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