Weekend Edition Cancer 7 & 8 2014 | Weather: High 90s, sunny
DEAR ELLIE
Ellie
Dear Ellie, I’ve never written to you before, but I really need your advice on what could be a crucial decision. I’ve suspected for some time now that my wife has been cheating on me.
The usual signs ... phone rings but if I answer, the caller hangs up. My wife has been going out with the girls a lot recently although when I ask their names she always says, “Just some friends from work, you don’t know them.”
I always stay awake to look out for her hover cab coming home, but she always walks down the drive. Although I can hear a car driving off, as if she has gotten out of the car round the corner. Why? Maybe she wasn’t in a hover cab? I once picked her cell phone up just to see what time it was and she went berserk and screamed that I should never touch her phone again and why was I checking up on her.
Anyway, I have never approached the subject with my wife. I think deep down I just didn’t want to know the truth, but last night she went out again and I decided to really check on her.
I decided I was going to park my Darley Havidson hoverbike next to the garage and then hide behind it so I could get a good view of the whole street when she came home. It was at that moment, crouching behind my Darley, that I noticed that the valve covers on my engine seemed to be leaking a little oil.
Is this something I can fix myself or should I take it back to the dealer?
Thanks, Worried in Commoners
Dear Worried, If you are adept at such things, then you may find it more rewarding to fix it yourself. Depending upon how long ago you bought your hoverbike, the dealer may fix it for free. My advice, however, would be to have your dealer look at it and then have Jonas Wright fix it for you. Tell him Ellie sent you and he'll give you a discount.
Best of luck, Ellie
Dear Ellie, I have a fair number of long-term friends, some are closer than others, but the ones I’m closest with are all beginning to get married and have children. I, on the other hand, don’t even have anyone remotely in mind for who I’d like to settle down with. While venturing out for tea with one of my bosom buddies she let me in on one of her best kept secrets saying that way to any man or woman’s heart was through good cooking! I was thrilled to find this out!
But….
I can’t cook. I’ve tried a few times, nothing too big or elaborate, but every single time it comes out horribly! If it’s consistency, taste, or just… Looks like something that crawled from the gutters after a particularly bad storm night.
This was really my last hope at snaring someone to love, and it looks like I’m out of luck!
Do you have any suggestions on how I can become a great cook?
Best, Hungry For A Home
Dear Hungry, Faram! There are a variety of ways to attract a companion. While true that cooking is a good skill to have, you should learn because you desire to, not because you believe it will make you more attractive to a potential husband.
That being said, the University offers an excellent array of classes that are meant to teach one the fine art of cooking.
Regards, Ellie
Dear Ellie, I fear I am hopelessly in love with a man that I have not the faintest idea of how to obtain his attention, and affections even though I have valiantly tried. He is a metaphorical knight in shining armor: sweet, caring, funny, brave, strong, honorable, kind, and so on. However, he has not a clue that I exist. I feel like I have tried everything to get his attention to no avail. I have sent food, letters, gifts, wine, and even – at one point – have gone as far as to throw pebbles at his bedroom window. Yet, I am still invisible to him, and I am beginning to fear that there is no hope for the love that we could have.
How shall I win the man of my dreams if he has not done more than glance in my direction?
Thank you, Lacking In Love
Dear Lacking in Love, Are you certain that he has not noticed you and that he is not simply avoiding you? The actions that you have listed would be quite alarming to someone who does not share your affection and would leave an unfavorable impression.
I cannot help but notice that you have not stated you have gone up to speak to him. Perhaps you should start with that. If that is not an option , then might I suggest letting this love go and finding another?
Best of luck, Ellie
Dear Ellie, I have not a clue what I have gotten myself into of late. Everything seems amiss in my life, a life I once thought to have some vague grasp upon until everything was flipped, and turned upside down by a new profession, and – not only one – but two specific relations of a sort.
I had not expected them in the least, and often find myself terribly baffled by them of late. I would not say we are indebted to each other, yet… They confuse and confound me as no other. While I have spent a great deal of time in West Emillion, regardless of all the trouble that has been started as of late, this plagues me more than I thought monsters and mayhem ever could.
I know not what our relations are, I know not how I feel, or what I should do. I suspect I am more lost than not in this as I have not the faintest how to handle any of this or what to do. How do I approach them? Why do I miss them so? How do I even begin to dissect how I feel when it all seems a jumble and mess? How do I go on? Should I pretend everything is fine when I am well aware that it is not?
Is there even a right answer in any of this?
Cordially, Lost Soul
Dear Lost Soul, I fear that there is no right answer to any of this. I would hazard a guess to say that if you miss them so, it is because you care for them a great deal. If you are uncertain in how to approach them, then perhaps it would behoove you to simply ease yourself into association with them. Act as you always have, but do not hide your uncertainty. If they care for you as you care for them, then they will wish to help and to listen.
Are they equally confused? Do they know how they feel? Have they shared this with you? Perhaps it would help to look at it from their perspective, as well. If they felt as you, how would you wish for them to approach you?
As I have said, sadly, there is no right answer. The best advice that I fear I can give to you is to follow your heart and do what you feel is right. Allow your urges and impulses to guide you. You do not have to hide yourself from them, and if you feel you ought to, then perhaps they are not worthy of your affections.
Kind regards, Ellie
Dear Ellie, There is a vivacious and vexing, vixen who I very much fret, and fear may have sneakily stolen my fool hardy heart. I oft am perpetually perplexed by her blazingly brilliant brain and awesomely astounded by her delicate yet diamond like soul.
Please, pardon my confusing concoction of a letter but…
Exquisite Ellie,
Would you marry me?
Sincerely, Atrocious Alliteration
Dear Atrocious Alliteration, After such a charming letter, what answer could I give but yes?
Love, Ellie
Dear Ellie, I've been giving a lot of thought to the attack by the former Mages' Guild Master and I was wondering if you could help me sort out my feelings. On the one hand, I absolutely don't believe that everyone knew what the former Sage was planning - my sister and brother are both mages, and they were truly shocked when they found out - so I don't get why there's all this mage hate.
On the other hand, the councilors haven't really made any public statements. They haven't really done much at all! I know that they've been helping with the reconstruction and have been donating money and whatnot, but is that really the best recourse? Are they staying out of the way because they're complicit in the former Sage's actions?
How am I supposed to feel? I'm torn between defending the mages because I know that the actions of one don't necessarily dictate the actions of all, but the council has just seemed shady to me.
In need of help, Suspicious
Dear Suspicious, I cannot tell you how to feel. I cannot speak for the Mages' Guild, nor can I speak for their council. All that I am capable of giving to you are my assumptions and perspective, which I hope will suffice to bring you some measure of comfort.
I do not think you are wrong in your assessment of the mages' involvement. It is rare, in my experience, for those in power to share their plans with all who follow, especially in regards to an attack. Too many unknown variables to contend with. It is best, in my estimation, to trust a select few or no one.
In regard to the council, I do believe it was the council who brought Vivian to her knees. That does not speak of the actions of co-conspirators.
Ultimately, it is you who must make your choice. Take care to remember that there are many kinds of strength, and one of those is in silent leadership. They have been helping the city in the background, and I am inclined to give them my trust.
I hope that this has helped, even if only a little.