Back To Work

This week’s new Dustinland comic is about the current debate on whether we should all start going back to the office or not. And in this strip I literally debate myself, because I do see both sides of the issue.

All joking aside, if you ask me — which nobody will — I think what people want is freedom. They want to be treated with respect and given the ability to make their own decisions about how to be successful at work. For some people, that may mean 5 days a week in the office. For others, 1. Or zero. Of course, that is a very difficult thing for a large organization to achieve. Big groups thrive on order and routine, so it’s unlikely there will be a lot of “do whatever you want.”

But I think frame 7 of the strip really nails it — no matter what, you still won’t be happy.

Symptomatic Of

This new Dustinland comic is about how I’ve had COVID for about a week now. I think I am definitely on the mend, just mostly still a bit fatigued. The weirdest part of all this is all the symptoms. I feel like my body has gone through every possible symptom, one at a time, looking for a response to this new thing attacking it.

Did I mention I’m still kinda tired though? Yeah, that part sucks.

On the bright side, I haven’t had a drink in a whole week. Yay, I did it. So healthy.

I Did It

Hey it’s a new Dustinland comic about how I have COVID. Got it from my kiddo who got it from school. Meh. It’s okay. Mostly weird. Odd symptoms that come and go. Worst part is that I feel dumber.

Bliss 2 AKA “Not Monkeypox”

This week’s new Dustinland comic is not really about Monkeypox, but it sort of it. Basically, it’s about where I’m at right now, mentally speaking. Which is trying to avoid paying attention to stressful things I have no control over. Some people seem addicted to bad news and rage, and while I’m not saying to be uninvolved in the harsh realities that shape our world, I do think it is harmful to spend so much time either fuming or worrying.

And so… the dude abides.

Vaccine Truth

This week’s new Dustinland comic will probably get some people real mad, including friends of mine, but it’s literally just a quick set-up punchline comic about being middle-aged. The part that will upset people is the part where I suggest there are no vaccine side effects. Of course, I am speaking from personal experience, and that is in fact the case for me. The other side will respond by saying “yeah but just wait, you don’t know what will happen in 5-20 years mRNA experiment myocarditis did you see the one study that guy who sells supplements did OMG sheeple Biden Pfizer Bill Gates Epstein!” And then I will respond by drinking heavily and crying.

You know, the worst thing about all this is seeing the fabric of shared truth disintegrate to the point where you can go on social media and find two distinctly different worlds where millions of people don’t just think they’re right — they KNOW they’re right — and they have the links to back it all up. You really can believe whatever you want right now, and THAT is truly scary, no matter who is right in this particular case.

Variant Gift Guide

This week’s new Dustinland comic is inspired by yet another variant, the oddly pronounced Omicron. I feel like it should have an N in it — Omnicron. But I guess that would make it some sort of ultimate variant and not just the next letter in the Greek alphabet.

But yeah, like the comic said, I am exhausted. Not so much by the virus, which is stupid and annoying and dangerous yet not terrifying. No, I am exhausted by humanity. We just suck. That’s what this virus has brought out more than anything, more than Trump, more than war, more than terrorism. Just seeing the way we are all dealing with this, it’s just sad and pathetic. So much anger, rage, selfishness, lunacy… I mean, if you had any hope for the future of mankind, this has to just completely wipe that out. Or not. Who knows. I give up.

Jokes!

Quit, Flee, It’s Your Best Shot

This week’s new Dustinland comic is about The Great Resignation — the crazy time we’re in, where everyone went from the 2020 approach of “I’m just so thankful I have a job” to “FUCK THIS I quit.”

First, you need to know this comic must be sung to the tune of Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”

Second, I think it’s pretty clear I’m a bit cynical about this whole trend. However, I’m not THAT cynical. I genuinely do hope the workers of the world can use this opportunity to better themselves, to push for better wages and policies, collectively or as individuals. And I am part of this movement, I did just find a new job, and I’m enjoying it! So don’t take this strip the wrong way — I truly wish you the best of luck in changing your situation for the better.

That being said… I do think that COVID has uncovered something much deeper in our society. A more philosophical discontent that will not be fixed by simply switching jobs or even careers. I also don’t think we’re at the beginning of some mega change in capitalism where employees have all the power to demand whatever they want. And that’s sort of what I’m warning against in this strip. Basically — do you, but do it now, while you still can.

Resignation

This week’s new Dustinland comic is about what it’s like to start a new gig during a pandemic.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love working from home. But I love the freedom to WFH when I want or need to. What is wearing on me is the need to WFH all the time. It just starts to get depressing being in the same room all day, every day, and then even when you’re in this sort of life-changing situation, you’re still there, and the feeling of newness that usually comes with a new job is muted.

Have you experienced this? That would mean you’re part of The Great Resignation — the huge amount of people getting new jobs during 2021. Hence the title. See what I did there?

Check Up

This week’s new Dustinland comic is about how I just had my yearly physical… for the first time in four years. But it’s not really about that, it’s not really about my health. It’s about my mental health and a surprising question the doctor asked me.

Tough times out there guys. Tough times. I’m not as bad as I seem though. I have to exaggerate things for the comics. Although ironically, I really shouldn’t exaggerate the depression ones. No one seems to like them. Parenthood follies though — WHEW! Kids do say the darnedest things, don’t they. I’ll go back to that next week, perhaps. But for now, let’s wallow, shall we?

Reopen Season

This Dustinland comic is about my recent experience of going into the office for the first time in 15 months. It was actually kind of nice after the weirdness wore off. But the night before, the morning of, and about the first few hours — basically up until lunch — all super weird. Just hard to explain. Crazy to think one day we’ll all look back at this as some wacky time. Just kidding, we’ll look back at this all fondly as our robot overlords whip up with old iPhone charging cords. Just kidding, AI will exterminate us. Just kidding, climate change and global resource wars will have finished us off first. Just kidding, everything is gonna be great!

PS Did you catch the Bo Burnham reference in the strip?