I did a paper on bats my first year in college. Then I tweaked it and used it three or four more times for other classes as I worked to my Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts.
A baseball bat is a smooth wooden or metal club used in the sport of baseball to hit the ball after it is thrown by the pitcher. By regulation it may be no more than 2.75 inches (7.0 cm) in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches (1.067 m) in length.
It is sort of getting you ready for life I suppose. I don’t know how many times bosses have dropped some mind bending system in my lap when the ‘expert’ was fired or left and I could not get training on it until months later.
I wrote my one and only term paper in a class on how to write term papers. (That makes a statement right there). I got to pick the topic, so naturally, I chose one that I was already interested in and knew something about. I did it completely the wrong way around. I wrote what I already knew and then looked for supporting references.
I did something really interesting for a sort-of final “Thesis” in one of my college computer classes. The teacher stated that it was to be something “business-oriented”, like creating an Inventory System for some local business. It just so happened that my dad was working on a project for his job to determine how long a proposed business project would actually take, so we worked on it together. The bottom line was, make your best estimate, then multiply it by 2.5. I have always remembered that, and it is surprisingly accurate. I got an A, and the teacher specifically mentioned it as a very original project.
I’m pretty sure that my parents were happy that all but two of their kids actually enjoyed learning stuff. And those two learned to fake it pretty well, one of them so well that he grew up to be a teacher. My son, on the other hand, pretty much just served his time in jail… I mean school… until he was old enough to stop. Given this assignment, 4 of us would have just gone to work and done it, with something like pleasure (maybe not the report part), one would have grumbled and done it, and one would have required parental guidance aka “prodding”… and done it.
BE THIS GUY over 5 years ago
Life was so hard before Google and Wikipedia.
Bilan over 5 years ago
Just ask Adam West. He knows all about them.
codycab over 5 years ago
Now matter how popular Batman is, school just never accepts a report like that. Learned that the hard way.
Baarorso over 5 years ago
Three words for you Calvin…“BATS AREN’T BUGS!” ;D
MelanieMather over 5 years ago
Um, yeah, that’s kinda what a “report” is, bucko.
Plumb.Bob Premium Member over 5 years ago
I did a paper on bats my first year in college. Then I tweaked it and used it three or four more times for other classes as I worked to my Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts.
sirbadger over 5 years ago
Bats use sonar to hit baseballs. Redbull gives you wings.
Dr. Quatermass over 5 years ago
Methinks he’s going to write a report comparing and contrasting the many faces of Batman.
VictoryRider over 5 years ago
Just pretend you’re researching one of the flying dinosaurs, and you’ll ace this thing!
Watcher over 5 years ago
Calvin, do it on Vampire bats. They sleep upside down, fly only at night and suck blood while making you a vampire.
jpayne4040 over 5 years ago
Sounds like too much work, Calvin! No point in doing all of that! /s
Comic Man X over 5 years ago
Oof Calvin but why would he write an report on bats? BATS!?
nosirrom over 5 years ago
I don’t see what the problem is. Calvin should just write about himself. He is pretty batty.
jrankin1959 over 5 years ago
Cut Ms. Wormwood some slack, kid – she thought you might enjoy bats.
A Hip loving Canadian... over 5 years ago
But Calvin, bats are great… they could come in handy in a game of Calvinball.
mitchkeos Premium Member over 5 years ago
So said my ex-stepson…
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 5 years ago
A baseball bat is a smooth wooden or metal club used in the sport of baseball to hit the ball after it is thrown by the pitcher. By regulation it may be no more than 2.75 inches (7.0 cm) in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches (1.067 m) in length.
DanFlak over 5 years ago
That’s the spirit, Calvin. You can become a member of Congress and make laws about things you know nothing about.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 5 years ago
It is sort of getting you ready for life I suppose. I don’t know how many times bosses have dropped some mind bending system in my lap when the ‘expert’ was fired or left and I could not get training on it until months later.
JudyHendrickson over 5 years ago
why notCalvin !!!! you drive alof people batty!!!!
gantech over 5 years ago
I wrote my one and only term paper in a class on how to write term papers. (That makes a statement right there). I got to pick the topic, so naturally, I chose one that I was already interested in and knew something about. I did it completely the wrong way around. I wrote what I already knew and then looked for supporting references.
Got an A.
rshive over 5 years ago
W-a-a-a-y too much work, Calvin. More fun to complain. Maybe more time, but also more fun.
BillJackson2 over 5 years ago
I’ve seen several college age and above kids (and supposed adults) who felt the same way.
ChessPirate over 5 years ago
I did something really interesting for a sort-of final “Thesis” in one of my college computer classes. The teacher stated that it was to be something “business-oriented”, like creating an Inventory System for some local business. It just so happened that my dad was working on a project for his job to determine how long a proposed business project would actually take, so we worked on it together. The bottom line was, make your best estimate, then multiply it by 2.5. I have always remembered that, and it is surprisingly accurate. I got an A, and the teacher specifically mentioned it as a very original project.
Agapostemon over 5 years ago
I did a report on spiders as a kid. Even painted a jumping spider, Phiddipus johnsonii. I still love bugs, especially bees.
Mediatech over 5 years ago
I hear that they are know to inhabit belfrys.
DCBakerEsq over 5 years ago
Research is for the unimaginative.
matthew over 5 years ago
Fast forward to 2019 and children like Calvin are now adults like Calvin.
Snoots over 5 years ago
So read Batman comics. At least you’ll give the teacher a chuckle. Or make her take an extra aspirin.
Nuke Road Warrior over 5 years ago
Too bad it’s not about dinosaurs.
Constantinepaleologos over 5 years ago
And so begins one of the greatest Calvin and Hobbes classics. :-)
well-i-never over 5 years ago
Think of them as tiny dinosaurs.
claudia.sawyer over 5 years ago
People are upset about “spoilers” on a 20+ year old comic?
jmworacle over 5 years ago
But Calvin, you should know plenty about bats. Especially the one’s in your belfry.
TINA ! over 5 years ago
I hate this rerun
dwdl21 over 5 years ago
Wow, I’d think Calvin would love bats, blood thirsty vampire bats, bwahaha…lol
fix-n-fly over 5 years ago
Calvin and Alfred E. Newman could be cousins – “What, me worry?”
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 5 years ago
Bats are fascinating creatures, the first ones appeared in the fossil record just 7 million years after the end ofthe dinosaurs.
Concretionist over 5 years ago
I’m pretty sure that my parents were happy that all but two of their kids actually enjoyed learning stuff. And those two learned to fake it pretty well, one of them so well that he grew up to be a teacher. My son, on the other hand, pretty much just served his time in jail… I mean school… until he was old enough to stop. Given this assignment, 4 of us would have just gone to work and done it, with something like pleasure (maybe not the report part), one would have grumbled and done it, and one would have required parental guidance aka “prodding”… and done it.
willie_mctell over 5 years ago
Any boy can grow up to be president.
JoeMartinFan Premium Member over 5 years ago
I would think Calvin would be interested in doing a report on bats. Now, if it was songbirds…
Grimmwood900 over 5 years ago
Yes! This story line was a classic. 30 years later I often think BATS AREN’T BUGS!