FEATURES
6A
Son resents pushy parents
Dear Annie: Whenever I’m at
my parents’ house and they have
guests, they expect me to “per-
form.” I don’t mean playing the
piano or tap dancing. I mean they
insist I “tell them that story you
told me.” Any story they select.
I feel I’m being treated as some
kind of circus freak. This makes
me very uncomfortable, and they
know it because I’ve told them.
They always promise not to do it
again, but then they always do.
They can be incredibly selfish.
My mother doesn’t want me to
speak at family dinners, and lets
my siblings bulldoze over every-
one. I hated this when I was a kid
and still do. Now, whenever she
tells people, “Tell them what you
told me,” I will say, “I think that
story isn’t appropriate for now, if
you know what I mean.”
Am I being unreasonable?
Did I also mention that my par-
ents interrogate me about my job
and then tell me I’m doing it all
wrong? We have fights about what
I wear to work. The last time, they
told me to wear a shirt and tie to
a job where I get my hands dirty.
And they did it in front of my ex-
tended family. What do I do? —
New Jersey Son
Dear New Jersey: You learn
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
to accept your parents as they are,
and then set boundaries that will
allow you to be less upset.
Your folks apparently think
you are a terrific storyteller, but
you do not have to oblige. When
they ask you to relate something,
it’s fine to say, “Not right now,”
and then change the subject. A
useful skill is to do so while be-
ing polite, even smiling. Never
lose your temper. Repeat as often
as necessary and take your leave
if they won’t let up. Save your
conversation for friends who ap-
preciate it instead of siblings who
talk over everyone. Some parents
are notorious for criticizing their
children’s choices in everything.
Most children figure out how to
evaluate what has merit and then
ignore the rest, nodding politely
instead of arguing. We suggest
you practice.
Dear Annie: I would like to
respond to “At a Loss in Ohio,”
whose brother died and she re-
ceived no condolences from any-
one in her boyfriend’s family,
including his children, nor any of
his friends.
Why would you give people
who behave poorly a pass by say-
ing she should forgive them? She
wasn’t asking them to mourn her
brother, so whether they knew
him is irrelevant. She was look-
ing for emotional support to help
soften the sharp edges of the pain.
Isn’t that what family and friends
do for each other? Their indiffer-
ence to her pain is inexcusable
and she owes them nothing more.
She has every right to feel angry
and resentful. — Call a Spade a
Spade
Dear Call: We agree that these
people behaved terribly and said
so. But finding forgiveness is for
her, not them. She needs to let
these people know how disap-
pointed she was in their lack of
condolences, but she also needs to
find a way to let it go or it will
poison her relationship with her
boyfriend. We should not be so
focused on holding onto hurt and
anger that we lose track of the oth-
er things that matter.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
STONE SOUP
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Discretion is
a talent, but it also can be learned. Wheth-
er or not you were born with the instinct to
hold your tongue, your inclination to do so
will save someone from embarrassment
today.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ve
thought long and hard about letting some-
one off the hook, and today brings the
perfect opportunity to do so. Forgiveness
brings so many benefits that it almost
seems like a selfish act.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s not a
competition. That’s what you keep telling
yourself, while another part of your brain
counters: Then why does it feel like a com-
petition? Either way, you won’t be able to
stop yourself from winning.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). It takes a
lot of brainpower to comprehend nature,
and the smartest people wonder whether
it’s even worth thinking about. The body
has intelligence far beyond what the mind
can grasp.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s the height-
ened circumstances that make life stress-
ful — the changes in relationships, jobs,
health, location, etc. that bring a curious
mix of chemicals to your blood. You can
handle it. Give yourself permission to relax.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Does life in-
flict the same harsh reality on pessimists
as it does on optimists? The law of aver-
ages would suggest it; whereas, the law of
attraction — you get what you focus on —
suggests otherwise.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Action can be
impeded, but not intention or disposition. In
other words, you can stop a person from
doing wrong, but you can’t change the de-
sire or the attitude that goes along with it.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There is al-
ways another route to get where you need
to go. Seek new direction; find adventure.
Once again, you’ll know what it feels like to
be the most interesting person in the room.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The
thing you dread — it’s not so bad. So go on
and get face to face with it. Put your hands
in and get a little bit dirty. This will be over
soon enough, but only because you were
willing to deal with it.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Here’s
something you should know: Your magi-
cal thinking is a kind of threat to someone
who thinks differently. And when your ideas
work out brilliantly, try not to rub it in.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). In your
current mood, it’s hard for you to like things
— you love them instead. Therefore, be
stingy with your promises. Your enthusiasm
could have you committing more than you’ll
be willing to deliver later.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your mind
will be whirring, even when you’re asleep.
The best idea will be the new one you
come up with now. Don’t be surprised if it’s
the only one on the table.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 6).
Over the next six weeks, when you de-
cide to do something, it’s as good as done.
That’s why it will be wise to take your time
with decisions, test them and gather opin-
ions from experienced folks. Your well-exe-
cuted plan pays thousands in September.
November heats up your love life. Capri-
corn and Scorpio people adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 10, 4, 15, 7 and 39.