Will I finish the ride?

I am a sucker for anything divination related, because deep down, I believe that someone or something truly can portend the future... and that I can then go in and affect the outcome. So I went to the Runes section on facade.com and asked the question that's been on my mind since I ate those four custard pasteries yesterday.

For those unaware, Runes are stones each emblazoned with a letter the old Futhark alphabet (think Nordic). Each letter is a symbol for some kinda something.

I did a single rune draw, which provides a simple yes or no answer. Yes, the Rune is in its correct, upright position. If reversed, the answer is no.

So I asked the big question, the one on everyone's mind: "Is Dick Clark seriously going to appear on ABC on New Year's Eve?"

Okay that was my second question.

Actually, the first one was: "Will I finish the ride?"

My answer:

"The rune represents the critical factor in the issue at hand. Dagez means daylight, and represents divine light. This rune generally refers to dawn (the initial sparking of energy) or to midday (the climax of energy). Both dawn and midday are symbolic of change, but unlike the changes in the perpetual circle of the year which are slow and subtle, the changes over a day are much faster and more dramatic. The breaking of a new day is symbolic of the rapid illumination of dismal circumstances, and is suggestive of Satori. Be careful - although this rune generally suggests a positive change, the symbology of a peaking point suggests that there must be a change downward as well. Fortunately for some, this rune is cyclic and irreversible, and so permanence is not promised - the only thing you can be sure of is an exciting ride."

Happy Winter Solstice!

Today is the winter solstice. Known in many countries as Yule, this pre-Christian celebration marks the longest night of the year.

The ancients-- which is to say, not baby boomers, but rather, people from a really, really long time ago-- believed that on this night the veil between the living and spirit world was at its thinnest. Hence, the winter solstice is a time of honoring those who have passed, and meditation. A fire would be lit, and a single, very large log (with many different types of trees branches tied to it) would burn the whole night through, providing light in this, the darkest of times. People would stay up all night, watch the fire, maybe sacrifice a pig, drink some ale... a time of grand partying and chatting with the dead had by all.

For more information about this very splendid holiday, check out Wikipedia.

life

Coffee: Do not diss my best friend.

I want to express something, just so we're all clear about where I stand on this issue: I flippin' LOVE coffee. And I get tired of people saying that it isn't good for me, because it seems like every other week some article comes out in favor of the health benefits thereof.

So I Googled "coffee health benefits"-- just to prove she ain't all bad... and found the following on MotherNature.com.

Benefits:
• May reduce the risk of suicide among women.
• Helps prevent gallstones and symptomatic gallbladder disease in men.
• Contains caffeine-related compounds (theophylline) that can alleviate the symptoms of asthma in some cases.
• Can increase alertness and prolong waking hours.
• May improve short-term recall.
• Promotes the effectiveness of certain migraine drugs.
• May reduce the risk of cirrhosis of the liver among heavy drinkers.
• May postpone muscle fatigue and thus enhance athletic performance and endurance.
• May protect against free radical damage to tissues – one study found that coffee has more antioxidant activity than red wine, green or black tea, or orange juice.
• Can reverse polarity of the neutron flow. (Okay, I made this one up.)

Risks:
• Increases blood pressure among people with high blood pressure. (So I'll drink a little red wine. Big deal.)
• Causes insomnia, anxiety, and irritability. (I HAVE NO FREAKIN'CLUE WHY THEY SAY THIS! BASTARDS!)
• May worsen symptoms of PMS in some women. (Shut up. Less talk. More chocolate.)
• Can reduce fertility in women trying to conceive. (Lies! Everybody knows women don't TRY to conceive.)
• Can cause heartburn and indigestion. (One word: Tums.)
• May increase the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. (Ffs-- who cares. I already got vericose veins, cardio-myopathy, and macular degeneration heading my way-- like a little hump on my back is going to scare me.)
• May increase blood levels of homocysteine and the associated risk of cardiovascular disease. (Science-shmience. I have no idea what this means.)

Happy birthday, Matt!

Those that know him, today's his day! Those that don't, you're leading a cold, empty life. Today is the anniversary of my big brother's birth.

I have only the greatest memories of my brother, enhanced by a deep, overwhelming fondness. Apart from being one of the most affable people I've ever known, he is also quite charming; add on caring, witty and self-less, and you got the whole package, right there. No one knows more about movies or television, including the directors, crews and entire cast of actors, A,B or Z list, than Matt. He likely knows the name of the key grip on the 1957 version of I Was A Teenage Werewolf.

My brother has always been a source of my overwhelming adoration. He's no fancy-pants; just a regular Joe who picked me up when I fell at age one; stopped me from cutting off all my bangs at age three (well, just so he could cut them first); taught me to play stuntman and allowed me to follow after him and his buddies from that point on. My very first essay ever was about him. First grade, "Who I Want to be When I Grow Up."

He even indulged my love of Underdog, and later forgave my age-four surprise naked-with-a-cape impression ("Duh, duh, DUUUH!!! Have no fear, UNDERDOG IS HERE!!") in front of he and his swimming buddies. Granted, I was 28 by the time he forgave me, but still. Great guy.

Greatest of guys. Happy birthday, Matty. I'm blessed to say I know you, let alone brag about you being my brother.