Try again, Amanda.
Belated note, but I am extending the deadline for guest strips to December 15 and projecting my hiatus to begin December 21 for two weeks. That will let me double-dip my off time with holiday time 😀
Today's edition of the Secret Commentary is empty, because Dave failed to come up with something for it.
It’s scary how much he sees himself in her.
I know you need to wrap up the arc but this seems to be resolved a little bit too quickly. I mean Todd owns up and apologizes and suddenly everybody is one big happy group? Things, groups, families dont normally resolve issues this quickly. Well at least mine dont.
I wouldn’t say they’re all one big happy group. Certainly working on getting there, but not happy yet. Theo seems proud of Todd (rightfully so), while Mari seems rather upset with how smug Andi looks. Todd’s not at all thrilled with any of it (except having his daughter that he thought was dead), and I doubt Amanda’s fire has been doused just yet.
There’s a few more pages, just some final comments to make. Things aren’t resolved yet, you’re right that hurt and fears don’t go away that quickly. This is more of a Realization moment for Todd regarding certain things like “temper control”.
IS Andi being smug, or am I reading it wrong?
I think she’s just relieved that Todd is apologizing for losing his temper, not that she’s being let off the hook for anything. Maybe even a little proud because Todd is doing what a good parent should do, apologizing when they’re in the wrong. (And given the experience Amanda had with that wretched other family, she isn’t used to adults swallowing their pride, especially if they’re acting as authority figures.)
Also, backing Andi up on the “don’t swear like that”, even while validating her anger.
I kinda think she may actually be looking down at Amanda with an amused expression at the witchcraft comment. Either that or it’s what Lizzy said and she’s proud of Todd or relieved that the tension has eased up considerably.
She might be pleased that Todd’s apologizing *to Amanda*, too.
What are you DOING? You are answering questions at 2:01am? I thought you had a regular job? Oh, wait– you’re Todd’s age, aren’t you… I envy you your youth… In twenty years you won’t do that and function at work the next day
I believe Dave works nights.
I used too, swapped to a day shift job in Summer 2014.
See Amanda’s face at Andi’s hand on her shoulder. No Touchee! I think Todd diffused Amanda exploding at Andi.
Yeah, I see the face, I get that feeling.
And that experience of “how are things going my way now? This feels unnatural and the cosmic balance is going to reassert itself very soon.”
Yeah, I think both Bunny and Gryph are correct about Mandi and Todd confusing and defusing the imminent outburst. At least I think they are.
Things don’t resolve that fast, no. And this is far from resolved really.
Amanda just yelled and swore at her father. She is expecting *Consequences* …
and gets an apology.
It’s far from over, but this is a pivotal shift in attitudes all around. It’s not immediate, but it starts here.
Doh! ^ That ^ was supposed to be a response to The Creeper.
So many expressions here. Is Mari looking at Andi or Todd? Is she displeased with her son losing his cool or is she still upset with Andi? Is Andi’s expression smug (I’m doubting this, but it could be.) or is she merely happy that Todd has finally acknowledged Amanda as a daughter he has a right to discipline? Or perhaps she’s just amused at his sudden twist in attitude. Or is she actually glancing down at Amanda, amused at her witchcraft comment?
Theo is just plain happy. Todd is remorseful, but stern. Selkie is either amused at Amanda being punished or amused at the witchcraft comment as well.
This was nice. I’m glad Todd chilled the hell out, Amanda got her point across while also being told by BOTH her parents that her swearing at her father was NOT ok, but at the same time solidifying the fact that they’re both her parents and they love her. And Todd apologized for flipping out on Andi and insinuating she wasn’t trying. Overall, pretty darn happy conclusion. Hopefully Todd and his parents invite Andi over or out to coffee while the kids are in school so they can properly discuss things that aren’t meant for the children to hear.
I’d prefer it if they did it in a public place to keep Todd and Mari from making a scene again and so that Andi wouldn’t seize up. If she freaks out and shuts down she’ll NEVER be able to properly let everyone know what the heck happened because she’s too scared and shuts down in the face of confrontation- something she seriously needs to work on overcoming! Learn from past mistakes girl!
Scratch that again from my making a scene comment. Mari did not make a scene! While she’s very much making passive aggressive remarks and glares, she has not in fact made any sort of scene that makes her look like a dink unlike Todd. 😛 Mari has done pretty well keeping her feelings I’m check around the kids.
The Linux computer that I told you wouldn’t show Selkie has been replaced.
By another Linux computer (this one) that shows it just fine.
I don’t know why, I even have some serious protection software on this one- if anything, the problem should be worse.
But, I’m happy now.
I’m glad it got working again!
Sorry I couldn’t find a better solution for you. It’s very odd that it seems to have been specific to that computer. ???
Maybe it’s just a cursed computer? I have one of my own – it regularly ‘loses’ its own graphics drivers, has nearly killed an i5 processor and the motherboard (motherboard is warped from the heat – but it belongs to my brother now, so not my problem XD) and my 3 terabyte hard drive is claiming it’s only 2 terabytes… I don’t even know *shrug*
that could also be because either the OS or an possibly an anti-virus or defragging program has created a “hidden partition” on the drive and is using it for it’s “back up your files so you NEVER lose them! Yeah!..Happy Happy Joy Joy!” Feature…
not bothering to TELL you that it’s DOING it though…
Well, it’s a fresh Linux install on an old Vista computer that had the OS puke on me. Since the factory restore disk didn’t work (Suprise! The miracle of Windows!) I installed Linux with some serious protection software to use as an internet box.
If it weren’t for my 3d programs, I would never use Windows.
Todd’s cool again.
Late comment: I thought that the next comic would have been awkward no matter what, but not so much, mirrors real life, nuff said.
Woo, go Todd~!
Just want to say I love those first four panels.
I wonder at Selkie’s expression. Is it about the ‘adults apologize’ thing?
I’m wondering about that too, it doesn’t seem to fit. She looks smugly evil to me… more appropriate for the scene where Amanda’s being reprimanded than the one where she’s being apologized to. It makes me wonder if she has something sinister planned.
To me it looks like she’s thinking, “That’s my Dad!”
Kids notice in a nanosecond when an adult does the hypocritical ‘do as I say but not as I do’ thing. Selkie has been told that she has to control her temper. Todd lost his, sure, but he just recovered like a boss. He’s setting a good example of what to do. She knows it’s hard. I think she’s admiring him for it.
Also, it’s bewildering Amanda beautifully. Temper control is something Amanda has no clue about. That’s worth enjoying, right there.
“The adults are apologizing? What witchcraft is this?”
I *SO* want a T-shirt with this on it, but I’m not sure under what circumstances I’d wear it. Given that, I’d settle for a funny/clever meme.
Actually might be a good phrase to add to the Selkie store. With different artwork, obviously — but still Amanda, probably with a quizzical expression?
Amanda, dear, that’s called BEING an adult (sad little smile).
Adults, reacting with compassion and understanding to the outbursts of a child previously identified as a “bad kid”? Welp, this comic has officially become unrealistic beyond all experience of my own childhood. (That’s as grim as you think it is, yeah.)
sorry it was that bad for you… but i guess the relevant question NOW is: are you going to STOP READING this comic? i hope it’s that you WILL continue reading…
So much love for this. <3
I love Selkie’s expression in that last panel, she’s certainly enjoying Amanda’s confusion. And I also love Theo having his arm around her, it sort of physically links her to her family.
I really like how you use ‘aura’ colors in your panels to give another level to intense situations. Like the second panel on this one with Amanda’s anger clearly displayed, but at the same time, some growing threads of fear. And Todd’s anger being replaced by remorse/doubt.
Ah. The great witchcraftiness of good parenting.
Apparently there is nothing so severe and important that the complete bs concept of ‘bad language’ can be put aside for a moment. It must always come first.
You’re right, bad language is the least of the many problems here. All the same, raising kids not to swear is a good thing. Raising kids to know that established limits are always, reliably, going to be there, no matter what, is an even more important thing.
Though I am amused at the wording of Andi’s rebuke!
I agree with Sessine.
While language would not be restricted in an ideal world, this is not an ideal world. So you should teach a child that sometimes they need to moderate their language to keep a job or sometimes for their safety. It’s unfair, it sucks, but it’s reality.
Another interesting thing is that Andi focused on the language, too, which… might be focusing on the details in an intense moment, or it might say something about “don’t sass/talk back to your parents” — or the degree to which Andi (and Todd) believe in that.
(Me, I’m terrible. I don’t really care if my kid gripes at me. “Grr!” she goes. “Grr!” I go back. *shrug*)
Andi is on Amanda’s case about her language because using profanity is one of the two things Andi has repeatedly told Amanda not to do, the other is not insulting Selkie. Amanda has managed to do both in the last few minutes.
Potential bad habits must be discouraged to avoid them becoming actual bad habits. When a child is still learning the language, certain words should be discouraged until they are (at least) older. It’s less censorship and more avoiding potential social problems where people will make assumptions about the child’s intelligence/education/upbringing based on how they speak.
It’s not necessarily about behavior so much as etiquette.
Bad language is a matter of REGISTER.
You use one register around your friends, another around your family, another at your job, another with your girlfriend, another with your potential father-in-law, another at a fancy dinner, and yet another when you’re chatting with a stranger on the bus. (That’s actually a simplified list — for example, you probably have several registers when dealing with your family, and one for each group or sub-group of friends.)
Understanding that bad language doesn’t work in the majority of those situations is a good thing, started early. You’re free to loosen up your own reins later on. It’s much harder to tighten your own reins after you’ve become used to swearing — after it’s become a verbal tic.
And a swear word popping out at the wrong time (during intense situations, for example at work) can absolutely cost you a job or a job opportunity.
The series that best explored this concept was South Park, in the Tourette’s episode. I recommend it, if you’re not offended by crude content. It’s both thought-provoking and hilarious.