Astrology Home Buoy
sun in Aquarius

2/18
Certain days, it's just great to be alive. I think this feeling has a lot to do with phase of the Moon as she was approaching full. I was ruminating on this as I returned home last night. I did a long walk around the lake, all the way to Pleasant Valley, and then home to Shady Acres. While I was on the East Side, I caught glimpse of a hawk, soaring in one place, stationary as he (she?) faced into the stiff breeze blowing up the river bottom. Two Libra's, two folks suffering because their significant other is acting more like an insignificant other, that was the business. After I got done for the evening at Threadgill's, I hooked it on up to Book People. I was looking for a specific title, The Perl Cookbook. Found it. $49.95. I just can't see dropping that kind of money on a book like that. Then I started scanning the other titles, settled on one which did seem a little more user friendly, and although it didn't have a CD, it was a lot cheaper. Still, those big old programming guides caused sticker shock. My goal is to wrestle for the power to control the web site again. Sure. That'll happen Real Soon Now. So if one of the scripts isn't working right, I guess I'm the one to blame.

2/17
I was fielding client calls yesterday morning, and the last one was just a friend checking up on me, this darling little Libra girl, "Don't you ever have any one go with you when you walk around the lake?" "No, sometimes I intend to take a left, and I go right — I sort of let the moment take me where it might." And I was intending to go to bank, but wound up at the office, [opposite directions], then I was going to hit one coffee shop, and wound up at another. Less than an hour of errands turned into a meandering afternoon. But that's the way it is, and that's how I work. No appointments, therefore, no direction. I did fish a check out of the office mail, and I did deposit it, and that was a surprise little bonus, but it got me to thinking about the newspaper, and how little I'm getting paid for columns they request, pay for, but never publish. I'm beginning to waiver a little on the downtown coffee scene, too. Is Texpresso really better coffee than Ruta Maya? How about Little City, a venerable institution itself? And while I was sampling and pondering this, I realized what a great town this is. Where else would a cross dressing homeless guy be a serious contender for the Mayor's job? Can your town top that? In the words of one of my favorite columnists, "And I'm not making this up...."

2/16
"Beware of the Ides of February?" I just don't think it works. But this town never ceases to amaze me. Here's a hint, though, from a native, if you're thinking about moving here, don't. Real Estate prices are like San Francisco or maybe even Manhattan. I got stuck on the how nice it is here, even though yesterday was totally screwed up — first, get up and put on clothes in dark trailer, and catch a ride with the camera man out to the new studio for Austin Music Network. Sit in for ten minutes, then spend an hour in the control room. On the way home, I revealed one of North Austin's best kept secrets, Tamale House #3, close to the corner of 51st Street and airport. Been years since I've been there, but it looked like the same crew, and the food was still great. Prices had gone up — but just a little. Breakfast Tacos were still only $0.85 each. I got an extra bacon and cheese taco for my cat, she prefers them on whole wheat tortillas. Later in the day, I switched back to shorts for hike to the bank and the bookstore. Picked up a new novel for some entertaining reading, and I was almost run over by a guy on bicycle, one of the mangers at Magnolia Cafe. We stopped in the midday sun, and shot the breeze for a minute, a cheery Capricorn face on a supposedly winter day. Right, like 80 degrees is winter. Time to trim down the e-mail accounts, now that the new server is up and running. I was looking for the original software I used, I know I've got it on this hard disk someplace, dating back to 1994, the first stuff I used for putting together a web page. It gets tossed. I'll drop at least two of my e-mail accounts, too, splitting a new one with Mr. Web Head dude, the Webmaster chores.

2/15
I was harassing Mr. Web Designer Hot Shot, getting him to look at the design frames, and we had this great idea, gratefully lifted from another site, about sticking a link to the order form in between every scope. While the results seemed to be rather gratifying for a Monday morning, I also get to call the shots here, and I think it looks like cheap, crass, tacky, commercial marketing. There's another word for it, but I am loathe to use that in a public forum. "It looks like...." and fill in your own line. I'll promise that won't be up next week, although, the results have been rather nice. Then there's the persistent wrong number on the phone thing again. Home phone rings, I answer. "Is this the pharmacy?" Near as I can tell, it must be a cosmic joke of some kind. It was all that training I had as an amateur pharmacologist — statute of limitations has run out, I hope. I'm off to the TV studio again, and that looks like fun. Stay tuned. Wild geese on the trail yesterday — seriously, there was this one feller, standing in the middle of the trail, wings wide open, his head right at a sensitive section of my anatomy, and he was worried about his women. I told him we weren't interested, and he backed off. It's a guy thing. Best Valentine idea yet? Heart shaped pizza, from that slick upscale pizza place, deep dish pizza delivered piping hot to my trailer's door, filled with my personal favorite fillings: Jalapeño and anchovies — better than chocolate any day of the year [although I might be alone on this one].

2/14
Happy Halloween! Seems like I always get these two holidays mixed up. Saw Bubba for a spell yesterday afternoon — he seemed visibly perturbed that I couldn't shake out of where I was at long enough to sneak out for a drink, but I had a myriad of folks coming and going around the old trailer. Yes sir, Shady Acres was the social center, for a little while. Had to see the Virgo off, and I think parts of me were still sore from trying to dance on Saturday night. Then I had a late night phone conversation, and this was punctuated by some probing questions, and what sign would probe? What sign would be best suited for going the guts of the question? What sign could, with razor–laser like precision, lay open a question that cut right to the center of my heart? Must be a Scorpio. And some folks wonder why I'm wary of them. That sounds terrible, it wasn't, it was just one of those comments, I couldn't help myself, "You sound SO Scorpio!" I believe my laughter traumatized the poor girl. [Please: allow me my illusion and fantasy about this.] Don't forget: here's a special Valentine's wish for that one special girl....
2/13
I promised my Virgo friend that we would do our best to work in as much "Austin" and related material as possible. How about Austin home–girl Marcia Ball in Luchenbach? It was really too cold to do much outdoors yesterday, or maybe it was the clouds. Other than Gingerbread Pancakes at Magnolia, it was another working day, still sorting out Unix commands on the new server. Then it was time for a little road trip. "Hill Top Cafe has the best chicken fried steak..." Invitation enough. Good chicken fried steak. The best? I'm not sure, but rolling along in the big truck, through the hills west of town, on a Saturday afternoon... or maybe the music in the air, a real Texas dance hall, against an evening back drop. Or perhaps it's the tales told by the folks on the pilgrimage to Luchenbach and chicken fried steak. "Most folks are like a bob wire fence. They have their good points."

2/12
How I love technology, especially new stuff. So a new server isn't exactly new technology, but it means I get to learn a whole new set of server commands, set up the mailing lists all over again, and get everything localized for the new one. The new one hit the wires, finally, about the time the Moon lined up with Jupiter. Coincidence? I think so. In the last month, I've been queried a half dozen times from people looking for astrology columns, looking to put me "in development," and generally promising me much. What have I seen thus far? Nothing. But there's always hope. The local newspaper, after some back and forth stuff, has decided that they really don't need a weekly astrology column. Judging by what I've seen in the paper, they could use me. I've been bereft of editorial direction for some years now, and the only person who has said anything of value is the "artists' representative" at AstroNet. While I normally love Gemini's, I have to wonder about whether she really has my best interests deep in her heart. But she did offer the only valid constructive criticism I've had in a while. Seeing as how she gets two columns a week from me, I'll listen. Even take notes. Farm fresh fried catfish for dinner last night. Or lunch. It was one of those. "Lead you astray?" the Virgo responded to one of my queries, "Kramer, you were astray long before I got to you."

2/11
"Like any driving directions or map, you should always do a reality check and make sure the road still exists, watch out for construction, and follow all traffic safety instructions." Latest winner in the "find a funny disclaimer that really makes sense" contest. It came from some corporate map instructions someone sucked off the web, someplace. I liked it so much, I modified it a little, but it sure would be a delightful introduction to a lot of the horoscopes I write. After all, a decent horoscope, an astrology chart, is nothing more than a map, a little hint as to what is where, and what might be up around the next bend. Yesterday, I wrote a horoscope column, the first half went fine, but the second half got bogged down around Libra, so I went to the other end of the document and worked backwards. Then I hiked around the lake because, for all the life in me, it felt like a spring day, sunny, high near 80. Sure. Then it BBQ. Then it was time to start trying to pull together a class on one one of my favorite past times, Tarot. First class, one student, outside under the Aries Moon, sipping an iced beverage, it was great. Maybe it was two students, after all, she was a Gemini.

2/10
Notes from behind the Iron Curtain. At least, I got another e-mail from what used to be behind the Iron Curtain, and thinking about that title made me wonder if people, other than a certain age group, remembers what the Iron Curtain is? Was? Whatever. I wonder what they call it here, just east of Austin? The Virgo is leaving town, and she's trying to work in as much "Austin" as possible, that last minute rush to make sure everything "Austin" about this town is sampled. In Garfield, just past the new airport, on highway 71, under the water tower — there's a place called "Little Thailand." The menu should explain what the place is about. And while the Thai dishes we sampled for lunch were excellent, the menu had the most intriguing list of stuff: Hungarian Goulash, Irish Stew, Spaghetti and Frito Pie. When queried, the owner admitted that his Frito Pie was perhaps the best in the state. I'll have to come back and try it some time. Another Austin institution, Sandy's, was dinner. "And I must say that chocolate dipped cone was fabulous," the Virgo reported. You know how hard they are to please.

2/9
I miss not doing the morning show on the Austin Music Network, but there are a couple of problems, just basic, logistical problems. Like getting up long before noon, wearing clothes, getting to the studio for the taping, and so on. To compound the problem, the few times I was on, it was readily apparent from the web log that I wasn't getting any more hits from having the URL splattered across the TV screen. Which means, not many people were watching. Too bad. The play list for the show is great. It's in keeping with the sort of things I have in my CD changer right now. A little of this and a little of that. Some country, some pop, and although they didn't play classical, they did have the off beat stuff which was far better than what the regular channels offer. Even a little a Dinosaur Rock. And anyone who plays Kinky Friedman must be demonstrating an above average sense of the absurd as well as excellent tastes. I snuck off to the movies with a Virgo friend, and caught a matinee of "Galaxy Quest." Sure as can be, though, if I had been by the phone, waiting for that call, nothing would have happened. Sit in a dark movie theater, though, and the beeper keeps vibrating through the whole show. And why does it work that way? No movie, no calls.

2/8
>about 2/7/00 10:03 PM, ya'll suggested:
>
> >In regards to your journal entry for today, I'm reminded of what Frank Zappa
>> once said about his music...
>>
>> "I do it to amuse myself - if other people like it, then that's a bonus."

I have to admit, I was just tickled by the comment. Sure, nothing like finding some artist you really admire, and having his quote sum up the feeling in a lot fewer words. I still don't get it all, though. I hopped across the river to cash a check for one of Sunday's reading — $100, and then carried myself over to the bookstore and promptly spent about half of the cash on new material. Following this train of thought backwards, before it derails, Ma Wetzel sent The New York Times Review of Books with Pa Wetzel, and the book section had a couple of mystery/thrillers listed which looked good. While I was at the store, the owner filled me in on one of the authors, I had just missed meeting the guy, and a local spot figured in a lot the tales, apparently. Which got me to thinking, on the way home with books under my arm, that the guy who own that restaurant, Texicalli, is a lot like the guy who owns Adventures in Crime and Space, the bookstore. I'd like to imitate their lifestyles, when I get to where they are at. Relaxed, enjoy their jobs, maybe not pillars of the community, but substantial parts of the old Austin foundation. Approximately 143 readers of the Leo horoscope responded with correct answers yesterday. With an "El-Cheapo" planet profile valued at $9.95, that means I gave away $1422.85 in free stuff. I wonder if this comes off my taxes?2/7
Judging by what people write in to me, I get a sense that a percentage of the population misses the mark. For $24.95, they expect me to spend three hours computing a chart, writing up a detailed explanation of transit of the planets, and then shipping it all off. Sure, that's less than $9 an hour. I could make more per hour working at the convenience store down the street, although, I might stand a greater chance of getting robbed there. I've had two complaints in the last two weeks, made me think about this. Order now. Prices are going up.

A certain degree of understanding is lacking — I don't remember the precise source, a book with a black cover, by Stephen King, about writing, copyrighted sometime in the 1980's, maybe earlier. "I write because I can't not write." I don't recall if that was the exact quote, but it sums it up pretty well. But the links, the original text, the astrology columns, all of that — including this journal — is done by me, for me. It's for my own amusement. The fact that other people derive some pleasure from it is nice. I was at a party several years ago, not long after I was just out of the hospital with a near death ailment, and at the party, a guy was questioning me about my writing, did I like what I did, was there true joy in it? The mornings when I get up and hit the word processor first, the time at the typewriter, first thing in the morning, before the phone rings, before the astrology clients call to complain, that's the best part of my day. It is done for my amusement. Several outlets purchase my column, hey, that's nice, but the goal here is one where I entertain me. Bit ego driven? Perhaps. But every artist has this same sense, that we have something in us that needs expression. Even if it's the poetry which will never, ever be published, much less viewed for public consumption, it still has feelings which have to be expressed. Besides, I've yet to find online or otherwise, an astrology column that sums up my week the way I do. Sometimes I'm frighteningly accurate. Other times, I wonder who writes this stuff, but it works for me because it amuses me.2/6
Some days are more coherent than others. Some days, I can get it all together and do a decent entry. I've had one person complain about jokes, on a rather frequent basis. First off, the joke list is for my amusement, not for everyone else. The fact that some people find the same humor that I like amusing is supposedly, reward enough. But when it gets to be litany of complaints, I wonder if I should just unsubscibe the offending e-mail address? My father was in town, and I was off and about with him. My unusual point of view in life was demonstrated by him while we were all sitting outside the Hula Hut, waiting on a table. He noticed a squirrel in the palm tree. As much as I would like to claim that as my own observation, he beat me to it. Besides, I live here, I've seen squirrels do weird things — there's a lot of those little guys around here. So his observation indicates that yes, I come from a genetic heritage of having a strange point of view. "You get that from your mother's side of the family," is his disclaimer. I've developed my own. But back to the e-mail... "A little negative don't you think?" Actually, I thought it was stunning parody. Later in the day, I got the funniest rebuttal. This is what happens in the seething electronic mess of communications: don't try this at home, and under no circumstances, do not do this without adult supervision.

2/5
Got to be an easier way. Still no news from Network Solutions. Got the confirmation e-mail, sent it back, got everything up and running, and still nothing. Went to a party last night, took Old Dad, at least, to the first part of the party. It was Chinese New Year Party. Whew. Seems a number of folks wanted to meet Pa Wetzel, unsure of my origins, as it were. I got the nicest compliment from one of my friends yesterday, and her vanity license plate for a long time was "Writer." "You make a living off your writing, correct?" "Yeah." "You know how many writers don't? Consider yourself lucky...." Oh, I do. I remember a discussion from the party last night, a recording engineer was talking about our local favorite obnoxious character, one of them anyway, a certain country singer turned mystery author. Seems that a lot of his jokes didn't go over in a foreign country. Not that his humor appeals to many folks here, either, but if you know his work, he's funny as heck, in a bitter, sarcastic, Scorpio way. Rather appealing to the intellectually burned out crowd — folks tired of high brow, politically correct stuff. "We gots to be what we is."

2/4
"With rue my heart is laden," goes the poem. And with rue my heart ids laden because I've got to switch servers. From a really cool, but getting to be frightfully expensive Austin web server, I'm off to some vague outfit in net land. Got the call yesterday. Looks like this will really work soon. It's not like I haven't been hassling with the servers and the net traffic controllers for a while, it's just nice to get some confirmation. I went to see another girl about a chart, and I was much dismayed when I finally stepped out of the trailer yesterday afternoon. It was so pretty outside. Perfect temperature for shorts, and there I was, in jeans. There's something amiss here. From chilly to nice in no time. The most interesting thing I found in the paper yesterday is about Legend Airlines. Being a big proponent of Southwest, I've followed the other little start up airlines struggle to get into the old Dallas Love Field. Seems like there's a big controversy brewing, companies drawing lawyers and flinging lawsuits at 20 paces, the makings of a real "old west" showdown. As a consumer, especially as an Austin consumer, I like this idea. No, Legend isn't flying to Austin, but that doesn't matter. Do the math. Flights get cheaper. I've already discovered it costs less to buy a cheap seat to to fly from Austin to Dallas, it actually is less expensive, than putting gas in some friend's vehicle. "I know it's got a big tank Kramer, that's why I like you to fill it."

2/3
I was strolling along Riverside, yet again, off on my way to see a girl about a chart, and I felt a little like a "dirty old man" in my long coat, but the wind was whipping, and it had been cold and gray all morning, so it just naturally fit. Then, again, as I was crossing the river to go the bank, the wind was whipping up from the river bottom, and I was glad for my choice in outerwear. Didn't last, but it was worth it for the time being. A thousands thoughts raced through my mind, yesterday afternoon. Every place I turned, everything I saw, the littlest object in the street, the noise from a passing car, the distant rumble of construction, I kept hearing poetry. One of these days. I'll try to catch the whole thing, the entire experience of something like a simple walk, the vibration, from the street, the beat which throbs like a heartbeat of the city. I couldn't help but notice the way the little buildings downtown look like an almost quaint version of what a town looked like years ago. There's a good picture in the Texspresso building, a shot of the block from about a hundred years as the building was being constructed. This is such a bizarre place, the headquarters for a big multimedia place is just around the corner.

2/2
Not long ago, I was yearning for a little dose of cold weather, something to remind me why I like living in such a temperate climate. Careful what you wish for, you just might get it. I forgot how cold the thin walls of the trailer are, how the heater makes a smoking smell, and how affectionate the cat gets. Downright cozy, even, as she crawls under the covers. She's taken to sleeping near my feet. I have to be careful not to kick her. I had a late night with a Gemini buddy ["Hey, the wife is out of town...."], and we might not be the best company for each other. Some Tex-Mex at La Feria's new location, some ice cream at Amy's, despite the cold, and then a quick spin through Waterloo Records. Great sale on the Clash canon. But the conversation took a strange, metaphysical twist. And Ray Wylie Hubbard sings about it, "Some get spiritual because they see the light and some cause they feel the heat."

2/1
I'm not sure I like this lifestyle. Monday, before noon, I had done three phone consultations, one from over seas, written another astrology column, updated a web page, and answered a query about real academic scholarship and Shakespeare's astrology. This is way too much like having a real job — I'm not cut out for this level of hard work. It takes something special to wind down from a day like this, a little BBQ [Artz Ribs], a little skinny white chick on TV with lawyers, call it a night.

1/31
One of the servers I use for mail is Earthlink.net. Nice guys, and the tech support has been okay, only about a two minute wait for a call to go through. But.... they bounced all of the mail from the monthly e-mail this time. Must be having a spam problem. I got the usual requests for clarifications on some scopes, and all I can say, in retrospect, is — "Maybe it's good and maybe it's not, it's what you do with what's up." The big game was interesting, I spent the first half in a crowded bar which was pretty firmly in favor of the Houston team. The last half, I watched at a friend's place, and it was one of those games, I guess. So close, and yet. Perhaps the better idea is to rank the commercials because that seemed a lot more interesting than the outcome of the game. None of them really hit the mark, not in my mind, although, I had to admit, it was very clever to use a bit of poetry from a guy born "out West" for one of them — I think I liked it the best.

1/30
Mad dash home from Ft. worth. Still a town that I can like, after all, they did introduce to me to the 44 ounce "big gulp – thirst buster" size of high octane coffee drinks. Yessir, there's just something definitely Texan about that, a little over the top, a little excessive, a little too much of the flavor. Meandering down the interstate, on the route home, it's just not a real trip unless it includes a stop for BBQ, and stop at one of the outlet malls. Comparison shopping is important in these places, and at the brand name store, I found a Cappuccino maker for about nine dollars. But wait, the same coffee accessory was only three dollars at a store around the corner. Sometimes, it's the quest, maybe not so much the price, which is important.

1/29
So much for fun and games in cow town. Yes, it's a nice place. I saw the greatest T-shirt on a staff member at "Rick's on the Bricks," out on Camp Bowie, "In Dallas, they call it 'Sushi,' but in Ft. Worth, we call it 'bait'." Guess you had to be there. Locally owned and operated "coffee haus" has the best of the new sizes of coffee, as would be fitting for a truly western town, the usually Star Bucknerian sizes are there, Regular, Tall, Grande, but as only a Texas outfit would do it, there's also the "Kojo" size. The girl behind the counter giggled a lot, and never could tell me what it stood for, something about big elephant, and it is, the first 44 ounce, bigger than a bucket of soda pop size for a hot coffee drink. And with the wind whipping over the West Texas plains, the plummeting temperatures, I needed something. Coffee, big enough to swim in. How long before someone in Austin matches this?

1/28
Nothing gets a Sagittarius astrologer's heart thumping better than a road trip. Impromptu road trip. Never mind it was in a rent car, skating through ice and snow. Never mind the Virgo in question was fretting [needlessly] about the speed I was driving at. Never mind, unlike the last girl I took there, she couldn't finish her chicken fried steak. Nope, this is downtown Ft. Worth, and I must admit, I like it here just fine. I did a little research, and this town will figure prominently in the next round of trivia questions. I like it here, just fine, thank you ma'am.

1/27
Forget banner ads for click through traffic on the web. Forget running a super bowl spot to announce a web site. I have seen the ultimate marketing tool, and it works. Imagine that I'm the target audience, male, good income, use a computer to do a lot of things, how are you going to reach me? Babes is usually a good way to get my attention. I was sitting in Threadgills, waiting on my lunch and reading a newspaper when three attractive women come up with a one – two – three sucker punch for marketing. I saw them working the room, and I was getting ready to say "no" to whatever they were canvassing for. Hard hearted fool that I am. Instead, one of them slips a ten dollar bill on the table, "We want to buy you lunch." Then the second one drops a flyer telling me to hit the web site, and finally, the third says, "and here's a free T-shirt." That was it. I had my defensive verbosity ready to go, and none was required. I was left sputtering. That had to be some of the slickest web marketing I've ever seen.

1/26
The Gemini sent this:

>about 1/25/00 3:05 PM, ya'll suggested:
>Gemini : Be still and quiet for a change. Shut up for about 30 minutes.
>Listen to what other people are telling you. I realize that this might
>sound like harsh words to your Gemini ears, but set a watch by it. Listen
>for a full 30 minutes. Take the auditory input from other places, other
>people, and process this data through your lightening quick Gemini mental
>processor. Your brain works faster and better than any computer ever made,
>including some only dreamed of so far. In fact, you also have an intuitive
>ability early this week, something that you can rely on for even better
>information. The trick is to get you to close your mouth. Put the
>telephone away for a few minutes, take a break. Give it a rest. You've got
>some important information that is "incoming" this week. From the way the
>stars look, my best guess is that it's delivered verbally to you.
>
>GEMINI (May 21-June 20) >Week of January 20, 2000
>If you stand on a mountaintop on a clear night, it's possible to detect a
>burning candle 40 miles away. You can achieve a comparable effect this
>week merely by closing your eyes and meditating 20 minutes a day. That's
>because you're now poised at an unusual cusp that gives you the power to
>behold inner visions of both your life's big picture and the small but
>crucial details you've been missing. It'll be like looking through a
>telescope with one eye and a microscope with the other.

The computer problems are all but solved now, I just need one more cable to make this new set up work like a charm. The switch from one server to another isn't going nearly as quickly or easily as it is supposed to. I baby sat a client through this process once, and it took six weeks. I hope mine doesn't take as long. I don't have the financial wherewithal to keep two servers going at the same time. Lunch yesterday was the ultimate comfort food, and it added a Cancer overtone to the day, a Cancer server, and a Cancer reading. Wonder what that has to do with everything? I opted for the Chicken Fried Steak, but in the interest of doing something for my health, I did have yellow squash with it, rather than mashed potatoes. One of the neighbors here in the trailer park took one look at me in a suit, tie, and jacket, [Tuesday is TV day] and he suggested the cold weather sure got my butt out of shorts in hurry.

1/25
"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't" — Hamlet, II.ii.207 — or, as the song goes, "that's my story and I'm sticking to it." Seems like the incipient, creeping humorous sarcasm for the weekly scopes didn't hit all the signs right, as I got flurry of notes from people begging explanations. Perhaps my advice is best taken with a cynical sneer. I pulled the quote off of the daily Shakespeare reminder that Ma Wetzel sent me for Xmas. But it sure did fit. Then, late last night, I got an offer from upstate Minnesota, they would be happy to run my horoscopes, and pay me with free advertising. Then they told me how much they charge for their advertising. I figure if they charge that much, they can obviously afford to pay me cold cash — I doubt there's warm cash up yonder right now.

1/24
"What up man? You sound tired." "I am," I answered — I worked all day long. "I guess that's an alternative lifestyle for you, 'work,' I mean." My Gemini buddies are so helpful sometimes. I passed out last night, at an early hour, and didn't wake up until I had slept for almost 12 hours. This working thing does get in the way.

1/23
It was Bubba, as he serenaded me — on the phone get real — as I explained I was working at the Psychic Fair in town, "David Byrne, right? Talking Heads? 'Psychic Killer, Q'est que c'est?' right?" From him, though, the twang added a little bit of an unusual accent to the French words. As native Texans, however, it is our birthright to abuse the language as we see fit. "Look: all I'm looking for a is guy with enough backbone so I can ride him like the Pony Express to El Paso, and not have it break his back!" [Thanks to the Pisces girl for that comment on Saturday night.]

1/22
Tweak, tweak. Got me thinking, especially after one of the Leo's passed on some info about her Mars — I've got at least one British client who reads Jonathan Cainer's scopes with religious regularity. But what other scopes do the FGS Faithful read? Susan Miller is mentioned at times, as is Brezney. But what do those authors read? Does Cainer read my stuff? Brezney? Susan Miller? The Cosmic Breakfast Pastry? When I was working side by side with one author, I know she was reading my stuff, but only because she was trying to learn Western Astrology, and that's an "over" deal. I rarely, if ever, read other online astrology columns because I haven't found one that's entertaining enough to keep my interest, then I spend too much time deconstructing it. So I'm off to the Austin event this morning, looking forward to a busy day. Here's the wager for the day: Air signs. Especially Fixed Air Signs.

1//21
I love Magnolia Cafe, especially the South Congress location, and particularly the food. I mean, the service is typically South Austin at its finest, relaxed, casual, sort of an unknown quality. We waited for seat where we could watch the moon, in anticipation of the coming eclipse last night. I had the dinner special because it had a very intriguing name: Pineapple Chipotle BBQ Chicken. Where else are you going to find such a strange brew? I did watch the eclipse, from the top of a parking garage, in downtown Austin, the offices of [you really think I would give up these secrets?], and while the the view was great, I was wondering how it's affecting everyone. It's that "eclipse at an early degree of a fixed sign" syndrome going on now.

1/20
The exhaustion isn't about to be over yet. Mother Wetzel (Ma Wetzel the Scorpio) was in town for the last day or two, and shopping with Ma Wetzel is a thrilling yet tiring experience. We cavorted around town, and at one point, I was able to determine that I cannot talk on a cell phone, carry on a conversation with my mother, and drive. Shouldn't be done. I did have an excellent dinner with friends, an Aquarius lawyer (good thing it's my lawyer), her betrothed, and assorted other folks. Dinner was Polenta Lasagna, or, to those of us in the know, Cheese Grits. Same thing. Polenta is 4 times as costly as grits, but it's the same thing. In fact, organic grits even cost less than regular Polenta, but it's still the same thing. So, call it what you want. Cheese Grits to me, Polenta Ricatto to Ma Wetzel. Same thing. Delicious, by any name. The 80 degree day was a bit unsettling, the weather is too warm for January. But as near as I can recall, there is always a week of this stuff, sometime in the middle of the winter.

Index for this year