The economy’s bad. People are losing jobs left and right. It’s a lot closer to home than I’d like it to be. Quite a few of my friends are looking for work – more than just a handful. Anyway, so one friend of mine decided to start a blog dedicated to unemployment and how to get through it. He’ll be posting tips and strategies for thriving while unemployed.
So check it out: Suddenly Free.
From Freewill Astrology:
Poet Jack Spicer was a native Californian who wrote most of his poetry while living in the San Francisco Bay Area. He did, however, spend a short time on the East Coast. “Like most primitive cultures,” he reported after returning home, “New York has no feeling for nonsense.” I don’t agree with that assessment. Some of the best nonsense I ever experienced transpired during a November night in 2005 on New York’s West 23rd Street. In any case, Libra, your assignment in the coming week is to avoid primitive environments that have no feeling for nonsense. You need a maximum dose of silly, goofy, loopy bursts of diversion. I promise it’ll make you both smarter and wiser.
Okay, folks. Bring on the silly, goofy, and loopy! I need everything I can get to make me both smarter and wiser.
On a side note, I’ve changed the look of the sidebar and have also added my link to a few sites. I’m more okay with my web presence now, considering someone out there has been searching for me on Google by name. Who are you??? The first site that pops up is this one, so I’ve got nowhere to go.
Still I’ve nothing to hide nor is my life all that interesting or incriminating. Google away!
From Astrology.Com:
Rooster Ratings – 72% (10 favorable and 2 neutral months)
Get ready for an outstanding year. Aside from the Snake, the Rooster has the best prospects in the year of the Ox. This is the kind of year you have been waiting for, as everything seems to go your way. You have been diligently working towards some long term goals that finally come together this year. Your relations are felt at new levels, as you find a sense of satisfaction that you may not have experienced in a long time. Things you may have thought not possible will become a reality for you in this positive year.
Rooster Career
Determination and diligence are two key aspects that put the Rooster over the top this year. 2009 is a year that you should promote yourself: Your ideas and your talents will be highly regarded and you will be recognized for past and present efforts. Give it your best this year and seize any opportunity that presents itself. This year will certainly be a landmark for years to come, as you will remember it as one of your most productive times in your life.
Rooster Relationships
Domestic matters will fare well for the Rooster this year. You will find comfort in the support and encouragement of family members and friends alike. Seek advice from your seniors, as they may provide information that opens doors to areas that are not known. The social life for the Rooster is a busy schedule. You will enjoy the company of others in many social functions and parties. Romance is highly favorable for the unattached Rooster, so flaunt your feathers.
Rooster Health
Health issues are minor for the Rooster this year. Though exercise and diet are not an issue, you may have a problem maintaining the discipline of a steady routine. Take the time to get the exercise you need and everything should work out fine for you. Being somewhat of a risk taker, you may want to try something new that holds your interests. Consider surfing or parasailing to indulge your fancy.
Rooster Wealth
This a great year financially for the Rooster. If you have any available funds, you may want to reinvest it in your work. This could prove to be highly favorable and you will reap the benefits in your return. One key issue is your spending habits. Make sure you don’t spend the money before it is in the bank or this could pose a problem with your budget. Receive professional advice for any large investments in areas that you are unfamiliar.
From Tarot.Com:
2009 is poised to shower you with gifts, dear Rooster. You’ll come into your own during the Year of the Earth Ox. People appreciate your wisdom, insight and wit this year. What bliss for an exhibitionist like you! There’s never been a better time to go abroad; consider planning a trip for October. Getting an advanced diploma or certificate is also favored. There is one downside to this year, however: you run the risk of burnout. Although it may pain you to do so, you need to get into the habit of turning off your cell phone after hours, otherwise you’ll never get any rest. Besides, you owe it to your friends and family to be entirely present for them.
As far as your health is concerned, you need to make more time for meditative activities like nature walks, meditation, reading and prayer. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time falling asleep. Make more time for hobbies, too. All work and no play make a cranky Rooster. Don’t worry about falling behind — if there’s one year you can do it all, it’s this one. Be sure to enter as many contests as possible during the Year of the Earth Ox. Luck is on your side, and could be awarded in the form of cash and prizes!
Money for the Rooster
You could enter a new level of career during the Year of the Earth Ox. At long last, you might have the chance to call the shots at your place of work. In the event you are self-employed, think about expanding your business in 2009. Opportunities like this are few and far between, and might be worth pursuing for an independent animal like you. Ventures related to writing, education and media are especially favored.
If you’re thinking of getting a new job, think about sending out resumes and going on interviews between July and September … you could find a plum position that pays well. If you have a choice between taking a flat salary and earning a commission, consider takeing the salary. It might be wise to make a vow to put a set portion of your income into savings each week.
Love for the Rooster
The Year of the Earth Ox invites you to slow down and smell the flowers, especially where romance is concerned. Take this opportunity to cut back your work schedule for the sake of parties, picnics and pleasure trips. If you’re single, you could meet someone special at a book club, political meeting or adult education class. You could also find love while taking a guided tour of an historic city in October. Be aware that an understated approach to love is favored in the Year of the Earth Ox, which is in direct odds with your usual forward manner. Remember, a little subtlety can go a long way in 2009!
In the event you are already in a committed relationship, this would be a lovely time to plan for the future together. Sit down with your partner and discuss your dreams. Together, you can accomplish great things, especially if you give each other unconditional support. Use 2009 as a springboard to start your own business, move abroad or forge an entirely new lifestyle.
The other day, I sent over funds to the Roth IRA account for 2009 [$5K limit for those under 50]. Looking at my records today, I found out that I had not contributed in 2008 either, so I took care of that in one fell swoop. So easy too. Just a click of a button!
Not that I will be retiring any day soon, but it’s never too early to think about retirement. Sure, my 401(k) has gone down the tubes with the economy [that, and I rarely track the investments in there], but I keep my Roth IRA $ in less risky areas. So essentially it just earns interest as if it were sitting in my bank account. I really like the fact that it’s going to be tax-free by the time I get to it [more than a lifetime away].
Still haven’t gotten to my taxes yet. I know, I know. I’m in the industry. Shouldn’t I have my act together? My excuse is that many of my forms haven’t come in yet. Some day, when I’m rolling in the dough, I’m paying someone to track those forms down and then do them for me. It’s a lot of time that I don’t really have right now!
An update on the 101 in 1001 list:
005 – Fly a kite.
Actually, last weekend we went on a kite hunt again. We didn’t really have any plans, so we hopped onto a bus headed for Potrero Hill. Ran into Neil at Coffee Bar, so we hung out for a bit. Afterwards, we checked the Sports Basement over in Potrero Hill, only to find kites in the $50-$60 range. Yeah, not so much. We also checked Sports Authority, which wasn’t too far of a stroll away. No luck there either.
So I hadn’t really thought of finding a kite this weekend. Of course, when RV and I were strolling around Japantown today after a hefty brunch of fried chicken and biscuits smothered in gravy, not expecting to really find anything, VOILA! This funny-looking kite caught our eyes. Meet the Power Pony Penta Kite! It’s a little on the ridiculous side, which is why it’s perfect. We’ve yet to fly it though because as soon as we made it back to the car, the clouds rolled in, and it began to sprinkle.
More updates when we actually get this sucker up in the air! I am beyond ecstatic that we found it. It was marked as $20.99, but when the guy rang it up, it was actually $18.99. SUH-WEET! Not sure when the next sunny, but windy enough, weekend will be…
Meet the two new pieces of furniture in my inventory. One is all set up in my room already, and the other is waiting downstairs in the garage until further notice. They may not be the prettiest pieces, but they serve their purpose.
The dresser will be joining the room once I get rid of the hideous bookcase mentioned as task #075. I made two separate trips to Ikea in a span of two days to pick up these items. The original plan was to get the loveseat only, but then I went to the “As Is” section and grabbed the dresser instead.
Talk about impulsive shopping. At least the dresser was on sale [30% off], and the pieces were already put together. Everyone knows that Ikea furniture is a bitch to build!
I won’t be doing that much. The economy’s not looking so hot. But I also picked up these:
Typical Ikea lighting.
From Freewill Astrology:
While working on his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson hung out at a tavern in Philadelphia and drank beer. While contemplating how best to motivate you Libras to seek more autonomy and self-determination, I was strolling along a California beach sipping a piña colada and watching windsurfers. In the grand tradition of Jefferson and me, I hope you will put yourself in a relaxed and playful mood as you dream and scheme about all the things you could do to emancipate yourself in the coming months. For God’s sake, don’t make it a grave and ponderous meditation.
I don’t understand why he keeps telling me to relax. How can I relax at a time like this? Work is busy, busy, busy. I have so much to do… What is the message he is trying to get across to me?
I need some time to ponder.
“I still need a little bit of alone time. I’m trying to satisfy what you need too most other times. Am I not doing well enough, honestly?”
“You are wonderful, honestly.”
“Well, you are too, so I don’t mind giving you what you want.”
I never thought of myself as the needy type, but I suppose when given the opportunity, I’ll take it. This is especially true for the rough times in the month when everything seems to crumble out of place. RV has been nothing less than accommodating and wonderful. He spoils me with the amount of time and attention he gives. I reciprocate. It’s a weird feeling, going from a long distance relationship of three years, to nothing, and then to seeing someone almost daily.
I kinda like it.
- Completed #60 on the 101 in 1001. It was a beautiful day spent at the Legion of Honor with some good friends. This was the same day that we failed miserably at finding a kite to fly.
- Got an iPhone because my friend agreed to be on a family plan with me – YAY! Went and picked up a case for it today.
- Got ridiculously ill and skipped out on work for two days. Even though I was sick and stayed at home, I was STILL working. Ugh! I went back on Friday when I should’ve stayed home instead. I was so weak and tired, but I still got my work done. I’m hoping to relax and recover over the weekend.
- Started using the Neti pot for my sinus health. Basically, you’re running water in one nostril and out through the other. Not as painful as it sounds, just a little WEIRD. At first, it felt like I was stuffing my sinus with water, but when you lean the right way, the water goes through. I felt less congested, so I’ve been doing that for a few days.
- Caught up with Lucy, a gal I knew in high school.
That’s all that’s new…
