I am Aware of my Tongue!

I watched this really great documentary the other day on the life of Charles M. Schulz the mastermind behind the "Peanuts" comic strip; what eventually became the most successful comic strip in newspaper history.  Growing up, it was certainly one of my favorites so I immensely enjoyed the opportunity as an adult to go behind the scenes, see how it all evolved and gain some insight into it's creator.

Colleges and friends described Schulz as a very humble, quiet, deeply complex individual who was apparently very difficult to really understand and to know.  He was the only child of immigrant parents and raised in an environement where emotions and feelings were never openly discussed.  In fact, when Schultz mother fell ill, he would go to school and come home to a bedridden mother and no one, not even his closest friend, knew that she was ill because he "simply did not talk of such things."

Growing up, Schultz was pretty quiet and not overly social.  One of his friends from childhood said that "Sparky" (a nickname given to Schultz ) used to go over to his house even when he wasn't home and spend hours upon hours listening to his mother play the piano; her favorite composer was Beethoven.  He would sit, listen to her play and draw on his sketch pad.  According to his close friends, Schultz always wanted to be apart of a family and much regretted that he did not have any siblings.  On that point, one of his collegues observed that he went through life, "always wanting for something."   

Trust was also a big issue for Schultz; he had a difficult time fully trusting people.  Lynn Johnston (creator of For Better or for Worse and a friend of Schultz) said that he was always waiting for people to let him down so consequently, he never really allowed himself to give 100 percent of what was inside; he never let himself kick the football so to speak.  According to many of his friends, his dog was the only thing that he would allow himself to fully and freely love with out reservation.

Not surprisingly, the characters in the strip were patterned after people in his own life.  For instance, Lucy was created in the image of his first wife, Charlie Brown was one of his collegues at Art Instruction School (round head and all!) and "the little red-haired girl" referenced but never specifically named was his first serious girlfriend.  Like every great artist, Schulz explored the deeper meaning of life through the art which he created.  To be sure, many of the questions, thoughts, feelings and philosopies expressed by the various characters in the comic strip were indeed the hopes, fears, dreams and life-experiences of Schulz himself.  Certainly you can find a little piece of him in every one of his characters but I think mainly embodied in Charlie Brown himself. 

After watching the documentary I got to thinking about all of the Peanuts characters and began contemplating whether I found myself there represented in any of them.  After some thought I decided that I am a combination of exactly five:

Linus Van Pelt , Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Pig Pen and Marcy:

Put all of these characters in a large bowl, mix them up together real good and what you essentially come up with me! 

I would say that 50% of my personality, the majority really, is indeed Charlie Brown.  First of all, I tend to end up in situations and thereafter have not a clue as to how I actually got there.  Charlie Brown's friends call him "wishy-washy" but I look at it as a sincere desire to accomodate everyone's needs.

And, though I would vehimently deny it, like Charlie Brown, no matter how many times Lucy defaulted on her promise and yanked the football away at the very last instant, in the moment that she promised to hold it still and backed it up with a seemingly reasonable explaination why she would actually follow through and despite all past experience, I would always believe her and run at that ball like I was going to kick it out of this universe!  Much like Charlie Brown himself, no matter how many times I get burned I will forever more believe what people tell me.  Though it drives countless others insane (mainly my little sister), at the very next opportunity I will jump right back in without even a second thought.  I may not win, but much like Charlie Brown, I will always believe and my spirit will continuously strive to champion over adversity:

Yep.  That's me in the shirt with the big ole' zig-zag! 

Peppermint Patty represents the next largest aspect of my personality (About 38%).  She is loud (YEP! YEP!) and somewhat clueless; she is innoncently oblivious to what is transpiring around her and sometimes "doesn't catch the play."  She also tends to speak and act without thouroughly thinking things through and can be somewhat of a hot head.  However, what she lacks in tact and common sense, she makes up for in sincerity. <grin>.  Whereas the baseball diamond is her domain, the gym is mine.  Put a bandanna on that girl and you essentially have me!

Can you say C-L-U-E-L-E-S-S?

Next we add a little bit of Linus in there (about 10%).  I tend to be an intellectual always looking for and pointing out the deeper philosophical meanings inherent in situations as my way of making sense of the world and the people in it.  I do understand and revel in the true meaning of Christmas but would also be the one to believe in the "Great Pumpkin." 

And whereas Linus has is blanket for security, when I need to feel comfortable and secure, I put on my "little grey pants."  These particular pants are made of cotton and very comfortable.  I wear them when I don't feel well and when I want to relax and spend the day reading and writing in silent contemplation.  I've had them for years . . . too many probably but I REFUSE to throw them away and would probably go into an emotional tailspin if anyone actually disposed of them without my consent or knowledge.  In fact, when I practiced law I would often take work home.  (Surprise, surprise.)  And, I wore these pants when I crafted my very first brief for the Michigan Supreme Court about 6 months after I graduated from law school.  (And yes, the brief that I wrote succeeded in it's purpose; second trial GRANTED):

 

That would be me . . . always wanting to believe.

I also quite identify with Linus' quirky nature.  When I sit and think about otherwise totally involuntary actions such as blinking and swollowing it drives me CRAZY!

Now, to get this recipe just so, I would add a little pinch of Marcy (smart but naive) with a little dash of Pig Pen (cluttered and messy) and that would be the whole of my personality.

What about my little sister you inquire?  That's an easy one . . . 100% LUCY VAN PELT!:

Absolutely no question there!

So, I pose to you this inquiry . . .  out of all of the Peanuts characters, which combination would best describe YOUR personality.  (Once again, if no one comments I may get upset and irritated and you ALL know what that means!  If you need to refresh your recollection on the various members of the gang, you may click here for some assistance.  Now . . . get to thinkin' and typin' people!)

Comments

[Lisa]

Christine,
Another very insightful blog...entertaining as always; also thought-provoking.
My Peanuts combination:
I am closest to Marcie, with some Snoopy stirred in. I know, I know. hahaha
From Marcie, I admit I can be considered Dorky. The smartest? Wellllll...hmmm, perhaps, in some ways. And yes, obviously naive. Painfully inept in the sports department, (other than as an observer, where I can hold my own, "Go Wings!!") unless you include bowling, and then my friend, I kick butt.
Snoopy? Again the superior intelligence, of course. Then the vivid imagination kicks in: "I'm having an out-of-body experience" in order to mentally and physically survive certain training sessions. Just read my 'thought balloon' next time!!

[Christine]

I would say that's about right Lisa! Plus, like Marcie, you call me SIR! HA! HA! HA! I LOVE IT!

[Cori]

Apparently, I don't have to comment. You have already identified my Peanuts character; and, you are 100% right. Would you like to play a little football? :)

[Liz]

Okay, I've got to go with Linus for my Peanuts character. Sentimental, sensitive, would-be philosopher. He gets the best line in A Charlie Brown Christmas, too -- "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

[rebecca]

I'm a bit Linus (I even had a security blanket as a kid!) but I'm mostly Snoopy. I love speaking in front of crowds and performing. I tend to be pretty direct and honest about my emotions and thoughts. I am a horrible daydreamer and I LOVE food! Remember Snoopy's "suppertime" dance? The funny thing is that my husband is soooooo Charlie Brown. Does that make me his pet? Don't know if I like that......

[N]

Hey Chrissay...
What about "Snoop Dog"?
I think that you definitely overlooked considering "Old Snoop" as part of your personality combo. Now,honestly...isn't that YOU, (in your private time), on that doghouse intensively having a "mind melt" with your thoughts and paper?

-N

[Christine]

I can see that Nancy; especially when I get into the writing mode!

[Mike]

I am aware of my tongue - totally true and not only tongues but many other things that we do without thinking about it. I've worked for many a boss who didn't want to be aware of their "tongues" - habits that are actually counterproductive. Make'em aware of their "tongues" and you risk being walked out the door - same as "I oughta knock your block off"!

[creative recreation]

These look great! I recently read a recipe in Bon Appetit that added a huge pat of butter to the inside of a burger! I'm glad to see something that doesn't rely on so much fat for flavor, haha.

[retro jordan 11]

Okay, I've got to go with Linus for my Peanuts character. Sentimental, sensitive, would-be philosopher. He gets the best line in A Charlie Brown Christmas, too -- "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

[Air Jordans]

Religion has convinced people that there’s an invisible man?living in the sky, who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn’t want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer and burn and scream until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you and he needs money.

[new jordans]

The blog article very surprised to me! Your writing is good. In this I learned a lot! Thank you!

[NathanXN]

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