Spider-man didn't have an umbrella

I can't speak for anyone else, but I really like this strip. And if the reasons for that aren't obvious, then there's probably little point in me explaining them. Though I will take a moment to say that Mary-Jane ain't got nothin' compared to Karen.

There're some nice close-ups of this week's strip behind the vote buttons, so go forth and view! Also, you guys are probably aware that I haven't updated the monthly desktop since May. I'm really sorry about that, but I've got a nice one in the works right now, and should be up within a couple of days. Honest!

Don't forget folks, in just twelve short days we'll be rollin' into Hartford Connecticut to attend the one and only Connecticon! So if you're in the area and plan to be attending to stop by and say hello. More details on where and when to find us will be forthcoming.

It is, of course, the 4th of July. So what's that mean? A day off work, barbecue, and fireworks? I think that for some that's all the day amounts to, which I find rather sad. I feel rather old-fashioned at times, particularly when I find myself still believing in "the Right Stuff," and Honor and Glory, and all those great values and noble ideals. And maybe I'm just naive and foolish, but I'd rather believe in a world where people still have the right stuff. I actually had to explain what "The Right Stuff" was, one day. I'll admit, I am an idealist, though I try to temper my idealism with reason and rationale. But I can't bring myself to let realism be an excuse for not believing in and aspiring to higher ideals. If we do not hope and strive for more than what is, then what kind of advancement, what kind of future lies in store for us? Not a particularly pretty one, I fear. So what do we aspire to? Do we aspire to justice? Peace? Tollerance? Individuality? Unity? Freedom? Do we aspire to a civilized society without strife or want? Where every man treats his neighbor as his brother? What are the aspirations of society? What are the aspirations of the individual? Are our aspirations and ideals merely things we say we stand for, or do we actually put ourselves on the line, devoting ourselves to those ideals? I suspect that for some the lofty ideals that such hollidays as this engender are merely that: words. But, I have to believe that there are those who really do stand for what they believe, who give themselves to their aspirations. They are the men and women who have the Right Stuff. It's because of people like them that we have hollidays like this. So grab a burger, grab a beer, pull up a section of that grassy knoll and watch the fireworks. And as you watch, think about what you truly believe in, and ask yourself if you've got the Right Stuff. So to both my American readers and those of you fine folks abroad, I say: Happy Independence day.

Welcome to the Comedity. Don't step on the Penguin.
Garth (Monday - July 4, 2005) -02:20:39