Conference Tips!

Yes, it's time once again for General Conference! That means it's also time for my tips on how to make conference more meaningful.

If you want to make your post-Conference class or lesson or whatever more meaningful, be sure to check out Arie's Post-Conference packet. He's always got games and puzzles to help remind you of the talks that were given, and they're fun for all ages!

All's well that ends

No matter how great a trip is, it's always nice to get home to your own bed, your own bathroom and your own kitchen. I guess it's no exception in Heaven!

So let it be done

Did you ever have a vacation that didn't turn out quite like you wanted it to?

Celebrate good times, c'mon!

I have to say that this is one of my favorite strips that I've drawn ever. I think the gag is good, I love all the stuff going on in the background, and I like the way the color turned out.

Charles Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, said that he'd get excited when Linus' hair turned out just right.No one else probably cares how this strip turned out, but it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Do you think the girl's table was any more peaceful?

Dress to excess

Dress like a native if you don't want to stand out, isn't that what they always say?

Monday Sketchbook: Shifting priorities

I read an article with all kinds of "gee whiz" facts about the NCAA basketball tournament. One of the items that caught my eye was that BYU is the school with the most appearances in the Big Dance without ever making it to the Final Four.

The reason?

Not because of lack of skill (witness Danny Ainge, Kresmir Cosic and Jimmer Fredette, among others). Rather it's because of the potential conflict with General Conference.

You know that scripture that says you won't be tempted beyond what you're able? But then again, perhaps that's why they invented split screen.

If ye are prepared

That's one thing all the guidebooks tell you: dress for your destination. It also helps to have the proper weapons when necessary.

A pointed greeting

Everyone should be greeted with a gift, right?

Heading into the light

It never hurts to pray.

Bright lights, big city?

How many times has that slogan for Vegas been used as a gag?

Beam me away!

I was about to once again prove my geekiness by citing the episode of Star Trek to which I am referring, but I thought better of it. I'll say this much, though: it involves Dr. McCoy and a hypo that goes awry.

Leaving, on an astral plane

Around these parts, it's time for spring break, so I thought I'd run a series from Good Heavens about going on vacation. Sure, the first panel says "summer," but let's pretend it really says "spring" and enjoy this little trip with Jack.

This is one of my favorite series from the strip -- I had fun with it, so I hope you enjoy it too.

Monday Sketchbook: Missing you

We just got a new phone for our land line, and it's surprising how much phones have changed just in the past few years. The experience reminded me of this old sketch -- I figured I should use it before it becomes totally obsolete.

Burnin' down the house!

This year marks the 170th anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society. Celebrate with someone you love!

The spirit of the day

Ha.

Happy St.Patrick's Day!

Maintain

I ran across some old R. Crumb stuff a while back, and I thought this variation on the Keep on Truckin' poster might be kind of fun.

Color my world

I'm not used to seeing these in color (even though I do it myself). It just seems more natural for Explore Provo to be in black and white.

That's irrational!

Happy Pi Day, or 3.14 as some may know it. It's a celebration for geeks and nerds throughout the world -- but the TRUE math geeks will tell you that we should hold off celebrating until June 28, because 2 pi is much more useful. Celebrate the day with pizza and a fruit pastry -- or a food fight!

Jammin'

The NCAA tournament starts today with the play-in games; I'm hoping for a Cinderella story. Go, Cougs!

Monday Sketchbook: Keep to the code

I was torn whether to leave this as a sketch or make it into a full cartoon. I was afraid the graphic could be too graphic, and we don't want this blog to go past a PG rating, now, do we?

You can't be saved in ignorance

I think I must have been in a very interesting priesthood meeting when I came up with this one. I have noticed, however, that the rabbit trails seem to be less frequent amongst the high priests group than the elders quorum. Maybe it's because the high priests group is, well, more restful.

Status check

I think it would all depend on who's playing, actually...

The gift of wagging of tongues

Our ward just held its talent show, and the acts ranged from cringe-worthy to really, really good. I had a table in the back where I showed off some of my cartoons; artists and photographers in the ward showed off some of their wares. We even had a table dedicated to the culinary arts. It got me to thinking about some of those talents that members have that may be a little difficult to put on display (and every ward I've ever been in has someone with this kind of talent!).

The hardest thing about doing a gag like this is coming up with a name. The name I used in the original sketch was a little too close to someone who may be in our ward (I ain't tellin'!). For safety's sake, I switched it to the name of my brother's mission president, who was nicknamed "The Hawk." It has nothing to do with either him or his wife, but it has a nice ring to it.

Tales from the field

My son, who served in Arizona, told me that sometimes odd things happened with wildlife in the mission field there. He had more experiences with lizards, scorpions and snakes rather than roadrunners or coyotes, however.

My sincere apologies to Chuck Jones, the Warner Bros, and their sister, Dot.

C - ya real soon!

Another one from the mind of my apprentice.

Shortcuts

Monday Sketchbook: Practically speaking

I ran across this page from an old sketchbook the other day. It still makes me groan!

Tweet is the work

Before you blame me, the idea behind today's gag comes from faithful reader Gary Morain. Gary says, "I think it's funny. My kids roll their eyes at it. Maybe you can do something with it."

So, who's side are you on -- Gary's, or the kids'?

Personally, I like the bishop cringing in the background. I've seen that happen a few times!

Follow the money

I suppose for some, the bottom line is all about the bottom line.

I think this is the last time the editor made an appearance in the strip. Once he gave up his principles, I guess I didn't want to have anything more to do with him!

Standing all over your principles

This seems to be a little more political than I remembered.

The Times, they are a-changin'

With the GOP primaries heating up, I thought it might be a good time to pull out these old strips.

The editor was a minor character I introduced to the strip for two reasons: Kris needed a job, and the cast was sorely lacking in males. I don't think he made more than a half dozen appearances. I probably should have used him more...or at least given him a name!

The mood of the country was a little bit different back when I originally drew 121 for the BYU Daily Universe. The rhetoric wasn't nearly as nasty as it is now, for one thing.

Oh, the joys of an election year!