Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/269572
5B Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Daily News DILBERT Scott Adams PEARLS BEFORE SWINE Stephan Pastis PICKLES Brian Crane BABY BLUES Jerry Scott & Rick Kirkman GET FUZZY Darby Conley ZITS Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman SHERMAN'S LAGOON Jim Toomey ARGYLE SWEATER Scott Hilburn BIZARRO Dan Piraro DEAR CAROLYN » My on- and-off-again boyfriend said he loves me and feels I'd be the "perfect" woman for him — if only I were in better shape. Part of me thinks, "Screw you," and the other part acknowledges I could stand to lose about 30 pounds. We broke up, and I've lost about 12 pounds; now I'm stuck wondering if I should share my progress and talk about reconcilia- tion (he tried to get back together already) or be happy that I'm getting healthier for ME and leave him in the past. — Losing Weight DEAR LOSING WEIGHT » What happens if you go through a stretch when you can't exercise? Put on a lot of baby weight that you struggle to lose? Develop a health condition or take medication that involves weight gain? Or simply go back to this ex- tra weight as your default body position, which is common? "Off again" is where this relationship belongs, unless you think it sounds appealing to have some- one's love conditioned upon something no one can promise to control. Kindness, absolutely; fidelity, sure; hard work, quite useful; curiosity, great idea; compassion, can't say enough good things about it; flexibility, a great gift you can give to each other. But physi- cal appearance? Since when was it your job to be perfect for anyone? Imagine yourself asking of someone else what he asked of you. Would you feel right doing it? DEAR CAROLYN » Re: Weight: Run! Yes — run, to find the person who will love you just the way you are. As you age, things sag, turn gray, get stretched, get less flexible, etc. What you want is someone who can look at you with 30 extra pounds or no hair and say, "There is no one I would rather be with." The bonus is, the person who will say that is much more likely to have your back, be compassion- ate and giving, kind and hardworking. — Anonymous DEAR CAROLYN » Or dem- onstrate the quality that is at the root of all of those behaviors: humility. The mere notion that it's remotely OK to expect someone to change to suit your own ideals is breathtakingly arrogant, and arrogance makes for a foul-tempered roommate. Now, I often advise couples to talk about sug- gestions and changes each person can make to help them get along better — a la, "When I'm upset, I'd appreciate it if you gave me a little time to col- lect my thoughts instead of talking it out right away" — but that's about relatively minor, behav- ioral accommodations, and based on an understanding that not everyone can or will change even in these ways, or has to, because ultimately partners are an as-is business. Relationship breaks under weight of her extra pounds Carolyn Hax Ask Carolyn Email Carolyn Hax at tellme@washpost.com, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ carolyn.hax or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com. Sudoku Instructions: The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the number only once. Answer to Previous Puzzle Celebrity Cipher By Luis Campos Instructions: Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. NEA Crossword Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Your diligence will help you be an effective advocate for your favorite cause. Set realistic goals. Offer others the opportu- nity to assist you. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Discretion must be used when dealing with others. Insisting that your colleagues agree with your opinions will cause friction. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Luck is with you. If you follow your hunches, you will encounter a pleasant surprise. Don't allow negative remarks to discourage you. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Make your intentions clear. Pur- sue your challenges vigorously to achieve amazing results. Aim high and proceed with confi- dence and courage. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You have the power to adjust circumstances that you find disagreeable. Follow the advice of a trusted friend regarding your professional life. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Don't allow petty jealousies and unfounded fears to get in the way of your romantic life. Express your feelings truthfully and emphasize your intentions. A commitment can be made. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Spend time with someone special. Lighthearted fun will be the perfect thing to perk you up. Your carefree attitude will be contagious and will attract positive attention. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Something or someone is making your life miserable. It's not the responsibility of others to satisfy your needs. Don't be reluctant to distance yourself from an unpleasant or disagree- able situation. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Creativity will be required in order to fulfill all of your obligations. Family matters and outside interests are both competing for your time. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Someone may try to make you appear untrustworthy. Don't make promises that you can't keep, and think carefully before committing to any organization or activity. Your integrity could suffer as a result. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Open your mind to new possibilities. Opportunities for love and romance are on the horizon. In addition, you may be given the chance to share in a profitable financial enterprise. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Circumstances in your personal life have you feeling confused and unsatisfied. Take a close look to discover what is troubling you. You can then take steps to correct the issue. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol SATURDAY, MARCH 1