Thursday, July 31, 2008

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Wednesday July 30th

The comic:


When I look through my notebook filled with titles, authors, and subjects to look for at the library, it's like traveling through time. Admittedly, just a few years, but I get to know more than what was popular, I get to see what I was thinking about. It's quite interesting.

So, yeah, Mike Goode, you're a genius.

And no, they're never coming back in style.

At least not for Pluggers. I like how bellbottoms look, Nehru jackets are pretty cool, but leisure suits scream "square", "old", and, now, "Plugger". Thanks, Mike!

The first 2 can look cool on you if they look good on you, you like them, and you feel confident and comfortable in them (and your own skin). Not exactly a Plugger.

Plus, he's a Plugger. They're not going to fit.

I can buy a Plugger wearing everything listed, just a few years after everyone else.

Nehru jackets appeared in Archie comics in the '60s, so it's not too crazy to think that a Plugger would wear one. Once.

I guess Pluggers don't have pictures, though, pictures of them in outdated clothes, doing things, having fun, so they're stuck with their closet.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Tuesday July 29th

The comic:


I wonder how many papers carry Pluggers?

Monday July 28th

Sorry for the wait. I don't know why it wouldn't load. I got a look at Sunday's Pluggers and it hit a new low, despite depicting rhinoman with a vehicle. It said something along the lines of "$5 of gas doesn't go far." No shit.

Onto today's comic:


Two days of RhinoMan? All is forgiven, comic gods!

This is unique, because it says "Pluggers work blue-collar jobs." (Or like to think they do.) Nothing fat, old, or poor in sight. Wow.

RhinoMan's girth does not count. He. Is. Awesome.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Saturday July 26th

The comic:


For some reason, the website seems very prominent today. It's funny, because Comics Page is now defunct, with links to GoComics. And I think it's been a couple weeks since the change, so what's the excuse?

Non-Pluggers only care about the environment (or their electric bill) until it became cool.

I don't think that's necessarily green as much as saving money. I don't know anyone who says something about leaving a light on or the door open in the summer while thinking of the environmental movement.


Pluggers didn't have electricity when the light bulb was first invented. TVA wasn't until the '30s.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Friday July 25th

The comic:


Oh man, there is so much here.

The TV for one - what are those boxes under the screen? We got a new tv this year, and our old one was from the '80s. It didn't have anything like that. And neither does the other old one we still have.

The TV guide. I used to read the newspaper's TV guide, before I discovered zap2it.com. And I've only read the official TV Guide magazine while in a doctor's office.

Not to mention, we got digital cable for our new TV (Hey, we can turn it off with a remote! The future rocks!) and can now access a guide on the TV itself. The regular cable had the same thing, only it rarely worked.

Though I guess a Plugger wouldn't necessarily have cable or an internet connection. Or even a computer.

But why pay for a TV guide for your ten channels, max? (We had 7.)

Though a Plugger would read the paper, so it could be theirs.

Onto the meat of the comic - I'm surprised he even has glasses in the first place. They're not cheap, you know. But you kinda need 'em. Especially if you drive.

I'm lucky, I think, because I'd only need the magnifying glass. No bifocals for me! (Yet.) I happen to love my glasses, or at least being able to see clearly. When they're off & and I try to concentrate on something far away, it hurts.

No wonder Pluggers are crazy. He's probably had the same prescription since the Ford administration. "Why is the world getting so blurry?"

And large print sucks, outside of children's picture books.

Calling the TV a tube isn't surprising, as I'm sure his TV still uses the big one. (God, I know nothing about TVs, except the new ones have flat backs and the older ones don't.)

One more thing - why is he looking to see what's on tonight? It's called planning ahead. Hey, I like to watch TV. I get a weekly guide telling me what is on every night. But I won't look ahead, that would be cheating. (That is one thing I miss about the paper's tv guide - seeing everything in weekly form, not just 3 hour chunks. Of course, you can always click on the channel to see what's up for the week or the show to see what other times it airs.)

I leave you on a high note. This song rules, though I have no idea what it's about. I discovered it by accident, and every time I listen to it, it makes me happy.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Thursday July 24th

The comic:

You're a Plugger if you're old.

But hey - does this mean Pluggers don't use Wal-Mart for their car needs?

Or has Wal-Mart been around long enough for that to happe

Though a 2nd generation mechanic doesn't mean a decade or more has gone by - Mr. Houndstooth started going to the mechanic a few years before Sr. Mechanic retired.

Ooh, that's a long time.

ETA: I'm sorry I couldn't come up with anything better, but I can't find anything in today's offering. As you can see.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Wednesday July 23rd

The comic:


Pluggers are fat.

And like to watch TV.

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

On a side note, this is the one time I'm glad they changed the gender. Hello, boobies?

ETA: If the comic was as old as its subject, I'd say this classic is from the '50s, when TV dinners were brand new and we'd have flying cars in 2008.

Tuesday July 22nd

The comic:


Damn straight this is a classic - I think the "joke" about expensive tennis shoes is older than me, and I'm less than a month from being a decrepit old maid. (20! TWENTY!)

I would not want to buy a car for 185 dollars. You'd probably get more mileage out of the shoes.

On a semi-related note, I am worried about the future, where I have to get a job that requires dress shoes. Tennies and sandals, that's what I wear.

Another thing - I've never called them sneakers. For one thing, I had a dog named Sneakers when I was 6 or so. I remember telling the class we got new Sneakers. Apparently, other people do call the shoes sneakers.

I thought people wore sneakers or tennis shoes because they were comfortable and you could do things while wearing them. Athletic things. And they could get dirty, because they're tennies.

Yeah, SpongeBob is on MTV and his stupidity is much better than the Pluggers'. He's never mean or cruel and um...

Why is RhinoMan looking at expensive shoes? To make himself feel bad?

And I don't want to imagine how a rhino wears shoes. The art is terrible, but those look like they're shaped for HUMAN feet.

Why why why why why does he insist on using monstrous animals to represent Pluggers?

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Monday July 21st

The comic:


Little Pluggers can't even afford markers or glue to get high.

Okay, crayons do smell nice.

Probably the nicest thing she'll ever smell - look at all the fur.

One more thing. The idea in the comic isn't sexist, but the old little Plugger has no identity outside of her husband, and he won't let her buy aromatherapy candles or the scented plug-ins, so this is all that makes her happy.

Seriously. Mrs. "Husband's First and Last Name"?

I think that's the first time I've seen this.

ETA: First time I've seen this in Pluggers. I'm sure I've seen it elsewhere.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Saturday July 19th

The comic:


Pluggers are self-righteous pricks who've sped ever or blazed through a red light.

I want some watermelon.

I'll just have to settle for Psych. It's the season premiere, you know.

Other way to look at this - Pluggers are obsessed with cars and driving. But only the guys.

Accidental - but still bad - Plugger sighting.

Okay, for a various number of reasons (laziness dressed up as "sleepiness"), I elected to not read my book, get online, or stick with the familiar (HGTV). It's a not a show I particularly like or hate, it's just blah. But after the Plugger sighting, it's my friend.

I'm referring to CMT and Craig Morgan's song "International Harvester." I came across it halfway through, or something, and saw that the band was singing in front of the Orpheum. "Hey!" said my sleepy, hungry brain. "There's an Orpheum in Memphis. Maybe we'll see more Memphis landmarks. Hi, Memphis!"

I don't think it was Memphis.

I can't (and don't really want) find a copy of this video at youtube that I can embed in my innocent blog. So I won't!

Here's a link!

And some of the most Pluggerific lyrics:



I’m the son of a 3rd generation farmer
I’ve been married 10 years to the farmer’s daughter
I’m a God fearin’ hard workin’ combine driver
Hoggin’ up the road on my p-p-p-p-plower
Chug a lug a luggin’ 5 miles an hour
On my International Harvester

Three miles of cars layin’ on their horns
Fallin’ on deaf ears of corn
Lined up behind me like a big parade
Of late to work road raged jerks
Shoutin’ obscene words flippin’ me the bird

Well you may be on a state paved road
But that blacktop runs through my payload
Excuse me for tryin’ to do my job
But this year ain’t been no bumper crop
If you don’t like the way I’m a drivin’
Get back on the interstate
Otherwise sit tight and be nice
And quit yer honkin’ at me that way

Cause I’m a son of a 3rd generation farmer
I’ve been married 10 years to a farmer’s daughter
I got 2 boys in the county 4-H
I’m a lifetime sponsor of the F.F.A.
Hay! That’s what I make
I make a lotta hay for a little pay
But I’m proud to say
I’m a God fearin’ hard workin’ combine driver
Hoggin’ up the road on my a p-p-p-plower
Chug a lug a lugin’ 5 miles an hour
On my International Harvester

Well I know you got your own deadlines
But cussin’ me ain’t savin’ no time hoss
This big-wheeled wide load ain’t goin’ any faster
So just smile and wave and tip your hat
To the man up on the tractor


Cause I’m a son of a 3rd generation farmer
I’ve been married 10 years to a farmer’s daughter
I got two boys in the county 4-H
I’m a lifetime sponsor of the F.F.A.
Hay! That’s what I make
I make a lot of hay for a little pay
But I’m proud to say
I’m a God fearin’ hard workin’ combine driver
Hoggin’ up the road on my p-p-p-plower
Chug a lug a lugin’ 5 miles an hour
On my International Harvester

I’m a God fearin’ hard workin’ combine driver
Hoggin’ up the road on my p-p-p-plower
Chug a lug a lugin’ 5 miles an hour
On my International Harvester

Okay, it's the whole song.

I know videos rarely reflect the song the whole time, but the parts where he's with his band, singing, are just so far removed from the lyrics.

They're in a city (I don't care if it's Nashville, it's a CITY with A THEATER), in the streets, on formal-looking rugs. With tassels and such.

They couldn't have filmed it at a farm or in a cornfield?

Of course, the guy (if he wrote the song) escaped the farm life and is a singer now.

So it's even more annoying. I mean, I don't mind singers singing about other professions in the first person, it gives the fans something to relate to. But when it comes to this song, it just makes him look like a poser of the worst kind. A Plugger.

What sent my remote flying was what came up next - Toby Keith.

Well, I saw him, it could have been a Dixie Chicks song for all I know, but I was gone, and back in sweet, sweet Bollywood's embrace.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Friday July 18th

The comic:



Okay, I've never quite understood the VCR clock "jokes." Maybe I'm too young.

But man, I get this.

Pluggers are stupid. And proud of it.

I wonder if this was sent in by e-mail...

Thursday July 17th

The comic:


I do not like the look on that Plugger's face.

Pluggers don't have gardens - it takes time and energy to get one to that state.

I like to think that he's in someone else's garden - legally or not. Illegally would be better.

Here comes Mr. McGregor!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Wednesday July 16th

The comic:


Only some?

Oh man, I've done this. At camp. Though I don't think the word iron ever crossed my mind.


THE DUDE LIVES IN FORT LAUDERDALE. THAT IS A CITY. WITH INDOOR PLUMBING.

Sorry.

Oh, he probably didn't pay the bill. He's showing the man by pumping his iron and drinking god knows what. That explains why Pluggers look the way they do.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Tuesday July 15th

Watching Daily Show.

Apparently things happened over the last two weeks.

Who knew?

Onto the comic:


You're a Plugger if your dad is too cheap to buy an alarm clock.

I'm doing some research this time: there are alarm clocks available at Wal-Mart for under ten dollars.

And they must have electricity - or do they just keep a broken fridge in the house?

And why not on the kitchen counter? The door? A BULLETIN BOARD?

I just realized something: Pluggers eat. A lot. And are often fat. Oh, they thought they could hide the truth, but I found the subtle hint.

Monday July 14th

The comic:


You're a Plugger if you take medicine every day and think that that fact is profound enough to warrant a comic.

I've been taking daily meds for a few years now, and I've yet to master the exact amount shake, so I'm not a Plugger.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Saturday July 12th

The comic:


Pluggers have leftovers?

Friday, July 11, 2008

Friday July 11th

The comic:


You're a Plugger if you're a hermit.

Not to say that all hermits are Pluggers.

Hmm. How can I rephrase this?

You're a Plugger if you only send postcards once a millennium. (Who sends postcards dressed like that? Isn't that usually a vacation-type activity?)

And if you're stupid enough to believe this "inflation" nonsense will never affect your life.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Thursday July 10th

The comic:


I'm pretty sure I've seen this before. I don't mean the mocking of the environmental movement, but a Plugger hybrid. I think it had different colored doors. Unfortunately, my "common phrases" category is too big to go through, and it's not under cars.

Yes, that car is a hybrid. It is made of different car parts. It couldn't be a hybrid car in the current sense of the word, because I don't think those are old enough to be in such terrible shape.

But yeah. Pluggers think everything environmentalists do is stupid. This is rapidly turning into a Plugger cliche, along with old (and stupid) and fat (and stupid).

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Wednesday July 9th

The comic:


RhinoMan has a job! Good for him.

No reader sent this in, but it's filled with Plugger Pride. Their cubicle is their truck and their lunch is in a cliched metal box.

And he eats alone because he's his own man.

He gets his hands dirty and does a real job. Non-Pluggers? Pfft. They hold their lattes in their smooth girly hands.

And sometimes? They want to eat with their coworkers.

Though it makes sense that Pluggers eat alone - who would want to willingly spend time with these arrogant bastards?

Tuesday July 8th

The comic:


That's a disturbing sight.

They can't be comfortable in there, let alone cool for very long.

And all non-Pluggers have in-ground pools, apparently.

The Plugger is from Vegas. If she wants to be cool outside, she needs more than that.

We had an awesome inflatable pool when I was younger. It was long and rectangular and we kept it in the shade.

But hey. Bea Hall and other Pluggers can brag about their "private swimming pool" while I'm at the indoor Y pool in the deep end, pretending I know how to dive and keeping cool.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Monday July 7th

The comic:


Pluggers aren't vegetarians. Big whoop.

I like a good cheeseburger with swiss cheese.

This could be worse, it could be the chicken lady eating fried chicken.

How can Pluggers be at the top of the food chain when they don't try to do anything new?

And it's still wrong that it's an animal "at the top of the food chain". How weird.

I'm not quite sure what the point of this is, besides that Pluggers like to eat and good food is the only ray of sunshine in their miserable lives.


ETA: Josh's take on this involved Reed Hoover (aka somebody paid to send in ideas) and other Pluggers love their meat so much they'll "pretend to believe in evolution." Maybe. I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure they believe the struggle to the top of the food chain involved the few minutes before God made one magical animal that can give us bacon, ham, and pork chops.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Saturday July 5th

The comic:


Pluggers are walking stereotypes and are happy about it.

And when ordering pizza, it's a delivery order. Come on, get it right.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Friday July 4th

Happy Fourth!

The comic:


Well, they never gain weight.

But how would the clerk know whether you tried your clothes on or not? And why would he or she give a damn?

And what is the point of this? All male Pluggers of a certain age are the same size? And they never change?

Creepy.

Thursday July 3rd

The comic:


Why did he send his wife in? What is the significance of not going in? Is it so hot/cold outside that you want to keep the car running in case they said no? Walking is hard, so you're saving your energy for the right restaurant?

And they can't call ahead?

I don't get this at all.

Obviously his wife is happy. "Big spender" can be used in a nice way, but I'm reading it as annoyed, because this is not the first or the second restaurant of the day, and it's not the first time. And all this driving from place to place instead of calling ahead saved just oodles of cash.

"You're a plugger if you're an idiot. And you're old."

Wednesday July 2nd

The comic:


Big shocker.

Do people still use the term tree-hugger? I don't know. I thought caring about the planet was becoming a bit more mainstream, but as long as people like Pluggers don't care, it never will be.

But then again, you'd think Pluggers would love the land, be in touch with nature. (And not just because they're drawn as animals.) They're blue collar, they work outside. Don't they like it when the air they breathe is clean? When they can spend a nice fall Saturday walking through the woods?

Tuesday July 1st

The comic:


Pluggers think?

I'm sorry, that was lazy.

Where is the pavement? Why is the short truck parked on the grass? Who is he talking to?

But I thought Pluggers were retired.

They're old! They bake pies!

Monday June 30th

The comic:


He has the power to point!

And (help) move a beam that's probably not made of iron. Aren't those steel?

A Plugger superhero would suck. Old and lazy and whiny. Maybe a villain. Everyone would be pretty safe.

I don't know who Iron Man is, beyond a man wearing a superhero suit thing, made of metal.

And the song!

I don't think Pluggers do either.

Saturday June 28th

The comic:


There are mowers that don't use gasoline, you know. The classic one with no engine, and one with a battery that keeps popping up in commercials.

I don't mow the yard. I did when I was 8, and I have photographic proof. I also mowed it a couple years back, or the part behind the back fence. Hard work, and I'm happy to blame my allergies and do the dishes instead.

But it must be cut. Bugs! And aren't you supposed to keep it cut, don't most towns have rules and such?

My sister mows the back, and our neighbor mows the front. My plan for the future is to have a yard for my dog, and help some kid by paying him to mow it.

Friday June 27th

The comic:


Pluggers aim high in life.

"I may never get that promotion or cost of living increase, but look, I successfully climbed this ladder! It's the ladder of success!"

I understand that a job's salary doesn't determine happiness or success, but they don't even try! My mom loves her job, but she took classes to get certified to do more at her job.

Pluggers just stagnate.

Run, little Plugger child, run!

Thursday June 26th

The comic:


The squirrel's not an intruder?

Homeland Security is for a country, not just your little house! There are security systems meant for individual houses that cost money and use electricity. And some non-Pluggers have them!

But no, everyone is protected by Homeland Security, plugger or no.

This just misses the mark to make it a logical parallel. Not funny, just more logical.

Back to the dog - don't forget the scourge of the earth, people walking on the sidewalk. Some of them have dogs of their own. Oh, the evil.

Wednesday June 25th

The comic:


I don't quite understand this. I googled "low-mileage vehicle" because at first I thought it meant high MPG, which looks stupid typed out. So it means a vehicle that hasn't been used a lot.

So Pluggers drive their cars a lot more than they ride their exercise bikes. Which could be a mile a week.

So non-Pluggers have lots of low-mileage vehicles? It would help if I knew exactly what this means. Google didn't help much.

I know the main meaning is "Pluggers are lazy," but shouldn't there be more?

Tuesday June 24th

The comic:


RhinoMan has a TV! You go RhinoMan!

Okay, what's on the tv?

A VCR, DVD player, cable/satellite box, maybe an adapter for the DVD player. (Our old living room TV looked similar, as in it was big enough to sit on the floor and support all those things and a nice picture frame. We needed the adapter for the DVD player because our TV was kind of from the '80s.)

And some video and dvd cases.

That makes sense.

But is that a phone? I've never seen a phone by a TV or in an entertainment center, except maybe a cell phone set down next to one or on a shelf.

And is that another TV with the news on?

That should be saved for a picture-in-picture comic.

Also, aren't Pluggers supposed to be handy? Wouldn't they relish building an entertainment center?

ETA: Eek, Pluggerville is big enough to have its own version of American Idol! Or they're so cut off from society that they can't see any other country's version. Either way, weird.

Monday June 23rd

The comic:


Do people still do that? On Good Eats, Alton Brown was going to, but didn't. And he's no Plugger!

Notice the bragging? "A Plugger cooks everything from scratch, because a Plugger cares about her family and doesn't have a job!"

Guys can cook, you know. Hello, Good Eats.

I've never seen a whole frozen pie, just the crusts.

You know, you want to make things from scratch, but you don't have time. Making a pie - even with frozen ingredients - takes time and is still sweet.

Of course, Pluggers are old, and retired, so they have time to make everything from scratch and send fudge to their grandkids...

Wait! I just remembered why the window is an incredibly insane cooling spot - the dogs! The bugs! The lovely lovely AC!

Saturday June 21st

The comic:


It's okay, it's okay, if you don't wear a suit on a daily basis, it doesn't mean you're a Plugger.

Wait, Plugger wouldn't wear jeans to church, would they?

I'm confused, and a program for a funeral? I've only been to one, and I don't remember if there were programs.

I'm not sure what to make of this, except that guy never cleans out his pockets and that ellipsis is disturbing, though I'm not sure why.

Friday June 20th

The comic:


Wait. This is all wrong. Sure, Pluggers are old.

But a new cell phone?

A cell phone that small?

LEARNING?!

You're a Plugger if you do this while griping about the prevalence of cell phones and how they've changed the world, but insisting your kids have those on at all times and call hourly.

On that note, my mom used to say things like that, but hey, she wants us to call her, so she stopped. I saw an e-mail about how great a childhood my mom's generation had, and how horrible the current one is. I hate those - they seem so accusatory, and they're blaming us. We didn't do it! But one mentioned the great inventions and changes the generation made, while whining about how the world had changed. Plugger central, except it was an e-mail.

Thursday June 19th

The comic:


Pluggers may not be able to remember more than one thing at a time, but they know how to joke about it! Oh, those wacky Pluggers!

Disclaimer

The comic is reproduced here for purposes of review only, and all rights remain with the creator, Gary Brookins.