DEAR ABBY: I was maid of honor in my cousin "Denise's"
wedding. As such, I helped her to get a good deal on
her photography. My close friend, "Arthur," had just
begun shooting professionally, and photographed the
wedding for a greatly reduced price.
My problem is that Denise never paid Arthur. It has
been several months, and Arthur finally asked me if I
would track her down because she has not return his
repeated phone calls.
Denise admitted that she spent the money on cosmetic
dentistry, but now more time has elapsed, and she
still hasn't paid him.
My cousin claims she will pay Arthur "one day," but I
am embarrassed and angry. How should I handle this?
Denise is not an easy person to confront -- she is
easily offended and moody. -- CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE,
OAKLAND, CALIF.
Dear Caught:
Your cousin is complete trash. If she is offended because she doesn't like being confronted with the fact that she's a selfish bitch, so be it. Her feelings and sensibilities should be the least of your concerns. Do whatever you can to get her to pay Arthur as soon as possible, and refrain from ever again putting yourself in a position to rely on her.
11:41 AM
Thursday, April 24, 2003 DEAR ABBY: I am a 38-year-old, college-educated,
single woman. I have a good job and own my own home. A
few months ago, I met "Willie," a divorced man who is
a couple of years younger than me. We initially
exchanged e-mails, then met in person after several
weeks. Willie is also well-educated and has a good
job. We are extremely compatible, and our relationship
has progressed to the point that we are now discussing
marriage.
The problem is my mother and single, older sister
disapprove of me spending time with Willie. They say I
don't spend enough time with them and he is trying to
separate us.
When we began dating, I invited Mom and my sister to
join us for dinners. All my offers were refused.
Willie did spend Christmas with us, but it was
awkward.
I have told them how much Willie and I care for each
other and that marriage is a possibility, but every
time I see them, all they do is complain about my
relationship.
Wouldn't you think that when I finally found someone,
they would be supportive? What can I do to make this a
more peaceful situation? -- TORN IN ALABAMA
Dear Torn:
The first thing you should do is ask your mother and sister if they have any specific objection to Willie. If they do, discuss it and consider it. If their concerns have merit, address them. If they are simply jealous of the time you're spending with Willie, make it clear that they are not entitled to your every waking moment, nor is Willie. If they insist on complaining about your relationship rather than appreciating the time you're spending with them, let them know that you do not consider that to be productive and that they should find alternative activities.
7:30 PM
Not much to expound on here, but rather amusing nonetheless.
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- An elementary school principal criticized for dressing up and acting as an Iraqi official during televised school announcements has resigned.
Coolspring Elementary School Principal Ken Rohrer's resignation was accepted Tuesday by the board of the Michigan City Area Schools.
Rohrer came under fire following an incident on April 11 in which he dressed up as an Iraqi, and in the fictional persona of a character he called Niknak-Padiwak Givudogabon, made announcements over the school's closed-circuit television system.
In character, he spoke of lying Americans and of puppets under the control of President Bush. He also announced that an upcoming ice cream social would be held "while the Iraqi people are starving because of U.S. sanctions."
Carla Iacona, director of personnel and labor relations for the MCAS, read a short note from Rohrer at the meeting in which he apologized to the school district and to the northwest Indiana community.
Superintendent Linda Anast-May said it was Rohrer's decision to resign.
Not all parents were happy to see Rohrer leave.
Jenny Cyphers said her children, who are in first and fourth grade, were not affected by the principal's stunt.
She said students may have been more hurt by hearing rumors about their principal.
I've decided to try something new with my ever-evolving blog. I will write an advice column of sorts. Note that this is not due to any skill in this area, but due to my love of telling people what to do. It's always been my contention that just about anyone can write a great advice column, as an outsider is able to look at situations with detached objectivity and provide clarity for the advice seeker. Since no one ever writes to me asking for advice, I have enlisted the help of an assistant, who sends me the questions from other advice columns so that I might answer them without my advice being tainted by looking at that of the intended recipient. I promise that I will try not to fall into a 2glasseyes mode where all I do is say "Quit being so f-ing stupid. Punk." So here is our first question:
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been going to a nudist
resort for the last five years. Our children are all
grown and in their 30s. I want to tell them where we
are going in case something should happen to one of us
while we're there.
My wife is too embarrassed to say anything about the
nature of our retreat to anyone, even though we both
enjoy our tradition.
Should we, or shouldn't we, say something to our
children? -- ADAM AND EVE IN THE GARDEN STATE
Dear Adam and Eve:
Get cellphones so your children can reach you. Leave detailed contact information for your children with the resort staff, and possibly with a discreet friend if that is an option. And remember that you are grown people who don't have to take crap from your children and have nothing to be ashamed of.
