Reader is not impressed with traits of social circle
Aries (March 21-April 19) You might sense where someone is coming from, and it could force your hand in some way. Know when to take the lead in a professional situation. Taurus (April 20-May 20) You naturally defer to others, especially if they are demanding and critical. Others find you easy to work with. Allow these people to run the show. Gemini (May 21-June 20) You will go with the flow and make needed adjustments. Emphasize dayto-day rituals. Your will is strong, but still listen to a partner’s suggestion. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Others might not be embracing your ideas, but listen to their suggestions anyway. You are likely to hear a good idea or two. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Deal with a personal matter first, or risk being distracted all day long. A loved one seems more than willing to work with you. Use this person’s suggestions. This year you experience a new beginning with a key friendship. Encourage discussions that would allow more give-and-take. You have imagination and the ability to look beyond the obvious. If you are single, you could attract many people; however, the one you choose might be very controlling. The best way to deal with this would be to not get involved. If you are attached, the two of you bond on a deeper level and transform the nature of your relationship. SCORPIO lets you know how much he or she enjoys spending time with you.
What the stars Mean Dynamic Positive Average So-so Difficult
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Reach out to someone with whom you love to share news. Interesting information could float your way. A loved one seems to be less controlling and/or more charming than usual. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Treat yourself with the same sensitivity with which you would treat a loved one. If you are feeling off, know that it most likely will pass. You might be due for a checkup. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Reach out to someone you genuinely care about. Your creativity seems to touch whatever you do at the present moment. Take on a problem rather than resist it. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Think before you commit. Consider your options, brainstorm and get to the bottom of a problem. What you think is an issue might not be one. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You could be on top of a situation before you even realize it. Your mind allows you to look beyond the obvious and see the real problem. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You have more going on than you can handle. Take the lead at work or with a situation involving others. One-on-one relating will open doors for you. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
You might not be sure of yourself when dealing with a complicated issue. Knowing your limits is more important than you realize. Reach out to a friend for feedback. Jacqueline Bigar is at www.jacquelinebigar.com. Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.
Dear Annie: I recently started seeing this girl — “Lisa.” We met through a mutual friend — who turned out to be pretty much our only mutual friend. Our social circles couldn’t be more different. A lot of her friends are 20-somethings who don’t have to work because their parents are still supporting them. They’re into partying, staying up all night, taking drugs that enable them to stay up all night, etc. I haven’t really been able to click with any of them, even the guy friends. They don’t have much to talk about except for whatever bar they’re checking out that night.
Sometimes I meet up with them straight from work, still in my office clothes, and they make snide comments. They wear expensive clothes and name-drop designers as if I’m supposed to be impressed, but I don’t know or care what they’re talking about. Lisa is pretty much the only one in that group who has a job, and she doesn’t do drugs or even drink much, but she enjoys going out. When I’ve tentatively brought up some of these traits to her, she says she thinks her friends are funny. She admits some of them can be a little rude at times, but she always insists “they mean well.”
My friends all work and, for the most part, would prefer a movie night at someone’s house to a club. (I’m the same way, although I like going out occasionally.) They’re a down-to-earth group.
I cringe at the thought of introducing my group of friends to Lisa’s. It would be like oil and water. What do you think?
— Apprehensive
Dear Apprehensive: Selfhelp guru Jim Rohn has made the claim that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Though that might not be a scientific fact, the essence of the statement is true. The company we keep is an expression of our values.
If you don’t like this girl’s friends, then my guess is that when you get to know her better, you won’t like her. Even if you find you really do like her, there will most likely be problems, because it’s important you like the friends of the person you’re dating. If you don’t like them, you’ll come to resent it whenever she spends time with them. You’ll be unhappy; she’ll be unhappy. That’s not the stuff of a healthy, harmonious relationship. Consider moving on.