Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/447518
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»I'masingle, childless woman in my early 30s who seems to always attract the wrong men, and I keep wonder- ing how to break this pattern. I have an advanced degree, a good job and am financially secure. I keep meeting men who appear to have it all together. Be- fore I know it — it is revealed that they do not. Oftentimes they live with relatives (the last guy lived with his mother), they are hung up on an ex-wife or girlfriend, they are often financially ir- responsible, and/or have serious emotional issues. As an optimist I tend to believe it will work out in the end. It never does. I am almost always the one who gets dumped. My latest boyfriend of one year broke up with me (via a text message) and has already moved on to another woman. I keep wondering how I am single and how this man, a broke divorcee with multiple children (and one nasty temper), has found a relation- ship already and I can barely make a connection. Any words of advice for moving on and finding a suitable boyfriend? —Looking DEAR LOOKING » The vital component of dating a loser is to stick with him until he dumps you. I can't alter the per- centage of single guys your age who have done time, live with their moms, don't actually have jobs or are hung up on their exes. These guys will always be out there, ready and waiting for you to pick up the check. The biggest chal- lenge for optimists is the perpetual surprise when things don't work out. The trick is to run your own life so well that when your dating life isn't great, you still have the rest of your life — your work, friends, creative interests, personal con- nections and passions. You should be reserved in your attachments (emotional and sexual) until you know what "baggage" a guy has. Ask your smartest friend to be a "wing woman." Choose the friend who knows you the best and is most frustrated by your choices to help you identify un- healthy patterns you need to break. DEAR AMY » My husband feels that I am overly generous when I leave a 20 percent tip for satisfac- tory service and up to 25 percent for extraordinary service. He insists that 15 percent is always a respectable amount to tip servers. I often resort to pick- ing up the check myself or leaving extra money behind to make up for the differe nce but fe el b ad about going behind my husband's back on this issue. Advice? — Former Server DEAR SERVER » I'm in your camp, but your view or my view is not likely to alter your husband's prac- tice of tipping at the low edge of the spectrum. He has dug in, so you should carry a wad of singles and $5s and continue to pick up the check if you want to be generous. Single woman wonders why she picks duds to date You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribune.com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Capricorn(Dec.22-Jan.19) — Find a venue that grabs your attention and enjoy what it of- fers. Rewarding friendships and social connections will result. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Dealing with institutions or authority figures will be prob- lematic. Get all your documents in order before you face red tape or confrontational situations. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Re-evaluate your past ac- tions; if you have been neglect- ing your personal or professional responsibilities, do whatever it takes to make amends. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Disagreeing colleagues will ask for your opinion. Diplomacy will be needed to avoid being blamed or alienated by people who think you are meddling. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Elderly relatives will call on you for assistance with financial or personal matters. Do what you can, but plan to take a little time to do something nice for yourself or someone you love. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Potential partners can be found in many places. An educational or business function could pro- vide an introduction to someone who will have a positive influ- ence on you. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Eliminate thoughts or habits that impede your progress. Keep your mind on your future, and don't fritter away your hard- earned cash on frivolous pur- chases or fast-cash schemes. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Don't feel that you speak for everyone. Give others the oppor- tunity to provide input regarding events or decisions that involve a group. Taking a back seat will give you a different perspective. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Deal with legal, financial or time-sensitive documents in order to put your mind at ease. Go through items you have collected over the years that are outdated or no longer needed. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You will have the ability to defuse an argument today. Keeping the peace will be your reward for being able to see both sides of the situation. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Make someone you love the center of attention. An offer- ing of a small gift or setting aside time to discuss plans for the future will bring you closer together. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Improvise a social evening with friends or relatives. A game or contest will add a challenge to your life that will enable you to show off your competitive, playful nature. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, JAN. 16 FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B