Just to point out the obvious, the comic is called “Hopeless Old Men On Skateboards.” Regardless of opinions of content, the title states the most prevalent overall theme. It’s a driving force in MC’s productivity; 1400-ish comics that express MC’s feelings.
I’m not a fan of the band Rush. I just can’t get past Geddy Lee’s voice. (Sorry, Troybug). I respect and appreciate their talents, even if I don’t get it.
I enjoy MC’s work, even if I don’t agree/understand every theme in his comics. I will always stand behind artists and their rights to express, whether it’s Beethoven or GG Allin.
Damn skip out reading the comments for a day or so and look at what I missed. Too bad someone did not try to pick a fist fight over the internet on this issue. Anyone remember on another site when “supposedly” Jay Adams was trying to start a skateboard club which turned into a heckling session of his club? Then “supposedly” Jay Adams took the bait from a “probable” 10 year old kid to meet and fight. That thread was better than the onion.
I like to think of it as there are some really, really narrow-minded people out there that just happen to skateboard. Give them a pair of boxing gloves or a bag full of golf clubs and their mindsets would still be the same but in a different arena. I like to think that, anyways.
It’s acceptable because your art isn’t amazing just because you made it, and to belive so is arrogant. Learn to accept some criticism–it improves your dishes–or don’t bother with your barbecue. Tasty as it is, some of the party-goers think your sauce needs a tweak, and their the ones eating the fare. Maybe listening to them isn’t such a terrible thing.
I agree MC. here’s the way I like to look at it. Kilwag has organized a free bbq. MC and I provide some of the burgers and beer. Everybody is invited. So you go to the bbq. The beer isn’t to your liking or you don’t like the way the burgers are cooked. Do you say to yourself “well it was good of them to do it and it’s all free so I’m just gonna enjoy myself and not get another burger”? Or are you asshole enough to actually go and complain about how the free burgers taste or that you don’t like the beer? Of course you wouldn’t. So why is is it acceptable here?
Another excellent point. I try to remember not to post it if I won’t say it to somebody directly. I may be an exception in that regard: I’ll say whatever is on my mind, and I prefer to have the argument out in the open and resolve it quickly.
Many people aren’t comfortable with that approach, and the keyboard emboldens them. Not a bad thing, but one is wise to take e-communication with a grain of salt.
so you’re the content editor? Who gave you that job?
Yes, you could give your opinion, (running the risk of MC just saying “fuck it” and stopping completely), or you could just shut the hell up and enjoy his work.
I’ve got an idea, instead of constantly criticizing the work of others, why not come up with some content of your own? I’m sure Kilwag would be only too pleased to have some more original content. Or you could continue to sit back and rip on the creativity of others. I’m betting I know which way you will go.
As another “old” skater I have come to relaize it’s the younger skaters that make age comments at the skatepark. Being constantly asked about your age is a given, it been asked at every skate session. I now answer the question “how long you been skating” in a more immediate response, like “20 minutes” or however long I’ve been at the skatepark at that given time.
Its possible the young kids ask because thats all they ever hear. As a father of an 8 year old ripper, I can tell you he gets asked how long he has been skating nearly every time he skate in public.
Seems like MC has a raft of experience, and while I can’t speak for all readers, I second the notion that it’d be cool to see him branch out a bit. It can’t be easy to come up with new material all the time, but I’d like his take on the early ‘nineties big-pants era, the ‘eighties hip-pack experiments, the horrors of trendy tricks throughout the ages…
Man, what’s wrong with me. That is an offensive idea!
I don’t respond to HoN because he’s a little simple, but at least he’s not going on about critical thinking, whereas you are… when it seems like doing it is something you’d rather not, and say you did. You may not actually be a 40 year old Western hippy chile who is too fecklessly intent on taking the easy way out to realize that a first floor, what with having the most weight on top of it, and the structural beams abruptly anchored inflexibly at the bottom of it, is by far the most likely to collapse, and, naturally, would have to explode, to do so… BUT, you genuinely remind me of one I was just exposed to… what with yer feckless approval of the idea of doin’ the strand with a longboard stroller, and your laziness in differentiating between comics with a common link. As if the joke was supposed to be as broad as Some of us are old? Don’t you have any skate buddies younger and older than yourself? That don’t all kiss each other’s ass? Get some… increased perspective will help you grasp the subtle nuisances. Yep, Skate and Annoy: All about Nuisance Culture. …Let’s see, I remember when a twenty something came back from China with a Fu Manchu mustache and $1,200 dollars… and I chided the guy for stealing money from those poor Chinese competitors, and, worse yet, the Fu Manchu, which I told him was a “national treasure”… and I believe he just darkly muttered “kill me”. But, you’ll be glad to know that he didn’t leave the “bar”, Neil… and not just because it was actually a skatepark… but seemingly more cuz he’s competitive, and can hold his own… even when it comes to heckling someone for the age they are in.
Thanks for the support and the constructive criticism. The old thing does get well, old. I am constantly being trotted out as “the old guy who still skates vert”. I wish they didn’t just want me for my (old) body.
It’s a well-executed comic, but given your years in skating, I have to imagine you’ve got more to offer than autobiographical references to your age. It comes off as a bit egotistical.
Let’s try this. If you don’t like coming off like an asshole, stop being priggish. I don’t think it bothered him “so” much, he just didn’t get that he so didn’t “get it”. Which isn’t a crime… and for that matter, I don’t think, judging by a perhaps peevishly Beavisish comment that he left, that MC himself, at least taste-wise, really “got” that Roto-tiller racing video the other day, for instance. But I think what our poor Bozo was missing is that, as some of us age, we gain an ability (hey, studies show) to see parallels that, to some half our age, just seem out of the blue changes of subjects at best, sheer randomness at worst, semi-facetiously-accused of being senile riffing at median… and, semi-facetiously self-glorified as compound interest, in a nutshell. But had MC just been saying “We old, huh huh”, any Bozo woulda had the right to call him on it… fwiw. And even then any prig would have had the right to tell the bozo “if you’re not sure you’re going to like it, don’t read it”. And anybody would have had the right to compound the matter with semi-random babble.
why do you never post under your own name? You have such a lot to say, surely you want the world to know how brilliant you are?
Oh wait, I know. You’re the total twat that comes into the bar and then can’t understand why everybody else leaves within 5 minutes. You’re THAT guy. I get it now.
Speak for yourself… not all of us see the name of the comic as, what, a vain attempt at humility? Are you one of them lazy-coconut paranoids that is into comfort thought? You aren’t by any chance one of those who thinks that the twin towers were an inside job cuz, like, you could see the BASE of the tower EXPLODE when it collapsed, indicating there must have been bombs there, cuz otherwise the base would have um, er… IMploded – yeah that’s it – in a collapse? Anyway, I’ve got to IMAGINE that you have more to offer than ‘Feck yeah skater dudes, do the strand with your baby… but, if you’re not feckless stop boasting’… cuz ya sure haven’t EVIDENCED it.
50 comments
Jerry Dammers
I won’t comment, on a site like this. All the girls on Friday T&A are sluts, and Neil’s beer tastes just like piss.
spurr
I enjoy kilwags barbecue ,neils beer is always cold and mcs burgers are tasty and free . I thank you for sharing your passions with the rest of us .
Heath
Just to point out the obvious, the comic is called “Hopeless Old Men On Skateboards.” Regardless of opinions of content, the title states the most prevalent overall theme. It’s a driving force in MC’s productivity; 1400-ish comics that express MC’s feelings.
I’m not a fan of the band Rush. I just can’t get past Geddy Lee’s voice. (Sorry, Troybug). I respect and appreciate their talents, even if I don’t get it.
I enjoy MC’s work, even if I don’t agree/understand every theme in his comics. I will always stand behind artists and their rights to express, whether it’s Beethoven or GG Allin.
ShawnF
Damn skip out reading the comments for a day or so and look at what I missed. Too bad someone did not try to pick a fist fight over the internet on this issue. Anyone remember on another site when “supposedly” Jay Adams was trying to start a skateboard club which turned into a heckling session of his club? Then “supposedly” Jay Adams took the bait from a “probable” 10 year old kid to meet and fight. That thread was better than the onion.
Fitz
I do recall that. Hilarious and sad, all at once.
wes
agreed.
kilwag
You know, I always wanted to tell Charles Schulz “Enough with he football gag already” but he died before I could.
MC
Winner: Kilwag!
wes
since when did skateboarders become such sensitive pussies? move on
feastorfamine
live for the flame bro….Im so cool and open minded! et doiiiiiii!
Fitz
Skateboarders can often be among the most narrowminded people I have ever met.
francisco
I like to think of it as there are some really, really narrow-minded people out there that just happen to skateboard. Give them a pair of boxing gloves or a bag full of golf clubs and their mindsets would still be the same but in a different arena. I like to think that, anyways.
Mr Sauce
If you dont like the sauce then go to a different BBQ.
Fitz
I’m nomninating Francisco for the win! You’re right on with that observation.
conahan
I think it’s internet forums. Why is that? Most people are decent enough in person.
Bozo Texino
Critical thinking is not a crime.
Bozo Texino
It’s acceptable because your art isn’t amazing just because you made it, and to belive so is arrogant. Learn to accept some criticism–it improves your dishes–or don’t bother with your barbecue. Tasty as it is, some of the party-goers think your sauce needs a tweak, and their the ones eating the fare. Maybe listening to them isn’t such a terrible thing.
houseofneil
I agree MC. here’s the way I like to look at it. Kilwag has organized a free bbq. MC and I provide some of the burgers and beer. Everybody is invited. So you go to the bbq. The beer isn’t to your liking or you don’t like the way the burgers are cooked. Do you say to yourself “well it was good of them to do it and it’s all free so I’m just gonna enjoy myself and not get another burger”? Or are you asshole enough to actually go and complain about how the free burgers taste or that you don’t like the beer? Of course you wouldn’t. So why is is it acceptable here?
Fitz
Another excellent point. I try to remember not to post it if I won’t say it to somebody directly. I may be an exception in that regard: I’ll say whatever is on my mind, and I prefer to have the argument out in the open and resolve it quickly.
Many people aren’t comfortable with that approach, and the keyboard emboldens them. Not a bad thing, but one is wise to take e-communication with a grain of salt.
feastorfamine
Wow! way to come to the rescue of you fearless leader! No opposition! This isnt your website or America! Go draw your own comic.
NWForty
Comment #23:
Congratulations Mark.
You hit a home run with this comic.
PG
one more thing… you really can’t complain about anything on this website if it has anyhing to do with skating, hence the name “Skate & Annoy”
Give me a break.
Yeah, you really can’t offer feedback… Artists hate that sort of thing.
Come on!
I will say whatever I feel like concerning content, and I imagine MC understands–even hopes–his work evokes discussion, debate, and thought.
If that’s not the goal, then the website should just be a lot of pretty colors and pleasing sounds, rather than actual content.
houseofneil
so you’re the content editor? Who gave you that job?
Yes, you could give your opinion, (running the risk of MC just saying “fuck it” and stopping completely), or you could just shut the hell up and enjoy his work.
I’ve got an idea, instead of constantly criticizing the work of others, why not come up with some content of your own? I’m sure Kilwag would be only too pleased to have some more original content. Or you could continue to sit back and rip on the creativity of others. I’m betting I know which way you will go.
Bozo Texino
Without critical thinking, there is no art. Without art, there is no critical thinking.
PG
this is all in fun.. right?
PG
As another “old” skater I have come to relaize it’s the younger skaters that make age comments at the skatepark. Being constantly asked about your age is a given, it been asked at every skate session. I now answer the question “how long you been skating” in a more immediate response, like “20 minutes” or however long I’ve been at the skatepark at that given time.
Skater Dad
Its possible the young kids ask because thats all they ever hear. As a father of an 8 year old ripper, I can tell you he gets asked how long he has been skating nearly every time he skate in public.
Fitz
Seems like MC has a raft of experience, and while I can’t speak for all readers, I second the notion that it’d be cool to see him branch out a bit. It can’t be easy to come up with new material all the time, but I’d like his take on the early ‘nineties big-pants era, the ‘eighties hip-pack experiments, the horrors of trendy tricks throughout the ages…
Man, what’s wrong with me. That is an offensive idea!
carvin marvin
yeah, and he’s not that good at drawing either
Fitz
I very much enjoy the visual aspects of it–however it’s done.
Welsh Pete
Take up Lawn Bowling, then you can draw comics about being the young man with with a mean ‘Ditch Length Shot.’
spurr
Peavishly beavisish , will they be touring this summer?
Is my cellphone on vibrate? Oh that’s my hip, keep em coming mc.
Bozo Texino
The rest of you need to settle down.
Animal Testicles
I don’t respond to HoN because he’s a little simple, but at least he’s not going on about critical thinking, whereas you are… when it seems like doing it is something you’d rather not, and say you did. You may not actually be a 40 year old Western hippy chile who is too fecklessly intent on taking the easy way out to realize that a first floor, what with having the most weight on top of it, and the structural beams abruptly anchored inflexibly at the bottom of it, is by far the most likely to collapse, and, naturally, would have to explode, to do so… BUT, you genuinely remind me of one I was just exposed to… what with yer feckless approval of the idea of doin’ the strand with a longboard stroller, and your laziness in differentiating between comics with a common link. As if the joke was supposed to be as broad as Some of us are old? Don’t you have any skate buddies younger and older than yourself? That don’t all kiss each other’s ass? Get some… increased perspective will help you grasp the subtle nuisances. Yep, Skate and Annoy: All about Nuisance Culture. …Let’s see, I remember when a twenty something came back from China with a Fu Manchu mustache and $1,200 dollars… and I chided the guy for stealing money from those poor Chinese competitors, and, worse yet, the Fu Manchu, which I told him was a “national treasure”… and I believe he just darkly muttered “kill me”. But, you’ll be glad to know that he didn’t leave the “bar”, Neil… and not just because it was actually a skatepark… but seemingly more cuz he’s competitive, and can hold his own… even when it comes to heckling someone for the age they are in.
MC
Jack, is that you?
conahan
Thanks for the support and the constructive criticism. The old thing does get well, old. I am constantly being trotted out as “the old guy who still skates vert”. I wish they didn’t just want me for my (old) body.
egbert
Conahan, you’ll forever be the old guy that did a handplant on a wallride wall (Toxic Skate, Vancouver,WA.) to me.
Bozo Texino
I’m glad you took that well–I wasn’t trying to be rude.
feastorfamine
and does his avatar look more like Ghandi than it used too?
Bozo Texino
We get it. You’re an old skateboarder. This is getting redundant.
conahan
Just trying to pass along some fiduciary advice to the youngsters.
K.C.
The youngsters have no idea what’s coming to them.
Bozo Texino
It’s a well-executed comic, but given your years in skating, I have to imagine you’ve got more to offer than autobiographical references to your age. It comes off as a bit egotistical.
"Let's", Neil?
Let’s try this. If you don’t like coming off like an asshole, stop being priggish. I don’t think it bothered him “so” much, he just didn’t get that he so didn’t “get it”. Which isn’t a crime… and for that matter, I don’t think, judging by a perhaps peevishly Beavisish comment that he left, that MC himself, at least taste-wise, really “got” that Roto-tiller racing video the other day, for instance. But I think what our poor Bozo was missing is that, as some of us age, we gain an ability (hey, studies show) to see parallels that, to some half our age, just seem out of the blue changes of subjects at best, sheer randomness at worst, semi-facetiously-accused of being senile riffing at median… and, semi-facetiously self-glorified as compound interest, in a nutshell. But had MC just been saying “We old, huh huh”, any Bozo woulda had the right to call him on it… fwiw. And even then any prig would have had the right to tell the bozo “if you’re not sure you’re going to like it, don’t read it”. And anybody would have had the right to compound the matter with semi-random babble.
Sidetrack
Oh Neil, so defensive! Who do you think this mystery poster could be?
houseofneil
why do you never post under your own name? You have such a lot to say, surely you want the world to know how brilliant you are?
Oh wait, I know. You’re the total twat that comes into the bar and then can’t understand why everybody else leaves within 5 minutes. You’re THAT guy. I get it now.
"We", Bozo?
Speak for yourself… not all of us see the name of the comic as, what, a vain attempt at humility? Are you one of them lazy-coconut paranoids that is into comfort thought? You aren’t by any chance one of those who thinks that the twin towers were an inside job cuz, like, you could see the BASE of the tower EXPLODE when it collapsed, indicating there must have been bombs there, cuz otherwise the base would have um, er… IMploded – yeah that’s it – in a collapse? Anyway, I’ve got to IMAGINE that you have more to offer than ‘Feck yeah skater dudes, do the strand with your baby… but, if you’re not feckless stop boasting’… cuz ya sure haven’t EVIDENCED it.
Bozo Texino
Did you read this before posting it?
houseofneil
how to put this without coming off like an asshole