Big Top by Rob Harrell for December 11, 2009

I would say that Wink is starting to feel like one of the Tribe.

i guess breakfast is on me. let’s see. a selection of quiches, including mushroom, broccoli, spinach, and ham. juices (apple, orange, peach, and cran-razz). coffee, and Rakkav’s cocoa mocha concoction (of which i have my own version, but his will do nicely). bon appetit!

Cal it Dusty, call it!!

Good Morning Yguy & Cleo!

sorry cleo. saw the zero when i refreshed and started typing a menu.

Cleo, it’s 12F right now dropping down to 5F overnight and a high of 26F tomorrow with no snow.

I have posted elsewhere and still end up here first. For shame. Okay then:

Brook Trout with garlic fried potatoes and eggs to your liking. Smoked salmon omelet with caramelized onions. Three pepper fritatta Fried eggs, mashed potato pancakes and Hempler ham Swedish Pancakes. Polish crepes with mushrooms and lentils. Fresh fruit Cinnamon toast Nuclear coffee CocoMocha Teas of all sorts Fresh squeezed OJ and Ruby red grapefruit Flash fried cake donuts

Good Morning Cleo, yyyguy and Terry! Terry, I saw your answer to my question about your avatar. Thanks.

Cleo, just a large cup of CocoMocha for me sir.

Sorry yyyguy, if I would have seen your breakfast I would have saved the ingredients for another night. As it is we have a good spread for all.

Terry you have got me beat weatherwise it is a balmy 28 degrees here which could mean snow.

when did we make it to the turn over? i missed it wow

yyyguy have you been taking any pictures lately?

No wonder Wink went into a brunch coma, look at all the food we got around here. Thanks yyyguy and Cleo!

I’m off to bed, Goodnight Everyone!

Howdy Tabby. Are you ready for school tomorrow?

Carmy good night sweetie.

Good morning Cleo, Lonewolf, yyyguy I thought I would be first today but my computer was too slow at putting up the new strip. Sometimes I have to wait 2 or 3 minutes before I can get on. I hate dial up. I was going to bring some pizza from Dry’s party. yesterday.

Good morning to anyone who comes in while I’m typing this.

Good Morning Carmy & Tabby

Good Night Carmy

Good Morning Marg!

Good Morning Serena!

Cleo i am done with school till late Jan. :D

i have ana and its past sleepy time. so she is about to hit the bed as am i. good night sleep wel tribe

carmy night sorry i missed you

Good morning! I’m glad that your breakfast made it today, Cleo. I’ll have the salmon omelet w/ the caramelized onins, and some FooJoy litchee black tea.

GOOD MORNING TERRY!

Goodmorning yyyguy, tabby, Carmy, Cleo, and Serena.

yyyguy, I’ll have some peach juice off of your menu this morning.

serena your pizza addition is welcome.

Tabby I am glad your school is done. How are you doing with your results?

Marg tea is on the way sweet cheeks.

Marg, as is your breakfast dear.

hi Terry, Tabby, Carmy, Cleo, &Serena. current temp is -10C (which is about 14F) and we’ve got a few flurries with lots of wind (gusts up to 40 mph, but it was windier earlier today). Cleo haven’t had much chance to play with the camera or go through what i have filed on my computer all ready to share with friends. right now, i don’t even have the SLR loaded. Tabby enjoy the break (saw your post about the marks earlier. is a D still a passing grade? i know it isn’t great but, as long as you pass, right?)

hi Marg. missed you first time round. sheesh! i take a quick look around toonville and we’re suddenly over 2 dozen posts. and i’m nowhere near finished the tour.

yyyguy, I noticed a comment on one of your posts from yesterday, if you ever come west let me know. I would like it very much if you would come visit us.

Cleo, I have always wanted to visit out that way. I’d like to make it into Alaska also. I was in Seattle & Ancorage but only at the airports for layovers to Asia for the Army.

cleo, one of the photo albums i have on my face book page is from the trip i took out to the west coast in Fall 2008. i drove through BC from Jasper, AB via Kamloops, Lillooet, and Squamish to Vancouver, then back through Abbotsford, Hope, Princeton, the Okanagan, up to Mt Revelstoke, and then back down to go through the Crowsnest Pass back to Alberta and onword home. i do intend to go back to see some of the places in greater detail (hence my constant referral to it as a “drive by”) but it won’t be for a few years, yet.

Thank you for the delicious breakfast, Clao.

Good night, all.

yyyguy & Terry, if either of you make it out this way, I would consider it in insult if you didn’t look us up. If you had the time, of course.

Good Night Marg

when i do get back there, i will make a point of it.

Cleo, I would indeed let you know my friend!

and now, bedtime. visiting Dad in the morning, so i won’t be back until around the turnover at earliest. stay well my friends, and watch out for trolls. looks like one was going after J A Doty on some of the strips yesterday.

((((Tribe))))

Good Night Yguy

See you in the morrow!

I am off to bed also, good night Terry and Marg. Have a good night yyyguy.

Good Night All

Peace & Love Tribe

CLEO Just a nuc coffee please. Have to go see the VA doc, and like Arlo Gutherie said, I want to look my best for the government physical. She won’t make me get on a scale, will she?

Have a wonderful day TRIBE.

Good morning and Happy Friday!! lewreader nice to see someone else up this early. Haven’t seen mopar in a while, hope he’s feeling better.

Good Morning Akenta & Lewreader

Looks like a typical Tribe breakfast for Wink!

Morning, all.

Dashing off to work. I’ll check in later whenI get back.

Good Morning Celecca

Have a good day!

Good Morning Lewreader, Akenta, Terry, Celecca and Doc! It’s 45 in FL today! I’m reading toons while I’m waiting to take the last 2 girls to their school.

Time to take the girls to school, BBL!

Good Morning Carmy & Doc!

Doc–10F here and it’s cold!

Good morning, tribe. My contribution to the season:

A VISIT TO THE MALL (With apologies to Clement Moore)

‘Twas two weeks before Christmas and all ‘round the mall, Six million cars were parked wall to wall. For what seemed like hours I drove round and round Until at last a parking space I found. I sat and I waited with blinker light blinking, While all around me bright lights were winking. Then, out of nowhere there came an encroacher, The horrible, infamous parking space poacher! He swung right around me as if I weren’t there And pulled into the space with nary a care. He stepped out of his car with a wave and a grin Leaving me to continue a quest without end.

I finally made it to the hustle and bustle, But the stores were so crowded I couldn’t move a muscle. I paused for a moment to pull out my list It was all written down so none would be missed. To toy store, to bookstore and sporting goods, too. Buy cookies and candies and clothing so new. See reindeer and elves and good old Saint Nick, See parents and children, they all run so quick! The charges are mounting, like drifts in the snow, My list seems quite endless. Where does it all go? Now the presents are bought, but the battle’s not won, The search for a perfect tree has begun.

That tree is too short, this one’s too tall, Another has no middle branches at all. When the tree’s been selected and I lug it on home, I realize it’s shaped like a humpbacked old gnome. When the lights are all lit and the popcorn is strung And all the ornaments and stockings are hung, I sit in the glow of the twinkling light Thinking back on a long ago, far away night. I think of the child who was born long ago And I’m thankful for cards and lights and snow. Then, I realize Santa probably was right So, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night.”

Good Morning All!

Nice spread Cleo!

Good Morning Saucy & DMistletoad

That was cute, Saucy

MORNING ALL!

A fly-by, Shikawise!

I’m off to see the wizard…. No wait, that was someone else. I’m off to meet my supervisor at my placement. Wish me luck!

Hi yyyguy, dmistletoad, Doc, Terry, CLEO, Merrymarg, Tabby? and Saucy

Since I am flying, it is hard to see who is here.

Bye!

BBMML

Good morning all! Have you ever gotten up one morning and realized that it is really cold outside, and you didn’t want to get out of bed because it is warm? Getting that feeling today.

Aren’t any of you paying attention? Wink had 2 Bloody Marys and a Mimosa! Carb high, I think not! Our little bear is wasted! LOL

Doc good comment you left at BB.

Good morning all!*

Good Morning **Johnny, Shika & Dry!

Good Morning all. It ‘s funny, it is the same temp. as when I went to bed last night, 28 degrees. At least there still hasn’t been any snow. :-D

Doc, reference your BB comment………You don’t hear as much about that now a days as you used to!

Doc your nuclear coffee is once again hitting the spot. Unfortunately it has a way of dissolving that spot on contact.

Doc of course I got it! I’m not as dumb as I look, ya’ know!

Doc, it was well known when we were younger.

Cleo, it dissolves all kinds of things! LOL

Good Morning Saucy (good poem!), DigiToad, Shika (good luck!), Johnny (brrrr), Dry (LOL), and Cleo!

Carmy - Good Morning sweetie.

Unfortunately, I am as dumb as I look.

I once worked with someone who very indignantly told the office manager: “I’ll have you know, I’m not as smart as I look!”

The office manager agreed

Morning Carmy

Saucy, Good one!

Could be worse. A brother in mid-Iowa says:

“Cold is right. 16 inches of snow within the last 30 hours, and 50 mile an hour winds. Below zero tonight. Interstates closed, cars all over, snowplows not moving (it just drifts shut again), my office (Xxxxx) closed for the first time in over 10 years (they let us out at 2:30 yesterday). Just watching movies and doing computer stuff and occasionally kicking the dogs outside, although they seem to resent leaving the nice warm house. Yyy’s [no relation to yyyguy] wrapping presents and cooking, and Zzz is (theoretically) studying for his delayed mid-term (Iowa State is also closed).”

Fun, isn’t it?

Good Morning Bmonk!

And nasty! But, I gotta pull a Shika here…

G’morn and g’night!

bmonk thanks for making my day seem so much better and a pleasant good morning to you.

Good Morning Mopar!

I’ll take your temps today!

MoPar good morning buddy. Hope that crud is loosening it’s hold on you.

And how is your day going, Cleo?

Mopar–That’s the same thing Wolfangil said about her Christmas party. She works in a hospital too. I’ll explain later! LOL

Mopar–I sure hope it’s worth it buddy!

Doc–Your mind frequents the same gutter mine does! Love it man!

Doc–Yeah, too crowded if you ask me. lol

okay so another day with Ana but today i have help! lol bug rocks she is a great help

Got some RL to attend to! BBS

Hi Tabby Lynn

Doc–In case I miss you when you leave……….Have a good sleep & I’ll catch you later!

Doc & Terry if you lived in my world there are no locked doors. LOL

MoPar that’s the weird thing about people not dressed in things they would choose to wear given a choice. My postman always gave me the impression that he was probably somewhat of a hippie type because he had a beard and his hair was always pulled back in a braid that draped down his back. When I bumped into him at a local music venue bar, I finally saw him in his off duty clothing, full leathers and “Banditos” in proud letters across the back of his vest. I also used to manage a liquor store. The only addition to my normal clothes was a tacky gold vest and name tag. Regular customers, who knew me by name didn’t recognize me on the street.

Doc I love the gutter because I meet so may nice people here.

Well, we may get snow so I am going to go to town to try to find some Christmas gifts for my sweetie. I will see all you fine people a bit later.

Love you guys and gals.

Just a quick hi and then I’m off to sleep. I have to work tonight.

Doc give out best wishes to Wildcheetah on her birthday.

OK everybody out of the gutter. You’re crowding me.

((((((((((((((ALL)))))))))))))))

okay so i was unsure if i said hi or not, i dont think i did and if i did it was a quick one. so HI all of the tribe. i am cleaning house and such today so ill bbl peace and love al and Ana is under control so i have no worries i can get things done. so great.

I feel like Wink right now only it’s potluck lunch coma….

Hello all!

Or anybody? It sure is quiet……………………..

Shhhhh. Be vewwy quiet! I’m hunting wabbit!

(You go Mr Bmonk)

Mmmmm……….Breaded & fried rabbit livers - haven’t had that in years….

So day two where me and ana and her brother had a screaming contest. its been crazy even with help. sigh. not having kids.

Two exams and arguably the most difficult week of the year done! This calls for a refreshment of the alcoholic variety!

Jdoc how bad was it? mine was bad

Hello Johnny & Tabby

How do you think you did?

anyone want a kid?

http://www.thestar.com/videozone/737443–william-and-the-windmill

Check this out. Amazing genius boy.

BBL

I’ve had my fill. Maybe next lifetime.

I think I did quite well, it was just a lot of work.

@Tabby, I often see store flyers proclaiming “Baby Sale–50% off!”

I figure, if you’re gonna buy a kid, at least get one cheap…

That’s really wild Shika!

Like it’s been stated before. It’s worth it Johnny.

bmonk I don’t know who is crazier, you or DigitalFrog! LOL!

DRY LOL yea neither do i.

Terry i just got what you sad. i have had my fill also.!

I know it is worth it, but I go for the more immediate reward, the beer at the end of the week. bmonk, not quite sure that is what the signs are getting at, lol.

I know–they never tell you what price the babies are selling for…

They need to know you’re interested first!

I don’t no what you are talking about Terry and Tabby! I enjoy kids thoroughly, as long as they aren’t mine.

Hey Dry - I resemble that remark!

(you thought I wouldn’t be on to read that, didn’t you!!)

Oh, I love kids Johnny! I’ve just had enough of my own for one lifetime. I love kids even more when I know that they are going “home” sooner or later. lol

I like the avatar Johnny

Thanks Terry! As for kids, me too!

Speaking of the cost of babies, did you know that the human brain is the only multi-gigabyte non-linear processor that can be mass produced by unskilled labor? Only problem is that it takes 9 months to get delivery of your order, comes without an owner’s manual, the constant upgrade of peripherals due to system growth can be very expensive, and it seems you never completely get all the bugs worked out before the unit becomes obsolete.

D Mistletoad, that’s beautiful man!

DM ( get it DM, not DF? HA HA) I hear ya! No owners’ manual and not even any kind of brief instructions!

If I could get my mother to understand the first part of that, she’d laugh hard at that one!

And, Mistletoad, the cost per unit is rather exorbitant: Not only is it very easy to spend $10,000 on supplies in the first year alone, but the cost a raising a child through the age of 18 is estimated to be between $125,000 to $250,000. This does not include college.

(Not sure how accurate or recent those numbers are)

No, I don’t get it……what’s DM?………………….lol

Bmonk, accurate or not I think the point of the matter is well given.

“Digital Mistletoad” vs. “Digital Frog”…

Lesson here: don’t have kids?

I also liked your “eth” joke too, Bmonk!

Given the right parents and surroundings, I don’t think I could ever say that Johnny.

That’s what I hear, but I’m not sold yet, maybe when I’m a billionaire.

ROFL!!

If everyone decided not to have kids, Go Comics would soon run out of readers, and then where would we be?

Uh, hi gang. I think my brain is short circuiting here.

bmonk said, about 1 hour ago @Tabby, I often see store flyers proclaiming “Baby Sale–50% off!” I figure, if you’re gonna buy a kid, at least get one cheap…

I thought that meant you get half a baby. You have to get it somewhere. North Americans only have 2.5 children now a days- where else does the .5 come from?

“What did one poster say to the other poster?”

….have you seen Bill Board lately?

**GO COMICS, GO! GO COMICS, GO!

Rah, rah, sis boom bah,

GO COMICS, GO!

Hear the circuits popping here?

Sigh.

Back to work I guess. No one’s here. :-(

@Shika, ugh! Down, bad pun!

And you’re probably right about the 50% off babies…

You’re right Shika, your brain is fried!

Which one is the bad pun bmonk?

Just so I’m sure to repeat it!

Can you write my paper for me? It’s right up your alley bmonk.

The one about the bored Bill…

Paper on what?

That’s Bill Board, bmonk! Although I hear he was bored with all the posters hanging around.

hi all. sorry i ran off on you like that, but hey i have Ana theres no telling when ill run off.

Kid are great, its just her parents have screwed us over. they dont have rules for her, she gets the rules when she is here. so i fix her like she needs to be. bed time kind of, how to act, yes sir nor sir yes mama no mama, ect. and she goes home and they mess it all up then i get her back and have to start all over again . i cant take it i tell you. i have learned something and in this next month of being a mom i will learn more. i have leaned now NOT to raise my child. that i dont plan on having as of now. i am just worn out. teach them well raise them right, and they will be good kids…. in other words scare the fear of God into them. lol :D

See, Tabby, I think that counts as having learned something new today…

Bmonk sure does. lol

What do you mean johnnydoc? My brain’s fine. It always crackles when I think.

@Shika, that’s my knees. And toes. And fingers. And neck. And…

bmonk Now I can’t tell you. No religion here. I guess I have to write this myself. :-(

i have no brain left what are you talking about shika.

HI SHIKA!!!

Go to bed, Shika, get some rest, you need it girl! ROFLMA!

LOL! Are you saying this is a joint project?

@Shika, you could always tell me, say, over at Pibgorn Sketches…

Hi Tabby. Are you scaring the kids again?

shika be the smart girl i know you are and take a break. you deserve it.

They have no rules there?

Hi Dry!

What do you mean I need sleep? Am I any different than usual?

Not rules like here…and the Sketches are pretty much empty most of the time anyway…

I have done just fine all the these years without children and no matter how good the sale is I will pass. I can enjoy other people’s young ‘uns. I knew when I was very young that I was going to remain child free and not once have I been disappointed. I have nothing against children, I am just to selfish. I have never wanted to be held down in one location without the ability to travel when the urge hit.

Okay. You guys convinced me to take a break. I’ll check in much later, okay?

P.S. bmonk I’ll take your advice.

Peace, Tribe!

Shika not many, just no running in the house or hitting. thats alli know of.

Cleo, plus they are really expensive as they established earlier.

@Tabby, you are showing them they can have fun without being destructive, that not all discipline and rules are bad. Besides that, you are disciplining yourself. Even if it’s hard–but often good things are hard, and frustrating…

bmonk i have the rules…. the child has no bed time, she is 3. she needs a bed time.

hey guys i have to go. she is about to drive me mad. im off after 8tonight till 130pm tomorrow and i need it bc she is making me crazy

Yep, she do. That’s what adults are for: to know what the kiddies need and see that they get it. It’s nice if they can be friends sometime too–but they need to be adults first.

fyi ”you know what tabby did to me? She hurt my feelings. she wouldnt let me have a sticker and she told me no more juice”

im a mean mean mean mean mean person

Discipline is not fun–but it’s needed. It feels like being mean, but the alternative is a whole lot meaner.

Have fun at the birthday party Happy Birthday Wildcheetah

Have fun Doc!

Happy Birthday Wildcheetah!!

Hello Cleo & Shika!

Happy birthday Wildcheetah!!

bbl

That’s OK, DocT–I’m not even here…

Just stopped in to say hi and bye. I have to get ready for work. I just work 1 night then I’m off for 2 nights. How crazy is that? I’ve been changing days with everybody but now it should get back to whatever passes for normal.

See everyone tomorrow.

Cleo, I admire and respect your reasoning. It’s a very difficult discussion because one person cannot truly imagine the other person’s viewpoint. I’ve had fun raising 5 children and would not give anything back. But my younger sister has not had any children and sometimes I agree with her that it probably was a good decision by her and her husband. IMHO

Hi Serena

Bye Serena!

Hello?

Good bye! See you in the morn!

Terry thanks. It absolutely was the right decision not to have children. I have mentioned this before, but my wife and I met at the only time in our lives where we could be a couple. She always wanted children and had two wonderful ones a boy and a girl who have grown up to be honor students, graduating from university debt free and friends of mine. When my wife had her accident her husband decided he did not want to be with her any longer and I reaped the benefits. I have met my soul mate, she has had the pleasure of raising two lovely young adults and I can experience them and appreciate my wife’s choices and have a loving relationship. Win, win, win. :-)

Hello Johnny

See you in the AM! Have fun!

(((((((((((((((Cleo)))))))))))))))))))

You’re awesome, my friend!!!!

johnnyd, sorry to miss you and enjoy your Christmas holiday.

Thanks Terry. I am really blessed to have my lady. We are able to lead a lifestyle that works so well for us. It is like the first 50 years was a dress rehearsal for now. Life is good.

Cleo, I was just starting to blend into that stage when these setbacks came along. I figure it is to make us stronger so that we may coast on the last stretch of our happiness trail.

My wife is off having a ladies dinner at a neighbor’s house. It is a charity dinner and supplies food and money to the needy during the holiday, so I am at home watching old Outer Limits clips on Youtube. :-)

Terry I hope your doc’s can get this figured out so that you can enjoy your life and not always have a question mark out there. I admire your attitude and positive energy. Good for you.

I will keep checking in as I do my nostalgia thing.

Cleo, It will all work out for the best I’m sure of that! My Faith is too strong. I’m watching “Ghost Adventures”. I too am in and out!

back. yet again. and no one seems to be on.

Here after another episode. Quiet night.

Hey Cleo, I’m still watching my shows. Yes it is quiet. Fits the shows we’re watching. lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayk_qQw0XZg

Many hours ago, Cleo said “The only addition to my normal clothes was a tacky gold vest and name tag.” I’m trying to imagine what it would be like to see an almost naked employee with only a vest & name tag (hopefully pinned to the vest - or ouch!) Just pulling a quick zoom in & out tribe!

Good night!

G-D Rules

Now I need a shot to go with it!

ookay i am back again no more Ana till some time tomorrow. my bed to myself tonight. :D

Getting my playlist together for my Christmas list! Thought I would throw Shady Grove in there for anyone’s listening enjoyment! My kids are basically broke, so I am having them burn me some CD’s!

I caught it……………………………

I SAW WALKING BUDDY TONIGHT!!!!

i am happy yes, but it was just diffrent its been to long since we had our time. since she has had peace in her life, since she has had time for her. so i feel bad going over when she called me over. but i asked her if she was sure i could go visit and she said yes so there i went

so it is 44 f and its raining again. fun fun fun. maybe ill sleep good tonight. :D

just so u all know i WANT first post.