Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/812754
APRIL 19-25, 2017 UCW 29 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM WEEKLY HOROSCOPE ADVICE GODDESS Wussy Galore My fiancee and I were driving my drunk friend home from a party. He was saying rude things to her, but I knew he was just wasted and didn't mean them, so I didn't say anything. I thought my fiancee would also shrug it off, but she was mad and hurt that I didn't stand up for her. Is it that big a deal? Couldn't she have stood up for herself? — Middleman A woman today may be perfectly capable of defending herself. However, she has an emotional operating system pushing her to go for men who show an ability and a willingness to protect her. This comes out of how, over millions of years of evolution, certain ladies' children were more likely to survive and pass on their mother's genes (and the psychology that rides along). Which children? Those whose mothers chose men who'd do more in an attack than, well, effectively crawl under the car seat and wish all the awfulness would stop. Consider what grandpas everywhere call "having character:" doing the right thing, even when that kinda blows for you. If, in looking back, you would've done things differently, tell your fiancee. Then pledge that going forward, you'll be that kind of guy. Insecurity Blanket I'm extremely insecure about my looks, though objectively, I know I'm pretty. I constantly ask my boyfriend for reassurance. He gives it to me but feels bad that I feel this way. Now I'm worrying that I'm making such a good case for what's wrong with me that he'll start believing me. Possible? — Bag Over Head Research confirms what most of us recognize about the especially eye- pleasing among us: They get all sorts of benefits — everything from social perks to job opportunities to discounts when they act like dirtbags. Not surprisingly, psychologist Tracy Vaillaincourt, who researches competition among women, explains that women attack other women "principally on appearance and sexual fidelity" because men prioritize these qualities in their partners. One way women chip away at rivals is by trash-talking another woman's looks to a man — suggesting he really could do better. That's what you're doing — but to yourself. It's the relationship version of "Ewww, you're not really gonna eat that, are you?" (And you're the fricasseed crickets.) Copyright 2017 Amy Alkon NEWS OF THE WEIRD by CHUCK SHEPPARD The U.S. House of Representatives, demonstrating particular concern for military veterans, enhanced vets' civil rights in March by removing a source of delay in gun purchases. A 2007 law had required all federal agencies to enter any mentally- ill clients into the National Instant Criminal Background Check database for gun purchases, but the new bill exempts veterans (including, per VA estimates, 19,000 schizophrenics and 15,000 with "severe" post-traumatic stress syndrome). (An average of a dozen veterans a day in recent times have committed suicide with guns.) [Huffington Post, 3-16-2017] Fine Points of the Law Police and prosecutors in Williamsburg, Virginia, are absolutely certain that Oswaldo Martinez raped and killed a teenage girl in 2005. But, though he was quickly arrested, they have — 12 years later — not even put him on trial. Martinez, then 33, is still apparently, genuinely (i.e., not faking) deaf, illiterate and almost mute, and besides that, the undocumented Salvadoran immigrant has such limited intelligence that test after test has shown him incapable of understanding his legal rights, and therefore "incompetent" to stand trial. (Police made multiple "slam dunk" findings of Martinez's DNA on the victim's body and also linked Martinez via a store camera to the very bottle of juice left at the crime scene.) [Washington Post, 3-13- 2017] Eyewitness News On the morning of March 20 in Winter Park, Florida, Charles Howard, standing outside his home being interviewed live by a WFTV reporter, denied he had committed a crime in a widely reported series of voicemail messages to a U.S. Congressman, containing threats to "wrap a rope around your neck and hang you from a lamp post." He boasted that "proof" of his having done nothing wrong was that if he had, he would have already been arrested. "Three minutes later," according to the reporter, agents drove up and arrested Howard. [WFTV (Orlando), 3-20- 2017] Among the facts revealed in the ongoing criminal proceedings against U.S. Navy officials and defense contractor Leonard ("Fat Leonard") Francis, who is charged with arranging kickbacks: In 2007, Francis staged a party for officials at the Shangri-La Hotel in the Philippines during which (according to an indictment unsealed in March) "historical memorabilia related to General Douglas MacArthur were used by the participants in sexual acts." [Washington Post, 3-14- 2017] Copyright 2017 Chuck Sheppard ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, maintain your composure in light of a sticky situation that you are called upon to handle in the next few days. Others will notice your calm demeanor. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, emotions can be a little distracting this week as sparks fly in a new relationship. Avoid going overboard but enjoy this exciting time in your life. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you are content to take it easy and to follow a familiar routine for now rather than branching out into new things. Take a flier on new friendships and you will be glad you did. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Try not to take things too personally when you start receiving feedback, Cancer. Everyone has an opinion, and most people share theirs with good intentions. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 The truth will ultimately set you free, Leo. Seek the truth when handling a difficult problem and this will eventually make the solution easier to find. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 You might want to hold off on an ambitious project for another month, Virgo. This will give you more time to develop a plan to complete the project. LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, you may need assistance, but no one is stepping up as a candidate at this juncture. Wait a bit longer and someone is sure to step up to the challenge. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, you can daydream about being on your own personal island, but the tasks that need to get done will still be waiting for you. Face things head-on. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, a trusted friend is willing to hear your side of the story and offer a new perspective and some advice. You need to win this person's trust back. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Your presence is a gift to someone who needs you even if you get tongue-tied and don't know what to say, Capricorn. Let your company serve as support. Things will fall in place. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, you may find yourself falling back on old habits in the days ahead. Do your best to avoid these habits, remembering why you kicked them in the first place. PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, friends and family often look to you for support because you can be such a calming presence. Share this gift with as many as you can. Amy Alkon Chuck Sheppard Your opinion is something we always want to hear. Call or email us your feedback. WE'RE ALL EARS Questions? Comments? Story Ideas? Let us know how we're doing. 208 Rowan St. Fayetteville, NC 28301 910.484.6200 www.upandcomingweekly.com