02-01-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is gray and the incense is Narcissus. Today is St. Brigit’s Day in Ireland.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically, rewards are picked apart and the joy leeched from them in the AM. Nothing seems to behave the way you thought it would. Are you just too rigid? A compliment from elders or authorities brighten your day in the afternoon. By late night nerves are frayed and emotional outbursts are common as it seems everyone is picking at you.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Six of Pentacles: compensation. Temporary balance and harmony allow us to reap our rewards today. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long because we are incapable of remaining static. Onward to better things!

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
Break free of the bonds that are holding you back.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Catalogue: “Treat yourself to some retail therapy.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
The Faeries of the Futures are here if you ask nicely, they may show you the future.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 1 and the Element is water. The Rat finds conflict but the Rabbit has ease. Today is an auspicious day for haircuts, signing contracts and births but not for starting construction.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “I am now committed to living my life with impeccability, rigor and awareness. This is my challenge and accept it. By expressing these qualities I find my path and my inner power, and I fulfill my destiny.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

Ah, the Law of Attraction, that ‘New Age’ thought that just keeps on punishing. It makes a Jewish Mother look like an amateur. It makes the God of the Old Testament look like a favorite Uncle. It makes the Fundamentalists look kind.
Why do I say that? Just stop and look around you. If we truly attract everything to us, then how do you explain a baby born with a fatal birth defect or a debilitating illness? Did the Haitian people attract an earthquake that devastated their country? If we truly shape our own reality, they had to have created this reality, right? All the poor people out on the street because of unemployment, bad loans, etc. are there because they created their own reality not because of the greed of Wall Street and the Banking Industry, right? Everyone in the cancer ward is there because they want to be there, right?
Older cultures than ours have rejected this philosophy or never touched it with a 10 foot pole. Take one of the oldest cultures, the Chinese. They originated, or sort of borrowed, the art of Feng Shui. When you really study Feng Shui you learn one simple principle; Feng Shui only accounts for 3% of what happens. Sometimes, that 3% is enough to throw the whole thing over the top and let you win. Sometimes, it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.
If you study the Indian and Oriental beliefs and the Kabala, you discover there is Karma and Dharma. One you arrive on this world with and one you create. Both are constantly in effect and working. It is a dynamic system.
One thing that the Law of Attraction doesn’t take into consideration is the simple fact that you do not exist in a vacuum. What if five people are up for a promotion and all five are well versed in the Law of Attraction and applying it. There is only one position. Four people are not going to create the reality they are working on no matter what they do.
We do not attract everything that comes into our lives. Other people can override our desires and, unfortunately, do bad things to us. All the Law of Attraction does is create a “blame the victim mentality” when this happens. It is easier to blame the victim, claim they aren’t spiritual enough, claim they attract these things into their life and claim they have a victim mentality rather than face the simple fact that we are not and cannot be in control of everything that happens to us. Unfortunately, the Law of Attraction attracts control freaks and they try to convince the rest of us that we are lazy, dumb, incompetent, unspiritual victims when in fact, there was nothing anyone could have done differently.
I know how I beat myself up after we lost twenty three thousand dollars to those con artist roofers. Finally the head of the fraud unit for the Secret Service said something simple, “There was nothing you could have done to prevent this. You did everything right. We can’t find out how they were licensed. We can’t even find the money and we have the power to go into their bank records. How could you or anyone else have done better? We are the government police.” Trust me, none of their victims attracted this. We all got them from a legitimate referral service who also checked their licenses and insurance. There was nothing anyone could have done. I certainly didn’t sit around and mentally project I wanted to lose our life savings. Believe me, even spending money is not something a Scot projects into the Universe. There are some things you just can’t control. There are some things not even being psychic will help with. This man actually thought he was licensed, knowledgeable roofer and engineer. His family has stated he is mentally ill and they have tried to get him help since he was a teenager. He fully believes he is going to fix these roofs and that he can. It is his fantasy but he is too mentally ill to know it is a fantasy. In the process, he has defrauded people out of close to a million dollars that no one can find. Are you seeing something here? With this fantasy, he attracts honest customers. In many ways you could say he is using the Law of Attraction quite successfully. Somehow, I don’t think they are going to want to make him the poster boy for it.
So, now you really have something to think about.
But how does magic play into this you may be wondering. Magic and spells are a delicate balancing act in the universe. You can not just throw energy out there and expect the results you want. You need to know what is going on. Let’s look at the events coming at you like a wave. If you do nothing you are swept along with the wave in the way it wants. Magic is knowing you can build a wedge to divert the flow of water around you and gradually move forward in the direction you want to go. However, you have to be careful how fast you move and how high the wedge is. If it is too low, it does nothing. If it is too high, you can’t see where you are going and may wind up on the rocks. If you move too slowly, you are hit with a different wave as the first one passes around you. If you move too fast, you will hit the crest of the wave and be swamped by its energy as it flows over you. It you do it perfectly, someone beside you may have a bigger more powerful wedge and you still get swamped by their wake. This is why the spell books don’t work. That spell may have worked for one person but it may not even fit your circumstance. Each spell not only needs to be customized to the person, but altered along the way and to do that, you need years of study in the art of spell construction. So guess what, in an add water and shake well society, magic is not studied that often when the Law of Attraction is so much easier. Guess which one does work well! Guess why people pulled out of Movie two…..they knew a complex philosophy was being reduced to instant buzz words that sound nice and don’t work or address the issues. However, you have to admit, it made a few people a lot of money. Now whether it or just really clever marketing worked for them is up for debate.
So what do I believe? I believe magic does work in many cases. In others, it doesn’t stand a chance. Ever try to work a love spell to attract someone to someone who could find fault with a rich good looking saint? You can’t get somewhere if you never leave your room but they want the perfect person to knock on the door. Or as a famous author once wrote: “Magic is nice but steel always works.” Magic tends to attract people looking for a quick fix and nothing about it is quick. An with that, I return to my books and my study.

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/31/10

01-31-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is yellow and the incense is Heliotrope. Today is the Nauru Independence Day.
Tuesday is Groundhog Day and Imbolc. I think they are going to have to dig those poor groundhogs out of the snow.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically, the Moon enters Virgo at 8:23 AM EST. Let the nitpicking begin. For a couple of days a lot of people will be getting their rewards for being self centered jerks. They will not like the reward.
The overnight may have produced some nightmares. Don’t take them too seriously and watch what you eat next time. Although you can’t get much financial reward, you can get cherished projects okayed in the afternoon. Changes are made but with limitations that may not seem fair at first. Wait until you have the whole story before passing judgment.


Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Five of Pentacles: adversity. There is a feeling of hopelessness. Do not place blame. Everyone is in this together. This setback will actually move you forward and make you a little more cautious next time. You are learning to make informed decisions.

Oh Dear Goddess, I am covered in Faery Dust! The screw down lid came off the vial of Faery Dust! Now that is virtually impossible, but the entire magick box is now covered in faery dust. I am sparkling. The Laptop is Sparkling. Thank you Goddess for keeping Napoleon out of this. I don’t think licking faery dust is good for kitties.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
Visualizing what you want is the key to success today.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
A Cat Always Lands on Its Feet: “Be ready for anything. Everything will work out.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
The Green Woman is about and she is always fun. She doesn’t care what you think of her and she can get you into trouble. She is wild and full of natural magick. Untamed creativity is her domain. Just keep in mind before you start a hundred projects under her influence, discipline is needed for success.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 9 and the Element is Metal. The Boar finds conflict today but the Dragon and Snake have ease. Today is not an auspicious day for signing contracts or starting construction.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “I need not worry about difficulties as I realize that they are opportunities for me to grow in love and wisdom. I accept what is. I follow my intuition and I step into action without delay. Wonderful and unexpected solutions appear to me, and I bring my personal contribution to the world with enthusiasm and joy.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

I decided to try the new emery cat scratching board that is out. Although the cats are really good about letting me give them their manicures, they do tend to grow out really fast. I don’t know if it works. It worked on my fingernails by accident. Last I saw of the little toy that attaches to it, it was in Bitwit’s mouth headed for the back room at the shop. I brought the other one home. We had to run back out so George had sat it down not thinking about the bag of catnip attached to the bottom. When we got back, everything was in the floor. I have no idea where the bag of catnip is. The cats are spending way more time under the board than on it. I think I have a house full of furry druggies. I have high hopes it will work. If they will use it, it will work. It is a very well made product except for the toy that doesn’t really attach but more sits in a hole for about a millisecond. I think I just saw it streak by the door and it is not self propelled.
Mercury is not retrograde and is not in the storm. It is moving forward at a rather fast clip. The problem is the economy is circling the toilet, not the stars. Aspects have been pretty bad
this last week and will continue that way until Wednesday but you can’t blame Mercury for this. You can blame George Bush and Cheney. The hole is going take a long time to dig ourselves out of and a lot of work.
In our case, we are just holding on. George is getting his resume ready and already on the job web sites making contacts. I am cutting everything back that I can and getting ready to have him working at the shop. That means, we will be opening the shop up some time between February and April. The problem is we don’t know exactly when he will be laid off. We just know the entire Boca division is being closed down. So, now you know as much as I do. One thing I am certain of is that the cats are going to be really upset when I start disappearing for the day. They did not appreciate my outing today. Napoleon got on my lap and refused to be moved. I can’t take him to the shop because Bitwit rules there. Ah, life will be bad for a while until everyone adapts.
I have a couple of days of skin doctors and am not looking forward to it. For some strange reason cancer itches on me. I know that sounds strange but it is true. That is how I discovered the first cancer years ago. Anyway, when she supposedly biopsied the two places on my face, I insisted on a biopsy on the spot on my back which she claimed was mole. She also claimed the biopsy was negative. Now that I know she never sent the first two out but pocketed the money, I have no reason to believe the third biopsy ever saw a lab either and I am very worried it is also a Basal Cell Carcinoma since it itches like mad and is over my spine. Week after next, I go in for it. Down here, it takes a month or two to get an appointment with a dermatologist. We are so far south that we get hit with two rays of UV rather the one the rest of you do. So, we have a lot of skin cancer.

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/30/10

01-30-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
Religion & the New Age: Is everything bad?
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is indigo and the incense is ivy. Okay, this is going a little into the ridiculous. Has anyone ever seen ivy incense? I have a huge selection of incense at the shop and I have never seen it. What does ivy smell like: green plant? Today is the Three Hierarchs Day in the Eastern Orthodox Religion.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically, the Full Moon is at 1:18 AM EST in Leo.
By the time you get out of bed, you may be saying something like, “That sounds like fun, but…” Social events just seem like too much trouble. Even though elders and authorities are argumentative, some people will actually be getting their just desserts at social events over the next couple of days. By late night you are going to feel emotionally exhausted and annoyed at the world. I know it has been a rough week, but Wednesday and Thursday of next week will be really good and make up the days leading up them.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Five of Cups: dissipation. That woven net of protection, brick wall and hidey hole now protects you less and entraps you more. It is time to have faith in yourself. Have the courage of your conviction. Know you will be controversial and others will disagree, but be true to yourself or spend the rest of your life cowering in fear. As always, the choice is yours.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
Kindness is on the endangered species list today.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Angel Cat: “Know that you are loved and protected.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
The Lady of the Harvest visits today. Although she is most known for regret, loss and grief, she is completion and release. Through her, we finally move on. She is the crone. She accepts things are ending and she knows that the end is always a beginning.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 8 and the Element is Metal. The Dog finds conflict today. Today is an auspicious day for haircuts but not for signing contracts, gambling, starting construction or births.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: :”I keep my mind focused on abundance, health, beauty, happiness and success. I stay away from negative people. I carefully choose those with who I spend my time, including my leisure time. I give up all useless activities, associations and relationships. I surround myself with people who succeed and contribute, who manifest a positive attitude and who empower me through their own light.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

There are things that simply do not make sense. Last year I bought day light bulbs for the shop because the fluorescents were bothering me and just plain not bright enough. I am getting old. I had bought the fixtures no more than two years earlier. The bulbs would not work. So, we brought them home and put them in the safe place, the old central air conditioner duct where breakables go to be stored. Yesterday the kitchen fluorescents starting going out. Although I figured the odds were awful that those daylight bulbs would work in a fixture and with a ballast that is over 35 years old, much to our shock, they worked perfectly. Now why won’t they work with a fixture and ballast that is less than three years old? They weren’t even in existence when the 35 year old one was made. I guess that is another mystery of the Universe. Add that one to the fact the Boogaboo and Fiona, the two black cats, got into the duct and had to be lured out with a can of food. Why couldn’t a cat other than black get in there so we could have seen them? Mainly the answer to that is because Napoleon, Flame and Mr. B are in the kitchen torturing Turtle or…..is turtle really torturing them? She is safe in her container…..hum…..between her and the gecko on the window, Napoleon is getting nervous twitches.
In case you are wondering about the title, it is my question of the day. I get a lot of “New Age” type newsletters and I have begun to notice a really disturbing trend; they are becoming religious. Remember the 7 deadly sins? Personally, I cannot imagine chocolate without gluttony. But then again, there are the smaller ones that the “New Age” seems to harp on. Is pride wrong? Shouldn’t you be proud of a job well done? If you have no pride in your work or accomplishments, how long before you start producing substandard work? Are expectations bad? Without expectations you have no standards and nothing to achieve. Is anticipation wrong? That pretty much takes the joy out of watching your ice cream sundae being made. The only time any of these things are “bad” is when they impede or punish us. One of the biggies on MySpace the other few nights is: Obama acts so superior and talks down to us. I am so sorry you feel so inferior. I don’t have that problem. I would have no problem walking up, shaking the man’s hand and starting a conversation with him. If you feel that inferior, maybe you should consider doing something about it like going to school, increasing your vocabulary beyond four letter explicatives; I mean swear words. Oops, I guess I’m talking down to you but then again, how would you understand me if I didn’t? The only person who can make you feel inferior is you.
Are you aware there are leaders of industry and extremely wealthy people who cannot read? They don’t feel inferior. I am severely dyslexic. I cannot spell. I cannot even see my misspellings until at least a week has passed. I love my spell checker. It runs in the background all the time. I absorb little I read unless I read it out loud. I wonder how I graduated with an AA and honors and a double major with honors in Experimental Psychology and Medieval Literature. Yes, I actually fulfilled my requirements and beyond in the English Department. I even was a grad student until I got cancer. I worked full time doing all this and paid for it, too. I also did it in my 40’s. Yet, I saw a professor of mine dissolve into tears upon discovering her son was dyslexic. I sat her down and asked her what she thought of my scholarship achievements and she admitted they were impressive. Then I let her in on the little secret: I am dyslexic. You would be surprised how many writers are and yet, it doesn’t stop us, make us inferior or in any way really impact us. We found a way around it and we just keep on trucking, as they say. I actually wrote saw instead of say and it took a few minutes to see the mistake. That happens all the time when I am writing. It’s not a typo. It’s dyslexia. W and Y look alike.
If people are talking down to you, maybe you should stop and find out why. Have you limited your vocabulary to simple repetitive phrases (Like, No Way, WooHoo, WTF) and swear words? They probably think you are stupid if you have. A really smart man once said the use of profanity indicates a serious deficiency in vocabulary. In other words, if you can’t make someone feel stupid using that sentence, Dickhead will probably be lost on them, too.
Let me give you a little lesson. People are chameleons. They tend to adapt their mannerisms, speech and behavior to the group they are associating with at the time. So you have to ask yourself the question; are they talking down to me because I am already there?
I remember at a zoning meeting a Coconut Creek commissioner made the mistake of addressing me in the following manner: “Little lady, you have nothing to worry about. We will take care of you.” I know a lot of you are thinking of four letter replies to that, however, mine was more to the point. “I am obviously not little and often not a lady. So, since you are obviously incorrect on two points, why should I think you are correct on the third? Since, I’m part Native American and we already trusted the government once, I think I‘ll buy a Lotto ticket instead..” It took him a couple of minutes to figure out he had been insulted, along with his whole city and fellow commissions. By then, I had sat down. Revenge works much better if you are out of the room when they figure it out. It is also way safer that way.
So if our president intimidates you, get your head out of the TV and your mind off Jersey Shores and American Idol. You do realize those shows have no impact at all on your life, don’t you? You do realize every decision the Supreme Court and Congress hands down not impacts your life but your children’s and their children’s?
Start studying. You can get just about every course at every level free somewhere on the internet. Heck, you can even get courses from Harvard for free! Get one of those word a day calendars and work on that word. If you can’t name 3 Supreme Court judges and have no idea what Congress did today; shut up. You can’t make an informed decision without information no matter what Sarah tells you. Being able to see Russia gives you no expertise on the country. Living there for a year and learning to speak the language will.
Watching Oprah is not a solution either. I watched the program on women in other countries and practically choked on Dubai. Foreigners arriving for jobs regularly find their passports taken from them so when they are fired, they can not leave the country or legally work there. Thus, they wind up in a state of legal slavery. They are paid substandard wages and have no protection in the work place or are any safety regulations in place. It might be paradise for a native but the non-natives are doing the dirty work. There are hundreds of ‘nannies’ being held prisoner in the Arab states right now unable to escape. Paradise? Well that is a new definition being applied to that word.
Unfortunately I have to say that I have seen more courage displayed by people who had guns being held to their heads, than I see from the leaders I elected and those people seldom had a 3rd grade education. I am beginning to wonder who and what I elected. No, I do not feel in the slightest bit inferior. I will stand up for my beliefs. That may actually make me superior. At least I have beliefs and standards. Two bank failed today and were seized by the Feds. Do you actually think we are out of the woods?

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/29/10

01-29-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is purple and the incense is orchid. Now this is a pet peeve of mine: orchid incense. Orchids are one of the largest genus of plants on the planet and they range all over the spectrum in smell to no smell at all. There are cinnamon, jasmine, lemon and indescribable scents. So exactly what is orchid incense? Today is Australia Day

FORECASTS:

Astrologically, the Full Moon is at 10:18 PM PST but doesn’t occur until 1:18 AM EST on Saturday morning. So we have a two time zone split. The Moon enters Leo at 9:10 AM EST and the world becomes a stage.
For about a week, ego energies are clashing as people take credit for work that is not theirs, inventions are stolen and possessiveness wars with freedom. I want my freedom but don’t you dare try to get yours is the mood.
This afternoon you are going to have to put up with some blowhards. Just make sure you stand your ground. You don’t have to put up with changes that are not in your favor just because the other person is louder. By late afternoon, you will have a way around restrictions and rules. Energy is really, really high over night so it will be hard to sleep.
Just a little warning on this date night, so pay attention. People are so involved with themselves that they are not paying attention. That causes accidents and makes them prime targets for muggers and thieves. Pay attention and if someone is complimenting you under these influences, you really need to be very careful They are probably conning you.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Page of Swords: decomposition. Uncertainty can have you returning to past ways and destroying all the progress you have made.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
Pay close attention to financial flow today. There are opportunities out there.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
The Cat’s Pajamas: “You are the bee’s knees today. Enjoy” For my foreign readers, that means you are really something special because bees don’t have knees.

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
Arval Parrot is hear today and his specialty is communications. Even his throat chakra glows! Speak from the heart today.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 7 and the Element is earth. The Rooster find conflict today but the Dog and Boar have ease. Today is not an auspicious day for haircuts of beginning construction.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “I follow my intuition. I don’t have to struggle, not even in my mind, to improve this situation and to achieve my goals. I listen to the guidance of my Higher Self and the good I desire is near and within reach.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

George sent me this piece early today from one of his groups:

“People in Haiti are starving while standing under a Moringa Tree, they do not know that they were planted there to relieve starvation and provide good nutrition to the people, not even the aide workers there know what they are looking at. Moringa Olifera is also planted in Africa, Philippines, Hawaii, Southeast Asia, India and thorough out South, Central America and the Caribbean to prevent starvation and provide nutrients to the populations; Ashitaba can be grown rapidly on any Strombolian volcanic ash or lava [after it has cooled], people lived to be very old and very healthy on Honshu Island in the Pacific just eating Ashitaba, which containes small quantities of Vit. B-12, one of the few plant sources for this co-enzyme. Bot Cobalt must be present in the soil, that is what is found in Strombolian volcanic ash. Haiti is the rim of an ancient Strombolian volcano, so it is prime ground for Ashitaba, Hawaii may not contain sufficient cobalt as it is a series of shield volcanoes. If people would eat Moringa and Ashitaba they would reduce their blubber and be much healthier as well.”

I said, “the what tree?”. Of course, you know I had to do some research and I discovered this is the infamous Horseradish Tree. It is infamous because although the root is used as a seasoning similar to horseradish, it also can be poisonous. BUT…the rest of the plant, which is more of a bush than a tree is edible and tastes a little like asparagus. The leaves are easily stripped off the branch and cooked like spinach. The baby seed pods are eaten like string beans and the fully mature seeds can be eaten like dried beans or toasted like nuts. The medicinal value of the plant is off the charts. Unfortunately, it is tropical in nature and to get the full medicinal value it has to be grown in volcanic soil like is found in Haiti or Hawaii. You know I had to score some seeds and sure enough 5 are on their way to me. I should be able to multiply that into many in one growing season. It will survive a hard frost but dies down to the ground. As soon as I get some that like South Florida, I will make the seeds available and the plants at the shop. So, why aren’t people eating them? Because like me, they have no idea what they are looking at. I actually saw them growing on a deserted lot in Hawaii and thought they were some sort of weed. The whole lot was covered in them and a flock of Nene, native Hawaiian birds, were living there. Now I know why. They had unlimited food. The organizations that plant these trees and others like them in the third world do not seem to do any educational work as to what to do with the plant. Although the roots are dried, ground up and used in many dishes I seriously doubt anyone remembers the rest of the plant is edible and in many places it is used as nothing more than forage for animals, people left totally unaware that this is a gourmet dish in many other ‘civilized’ countries around the world.
I also discovered that mesquite seeds can not be shipped to Florida when I tried to order some. Well, they can’t be legally shipped. I seriously doubt is a desert plant is going to take this hot, humid, mold infested ring of Hades over any time soon!
Remember I have told you many times that Fiona is the cutest, tiniest little thing in the Universe who can get you to do anything for her? Well, you have no idea how many pictures it took to catch her projecting the cutes, but I got one! Facebook, MySpace, Blogger and those who get email directly from me will see one.
I accidentally, almost pushed Napoleon off the bed. He never hit the floor. I caught him as he was sliding down the comforter. There was NO pain! I got the look. The one where a cat scrunches up their whiskers and narrows their eyes and you know you did wrong. Then he deserted me and went over and sat on the dresser just to make his point. There is nothing quite as complete as being ignored by a cat.

Forecast and faery Finder for 01/28/10

01-28-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is white and the incense is apricot. Today is St. Charlemagne’s Day and now I remember why didn’t take French: I can’t spell it.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically, the day starts when the ones we love turn on use and get really snappy. Communications with elders and authorities break down fast. We a really annoyed with the so called reward we get for our efforts. However, the night will end with someone telling us how much we are cared for and the bad day evaporates.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Two of Swords: concurrence. Trying to play peace maker and problem solver just saps what energy you have. Stick to your own business and let others resolve their own problems.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
Let go of the outcome and all will work out perfectly.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Cat Lover: “Contact your loved ones today.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
The Master Maker is with us today. It is through him our future and souls are forged. He reminds us that there is more to creating things than just the mechanics and so he sings as he works and his song shapes his art. “No job is too small to do beautifully.” If everyone had followed that rule we wouldn’t be in the shape we are now.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 6 and the Element is earth. The Monkey finds conflict today but the Rooster has ease. Today is an auspicious day for haircuts, medical procedures, signing contracts and births but not for starting construction.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “Everything does not contribute to my highest good now vanishes from my life. I let it go. The will of God expressed itself clearly and strongly through the qualities He gave me.
The Path of my life is radiant and free.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

It is cold in Florida again. Prescious has crawled into the top of the cat log and has only exited for breakfast. Everyone is cuddled up with someone. Napoleon is cuddled up with me. I removed Boogaboo from his spot and put him on my lap. No cat has ever gone as limp as he has. Suddenly I realized he was drooling down my leg! If you try to move him from one spot to another while he is waking up, you have to make sure you get his feet under him or he just collapses on you.
I was up all night. First I had a headache that lasted until 4 AM. If you have ever wondered if repeating over and over to yourself: “Headache go away.” works - It doesn’t. Then my shoulder kicked in and I thought it was dislocated for a few minute. I have got to learn to swallow my pride and take a pain pill when I have nights like this because then I am worthless the next couple of days while get my schedule back into order. I am hoping to get a little nap in some time today. The shoulder is better and Napoleon is tapping the laptop indicating I need to turn the lights out and cuddle him. You know Napoleon rules. All the other cats are asleep so I guess I might as well join them.
In other disgusting news, I cannot find my ear buds that fit my phone so I can’t hear anyone over the phone. The person who makes a universal reducer for those stupid little plugs will be a millionaire. I have a lovely pair that fit my little mp3 player but the plug in is too big for the phone. Now, the mp3 player is ¼ the size of the phone so go figure….However, Target had a set of ear phones and so far, they do not work at all. George just took them. So, I still can’t use my phone. I am not having a good week. Of course, George got it working because technology loves him and HATES ME! I shall give phone readings a try tomorrow but not tomorrow night as Bones and Fringe are on TV and no one can talk to me during my only TV programs a week.

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/27/10

01-27-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
The Lap, the Laptop, the Cat and Poor Eyesight: A story of love and rejection.
By Janice Scott-Reeder and Napoleon


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is brown and the incense is honeysuckle. Today is the Swiss Vogelgruff. The Moon is waxing toward full on Friday and Saturday.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically, for a couple of days, egotism and social events do not mix. Avoid bragging at all costs.
The Moon enters Cancer at 9:01 AM EST. You will have pleasant dreams though they may be a little strange. The period between 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM EST is really good for expansion, making money and even starting some home decorating projects to increase its value. However, after that period you will run into trouble with elders and authorities if you try it. The rest of the afternoon and evening sucks like a Hoover. Arguments over the simplest of decorating ideas happen. Do not comment on anyone’s appearance unless you want to start a fight. By late night, you are even aggravated with yourself.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Four of Wands: delight. Romance is in the air and with it the feeling of impending change. Always remember that the thrill is nice but a lasting relationship need shared values and goals to survive.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
Today is not a day anyone is actually going to feel safe.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Democat: “Stand up for what you believe in.” This is not to be confused with Democrats.

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
Ekstasis: song! This is the song that fills the Universe, brings it to vibration and life results. It is ecstasy, joy and motivation. This is the song of our collective souls. You can not hear it with your ears. Your soul and heart have to be engaged.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 5 and the Element is Fire. The Sheep finds conflict today but the Ox and Tiger have ease. Today is not an auspicious day for haircuts, medical procedures, signing contracts, gambling, starting construction or births.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “The plan of my life is now unfolding step by step, according to the will of my Higher Self. I acknowledge each one of its stages with serenity, detachment and joy, knowing that I am always lovingly and wisely guided on my path toward the full realization of my true potential.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

Napoleon is in a mood. He is trying to get Flame to run with him but after last night when all those storage boxes came down, she is rethinking that idea. So far she has not moved a whisker. Poor boy, he doesn’t take rejection well.
Napoleon wants to lay between me and the laptop on my lap. The problem is the simple fact that I have to have reading glasses. Once Napoleon oozes in between me and the laptop, I can no longer see the screen clearly and start getting a headache trying to focus. So, I let him lay on the expensive microbead pillow and even got the little pillow out to go under his head. I got the sound all cat owners dread. It is a combination of meow, sigh and whine with an additional note of: “Now I think I will just die you have hurt my feelings so badly.” Off the pillow he slides and right back into my lap where the headache begins. I even tried promising anchovies to no avail. I got the look where they roll their eyes up at you and you know you are going to give in. Oh well, I didn’t want to read my email anyway.
Napoleon did the promo shots for his Utube video, me and my Activia…soon to come out, today. Those on Blogger, Facebook and MySpace will get to see it. Next thing, he is going to want his own page…..Some cats come to the sound of a can opener. Others respond to the popping of cat lid. Napoleon responds to the paper tearing off a yogurt container.
Dear Goddess, I have a headache tonight. I am finishing up the forecast and calling it a night.

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/26/10

01-26-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is maroon and the incense is cinnamon. Today is the Indian Republic Day.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically it is a good day to stay under the bed. Ever notice how I seem to be the only astrologer that isn’t using rose colored paint. You might as know the real influences so you know when to duck is my motto. You will have survived a restless night when your mind just could not stop working. Unfortunately it was you it was working over. Don’t let an overnight emergency call get you too upset. The party in question just wants to vent and figured there was no reason you should get any sleep either. The morning will arrive with the knowledge of what you were supposed to do but forgot. That starts a morning off right! The night ends with hurt feelings, emotional outbursts and the blame game. You really might find it helpful to claim your cell phone battery is dead today. Just a little hint.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Empress: conception. Today you have a strong desire to return to nature or to just get away from civilization.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
A miracle healing is possible today.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Bureaucat: “Get that paperwork done. You’ll feel much better.” Nag Nag Nag! Even the cards are after me.

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
G. Hobyah is about and it is the day for him. He is a hobgoblin, a little creature that blows everything way out of proportion.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 4 and the Element is Fire. The Horse finds conflict today. Today is an auspicious day for medical procedures, signing contracts, gambling and births but not for haircuts or starting construction.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “I now choose to communicate freely and openly everything that needs to be said. I free my mind from all limiting thoughts and am now at peace with myself and with others. I no longer worry about what other people think. I know that I am loved and totally supported by the Universe.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

Oh Goddess, never take anything until you research it. George decided a berry cleanse was in order for me. It seemed harmless enough. Little did I know that cleanse means laxative in health speak. I spent the night creating new records for the bathroom dash and more of the day doubled over with cramps. If he thinks I am ever taking another one of those pills, he sorely underestimates me.
Napoleon successfully with the help of Flame knocked down an entire stack of storage boxes. The miracle is that none of them broke or opened and he survived. I was fit to be tied.
Well, after years of refusing advertising from MoveOn.org, planned parenthood and a host of other liberal causes, less than one business day after the Supreme Court ruling CBS accepted a “prolife” ad from a radical right wing source to run during the Super Bowl. It sure didn’t take them long, did it? I guess I am lucky I can’t get CBS where I am. I won’t miss their programming. I wonder who is next to come out of the closet. Gee, and all these years all we have heard is the Liberal Left Wing Media is beating up on the poor Right Wingers. Okay, show us that media when you get a chance because we are having trouble finding it.
Someone announced they had found a liberal, progressive radio program in Washington State. We were surprised they found one in the USA, forget the state. Who knows of a Liberal talk show host with a syndicated program on national radio? What is this person’s name? What channel are they on and public radio doesn’t count? Then again, I don’t expect to see public radio around that much more. Public broadcast TV is going the way of dinosaur in August. Seems like 1984 is just a little late in arriving. Oh, don’t let that reference annoy you. Just go back to watching Jersey Shores, American Idol and the rest of them but you might want to consider that when the Biggest Loser comes on, you already know the outcome; it’s you.

Dear Angry Person with the Tea Bag

You will like this one. It is very plainly put....
http://slacktivist.typepad.com/slacktivist/2010/01/stop-demanding-that-you-get-screwed.html
Unfortunately it depends on you actually having a job next year.

And so it begins....

And so it begins…Gee, it only took 3 days! One would think they actually knew what the decision was going to be before it was handed down. It takes time to produce a commercial.
Hum….:

My answer to the petition below:
I don't think you understand. Most of the affiliate stations of the networks are actually owned by the Christian right and Catholic right. (They don’t like to be called the same name.) The affiliates control the big networks by what programming they are willing to buy. The Supreme Court just gave them the right to air these commercials as their opinion without any balance or ethics. There is nothing you can do. The networks are now pushing their personal agendas. All you can do is turn the TV off.
Janice

The Petition

In the past, CBS has denied other organizations, like MoveOn.org and United Church of Christ, the chance to get their word out during the Superbowl because the network considered their messages to be too controversial. But it seems its definition of "controversial" has changed. CBS approved an ad by the ultra-conservative group Focus on the Family, attacking a woman's right to choose.
Demand that CBS pull this controversial and disrespectful ad from the Superbowl line-up >>
The Superbowl is the most-watched television program in the country -- a prime opportunity for anti-choice groups to broadcast their idea that a woman doesn't have the right to make decisions about her own body. What's worse is CBS has no plans to run a pro-choice ad to balance both sides of the issue.
CBS's decision to run the anti-choice ad is biased, unfair and unethical. Tell CBS to cancel the Superbowl ad from Focus on the Family >>
Thanks for taking action!


Emily V.
Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/25/10

01-25-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is gray and the incense is Neroli. Today is Burns Night in Scotland.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically, the Moon enters Gemini at 6:11 AM EST.
This is a morning when people are way too emotional over money and argument ensue. Afternoon has elders and authorities coming with all sort of excuses not to make changes and trying to make limitations and rules look pretty. Yeah, sure! We’ve bought enough of that already. However, by the time the afternoon ends, you can find a way out of this if you think outside the box. That leaves the evening open for some great socializing and partying. For the next couple of days, try to lay low, because authorities are just looking for someone to blame and more harsh words are exchanged than necessary.
The Moon may be in lovely and nice Gemini and Cancer for the rest of the week of the aspects are not conducive to peace and harmony.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.
Today’s Tarot Card is the Knight of Pentacles: evolution. Being pragmatic will help you move to a new level.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
You can pretty much forget romance tonight.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Technocat: “Learn a new skill. It will open up many possibilities.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
Guardian at the Gate greets us today as we try to move onto a new face of our life. This fae can either help us or bar the way. Keep in mind, you have to ready and for your own safety he will not let you pass if you are not.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 3 and the Element is wood. The Snake finds conflict today but the Rat has ease. Today is an auspicious day for haircuts but not for signing contracts or births.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “Now is the time for decisive action.
I let go of my past and I rebuild my life on totally new foundations. The light of my Soul guides me toward new paths and new discoveries for my highest good.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER


I am beginning to wonder what part of - we’ve been sold down the river to corporate America - people are failing to notice. We have more of a Republican agenda in place now than under Bush. One thing is for sure, we won’t get less of the same electing Republicans or staying home! The one program I tried to watch on my channel less TV was the news and now I can’t stand it. I think I will crawl back into my hole and not come out.
Incidentally, the two inch by two inch pieces of sheep skin parchment I got in are really sheep’s skin parchment, not parchment paper so you want to save them for that really special sigil you are drawing. I opened and checked them to make certain. They are the real thing.
Boogaboo is filing an official complaint. Just because Fiona is small, he doesn’t feel she should get preferential treatment. It’s not because she is small; it is because we have all seen her with meat. We are afraid, very afraid. Whoever wrote the movie with the gremlins had a cat like her. All is fine until you get meat out.
You know your cats are spoiled when you are walking with your plate in your hand to sit down and eat and your cat is following you licking his chops. Napoleon has no doubt he will get some of my food even after last night’s soy sauce disaster. Tonight he got hotdog. Like me, he is a total sucker for Western Meat’s hot dogs. I really have to eat good food the rest of this week because I have been eating junk.
We spent most of the late afternoon…late because I cannot get out in the sun….working on the area for the container garden. All the big stuff is moved and George got the area cleared for me to go in and level it for the stepping stones. All I need now is to go buy a hoe. I keep forgetting that every time I am at Home Depot. Then I can lay the stones and get the containers on them and install the drip irrigation system. I think I am buying the package that says, “Drip irrigation for Idiots” since it has my name on it. J I will learn to do this. I am so weak I am worthless.

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/24/10

01-24-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is orange and the incense is almond. Today is Alasitas Fair in Bolivia.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically, for about a week new thinking will find a fair away around limitations.
The day is aspect free but going into evening a loved one may give you a happy note about finances. Old hurts create confusion about property tonight. Get things on the table.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Chariot: conclusion. You are greater than your ego. You can silence it and go forward.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
There are new opportunities out there. Keep your eyes open.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Cool Cat: “Pride comes before a fall - humility is needed today.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
The Collection of Pixies is about so dance, sing and have fun or they will play pranks on you.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 2 and the Element is wood. The Dragon finds conflict today but the Sheep and Monkey have ease. Today is an auspicious day for haircuts, medical procedures and gambling but not for signing contracts, starting construction or births.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “I am now ready to take all the risks necessary to completely express my Soul’s qualities. I dare now.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER


Wow, January must be on ice skates the way it is flying by. I am able to hobble around today and the pain in my heels when resting is gone, so I must be on the mend. Then again, my feet could be playing me.
What a mood the cats are in today! They alternate between a frenzy and sleep. Napoleon decided he just had to lick my finger while I was eating some sushi rolls and got a mouth full of soy sauce. They say cats can’t taste salt. Napoleon wishes to differ on that assessment. It turns out the Fur Rat lives, they had just hidden it. Purdy von Sweets came out from under the bed with it in her mouth. Now she has rehidden it.
The Vanwitch looks really good in her new tires, though she is much higher off the ground. I went out for nothing more than a couple of dollars more and got the heavy duty towing ones. Unfortunately with my heels like this, every time I get in or out of her, I scream. Now she is ready to tow a camper. The problem is; I spent all my money on tires so there is no camper in the future, yet. It isn’t I want to camp, I want to make a mobile store out of it for events. George on the other hand is ready to head for the wilderness. The cats aren’t even willing to go with him. They are civilized. They want their electric water fountain and self cleaning kitty pan.
I got some Kanaga Water in to sell. It is said to increase psychic abilities but in its native land Kananga Masks are used more as protection from spirits. Thus, I would actually use this cologne for luck and protection more than Florida Water.

Don't Waste Your Money

Before you waste your money.

I just saw an ad where you can have a seminar with the master of investing for a hefty fee. This individual made his money during the era of skyrocketing real estate prices, risky loans and almost full employment. How much of that do you think applies today?
Once upon a time I wanted to learn a particular metaphysical like technique so I paid for a seminar having no inclination what-so-ever to actually hang out a shingle and charge for it. I received 100 testimonials guaranteed written by different people (they paid college students to make things up) to use in my advertising. Why? Because people love to read testimonials.
Anyone remember the old National Enquirer blue dot? Every month or so they published the blue dot with a page of testimonials on how touching this thing would get you your wish and then the editors sat back and laughed their lower posteriors off. You see with their circulation it was statistically impossible for someone to not get their wish. So the dot was always going to work. The absence of the dot would have worked just as well.
Now here is a little shock for you. I actually used to provide predictions to tabloids and even some major newspapers that would pop your eyes out but you have never seen my name anywhere. I framed a copy of my first paycheck from one. Why don’t you see my name? Because I was accurate and I technically worked for them. Before you fall for a list of big corporations someone is advertising they worked for, keep in mind that big corporations make employees sign confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. You give away the rights to everything you produce while employed by them and that includes your predictions. So when someone says they were a psychic at a big company that usually translates to; “I was hired by a party planner to readings for fun and entertainment at their party” and I will add, because I was really cheap and work for nothing. What most party planners pay for an hour you can’t get a 30 minute reading from me for and a party is harder work. If you really worked for a big company, you are keeping your mouth shut because they will sue something lower off. That’s why you never see a list of companies I worked with. I have a healthy respect for corporate attorneys. I employ one for my company.
Working with corporations is a tricky deal and sooner rather than later, the person who hired you figures out if you can tell them all the dirty little secrets of their competition, you also know theirs. I get my money up front, now. The proof of employment or title you get is consultant and they will gladly claim it was for janitorial work. You can’t advertise, say, you are a Proctor and Gamble cleaning service because you use their products. You would have to be a licensed distributor for their products. I cannot legally say I am Waite Tarot Reader but I can say I primarily use the Waite Tarot Deck in my readings. US Games has not certified me as a reader of their deck they hold the copyright on mainly because they just don‘t do that sort of thing. Most companies don’t.
If you are considering stretching the truth a little in your advertising: don’t. One ‘psychic’ was really good at it and actually bragged no one had sued her, yet. Then one day she got a letter from corporation that scared her web designer so bad, the gal went into another line of work, the designer that is. She knew she would be held responsible since she put the page up and the ‘psychic’ could always claim she knew nothing. In case you are wondering, the ‘psychic’ just found someone gullible enough to pull the same thing on and made up a new page. Before you use an image on the net, right click the mouse, go to properties and see if it is owned by someone. That could save you a ton of money in more than one way. Really expensive graphics tend to be owned by companies with a really big staff of lawyers. You also will find out if the web page owner actually owns the graphics, backgrounds and pictures they are using. I had to actually buy a license to use a so called ‘free’ graphic once on my web page. Most of the disks you buy are for personal use only. I have given a lot of disks away to friends who wanted to play with the graphics for their kids’ entertainment after I read the inside of the sealed carton and discovered they were useless to me. Of course, once you open them they are unreturnable. There are companies, that for a yearly fee, offer you thousands of graphics to use. I subscribe to one and can send you the link.
So before you waste your money, investigate. Never take the word of testimonials. Absolutely never believe an infomercial. All the speaking parts are paid actors and the whole thing is scripted. I used to know someone who produces them. Believe me, live television never goes that smoothly says the woman here who has had things blow up on her, drop on her and jump on her. But above all, just remember, this person is making their money selling you a seat not doing whatever they are hawking. So if you are going into business selling seats, this may be the seminar for you. If they were making their money off what they are hawking, they wouldn’t be selling seats or putting you in competition with them.
Getting your picture taken with a celebrity usually costs around 15.00 and is not an endorsement. Considering the collective IQ of most of today’s celebrities, it wouldn’t be an endorsement of your quality anyway.
If anyone makes enough predictions, they will get one right, eventually. If you work long enough as a psychic, you will wind up at a corporate event eventually. Neither of these facts guarantees you are any good. Take the headliners the old National Enquirer used to use for predictions every year. No cure has been found for cancer. World peace has not broken out. The Aliens have not landed and cured all our problems. Those are just three of the predictions I remember that came up almost every year. Buyer beware.

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/23/10

01-23-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
And the IT Disaster
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is black and the incense is pine. Today is St. Ildefonso’s Day.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically, the Second quarter waxing Moon starts at 5:53 AM EST in Taurus. If you wake up in the middle of the night from a dream about a money making opportunity, WRITE IT DOWN! It will be a good one! The morning brings news about changes being approved and then you get the list of restrictions. Good news turns into aggravation. Although you are trying to be nice about it, the acid is still dripping off your tongue. Good news arrives at the end of the afternoon and all seem well. However, if you take too much credit, argument arrive in the late night.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Ace of Wands: stimulation. Use your intuition today. It is time to reach for a greater understanding of your life and others.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
It going to be hard to laugh today but you might as well. It is easier than crying.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Cat Call: “Don’t be critical. See the positive in yourself and others.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
The Faery Who was Kissed by the Pixies is here today. Love given and love received is her theme and she will definitely open your heart in any way she has to.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 1 and the Element is Water. The Rabbit finds conflict today. Today is not an auspicious day for haircuts, medical procedures, signing contracts, gambling, starting construction or births.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “Any difficulty I might have with people in my life tells me that I have not succeeded in communicating through ordinary means. I ask the Supreme Being to send Light in this situation. I stop talking about this problem. I know that Divine Love is now in action. Everything is working out quickly, easily and successfully.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

The day started a little late and I made the mistake, since I was feeling really bad, of letting George drive. Like most men, he saw an express lane and simply could not resist getting in it. It chomped on my Sunpass and dropped us a couple of exits after the one we needed to take. Meanwhile, Vanwitch is running is little rough. So we had to backtrack through Miami Beach which is not my favorite location to drive in a compact car much let alone a commercial van. I didn’t win the car or the net book or anything though I got a bright orange carry bag, one round mouse pad and a pen. My legs were getting ready to give out because they never have anywhere to sit at these shows.
I did get to see the big Antique show from the walk over. Nothing I would have spent money to get into there! I drove home and the roads seemed really rough until we hit a dead stop. A lovely woman pulled up next to us and said my back tire was about to blow. We limped off I-95 at Sunrise and took Powerline where a nice trucker told us it had a huge bubble on the inside and if it hit the brake line the tire would blow. I pleaded, coddled and promised new tires if Vanwitch would just limp into Costco. She made it! Four tires and 837.00 later (that was with a 70.00 coupon), she is about six inches higher and feeling frisky. She drives so smooth it is a wonder. This is going down in history as the most expensive IT show in my life. So much Ford saying they would last until her March checkup.
So instead of dinner out, I got a slice of pizza at Costco and it was good. Then we had to continue on to BJ’s as Costco was out the cheap dog food for the Raccoon Contingency and I needed Activia. BJ’s has a coupon though Costco’s regular price is lower. Napoleon has a fit if he doesn’t get his Activia. Then we had to get water at the Water Mill and by then I was limping. I managed to get into Western Meats for some buttermilk and beautiful Zucchinis but on the way out I could barely put any weight on my right heel. By the time we got home I could barely walk and that is where I am right now. The heel hurts like I have a knife stuck in it, I can’t support weight on the right foot and I am exhausted. The stress of getting Vanwitch from Sunrise to Sample on Powerline with the tire about to blow at any moment was more than my system could take. Even my scar is hurting.
That was not the high point of the last day. Last night Flame comes running in and jumps up on my dresser. I should have named her Dureena. She goes headfirst down behind it with only the last part of her back feet showing and one third of her tail. All I could think was how on earth I was going to get her out there. Then there was a scrabbling and slowly, half an inch by half an inch the cat emerged backwards, covered in cobwebs….hey I don’t dust back there very much….until finally the head emerges with something huge and furry in her mouth. It was a Fur Rat. We haven’t seen a Fur Rat in a year since Target sold them all off and somehow she found Napoleon’s stash of a brand new Fur Rat. I think they killed it around 3 AM much to my final relief. They are made of hard plastic and I have a tile floor.
Farmville finally opened up the farm expansion last night and I was 5,000 coins short. So I started harvesting everything in sight as fast as I could. Things were going well until my virtual goat started running from my curser. Maybe I was getting a little over enthusiastic….

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/22/10

01-22-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is pink and the incense is thyme. Today is the first quarter waxing Moon in Aries and St. Vincent’s Day in France.

FORECASTS:

Astrologically for about a week, quirky Aquarius has his eye on a goal and he will use most any means possible to get it. More is done at social events and backroom meetings than out in the open. All bets are off as justice is sought.
The afternoon pushes old issues and hurts to the forefront and devious means are used to solve those problems. After 3 PM EST, everything is fuzzy and not moving until the Moon enters Taurus at 11:39 PM and a weekend of stubbornness, greed and possessiveness begins. Just keep in mind that Karma is watching.

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Arch Priestess: dissolution. You can start fresh today. An old idea emerges from your subconscious in a new reincarnation. Look at the world logically.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
Get out there and strut your stuff. Everyone is beautiful in their own way.
.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Cat Suit: “Be daring. Be wild. Be Bold.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
G. Hobbyah is out and about and he is a hobgoblin, the monster under the bed and the voice that whispers your greatest fears in your ear. He casts a big scary shadow on everything but he is really a little squirt. Banish your fears by inviting them out of the shadows into the light and look at them rationally.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 9 and the Element is water. The Tiger finds conflict today but the Dragon and Snake have ease. Today is an auspicious day for haircuts, medical procedures, signing contracts, gambling and births but not for starting construction.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “I acknowledge the light within every human. I love, respect and accept each person as the manifestation of the Divine Will on earth. In so doing, I allow those around me to manifest the best of their being. Together we bring healing, beauty and freedom into our world for the highest good of all.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

Happiness is finally getting your back order in with the astrological almanac you have lost and discovering that today Mercury finally emerges from the storm. That means it returns to the point it went retrograde and begins rapidly picking up speed. Things will now start moving forward. So, don’t bet on anything that happened this week being either permanent or having the effect you thought they would. All bets are off.
Consequences. How I really wish people would stop and think about what they are doing and how it is affecting everyone around them. My neighbor is in a running feud with her next door neighbor to the point the police have threatened to charge either one if they call them out again. I mean this is a ‘your garbage can is one inch over my property line’ idiocy feud.
So every morning she lets this dog out at 6 AM and it barks until 6:11 AM when she lets it back in. She is a dog trainer so I know she could shut the thing up. My dogs never barked like that. I know this is to irritate the neighbor on the other side.
However, I am the one up coughing half the night with bronchitis, who has just managed to fall asleep and maybe get a few hours of rest when I am jarred out of bed by the DOG! George is trying to get a little rest before he goes off to work and he is jarred out of bed by the DOG! The neighbors she is trying to annoy sleep on the other side of their house, probably can’t hear the thing and are retired anyway. They can nap. George can’t. My rest is shot and I am seriously considering whether I can get away with shooting the owner. One thing is for sure, this certainly is not going to engender any cooperation on my part with anything. I am sure the people behind her are not finding it amusing either.
Even Napoleon is in a snit about having his 18 hour nap interrupted. I always put my bed rest pillow aside when I go to bed. Last night I turned on the light and the bed rest had fallen over with Napoleon. All I could see were four little white paws with black paw pads sticking straight up in the air. He didn’t even wake up when it fell over with him! Goddess what I would not give to be able to sleep like that.
Boogaboo has already demanded his 10 minutes of petting for which he delivers purrs at the maximum volume. It is now a daily affair except I never know when I am going to be hit up for the 10 minutes of love. I think that is his way of keeping me on my toes.
A few words about the elections this week. Polls commissioned right after the election do not show a Republican victory as much as a Democratic loss of hope and the beginning of apathy. I admit to feeling very much like: why bother? Nothing is changing. The vocal minority is still stupid enough to shoot themselves in the foot for the corporate giants. I know few people listen to me, but I am going to make a suggestion. If you are homeless, sick and unable to get medical care or trying to get medical care for your sick child you know as well as I do, nothing is going to happen. So, get yourself to Washington DC. Do not make a sign. Do not organize a protest. Do not grant interviews, just pack the galleries in the senate and stand there. Stand on the street at the exits to the parking lots so they have to drive past you. Don’t engage them. Force them to see you. Force them to see face of the people they are hurting. Take off your caps and show your bald heads and ravages of disease. Sit in your wheelchairs and just look at them. Don’t say anything. Refuse to be engaged in dialogue. Make them see the face of the America that isn’t wearing a thousand dollar suit, getting a million dollar bonus or going home to a comfy condo where the maid is serving dinner. You packed the inauguration and showed America the face of hope. Now show them the face of despair and pain. Let them make up their own story because eventually the weight of the truth will crush them. You might as well be homeless in Washington DC as anywhere else. Take it from me, you won’t feel any worse there than anywhere else. Sick is sick. Yes, some people may get arrested but eventually, the jail will be full and then just keep coming. Show them the majority that is suffering in silence in silence because silence is louder than a bullhorn at tea party rally.

Forecast and faery Finder for 01/21/10

01-21-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is purple and the incense is nutmeg. Today is the first quarter waxing Moon in Aries and St. Agnes Day.

FORECASTS:

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Four of Swords: recuperation. Rest bring healing peace and a break for you. You can rush to the rescue tomorrow when you are more clear headed.


Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
Take some time today for beauty. Beautify your surroundings or yourself.

Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Cat’s Cradle: “Time to untangle the knots. Don’t put it off any longer.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
Lys of the Shadows is about and I think you understand why. She is the Fae that helps the helpers of the world, giving them that extra energy to go the extra mile and she has her work cut out for her.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 8 and the Element is Metal. The Ox finds conflict today. Today is not an auspicious day for haircuts, medical procedures, signing contracts, gambling, starting construction or births.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “I am now ready to live a courageous life committed to the complete manifestation of the Divine Plan of earth. Neither difficult tasks now fear can stop me. I go forward with power and enthusiasm for God is with me and supports my every effort.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.


COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

My shock of day came when I looked at the underneath of my kitchen cabinet and went, “WTF!” Over a year ago, we had a leak under the sink which we caught pretty darned fast because it flooded the kitchen. Everything seemed fine and then, over the past year, the lovely particle board the cabinet bottom is made of has been silently and very covertly swelling until last night it reached some sort of critical mass and then collapsed probably under the weight of a rotund cat. So, I have to take a really good look and see if the front of the cabinet is actually affected and made of particle board. Who the F makes a cabinet where there is water and plumbing out of particle board in the first place? That is a disaster waiting to happen. If I can get away with just replacing the bottom, I will use something like the board the use in your shower or if that won’t fit, the composite planks they use on patios. You can bet whatever I settle on, it will be water proof. Honestly, the products we have been making are almost as bad as the Chinese. On the other hand, my kitchen is over 35 years old, so I guess those cabinets don’t owe me a dime but this is just about the worst time to have to replace them, particularly since they are part of a U with the cabinets on the side and the breakfast bar and drawers on the other side. When you buy the builder’s house, you do not get the best construction, you get the left over parts I have discovered. No two windows are the same size. I had better shut up, I might have to sell the place in a few months.
The battle with Purrbie over the towel continues and has escalated to my towel. Once again the answer is, “Because I can.” He is so long that when he stands on his hind legs he can pretty much reach anything.
Napoleon succeeded in doing something only one other cat has ever done. He invaded my dreams and had me carrying him around. I awoke to find him glued to me. He awoke totally fuzzy and just laid on me for about 10 minutes trying to get his earth legs. Poor little baby had red rimmed eyes. I let him have a little extra yogurt.
There is no cat that can give you a snottier look than Purdy von Sweets. I just got the look. All I want is to get into the Magick Box to do the rest of the forecast. Ah, she has decided to move and now I can be allowed to work.
The Napoleon settled onto my lap blocking the laptop keyboard. He asked if anyone sends me catnip, food or that stuff humans like called money. I had to say no. Then he said, “Well, I purr.” It’s hard to argue with cat logic.
The doctor sent home some new ear mite medicine. I went to open it, spilled it on myself, got some in the cats ears and a little on my lip and got sicker than a dog. I do not like this stuff.
I went to save the forecast and said, “Oh goody, another date that is a dyslexic’s nightmare.” It took me three tries to get it right.

Forecast and Faery Finder for 01/20/10

01-20-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is topaz and the incense is lavender. Today is the first quarter waning moon in Pisces. The Moon enters Aries at 1:36 PM EST. Today is the Breadbasket Festival in Portugal.


FORECASTS:

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Fortune: rotation. Be generous because a greater reckoning will come your way.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
You may want to take a vacation today but fate decrees you work.
Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Catnap: “Take it easy. Curl up and relax.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
The Singer of Initiation always bring a major transition in life. We move from the old into a new phase through trials. We will triumph.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 7 and the Element is Metal. The Rat finds conflict today but the Dog and Boar have ease. Today is an auspicious day for haircuts, signing contracts and births but not for starting construction.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “The longer I have to wait to obtain the results I want, the more magnificent these results will be. I remain peaceful, detached and confident in God’s intelligent and kind action.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

They have been trying to get people to pay their sales tax on internet purchases in the state of Florida. Someone humbly suggested people might pay if they made it easier. Don’t jump on the people are stupid wagon. I spent three, yes 3, hours trying to pay my sales tax online and I have a commercial account, I have an efile account and I have been paying this way for three years. I had to have George print the form out for me, bring it home, where I filled it out and then mailed it! I also enclosed a note that I NEVER want to see their web site again! I ordered forms. What went wrong? First it said I didn’t have an account and couldn’t sign in. So I clicked on edit your account and it pulls my account up. Then I was send to an error page. For almost an hour I tried to use their error reporting form to no avail. It did not
like how I was describing the problem. Finally, I just threw my hands up and quit. They are going to get a lot of people paying tax on their internet purchases that way!
Did you know Haiti once produced enough rice to feed its population? After the revolution, the USA forced them to remove the tariff on imported rice flooding the country with cheap American rice and bankrupting the native farmers. This was because due to embargo against Cuba our rice farmers lost their largest Caribbean market for rice and were going broke. So we sent in the Navy and broke the revolution unless they agreed to our terms. Now Haiti imports just about all its rice putting another nail in her economic coffin. The more you know about what led up to this economic crisis, the sicker and madder you are going to get.

Haiti

Haiti made a deal with the Devil and his name is France.

http://www.newser.com/article/d9d8c6c01/france-asks-haitis-creditors-to-cancel-debt-quickly-soothing-woes-that-began-with-napoleon.html

Forecast and faery Finder for 01/19/10

01-19-10
Forecast and Faery Finder
By Janice Scott-Reeder and the Bitwit


According to Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, today’s color is white and the incense is ylang-ylang. Today is the first quarter waxing moon in Pisces and St. Anthony’s Day in Mexico.


FORECASTS:

Deck: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic Sea.

Today’s Tarot Card is the Five of Wands: contention. You will come under attack for your point of view and be shocked at who is and isn’t on your side. Look at it this way, you are weeding out the problems before the next big battle.

Deck: Healing with the Fairies.
The Faeries say:
Trust your intuition today. It works better than logic.”

Today’s Cat Comfort Card is:
Top Cat: “You’re on a winning streak.”

Deck: The Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica MacBeth
Today’s Faery Finder is on the lookout for:
Lys of the Shadows is the patron Fae of those giving help and receiving it. She is there to point the way and give you that little boost of energy when you are exhausted from working.

Today’s Lo Shu Number is 6 and the Element is earth. The boar finds conflict but the rooster has ease. Today is not an auspicious day for signing contracts, gambling, starting construction or births.

Today’s Message from the Universe is: “I know that peace on earth begins with my own inner peace. I release all negative thoughts I might have about myself and others. I rediscover the purity, the simplicity and the power of the Divine Child within me.” Annie Marquier creating a world of peace one thought at a time.

COMMENTARIES BY JANICE SCOTT-REEDER

Purrbie has a new game. He jumps up and grabs George’s bath towel and takes it down. He doesn’t lay on it. He just takes it down. The second time I picked it up and asked , “Why?” and I got the ‘because I can’ look. And you thought cats were different from people?
Part of our cut the budget to the bone before George is out of a job plan, was to reduce the phone bill. We cut the land line at the house off and then went for DSL light service. We have been having trouble maintaining the super fast connection to the point I could not work on the web page, scared to death it would cut out while I was uploading. Last time that happened it cost me a couple of hundred dollars and a week to get it restored as I now had a partial web page up that replaced the old full one. No, you can’t store it on your computer while working on it. They tried to sell George every kind of service in the Universe before giving up. What is the result of our downsizing? We now have a reliable connection that has stopped going up and down and can notice no change in the speed. Now George has an explanation but my eyes rolled back in my head, again.
Just a warning, one day this week, I have a pass to a telecommunications conference. George gets to attend the lectures and I get to collect all the information and freebies on the floor. It’s true I have no idea what any of it is, but I am good collector. I do promise he will spend a week going through all that information like a squirrel gathering nuts. I get out of the house! It works for us. But for you, it means a really slim forecast that day.
Some people have asked if Turtle is still with us. Yes, she is still with us in a bigger and better container torturing the cats in the kitchen. She knows she is in a cat proof container. Last visit to the kitchen, she was sunning herself on the rock waiting for a snack. Yes, she still has an amphibian attitude.
A number of people in other states have said they are on overload with Haiti and had to turn the TV off. Well, we get better coverage with local reporters in the field. Just imagine what we are seeing. The Miami Herald summarized our previous approach over the last several decades to the Haitian situation as; “keep throwing money and hope it hits something.” I think everyone can see, all it hit was someone’s pocket. So, be careful of who you are donating to no matter how long they have been in business. They may have just become better thieves. Last night, one of the local reporters was in the field when looting began and the soldiers and police began firing into the crowd to stop the looting. The party line was nicely played but it was obvious they fired no warning shots and they were aiming as you got to see the whole thing play out behind the reporter. By-the-way, has anyone heard a peep from that wealthy country that shares the island with Haiti? Some of you may have to find a map to see who I am talking about. You see, Haiti sits on the desert, poor side of the island. The other side is a lush, tropical paradise. Yes, there is a lot of politics and race you might want to learn about, ;), like why they swarm into a rickety boat not even knowing how to swim rather than climbing through a mountain range to get a better life or relief from persecution.

Putting on and vending at shows

So You Want to Put on or Vend at a Conference or Trade Show

My first thought would be: What, are you: crazy??? I speak from 30, yes, 30 years experience in doing both. It looks like you are going to make a fortune putting a show on but there is a really good reason there are professional organizations that do absolutely nothing but put shows on. Unless you can get huge discounts on venues born out of multiple commitments for shows, have a huge advertising budget, one year of full time to devote to planning and execution and a huge staff, you aren’t making money and may be in the hospital for exhaustion. I found that out over 30 years ago when the dealership I took on selling biofeedback equipment for demanded as part of my contract I put on a conference once a year with at least two speakers. Mind you, this was George and my full time job. I needed a week’s vacation after it was over but I was too far in the hole to pay for Burger King. Also, the company provided me with access to speakers. You will not be that lucky and have to dig up your own. I’ll give you a little hint, not all authors can speak coherently. Let me give you a bigger one, no one will willing give you a mailing list and when and if someone does, it is probably so old less than 10% of the names are valid. Never offer return postage on bounced mail unless you want to support the postal service budget for a year.
I was just reading a line in a conference advertising for the vendors that said, “we have found this works best” and almost fell off the bed laughing. I can guarantee it should have said; “works best for us because we didn’t dare ask the vendors how they felt about it. They were already chasing us down the hall with sharp objects.”
If you really want to put on a show with vendors, get a full time job, find a dozen products with different prices, get yourself legal with a sales tax number and sales forms and then sign yourself up for one of these trade shows. Do get a manual credit card machine and approvals over the phone. You will find out real fast what everyone does wrong. You will also probably never vend again at a show and abandon the idea of putting one on.
To start with, every vendor has been there at least one hour before the doors opened, we don’t know who the person is who sets up in one hour, but we all want to watch them, and you have no idea how much we appreciate the doors opening at 8 AM, particularly since most vendors can’t afford the hotel you are in and are commuting. I’ll tell you right after I sharpen some sticks. We also really love being given an hour to tear down and then getting complaints if there is a piece of paper on floor because we think it is a wonderful idea to throw our merchandise into boxes and then try to get down an elevator with 30 boxes on a cart in an hour or less. You have no idea what that does to our spirit of cooperation. I’ll sharpen the sticks before the next show.
We all love having a color theme or a decorating theme for the show and would just like to say, if you want one buy the decorations yourself! I actually had one show where if anyone but me had adhered to the rules, setting up a 6 foot table would have cost at least 100.00 to meet the decorating requirements and believe me, I know the cheap craft stores.
Also on the list of loves is shutting the vending area during lectures. Well, it is lovely to have a break to tally sales, restock the table and gasp..go to the bathroom, vendors gave up on eating years ago, but that unfortunately creates a large number of customers who are running to the bathroom and trying to buy products during that break. Since getting electricity at a show is an exercise in futility or you may get one stingy outlet, you can’t have a cash register, credit card machine or any of the luxeries you have at your store. Everything has to be hand written because the state demands the customer have a receipt, figured on a calculator -am I getting older or are they getting waaaaay smaller - and the line of people getting antsy for the next lecture is getting longer along with some idiot, I mean person, announcing the room is closing in 5 minutes. Wow, talk about a mood elevator and relaxing atmosphere, that’s how to create one. No time for sharp sticks at that point.
I also have a special place, and it isn’t in my heart, for shows that want a portion of the proceeds. I am usually finishing up tallying proceeds for the government several days after a show and you want them when???? Oh yeah and don’t forget to pack up within an hour, too. Anyone want to start playing the ‘Mission Impossible” theme about now. Normally these are the same shows that will have a fit if they see you slipping a product into a box one second before closing time.
Keep in mind, that after several days of setting up and tearing down, dealing with public, packing and unpacking and packing again, keeping enough change available for the ones who will hand you a 50.00 bill for 98 cents for of product, dealing with the manual credit card machine and getting approvals over a cell phone with those tiny buttons, we still have to drive home and unpack. Notice dealing with the management is not in those sentences because we really don’t want to.
Let me give you some hints on putting on a successful show. Never rush people who are handling money. That is a guaranteed mistake and someone is going to be unhappy. We would all like to attend your wonderful lectures and see the show but we would rather have water, coffee, tea, bathroom breaks and some food. The most of the show we are going to see is the bathroom. Want to give us vendors something we really want? A comfortable chair would be at the top of the list. Try spending 10 hours on one of those folding chairs some day if you want to know pain. A foot rub would really be great. If you are holding shows outside, keep in mind the weather is perfect only a couple of days a year and they probably don’t fall in your venue. Wet, hot, cold, dirty vendors become a really surely lot so approach them with caution, sort of like you would approach a hungry bear while smeared with food.
Now I am going to give you biggest hint on putting on a show: ADVERTISE. Do not ever count on one free magazine or flier being passed out at stores to get people into your show. It will not happen. Do not advertise in buses as the people who ride buses probably can’t afford the ticket price and anyway, the buses don’t run a full schedule on the weekends so they can’t get there and back. Avoid places that charge huge amounts for parking. If someone is paying 15.00 for parking, and 50.00 to get in the door, they have spent most of their budget before they get to the vendors. Budget paid advertising in the big newspaper and the small entertainment ones. Do not count on free listings. You may not get them. I used to work for the biggest newspaper chain in this country. The people running the free listings have been demoted for being rotten…well you get the idea….. and they run this little domain like dictators. There are other organizations bringing them weekly gifts to get those listings. No, I am not kidding. Politics plays a big role and it plays a big one in where your ad winds up. A once a year event can go to the back because you aren’t going to be with the paper for a long time like the contract ads. You need to know what size ad guarantees good placement and it really has nothing to do with being the biggest. Study your venue.
Now on to the free papers that are lining bird cages and puppies are enjoying. Pay close attention because I worked at one of those in advertising. The circulation figures are normally the number they print so figure half that number is a hopeful estimate. Our lovely little paper boys threw so many papers they were supposed to be delivering, and were paid to deliver, in the canal that water management called us on it. People would empty the boxes for their puppies. Our competition would empty the boxes and throw them in the dumpster. That’s why I say to never trust those circulation estimates. Advertising requires you know who is really getting the media you are advertising in and you have to find that out by watching not trusting. In the advertising game, we will tell you what you want to hear. The simple trick is see who is advertising and know who they appeal to. Check multiple issues because you want to see who is dropping out fast after the 3 month special.
We all know you want happy attendees that will pay to come back next year. You may think you are going to get that with a nice color theme, super decorations, good speakers, mind blowing special effects and bending over backwards for them. The truth is, if you have a show hall full of unhappy vendors and grumpy speakers, you are not going to get vendors or attendance for your next show. The key to a successful show starts with the backbone, your vendors and speakers. If that blows your attendees away, you can be in a cow pasture. I think Woodstock proved that.