Mercury in Retrograde

I'll admit it: I kind of have a thing about astrology.

(Also: I tend to watch Armageddon-prediction shows on the History Channel, on the edge of my seat. 2012! The Mayan calendar STOPS. Think about that one.)

So, here's the deal.

Mercury is in retrograde right now.

As it turns out, Mercury does not actually spin backwards (no planet ever does). But we have an illusion here on Earth that it stops, then spins backward. It's just because our traipse around the sun goes at a different rate than that of Mercury. (28 days for Mercury.)

But. Still. Here's what I get out of it.

Things are going to be kinda chaotic for all of September--the retrograde lasts from now (it's already started) until the 27th.

In this time, I'm supposed to enter a phase of pretty intense introspection (has Mercury been in retrograde all of 2009? Srsly.) Despite all this introspection, I'm to avoid big business decisions, which includes everything from signing contracts to making any decisions to starting businesses. I'm also supposed to be extra careful with money.

Retrograde can cause all kinds of chaos everywhere, especially for people who work as writers. Luckily, Sagittarians are able to diminish some of Mercury's power. I'm not exactly sure how that works.

Communication is supposed to also completely haywire. Misunderstandings abound. Items related to communication, like e-mail, computers, etc. are known to break down. People misconstrue what you say, travel can become rife with problems.

The good things, my online astrologers tell me (no, I don't have a direct line to LaToya Jackson, or any personal one, I just ask Google) are that introspection and reflection can often bring a longstanding frustrating stumbling block to light. I could gain new insight on a wide variety of things. And, i'm under no pressure to make a decision until Mercury "goes direct" once again. Heightened inner awareness makes for prime situations for journaling or otherwise reviewing the past.

There have definitely been periods in my life where I've felt the pull of an outside force. I don't believe everything about astrology, but I also think that many of its claims can't be dismissed as pure luck. I've always felt I match pretty closely the profile of a Sagittarius--and William that of a Scorpio. I know that we tend to read things that are labeled "This is You" with our minds primed to agree, I still feel that it's so close.

This is just one of those times in the astrological calendar where the events are really aligning with my thoughts and feelings. Where it really resonates. Really really. Expect updates...I've been (for a long time) holding on to a couple personality tests and astrology reports for future blog posts. I'm also going to try to focus my writing around some of these topics as the retrograde wears on. Perhaps some retrospectives and reflection on the last year will be on point.

What do you think? Do you get into astrology? I'm curious what you all think.

The Storyteller

"You can search far and wide for the great stories, but in the end, the best ones come to you."

--The Hakawati, Rabih Alameddine, page 99

Stories: I am a bundle of raw nerves. Tensed. Ready. I'm waiting.

Spinning Tires

Sometimes I feel stuck in neutral gear. I'm trying to get over it.

EDITED TO ADD: The previous statement is still true, but I just got a huge compliment from one of the people whose opinion I care most about--even if it IS biased because we're related.

It's from my uncle, who is a journalism professor, and I gave him some of my stories to read. This is what he wrote back:

"...compliment you on the articles on Adar, your marriage of styles, and the wedding on Maui. Outstanding writing and reporting. Loved every word. I'm so proud of you. Way to go."

So. YAY! That helps.

Plotting and Planning

Despite my rather Type-A Personality, I am dreadfully unorganized. I've just got to accept it.

My memory is not what it used to be—I must make lists, check them off, double check everything before I leave the house (in order of importance: coffee, phone, keys. I'm not kidding).

I don't know if it's just a matter of being an adult and dealing with itinerant distractions; if it's because I have less time because of holding an actual-real-life job; or if I'm truly getting more forgetful as I get older. But in any case, it bugs me. Because I'm a perfectionist in so many other ways.

My mom laughs at me when she asks me to check my calendar—it's a rather large planner, with lots of stuff stuck in the back—old receipts, tickets to concerts, gift certificates, coupons, directions to people's houses...whatever I might need in an emergency at Target, in the car, or if I magically have some free time and want to do some shopping. It's like my first-aid kit. Well, some people might view it more as triage.

And no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get organized electronically. It's like I need actual hard-copy versions of things where I can scribble out, tear away, and write down. It's harder for me to remember things I type than things I physically write. Sometimes my lists are ridiculously detailed, and sometimes they're so vague I don't remember why I bothered to jot a note.

I would love to be one of those neat, organized, ahead-of-time, controlled people. It happens occasionally and I'm always so grateful I thought ahead. But for now, I'm just that frazzled girl with the huge bag—required to carry my messy, scrappy planner—running out the door at the last second.

(If you have any ideas for me, let me know.)

On Quitting

I have a new respect for people trying to quit just about anything that has become habitual for them.

Tomorrow (today probably for you, dear readers) marks the two-month no-pop mark.

That's right. One of my favorite things in the entire world. None of it.

That's a lie. I had a few tiny sips from my sister's Coke at the Metrodome right after I made my resolve (Metrodome Coke tastes the best!) and then nearly two months went by--and this weekend, I had a couple sips of some grape Crush because William drank it in the car on the way to the lake and I can't quit you, grape smell! I can't!

But they were sips. I haven't cracked a can at home, alone; I haven't ordered a glass of pop out at a restaurant.

I'm changing the habit. I think I've gotten over the hardest part. I still miss it. I wish I could drink it without a stomachache. Or without calories. But I cannot. You understand: I have Dr Pepper t-shirts, necklaces... Dr Pepper is truly one of my favorite things ever invented. And these August days are perfect for an ice-cold, sweaty-canned cream soda.

And because of that, I have to quit it entirely. Just like any other bad habit. One can will lead to two will lead to a 12-pack. After dinner, after breakfast, after a nap. I can't be a social pop drinker. It's good for my stomach, it's good for the scale, it's good for my teeth. It's good for a million reasons.

But I'm still sitting here thinking it would taste so good.

You may think I'm being sarcastic, here. Sadly, sadly. I am not.

Favorite Things, Part I

A long time ago, a friend told me to do a blog post about my favorite things. I have been turning the idea over and over ever since (and it was a long time ago). I decided to break it up into parts. Today's is a little more of the personal side. (Please ignore my tell-not-show writing style here, and forgive me. One of these days I'll have more time for a show-not-tell post.) Later, I'll do fun gear. Because everyone likes gear.

One of my favorite things about my relationship with my husband happens when we are watching a scene on TV or a scene unfold in public, and we look at each other, and we just KNOW what the other person is thinking. A small shake of the head, a smile, or a glance, and it's a whole conversation. It makes me light up inside.

One of my favorite things about my family is that we actually love to spend time together. We genuine interest in each other, and we are all kind to each other, and to others out in the world--I'm very lucky that I am surrounded by such generous people--with their time, their love, their enthusiasm, and their support when things get rough. I have a deep sense of admiration for these people.

One of my favorite things about my friends is that I can always, always, always count on them to pick me up. Time and again, my friends say and do things that keep me real, cheer me up, and remind me not to take everything so seriously. And we can always make each other laugh. And god knows, I love laughing. We are so good at entertaining each other.

One of my favorite ways to spend time is reading magazines, especially ones with in-depth features (think Esquire, Rolling Stone (though I don't read that one much these days), Bitch, Bust, Vanity Fair, New York, New Yorker) and home decorating (Elle Decor, the beloved but defunct Domino, ReadyMade, etc.). I love getting lost in other people's lives, ways to see the world, and how people live. One of my favorite parts of traveling is the send-off...getting to the airport and splurging on all the great magazines at the newsstands.

Which brings me to one of my favorite things about myself--this one was hard. I think one of my favorite things about myself is my sense of curiosity. I like to learn about other people and their lives, what makes them tick, how they live, how to do new things, or how the world goes 'round. I'm truly curious, and I hope I never lose that sense of wanting to learn, wanting to be surprised, and constantly finding signs that humanity isn't totally cracked.

Project Charlie

It's just going around. And I'm feelin' it, too.

Summer is my favorite time of year. I love mini skirts and tank tops and flip-flops and lazing around at the beach. This year has been spectacularly devoid of that, but even if it hadn't been, I'd still say I'm quite disappointed at my summer fashion this time 'round. Mostly because I'd say 10% of the things in my closet fit me right now.

This is especially disappointing, considering I bought a lot of cute summer clothes last year for the wedding/honeymoon. I can't wear them! it's a terrible tease.

OK, since this was a bad day, I have to think of some good things to combat it.

Let's see:

Running the 3ish miles. Still.
Crossword puzzles in the back of my New York magazine each week.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The new Kelly Clarkson album
Having less than 10 car payments left.