Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/281845
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 » Tonight's the night I tell my girl- friend of three years that I'm not ready to get mar- ried (she is), even though that means we will be spending the next year or so in a long-distance situation without the level of commit- ment she is looking for. I want to stay to- gether, but she has told me that she's ready to go to the next level. Do you have any sug- gestions for me? — Phoenix DEAR PHOENIX » Sure. Explain why you like her enough not to want to break up but not enough to marry her. Starting with how old you both are. Go. DEAR CAROLYN » I'm 31, she's 29. She is a wonder- ful girlfriend. Attractive, supportive, a good comple- ment to my personality. I have never questioned that she would make a great wife someday. The problem is the tim- ing. As I indicated original- ly, we will be long-distance starting on Sunday. I left my consulting job to start business school in Phoenix this year. We are both from Seattle, and she will return there this weekend. In addition to worrying about the stresses of being long-distance, I don't like the idea of trying to focus on marriage and school at the same time. Finances and time will both be tight. If we were to get engaged, she would have to plan our wedding more or less by herself. She plans to try to find a job in Phoenix next year so that we can be together, but now says she worries about doing that without taking the next step. I was hoping to have her continued support to help me with school, and that is what I plan to ask for at dinner tonight, but I already know from the many conversations that it won't go over well. — Phoenix again DEAR PHOENIX » You don't trust each other. If you trusted each other, and really saw your lives as happening together because you'd want it no other way, then you'd be at the courthouse this afternoon. The problem is never timing, not for fully adult people who have had three years to get to know each other. Good marriages have a feeling of inevitability to them. They don't feel like the thing that will hurt your grades in B-school. And "a great wife some- day," well, wow. Kind of like that sleek couch that makes your room look comfortable but never messy. You want her support but not her company, not her presence !? You don't love her. I hope she has the presence of mind to recognize and say out loud what you won't. If you already know that your truth-telling "won't go over well," then either your relationship is bad or your truth is self- serving. Seriously. Would you feel comfortable build- ing a future on the quality and quantity of informa- tion you're planning to give her tonight? A relationship without trust isn't likely to go the distance 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 Aries (March 21-April 19) — Take a look at the bigger picture. You can broaden your horizons by getting involved in new interests. Staying well- informed will give you a better understanding of different people and cultures. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — You will be approached by someone wanting details of your investment dealings. Don't gamble. Ignore promises of instant financial rewards. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — You may have a false impression of the circumstances surround- ing you. Get all the facts before you make any accusations or declarations, or you could dam- age your reputation. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Advancement or a change in ca- reer could be coming your way. Your peers are very impressed with your accomplishments, and new employment opportunities will soon open up. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Show your competitive side to come out on top of any chal- lenge you face. Break away from your routine and try an uncon- ventional project to highlight your creative talents. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — There is some conflict going on around you. Zero in on your own objectives, or you may be caught up in the middle of an unpleasant emotional situation. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Set your sights on a goal. You have all the talent necessary to succeed, but you may have to resort to unorthodox methods to get what you want. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Even though you work hard, you may fall short of your objec- tives. To speed up your prog- ress, develop a different method to achieve your goals. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Rather than depress yourself by reliving past prob- lems, set your sights on the future. Decide what is needed in order to enjoy life to the fullest. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You need to be proactive to exploit an opportunity that comes your way. Stress your qualifications, and you will make a good impression. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don't sit at home feeling lonely. Congeniality will be in- strumental in helping you make new friends. Consider recon- necting with someone you can share fond memories with. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — It's time to make a clean sweep. Put your affairs in order and donate or dispose of unwanted objects. Refresh your environment, and your mind will feel refreshed as well. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol SATURDAY, MARCH 22 Saturday, March 22, 2014 rEdBLuFFdaILyNEWS.cOM | YOUR DAILY BREAK | 5 B