Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for June 28, 2014

Rosa’s probably doing her “tootinest” to contain her glee and excitement from “leaking into” her voice….Come to think of it, Gunther must be experiencing “wildfires and electric sparks”, also ! She probably feels like it were the “Publishers’ Clearinghouse”, “Jeopardy”, and “the ultimate dream job hiring call”…. all in one…. -And naturally set up as a cliffhanger, if there ever was one!… – Whichever way you decide, the “eyes, ears and hearts” of a lotta people are waiting to hear your response, Gunthman!

Well, it Sounds like Rosa would like Gunther to follow her to Peru…but she is astute enough to know that he will have a problem making up his mind. Gunther! Why not go down there and stay for the summer (actually it would be winter there, I believe), and see if your relationship will be going Anywhere…Then go back to MU to follow Your dream… ;)

Not exactly a brush-off, but far from an attempt to persuade him to come along. It seems that she most certainly won’t be all that upset if he stays behind. It’s time to check out the coeds at Moony Uni, Gunther.

I will make it easy for you Gunther, there is a good engineering school in Lima, and you could get a job doing costumes at the national theater, you get to learn spanish AND you will be with Rosa………………. remember, she said “love to have you in Peru, but I want it to be your decision, I am anxiously waiting for your decision………and respect it, even if it might mean not being with you”

Interesting how the last panel is black…

I really like Rosa! She is encouraging Gunther to think things out AND THEN make a decision!

My guess… she would like a Gunther who was courageous and takes responsibility for his own choices to join her and isn’t that concerned if a Gunther with cold feet or looking for someone to pass the responsibility for the choice off (onto her) doesn’t show up.

would not be surprised if at first gunt says “going to stay” and shows at the last second in the airport with suitcases and all and tells Rosa, “I am going to Peru!!!”

Given Gunther’s family’s economic circumstances she might also be leery of causing him to decline a scholarship. So, it might go beyond wondering what his adaptive limits may be.

“ Love, South American Style "“ The Waiting Game "" Love Light Connection "" The Love Transportation System Vehicle "" I Love Rosa "or " Teen Acres Is The Place To Be…."

It still seems to me that Gunther is Not thinking rationally: where will he get the airline tickets And personal funds?; where will he stay?; what will he do with himself while Rosa is at the clinic helping her uncle?; does he have enough Spanish skills to understand potential instructors if he chooses to attend a university there?; does he understand the culture of the people he will be meeting?; what will he do when his mother asks him not to go with Rosa and rather concentrate on his own dream?…and so forth and so on… ;)

Please, remember, too, Rosa has always expressed that she has always had to initiate things between her and Gunther…. – She gave him that talk for a reason!

I fail to understand why a Luann-Gunther relationship is best for the both of them, Levi. They are far apart both intellectually and emotionally. Neither seems to have enough in common with each other to support a serious relationship. Luann is going to Community College while Gunther will most likely live in a dorm to get the real college experience. And, she is much more decisive than Gunther appears to be. Sure, they are good friends, but I can’t see them having a permanent relationship with each other. JMO… ;)

She really does want for him to go: –

“I want you with me with all my heart, but only if your heart is in it. I don’t want my happiness at the expense of your happiness.”(For those who don’t speak Rosa-speak.)

Rosa is tiring of this relationship. For instance, she seems never to have given serious thought (or maybe any thought at all) to the possibility of her staying with him, by enrolling at Moony Uni herself. On Rosa’s list of priorities, Gunther does not rank near the top. And that’s exactly how it should be, at their age! There is absolutely no good reason why they should change their life plans to be together, and there’s plenty of good reasons why they shouldn’t.

That would be Great!!! Dave53 gave me some directions, but not being a computer diva, I still need to chew on that. I need All the input one can give!!! ;)

Ha ha! I wonder if it’s a timeshare. If so, one of them is getting their money’s worth! – Or both. Come for the tours, stay for the exercise!

I’ve had a very draining day what with my IS girl getting sick because she ate something she shouldn’t have! Then I had to take her to the vet so she could get re-hydrated and get a couple of shots to take care of her nausea and inflamed stomach. Anyway, she’s now resting peacefully and kept some of the i/d canned dog food that we gave her down! So, I am signing off as we Both need to rest! ’Nite all! ;)-————————————————————————————“Where my heart lies, let my brain lie also.”(Robert Browning, 1812-1889)

;)

I concur. This is actually Rosa at her most mature. She understands that’s essentially asking the moon of the shy Gunther, but she’s actually in love enough to consider what is best for him.

Remember what Brad told Luann, earlier. “Love is hard, cause it’s selfless.”

Taking Rosa’s action in the best way, she’s understanding that.

She seems to know what she wants to prioritize … And it does not seem to be him.

That expedited passport is expensive! Well, not as bad as a flight to Peru. But how is Gunther going to finagle that in two weeks?

Come on Gunth, find your grapefruits!

As for affording the move, Gunthers dad died before he was born. That would mean that he’s been collecting Social Security all these years. I bet his mom has saved a few bucks for him over the years.

Rosa’s trying her darnedest to get Gunther to understand that he should want to go to Peru because he wants to, not just because he’s following her.

It is amazing to me how much difference there is in the way that different people read this. To me, it is clear that Rosa wants Gunther to go, and is very wisely leaving it up to him to make up his own mind on the subject. It is equally as clear that Gunther is finally going to get the chance to, as another commenter said, learn how to roll down a hill. The only question is, is he ready to make the leap. Even considering his hesitation, I believe he is. It is the only way he can to prove to Rosa that he is able be the man she hopes he can be. Many are bashing the idea of going as being too dangerous to his future, but sometimes one has to risk much, and even lose much, to truly be happy.

I’d follow Rosa to the ends of the earth. Have you got that much dedication Gunther?

Yes, Rosa is wise beyond her years. She knows that Gunther still needs to think things through and consider all the possible contingencies; she hopes he will upon careful reflection decide to accompany her to Peru, but will respect his decision, whatever it is….

I think Rosa likes Gunther but doesn’t “Love” him. The las panel disturbs me in that she doesn’t talk to him hardly, just a quick bye. She never displayed any struggle with her emotions over leaving Gunther, did it even occur to her what might happen to their relationship? No! I think she wouldn’t mind if he came along and she would like it but I don’t think she is looking at a long range future with him.

Gunther overthinks everything which makes it hard to make decisions. Life is full of adventures. He will miss out on allot of the good things he can enjoy if he is like Charlie Brown of Peanuts, (wishy-washy). The conversation with Rosa was short. This is what girls do when they are losing interest in you. This happened to me with my ex girlfriend. Think over Gunter. There are Pros and Cons to everything in life. Weigh them and make the best decisions for yourself and someone you want to be with.Looking forward to seeing this play out positive, hopefully not negative. We will see.

“OK? Bye.”

Yeah! She’s so in love with Gunther it practically leaps off the page.

Aw, C’mon! She’s nervous as it is…. Give her a break! She wants Gunther to go, but whe wants it to be his decision. She can’t influence it one way or another. She has to appear neutral to him.

Gunth! You made the right call (to Rosa that is)….

Now, one more “right call” to make….. :-) GO FOR IT DUDE!

It was I’d love you to come with me, not I love you. Dump and run, Gunther, she will make you her slave.

She Hung Up!

She HUNG UP on YOU, G-Mope!

If THAT Doesn’t TELL You How She REALLY “Feels” about YOU, Then I Don’t Know What.

The first panel is obvious that Gunther wants Rosa, but not the other way around.

No relationship should be a one-way street!It is her way or the highway!

The last pane goes dark for a reason; Gunther is in shock as he learns that Rosa is quick to dismiss him.

You can go if you like, but if you don’t, it’s not a problem.For Gunther, it is a problem becuase he is stuck driving down a one way road and has just realized that he is all alone.

Grave danger ahead for Gunther if he goes to Peru!

It just a cartoon and the best cartoon i ever read or fallowed THANKS GREG

To those thinking Rosa’s not in love with him anymore…

That’s not my read. The young lady’s trying to figure out of he’s got the cajones to be with her, if he’s safe to trust her heart with. Gunther hasn’t been the manliest man around, except when he beats up Les, but he needs to prove he can protect and provide for her. Testing him like this is just female instinct.

I suspect Rosa isn’t going to tell him she loves him till they’re on a plane to Peru. Because then she knows it’s real.

This is why it’s best to have conversations like this in person – you can’t practically get hung up on, and more becomes known of the other’s real thoughts.

If she had wanted him in her future she wouldn’t be escaping to Peru.

Don’t go Dude. When she says it’s entirely up to you she means it’s been fun but it’s time to move on.

No, she’s urging you to decide – something you have a problem doing. Don’t dither; decide.

These two are way more sensible than I was at eighteen.

Very nice brush off!

grow some Pelotas Gunther

1) Has Rosa yet told— and freaked out— her folks? If heir approval is in doubt, having the G-man as a backup will help.*2) Is this a lifetime commitment or a summer commitment?*3) I’m scratching right now because all week at work I’ve been dealing with bedbugs, scabies, lice. (Summer’s special curses on the poor.) Would Gunther be able to handle such things— as well as scorpions & snakes? I think he would!

Gunther….capture your dignity, hold your chin high…..& walk away.

I really like Rosa! She is encouraging Gunther to think things out AND THEN make a decision!

As opposed to being “spontaneous”?

I think she finds sufficient spontaneity in the decision itself, rather than his time or process to arrive at it. And t is to her advantage to let him make sure he’s deciding for himself… for a host of reasons.

no mention of the “L” word anywhere. I wouldn’t make any long range plans without hearing it!,,,,,,, from either side of the fence!

For some reason, Rosa reminds me of Ann Eiffel.

They both seem to control the people around them.

T.J. is another individual who has a similar parallel control paradox over people.

Rosa wants him to want to come. She will get along just fine if he chooses not to, however, because she’s ready to move ahead with her own life, with or without Gunther. It would be a far better decision for Gunther to move ahead with his own life, by enrolling in Moony Uni and putting his relationship with Rosa in the “high school memories” file. All these people should not to trying to stretch out high school life; they should be concentrating on the future instead.

> then at least he’s has two weeks of adventure!>And blown his first semester’s tuition money.

She wants him to come along but knows it has to be his decision.Otherwise, if their relationship is long term there is a chance he will resent her for pulling him along down to Peru..He should find out how long is she planning to be there.Months?Years?Indefinitely?

follow your heart gunth!

If Rosa wanted him to come she wouldn’t be in a hurry to get off the phone so fast. She would stick around to answer the many questions he has, like where would he stay, what kind of clinic is it, and how long she is staying in Peru. Gunther would NOT go until he knew the answers to those questions.

I don’t think Rosa cares one way or another. She is focused on her own life, excited about her own adventure. Gunther might hold her back, timid and scared in a foreign country, holding onto Rosa for support and guidance which Rosa would not want or need. Gunther is not the person for Rosa. IMO, Rosa needs to find someone else. Once Gunther realizes Rosa went to Peru for new experiences and to work with her uncle which had nothing to do with HIM, that he has to have his own adventures. I believe he will end up going back home, anyway.

If he follows her to Peru he will be following her his entire life. He needs to find someone who shares the same dreams he has.

Rosa has been thinking about and planning for Peru for a long time. Poor Gunther has just started to think about and is pressured to make a decision. She has had time to do research and sleep on it, he doesn’t.

Eighteen year olds in general are too young and immature to be making decisions like this without their parents’ advice. It’s just too impractical and costly to run off to Peru even if it’s just for the summer, especially for Gunther. If they really are in love, a separation could be just the thing needed to prove it.

From what we have seen, I don’t see them as being mutually in love. And I can hardly imagine that Gunther can afford an expensive trip to Peru.

However, if it is feasible due to affordability, I would love for Gunther to go for the summer and have some adventure with Rosa.

> you forgot to add: “And you’ll continue to lead an absolutely boring nerd life devoid of passion and adventure”.>which may be exactly how Gunther finds satisfaction and contentment in life. Passion and adventure is much more Rosa’s thing, not Gunther’s.

“I’d love you to come with me. Although I’ve been pretty vague about that all along. Let’s just say…I wouldn’t HATE for you to come with me…I guess.”

Rosa told him how she feels, not what to do. He knows how he feels, but doesn’t know what to do, cuz his helicopter mom made all his decisions for him.

True, I’ve been on my own since I was 16, and I consider it to be much earlier since I basically grew up being almost completely ignored, even when I was sick. I made a lot of naive and stupid decisions when I was on my own for the first few years, many of which could have been deadly, and that thankfully I lived through. I sure could have used some guidance at that time. I’ve always been a lot more book smart than street smart.

My awareness indicates that Rosa is trying, in a polite way, to tell Gunther not to follow her down to Peru, as it would not be a situation he could adapt to,,, From personal experience, I (over 30 years ago) had a friend (Bill) whose girlfriend (Sue) told him (only after she had told many other people) that she was moving to Florida (from Minnesota). After she moved, he “followed” her down there, only to find that she had a new boyfriend, who just happened to look similar to himself!

Nonsense. Rosa knows how wishy-washy Gunther is. If she gushed about how much she wanted him there and how much it would mean to her and to their relationship if he came, then he would view that as confirmation of his decision.

Yes, he might go, but under a false pretense, which would only prove detrimental if not fatal to their relationship, later on. Wishy Washy or not, she knows it must be his decision and that he has to make it without any influence from her… if only so that he can’t put the blame on her should the adventure fail (i.e. “YOU MADE ME COME OUT HERE!”). If he remains wishy washy and can’t decide, then the answer is, unfortunately, “no.” If he comes to her with a “yes,” without her campaigning for a given response, then it’s a definite “yes.” And, maybe… just maybe… part of this is her trying to get Gunther to not be so wishy-washy and man up… something she’s tried to do previously.

And, besides, my comment was more in re: your implication that Rosa doesn’t love Gunther that much, given how “quick and abrupt” the phone call (and her disconnection) was. Now, that, was “nonsense!”

Not all 18 year-olds are at the same level of maturity. In fact, some are essentially adults, while some are still adolescents! In today’s installment, Rosa is the former, while Gunther is the latter…

I’m not sure exactly what’s wrong with working on his doctorate in physics at UPC del Peru or UPC de Chile or UPC in Brazil. Total immersion in Espanol starting now—he’s a smart kid and can polish the Spanish with on-line grunt-courses they all offer. He can always do his post doc at MIT which is what is going to count anyway if he’s going into research.

If Gunther stays he will always be the quintessential nerd type. As Seismic and others predict, he would get his degree, go to work for some large company, have a house in the suburbs, etc. etc.

Precisely. And be far less capable of a handling a “Luann” level of relationship (assuming that the Gunth/Lu shippers are correct – i.e. that Gunther and Luann are “destined” for each other, eventually).

If he goes, even if only for the Summer, he will become a more rounded personality, and realize that there is a life beyond academia and the workplace.

And, IMHO, be much better prepared for Lu as a soul mate/partner.

I guarantee you if Gunther had said, “Ok? — Bye!” to Princess Rosa, she would be furious with him for ending the conversation so immediate, as if she was a waste of his precious time!

> you are an evil person to wish that kind of life on anyone.>And who was the evil person who wished that kind of life on Mr. Fogarty? On Frank DeGroot? Could it be that maybe they chose that sort of lives for themselves, because it suits them?

Quill: “I don’t want you to go, Gunny! I’m going to be straight with you mate—I don’t want to be left alone with your mum and all her cookies and pampering, and I DEFINITELY don’t want to be left alone with Luann! In fact, tell Rosa I want to come with you guys!”

I think they are in love, and are too immature to realize it. I do hope they become a couple.

One (of many) things that bothers me about Princess Rosa is that the moment graduation ended, she abruptly ended her association with Prince Gunther, who has been a true gentleman for her Royal Highness!

The sheer amount of hatred some people seem to have for Rosa absolutely bewilders me. It’s like some readers are following a completely different strip from me or something.

That’s so romantic for Gunter !

Let her go Gunth. You’re ready for Bernice now.

Until I read your post, I thought there could be nothing more heartbreaking than receiving a “Dear John” letter.

Actually, there is…. And it’s what I thought of immediately when I saw this post…. Jarhead

You have to watch it to the very end (i.e. right after he returns home)…

OMG! Gunther is going to Peru!

“What if it turns out that Gunther’s dad is now living in Peru as…the husband of Rosa’s mom, unbeknownst to Rosa and Gunther? What an ironic plot twist THAT would be!” ^Heh, heh!!! And it turns out that TJ (who is incidentally South American) is hiding there….and he “blew up” the food truck… not a far cry from “90210” material…….

Gunther’s choice:

SAFE —or——BOLD^Uh, yeah…. those would be the choices!

To be honest, I hadn’t heard of “Safe”. “Bold”, yes! It’s funny how some brands are distinguished by area. For instance, east of the Mississippi, it’s “Hardee’s”. west, it’s “Carl’s Jr.” On the east coast, it’s “Edy’s” ice cream. West? “Dreyser’s”. Same thing for “markets”. We have “Sonic”, “Wawa”, “Sheetz” “Royal Farms” and a few other convenience/short order/carry out stores… probably some of these are “alien” to many others… but everywhere there’s “7-Eleven”…

Now, “Surf” I have heard of!

But I’m still waiting for the “Tide” to come in. I ordered it, yesterday….

No, I don’t really order “Tide” and wait for it to come in, It.. oh, never mind….

And I’ll be seeing stars, after all the shards stay in and power out the next batch of dirt on my clothes.. and also keep my skin free of germs… and flesh…..

After reading all comments:If she had gone to Yale, Gunth would never have stood a chance, coming from a school other than Ivy League. The differences are too great. She would never have looked at him twice! Yale is not cheap!!If he goes, he leaves his Mom all alone. Not too many guys would do that, because of a full sweater. The first thing Rosa will be asked is, “This country is full of young men, why must you be satisfied with a foreigner?”I think, unless he thinks this thru, that she is the ABSOLUTE only one for him, he should let her go. She seems too far out of his league-with money, and a decisive mind. She is leaving him by choice. Working at a clinic, is the next step to becoming a doctor, or meeting, and marrying one.This relationship is doomed.Better find out now, than later, what he’s up against-money, and a decisive female, in a foreign country (like my Uncle).She will want things later in life, that he can’t provide, which will separate them, even further. And, children coming, will do the same-education, citizenship, language, marriage, where to live, status, etc. And, getting a dictionary tofigure out everything, is crazy.History will repeat itself!!!And, Luann has become nothing, but a schoolmate (maybe soon to get into trouble)!A nice kid, but a dime a dozen!Well, we shall see.