18 Comments
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V. C. Ackerman's avatar

I Need A Hobby - Zeppelins are easy to build (they’re just big balloons), cheap to make (they’re mostly air), and great for your brand (you can put your name on those massive air balloons).

Laziness - I’m surprised he wasn’t too lazy to leave his house!

Pierre Finds Fame - “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” Being great wasn’t the problem. Not being able to retain that greatness was the problem. Poor Pierre.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

But you need a really big garage to put the zeppelin in. 😉 Poor Pierre is right!

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Bill Adler's avatar

On an alternate Earth, giant airships roam the skies.

Thanks again for a delightful collection of stories and musings.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

I would love that. I took a hot-air ballon ride in Albuquerque a few years ago. It was one of my favorite experiences.

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Bill Adler's avatar

I've never been in one, but I very much want to.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Do it if you ever get the chance. 🙂

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Jack Herlocker's avatar

I remember Pierre — I'm glad you're giving some of your old stories new life, Mark!

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Jack. That was my primary goal with this newsletter. Digging up the buried treasures for a new audience. 🤓

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John K Adams's avatar

I should join that lazy society, but never seem to have the time.

Pierre is right. Greatness is a curse. Best to leave it to amateurs and politicians.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

🤣 I know the feeling. Yes, greatness is highly overrated. As you well know.

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John K Adams's avatar

So lonely...

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Mark Starlin's avatar

🤣

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Emily's avatar

oh Pierre!!!

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Mark Starlin's avatar

What a life he had. 🙂

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Cyn Taylor's avatar

Silly Pierre. He should have sold the painting, then moved the Middle East and brokered peace. Then on to Russia to do the same, etc., etc. Although, that is probably not a one-time thing either.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Interesting idea. Brokering peace is certainly an art form. But I imagine Pierre had experienced enough of the spotlight and decided he preferred obscurity. 🤣

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Justin Deming's avatar

Haha! I love your “old guys on a bench” comics. They always give me a good chuckle. Also, I was happy to see Pierre learn from his mistakes! Great stories all around.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks Justin. Like me, Pierre learns the hard way. But I haven’t found any magic art utensils yet. 🤓

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