I just realized that last week's story arc should have run this week. Today is the traditional "reverse-proposal" day.

A marriage made in heaven: Jeff, who actively works at being a waste of space, and an infinity pool which is ... a waste of space.

Jeff is having his version of Mike's Summer Fantasy. Publicity tour authors don't get infinity pools.

All that money for something that looks like an airport lounge. If a fool and his money are soon parted, what do you call someone who parts with money he never had in the first place?

Yes, Alex is used to being on top of things, the master of (almost) all situations. But remember her freshman angst at MIT? For once, she was afraid she wasn't up to the challenge, but she made it. Now there's Leo, and Leo can turn her down. Such power!

Alex may not have chronic self esteem issues, but facing possible (if not probable) rejection by the opposite sex usually rattles even the most confident modern young woman. This is just another example of why Alex seems so real to me. Can't wait to see what twists GBT puts on this storyline.

I suddenly have a strong suspicion that Jeff's recent meteoric rise is going to be followed by an even more entertaining fall back to earth. And if he has Zip along for the ride, so much the better.

Thanks for the memories. The Alex/Leo courtship takes me back a half-century. Even so, it's hard to really remember that I was once that young. Of course, so was Mary. But we're still here -- and together. So even geeks can find lasting love.

Yes, Rick the Blogger wears a tie at home to blog. It's his last remnant of employment as a professional journalist, It's a reminder of the standards he still holds in high regard. Would Edward R Murrow have to blog today, because no one would hire him?

I love the people who contribute their thoughts and opinions to Blowback almost as much as I love the characters in the strip. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to make this such a wonderful, insightful forum.

I don't get it. Since when does Alex have low self-esteem? This is the girl who laughed at a guy drawing a gun on her; who was the captain of her soccer team; who told off Uncle Stupidhead.

Please, sum up, sum up! I can't stand all this suspense! I need to know how the Alex/Leo storyline resolves. It's been dragged out for two weeks, and we still don't have an answer. Help us, GBT!

Great drawings on Wednesday. I just want to say they thrilled me. Thanks!

"You lousy commie gook!" If I had not been hooked already 40 years ago, today's Flashback strip would have done it. Since then I've watched in awe how GBT developed the characters and held the mirror to America, for those who cared to look into it and see themselves.

As mothers-in-law go I don't think Alex's prospective mother-in-law is all that much worse than Leo's. As for prospective stepfathers-in-law -- I'm quite looking forward to Leo's first meeting with Uncle Stupidhead.

In the words of Alex's people: Zomg teh drama!

Rick the blogger sitting in his home office wears a tie?

As a 50-something Army retiree I identify with Leo in many ways, so I’ve been reading this week's strips as intently as anyone else. In addition, for some reason I’m also paying attention to the Blowback. I believe marriage is nothing more than a civil contract between two individuals regardless of their gender or sexuality. However, I do appreciate what is important about marriage or any relationship; honor, love and faith in another person to always do what’s right even under the most trying circumstances. So I find it disheartening to read some of the Blowback posts. One reader can’t understand why Leo must “ask for Alex’s hand in marriage." Well, I can answer that. It's called honor. He is honoring a long-held tradition that is obviously important to him. Another reader laments about Leo’s mom, stating “Alex should have run the first time she met her." It’s called faith. Based on their relationship. Leo has given Alex the faith to believe she will always come first in their marriage. It’s obvious Leo and Alex love each other in a traditional and nontraditional way and it works very well for them. They will do just fine without our help or meddling.

I wonder what or who can save Alex from her lack of self-confidence. The redhead?

I wonder if I'm the only one that has doubts about Alex marrying Leo. Think of the mother-in-law she'll be getting! I'll never understand why Alex didn't run the first she met her.