Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/334913
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARCAROLYN»Someone I'm very close to recently told me, "You know, you talk about [Topic] way too much. It's getting really boring." [Topic] is something that's very significant to me right now, and while I guess I knew I was talking about it a lot (to this person and others), it still really hurt me to hear that I'm boring others with it. Now I'm self-con- scious about ever men- tioning [Topic], which is a lonely feeling. What do you think I should do to keep from hurting friend- ships by being overly focused on this one thing? —Philadelphia DEAR PHILADELPHIA » Your very-close someone gets points off for tact- lessness, but still did you a favor. Painful as it is, it's better to know you've maxed out at least one person's listening capac- ity than alienate others as you unwittingly prattle on about [Topic]. So, what to do next: (1) Hire someone to listen to you. Whatever [Topic] is, there's some- one out there with the expertise to help you. If you can't afford that, then dig a little more. While alternatives to expensive/ scarce professional guid- ance are inadequate to the need, there are people trying to improve access, be it through sliding-scale fees or group care or affil- iation with a larger entity that can absorb some of the costs. Start looking for your safe place to unload. Talking about it beyond even one listener's limits likely means it's time to find a way to stop talking and start moving forward, whether it's a persistent problem or a dramatic life change preoccupying you. (2) Don't banish [Topic] from all conversa- tions, but be mindful of others' limits, and, ideally, open about them: "I real- ize I've beaten [Topic] to death, but I have some- thing I'd like to bounce off you. May I impose on you for 15 minutes?" And stick to the time limit you promised, unless the other person is plainly OK with running long. (3) Avoid [Topic] around the person who spoke up. No point in looking for loopholes there. Good luck making peace with [Topic], so it's not always first in mind. DEAR CAROLYN » Re: Top- ic: I had assumed [Topic] was not a problem, but something "Philadelphia" had gotten passionate about — the equivalent of being a parent with a new kid, which takes up a LOT of your brain space, but others have a loving but finite tolerance. So you try to stay within that tolerance — even if you have to artificially cap your enthusiasm. — Anonymous DEAR ANONYMOUS » That's possible too — and for that, the solution is to save [Topic] for those similarly immersed in it. Diaper talk with other new parents, hobby talk with similar hobbyists, etc. Friends tired of constantly hearing about the same thing 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 Cancer(June21-July22) — You will be overlooked if you sit on the sidelines waiting for things to happen. Take an active interest in your community, and get out and do things. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — You will encounter hurdles if you start something new. Concen- trate on clearing up old projects first, making it easier for you to move onward and upward. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Your natural gifts can be put to good use if you give others the chance to participate in your plans. Networking will help you find worthy contributors. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You should make quick work of your to-do list in order to ease your stress and free some time to enjoy life with family. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Relax and let things unfold naturally both at work and at home. If you are too intense, you will intimidate those around you. Be patient and understanding for the best results. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Trust in your talents and work hard promoting them to others. Your persuasive person- ality will help you get the help you need. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — If you are uncertain about moving forward with your plans, review what it is you are trying to achieve and make the adjust- ments necessary to succeed. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You will hurt the feelings of someone close to you if you are insensitive about the problem that he or she is ex- periencing. Treat those around you the way you want to be treated in order to build healthy relationships. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — This is a good time to take care of home-improvement projects. Your energy and en- thusiasm will encourage others to pitch in and help, or at least offer good suggestions. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Look for people who share interests with you. The knowl- edge and experience you gain and offer will lead to a long- lasting friendship and a unique collaboration. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Your edge over the competi- tion will go up in smoke if you let others know your plans. Keep your strategy, secrets and whereabouts to yourself. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Don't base your actions on assumptions or hearsay. Stay out of a costly predicament by getting the facts first. An excess of talk and a shortage of action will work against you. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol TUESDAY, JUNE 24 TUESDAY,JUNE24,2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 5 B