« Don't Cry for Me, Prickly City | Main | In Space, No One Can Hear You.... »
August 27, 2005
Kids These Days
(And yes, for those of you wondering why I always put up just the link instead of the fancy schmancy "Today's Strip" like CJo, I am an idiot when it comes to the internet.)
There's nothing like wide open spaces. I'm sure that's why W chose Idaho for his vacation from his vacation - to ride his bike in the big wide open spaces where there's miles and miles of nothing. It gives him plenty of time to ponder what he's going to eat that night, thinking to himself, "I like toast."
Scott Stantis too loves the open space - hence why half of his strips seem to feature a blank panel or two instead of witty insights. Today's no exception - the middle of the strip is nothing but white - clean, pure white. It's pretty in a "I'm a half-assed cartoonist and I don't get paid by the drawing, so screw you" kind of way.
As for the strip, I'm reminded of the fact that I don't have children. I miss out on the little things - like watching your kid take his first steps or ride a bike for the first time. There's this encouragement after they barely do something for the first time - and then disappointment after they keep failing over and over again. But someday, that kid is going to accomplish his goals, because they'll grow as a person.
I'd like to think of Scooter as my child. Every week I see him trying - like taking his first steps or putting those training wheels to good use. And at first he seems to have it - setting up a punchline that might actually lead somewhere. And I encourage him: "Come on Scotty, now give me a funny out! You can do it, buddy! I know you can!"
Like today - Carmen wonders why kids are so fat. We all know what's coming - Winslow will be eating fast food while playing video games. "Come on Scott - you're almost there - pedal harder - you've got it boy..."
Then comes the punchline: Lard Blaster 3.0.
And my heart sinks, and the bike goes tumbling into the ditch.
Just another day trying to raise a child in the 2000s.
