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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 29, 2016)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016 FEATURES Tired of the vegan questions Dear Annie: It’s almost the handle it. (Of course, they always holidays, and I’m excited to spend seem to forget by the following time and enjoy great meals with year, because they end up asking extended family. But there’s one me all the same stuff again.) Is there anything I can politely thing I’m never sure how to deal with. I’m vegan, and the rest of say to prevent a game of 20 ques- my family is not. That wouldn’t tions this year, or do I just need to suck it up? — Tired of be a problem, except DEAR Talking About This every time I have din- Dear Vegan: They’re ner with them, my aunts, ANNIE asking, so you shouldn’t uncles and elder cous- feel guilty for giving ins have a laundry list of them answers. Perhaps questions for me: “Why spare them the gory are you vegan?” “What’s details, but do be hon- wrong with dairy?” “How est. I think these con- do you get protein?” versations will feel less The only question that Lane tiresome once you let really gives me pause is Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. go of the fear of offend- the “why” one. I’m per- ing them. They’re sim- fectly fine with the fact that my family members eat meat, ply curious. Give thanks for the and I wouldn’t question them opportunity to share something about it or pressure them. Yet they you’re passionate about with put me in an uncomfortable posi- receptive relatives. Dear Annie: My closest tion, as I feel awkward talking about why I find it cruel to eat friend has decided to have a des- meat while they’re in the middle tination wedding, which is caus- of enjoying their meal. It makes ing me some degree of anguish. me feel bad and guilty. I don’t Not being a fan of this type of want to ruin their appetites or wedding, I am troubled about seem in any way as if I’m judging my expenses and, more so, by them. I’ve told them, “I’d rather the lack of respect for guests. We not talk about it right now. It will have to spend $3,500 for a week- gross everyone out.” And they end to share this moment, and this insist they want to know and can is expected from me because of our close relationship. I would like not to attend, but I am sure that this would mean a signifi- cant change in, if not the end of, my relationship with my friend. For the record, I am a man, and my friend is a woman. Does this gender difference have anything to do with our differing views of financial practicality? — Debt-sti- nation Wedding Dear Debt: No, this isn’t a gender thing. No reasonable person, male or female, should expect loved ones to shell out that much cash to attend a wedding. According to the most recent American Express survey data, the average guest will spend $673 on a wedding — a hefty enough chunk of change. That your friend is asking you to spend over five times that is absurd. Talk to her about your con- cerns. Tell her that you consider her one of your closest friends and want to be there for her big day but that you just can’t afford it. It’s unfortunate, but she should expect that some people won’t be able to make such an expensive trip. That was her (and her partner’s) choice. If she stops being friends with you over that, she wasn’t too good of a friend to begin with. 5A TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Life is not a real- ity TV show where you’re either “in” or you’re “out.” Relationships often go along indefinitely, a little up-in-the-air, with various degrees of involvement. Don’t be in a rush to categorize where you’re at with people. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Keeping your- self safe from harm includes controlling the distance between you and people you love or could possibly love. It might help to think of yourself as a scientist, collecting data. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re willing to fall in love with an idea, and you’re just as willing to step back and say, “This is not the right choice for me.” From this position you’ll make stellar decisions that favor your long- term happiness. CANCER (June 22-July 22). To make an emotional investment today will be riskier than other kinds of investing. It will also be more difficult to recover from if it doesn’t go right. That’s why what you’re doing is mighty brave. Give yourself more credit for taking the risk. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may not like the notions being brought to the table, but let them air anyway to discover how strong they really are. The censor will lose in the end be- cause strong ideas find the fuel to keep the fire alive. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re not here to close the deal at all costs. You’re here to make the deal that’s right for you. This should include the higher good, but don’t get over- ly wrapped up in the other person’s side of it today. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It would be fun to have certain people for friends, but alas, there are appropriate friendships and inappropriate 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 friendships, and those who can’t figure out the difference are asking for trouble. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There’s no time for critique or complaint today. If you’re walk- ing around lamenting all that’s wrong with so- ciety, you’ll be distracted from the fact that you get to choose how to make this world better. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Someone will make you proud to be a leader and men- tor. You don’t ask anyone to be perfect; you just ask them to show up and try. When they knock it out of the park, you’ll beam. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Nothing you experience will go to waste. Your mind will be keen to pick up on the kind of details you can use to solve a problem. You’ll be a regular Sherlock Holmes! AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You haven’t al- ways been able to say that you like your life, but now you can, and this will be reflected in your activities of the day. You’ll agree to propo- sitions that look, sound and feel “so you.” PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s more being asked of you, so some of your usual self-care activities might slip through the cracks now, but the sacrifices you make will be worthwhile. Besides, you can catch up to- morrow. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 30). You’re thoughtful, smart and willing to go the extra mile for people who need you. Because you’re such a good friend, you’ll gain access to ex- clusive opportunities. Take advantage of the chance to see new places, even though this will come at a cost. The plot twist in March will eventually favor you: Hold on. Aries and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 2, 22, 14 and 41.
