In Your Neighborhood: Drama In The Funny Papers

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Drama In The Funny Papers

AAIIIEEEEEE!!

As I look out my window this morning, big fluffy flakes of cloud-dandruff (I won't say the word, I won't, I won't!) are obscuring my view across Joe's Bay. Excuse me Mama, did you not get the memo about Spring...I mean, we moved the clocks early and everything! Oh I know, I know, it won't last. Who am I to question the grand scheme of things? Usually I'm a go-with-the-flow kinda girl and can remain annoyingly unruffled...but you see...

I'm going through Doonesbury withdrawals.

It's as if a major chunk of my lifetime friends decided to go off on a twelve-week cruise and only left me a quick note in Sunday's Insight section. Perhaps I could've worked up to the adjustment, had Gary Trudeau sent me a personal email, but who am I to the ol' Walden gang? Never mind that I've been a pal of theirs since my teenage years; that's the way things go in the funny papers...oops, Op-Ed page.

I can understand that the daily (and I mean daily) grind of putting out a prize-winning comic, especially one that allowed its characters to grow in real time and events over the years, can get very wearing. On top of that, Gary works phenomenally hard to give the troops real support...and a voice. Google "The Sandbox" sometime and you'll see what I mean.

Gary darlin', I do understand you could use a bit of a holiday. I know you deserve it and, don't worry, I'll be right here when you get back. I'll be okay...really...it's just that it's snaining or rowing outside my window and the paper feels lonelier without my pals to give me liberal laughs.

I need another cuppa. Anyone out there missing BD, Mike, Joanie, Mark, Zonker and the rest of the crew?

No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Our regulars

Stephanie Frieze

Stephanie Frieze
…has always liked to write. Her experience includes three years at the University Washington School of Communications studying journalism. She had a stint at the Chinook Observer in Long Beach. Raised in Bellevue, she’s lived in Gig Harbor for nearly 18 years. She and her husband have a home in Ilwaco, where they spend as much time as possible. This mother of four loves books, spending time with family and the color purple. Contact her at dbandstefery@comcast.net.

Lorraine Hart
…was born a nomadic mutt. She spent her life observing, writing and making music. She’s an unabashed carrier of the titles “hippie,” “feminist” and “liberal.” She’s resided in the South Sound since 1996 and is currently living above Joe’s Bay in Home. She juggles her time between being a caregiver, a writer, an artist, a musician, a minister, a wife, a mother, an advocate, a friend and a pilgrim – not necessarily in that order. Contact her at matlox@cablespeed.com.

Jaynie Jones
…is a Tacoma resident with diverse career tracks in broadcasting, journalism, teaching, health care, desktop publishing, floral design, special event planning and photography. She’s best known as long-time KOMO radio personality Jaynie Dillon and was once a familiar voice on Tacoma stations KTAC, KBRD-FM, KTNT and KNBQ-FM. Formerly a resident of Tacoma’s East Side, she’s volunteered in the Eastside Substation and with Safe Streets. Contact her at jaynie.jones@gmail.com .

Tracy Lebenzon
...is a blog contributor from Greenwater. Greenwater is the last stop before Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainier and the surrounding wilderness areas. When not exploring the next mountain peak or forest trail, Tracy also contributes to the Greenwater Community Council and the Explore-Greenwater.com web site. He writes about topics ranging from favorite foot, bike, and snow trails to community events, local merchants and politics. Contact him at dmountains@explore-greenwater.com.

Joseph McGowan
…is a chaplain who supports patients, families, friends, nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Being 67, he’s learned this about living: Meet people on their own ground and you will discover that this Earth is our special place to meet and support each other. His motto: Live now. Share yourself now. Every living thing you experience is a pure gift. Love all life unconditionally. Contact him at mcg9940@yahoo.com.

Mizu Sugimura
…is a third-generation Japanese American living in Federal Way. She’s married and a parent of one adult child. A lifelong resident of the Puget Sound area, she graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Washington School of Communications. and served on Federal Way’s Diversity and Art Commissions. Her interests are politics, art, the history of minorities in Washington and family history. She’s written a self-published family history about her paternal grandfather. Contact her at mizusugi@yahoo.com.

Kim Thompson
…is a Grit City native who was born and raised in Tacoma’s Old Town neighborhood by the gulch. She boasts that she’s a former Lowell Leopard, Mason Mustang and Wilson Ram, a short-time PLU Lute and a longtime UW Husky. This former corporate businesswoman is a wife, a mom, a school volunteer, a substitute teaching assistant, a writer and a born-again distance runner. She has convinced friends from Bellevue that Tacoma is worth the drive. Contact her at kimricksy@comcast.net. ugi@yahoo.com.