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MOCKachinos

7 (10.4%)

Chocolate Lattes

1 (1.5%)

Cappuchino of Doom

6 (9%)

THE SECRET MENU!!!

19 (28.4%)

Sword wielding Practice

13 (19.4%)

Spathe Ham

4 (6%)

Butts!!

11 (16.4%)

Purple Monkey Dishwasher

6 (9%)

Total Members Voted: 64

[Zebediah]

Hm, they're definitely fixed in the version I'm seeing now. Must be caching issues somewhere.

[pwhodges]

The use of CloudFlare introduces an extra layer of caching outside the browser's control; this varies regionally, as they have servers everywhere.  (To remind you: QC is served through CloudFlare as a defence against DoS attacks such as happened back in the spring.)

[Is it cold in here?]

Do I just have a dirty mind, or does it sound naughty to say "I'll fix her pants"?

[Masterpiece]

You're probably still seeing a cached version, considering Cloudfire or whatever that service was called. Pants were fixed on my end.

[Masterpiece]

ffffff ninja'd

[Mr_Rose]

Do I just have a dirty mind, or does it sound naughty to say "I'll fix her pants"?

Dirty mind. Tailoring porn just isn't that popular.

[briscoe]

Damn that Tai is one quirky lady. Most people wouldn't climb on top of somebody when they meet them but she would

[briscoe]

If you've ever seen the movie "500 Days of Summer" that's another lady who is quirky as heck and doesn't give a damn about conventions.  They should remake that movie starring Questionable Content character Tai

[pwhodges]

Do I just have a dirty mind, or does it sound naughty to say "I'll fix her pants"?

If I didn't have a babelfish to translate such things on the fly, it would sound a lot kinkier to me on this side of the pond than I expect it does to you (pants to me being specifically and uniquely underwear).

[someone]

This comic's humor is more in the author's flailing, ongoing attempt to recast Tai into something not completely vomit inducing. She stared as a spoiled, expensive liberal arts college student obsessed with group sex involving her unatainable, at least for one girl, dorm friend. She then moved up to stoner, slacker manager of the library. Once Dora was freed of the shackles of Martin and his overbearing ways that brought out Dora's overbearing nature (yes, I am being sarcastic at the nonsensical Dora evolution) Tai waited for Dora to go to a therapist then moved in. It took about five minutes. Tai evolved at that point to a high minded, poetic romantic wanting the best for a woman, whose relationship wasn't even cold yet and who is, lets be honest, almost as socially unacceptable as Tai. So putting those two together would be fine in an angsty, angry comic where people treat each other like dirt (Tai and Dora would fit right in with Randy and the gang just down the street in Boston) but not in the otherwise charming New England harem manga full of interesting, quirky and sympathetic charcters Jeph has constructed. So what does he do now? New Tai incarnation. Now she is the playful prankster who just is a nice change of pace to the rest of the gang. Only she is not.  Dora needs to sell the shop to Faye and move, taking Tai with her. While it is funny to see the author try to make Tai acceptable, she is a reminder drag on the mood of the strip and reminds the reader that Dora was always barely likable. Now she is not. Move on Mr. Jaques. Send them to Randy like Queen of Wands with Kestral. (Although she seems to have a new strip now.)   Randy will give them a good home where the can be painfully selfish and rude and fit right in. And the rest of your gang can go on in the little respite from cruel reality that it is otherwise.

[Platypodes]

Tai, Sam. Sam, Tai.

Oh my gosh, yes.  I would love to see those two meet.  I'm not sure exactly how it would go, but I know it would be funny as all hell.  If Sam keeps visiting CoD, she probably will meet Tai now that Tai's coming around to see Dora all the time. 

Dale meeting Emily is also likely to be entertaining.  I want to see the expressions on his face when he has to learn to make a hammered-banana smoothie.

[pwhodges]

the shackles of Martin and his overbearing ways

I've never come across this overbearing Martin fellow.  There's a guy called Marten who is not like that at all, though - some people criticise him for being a bit of a doormat (though a nice one).

Move on Mr. Jaques.

Jeph Jacques's name is printed above every comic - so you should have no trouble spelling it right in future.

[Mr_Rose]

I want to see the expressions on his face when he has to learn to make a hammered-banana smoothie.

Pschh! The hammer-smoothie is not something that can be taught; it is a state of being, of perfect harmony between arm and hammer expressing the fundamental entropy of existence in the most literal way possible. To achieve it is to become one with oneself and yet also nothingness itself…

[Kugai]

There's always someone, isn't there?   

[DrBear]

Not even waiting for the caption contest:

DORA: Mt. Dale.
TAI: Right here in the shop? OK.

[DSL]

No, no, Tai. It's "helb," not "hup."

Silly library person.

[briscoe]

Not even waiting for the caption contest:

DORA: Mt. Dale.
TAI: Right here in the shop? OK.

In case anyone doesn't get it the implication is that "Mt. Dale" has two different meanings when heard out loud. "Mt. Dale" could be a mountain called Dale (ie. he serves as the metaphorical 'mountain' that Tai climbs on top of in the strip) or it could be interpreted as a command from Dora to Tai to "mount", or have sex with, the character Dale, to which Tai agrees in jest

[briscoe]

Move on Mr. Jaques.

Jeph Jacques's name is printed above every comic - so you should have no trouble spelling it right in future.

damn this is a nice rebuke and an excellent defense of the honor of Jeph Jacques from such wanton disregard

if you want I can send him this post and see if he will adopt you as his own son or daughter

[Platypodes]

or it could be interpreted as a command from Dora to Tai to "mount", or have sex with, the character Dale, to which Tai agrees in jest

If this is supposed to be mounting in the sexual sense, then, Tai, you're doing it wrong.  (Well, we know she doesn't have experience with men...)

She's definitely mounted him as one would mount a staircase, though.

[Is it cold in here?]

Move on Mr. Jaques. Send them to Randy like Queen of Wands with Kestral. (Although she seems to have a new strip now.)   Randy will give them a good home where the can be painfully selfish and rude and fit right in. And the rest of your gang can go on in the little respite from cruel reality that it is otherwise.

(moderator)
Criticism should not be expressed in the form of giving the cartoonist orders.
(/moderator)

[westrim]

This comic's humor is more in the author's flailing, ongoing attempt to recast Tai into something not completely vomit inducing. She stared as a spoiled, expensive liberal arts college student obsessed with group sex involving her unattainable, at least for one girl, dorm friend. She then moved up to stoner, slacker manager of the library. Once Dora was freed of the shackles of Martin and his overbearing ways that brought out Dora's overbearing nature (yes, I am being sarcastic at the nonsensical Dora evolution) Tai waited for Dora to go to a therapist then moved in. It took about five minutes. Tai evolved at that point to a high minded, poetic romantic wanting the best for a woman, whose relationship wasn't even cold yet and who is, lets be honest, almost as socially unacceptable as Tai. So putting those two together would be fine in an angsty, angry comic where people treat each other like dirt (Tai and Dora would fit right in with Randy and the gang just down the street in Boston) but not in the otherwise charming New England harem manga full of interesting, quirky and sympathetic characters Jeph has constructed.

Reiteration and demands

Not sure if it's wise to respond to this, but ah well. You make it all more complicated than it actually is. Tai is, literally from her first appearance, a fun loving prankster, and always is to our observation. We know of her sexual experiences strictly by retelling, and she expressed misgivings about them a thousand strips ago (and repeatedly thereafter a desire to slow down and try committing to one person), and interest in Dora at their first meeting. Tai asking Dora out took several hundred strips after the break up, during which they met as part of a group several times and Marten dated banged... bagged? (gotta be a nicer word) Padme and propositioned a space soldier.  Neither Tai nor Dora are particularly angry people, and everyone is angsty (especially Angus' stylst). To be a harem, Marten's female friends would have to show a lot less interest in other dudes/ladies/germs, and bringing that up just makes me wonder about your reasons for disliking these two.

Who the heck is Randy (aside from the eternal one)?

the shackles of Martin and his overbearing ways

I've never come across this overbearing Martin fellow.  There's a guy called Marten who is not like that at all, though - some people criticise him for being a bit of a doormat (though a nice one).

Pretty sure that was part of the sarcasm at Dora.

DORA: Mt. Dale.
TAI: Right here in the shop? OK.

That seems an unlikely response.

If this is supposed to be mounting in the sexual sense, then, Tai, you're doing it wrong.  (Well, we know she doesn't have experience with men...)

Maybe knees are her erogenous zone.

[westrim]

Calling it: Dale as coffee delivery boy. In a sidecar.

[Platypodes]

Perhaps more likely:

DORA: Mt. Dale.
TAI: Okay! *hup*

[Method of Madness]

What sort of shenanigoats does Faye have in store?

[GarandMarine]

Dun dun dun!

[briscoe]

Perhaps more likely:

DORA: Mt. Dale.
TAI: Okay! *hup*

i don't get it

where is the wordplay in this particular situation. if you're implying that Tai climbs on Dale that's already implied by "Mt. Dale", which makes no sense otherwise

[Carl-E]

Mount, like a horse.  *hup*

then again, who says there needs to be wordplay? 

Oh, and Westrim, Randy is Randy Milholland, of Something*Positive, which the poster referenced largely in terms of Kestrel (main character of the dead strip "Queen of Wands", adopted by Mr. Milholland).  Generally, the characters in that strip are particularly mean to each other in a way that only the closest of friends can be. 

Though it hasn't been based in Boston in years - I wonder about the poster's reading comprehension... 

[cesariojpn]

Faye is gonna get fired. Or dale quits. I just know it.

[Carl-E]

Helmet? 

[briscoe]

Mount, like a horse.  *hup*

yeah but she already climbed on Dale. the implication is clearly "mount" as in sexually

Tai also expresses disbelief at such a suggestion which is clearly in line with the sexual connotation of the word, given that she has already climbed on top of Dale in a non-sexual manner with no reservations

then again, who says there needs to be wordplay? 

well we're riffing on a joke someone posted which clearly involved wordplay

without the wordplay it is no longer a joke

[Platypodes]

Perhaps more likely:

DORA: Mt. Dale.
TAI: Okay! *hup*

i don't get it

where is the wordplay in this particular situation. if you're implying that Tai climbs on Dale that's already implied by "Mt. Dale", which makes no sense otherwise

"Mt. Dale" is a name, like "Mt. Everest."  Dora is calling Dale a mountain because he's so tall, and she isn't saying anything about climbing.  But then Tai takes "mount" as a verb instead of as part of a name, and takes Dora's phrase as an instruction, so she proceeds to mount (climb to the top of) Dale.

DrBear's original joke implied sexual mounting.  I was suggesting an alternate, non-sexual version, which retained the wordplay between "Mt." as a noun meaning mountain and "mount" as a verb.  It's really almost the same wordplay, the only difference being whether the verb "mount" is being used to mean, specifically, "climb on his shoulders" or "climb on his arse."  I think DrBear and I were both envisioning Dora saying "Mt. Dale" when Tai was still standing on the ground facing Dale, and then Tai taking it as an instruction and acting upon it.  At least, that's how I read DrBear's version; I could be wrong.

I think I've now dissected this joke as far as I can without breaking it down into its component atoms.  TL;DR: there was a joke, but it's really, really dead now.

[Somebody]

And meanwhile, Faye's evil is showing.

[WAYF]

Hanners actually does own a helmet.

[briscoe]

Perhaps more likely:

DORA: Mt. Dale.
TAI: Okay! *hup*

i don't get it

where is the wordplay in this particular situation. if you're implying that Tai climbs on Dale that's already implied by "Mt. Dale", which makes no sense otherwise

"Mt. Dale" is a name, like "Mt. Everest."  Dora is calling Dale a mountain because he's so tall, and she isn't saying anything about climbing.  But then Tai takes "mount" as a verb instead of as part of a name, and takes Dora's phrase as an instruction, so she proceeds to mount (climb to the top of) Dale.

DrBear's original joke implied sexual mounting.  I was suggesting an alternate, non-sexual version, which retained the wordplay between "Mt." as a noun meaning mountain and "mount" as a verb.  It's really almost the same wordplay, the only difference being whether the verb "mount" is being used to mean, specifically, "climb on his shoulders" or "climb on his arse."  I think DrBear and I were both envisioning Dora saying "Mt. Dale" when Tai was still standing on the ground facing Dale, and then Tai taking it as an instruction and acting upon it.  At least, that's how I read DrBear's version; I could be wrong.

I think I've now dissected this joke as far as I can without breaking it down into its component atoms.  TL;DR: there was a joke, but it's really, really dead now.

in your (and Doctor Bear's??) interpretation, Dora is referring to him as "Mt. Dale" because he's tall. For Tai to then climb on top of him, the joke could conceivably be that she mishears the noun "mount" as a verb, but she could also conceivably climb on top of him because he's a "mountain" and mountains are known for being climbed. so the joke doesn't work as well because there's less incongruity; the two ways she could take that sentence could easily lead to the same outcome

the joke works better if Dora is referring to Dale as "Mt. Dale" because he had already been climbed on, upon which Tai misconstrues "Mt. Dale" sexually, which is not at all what Dora meant

[Method of Madness]

And meanwhile, Faye's evil is showing.

I'd say more mischief than evil.

[Perfectly Reasonable]

I want to see the expressions on his face when he has to learn to make a hammered-banana smoothie.

Pschh! The hammer-smoothie is not something that can be taught; it is a state of being, of perfect harmony between arm and hammer expressing the fundamental entropy of existence in the most literal way possible. To achieve it is to become one with oneself and yet also nothingness itself…

Exactly! The hammered banana smoothie is not about refreshment. It is pure performance art. When Emily expresses her intention to consume hers, she inverts the deconstruction of the symbolic matrix, grounding the transcendent in the mundane. Which is why it's funny.

[Method of Madness]

It's funny because she once sought destruction in her snacks, but now she has accepted peas.

[Masterpiece]

Move on Mr. Jaques.

Jeph Jacques's name is printed above every comic - so you should have no trouble spelling it right in future.

damn this is a nice rebuke and an excellent defense of the honor of Jeph Jacques from such wanton disregard

if you want I can send him this post and see if he will adopt you as his own son or daughter

I wonder if it's a good idea to say that to the global administrator of the forum.

[westrim]

Oh, and Westrim, Randy is Randy Milholland, of Something*Positive, which the poster referenced largely in terms of Kestrel (main character of the dead strip "Queen of Wands", adopted by Mr. Milholland).  Generally, the characters in that strip are particularly mean to each other in a way that only the closest of friends can be. 

I see, thanks.

I wonder how it reflects on our society that the last sentence makes sense (in that "yes, i recognize that as a sign of close friendship") instead of being ghastly?

[briscoe]

Oh, and Westrim, Randy is Randy Milholland, of Something*Positive, which the poster referenced largely in terms of Kestrel (main character of the dead strip "Queen of Wands", adopted by Mr. Milholland).  Generally, the characters in that strip are particularly mean to each other in a way that only the closest of friends can be. 

I see, thanks.

I wonder how it reflects on our society that the last sentence makes sense (in that "yes, i recognize that as a sign of close friendship") instead of being ghastly?

well, i think

[Emperor Norton]

Though it hasn't been based in Boston in years - I wonder about the poster's reading comprehension...

Well, there are several major characters still in Boston. Aubrey, Jason, Mike, etc. But yes, it mostly happens in Texas now. (and some parts in California)

[Method of Madness]

Faye is gonna get fired. Or dale quits. I just know it.

Or he stays chill and earns Faye's respect.

[Neko_Ali]

Sigh... Well, here is hoping that Dale will finally break this cycle of employee abuse that Faye seems to think is 'training'. She does this with pretty much all the hires Dora makes, except I think Hanners. Treats them like shit, trying to get them to fight back against her and be as snarky and mean to her as she is to them... This is not a healthy thing and not a smart thing. And she's past due for someone to snap in the wrong way, I think. Fortunately, Dale seems to be not the sort of person to respond with a punch to the face or a lawsuit... both of which are likely answers to the sort of shenanigans Faye gets up with 'training' the new hires to stand up to her. So far they've just eventually responded back with jibes once they realize Dora is going to let them get away with it... it's even expected. Dale on the other hand... Seems to me like he'll take her abuse to the breaking point, then either lay down some serious and real complaints to Dora about it, or just skip the snarking back and rip into Faye verbally about creating a toxic work environment. Cause seriously? This isn't Boot Camp. Abusing and breaking the new hires is not a good idea, doubly so now that she is officially management.

[pwhodges]

The choir I sing in once had a conductor who responded "cool" to just about anything.  So we called him Cool - it worked out OK.

[Delator]

Sigh... Well, here is hoping that Dale will finally break this cycle of employee abuse that Faye seems to think is 'training'. She does this with pretty much all the hires Dora makes, except I think Hanners. Treats them like shit, trying to get them to fight back against her and be as snarky and mean to her as she is to them... This is not a healthy thing and not a smart thing. And she's past due for someone to snap in the wrong way, I think. Fortunately, Dale seems to be not the sort of person to respond with a punch to the face or a lawsuit... both of which are likely answers to the sort of shenanigans Faye gets up with 'training' the new hires to stand up to her. So far they've just eventually responded back with jibes once they realize Dora is going to let them get away with it... it's even expected. Dale on the other hand... Seems to me like he'll take her abuse to the breaking point, then either lay down some serious and real complaints to Dora about it, or just skip the snarking back and rip into Faye verbally about creating a toxic work environment. Cause seriously? This isn't Boot Camp. Abusing and breaking the new hires is not a good idea, doubly so now that she is officially management.

Said most of what I was going to say.

Faye gets way too much enjoyment out of pushing peoples buttons.

I hope whatever she has planned backfires on her in spectacular fashion.

[Platypodes]

Or he stays chill and earns Faye's respect.

My money's on this one. I think Dale is genuinely not bothered by Faye.  His manner isn't at all that of someone who's abused and intimidated; it all seems to roll right off him.

Dale's had a lot of low-status jobs and has probably been pushed around in worse ways than this.  He doesn't take any of his jobs too seriously, he's probably pretty confident in his ability to perform well on the job, and he already knows the CoD crew well enough to have at least a bit of a sense of being among friends there. He's not stressed about the new job or Faye's attitude.  Befuddled, but not stressed.

[westrim]

he already knows the CoD crew well enough to have at least a bit of a sense of being among friends there.

We have to keep in mind that he's withstood her sass often enough to learn the secret menu. Not even Marten learned the menu, and he was there all the dang time.

[Nepiophage]

The hammered banana smoothie that can be described is not the true hammered banana smoothie.

[quix0te]

And meanwhile, Faye's evil is showing.

I'd say more mischief than evil.

Hrrrm.  If somebody is mellow, it usually means they have a long fuse.  The long fuses are attached to the bigger explosives. 
It would amuse me terribly if Dale did a prank back to Faye.  Faye is NOT mellow and would likely melt down.  However, like almost every episode of House, one of the tropes appears to be "Nobody calls the bully on their BS"

As a side note, it always mystifies me that the biggest jerks tend to have the thinnest skins.

[Sidhekin]

Faye has been called out before.  Several times.  Just not since the promotion.

... I can't help but wonder if Jeph is setting up Faye for a fall here.  Her scheming has the look and feel of the kind of hubris that, in countless stories, goes before a fall.

Of  course, there are many kinds of fall ...

Will her antics backfire?  Will they get out of hand, and Dora put her foot down?  Will Dale prove even more resourceful than we've seen so far, and turn the tables?  Or will Dale wind up in hospital?