08/10/08

Today Bushyaib turns 33. We celebrated last night by calling out for Chinese food delivery. The deep fried flounder is our favorite, along with roast duck. He said he'd rather Chinese food over a birthday cake. Good, it's healthier too. He's limping less each day. His knee went "out" almost a week ago and he couldn't even straighten his leg. Now he can put his foot flat on the floor. Tomorrow maybe he can walk without his Moses staff. I've been doing the Mom thing making ice packs and bringing him his food and drink. He can get to the kitchen but he can't bring food or drink out of the kitchen and hold on to his staff to keep the weight off of his leg. 10 years of teaching Kung Fu has left his body worse for wear.

http://astrodynamics.blogspot.com/2008/05/ted-kennedy-diagnosed-with-brain-tumor.html

Senator Ted Kennedy's transits when diagnosed with a brain tumor. I thought it was interesting enough to add to this blog. Ted Kennedy's wikipedia entry has an overview of his influence during his time in the US Senate. He has had more effect on America as a Senator than he would have if he were President.  As sorry as I am about him having a brain tumor it is time that more Democratic Senators and Representatives look at his example of service as one to emulate.

http://twilightstarsong.blogspot.com/2008/05/david-cook-pluto-american-idol.html

Interesting blog spot on David Cook, one of the two David's on the final competition of American Idol. David Cook's older brother Adam, has terminal cancer. That's why I didn't feel David Cook brought his best game to the final match. AI is nothing next to watching your brother die.

http://astrologymundo.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/american-idol-david-vs-david/

Another interesting astro blog, with links to charts with progressions, that thinks that David Archuleta wins "by an eyelash" because Tween girls have nothing to do but text in votes. David Cook's chart has that concentration of planets in one area of his chart wheel, often found in people who become famous. David Cook will have a good career because he is focused and driven.

After AI: Well I lost a bet with James. He went for David Cook. I went for David Archuleta, who looked relieved when he heard that David Cook won. Cook was moved to tears. Click on the chart wheel to see his transits for tonight. James got neener neener rights for being right. The final show was more fun than I thought it would be. David Cook playing with ZZTops was too fun. Sayesha singing with Seal was genius. Brook White singing with Graham Nash was lovely, he says she's ready to go to the next level. Carly Smithson and Michael Johns clearly had fun with their ex-pat duet. 

Amanda Overmyer, what's her problem? She didn't want to wear a skirt? Didn't want to do the dances with the other contestants. Didn't want to sing in a way that anyone could understand the words? Can we say spoiled sport? Jeese. She was cool 2 months ago when she got voted off. Maybe it's because she was #11 and wouldn't be going on the tour.

American Idol's final contest viewer numbers was up 3% from last year. Last year there were 74 million votes for the final two and this year it was 97 million. Mixing old singers like Donna Summers and George Michaels is a smart thing to do being that AI audience age has increased in the last few seasons.

For a while it seemed like AI was loosing steam, viewers numbers were down, the outcome seemed predestined for Archuleta.  But the last show of Season 7 was like a big party. There was a video mashup of Gladys Knight and her "Pips" was Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. Money made from the I-tune download goes to charity.

Bushyaib half watched and half played City of Heroes and it was a fun way to spend his birthday evening.

On the local news front, Dennis Richmond, KTVU's news anchor for 40 years, starting with his 1978 afro to his dignified salt and pepper close cut, he's been a local anchor in more than one way. All the major local news stories he was the voice viewers trusted and were calmed by. When asked what does he want people to remember him for he said, "That I gave the news, night after night, and not my opinion."

Planetary movements while the Sun is in Gemini

May 20: Sun enters Gemini Each year as the Sun transits through this premiere communication sign, news, information and stimulating conversations spice up your life. Air signs are quite social and are known for their friendliness, making this a great time to meet new people, attend events and go to parties. Why not start a book or film club? Or, do you have an idea for a blog? Use the need to learn to bring excitement into your life! May 21: Jupiter sextile Uranus This is a very hopeful and optimistic aspect! Jupiter and Saturn represent social trends while the outer three planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) symbolize collective trends. When social and collective planets meet, the larger landscape shifts. Jupiter in ambitious Capricorn forming an exciting sextile to independent Uranus offers you plenty of opportunities to break out of your routines and experiment with new ways to produce income. It's also a perfect time to join up with groups, associations or organizations with like-minded people. You have the desire to achieve something substantial, but you want it to be fresh, creative and innovative. May 24: Venus enters Gemini When the planet of love enters curious and talkative Gemini each year, it's time to get out of the house, meet new people and have exciting experiences. Your greatest fear now is boredom! If you're presently in a relationship, grab your mate and get out of your day-to-day routines. It's time to mix things up. If you're single, this is a terrific time to join a dating service or attend events where you'll meet interesting people. May 26: Mercury turns retrograde Mercury entered its own sign Gemini on May 2, and now turns retrograde in this sign, giving you time to review everything on your mind! Your tendency is to split your attention in too many directions, and while it's important to review during any Mercury retrograde period, you can help yourself by writing a list of all of your ideas. You won't be able to make up your mind yet, but this is a great time to loop back to old ideas, conversation and agreements to assess which ones are worth keeping and which ones need tweaking. When Mercury turns direct on June 19, you'll have greater clarity. May 26: Neptune turns retrograde Neptune retrogrades once a year for several months (this time until November 1), making this a time to re-visit your dreams, goals and ideals. This retrograde takes place in the same part of your chart for many years, giving you a chance to establish a solid foundation for your life achievements. Because Neptune represents larger trends, your personal ideals will align with a universal perspective. Neptune has been transiting through Aquarius since 1998, a sign that represents the quest for a better life, freedom, equality, peace and contentment. For greater insight, examine which house in your own chart the yearly retrograde in Aquarius is occurring in. June 3: New Moon in Gemini You may feel like your mind is a chatterbox with this information-packed new Moon! A new Moon always marks a new beginning and in this messenger-sign, you'll want to make sure you stay on top of all of the news, data and messages coming your way. Part of what makes this an interesting cycle is that Mercury -- Gemini's ruling planet -- is retrograde. So, even though part of this month you may feel like you're spinning your wheels, there's information to be gone over carefully before you get your plans in forward gear. This new Moon will most affect those born June 1-5, September 4-8, December 3-7 and March 2-6. June 7: Sun conjunct Mercury and June 8: Sun conjunct Venus When mindful Mercury connects with the Sun, you receive information that will be useful to you later. Since Mercury is retrograde, now is the time to review all of the data. The Sun and Venus make a lovely conjunction the following day, and it pays to beautify your thoughts and projects. Think of it as an anti-littering campaign for the mind! June 7: Mercury conjunct Venus When these two planets (of communication and relating) come together, conversations tend to be sweet. This is a great time to send a beautiful card to someone you love, make amends with a person you've upset, or go see an wonderfully romantic movie. And due to Mercury's retrograde status, expect to feel a bit of deja-vu. June 12: Venus squares Uranus and June 13: Venus trines Neptune When Venus, the planet of love, connects with Uranus, the freedom-loving planet, it's important that your relationships have room to breathe. This is a social time and you're likely to want a bit of excitement in your life. So get out of your old sleepy routines and do something different! Then, Venus trines dreamy Neptune and the yearning for spiritual love (Neptune) in personal love (Venus) is strong. This is a wonderfully imaginative, dreamy combo with beautiful thoughts and inspiring conversations. June 12: Sun squares Uranus and June 14: Sun trines Neptune Every now and then, the universe seems to do something to make sure we're awake! As the Sun in information-gathering Gemini meets the square from gotta-have-change Uranus, expect something out of the blue to jolt you out of your everyday routines. Then, the Sun trines spiritual Neptune, and a desire to give and the need to feel inspired are strong. What sparks you? Make time for it today. June 13: Pluto re-enters Sagittarius We all had a taste of times to come when Pluto's transit into Capricorn began on January 25. Now, as Pluto retrogrades back into Sagittarius -- a placement that intensifies people's beliefs and opinions -- we revisit old concerns, and everybody is likely to have plenty to say! Intensity and power issues ratchet up, and you may feel that there's a lot at stake. Although this intensity can drive people to extremes, letting go of beliefs that don't serve you (or the world) are a part of this review, which will last until November 26.