Entertainment Thursday, October 8, 2020 • The State Journal www.state-journal.com

Garfield DEAR ABBY Man’s internet addiction makes woman a social media widow

DEAR ABBY: I realize that social unneeded this has made you feel. media is a big part of today’s world, He may be willing to install an app and I have no problem with some- that signals when the time limit he one using it to stay in contact with has allotted himself is up. family and friends. But at what point is DEAR ABBY: Is it rude or dis- it deemed an addic- respectful for someone to change tion? My significant their first name? I’m in my early 30s other spends hours and have wanted to change mine every day scrolling my whole life. I changed the spell- through his Face- ing of my name when I was 12, and book and Twitter Jeanne my parents legally changed it for pages. I have tried me when I was a teenager. But I still discussing it with Phillips don’t like the name, and I cringe him, but it becomes Advice whenever I hear it. Because it’s a an argument. Now columnist common name for someone my age, For Better or Worse I just sit in the same I’m sure most people won’t under- room with him, silent and waiting stand if I change it. While I respect until it’s my turn for his attention. the effort my parents put into select- How can I get him to realize how ing a name for me, I don’t want to be isolated from him it makes me feel stuck with this one for the rest of my and that my presence doesn’t seem life. I don’t want to cause hurt feel- to be needed? Should I just accept ings. However, I’m ultimately the that he’s an addict and move on? one who has to live with it. Should I — Offline in Florida do what feels right for me, or must I accept the negative feelings and the DEAR OFFLINE: Something be- disconnect I have toward the name comes an addiction when it causes to spare my family’s feelings? a disruption in one’s life. Your sig- — Disconnected out West nificant other isn’t the first person to have been seduced by the internet. DEAR DISCONNECTED: Many He may argue with you because he people change their name(s) for doesn’t realize the amount of time various reasons. If you feel the need he spends glued to his screen. to do it in order to be a more authen- Try this: Quietly clock the time tic version of yourself, go for it. As- he’s on FB and Twitter for one week. suming you have told your parents Afterward, ask him if he realizes how you feel about your first name, how much time he is spending there. I doubt they’ll be any more upset He may be shocked when you read about it than they were when they him the number of hours. That’s the helped you change its spelling as a time to express how isolated and teenager.

HOROSCOPE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY for ness areas. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020: VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) HHHH Contact people who Romantic, imaginative and ca- seem interesting or potentially pable, you’re a free spirit who em- helpful for your work. Your social braces all of life. This year, don’t get circle widens. Consider joining an too sidetracked, and you will be ex- organization you believe in. It’s a tremely successful. If single, you re- time to grow and to expand your quire someone to match your sharp belief system. Tonight: Early bed- intellect, and you search far and time. wide. Next summer you meet him LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) or her. If attached, you’re on a fabu- HHHH Friends think of you and lous romantic adventure and are trust you with their confidences. exquisitely happy with your part- Competitive feelings build at work. ner. SAGITTARIUS inspires you. Be tactful. Channel irritation into making constructive changes. Be- Buckles The Stars Show the Kind of Day ing volatile won’t get you much else. You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; Tonight: A surprise conversation is 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult very revealing. A friend announces a new event. ARIES (March 21-April 19) SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) HHHH Hidden feelings and HHHH Your high standards thoughts harbored by co-workers and aspirations impress others are brought out into the open. Your and make it easy to enlist support early background and the influ- for your projects. A friendship with ences of your heritage are potent. a foreign-born person brings not Be aware of what your family tree only companionship, but a new can reveal about you. Diplomacy is perspective. Tonight: You’ll want to a must today. Tonight: Others sur- clear away dead weight and debris. prise you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) TAURUS (April 20-May 20) HHH You will be able to solve HHHHH You’ll be drawn to puzzles and satiate your curiosity. excitement and travel. Education Others reveal their inner secrets to is important, and there might be you in casual conversation. Oth- contact with in-laws. Vitality is ers make suggestions about money high, and your self-image is upbeat. management. Check with your in- Positive feedback from family and ner psyche before acting too quick- friends makes you feel good about ly on unsolicited advice. Tonight: yourself. Tonight: Serious discus- Relax. sion with a sibling or a cousin. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) GEMINI (May 21-June 20) HHHH Today puts you in the HHHH You might have some role of mediator or diplomat, both financial promises to keep. Others among friends and with co-work- depend on you for security on many ers. Social prospects are good; levels. You break up your work with there is a new solidarity and securi- interesting side trips. Adding novel- ty coming into relationships. You’re ty to your daily routine and obliga- particularly sensitive to beauty. To- tions will renew your enthusiasm. night: Enjoying remote landscapes. Tinkersons Tonight: Counting your pennies. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) CANCER (June 21-July 22) HHHH Today brings insight HHHHH Your mind is clear and into how others see your role in creative with luminous insights. their lives. Balance emotions with You can write and speak effectively, a touch of whimsical humor in ap- and you benefit from studies. The proaching those you care about. An role of teacher or even crusader offer or opportunity you’ve been falls into place naturally. Tonight: awaiting should come through. To- Plan to travel if at all possible over night: A great sigh of relief. the next few months. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) HHHHH Romantic interludes HHHH Cultivate supportive are delightful, and there might be people today. Be reserved with an invitation to a harvest festival. those who could be draining or are Younger people introduce you to a source of turmoil. Those you’re new interests. You’re energetic; closest to are moving into a new your health and fitness are improv- cycle. Think of their changes as a ing. Your working conditions might positive growth pattern. Tonight: be less than perfect. Tonight: A spe- The beauties of wildlife or wilder- cial bonding session with your pet.