STUFF WE MISSED: Tuesday, May 31, 2022

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May 31—A collection of things only available to subscribers on days we don't publish a physical newspaper.

DEAR ABBY

Teenager feels left out as mom travels with dad

DEAR ABBY: I'm a senior in high school, and I come from a family that is financially stable but unable to travel often due to time and money constraints. We usually travel only once a year in the summer, and for the most part, we're not able to travel very far or stay for long.

For the past three years, our vacation plans have been on hold due to the pandemic and other concerns. My parents have been on two trips across the country in the past 12 months. I accept that they're a married couple and occasionally want to travel without the rest of their family. However, recently it came to my attention that Mom bought two tickets to Europe for her and Dad as a birthday gift. She used the money she had been saving for a family vacation to pay for them.

I feel betrayed. I was under the impression that we couldn't afford a vacation at this time, or that we were still waiting for the chaos of the pandemic to settle before traveling, but my mother was happy to spend the money on a vacation for her and Dad.

My dad is turning 50, and I understand it's a very special occasion. However, I can't help but wonder why I haven't received so much as a dinner after being accepted into my top college and earning two scholarships. Am I overreacting? If not, how should I address this? — WANTING A GETAWAY IN NEW YORK

DEAR WANTING: I agree that having been accepted to your top college and having earned two scholarships, your achievement was something to be celebrated. (In reality, the achievement was a reward in itself.) That it was not recognized tells me there must be a lot going on for your folks right now.

While family vacations are wonderful and memorable, so are milestone birthdays such as the one that's approaching for your dad. Your mother should be forgiven for ensuring it will be "extra special." If you feel an itch to travel, if you don't already have one, consider getting a part-time job so you can afford a getaway with friends or a student or church group. Because you are no longer a child, you should talk to your mother about how you feel.

DEAR ABBY: My adult son got so furious with me that he called me, yelled vicious things and threatened to cut me out of his life. I've never been spoken to that way before. It was so traumatic that I was shaking after I hung up on him.

What made him so angry was that I didn't thank his mother-in-law for an email she sent wishing me happy birthday. I had received 30 email birthday wishes that day and didn't acknowledge any of them. I would have thanked someone who'd gone to the trouble of calling or sending an actual card. I don't think I behaved improperly, but maybe there's some rule that slipped by me. Your thoughts? — UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY IN TEXAS

DEAR UNHAPPY: The polite way to deal with email special occasion wishes is to either acknowledge them individually or do an email "blast" thanking everyone for remembering you. To have remained stone silent was ungracious. HOWEVER, for your son to have gone off the deep end, yelled "vicious things" and threatened to cut you out of his life was uncalled for, and whether or not you receive one, you deserve an apology.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Actor-director Clint Eastwood is 92. Singer Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary is 84. Singer-musician Augie Meyers is 82. Actress Sharon Gless is 79. Football Hall of Famer Joe Namath is 79. Actor Tom Berenger is 72. Actor Gregory Harrison is 72. Actor/comedian Chris Elliott is 62. Actress Lea Thompson ("Back to the Future") is 61. Singer Corey Hart is 60. Rapper DMC is 58. Actress Brooke Shields is 57. TV host Phil Keoghan is 55. Actress Archie Panjabi ("The Good Wife") is 50. Rapper Waka Flocka Flame is 36.

TODAY'S HOROSCOPE

Put a plan in place and set off on an adventure. Take the initiative, set high standards and keep the momentum going until you are happy with your progress. Don't let anything come between you and what you want. Take care of the paperwork, and get approval first to avoid setbacks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Get your facts straight before passing along information. Protect your possessions, reputation and position. It's OK to dream, but don't get carried away with something that isn't feasible.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Keep your reactions minimal. Listen to reason and be practical regarding money and the changes you want to make. Look for an original way to make your skills profitable.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Concentrate on getting things done. Don't offer information that someone can use against you. Rely on your strength, courage and experience to outmaneuver anyone who tries to compete with you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Walk away from anything or anyone causing stress. Consider making some changes that will boost your happiness. Take nothing for granted or leave anything to chance. Go after what you want.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Learn from experience and carry on with discipline and the intent to make things happen. Do the best job possible by using the latest and greatest methods and technology.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Don't let a change someone makes throw you off your game. Assess the situation and adapt your plans to reach your goal. A unique idea will separate you from the masses and give you a needed edge.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Verify information before passing it along or relying on it. A change at home will give you more space to get things done. Spread out and work diligently to realize your dreams.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Gather information and downsize your plans. Be creative in how you assess what's necessary. Come up with a reasonable goal, and don't stop until you are satisfied with the results.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Observation will be crucial when dealing with a friend, relative or peer. Don't feel obligated to make a move if you aren't ready. Consider your options and prepare appropriately.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Put in the time and effort, and you will bring about positive change. Getting together with someone who offers a unique perspective will lead to new beginnings.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Think big, but pay attention to detail, be precise and finish what you start. Don't let anyone stand in your way or disrupt your plans. Separate your emotions from your responsibilities.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Keep your plans to yourself until you are sure you will execute your intentions successfully. If you say you will do one thing and then do another, you will be harshly criticized.

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

By Chuck Sheppard

Crash Collector: Everyone needs a hobby. Christina Warren is a busy software developer, but in her free time, she collects the swag of epic corporate failure: from Enron to Fyre Festival to her latest acquisition, a PopSocket branded with the CNN+ logo. NPR reported that Warren isn't interested in milquetoast meltdowns. She wants stuff from the companies that made a big splash and then sank to the bottom of the barrel. "I'm looking at the ones that were flying high, too close to the sun," she said, which "makes it funnier to be out someplace wearing a shirt from one of those things." But she doesn't want to spend more than $75 on any one item. She avoids counterfeit merchandise, and said her "white whale, the thing I haven't been able to obtain yet, is something officially from Theranos. I would even take a pen, you know, like a ballpoint pen."