Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/481492
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»I'ma29-year- old attorney. My 60-year- old secretary is Eeyore. She is a very nice woman but is also one of the unhappi est people I've ever met. Every conversation we have involves 20 to 30 minutes of her whining about her life, how much she hates her job, how much she hates work- ing for our firm, how much she hates the partner we work for, how stressed out she is, how sick she is, how sick her cat is, how sick her hamster is (yes, her hamster, seriously). I have actually started to avoid using her to help me with assignments. I do not know how to approach this. She is so easily offended that I do not think any conver- sation would go over well. As with many indus- tries, secretaries are very powerful inside the law firm. They can make your life easy or terrible. I want to remain on good terms with her so that she continues to do a good job on my assign- ments. At the same time, I need to be able to toler- ate her enough to give her assignments. We all work long hours. We are all stressed out and tired. Our firm IS terrible and the partner we work for really is Satan. But no one else whines like my secretary does. Do you have any advice on how to handle this epic Negative Nancy? —OverIt DEAR OVER IT » Given that you work for Satan, maybe YOU should run for the hills. Don't you worry you'll end up like Negative Nancy? Or is there a way to monetize these whines and get a client to pay for them? Your co-worker is already making your life terrible, so you will have to convey that there is a new sheriff in town. Do NOT commiserate with her. When she complains, maintain a neutral, impassive attitude. Don't comment. Just say, "We need to stick to the busi- ness at hand here." If she is offended, so be it. Do not avoid giving her instructions and assign- ments. When she com- pletes a task, thank her. Always be polite. It is extremely un- professional for her to complain about your workplace or your satanic boss. If her job is intoler- able, she should look for work elsewhere. DEAR AMY » I read the letter from "Had It with Dad" and found it very similar to our family's ex- perience with my father- in-law years ago. He became more and more belligerent and, finally, after three years, doctors discov- ered he had been having multiple small strokes all along. He had a major stroke not too long after this condition was discovered. The family wished the CAT scans had been done earlier to help him. Please ask "Had It with Dad's" family to persuade him to seek medical help. — Been There DEAR BEEN THERE » Absolutely. Secretary should be charged for her complaints at work 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 Pisces(Feb.20-March20) — Group activities or events will lead to romantic encounters. Be yourself and don't try to make an impression by overspending or exaggerating. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Listen to your intuition. A change in direction is imminent. You have the resolve and knowl- edge to take advantage of any new opportunity. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Keep an open mind when it comes to changes in the workplace. If you are seen as stubborn, you will jeopardize your position. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Someone will try to blame you for something you didn't do. Avoid becoming involved in a heated confrontation. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Your interest in foreign places will be satisfied if you attend a cultural event. Don't meddle in someone else's affairs. No mat- ter which side you choose, you will gain an enemy. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Generosity is a fine quality, but flaunting your cash will have others thinking that you are try- ing to buy their friendship. Stick to your budget and pay only your own way. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Don't neglect someone you care about. Attending a lot of events by yourself or spending too much time away from home will have a detrimental effect on your relationship. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Keep an eye on your budget when shopping. You may want to treat yourself to something special, but if it limits your household funds, you will expe- rience setbacks. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Love is in the air and romance and travel will go hand-in-hand. Your problem-solving talent will bring your qualifications to the attention of someone who can influence your future. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Stand up for yourself if someone you live with is trying to limit your freedom. You will need to find an agreeable bal- ance before the situation comes to a head. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — An elderly relative will offer surprising details about your past. Love and passion are look- ing hot. What is currently a ca- sual friendship has the potential to be much more. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Some easy money is headed your way through dividends, investments or insurance. Don't spend it too quickly. Saving for an unexpected expense will ease your stress. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, MARCH 19 THURSDAY,MARCH19,2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B