Chinese New Year horoscopes: Year of the Tiger 2010

Year of the Tiger

The Chinese believe the tiger personality is dramatic, colorful, and extreme - and this year will be no different. I expect a great deal of excitement in the air, volatility in the financial markets, and saber rattling between opposing nations. The Tiger is also a humanitarian, so I hope for progress for the welfare of the common man.

Here's your horoscope for 2010!

Rat
1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
This year should go smoothly for you, but avoid taking a lot of risks, especially with money. The Tiger is a wild animal, and the Rat is a homebody and loves the domesticated life. There may be some misunderstandings in relationships to sort out, but nothing you can't handle. Focus on your artistic creativity this year!

Ox
1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997
Patience is the keyword for the Ox this year. The best plan is to get clear on what you want to accomplish so if there's delays or obstacles you'll be able to make the correct choices. Don't be discouraged by setbacks, just put steady effort into all your endeavors and you will succeed in the end.

Tiger
1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
You shine this year! Everyone will want to be you. Everything falls into place and you feel completely at home everywhere you go! A great year to experiment and try new things - but AGAIN - no risk taking! The energy of this year is unstable so don't stretch out to o far with all the opportunities coming your way. Good year for personal relationships and romance!

Rabbit
1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
Some drama this year, particularly in the area of relationships. Double check the fine print before making any commitments. It will be an eventful year with mixed progress, but no insurmountable difficulties. A good year to study philosophy:) Next year, 2011, will be the year of the Rabbit, so 2010 is perfect for laying the foundations for the opportunities about to flow your way!

Dragon
1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
You and the Tiger are kindred souls, so you will ride through the fireworks and spectacles of the Tiger year better than most. Be peaceful in your relationships with others, stay on the well worn path and you will do well. Keep risks to a minimum and check the details before entering into agreements.

Snake
1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
This year will be fast paced and packed with excitement, so be aware of your stress levels. The Snake should try to maintain his calm center and not get drawn into controversy. Occasional detours into meditation and reading will truly benefit your soul in 2010. You will feel recharged and freshly motivated to pursue your many ambitions.

Horse
1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
The Horse and the Tiger are in complete harmony with each other so this will be a fantastic year! You will be in your element, and your superior instincts will guide you smoothly from one adventure to the next. This is a great year for starting a business, getting married or having a child. You are highly favored so make the most of it!

Sheep
1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Moderate success is in store for the Sheep in 2010. There are many possibilities to increase your finances this year, and to gain acknowledgment from your peers. Don't be discouraged by setbacks. Try to maintain a sportsman like attitude and enjoy the challenges that come up because you will win in the end.

Monkey
1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
You will be fine this year if you promise to behave yourself. The Tiger does not like to be teased, and of course, Monkeys excel at teasing. Remember this year the Tiger is the boss. Monkeys can climb much higher in the trees than the big cat. Do not do this. Keep your focus on projects already started and all will go well.

Rooster
1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
The Rooster is a cautious character with a strong conservative streak. Don't let the fast pace of the Tiger year make you sloppy! Take your time and do your usual homework and your projects will move forward. There may be some worries in relationships, but they can be easily washed away with a dose of the Tiger's sentimentality.

Dog
1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
The doors of opportunity are opened wide to you this year because YOU are the tiger's best friend! Dogs and Tigers were cut from the same cloth, and share a realistic and humanistic view of the world. Start a new business, buy a house, go back to school, find real love - it all waits for you in 2010!

Boar
1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Be careful with your over-trusting nature in 2010. A Tiger year is full of surprises, false starts and inflated ideas, and it's easy for the Boar to get swept up in the excitement with high hopes. It's fine to have a positive outlook, but keep your feet and expectations rooted to the earth. It's a GREAT year for romance!

Amanpour story on Yemeni girl - AMAZING video

You gotta check this out. This is the coolest, bravest 13 year old girl I've ever seen. She's so beautiful and strong, I wonder if she'll be Yemen's first female leader when she grows up!

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/01/08/amanpour.yemeni.girl.cnn

Harold and Maude... Maude says..

Maude says, "A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They're just backing away from life. *Reach* out. Take a *chance*. Get *hurt* even. But play as well as you can. Go team, go! 

 

 

 

Give me an L. Give me an I. Give me a V. Give me an E. L-I-V-E. LIVE! Otherwise, you got nothin' to talk about in the locker room." (Harold and Maude, 1971)

Patti Smith's advice to Artists, Musicians and Writers

I'm sitting at breakfast with my Mom and her sister in a hotel in downtown Seattle. It's a LOVELY breakfast and beautiful view of the rain and November foliage outside... all of a sudden I feel this presence behind me. I look to my right and.... and.... is that Lenny Kaye? Why yes as a matter of fact it is! He sits down at the table next to ours with another gentleman I don't recognize. I steal a few glances but I don't want to be invasive, so I keep chatting with the relatives.

But then a woman walks up to Lenny Kaye. She's about 5'7" with long darkish gray hair, dark masculine clothing and a presence that shakes the room. I know in a flash it's Patti Smith. I had seen her speak the night before, and she had chastised audience from coming up and bothering her at breakfast, so even though I was squirming with excitement I knew to give her space. But it was fantastic. I wrote on a napkin "Mom don't say ANYTHING but Patti Smith is sitting behind Aunt Debby" and handed it to her. Mom gleefully took the note, but didn't really know who or what I was talking about:)

Little did she know we were sitting next to one of the most inspiring women of modern times.

Today is Patti Smith's birthday. She is one of my heroes: my female role model for living a full life as an artist and writer, and becoming an empowered and fascinating older woman.

(She's a Fire Dog by the way, 1946.... her and David Bowie...)

I had the good fortune to see her speak at this conference, but I've never posted my notes on her speech until now. They could be a Manual For Living for ANYONE. I really took her to heart, and this is pretty much how I live my life now.

Check it out:

The artist has a specific calling that the people need

Their gift belongs to the people - not the artist

The artist is to animate God, and inspire, inform and lead the people

The artist MUST take care of their own house (health, finances, etc..)

Being a musician is a sacrifice - doing the work, dragging equipment, being disciplined

Absolutely market yourself! You are sharing and spreading the word... "hear ye hear ye"

Female rock artists are not well represented in the music industry. Women do well in country music and as singer songwriters.... but not in rock music.

Everyone has the right to make money from their art.

Patti is often asked, "How do I make money from my music?" Her answer - "Get a Job!" Take care of your responsibilities.

Patti Smith worked from 1967 to 1974. You have to work hard and get funding for your work.

The important part is to tell yourself "I am not my day job. I'm doing this to fund my music."

She watched her mother work all day. When they didn't have enough money she would sew and do laundry for people at night. It gave Patti a strong work ethic.

Her mantra - People have the Power to change what's around us and within us.

Her favorite poet - Arthur Rimbaud

She saw the birth of rock music, and she's seen lots of ups and downs in the industry and society in general. But the times we're living in are the most corrupt, demoralizing, fearful times she's EVER seen. You have to be really tough to make it in the world today.

The answer is to work diligently on the things you CAN control. Make them your whole focus.

One thing you can control is your health. Work on your "inner house" - what's your nutrition?

Are you taking care of yourself?

Your teeth?

We have to be strong, clean and aware because the world is fucked up.

Get yourself together - get it physically together.

Conduct yourself in a manner that commands respect.

She also said, when people march together, or meet at conferences, we let each other know that we exist! Try to strengthen the numbers in your community.

Happy Birthday Patti Smith!

Winter Solstice

It's the Winter Solstice... the longest night of the year. Tomorrow morning the Sun will be Reborn for the next solar year. From this point on the days increase in length.

Hail Unto the Return of the Light!

So I ask you, what would you like to leave to the darkness tonight? What do you want to let go of and release to 2009?
What would you like to give birth to tomorrow morning when the Sun rises on a new year? What would you like to set your energy to for 2010?

Health, peaceful relationships, Love, prosperity, effortlessness, JOY, healing

Bird swarm in the skies over Sacramento

AMAZING video of European Starlings in Sacramento co:

Sex Addiction goes mainstream

First there was "Sex Rehab" on VH1, and now today we have Rehab (and Dr. Drew) appearing on Oprah! Really amazing stuff. "Sex Rehab" is a fascinating show and I'm glad to see it receiving mainstream attention.

I can relate to it. I've struggled with dysfunctional relationships in my own life, and I've seen the ravages of addiction in our society, on the news, in advertising and in my community. I hope this new exposure will open the door of healing and transformation for addicts that aren't aware of their addiction, or aware that there is a different way to live.

As I watched I decided to take some notes on Oprah's show to share with you here. Most of these facts and perspectives come from Dr. Drew and the guests on the show:


Sex Addiction:

Sex addiction is harder to deal with than drug addiction.
One orgasm releases as much dopamine in a person's brain as one alcoholic drink.
At it's core, it's about your sense of value and how you relate to yourself.
Sometimes it's a way to feel power over others.
Sex addicts often feel unlovable.
When children become sexual at a young age, Dr. Drew says it's from chaos in the home.
Most addicts seek recovery when suffering with consequences and feeling a loss of control
About 80% of partners of sex addicts will stay with the addict.
It takes 3 to 5 years to treat sex and love addiction

Love Addiction:

...is more common in women
It's an intimacy disorder
The people that terrorized us in our childhood become our fixation in our adulthood.
A love addict can't tolerate intimacy
The person becomes addicted to the feeling of being in love.
One of the symptoms is obsessing over a love interest - making the guy or girl your everything.
If rejected, the addict becomes suicidal or severly depressed; can't work or function.
If you're in a relationship with someone who doesn't respect you, there is an element of addiction involved.
Addiction requires interpersonal and spiritual experiences to heal.
Humans need intimacy; it's a basic need.
There are so many social networking sites (like this one:), and everyone's talking.. but there's no REAL intimacy (I thought this was an interesting observation!)

So that's it. For more info check out Dr. Drew's site!