Obscure Fan Theory #428: Ernesto Lacuna and Oswaldo Twee

Just stumbled across an obscure fan theory regarding Cul de Sac, one of my favorite comic strips, today: The characters Oswaldo Twee and Ernesto Lacuna are father and son, or at least in some way closely related.

First, background.

Ernesto Lacuna is an elementary-aged wunderkind-in-his-own mind, and “imaginary” friend of Petey Otterloop, one of the strip’s main characters. He’s characterized as a proto-adult in waiting, anxious to shed the imbecility of youth and become a take-charge kind of guy. He’s a member of Future Adults of America – he may be its founder and only member – and often has delusions that he holds vast authority over his peers, particularly the hapless Petey.

Oswaldo Twee is a children’s book author that comic strip creator Richard Thompson says he modeled after Lemony Snicket. He, like Ernesto, has his own manias, including the theory that when Petey, inline for a Twee book signing, lost a baby tooth, he was “spontaneously disassembling,” something Ernesto is very likely to believe as well.

Then there’s appearance. Both Twee and Lacuna, despite their differing last names, look like older and younger versions of each other. Behold:

First, Ernesto. In rather a quiet and bland moment for him. But note the hair, the round head, the strange speechifying.

Now on to Mr. Twee. Also black of hair, round of head, and odd of speech.

Enlarged, for both.

Really, all Ernesto needs is that Oswaldian swoop to his hair.

Why does this matter? It doesn’t really. But it’s fun.

My Theory on Dishes

This is my theory on dishes. As Anne Elk [Miss] would say it, this theory is mine, that is, this theory that I am about to tell you is my theory.

Yes, dishes. As in many households that have not yet gone completely over to paper plates and such, dirty dishes accumulate in our house. Because whoever designed our kitchen decided that the modern family did not need counter space, the dirty dishes in our house accumulate in front of the microwave. That is after someone has gone 'round the house and collected all the dirty dishes from the other accumulation spots (living room, the stairs from the basement, my desk, et cetera). Once collected, the dishes form a mighty fortress of disgusting ceramic, stainless steel, plastic and glass in front of the microwave.

Then I want to make microwave popcorn.

The conundrum: Do I move the dishes aside and make the popcorn, or do I do the dishes first, then make the popcorn?

This is where my Theory of Dishes come into play: The dishes accumulate in front of the microwave so I am forced to deal with this dilemma on a constant basis. The dishes certainly could be stacked elsewhere in the kitchen, yet they inevitably appear in front of the microwave.

Most nights, I opt to wash them.

This is a good thing. As Michelle does the lionesses' share of chores around the house, it's good that I wash the dishes, whether I am forced into making a Hobson's Choice about having to wash them.