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/825045
MAY 17-23, 2017 UCW 27 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM WEEKLY HOROSCOPE ADVICE GODDESS by Amy Alkon Tale Of Whoa A dear friend who's also a co-worker just went through a breakup with her girlfriend, and she's devastated. I don't know what to tell her. I've tried everything: You dodged a bullet; it's a blessing in disguise; you're better off without her; you should get back out there. Everything I say seems to be wrong, and she gets angry. She's crying and isolating a lot, and I want to help, but I don't know how. — Clueless Clearly, your heart's in the right place. However, you might send your mouth on a several-week vacation to a no- talking retreat. Consider that we don't say to people who are grieving over someone who's died, "C'mon, think positive! One less person you have to call! And didn't he live kinda far out of town? Be glad you don't have to make that schlep anymore!" It helps to bear in mind the theory that evolutionary psychologist and psychiatrist Randolph Nesse has about sadness (and its goth sister, depression): These emotions — like all emotions — have functions. For example, being sad (like about a breakup) leads us to reflect on where we may have gone wrong — and possibly gain insights that will keep us from making return visits to Boohooville. Also, note that not all emotions advertise — that is, have visible outward signs announcing to those around us how we're feeling. Take envy. When your boss gives your rival the promotion you wanted, there's no specific facial expression that conveys your longing for a well-targeted meteorite to take her out "Wizard of Oz"-style. However, Nesse suggests one of the possible evolutionary reasons for the very visible signs of sadness may be to signal to others that we need care — a message that gets sent loud and clear when one is sobbing into the shoulder of the bewildered Office Depot delivery guy. Being mindful that sadness has a job to do should help you stop pressing your friend to see the "good" in "goodbye." Probably, the kindest thing you can do is to try to be comfortable with her discomfort and just be there for her. Hand her a Kleenex and listen instead of attempting to drag her kicking and screaming to closure: "It's 10 a.m. Aren't you overdue for a round of cartwheels?" Copyright 2017 Amy Alkon NEWS OF THE WEIRD by CHUCK SHEPPARD A San Francisco startup recently introduced a countertop gadget to squeeze fruit and vegetables for you so your hands don't get sore. However, the Juicero (a) requires that the fruit and veggies be pre-sliced in precise sections conveniently available for purchase from the Juicero company, (b) has, for some reason, a Wi-Fi connection, and (c) sells for $399. (Bonus: Creator Jeff Dunn originally priced it at $699, but had to discount it after brutal shopper feedback. Double Bonus: Venture capitalists actually invested $120 million to develop the Juicero, anticipating frenzied consumer love.) [BBC News, 4-21-2017] Great Art! Monument to Flossing: Russian artist Mariana Shumkova is certainly doing her part for oral hygiene, publicly unveiling her St. Petersburg statuette of a frightening, malformed head displaying actual extracted human teeth, misaligned and populating holes in the face that represent the mouth and eyes. She told Pravda in April that "only (something with) a strong emotional impact" would make people think about tooth care. [Pravda, 4-12-2017] Artist Lucy Gafford of Mobile, Alabama, has a flourishing audience of fans (exact numbers not revealed), reported AL.com in March, but lacking a formal "brick and mortar" gallery show, she must exhibit her estimated 400 pieces online only. Gafford, who has long hair, periodically flings loose, wet strands onto her shower wall and arranges them into designs, which she photographs and posts, at a rate of about one new creation a week since 2014. [AL.com (Mobile), 3-20-2017] Bright Ideas Though complete details were not available in news reports of the case, it is nonetheless clear that magistrates in Llandudno, Wales, had ordered several punishments in April for David Roberts, 50, including probation, a curfew, paying court costs, and, in the magistrates' words, that Roberts attend a "thinking skills" course. Roberts had overreacted to a speeding motorcyclist on a footpath by later installing a chest-high, barbed-wire line across the path that almost slashed another cyclist. (A search did not turn up "thinking skills" courses in Wales — or in America, where they are certainly badly needed, even though successful classes of that type would surely make News of the Weird's job harder.) [Wales Online, 4-12-2017] Copyright 2017 Chuck Sheppard ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, when your mischievous side comes out to play, others better watch out. You certainly can be a force . a very fun force. Just don't let things get out of control. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Other people around you seem to be the epitome of positivity, but you just may not be able to muster the same level of giddiness, Taurus. at's okay, as this is just a phase. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 ings that have been on your mind come right out without a thought, Gemini. Your honesty is commendable, but you may need to self-censor some things. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, a casual comment by a friend sets off a powder keg of ideas in your mind. is is the inspiration you have been waiting for, and now you can't wait to get busy. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, others can't read your mind, so if something is bugging you, then let them know. Doing so will help you collectively develop a solution that much faster. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, keep your mind open to all the possibilities this week. You may be surprised at what you can accomplish if you maintain a willingness to try new things. LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, you don't need any extra encouragement to go after what you want. You are quite motivated at the moment, putting a lot of possibilities within reach. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 If you want a particular relationship to thrive, then you have to work together with a partner, Scorpio. No one is out for herself or himself in this situation. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Your social life is about to heat up, Sagittarius. You might find your calendar going from empty to chock full in just a few days. Pace yourself to avoid burnout. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, while it is important to take care of others, you shouldn't do so at the expense of your own health and happiness. Give yourself a break this week. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Don't be afraid to take the next big step in your love life, Aquarius. Your partner may be feeling the same way. Communication is key in this situation. PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, your emotions may have been all over the place the last few days, but you will be able to reel them in soon. Enjoy the respite. Amy Alkon Chuck Sheppard