Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for February 18, 2016

guess again, mate

I think that’s final, at least for a while.

Good byeI will miss this relationship

She took off the necklace It’s final

I am smiling. Oh, heck, in truth i am laughing.

New poll up: Should Luann get herself to a nunnery?

Who will be first to get a long-term boyfriend?1) 37 votes – Bernice2) 36 votes – Other3) 22 votes – Tiffany4) 14 votes – Dez5) 6 votes – LuannOther: Gunther; Quill; Crystal; Delta; Pru!; None! They will all be single forever; Gunther’s Mom; The old woman on the bus in Peru who thought Gunther was cute; Viper; If you mean one who lasts then Delta will; Ms.Berger; Puddles; MR. Gray; Rosa; Nancy’s has lasted longer than anyone else

Good job Luann!

OKThat may be it.

Still two more days of this arc.Will she report to Bernice?

The necklace-toss was a nice touch.

Leave and take your boomerang with you!! Yessss!!

Na na na na, hey hey, goodbyeNa na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye

You’re free, Quill. Get Tiffany and celebrate.

“You’ll come back” ?!? Get over yourself already!

Way to go Luann.

:(

isn’t Pru still living at Luann’s house?

Oh, thank heavens Luann threw the boomerang pendant at Quill. That “you’ll come back” was probably the most arrogantly wrong thing for him to say under the circumstances.

And the look on his face as it came flying in his direction is priceless.

“Life Sentence”“Exit, Stage Right”“Boomerang Theory”“Return To Sender” (♫)“You Say Goodbye, And I Say Hello….” (♪)“If You Leave Me Now…” (♪)“I’m Not The One” (♫)“It Must’ve Been Love, But It’s Over, Now” (♪)“You Deserve A Break, Today…” (♪)“One Trip Too Many”“No Deposit, No Return”“Where There’s A Quill, There’s An Away”“A Parting Gift”or“Maybe You Wont… But Vegemite”

She took off the necklace…she’s not coming back

You’re free, Quill. Free!

It is odd, but he actually seems surprised..What will Pru now do?.Move out?Try to patch them back up?Just disappear?.??.And what is Bernice’s surprize..We could use Ben returning.

Don’t just stand there, fool. You’re free!! RUN before she comes back!

I hope the strip drops her and follows him.

@Three Steps Over Japan-Could not use ‘reply’ button

Just a little point of interest: the phrase ‘get thee to a nunnery’ was said by Hamlet (in Shakespeare’s play) to Ophelia, who loved him and was supposed to marry him. He took out his anger at his mother (the recently widowed queen who married the brother of the late King, Hamlet’s father, on Ophelia. She then killed herself.

In Shakespeare’s time, a nunnery was not just a building for Women Religious who intended to devote their lives to either the study of the Creator, or to taking care of needy humans. The word was also used as the name of a building more commonly called a brothel.

Did you mean ‘convent’?

First boomerang you’ve gotten thrown I’m your face?

Grow up Luann. You are being childish. He has a future.

Quill has been jerkified during the last few weeks.No longer Mr. Perfect.His “You’ll come back” is the most recent version of this.

Why does everybody hate Quill!?

Well, it seems that it HAD been nice for Quill to have a girlfriend always ready for him while he does what he pleases.

I wonder, is all this still supposed to be what happened back on Valentine’s Day.I rather suppose so. ,But did she ever get the tickets back from him?

When men feel hurt they do tend to say hurtful, arrogant things. That much is actually realistic. I hope this motivates Luann to do something wild and adventurous—like maybe use those tickets and reservations! (Why do I get the feeling that her Mom will volunteer to use the extras?)

If this is all the same day, Pru must still be nearby..She just scooted so they could “have a chat.”

I think they’re both being hella selfish here.

-I thought Quill’s reaction in the second frame, with his drawn down eyebrows, was anger, not surprise. And then saying ’You’ll come back’ was not so much the best he could do, but rather a kind of knee-jerk Trump-like insult, born of the fact that Quill is a perpetual ‘winner’ (at least in his own mind), and no one ever turns him down. He does the turning down, as he did with Tiffany.

His reaction to the return of the necklace, with raised eyebrows, did look like shock and surprise to me…

If this is all the same day, only a few moments before Luann was humbly apologizing to Quill for being kinda difficult and said: “But I also know that being mad at you isn’t the answer.”.And she had in her possession a valentine with the tickets and a hotel room reservation. .Every one of his responses was impolite. He had no valentine. Perhaps Gunther, that expert on such matters, had convinced him that he had no need for Luann. .Yet he seemed to expect her to crawl to him..Tomorrow we may see him complaining to Gunther about how dumb females are.

I wonder what’s going to happen when Pru gets wind of this. Will it be, ’All riiiight, got rid of HER!" or something else?

“You’ll come back”That’s a cheap way to end a good storyline making him look like the bad element of the relationship.

I think we all know that Quill will hurt, too. But, Luann is a mill stone around his neck at this stage of his life. He has to be free to pursue his goal, a goal that could very well include going on the road. As I’ve heard, “a man can’t serve two masters” and Quill can’t be Luann’s puppet, he’d always resent her for it.

The boomerang has finally fulfilled its engraving – “I’ll always come back”.

-Actually, that talk with Gunther was, I thought, very insightful and productive. Gunther basically pointed out to him that, while he (Quill) had ‘tons’ in common with Pru, maybe he didn’t have the same amount of things in common with Luann.

Quill has everything figured out (all by himself).

Because he is trying to determine in his mind whether a breakup is really happening. She has the unmitigated gall to leave him, only because she does not understand his needs. which is the problem really. His needs. Not really hers. SHe has them, but his needs are more important than hers. So its not “logical” to him in his frame of reference.

Because he is trying to determine in his mind whether a breakup is really happening. She has the unmitigated gall to leave him, only because she does not understand his needs. which is the problem really. His needs. Not really hers. SHe has them, but his needs are more important than hers. So its not “logical” to him in his frame of reference.

Finally! In Quill’s mind they were probably on a break—since they had a fight and no discussion had happened. If he had planned for Valentine’s Day, then he would have had to apologize and maybe he wasn’t sure what the whole fight was about, how much he was into the relationship, etc. I don’t think the “You’ll be back” was characteristic of Quill and was just a lead up to the final panel. Her throwing it at him was childish to me, again. I sorely hope this is all over.

Talking about booting characters: how many strips since we last saw Delta? (casual background appearances for holidays and celebrations don’t count)

NEVER grab the girl by the arm unless you’re prepared to die.

…and that, boys and girls, is that.

Can’t believe what started out as a family-friendly comic hasnow become a loathe-some type soap opera.

Quill has sure turned into a jerk! Wow…what a change. Good for Luann. Figured he would get that necklace back in his face, sometime this week!!

Good girl. That was LONG overdue. I hope the boomerang sticks in his nose.

Drama queen

Actually, drama queens.

The strip is becoming tedious.

Ready to get heavily drunk down there by the ‘Outback’ mate, and reflex on what went wrong. The beer is on me.

mmmmmmmmmm………..Maybe after so many years, it’s time for the return of Aaron Hill?

Uh-oh

It’s about time!

Have to agree a bit with @implausible, Quill does seems to have become a bit nastier lately.or is it true colors coming out under stress?

Hard to do at this age, but Luann can learn a lot working on her life without a “steady”. Date guys, sure. But enjoy being single and checking out NYC with a friend, who can share the costs.

Well, that seems pretty definitive.Is Luann really going to “get a life” now, or will she go home, or to Bernice, and wallow in self-pity over her “lost” boyfriend?And will Quill remain for long in Pitts now that Luann has dumped him? Or will he be off to New York City, or even back to Australia? Will we see much of him in the future? Will there be some kind of reconciliation, possibly promoted by some combination of Dez, Bernice, and other well-meaning interlopers?

Luann is the one being unreasonable. She finalizes the plans without making sure it’s OK with him to do so then wants to leave him when he doesn’t want to go along with it

Maybe Luann will finally decide she doesn’t need a boyfriend to define her. The whole Valentine’s Day History panel a few days ago show’s her doing just that- basing her life on if she has a boyfriend or not.

Please don’t let this be the end of Luann and Quill…

Looks official. The question Quill needs to ask himself is why did he treat Luann so poorly? Teenage love goes through a lot of ups and downs. Breaking up will do both good because they can figure out what they want out of their lives and work towards their goals. Quill and Luann, please find yourselves and best wishes!

Who knows? Maybe he will realize how much he DOES care and they will go to NY after all. He definitely took for granted that she would be around whenever he had nothing better to do. Again, glad SHE dumped HIM and not the other way around. Now let’s see him and Pru together and see where that goes. Especially with Pru in Luann’s house. I still think the DeGroots were insensitive to Luann to allow Pru to stay with them.

Well FINALLY. You THREW His SILLY necklace back, Right between His BEADY little Eyes! Although You SHOULD have CHOPPED Up said necklace into Very small pieces, and MAILED it back to Him in DEFIANCE, THIS was a 1st GOOD start.

NOW, all YOU Gotta do is get through the Obligatory, “What Have I DONE?” Weeping Scene which Will Surely Come a bit Later.

And all Greg and Karen have to do is IGNORE the incoming “Tens of Thousands” of FAKE e-mails that’ll be sent by a HANDFUL of Noisy, Annoying “Quill-Fans” asking, No, DEMANDING, the “Manikin’s” Return.

Will Q turn to Pru for solace? Will Pru try to talk to Lu and get Q and Lu back together? Or will Q and Pru "exit stage right even " and ride off to New York together? Stay tune for more of " As the Boomerang Flies".

But seriously folks , I would like to have team Evans seize the opportunity to have Luann truly grow up a little and find a new direction, other than just finding a BF or whining about not having a BF. and see what some other pairings would do. I do want to find out more about Tiffany, Piro and Dez’s backstory and I think it would be awesome if Mrs B. Mr Gray got engaged or married. Gunther would have learn to share his mother with someone else. it would help him grow up a s well.

Now on to wait for Greg & Karen’s next plot twist.it ended on a boomerang toss. where will it land?

OK obvious boomerang joke is obvious. Still though, nice touch.

Good. Quill is too good for her, I’m happy for HIM.

seriously! why is everyone hating on them so much? very good and healthy relationship has its fair share of fights. how else do problems and worries get solved? everything is in the open now. I’m rooting for them

She will regret her attitude.

I have to agree. That and the grab on Luann’s arm — definitely on the offensive side.

I dunno, this seems too abrupt, but OK.

GOOD FOR YOU LUANN!!!

The needs of the Quilly outweigh the needs of the Lu…`Lol. I nearly spewed coffee onto my Kindle!

nice touch.

Hit the road, Jack

Now, kick Pru out of the house please.

I’d Like to see Bernice’s older brother, the soldier, brought back in to play.

Maybe Luann will play the field. That would be fun for us.

Like on Tinder.

WAY TO GO LUANN!!!!

“That’s one small step for Luann…

One giant leap for Luannkind.”

So, now the real drama begins. How are they going to handle Lu and Pru being in the same house, especially if Q has to drop by to work with Pru on theater matters… that or other things…. ;-P

I was about to say that I hope this encourages Lu to transfer to Moony and live on campus with Bern, Dez, etc., but that may mean bumping into Quill on occasion. We’ll have to see how that works out.

Anyway, Bravo-Zulu Lu. Brave 1st step!

Luann maybe have a lot of growing up still to do, but she is not the only one.

I will laugh and laugh if Quill goes to see Pru (at Luann’s house) and Luann is out having that life. Seems likely since she’s clearly fed up with the version where she makes time for Quill and not for anything else. Bets that the trip becomes her wedding present to Brad?

let her go, Quill…. NEVER give in to a tantrum

She already paid for the plane tickets, so I wonder who she will take with her? Wonder who she will run into in NYC.

Unfortunately for us, this decision has legs. Quill will pack up and move to New York (where he always wanted to be), leaving The Fuse completely unattended. This will cause L to feel guilty over the effect on her folks, etc, etc.

In other words, look for a Spring of regret-filled panels….

It’s a boomerang, it was bound to return to him.

2 tickets to NY, + hotel. Luann needs to call Delta and meet up with her for a spring break reunion. Unless Delta gets her to help with Bernie Sanders’ campaign.

She didn’t come back but her boomerang necklace did.

It should have been “She’ll be back” in a thought bubble, followed by the boomerang toss.

Wow! My eyes got bigger than Luann’s! I wonder if that is what Q was going for in the last panel.

Not a jerk, they were always on different paths.

Quill certainly thinks highly (and sure) of himself if he thinks Lu will come back after seeing how frustrated she is! Knowing her, she just may after she calms down. Well, one thing did come back… that necklace.

Now when Mr. Grey’s nephew arrives in town Luann will have a new boyfriend and Quill will be inked out, pun intended.

I foresee great angst for Tiffany as she has to chose between Gunther and newly available Quill.

What an arrogant, egotistical A-hole Quill has turned into.—Or maybe he was always that way, and his true nature is just now coming out.-And I really did like his character when he first appeared in the strip.

Oh, well, look at the bright side, Quill; at least part of her came back! Or what used to be a part of her, anyway!

Well good, now we can proceed to something else. I’m glad the necklace was thrown back!

Quill will now go to get some Tea and Sympathy from the waiting arms of Pru who is another character who will be affected by this breakup since she is Quill’s BFF and still living at the De Groot house.

-The needs of the Quilly outweigh the needs of the Lu

LOL!!!! Thanks, that made my morning…

Luann is now free to date the jock in art class or Toni’s brother. Dating Toni’s brother may bring her back to Quill eventually, but that would be a long time from now.

You wrote:The needs of the Quilly outweigh the needs of the Lu…-——-

Marvelous!

I notice that the relief might be bringing back more humour to the comments in general. That can be a relief after a long stretch, too.

Wow, Quill’s little parting shot was extremely below-the-belt, not to mention waaaay out of character for him. It’s like Team Evans was making a last-ditch effort to make him the undisputed bad guy here, like when the author of Twilight realized people preferred Jacob over Edward and so had him suddenly start acting terrible towards Bella so he’d lose reader sympathy.(don’t judge me just because I know the storyline for those books)

But anyway, since he said it, I’m very pleased with Luann’s response. Now it’s her time to go out and find the fulfillment she’s been lacking. I hope she keeps this momentum going.

Ray Scott’s “Gone Either Way”

“Girl you can hit that door or waste another day,What kind of difference would it make,You’re gone either way”

Like LuAnn, when I realized that as a young adult, I knew it was done. Nothing to do but leave it behind.

A little arrogant, Quill?

I don’t know why Quill would try to stop her. He wanted out of the relationship, now he is free. Luann doesn’t look that upset, just resigned that it is for the best.

YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

hahahahah!!

5Interesting. Not my favorite panels this week by a long shot. I am hopeful the breakup sticks and is maintained. But, I still feel inside that now we will enter the next phase where Quill will “realize the errors of his ways” and the two of them will patch things up.I think in today’s effort that Quill’s comment, “You’ll come back!” is arrogant, insensitive, and rude. To me, it feels not the real sort of response I would have anticipated from Quill. He has been portrayed more level-headed previously. I guess it could be a momentary lapse of rudeness, but it just rings rather false to me.Less arrogant of a statement, still getting the point across that Quill was upset too would have been “Ok, Fine! Do that!” or something else having Quill sound less like he was so arrogant (he has never been portrayed as arrogant before, so that is why it feels “false” to me, I guess).

Good decision, Luann! Most actors have too much ego for a “lesser mortal” to have a successful romantic relationship with them.

yipppeee

Not so fast, Louie. Remember, that necklace is a boomerang.

What I would love to see happen is Luann take the trip to NY by herself to maybe meet up with Delta. While on the plane ride hom she meets a cute guy who just came from visiting family in NY as well. They chat, make nice and then get off the plane at the airport where we run into a jealous Quill who was hoping to “win” Luann back with a large romantic gesture only to misinterpret the relationship between her and the guy she met. I’m not saying she starts dating the guy but it would be nice to see Quill feel insecure for once.

Quill has done nothing wrong. Luann cut off communication by acting like snot and refusing to say what is wrong. That is someone trying to create a doghouse. Quill just continued to live his life. There is a difference between liking and needing. Luann used Quill for validation when Quill chose her over Tiffany. Both Quill and Luann made the right decision for the moment.

Not gonna miss Quill. Send him to Aaron Hill land where he’ll never be seen again.

“You’ll come back” seems out of character for Quill. But, I wonder how Pru will react to this….

Next stop, Recruiters office to join the Navy!

That girl has a gift, for self-destruction.

So I guess I am the only one who is disappointed/bummed??

Again – bye Quill, unless he gets his act together now.

He is just a tad bit arrogant. He will be the one to do the crawling.

Not Very Quill-like for him to say “You’ll come back”. I’m guessing the Evans wanted to show that he was frustrated, but that was a bit out of character. Anyhow, I just hope this leads to a new arc, as this is just so dumb that is it not enjoyable in any way. Quill is trying to get a career going and Luann is immature. Got it. Next.

Oh the irony! Oh the symbolism! But at last Luann seems to be taking a first big, and as is often the case, painful step towards becoming an adult.

I am still hoping for a Tiffany and Gunther permanent hookup! Oh! The laughter! The tears!

May they both find happiness.Nobody should want to make others unhappy, especially those they profess to care for.

So does Quill just walk away form helping out at ‘The Fuse’ and take Pru with him?

Honestly, I know she’s hurt and angry, but that look on her face when she says “you’re right” seems to be quite accepting. I think she may really agree that she has to find her self now.

You’re free, Luann — realize that any guy your age wants YOU to make a commitment and doesn’t have the maturity to make a commitment themselves…

And that doesn’t change any time soon… if EVER

yet another song, "Thank God and Greyhound you’re gone "by Roy Clark

Ironic that Quill gave her that item to say HE’D always come back when what he really meant was that she’d always feel that he was so important that she’d agree to anything he wanted and be the one to cave in so he wouldn’t have to compromise…

You guys are too harsh on Luann…how many famous Hollywood men were married to regular women when they started only to leave and divorce them once they got rich and famous? Many having affairs with famous actresses while married to their devoted wives who sat home??It’s better to separate now so that they can really think about their relationship and see where their commitments really lie…

RUN, Quill! RUN!!

Whoa, that was a smack by Luann. Quill looks stunned. Notice though how he’s trying to save the relationship when he knows he’s losing it. Too bad he didn’t put in that much effort when he had it. You lose, Quill-Boy.

“He chose.. poorly.” <WHAP!>

♫ Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end… ♪

As one of my HS teachers explained to me, “Why do you think they call it ‘commencement’…?”

I found the date Toni mentions her brother to Luann. January 09, 2016.

Nuts. I liked them as a couple. As I’ve said before, don’t match her up with that jerk Gunther.

She’s getting gumption (as in The Holiday).

Imp: Your listing of the portrayal of the various artsy characters is fun and interesting! Now, if we were to ad in some traditonal Freudian psychology…. would the portrayal pattern you see suggest Greg may not like himself? :)Now, before others get all bent out of shape… I am not really suggesting that… I am using the basic academic concepts from that theory. It was meant in jest or in fun. I like Greg and I like Greg’s efforts. I do not think he has self loathing, nor do I suggest psychoanalytic theory is at the cutting edge of psychological understanding. It was a joke!Put that in your pipe and smoke it. :) ~u/

Ohhhh, pun pain! Pun pain! Brd, thine beak is sharp.

Finally. She can always meet another guy. One with a last name and a face that isn’t so rudimentary.

finely got rid of that b——————————————-th

You write:t is interesting when you consider that Team Evans doesn’t cast any artsy types in a good light-—

There have been exceptions with aspects of the characters, and with some others who have talent, but you make a very interesting point to think about. Given the authors’ own experience with such fields might they find it a bit easier or safer to laugh about people who remind them of themselves and people close to them?

Well that’s one boomerang that’s not coming back.

I agree, what Quill said goes against his usual character. It feels like it was intended to make Luann in the right.

Would Tiff really WANT one of Luann’s rejects?

Hurrah, he spoke the truth in anger, but “getting a life” was the truth nonetheless. And Lu heard it.*Now, Karen and her h.s. boyfriend got together again after their bachelor degrees, no? If so, Qu & Lu will do the same— best prediction I’ve made.

Another song: Sisters are Doing ItSisters are doing it for themselvesStanding on their own two feetRinging on their own bells

Why do I get the feeling that it’ll be Luann and PRU going to New York? She is from NY and Dez did mention how Prudence is virtue or something along the lines of prudence being a factor in things. Maybe this Pru will be the one who helps guide Luann through things.

Ah, the site is hiding comments again till refreshed and losing a few.Another song: Sisters Are Doin’ It for ThemselvesSisters are doin’ it for themselvesStandin’ on their own two feetRingin’ on their own bells…(And the song acknowledges that men are important, too, even while it celebrates women. Very joyful! Very positive!)

Good for Luann, realizing that she deserves to be loved.

not Gunther. Ever. uh uh. nope.

-No.Gunther.event.

LOL!!!

Very creative!

How about this: Quill complains to Gunther that Luann refused to allow him to be himself, and Gunther suddenly thinks “That’s what I did to Rosa!” So he hops the first flight to Peru.

Meanwhile, as Luann is trying to figure out how to kick start her new life, she gets a text from Rosa. Rosa, as it turns out, is in New York with her mother, because the rich uncle has decided to pay Rosa’s way through NYU medical school’s research program to find a cure for that new virus sweeping through Brazil.

But first, Rosa and her mother want to do some good ole sight seeing in New York and want to invite Luann and her mom to join them.

Gunther arrives in Peru, where he finds no Rosa, but a job in IT at the uncle’s plastic surgery clinic. And lots of admiring ladies…

-LOL!!!

Somehow, I can’t picture Quill in a Zen Garden…

It is interesting when you consider that Team Evans doesn’t cast any artsy types in a good light.

(edit)

Manzeon: Art teacher, crazy

I know you meant “Drama teacher, crazy”. It’s the word after the comma that’s meaningful.

Now explain the ups and downs of TJ. :P

Good for her for standing up for herself. Since when is Quill so mean spirited?

Hmm. She has a room and tickets to New York suddenly free-give them to mom and dad or Toni and Brad?

Congratulations, Quill! You can do better.

Oh no!!

Luann is free……..quick, Gunther! Make your move now!

Funny, how everyone seems to want to take sides over whose fault it is. Blame time. They’re both decent people but both young and immature. Experience cures immaturity. Experience comes from blistering moments like this.

Is it possible to throw a boomerang without having it return to you?

One ticket to Hawaii for Quill, so the eventual Gunther event can happen.

Funny you mention Hawaii…. Quill could join Aaron in that Volcano! ;-PPP

yeah, it’s true – the “you’ll come back” comment is not as nice as Quill should be.

This is Luann’s fault. We never see her apologize for being an irrational, paranoid * They are still young and not married. Quill is right to focus on his career – if someone loves you they’ll support and encourage you in that.

*Quills Lament: Maybe I didn’t love youQuite as often as I could haveAnd maybe I didn’t treat youQuite as good as I should haveIf I made you feel second bestGirl I’m sorry I was blind

You were always on my mindYou were always on my mind*

sailed, struck an iceberg, and sunk. gone. caput.

predicting tomorrow’s strip:

(1) still at the Fuse, Quill bewildered; Pru emerges and they discuss the situation……or(2) Luann back at home talking to Bern or Nancy….. or(3) Quill back at home relating events to Gunther…. or(4) I’m wrong on all counts.

or Luann having an emotional breakdown with Puddles……..

I can’t wait to see what happens next!

A lot of objections to my suggestion that Quill could celebrate with Tiffany. Personally, I think that if Rosa doesn’t come back, Gunther and Tiff might develop something. I have a feeling that they actually need each other, but don’t realize it yet. In the meantime, Tiff is the best looking and most sexy girl in the stable and would be a real boost for Quill’s sagging ego. I know that if I was in his position, having coffee at Starbucks with Reese Witherspoon would lift my spirits.

(“Q’uill, of Vulcan”::) LOL!

The hook in that song that just draws you in: “(♪) …But not on my….time!… (♪)”

“Necklace Abandon”!^Now that’s just a “necklace” comment! You ought to be more careful! (; -0)

SPOILER TWO

Way too much free-floating anger around Pitts. Almost as if it’s a Presidential debate…

“Spoiler Alert III: The Wreck-oning”….More proof that texting and walking is dangerous… – Either that, or “Just Say No To Text”….

“You’ll come back.” Yes, he was taking her for granted. Good on her.

Wo. That boomerang necklace that was thrown by Luann, it ended the relationship. Unbelieveable. I can’t believe it. I wish they can come back together, and start over. They seem so happy together over the years…

Quill had his priorities straight. MAYBE Luann will finally realize that before she can share her life will a willing participant, she needs to figure out who she really is and establish that life to her satisfaction.

Sometimes it is far better to be single than to settle.