My BFF’s husband traveled a LOT for business. Once a co-worker suggested they leave the Bistro where they were having a beer and go out to find some female companionship. Husband refused – adultery is not his thing, and besides “my wife is bound to find out.”
“C’mon! Seattle is a long way from Baltimore!”
“Nah, I swear, the news will travel. Watch.” Husband stood up and called out, “Does anybody here know anybody named Lastname?” A fellow in a far corner called back, “I went to college with a guy named Terry Lastname. Does that count?”
Husband sat back down. “He went to school with one of my brothers-in-law.”
Literature verite’. If it is reasonably coherent (not a given) I’d accept his essay. Also, he didn’t just blow it off and set himself up for failure as so many commenters on yesterday’s strip asserted. He’s learning adult lessons the hard way. Don’t we all?
My son put himself through college, 3 engineering degrees, straight A’s, no debt at the end or help from parents! He used his GI bill, scholarships, grants. He salvaged an Exterra from a mud sale, took apart the engine, seats, everything, cleaned it and put it back together, drove it for a year and then sold it as a down payment on a mobile home, replaced walls, flooring, wiring, got roommates that paid his living expenses. It can be done, Michael, and you have all the help you need. Just put your mind to it and for gosh sakes, stop partying!
One basic thing about writing that, I’m glad to know, Mike has and that’s to write about what you know. College life will be filled with human interest stories for him to experience so he can refer to these for any of his future writings.
Take heart, Mike. You’re not the first, nor the last young writer who has had this experience. Many of us have been there, done that, and feel your pain.
I always referred to this as the Hunter S. Thompson Course in Journalism – although many writers before him demonstrated this form of masochistic exposition.
Your own personal experiences make the best topics to write about. People want to read what you’re up to. College kids have a lot more to talk about than they think they do
And here we see the male of the species after a failed hunt at the local watering hole. His energy expended in the pursuit of game, he retreats to his den, to recover from the chase. He knows there will be other hunts, other watering holes and other opportunities. Perhaps in time he will attract a female with which he can start a pride of his own. Until that time, he lives the life of the lonely bachelor, always on the prowl for easy prey, to slake his appetite.
Next week on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Kangaroos, what do they really keep in that pouch.
In my beloved four college years, I drank on days I DIDN’T have a big paper! (And as a history major, I had A LOT.) THAT is why I graduated suma cuum laude! (sic)
Reminds me of the comic where Michael was not applying himself to music lessons.
Uncle Phil: Michael, it is obvious you are not taking this seriously. I have taught younger kids who by now have made better progress than you. You don’t practice.
Michael: Nuh-uh! I practice all the time.
Phil: Very well; show me something you have practiced.
Michael spins the trumpet around his finger while whistling the Harlem Globetrotters theme song. Phil closes his eyes and grimaces in disbelief
Michael’s expression in the fourth panel is a carbon copy of Phil’s. It is almost like Lynn Johnston cut & pasted! :)
I never tried to write a paper drunk, but there were definitely times I had to crank one out when I was dead tired after being up all night long for other reasons.
Mike, I’ve made a life out of reading people’s faces, and knowing what the cards were by the way they held their eyes. And if you don’t mind my saying, I can see you’re out of aces.
On top of that, alcohol damages your health. At least back home Michael’s family is made to eat healthy. Elly is not going to have the Pattersons be a drain on OHIP.
[Unnamed Reader - 8bb645] 5 months ago
Write what you know.
Enter.Name.Here 5 months ago
graded A+ for authenticity.
snsurone76 5 months ago
I wonder how many typos are in that last page.
Macushlalondra 5 months ago
Let this be a lesson to you, Mike. Don’t go out drinking on a school night.
Black76Manta 5 months ago
Like I said, going to that place was just a huge waste of time!
cracker65 5 months ago
Real life journalism.
Tantor 5 months ago
How courageous of him
French Persons Premium Member 5 months ago
Sadly, the lesson will probably not be learned.
DorothyGlenn Premium Member 5 months ago
I’m taking a trip in the Wayback machine and that was a rotten feeling trying to make the bed stop spinning so I could sleep.
Dani Rice 5 months ago
Promise -somehow this will get back to Rhetta.
My BFF’s husband traveled a LOT for business. Once a co-worker suggested they leave the Bistro where they were having a beer and go out to find some female companionship. Husband refused – adultery is not his thing, and besides “my wife is bound to find out.”
“C’mon! Seattle is a long way from Baltimore!”
“Nah, I swear, the news will travel. Watch.” Husband stood up and called out, “Does anybody here know anybody named Lastname?” A fellow in a far corner called back, “I went to college with a guy named Terry Lastname. Does that count?”
Husband sat back down. “He went to school with one of my brothers-in-law.”
Aviatrexx Premium Member 5 months ago
Literature verite’. If it is reasonably coherent (not a given) I’d accept his essay. Also, he didn’t just blow it off and set himself up for failure as so many commenters on yesterday’s strip asserted. He’s learning adult lessons the hard way. Don’t we all?
Space_cat 5 months ago
A budding young Hemingway for sure, now write about tomorrow’s hangover for extra credit, and you’re on your way!
SweetieBird 5 months ago
Why does Mike’s eyes look like they are going to pop out of his head?
Hamady Sack Premium Member 5 months ago
Life in Letterkenny.
markkahler52 5 months ago
And there ya go!
Frank_Lecanto 5 months ago
The Gambler — Kenny Rogers…
goboboyd 5 months ago
Write about something you know. The art of suffering for your art.
kaycstamper 5 months ago
My son put himself through college, 3 engineering degrees, straight A’s, no debt at the end or help from parents! He used his GI bill, scholarships, grants. He salvaged an Exterra from a mud sale, took apart the engine, seats, everything, cleaned it and put it back together, drove it for a year and then sold it as a down payment on a mobile home, replaced walls, flooring, wiring, got roommates that paid his living expenses. It can be done, Michael, and you have all the help you need. Just put your mind to it and for gosh sakes, stop partying!
JudithStocker Premium Member 5 months ago
One basic thing about writing that, I’m glad to know, Mike has and that’s to write about what you know. College life will be filled with human interest stories for him to experience so he can refer to these for any of his future writings.
Cary Rodda Premium Member 5 months ago
Ah, the lessons learned when you’re young. Been there.
Linguist 5 months ago
Take heart, Mike. You’re not the first, nor the last young writer who has had this experience. Many of us have been there, done that, and feel your pain.
I always referred to this as the Hunter S. Thompson Course in Journalism – although many writers before him demonstrated this form of masochistic exposition.
g04922 5 months ago
Nice wordsmithing, Mike… It has a Hemmingway style to it.
mindjob 5 months ago
Your own personal experiences make the best topics to write about. People want to read what you’re up to. College kids have a lot more to talk about than they think they do
Bob Blumenfeld 5 months ago
Mike definitely does not look good with the mustache. The beard, maybe, but not the mustache.
FGWaiss 5 months ago
In the last panel Mike looks to be in his late 50s. Good artistic rendition of the results of having a good time…with alcohol.
rmercer Premium Member 5 months ago
Sorry, no metastories accepted. (stories about stories…)
The Great_Black President 5 months ago
Michael is well prepared for a career in media. Journalists are alcoholics.
Daltongang Premium Member 5 months ago
And here we see the male of the species after a failed hunt at the local watering hole. His energy expended in the pursuit of game, he retreats to his den, to recover from the chase. He knows there will be other hunts, other watering holes and other opportunities. Perhaps in time he will attract a female with which he can start a pride of his own. Until that time, he lives the life of the lonely bachelor, always on the prowl for easy prey, to slake his appetite.
Next week on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Kangaroos, what do they really keep in that pouch.
Snolep 5 months ago
If you’re gonna play the game, boy, you gotta learn to play it right.
dlaemmerhirt999 5 months ago
In my beloved four college years, I drank on days I DIDN’T have a big paper! (And as a history major, I had A LOT.) THAT is why I graduated suma cuum laude! (sic)
ladykat 5 months ago
I bet you won’t do that again, Mike.
KageKat 5 months ago
I swear, I can feel his headache from here.
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] 5 months ago
MIKE’S PAPER
Fer skerr hand sebben ears echo, howard’s father greased and ate a nude nation……
kamoolah 5 months ago
Reminds me of the comic where Michael was not applying himself to music lessons.
Uncle Phil: Michael, it is obvious you are not taking this seriously. I have taught younger kids who by now have made better progress than you. You don’t practice.
Michael: Nuh-uh! I practice all the time.
Phil: Very well; show me something you have practiced.
Michael spins the trumpet around his finger while whistling the Harlem Globetrotters theme song. Phil closes his eyes and grimaces in disbelief
Michael’s expression in the fourth panel is a carbon copy of Phil’s. It is almost like Lynn Johnston cut & pasted! :)
John Jorgensen 5 months ago
I never tried to write a paper drunk, but there were definitely times I had to crank one out when I was dead tired after being up all night long for other reasons.
kathleenhicks62 5 months ago
Next step to growing up. . .
John Jorgensen 5 months ago
Mike, I’ve made a life out of reading people’s faces, and knowing what the cards were by the way they held their eyes. And if you don’t mind my saying, I can see you’re out of aces.
cornpopper Premium Member 5 months ago
This present story line may be current and realistic, but I don’t like it – for whatever that’s worth.
USN1977 5 months ago
Don’t think that human interest stories are done in the first person narrative.
djtenltd 5 months ago
It’s already happening! Mike’s starting to hang out with the wrong set of people!
kamoolah 5 months ago
On top of that, alcohol damages your health. At least back home Michael’s family is made to eat healthy. Elly is not going to have the Pattersons be a drain on OHIP.
HodgeElmwood 5 months ago
Ohh Mike’s coat mysteriously developed a different weave from panel one to panel two!
christelisbetty 5 months ago
Michael in his underwear ?! I am shocked !
r.feinberg 4 months ago
Oh, those rebellious teenagers and their Kenny Rogers songs!