Happy Chinese New Year!

It is 2006, the year of the Red Dog.

What does my horoscope say?

Certain changes will take place in your life. They will all be positive, profitable and agreeable if you know how to appreciate and handle them. Don't let the past and useless details choke your existence. Try to get rid of all that impedes your march or hampers your spontaneity and joy. 'Remember to forget' (Nietzsche). Your happiness is before you, not behind you!

In spite of your apprehensions, notable improvements in many fields will be significant and, for certain natives of the sign, there will even be a positive change in the career. Certain solutions will come along unexpectedly. The year will be crucial regarding a sentimental encounter or a recovery of harmony with a beloved one. If you must make important decisions, seek advice from competent people.

Oh, come on positive change in the career! And profitable. Wahoo.

Actually, kevin asked me yesterday what my horoscope sign was. I don't know why - he'd already looked it up. He said his said that a spouse would see financial gains (he's a rooster*), and voila, the prospects for the pig said I'd see financial gains.

Of course, I didn't suggest those might come off the life insurance...

Anyway, its a day to celebrate the Chinese culture, and to remake pledges you broke in January from the ordinary New Year's hoopla.

Now, how have my financial prospects started off this fine year of the red dog? Well, the government just gave us $800. Our provincial gov't, that is. Its part of our prosperity revenue, because we're debt-free and as an oil-rich province we're rolling in it, evidently.

Still no word from the bank on whether they'll let us sell the mineral rights to that stingy energy company that tried to steal them without our consent.

Kev's done the income tax, and there's a tidy sum coming back from that.

So we'll be able to pay for me to go to Harrogate. Wahoo, and Stuart and John, there's a round or three on me. Hopefully soon get a new washing machine, because the one here that we inherited when we bought the house was built in the 50's and doesn't like to give up the dirty water. Noooo. It wants to keep spinning merrily away, creating more and more suds.

But beyond that, I'm open to surprises. People who just like me and want to give money. People who want to publish my book and give me lots of money (I can dream, right?). A hole in the wall revealing thousands. Whatever.

And may your propsects be equally bright, and surpass your dreams for the coming year.

* I stand corrected. But he acts like an old goat sometimes.