THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2015
FEATURES
Antisocial teen is lonely
Dear Annie: I am very antiso-
cial. I don’t go to parties as often
as most teens, I hardly ever invite
friends over, and the few friends
I do have no longer attend the
same school. I don’t belong to
any clubs or do other extracurric-
ular activities. I spend most of my
days at the computer, watching
TV or pacing back and forth in
my backyard.
My parents have noticed my
lack of social skills. My older sis-
ter is the same way. I know I can
make more friends if I try, but I
don’t know how. So, Annie, how
does a 14-year-old who’s never
had a circle of friends, never been
a partygoer and never had her ¿rst
kiss learn to be normal? — Lonely
for Life
Dear Lonely: You are not
as abnormal as you think. Many
teens have dif¿culty with their
social skills, even though you
may not see it. Plus, it sounds
as if there is a family history of
social anxiety. The fact that you
want to change is a good sign,
and we have every con¿dence
you can take charge of your life.
First, make an effort to get out of
the house more. Force yourself to
sign up for at least one extracur-
ricular activity at school. Make a
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
vow to smile and say hello to as
many classmates as possible. In-
vite a new friend to go with you
to the mall or come to your house
and watch a movie. Be interested
in what others have to say. All of
these things require effort, and
you will have to push yourself
at ¿rst, but it will get easier over
time.
Dear Annie: I met my girl-
friend three years ago and learned
that her stepfather had sexually
abused her when she was young.
Her mother knew but never did
anything to help her.
We now live together and
have a child. On several occa-
sions, I have suggested she get
counseling, but she either refuses
or puts it off. The stepfather is
still married to her mom. I can’t
stand the fact that she doesn’t
realize how this infuriates me.
This man should be taken off the
streets regardless of how long
ago the abuse happened. How do
I get her to seek counseling? —
Concerned
Dear Concerned: We know
how upset you are, but please re-
member that this is not about you,
and the constant pressure on your
girlfriend undoubtedly makes
her additionally uncomfortable
and stressed. We urge you to call
RAINN (rainn.org) at 1-800-656-
HOPE (1-800-656-4673) and ask
how you can best help her.
Dear Annie: When I was 18, I
found out I had genital warts, and
my world came out from under
me. I thought only bad girls got
STDs. Mom called me names and
insisted no one would ever want
to touch me again. She asked the
doctor if I was allowed to use the
same toilet seats as the rest of the
family.
Mom was wrong. I have been
married for four years to a won-
derful man. “Sad Mom” is do-
ing the best thing for her daughter
just by being there for her and not
letting her beat herself up for the
mistakes she has made. Someday
someone will see the beautiful
person she is. — Mending Rela-
tionships
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). There’s a
shift happening inside you. Your interest in
one subject wanes while your interest in
another waxes. Much will be illuminated
in the next 48 hours.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s point-
less and stressful to argue with what is.
When instead you agree, readily accept-
ing what you can’t change, suddenly new,
invigorating energy will sweep through
your scene.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The best
partnerships might not make your life
easier at first. The collaboration might
take more work than you expected. But
once you figure out how to groove with
one another, the results will be brilliant.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Strong
emotions make you more willing to lose
the familiarity and comforts of the past.
This is your admission price to a better
future. The progress you desire is worth
the sacrifice.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There’s nothing
you fear more today than the possibility
of regret. That’s why you’ll make the bold
choice and risk playing the fool. Your mot-
to now: Go big or go home.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll lead
with your principles, practice sportsman-
ship and maintain high standards for even
the seemingly small details of the day. It’s
becoming easier and easier for you to be
extraordinary.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Favors are
tricky. Small ones work best. Don’t ac-
cept a favor that requires great effort or
expense from another, as it will only cost
you dearly in the end.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re get-
ting to know the intricacies of a process.
The more you learn the sweeter your
experience. This education will help you
take things to a whole new level.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Don’t
wait to feel grateful or lucky. Let it happen
regardless of external circumstances. The
fortunate feeling will come first, and the
good fortune will come second.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). A little
more effort, a little more patience — that’s
what it will take to turn this experiment
into a success. You can do this. Breathe
deeply; coerce a smile from yourself; go
at it again.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). If you
keep letting them make the rules for you,
they’ll keep doing it. You have more free-
dom than you are owning. Claim it now.
It’s the only way to get where you want
to go.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll
flex your mental muscles. You’re a prob-
lem-solving machine today. It will get to
the point where you’ll think this is so much
fun, you’ll actually go looking for problems
to solve.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 27). It’s
like the wind is at your back most of the
year. You’ll get the sense that you’re col-
laborating with mysterious forces and
powers far beyond what one person could
muster. You’ll revel in social attention at
the end of the year. In early 2016, you’ll be
too involved in a special interest to notice
such things. Cancer and Sagittarius peo-
ple adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 11,
42, 28, 19 and 33.