As often happens to me lately I am filled with many twisted threads so I am going to pluck at a relatively minor thought thread that came up a little while back that I put on a back burner. During a conversation with one of my friends last week we had gotten onto the topic of her boyfriend's astrology chart and how it matches up amazingly well with his personality (He's very much a Fire sign). While she continued on about some detail or another I spun around to my computer and did a quick web search and found a site to look at mine. I had seen a work up on mine many ages ago but couldn't remember much about it other than the fact that other than my primary sign I didn't have any other Earth in it (I don't have much attachment or attraction to horoscopes but I will admit to having been lightly fascinated by some of the alchemical aspects once upon a time).

So here I present what came up with some commentary on what it says for bless or woe.



Hi there, here is the interpretation of the astrological chart that you asked for. Also attached is a .GIF graphic file which depicts your chart wheel. Thank you for visiting the Astrolabe WEB site at http://alabe.com This report has been created especially for you. It represents your Unique picture at the time you were born and at the place you were born. If you are unsure of the exact time of day of your birth (or the date or the place), the reading will probably not seem as accurate as it could be in certain places, but other parts will seem to be very appropriate. You will notice at certain places in the reading that contradictory information seems to be given. This is to be expected, because the personality of most people is extremely complex. For example, at times we are quite shy and at other times we are very aggressive, and so forth. You will also notice that, at certain points in the reading, certain patterns may be repeated over and over, especially in a longer more detailed report than this one. This is also to be expected. This simply means that your horoscope has an extremely strong focus on this particular pattern and that you should pay extra close attention to what is said about it. Now, on with your Report!

Name: patrick o'brien
December 31 1971
2:11 PM Time Zone is CST
grand forks, ND

Rising Sign is in 01 Degrees Gemini
Extremely active by nature, you like to get around, meet people and do different things. Very restless, you just can't seem to stay put. You need to be involved in several projects at once in order to keep your mind stimulated. You like to read books and to write letters and to talk -- constantly. Seemingly ageless, you will always appear to be much younger than you really are. Very adaptable and inquisitive, you are always open to new ideas and experiences. A "jack-of-all-trades", you are lively and versatile. Because of the high nervous tension that you always seem to have, athletic activity would be a good way for you to burn off energy. But be careful of a tendency to experience things only superficially -- try to dig in and absorb things at a deeper level.

Element: Air Mode: Mutable

This is one of those things when you read it that has the potential to give one goosebumps. It is an amazingly accurate summation of some of my core attributes. For much of it the only times that I don't exemplify these attributes are when I am consciously or subconsciously suppressing or otherwise leashing that part of my nature.

Heh and it even came with a guilt trip about not exercising enough. *evilgrin* I am much more physically active than I used to be but I will still admit I could be even more active yet. Dance class once a week and a monthly bout of swinging foam swords is still not enough to trim these love handles of mine. Almost every time I make plans to hit the workout room and spend a half an hour on the stair climber thingy that monitors my heart rate and convinces me that I am about to have a heart attack *wy grin* I seem to get drawn off into some intellectual or social exercise.

And yes for the last line is also a particular challenge I have learned about my life, I have learned to actively focus and savor many of the wonderful things available in life rather than be gluttonous and not sufficiently appreciative of them. hmmm... that wants to lead to a thread that is worthy of its own blog someday. *grin*

Sun is in 09 Degrees Capricorn.
Extremely serious and mature, you are capable of accepting responsibilities and do so willingly. Others expect you to be dutiful as a matter of course. You tend to get angry when people get rewards after not having worked anywhere near as hard as you. You are goal-oriented and an achiever by nature -- you're a hard worker and are justifiably proud of the tangible results of your efforts. You tend to have "tunnel-vision" -- this allows you to block out extraneous matters that might distract others and to concentrate totally on the matter at hand. As such, you are the ideal one to manage or administrate any ongoing project and to be practical and efficient at it. You are not a fast worker, but you are quite thorough. You are known for being totally persistent, tenacious and tireless in reaching your goals.

Element: Earth Mode: Cardinal

Yet again for an examination of my core values it seems to resonate very well and the only times I can think of where this hasn't fit for me there have been underlying reasons for such (mostly unfortunate in one form or fashion)

Moon is in 09 Degrees Cancer.
For the most part, you are very strong and secure emotionally. You intuitively know what to do to make others feel comfortable, loved, accepted and needed. You naturally enjoy feeding and taking care of others. Be careful that your mothering does not turn into smothering. At times, you tend to feel that those to whom you are attached can never do anything without your assistance and support. Extremely sensitive by nature, it hurts you deeply whenever anyone criticizes you. You have an almost desperate need to be loved and wanted and needed by everyone with whom you come into contact, and you go out of your way to be accommodating to them.

Element: Water Mode: Cardinal

Yet another moment of just mutely nodding agreement. Even though I don't always pay attention to my own needs and desires I am known for taking care of others basic needs when I can. I can't help but think of one of my supervisor's at work for whom I am very regularly making sure that she gets something to eat for lunch or at least one of my granola bars and bottles of water that I usually keep stocked in my desk. A decent number of my agents know that if they need something and its within in my power to provide it I will usually do what I can to help them.

Mercury is in 16 Degrees Sagittarius.
Your mind is very curious and inquisitive, always seeking information on a wide variety of topics. The broader the subject matter (philosophy, science, religion, metaphysics), the more it will appeal to you. You prefer to deal with abstractions -- the small but important details associated with any subject tend to slip your grasp. You are known for being blunt, honest and truthful.

Element: Fire Mode: Mutable

I'm trying to pay better attention to details, I promise *wry grin*. But at this point not as suprisingly anymore another very accurate description of some of my personality traits. I definitely embody the multiple topics of interest category. And my blunt, honest and truthful nature has managed to cause me a good amount of excitement and even lost friendships in my life *sigh*.

Venus is in 10 Degrees Aquarius.
You are a friendly and outgoing individual, but close relationships are difficult for you to maintain due to your fear that they will cause you to lose your freedom. You attract friends and associates who are exciting, different and sometimes a bit odd. You are popular with others and enjoy working within a group toward group goals.

Element: Air Mode: Fixed

I'm not sure what I think about the idea that I have problem maintaining close relationships because of fear for my freedom, but I will have to think about it. It is true that I have a challenge in my life maintaining close relationships over an extended period of time. A deep and introspective thought path that I will try to follow another time. Someone remind me if necessary.

Mars is in 03 Degrees Aries.
You are very independent and self-assertive, and you have lots of physical energy. You are not satisfied unless you can be the first to do something. As such, you are more comfortable in leadership positions than you are as an underling. When you are challenged by anyone for anything, you delight in the competitive process and will fight long and hard for your beliefs. You are bold and courageous and often act without thinking. At times, in your zeal to get ahead, you are tactless and offensive -- learn that cooperation with others can often bring you nearer to your goals quicker because of the support you will get.

Element: Fire Mode: Cardinal

I will say that I can remember a time in my life where this very much described me. Is the fact that it is no longer an accurate assessment because I have worked towards a better balance in my life or because I have slipped off onto a different path at some point?

Jupiter is in 22 Degrees Sagittarius.
You have a very strong sense of ethics and morality. You are widely read and may also be widely traveled because you are sincerely interested in expanding your knowledge of the world about you. At times, you have an annoying tendency to be self-righteous and preachy about your belief system. You are usually quite idealistic and you demand the right to be able to explore the entire world of experiences yourself. Remember to grant others the similar right -- be tolerant, not dogmatic.

Element: Fire Mode: Mutable

*sigh* the fact that I am not widely traveled or at least not as travelled as I want to be does bother me. I remember one of the things I wanted to do with my ex wife was to pick random destinations for a trip on a regular basis. *another sigh* and I am very careful not to get on a pulpit anymore unless I am specifically asked to *wry grin*

Saturn is in 00 Degrees Gemini.
You are such a clear thinker and speaker, with a logical orderly mind, that you are repulsed by abstract, intangible or unorganized thoughts or ideas. But you tend to get uptight about speaking in public because you are afraid to be wrong. Remember that the best way to learn is by making mistakes. Also, you will be so carefully prepared that you probably will not make many mistakes anyway. To be interesting to you, ideas have to be practical and useful.

Element: Air Mode: Mutable

*wry grin* Fuzzy logic is about how to define the inherently indefinable so that a computer program can process it. I am admittedly over critical of myself and have difficulties accepting failures as learning experiences. And the line about careful preparation will make certain people who may read this smile. *evilgrin*

Uranus is in 18 Degrees Libra.
You, as well as your entire peer group, have a very free, unstable and unconventional approach to relationships and emotional commitments. You will be attracted to experiments in marriage and shared lifestyles. Personal freedom is more important to you than entangling emotional bonds. In the realm of art and aesthetics, you are attracted to the bizarre, shocking and unusual.

Element: Air Mode: Cardinal

I'm not entirely sure about this one, while yes it can be used to describe portions of my life experience it doesn't as well describe what I aspire to. I've just had to come to terms with the fact that I probably won't get the white picket fence.

Neptune is in 04 Degrees Sagittarius.
You, and your entire generation, are heavily involved in investigating and idealizing foreign and exotic intellectual systems and religious philosophies. The most extreme ideals will be pursued with gusto. You will be at the forefront of humanitarian attempts to improve the lot of those who are in need of assistance. You will be comfortable with the concept of the "global village."

Element: Fire Mode: Mutable

This is another one of those, "No Duh" *grin*

Pluto is in 02 Degrees Libra.
For your entire generation, this is a time of radical changes in society's attitude toward marriage and interpersonal relationships. There is a general fear and awe at the power inherent in making emotional or contractual commitments -- they will not be entered into lightly.

Element: Air Mode: Cardinal

Yet again for better or worse *wry grin* I don't make promises or commitments easily or lightly. The degree of intensity that I carry this to nowadays is almost obsessive. Our dear young Tolkien Doll got quite upse with me the other night when she asked me if I was going to be at the next Elfstone event and I used the word "probably" in my answer. Then I had to explain very carefully that I fully intended to be at the event but I still acknowledge that unforeseen things could happen and prevent my appearance before she was moved to bodily injury.

N. Node is in 05 Degrees Aquarius.
As long as someone else (or a group or organization) appeals to your intellectual sensibilities, you'll try to ally yourself with them in some way. You may find that you always seem to get involved with many wide-ranging groups -- so much so that you find it difficult to fit them all into your busy schedule. Your many friends and acquaintances provide you with needed stimulation. You're loyal and fair-minded -- you try to spend time equally with all your friends, never concentrating on just one or two for any length of time. Although probably quite conservative yourself, you're attracted to those who are a bit offbeat or eccentric -- you enjoy watching their minds work.

Element: Air Mode: Fixed

And yet again a very definitive expression of my life. *wry grin*


So I won't make any conclusive statements about astrology but I do find the idea of examining patterns and their application obviously intriguing. As someone who pays attention to the patterns of order inherent in chaotic systems it interesting to find that some patterns can be so easily interpreted from such seemingly unrelated connections.

that phrase was written down on a piece a paper and has been sitting on my desk at work waiting for me to either write about it or add it to my notebook filled with comments and thought seeds that I expect to eventually write about or discuss in some kind of self induced therapy *wry grin* (Damn you William Faulkner! *shakes fist at the sky*)

It was one of those times when I was sitting here and I heard one of my agents say that over the phone and I was suddenly struck with the sheer absurdity of the comment and I just had to save it for posterity.

When I try to think about the statement without knowing any of the context of the situation (or for that matter even knowing the context of the situation) it sounds really bad. Mental translation: "I can't help you and I can't hang up on you so I will just force you to listen to some horrible hold music until you go away"

This even though it was said in a fairly nice way is essentially what the agent meant at the time. Now as Devil's advocate and as because after hearing that even if I hadn't have been a supervisor I would have been "WTF?" and sought out an explanation. It was a situation that really was summed up as a merchant that we could not even begin to assist for various reasons but who kept ending up back in our call queue as the round robin of bouncing calls between departments and different companies with the merchant never being connected to someone who could actually address their issue. Which is something that happens on a fairly regular basis for my group, we tend to be the dumping ground and many a time its a situation that we have absolutely no clue what to do or even access to necessary systems or controls. This particular merchant had been spending a couple hours wandering around (via phone) for several hours and was getting tired of being transferred, which I don't blame them for but there was absolutely zero that we could do for their situation and had even less clue of where to appropriately direct them.

There was a significant period of time when I was still on the phones that I considered my job to be as much a responsibility of playing traffic cop as well as being the jack of all trades mr. fixit. Some of the extreme examples that would happen on a regular basis have finally been filtered away from our phone system but there are still occasional reflections of those times. I remember a specific example type that always used to get under my skin because it forced us to be the providers of horrible customer experiences. A number of years ago during a slightly different incarnation of my corporate experience there was a situation set up whereby when a certain company with their own help desk closed for the day that their calls would get transferred to our help desk for support (albeit somewhat limited but support nonetheless) since we were a 24/7/365 operation and this other organization preferred to keep "banker" hours in order to be more financially thrifty and since we were already open for our clients... (That part actually made sense and wasn't the issue)

Now where the problem arose is the fact that there was a hard cut off that at approximately six in the evening all calls that were dialing into that companies tech support line would be instantly routed to our help desk (and anyone who has ever worked phone support and knows how easy it is to get calls where people are simply calling the wrong department of the company they are looking for will begin to see some of the potential issues that develop). So we have this switch put in place, now let me give you a few more pieces of context... First only the customer base that has been converted to the programming that we are even able to begin supporting have been added to our database (any uneasy thoughts yet?) and even of those most of our normal troubleshooting tools are next to useless except where our basic understanding of the terminals is appropriate.

So basically you have a situation where when my caller ID lights up with a certain phone number that lets me know its being routed from this other company that there may be only a ten percent chance that I will even be able to pull up any account information in my database (remember that ALL calls are being without any kind of real filter in place to make sure that we should even be receiving them) and of those I can actually provide real troubleshooting and resolution to hopefully ten percent of those (the most common example was "I'm getting XYZ error message when trying to do Such-and-soforth transaction, to which my only response ends up being telling the person on the phone that they will have to call back in the morning and speak to a real representative of Generic Company Name since I don't have access to being able to see whats going on with their host and reprogramming the terminal is only going to make their situation worse... even more painful is I have enough knowledge to know that waiting until the morning to get any real assistance for their particular error means the possibility of losing serious money into the electronic aether)

When I sought to voice my concerns over this situation I received variations on two themes as responses... Either "Just help them as bet you can" (to which I always refrained from throttling the individuals and asking for my magic wand that they forgot to issue me) or "Don't worry, every call that G.C.N. sends us they get charged for" (which at the time mollified me for a bit until later when I stumbled across the knowledge that G.C.N. received their charges based on the calls being logged in our database not on the phone system... Does anyone remember me mentioning that only ten percent of these phone calls were in our database to be pulled up? Can anyone hazard to guess how they expect to charge for calls we had no way of being able to log? I gave up long time ago.)

Now since I especially was focused on generally improving the customer experience of the person on my phone but was unable to properly explain the situation to my superiors (though in retrospect I believe they understood but either were just as unable to find a resolution as I was or no longer cared) that the only seemingly successful coping mechanism was to develop an insulating layer of apathy regarding the situation. Unfortunately I have to admit that I find myself becoming more and more like that very same attitude at work nowadays.

- - -

Even the most stubborn or the most patient of us will eventually get tired of banging our heads against the walls... For a timestamp note for anyone who is interested, the separation in time from what I wrote above is created by my writing an email asking about another situation where calls have been routed to our phones without sufficient groundwork or even warning for that matter. Part of me wants to know who keeps making these seemingly unilateral decisions without communication but another part of me is just so used to it by now. *sigh*

This blog started from two influences (well three technically). Primarily some not especially subtle nudging from Tolkien Doll *evilgrin*, which is extra amusing since I was thinking about the fact that I haven't written in awhile (though its been so wonderful to wrap myself in those novels I was reading... I haven't quite done that in awhile... Though now I have a new computer game addiction also to contend with) and I was having the mental debate with myself about that. Especially since lately I seem to do more blogwork while at work *wry grin* which in itself could be a bad sign.

But I was driving to work trying to decide what kind of seed I would write from and I was thinking about some sage advice I received back on Midsouthcon weekend while I was doing my (lately) typical con based labyrinth walk (where I wander semi randomly and see what kind of interesting people and situations I run across without letting myself growing roots in any one spot [usually *evilgrin*]) and during a very intensive philosophical and spiritual discussion this young lady suggested that I try approaching a day where I assume that everyone else is enlightened and I the only one who isn't. It is a very powerful thought and I can feel the shape of the key that it would form, but the idea of applying just such a dynamic to my typical day at the workplace fills me nameable dread. (and no that last wasn't a mistype)

It was with this somewhere in the back of my mind that I found myself when an individual who has a definite influence on my life wandered by my cubicle earlier today and stated "You are having a slowdown issue."

My unenlightened response was a smart ass answer that I managed to repress.

Lately the only lessons that are obvious to my eyes seem to be either that the man who has at times had the patience of Buddha needs to develop even more the same or I'm developing a callous on my forehead.

Should I be meditating on Sisyphus?