don't make me laugh

There's a woman who works in my building, die hard smoker, who by now must have Emphysema. I used to think she was unfriendly, but it turns out, she's smoked so much for so long that she can barely utter a full sentence without breaking into a wheeze fest.

I personally have come down with the kind of chest cold that's making me walk around telling people NOT to make me laugh because the cough that comes with it is so terribly painful.

That said, I was reminded of the smoker lady who's grandchildren, children, etc. should she have any will never hear the sound of her actual laughter. And making her laugh actually makes you feel a little bad because she's now wheezing and coughing between drags.

I'm bringing this up for reasons other than the obvious "DON'T SMOKE." I'm bringing it up because habit and the odd workarounds, nuances and pain that go with it are all around us. I went out with a good friend the other day and she recalled how she had at one time shared a bed with someone who was quite a cuddler. They had a water bed and she would often end up finding herself stuck between the bed frame and the actual bed. Most people who have dogs or pets that sleep with them go through similar conundrums and continue the pattern nonetheless.

These are pretty harmless examples, but the moral of the story is the same. People will often endure pain in order to avoid the pain of changing. So, how did we get to be that way? And what's your pain?

half man half horse

from here

The new moon in Sag and Mercury in Sag! I'll say the winds of optimism blew their fire my direction and I'm so glad to be done with Scorpio's persecution!

Sagittarius is based on the mythology of the centaur. Half man, half horse. He was the 'King of the Centaurs,' more or less, and was notable for his wisdom of life, nature and human behavior as well as his love of drinking, cheating and merry-making. Sag also has a propensity for the 'truth' at all cost motif. If you've ever known someone with strong Sag in their chart, you know they are funny and fabulous story tellers, but will also say the most inappropriate things at the most inappropriate times. It's as though they are completely tactless, because in their minds. they are just stating the truth. What's wrong with that?!!

One thing about Sagittarian truth worth mentioning is it's not always based on factual information. Sag has a sort of innate sense about life and an ingrained knowing that life is meaningful. They often exhibit a blind faith to what they understand and will disregard hard facts for broad generalizations. Alas, this blind faith is also eagerly directed at life and aids them in a certain buoyancy that's unmatched by other signs. It can be frustrating to watch for someone with maybe strong Capricorn, working tireless to protect their precious reputation while eyeing Sag telling off-color jokes in a stakeholder meeting and still having others eat out of their hands.

Rough all over.

But, Sag did gain this way of being by way of living the life of half man and half horse. Working the dichotomy of civilization and instinctual animal nature is not a simple task. As a result he has great understanding and empathy for nature and the laws of it, as well is capable of realizing and accepting civilization for what it is and deriving great strategy for reaching greater heights. Sag is a noteworthy archer who aims high and far and for the kill. Mostly though, it's for the experience of it and the added 'wisdom' and a story in one's back pocket.

The well rounded Sag will always lend a kind word, be up for philosophical debate and buy you a beer or two when you're down. They are naturally generous at best in both pocketbook and spirit. Not always the most reliable sign given that horsey nature, they are perpetually on the move and if you hold them down they'll likely sneer and whinny away with the speed and damage of a horse in a house.

If you're interested in the mythology of the centaur, here are a couple quick reads.

http://avalon100.tripod.com/avalon/id14.html

http://astrolosophy.net/universe/zodiac-traits/sagittarius_mythology/

http://www.gods-and-monsters.com/sagittarius-myth.html

Otherwise, that's all I have to say.

air guitar

I'd like to say we never went down to the basement.
There was no reason to,
what with all the good stuff upstairs.

But that isn't true.

On occasion,
I'd get a wild hair
and we'd walk the four blocks to the VFW
spend all the cash getting happy drunk.

and when we got back;

We'd go down there and rock loud music
and make air guitars out of real guitars

I guess those are the ones that stick with you
as time dwindles on
metaphor
or real life for