Unfortunately I have taken a dislike to Glynn, I say unfortunately because I think he’s probably quite nice actually. I think it’s mostly the use of “mummy” that’s putting me off.
I seem to remember a comic ages ago (though I could have completely misremembered) making reference to ‘Grote hips’, a family trait very much on display here!
Glenn travels from town-to-town, each week helping a different person get out of a dead-end job or choose just the right internship. He’s been able to change countless lives, except his own…
The “big box” gave me flashbacks to working at the Coleman’s grocery on Merrymeeting Road in St. John’s NL on “stamps day”. Whenever folks got their gov’t assistance cheques, there would be a huge run on PG Tips and condensed milk.
The “Mummy” is an odd unprofessional misstep. Given that a lot of his clients are presumably around Charlotte’s age, they’re exactly the sort who’ll bristle at the slightest hint that they’re being infantilised.
That was essentially my first thought. On the other hand, if he’s made a freelance career advisory business into a going concern, he’s performed a lift by his own bootstraps that warrants close attention.
“Freelance career advisor.” Does he advise people to take up freelance careers? Because professional mystery solver would kind of fit that, in which case Lottie might actually get some useful tips, in addition to the PG type I mean.
Lottie seems to be taking this fairly calmly in the circumstances. Is this the calm before the storm.
Is his name Glenn or Glyn? As it happens someone in our village is named Glyn or Glenn. I don’t know him very well but we pass the time of day occasionally and then I have to smear his name somewhere between Glyn and Glenn because I’m not sure which it is. This has gone on for so long that I’m too embarrassed to ask him what his name is.
My other half, whose name is Steve, had a regular customer for years who constantly addressed him as Dave. We were too uncomfortably polite ever to correct him.
I had a roommate in college who I’m still not sure whether his name was “Mike” or “Mark”. Try living with someone for a semester and never actually calling them by name, because you’re not sure what it is and are too embarrassed to ask…
I can’t help but feel that stoking Charlotte’s ambition is a very dangerous thing.
Like encouraging an aspiring artist to go into politics. Next thing you know the world goes up in flames.
I suppose, iirc, the position of ruler of hell was open again.
Glenn has lots of coloured pamphlets in that briefcase describing for different careers. There is one plain folder marked “The Mystery Machine” among them. He snatches it up and puts it quickly back in the briefcase, hoping Lottie hasn’t seen. Bingo! Undivided attention achieved.
Glenn doesn’t look like the type for that level of shennanigans. But who can tell?
Glen seems to be just a bit older than Lottie. Is him good at his work or not? Karen chose him because she knew him as a career adviser genius or what? I’m not sure he will survive to work with Lottie… probably his life will change forever.
Many many (many) years ago I signed up with a career placement service. After filling out forms and going on some unproductive interviews, my “advisor” said “We’ve run out of places to send you. How would you like to work for us?” I declined and thus had the 2 life-choices all unemployed college grads faced back then: go back to grad school or join the army. Spoiler: I chose grad school.
The sofas make my back hurt to see them – the sinky-seat kind that put you too low to the floor, too deep front-to-back to be able to lean on the back comfortably, only good for perching or full-on sprawling lounging. Not what I’d expect in a well-off adult-run household. Her parents don’t seem the type for these. Although clearly they are well-rendered sofas, to evoke such a strong concept of exactly how they’d sit.
Karen’s an estate agent, and as of “Severed Alliance”, was using her mooncalf-driven gentrification windfall to do extensive renovations to the house. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were designed more to look salable than to actually be livable.
I’ve said it before, I will say it again. Mr. Allison, your gift for dialogue, especially Lottie, is perfect. PERFECT. It brings me great joy to read any story that she is involved. Thank you for this.
I was wondering about that too. Plus the central placement instead of by a window or outside wall is not what you’d expect in a newly renovated house. Then again, they aren’t exactly known for excellence in plumbing in the UK so anything’s possible
It never fails to impress me the way Lottie tangles the world before her with her verbal skills, but Karen remains stoically unaffected. It’s very reminiscent of Esther and Susan, but more maternal. Or, perhaps not.
I recall the tale I heard of an unemployed graduate friend-of-a-friend-of-friends of geekish tendencies whose parents paid for him to take a battery of IQ and aptitude tests, only for them to receive an apologetic note to the effect that he had a very high IQ, but no detectable aptitudes…
I must confess that heretofore the only “Almodovar” I’d ever heard of is a California sex-worker who ran for governor (Libertarian Party) a couple of decades back. I’d never heard of this Spaniard you’re probably referencing. But his ouvre looks impressive.
This is an amazingly educational series, on top of everything else. I learned about the custom of coffee cheese, you learned about Almódovar (a household name in much of Western Europe, I daresay). I can’t wait to see what comes next.
My brain-hardwired response to seeing a box of PG Tips is a flashback to a scene in George & Mildred where George, to Mildred’s saddened disdain, stated proudly “I like the tea the monkeys drink”.
Going back a few days to a certain poster warning us against the dangers inherent in titting about on ladders — I just read about how
1) there is an actual Ladder Association, and
2) their training committee is chaired by one Dennis Seaton, one-time singer with Musical Youth of “Pass the Dutchie” fame.
Did I miss these mind-blowing facts in some earlier conversation?
240. The big box.
Unfortunately I have taken a dislike to Glynn, I say unfortunately because I think he’s probably quite nice actually. I think it’s mostly the use of “mummy” that’s putting me off.
I seem to remember a comic ages ago (though I could have completely misremembered) making reference to ‘Grote hips’, a family trait very much on display here!
Or am I just remembering John Campbell’s “Grote curves” comment on the previous page.
Whichever it is I just really noticed the hips today.
I was mostly referencing a strip from “Forked Road” wherein Lottie “busted the time vortex with her lady hips”.
Close: “Grote women are wide.”
https://www.gocomics.com/bad-machinery/2021/05/14
Glenn travels from town-to-town, each week helping a different person get out of a dead-end job or choose just the right internship. He’s been able to change countless lives, except his own…
The “big box” gave me flashbacks to working at the Coleman’s grocery on Merrymeeting Road in St. John’s NL on “stamps day”. Whenever folks got their gov’t assistance cheques, there would be a huge run on PG Tips and condensed milk.
The “Mummy” is an odd unprofessional misstep. Given that a lot of his clients are presumably around Charlotte’s age, they’re exactly the sort who’ll bristle at the slightest hint that they’re being infantilised.
Maybe his request to assist Lottie came from an undead, ceremonially embalmed corpse that she’s been keeping.
Hey, I just realized: Last storyline, we never got to see the mummy! We’ve been snookered!
Just chalk that up to experience.
Regardless of the circumstances, if someone told me his profession was “freelance career advisor”, I would be filled with curiousity.
Is it sort of like the skinny chef?
That was essentially my first thought. On the other hand, if he’s made a freelance career advisory business into a going concern, he’s performed a lift by his own bootstraps that warrants close attention.
Indeed. For example, I would be curious as to why Ygln wasn’t employed by a Big Box HR firm.
“Freelance career advisor.” Does he advise people to take up freelance careers? Because professional mystery solver would kind of fit that, in which case Lottie might actually get some useful tips, in addition to the PG type I mean.
I think in the USA they call them “life coaches”, and in a wealthy area, it’s a very lucrative job
I thought a “life coach” was sort of a cross between a personal trainer and a self-help book.
This is because in wealthy areas, one no longer needs “career advice.”
I can’t help but feel Glenn is in dire need of the services of a freelance career advisor.
John is the king of product placement.
Absolutely! Just ask the British Ladder Council!
Glenn’s Spice-blue eyes have gone grape-green in minutes.
I regret to say that the Paul Atreides spice eyes were the result of mistakenly uploading an earlier draft of a page. It “wormn’t” happen again.
I assumed that the eye colour change indicated that Glenn was some kind of changeling or mooncalf.
I’d go back and fix the previous page but there are a lot of fun comments about his blue eyes and I wish to preserve their truth
A clear case of teaness envy.
So here’s some free freelance career advising: Become a freelance career advisor!
Yes, it’s a pyramid scheme like the one for geography teachers.
Lottie seems to be taking this fairly calmly in the circumstances. Is this the calm before the storm.
Is his name Glenn or Glyn? As it happens someone in our village is named Glyn or Glenn. I don’t know him very well but we pass the time of day occasionally and then I have to smear his name somewhere between Glyn and Glenn because I’m not sure which it is. This has gone on for so long that I’m too embarrassed to ask him what his name is.
This story will give you many more options for things you could potentially call your nominally vague villager.
Poor Glenn.
Is this a thing like Darren in Bewitched?
My other half, whose name is Steve, had a regular customer for years who constantly addressed him as Dave. We were too uncomfortably polite ever to correct him.
Glen or Glenda?
I had a roommate in college who I’m still not sure whether his name was “Mike” or “Mark”. Try living with someone for a semester and never actually calling them by name, because you’re not sure what it is and are too embarrassed to ask…
I can’t help but feel that stoking Charlotte’s ambition is a very dangerous thing.
Like encouraging an aspiring artist to go into politics. Next thing you know the world goes up in flames.
I suppose, iirc, the position of ruler of hell was open again.
A little late in the day for career advising isn’t it? Surely Karen and Glenn can help get Lottie re-oriented at more reasonable daytime hours?
Wouldn’t she be at work?
Good point.
Perhaps Glenn has a secret which will ignite Lottie’s mystery solving instincts.
Will y’not have a cup of tea, Father? Ah, go on.
Go on go on go on go on go on.
Glenn has lots of coloured pamphlets in that briefcase describing for different careers. There is one plain folder marked “The Mystery Machine” among them. He snatches it up and puts it quickly back in the briefcase, hoping Lottie hasn’t seen. Bingo! Undivided attention achieved.
Glenn doesn’t look like the type for that level of shennanigans. But who can tell?
Richard, at some point in the coming months you will be impressed with your ability to channel me.
I want one of those levitating microwaves. Want! Want! WANT!
That’s a very ordinary under-cabinet microwave, de rigeur here in the States. Are they exotic on your side of the pond?
I don’t get out much these days.
Now that I’ve seen the microwave levitating off the counter, I can not unsee it.
Is the Enzo Mari on the wall part of the full Almodovar? I’ve been thinking too much about Maris the past year.
Glen seems to be just a bit older than Lottie. Is him good at his work or not? Karen chose him because she knew him as a career adviser genius or what? I’m not sure he will survive to work with Lottie… probably his life will change forever.
What’s wrong with drifting anyway? Never did me any harm.
Many many (many) years ago I signed up with a career placement service. After filling out forms and going on some unproductive interviews, my “advisor” said “We’ve run out of places to send you. How would you like to work for us?” I declined and thus had the 2 life-choices all unemployed college grads faced back then: go back to grad school or join the army. Spoiler: I chose grad school.
The sofas make my back hurt to see them – the sinky-seat kind that put you too low to the floor, too deep front-to-back to be able to lean on the back comfortably, only good for perching or full-on sprawling lounging. Not what I’d expect in a well-off adult-run household. Her parents don’t seem the type for these. Although clearly they are well-rendered sofas, to evoke such a strong concept of exactly how they’d sit.
The kind they have in the foyer of offices. Look cool but designed to make visiting sales reps feel unwelcome.
Karen’s an estate agent, and as of “Severed Alliance”, was using her mooncalf-driven gentrification windfall to do extensive renovations to the house. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were designed more to look salable than to actually be livable.
I’ve said it before, I will say it again. Mr. Allison, your gift for dialogue, especially Lottie, is perfect. PERFECT. It brings me great joy to read any story that she is involved. Thank you for this.
Is that one of those old fashioned chunky, steam punk radiators? We had those at school but I hear they are coming back along with Dungarees.
I was wondering about that too. Plus the central placement instead of by a window or outside wall is not what you’d expect in a newly renovated house. Then again, they aren’t exactly known for excellence in plumbing in the UK so anything’s possible
It never fails to impress me the way Lottie tangles the world before her with her verbal skills, but Karen remains stoically unaffected. It’s very reminiscent of Esther and Susan, but more maternal. Or, perhaps not.
Her mother’s eye it pierces the veil, no phrase how wry could e’er avail.
Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong about this chump.
I recall the tale I heard of an unemployed graduate friend-of-a-friend-of-friends of geekish tendencies whose parents paid for him to take a battery of IQ and aptitude tests, only for them to receive an apologetic note to the effect that he had a very high IQ, but no detectable aptitudes…
So how do you know me again?
Why do I get the impression that Grote, mère, hired young Glenn because he works cheap?
I must confess that heretofore the only “Almodovar” I’d ever heard of is a California sex-worker who ran for governor (Libertarian Party) a couple of decades back. I’d never heard of this Spaniard you’re probably referencing. But his ouvre looks impressive.
Women on the Verge!
I remember a bunch of his films being good but I can’t recall which ones
There is one called Volver, to which Solver could easily be a reference.
This is an amazingly educational series, on top of everything else. I learned about the custom of coffee cheese, you learned about Almódovar (a household name in much of Western Europe, I daresay). I can’t wait to see what comes next.
PG TIPS!!
My brain-hardwired response to seeing a box of PG Tips is a flashback to a scene in George & Mildred where George, to Mildred’s saddened disdain, stated proudly “I like the tea the monkeys drink”.
That is some very good writing.
I’m not familiar with the Mildred you’re referencing, so I’m picturing Ms Haversham. She can really sell “saddened disdain”.
In the USA, the PG Tips box was blue until just the last month or two. Is this glorious white box new everywhere?
Sweater pattern was unpinned in one panel, last, but it has come completely loose today.
I am torn between dread and anticipation for what might come with the morrow. But that is my life.
Underpin her immediately!
Going back a few days to a certain poster warning us against the dangers inherent in titting about on ladders — I just read about how
1) there is an actual Ladder Association, and
2) their training committee is chaired by one Dennis Seaton, one-time singer with Musical Youth of “Pass the Dutchie” fame.
Did I miss these mind-blowing facts in some earlier conversation?
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/16/pop-stars-spotlight-bob-geldof-robbie-williams-lisa-maffia?utm_source=pocket-newtab
Lottie’s tea box put me in mind of Mrs. Doyle’s tea shopping.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ec/6e/ce/ec6ece604aeadef1a4fd58823fe58344.png
PG Tips. Huzzah!. Sadly the big box is at home and I am drinking Yorkshire at work I have worked PG Tips into stories and poems though.