I just joined this forum to say that today's comic 3811 may be the most pure expression of Pintsize I've ever seen and it makes me very happy.
"A supportive kick in the ass."
And it probably is exactly what Claire needed to hear.
Le Pétomane (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_P%C3%A9tomane) was not the first, but probably the most famous.
Is ... is Pintsize actually trying to do his job?
:-o
Is ... is Pintsize actually trying to do his job?
:-o
Stranger things have happened.
Is ... is Pintsize actually trying to do his job?
:-o
Stranger things have happened.
Name one!
I'll do better. I'll name three!(click to show/hide)
Is ... is Pintsize actually trying to do his job?
:o
Stranger things have happened.
Name one!
Strip is up!
Good news is Marten is back in a plot line. Bad news is this going to be another plot with relationship drama where half the board will be complaining about how clueless and passive he is. :roll:
(pulls pin, throws, runs in other direction --> :-D)
(pulls pin, throws, runs in other direction --> :-D)
Hey, what are we supposed to do with this pin you threw at us?
So people will default to the old "I know you'll do great".
First "awww, man/honey tell me more about it" and afterwards you can say something like "I'm really sure you'll do great, absolutely, I've seen you put in the work, but I can totally understand why you are so upset about it."
Not his fault, he tried to delve into this with her earlier and she brushed it off. Now it is on her to speak up and tell him, "We need to talk about this".
I'm sorry, we aren't mind readers. If you want to discuss an issue, you need to make it sound serious. Otherwise we might not pick up on it and we will be a bit upset ourselves when you unload on us at a later date. Communication is key.
I guess I feel a bit silly for over-analyzing this, but there's something about Marten in this series that just doesn't sit well with me.
He's going to work for Tai at Smif College, a job that he's openly passive about, and yet for some reason he's decided to start dressing up like he's back at the dead-end job we started the entire story with.
Add that to the fact that he's taking on the overly-assertive archetype of a working male who dismisses his partner's CLEARLY STATED DISTRESS. (I'm sorry but any response to "how was your day" other than "fine" or "good" or whatever is a red flag.) He's just not being cool.
There's no need to "engage" Claire at all. Just sit down, shut up, and listen.
Am I the only one who thought Claire's expression in the last panel meant, "That was exactly the unconditional support I needed"?
(I'm sorry but any response to "how was your day" other than "fine" or "good" or whatever is a red flag.) He's just not being cool.
There's no need to "engage" Claire at all. Just sit down, shut up, and listen.
3. Based on his history, he'll probably stay there until something energetic forces him to move.
(I'm sorry but any response to "how was your day" other than "fine" or "good" or whatever is a red flag.) He's just not being cool.
There's no need to "engage" Claire at all. Just sit down, shut up, and listen.
This is pretty interesting to me because you are the only one (sorry if I'm wrong and I missed someone's comment) that has framed this discussion around the fact that Claire's statement was made in response to a routine "how was your day" question. My conclusion isn't quite the same as yours, though.
It is true that it is unusual in general for people to respond to that question with anything other than some variation on "fine." It's practically expected that you do so.
Smacking Marten with a dildo - of COURSE this is how Pintsize handles the situation! It's maybe surprising in hindsight how many times we have seen Pintsize not smacking people with dildos.
(I'm sorry but any response to "how was your day" other than "fine" or "good" or whatever is a red flag.) He's just not being cool.
There's no need to "engage" Claire at all. Just sit down, shut up, and listen.
This is pretty interesting to me because you are the only one (sorry if I'm wrong and I missed someone's comment) that has framed this discussion around the fact that Claire's statement was made in response to a routine "how was your day" question. My conclusion isn't quite the same as yours, though.
It is true that it is unusual in general for people to respond to that question with anything other than some variation on "fine." It's practically expected that you do so.
While you usually wouldn't get a real answer there, especially between strangers, I consider it not just a formality between people who are close (like good friends, family and especially partners).
And even if you just meant it to be a formality, you listen to the answer, especially when it's family friends and partners. Marten didn't listen, otherwise he wouldn't have cut Claire off there and asked about dinner.
Marten's expression in panel five is the exact expression I have when somebody slaps me in the head with a large dildo.
Also Pintsize is DEAD serious about Marten and Claire's relationship, isn't he?
Oh, yeah, it's an easily made mistake. All I'm saying is Marten should be more perceptive with Claire.
I'm willing to bet that Pintsize will intervene here as well. It would make for a wonderful interaction with Marten which we haven't seen in ages. Like... Pintsize just going "Hey fuckbutt, REALLY listen to her, ok?"First time I call something. WOHOOO!!!!! :-D
And we know Pintsize isn't a psychopath because it isn't a stainless steel dildo.That a George Carlin reference, my friend? I recall he talked about hitting people with them while describing the differences between maniacs and crazy people. :D
Why "Ursula"? So Pintsize can hit you with his massive bear-cock.Not much of a Disney fan?
#3773 (https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3773) to be precise.Am I the only one who thought Claire's expression in the last panel meant, "That was exactly the unconditional support I needed"?
There was a strip with Clinton in it that introduced that facial expression and assigned its meaning.
To those saying Marten should know better/should have known to listen, I’d like to offer a different perspective.
Though it seems counter intuitive, if you repeatedly give in to the persons demands for constant reassurance it allows them to fall into the same obsessive pattern over and over. One of the things therapists will teach you if you are a friend/loved one of a person who has anxiety disorder is that, as much as you want to, it’s best to not help feed that beast.
That's about right.3. Based on his history, he'll probably stay there until something energetic forces him to move.
Well, probably not what you were expecting, but hey...
It's interesting that Pintsize has shown a pattern now of changing how he interacts with different characters. Claire is perhaps the most pronounced example of this, but his "little asshole" routine seems to come right back to the surface when dealing with Martin. Is his absurdist and crude behavior truly the manifestation of his personality, or is it that he's learned Martin responds better (or rather that he benefits from responding) to that kind of behavior as a foil to Martin's passive straight-man approach to life?I think Pintsize realizes that his asshole persona would likely make Claire shut down worse in this case
Or am I just talking out of my Cloaca?
It's interesting that Pintsize has shown a pattern now of changing how he interacts with different characters. Claire is perhaps the most pronounced example of this, but his "little asshole" routine seems to come right back to the surface when dealing with Martin. Is his absurdist and crude behavior truly the manifestation of his personality, or is it that he's learned Martin responds better (or rather that he benefits from responding) to that kind of behavior as a foil to Martin's passive straight-man approach to life?I think Pintsize realizes that his asshole persona would likely make Claire shut down worse in this case
Or am I just talking out of my Cloaca?
Just remember one thing about Pintsize.
He is a companion AnthroPC. He presumably went through a complex selection process to make sure he was suitable for the companion program. As we've seen, the matching process Marten went through was badly skewed due to the AI's spider chassis freaking him the fuck out. Pintsize is a poor match for Marten, but that's never meant he's been a poor companion. His acting out has gotten Marten to get out of his shell a little bit and starting a chain effect that has resulted in the Marten we have now.
And bear in mind that Pintsize is insightful. Its just usually hidden in vulgar jokes or wacky antics.
Just remember one thing about Pintsize.
He is a companion AnthroPC. He presumably went through a complex selection process to make sure he was suitable for the companion program. As we've seen, the matching process Marten went through was badly skewed due to the AI's spider chassis freaking him the fuck out. Pintsize is a poor match for Marten, but that's never meant he's been a poor companion. His acting out has gotten Marten to get out of his shell a little bit and starting a chain effect that has resulted in the Marten we have now.
And bear in mind that Pintsize is insightful. Its just usually hidden in vulgar jokes or wacky antics.
Great, now you've got me wondering what kind of person Pintsize was considered a 'suitable companion' for ... :x
Comic’s up.
All right, it’s clear that Marten screwed up, but I think Claire is a bit out of line here too.
Look, this isn't the first time I've said this, and it certainly won't be the last. It's easy for us sitting back reading the comic with our omniscient viewpoints and point out the mistake that a QC character has made in full view of all readers.
Comic’s up.Oh, yeah, so I'm not the only one? I was with her through the second panel (though that was brave) but I almost cringed at the third panel and had to remember - it's Marten she's being so blunt with, so it's probably fine. Probably best to stop digging by panel 4 though...remember Padma, Marten can get a bit mopey sometimes, and last thing Claire needs is to have this turn around and have to babysit Marten on top of everything. I'm thinking a change of pace, a better dinner than Chinese takeout, let Marten take over some more chores for awhile or help study? You know, just kinda be consistently THERE while she's working to remind her she's not doing it all by herself in order to earn not being alone.
All right, it’s clear that Marten screwed up, but I think Claire is a bit out of line here too.
If his mental state is anything like mine, he noticed she was stressed and asked her about it. She said she was ok
To those saying Marten should know better/should have known to listen, I’d like to offer a different perspective.
Also, the little dig about the laundry seems rather churlish.
I'm pretty certain the dig about the laundry was meant to be in good fun and was taken by Marten as such.
I feel like people are attaching more gloom to two imperfect people making mistakes and then talking them out like adults than they should.
...when dealing with Martin.
...he's learned Martin responds better
...as a foil to Martin's passive straight-man approach to life?
(I'm actually surprised no-one's noticed :) )
Psssst... It's "MartEn"... Doesn't exactly bother me, but I've seen people hauled over the coals for continually mis-spelling character names.
(I'm actually surprised no-one's noticed :) )
I noticed; but these days I tend to wait until I see a clear pattern of repeated errors before bringing it up.
(I'm actually surprised no-one's noticed :) )
I noticed; but these days I tend to wait until I see a clear pattern of repeated errors before bringing it up.
Of course, one has more experience with theses than the other.
I saw two posts with it... and thought.. maybe best to give a wee nudge... :)
These last two arcs have felt sort of "off" overall.
I feel like people are attaching more gloom to two imperfect people making mistakes and then talking them out like adults than they should.
I feel like people are attaching more gloom to two imperfect people making mistakes and then talking them out like adults than they should.
"Talking them out like adults" doesn't mean shitting all over one person for making a non-mistake because you're not under any circumstances allowed to acknowledge that the other person is being a dick. That's more what you call "being in an unhealthy relationship that should end".
Maybe you should read the entire post
I don't think that the recent stories have been that bad, but they feel a bit preachy, and I think it's because the "messages" of the stories, for lack of a better word, have been delivered 100% in the text. There's no subtext. But I wait in hope that we'll see a story with the same impact as the Faye and Bubbles storyline.
If his mental state is anything like mine, he noticed she was stressed and asked her about it. She said she was ok
-- except she didn't. She said, "Well, um, actually I've been really stressed about my exams, and-"
That sentence fragment doesn't even have a "k" in it.
Edit: if you're suggesting because at some point in the past she responded "ok" to being asked how she was that justifies assuming she will remain okay indefinitely thereafter and it's then fine to not pay attention to how she answers a question she's asked...yeah, no, that's not an improvement.To those saying Marten should know better/should have known to listen, I’d like to offer a different perspective.
Even if this is the case, I'm decently certain no therapist would tell you a better response would be to cut the anxious person off midway through their first sentence in response to you asking them how their day went. I don't see much support for this perspective in this context.
Directly addressed in the "Edit" sentence.
Regarding this feeling familiar to Marten & Dora for you: possibly just an effect of our having seen Dora & Marten fight/argue/talk about problems more than most other relationships in the strip?
...Can second that, not about "little jokes" but about laundry being Serious BusinessI'm pretty certain the dig about the laundry was meant to be in good fun and was taken by Marten as such.I'm not confident it was. I've seen too many of that kind of "little jokes" turn into serious arguments.
I don't think that the recent stories have been that bad, but they feel a bit preachy, and I think it's because the "messages" of the stories, for lack of a better word, have been delivered 100% in the text. There's no subtext. But I wait in hope that we'll see a story with the same impact as the Faye and Bubbles storyline.
Hmm, not sure if I feel like the story arcs are preachy, I just feel that the narratives and conversations have felt somewhat unnatural. I felt this especially with the Faye/Sam/Jim arc, where some of it felt slightly off, kinda like Jeph was forcing the conversation in a way to suit the point that he was trying to make too much.
"Talking them out like adults" doesn't mean shitting all over one person for making a non-mistake because you're not under any circumstances allowed to acknowledge that the other person is being a dick. That's more what you call "being in an unhealthy relationship that should end".
I am slightly concerned that we are once again normalizing the use of violence again a male as humorous.
Maybe you should read the entire post
I read them. I used short quotes to avoid spam since long-ish posts.
Maybe you shouldn't confuse disagreeing with my response as an indication I didn't read the same thing you did.
There is nothing normalizing about being hit in the head with a dildo by a little robot with orb hands. :-P
This arc feels contrived to me.
And Marten is doing himself no favours by starting with mentioning that he has come because of what Pintsize said...
Also, it's nice to see Marten able to joke about his lack of physical prowess. Remember waaaaaaaaaaaaay back when when he felt bad about not being able to keep up with Steve and carry an entire end of the couch by himself?
But would Marten slam a baby into another baby to test its durability?
Also, it's nice to see Marten able to joke about his lack of physical prowess. Remember waaaaaaaaaaaaay back when when he felt bad about not being able to keep up with Steve and carry an entire end of the couch by himself?
Well he should feel bad about it, there doesn't seem to be any physical reason why Marten is so feeble so why not do something about it
I wanna see Marten and Clinton have a slap fight. We haven't seen one in AGES.
I was thinking about why Bubbles would step in because Marten asked, and then tried to put words on what their relationship is.
Bubbles is sort of like a sister in law to Marten.
More seriously, not everyone desires physical prowess.
I just re-read today's comic. Not once does Marten say "your fears are unfounded". It's all "I don't care, mom loves you anyway, and anyone who'll be disappointed is an idiot and will have to deal with consequences. Except you."
I don't think that Faye and Claire will ever be close (mostly due to their old squabble about who is the house's alpha female)
I just re-read today's comic. Not once does Marten say "your fears are unfounded". It's all "I don't care, mom loves you anyway, and anyone who'll be disappointed is an idiot and will have to deal with consequences. Except you."
He hasn't said that in this conversation, but he did say something to that effect in the first conversation (before Pintsize hit him with the cluedick). That answer being unsatisfactory, or at least insufficient, he's shifted his ground.
I just re-read today's comic. Not once does Marten say "your fears are unfounded". It's all "I don't care, mom loves you anyway, and anyone who'll be disappointed is an idiot and will have to deal with consequences. Except you."
He hasn't said that in this conversation, but he did say something to that effect in the first conversation (before Pintsize hit him with the cluedick). That answer being unsatisfactory, or at least insufficient, he's shifted his ground.
However, once Marten realised he's made a misstep, he goes into fully supporting Claire. If she fails, then she tries again. He won't be disappointed in her. He'll be in her corner no matter what.
But if you notice, Claire is saying "Everyone will be disappointed in her", which is a sign of the impossibly high bar she's set for herself. Even when Marten says he won't be disappointed, Claire says her mother, despite evidence that her mother loves her unconditionally and would probably join Marten in saying she wouldn't be disappointed. Then she shifts to Clinton, again, despite the evidence that okay, he can be a bit of a jerk at times, he still loves and supports Claire no matter what.
What Claire says is "Everyone expects her to ace the exams and find a great job right away." Never do we see anyone pressuring Claire to do well. And never do we see Claire say "I want to ace this exam, but I'm afraid I won't live up to my own impossibly high standards". She keeps shifting the blame elsewhere.
The problem seems to be less Marten not listening but Claire needing to realise she has this great web of support or that its okay to fail sometimes and its not the end of the world.
On the tangent of Bubbles as a drummer .... Hmmm. And again hmmmm.
She has demonstrated mechanical skills
Has admitted to technical prowess and speed disassembling tactical ordinance.
Definitely has a creative side brought forth via Tea appreciation.
So yeah, she should be able to pull off the technical side with a little instruction and some practice.
The kicker :claireface: is how she will be able to add creativity to the banging of the drums(click to show/hide)
I wonder if such thoughts and fears are especially prevalent among students who always sailed through school until their grad studies.
Why should he want to? “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent” — Isaac Asimov
Well he should feel bad about it, there doesn't seem to be any physical reason why Marten is so feeble so why not do something about it
Why should he want to? “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent” — Isaac Asimov
To be honest, I don't see Bubbles as a drummer. More like either violin, or Saxophone. As for the latter, she might have crumpled one or five in frustration.
I reckon she'd make a better violist than violinist - a lot of the violists I knew in school orchestra were former violinists who found they were too broad-shouldered for the violin.
Plus it would be amusing to see the result of someone trying to make a viola joke in her presence.
I wonder if such thoughts and fears are especially prevalent among students who always sailed through school until their grad studies.
Anyone here who reads Cyanide & Happiness Comics as well? they just Wednesday made a pun on Babality, which is the title of Fridays QC. Do you think that is random, or is there some background for them to be inspired to the same pun? Maybe Jeph reads C&H and copied it? Doesn't he usually have a bigger backlog than 2 days?"Babality"is a finishing move in Mortal Kombat 3 or sum shit. Instead of ripping out your opponent's spine, or turning into a dragon and flambèing them, you magically turn them into an infant.