FEATURES
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
How to break up with friends
Dear Annie: My wife and I
met this new couple at a function,
and they seemed really nice, so we
exchanged information in hopes of
meeting up again. We like meet-
ing new couples and thought we’d
see whether we have more in com-
mon. We have hung out with them
a handful of times now but don’t see
any connection or really have much
in common. They are always bring-
ing up politics and their strong beliefs
in a particular party, followed by neg-
ative comments about what the state
of our country would be if the other
party were to win the presidential
election and all the doom and gloom
we would be in for.
My husband and I have never
been very political and don’t ind
much interest in discussing it. We
have a decently fun time with them,
but my wife and I often talk about
what else we could’ve done that eve-
ning or that day. The woman of the
other couple texts my wife almost
every Friday now to invite us out.
We’ve said no a few times, but
now we don’t wish to meet up with
them anymore because these polit-
ical conversations are such a drag.
It feels as if we are trying to break
up with this couple but they don’t
know it yet. We don’t know what to
do. — Politics-Free Household
Dear Annie
By
Annie
Lane
Creators
Syndicate
Inc.
Dear Politics-Free: Although
these days it seems to be more of
a faux pas to discuss “Game of
Thrones” spoilers at the dinner table
than politics and religion, there’s a
reason that those loaded topics have
traditionally been off-limits. They’re
deeply personal, and talking about
them tends to create hostile territory
where friendship might have grown.
Politely tell the couple you respect
that they are passionate about their
beliefs but you don’t feel comfortable
talking politics. If they can’t respect
that, move on to new friends. You’re
under no obligation to spend time
with this couple. After all, “doomed”
or not, it’s still a free country.
Dear Annie: I just want to get
married. I’ve been dating my boy-
friend for three years, but he hasn’t
warmed up to the idea of marriage.
He says things like, “It’s just a piece
of paper. And besides, half of mar-
riages end in divorce.” I was ecstatic
when he recently expressed inter-
est in moving in together. I think he
sees this as the next step in determin-
ing whether we’re compatible before
perhaps popping the question.
The only thing standing in the way
right now is the fact that my parents
disapprove. I care about their opinion,
of course, but it is my life and a deci-
sion I’ve made carefully. My mom
has kind of gotten over it, but my dad
refuses to acknowledge it and doesn’t
seem to care about how we’re doing
as a couple. All he cares about is how
I am doing and how my job is. He
also disapproves of my boyfriend’s
unemployment. It really makes my
boyfriend uncomfortable, especially
because those two have never really
gotten along. What can I do to make
my dad see that this man is my future
husband? — Shacking Up
Dear Shacking: Reverse the
U-Haul. Not because Dad dis-
approves but because moving in
together wouldn’t change your boy-
friend’s mind if he’s already said he’s
indifferent about marriage. In fact,
he’d have even less reason to take the
next step.
Stay in your own places until the
two of you make solid plans for your
future.
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). The shep-
herd and the sheep have an interesting re-
lationship. The sheep are known to drift to
new horizons and greener pastures at will.
The shepherd expects no loyalty, but under-
stands the job: Corral and protect.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). What seems
boring to you is riveting to another — not
(SET ITAL) every (END ITAL) other, though.
Being a winner with your crowd will depend
on choosing your audience or censoring
yourself.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You are driving
yourself crazy trying to figure out the answer
to a puzzle. Maybe this is about an upcom-
ing occasion and how to celebrate it well, or
maybe it’s about a relationship in general.
Whatever it is, the muses are with you.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Results
might not come as fast as you want them to,
but keep at it. Faith is a muscle that needs
to be exercised just like the other muscles
you have. In your love life, you’ll receive the
confirmation you’ve been wanting.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). This day echoes
the biblical story of the prodigal son, i.e., the
one who goes off and goes crazy seems to
get the most and best attention — not you.
Perhaps you should straight-out ask for your
due.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The song in-
sists that “only the lonely” know the way the
singer is feeling tonight. However, people
who are not lonely but are very empathetic
(like you) know, too, and will help the situ-
ation.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Should emoji
icons be used as punctuation? In the fu-
ture, will this be the case? And if so, is this a
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
dumbing down or a smarting up? These and
more questions will speak to the emotional
intelligence of you and your generation.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Hopefully,
you are still aware of the fun that is to be
had under this sky. It’s a lot. A lot more than
you had yesterday, and a lot less than you’ll
have tomorrow if you play your cards right.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A cer-
tain relationship will be on your mind all day.
If this relationship had a soundtrack, what
would that defining song be? The evening
will bring a welcome change in mood.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Did you
sleep better than you have in months? Are
your stars finally aligning to the projection of
your higher mind? No surprise: You’re light-
ening up and straightening out at the same
time.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You do your
best work when you are emotionally dis-
tanced from a problem. Clear your head; get
away. Humor heals! Give your brain a break.
Seek comedy.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Well, hey,
might you say that the smarter a person is,
the more engaged he or she is in what oth-
ers might classify as “mundane”? This could
explain today’s simple fascination.
WEDNESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 27).
You’ll go into this year with clear goals and
wind up with a completely different set of
aims by the end of August because of all the
inspiration you’ll soak up over the next four
weeks. Physically you’re getting stronger,
and in September you’ll capture someone’s
fascination. October and February bring a
windfall. Virgo and Aquarius adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 11, 32, 26, 5 and 47.