In October 2012 sock sat on electric fence as part of the “Do Not Lick The Electric Fence” theme I was exploring. This led to an unresolved conflict with a sock. I was going to do more with it, but it’s hard when feelings and relationships are complicated and I just couldn’t get it right. Now, two years on, one of the Things is trying to articulate how betrayed they feel about how Sock encouraged them and just let them lick the electric fence. Sometimes it takes a little time.
Tag: do not lick the electric fence
65: Socks
I felt a little guilty about creating this comic. More bad things for one of the Things? But they only just got over zir last shock! But I also thought, we all know the learn from your mistakes thing – and so often we’re really harsh on ourselves if we make the same mistake or a similar mistake again.
The first time ze licked the electric fence it was just a curious mistake that was shocking – sometimes objects hurt things. This second time they’ve learned something different and shocking, a social shock, not just a physical one.
But even if the mistakes were identical (and often we make the same mistakes because life is tricky and we all have our own strengths and weaknesses) ze still need hugs to recover, still worthy of love and still capable of learning.
Given fear is the mind killer, kindness is even more important to create the space for learning. So hugs to you and hugs to me and hugs to the Things.
Transcript
Thing 1 (with angry eyes): socks
Now they have angry tired eyes
Thing 1 (with sad eyes): socks
Thing 1 (with grumpy eyes): socks
Then they have sad wobbly eyes.
Thing 1 hugs Thing 2 for comfort.
Thing 1: Socks lie
64: Socks don’t fear
Transcript
Sock balanced on top of an electric fence.
Socks do not fear electric fences
61: Wasted Hugs?
Transcript
Thing 1 and 2 are hanging out togeher.
Thing 1: I didn’t earn those hugs
Thing 1: I licked the electric fence I wasted those hugs
They look at each other.
The two Things head boop.
Thing 2: I like hugging you
59: Do NOT Lick the Electric Fence
Transcript
Thing 1 stares into the distance. Their mouth is open and they have rings around their eyes
Do
Thing 1 stares into the distance. Their mouth is open and they have even bigger rings around their eyes
NOT
Thing 1 stares into the distance. Their mouth is still open the same way, although the rings around their eyes have faded.
Lick
Their mouth is still agape, though in a slightly different position.
The Electric
Thing 1 has closed their mouth, though they are still looking off into the distance.
Fence
Thing 1 and 2 are hugging. Thing 1 is still a little cross eyed from the experience.