Harry Gilson: Date Night

19 - Published on January 8, 2025 - Est. read time 3 min

I find myself getting caught up on things sometimes. This morning it was the title of this page. I've decided not to force titles. I was going to call this document 'Eggs' - based on a story that I had for today. It goes like this:

Ok probably a bit boring I'll admit. Side note: ciggarettes are horrible. Anyway, I suppose I need another story. I've been thinking of a guy that get's put in prison because he likes being naked. I wonder if drawing a cartoon penis is allowed on social media sites like instagram. Does it constitute 'nudity' - which is strictly prohibited on most sites. It's technically just an icon of an idea, only marginally more 'offensive' than the word 'penis' itself. After some brief research, it turns out it would not be allowed. However, if I were to depict a woman breastfeeding it would get the green light. A quick search on instagram confirms this, and lead down a seemingly dark rabbit hole on the platform. No thanks. I could pixelate the region, but that seems like an awful lot of effort for not much reward as I can't think of a way to make the story compelling. So what else? I'm listening to a podcast on the Turkish barbershop scandal currently underway in the UK, where they're suspected of money laundering. There could be something there. Perhaps a Turkish barbershop owner that's an honest man. Then I'm not sure how to mold that into a story. They're having a similar issue in Minnesota with so-called 'Learning Centers' setup by Somalians. They've spelt the word 'learning' as 'learing' - how ironic. Could be something there. A learning center that has spelt their signage incorrectly. A story about a daycare center called 'Learing Centre'. I'm not sure, nothing is coming to me, especially not with this headache I'm experiencing - it's persisted since last night. Perhaps a story about disposing of a Christmas tree. I'm still yet to get rid of mine. What could be funny about that? Nothing springs to mind. Perhaps a man could dispose of his Christmas tree, only to come home and to find the Christmas tree has reappeared in his home.

I suppose it's only marginally funny if he does that multiple times, and I don't have time for that long of a story. Maybe there's another way:

Getting too long. Perhaps a different story.

Not bad, it should go without saying that this is satire. I have my document setup to get drawing, handily it's reusable. I would like to refine the story a bit more before I get drawing:

I've sketched most of the story in a four panel comic. Need to finish it off and ink/colour it. Title is 'Date Night'.