Actually the mother’s physiology has a significant part to play in determining gender. Male and female sperm survive differently under different pH levels and there are other factors as well that play part. So Dad is not entirely to blame usually. But we are used to taking the blame and often it is easier than the other consequences.
I like Bill Cosby’s old routine where the wife says “Well, the male has the determining factor, he carries the XY chromosome…” and he replies “Bull! According to my philosophy it’s the fault of the person who last HAD it. YOU had it last – what happened?”
Little scamp Calvin is missing his TV program while sitting down at the dinner table. The phone rings – mom will answer it (she is expecting a call). Poor dad!
this wouldn’t be a problem today with DVR and on demand services, but back in the 90s missing a show meant waiting months for a rerun, of course back then we still had VCRs to record shows, but it has been established that Calvin’s luddite dad doesn’t own one.
How long has C & H been back? Why don’t people tell me these things?? Dr Who, ok I got the message, but Calvin and Hobbs comes back and no body leaves any notes! Dang.. Thanks for listening :-)
What is it about phones that people feel compelled to answer them? Can you just sit calmly in a room while the phone is ringing? Would it be torture to tie someone to a chair and call the phone in the room at random times? What did people do to get ulcers before the phone was invented?
My first reaction to a ringing phone (in recent years) is to check the caller ID. If I don’t recognize it, it doesn’t get answered. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message – “they” hardly ever do.
It takes 2 “recessives” to make a “positive” gene outcome. So, Dad can’t complain because he must have also contributed a recessive gene which, with the Mom’s recessive gene, expressed itself in Calvin. I’m not a biologist, but I think this is the way that genes work… ;)
BE THIS GUY over 9 years ago
That’s right, blame Calvin’s faults on the Mother’s genes.
watmiwori over 9 years ago
Do as we say — not as we do.
Those pesky recessive genes will get you every time.
Calvin is, of course dad’s fault; that extra ‘y’ chromosome comes fromhim.
Susie Derkins D: over 9 years ago
I Don’t think you should’ve said that.
BlazerAth over 9 years ago
Darn those “mom genes”.
orinoco womble over 9 years ago
No, Dad…you’ve got some great jeans. And if you’d kept them zipped, your life would be much easier.
orinoco womble over 9 years ago
And just think, they had easy access to birth control. None of this was inevitable; reproducing was entirely voluntary.
StarNut Premium Member over 9 years ago
Actually the mother’s physiology has a significant part to play in determining gender. Male and female sperm survive differently under different pH levels and there are other factors as well that play part. So Dad is not entirely to blame usually. But we are used to taking the blame and often it is easier than the other consequences.
chromosome Premium Member over 9 years ago
40 minutes! By today’s standards, that’s an awfully long dinner!
Vince M over 9 years ago
I like Bill Cosby’s old routine where the wife says “Well, the male has the determining factor, he carries the XY chromosome…” and he replies “Bull! According to my philosophy it’s the fault of the person who last HAD it. YOU had it last – what happened?”
Cameron1988 Premium Member over 9 years ago
wow, before smartphones and ipads came in the mix
dsom8 over 9 years ago
Where’s the hypocrisy? It isn’t Dad who got up for the phone. My wife doesn’t pay attention to me either.
Actually, Mom’s probably tired of listening to Dad’s spiel (Watterson makes him so convincing-not!). The phone was a welcome escape.
cloudy now over 9 years ago
With smartphones and ipads at least your body stays at the table.
CalvinObvious over 9 years ago
Little scamp Calvin is missing his TV program while sitting down at the dinner table. The phone rings – mom will answer it (she is expecting a call). Poor dad!
eugene57 over 9 years ago
Please read. I liked it.http://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/25gtsw/eu_in_the_final_minutes_of_his_life_calvin_has/
yangeldf over 9 years ago
this wouldn’t be a problem today with DVR and on demand services, but back in the 90s missing a show meant waiting months for a rerun, of course back then we still had VCRs to record shows, but it has been established that Calvin’s luddite dad doesn’t own one.
tuslog64 over 9 years ago
And it was probably a XXXX telemarketer/solicitor/robo!
Number Three over 9 years ago
Let me guess. Was the phone call for the latest fashion deals?
xxx
RobinOC62 over 9 years ago
Everyone in my family will drop whatever they are doing just to answer the phone.
I drive my family crazy because if I’m doing something, or just don’t want to talk to people, I don’t answer the phone.
Dr_Fogg over 9 years ago
How long has C & H been back? Why don’t people tell me these things?? Dr Who, ok I got the message, but Calvin and Hobbs comes back and no body leaves any notes! Dang.. Thanks for listening :-)
dflak over 9 years ago
What is it about phones that people feel compelled to answer them? Can you just sit calmly in a room while the phone is ringing? Would it be torture to tie someone to a chair and call the phone in the room at random times? What did people do to get ulcers before the phone was invented?
My first reaction to a ringing phone (in recent years) is to check the caller ID. If I don’t recognize it, it doesn’t get answered. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message – “they” hardly ever do.
At dinner time, all calls are ignored.
ORMouseworks over 9 years ago
It takes 2 “recessives” to make a “positive” gene outcome. So, Dad can’t complain because he must have also contributed a recessive gene which, with the Mom’s recessive gene, expressed itself in Calvin. I’m not a biologist, but I think this is the way that genes work… ;)
Cornelius Robinson Premium Member over 9 years ago
Sancho’s on the phone!