Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for June 25, 2014

You’re back-pedaling, Gunther! ;)

Okay…. First ‘Quill!’ has Gunther to roll down a hill…. Then he is encouraging Gunther to “go ahead and leave?” Maybe it’s part of his “secret plan”, to come to the US to get him out of the way… I wonder why?…. – Reminds me of those first moments when the “boy in the bubble” can’t believe his next steps……

“♫….Now if youre feelin kinda low bout the dues you,ve been payingFutures coming much too slowAnd you wanna run but somehow you just keep on stayinCant decide on which way to goYeah, yeah, yeah

I understand about indecisionBut I dont care if I get behindPeople livin in competition All I want is to have my peace of mind …♫”

-Boston, 1976 (follow link in blue above, and enjoy!)

“Peace Of Mind”“On A Cliff, Taking Notes”“Roller Coaster… Of Love” ♫“You’ve Got Me Going In Circles” ♫“Axis: Bold As Love” ♫“You’re A Heartbreaker….Risk Taker…”or“Please Don’t Take A Fence…. I’m Stiting There!”

The mouse that roared.

For Gunther, tying his shoes “under and over” instead of “over and under” is “risky, insanely irrational, and… dangerously rebellious fun!”…

That pic of Mrs. Berger looks an awful lot like a "telescreen"… with that whole “Big Mama is watching! Hugs and Kisses!…Oh, and a cookie!” kind of feel….

Be bold, daring, go for it!

“Brought to you” by….The new ‘Wishy Washy’ 3000.. " Trust in our spin * to get you turned around, and feeling good, again!"… “from Plotz’ Devices…”

Late night…see y’all later on in the day. ‘Nite all… ;)-—————————————————————————-“There once was a man who said, ’Damn! It is borne in upon me I am An engine that moves In predestinate grooves, I’m not even a bus, I’m a tram.‘"(as written at St. John’s College, Oxford, in 1905; Maurice Evan Hare, 1886-1967)

How does he have enough money for that, must be nice..

Reminds me of an idealistic doctor named Tom Dooley, “the jungle doctor” of Southeast Asia back in the late 50’s and of another idealistic doctor who wanted to join him. Dooley, said okay, I’m in Laos. My acquaintance had to find his way to Laos without any instructions and hunt down Dr. Dooley. He found him and also found a wife. Dooley died young and I met the other doctor at a little 10 bed dispensary on Taiwan in the early 60’s. Don’t know what ever happened to him, so the story has no ending.

We all know the saying about the reasonable man and the unreasonable man.

Oh… I’d love to see that.

Yup… the “killer butterflies” will find him , first !

Youuuuuu will like Peruuuuuuu.

Belinda, I apologize if I sound as if I’m dripping with sarcasm, but I genuinely want to welcome you to the discussion here.

OK, maybe a little sarcasm. But seriously, thank you for participating, and you make a valid point.

I think Greg is a little less concerned with the practical realities involved in moving his characters through their stories. That’s fair, he’s a cartoonist. The rest of us (some of the rest of us) tend to get tied up in speculations about work permits, passports, expenses and all. We ponder and analyze the reactions of other offstage characters, like Rosa’s parents in the current arc. Greg doesn’t need to recognize the limitations we operate under, unless he wants to.

I hope you’ll enjoy being part of the conversation, and I mean that sincerely.

It sounds like what he wants to do is more long term than a dinner date. I hope Rosa tells him it’s a mistake.

There are so many factors beyond Gunther’s initial burst of resolve—funding, passport, mode of transport, Rosa’s approval (!), Mom’s approval, place to stay…. It’s no wonder Gunther has second thoughts—well he should. Quill should not be too flip in what he says to his new “brother” at this crucial juncture….

One step at a time, Gunther, Get your degree from Moony Uni, and then decide whether Peru fits into your plans. By then you may have forgotten about Rosa entirely (or you both may be married to other people!), but at least you will have your degree. Running away to South America in pursuit of a girl who has been your high school not-particularly girlfriend is a really bad idea. Peru could ruin your life. It’s a really rough place – lots of open fields.

Gunther, you need to discuss your plans with Rosa before acting on it. Best wishes Gunther.

Gunther – just don’t forget to take the picture of your mother that is on your chest of drawers.

Take it, but don’t put it up on that new chest of drawers, A “constant reminder” of what’s back home might cause him to bail on the idea early from homesickness. Take the picture (so to please Mom), but keep it “in” one of those drawers…. Look at it only when you want/need to.

C’Mon Gunth! Don’t lose the momentum! You got this!

Oh, GOOD-GAW!

You Know What, Gunth?GO to Peru!That’s Right, GO!Go Chase a Young Woman You’ve had Mixed feelings about to some Strange Country where You CAN’T even SPEAK the Language and get Kidnapped by some of the “Down-Trodden” Who, after one Look at YOU in “Action”, think that YOU might better as “Hostage” than Any Sort “Help” and THROW You into some Damp, Rat Infested Prison, While THEY Wait for the US Embassy to “Pony Up the DOUGH.”

And Don’t Worry, G-Man. I’m Sure the “Inmates” Will get a REAL Kick out of Your “Dress-Making” Skills.

Defeat snatched from the Jaws of Victory.

Good point. Sanely irrational makes no sense. Methinks insanely irrational may be phrased to drive home the point as an intensifier, like the French use of double negative.

Actually, Rosa did invite Gunther along.

Not bad, your comment, not you. Still in reality sexual attractions often produce irrational behavior. This is a good thing or else humanity would have died out qt the get-go.

LOL!!! Jello Spine!!!

-Why do I keep thinking “Gary Coleman” when I look at Panel 2-Since Gary Coleman died in May of 2010, I hope it’s not because you’re having some kind of precognition thing about Gunther kicking the bucket….

The last thing Gunther needs is a self-absorbed ditz like Luann. Rosa is a MAJOR step up.

[Ugh!]++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Gunther…. snap out of IT (both “its”…. at one extreme, trying to be “Indiana Jones & Sean Connery”… and at the other extreme, being a vacillating waffle)!++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++You have just graduated from high school. What is it, that YOU would like to do/become in life? It seems that the most consistent, long term goal you have had is to become an engineer. So, you should at least give it a real try before you abandon it for a girl who is one you have at best, casually dated, for about a year or so. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Also, just a general comment…. I am surprised by how many commenters here tend to bash Gunther’s mother. They suggest all sorts of very negative things about her relationship with Gunther. I do not see any of that portrayed in the comic. She seems like a very kind, gentle, traditional sort of mother, who tries to do her best in the single-parent situation she finds herself in. Gunther’s own “quirks” are NOT in my opinion, directly attributable to Gunther’s mother’s behaviors or actions.

You only go around once in this life, Gunth.

Gunther, off to Peru! Where he meets Aaron Hill, they fall in love and start their own spin-off comic.

This way seems good.

Dave53… I agree with you. I think it is perfectly fine for an 18 year old to travel, go, or live half way around the world if he/she chooses. And, if Rosa and/or Gunther CHOOSE that, it is fine. My beef with Gunther is really with the obvious lack of forethought by Gunther… who seems willing to dump everything he has thought and planned concerning his own future, to follow, puppy-dog-like to Peru for a girl he has been (at best) casually dating. In terms of Rosa, my beef stems from her going through a lot of actions and a lot of money to apply and get accepted at Yale…. with seemingly absolutely no desire to go…. what a waste of time, what a waste of effort, what a waste of money, and what a rather disrespectful way to treat her parents. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++I personally think that a SUMMER ONLY trip to Peru WOULD be wonderful for both of them as long as it can be afforded financially, but that both would be best off being in their respective Universities in the FALL.

It’s not just a case she was making, it actually was that way. I posted those strips two days ago (near the top) where she said just that …..

I also agree with what you’ve said about the differences and thought processes about this, between one generation and some others…. - I also notice that today’s 18 Y.O. has a different “mentality” than in the past. With the advent of “social media”, plenty of tech gadgets, and a lot of breakdowns in the English language, the whole trend is seeming to go the way of “instant gratification”, more of an emphasis on self, rather than an awareness of the world around them (and it’s history) and less of a formal ‘construct’ (in terms of style of dress, their addressing others in a much less formal way, and a few other ways as well).

Here are some of the previous strips, that shows Rosa’s thought process: –

She did when she mentioned Peru- look at how he took it! – So, of course she had to do it the way that she did.

Luann herself understood this very fact about Gunther’s “nature”. But Rosa still sees something more in him that Luann to this point still has not …

Actually, Superman has posed with his fists on his hips (Since the advent of DC in the ‘30s)… If Gunther’s hands were in the “reverse” position (palms resting on rear hips instead of front of hips) then there might be that case….

ReallyBad…. I appreciate your comment… " Apparently getting a PhD and being there for your family is a horrible life choice and Gunther is a loser for it. He also didn’t jump up and down announcing his future plans so he secretly hates them. Being with Rosa is clearly the only way Gunther can have a meaningful life."++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++I agree with your (sarcastic) statement. Gunther’s college plans are nothing to be sneezed at. He is (apparently now we should say, WAS) being very strong and very responsible. Yes…. I too think (sarcasm intended) that we should denigrate his character and his original choices…. because they were so….. so…. so…… uh…. “foolish”….. uh, no……. uh….. “self-centered”… uh, no….. uh…. Hmmm.

Rosa doesn’t seem like the type of girl who would respect a man who gave up his dreams for her. Gunther has plans for his life that he really does want to do. He won’t respect himself if he gives them up.

there is an engineering school in Lima(and a good one to boot), and we know that everyone expects him to go engineering or something similar, but his real passion is being a tailor and being behind the scenes of a theater production, while going to Lima’s engineering school, he could get a job here!! http://www.limaeasy.com/have-fun-in-lima/theaters-in-lima/grand-national-theater-of-peru, and those who say “they have nothing in common”, taking aside that Rosa is more worldly and sure of herself, and Gunther is not sure of himself and is in a shell; both of them like school and are straight A students, both are caring and sweet people and both enjoy talking to each other(taking aside that Rosa wants him to be more spontaneous)

Greg, please don’t make Gunther sound so feminine “Oh, I don’t know! Does it sound insanely irrational?” with hands on cheeks? Please – that is so a female gesture and wording. Man Gunther up, please. I know he is timid, a mama boy, all that, but he has graduated. It is time for him to grow up and be more masculine.

-You’re right, I didn’t notice that! LOL!!!

Thank you for making me laugh while drinking a smoothie.

-From the website ‘bodylanguagetrainer’ about achieving dominance through body language: -“…Another way to show dominance is to make yourself look bigger. Putting your hands on your hips and spreading your legs is a great way to accomplish that…”

Oh, Gunther, are you going to end up like you did at the bottom of that little hill? It’s a big, scary world out there, and you are only 18. What if you get hurt? How is your mother going to drive down to Peru to get you to the doctor if you get hurt? You have a college right there, just a few miles from your home, and your mommy has to pay taxes for that college.

I hope he’s had his shots. Hepatitis A & B, definitely, and I think there are a few more needed for people staying longer than a few days.

ISEP, the International Student Exchange Program, has been operating at US colleges and Universities since 1979. It allows for foreign study for students from any member college or uni ( and there are a lot; 9 in California, 14 in North Carolina). There are even some graduate school programs.

There are some “exchange programs”. Sort of a “learning abroad” experience, but the programs vary by school. Some “Conferences” (SEC Big 10, ACC, Big 12, Pac 10) also have a “group” program between the schools working together. – Of course, students must qualify and the requirements vary by school/conference…..

Here is another one…

and another one. Note the “travel voucher” with this one….

I know it’s a btt long, but it gives an idea about how finance can become more manageable. This from US News:

The only problem with going through your own college: what if it doesn’t go where you want? In this case, it’s time to expand your horizons. The U of M, for example, offers a number of programs open to non-University students, and there are programs such as Butler University’s Institute for Study Abroad that coordinate study abroad opportunities around the world for students from all over the country. These are a great alternative, but you’ll have to be especially on the ball in terms of financing; IFSA-Butler, for example, requires your college to process financial aid transfer and payments.

On the plus side, you can apply for both general and destination-specific scholarships that range from $1,000 to $5,000 for semester-long trips to places like Egypt, Australia, Costa Rica, and the British Isles. And the outside scholarships posted on the IFSA-Butler site point to some other excellent opportunities, such as the Boren Scholarships (up to $20,000 per year for lingustic/cultural immersion in underrepresented areas) and the State Department-sponsored Gilman Scholarships (up to $5,000 a year for students receiving Pell Grant assistance).

In addition to these college-managed programs, there are also quite a few independently managed study abroad organizations, and they’re also worth a look. IES Abroad, AIFS Abroad, and SIT Study Abroad all coordinate overseas programs for undergraduate students in the United States, with some variations. SIT, for example, focuses all of their programs on critical global issues, so you select not only a location but also a very specific area of study; IES coordinates not only student programs but also overseas internships.

Each of these organizations has a long history and accredited/transferable credits; they also all offer some significant scholarship aid if you sign up for one of their programs. IES provides need, merit, diversity, and legacy-based scholarships, though this aid is restricted to students attending one of the 180 or so colleges in its Consortium. (If you’re at a public school in the Consortium, you get an automatic $1,500 credit.) AIFS offers a number of general and program-specific scholarships and grants, including up to $1,000 for previous AIFS students returning for another program. (AIFS also partners with DiversityAbroad to offer additional diversity scholarship opportunities.) And SIT features a number of specific scholarships that you can apply for via one common application.

Finally, keep an eye on this list of scholarships from StudyAbroad.com for a frequently updated list of options, including program sponsors and scholarship aid from host areas like Germany and the U.K.

College is indeed a journey, and if your journey takes you outside the United States, make sure you explore all these options.

The University of Md. offers travel abroad with a variety of programs (including exchange ) as can be seen here…

Gunther can’t be an exchange student, because he hasn’t even been a student yet. He needs to enroll in Moony Uni and study there first!

I do not think Gunther’s “plans” were plans as much as they were just his reading of the road he saw in front of him. The path of least resistance. Taking a sudden turn is certainly risky, but not a bad thing in itself. It could be the best thing he ever does, or it could be a disaster. But one thing is sure, not taking that turn would lead to regret later.

He has to do it.

Gunther hasn’t tried to change Rosa, because he has never been outside of a certain bounds. He has no frame of reference to “change” her. – Rosa hasn’t tried to “change” Gunter, save her trying to open his eyes to possibilities outside of what he has known before. She doesn’t want to change him, only to show him where she wants to go. She hopes that he may be inclined to do the same, but she never said that she wants for him to be “uncomfortably conforming to another’s wishes”. When she “gave him the talk” about being more bold, that was the time when she was letting him know that there was a future “crossroads” which could have “made or broken” their relationship. – There’s a big difference between persuasion and trying to change a person. Someone trying to change a person usually involves them saying “You can’t enjoy your friends anymore. You can’t enjoy your hobbies., etc.”. That is not what Rosa has been doing.

He was a CHILD and the movie was a comedy which is an exaggeration of the reality. Comics might be considered a “comedy” but Gunther is definitely drawn and sounded to be effeminate. Not very many women go for effeminate men so Rosa is unique. She sees something in Gunther that most women don’t