An ounce of explanation is worth a pound obscure

ZOMBIE USER 6611 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 6611** » Sun Feb 24, 2002 4:27 pm

One of the things you are good at is weaving a rich tapestry of obscure references into the art behind the stories.

Many times I get the reference, but not always. I'm sure the same applies to the rest of your readers.

How about a topic where we can officially ask about particular references, to see if we got it right, or if it is outside of our experience?

If it's a spoiler, then just tell us to take our silly problems down the hall, or be patient, or something.

Also, if some time passes, and no one asks about an obscure reference, you might just jump up and explain something in an old strip. We would (or at least, I would) enjoy that quite a bit!

Kind of like "Mensa-Safe" Mice Krispies for the intellect. (Hah!)

A starter: "What a piece of work is a V8..."

What was the original poem?

Kellogg · Post by **Kellogg** » Mon Feb 25, 2002 7:39 am

Good morning all!

On 2002-02-24 16:27, LevelHead wrote:
One of the things you are good at is weaving a rich tapestry of obscure references into the art behind the stories.

Many times I get the reference, but not always. I'm sure the same applies to the rest of your readers.

How about a topic where we can officially ask about particular references, to see if we got it right, or if it is outside of our experience?

Sure! Excellent idea! I know I get pretty obscure sometimes.

If it's a spoiler, then just tell us to take our silly problems down the hall, or be patient, or something.

(Insert evil cackle.) Nope. I don't answer spoiler questions, except to give teasing hints to drive people crazier than they were before! MuaHaHA!

Well, not very often anyway.

Kind of like "Mensa-Safe" Mice Krispies for the intellect. (Hah!)

A starter: "What a piece of work is a V8..."

What was the original poem?

Here's the strip:
http://techfox.keenspace.com/d/19990824.html

Shakespeare. (Pulling out Bartlett's quotations)
"Oh, what a piece of work is a man!
How noble in reason!
How infinite in Facutly!
In form, in moving how express and admirable!
In action how like an angel!
In apprehension how like a god!"
Hamlet act 2

The other line comes from "High Flight"
by Major John Gillespie Jr (I think?)
"I put out my hand, and touch the face of God!"

However, in all that, there's one other sort of parody reference. If you've ever seen the movie, "The Spirit of St Louis" Lindbergh is sitting in the cockpit, way out in the middle of the Atlantic, far from land, far from any other human beings, and he's doing math calculations in his head to stay awake. He does some calculations on how long the engine has to run until he arrives in Paris and is utterly amazed at just how much abuse the engine can actually take. It's a really great film!

I had a LOT of fun doing that one.

Scott

Mako · Post by **Mako** » Tue Feb 26, 2002 4:22 am

He does some calculations on how long the engine has to run until he arrives in Paris and is utterly amazed at just how much abuse the engine can actually take.

I've done that too. More out of paranoia that the engine was going to explode and leave me stranded in the middle of Death Valley than a need to stay awake though...

I wounded my v1.0 engine drag racing in Las Vegas - I knew I had blown at least one set of ring lands, likely two (it was really 3

from too much boost on a stock engine trying to go faster.

See pix of the carnage here: http://www.caspeed.com/images/deadslg1.jpg if your into images of mechanical death.

I pulled the blower belt and limped the car back from Vegas to San Jose, a 500 mile drive, praying to the motorhead gods that the engine would get me over the mountains and back home without tossing it's cookies.

Somewhere around the Zyzyx Road exit in Death Valley, I played the how many more revs to get back to civilization game. The answer was terrifying

Those dead pistons held together and ran for over 1.5 million revs to get me back. Gotta love the Chevy small block, even with three wounded slugs it just kept on tickin and got me home.

I'm now on engine v3.0, it's built a lot stronger, bigger and more expensive than ever before

Now if only Jack would ditch the T'bird and get himself a proper rag top Vette, then he'd be goin' in style - maybe Cecil can get him to kick that evil F*rd habit and get into a proper car ;-P

CYa!
Mako

Kellogg · Post by **Kellogg** » Tue Feb 26, 2002 9:52 am

Welcome aboard Mako!

On 2002-02-26 04:22, Mako wrote:
I've done that too. More out of paranoia that the engine was going to explode and leave me stranded in the middle of Death Valley than a need to stay awake though...

Yeah, I've done the same. Was heading west to Big Bend National Park, way the heck out in the middle of nowhere. 30 miles from the nearest town, when the oil pressure gauge dropped to zero. Scarey! In the end it turned out to be the alternator, which was causing the intstruments to die.

Somewhere around the Zyzyx Road exit in Death Valley, I played the how many more revs to get back to civilization game. The answer was terrifying

Yeah, it's pretty amazing what we put engines through without really considering the scale of what it all. Two thousand RPM
doesn't sound like much until you really think about it!

[quote
Now if only Jack would ditch the T'bird and get himself a proper rag top Vette, then he'd be goin' in style - maybe Cecil can get him to kick that evil F*rd habit and get into a proper car ;-P
[/quote]

Hmph! Mako's just mad because I haven't gotten anyone into a Corvette yet. Actually, I did design the 2066 Corvette Stingray VII.
http://techfox.keenspace.com/images/StingrayVII.gif

Originally, it was going to be Jenny's car, but suddenly 2 days from the update, I realized that Jenny just isn't a Corvette kind of person. So I quickly designed a Mustang for her.

Somebody's gonna get the Stingray VII, but I just haven't figured out who yet.

However, it must be noted that as far as Giraffes are concerned Corvettes are a big no-go. They just aren't designed to accomodate anyone larger than a Cyldsdale.

Even Barb, the daintiest giraffe in the herd would never even halfway inside, and she's only 15 feet tall.

Fortunately, the Thunderbird was designed to accomodate 2 elephants at highway speeds. With the lower weight, we can go a lot faster, and still have some decent legroom for Cecil.

Scott

Mako · Post by **Mako** » Tue Feb 26, 2002 10:11 am

nearest town, when the oil pressure gauge dropped to zero. Scarey! In the end it
...
turned out to be the alternator, which was causing the intstruments to die.

Doh! At least it was an easy, relatively cheap, but annoying, fix.

the scale of what it all. Two thousand RPM
doesn't sound like much until you really think about it!

Amen Rev. Kellog

Actually, I did design the 2066 Corvette Stingray VII.

Schweet

Somebody's gonna get the Stingray VII, but I just haven't figured out who yet.

Aw hell, I'll take it off your paws/hooves/wings whatever and park it next to my antique '69. Wonder what it will do in the 1/4 parsec?

However, it must be noted that as far as Giraffes are concerned Corvettes are a big no-go. They just aren't designed to accomodate anyone larger than a Cyldsdale.

Pthptpth! Can someone please pass me a rag to clean the coffee off my keyboard and monitor? Thanks! I wonder if Coffeemate is bad for Trinitrons, guess I'm about to find out...?

Fortunately, the Thunderbird was designed to accomodate 2 elephants at highway speeds. With the lower weight, we can go a lot faster, and still have some decent legroom for Cecil.

The expanding subspace chassis really was a god send for large herd animals wasn't it?

CYa!
Mako

Kellogg · Post by **Kellogg** » Tue Feb 26, 2002 11:18 am

On 2002-02-26 10:11, Mako wrote:
nearest town, when the oil pressure gauge dropped to zero. Scarey! In the end it
...
turned out to be the alternator, which was causing the intstruments to die.
Doh! At least it was an easy, relatively cheap, but annoying, fix.

True, but it was a bit unnerving sitting out there with no cars going by and the borrowed cel phone telling me it was out of range. Still, if you're ever broken down around Fort Stockton, TX, they've got some really good guys working in the (only) repair shop in town. Only one guy speaks English, but they really saved me!

However, it must be noted that as far as Giraffes are concerned Corvettes are a big no-go. They just aren't designed to accomodate anyone larger than a Cyldsdale.
Pthptpth! Can someone please pass me a rag to clean the coffee off my keyboard and monitor? Thanks! I wonder if Coffeemate is bad for Trinitrons, guess I'm about to find out...?

And even then, the Clydsdales need to have
a convertible with the top down. Don't try to get your Equine pals in there with a sunroof, it will strangle them as soon as you hit the brakes.

The expanding subspace chassis really was a god send for large herd animals wasn't it?

Yep, we got the plans in a technology transfer from Dr. Who. Anybody care for a Jellybaby?

Mako · Post by **Mako** » Sat Mar 02, 2002 2:20 am

Whilst pruning the hard drive, I came across this image taken from one of my Vegas jaunts and it reminded me I yammered on about it here in the forum.

This time I'm driving a bug encrusted pickup instead of a wounded Z28:

http://www.caspeed.com/images/zzyzx.jpg

Somewhere in the middle of Death Valley, and I run into a traffic jam. Whodda thunk it

Did I mention freon is a god like substance???

Mako

Kellogg · Post by **Kellogg** » Sat Mar 02, 2002 3:12 pm

On 2002-03-02 02:20, Mako wrote:
http://www.caspeed.com/images/zzyzx.jpg

Zzyzx, California??

How the heck to you pronounce that?

"Just the way it's spelled."

Sounds like a town run by anthropomorphic bumble bees. (Cue the theme to the Outer Limits).

Well, I've always held that travel broadens the mind by exposing you to things you'd never encounter if you never left your home town. Now, I've been (however vicariously) exposed to a town which has outlawed vowels.

Thnks!

Sctt

ZOMBIE USER 6611 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 6611** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 6:44 pm

Zzyzx, California??
How the heck to you pronounce that?
Sctt

"Zizix".

This is indeed out in the desert. These folks are health nuts. One old coot who was part of the original incorporation committee decided, from something he's misheard, that it would be good to keep all of those letters out of the town's name.

Something about a "healthy vowel movement".

===|==============/ Level Head

Kellogg · Post by **Kellogg** » Sun Mar 03, 2002 8:52 pm

On 2002-03-03 18:44, LevelHead wrote:
"Zizix".

This is indeed out in the desert. These folks are health nuts. One old coot who was part of the original incorporation committee decided, from something he's misheard, that it would be good to keep all of those letters out of the town's name.

Something about a "healthy vowel movement".

I think there was an old Cold War Missile base out there, wasn't there? Armed with Interconsonental Ballistic Missiles?

Mothspiral · Post by **Mothspiral** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 7:53 am

Oh, well done. Well done twice.

ZOMBIE USER 6611 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 6611** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 6:21 pm

On 2002-03-04 07:53, mothspiral wrote:
Oh, well done. Well done twice.

Hello, Mothspiral!

You'd expect such prowess from Mr. K -- he is, after all, a man of letters. His training included an extensive syllable, and he pays phonemenal attention to de tail.

And hello, Mako -- long time since our first correspondence.

===|==============/ Level Head

Mako · Post by **Mako** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 7:03 pm

You'd expect such prowess from Mr. K -- he is, after all, a man of letters. His training included an extensive syllable, and he pays phonemenal attention to de tail.

Arrgghhh... you guys are killing me here

And hello, Mako -- long time since our first correspondence.

Hullo again

I think we "met" on Pepe's Jack 'board, no?

I "discovered" 21st CF from Mark Stanley's comics links page a while back, and Scott's poor In Box hasn't been the same since. ;P

CYa!
Mako
New! Improved! 10% More Zzyzx in every box!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mako on 2002-03-04 19:04 ]</font>

Kellogg · Post by **Kellogg** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 7:02 am

I "discovered" 21st CF from Mark Stanley's comics links page a while back, and Scott's poor In Box hasn't been the same since. ;P

I'm just sorry my In Box is a bit backlogged right now. Things have been a bit busy lately. Need to unlazy myself and dig in!

ZOMBIE USER 6611 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 6611** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 4:24 pm

On 2002-03-04 19:03, Mako wrote:
Hullo again
I think we "met" on Pepe's Jack board, no?

That's correct. Each board has its own personality, and that one is different, neh?

"I've noticed Mako's tags where'ere he prowls.
He marks his spots with desert town sans vowels.
No forces culinary or of physics
Could get more steaming sizzle from a Zzyzx."

===|=============/ Level Head

Mako · Post by **Mako** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 3:16 pm

That's correct. Each board has its own personality, and that one is different, neh?

OMG, I remembered something correctly

Oh yeah, the *Jack* board is indeed a different place. It's always entertaining watching the young Turks trying their best to type profoundities on Deep Issues on a comic strip forum

"I've noticed Mako's tags where'ere he prowls.
He marks his spots with desert town sans vowels.
No forces culinary or of physics
Could get more steaming sizzle from a Zzyzx."

Bwahhaa!

I'm fresh out of iambic pentameter and late to getting to the Chebbie dealership, so I'm left lyricless for a proper Zzyzx enhanced reply.

Mako
Zzyxz-lite tonight

ZOMBIE USER 6611 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 6611** » Fri Mar 08, 2002 6:16 pm

Bwahhaa! I'm fresh out of iambic pentameter

It seems I have received a fresh supply;
I'll scribe a Zzyzx bit, and then "Goodbye".

'Twere "Zzyzx" thought a thing of noble value
Such logic would encircle and corral you.
All characters would pine until they'd got one.
"This Zzyzx just fell off a truck; a hot one!"
Now Kirk can't trade the "D" for one (he'd hocked her)
Though Bones said "I'm a Zzyzx, not a doctor!"
While Spock is fascinated by a Zzyzx,
Poor Scotty canna' change the laws of physics.

When Sulu nears the Zzyzx he's been tailing
Uhuru opens frequencies for hailing
Now Checkov's all for russian off to board it
(but redshirts, rather obviously, deplored it).
A Paul Atreides could point to his Ix,
But I must go. That's it about your Zzyzx.

===|==============/ Level Head

and late to getting to the Chebbie dealership, so I'm left lyricless for a proper Zzyzx enhanced reply.

Mako
Zzyxz-lite tonight
[/quote]

Kellogg · Post by **Kellogg** » Fri Mar 08, 2002 6:35 pm

Mana' Mana'
Zi-Zi-Zi-Zzyzx!

Thanks guys!
Rough day.
This sillyness helped!

Scott