Even at the best of times, I don’t particularly like pants, and yearn for the warmer weather when I can switch to shorts for all but the most formal occasions. This year’s heat wave has made such pants-not-optional occasions particularly rough though.

But I endure.

I am a man who doesn’t like to wear pants.

And I am unashamed.

Sorry this is getting up a little late. I seem to have gotten a bit confused about what day it is today.

Whale vomit is a real ingredient in many cosmetics, by the way. Although it is rarer in North America now, it has been used by many cultures throughout history, as a perfume, as incense, and even a home remedy for fighting off the Black Plague. The ancient Chinese called the substance “dragon’s spittle fragrance”. It’s also called “ambergris”, but don’t let the name fool you…

…the “whale vomit” name, I mean, ’cause it’s also found in whale poop!

In truth, we didn’t do this to either of the fine gentlemen who are the main inspirations for Jacques.

We did it to Steve.

The question didn’t occur to me until I started working on this comic, but how does the whole “stick money in the stripper’s g-string” thing work in Canada, land of $1 and $2 in coin form only for many years now? Does everyone just default to minimum $5 bills, or are guys chucking loonies and toonies at the girls? I honestly have no idea!

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends and family, away up there in the Great White North!

Anyone else remember spending countless frustrating hours trying to get E.T. out of those pits?

One of the big differences between WA and PA that I’m finding it hard to get used to, even after a full year here, is the level of humidity. These past couple of weeks have been brutal.

I’m thankful for another difference though, which is that air conditioners are fairly ubiquitous here, so when we need to cool off it usually just means going inside.

Mmmmm… air conditioning…