Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/490678
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Ourgroup of friends has been close for a long while. We are all in our early 30s and have been friends over 12 years. Issues are beginning to emerge with one of the friends, "Pam." Pam falls fast and hard for guys, and she ends up scaring them off. She quit one job because she believed she was too good for it, and then was laid off from another because she inflated her qualifications when they hired her. She also has started making horribly mean comments to and about some of our friends. She usually plays them off as jokes, but many times her "jokes" cross the line. These comments are the type that you can't imag- ine your worst enemy saying about you. Because she's going through a tough time, we've given her a lot of leeway. Now, however, we're starting to worry. If we don't talk with her about her behavior, then aren't we enabling her? Will she just contin- ue to think she can treat people this terribly? And how will this affect other areas of her life that she would like to change? If we do bring it up to her, we are honestly concerned about her state of mind. She sometimes seems so down on herself and depressed ... but it's almost immediately fol- lowed by lashing out at others. We want to help her, but we don't want it to come across as an attack on her — which will just cause her to shut down. Can you help us help our friend? —Stressed DEAR STRESSED » Your friend might be strug- gling with any number of emotional and/or mental health issues, and your kindness compels you to be gentle. You are also intimidated because of her volatility. However, everything you fear might happen will happen if you never talk to her about her be- havior toward you. With your "leeway" and silence, you are basically reinforc- ing her negative behavior and even (possibly) mak- ing her feel like more of a loser. It's as if you are assuming she is incapable of behaving like a decent human being. You should let her know that you expect more of her. She may be a basket case in other areas of her life, but she should treat you with respect. DEAR AMY » I am writ- ing in response to "De- jected," who was desper- ate for her husband's compliments. Women need to ex- amine how they respond to their husband's compliments. When I compliment my wife, she usually deflects it by making some negative remark about her body. It creates a negative experience and doesn't encourage me to compli- ment her again. Women do this more than they realize. — Complimentary Husband DEAR HUSBAND » I think you're right. Volatile friend starts lashing out, making others worry 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 Aries(March21-April19)— You may be surprised how many people are on your side. Don't be afraid to call in favors and ask for assistance. Your efforts will not go unnoticed. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — You will miss an important detail if you are too impatient. Taking the time to go over your work thoroughly will prevent you from having to start over again. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Your stress level is on the rise. Plan a pleasurable day with family, friends or neighbors. Include the younger members of your group for added fun. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Don't rely on others to bring you out of your funk. Treat yourself to something special. Go shop- ping or sightseeing. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Let your creativity shine. You should share your talents with as many people as possible. If you maintain a positive out- look, Lady Luck will pay you a visit. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Don't expect others to help you get ahead. Do your homework and take the steps that lead to success. You have the knowl- edge you need, so stop wasting time and get moving. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Staying on top of trends will be a key factor in getting ahead. Upgrade your skills and your look if you want to be seen as a leader. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Trust in the decisions you make. Doubts will weigh you down and impede your pro- gress. Don't be dissuaded by the concerns or comments of others. Aim to come out on top. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Put your worries aside. Arrange a gathering of friends and family for some lightheart- ed entertainment. You have what it takes to be the per- fect host and to bring people together. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Stop berating yourself if things don't go your way. You can only control so much, and you risk damaging your health if you dwell only on the negative possibilities. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Plan a makeover or update your image. The better you look, the better you'll feel. A new look will refresh and rejuvenate you, giving you the energy required to get ahead. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — You will wear yourself out if you fight the changes that are going on around you. Find a way to fit in rather than go against the grain. Horoscope By Eugenia Last SATURDAY, APRIL 4 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 2 D