwing punches was more likely to just get someone else (or ourselves) hurt.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Aug 2016, 00:43
Presence, Dialogue, Control Alternatives, Protective Alternatives, and... Deadly Force.

Sometimes you have to escalate.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Loki on 15 Aug 2016, 03:31
I want to say I have never seen Kiki's Delivery Service (but it's on my looong to watch list!)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: brasca on 15 Aug 2016, 03:33
I thought there was a dress code where everyone had to dress like people in the Victorian era.  Maybe bouncers are excluded since it's expensive to replace their period costumes after every fight 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TieDyeKat on 15 Aug 2016, 05:41
I'd suspect that, since Elliott likely works outside the door most of the time, he is exempt from the uniform.

But.... WIL! *swoons*

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Mr. Skawronska on 15 Aug 2016, 05:57
Presence, Dialogue, Control Alternatives, Protective Alternatives, and... Deadly Force.

Sometimes you have to escalate.

That's a variation of the use of force continuum I have not seen.  Ours is Presence, verbal, soft hands, chemical, taser, hard hands, secondary impact, deadly force.

It's amazing how things change, yet remain the same, over time.

I'm talking nerve clusters and possibly dislocated shoulders.

Yeah.  Nerve clusters and pressure points can be really unreliable against drunks.  Pain compliance can be unreliable against drunks.  Dislocations and destabilizations of critical mobility points ARE effective but tend to come with lawsuits.

As someone who's worked security at a bar we were told to simply incapacitate. Generally that means holding onto the guy and using your body weight until help arrives. However, I imagine a bouncer who's by themselves would have to deviate from that plan sometimes. I only worked big events so we could simply use numbers and throwing punches was more likely to just get someone else (or ourselves) hurt.

Absolutely.  Except nowadays businesses don't want to pay for the manpower.  So they use one bouncer instead of three, and only figure out that this raises their liability in medical claims and lawsuits only after they are financially crippled by them.  Some folks are penny-wise but dollar foolish.  Numbers are by far the safest way to handle situations like that.  Both health-wise and financially.

The worst employers of security are those who don't understand the concept of medical liability in an enforcement context, whose eyes light up with "get something for nothing" when you tell 'em you're medically trained (and they couldn't tell you the difference between CLS, ACLS, EMT, or PMD, and they don't care), not realizing that practicing medicine without a license is a crime and the liability that goes with it trying to get medical personnel who are not properly covered on the cheap, employed (and paid) as security, without medical direction, is a recipe for EPIC disaster.

It's no wonder Elliott doesn't want to talk about his other job.  That fits with everyone else who's done it or doing it who is any good at it.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Aug 2016, 06:14
That's a variation of the use of force continuum I have not seen.  Ours is Presence, verbal, soft hands, chemical, taser, hard hands, secondary impact, deadly force.

It's amazing how things change, yet remain the same, over time.

I'm facing a different population than you, obviously.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Mr. Skawronska on 15 Aug 2016, 06:16
That's a variation of the use of force continuum I have not seen.  Ours is Presence, verbal, soft hands, chemical, taser, hard hands, secondary impact, deadly force.

It's amazing how things change, yet remain the same, over time.

I'm facing a different population than you, obviously.

Agreed.  With a different set of laws and rules of engagement.  But the similarities are there.  Just different verbiage.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Neko_Ali on 15 Aug 2016, 06:22
It might be because of the location and the employer as well as the time period. For instance, when working at department stores when I was younger I was often tapped to assist Loss Prevention when they expected to have trouble because I used to be big and intimidating looking. Our rules were that we had to be entirely hands off unless we were clearly physically defending ourselves and under no circumstances were we to use weapons of any kind. All for fear of lawsuits by people trying to steal from the store. Similarly I applied for mall security work before and the rules were pretty much the same. We were not allowed to carry anything more dangerous than a walkie talkie. Not even tasers or mace. Basically, if we couldn't intimidate someone into leaving via physical presence we had to call the police and let them deal with it. We were never allowed to actually touch someone.

On the other hand my room mate also worked LP and security jobs and was required to be armed while on duty. But they worked in much more dangerous areas. Not only were their issues with shoplifters and employees stealing, but sometimes they had to deal with armed robbery and the like. So again, there are a lot of factors that play into responses. I doubt that Elliot goes armed in part because of his personality. And probably for legal complications. Incapacitating weapons can have odd effects on people who are intoxicated. I can't think of any case I've heard of where a bouncer was carrying. Most of them seem to go for physical intimidation or incapacitation via grappling of by sheer size/weight. And I image Elliot is immune to the dress code because he needs to be clearly identified as security. Hence the big word across his chest.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: gopher on 15 Aug 2016, 06:43
Finding it difficult to care about tertiary characters when there is PLOT awaiting with more central ones.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Morituri on 15 Aug 2016, 10:11
One summer when it was necessary to earn money for the following year's tuition, I worked as a bouncer.  My instructions were to be as gentle as possible but no gentler. 

Usually I was able to de-escalate things without violence.  Being alert to situations that could turn into violence and being there before it starts is the best way to do the job. Often you can stop a fight just by listening to people and asking nonjudgmental questions in a friendly way until one or both (or all) realize that fighting over it is stupid.  Otherwise a simple reminder that it was my job to prevent fights or stop them would often convince them that it wasn't the right place or time to fight and somebody would go away angry (but under their own power and without violence).  If that didn't work I'd just do what Wil is doing in this frame and tell somebody they needed to leave. 

If it went beyond that my usual next move was to just wrap my arms around someone, hold them too close for them to kick me, and just keep squeezing harder until they quit giving me trouble.  Incidentally I can squeeze harder than most people are prepared for or even can believe. It controls most situations, doesn't leave injuries, and facilitates carrying them out the door.  And weirdly, a lot of people, even drunks, grow calmer when restrained.  A couple of female patrons even propositioned me as I was carrying them out (I appreciate the thought, ma'am, but I'm way too sober for that tonight...). It only got as far as landing blows on a few occasions when there were more than just two or three people involved and they had already escalated to violence.

Of note, it really, REALLY matters for that job who the bartender is.  We had a couple guys on whose shifts people were mostly calm and happy and didn't fight, and one guy on whose shifts it was just miserable and you never knew which direction it would come from. Guess which one didn't know when to cut people off and guess which two made four times his income in tips.  Also guess which two usually had more people in the place and having a good time and which one got fired halfway through the summer.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 15 Aug 2016, 11:45
Finding it difficult to care about tertiary characters when there is PLOT awaiting with more central ones.
How is this not plot? If anything, I'm finding this new Elliot/Brun arc more interesting than the Faye one.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 15 Aug 2016, 12:40
Finding it difficult to care about tertiary characters when there is PLOT awaiting with more central ones.

If you just want the same characters in the same pattern of shenanigans, I'm pretty sure the Garfield archive is still functioning.

Who is to say that Brun or Elliot are just tertiary characters?

Elliot was the one who gave Marten the push to go out with Padma, if only for a brief fling, but it did help raise Marten's confidence after the break up with Dora.

Characters be they secondary or tertiary, often carry far more plot significance than the main characters, who usually react rather than initiate.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: explicit on 15 Aug 2016, 12:46
I enjoy the breaks from the main characters sometimes because otherwise the comic would get stale without constant drama - which is annoying in of itself and the reason why I stopped reading DoA. If the same characters are just goofing and making jokes all the time they blend into each other way too much so it makes it so things have to forced unto the MCs, which, at least to me, gets tiring.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 15 Aug 2016, 12:58
Nice to see Wil again, even for a single panel

And I'm guessing that guy had to be 'Made' to leave in the end



I'm loving the dynamic between Brun and Elliott
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 15 Aug 2016, 13:28
Explicit, you think DoA doesn't have enough drama?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: explicit on 15 Aug 2016, 13:40
Explicit, you think DoA doesn't have enough drama?

I meant it had way too much and because the characters were always doing the same things when not in drama related strips it stopped being funny to me. Like, in order to keep it interesting Willis forced over-the-top drama all the time, which turned me off from the comic. There's that tipping point between "interesting drama" and omg stop it already.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Oenone on 15 Aug 2016, 14:19
Is the girl in the background of panel three grown up KiKi???
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: heyjames4 on 15 Aug 2016, 14:53
Speculation: the belligerent door did not leave under its own power. Eliot feels bad over putting a man down, but came to work at the bakery anyway.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 15 Aug 2016, 14:56
If you think the comic spends too long away from the central characters, then you'd have to consider rethinking your premise, wouldn't you?

The comic has changed, and would more accurately be described as having an ensemble cast these days.

Any single blow hard enough to render someone unconscious is very likely to cause serious head trauma. Crippling strikes, like breaking a nose or damaging joints, is a much wiser move than attempting to knock them out cold.

Tangentally: a couple of recent incidents in Sydney of deaths caused by head trauma (more from the head hitting the ground, if I remember correctly) from an unprovoked single-punch assault lead to so-called 'one-punch' laws (http://www.nsw.gov.au/onepunch).

Then there are the controversial CBD lockout laws, but that's an entirely different kettle of fish...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: MooskiNet on 15 Aug 2016, 15:42
There is an entire world in the words "Not really, no."

Elliott is one of my favorites.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 15 Aug 2016, 17:51
Quote from: Morituri
Being alert to situations that could turn into violence and being there before it starts is the best way to do the job. Often you can stop a fight just by listening to people and asking nonjudgmental questions in a friendly way until one or both (or all) realize that fighting over it is stupid.  Otherwise a simple reminder that it was my job to prevent fights or stop them would often convince them that it wasn't the right place or time to fight and somebody would go away angry (but under their own power and without violence).  If that didn't work I'd just do what Wil is doing in this frame and tell somebody they needed to leave. 

Goodness. Sounds like my job.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Thrudd on 15 Aug 2016, 18:46
Sounds like that "door" flew off it's hinges.

Mayhap it may even have suffered defenestration.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 15 Aug 2016, 19:21
I hope the window is okay.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 15 Aug 2016, 20:00
More Brün. And Yay! more Elliott.

You break the bottle on something else first.

(I love "Kiki's Delivery Service". I always tear up at the credits.)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Squiddlywinx on 15 Aug 2016, 20:27
Elliott's so nice. I really don't want to have him get another crush that doesn't work out because he's not a main character.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Penquin47 on 15 Aug 2016, 20:36
Brun in a tuxedo is nice.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Awsyme on 15 Aug 2016, 21:24
Elliott's so nice. I really don't want to have him get another crush that doesn't work out because he's not a main character.

Although in a few pages he seems, er, a better fit for her than clinton.  Sorry Clinton.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 15 Aug 2016, 21:30
It's "Brun." It wasn't because he's not a main character. There's no reason to imagine that an apology to Clinton is necessary or even wanted.

In that order. I'm sure you can work out the rest.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Rincewind on 15 Aug 2016, 22:57
It occurs to me that Bubbles and Elliott would make a pretty darn intimidating pair of bouncers.  I'm not sure how Bubbles would feel about being considered "scary' though. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 15 Aug 2016, 23:03
Not to mention dressing fancy.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: explicit on 15 Aug 2016, 23:06
I love fancy suits so much that all my fallout 4 companions wear tuxedos.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: hakko504 on 15 Aug 2016, 23:15
Just noticed the title of today's strip, "Are You Being Served?" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Are_You_Being_Served%3F). Could it be that Jeph is a fan of old britcoms? I know I am, I just finished watching an old one called "Grace And Favour" (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/AreYouBeingServed) the other day. Or as it was known in the US, "Are You Being Served, Again?" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_%26_Favour)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 15 Aug 2016, 23:28
What that facial expression means, Brun, is that Elliot suspects that you, in period costume suited to The Horrible Revelation, would probably look quite attractive. You are entirely at liberty to be as flattered or disturbed by this fact as you choose to be. Jeph definitely has decided to stir the pot here by having a few characters show personal interest in Brun. Does it still violate the shipping rules when Jeph is as explicit about it as he is here? :wink:

It occurs to me that Bubbles and Elliott would make a pretty darn intimidating pair of bouncers.  I'm not sure how Bubbles would feel about being considered "scary' though. 

Bubbles has already told Faye that she is aware that some people find her intimidating. I don't think that she would be happy having a job where being scary was a key aspect of her duties. That said, I am sure that she knows how to use her sheer physical presence to deter aggression if needed to avoid violence.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 15 Aug 2016, 23:34
She looks good in a Suit

And I think it means Elliott thinks you would look good in a Suit.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Gyrre on 16 Aug 2016, 01:02
Sounds like that "door" flew off it's hinges.

Mayhap it may even have suffered defenestration.
Yay! ^-^
I'm not the only person who says "mayhap".
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: oddtail on 16 Aug 2016, 01:33
You break the bottle on something else first.

It's not always a great idea. Bottles do not break that easily on hard surfaces, either, and if you strike something with the bottle with enough force, you are likely to get fingers full of broken glass rather than anything usable as a weapon. And/or the bottle just shatters completely and you're not left with anything you can easily hold.

From what I know, it's possible to break a bottle without hurting yourself, but it's tricky. Also, an unbroken bottle is a pretty good weapon in itself, anyway. It's basically a club, and clubs can deliver more injury than most people think.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 16 Aug 2016, 01:43
This may just be me but I can't help but wonder how often Brun has to say "I don't know how to interpret that facial expression."

On first read-through, it's an innocent punchline in response to Elliot's very obvious trip away to a happy place. However, on second thoughts, you can't help but realise that it gives an insight into just how difficult Brun must find interacting with new people sometimes. It must be hard to have to navigate a world full of road-signs (body language, some of it subconscious and facial expressions) that are effectively written in a language that she barely understands at all.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: explicit on 16 Aug 2016, 01:49
You break the bottle on something else first.

It's not always a great idea. Bottles do not break that easily on hard surfaces, either, and if you strike something with the bottle with enough force, you are likely to get fingers full of broken glass rather than anything usable as a weapon. And/or the bottle just shatters completely and you're not left with anything you can easily hold.

From what I know, it's possible to break a bottle without hurting yourself, but it's tricky. Also, an unbroken bottle is a pretty good weapon in itself, anyway. It's basically a club, and clubs can deliver more injury than most people think.

Personally, I think it makes you slower and more predictable (you're going to overhand or swing it). Against people who haven't been in any fights? Fine, they may not get that. But, a bouncer is going to be just fine (or, based on what that job entails, should be).

A club or bat has the added benefit of being longer; a bottle, while giving you an extra 6 inches or so, isn't long enough to remove the fact that it's a piss poor weapon against anyone who knows anything about self defense.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: heyjames4 on 16 Aug 2016, 02:12
1. Did Elliot accidentally kill a man last night?
2. Is he trying to flirt with Brun?
Either or both of those would be interesting.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Dizrupt on 16 Aug 2016, 02:22
Presence, Dialogue, Control Alternatives, Protective Alternatives, and... Deadly Force.

Sometimes you have to escalate.
Finally registered after years of lurking to comment on this:

As someone who lives in a country where not even police carry firearms(excluding the AOS*), where deadly force is only to be used reactively as a last resort to protect life, I'm experiencing major culture shock reading this.
Especially as we are talking about a Bouncer aka Security Officer aka Private citizen, the idea of deadly force even being on the table caught me off guard.

Not trying to start a shitstorm regarding different countries laws and gun culture, just thought it was worth commenting how strange it was reading that from my perspective.


*AOS or Armed Offenders Squad is basically the New Zealand equivalent of SWAT
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 16 Aug 2016, 02:22
1. Did Elliot accidentally kill a man last night?

I think that's a bit too dark for QC. However, I can see him having put some permanent dents and corners into parts of the drunken brawler that weren't previously present.

2. Is he trying to flirt with Brun?

Elliott isn't the flirting sort. He's more the 'he worshipped her from afar although she never knew it' sort of guy. He already lost one girl because of his inability to express his feelings.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: heyjames4 on 16 Aug 2016, 03:26
Eliot did pedestalize Parma from afar. And that didn't work out. Maybe he's changed since then. Personal growth is a big deal in QC.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: brasca on 16 Aug 2016, 03:43
Elliott's so nice. I really don't want to have him get another crush that doesn't work out because he's not a main character.

Although in a few pages he seems, er, a better fit for her than clinton.  Sorry Clinton.

It really all depends on Brun.  Elliot may be interested, but unless Brun reciprocates it's just another unrequited crush.  With Clinton she did seem interested.  Not infatuated, but interested. 

That being said it would be nice if something worked out for Elliot. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Lubricus on 16 Aug 2016, 04:43
That being said it would be nice if something worked out for Elliot.

Agreed. I like Elliot A LOT better than I like Clinton. The big guy has shown his greatness several times, and deserves some happy times.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Mr. Skawronska on 16 Aug 2016, 05:36
That being said it would be nice if something worked out for Elliot.

It would indeed.  Because that would be a welcome change from reality.  I know far too many Elliotts things haven't worked out for.  Some are even still alive.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: comicalArchitect on 16 Aug 2016, 06:19
Am I the only one who thinks it's weird that the Horrible Revelation has a human bouncer at all? It seems like one area where AIs have the clear edge.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 16 Aug 2016, 06:58
My guess would be that AIs might disrupt the intended "old timey" ambiance of the place.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: oddtail on 16 Aug 2016, 07:00
Am I the only one who thinks it's weird that the Horrible Revelation has a human bouncer at all? It seems like one area where AIs have the clear edge.

It's been shown that there is some anti-AI prejudice and even people who do not openly antagonize AIs are likely to be at least a little uncomfortable around them. An AI bouncer would certainly have a very high intimidation factor, but would also make at least some people very uncomfortable. A bouncer who physically looks tough but friendly is a better choice in many situations, and I assume some people would just be afraid of *any* AI bouncer, even if that fear'd be irrational.

Plus, AIs might be unwilling to be bouncers in the first place, because they might have issues with using physical violence against people, worried about being labelled as "violent" or "dangerous" or whatever. And the ones less reserved about that... well, might not make great bouncers.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: freeman on 16 Aug 2016, 07:08
It really all depends on Brun.  Elliot may be interested, but unless Brun reciprocates it's just another unrequited crush.  With Clinton she did seem interested.  Not infatuated, but interested. 

That being said it would be nice if something worked out for Elliot.
If shipping was allowed, I'd ship Hannelore for Elliot. Firstly because her anxieties would need someone gentle but also manly, secondly: she's a rather tall woman herself.

Random thought 1: We haven't heard about Margold and Dale in a while, I feel: pregnancy scare.

Random thought 2: Cute little love handles on Brun.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BlueFatima on 16 Aug 2016, 07:34
Brun is a really interesting character. When other characters are around her (especially ones who show a potential love interest) their different communication styles become very clear. Clinton is a very verbal person to the point he has trouble reading others. Elliot is much more of a quiet body language person. I'm actually lucky to be married to someone like that. We've taught one another so much with our different communication styles. Perhaps (if there was shipping allowed) the best pair would actually be Clinton and Elliott. I'm completely joking of course. It is really neat, though, to see how different they are—as well as other characters who speak with Brun.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: freeman on 16 Aug 2016, 08:02
(if there was shipping allowed)

It's not explicitly banned (I checked the rules), but I've been around long enough to know that it's heavily frowned upon. "Only canon pairings", or something like that. Apparently there used to be some really big shipping flame feasts some years ago.

Also, anything "creepy" may get removed.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Eternal_Newbie on 16 Aug 2016, 08:49
The Shipping Wars almost got the forums closed down, so we tend to avoid the subject
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 16 Aug 2016, 09:13
I think a wise policy is that it's probably ok if the characters mention it first.
Sounds like that "door" flew off it's hinges.

Mayhap it may even have suffered defenestration.
Yay! ^-^
I'm not the only person who says "mayhap".
I say mayhaps, is that close enough? Mayhap sounds odd, you wouldn't say perhap, would you?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 16 Aug 2016, 12:45
I always thought mayhaps was a portmanteau of maybe and perhaps, which means mayhap and perhap are equally wrong.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Morituri on 16 Aug 2016, 13:00

Finally registered after years of lurking to comment on this:

As someone who lives in a country where not even police carry firearms(excluding the AOS*), where deadly force is only to be used reactively as a last resort to protect life, I'm experiencing major culture shock reading this. Especially as we are talking about a Bouncer aka Security Officer aka Private citizen, the idea of deadly force even being on the table caught me off guard.

It's not, really.  If anyone in private security uses deadly force against someone who is not threatening lives with deadly force, that private security person is going to jail.  If someone dies as a result, they face murder charges and if the jury does not agree that the use of deadly force was required in the situation, they could go to jail for a very long time. In theory this also applies to police, but in practice police are often acquitted at trial due to the nature of their job when private citizens (including security employees) would not be.  As a private security worker, Elliot might occasionally do someone a serious injury - but if so, and that person chooses to press charges, he will find himself on trial.

As far as the law is concerned in the USA, you ought to be completely safe w/r/t licit use of deadly force in any public space ... until the moment you pick up a weapon and threaten someone's life, or perform some form of physical assault that poses a risk of death to someone. 

Also, while the ownership and use of firearms is a legal right for American citizens, most of us do not own or use them.  In most urban areas, actually carrying a firearm is prohibited, so owning them means keeping them at home and perhaps taking them out to a firing range or hunting occasionally, but if you have one on the street you will get arrested.   I grew up in an area where firearms are tools for hunting, pest control and the defense of livestock from predators.  We all got hunting licenses every year and had documents certifying that we'd been trained on gun safety.  There were a dozen firearms in our house - different types for different purposes.  But now I live in a city and have no use for them so I don't own any.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 16 Aug 2016, 13:06
Mayhap and perhaps both have the same Middle English root, happy, meaning chance/fortune.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 16 Aug 2016, 13:34
Welcome, Dizrupt!

There's an entire thread somewhere about what people find bizarre about others's countries.

That use of force continuum is accompanied, in training classes, by rules about when you can and cannot escalate. Private security can only use deadly force as a last resort to protect life (or prevent crippling injury) so we're not quite as bizarre as you might have thought.

The legal self-defense doctrines are part of our common heritage from England so they too are likely to make sense to you.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: DonInKansas on 16 Aug 2016, 15:49
I always thought mayhaps was a portmanteau of maybe and perhaps, which means mayhap and perhap are equally wrong.

So if you really love me, say yes...
But if you don't dear; confess...
And please don't tell me...
Mayhaps, mayhaps, mayhaps…
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 16 Aug 2016, 16:08
Welcome Dizrupt from a fellow Kiwi  :) 


Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Mr. Skawronska on 16 Aug 2016, 16:39
The Shipping Wars almost got the forums closed down, so we tend to avoid the subject

Yeah, I hear UPS and FedEx drivers are some really mean boogers.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Thrudd on 16 Aug 2016, 17:13
That being said it would be nice if something worked out for Elliot.
Agreed. I like Elliot A LOT better than I like Clinton. The big guy has shown his greatness several times, and deserves some happy times.

Why pick only one and not both?
I would love to see the dynamic between the awkward duo [trio?] Heck, they two guys may even for a grudging freindship where their common ground is that each actually cares for Brun in their own way?


It occurs to me that Bubbles and Elliott would make a pretty darn intimidating pair of bouncers.  I'm not sure how Bubbles would feel about being considered "scary' though. 
Bubbles has already told Faye that she is aware that some people find her intimidating. I don't think that she would be happy having a job where being scary was a key aspect of her duties. That said, I am sure that she knows how to use her sheer physical presence to deter aggression if needed to avoid violence.
With some coaxing and a resolute seamstress I could see her in 1890's masque ball finery, china mask, black lace bonnet, silk gloves et al, rendering patrons assistance when not standing by the end of the bar, silently watching and observing.

Oh oh oh - voice changer in the mask to make her sound like a Vorlon would be epic.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: comicalArchitect on 16 Aug 2016, 18:27
comic

So that arc ended rather quickly.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 16 Aug 2016, 18:29
I dunno if I could eat a dozen croissants, but I am totally up for giving it a shot. You know, for science.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 16 Aug 2016, 18:35
It occurs to me that Bubbles and Elliott would make a pretty darn intimidating pair of bouncers.  I'm not sure how Bubbles would feel about being considered "scary' though. 
Bubbles has already told Faye that she is aware that some people find her intimidating. I don't think that she would be happy having a job where being scary was a key aspect of her duties. That said, I am sure that she knows how to use her sheer physical presence to deter aggression if needed to avoid violence.
With some coaxing and a resolute seamstress I could see her in 1890's masque ball finery, china mask, black lace bonnet, silk gloves et al, rendering patrons assistance when not standing by the end of the bar, silently watching and observing.

Oh oh oh - voice changer in the mask to make her sound like a Vorlon would be epic.

I don't think that its just her appearance that troubles Bubbles (heh), if it were, she could probably upgrade to a civilian chassis, or at least a far less intimidating one. Rather, I believe its the fact that she sees herself as a weapon, or close to one. Putting her into a position where she might have to use violence would be far more detrimental to Bubbles than anything else and we do know that she does have an anger management problem.

And to be fair, any bouncers I've ever met seem to be universally paragons of patience. They need to be. If word gets out that a bouncer beats the crap out of club/bar patrons, then no one is going to want to go there. Likewise I imagine that the anti-AI crowd would have a field day if Bubbles were forced to use her combat skills to eject a drunk or belligerent person from any bar.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 16 Aug 2016, 18:37
Croissants are awesome. I get a bunch from the bakery stands at the farmers' market every time I go.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Welu on 16 Aug 2016, 18:50
One of my favourite memories is the time I bit into a croissant expecting it to be a plain one but turned out to be full of chocolate. Simple pleasures.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 16 Aug 2016, 18:57
Personally I prefer the plain ones. But I'll take a chocolate one, too.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: heyjames4 on 16 Aug 2016, 19:00
Yes. All the croissants.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 16 Aug 2016, 19:26
One of my favourite memories is the time I bit into a croissant expecting it to be a plain one but turned out to be full of chocolate. Simple pleasures.

On one trip to Helsinki years ago, I was staying in this hotel and I had a terrible night's sleep. So bleary eyed and confused, my (then) girlfriend suggested we have breakfast at this bakery nearby that makes croissants fresh every morning.

I took one bite and couldn't understand what I was eating (yes, it was that bad a night's sleep). They made their croissants with Aura cheese, a type of blue cheese and reindeer bacon. I don't know if it was my tiredness, the sheer unexpected combination or that it was really tasty, but my mind was kind of blown.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Aug 2016, 19:28
Elliott's so nice. I really don't want to have him get another crush that doesn't work out because he's not a main character.

comic

So that arc ended rather quickly.

COUGH COUGH COUGH
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Aug 2016, 19:31
Welcome, Dizrupt!

There's an entire thread somewhere about what people find bizarre about others's countries.

That use of force continuum is accompanied, in training classes, by rules about when you can and cannot escalate. Private security can only use deadly force as a last resort to protect life (or prevent crippling injury) so we're not quite as bizarre as you might have thought.

The legal self-defense doctrines are part of our common heritage from England so they too are likely to make sense to you.

And, I should point out, I essentially copied the list from my training manual. (I am a juvenile Corrections Officer *sigh*.)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 16 Aug 2016, 20:12
>I am a juvenile Corrections Officer

You seemed pretty mature to me ...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Oenone on 16 Aug 2016, 20:25
Lol Poor Renee! She wants compliments with words not croissant devouring!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 16 Aug 2016, 20:31
>I am a juvenile Corrections Officer

You seemed pretty mature to me ...

*snerk*

I know, I'm easily amused.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 16 Aug 2016, 21:05
With some coaxing and a resolute seamstress I could see her in 1890's masque ball finery, china mask, black lace bonnet, silk gloves et al...

First I wanted to see Bubbles in a tux. Now I want her to have her own dress montage.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Aug 2016, 21:12
>I am a juvenile Corrections Officer

You seemed pretty mature to me ...

Ba-dum-bump. :P ;)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Phaedrus_schmaedrus on 16 Aug 2016, 22:10
Croissants are really good. Everyone can agree on that. The important question is: are croissants the best pastry?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 16 Aug 2016, 22:17
With some coaxing and a resolute seamstress I could see her in 1890's masque ball finery, china mask, black lace bonnet, silk gloves et al...

First I wanted to see Bubbles in a tux. Now I want her to have her own dress montage.

If you mean this (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2397), then yes, this must happen.

Croissants are really good. Everyone can agree on that. The important question is: are croissants the best pastry?

Excellent question.

I do not think there is a best pastry, because all people and all moods demand different pastries.

Now I've got that waffle* out of the way, I think it should be clear to every one that, actually, the kouign amann (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kouign-amann) is the best pastry.

(http://www.foodreporter.fr/upload/original/3/z/o/j/a/347670.jpg)

Because butter.

And canelés are the best pastry for people with far too much time on their hands (or who know someone else who does and is actually willing to part with one for a lot of money).

But if you exclude sometimes foods, croissants are definitely the best pastry.

* I don't think waffles are a pastry.

P.S. Bugger, now I am hungry.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 16 Aug 2016, 23:21
Wow! I could never eat that many croissants in one sitting! The pastry is too dry; my mouth would end up like it was made of sandpaper! Still, Brun definitely likes this part of Renee's cooking skills, even if she's no fan of the presentation end of her casseroles!

Meanwhile, we learn that Brun is a devotee of the Ruby Rose school of eating baked goods!

Hrm... 'toasty'. I can't help but wonder if this is the first time in a long time that Brun has eaten some decent, fresh food. Maybe the old boss didn't pay very well or maybe she just wasn't all that good at feeding herself. However, her expectations do seem to have been more like: "Yay, more throw-out stuff for breakfast." I might be reading too much into it but I'm thinking that the destruction of the bar may yet turn out to be a serious blessing for her.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Clubman8 on 16 Aug 2016, 23:34
Random thought 1: We haven't heard about Margold and Dale in a while, I feel: pregnancy scare.

You know, in over 3000 entries I feel like that topic is long overdue. As long as it doesn't end in loss.jpg 2016, we could have a good arc on our hands. With so many characters to dwell on, a baby wouldn't necessarily derail any progression in the overall comic.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Akima on 17 Aug 2016, 01:53
If your croissant is dry, it was made with insufficient butter. I don't think I could eat a dozen either though, because they are so rich.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 17 Aug 2016, 02:04
Random thought 1: We haven't heard about Margold and Dale in a while, I feel: pregnancy scare.

You know, in over 3000 entries I feel like that topic is long overdue. As long as it doesn't end in loss.jpg 2016, we could have a good arc on our hands. With so many characters to dwell on, a baby wouldn't necessarily derail any progression in the overall comic.

FWIW, I always got the impression that Jeph wasn't so much opposed to the idea as much as he felt that he couldn't write or draw a baby character in any way that avoided self-parody. However now he has a baby relative on the way (a niece or nephew; I don't think that's been publicly confirmed) he might have a different mindset and approach. QC has enough autobiographical elements that I could see him inserting a secondary-level character pairing (such as, say, Dale and Marigold) having a child just to reflect his own experience of unclehood.

Whether that happens? Well, that's up to him, isn't it?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: brasca on 17 Aug 2016, 03:51
I would also add that she seemingly devoured a dozen croissants in such a short amount of time without any beverage on hand.  That's quite a feat!  Sometimes I forget to take a sip of my coffee after eating my toast, but I could never get through that many pastries without a drink. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: MooskiNet on 17 Aug 2016, 05:13
I would also add that she seemingly devoured a dozen croissants in such a short amount of time without any beverage on hand.  That's quite a feat!

If there is one word I could use for Brun, it would be 'focused.'
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: JimC on 17 Aug 2016, 05:40
Think we can be reasonably confident that Brun is not suffering from Hannelore's eating problem...

I'm sure there's a deliberate contrast there, even if I have no idea where it will go.

Now all I have to do is persuade myself I don't need the croissant that I seem to have a sudden urge for...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 17 Aug 2016, 05:47
Think we can be reasonably confident that Brun is not suffering from Hannelore's eating problem...

I'm sure there's a deliberate contrast there, even if I have no idea where it will go.

A possible future strip where Brun is sitting opposite Hannelore and coaching her on how to eat pastries without using your hands (a skill that Hannelore wants to learn for a variety of reasons, most of them hygienic)?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 17 Aug 2016, 08:02
I get the feeling that Brun didn't so much eat the croissants, as that she inhaled them.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: jheartney on 17 Aug 2016, 08:08
Random thought 1: We haven't heard about Margold and Dale in a while, I feel: pregnancy scare.

You know, in over 3000 entries I feel like that topic is long overdue. As long as it doesn't end in loss.jpg 2016, we could have a good arc on our hands. With so many characters to dwell on, a baby wouldn't necessarily derail any progression in the overall comic.

FWIW, I always got the impression that Jeph wasn't so much opposed to the idea as much as he felt that he couldn't write or draw a baby character in any way that avoided self-parody. However now he has a baby relative on the way (a niece or nephew; I don't think that's been publicly confirmed) he might have a different mindset and approach. QC has enough autobiographical elements that I could see him inserting a secondary-level character pairing (such as, say, Dale and Marigold) having a child just to reflect his own experience of unclehood.

Whether that happens? Well, that's up to him, isn't it?

Babies are tricky to fit into a long-form narrative that hasn't had them before. Part of this is that real babies take a long time to develop any sort of individual agency, so their impact on storylines is kind of like a boat anchor. And even once they start being individuals, it's often kind of cutesy in a way that wouldn't fit with a story form hitherto dedicated to at-least-somewhat adult issues.

I could see a pregnancy scare for Dale and Marigold working with the fact that they (especially Marigold) are not at all ready for parenthood. We could see them wrestle with issues relating to their passage to adulthood, but at this point I think the only real choice would be for them to terminate the pregnancy. Not sure how you'd generate punchlines out of that, but if anybody could do it it'd be Jeph.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: hedgie on 17 Aug 2016, 08:24
And here I thought that marigold gave birth to a baby Hanners
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Thrudd on 17 Aug 2016, 11:29
The croissants I usually end up getting, even if very fresh, are low on the butter content BUT I make up for that with the following.
Split horizontally, place on a pizza pan, grate a firm cheese on the open faces then place in either oven or BBQ [house AC can't handle the oven in summer]
Once the cheese is melty but before the pastry starts to darken I drop finely sliced double smoked pork loin on top and leave just long enough to have the pastry brown nicely and the meat warm up.
Close and eat while warm. [insert homerjsimpson arglbargle]

Note, I use one of several varieties of non-creamy goat cheeses due to my lactose issue.
Also hard aged cheeses, which I dont have the lactose problem with,  don't go all melty before the pastry gets too brown and crispy or black and ashy.


My favorite baked good is still hands down an authentic Pączki aka krepel aka Polish Doughnuts though Krapfen aka Berliners come in as a close substitute.
(http://www.bbq-piraten.de/forum/attachment.php?s=f667cf37c8a0bd1b2f6ec117c8c617ad&attachmentid=51734&d=1360684163)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: FunkyTuba on 17 Aug 2016, 12:29
anyone else getting a new look to the site, sort of a plain look? I guess Jeph's working on the look+feel?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 17 Aug 2016, 12:35
Ugh, ruining perfectly good baked goods with animal carcass. Sacrilege.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: anahata on 17 Aug 2016, 12:37
anyone else getting a new look to the site, sort of a plain look? I guess Jeph's working on the look+feel?

Yup, getting it here too. The forum link will be much easier to click if if stays like this; it used to be too small and surrounded by false targets.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: explicit on 17 Aug 2016, 12:58
Ugh, ruining perfectly good baked goods with animal carcass. Sacrilege.

Idk, I had taco ingredients (beef, onions, peppers) shoved into croissants yesterday and it was pretty good. Although, I think my intestines hate me right.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 17 Aug 2016, 13:16
Ugh, ruining perfectly good baked goods with animal carcass. Sacrilege.

Idk, I had taco ingredients (beef, onions, peppers) shoved into croissants yesterday and it was pretty good. Although, I think my intestines hate me right.

To be fair, I consider animal carcass to ruin everything it touches. Personal bias. The onions and peppers sound pretty tasty though. Roasted red peppers and grilled onions would be pretty awesome in a pastry.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: explicit on 17 Aug 2016, 13:22
Beans or lentils may also work as a beef substitute in what I had. Most of the flavor comes from the peppers and spices.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Nepiophage on 17 Aug 2016, 14:05
With some coaxing and a resolute seamstress I could see her in 1890's masque ball finery, china mask, black lace bonnet, silk gloves et al, rendering patrons assistance when not standing by the end of the bar, silently watching and observing.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d3/6b/73/d36b734b19a746b6ade3df42b64722b5.jpg (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d3/6b/73/d36b734b19a746b6ade3df42b64722b5.jpg)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: gopher on 17 Aug 2016, 15:36
anyone else getting a new look to the site, sort of a plain look? I guess Jeph's working on the look+feel?
  Was wondering if something was broken, everything on it seems wrong.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 17 Aug 2016, 15:57
So, it would appear that we have found a relative of Cookie Monster - Brun, the Croissant Monster  ;D



I was wondering if there'd been a change to the Front Page of the Comic.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 17 Aug 2016, 16:33
Yay, Renée!

I love the smell of croissants in the morning --- it smells like ... VICTORY!

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Clubman8 on 17 Aug 2016, 16:39
anyone else getting a new look to the site, sort of a plain look? I guess Jeph's working on the look+feel?

Yup, getting it here too. The forum link will be much easier to click if if stays like this; it used to be too small and surrounded by false targets.

Whatever happened, it totally destroyed mobile. http://m.imgur.com/BxKVeYI,sLl0pQy
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Welu on 17 Aug 2016, 16:47
When I looked on mobile earlier, the comic was squished to the size of the browser.

Fair play to Jeph. It's not the first time he's edited the live site and it's always a ride from this side of the screen.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 17 Aug 2016, 18:51
New comic...

"I was pissed off about my mom last wee."

That sounds like something to be careful about being pissed off about. If you're not careful, urine trouble.  :clairedoge:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: heyjames4 on 17 Aug 2016, 19:14
Well. That settles that bit of speculation. I'm excited to see what happens next for Elliot and or Brun
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: SubaruStephen on 17 Aug 2016, 19:49
Elliot = dog personality.

Renee= cat (obviously)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Phaedrus_schmaedrus on 17 Aug 2016, 20:07
Ugh, ruining perfectly good baked goods with animal carcass. Sacrilege.

Idk, I had taco ingredients (beef, onions, peppers) shoved into croissants yesterday and it was pretty good. Although, I think my intestines hate me right.

seconded; savory pastries are underrated.

not so fancy, but a brazilian place in town sells these little cheese buns, where the cheese is somehow baked into the bread (?!). they're just perfect little bites of hot flaky bread and cheese, and i could probably eat a bag of them.

quick google search for "brazilian cheese buns" yields this: http://www.oliviascuisine.com/authentic-brazilian-cheese-bread/
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 17 Aug 2016, 20:31
I love savoury pastry, though I strongly disagree that they are underrated. I would cite, for example, the popularity of meat pies and pasties.

However, the whole premise of the croissant is that it be buttery and flaky. Any croissant that has had some kind of filling shoved into it, in my experience, is inevitably stodgy.

Stodgy croissants are the worst pastry. If I can't get one fresh from a good bakery, then I'd rather have something else. Yes, you can call me a snob if you want.  :roll:

For some reason, ham and cheese croissants are popular in Sydney. FSM knows why.

Breaking: chouquettes may actually be the best pastry. I need to make some soon.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: brasca on 17 Aug 2016, 21:22
It seems like Renee craves validation, but on her terms only.  Brun devours an entire bag of her croissants in record time, but she's irked because she didn't get a verbal compliment about her it.  Now she's complaining about not getting a pat on the head even though Elliot listened to her complaining about her Mom and when he offers to do so belatedly she refuses. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: mad hands murphy on 17 Aug 2016, 21:46
Renee is just super pushy all the time isn't she.

She's like neo Dora now that Dora is on her journey of self-discovery.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 17 Aug 2016, 22:12
It seems like Renee craves validation, but on her terms only.  Brun devours an entire bag of her croissants in record time, but she's irked because she didn't get a verbal compliment about her it.  Now she's complaining about not getting a pat on the head even though Elliot listened to her complaining about her Mom and when he offers to do so belatedly she refuses.

If you take another look at the last two panels, you will see that she was not, in fact, complaining about not getting a pat on the head. That was only the way Elliot interpreted it*. She's trying to imply that Elliot wants to pat Brun on the head because he has a crush on her.

Now I've gone and explained the joke again. Sorry.

* Not only Ellliot, I guess.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: jheartney on 17 Aug 2016, 22:38
The new page design needs styling. At the moment you have lots of loose type on white, with no structure to help organize it. A few tint boxes and/or rules in the right places would make it much more appealing.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 17 Aug 2016, 23:13
So... Basically, what we're learning here is that Elliott has no real ability to express himself with women nor any instinct for it... at all. He also has a huge reserve of denial about his emotions and whether or not he is attracted to someone.

Actually, he is more like Marten than I thought. Indeed, it's as if Jeph took early model Marten's inability to deal with attractive women as anything other than sisters and turned it up to eleven!

FWIW, the main page is offline right now, although the archive page for the strip (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3289) is up. Jeph's last Tweet was that he had been playing a video game and it left him unable to sleep so he might be working on the formatting of the new page design software a bit more. Aaannnd, just to screw with me, the main page starts working immediately after I post!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: carnex on 17 Aug 2016, 23:19

If you take another look at the last two panels, you will see that she was not, in fact, complaining about not getting a pat on the head. That was only the way Elliot interpreted it*. She's trying to imply that Elliot wants to pat Brun on the head because he has a crush on her.

Now I've gone and explained the joke again. Sorry.

* Not only Ellliot, I guess.

If you take another look at it you can see her nearly equating her being pissed of at her mother to her friend losing her job, stuff and roof over head. That is textbook definition of unhealthily self centered. Even if it was to make a point on big guy not accepting his feelings, it's way, WAY to much.

And she didn't even refuse pat politely, she is drawn with clearly disgusted expresion. That drives the point even further.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Wildroses on 17 Aug 2016, 23:31
Well, Renee's not crazily protective about Brun's romantic life. She didn't seem unhappy with the idea of Elliot crushing on her precious vulnerable friend until he tried to muss up her carefully crafted hairstyle.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 17 Aug 2016, 23:31
Another minor thing from this strip: Some eagle-eyed readers have noticed that the doors in Northampton tend to magically raise themselves to the height of the most vertically-exaggerated characters, such as Bubbles and Elliott. Well, no longer! We can definitely see today that Elliott has to duck when entering The Secret Bakery unless he wants to ANH-Stormtrooper Blooper (https://youtu.be/Ja4v-qiFvBg) his forehead on the crossbeam!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 17 Aug 2016, 23:37

If you take another look at the last two panels, you will see that she was not, in fact, complaining about not getting a pat on the head. That was only the way Elliot interpreted it*. She's trying to imply that Elliot wants to pat Brun on the head because he has a crush on her.

Now I've gone and explained the joke again. Sorry.

* Not only Ellliot, I guess.

If you take another look at it you can see her nearly equating her being pissed of at her mother to her friend losing her job, stuff and roof over head. That is textbook definition of unhealthily self centered. Even if it was to make a point on big guy not accepting his feelings, it's way, WAY to much.

And she didn't even refuse pat politely, she is drawn with clearly disgusted expresion. That drives the point even further.

Why is this directed at me? My post had nothing to do with whether she is self-centered or not. It was specifically in response to someone claiming she wanted a pat on the head, which was a misinterpretation.

Having said that, I don't think she is actually equating the things you think she's equating. She's trying to prove to Elliot that he has a crush, that's all. Probably misguidedly.

I have no comment on whether she is self-centered.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Oenone on 18 Aug 2016, 03:11
Idk if it's self centered to give your friend fresh pastries....
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 18 Aug 2016, 03:30
Idk if it's self centered to give your friend fresh pastries....

It is self-centred if it's done so with the implicit assumption that you'll get some ego-stroking thanks and praise for doing so. I'm not saying that this was Renee's motive but clearly a lot of people do think that.

To me, the big joke in today's comic is that Elliott is so desperate to deny that he's attracted to Brun in any way that he's proposing to engage in an entirely inappropriately intimate behaviour with Renee so as to try to prove to himself that what he wants to do with Brun is nothing indicative of attraction. I can't exactly blame her for being freaked out by this.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Oenone on 18 Aug 2016, 03:45
I think she might have wanted to both be nice and show off a little; it's fun to bring your friend to work and show them the things you're good at, especially when it's food related and especially when it's a part of your world you don't normally get to share because of scheduling.

I also think Renee's teasing backfired with Elliot; she wanted to tease him about his crush, not get a head pat!

(Tho im curious what she was upset about re: her mom. If she's reverse Faye, I wonder how she's "lost" that parent? Drugs, maybe?)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Welu on 18 Aug 2016, 04:15
The art today is nice, especially the angle in panel 2.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: USS Martenclaire on 18 Aug 2016, 05:15
A thought occurred to me. This is the first time we've seen someone show romantic interest in Brun. Look back through Clinton's interactions with her; there's concern, banter, friendship but no sign of romance. Granted, the situation was rather...fraught...but even when he's talking to Claire afterwards, there aren't any hints at romantic attraction.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 18 Aug 2016, 05:18
Reading others' interpretations of a comic is endlessly fascinating. You don't realise you're even making assumptions until you see someone else's.

Idk if it's self centered to give your friend fresh pastries....

It is self-centred if it's done so with the implicit assumption that you'll get some ego-stroking thanks and praise for doing so. I'm not saying that this was Renee's motive but clearly a lot of people do think that.

To me, the big joke in today's comic is that Elliott is so desperate to deny that he's attracted to Brun in any way that he's proposing to engage in an entirely inappropriately intimate behaviour with Renee so as to try to prove to himself that what he wants to do with Brun is nothing indicative of attraction. I can't exactly blame her for being freaked out by this.

I don't even have time to describe how differently I saw the exact same scene.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 18 Aug 2016, 07:01
"entirely inappropriately intimate behaviour"

...you got that from a friendly head pat?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 18 Aug 2016, 07:05
Any unwanted and unsolicited touching is inappropriately intimate.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Nepiophage on 18 Aug 2016, 08:17
Any unwanted and unsolicited touching is inappropriately intimate.
Stay away from me then.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 18 Aug 2016, 08:45
It's all about respecting boundaries and consent. Don't just assume everyone has your comfort level.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Jakk Frost on 18 Aug 2016, 08:45
Any unwanted and unsolicited touching is inappropriately intimate.

And that right there is what's wrong with North American society today.   That's the kind of thinking that gets people wanting to charge 5 year olds with sexual harassment just for giving a hug to a classmate.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 18 Aug 2016, 08:51
Nice strawman there.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Gyrre on 18 Aug 2016, 09:03
Croissants are really good. Everyone can agree on that. The important question is: are croissants the best pastry?

That's a subjective question.
For me, the answer is 'no' because homemade apple fritters and blueberry coffecake crumble. Also homemade strawberry rhubarb pie. (Or is pie a confection?)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 18 Aug 2016, 09:04
Gyrre, please have mercy; I'm a diabetic!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: heyjames4 on 18 Aug 2016, 09:29

Looks like Eliot is crushing on Brun. Remember the star eyes when he first saw her?
It makes sense. He's got a strong protective instinct, and his first introduction to her she's literally Cinderella-ing.
(She lost everything, and is now cleaning a bakery for pocket money, while wearing a cute bow, and her flat affect can be read as determination in face of adversity.)
How strong the crush, unknown.
How much he accepts/understands his own feelings, unknown. Good discussion today on Renee's teasing and his counterproductive reaction.
If he has strong feelings, and an urge to demonstrate them, his track record is (as far as we know from the Padma arc) not good.

Someone else said earlier, he's very physical. A strong silent type. Good with reading body language and used to keeping mum.
She's very literal, unskilled in or incapable of interpreting nonverbal signals.
That's not a great match of communication styles.

Brun is unlikely to interpret statements of concern or acts of assistance from Eliot as indicators of interest (Renee and Jim are concerned and helpful, but not romantically interested).
If Eliot wants to pursue Brun, he's going to have to stretch outside his default style, to clearly and forthrightly state his intentions.
If he does that then, no matter how she feels about it, she'll probably respond with a stony face and rigid posture. Because that's her default style.
And to a kinesthetic person like Eliot, that will read as rejection, whether or not its intended.

Or maybe Renee will meddle, try to play matchmaker or (what's the word for anti-matchmaker), running roughshod over whatever feelings or preferences her two friends actually have in favor to what she thinks they want or what she thinks is best for them.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: sitnspin on 18 Aug 2016, 09:31
Croissants are really good. Everyone can agree on that. The important question is: are croissants the best pastry?

That's a subjective question.
For me, the answer is 'no' because homemade apple fritters and blueberry coffecake crumble. Also homemade strawberry rhubarb pie. (Or is pie a confection?)
I'd take croissants over any of those, but I don't really like sweets. As you said, subjective.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: drmike on 18 Aug 2016, 09:41
Do we have a thread (or an announcement even) about the new site layout?  I wanted to mention that the light blue font on a white background is an issue for those of us with vision issues.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Welu on 18 Aug 2016, 10:00
Emailing him (jephco at mac dot com) or trying his twitter (https://twitter.com/jephjacques) are probably the communication methods he is most likely to see. On the occasions that he changes the site, it's not announced here before or after usually.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 18 Aug 2016, 11:26
Welcome, carnex!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: FunkyTuba on 18 Aug 2016, 11:47
Is is canon or just me misremembering (or maybe a newspost or title/tagline) that Clinton wore glasses as a preference, not as a vision necessity?

I might have time for an archive crawl this weekend to prove myself right/wrong but if anyone remembers of this and has a link I'd be greatly appreciative.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: brasca on 18 Aug 2016, 12:17
Well, Renee's not crazily protective about Brun's romantic life. She didn't seem unhappy with the idea of Elliot crushing on her precious vulnerable friend until he tried to muss up her carefully crafted hairstyle.

Elliot is someone Renee knows so she doesn't think he'd do anything bad and he'd have to face her on a daily basis if he broke Brun's heart so she can trust he'd be on his best behavior.  Clinton, however, is unknown to her and even though his reaction to Brun's situation is not all that different she won't give him the benefit of the doubt and assumes he's a creep. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 18 Aug 2016, 13:44
I think Renee is just a touch jealous of Elliott crushing on Brun
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 18 Aug 2016, 14:46
I think Renee is just a touch jealous of Elliott crushing on Brun

I do get the feeling that Renee is a person who wants to be the centre of attention, that she wants actual recognition for what she does. So its not a case of Renee being jealous of Brun being crushed on by Elliott, but rather that the attention isn't on her.

I guess that this is going to turn into Renee's main character flaw.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Timemaster on 18 Aug 2016, 15:07
Do we have a thread (or an announcement even) about the new site layout?

I rather think that there is a technical problem with the layout or the whole site. Or it´s under construction.
The whole think looks kinda incomplete and wrong. I don´t have any knowledge in html or any of that stuff. But this doesn´t look like a finished webpage. I suppose we´ll see a change back to the original design ot to something completely new soon.

TM
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 18 Aug 2016, 16:30
Any unwanted and unsolicited touching is inappropriately intimate.

Elliot had misinterpreted Renee's words as her wanting a comforting head pat.

I'm sure he would not have offered if he'd known it was unwanted. Notice, he didn't give Brun a pat on the head, even though he wanted to.

The rest of this post is speculative, as I don't have any special insight into what others are thinking.

To me, the big joke in today's comic is that Elliott is so desperate to deny that he's attracted to Brun in any way that he's proposing to engage in an entirely inappropriately intimate behaviour with Renee so as to try to prove to himself that what he wants to do with Brun is nothing indicative of attraction. I can't exactly blame her for being freaked out by this.

I see the crux of the entire difference between the my interpretation and the one above as whether you thought Elliot was "crushing" on Brun when reading the previous strip. Interestingly, no-one has actually discussed this. Half the forumites have simply posted under the assumption that is true, the other half under the assumption that it is not. I'm not actually 100% convinced either way, but I initially read the latest strip assuming that he wasn't. I hadn't seen what Renee and some forumites apparently saw.

Obviously, you would read Elliot's reaction to Renee's words differently, depending on which position you've taken.

I think Renee is just a touch jealous of Elliott crushing on Brun

See now, I thought that Renee was shipping the pair so hard that she saw a crush that really wasn't there.

I think that the crux of this difference in interpretation is perhaps based on whether you strongly believe Renee is self-centred or selfish. It's easy to imagine that she is reacting jealously if you think so, and hard to imagine that she is shipping a relationship between Brun and someone else, which would imply that she is looking beyond her own needs and her own relationship with Brun.  Maybe that's even why Elliot reacted the way he did. Again, two different interpretations that spring naturally from the assumptions you carry into the strip.

Quote from: Mark Twain
It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: comicalArchitect on 18 Aug 2016, 17:56
I just had a flash of inspiration—what if Renee's recent spotlight has been setup for Angus's reintroduction? This may just be wishful thinking on my part, but i believe there's a chance.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Undrneath on 18 Aug 2016, 18:55
To what end though?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 18 Aug 2016, 20:11
Wrestle her to the floor and mess her hair up! She deserves it!
...
...
Wait... Can it be... that that is what Renée has been waiting for...

NONONONONOO...

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: chaospersonified on 18 Aug 2016, 20:24
Today, Marten amused me. I want to use that line. I want an excuse to say that.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 18 Aug 2016, 20:26
Comic is up.

Aaand honestly Claire, you gotta up your game if you want to mess with Marten's head. Dude lives with Pintsize for pity's sake.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: jheartney on 18 Aug 2016, 20:36
Here's a prediction for next week. Clinton refuses to go to COD to discuss tattoos, so they end up going to The Secret Bakery instead. Clinton bumps into Renee AND Kiki/Brun. Hilarity ensues.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: cesium133 on 18 Aug 2016, 20:40
Here's a prediction for next week. Clinton refuses to go to COD to discuss tattoos, so they end up going to The Secret Bakery instead. Clinton bumps into Renee AND Kiki/Brun. Hilarity ensues.
I just had a thought (dangerous, I know).

We've had it all wrong. Clinton isn't going to end up shipped with Brun. He'll end up with Renee. She'll probably go along with it to get out of her date with Pintsize.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Storel on 18 Aug 2016, 23:13
"...You didn't pat me on the head."
"I--I'm sorry! I'll do it right now!"
"Keep your paws off me."

See, Renee, that kind of reaction is probably why it never occurred to Elliot to pat you on the head. You're a hard-edged, self-reliant person, and even when you talk to someone about your troubles you don't present it in a way that garners you any sympathy or inspires any sympathetic gestures. "I was pissed off about my mom last week" -- yeah, you were probably bitching about her to the point where Elliot was simply wishing you'd shut up, not feeling any urge to give you sympathetic pats.
 
Brun is, in some ways, a kind of childlike character. Her logic that she needed a bow to work in a bakery because Kiki worked in a bakery and had a bow is the sort of logic that children use. And the simple pleasure she took in wearing that bow, despite all the tragic things that have happened to her, made her seem like a brave child taking simple pleasures where she finds them. Is it any wonder Elliot wanted to pat her on the head and comfort her? I probably would have wanted to do that too, and I know I'm not crushing on Brun.

Elliot's a pretty nice guy, and I really don't think he's feeling anything but sympathy for Brun. Or at least, he wasn't until Renee put ideas in his head. Now he'll be like "Am I crushing on her? I didn't think so, but Renee seems pretty sure. Gosh, maybe I am?" and he may decide to start treating her as someone he finds attractive rather than someone he just feels sorry for... probably with poor results, for all the reasons everyone else has given. Gee, thanks Renee!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 18 Aug 2016, 23:26
Claire uses DEFLECTION! The move missed!

Seriously, with the number of people in Marten's life who refuse to confront difficult experiences or are in denial about their feelings or serious personal problems, Claire is going to need to do a lot better if she wants to figure out a way to distract Marten.

I've got to admit that I'm not even sure why she did this; it isn't as if Marten's 'voice of experience' directly impacted her here. I just think that this is a symptom of her 'I know best' attitude: She's got a plan for Clinton and she didn't want Marten's input possibly ruining her attempts at directing her brother's behaviour. An alternate explanation is that Claire likes her life to be high-drama on some levels and tries to cause that drama if it isn't happening. I'm not so keen on that idea as it really doesn't seem consistent with her other behaviour.

Here's a prediction for next week. Clinton refuses to go to COD to discuss tattoos, so they end up going to The Secret Bakery instead. Clinton bumps into Renee AND Kiki/Brun. Hilarity ensues.

I am still hoping for a prolonged scene at CoD where various couples, potential couples and other groups are all in there at the same time, interacting and generally realising various things. We'll have the Clinton-Emily-Elliot-Brun quadrangle (Elliot having come with the muffins and Brun having come seeking familiar faces); Faye will have accompanied Bubbles who wants her next tea hit and maybe Hannelore will have some wise counsel for them. Marten and Tai will be getting coffees before opening the library and will thus be there to modulate Claire and Dora's behaviour.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 18 Aug 2016, 23:30
I've got to admit that I'm not even sure why she did this;

Well, maybe she was just sassing him for amusement.  :claireface:

I do hope that we have a few "collisions" at CoD next week.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Storel on 18 Aug 2016, 23:33
Who exactly was Clinton applauding with his "Well played" comment? Marten, or Claire?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 18 Aug 2016, 23:37
I just want to add that Jeph really managed perfect character art with Claire and Clinton in today's comic. He doesn't fall into any obvious traps and the art very nicely showcases how totally Clinton and Claire have changed since their first appearances.

Remember the first time they went into CoD and someone (I think it was Faye) asked if they were twins? At that time, it was an easy mistake to make on lots of levels. These days, I think that they're both showing a lot more of their individuality and it is no longer likely that anyone would simply lump them together as 'The Augustus Kids'.

Who exactly was Clinton applauding with his "Well played" comment? Marten, or Claire?

I'm fairly sure it was the smooth way Marten disarmed Claire's attempted deflection/distraction.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Lubricus on 18 Aug 2016, 23:37
Who exactly was Clinton applauding with his "Well played" comment? Marten, or Claire?

I read it a sarcastic comment to Claire.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 18 Aug 2016, 23:56
I read it as non-sarcastic applause to Marten.

At least we all agree on the characters' names... (shhh don't shatter my illusion please).
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Kugai on 19 Aug 2016, 00:18
He is used to your strange ways now Claire, your Jedi mind tricks will not work on him anymore

:-D
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: brasca on 19 Aug 2016, 00:42
Seeing as how Clinton has returned to Coffee of Doom twice since Emily turned him down I don't think he's trying to avoid her.  I think he just doesn't want to get another tattoo and would prefer to use that as an excuse. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: gopher on 19 Aug 2016, 00:43
Looks like the page redesign is deliberate. I know we are here as non-paying guests and thus should be polite, but to me it looks 1995-terrible. Bad fonts, poor layout, poor colour choices. I have the urge to hunt out an AOL online CD to load up Netscape Navigator to view it to see if is any better.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: brasca on 19 Aug 2016, 01:10
Looks like the page redesign is deliberate. I know we are here as non-paying guests and thus should be polite, but to me it looks 1995-terrible. Bad fonts, poor layout, poor colour choices. I have the urge to hunt out an AOL online CD to load up Netscape Navigator to view it to see if is any better.

Maybe it's your device.  I have no trouble viewing the strip on my computer or smartphone.  I prefer the old layout more, but it's hardly as bad as the 90's websites. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Thrillho on 19 Aug 2016, 01:46
And that right there is what's wrong with North American society today.   That's the kind of thinking that gets people wanting to charge 5 year olds with sexual harassment just for giving a hug to a classmate.

If you want to properly discuss this, there is a Discuss forum. However generally speaking, you might want to be careful about outright dismissing the boundaries of others on this forum.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Thrillho on 19 Aug 2016, 01:48
I've got to admit that I'm not even sure why she did this; it isn't as if Marten's 'voice of experience' directly impacted her here.

Shits and giggles.

If you're comfortable in a relationship you can do that kind of thing very easily. My ex knew that I was once signed up to a dating website with an embarrassing username and she never stopped making fun of me about it. But it was completely good natured.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Method of Madness on 19 Aug 2016, 09:26
since Emily turned him down
Are we absolutely sure she turned him down?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 19 Aug 2016, 09:34
That's the thing. From most people "I'm too busy to date" would be an excuse and an attempted polite rejection. From Emily, it is likely a completely factual statement and Clinton is quite likely to receive a 'phone message from out of the blue along the lines of: "I've submitted my last course unit for the semester! So, when do you want our second date?"
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: hedgie on 19 Aug 2016, 10:02
That's the thing. From most people "I'm too busy to date" would be an excuse and an attempted polite rejection. From Emily, it is likely a completely factual statement and Clinton is quite likely to receive a 'phone message from out of the blue along the lines of: "I've submitted my last course unit for the semester! So, when do you want our second date?"
Well, it is a rejection for an indefinite time frame.  This may be more frustrating than a flat "not interested" would be.  In either case Clinton's best bet would be to move on and not dwell on it.  He has no way of knowing if Emily has any feelings for him, short of asking directly, and would only make himself miserable
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Gyrre on 19 Aug 2016, 10:41
Elliot = dog personality.

Renee= cat (obviously)

I know quite a few cats and dogs that get along just fine.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Gyrre on 19 Aug 2016, 11:10
This is meant solely as reference material.  I've noticed an online trend over the course of the last two weeks; people misusing/misidentifying the strawman fallacy. Here's a short vid on what the strawman fallacy actually is. There's also a playlist for the other common logical fallacies that can be found in the related videos list.

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: swapna on 19 Aug 2016, 12:40
For me, Elliot and Renee read like people who've been co-workers for a long time; they might even be friends. It looks more like good-natured ribbing than anything else.  And she might not be wrong - he blushed while talking to Brun; maybe Renee saw it or another coworker told her.

Don't understand Claire, as usual (is it a joke? why does she pretend to be shocked? is she roleplaying the 'jealous girlfriend'?), I like Clintons reaction. He probably didn't know; I don't think the Augustus siblings tell each other everything, and he was introduced after the break-up and didn't have that much time with the main cast. He admires Marten's reaction - he 'diffused' whatever drama Claire was trying to pull in a second, a skill that Clinton really wishes he had.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Mojo on 19 Aug 2016, 19:32
Hey, who's the guy in the blue shirt?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 19 Aug 2016, 19:54
Um, the site still has a 'Cast' page. (Although it does not explain Renée.)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Storel on 19 Aug 2016, 20:13
Hey, who's the guy in the blue shirt?

Didn't we decide he was Steve, the last time he showed up?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: HiFranc on 20 Aug 2016, 07:42
As I was listening to this (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p044612j), I thought of everyone here.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Oenone on 20 Aug 2016, 16:18
I just had a flash of inspiration—what if Renee's recent spotlight has been setup for Angus's reintroduction? This may just be wishful thinking on my part, but i believe there's a chance.

Or Jeph could continue his trajectory of offering female characters whose role in the plot does not hinge on their romantic entanglements.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 20 Aug 2016, 16:20
As hilarious as the whole "who is this guy, he looks like Marten but he has a spine" jokes are, I am wondering for how many months and years we need to see them posted before people finally start to reassess that premise as well.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: hedgie on 20 Aug 2016, 18:10


Or Jeph could continue his trajectory of offering female characters whose role in the plot does not hinge on their romantic entanglements.

Also,  Renee already has dated Angus in the past and their breakup was *not*pretty.   (IIRC his flatmates played "Ding dong the witch is dead" after they split)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Mojo on 20 Aug 2016, 18:13
As hilarious as the whole "who is this guy, he looks like Marten but he has a spine" jokes are, I am wondering for how many months and years we need to see them posted before people finally start to reassess that premise as well.

Actually, my joke was about how long it's been since we saw him.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Undrneath on 20 Aug 2016, 18:28

Or Jeph could continue his trajectory of offering female characters whose role in the plot does not hinge on their romantic entanglements.

Even the lack of entanglement can be an entanglement in and of itself.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: osaka on 20 Aug 2016, 20:31
Seriously, how do comic characters manage to be condescending and drink their beverages at the same time? Same thing I regularly see on Two Guys and Guy. It's a skill that would greatly enhance my own moments of condescendence (given that most of them happen with a coffee mug handy)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 20 Aug 2016, 20:56
As hilarious as the whole "who is this guy, he looks like Marten but he has a spine" jokes are, I am wondering for how many months and years we need to see them posted before people finally start to reassess that premise as well.

Actually, my joke was about how long it's been since we saw him.

Ah, okay. Yeah, fifteen comics is a long time.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 20 Aug 2016, 23:10
Seriously, how do comic characters manage to be condescending and drink their beverages at the same time?

It's a learned survival skill that you develop if you go to the old-style Coffee of Doom enough times.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Tova on 21 Aug 2016, 01:59
Even more prestigious now that it's a feat of strength.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 21 Aug 2016, 10:29
Seriously, how do comic characters manage to be condescending and drink their beverages at the same time? Same thing I regularly see on Two Guys and Guy. It's a skill that would greatly enhance my own moments of condescendence (given that most of them happen with a coffee mug handy)

Think of it as them saying the condescending comment and then punctuating it with a sip from their drink.

Which is my own technique. Works very well.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: Neko_Ali on 21 Aug 2016, 11:52
Seriously, how do comic characters manage to be condescending and drink their beverages at the same time? Same thing I regularly see on Two Guys and Guy. It's a skill that would greatly enhance my own moments of condescendence (given that most of them happen with a coffee mug handy)

It's the eyes, and the eyebrows. Step one: Make scathing rebuttal. Must be short and succinct. Step two: Sip your beverage with slightly narrowed eyes, keeping eye contact. Raised brow(s) for extra impact. This communicates to your target your complete self-assurance in putting them in their place. You are basically indicating to them that what you have said is so beyond reproach that they have no possible reasonable counter-point, and the discussion has ended. In short, it's like a mic drop. Except that dropping a cup of coffee would be much messier.

As far as "Marten is no longer spineless" goes.. It is true, to a point. He is not feeling secure in himself and his place in the world. He has a girlfriend who is his equal and they can verbally spar without hurt feelings because if something does bother one, they talk it out. One of them doesn't fly off the handle. Marten has a history of surrounding himself with strong-willed women. Being raised by Veronica no doubt plays part in that. In his relationships with Faye, Dora and Padma he was always walking on eggshells. Saying the wrong thing to Faye or Dora has blown up in his face many timed. Padma he didn't want to deal with the issues head on, because he knew it was a temporary relationship from the start, and he hated that he got so invested so quickly knowing how it was going to end.

Now Faye and Marten have settled their relationship as best friends and nothing more. There is still tension there at times. But Marten knows that saying the wrong thing won't drive her away. Something he's always been afraid of. When one of them pushes the other hard, they both know that it's because they are concerned and care for each other. Even if they don't feel that in the moment, they know it's not going to break their relationship. His relationship with Dora has become better as just friends as well. Both of them were in a poor state of mental health when they were dating, and have taken steps to address that since the break up. And in fair part, because of the break up. Dora has been working on her paranoia and control issues. Marten has stopped using avoidance as his main means of dealing with conflicts with others. Which is where the 'spineless Marten' meme comes from.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3286 to 3290 (15-19 August 2016)
Post by: BenRG on 22 Aug 2016, 01:57
Poll Results!

1. Bubbles and Faye trying to help eachother heal - 22 (40%)
2. Clinton and Brun's incomplete business - 14 (25.5%)
3. Brun Rebuilding Her Life - 9 (16.4%)
4. Dora trying to persuade Hanners and Emily to actually WORK (Barn fart! Baaarrrnnn fffaaarrrt!) - 7 (12.7%)
5. Renee and Brun - Odd Couples Don't Get Odder! - 2 (3.6%)
6. Clinton and Claire trying to rebuild a few burned bridges - 1 (1.8%)

Hmm... Big margin of victory this week! I think that the admins should consider renaming this the 'Official Faybles Board'! :wink: