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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 19, 2018)
6A FEATURES TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE A bothersome third wheel Dear Annie: My girlfriend He ignored me and ordered pizza to has a brother, “Joel,” who is 23 be delivered. Because of a mix-up, years old and has Asperger’s syn- the order arrived cold just as every- drome. Now, don’t get me wrong; one was leaving. He wanted me to I have nothing against people warm it up in my oven, and I sug- with Asperger’s. But this guy is gested he do that when he got home too much. He always has to have because I just wanted to go to bed. He started giving me all the last word, argues con- DEAR stantly and thinks he knows kinds of stupid reasons, everything. Their mother and I cursed at him and ANNIE insists that my girlfriend told him, “Be a man and let him tag along when- eat it cold.” My girlfriend ever we’re together, and then got angry with me for she actually lets him. I’ll being mean. say, “It’s just going to be us The last straw was last tonight, right?” She’ll say week, when we went out yes, but when I get there, to a nice restaurant for my Lane she has him with her. I’ll Annie birthday. Joel showed up Creators Syndicate Inc. take her aside and remind even though she had said her that it was supposed he wouldn’t be there. I to be just us, and she’ll say, “But tried to bribe him to leave by hand- my mother didn’t want him to be ing him $20 and saying, “Get a at home by himself.” He’ll proceed sandwich and see a movie.” But to ruin the evening. First he’ll insist that didn’t work. Everything would be fine in my on a different restaurant. Then he’ll interrupt everything I say. And by relationship if it weren’t for Joel the time we get our food, I’m ready and the way my girlfriend enables him. She and I get along really to walk out. Recently, we were out with well, and we have fun together, but some mutual friends, and sure our time together is limited. My job enough, she had Joel with her. We is tough, and I don’t have a lot of all went back to my place. Then patience for aggravating things out- he wanted to order pizza. I calmly side of work. How can I get her to said, “Joel, you don’t need to order stop letting her moron brother tag pizza. There’s food here already.” along? I don’t want him around, but my sweetie can’t seem to act like a grown-up and say no to her family. — Over It Dear Over It: Long-term rela- tionships aren’t just about getting along well. They’re about priori- ties. And it sounds as though you and your girlfriend have some irreconcilable differences in that department. In all the incidents you mentioned, Joel’s presence never seemed to be a nuisance to her, only to you. Even if firmer boundaries would be beneficial for her, that’s a decision she needs to make on her own. It could be that her fam- ily will always come first. If you’re not prepared for that, consider end- ing things now. That would give her the chance to meet someone a bit more sympathetic to her family. Dear Annie: I’d like to respond to “Child-Free and Tired of Judg- ment,” who wondered what to say when someone asks her why she isn’t having children. She should just look at the person and say, “Why do you ask?” I find this works for someone who is being just plain nosy. What could anyone possibly say except, “I’m nosy”? — More Caring Dear More Caring: Those four words really do say it all. Thank you for sharing this excellent retort. THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2018 By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). This is a balancing act between openness and vigilance. As it is with tightrope walkers, special tools (e.g., the right shoes and a flexible horizontal rod) can help you maintain the equilibrium. Seek helpful accouterments. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You may hardly notice when loved ones and acquaintances seem incurious about you. While there’s no ill intent in such an error, it really is an error. You deserve and need attention. Go where it flows toward you. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s a strange dance, the dance of intimacy. In the beginning, you’re not sure how much you want to know and be known: This is the stage to savor. Soon enough, familiarity will change everything. Why rush it? SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s the little things — the things that matter to others that you can gladly supply. Those will be the wins of the day. For instance, remembering and addressing people by their names: It will make a difference. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Humans learn at an early age that sadness tends to elicit comfort-giving. Ideally, the baby’s cry brings a parent’s attention. Hopefully, you won’t be sad today, but if you are, don’t ignore it. Provide your own comfort. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Be wary of words or actions meant to show one person’s superiority, uniqueness and specialness. Solutions rarely venerate one person, and it’s solutions that will make the world a little better today. CANCER (June 22-July 22). What you give to one person you’ll get back from another, seem- ingly unrelated source. Some would call this co- incidence; others would call it karma. Whatever you call it, it’s a cycle that will continue. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The parenting concept of “planned ignoring” speaks to the efficacy of diverting focus from unwanted outcomes in the hopes that they will lose power without attention to fuel them. It will be an effec- tive tactic for many situations. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Feeling important isn’t the same as being important. In fact, those who really are essential to the outcome of any given equation are rarely overly aware of their position, because they are too busy doing the work. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Tantrums come in many forms. You’re throwing a form of tantrum right now — a silent, internal and complex rebellion against something you’ve requested of yourself. The childlike part of you will make some good points! VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You don’t need others to admire you in order to feel good about yourself, and yet, it’s nice, isn’t it? You get a slice of admiration today, and it certainly doesn’t hurt. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (June 20). Your efforts to change the world will be successful. Sure, it starts as something very small, but don’t underestimate the ever expanding power in this. July offers a different revenue stream. August presents prime opportunity to use and expand your talent. You’ll find love in the process. Aquarius and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 44, 38, 17 and 22. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Consider that your self-imposed limits might be far more stringent than the rules of the game or of society, and they may also be stricter than would allow you to develop to your full potential. 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
