from the WSJ: "Pluto's Demotion Divides Astrologers, Troubles Scorpios"

For weeks, astrologers have been buzzing about the proposal approved yesterday to demote Pluto to a new class of solar-system bodies called dwarf planets.
"Whether he's a planet, an asteroid, or a radioactive matzo ball, Pluto has proven himself worthy of a permanent place in all horoscopes," says Shelley Ackerman. Ms. Ackerman criticized the IAU for not including astrologers in its decision.
Others warned that Scorpios should be especially cautious in the coming days because the sign is closely associated with Pluto.

I'll have to be careful. Because it makes sense that gravitic perturbations in other planets' orbits, or nomenclature changes, would affect me - along with everyone else on the planet born in the same thirty days but in completely differing years. These effects should be far greater in my life and those of other Scorpios than, say, my genetics, upbringing, culture, socioeconomic status, free will, and so forth.

[/sarcasm]
What the heck, Bill Watterson said it far better than I ever could.

CALVIN: I decided I believe in astrology and horoscopes.
HOBBES: Really?

CALVIN: You bet. It only makes sense that every facet of our daily lives should depend upon the position of celestial bodies hundreds of millions of miles away. Look here. Today I'll have "Key policies implemented". I get to have my way!

HOBBES: Oh those mischievous planets.
CALVIN: The newspaper couldn't print it if it weren't true!

two restaurant review-oids

Recently, the wife and I branched out a bit and tried Pauline's Pizza in the Mission. It's not that far from us.

The pizza was good. We ordered two smalls: a pesto and the Italian combination. I especially liked the pesto; while on the salty side, it hit the spot that evening. The Italian sausage was robust and the combo was a good mix of ingredients.

Will we go back? Not in a hurry. The check was nearly twice the cost of our normal local non-chain pizza place. It's nice that the ingredients are organic and local or somewhat-local, but I'm not sure I'm willing to pay those prices for it.

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Last night a cow-orker and I went with a broker to Michael Mina on Union Square. Mina is the former chef of Aqua and he has a number of restaurants now, including a couple in Vegas. The service was what you would expect for those prices - our table of four generally had four busboys. The food? Lovely. Not as good as what we've had at Masa's or even Chez Spencer; but still, memorable. Mina's shtick of three variations for each ingredient generally works.

Will I go back on my own dime? Maybe for a very special occasion. I can't afford those prices - or those calories - without advance planning.