Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/326160
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARCAROLYN»Ihave been in a casual relation- ship for several months with a man who I consider to be a very close friend. We have occasionally spent the night together but have never had a con- versation about it. I want to tell him about my feelings for him, and let him know that if he doesn't feel the same or isn't inter- ested in actu- ally dating, then I can't continue to be his friend- with-benefits. The problem is, I always chicken out of bringing it up — it just seems too awkward, and I am afraid of facing poten- tial rejection face-to-face. Do you think it would be OK to write him a letter or email about this in- stead? That way he could process without being put on the spot, and be able to email me back, which might be easier for him, too, if he has to tell me he's not interested. I tend to think this is just a really chicken move on my part, but I'm curi- ous to hear your thoughts. —Lettervs.Face-to-Face DEAR LETTER » My inner oversimplifier wants to point out that if you had solid reasons to believe he felt the same way, then you wouldn't be so afraid to speak up. My inner PITA (pain in the abuttcheeks) wants to point out that the first gauge of sufficient matu- rity and trust to be in a relationship is the courage to take an emotional risk and withstand a painful rejection. My inner everyone else is queuing up to sound off, too, but you already know that chicken moves are for dance floors, not relationships. DEAR CAROLYN » Re: Letter vs. Face-to-Face: I agree this would prob- ably naturally morph into dating, if he were into it. But, I disagree that it is a chicken move to put out awkward relationship ideas by email. Sometimes it does give the email re- ceiver a chance to think it through and answer more thoughtfully. For example, I would rather be dumped by email than in person because I get a chance to process my initial reaction in private, and then respond. As long as the email is thought- fully written, I don't see a problem with using this approach. — Anonymous DEAR ANONYMOUS » Fair enough. I do know I used to hear all the time from people who were horrified by email break- ups and other emotional- bomb-droppings, and now I'm just as likely to hear from people arguing the merits of just what you say — allowing people an opportunity to react in private. DEAR CAROLYN » Re: Letter: Many of us would be better off if chicken moves stayed off the dance floor, too. I include myself in that! — Anonymous 2 DEAR ANONYMOUS 2 » Where's your sense of adventure and abject humiliation. Cheez. Confessing your feelings via letter rather than in person 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:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Gemini(May21-June20) — Make sure your intentions are clear. You will lose valuable allies if you are too vague or wishy-washy. Take a stand and stick to your plans. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You can make meaningful advances in your career. Feel out the situation and consider asking for a promotion. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — You will be faced with conflict- ing emotions. Love will be on your mind, but keep both feet on the ground. Your work will suf- fer if you become distracted. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Keep your priorities straight. Don't let your desire to have fun cause you to become lax in your responsibilities. You don't want your reputation to take a hit. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Don't allow others to take advantage of your good nature. If you are faced with someone else's personal problem, don't meddle; just suggest that he or she find a qualified counselor. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — A donation or fee may have strings attached. It may be dif- ficult to say no, but you will be disappointed and short of funds if you don't get what you expect in return. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23- Dec. 21) — You'll have a problem separating reality from fantasy. All is not as it seems. Take a closer look at the situation before you make a commitment. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You can't get rid of inse- curities by spending on luxury items. Make a list of your good qualities, and you will discover that you have a lot going for you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You may be missing a vital piece of information. If the answer is not clear, ask ques- tions until you have a better un- derstanding. Don't be tempted to blow your budget with exten- sive home improvements. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — You'll have second thoughts and will feel uncertainty regard- ing a partnership. Honor the time you've invested and see matters through to the end. It's better to be safe than sorry. Aries (March 21-April 19) — It's time to tie up loose ends. Finish pending projects and organize your personal papers. You will be satisfied with what you accomplish, leaving you room to take on a challenge. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Contractual agreements or legal decisions should be put on hold for the moment. Do your re- search carefully, or you may put yourself in financial jeopardy. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol SATURDAY, JUNE 7 SATURDAY,JUNE7,2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 5 B