Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/620871
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Idatedagal for a year when we were in college. She dumped me, saying, "You can- not afford the lifestyle I want." I married a wonderful lady and have a great life. But now, 35 years later, I get this request from a funding site to donate to my ex's funeral. Evi- dently she never did find some- one to afford her lifestyle. On the one hand, I feel sad for the family, but on the other hand she dumped me because I was not "good" enough, and I have not heard anything from her in 35 years. Should I respond? —Wondering DEAR WONDERING » De- spite your assumptions, all you kn ow about th is lover is that she dumped you for reasons that are shallow. And now, 35 years later, family mem- bers are casting a wide net to raise money. Before making a choice, you should ponder not what became of her, but what became of you. You need to figure out what kind of man you are. Has all of your success added up to you enjoying the opportunity to ignore a request as a form of revenge, or as an opportu- nity to gloat? Remember that living well is the best revenge of all. But maybe you are asking this question because you want valida- tion that you are not the kind of man who enjoys someone's misfortune. Of course, you are under no obligation to respond, but doing so might offer you a measure of completeness over a bitter memory. DEAR AMY » After staying late to work on a project with a male co-worker, he wanted to start a friend- ship. For reasons I can't explain, it makes me uncomfortable. I'm a 31-year-old female, and he's in his 40s. I'm happy in my marriage, and he's not. It started with asking me to lunch. I accepted. Weekly lunches have gone on for two months. Now he's started to text me. The relationship has never been unprofes- sional. No lines have been crossed. I try to think about it and justify my uncomfortable feelings away, thinking, "Maybe he needs a friend?" My husband doesn't think it's weird, but my friends do. Should I distance myself? Or am I making too much out of nothing? — Torn Co-worker DEAR TORN » On paper, this relationship looks like a work friendship: You're getting together, texting to check in, etc. But how do you know your co-worker is in an unhappy marriage? I as- sume he told you. Work buddies discuss the boss's bad breath. They don't discuss their bad marriages. This con- versation is intimate. This conversation has set off your Spidey senses, and it means this colleague should probably find a new friend. You can back off by simply not being available for weekly lunches and by not responding to texts quickly, confining your friendship to the office. Bitter breakup sours ex to helping to fund a funeral You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.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) — Don't waste time arguing when you should be expanding your interests and looking for projects that are exciting and beneficial to your career. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Partnerships should be ques- tioned if you feel apprehensive. Make a point to go over your options and not only look at the facts, but follow your heart. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Keep an open mind, but don't let anyone talk you into some- thing that doesn't feel right. Of- fer suggestions, but refrain from making cash donations. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Listen carefully before you offer your opinion. You'll end up in an argument if you are too quick to judge. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Business meetings, interviews or updating your resume will pay off. A short trip will result in knowledge that will help you ad- vance. Romance is in the stars. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Someone's motives will be questionable. Don't do some- thing just because someone else does. Pick and choose what you want to do based on your skills. Practicality and reason will help you avoid loss. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Partnerships, your personal en- vironment and the initiation of unusual but beneficial changes are highlighted. A discussion with someone you love will lead to solid plans. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Don't be afraid to ask for help. A new acquaintance will make a difference to the way you ap- proach someone or something that can alter your personal or professional future. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Socializing, networking or checking out an interesting project will help you come to an important decision. Posi- tive changes at home can be expected. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — If you volunteer to help a cause you believe in, the people you encounter will brighten your day and encourage you to make the changes that you've been put- ting off making. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — An emotional situation will be a telltale sign regarding the way someone feels about you. Listen, but don't respond until you have a solid suggestion or compromise. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Stick close to home and work toward making your sur- roundings more convenient and comfortable. Avoid taking on re- sponsibilities that don't belong to you. React from the heart. Horoscope By Eugenia Last TUESDAY, DEC. 29 TUESDAY,DECEMBER29,2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B