It's the year of the puppy!

Admittedly, that's not as interesting as the Year of the COCK, but what can you do?

Anyways, this weekend was quite delightful and Keidra and Raizel invaded Madison to visit and hang out. While we didn't go out for the usual boozin', bitchin' and brawlin', it was a good time. Watched Project Runway (it's nice having common addictions with shows), ate Raizel's colon-cleaner cookies (which are REALLY nummy and so healthy!), had a mess of drinks and played Guitar Hero.

For those of you who don't know -- Guitar Hero is a rhythm-based game similar to Dance Dance Revolution, except that you play tunes such as "Ace of Spades" on a plastic guitar that simulates chords and frets. It was funny seeing Jeff get into rock guitar stance as he blazed his way through a bunch of songs. An impromptu get-together sprouted up as Elijah, Michael, Katie and Eva also stopped by to play a bit and hang out.

It may not have been the usual, but it was a good time. It seems that no matter where we are, the three of us are good at supplying conversation and general insanity. For example: We're at the grocery store and there's a case of the generic soda, Mountain Fury.

Keidra busts out laughing explaining that she's got the image of an angry hillbilly running down a mountain, beard trailing behind him and waving a cane. I start laughing as Raizel begins riffing off of the image. Mountain Dew is the moonshine the hillbilly makes, while Mountain Fury is the pissed-off hillbilly. Good times man. Good times.

*thinks a second* I suppose one had to be there to appreciate the silliness.

It wasn't a bad way to spend Chinese New Year. It's the year of the dog now, and hopefully things will be better than 2005, but the forecast looks a bit mixed:

Practitioners of Chinese geomancy, or feng shui, predict that in the so-called fire-dog year, world leaders will be more likely to solve long-running conflicts.

Well, that's good. But then the article adds this:

(Loh) says the most negative aspect of the dog year will be the increased likelihood of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions.

Not so good. Then there's this:

But Lo says it will also be a year of increased spirituality across the globe.

"In cultural things, in entertainment you will see more ghost stories, more spiritual things, more religious things, issues coming up," added Lo.

Chinese astrologers predict those born under the signs of the dragon, the dog, the ox and the goat are likely to find this year challenging, but rabbits, tigers and horses are more likely to find peace and harmony over the next 12 months.

Yeah, if you need me, I'll be hiding under my bed.