Year of the Psychotic Rat

2008. It's the "Year of the Earth Rat." What does that mean, anyway? That we will be taken over by a cult that worships rats secretly in the bowels of the earth? I never get why they name the years this way. It's year of the Dragon, or year of the Rooster, Dog, Rat, Pig. Boring. It's the 21st century, new names should be used! Names that have flair.

Like say, "Year of the Homosexual Chicken." Catchy. "Year of the Rowdy Dog." Hmm.... not crazy enough. "Year of the Ambitious Cockatoo." I like it. "Year of the Schizophrenic Goldfish." Something. Anything!

I was born in the Year of the Metal Rooster. I have no idea what that means, so I decided to go digging around. Here's what I found:

"People born in the year of the Rooster are usually very observant. They are brave, resilient and tenacious but can also be quite self-absorbed, pretentious, and romantic. Most of the time, they are very accurate and precise with their observation.

These people certainly love to find themselves in the spotlight, they love entertaining friends and adore meeting new people, and even unexpected and uncertain circumstances are not a barrier for them.

It is almost impossible to find someone born in this year looking dowdy or untidy. The fact is that these people are usually the best dressed and groomed of all other people. They are actively interested in clothes, colours, and accessories, and are usually very critical of their own appearance as well as of the appearance of those around them. People born in the year of the Rooster like to be noticed and flattered. Such a person might dress a little flashy with this in mind, but in his heart, he/she is completely conservative. Roosters always appear attractive and beautifully turned out. They are sociable and love to receive attention. Others may criticize them for being exhibitionists but the fact that they are compassionate, wise, and have a brave nature which comes to the fore when others need their help, makes up for that deficiency.

It is difficult for these people to accept advice because of their strong independent spirit. These people are often confident in their own judgement and choices. There are times when these people may be too straight-forward which can cause some problems in relationships with others. So it would be wise sometimes not to express their opinions in order to keep the peace. Roosters can drive people away with their need to be right if they cannot relax and let the other person have a say."

Blah, blah blah... it's like being a Scorpio. since a bajillion people were born in the same year I was. And I still have no idea what it means as a portent.

So I dug around some more about this year, and according to the trusty wiki:

"... in the Chinese zodiac the Rat is an animal associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities."

Sounds like fun. Britney Spears has already had a great big meltdown so I guess we're off to a running start. I know this started last year, but GMA and ABS-CBN are duking it out for the top spot and calling each other liars. What publicity whores. I wonder what else this year has in store for us all. Pestilence and atrocities? We're already smack in the middle of a giant ongoing atrocity - corruption and all the nice pork barrels and under the table deals. Wealth? If the dollar keeps falling, it'll be fun to shop at Duty Free.

Out of the gate in '08!