What's Your Sign?

This afternoon I spent some time online researching the zodiac signs for the  "Petascopes" humor column I may be writing for a veterinarian magazine. I know the zodiac signs and their symbols, but was unfamiliar with the particular traits associated with each and thought I'd do a little homework before I started writing.

As I did my research, I of course had to read the "Gemini" entry on every site, as that's my sign. There was one site I found that was outright eerie in how it nailed my personality. I didn't bookmark it and have been combing the Web for it to post a link, but I can't find it.  But I did find a few other sites that listed Gemini traits.  Tell me these don't fit me perfectly:

•  "Gemini is an air sign, and as such puts great value on the mind and its thinking function, to the extent that emotional experiences may be regarded as complications that are best avoided." (Hel-lo!)
• "Gemini often takes an interest in many different things, in all sorts of information, so much so that it can fail to get an in depth knowledge of anything"
• "You have a wonderful love of the written word, as well as the spoken, and will often find yourself putting pen to paper and doodling your thoughts, if only to give you an insight into your own thinking processes. Many journalists, writers, and other advisers are born under the sign of Gemini; their forte with words makes a lasting impression. "
• "You thirst for new experiences."
• "You can’t handle close-mindedness of any sort. With your inquisitive and restless mind you have an eclectic taste, having dabbled in many different viewpoints and topics. You’re aware of the different types of personalities in life and are, therefore, liberal and free-thinking in your approach. "

Of course, these are all good things. (Notice how I consider the lack of emotional experiences a good thing.  Drama -- bad. Vulcan-like logic--good). The site entry I wanted to copy here was interesting b/c it listed negative traits as well, all of which were also a dead on match for my personality. A lot of "lack of patience," and "mood swings" and needing to be the center of attention. (Again--Hello, hello, and Hellooooew!) Also interesting was how it talked about how quickly bored Gemini's become. Once they've mastered something to an extent they're satisfied with, they want something new. They have a constant need to enjoy life and have fun and can turn resentful and ill-tempered if they perceived their lack of freedom or fun-pursuing in any way threatened. Fun-pursuing also being the career path they chose.

That ties in nicely with the drama of last month about "Whatever shall I do? Where-evah shall ah go??"  I've been doing this magazine writing thing for a few years now, I'm pretty good at it, soooo....BING!  Time to move on. Well, we'll see. Haven't made my mind up on that one. And I've got more potential new projects coming in. I love when people find me versus the early years of me scrambling (read: begging) for work. And a new project I received an e-mail on intrigues me.  New things...good for the Gemini.

I didn't find any web sites that talked about a Gemini's love of cats, but I'm pretty sure that's in there too.  Otherwise the whole thing is a crock.

Dena

p.s.  Let's have a sound off. List your sign and how you think you do/don't fit the mold here in replies.

Weekend Reivew

My morning's a little screwy today. We rented a movie on Saturday (The Brothers Grimm -- I'm not a huge fan) and it's due back today at noon.  So in a few minutes I'm going to hop in my car and drive the 23 minutes to the store to return it, then back home to officially start my day.  Such is life in the sticks.

We primed the bathroom yesterday.  Now I'm debating on color.  The decorator who did our bathroom had suggested a red, but now that I see the beige tile and off-white cabinets, I'm wondering if perhaps I don't just want a nice, serene, beige bathroom.  I've left a message for the decorator and I hope she calls me back today.  If we do go with red, I'm using the color she suggested. I've learned from experience there are a lot of "red" tones out there and if you pick the wrong one--yuck!   

Busy day today.  I did no work this weekend and it was lovely.  Took a nap both days, as a matter of fact.  And yesterday we spent almost 2 hours out on our "mountain" property.  The creek was much higher than we thought it would be given the lack of rain here, and we sat on huge rocks and watched the mini-waterfalls and listened to the birds and the wind and had a marvelous time. We're contemplating starting to build a cabin out there as early as next spring.  Yes, it's a year off, but a whole bunch of work must come before that.  The "biggee" is simply picking a house design.  (Let's clarify that--a house design that's affordable).  Then there's debate over solar power, where to put the house, etc.  Once the bathroom is done, I'll need something new to obsess about. 

Many projects to work on this week.  And I need to get that movie returned so off I go. 

Sweetest Man on the Planet

Yes, I am married to the best man on earth.  Before I left to teach my public speaking class this morning I was fussing about schedules, trying to plan out what time I'd return home so we could clean the bathroom and prep it for painting.  I walked around muttering things like, "buy sandpaper," and "must caulk."  I'm desperate to be rid of the dirt and grime.

After my class, I met Blair for lunch and grocery shopping. During lunch, I did more planning. "We can wipe down the walls and ceiling today and tape everything up. That way we can just wake up fresh tomorrow and start priming."

He let me sit there and chatter and not until we got home and I saw gleaming floors everywhere did I realize he'd spent all morning wiping down the bathroom and cleaning all the hardwood floors so no evidence of dusty contractor footprints or leftover tile dust exists. I am one happy, happy woman.

And humbled.  Just how sweet is this man of mine?  My friend Trisha cracked me up the other day when she referred to me "bedding down with Jesus."  He really is too good to be true. (And what a great title for my memoirs, huh?).

I'm exhausted.  My class was small but wonderful, but speaking for hours always drains me.  I need a power nap to  rejuvenate.  And now I can sleep soundly, knowing that a floor below me, my bathroom is shiny.

Enjoy your weekend! 

To Kill A Mockingbird

I finished To Kill A Mockingbird. Brilliant.  On the one hand, makes me want to slit my wrists because I will never, ever, be able to write with such depth and brilliance. On the other hand, since there is no way I could ever do that, the pressure is off. =)

 I think people who write works like that have an inherent gift others may lack. Without putting myself down or fishing for compliments, I could study every book on writing out there and do nothing but practice writing for 8 hours a day for the rest of my life and I could never produce anything that would begin to touch a book of this level of genius. I really think it's either a "you've got it or you don't," type scenario. Certainly, I'm sure she went through many horrible drafts and false starts like the rest of us.  But I think she started off on a higher level of playing field than most writers.

But I'm not a literary writer anyway. And don't have a desire to be one. I'm very happy plugging away for the masses, thank you very much.  Or, at the moment, for the dozens (ha ha ha).

I have a big 'ol list of things to do today. My niece fell sick so we're not going to Fayetteville.  Which, even though my list is huge, takes the pressure off.  I wasn't planning on getting any work done today so anything that does get finished is like a bonus.

Off to the trenches.