6A
FEATURES
Drama over solutions
Dear Annie: My middle child she makes a change. Right? Or is
graduated from college last year there a more constructive solu-
and has been driving me crazy tion? — Mom Running in Circles
Dear Mom Running in Cir-
ever since. The transition into
the adult world can be a difficult, cles: Your daughter needs to
confusing time for most college decide for herself that she’s tired
grads; thinking back, I obsessed of being a part of the Whac-A-
Mole-like game, and
over picking the “right”
DEAR
she won’t reach that
job, the “right” career, etc.
point as long as some-
So, that I can empathize
ANNIE
one’s playing with
with. But every time she
her. So setting down
presents a problem and I
the rubber mallet and
present a solution, she then
stepping away was
presents another problem.
the most constructive
It reminds me of Whac-A-
thing you could have
Mole. Honestly, I think she
done. If she seems seri-
prefers the complaining
Lane
ously stuck in a rut, it
and drama to the promise Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
might also be construc-
of positive change.
tive to encourage her to
This cycle is truly
exhausting for me — and every- seek counseling.
one else in the family. Half the
Dear Annie: Your tipping
time, our conversations become column really hit home. I work
tense and end up being com- part time for a ski area, where
pletely unproductive. Our most I teach skiing to all ages and
recent one resulted in my telling groups of people. We are out
her to not come to me for help there in all kinds of weather and
until she’s ready to listen and are expected to always put on a
act on one of the possible solu- smiling face. For the most part,
tions. It’s difficult for me to see we start our lessons and fin-
her getting in her own way, but ish them in the time restraints.
if she’s not going to be an adult During that time, we do our best
about it, then I guess she’s going to improve the skiing or board-
to have to learn the hard way by ing skills of our students. Many
feeling frustrated and stuck until times when we arrive back at
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
the starting area, we have to wait
for 10 minutes for the parents to
show up. This then causes the
next lesson to be delayed, can-
celed or given to another instruc-
tor. We work for minimum (or
slightly above minimum) wage
in most cases — and only if we
have a lesson.
The percentage of tips given
to ski or snowboard instructors is
very low, and I would guess that
only about 25 percent of the pop-
ulation remembers to tip. I don’t
know of another coaching indus-
try that pays such a low rate,
and the customers using our ser-
vices feel they don’t have to tip.
Granted, they do pay big bucks
for tickets and lessons, but they
think nothing of spending the
same amount in a restaurant or
bar and then tipping the waitress
or bartender.
Thanks for letting me vent.
And if this helps or encourages
one person to say thanks for a job
well done, then I have done my
job twice. — Ski Bum
Dear Ski Bum: A useful
instruction to know before hitting
the slopes. I’m sure many people
aren’t even aware that they’re
supposed to tip for ski lessons.
Thanks for writing.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You simply can’t
learn everything you need to know from a sin-
gle point of reference, so you’ll move around
and investigate the story from many different
angles.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The phrase of
the day is, “That’s not how I remember it!”
Even while uttering this, the memories will
rearrange themselves, having gained greater
context and meaning in light of current events.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll be present-
ed with ideas that are such a bad fit for you it’s
almost comical — but don’t laugh. Listen. The
perspective you’ll gain will be invaluable.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). In seeking
partnership, pay keen attention to how you feel
around other people. This is far more import-
ant than what others can do for you on paper.
The best partner will make you feel lively and
motivated.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You can avoid future
awkwardness by playing against the tendency
to make endings so definitive. Keep it open.
Try, “see you around,” “until next time,” or
“enjoy!” instead of “goodbye.”
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Life is your art
form. The artist’s journey includes playing
around with new and different materials to
keep things fresh. You’ll find something that is
“so you,” but only if you step out of your current
comfort zone.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Opportunity isn’t
something to wait for — it’s something to
make. The ingredients are simple: communi-
cation in numbers. Write the letter and make
the pitch, and then get it to as many people as
possible.
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). A crowd can’t
love you like an individual can, and an
individual can’t love you like a crowd can. You
need both kinds of love in your life. They fulfill
different needs in your psyche, so don’t settle
for just one kind.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You don’t
have to be prepared for everything, only the
next thing. Overpreparing is like overpacking
— heavy, hard to move and harder to organize.
Love where you’re at. Keep it lean and mean.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re not
lacking in faith, but you should be a little care-
ful about where you put it today. Don’t put your
faith in one plan, institution or person unless
that person is you or someone you love dearly.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). What con-
spires between you and the competition will
not dissuade you, but will instead strengthen
your convictions and your fearlessness. You
may change your approach, but you’ll continue
the journey.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Embrace your
constraints; they make you more creative.
Also, you may suspect that you don’t have
all the information — good! There’s a Forrest
Gump kind of luck born of blissful, optimistic
ignorance.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 22). Most
positive-minded people can find the opportuni-
ty in a bad situation. But you will do something
much more rare this year: You’ll turn an al-
ready good situation into an optimal showcase
for your unique work. You will touch and inspire
people. Your strength springs from family; your
best ideas spring from what and whom you
love. Gemini and Leo adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 12, 9, 38, 2 and 17.