a99kitten's Musings

I lost the ball to my belly ring while in Florida last month. Didn’t worry about it too much since I had much bigger stuff to think about then (and really still do now but whatever.)

Since then, I’ve pulled/snagged it numerous times on sweaters and it frackin’ hurt (even bleeding once – ouch.) And I kept meaning to go find a new ball for it. But now it’s almost the end of December and I still have not done it. And today, after my shower, the ring came out again. So I left it out.

It’s weird…I’ve had it in for about 15-16 years. But I think I don’t care anymore. The only thing that scares me is does this means I’m getting/feeling old? It’s been a rough year, and a rougher few months, so better to focus on worrying about silly things like this I suppose…

So I don’t normally participate in the twitter, tumblr or Facebook memes or “retweet/post this message” stuff. But the recent one on Facebook was to post a cartoon picture of something you enjoyed as a child in an “effort” to get the message about childhood abuse out there. I love cartoons. So I did it. I first put up Wonder Woman as my favorite super hero cartoon as a kid. But then this weekend, I changed it to the Humble Bumble (Abominable from Rudolph.) It was a toss-up between him and Yukon Cornelius. And then I thought about Scrooge McDuck too who was a childhood favorite of mine and also my brother. I am actually going to leave Humble Bumble up for December I think though :)

Humble Bumble

Now…I’m pretty sure people know this is a very real problem in the world that does need addressing in a serious manner. And I’m also pretty sure most people know that changing their profile picture on Facebook isn’t really going to change the world or effect this issue in any real way. But so what? Wearing a pink ribbon doesn’t really change breast cancer awareness anymore, or a rainbow sticker to show solidarity with any number of gay-awareness causes, or any of the gazillion different-colored ribbons to promote stuff that we have no idea about anymore because there are so many. But by doing it, if even the 1 person you run across who hasn’t heard or thought about it (you are probably on the moon in this case) does think about it, then you did a decent thing. And hurt nothing or no one in the process.

So I was kinda shocked at seeing the amount of people on twitter and tumblr (and even some on Facebook) who went on tirades about how stupid it was, how it wasn’t going to change anything, was a waste of time and resources, etc. Wow. People…settle the hell down. It takes less than a minute to google/bing/yahoo search your favorite childhood cartoon and change your profile picture. And they are cute. And it’s kind of fun to see what your friends put up. So I don’t think anyone chose to put a cartoon picture up over donating time or money to any cause. In fact, your insults and tirades probably took more time. So just listen to Frankie…relax.

I thought maybe for some people it hit a button. And they had been abused or knew someone who was so the whole thing touched a sore spot. And maybe that’s it. But I would assume any awareness brought to a problem is good awareness. And while you think changing pictures to cartoons is stupid, the story was picked up by a lot of national news agencies that would have otherwise been reporting on how many stitches Obama has in his lip (which IS back in the news today – awesome) or what athlete Kim Kardashian is doing now. So…maybe nothing came of it all. But you don’t know.

And while I think most campaigns produce nothing much beyond their initial punch, sometimes that initial punch gets a person(s) moving. Causes them to act. Certainly not everyone. But some, even a few, is a good thing. Each person is going to have their own hot button issues. The ones they do set aside time for to help with, or donate money to, or both and more. And maybe you didn’t know it was a hot button issue until you thought about it more, and read about it more.

I mean come on – all the “Donate $$ to Haiti” tweets that were going around and around and around for a week or so. Did you really ever think about Haiti before that? Did you donate your $5 and feel like you did something? And did you ever do anything after that 3 minute cycle? Donate your time? Or more money? Probably not. But you know – that $5 might have meant a lot anyway. So do you regret doing it? Was it a bad thing that you did it? Can’t imagine you think so.

Some of the tweets and posts on tumblr were downright mean too. And some of the people who wrote them are the so-called “big names” on twitter/tumblr (which is a rather ridiculous and humorous statement in itself.) If you are on twitter or tumblr, you know the people, you probably follow at least one of them, the ones that love to self promote on Favrd or whatever that site is called where you favorite your own tweets and hope others do too in a some weird attempt to be a big name on a site most people in the world have never heard of. Yeah – they were bashing the cartoons as being stupid and ridiculous. Ummm…ok.

Also – it’s Christmas. And while I know this whole cartoon Facebook hubabub had nothing to do with Christmas, it was done around Christmas-time plus it had to with kids who should love Christmas and be extra happy at Christmas-time. That is something I am a firm believer in. *I* love Christmas. And even after a rough year, I am determined to still love Christmas. So lock away your personal Grinch for a few weeks and partake of the happy spirit known as “holiday cheer”. Smile.

And if this horrible waste of time perpetrated by obvious pure evil beings caused even 1 person to say “Oh yeah, I want to donate some money or time to fighting such and such cause as my good deed during this holiday season.” then yay.

And if you don’t want to do it, OK. No big deal either. But what does it gain to bash the people that do?

In fact, here you go – why don’t you go and put this picture up for the rest of the year…

Google Chrome icon:

Milton Bradley’s Simon:

I guess Google employs many children of the late 70s/80s. And yes I had a Simon and LOVED it!

Went on a great hike this morning! Took the buds out early but it was already too warm for them so I went on the long, uphill hike alone (Storm thanks me.)

Saw a few runners sprint past me. Saw them at 3 different spots on the hike but all 3 were young (late teens), shirtless, SKINNY, and wearing those teeny runner shorts I thought went out in the 70s for me. And all I could think as they ran past me was “Run Forrest Run!” But besides them, and a gazillion chipmunks, birds and butterflies, no one else. A very peaceful hike. Plenty of time to think….which brings me to the question that got stuck in my head…a question I’m sure I’m not the only one to ask. I’m sure it’s been addressed somewhere but I haven’t read it.

Why at the end of the “revised” Return of the Jedi does Anakin appear young, and not old like he used to and like Obi Wan? I mean, can you just choose your apparition age? Bonus if so. But then why would Ob-Wan stay Alec instead of Ewan? So that’s not it.

It’s obviously not as simple as your apparition age is as you were when you died because we saw older, crusty Darth die.

It can’t be because that was when Anakin was last a member of the non-dark side (it’s always the dark side but never the light side..) and a “true” Jedi because really he did pretty questionable stuff back when he was a teenager with the whole ‘slaughter all the Tusken Raiders who took your Mom and lie to the Jedi Council about Padme’ business. And he technically reverted back to good when he shafted Palpatine to save Luke. I believe this is what the general consensus is but let’s face it – Anakin was a lying punk already in AOTC.

So then is it because the Jedi ARE actually a bit more judgey-judgerson than we know and they didn’t want a burnt, grown over with scars, pizza-face Anakin in their blissful nether-universe? I hope not…I think we all need to believe that they are truly good both inside and out….

But as a side note, I do actually like the change GL made to the end of ROTJ (NOT Ep VI to me) with the various cities celebrating. Just need to work out this Anakin business… :)

I read the Vanity Fair article about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton today. Wow. I always knew they had this grand, and yet scandalous, love affair in the 60s and got married and divorced twice and it was all very dramatic and yet romantic at the same time. Very real life Catherine and Healthcliff. It also made me want to rent their old movies! And buy the new book coming out about them. Funnily, I got Cleopatra from Netflix last week right before this magazine arrived, It’s like I cosmically knew ;)

But this article had some of the love letters from Richard to Elizabeth. Very passionate. Very “I cannot live without you”. They definitely seemed very much in love with other. Even when they could no longer be together, those feelings didn’t stop. Their affair started so full of passion and yet also full of scandal. Full of romance and extravagance but also turbulence. They did stay married for 10 years and then got remarried for a short time. So it wasn’t like they flamed out quickly and it was all about lust. It sure seems they stayed in love with one another forever. Kind of hard to follow that if you were one of their other lovers/spouses.

Of course, it seems so romantic to those on the outside reading about it because we didn’t have to live with the alcoholism, fighting, jealousy, etc. We get to read about the good without really feeling the bad.

Richard Burton always came across to me (in the few movie roles I have seen him in which is the only way I know anything about him besides the “Liz and Dick” stories”) as the tough as nails, hard-ass, carousing Welsh guy. And I think he was exactly this. I liked him immediately when I found out he played King Arthur on stage and I listed to the soundtrack over and over. Wonderful voice for that role. But his soft spot was definitely for her. And reading a few of the letters he wrote her, the love he felt for her was amazing.

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/06/liz-and-dick-the-ultimate-celebrity-couple.html

This link isn’t the article. If you have access to Vanity Fair and like old Hollywood stories (or tortured romance), I say read it :)

My one peeve, is the cover of Vanity Fair compares (in a way) them to “Brangelina”. Yuck. Frankly, IMO, that’s insulting to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. I like Brad Pitt, and they are both OK actors and I enjoy at least most of the films I have seen with them but they are so no way on the same level. Not in talent or pure coolness. But again, my opinion. And I really could care less about their love affair. And I simply can *not* imagine Brad writing…

“Prometheus was punished by the gods forever and is still suffering in all of us for inventing fire and stealing it from the gods. I am forever punished by the gods for being given the fire and trying to put it out. The fire, of course, is you.”

Yeah…that is swoon-worthy. And he had a lot of them. Plus he had exquisite taste in sparklies :)

Yesterday was my first official day of summer – first trip to Donner Lake with the huskies! This is where I take them every morning we are here from now until it’s cold again :)

We go pretty early once it’s really summer/warm (typically 6-6:30ish) but it’s not quite that warm yet so the mornings are still pretty chilly. We park outside of and walk through Donner State Park and smell all the campers making their bacon – yum! I think Angelus and Storm would be perfectly happy to make friends with them and skip the hike :)

Then we get to a trail that starts right before the Emigrant Trail (a long bike trail) that takes us up through trees and rocks and plenty of forest. I need to keep them in as much shade as possible once spring/summer hits so I always look for shady hikes and this is kind of a perfect one. I keep looking for bears as there are plenty of bear sightings in Donner Park but I have yet to see one there. You’d think they’d come out with the bacon smell!! But better for them that they don’t.

It’s a gradient uphill and then a fast down, rocky downhill. The boys will lag and sniff and pee on everything in sight on the uphill but then when we get to the rocky, dusty (aka slippery) descent it’s all about who can beat who down the hill – forgetting they are attached to Mom through the leashes. Thanks guuuuuuuuuys! But they haven’t taken me out yet. I kinda think this is the plan – Mom falls and oops – all the cookies fall out of her pocket too! They took me out once before years ago. Much bigger, steeper hill and they just start charging down it. And I know as I lay there saying “OW! you little rat bastards!” I saw a glint of a hehehehe in Angelus’ eyes..I know I did! Goobers…

Anyway, so once we finish the downhill here we end up at the lake. They both immediately wade in up to their bellies and cool off and drink the water. The lake is so awesome for this as they can’t drink the ocean water when they cool down at the beach at home. Then we walk back on the flat trail along along the lake where they go in and cool off anytime. And it’s mostly shady so it’s a great summertime walk for them.

Another fun thing about this walk as the entire walk back along the lake is full of chipmunks and squirrels who LOVE to taunt the huskies. It’s like they know they are on leash. Now, some dogs have no prey instinct (pretty much talking right at you labs and goldens) and probably do not care about chasing critters (they want the ball – the huskies do not understand this.) And some dogs do have prey instincts. A very strong one. Huskies are like this. Do all huskies? Supposedly not. But my boys – oh man. If something small is running from them – Go! Chase! Get it! And it is amazing watching the instant pack/hunting mentality kick in with them both. It’s quite an organized effort. Storm circled one way around a tree/rock formation and blocked the squirrel from running onto a rock so he leapt in the air onto the tree and Angelus leapt in the air after him trying to get him. Had that little guy’s tail been a bit longer – Angelus would be flossing his teeth with squirrel hair. I need a head cam to record this stuff :)

But seeing their eyes when they chase is a funny thing. They get intent! And wide-eyed. The prey instinct is a very strong one in them so I always have to be sure they cannot get anything. I don’t want them catching anything. They are not hunting for food to survive so they do not need to catch anything (they disagree strongly.) But huskies are actually one of the few breeds that still have DNA from wolves so hunting is a natural feeling (Storm hunts for sandwiches at work every day!) National Geographic did some big dog DNA study years ago where they took DNA from all of the AKC breeds and there were 4 or 5 breeds that still have DNA traceable to Canis Lupus. I mean – look at them. Of course they do. So the DNA and traits are not just trained out of them. Had an idiot try and tell me it can be. I asked how. She said with training and discipline. I said you mean beating and fear/aggression training? She said well – if that’s what’s needed. I responded that she should never be allowed to have a dog and walked away. Hate people like that.

But this hike/walk is great in the early mornings because it’s still too early for most picnicers (except for the 4th of July weekend when people are there at 6am staking out their spots) and the campers are just waking up so my entire trail is pretty empty. I’ll see maybe 1 or 2 people the entire way. Love it. Peaceful.

And yes, just a few steps away is where some of the Donner Party ended up. There is a museum there with some of the things they found at the site (tools, clothing and such) plus it has history on what was occurring around here at the time – gold and silver mining, railroad building, town expansion, indian tribes, etc. It’s actually really interesting. I took my MIL on a visit a couple years ago and it was pretty cool. If you are ever out there on a visit (or live here and have never been), I suggest checking it out. One of the sad things was that their whole debacle could have been avoided if they would have just stayed on target and not tried a shortcut proposed by someone. Clearly this wagon train was directed by a man who thought a shortcut sounded like a great idea and didn’t simply follow directions. Bad idea.

And no – they did not all eat each other. That is actually unfounded and the legend kinda took on its own life. Might a small amount of cannibalism occurred as they were dying out and stuck in the harsh winter? Sure. No one can actually say for sure. But it wasn’t all zombieland out there.

The thing I find most incredible is that these people left pretty secure lives on the East Coast to put their families and belongings in carts and walk across the entire country to a “new land” that was pretty undiscovered, in order to start new lives with only the potential for something greater driving them. Amazing. People were frackin’ tough and resilient back then. People today can’t live 1 hour without their cell phone, or drive thru fast food, cable TV. You just don’t see that spirit or tenacity in people. We’ve gotten soft. That’s not a good thing. Don’t misunderstand – I LOVE creature comforts. But I think too many people today expect things instead of working for things.

But then on the other hand, I can now wander through that same area with the huskies and enjoy the beauty for what it is and not worry about starving or freezing to death. We think that’s kinda of a good thing :)

Sit with Angelus while he eats his dinner. He didn’t eat his breakfast which has been stressing me out all day. He is hanging out in the front yard so I sit on the lawn with him. He eats – all is well with the world…whew :)

Go back inside and am kinda-sorta watching Godfather 3 as I run around the house doing chores. Husband has never seen it from beginning to end and he just finished re-watching Godfather 2 and I am always happy to have those playing…

I decide to stop and watch a bit.

Then bring in my new Vogue that just arrived.

Then read (again) that I really need a white bikini for this summer.

Grab laptop, search, find one, order one. Whew…

Finish Vogue as I continue listening to/watching Godfather 3.

Check on Angelus who is in the front yard. He is staring at a family and their little dog as they walk by and apparently and scaring them. He is in *his*yard people. Nothing to see here, move along, move along…

Pay more attention to Godfather 3. Pope John Paul I is killed. Hey – this is based on a real guy, let’s learn more. Bing search (that’s right – a big FU to Google) assassination of John Paul I.

Read some excellent conspiracy theories about that! One with a Wikipedia link to Angelus:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelus

And then it’s all full circle again as I go back out and hug and see (the fluffy) Angelus :)

p.s. Not what Angelus is named after though…if you were wondering.

Had to read through some IRS publications today. Boatloads of giddy fun times *yesthatissarcasm*. However, it did provide for some smirks. Here are some of my favorites…italics are my own personal comments and not those expressed by IRS :)

Bribes. If you receive a bribe, include it in your income. You should choose now to be honest to ensure the IRS gets their cut…

Babysitting. If you babysit for relatives or neighborhood children, whether on a regular basis or only periodically, the rules for childcare providers apply to you. might as well learn the rules and start paying early kid..and let’s talk about that lemonade stand..

Astronauts. You also can exclude death payments for astronauts dying in the line of duty after 2002. new for 2010 tax rules – awesome (?)

Host or Hostess. If you host a party or event at which sales are made, any gift or gratuity you receive for giving the event is a payment for helping a direct seller make sales. You must report this item as income at its fair market value. so your Mary Kay free lipgloss for hosting the neighborhood party is taxable – better report that

Indian financing grants. Nonreimbursable grants under title IV of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 to Indians to expand profit-making Indian-owned economic enterprises on or near reservations are not includible in gross income. indian? they are sooo in trouble for this horribly un-PC statement – 20 tomahawk chops

Old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits (OASDI). OASDI payments under section 202 of title II of the Social Security Act are not includible in the gross income of the individuals to whom they are paid. This applies to old-age insurance benefits, and insurance benefits for wives, husbands, children, widows, widowers, mothers and fathers, and parents, as well as the lump-sum death payment. also horribly un-PC – “old-age”? shouldn’t that be youth-challenged or something?

Exxon Valdez settlement income. Include in your income on Form 1040, line 21, or Form 1040NR, line 21, any qualified settlement income you receive as a qualified taxpayer. still unsettled after 20ish years? i guess you deserve your own category in the IRS rules for holding out so long…

Found property. If you find and keep property that does not belong to you that has been lost or abandoned (treasure-trove), it is taxable to you at its fair market value in the first year it is your undisputed possession. an expansion on the finders/keepers philosophy…

Free tour. If you received a free tour from a travel agency for organizing a group of tourists, you must include its value in your income. so i guess we need to re-define free…

Gambling winnings. You must include your gambling winnings in your income on Form 1040, line 21. If you itemize your deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040), you can deduct gambling losses you had during the year, but only up to the amount of your winnings. and if it’s $9,999.99 or less I’m sure everyone does…

Hobby losses. Losses from a hobby are not deductible from other income. A hobby is an activity from which you do not expect to make a profit. If you collect stamps, coins, or other items as a hobby for recreation and pleasure, and you sell any of the items, your gain is taxable as a capital gain. However, if you sell items from your collection at a loss, you cannot deduct the loss. that seems completely fair (??)

Holocaust victims restitution. Restitution payments you receive as a Holocaust victim (or the heir of a Holocaust victim) and interest earned on the payments are not taxable. Excludable restitution payments are payments or distributions made by any country or any other entity because of persecution of an individual on the basis of race, religion, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation by Nazi Germany, any other Axis regime… but what about the new Axis of Evil? what if I get a payment from them?

Illegal activities. Income from illegal activities, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Form 1040, line 21, or on Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity. ok…

Kickbacks. You must include kickbacks, side commissions, push money, or similar payments you receive in your income on Form 1040, line 21, or on Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity. ummm….again…ok….

Prizes and awards. If you win a prize in a lucky number drawing, television or radio quiz program, beauty contest, or other event, you must include it in your income. For example, if you win a $50 prize in a photography contest, you must report this income on Form 1040, line 21. If you refuse to accept a prize, do not include its value in your income. $50 eh? want their cut of everything!

Pulitzer, Nobel, and similar prizes. If you were awarded a prize in recognition of accomplishments in religious, charitable, scientific, artistic, educational, literary, or civic fields, you generally must include the value of the prize in your income. However, you do not include this prize in your income if you meet all of the following requirements.

1.

You were selected without any action on your part to enter the contest or proceeding.
2.

You are not required to perform substantial future services as a condition for receiving the prize or award.
3.

The prize or award is transferred by the payer directly to a governmental unit or tax-exempt charitable organization as designated by you. The following conditions apply to the transfer. real reason obama donated his Nobel prize money.

Rewards. If you receive a reward for providing information, include it in your income. government deserves their fair share for you finding someone’s lost kitty or doggie..

Sale of personal items. If you sold an item you owned for personal use, such as a car, refrigerator, furniture, stereo, jewelry, or silverware, your gain is taxable as a capital gain. Report it on Schedule D (Form 1040). You cannot deduct a loss.

However, if you sold an item you held for investment, such as gold or silver bullion, coins, or gems, any gain is taxable as a capital gain and any loss is deductible as a capital loss. totally counting my star wars collection as ‘held for investment’ if I lose money on any of it..

Stolen property. If you steal property, you must report its fair market value in your income in the year you steal it unless in the same year, you return it to its rightful owner. just trying to keep thieves honest…

There are probably many more fun ones but I’ll stop now so I can uncross my eyes…

http://myyellowstonewolves.typepad.com/myw/2010/02/valentines-day-for-wolves.html

http://www.meridiangraphics.net/lupercalia.htm

That sounds like a much more interesting celebration for February!! (excepting any of the animal sacrifice stuff  of course – yuck!)

Did anyone really celebrate wolves back then though since they are always made out (unfairly) to be the villain is so many old tales? But maybe those were all post Roman tales and these people were more enlightened.

I would much prefer a holiday where we celebrated and gave wolf-adorned cards, etc than a fat little naked cherub. But that’s me :)

So then they went on to split off from Vulcan and be bad guys, right? :)

The story of the (kinda sorta likely) origins of the original “valentines cards” (love notes) is cool.

We seem to have the Cadbury Brothers to blame for the onslaught of hearty-shaped candy (genius business move  though so I can’t really blame them.)

Chocolate entered the Valentine’s Day ritual relatively late. The Conquistadors brought chocolate to Spain in 1528 and while they knew how to make cocoa from the beans, it wasn’t until 1847 that Fry & Sons discovered a way to make chocolate edible. Twenty years later, the Cadbury Brothers discovered how to make chocolate even smoother and sweeter. By 1868, the Cadburys were turning out the first boxed chocolate. They were elaborate boxes made of velvet and mirrors and retained their value as trinket-boxes after the chocolate was gone. Richard Cadbury created the first heart-shaped Valentine’s Day box of candy sometime around 1870.

But to be honest, I like Valentine’s Day. Mostly because I love all holidays and any reason to do something different.  I loved giving out and receiving little cards in school. I saw some cool Star Wars ones at the store last week and *almost* bought them. I did buy the Chewie GRRRAAAW Valentine’s card and sent it to my brother who will get a kick out of it.

Do I think it should be as big of deal as it is. Probably not. Especially when I see all the stupid, cheesy crap they pump out for people who have no imagination or forethought. I think proposing or getting married on Valentine’s Day sounds like a very bad, bad idea. When I was single, my friends and I would just plan something fun. Celebrating the “Day of Love doesn’t have to mean only romantic love.  Just a reminder to be extra nice, eat some chocolate, buy some pretty flowers (even if for yourself – they are pretty and smell nice!) and drink a glass a bubbly (which I am always a fan of!)

A good friend’s birthday is on February 14th. She hated it when she was younger but no longer minds it. Would be much worse to have a birthday on Christmas I think! Unless you’re a baby Jesus I suppose… ;)

But my Valentine’s Day celebration is to donate money to some wolves today…they need the help a lot more than I need the cash. No matter how much or how little, it’s MY monthly ritual. “Civilized” Man has done their best to try and wipe out this awesome animal instead of celebrate it as another creature who deserves to live on this planet just as much (and in many cases much more) than humans…

http://www.defenders.org/support_us/index.php

http://www.californiawolfcenter.org/links.htm

So a Happy Valentine’s, Lupercalia, Sunday or 3rd day of Olympics to you! :)

Funny. People have asked me in my life how I’ve done something, put up with something, dealt with something, whatever…

My answer is typically the same: whatever, deal with it, suck it up, rub some dirt on it, etc, etc.

Separately, completely…there is always this:

Cancer and Independence:
Cancer is the astrology sign that is packed full of contradictions so when it comes to independence, they possibly can or can not be independent. On one side, they have the perseverance and drive to do what needs to be done, they are self-sufficient and do not need to depend on other people for the material and physical things in life. On the other hand, they depend on people for emotional support and encouragement. A Cancer that is not fully self-actualized will need the constant support of others and will not be very independent but the Cancer that is ‘evolved’ and has properly harnessed their emotional issues will be wildly successful as an independent human being. They crave attention and comfort from other people and they are happiest when they have a small, close knit group of friends or family.

Cancer in a Nutshell:
Cancer is a mysterious sign, filled with contradictions. They want security and comfort yet seek new adventure. They are very helpful to others yet sometimes can be cranky and indifferent. Cancer has a driving, forceful personality that can be easily hidden beneath a calm, and cool exterior. The crab is Cancer’s ruling animal and it suits them well, they can come out of their shell and fight but they can also hide in their shell of skitter away back into the depths of the ocean. They are very unpredictable. With cancer, there is always something more that meets the eye, for they are always partially hidden behind the shell. They are a have a deep psyche and intuitive mind that is hidden from the world. Cancer is deeply sensitive and easily hurt, this might be why they have their defense shell in place, to avoids being hurt by others. They are nurturers so they surround themselves with people, whom after a while can offend or hurt a cancer without even knowing they did so, therefore Cancer’s protective shell keeps them safe from hurt. They are complex, fragile, unpredictable and temperamental and need constant support and encouragement, more then any other astrology signs, Cancer needs to be needed. When cancer gets the support it needs, it has a tremendous amount to offer in return. When cancer gets offended, they tend to sulk instead of confronting the persons face to face. This needlessly prolongs the pain and suffering. Cancer is very possessive, not just with material possessions but with people as well. Cancer will always want to stay in touch with old friends and anyone who has ever been close to them, because it is easier to maintain a friendship then attempt to learn to trust a new person. It is easier this way for them emotionally. If you befriend a Cancer, you will stay friends for a long time. Cancer makes the perfect mother, this is the sign that represents motherhood. They have unconditional love and caring more so then any other astrology sign. Cancer are very intuitive. Most of the psychics of the world are Cancer astrology signs. They have an excellent memory and are very observant and can read people very well. They can usually tell of other people’s intentions are good or not. Never dupe a Cancer, they can see your motives. Cancer has a lot of emotional issues to deal with but once they overcome this large hump of shyness and insecurity, there is practically nothing they can’t do. With their strong intuition, sensitivity, powers of observation and intelligence, they will have great success in anything they undertake.

Now, do I believe in astrology? Nope, not really, I do not. Can I deny this describes me pretty darn well? No, I cannot. Generalities tend to work pretty well – religion figured this out pretty early on. Sucks people in for sure.

But do I know for sure it’s crap? No. Like all belief systems, I have no idea for sure. No one does. That’s why hokey religion and ancient weapons are genius. They are needed. But no match for a good blaster at your side…