Lessons from an Aquarius-Rat.
Today is my birthday and I've had some time to ruminate about what kind of traits I share with my other birthday-twins.
So, here's some random info about those of us born Janurary 31.
It's no secret, we folk born on the last day of January can be an unusual lot. In fact, we folks born at the end of January who are who are also born under the (eastern astrology) sign of the rat - can get really, really batty. But, only under duress, hopefully we aren't so confusing the rest of the time.
We are very outspoken about some rules, and completely, hopelessly mute about others.
Just ask my best friends. Or my (poor) husband, or even ask my daughters.
Here's what they'd probably tell you.
"Mom has lots of rules, they're just not same ones the other mommies have."
Some rules of this Aquarian-Rat mommy: (The rated G version.)
The rules I share with the other moms:
That's all I can think of now.
According to Wikipedia -- Other wacky aquarians who share my birthday are:
Franz Schubert, Zane Grey, Anna Pavlova,, Tallulah Bankhead, John O'Hara, Thomas Merton, Jackie Robinson, Carol Channing, Norman Mailer, Jean Simmons, Ernie Banks, Philip Glass, Suzanne Pleshette, Jessica Walter, Derek Jarman, Nolan Ryan,Ken Wilber, Phil Manzanera, John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten, Anthony LaPaglia, Kelly Lynch, Lloyd Cole, (who is born on the same day and year as I am.) Minnie Driver, Portia de Rossi, Wil Anderson, , Justin Timberlake, Sergio D. Acosta, to name just a few.
We are, no doubt, an odd lot.
Anna Pavlova (Great Russian Ballerina)
“Although one may fail to find happiness in theatrical life, one never wishes to give it up after having once tasted its fruits.”
“Get my Swan costume ready.”
Thomas Merton (American Trappist Monk)
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
“There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.”
Tallulah Bankhead (Movie Star, Darling.)
“If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.”
“I read Shakespeare and the Bible, and I can shoot dice. That's what I call a liberal education.”
“Only good girls keep diaries. Bad girls don't have time.”
Norman Mailer (Cranky Famous Novelist)
“Growth, in some curious way, I suspect, depends on being always in motion just a little bit, one way or another.”
“Culture's worth huge, huge risks. Without culture we're all totalitarian beasts.”
"If a person is not talented enough to be a novelist, not smart enough to be a lawyer, and his hands are too shaky to perform operations, he becomes a journalist.”
Franz Schubert (Romantic Classical Composer)
“People imagine they can reach one another. In reality they only pass each other by.”
"I still think you can get a sense of continuity doing it this way.”
Johnny Rotten (You know, from the Sex Pistols?)
“Don't accept the old order. Get rid of it.”
“Do not stand in the middle, go to the right or to the left.”
“Fucking ignore the system, use it when it suits you.”
“It's a repressive society where you can't be horrible, I'm not horrible, they made me horrible, I'm just honest.”
Philip Glass (Modern Composer. Think "deet. deet. deet. deet. beep. beep. beep. beep. dot. dot. dot. dot...")
“You have to be very flexible,”
“Traditions are imploding and exploding everywhere - everything is coming together, for better or worse, and we can no longer pretend we're all living in different worlds because we're on different continents.”
“I've been called a minimalist composer for more than 30 years, and while I've never really agreed with the description, I've gotten used to it.”
Portia De Rossi Actress, and Mr. Ellen. (actually, that's Mrs. Ellen to you.)
"I love body parts, especially hands.
Justin Timberlake Pop Star
"This is not my usual stage.”
“My hair is so unmanageable.”
“We're dirty pop. It's a trend now, but we were the first ones to do it!”
Carol Channing, Big Ole' Star.
“You know, if you're lucky enough to have two smash hit shows, the traffic of the world goes through your dressing room.”
"We're born the same day as Jesus Christ."
In NYC I met her at a wonderful restaurant I was working at on the upper east side. One winter evening, in she walzed (yes, she really waltzes.). I greeted her, took her coat and confessed "You know, Ms. Channing, you and I share the same birthday."
Carol Channing: "Oh, really! You, me and Jesus Christ. Really. That Jesus. Very few people know this." And down the narrow hallway she floated into the dining room carrying a tiny silver flask where she keeps her "liquid dinners." I'm not kidding.
So, here's some random info about those of us born Janurary 31.
It's no secret, we folk born on the last day of January can be an unusual lot. In fact, we folks born at the end of January who are who are also born under the (eastern astrology) sign of the rat - can get really, really batty. But, only under duress, hopefully we aren't so confusing the rest of the time.
We are very outspoken about some rules, and completely, hopelessly mute about others.
Just ask my best friends. Or my (poor) husband, or even ask my daughters.
Here's what they'd probably tell you.
"Mom has lots of rules, they're just not same ones the other mommies have."
Some rules of this Aquarian-Rat mommy: (The rated G version.)
The rules I share with the other moms:
Be nice and play well with others.
Get a good education.
Get a good education.
More specific rules:
Birthdays always matter, especially if they say they don't.
Birthdays always matter, especially if they say they don't.
Play happily, or clean up. For my birthday, I'll take both.
Creative is better than tidy.
If you don't bug me, you can get away with doing nothing that resembles work.
If you can be funny, you can get away with so much more.
Never confuse mean with funny.
Thrift stores have everything. Eventually.
Swearing is okay if it's on Project Runway or Top Chef, but never okay if you are under 20.
Sometimes "gay" really does just mean "light-hearted."
Fibbing is kind of okay if you can do it well and it causes zero pain, but if you lie to mommy she'll be madder than Medea.
Creative is better than tidy.
If you don't bug me, you can get away with doing nothing that resembles work.
If you can be funny, you can get away with so much more.
Never confuse mean with funny.
Thrift stores have everything. Eventually.
Swearing is okay if it's on Project Runway or Top Chef, but never okay if you are under 20.
Sometimes "gay" really does just mean "light-hearted."
Fibbing is kind of okay if you can do it well and it causes zero pain, but if you lie to mommy she'll be madder than Medea.
Never lie about who you really are, if people don't get you, they don't deserve to.
Music can fix anything.
Be All That You Can Be, but avoid the military like the plague. It is.
War is bad. Love is good.
Mean people get two strikes, then they're out. Forever.
When in doubt, "I'm sorry" is a good place to start. But, if you say that insincerely, the devil will carry you off to a burning hell.
Don't eat anything that might kill you.
Always remind the waiter to tell the chef about your food allergy, and never leave home without an epi-pen.
Attempt to have lip-gloss and blush handy.
Make sure you have great shoes and great hair, the rest can be dealt with later.
Good friends are like gold.
You simply have to get along with your sister, because she'll be your best friend when you need it most and because I never had one. And besides, if you're nice to her, she'll return the favor, which is a good deal.
Be nice on play dates and always pick up or the parents won't want you over again.
Always say thank you.
When in doubt, offer to help.
Attitude is boring.
Nice is useful.
Loud and sloppy is just plain tacky.
Dancing feels good.
Nature has much to say, so listen well.
Every day is a gift.
The body is a temple so brush your temple's teeth, please.
Find out what you love and do it.
No boredom allowed.
Ask and ye shall receive, eventually.
Notice every detail.
Music can fix anything.
Be All That You Can Be, but avoid the military like the plague. It is.
War is bad. Love is good.
Mean people get two strikes, then they're out. Forever.
When in doubt, "I'm sorry" is a good place to start. But, if you say that insincerely, the devil will carry you off to a burning hell.
Don't eat anything that might kill you.
Always remind the waiter to tell the chef about your food allergy, and never leave home without an epi-pen.
Attempt to have lip-gloss and blush handy.
Make sure you have great shoes and great hair, the rest can be dealt with later.
Good friends are like gold.
You simply have to get along with your sister, because she'll be your best friend when you need it most and because I never had one. And besides, if you're nice to her, she'll return the favor, which is a good deal.
Be nice on play dates and always pick up or the parents won't want you over again.
Always say thank you.
When in doubt, offer to help.
Attitude is boring.
Nice is useful.
Loud and sloppy is just plain tacky.
Dancing feels good.
Nature has much to say, so listen well.
Every day is a gift.
The body is a temple so brush your temple's teeth, please.
Find out what you love and do it.
No boredom allowed.
Ask and ye shall receive, eventually.
Notice every detail.
In fact, that is what I want my tombstone to read: NOTICE EVERYTHING
(You'll have to forgive me this morbid self-absorbtion, I grew up across the street from a grave yard.)
That's all I can think of now.
According to Wikipedia -- Other wacky aquarians who share my birthday are:
Franz Schubert, Zane Grey, Anna Pavlova,, Tallulah Bankhead, John O'Hara, Thomas Merton, Jackie Robinson, Carol Channing, Norman Mailer, Jean Simmons, Ernie Banks, Philip Glass, Suzanne Pleshette, Jessica Walter, Derek Jarman, Nolan Ryan,Ken Wilber, Phil Manzanera, John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten, Anthony LaPaglia, Kelly Lynch, Lloyd Cole, (who is born on the same day and year as I am.) Minnie Driver, Portia de Rossi, Wil Anderson, , Justin Timberlake, Sergio D. Acosta, to name just a few.
We are, no doubt, an odd lot.
Some famous quotes from those born on January 31.
“Although one may fail to find happiness in theatrical life, one never wishes to give it up after having once tasted its fruits.”
“Get my Swan costume ready.”
Thomas Merton (American Trappist Monk)
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
“There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.”
Tallulah Bankhead (Movie Star, Darling.)
“If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.”
“I read Shakespeare and the Bible, and I can shoot dice. That's what I call a liberal education.”
“Only good girls keep diaries. Bad girls don't have time.”
Norman Mailer (Cranky Famous Novelist)
“Growth, in some curious way, I suspect, depends on being always in motion just a little bit, one way or another.”
“Culture's worth huge, huge risks. Without culture we're all totalitarian beasts.”
"If a person is not talented enough to be a novelist, not smart enough to be a lawyer, and his hands are too shaky to perform operations, he becomes a journalist.”
Franz Schubert (Romantic Classical Composer)
“People imagine they can reach one another. In reality they only pass each other by.”
"I still think you can get a sense of continuity doing it this way.”
Johnny Rotten (You know, from the Sex Pistols?)
“Don't accept the old order. Get rid of it.”
“Do not stand in the middle, go to the right or to the left.”
“Fucking ignore the system, use it when it suits you.”
“It's a repressive society where you can't be horrible, I'm not horrible, they made me horrible, I'm just honest.”
Philip Glass (Modern Composer. Think "deet. deet. deet. deet. beep. beep. beep. beep. dot. dot. dot. dot...")
“You have to be very flexible,”
“Traditions are imploding and exploding everywhere - everything is coming together, for better or worse, and we can no longer pretend we're all living in different worlds because we're on different continents.”
“I've been called a minimalist composer for more than 30 years, and while I've never really agreed with the description, I've gotten used to it.”
Portia De Rossi Actress, and Mr. Ellen. (actually, that's Mrs. Ellen to you.)
"I love body parts, especially hands.
Justin Timberlake Pop Star
"This is not my usual stage.”
“My hair is so unmanageable.”
“We're dirty pop. It's a trend now, but we were the first ones to do it!”
Carol Channing, Big Ole' Star.
“You know, if you're lucky enough to have two smash hit shows, the traffic of the world goes through your dressing room.”
"We're born the same day as Jesus Christ."
In NYC I met her at a wonderful restaurant I was working at on the upper east side. One winter evening, in she walzed (yes, she really waltzes.). I greeted her, took her coat and confessed "You know, Ms. Channing, you and I share the same birthday."
Carol Channing: "Oh, really! You, me and Jesus Christ. Really. That Jesus. Very few people know this." And down the narrow hallway she floated into the dining room carrying a tiny silver flask where she keeps her "liquid dinners." I'm not kidding.
Comments
I don't need a Sorting Hat to understand your rules - I totally GET you!
Thanks for this, and for contributing your rules toward making a better world.
You? R A W K