Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 04, 2014

Have a happy and safe weekend!

Well, at least his heart is in the right place…and Rosa’s, too… ;)

“La Vie En Rosa”“South Side Story”“Annie Get Your Gunther”“South Specific”“The Sound Of Music To My Ears”“Happy Together” ♫“You Make-A My Dreams Come True” ♫“How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You” ♫“You’ve Made Me So…Very Happy” ♫or“The Golden Ticket”

Quill and Mrs. Berger made a more realistic couple than these two people do.

Why is the school bell ringing? Its for the 4th of July!!! Happy 4th of July weekend all! ’Nite…“see” you in a couple of days…-—————————————————————————-(A classic) “Something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.” (Mark Twain, 1835-1910)

“I notice that when Gunther asks Rosa if she wants him to go to Peru with her, she doesn’t exactly answer that question.” ^“Actions speak louder than words”. A very oft used maxim, to be sure, but evidenced here. – A loud, resounding “GUNTHER!” followed by a hug that means more to him than Luann ever did….

You think that’s something? Wait til you get to Peru.

“Two Tickets To Paradise” ^Right on the (Eddie) Money!

Wait and see what she’ll give you if you go to the moon.

A good hug beats even the Frenchiest kiss 87.5% of the time

Yielding a plethora of lunatics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kl4hJ4j48s

They’ve switched parts, but I rather think this is their song.

“A whole new world…”

2nd chorus, slight repeat: “♫…Unpack your bags while we get de-liced…♫”

I really hope Gunther gets this Hottie. Luann’s future is still up for grabs.

Goodbye Gunther, Old Man. Gonna Miss Ya, dude.The Strip WON’T be the same without YOU what with all the “Perfect” Department Store Manikins like Q-Ball runnin’ around.

Alas Poor Gunther, Done IN by His Creator’s catering to the “Female Demographic.”

Anyways, I think this removes all reasonable doubt that this is essentially Rosa’s plan C being executed to perfection. She took a gamble and it paid off big.

I’m still persuaded that this was all Rosa’s plan, and that she played Gunther like a kazoo throughout. Good for her and good for him! This will be a growth experience for Gunther, far more valuable to him than going from one classroom directly to another. He can still start college at the end of this, or next, summer — unless, of course, he and Rosa have started something else by then.

It remains to be seen whether Greg will show us scenes in Peru. I can’t see why he won’t, even though he’s never really taken the audience very far from Pittsville (well, how far away was drama camp?). He’s taking the strip in a new direction, and may indeed have the remaining characters start to behave less like high schoolers and more like young adults.

So long, Knute. Best of luck at the homeless shelter.

I wonder if he’ll actually show us, onscreen, Gunther and Rosa having a serious conversation about the physical aspects of their relationship, potential religious perspectives, and so forth. Greg has presented them both as very thoughtful and mindful so far, very aware of their long-term plans.

I’d love to see Tio Sergio (I know we haven’t been told his name, but it’s pretty obvious!) spelling out what he will and will not tolerate and his responsibility to Rosa in lieu of her parents.

I suspect we’ll just have to assume Gunther found a place to stay and a source of income in the time between yesterday’s breakfast and today. I very much doubt Tio Sergio would let him stay under the same roof as Rosa, and even less that he could, or would, conceal that from her parents!

a great 4th of July to all of you and - ok, she hugs him, but does he hug back, or even only smile and close his eyes? Nah, just another morsel to tell about his own precious self… Gunther is the most selfish, non compassionate (let’s not even think about passion, in that department a huff and a rant is all he can do)… nah, seriously… Rosa, run!!!!

Looking at the building’s design. I’m more inclined to think that it is the city hall.

Look at the first panel. The pathway appears to have a downwards gradient. That is why they appear to be of equal height.

“For Whom the Bell Tolls”

A safe and happy 4th to all. Batten down them hatches on the East Coast!

Gunther, you did it man! Now follow through and enjoy!

Rosa’s ardent reaction leaves me no doubt that she does want Gunther to be with her in Peru. And his reaction to her hug is very Gunther-ishly tender. I hope that bell rings out joy for these two kids!

For those who think Rosa doesn’t want Gunther to come along, just doesn’t like him period..The way she reacted tells all, leaping in with a big hug, is her expression of happiness..I think he means her reaction, not the actual hug.

I don’t think her 1st reaction would be to kiss him. Hugging is mainly the 1st, a kiss may follow soon after..This will either strengthen their relationship or end it.They will be leaning on each other a lot the first few months because they don’t know anyone else down there etc.Rosa’s uncle of course is excepted for her.

This being the 4th of July, I’ve seen mention in other cartoons as well as in the news that we should ring a bell, jingle cars keys, or somehow make the noise of a bell at 2 pm to ‘let freedom ring’ across the US to honor those who have served or are serving for our freedom and protection, aka military, firefighting, police, and the like [I am sure I have forgotten something]. This is likely more of Greg’s tribute.

Greg Evans, you aren’t getting ready to retire Luann are you? You are tying up all the loose ends lately. Making me nervous. Can’t live happily without my daily dose of Luann.

Please, it hurt like cragy when we lose even a character, but the entire4 stiip?? Say it ain’t so.

“Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded.” —Yogi Berra

For whom the bell tolls??

Four kids and grinding impoverishment later, they will be getting divorced, each blaming the other for having ruined their lives.

.. and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. . . . from Meditation 17 by John Donne

Gunther won’t have a good time in Peru. He can’t just change his personality like that. Rosa will regret encouraging him to go. Mrs. B may be the only one who benefits from this. And whatever man she has in mind to go wild with.

You forget Greg’s penchant for Deus Ex Machina. Gunther will come out of this an adult who is no longer shy, ever, with no mental problems to speak of. In a comic strip, you must toss all you know of psychology out the window.

I’ve been to Peru,many were killed…WCFields

they never do.

Another baby step, Gunth, and a great reward.

“Please — I don’t think IamJayBluE wants to have to post that article again…” ^Or the other articles. Or the video interviews and audience expos he’s done (that explicitly state that he’s not going to retire)…-Or the other pieces that others have posted…. – So, in essence, don’t worry, Greg has said that “Luann” isn’t going anywhere!…. Well, the strip isn’t… but she might have to go to the bathroom, or go shopping or something, or…..

I also thought about “Embraceable You”, but there was already enough “mush”, heh, heh….

Just think about it… in fictional works (and sometimes in real life), the one may still “hold a candle” for someone else, and constantly bring them up… when has Gunther did that about Luann since meeting Rosa? It seems that Gunther knows not only “which side his bread is buttered on”, but knows when to “call a spade a spade”. He hasn’t once tried that crazy “make Luann jealous” sort of thing….

Not only that, but Les is too lazy to go. And he’d probably get lost in the airport, anyway. And there’s…. “cameras” ….

Re: “…elevator….”^Ha ha ha ha!!!!

Or you could go for the Jimmy Buffett version: ^ “Gunther Berger in Paradise…” ^Good one! – But….you do realize that Jimmy was lamenting that there wasn’t any good burgers in paradise, don’t you? That was the basis for that wonderful ode…. and conveniently , a good name to “place” upon all those restaurants and frozen foods! (That, and “Margaritaville” products)….

“….as the best thing that ever happened to him…” ^Exactly. “Exit, stage left, even”….(perhaps even with a possible return, later… who knows?)

The boy needed motivation! Sometimes, life is like that…. no crime!

You can play this game all day. - And so can “Baghdad Bob”…. (There are no American tanks here! [cue tank rolling by]) okay, that’s one… but there are no Americans here! [cue soldier asking for a light]) etc….)

What’s wrong with it is that Mr. Evans didn’t draw that happening. That’s the basis for all of this. The rest is just our “preferences” and “choices” being bantered about. So, obviously, nothing wrong with “Staying and getting a degree”, and nothing wrong with “leaving, etc.”. But the whole crux depends upon what (as you like to point out) “What’s been drawn” ….

You’re still doing well

these kids have been in school a looooong time ;) i think it’s time they really get out into the world!

> If he fails, he fails. He’ll be the better fro having tried. Like his Mom said, he needs to discover more about who he is.>The same thing could be said about his going to Moony Uni. Maybe he will find that engineering isn’t for him, after all. But if it doesn’t work out, at least he will have tried, and he will have been pursuing his ambition, not someone else’s. And he will have discovered more about who he is (a tailor, at heart).

Gunther leaving the nest, going with Rosa, July 4th, school bell ringing…Independence Day?…

There you go again, assuming the worst possible motives..Gunthie’s mother knew expanding his experiences would be good for him. She has always put his good ahead of her own.His moving out will be good for her in some ways and she wants him comfortable doing so, knowing she will be okay.

Gunthie may not like it and decide Rosa’s affection and passion isn’t worth it.Or he may decide it IS worth it.Or he may decide he DOES like it and decide to stay.Or he may like it but decide he needs an engineering education to help them better.Or he may take engineering courses online while there.Or he may decide sewing is his passion and bring out a line which redirects the entire Peruvian culture down a checkered path.Or Tiffany may track him down to make clothes for her in her next twelve movies and let him know she has secretly wanted him ever since Rosa laid eyes on him.Or…

She did – she answered with a big hug.

> Had a good life in general, but to this day ask “what if”.>Then maybe your friends from back in high school would have gone on to college, got their degrees, become successful in business, raised families, enjoyed time with their friends, helped out in their communities, and generally found real happiness in quiet ways without bold adventures, while you would have been in Australia, married to a nanny, and wondering “What if?”.

And don’t forget that there were people who said Marco Polo, Columbus, Vespucci, Magellan, Cook, and a host of others were crazy…. that they’d also fail… – Or as I stated previously, those that “settled” the west…. From it springs a host of wonders, culinary delights, and for some, Disneyland…. if no one decided to venture out and leave behind the “cushy and settled and ‘safe’ East”, who knows how things would have worked out…. To the victor goes the spoils, and to the intrepid goes the satisfaction…..

Gunther Jr. is 9 months out…

And maybe he will meet the real love of his life at Moony Uni, a girl who will make him forget all about Rosa the very first moment he sees her, dressed head-to-toe in plaid.

Ask not for whom the bell tolls…

Nah. I’m completely in favor of Gunther going…and here’s why…

His dreams aren’t sacrificed for this yet. He’s got 3 months there before school starts. He’s got 15 months there before he loses deferred enrollment.

I imagine, if it doesn’t work with Rosa, it’ll fail, if not in the first 3 months, at least within the first 15. So really, as well.

Deferred enrollment is a thing, people. This is no time to panic over Gunther’s future. He’s fine.

And the other side of Peru is…what if it works? What if he finds his cajones down there? What if he becomes the man Rosa always wanted him to be? What if Rosa IS his one true love?

And all those things are made 10000 times more likely by this being a comic strip. Never forget this isn’t a real person we’re talking about.

What I don’t like is sending Gunther to Peru as a lazy way of writing him out of the strip. I think a better way would be to send him to Moony and then just stop writing about him. After all, the focus of the strip in the coming era should be Luann and her new classmates at Pitt CC rather than her former classmates who are now at Moony.

About that building in the background— is it a church? Or is it City Hall, or possibly the Courthouse?

Getting married to Gunther is somewhere around “Plan Z” on Rosa’s list of things to do with her life.

When Miguel, Aaron Hill, Ann Eifel (temporarily), and Quill (temporarily) are each written out of the strip by sending them overseas (even though Hawaii is a US state, it’s still overseas), then it’s really not a “creative option” but just a contrived plot device, and hence “lazy”. (Yes, in my opinion.)

“Or, for some, Hollywood (or, as some call it, HollyWEIRD)”. ^LOL! And that’s why I left that one out…. blame it on the Kardashians, ha ha ha!!!

Turing into a Twilight Zone…"Submitted for your a-Peru-val.