THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JULY 31, 2017
FEATURES
Stuck in a sticky situation
Dear Annie: I hope you and even then I can’t really
can stand another letter about afford to move. So I might
roommate problems. I’m a sin- be stuck living with him for a
gle guy in my late 20s. I live while. How can I make a room-
with one roommate, “Larry,” mate clean up? — Not the Maid
Dear Not the Maid: It
and he’s getting on my last
might as well be a law of
nerve.
nature: Living with
Larry told me when
DEAR
roommates will save
he moved in that he
you money but cost
was a clean person,
ANNIE
you some serenity.
didn’t leave dishes in
The secret to not los-
the sink, kept the bath-
ing it completely lies
room tidy, always took
in compromise and
out the trash — pretty
humility.
much none of which
Compromise often
has turned out to be
means choosing your
true. He cooks big
Lane
battles. Larry’s stan-
meals, and then leaves Annie
Creators
Syndicate
Inc.
dards for cleanliness
all the dishes in the
will probably never
sink for days. He leaves
toothpaste specks on the mirror rise to the level of yours, so
and never cleans the toilet. He decide which issues you truly
does take out the trash now and can’t tolerate. For instance,
you might want to forgo fight-
again, but never the recycling.
I’ve tried talking to him ing over the toothpaste specks
about all of these issues. Some- on the mirror and focus instead
times he apologizes. Some- on the dirty dishes, which can
times he points out my own lead to bigger problems (such
messes. I leave mail and other as ruined flatware and cock-
random things lying around, roaches). Sit down and discuss
but that’s just clutter, not grime. concrete rules — write them
I’m tired of coming home to down even — such as doing
a gross apartment. It really puts dishes immediately after using
me in a foul mood. We’ve still them or before going to bed.
got six months left on our lease, Gently call him out the moment
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
you see him violating the rule.
The second concept to
employ here is humility. Are
you really the perfect room-
mate? We tend to have excel-
lent vision when spotting oth-
ers’ shortcomings but are
myopic when it comes to see-
ing our own. If you focus more
energy on cleaning your own
messes, you’ll be less annoyed
with Larry’s.
Dear Annie: I just read your
column that featured the letter
from “GSP Smith,” who put a
small security camera in her
mom’s retirement apartment. I
did that, too, for my mother’s
apartment, and I was informed
by the staff that it’s illegal in
Florida and many other states.
Isn’t that outrageous?! I had to
remove it. I’d love to see this
discussed in your column. —
Caring Daughter
Dear Caring Daughter: I
did some research. While the
staff was correct that it’s ille-
gal in many states, it seems
the laws are changing on this
issue. Readers, I would encour-
age you all to check what the
laws are in your state and voice
any concerns to your local
representative.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Avoid the triggers
of a bad mood. Limit your exposure to negativ-
ity. When you’re happy, everyone around you is
happy. Today you will influence many, so your
happiness is kind of like a responsibility.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re impres-
sionable. It’s one of the ways you learn so
quickly (though sometimes you learn the hard
way). If other people in your life are telling you
that someone is bad for you, listen.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You may change
what you’re doing in order to harmonize with
the dominant environmental influences and
forces, and that’s only smart. Even so, you
never completely lose your unique you-ness.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Things that look
good on paper don’t always play out in real
life, and things that work in real life don’t often
come with the hype, as hype hasn’t been nec-
essary. Word of mouth and personal referrals
will serve you well.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may be tempted to
veer off, but dig down and find the strength and
focus to stay the course. Simply put, you’ll be
better off tomorrow for following the plan today.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There is no magic
formula to follow now. Logic prevails. Efforts
that are correctly focused will lead to success.
Repeat the same action several times — a
habit is being forged.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There will be a
tangled little piece of drama to sort out. Then
again, perhaps this isn’t yours to solve. Sus-
pend your judgment. Assume the innocence of
others. Embrace humility.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Compromise is
a part of living together peaceably. However,
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
too much negotiating hurts a relationship. In
the name of respect and simplicity it may be
best to do what the other person wants without
making a counteroffer.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Lead
yourself. All sense of direction will stem from
your clear, bright, compelling vision of the goal.
It’s worth spending time on. The right vision
will help you set the strategy and execute the
mission.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Listening
isn’t easy. To give quality focus to another is
a skill that takes years to learn and decades
to master, and some people will never get it.
You’re good at it, and you deserve to be around
people in the same league.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s all just a
theory until you apply it. So go on. Decide the
limits to your gamble, and then jump in and
work it out. You’ll either disprove the theory
quickly and move on or be pleasantly reward-
ed.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You are orga-
nized; you have a plan; and you’ll stick to the
plan. Because of this, you won’t have too much
trouble finding people who understand your
deal, want to support you and will go along for
the ride.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 1). This
solar return shows you inexplicably drawn to
adventure and daring enough to open new
doors and enter foreign territory in pursuit of it.
Fast deals go down in September. December
brings good fortune and family unity. In 2018:
You’ll figure out a way to be compensated for
doing what you love. Aquarius and Virgo adore
you. Your lucky numbers are: 27, 12, 19, 28 and
45.