Author: ladyoftheabyss
A Little Humor for Your Day – Microsoft vs GM
Microsoft vs GM
At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated: “If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got 1000 miles to the gallon.”
In response to Bill’s comments, General Motors issued a press release stating:
If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:
1. For no reason whatsoever your car would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines on the road you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason, and you would just accept this, restart and drive on.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn, would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Only one person at a time could use the car, unless you bought “Car95” or “CarNT.” But then you would have to buy more seats.
6. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, reliable, five times as fast, and twice as easy to drive, but would only run on five per cent of the roads.
7. The oil, water temperature and alternator warning lights would be replaced by a single “general car default” warning light.
8. New seats would force everyone to have the same size butt.
9. The airbag system would say “Are you sure?” before going off.
10. Occasionally for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key, and grab hold of the radio antenna.
11. GM would require all car buyers to also purchase a deluxe set of Rand McNally road maps (now a GM subsidiary), even though they neither need them nor want them. Attempting to delete this option would immediately cause the car’s performance to diminish by 50% or more. Moreover, GM would become a target for investigation by the Justice Department.
12. Every time GM introduced a new model car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
13. You’d press the “start” button to shut off the engine.
Source:
Jokes Warehouse
Astronomy Picture of the Day – Dwarf Planet, Bright Spot
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2015 May 14
Dwarf Planet, Bright Spot
Image Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, UCLA, MPS/DLR/IDA
Explanation: Now at Ceres, Dawn’s camera recorded this closer view of the dwarf planet’s northern hemisphere and one of its mysterious bright spots on May 4. A sunlit portrait of a small, dark world about 950 kilometers in diameter, the image is part of a planned sequence taken from the solar-powered spacecraft’s 15-day long RC3 mapping orbit at a distance of 13,600 kilometers (8,400 miles). The animated sequence shows Ceres’ rotation, its north pole at the top of the frame. Imaged by Hubble in 2004 and then by Dawn as it approached Ceres in 2015, the bright spot itself is revealed to be made up of smaller spots of reflective material that could be exposed ice glinting in the sunlight. On Saturday, Dawn’s ion propulsion system was turned on to spiral the spacecraft into a closer 4,350-kilometer orbit by June 6. Of course another unexplored dwarf planet, Pluto, is expecting the arrival of a visitor from Earth, the New Horizons spacecraft, by mid-July.
Your Daily Planet Tracker: Sun in Taurus, Now until May 21, 2015
Planet Tracker
Sun in Taurus
Now until May 21, 2015
Signs are Seasons
Taurus occupies the middle of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere. The signs in the middle of seasons are called fixed signs (Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius are the others). They tend to resist change. Their purpose is not to stop movement, but to ensure a consistency of values.
Earthy Taurus is about appreciating the natural forces of this planet, its people and plants. It is, in some ways, the sign of the Garden of Eden; it is about enjoying the pleasures of this world. The essence of Taurus, then, is not doing, but simply being. Just stop a moment to feel your body, to smell the air, to sense the light on your face. Physical sensation in its most positive forms are the essence of Taurus.
Comfort or Indulgence
This appreciation for physical pleasure is a reminder that we are each worthy, even without expending effort. At its best, this is the essence of self-acceptance. “I am worthy because I exist,” may well be the Taurus motto. The strength of this perspective is that it reduces our anxiety to do, to become someone or make something happen in order to be worthy.
Real self-acceptance is, of course, very healthy. It allows a person to enjoy herself and appreciate her gifts. But, there is also a kind of false self-acceptance that can be associated with Taurus. This is self-indulgent and lazy. It’s not about confidence, it’s really about fear. The challenge is to transform worth into action. Potential alone will not change the world or improve your life. Yes, meditative moments, walks on the beach and massages do remind us of the sweetness of life and can be delicious. But, growth and change also require action.
When self-acceptance is rooted in real appreciation, rather than resignation or denial, it is inherently dynamic. The in-breath is always followed by an out-breath. The healthy expression of Taurus then becomes highly productive.
The Money Sign?
Taurus, and its key planet Venus, are often associated with money. This, however, can be misleading. Sure, Taurus likes stuff, particularly high quality expensive stuff. It can be possessive, too. But one of the secrets of money is that it is about exchange, that it has no real value by itself.
While Taurus often knows a good thing when he sees it, the idea of exchange is not always easy for this sign to grasp. It needs to learn to give if it’s going to get. The risks of sharing can complicate the bull’s simple life, but Taurus needs to know about this to be materially successful.
The Non-Material Taurus
Although Taurus is essentially about the physical world, there is another path that some born in this sign have taken. In the pursuit of peace, awareness and the essence of comfort, many bulls are attracted to spirituality.
Foremost among these was the Buddha. Prince Gautama was a Taurus born into a world of luxury and leisure. But his desire for real value and meaning led him down a very different path. The truth, he found, was not in the world bound by flesh and ego, but in the spirit.
Perhaps the reason is that, at its highest levels, Taurus is about enduring values. The flesh will not endure, but spirit is eternal. This is a reminder for all of us, Taurus or not, to remember the non-material reality that lies behind all that we can physically touch and feel.
Famous Bulls
The movies have been good to Taurus. Among this sign’s stars are Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Shirley MacLaine, Uma Thurman and Harvey Keitel. We tend to think of Taurus as strong or muscular, but there are even slim Taurus stars like Audrie Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Taurus, associated with the throat, is a sign for singers like Barbra Streisand, Cher, Janet Jackson, Enya, Enrique Iglesias, Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Billy Joel. Comic bulls include Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin and Jay Leno. Directing ones are George Lucas and Orson Welles, while Tony Gwynn, Dennis Rodman, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and Andre Agassi are sporty bulls.
This sign even includes the fathers of communism (Karl Marx) and psychotherapy (Sigmund Freud), as well as modern political figures Tony Blair and Madeleine Albright.
@Tarot.com is a Daily Insight Group Site
Crack the Cookie
Your Daily Influences for May 14th
Your Daily Influences
May 14, 2015
Death
This is the card of change and renewal, the emergence of new ideas and opportunities.
Eihwaz
This may be a time of confusion for you. That which you have built may be in jeopardy of crumbling. Do not allow yourself to give in to your weaknesses.
The Crescent and Hand
Guests and visitors will come calling. Their visit brings sadness and pain. This aspect will reflect these emotions for weeks after the visit
Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.
Your Charm for May 14th is The Caduceus
Your Charm for Today
Today’s Meaning:
You will find you have within you the ability to resolve all conflicts and disagreements with regard to this aspect. You will find an eloquence you did not realize before.
General Description:
The staff of Mercury was given to him by Apollo in exchange for the lyre. The rod was endowed with the remarkable power of deciding all quarrels and bestowing wonderful eloquence upon its possessor. Mercury proved this when he saw two serpents fighting. Placing the rod between them and using his eloquence he reconciled the serpents, who then embraced each other, and becoming attatched to the rod formed the caduceus. The pine cone is credited with health giving power, and the wings symbolize speed and the flight of thoughts between friends. This ancient talisman was supposed to be a charm fo prospetity, rendering its possessor healthy, wealthy and wise.
Your MahJong Four Courses Reading Given on May 14th
The Four Courses
The Four Courses reading presents possible paths for the querent to take to reach a more complete state of being. While all paths may offer a degree of fulfillment, usually one will be more fruitful than the others. The trick of course, is to pick the one that will bring most beneficial results.
Your Current State
Circles 1
Symbol: Pearl
The Pearl tile denotes the attainment of wealth and a life of luxury. The task will be to balance your spiritual self with your physical self.
Northern Course
North Wind
Symbol: Water
The North Wind tile indicates there will be difficult moments ahead. These can be canceled out if the South Wind Tile is in your reading as well.
Eastern Course
Wan 4
Symbol: Lute
The Lute tile indicates a need for relaxation—a break from the stress of your everyday life. For people nearing the end of their career it may suggest that the time for them to retire has come.
Southern Course
Wan 3
Symbol: Land
The Land tile suggests either a stable setting in which you are already thriving, or one that will exist in the near future. With stability your success and vision will grow.
Western Course
South Wind
Symbol: Fire
The South Wind tile is considered to be a very good sign in a reading. It almost ensures a satisfactory end to any problem.
Your Daily MahJong Tile for May 14th is Wan 5, Symbol: House
Your Daily Tile
May 14, 2015
Wan 5
Symbol: House
The House tile represents a building in which you spend much time. If your reading is positive it may well be that this building has the important function providing you with a stable environment in which you are comfortable. If the reading is negative it may represent a structure in which you are stressed and uncomfortable.
Your Animal Spirit for May 14th is The Moose
Your Animal Spirit for Today
May 14, 2015
Moose
Moose represents incredible strength and longevity, as well as the ability to see the future. Moose antlers are among the largest of the antlered animals, and are like psychic antennae—giving Moose amazingly developed hearing, smell, and depth perception. Moose is bellowing at you to open your third eye and stop pretending that you don’t know what’s about to happen.
Your Ancient Symbol Card for May 14th is The Crow
Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today
The Crow
The Crow is the trusted messenger that alerts its allies to both danger and opportunity. Although they may appear playful and too opportunistic to be trusted, Crows are in fact powerful and trustworthy. The Crow sees and hears all. When The Crow reports it is best to listen as their news is always important and presented accurately.
As a daily card, The Crow indicates that you will soon receive news that will either protect you from loss or lead you too opportunities doorstep. To fully realize the advantage the information will soon receive carries with it you will need to react to it quickly and with sureness.
Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for May 14th is Adjustment
Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today
Adjustment
Adjustment denotes an inner power, mastery of will and development of inner might. Through mastering one’s emotions and learning from both success and failure the person Adjustment represents has reached a place where they are influential without applying physical force, able to weather the roughest of storms, and not likely to abandon the less fortunate. Adjustment also denotes a large capacity for forgiveness and compassion. Adjustment is not as much about winning as it is about achieving balance, overcoming hardship, and using well crafted persuasion to gain allies. Adjustment suggests the need and ability to make our decisions based on objective perceptions of events, and good or bad, accepting responsibility for our actions.
Your Daily Witches Rune for May 14th is The Moon
Daily Witches Rune
The Moon
Meaning: Differently from the Sun, the Moon has more subtle powers. While it can represent changes too – after all, the moon changes it face a bit every day – these are usually much slower and long-term than the ones represented by the Sun. It’s feminine and passive.
As the rules of the nighttime, the Moon often symbolizes a transition time, in which things are not yet defined or very clear. It may represents lack of information and bad timing – any action done under the influence of the Moon may not go as expected because of that. Just like the moon influences the tides of our planet, it also influences our inner water – our emotions – causing a bit of emotional instability. This often inspires us to act without pondering.
The Moon works with undercurrents, it shows hidden developments or things done in the shadows. All secrets are protected by the Moon, and it its most negative manifestation this rune can stand for lies, deceit and even self-sabotage.
The Moon is also associated with the female cycles, thus it may represent pregnancy, family, roots and ancestors. When the Moon appears, there’s a strong need to go back to your roots in order to find comfort and understanding. It often symbolizes that you have to find yourself a safe place to wait, like a newborn in the womb… You have to be patient.
I relationship readings, the Moon can represent a strong sexual attraction (specially with the Romance rune), secret affairs, hidden and contained impulses and secrets. Although it adds strength to the attraction, it does not add speed, so the Moon can often represent that almost unbearable tension that builds between two people during a long period of time. It can also represent a certain instability in the relationship, with moments of closeness and moments of separation.
Your Daily I Ching Hexagram for May 14th is 9: Small Savings
Daily I Ching Hexgram
May 14th, 2015
___________________________
9: Small Savings
Summary:
The time to act is near. Be prepared!
Line One of Your Hexagram is a 9:
Protect that which you already have. Do not be a bragger. Remain focused.
Line Two of Your Hexagram is a 9:
Give credit to those who deserve it. Do not be a spendthrift. Reward those who have helped you. Caring for those around you will take you to new heights.
Line Three of Your Hexagram is a 9:
Do not bicker or create discord. The only way to progress is agreement.
Line Four of Your Hexagram is a 6:
Do not fight battles without good reason.
Line Five of Your Hexagram is a 9:
Remain determined and enthusiastic. Others will rally around your cause.
Line Six of Your Hexagram is a 9:
Insure your allies understand your ideas. Prepare yourself to launch a new project.
Casting the Stones, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for May 14th
Casting the Stones, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Today
T
he Past
Sowilo
The Sun Rune, denotes power and strength. That which you want may be attained. Sowilo also denotes mental clarity and added warmth to your relationships.
The Present
Jera
Jera denotes positive, recurring cycles, fertility and a time to harvest rewards from your hard work.
The Future
Uruz
Uruz reversed may represent a time of discord in your life and a disassociation from your inner strengths. You may be in a rut—absent of goals or challenges. The power to change this lies within you. While opportunities may seem to be nonexistent, they are there and waiting for you to find them.
Your Daily Rune for May 14th is Fehu
Your Rune For Today
Fehu
Fehu is the Rune of prosperity, good luck and unbridled creative energies. Being associated with Frey, this Rune is also a powerful omen of fertility. Fehu is one of the three Mother Stones and should never be taken lightly.
Additional information about Today’s Rune, Fehu
fehu: cattle
Phonetic equivalent: f
DIVINATORY MEANINGS: prosperity, money, wealth, concern with physical and financial needs, goals, promotion, self-esteem, centeredness, karma
MAGICAL USES: for money, business, promotion, finding a job, achieving a goal, starting new enterprises
ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES: Freyr, Brisingamen, Gullveig, Dwarfs, Sigurd & the Otter’s Gold
ANALYSIS: Fehu is both the day-to-day reality of our lives and the catalyst that awakens us to what lies beyond. It is whatever we think we are which frequently bbears no resemblance to what we will eventually find. It is also our home, for after all our wanderings we will need to attend to our physical needs and ground ourselves in the simple pleasures of home, family, and good work. Oz might be a fun place to visit, but after a while all you really want to do is go back to Kansas.
Fehu reminds us that we must be secure in our physical situation before embarking upon any spiritual journey. We all must begin with the mundane reality of our lives, although many people never get beyond this. In many ways, we have become as domesticated as the cattle, living our day-to-day existence without wanting or even being aware of anything more being possible. The first step in breaking away from this situation is to catch a glimpse of what is possible, without dwelling on what security we may lose to attain it.
uruz
Courtesy of
The Runic Journey (PDF)
by Jennifer Smith
Your Tarot Power Cards for May 14th
Your Power Cards for the Day
This drawing represent strengths you were born with
The Hermit
The Hermit denotes a need to have some space between you and everyday hustle and bustle of our busy world. The Hermit needs to retreat. Indeed, happiness for The Hermit requires seclusion, freedom from material wants, and time for intense introspection. The answers The Hermit needs cannot be found in our physical world. The truths he seeks are internal, spiritual, and the distraction of a well developed social life can only impede his quest for his personal truths. Still, although not anything remotely resembling extroversion, The Hermit does sometimes need to share time with others; so he can learn or teach, guide and be guided. The Hermit’s time spent amongst people depletes his energy quickly. To avoid an overload he has to retreat from social settings quickly.
When The High Priestess is among your personal cards, the influence of The Hermit may be increased. Having The World or The Lovers in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Hermit.
The High Priestess
Completely feminine and the counterpart to The Magician, the High Priestess is the Gatekeeper of the subconscious, the unknown. She travels in worlds which most of us only glimpse in our dreams. Her realm is that of unseen truths, untapped potentials, and hidden dangers. The Calling of The High Priestess is to go beyond the obvious and visible to tap those powers which are veiled from normal vision. While she is passive by nature, she has the power to uncover unknown potential and is very aware of the infinite potential all humans harbor within them. She is also very patient. She can wait for events to blossom in their own time.
When The Hermit or Hanged Man are among your personal cards, the influence of The High Priestess may be increased. Having the Magus in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The High Priestess.
Your Personal Daily Tarot Card for May 14th is Strength
Your Personal Daily Tarot Card
Strength
Strength denotes an inner power, mastery of will and development of inner might. Through mastering one’s emotions and learning from both success and failure the person Strength represents has reached a place where they are influential without applying physical force, able to weather the roughest of storms, and not likely to abandon the less fortunate. Strength also denotes a large capacity for forgiveness and compassion. Strength is not as much about winning as it is about achieving balance, overcoming hardship, and using well crafted persuasion to gain allies.
Get A Jump On Tomorrow, Your Horoscopes for Friday, May 15th
Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, May 15th
Aries
Ideas can be especially powerful today, Aries, particularly related to creative projects, romance, and possibly children. You can feel a reinvigoration of motivation for pursuing certain projects, branching out, and expressing yourself creatively. This boosts your energy levels for taking on new challenges. Goals and dreams seem easier to reach with this new perception. Past negative, self-defeating attitudes can be left behind. You may be getting over an important “hump” psychologically, and there may be a breakthrough on a project this week. Enjoy the confidence boost!
Taurus
Particularly if you’ve handled recent slowdowns well, Taurus, this is a strong time for regaining momentum, especially related to a money or business matter. Even so, there is also good favor with you for real estate, family, and friendships. It’s a time for robust ideas that can serve you well for years to come if you follow through with them. There can be a breakthrough of sorts this week regarding a family matter, likely having to do with a friend’s recommendation or help. Your confidence will go a long way towards making things happen, so be sure to take the initiative and put your heart into a relationship or project now for best results.
Gemini
Your natural talents are on display today, Gemini. This is a hands-on time when you want to take action, and ideas are powerful, easy to access, and likely very successful. This is a good day for communications on the job or with the public. You have some rather magical qualities now, and you could be solving old problems or envisioning new horizons. There is a sense of being in tune, and you are feeling more confident than you have felt for a while. There can be new channels for expressing yourself or for satisfying your needs and wants now. Your approach is especially progressive.
Cancer
You are rebuilding confidence levels today, Cancer, particularly related to taking action on private or personal matters, or finishing up projects and things that you need to put behind you. Educational, travel, and financial problems can be released or resolved this week through new thinking and the action you take now. You are tuning in to your inner energy and courage, and you are especially interested in finding ways to heal, grow, and improve. Release of pent-up frustration and energy might be found through physical outlets. You can feel more vital and filled with spirit.
Leo
If you’re feeling at all stuck professionally or personally, Leo, look to friends, teams, groups, or networking for help getting doors to open for opportunities to advance your interests this week. Joining with others or pooling resources can indeed bring mutual benefits now. Enthusiasm for recent projects, and possibly life itself, is once again on the upswing after some possible stumbling blocks. Activities are increasing, and problem-solving skills are strong, but you also have some excellent ideas for future projects. There can be renewed confidence in life’s possibilities and future options.
Virgo
You can feel more on top of your work or in charge of your life now, Virgo. There can be fortunate turns in a partnership or the release of a burdensome problem now that has you feeling far freer and more powerful. You are less afraid of challenges and certainly ready to put in hard work. A situation that seemed impossible or too difficult can release itself this week, and this allows you greater freedom to pursue your interests. Those things or attitudes that kept you from taking important action are on their way out. The work you do now, particularly related to letting go of heavy karmic weight and getting your partnership situation smoothed out, will benefit you greatly when Jupiter transits your sign for over a year, beginning this August. You’ll want to have less emotional baggage for this fortunate influence.
Libra
Your energy and motivation levels are building, Libra, and you may be taking steps to improve your life through expanded knowledge, education, and experience. There can be a strong desire to implement a new health and wellness program that brings you more vitality and builds your spirit. Problems that you’ve been avoiding or areas in which you’ve been procrastinating don’t seem as daunting, and you could be taking big steps to get these things behind yo. It can be a good time for competing and for general success. You seem to have more initiative and natural courage today and this week.
Scorpio
This is a good time for acting on intuition, Scorpio, as you seem to sense the right next move. You are interested in making positive changes, and you instictively know that in order to do so, you need to switch up your methods. Fortunately, you’re quite unafraid of obstacles or challenges that previously seemed a little daunting, particularly related to relationships, career, major life plans, and creative projects. Enthusiasm for these things, and faith in yourself, are certainly building now. Ideas coming to you now are possibly quite marketable, so take note. If you need support, a loan, or other resources, this can be a good time for taking the necessary action.
Sagittarius
Your ruler, Jupiter, is moving towards a very creative aspect with Chiron, dear Sagittarius, and today, Mars is involved, stirring up the desire for action. This might come through someone in your life as Mars is in your partnership sector, but whatever the motivation, you’re feeling inspired to grow, improve, and heal. You may find a solution to a problem related to travel or home life, educational plans, and finding a better balance between security and adventure. While you could easily feel that you are capable of taking on anything, and your energy levels increase with your motivation, try not to overdo things. Personal appeal is strong, and love relationships can be energized now.
Capricorn
This is a good day for bonding with a partner or for love in general, Capricorn. You are open to new ways of relating, and less likely to repeat the same overdone patterns. This is also a powerful time for finding productive solutions to work and health problems. Again, it’s about looking at things in new ways. There can be a breakthrough in research, conversations or news that stimulate original thinking, and a kind of fearlessness when it comes to tackling problem areas, both in relationships and on practical levels. You tend to ignore the more conservative side of your nature in favor of somewhat unorthodox methods. There can also be new hope for healing methods, and strong motivation to improve physically. You are naturally drawn to activities that make you feel good all over.
Aquarius
Motivation, particularly for a creative or pleasurable pursuit or a relationship, is improving and building today, Aquarius. In fact, you have a lot of courage to make positive changes and the talent to back it up. Creatively speaking, it’s a powerful time. You could also solve some relationship and financial problems today, largely due to a certain fearless confidence that may have been missing lately. You are drawn to things, situations, and people that/who make you feel good about yourself. You might even find a new outlet, game, or pastime that excites you or allows you the freedom to express yourself. People may be extra willing to back or support your efforts. Creative talents are on show now.
Pisces
This week is wonderful for feeling that you’re growing and gaining wisdom, Pisces, and today, you could have the courage to handle problems that you previously felt stumped by. This can be a good time for handling a health matter or for making lifestyle changes, and it’s also powerful for improving home and family life. There can be a sense that you’re recovering from recent challenges, and your spirit is stronger. You are far less concerned about outward “proof” of success and more fully in tune with what makes you happy regardless of what is expected of you. Inner healing and vitality are what count most to you at this time.
If You Were Born Today, May 14
If You Were Born Today, May 14
You are a steady, reliable, and responsible person. You are not always patient with slackers, but patient overall. You instinctively know that good things come to those who wait, but you also know how to make things happen with determined effort. You are witty, no-nonsense, respectable, and solid. Famous people born today: Stevie Wonder, Daphne Du Maurier, Joe Louis, Beatrice Arthur, Robert Pattinson, Hunter Parrish, Debby Ryan.
Source:
Café Astrology.com
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