The rage

This blog post by Scott Meyer (of Basic Instructions fame) outlines something I suffer from: The rage caused by other people's ignorance. The Da Vinci Code was a classic example of that. Regardless of the merits/demerits of the book/film/computer game, much of what was stated as 'fact' was just plain wrong. And stupidly so, in some cases.

Another thing which gets me all fist clenchy and muttery is when people start slagging off Star Wars, then let some reference slip which means they're thinking of Star Trek.

I also loathe people who think they're funny mocking Star Wars and pretend to be the first person ever to make the 'Pizza the Hutt' gag. It was in a Mel Brooks movie, for criminy's sake. That's how unoriginal you are.

Guitar Zero

So Cath and I have been given Guitar Hero for Christmas (yes, yes we opened it early, I know tut tut), and I've remembered why I've never actually stuck with playing the guitar despite a couple of attempts.

I have small hands. Now they hurt.

This Basic Instructions strip about said game is one of my favourites. The third panel *is* me. (Click on it to get a bigger version - don't squint.)

The meeping truth

This week's Basic Instructions strip is about the Muppets. Cathy, my Muppet-loving better half, will probably take offence, but I thought it was funny.

Actually I've just realised that calling Cathy my Muppet-loving better half implies that I'm a Muppet...

More genius from Basic Instructions

This is so me and Cathy, it's scary.

How to Wake Someone Up

Jongudmund recommends

Here's a tip - check out one of the funniest sites I've been on in a while: Basic Instructions. These cartoons are often laugh out loud funny, because the dialogue is so razor sharp. ("There's no such thing as enough Mr Pibb")*

I also like the way the cartoonist, Scott Meyer, is dialoguing with his readers, experimenting in an open way with the strip and seeing if people notice/care/approve. He's also taken advice from Scott Adams, decided it hasn't worked, and then reverted back to what he does best - four panel formats. It takes guts to turn round to the world's most successful living cartoonist and say 'your advice isn't working for me', but to be fair, Scott has said the same thing.

Unfortunately, it seems the strip format which works will mean the strip won't get picked up by newspapers, which is a crying shame when you compare these 'toons with some of the drivel which passes for humour.

So that's my recommendation for you. Visit the site and prepare to laugh - particularly if you've ever wondered how you can be suave!

* Mr Pibb tastes like Dr Pepper, but is presumably named after a surgeon or a medical school drop out...