any daughter of mine would probably be a complete wild child because I'd be so determined not to be my mother that I wouldn't be the hardass you all know and love.

Heh. Nobody knows how to be a hardass parent when they start, Vortex. You develop it as a matter of survival.

P-C, I think you should give your mother a copy of "Pierre" by Maurice Sendak.

For what it's worth, it was the last time Mother tried the guilt trip on me. I think what I felt for her by that time was respect and some affection. I was always both baffled by and envious of the people in my dorm whose families showed up and hugged them and seemed honestly sad to say good-bye.

My mom's guilt trips were frequent, but really quite minor. They were more like guilt errands--pick up your room! when are you coming up for the weekend? don't forget to call!

I am having a massive self-image demon attack tonight. It's been building for a while, and it's hitting pretty hard tonight. Bleh.

Oh, Sean, I'm sorry to hear that. You're a super awesome person and I like you a lot and I wish this stuff didn't happen to you.

Those demons are lying liars who lie, Sean. That's what they do.

Yeah, you'll notice how they're not called Self Image Angels. They seek to do you harm.

But Self Image Angels do exist. They're called Buffistas.

Thanks, guys. They are fighting dirty tonight and attacking on multiple fronts. No fairs!

But Self Image Angels do exist. They're called Buffistas.

Yes.