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6A
Talkers: Turn down the volume
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: I have increas-
ingly noticed how loud people can
be in public places. On a recent
short regional light, I sat in front
of two men who I quickly learned
work for the same large company.
They began chatting about their
lives from the moment we left
the gate and didn’t stop until we
landed. One man spoke with an
appropriate indoor voice, but the
other was incredibly loud. I put ear-
plugs in and even pulled my hoodie
over my head, to no avail. I could
neither read nor nap.
Here are some facts I learned:
This man lunked out of college
due to partying and drinking. He
has massive credit card debt and
is counting on an inheritance from
his mother when she dies. He’s tak-
ing his wife to the Caribbean in
two weeks. He lives in a nice sub-
urb. He hates his boss. He isn’t ter-
ribly fond of his wife, either, and
he’d love to sleep with Scarlett
Johansson.
I exited the plane exhausted and
angry, but I didn’t confront him. If
this type of incident happens again,
what would you suggest I do? —
Heard Too Much
Dear Heard: We, too, are often
surprised to hear people giving out
personal details and private infor-
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
mation at the top of their lungs.
Sometimes this indicates a hear-
ing problem. It is a dangerous prac-
tice, as this information can be used
by those who are not well-inten-
tioned. Knowing where someone
works and lives and that he will
be gone for two weeks is inviting
a break-in. And any stranger could
be a close friend of his boss, which
could cost him his job.
Nonetheless, his personal life is
not your concern. As a fellow pas-
senger, you are entitled to ask him
politely to turn down the volume so
you can get some rest, or ask the
light attendant to do it for you.
Dear Annie: Why are TV
shows that depict medical scenes
so graphic? I imagine it’s an
attempt at realism, but it’s disgust-
ing to see. Do they have so little
respect for their audiences that this
is the only way to increase ratings?
Our society has become absolutely
numb to the gore that we are sub-
jected to each day, and most of it is
totally unnecessary.
I’ve watched medical and
police dramas for years, and they
don’t need such graphic details to
create a storyline and keep view-
ers interested. If I wanted to see
realistic views of someone’s body
parts being removed, I would
have become a doctor. It’s worse
if I am eating while watching TV.
This kind of thing makes me want
to throw up, so I have given up
watching some otherwise good
programs. And I’d be willing to bet
that the majority of audience mem-
bers feel the same way.
Please print this letter so that the
creators know how some of us feel
about their determination to make
everything so graphic. We’re tun-
ing out because we are tired of the
blood and guts. — S.
Dear S.: The rise of cable TV
spurred a great deal of competition
as to who can show more than the
other guy. There are restrictions on
network television when it comes
to sex and language, but not so
much about graphic violence, so
that’s where it gets amped up. We
agree that showing so much is nau-
seating as well as desensitizing.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Sometimes
improving yourself is a form of self-love, and
other times it’s a form of self-rejection. So,
which is it? Your motive is the key. Why do
you want the change? Be honest.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). For now, for-
get about what they need. What makes you
come alive? Chances are their needs will be
altered and, in some cases, fulfilled by the
very same thing that makes you happier.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your resent-
ment toward a person may very well be war-
ranted, and yet it’s not helping you. You can’t
drop it, because it’s unresolved. But you can
contain it until the time of resolution comes.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Either there
won’t be enough time to prepare, or there
won’t be enough information to know how
to. These factors are blessings. Instead of
showing up strong, you’ll show up curious
and be more engaging for it.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may enjoy or
even prefer another person’s version of the
story, but don’t let that stop you from telling
your side. It will turn out to be important to
you and everyone else that your version
gets heard.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You want to be
adding skills, meeting people and refining
your game. One special alliance will help
you do all of those things and more. The first
step is to lighten up and let whimsy be your
guide.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ve chosen
a role that suits you. You won’t play the part
to perfection, but only because that would be
both boring and impossible. Close attention
to “costuming” will start your run on a win-
ning note.
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). Your casual
friendliness is making it very easy for some-
one to trust you and possibly — if you’re not
careful — even love you. The question is:
How many fans do you really want?
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A cre-
ative leaning or pet cause will bring you up
close and personal to someone you’ve ad-
mired at a distance for some time now. While
the encounter won’t exactly match your fan-
tasy, it will exceed your expectations.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Because
you think so highly of someone, you natural-
ly feed into this person’s fantasy persona. A
transformation will happen right before your
eyes. Your belief is the magic spell that will
make it so.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There have
been times when you’ve been unaware of
just how closely you were following your
influences. Right now someone is similarly
unaware of his imitation of you. Everyone
copies to learn.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Social op-
portunities abound. You can’t say yes to ev-
eryone without someone being disappoint-
ed, but you can buy yourself time to make
a decision by giving everyone a firm maybe.
SATURDAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 21). The
next three months bring opportunities that
seem straight from a sample sale — odd
shapes, colors and sizes — a creative chal-
lenge with fantastically lucky results. Cou-
ples will adventure in June and intertwine
business to lucrative effect in September.
Singles aiming to fulfill a business agenda
accidentally catch feelings. Leo and Aries
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 17, 22,
38 and 45.