FoxTrot (4/19/09)

When I saw today’s installment of FoxTrot, I figured the numbers translated to something juvenile like, “Paige Fox is bad at math.” Then I pulled out a pen and a scientific calculator, and solved the puzzle only to find…

At least I didn’t have to solve any of the advanced equations (like C, Q and U) to figure out the puzzle. It’s been a while since I’ve taken a high school math class and even though I managed to solve the cube root equation, I couldn’t remember all of the intricacies of the sin and cos functions. Even so, this proved to be a fun 17-13-25-10-9-23-13-15-20.

FoxTrot (3/22/09)

Even though I’ve heard countless references to tech darling Twitter in recent months, I still appreciate the fresh take on the service that constitutes today’s FoxTrot. The set-up does a great job of illustrating what a time waster Twitter is; a true monument to minutiae. I’m also charmed by the fact that the mother in this strip is technologically savvy enough to type tweets into her mobile phone, yet lacks the common sense to notice her son and his friend crouching beside a desk. To be fair, I also missed the tops of their heads perched there in plain sight, at least at first glance.

FoxTrot (2/15/09)

As a matter of common sense, it’s a bad idea to give your wife a spatula for Valentine’s Day. But as a matter of practicality, it’s a bad idea to buy a heart-shaped spatula under any circumstance. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to use this contraption. A heart-shaped spatula narrows at the base, which would cause a pancake to curve in and develop a small bulge. Compare this to a standard spatula that’s easy to control and allows for a seamless flipping motion. There may be nothing less romantic than giving cookware for Valentine’s Day, but dooming your family to a batch of misshapen, potentially undercooked pancakes is almost as inconsiderate.

FoxTrot (11/23/08)

Far be it for me to judge, but I’m willing to guess that the kid with the football is overestimating his throwing ability in this strip. Eleven yards may seem like a short distance when watching professional athletes on TV, but it can be daunting for a grammar school student, especially one who can convert meters to yards in his head. Then again, looks can be deceiving. The kid might be good at math and have a cannon for an arm.

FoxTrot (6/22/08)

A few weeks ago, I took a picture of a Chicago gas station marquee and sent it to my uncle in Boston. He followed up with a similar picture, just to compare prices. He also mentioned that he was accosted by the gas station owner while snapping the picture, despite the fact that Boston gas is cheaper. It’s a touchy subject, to be sure. Let’s hope those “smart, long-term solutions” from today’s FoxTrot get off the ground sooner rather than later.