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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 2018)
6A FEATURES Chitchat annoys patient Dear Annie: I recently went sionals who talk nonstop while to see my doctor about some delivering their services. I don’t troublesome symptoms I had see the need for all the chitchat been experiencing, and the entire beyond what is called for in time he was examining me, he terms of common courtesy and kept up a running monologue professionalism. about the holidays and politics I am not a crabby old lady who and other assorted top- always finds fault. I just DEAR ics. I responded as nec- want people to focus on essary, but mostly I the task at hand. Multi- ANNIE tasking has been proved found myself wondering to negatively affect per- how he could be doing a formance, so why don’t good job of listening to people just be quiet and my heart and lungs over do their jobs? Is it just the sound of his own me, or is there an epi- voice. He did not spend demic of too much chat- nearly as much time dis- Lane cussing my treatment Annie tiness going on? — Creators Syndicate Inc. as he did chatting about Enough Chatter unrelated subjects. Dear Enough Chat- I realize that a certain amount ter: Small talk isn’t for every- of casual conversation helps to one. But it’s less and less com- put the patient at ease and to con- mon these days, when so many vey understanding and empathy, people prefer texting faraway but enough is enough. And see- friends to talking with people ing as he came in to see me nearly who are in the same room. So two hours past my appointment try to appreciate this chitchat for time, I’m guessing his tendency the attempt at human connec- to make excessive conversation tion it is. That said, your doc- tor, of all people, should recog- is what makes him run late. Although I am always nize and respect your boundaries friendly and appropriately as a patient. So don’t be afraid responsive, I also have issues to express how you feel with a with my hairstylist and mani- simple statement (and a smile, curist and other service profes- if you’d like to soften the edge): “Really, I am much more inter- ested in your observations about my health than in talking about politics.” Saying this with a warm smile will help. Dear Annie: I can respect your answer to “New Grandma,” who felt shut out of her grand- child’s life, but I thought a little more was needed — namely, a word to parents on how import- ant it is for grandparents to be allowed to see their grandchil- dren at least occasionally. I hav- en’t seen my grandson in over a year and get to FaceTime him only four times a year. We beg my son and daughter-in-law to come visit or to allow us to visit. We offer to cover any flights, hotels and rental cars, as well as lunches and dinners for us all. He’s 7 now! I even started vol- unteering to read to schoolchil- dren so I can feel a little like a grandma. — Heartbroken Dear Heartbroken: I’m so sorry you’ve not been able to spend more time with your grandson. I commend you for signing up for the reading pro- gram. You could have easily just wallowed in your heartache, as so many of us do when we’re feeling down. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re not the weather; you’re the sky. Do you see the sky clinging to the puffy white clouds or trying to trap the rain in one place? The sky doesn’t have to push or pull the weather along. It only needs to let it happen. afraid to be taken advantage of or ill-appreciated. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your reputation proceeds you. And don’t worry: It’s stellar, not because of your excellent public relations plan, but because you do the right thing consistently and people trust you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Although it’s never too late to set things straight, think twice before you do it. Make sure you have all relevant information and you know how you feel about it. There’s nothing worse than having to take back amends. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The details of self- care will be worth every penny and hour you spend on them. It’s not about being who they want you to be. It’s about a presentation that allows you to lose all self-conscious so you can relax and be your best. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re willing to take the necessary steps to further your professional life, except you’re not so sure what they are. Ask someone who’s been there. Bonus points if they have nothing to lose or gain from your decisions. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). People will perform to their potential because of the example of excel- lence you set. So don’t worry about leading your people. You’ll lead them just by being masterly at what you do. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). On a viral video, a boy waves slowly to a lizard. The lizard waves slowly back. Some laugh. Some say it’s a coinci- dence. Some take it as a sign, but of what? You look for evidence of CGI: You’re not a skeptic, but you’re nobody’s fool. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). What allows you to have more people in your life? A firm set of rules about relationships, that’s what. With awesome boundaries and structures in place, you 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 SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Pay attention to the things you do when you’re supposed to be doing something else. Those activities are more than mere distractions. They are pulling you for a reason. Could they be a key to your purpose? CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s so much hype in and around today with people wanting you to buy things, buy into their story, etc. Disconnect from the drama-barrage in favor of simple pleasures such as a walk, a cup of tea or the experience of beauty. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Super-sight is yours today. You’ll see how it really is and how it will be, too. Although you should be warned not to make any decision based purely on the potential in things. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When it all starts to get out of hand, that will be a positive occurrence — an affirmation that your life is a co-creation with the universal forces. So, you can’t control it all. Good! Why would you ever want to? TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 9). You’ll strike upon your next calling. This will take a while to put together. You’ll do steady research and development then you’ll really get it going in May. Day trips will be lucky for you. There’s so much to see very close to you, and you’ll bond with loved ones over the experiences you create. Sagittarius and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 30, 12, 19 and 43.
