Park Bench

September 30, 2026
I ask this with all the judgment I can muster: What’s wrong with people? I try my best not to annoy anyone when I’m out and about, but some people don’t seem to care. Smokers above all, who lost their sense of smell (and dignity) ages ago and seem to think they’re not constantly polluting a huge area around them. Then there are people who use their speakers for phone calls—or, even better, FaceTime calls, holding their phones so the person on the other end can see nothing but their nose hairs. Bring back shame. There, I said it. If you plan on joining me on a park bench, please be at least a little ashamed when you pull out your laptop to video call your friends. I didn’t sign up for this. It’s just not the same as talking to someone who’s there in person. If I have to listen to you narrate your mundane vacation, at least let me hear both sides of the conversation. Rant over. Thanks for reading. (The view was nice, though!)

I ask this with all the judgment I can muster: What’s wrong with people? I try my best not to annoy anyone when I’m out and about, but some people don’t seem to care. Smokers above all, who lost their sense of smell (and dignity) ages ago and seem to think they’re not constantly polluting a huge area around them.

Then there are people who use their speakers for phone calls—or, even better, FaceTime calls, holding their phones so the person on the other end can see nothing but their nose hairs.

Bring back shame. There, I said it.

If you plan on joining me on a park bench, please be at least a little ashamed when you pull out your laptop to video call your friends. I didn’t sign up for this. It’s just not the same as talking to someone who’s there in person. If I have to listen to you narrate your mundane vacation, at least let me hear both sides of the conversation.

Rant over. Thanks for reading.

(The view was nice, though!)

September 11, 2026
If this comic diary sticks around for more than a year, you’ll eventually notice that I become full of self-pity every time summer comes to an end. I find it hard to accept that we’re in for half a year of cold and wet weather. I hate being cold. I’m also not particularly fond of the accompanying darkness. Fortunately, we’ve learned from past winters and are currently planning to spend some time somewhere with better weather this time around.

If this comic diary sticks around for more than a year, you’ll eventually notice that I become full of self-pity every time summer comes to an end. I find it hard to accept that we’re in for half a year of cold and wet weather. I hate being cold. I’m also not particularly fond of the accompanying darkness. Fortunately, we’ve learned from past winters and are currently planning to spend some time somewhere with better weather this time around.

August 13, 2026
Cecilia has mentioned several times that she likes showing up in these comics as the person on the other side of a FaceTime call. Unfortunately, we decided against video this time because we both needed to get our steps in and went for a walk while talking on the phone instead. Which was great. Catching up and shooting the shit for three hours is always nice, but it’s a bit easier for me when I can walk around and keep my hands busy by drawing strangers while doing so.

Cecilia has mentioned several times that she likes showing up in these comics as the person on the other side of a FaceTime call. Unfortunately, we decided against video this time because we both needed to get our steps in and went for a walk while talking on the phone instead. Which was great. Catching up and shooting the shit for three hours is always nice, but it’s a bit easier for me when I can walk around and keep my hands busy by drawing strangers while doing so.