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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARREADERS»Ihave stepped away from my daily column for two weeks while I work on my next book, a memoir, which is sched- uled to be published in the fall. While I'm away, I hope you'll enjoy this "Best Of" question. I'll be back next week with fresh ques- tions and answers. DEAR AMY » I am the assis- tant to the president of a small organization — so small that we are the only employees of the central office. My boss insists that he must have access to me on evenings and weekends. He says that I must be on call to an- swer his business needs at any time. He justifies this by saying that he must be able to depend on my help in emergen- cies, but his interruptions of my leisure are usually to get a phone number or to have me send an email. There has never been a real emergency or any- thing that couldn't wait until the next business day. I have repeatedly resisted his intrusions, and once, when I refused to speak to him on the phone, he sent the police to knock on my door. We both live in his friend's condo building and our office is in the basement. I am at "wor k" all the time. This man is enraged by my resistance and threatens to fire me. He claims I have "profession- al" status, even though all I do is secretarial work. He says that this kind of 24/7 access is standard for professionals and executives. I don't know any professionals I can ask to confirm this. —ExhaustedSecretary DEAR EXHAUSTED » I suppose that if you were Bill Gates' personal secretary, you might have a beeper strapped to your ankle and basical- ly be under house arrest, but if you held a position such as that, you would be amply compensated for your time and efforts and wouldn't notice the imposition. Every "professional" I know makes sure to take time away from the demands of work. Your boss sounds like a jerk. Calling the police because you didn't answer his call is obnox- ious, not to mention a deplorable waste of time for the police officers. I assume that you receive a vacation of some sort? It would be wise to use your time off to launch an extensive job search. For an entertaining look at the experience of a put-upon and abused assistant, check out "The Devil Wears Prada" as you ponder your options. (July 2006) Amy Dickinson's mem- oir, "The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter and the Town that Raised Them" (Hyperion), is available in bookstores.) Work/life balance is a tricky struggle to manage for many 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 Pisces(Feb.20-March 20) — If you get active, you will like the results. A challenge will motivate you to take on new hobbies and form new friend- ships. Dreams can come true. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Invest in your talent. Make changes to the way you look, and listen to the input you re- ceive from someone you trust. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Don't neglect the things that are important to you just because someone is trying to railroad you into doing some- thing else. Focus on your needs. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Uncertainty and confusion will arise due to false information. Make a point to move in a direc- tion that will help you get what you want. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Put your time and energy into something you enjoy doing. Getting into shape or taking on a new interest that can help you hone skills and raise your income is favored. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Don't leave any room for error or criticism. If you do your best to please someone you love, you will bring positive change and greater stabilization to your life. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Eliminate the negativity and un- certainty you are feeling by ask- ing direct questions. The sooner you deal with any matters that are causing you concern, the sooner you can move forward. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Live out your dream or help a cause that will bring you satis- faction. Plan a romantic evening with someone you love. Positive actions will bring instant gratifi- cation. Romance is highlighted. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Don't let emotional issues get you down. A physical challenge will help take your mind off your troubles, ease stress and im- prove your mental and physical well-being. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Don't put your money into someone else's dream. Invest in something you enjoy doing and turn it into a lucrative pastime. A self-improvement project is favored. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Take an unusual approach to money matters, health issues and legal situations in order to outsmart any opposition you face. Your hands-on, steadfast approach will pay off. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don't get angry when you should be putting your energy into creative or passion- ate affairs. Love, creativity and children will all play a positive role in your life. Horoscope By Eugenia Last SATURDAY, FEB. 20 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016 4 B