For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for February 17, 2015

He can make grown people squirm and shiver at the very sound of his tools.

I’ll have to look up the Star Treks, see which one was popular about that time and then see if there’s a clip on Youtube with the computers and transporters.

It’s funny what kids consider “important”: My younger daughter was asked what she thought would make me famous, and she said, “She can recite the alphabet backwards!”

I can belch and say ‘Eisenhower’. It was a valuable skill growing up.

Brian’s dad may have built the synthesizer at home, for personal enjoyment. Many people do not enjoy doing in their personal time what they do as “work,” but some professions and technologies lend themselves to hobbyist applications. Dentistry is probably not one of them. So Michael would not have as much opportunity to see his dad’s skills in operation. Besides, given Michael’s age, he is basically “playing to his strengths.” (i.e., what he enjoys and relates to)

Being able to belch your way to 10 would have some cache among grade-school boys (and some adults in the corner tav). I figured out how to belch on command and became a playground legend in fourth grade. Guess you had to be there. Or not.

Lynn’s Notes:

When this strip appeared, I was criticized for stereotyping the Enjo family: they were Asian, therefore they were intellectuals. It was interesting to note that the complaints didn’t come from people of Asian descent!

Michael observed how his father burped. That combined with Michael’s go-nowhere attitude, shows his future starting to outline.What are you saying about Michael?

Oh dear not very complimentary. Why don’t you mention gives off gas as well.

Everybody has a special talent. And a thumbs up for recognizing and being proud of his Father.

Pardon the spoiler alert. No he did so much better, he became an author who written 4 books, has a beautiful wife, and two happy children. Some failure…not!