Frazz by Jef Mallett for April 16, 2024

“Be grateful for luck. Pay the thunder no mind; listen to the birds. And don’t hate nobody.” —James Hubert “Eubie” Blake (1887-1983) American pianist and composer

The world is made more fun by snark.

The Boston Marathon is one of the few things, besides playoffs, where you’re a winner just to be invited.

Cool lesson, Miss Plainwell.

Aw … no snarky comments? … Is sarcasm okay?

Participation trophies were always a stupid, counterproductive idea.

Go to college and get a participation degree, kid.

By the way, I have never had an issue with participation trophies. It’s not like anyone is confusing them for the winner’s trophy, and nobody takes them for anything more than a nice memento of the particular event or season they participated in. The whole attitude of, “Of you’re not a winner, you get nothing,” is silly in my opinion.

Aren’t comics pretty much snarky comments?

As with many ‘quick draw’ mouths, kid only looked at the surface of the subject. Hope this lesson sticks with him when other opportunities arise.

Plainwell gave good advice. One way to make friends is to be thoughtful of what one says. A ‘snark’ doesn’t only affect the target but also those who observe it.

I’m impressed that she’s back to work the day after!

So hard to resist that reflex.

Mean is mean.

“If you didn’t win then why did you even try” is a far too prevalent mindset.

YaY! For Ms Plainwell. Excellent. 26.2 and in the top 10%. YoW! Way to go Ms P. !

Without snarky comments, I’d get to read GoComics in a lot less time each day.

Well played, Ms. P!!!

Amen, Miss Plainwell. Top ten percent in a marathon is very commendable indeed.

During my teaching days I participated in the American Birkebeiner, a 31 mile cross country ski race. They gave out participation medals.

I have nothing but awed respect for anyone who even attempts a marathon, iron man, birkie, triathlon, etc. The amount of dedication necessary just to try it is off the charts as far as I’m concerned. Same goes for things like learning how to play a musical instrument well enuf to perform in public. I’m content just to muddle along in comfortable mediocrity and admire the accomplished from afar.

I think Miss Plainwell blows it in the second panel, when she fails to point out that the medal is not given for participating, but for finishing. Big difference. Even if you are DLBF in a marathon, you have actually done something. “Participation” trophies are just for showing up, and it’s something the kid should understand.

Not very authentic. The huge Bank of America logo should be visible.

There’s winners and there is non-winners, the most important things are, did you do your best and did you do it the right way. Some of these things nowadays where scores are not kept and everyone is a winner is not how things work in the real world.

Ms. Plainwell might have finished in the top 10%. But not necessarily, since everyone who finishes gets a finisher’s medal — not just those who finish in the top 10%. Even the runner who finishes last gets one. That’s why it’s called a “finisher’s medal.”

Admittedly, her statement in the 2nd frame is somewhat ambiguous. I think she means that only about 10% of those who try to run the Boston Marathon (send in the necessary paperwork, etc.) are good enough (i.e., fast enough) to be allowed to run the course that day. That’s the “about top 10 percent” that Ms. Plainwell is in — and that’s just one more reason why she is so impressive.