birthday facts

Zeke is a Taurus – like my mom and my good friends Mauricio and Dan. He was born in the year of the Rat. Sadly, the president of the United States is George W. Bush who will soon be replaced by Senator Barack Obama (we hope).

On May 14, 2008, the bay area was in the middle of a heat wave – close to 100 degrees in some parts. The spacecraft Phoenix was on its way to the north pole of Mars to look for signs of ice. Central China was recovering from a major earthquake. Gas prices were reaching all time highs of over $4.00/gallon. Our favorite TV shows were The Daily Show, Top Chef, and House, the California Supreme Court was two days from legalizing gay marriage, and the A’s were in second place in the west behind the Angels. I think that covers the basics.

Z shares his birthday with these famous folks (in pretty good company, I think):

• Cate Blanchett
• Tim Roth
• David Byrne
• Stevie Wonder
• Robert Zemeckis
• Peter Gabriel
• George Lucas
• Bobby Darin
• Joe Louis
• Gabriel Fahrenheit

Here’s a summary of Z’s birthday astrology:

Tauruses born on May 14 have extraordinary artistic vision and can do great things if left to their own devices. These complicated individuals are torn between the intellectual life they are drawn to and the active life they want to pursue. They don’t know the meaning of the word “compromise.”

Friends and Lovers
May 14 individuals seek out friends who provide emotional and intellectual support. In love, they have a restless nature that requires stimulation.

Children and Family
Due to their highly competitive nature, May 14 individuals owe a great deal of their success to their family background. They may have had parents who fostered a sense of competition. As parents, they dislike being an authority figure because it puts pressure on them to adopt a serious persona. They usually have better relationships with their children when the kids grow up.

Health
Happily, people born on May 14 are busy and active, so they don’t have to worry about keeping off the pounds. It is important that they get plenty of sleep. Tapes of music played over ocean sounds create a peaceful atmosphere for sleep.

Career and Finances
May 14 natives have many talents and can pick from several interests including communications, media, and the arts. The financial ups and downs of these individuals are often caused because they delegate these matters to people who are either less knowledgeable or less scrupulous than they should be.

Dreams and Goals
May 14 individuals value their own assessment of personal achievement and the approval of respected colleagues. They are self-critical and may not be able to appreciate their achievements. Until they learn that external validation is not the true measure of their success, they may feel unsatisfied by their efforts.

Here’s a summary of the Chinese rat:

Though the Western rat is reviled as little more than a bottom-dwelling disease carrier, this animal is viewed much differently in the East. The Eastern rat is revered for its quick wits and its ability to accrue and hold on to items of value; rats are considered a symbol of good luck and wealth in both China and Japan. Clever and quick-witted, the Rat of the Chinese Zodiac is utterly disarming to boot. Possessed of excellent taste, this Sign flaunts its style at every turn. Its natural charm and sharp, funny demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone. The Rat likes to know who is on its side and will treat its most loyal friends with an extra measure of protection and generosity.

Behind that sweet smile, though, Rats are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas. This Sign is motivated by its own interests, which often include money; greed can become a problem if the Rat isn’t careful to keep its priorities straight. This Sign’s natural powers of charm and persuasion can definitely come in handy! Although they are often hoarders, Rats can be very generous to those in their pack, namely friends and family members who have proven their loyalty. Others might perceive them as quick-tempered and sharp-tongued, but never boorish. Verbal jousting is a great pleasure for the Rat, a Sign that everyone around will quickly learn either to love or to hate.

Rats enjoy being on the outside looking in, as the outside affords a view into the inner workings of a system or situation. The Rat’s keen mind always seeks out new knowledge, to be stored away for future use. This ever-curious Sign also welcomes challenges as a way to stay sharp. If boredom sets in the Rat is no fun at all, but that isn’t likely; this Sign knows how to keep itself entertained.

A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others above themselves, at least sometimes. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats could find true happiness.