For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for July 02, 2024

The implication is that whatever “stuff” Michael is doing downtown does not involve spending time with Rhetta, but it is something he does not want to say to Elizabeth. Highly suspicious. I wonder what the “stuff”, I mean, her name is. Could it be Martha?

Welcome to the rat race.

I know what you mean, Michael. “When you grow up you can make your own decisions! You won’t have to obey your parents anymore! You can stay up as late as you want! No more curfews or bedtimes! No more homework!” Blah blah blah but it’s not easier, no way. Instead of school there’s a job and you have to go to bed early if you want to have enough sleep before getting up to go to work. You still need an alarm clock. Instead of parents you have a boss. It is in no way easier, but much harder but you’re doing fine Mike, and learning responsibility.

One thing I really like about Elizabeth: she listens to others without interrupting and is completely non-judgemental. I’m sure she inherited that trait from her father.

I hope Mike will have time to “reset his clock” before going back to college.

Non, c’est le contraire…

“Hey, Lizzardbreath, wanna stand in the bathroom with me while I get ready for my shift? You can watch me groom my hair, brush my teeth and get dressed.. but first, you can watch me whiz again, just like last week! Just for old times sake, ya know?”

When I no longer had a curfew (attending college while at home) it was no fun staying up late. My alarm clock became my boss.

He is finding out what being an adult means.

There so cute when enlightenment sets in !

Night shift sucks big time.

Part of growing up is learning what growing up really entails.

I had a boss once who wanted me out (I never understood his motive). He assigned me to the night shift for a week, then back to days, then back on nights. This week on for 2 months. Not only did I put up with his shenanigans, I outlasted him! He resigned! I hope I was responsible!

That’s why when i worked night shift, I split sleep time – 4 hours after I got home and 4 hours just before going to work. Got errands run and a few hours with the wife after she got home from work.

I feel this in my bones. I couldn’t wait to grow up.

I remember. “I can go where I want, do what I want, have what I want and no one can stop me.” Then came reality.

or it says so in the fine print… I still think it’s bogus. :p

Surprise!!!

Michael, Michael, Michael, you silly boy you. Adulting takes a lot more hard work and discipline then you ever though. Get used to it boy-o, you’re just beginning.

The “stuff” might refer to Mike’s job.

You’re just starting out Michael. You’ll have some great times, but someone also needs to whisper into your ear that there will be a whole lot more “unfairness” in your future, too.

Mike does not realize just how easy his life really is as compared to many others his age.

Ain’t that the truth, Michael, ain’t that the truth!

Welcome to learning how to manage one’s time, Mikey.

I really should have paid attention to this particular strip in the 90s, when it ran originally.

NOW I understand Michael.

Some things about growing up are more difficult, but any increased difficulties are ALL offset – and then some! – by the fact that work is 8 hours a day – no more school, no more homework, no more “extracurricular activities.” And you get paid! (And now even if “schoolkid” were a paid position, there wouldn’t be a salary high enough to induce me to accept it again).

Whether he realizes it or not, Michael has just grasped the concept of opportunity cost. He cannot be two places at once. If he works, he will have to give up all other activities. If he goes to school, he cannot do anything else as his efforts will be focused on whatever course he is currently enrolled in. The decision to work, to attend school is made with the immediate thought that this is the best course of action at this point in time. Even Michael’s decision to brush his teeth in the second panel is an example of opportunity cost. He is spending his time at that exact moment, however brief, to clean his teeth. Michael likely has not stated his motives for that, though it can be surmised he does not want to have halitosis as well as minimize the potential of cavities, gingivitis and periodontis, which many people consider bads.

It is the great con. As a kid you just see grown ups coming and going and doing what they want. No one is making them eat broccoli, go go bed, take a bath or be home st a certain time. Then you grow up and find out that you get a job and have to do things you don’t want to do at a certain time and you can’t spend all your money or time doing what you want without serious consequences. So don’t be in a hurry to grow up.

Oh, he doesn’t spend too little time with Rhetta. She’s outlived her usefulness in the story by so much that there’s no such thing as too little time with her at this point.

Where is it written that Life is fair?

Ha ha ha ha! Welcome to adulthood.

I worked shifts like that before I got married and after. A lot of times my girlfriend then would let me sleep and wake me when it was time to take her home. Married and with kids was always hard, but we survived.

I sort of wonder how/whether Mike’s beard fits into this. It’s perfectly acceptable now. But at the time this strip was written, it was a bit less so. Could see somebody with a beard being relegated to a less visible position.

I liked working 4 – 12. I would come home, grab a little snack and go to bed. Get up at 8 or 9 in the morning and have the day to myself. Shopping was a lot easier too.

Shave that dumb facial hair and get a haircut!!!

Dummy. I told my kids to be kids as long as they could, becuase being an adult lasts five times as long, and it sucks.

Good luck with that. Nothing about getting older, growing up, is easier!

As a teenager, I was laughed at for focusing on technical coursework such as science and geography as well as being in Boy Scouts in pursuit of the paramount rank of Eagle Scout, all of which prepared me for my forthcoming enlistment. The hecklers told me “If you are not focused on cruising chicks and having a good time, then why are you even in high school?”

P L E A S E ! shave Mike

I can see how Mike would think that since he spent his entire childhood with nagging, conceited, unpleaseable ELLY on his back! Now it must feel like there are 10 Ellys pulling him in 10 different directions.

Michael went to a government-run, i.e. “public” high school. That was the high point of his life. The apex of his time in school was prom. After that, as they say, it is all downhill from here.

When was this comic strip written ?