To be finally able to go home when there's still light certainly opens one's mind to new things. The train is as packed, but there are plenty more smiles around. People still talk into their cells -- and still as loudly -- but they do so in genial manners. Excited and expectant looks replace those of tiredness and stress.

What differences a few hours can make.

At five, people leave to meet friends and family, looking forward to warm dinners and romantic rendezvous. At eight, people rush home to cold vegies, chicken nuggets, and instant noodles. At five, people look up and worry, oh no, should I still go for a jog? Oh well, worst case there are still The Simpsons and That '70s Show. At eight, people grouch and swear, damn it, better not rain till I reach that friggin' bus stop!

It's good to finally see people smiling again. Our sweet lady once said, face it with a smile. Yeah, can't agree more.

Of course, I could be wrong and those smiles really had nothing to do with going home early. Simply because we're now in this so-called festive season.

Say what you want about Christmas: it's getting more and more commercialized, Christians no longer celebrate it the way it was meant to be, people just take advantage of the holiday without knowing the true meaning, this, that. What matters to me is that people are given something to celebrate. Something to look forward to. Something to be happy about. Something to smile about.

Doesn't matter to me that it's losing its religious meaning. Doesn't matter that a lot of money is being spent just for the sake of Christmas shopping. So long as it's still a day to share, to give, to pardon. Imagine if every day were Christmas. People would keep spending their money. Governments would have to keep organizing charities and parties. Little fund thus would be left for wars.

I know, it would be stretching imagination too far. Then again, to imagine is never John Lennon's exclusive right, is it?

It's good to be religious about it. It's OK to encourage others to be religious about it. It's not cool to force it. Make jeans, not war. There's more on jeans below, BTW.

Anyway, check this out:

"Sagittarius is represented by a Centaur -- half-man, half-horse -- with a bow and arrow. It's believed that when ancient artists sketched warriors on horseback, they got to taking a shortcut, thereby merging the two into one body. This became a popular symbol, and they chose it to represent Sagittarius because this sign is thought to have tamed the baser instincts and taught wisdom -- as well as outdoor sports.

"Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, which provides the sign with its most salient quality: largeness. If you're a Sagittarian, you're probably well-built, with a big heart, a big head, and big ideas. Your favorite day is Thursday (jeudi, for Jupiter, in French), and you're quite, well, jovial (Jupiter, the god, was also known as Jove in the Roman era -- hence the expression 'by Jove')."

How did they figure that one out? Thursday is my fav day. It's been for quite some time now. For the simplest reason: when it's Thursday, the next day is Friday -- the start of weekend. By Jove!

But wait. There's more:

"Sagittarians have too much pride. Even if you know logically that you're losing an argument, you'll do your darndest to try to twist it to your advantage. You can't stand losing, because deep down you're insecure -- Sagittarius is the most insecure sign in the zodiac -- so you do everything in your power to hide it. Your talent for debate, though, usually means you will win. But should you always?"

On the money! Should we always, indeed! Damn, this is good. Read on:

"More than any other sign, even Scorpio, you prefer dark colors. Black is you. It goes with your propensity towards depression and death.

"Your sense of style is quite traditional and conservative, and here, dark is also preferable -- it shows status and power better, and that is, after all, what you spend your life striving for."

Scary!

"Once you attain a certain rank, you have a weakness for displaying it. You want a car, for instance, that is above all a status symbol. You take pride in how far you've come, so you want to announce this to the world by buying an expensive, well-made vehicle, such as a BMW."

Maybe not so much as a BMW, but yeah, can't argue with this, either.

"Your home is also impressive, the better to announce your status. In terms of actual taste, though, it may be a bit plain. Traditional. You rely on the good taste of historical style to lend it an air of quality.

"The same goes for food. Your sacrificial side has such a strong hold on your work ethic that you often don't stop for food. It's not nearly as important to you as it is to your earth sign relatives, the Taureans and Virgos. And when you do eat, it's never adventurous. Meat and potatoes, chicken, burgers, anything safe. Exotic foods? Never."

That and cold vegies, chicken nuggets, and instant noodles.

"As the hunter and sportsman of the zodiac, virtually all athletic pursuits are fair game. You're especially fond of those with a direct connection to the centaur, however, such as horse racing, polo, any sort of riding, shooting, or archery."

Not sure about the horse stuff. I did like riding horses as a kid. But then, which kid doesn't? Shooting? Definitely.

"You're well-developed physically, so you'll have no problem leading your team in home runs, baskets, or touchdowns. In fact, unlike Aries, the other great sporting sign, you thrive in team sports. You're the first to dive for the ball, even if it means splashing in mud puddles."

Mud puddles. Funny.

"It's in your nature to be a bit scruffy and unkempt -- the hunter always goes home to the farm with a few scrapes -- and this goes for physical appearance as well. You don't care if your hair hasn't been washed today, or if your T-shirts all wrinkled -- those are just more annoying details."

Speaking of which -- as I told Juwi this morning -- the jeans I had on today were from ten -- that's right, ten, as in one-zero -- years ago. I remember my mom bought them for me around this time of 1994. Hmm, The Salvation Army would not like this at all.

I'd better stop here.

Thanx for all the handshakes, calls, SMSes, emails, e-cards, instant messages, Friendster messages and testimonials, and blog comments. And for all those wishes, too. I especially like the part about getting His guidance always. Perhaps -- just perhaps -- it's time to start saying those night prayers again.

Thank you.

Current music: You Are My Hiding Place
Current mood: happy