Today is my oldest nephew’s forty-fifth birthday. He was born exactly four weeks after my twelfth birthday. I was the second of two uncles in my class.
I started reading Calvin and Hobbes in November 1987 when my two nephews were aged eight and six. My second nephew was the same age that Calvin’s age is stated as on the rare occasions when it is mentioned. I bought my first Calvin and Hobbes collection in May 1988 and later lent it to my nephews who loved it.
As I have said several times, my first Calvin and Hobbes collection “Something Under The Bed Is Drooling” was what started me to question whether Hobbes really was part of Calvin’s imagination as I had assumed. The main reason that I started to question this was that two strips in my first collection showed Hobbes to be alive and speaking directly to us when he was alone. I still largely believed Hobbes to be part of Calvin’s imagination but started tp look out for strips which show Hobbes on his own and to remember them.
My oldest nephew asked me whether Hobbes was meant to be part of Calvin’s imagination. I truthfully replied that I THOUGHT he was. My nephew replied, “That’s what I thought too but sometimes he seems to be real – like when he does Calvin’s homework for him.” This was a reference to a strip in Something Under The Bed Is Drooling where Calvin makes a tuna sandwich for Hobbes. Mom says, “What about your homework?” Calvin says, “It’s getting done.” In the last panel, Calvin takes the sandwich to Hobbes and asks, “How’s my homework getting on?” Hobbes replies, “I couldn’t make out this subtraction problem so I put ‘Atlanta, Georgia’!” That strip certainly suggested that Hobbes does things when Calvin is elsewhere and it was in addition to the two strips which actually showed him doing things on his own.
Some people have a reason to complain but learn after awhile that people are so self absorbed or determined to smooth things over that their needs aren’t being met so they just keep looking for someone who will hear them and help them through it. It’s actually not wrong as long as you’re not being a broken record. And when you find the person who is equipped, who actually is helping, be careful not to ignore their cues.
A couple of my so called friends tried telling me that my primary abuser was crying out for affection.. PLEASE!
I’d say people I talk to at work daily aren’t aware that they rush through things and keep interrupting me on the phone. And they’re supposed to be professionals.
BE THIS GUY 12 months ago
Hobbes, subtlety doesn’t work with people who aren’t self-aware.
codycab 12 months ago
Gee, I wonder who these people learn it from…
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover 12 months ago
Or they just keep doubling and tripling down on their mistakes.
snsurone76 12 months ago
Hobbes’ response is a clever one. Mom and/or Dad would have just yelled, “WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP, ALREADY??”
BigDaveGlass 12 months ago
That roll eye……..
sandpiper 12 months ago
I try not to repeat rants. They’re boring. : )
erik.vanthienen 12 months ago
“Egoist: a person of low taste, more interested in himself than me.” – Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary
Calvinist1966 12 months ago
Today is my oldest nephew’s forty-fifth birthday. He was born exactly four weeks after my twelfth birthday. I was the second of two uncles in my class.
I started reading Calvin and Hobbes in November 1987 when my two nephews were aged eight and six. My second nephew was the same age that Calvin’s age is stated as on the rare occasions when it is mentioned. I bought my first Calvin and Hobbes collection in May 1988 and later lent it to my nephews who loved it.
As I have said several times, my first Calvin and Hobbes collection “Something Under The Bed Is Drooling” was what started me to question whether Hobbes really was part of Calvin’s imagination as I had assumed. The main reason that I started to question this was that two strips in my first collection showed Hobbes to be alive and speaking directly to us when he was alone. I still largely believed Hobbes to be part of Calvin’s imagination but started tp look out for strips which show Hobbes on his own and to remember them.
My oldest nephew asked me whether Hobbes was meant to be part of Calvin’s imagination. I truthfully replied that I THOUGHT he was. My nephew replied, “That’s what I thought too but sometimes he seems to be real – like when he does Calvin’s homework for him.” This was a reference to a strip in Something Under The Bed Is Drooling where Calvin makes a tuna sandwich for Hobbes. Mom says, “What about your homework?” Calvin says, “It’s getting done.” In the last panel, Calvin takes the sandwich to Hobbes and asks, “How’s my homework getting on?” Hobbes replies, “I couldn’t make out this subtraction problem so I put ‘Atlanta, Georgia’!” That strip certainly suggested that Hobbes does things when Calvin is elsewhere and it was in addition to the two strips which actually showed him doing things on his own.
gibberish 101 12 months ago
Wow, it’s as of Calvin knows everyone that I know. :)
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member 12 months ago
Obliviots.
cracker65 12 months ago
This is a really good one.
Dr. Quatermass 12 months ago
This strip should be entitled, “Hobbes and Entitled Calvin”. BTW, I always love when Hobbes’ eyebrows end up higher than Snoop Dogg on any April 20th!
KageKat 12 months ago
If he weren’t going on so much about it, Calvin might have a good point – I don’t know what’s up with the constant complainers either.
Count Olaf Premium Member 12 months ago
The Victim Card… Don’t Leave Home Without It. Or Leave Home Period. (We know who you are…;) )
flagmichael 12 months ago
Like any good language teacher, Calvin provides an example of the subject.
jagedlo 12 months ago
And with today’s Op-Ed piece, it’s Calvin…take it away, Calvin!
markkahler52 12 months ago
So you say, Calvin!
PoochFan 12 months ago
“I just can’t stand it when people tell me their pet peeves!”
rshive 12 months ago
Calvin’s nerves aren’t functioning that well today.
Just-me 12 months ago
I’m not certain when this strip was originally published, but it still rings true today.
mfrasca 12 months ago
Most kids don’t develop introspection until their tweens, so there is hope for Calvin.
Of course, there are adults with disorders like narcissism, sociopathy, and borderline personality who never develop much introspection.
eced52 12 months ago
Calvin loves looking in the mirror when he rants.
ladykat 12 months ago
Sounds like you, Calvin.
calebwangler 12 months ago
gota love this those people who complain about people rub me the wrong way! ;)
ChessPirate 12 months ago
Irony, thy name is Calvin…
g04922 12 months ago
LOL… Hobbes does try with is subtle comments and oblique replies… Unfortunately, Calvin is so self-centered, he doesn’t get it.
mountainclimber 12 months ago
Or maybe they are conman politicians who don’t get their way.
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 12 months ago
Some people have a reason to complain but learn after awhile that people are so self absorbed or determined to smooth things over that their needs aren’t being met so they just keep looking for someone who will hear them and help them through it. It’s actually not wrong as long as you’re not being a broken record. And when you find the person who is equipped, who actually is helping, be careful not to ignore their cues.
A couple of my so called friends tried telling me that my primary abuser was crying out for affection.. PLEASE!
wiley207 12 months ago
My brother has said that about me.
stepzla 12 months ago
I can’t imagine what has Calvin all worked up.(Secretly wonders if I am related to Calvin.)
PoodleGroomer 12 months ago
You can make some people happy. Some people will complain that you took away what they were complaining about.
txmystic 12 months ago
perfect…
mistercatworks 12 months ago
And it’s always someone else’s fault. Remember when the Presidency’s unofficial motto was “The Buck Stops Here”?
mindjob 12 months ago
He could have a show on Family Guy called, “That Really Grinds My Gears”
yangeldf 12 months ago
and once again Bill predicts internet culture
PaulGoes 12 months ago
When Calvin gets taller, maybe things won’t go over his head
Otis Rufus Driftwood 12 months ago
I’d say people I talk to at work daily aren’t aware that they rush through things and keep interrupting me on the phone. And they’re supposed to be professionals.
PPMKS 12 months ago
He: What’s he got that I don’t have? She: Awareness He: What’s that?
PaulLeckner 12 months ago
When Calvin grows up he is going to be a Democrat.
DenO Premium Member 12 months ago
I just can’t stand complainers.
rgcviper 12 months ago
Pot … meet kettle … : )
M2MM 12 months ago
OMG! Waterson predicted “Social Media.” LOL
hagarthehorrible 12 months ago
Love Hobbes rolled eyes.