The Optimist

Author notes

Page 37

Kristen Gudsnuk

on Aug. 30, 2009

Woo! Feelin' good. Despite lots of at-home turmoil. Actually it may have been conducive to making the dialogue on this page realistic. heh! When life gives you lemons… take detailed notes so you can achieve realistic sourness in your creative works!

For instance, this weekend my sister (who's 24 and hotheaded) got into a fight with my brother (who's 15 in a month and likewise hotheaded) which ended up with them pushing each other a bit, kind of funny since they were both wearing socks and sliding around on the floor. My mom got all mad at my sister, saying, 'you're 24!! He's only 14!!" even though he instigated it, and to be fair he's very strong, since he does 2 different sports. I sided with my sister, because I go by the mantra 'never hit (or push) girls, or get used to the idea of them hitting back.' Anyway, my sister got all the blame, although it wasn't really a big deal. (I just wish the two of them would get along better.) Although, I do respect her for not being afraid to hit back. Whenever I get into that sort of conflict with Eric (or anyone else), I just complain him to death instead. One time, he was leaning over and chewing a Pop Tart obnoxiously into my ear, and after about five measured, "please stop doing that"s, and then a few high pitched "stop it"s (I was bully fodder in my youth, yes I was) I crushed his pop tart and he threw it at me. But instead of hitting him back, I just complained and complained about it. I still do. Perhaps it's better that way, because while fisticuffs can be memorable, nothing is more torturous than getting constantly reminded of the pop tart that you threw at someone four months ago.

Yeah. Also, this weekend I was letting my brother watch a rated-R movie with me (a good one, Adventureland, which is a mild R and a modern coming-of-age classic) and my mom got all upset! All like, "he's just a kid! You're glorifying swearing and drugs etc!" But he's almost 15. (although mama censored more than the soviets! I couldn't watch Igby Goes Down when I was 16! I had to sneak-watch Wes Anderson movies! I couldn't read "Lolita" until I was IN COLLEGE!!!) It's like parents don't really care about their older kids growing up, but the little ones are always 'too young'.

Also, the "I have failed as a parent; you have no respect for me" line is a classic one in my household (along with "who are you fooling? Are you fooling me? Are you fooling [teachers, Dad, so-and-so]? No. You're only fooling yourself."

Wow, I make my house sound like a war-zone. We're just a histrionic set. My parents love to complain, but when I'm not around apparently they brag about my achievements and all that (I've been told).

Oh and I think the DD Awards are soon?? Keep an eye out for my presentation- it's a watercolored page featuring Jadwiga and Kaz! :D w00t enjoi





PS: I did a guest strip for I Fell Down the Stairs! careful, though, it's dirty!