FEATURES
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2016
Where’s the job placement?
Dear Annie: A year ago, I
signed up to do a shadowing cer-
tification course at a day care
facility. Shadowing involves
working as an assistant to a child
with low- or high-functioning
autism. “John,” the instructor of
the course, led me to believe that
there would be a job placement at
the end of the training. However,
after several months of following
up with him, I was still unable to
find a job as a shadow, despite the
fact that I had spent hundreds of
dollars and many hours of time to
finish the training.
Whenever I’ve tried to con-
tact him about finding me a job,
he has always made an excuse
of having a personal family trag-
edy, and when I contacted him
two months ago, he told me that
he had been diagnosed with Hod-
gkin lymphoma, that he had lost
his condominium and that his lap-
top had fallen in a lake. I would
be inclined to believe John, but
he exhibits many symptoms of
a pathological liar. He told me
he would refund me the money
I spent on the training, yet every
time I contact him, he uses his
diagnosis as an excuse for not
helping me, even though he said
he wouldn’t do that.
Dear Annie
By
Annie
Lane
Creators
Syndicate
Inc.
I would pursue legal action
against John if I had the money,
but I just want a straight answer
out of him for why he scammed
me like this. I’ve sent him text
messages, which he has not
answered. I have not phoned him,
because I don’t want to talk to
him on the phone. I did not do
this training for fun; I did it to
find work, and I could not find
this job myself without connec-
tions. I do not know whether John
really has cancer or not, but I feel
scammed and would like to know
what I could do about it. — Feel-
ing Scammed in Montreal
Dear Scammed: It sounds as
if the only course John should be
teaching is improv acting. I hate
to say it, but I think he’s a dead-
end in your job search.
Nevertheless, was the certifi-
cation you received legitimate? If
so, I wouldn’t consider it a waste
of money. That training could
still land you a job. If the day
care facility where you shadowed
is still operational, why not go
directly to management? You can
also look elsewhere for positions
that would allow you to work with
children with autism. Just present
your experience in the best possi-
ble light when applying; no need
to mention scammers or laptops
in lakes. Good luck.
Dear Annie: Please weigh
in on people who work in pub-
lic places addressing senior cit-
izens by “honey,” “sweetie” and
other such terms. Isn’t this a form
of senior bullying? Your input on
this subject would be appreciated,
as I find this practice unaccept-
able. — Senior in Connecticut
Dear Senior: It’s all in the
tone. Yes, it can be demeaning and
rude to call someone “sweetie” or
“honey.” But those are also terms
of endearment. So try to take into
account the speaker’s intention.
Even so, I understand why
you might be offended. So if you
don’t like it, just politely tell the
people, “My name is actually
(Mr. or Mrs. X).” That will set
them straight.
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you
choose to speak up on matters (and there’s
much worth considering that will pull you in
the opposite direction) then speak clearly
and from a place of total knowledge.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Even those
who don’t believe in intuition have expe-
rienced it. They chalk it up to their brain
working all-of-a-sudden faster. Maybe so.
Or maybe it’s just working deeper and wid-
er. Whatever it is, you’ll get it today.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Strategy
is not needed in all relationships. Those
open, comfortable relationships are so
precious because you don’t need to over-
think anything. Still, those relationships re-
quire care, too: Think of it as maintenance.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ve
developed quite a few ways of working
around the people who stand in your way.
When these are the same people you love
with all your heart, it’s harder — but still
possible, if that’s what’s necessary.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). This is your life.
You’re sharing it so nicely, but still... it’s
yours. What about an adventure you go
on by yourself? That hasn’t happened re-
cently, if only because you haven’t made
it happen. Now is as good a time as any!
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The “What
if?” game is a good way to break out of the
confines holding you today. Get thinking
about those “ifs,” because some of them
may actually be true.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Impulsive-
ness can be a good quality or a bad one.
You’re not usually given to act on impulse,
though you’ll definitely feel them tapping
your psyche today. To feel it is one thing. To
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
make your move is quite another.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Whomev-
er it is you’re mad at, make up. Don’t do it
for them; do it for you. Your energy flying in
that direction could be better spent. There
are opportunities coming your way.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s
the simple things. Love people who love
you back. Eat foods that agree with you.
Move your body and you’ll move your life.
You’ll think better when you drink more wa-
ter.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Not ev-
eryone is going to be happy; that’s a given.
And yet, if you’re doing your best, isn’t it
really their fault for setting an unrealistic
expectation?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). First, just
know that you don’t have to have all of the
answers. You don’t even have to have one
of them. Secondly, before you answer,
think about how your answer is likely to
change things.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Here’s
some great news: Your best is totally good
enough! You have moxie. You have style.
You have guts. And you’re in the perfect
place to use all of that for good.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 15).
You’re only greedy for the best things in
life: love, beauty and truth. Because you
seek them, this year will be unprecedented
in its good fortune. The next 10 weeks will
bring the presents straight to you, but after
that you’ll have to knock around to find op-
portunity. The initiative you show will bring
you gold! Sagittarius and Virgo adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 3, 1, 44, 19 and
29.