Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2018)
6A FEATURES Addicted to gaming Dear Annie: Ever since the beginning, he said that “Pokemon Go” came out, he’d play until he reached my husband has been spend- some top level and then ing a lot of time playing it. scale it down. Well, I sus- Sometimes he’s out for eight pect the game got modified, to 10 hours per day, includ- because it’s been over 1 1/2 ing during the night, years. A couple of DEAR walking around and times, he has said attempting to find that he knows he is ANNIE Pokemon for the addicted and that game. he won’t play that “M” is in his early much anymore. But 50s and has been a he still plays, and I stay-at-home dad don’t think he plans for the past seven to stop. He knows years. Our lifestyle I don’t like it when Lane is frugal, and having Annie he spends so much Creators Syndicate Inc. one of us available time on this game for the kids’ activi- but says that many ties has been useful. How- smart people play, too, and ever, if a serious and expen- that he wants to spend his sive issue were to arise, we time how he likes. And he would most likely struggle thinks that I should be happy financially. with our life and look else- M is an excellent father. where in my life to explain But I struggle with the fact my unhappiness. that for the past 1 1/2 years, The thought that my hus- he’s been spending eight- band is on his way to spend- plus hours each day (includ- ing several years of his life ing weekends) playing a playing “Pokemon Go” for game. It’s a colossal waste eight or more hours each of time, and I’m sick of it. day gives me shivers. I’m We’ve had multiple con- considering separation or versations about this. In divorce. I would appreciate your advice. — Discouraged in CA Dear Discouraged: Your husband is addicted to this game, and there’s no “next level” or “next achievement” that’s going to be enough for him. Limiting his game time to a set amount of time per day isn’t realistic. It would be akin to telling some- one with alcoholism to try just having one beer. If he’s going to quit, it will have to be cold turkey — deleting the app and even deleting his account so he’s not able to restore his data. I don’t think he’s ready for that step yet. Though he has admitted he has a problem, he doesn’t seem ready for help. You can implore him to go to coun- seling or offer to go to cou- ples counseling with him. You might also encourage him to take a self-screening test on the On-Line Gamers Anonymous website (http:// www.olganon.org). I’d encourage you to also visit the site yourself, as there is an OLG-Anon component for family and friends. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Though generations before you did things a certain way and the princi- ples they used to get through life are still relevant today, modern problems require you to build on that foundation. You’ll acquire new tools in the weeks to come. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The best way to predict what happens next is still the same as always: Make it happen. Today’s work may be a bit rushed, but it’s still remarkable and generous if not as polished as it might have been had you more time. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The antidote to self- ishness is publicity. Most would avoid the shame of being called out for putting one’s own interests before the interests of loved ones, teammates or the group — unless, of course, selfishness is the cultural norm. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Is any creature on the earth built for empathy? It could be argued that empathy plays against individual survival instincts. It’s definitely not the first instinct of hu- mankind, yet it’s definitely required for the survival of our species. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Don’t wait until life forces you to sprint. Just sprint to energize things. Just sprint to prove that you can. No one can sprint for the whole of the race, but a good marathon runner builds the occasional sprint into the over- all plan. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re going to do the brave thing — not because you have less to lose (if you had nothing to lose, it wouldn’t be brave) but because you realize more than the others do that your action is what’s sorely needed. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The situation will trig- ger your competitive instincts. Suddenly it will be important to dress, talk and move like the winner. 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 Much of this will come naturally to you, although some degree of study may also be involved. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You won’t be satis- fied with just any result. You want your work to be artful and useful, or you’d rather not turn it in at all. The thing is, you’re not the best judge of this today. Just turn it in. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The omens warn against selling your future for today’s quick fix, and yet fixing something quickly doesn’t always spell trouble in the future. So examine your options from a long-term perspective, and do your best. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). In general, your life is easier when you make fewer promises. However, everything you do sets up an expec- tation. The promises are implicit. And every one you keep builds trust that you’ll keep them in the future, too. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). How you imag- ine yourself will define your position. What one person considers a position of weakness another may consider a position of strength. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). As you climb the mountain to get a better view you make yourself more conspicuous to those below. This may not be your aim, but you should be aware that the beauty and knowledge you seek will make you more influential. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 15). You seek clarity, and you’ll find it. You’ll understand where your power lies and how to use it. This will man- ifest in a much less serious way than it sounds: Delight and enjoyment will open as many doors for you as hard work and study. Trust yourself, and believe the forces are working to lift you and let you fly. Aries and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 20, 22, 1 and 17.
