THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2017
FEATURES
Co-worker can’t stop talking
Dear Annie: I have a ited opinion and make it about
co-worker who, for many rea- her. It’s gotten to the point
sons, drives me up the wall. where I can’t have a single
“Lana” is older than I am by at conversation at the office with
least 35 years and sits across any of my other co-workers
from me at work. This would without her interrupting and
be fine, except she will not taking over the conversation.
stop talking. No mat-
For example, a
DEAR
ter how little interest
younger co-worker
I show or how many
and I were discussing
ANNIE
times I say “You told
housing in our town.
me this before,” she
(We both rent.) She
will natter on and on
barged into our con-
and on.
versation with her
She talks about
own horrible landlord
everything and any-
experiences, though
we hadn’t asked her
thing — her pets, her
Lane
friends, her friends’ Annie
opinion or advice. Her
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
experiences were also
marital/financial/
30 years out of date
health problems, what
she had for dinner, “funny” and thus not even relevant.
How do I politely tell her
things she’s found on Face-
book. Even if I have head- to shut up and mind her own
phones on or am clearly not business? — Tired of Inter-
listening, she’ll keep talking. ruptions in the Midwest
Dear Tired of Interrup-
It’s infuriating and very dis-
tracting for all of us in the tions: I have a feeling you’ll
have a hard time politely tell-
office.
To add to this, she has a ing her anything, because
serious case of one-upman- your fuse is about a centime-
ship syndrome. No matter ter long at the moment. Talk
who in the office is having a to human resources instead.
conversation — we have an This problem affects the
open floor plan — she has to whole office, not just you,
butt in with her own unsolic- so it should be of concern to
management.
Dear Annie: My brother,
executor of my father’s will,
and I had a falling out a few
years back. To punish me, he
took $3,000 from my inheri-
tance, claiming it was for an
alleged loan I took from my
father. He has no proof of this,
nor did it ever happen. And he
did not deduct the expenses
of major purchases Dad made
for my sisters, which were
common knowledge among
the family.
Do I have any legal
recourse? Or should I just let
it go and write him out of my
life for good? — Wondering
Dear Wondering: It’s
unfortunate that estate set-
tlement winds up tearing so
many families apart when the
most important thing parents
hope to leave their children is
not a thing at all; it’s a legacy
of love and kindness.
I’m sorry to hear what
your brother did to you.
Though it’s hard to say with-
out the details, it sounds as
if there’s a very good chance
you have legal recourse. Con-
tact an attorney to explore
your options.
5A
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Unless this story is
a melodrama, the hero won’t be the seemingly
perfect character who always does what’s right,
and the villain won’t be sheer evil, either. The hero
is flawed but bold. The villain is well-meaning but
ill-advised.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your needs, wants
and future projections are changing. Don’t be
intimidated by accounting! You’re probably doing
fine, but you won’t really know until you shore up
the short-term gains against the long-term costs.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The mind at work
won’t be a tight essay or neat math problem; rath-
er, it will resemble a rambling, shapeless amoeba
gaining organization as it finds the direction of
growth. In other words, be patient. The ideas are
still forming.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). There are certain
qualities that are more universally attractive than
others. Still, there is no one-size-fits-all when it
comes to love. Generic attributes aside, affinity will
be created through your individual intelligence and
sparkle.
be aware of the tone of a place and the game
that’s being played there is before entering.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When dealing with
yourself, try and provide the same atmosphere of
warmth you so hospitably use in your approach to
others. It will make change less scary. The change
most needed is small, specific and personal.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re large
and in charge sitting at the royal throne of your life,
and yet you realize, as most rulers do, much that
happens in your kingdom is beyond your control.
Calmly handle what can be handled.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s an art
to giving and receiving. Wasted is the opportunity
given to one who is ignorant of its significance.
If you’re going to ask for more of anything today,
ask for more wisdom. You just might get more
happiness, too.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Professionals see
rejection as inevitable. Superstars see rejection
as a skill. When you’re good at rejection you learn
more, take the idea to more people, pitch more
and ultimately succeed more.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). On your way to fun and
success you’ll blow past obstacles that used to
stop you. Maturity is realizing that most incon-
veniences are not catastrophes and unfortunate
events don’t define you or automatically dictate
your mood.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Like most people,
most of the time you’re the one on your mind. Hey,
taking care of your own needs and happiness
serves all. That said, the hours you spend focusing
on someone else’s enjoyment will be the best of
the day.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Growth is uncomfort-
able. It entails understanding what you couldn’t
conceive, feeling what you’ve never felt, doing
what you haven’t done. Be patient in these early
stages. Maybe this whole lifetime is just one long
early stage.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 17). Truly your
life is becoming more beautiful. Social stars are
rising. Love is at the helm. You’ll invite people to
visit your work and living space, which will inspire
new designs and systems. November brings pro-
motion. You’ll spend on yourself in 2018 (without
guilt!) and the investment pays in unexpected
ways. Taurus and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 8, 18, 44, 9 and 12.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). No one gets into the
boxing ring without getting punched. No one gets
into pool without getting wet. The correct time 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