For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for April 13, 2011

“Desparation is the English way.” - Pink Floyd

Well, Elly tried….

Desperation kills the seeds of doubt!!!

nonononononononono

Relationships are not all they’re cracked up to be.

Nothing worse than groveling at someone’s feet.

Time for desperate action, Elly. Tell Phil that Connie has a STD. ;-) [Stupidity transmittable disorder. Totally hopeless. No known cure.]

Eek, this woman needs some self-confidence and/or a hobby that doesn’t involve destructive relationships.

“It’s a song about desperation, every now and then we do get desperate”. The J. Geils Band

When will she marry Greg?

Unfortunately, society perpetuates the myth that a woman without a man is incomplete. Single women are viewed as losers, no matter how successful they may be in their chosen career. Back when these strips were originally drawn the pressure to “couple” was even worse. At least Phil is a decent man, unlike Ted, the creepy jerk.

This is the same Connie who traveled to his town, sneaked around to his place, and found out he’s already in a relationship. Right?

“Incomplete” and “loser” are not synonymous. One can be successful and still be incomplete.

yes Aaron,, the same Connie

The same Connie, but that was in the future. The strip has gone back in time, so I think she’s just thinking about this for the first time. Foolish as it is …..

from Lynn’s website:

“Connie did not exist. Her character was based on someone real, but had morphed considerably. Her crush on Elly’s brother, Phil, was just a fun idea and good fodder for the strip. I had no plans for where this relationship would lead - I let the story go where it wanted to go. In fact, Connie’s loneliness came wholly from my own experience as a single mother - everything she said came from some painful places I needed to visit again. ”

I have to say, I’ve been in Lynn’s shoes and it was not a fun place to be. And catlady1, you are right. Society (mostly media driven) plays a big part in that feeling that there’s something wrong with you if you don’t have a man in your life.

It ain’t just women. My brother-in-law has been married four times because he can’t function alone, and needs someone to manage his life (the way his mother did until she died, even while he was married, which went over really well with the wives).

Phil better prepares when he moves to live with Elly and her family. If Connie harasses Phil to get into the bed again, Phil should get TPO against Connie for his protection.

Keep your spoilers to yourself, would you please. If you’re trying to impress anyone with your encyclopedic knowledge, it isn’t working.

Phil needs to grow a pair and tell Connie he just … isn’t … interested … period!!!!! I don’t think he should be mean about it but he needs to nip this thing in the bud where she’s concerned before if gets even more out of control now that he’s going to be living next door to her for a while. He may only see her as a friend and not a potential future love interest but he knows full well that she’s got the hots for him and is hoping for more than just a “friends with benefits” relationship with him! If he were a true gentleman, he wouldn’t string her along like he has a habit of doing … he’d be upfront and honest with her regarding his real, true feelings where she’s concerned. Her feelings may get hurt in the process but better now than later.

Catlady there is no reason to buy into that myth.

Aaron – It should also be noted that the relationship that Phil HAD when Connie chased him to Toronto or Montreal (can’t remember), seems to be over– as there is no mention of him bringing the girlfriend along.

There is also never any mention of how many relationships the guys in this strip have and then lose one way or another. Methinks perhaps there is a bit of a double standard.

Nabuquduriuzhur: I’ve seen postings like this from you before. Instead of living in such anger and bitterness where you are, have you thought about moving somewhere else where you’ll have better luck??? You don’t even have to leave the state of Oregon if you don’t want to. It’s a pretty big place so maybe you could try moving to a different city further away than your current one where the women might have a more different frame of mind than where you’re at right now.

Not all of us women are nothing but a bunch of drunk, slutty, party girls with STD’s and a different father for every child we have that doesn’t care about anything except ourselves and believe that the world revolves around us and ought to be catering to our every want/need/desire every minute of every day!!! Some of us actually do care about our families, our community, the environment, the bone-headed decisions politicians are making for/forcing on us, etc. So instead of sitting around and complaining, get off your rear-end and do something about it!!!!!

And btw — I married my sweet, kind, warm, loving, funny, generous husband 22 years ago because he was a good man with good, moral character … not in spite of it!!!!!

Connie, been there, done that, wish I hadn’t, learned from it, rather enjoying singledom!!