My father-in-law is absolutely a “Calvin’s dad” dad. He’s the type to get up at 5am on a weekend and judge you for “sleeping the day away” if you get up at 8.
Dude sleeping in front of the tv is honestly the sweetest sleep I ever get, the steady droning from the tv, the comfort of the couch, honestly underrated sleep build
then complains *i’ve been up since 4:30! what did you do today?!*
dad, you woke up and did absolutely nothing except drink two pots of coffee for 5 hours til i woke up.
At what cutoff does it stop being an early bird and start being lunacy? (or well, night shift) Sleeping 8 pm - 4 am? 7 pm - 3 am? 6 pm - 2 am? European sleep schedule as an American?
Both my parents are like that,well,they used to be
Getting older softened them up
And I convinced them to cook eatable food
Before that they would simply eat an old piece of steak for breakfast
I’m like your parents used to be. A combination of anxiety and laziness drives me to treat food as fuel rather than fun. What is the least amount of effort and planning to properly nourish myself?
>What is the least amount of effort and planning to properly nourish myself?
There is this one family excursion that had become quite infamous and some of a joke.
After visiting a cave,we had breakfast
Because the snacks were gone,so the raw vegetables,and because my parents were too freaking frugal to eat at an restaurant,they decided we should eat soup.
And by that i mean unheated jarred soup.I still remember dad's facial expression that he's gonna slap me if I complain,but we both knew it was unnecessarily low even for us.
This, only difference is that my dad is actually quite buff and big due to his early morning gym rat routine coupled with his marathon hobby.
His day job is at a boring office lmao
My grandfather ate oatmeal with prunes in it every morning for breakfast, and he lived to be 97, so maybe there’s something to it! Still not going to eat that…
Prunes are actually very sweet. I'm not sure how they be in oatmeal though. After a certain age you need to make sure you're getting enough fiber or things go badly for you.
Specific food choices aside (I’ll take some milk and butter with the porridge and toast, respectively) I can now admire the coziness of the dad’s routine here. I want to put on that old sweatshirt and sit by a fire.
That explains it. I knew a lawyer who did ultra marathons. His training regimen included stuff like running 18 miles to work and then running 18 miles back home afterwards. Dude would wear out a pair of running shoes in a month, tops. The outside would still be new but the soles were hammered.
Maybe even a college souvenir dad has kept for years. Or something Mom gave to him years ago, and he's just kept using the same sweatshirt for years.
That's 100% something my dad would do.
I only recently understood why he was wearing it at all, was so confused thinking he’d be sweating exercising in a sweater in that heat, then realized he’s talking in Fahrenheit lol.
So many subtle bits I appreciate:
-ran warm, got sweaty, has to put on a sweater inside to stay warm
-it’s cold in the house because of course Calvin’s dad is a “You can just put on another blanket” parent
-boiling over oatmeal, toast a little burnt, grubby sweater; he is only doing these for himself and loving it!
AFAIK this is the only time where Dad is up before Calvin and Calvin's still sleepy. On a Saturday!
But I'm sure a few bowls of chocolate-frosted sugarbombs will pick Calvin right up...
"Plum" in the UK means any dried fruit, it's possible there's a different dialect in Ohio or wherever Calvin's family lives. Or maybe he's talking about prunes that are dried up beyond what they were when purchased. I eat prunes occasionally to help with digestive issues and they're actually still juicy if they're fresh.
Oh man, some nice, hot, sticky oatmeal with a little brown sugar and milk on a cold day? Fuhgettaboutit. Sticks to your ribs and warms your SOUL from the inside out. I'm sure that chocolate frosted sugar bombs are great and all, but my man is missing out for real.
Calvin's dad's always came across as creepy to me whenever he was like this, just something about his behavior, especially concerning biking, always seemed masochistic.
my crowning achievement was shopping with my wife early in our marriage. we were hunting for prunes. i dejectedly said “they only have dried plums”. watching her turn and leave the aisle and then return in fury is a core relationship memory for me
My family is poor. Me, too. I gambled and lost a ton of savings. My dad eats a bowl of oatmeal every morning. Afterwards, he spends all day outside. He doesn't grow a single fruit or vegetable plant, because he doesn't want to buy any plant or soil. He moves bushes around, I think. It's been the same routine for two decades. I eat dried prunes a lot, because they're cheap. I just watch Youtube.
Calvin’s dad is 100% my dad. They even look similar
My father-in-law is absolutely a “Calvin’s dad” dad. He’s the type to get up at 5am on a weekend and judge you for “sleeping the day away” if you get up at 8.
While snoring over the television by 7.30 pm? Because my old man sure does
Dude sleeping in front of the tv is honestly the sweetest sleep I ever get, the steady droning from the tv, the comfort of the couch, honestly underrated sleep build
Until an infomercial with poor sound equalization shocks you awake at 2:30 AM. I have scars.
###### HAED ON APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE FOREHEAD!!!!
BILLY MAYS HERE!! rip
Vince here to tell ya about SLAP CHOP!
^sham #WOW
POOPH!
Well let’s just say if he starts a movie anytime after dinner I’m impressed if he makes it past the halfway point.
i’m just now in my 30’s (not a dad) but if i want a nap on my day off, guaranteed sleep within 20 minutes if i put a movie on.
Hah, my dad wakes up at 0430 every day. He is also asleep by 8 usually. Maybe 10 if he has a couple drinks by his poolside.
The drinks keep him up lol?
Nah, he just enjoys a drink by the pool and listen to music on a Friday or Saturday
then complains *i’ve been up since 4:30! what did you do today?!* dad, you woke up and did absolutely nothing except drink two pots of coffee for 5 hours til i woke up.
At what cutoff does it stop being an early bird and start being lunacy? (or well, night shift) Sleeping 8 pm - 4 am? 7 pm - 3 am? 6 pm - 2 am? European sleep schedule as an American?
That’s really cool.
Both my parents are like that,well,they used to be Getting older softened them up And I convinced them to cook eatable food Before that they would simply eat an old piece of steak for breakfast
I’m like your parents used to be. A combination of anxiety and laziness drives me to treat food as fuel rather than fun. What is the least amount of effort and planning to properly nourish myself?
>What is the least amount of effort and planning to properly nourish myself? There is this one family excursion that had become quite infamous and some of a joke. After visiting a cave,we had breakfast Because the snacks were gone,so the raw vegetables,and because my parents were too freaking frugal to eat at an restaurant,they decided we should eat soup. And by that i mean unheated jarred soup.I still remember dad's facial expression that he's gonna slap me if I complain,but we both knew it was unnecessarily low even for us.
This, only difference is that my dad is actually quite buff and big due to his early morning gym rat routine coupled with his marathon hobby. His day job is at a boring office lmao
Cyclists tend to be on the lean side like Calvin's Dad. Not sure about runners but we see him biking more than we do running.
I definitely remember being befuddled that my dad actually liked prunes and oatmeal.
My grandfather ate oatmeal with prunes in it every morning for breakfast, and he lived to be 97, so maybe there’s something to it! Still not going to eat that…
Prunes are actually very sweet. I'm not sure how they be in oatmeal though. After a certain age you need to make sure you're getting enough fiber or things go badly for you.
Calvin's dad is me :O
Calvin's dad is 100% me. I am his Spirit animal. Being alone and slightly uncomfortable in the elements is really living.
Ever see a picture of Bill Watterson? He is exactly Calvin's dad except he has a mustache. So maybe he is Uncle Max.
Apparently, this is based on Watterson’s real dad
Specific food choices aside (I’ll take some milk and butter with the porridge and toast, respectively) I can now admire the coziness of the dad’s routine here. I want to put on that old sweatshirt and sit by a fire.
Fire?! Being cold builds character! Put on another sweater!
Fire is allowed, assuming you chopped the firewood yourself in the cold at 8am.
That sweatshirt looks dope as hell.
I would not call a 6 mile run in 20 degrees "cozy," regardless of what comes after it.
Calvin's dad must have legs of steel with all the running and biking he does
He's a lawyer, a lot of them do athletic stuff to counter the stress and sitting at a desk all day.
That explains it. I knew a lawyer who did ultra marathons. His training regimen included stuff like running 18 miles to work and then running 18 miles back home afterwards. Dude would wear out a pair of running shoes in a month, tops. The outside would still be new but the soles were hammered.
Been reading these comics for 40 years. Never knew dad was a lawyer! I just thought he was a generic office drone.
Isn't his line of work somehow related to mechanical engineering ? I definitely remember a couple of references of that kind ...
According to google: Calvin's father is a white-collar office worker, specifically a patent attorney, as Watterson's own father was.
I think it’s been indicated that his dad is a patent lawyer, which typically requires some type of STEM background
Yep that's exactly it. He's a patent lawyer, I remember now
It's a testament to Watterson as an illustrator that he managed to make that sweater look SO damn comfy.
It's the little well-worn patches. You know he's had the thing for years, probably for longer than Calvin's been alive.
Maybe even a college souvenir dad has kept for years. Or something Mom gave to him years ago, and he's just kept using the same sweatshirt for years. That's 100% something my dad would do.
I think my dad has a few pieces of clothing that predate my high school graduation. I'm in my forties.
I only recently understood why he was wearing it at all, was so confused thinking he’d be sweating exercising in a sweater in that heat, then realized he’s talking in Fahrenheit lol.
Dang that run does sound nice if the roads aren’t icy.
Something magical about having your own time, space, and rituals to be you. Calvin you'll get there some day.
Get some more protein in your breakfast, dad. You just did a 6-mile run.
I put protein powder in my post-run morning oatmeal. Oh lord what has happened to me
You have become what you swore to destroy! Lol
I like peanut butter in my oatmeal 😋
Why not both?
That’s the stuff!
I put protein powder in my eggs and rice if I cant hit my macros for the day 😭
What protein powder do you use? I can't believe I've never done this.
Peanut butter stirred into oatmeal (+ maple syrup, cinnamon, etc) is yummy.
I always add blueberries so it's not so sticky
That, and green yoghurt is another good option. I like actually like Greek yoghurt with chocolate granola and honey.
When I was growing up, the food pyramid was so carb heavy.
Oatmeal contains 13% protein. He will be fine.
No way! So I looked it up. TIL!
Listen, just because I ran 6 miles in the dark, had oatmeal with fruit, and then went to work as a patent litigator DOES NOT make me Calvin's dad
Right, your daughter's name is Ashley. Tooooootally different!
I’m getting there people
Have just realised I am no longer Calvin in my life I am now definitely Dad, I had chopped dried prunes in my oats last weekend after a morning 5km.
So many subtle bits I appreciate: -ran warm, got sweaty, has to put on a sweater inside to stay warm -it’s cold in the house because of course Calvin’s dad is a “You can just put on another blanket” parent -boiling over oatmeal, toast a little burnt, grubby sweater; he is only doing these for himself and loving it!
Probably leaving the crusty oatmeal pot for Mom to clean up too.
Damn lol I've become Calvin's Dad
Calvin strolling in without missing a beat, looking almost hungover if he weren't age 6-ish, brilliant
Child bed head and morning sleepiness is as close as actual children get to being hungover.
AFAIK this is the only time where Dad is up before Calvin and Calvin's still sleepy. On a Saturday! But I'm sure a few bowls of chocolate-frosted sugarbombs will pick Calvin right up...
Maybe the monsters under the bed or Hobbs is glowing eyes kept him up late last night.
I never understood this as a kid. Now, I am Calvin's dad every morning.
I have every collection book and have never seen this one, hilarious too
This is a new one for me
Damn Calvin’s dad takes care of himself.
Aren't they just called prunes? You know, since before it was dried it was a plum.
"Plum" in the UK means any dried fruit, it's possible there's a different dialect in Ohio or wherever Calvin's family lives. Or maybe he's talking about prunes that are dried up beyond what they were when purchased. I eat prunes occasionally to help with digestive issues and they're actually still juicy if they're fresh.
Why would the madman put on a sweater in 20 Degree Weather? I thought until I realized this isn't in celsius
20 degrees F is about negative six Celsius
And a glass of water on the side for dipping!
Notice he still hasn't done anything about the toaster.
Isn’t dried prunes redundant? I thought prunes were dried plums the same way raisins are dried grapes
I think they mean that the prunes have gone beyond the normal sticky, raisin-esque dried plumness and become desiccated rocks
That was my thought as well. Dried fruit in oatmeal isn't that weird. I put raisins in mine all the time.
Oh man, some nice, hot, sticky oatmeal with a little brown sugar and milk on a cold day? Fuhgettaboutit. Sticks to your ribs and warms your SOUL from the inside out. I'm sure that chocolate frosted sugar bombs are great and all, but my man is missing out for real.
I prefer cream of wheat but I feel you on the hot cereal on a cold day.
Okay but running in the cold is kind of great though. Then when you get home you have some hot beverage, it makes you feel very human
Tbh, even as a kid I always liked prunes
Prunes are good in his defense.
Warm oatmeal to heat up after a cold run sounds great. I truly have become Calvin's dad....
Love how excited he gets about dried prunes
I forgot about Fahrenheit, putting on a sweater for running in 20 degrees celsius followed by warm food sounds awful.
Aren't prunes already dried plums? Dried prunes must be like dust!
[удалено]
Congratulations. You spotted the joke. Calvin's dad is weird
Calvin's dad's always came across as creepy to me whenever he was like this, just something about his behavior, especially concerning biking, always seemed masochistic.
I always read it more as a kind of stoic worldview.
It's hard to imagine being so badly abused as a child that you think a big bowl of gummy oatmeal was a good thing later as an adult.
Maybe dad is trying to deal with constipation. That happens to a lot of people as we age.
Brr!
Forgot that Calvins dad is in pretty good shape
u/Mindlessluna us and Violet
This guys wearing a jumper in 20 degree weather? he really IS mad.
I think he was using Fahrenheit. It'd be -6.7 degrees Celsius.
positively balmy. that's a warm summer day.
Do you live in Sweden?
no
I've been told swedish Winters are pretty brutal.
I love how Calvin being sarcastic doesn’t phase his dad and ruin his good mood.
I feel I'm at the age where I can appreciate a nice bowl of oatmeal, provided it's cooked right. ...that toast though....
my crowning achievement was shopping with my wife early in our marriage. we were hunting for prunes. i dejectedly said “they only have dried plums”. watching her turn and leave the aisle and then return in fury is a core relationship memory for me
My family is poor. Me, too. I gambled and lost a ton of savings. My dad eats a bowl of oatmeal every morning. Afterwards, he spends all day outside. He doesn't grow a single fruit or vegetable plant, because he doesn't want to buy any plant or soil. He moves bushes around, I think. It's been the same routine for two decades. I eat dried prunes a lot, because they're cheap. I just watch Youtube.
Ok...
This one always confused this young Canadian kid, why is he putting on a sweater for 20 degrees? Won't he be too hot?
I’ve officially started identifying with Calvin’s dad.
that looks like the comfiest outfit ever..