For the Week of: 4/24-30/2003
“How long a time lies in little word.”
Shakespeare’s Richard II [II.iii.212]
Answer: gobbledygook. Spelling may vary, but it was a San Antonio native who originally coined the expression. Politician, no less. Goes well with turning off your TV. And get a free graphic novel.
Upcoming: South Austin’s own special brunch & reading.
Taurus: Happy birthday. You are in for a long, weird year. Consider the source of this information, the term “weird” is oft considered a term of endearment, a positive expression, where I’m from. Increasingly, it’s hard to be weird where I live.
So this doesn’t mean that the next year for Taurus is bad, just different. Instead of shaking up the steady and implacable Taurus ways, what you’re going to see, coming up, and starting around this weekend, what’s coming up is from your own, Taurus, historical past. “What’s he mean?” I mean, buried stuff, forgotten stuff, items long left behind are probably going to resurface. Is this bad? Not at all.
There’s a rock band, and for me, the memories of actually seeing them in concert are rather faded. I was considerably younger, perhaps influenced by the actions and reactions of the times, and it there’s not much left over from the memories. However, when I listen to the CD, I get a sense that I’m back in that time when nothing was bad or dangerous. It’s a little weird because the music is dated, technologically incompetent by today’s standards, but to me, it’s still soothing. That’s what I mean by weird. It’s weird to listen to something like that, and see the reaction on my friends’ faces. But for me, and you, this is something to enjoy.
Gemini: When I’m living out of my suitcase, like I do frequently, I’ve got a system. Depends on the season, I mean, high summer is nothing but shorts, but any other time? Black. Why? Think about it. Black slacks, black jeans, black long-sleeve T-shirt, black wife beater shirt, black boots, black hat, black overcoat, it all looks color coordinated. An outfit like that, I don’t have to worry if the shirt matches the pants, or if I’ve got the right accessories to make it all work right. Stick with what works. Besides, there’s the added advantage of wearing all black, you can pretend to move stealthily in the night. Is stealth important to Gemini these days? Yes.
Cancer: I watched as one friend, a poetess, went to her first poetry reading. It was one of those dreaded “open mic” affairs, in a dusty warehouse of a coffee place. It was like, on a Tuesday night or something, not exactly a big night. One of the folks reading his poetry apparently had a good following, and my friend was up next. She was nervous at first, opening up a leather-bound journal with her precious poetry ensconced inside.
I normally avoid such affairs, but I was there for moral support. A cool spring night, twilight descending on us, a picture-perfect experience. She was timid, almost frightened at first, but once the words got started, before she was through her first stanza, she’d hit stride and was rolling along. Strong words. Love, loss, rebirth and regeneration, the usual stock and trade of angst ridden poetry readings. From a frightened start to a strong finish, she was warmly received by the apparently world-weary poetry people. I faded into the background as my support was no longer needed. Same thing’s going to happen to you. I’ll be there for moral support, but I suspect, by the time you get to the end of the poem, presentation, lecture or even just a sales pitch, you’ll be doing just fine.
Leo: One thing I’ve found, as an employer, one of the secret strengths I look for in an employee, is a lazy streak. While this might fly right into the face of conventional wisdom, I’ve never claimed to be conventional. Or normal. Look for that lazy streak in your Leo self.
See: as an employer, I like the lazy computer techs. They never get anything done on time, but when they get stuff done, there’s a kind of elegance to it all. It’s a quick and dirty answer to a troubling problem. One that defies normal logic, but it works just fine, maybe even better. The lazy streak, when properly exploited, can save a lot of work.
Still trying to figure that one out? The lazy streak suggests that you automate a certain process. You don’t want to work any harder so you find a way to let the machine, the group, the process, some way to get them to do the job for you. Might take a little figuring, but properly applied, you can get the rest of us to do your hard, repetitive work. See what I mean about the lazy streak? Exploit these next couple of days.
Virgo: Imagine this: I’m sitting here, on the couch, and pat my lap, look at you, and say, “Come here my sweet Virgo, sit on Kramer’s lap.” Yes, well, there’s going to be some trouble with that image. I don’t think the preponderance of my male Virgo friends are going to like that image one little bit. “I don’t think so,” one of them is saying, even as I write this stuff out.
Pretty heavy emphasis on the words, as well. He’s not exactly humored by the thought. However, let’s switch this around a little. It’s not gender specific, it’s sign specific. You’re the Virgo. You do the inviting. You’ve got the lap. In fact, you’ve got the lap we all would like to sit on. Or have you sit on our lap. This isn’t some sort convoluted sexual message, either. It’s rather direct, upfront, in-your-face stuff. Make an invitation with a nod towards emotional intimacy. Do some inviting. Do something. Realize that you’re going to have to modify my original scenario for what works best for you.
Libra: I’ve never considered Libra to be a stubborn sign. However, in my travels and research, over the years, I’ve encountered more than one person who claims those “Libra’s can be so bull-headed, stupidly stubborn at times.” That’s the opinion of others, not my personal or professional point of view. Got it? Good. Let’s move on.
Those folks with their opinions about your apparent non-Libra behaviors, that’s fine, let them think what they want to think. It’s their brains, they can do what they want. Remember, these are views held by folks other than myself. It’s important to consider that. You’re going to encounter, or have recently just encountered a situation, an event, or even just a person, that is, or who is, being stupidly stubborn about something.
The more resistance you put up, the more enmeshed in this situation you become. It’s a matter of looking at it from a different point of view. Look: you’re Libra, you’re probably right. But in the face of such strong opposition, maybe even ill-considered opposition, you might want to rethink your own position before you let this stubborn struggle turn into a war.
Scorpio: Long before there was surround sound, there was just “stereo.” That meant the music was piped from different sources into different speakers. Studio musicians going way back learned how to vary the source so that the noise comes from different speakers. With symphonic music, you can hear the strings off to the left, and the horns on the right. The kettle drums were usually a little to the left, as well, if I recall correctly. Unless it’s the 1812 Overture, then the explosions are just all over the place.
With rock music, some musicians mix it up so a single guitar noise varies from the left to the right. That’s the effect that’ll help you over the next few days. The last time I set up my home audio system, I accidentally reversed the left and right channels. Not such a big deal, not to someone as tone deaf as I am. One of my audio-savvy buddies was listening to a particular dance track, and he noted that I had the channels reversed.
Switch two wires, and everything’s perfect. But I kind of liked having it all backwards, made for some interesting effects. Look: you’re face to face with some difficulties, which can be traced back to Mars, the Sun, and so forth. Try reversing the way you look at these problems. Might make everything sound better. Might also offer a solution, too, just changing two little Scorpio speaker wires.
Sagittarius: “Queso” is a traditional local appetizer. It’s basically a yellow [or orange, and occasionally, white] cheese product of some kind, melted, and then there’s a variety of condiments that can be added. Some places around here have this soupy, thin, yellow-orange stuff. Other places offer a more refined version, including steak-fajita slices, ground beef, avocado slices, bacon, black beans, pico, or any other of a number delicious combinations.
One of my favorite places considers their signature queso dish to be “heart attack in a bowl.” As one of my bubba friends is fond of pointing out, “You order that stuff, and you can hear Star Flight [local helicopter ambulance] warming up.”
I have a different theory, tested over the years, about the purported artery-hardening effect of queso. See, the stuff stays liquid as long as it’s warm. Our bodies are warm. As long as it’s flowing throw my arteries, the stuff will stay liquid. This removes any worry about its “heart attack in a bowl” qualities. Typical Texas cuisine is important. Health considerations are important. But most of all, delineating the details of both is important. Try it.
Capricorn: “Man, I’ve got it all figured out: 4 – 3 – 2 – 1.” I looked at my buddy quizzically, “Huh?” “It’s easy, on a night like tonight, 4 shots of whiskey, 3 puffs on the pipe, 2 hours of internet porn, 1 good night’s sleep.” [verbatim quote] That’s trailer life. In as much as I’m merely reporting the facts, not condoning a certain lifestyle, there is something rather positive to be said for the simple approach to life’s little problems. In particular, as they apply in the Capricorn world.
I was thinking about these simple steps, and I was trying to come up with some of my own, but I was sadly lacking. I’ve made every effort to simplify many aspects of my life, but no, I haven’t gotten it down to just four steps as a pathway to happiness. Now, taken in strictest context, I’m not so sure that those four steps equate to happiness in my book, but then, I’m not my Capricorn buddy living in a trailer. Using a broader definition, something a little less than the strictest of contextual settings, though, I’m sure there’s something here. “4 steps to happiness” are certainly well within your grasp. Might not be the exact same as my friend, but you know, there’s something to say for getting a good night’s rest, however you do it.
Aquarius: My Aquarius neighbor wanted to build a little patio for the Aquarius’s trailer’s front door. Sort of a statement for a temporary housing situation. Like most home-repair projects, whether in a trailer park or in a real house, this started with a trip to the big “do-it-yourself, indoor lumber yard” place. Then, before any plans were seriously laid, the Aquarius was out there, banging away, cutting lumber, sawing up a storm, and getting ready to build the killer deck for a portable home unit.
There are two serious problems with this arrangement. Number One: time. After getting up before the sun, and fishing my little heart out for few hours, I’m in the mood for nap. All that construction noise couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time. Then there’s the idea that this was a Saturday afternoon project, and the Aquarius was forced to take off from the “real job” in order to get the project to some state where it could be easily suspended. Number two: skill set. Not to be confused with a skill saw, which is used for slicing through lumber. Turns out that poor Aquarius really wasn’t all that handy with tools, and on that fateful Monday, had to bring in a little expert help.
The good news? It’s finally done. A little over budget, both in expense and time, but looks fine. Moral: budget extra time–and money–for anything you start out with Mr. Mars and his energy.
Pisces: I thought my cat was unique. I thought my cat was different. However, there seems to be a quality that most, if not all cats share, that wondrous ability to stand at the doorway, and then, the animal in question freezes in a position, as if racked with indecision. The way my trailer is set up, I have my desk next to the backdoor, and I let that swing open for a little breeze. But when I’m up early on an April morning, sometimes, it’s still just a little cool outside. Wearing shorts and being barefoot, I would prefer to keep the door closed until it warms up outside.
The office manager [the cat] is not quite as accommodating. She’ll hang by the door, even scratch on it, so I will be forced to do her biding, then, once the door is open, she’ll stop, unsure if she really wants to go outside or not. While she’s deciding to move or not, there’s a cool breeze blowing across my feet and shins, and I start to get cold again. As I’m starting to shiver in the cool morning breeze, the cat hunkers down, in the doorway, effectively blocking my chance to shut the door. One can lose patience with a cat, but it’s really rather futile. Okay: Mars, in Aquarius, you’re like the cat. Someone else is getting annoyed while you try to render a decision. She’s waiting until the sunlight hits that one patch where she likes to take it easy. I’d suggest you follow the cat’s lead for the next couple of days. Don’t move until you’re sure.
Aries: You need a break. You get to take one. The first thought I was an Aries at rest. Right, that’ll last for about 20 minutes, max. “An Aries at rest quickly finds something to do,” is one of my old astrology theories. However, let’s take a long look at what’s been going on, and see if you can’t use a little time with your feet up. I’m sure you could.
There are a couple of bookstores around here, and while there’s one or two I favor, I’m sure there’s one in your area that will do just fine. Nice, clean, well-lit place. The employees don’t disturb you. You’re allowed to settle down into a couch or big, comfy chair, and sip a beverage, and peruse a few novels. Maybe a magazine or two. I tend to regard some places like this as libraries rather than bookstores because I have no intention of actually making a purchase. I have enough favorite authors, though, so if there’s something new, I snag it. But think about the quiet, library-like atmosphere, the muted voices of the sales help, “Yes, that’s on aisle 34, at the end, it’s really a good book….”
If you’re not getting any rest at home, a couple of hours in bookstore isn’t bad. You can always say you were looking for something, even if it was just some peace and quiet [with your feet up].
