Author: staff

Lifestyle

Ask Amy: A broken marriage leads to broken friendships

Dear Amy: I have been divorced for two years. I frequently see my two young daughters, and remain on decent terms with my ex.Several friends, dating back to my college years, have chosen to “side” with my ex-wife.AdvertisementThere was no side to take, as I believe our divorce was our business and not theirs. Some have simply said nothing, and others have intimated that they are surprised by our marriage failure and do not want to be around the person (me, allegedly) who caused the failure – which of course is a classic “he said, she said.”But I recognize that they are free to choose.AdvertisementIn an angry moment, I unfollowed all of these people on social media, but now I miss keeping up with their families and lives, even through a screen.I’ve considered writing each of them an email or letter as a “mea culpa,” wishing them well and asking that we reconnect.Is that the best course of action, or should I let sleeping dogs lie?I’m in a new healthy relationship, but I long for friends from the past, who seemed to jump ship at an uncomfortable moment for them, but one when I needed them most.– Missing FriendsDear Missing Friends: These people are all thoroughly out of your life at this point, and because of that, there is no downside to you reaching out.Either they accept your bid and let you in, or they continue to respect their “unfriended” status.I do detect a certain tone in your query, however. Based on your description, it sounds as if you left the household and your wife is now the primary parent raising the children.AdvertisementGiven those details, plus the fact that you abruptly broke off contact with all of these people, you are behaving like a protagonist who is now reckoning with the consequences of the choices he has made.Yes, divorce is awful, especially when there are children involved.Friends do choose sides, and while that seems cowardly, they often choose to identify with the parent who has the kids and the house, especially if they also have children and there is a strong social history between the families.Your obvious frustration and defensive posture won’t help your case.Your mea culpa might include: “This has been the toughest period of my life. The dust seems to have settled and we are in a pretty good place. I’m working on my own issues, and making progress. I find that I really miss seeing updates about your life. We share such a long and rich history. I’m hoping to reconnect, at least through social media.”Dear Amy: My nephew is going to graduate from high school this month and I have NOT been invited to either the graduation or an open house they are having.AdvertisementI have saved up a considerable amount of money to give to him, but am now wondering if I should even send it.I never get thank you’s from him (or his parents, for that matter) for any gifts I send for birthdays and holidays.Now I’m thinking that I would rather use the money on expenses I have, but I know this will sever a very thread-bare relationship I have with my brother.What do you think?My brother already knows the amount I have saved, so if I send less, he will probably call me out on it.– Frustrated AuntAdvertisementDear Frustrated: If your brother knows the amount you have saved up for his son and he isn’t even bothering to include you in any of their graduation celebrations, then I’d say that this family is not at all eager to receive any gift from you.I think you should siphon off a very modest amount from your savings, slip it into a card for your nephew, and consider this matter absolutely closed.If this money from you is the thread your relationship has been dangling on, then I think you should snip it off.You are officially off the hook forever.Enjoy your liberation. I hope you treat yourself to something nice.Ask AmyDailyNo-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. For a limited time, sign up for the Ask Amy newsletter and get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.Dear Amy: “Swim Parent” is being pressured to transport a neighbor’s daughter to and from swim practice, with no help from the neighbors.AdvertisementI agree that this isn’t right, but this parent is modeling respect and kindness to these girls. They’ll both remember it.– Been ThereDear Been There: I agree. Respect and kindness: Harder to master than the butterfly stroke.Got a question for Amy? Enter it here and we’ll send it to her.Sign up here to receive the Ask Amy newsletter to get advice e-mailed to your inbox every morning, and for a limited time — get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.©2021 Amy Dickinson.

Sports

Dallas Keuchel, released last month by the Chicago White Sox, agrees to a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a minor-league contract with former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the move has not been announced. The Chicago White Sox released the left-hander after he posted a 2-5 record with a 7.88 ERA in eight starts. He was in the final season of a three-year, $55 million deal.AdvertisementThe 34-year-old Keuchel won the AL Cy Young Award with the Houston Astros in 2015 and is a two-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner. He’ll try to recapture his old form by reuniting with pitching coach Brent Strom, who was with the Astros in 2015 and joined the Diamondbacks during the offseason.The Diamondbacks are looking for more options in their rotation after right-hander Humberto Castellanos went to the injured list with an elbow injury.AdvertisementThe Athletic first reported Keuchel’s deal with the Diamondbacks.If Keuchel is added to the 40-man roster, the Diamondbacks would be responsible for only a prorated share of the $700,000 major-league minimum, and the White Sox would remain responsible for the rest of his $18 million salary this year. The Sox also owe a $1.5 million buyout of a 2023 option.

Sports

Arlo White, the Chicago Fire’s occasional voice, will be the lead announcer for the controversial new LIV Golf series

Arlo White, until recently the voice of English Premier League soccer on NBC and an occasional Chicago Fire announcer, will be the lead play-by-play caller for LIV Golf, according to an announcement Monday by the controversial new rival series to the PGA Tour.White will be joined in the LIV Golf booth by longtime Golf Channel and NBC broadcaster Jerry Foltz and — for this week’s inaugural tournament outside London — former Asian Tour player Dom Boulet, known as the “voice of golf in Asia.” The announcement said a list of networks airing the series will be revealed later this week.AdvertisementThe LIV Golf series, started by Greg Norman and financed mostly by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has eight tournaments scheduled this year, including five in the United States. The 54-hole events offer huge guaranteed purses, with this week’s tournament awarding $25 million to the 48-player field and $4 million to the winner.The PGA Tour denied releases for its members to play in the LIV Golf events and most current top players have declined to join the new league, although a few marquee names such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia are in this week’s field.AdvertisementWhite called four Fire games on WGN-TV last summer, and he and the Major League Soccer team said in February he would return this season “for a longer spell.”I’ve been itching to confirm this. I’ll be back in Chicago in 2022, & for a longer spell this time. Looking forward to hitting the @WGNTV airwaves with @TNTerens & @TMeola1 & our fantastic broadcast crew. 29 games on WGN. This club is going places on and off the field 🔥 #cffc https://t.co/hSNS87WX7k— Arlo White (@arlowhite) February 18, 2022

White will be replaced by Peter Drury on NBC’s Premier League coverage when the new season begins in August, according to multiple reports last week. White had been NBC’s lead voice for coverage of England’s top league since it acquired Premier League rights in 2013.[ Arlo White is the voice of the Premier League on NBC. And although he’s from England, he’s a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan. ]Arlo White throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a Cubs-Mariners game on Sept. 3, 2019, at Wrigley Field. (Paul Beaty/AP)

Sports

Aaron Donald gets a reported $40 million raise to stay with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams

LOS ANGELES — All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald is getting a big raise to stay with the Los Angeles Rams under a reworked contract through 2024.The Super Bowl champion Rams announced Donald’s return Monday. The team didn’t disclose terms of the new deal, but NFL Network reported Donald is getting a $40 million raise that will make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league.AdvertisementDonald was already under contract for $55 million over the next three seasons, but he openly contemplated retirement after he won his first ring in February. The Rams realized Donald deserved a hefty raise, and he will get $65 million guaranteed in the next two seasons.The deal means the seven-time All-Pro will be back to torment offenses for the Rams, who will be among the Super Bowl favorites again in the upcoming season. They already signed quarterback Matthew Stafford to a contract extension during the offseason, and the rest of the team’s championship core is largely intact.AdvertisementThe 31-year-old Donald has stayed at home in Pittsburgh during the Rams’ offseason workout programs, but he is expected to attend when the team opens its mandatory minicamp Tuesday.Donald is widely considered the most dominant defensive player in the sport, and he demonstrated his power again last season. He capped four excellent postseason games by making the final defensive play to stop the last drive by the Rams opponents in both the NFC title game and the Super Bowl.Donald finished the regular season with a career-high 84 tackles and 12½ sacks, his fifth straight season in double digits. He also became the Rams franchise leader in career sacks while earning his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl selection.He is a three-time winner of the AP’s Defensive Player of the Year award, claiming it in 2017, 2018 and 2020.