Author / zbicyclist

by zbicyclist

It’s the 4th of July!

[2024-07-04 note: This post was originally from last year, 2023, but now bumped up as a republish. One or two strips added to the post proper as of the 2024 republish. Previous comments are retained, and current readers are encouraged to continue the comments thread!]

July 4th is zbicyclist’s wife’s birthday. She had to age a few years before she realized the fireworks weren’t for her.

But that’s not all of the story: On July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams also died. His last words included an acknowledgement of his longtime friend and rival: “Thomas Jefferson survives.” Adams was unaware that Jefferson had died several hours before. At 90, Adams was the longest-lived U.S. president until Ronald Reagan surpassed him in 2001. (and now Jimmy Carter, born October 1, 1924) Source: Wikipedia.

[This Mutts strip added for 2024. It was just too sweet to resist.]

[This Peanuts is from 1964]

by zbicyclist

60 Years Ago in The New Yorker

This one’s not a mystery. It’s just a reminder that being replaced by machines, especially computers, is not new at all. And not unrealistic at all.

What’s the hat got to do with it? The hat is the punch line; otherwise it’s just two thugs.

Mirages? I note in passing that styles in swimsuits haven’t changed all that much in 60 years. This song is just a handful of years earlier.

by zbicyclist

Celibate Good Times, Come On!

Usual John sends this one in.

Celibacy and chastity are often confused. Celibacy means not getting married, although it is often extended to not having sex. Chastity means not having sex, or not having sex outside of marriage.

Regardless of definitional issues, this doesn’t seem to make sense. IIRC, Maude and Jake are long term partners in B.C.’s world. And who’s getting redeemed?

by zbicyclist

Saddle Up?

Tim Harrod sends this one in. “So… now he’s sitting on a giraffe. And kings rarely do that, and that’s the joke? The whole joke? No dialogue to nudge us in the right direction?”

The previous day doesn’t seem helpful here.

Giraffes aren’t ridable due to both structure (sloped back) and attitude. They are kissable, though.