I was working on the update and Paul wanted to help. So I said, "write the afterword." He wrote it from my imagined point of view, which I wasn't expecting. It's not what I would have written, but I thought it was kind of interesting to read what the personwho probably knows me best of all the people in the world, imagines about what is going on in my head.

So, here it is, uncensored:

Paul pretends to be Julie

Why do I bother? This is sometimes the humorous despair of my characters. Too often, it's the actual despair of mine. It's springtime, and every spring I wallow in despair of my own life. I brood about past decisions, and fear the future, and don't particularly enjoy the present--a present spring where 15 hours a day I spend searching for Kleenex while everyone, friends and strangers alike, tell me what a beautiful day it is. My part is sunburnt from sitting in the shade on July 5th, one of too few days off.

A sense of place is being taken away from Terra, from Perce, from Alex, as they move out of Goth House. For me, that sense of place is removed, too. If I can't rely on their setting, what does that leave me to rely on?

Why do I bother? I know, some friends will tell me they like my cartoons or my stories. But I can't make any money at it. And if I did make money, it wouldn't be enough. And if it were enough, I'd worry that I couldn't still make enough money tomorrow. And if I made enough to last a lifetime, I'd still create art and have the same anxieties I have now.

Goth House is empty. Why do I bother? Probably because anyone who ever spent time in Goth House (excepting the invisible 4th roommate) will remember it is a positive thing. What are they going to do now? What am I going to do now? I don't know. I don't know what I'm doing next. Of course, I may know exactly what I'm doing, and you'll just have to wait...