FEATURES
6A
Scheming up a reference
Dear Annie: I am a college stu-
dent in my early 20s. While applying
for an internship recently, I contacted
a former employer, “Lauren,” to ask
whether she would act as a reference
on my application. This is a woman
I genuinely like and respect, so I was
excited when she said that she would
be happy to do so and that we should
meet to catch up over coffee.
The trouble started when she later
invited me to a “meeting” instead.
I was aware that Lauren had
recently become involved with a “mul-
tilevel marketing company” (read:
pyramid scheme) that sells “safe” and
“natural” nutrition and beauty prod-
ucts. Even though this was not some-
thing I was interested in, I decided to
go to the meeting to see her and see
what it was about. Although she was
saving several seats, I was the only one
of Lauren’s friends to show up.
The meeting turned out to be fun
and very convincing. I was careful not
to commit to anything, but I expressed
an interest in researching and trying
the products and was invited to a prod-
uct party. I was even privately consid-
ering becoming a consultant if I liked
the products, and I suspect that Lauren
and her friends could sense that. While
driving home, however, I started to
feel a little brainwashed. I respect the
men and women who can be success-
Dear Annie
By
Annie
Lane
Creators
Syndicate
Inc.
ful in these businesses, but I am not
one of them, and I have never had an
interest in trying.
I am not against the products and
might even like to purchase a few
in the future, when I have a steady
income and a regular routine. Unfortu-
nately, Lauren seems more interested
in recruiting me to the company than
in selling me things.
It has only happened two or three
times, but I am running out of polite
ways to delect or decline.
My question is: How do I say no
to Lauren without upsetting her so that
I will still be able to list her as a refer-
ence? Is that even possible? My past
experience working for her (and there-
fore having a reference from her) is
an important part of my resume and
could make the difference between
my getting an internship in my ield
and my not getting one. What should
I do? — Making Up My Mind
Dear Making Up: Timing is
everything. I’m not suggesting you
cook up a scheme of your own, but it
wouldn’t hurt to keep things on open-
ended, friendly terms while you’re
still asking Lauren to be a reference.
Instead of worrying over how to give
Lauren a hard “no,” focus on securing
a hard “yes” from her on that front.
And meanwhile, come up with a
plan B. If Lauren lakes on you like
bad foundation, have someone else
lined up to speak to your professional
assets.
Dear Annie: I went to a funeral
yesterday and sneezed immediately
when seated. The woman in front of
me was doused in perfume. I moved
back a row (no place else to go), but
that perfume permeated the entire
church. I am sure she is a nice woman
and did not realize how offensive she
was. — Enough of the Noxious Fumes
Dear Enough: You may suf-
fer from multiple chemical sensitiv-
ity. The exact science behind the con-
dition is still up for debate, but some
people have much stronger reac-
tions to scents than others. Some
have found relief by fanning them-
selves with paper, carrying around
orange peels (to mask unfriendly
scents) and using meditative breath-
ing techniques.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You don’t
need a problem to push you to be your best.
Improvement is in your nature. In fact, the
only problem in sight today is that you’ve
already improved to such a high level that
you’re not sure where to go next.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re not
going to switch jobs today or tomorrow
but you can see a dot on that employment
horizon, growing as it nears you. Change is
coming. Question: If money were no issue,
where do you think you might like to fit in?
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Is the mo-
ment lush with silence, or is it awkward with
the tension of not knowing what to say?
Well, luckily you don’t have to be the judge.
Time will hand down the truest verdict. Until
then, shrug it off.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Excitement
burbles up from new developments in your
personal life. It’s too soon to predict how
this relationship will grow, but decide to
have a good time no matter what and it will
all work in your favor.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Fearlessness is
artless and boring. Your fear is beautiful!
Claim it. Then use it with grace. Like a gym-
nast, thrust your heart over the bar and the
rest of you will follow.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re trying
to relate to the other person, not outdo the
other person. With this in mind, you’ll proba-
bly hold back a few of your stories. Anyway,
you’ll learn more and love better through
listening than you will through talking.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The ones
who are trying to help you will wind up do-
ing just that — after they put you through
some paces. No, this exchange won’t be
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
so straightforward. The roads will wind and
cross. Be patient.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Remember
when you concerned yourself with being
very, very good? You’d be hard pressed to
say if it made a positive difference. Anyway,
tonight, a little bit of wickedness is the spice
that lights up the whole dinner.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It takes
quite a lot of energy to control the scene,
and the planning will just drag on and on.
Another way is to leave the others on their
own and see what they come up with.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You en-
joy a spritz of kookiness now and then, and
you’ll get a whole luxurious spoonful of it
with the interesting cast of characters who
surround you today.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Anticipa-
tion is a certain brand of joy. What comes
before the exciting part will be the real ex-
citing part. Of course, there is no anticipa-
tion without that future event. Set it up if you
haven’t already.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You feel that
the one who wronged you still hasn’t been
adequately punished. It’s a seductive prob-
lem, but truly, to focus your energy there
would only rob you of this beautiful week-
end.
SATURDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 20).
You’re still deciding who to be. Your flexible,
curious and experimental mindset keeps
you creating. Many find you mysterious and
attractive. You’ll be swept into one adven-
ture after the other and rarely will you have
to foot the bill. Taurus and Libra adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 8, 40, 24, 1 and
16.