(Mercury retrograde starts today:) The Dos & Don'ts Of Surviving Mercury Retrograde

[icymist]

Three or four times a year, Mercury passes the earth in its orbit. As it rounds the bend, Mercury slows down and appears to stop, or station, and spin backward — otherwise known as retrograde. Of course, it really ISN'T moving backward, but much like two trains or cars passing each other, this creates the optical illusion that Mercury, is in this case, going backward.

In astrology, Mercury rules communication, travel, and technology — so all of these areas go haywire for about three weeks, with today (Jan. 21) marking the beginning of the chaos.

To top it off, Mercury retrograde also has what's called a "shadow period" so you may have already felt the retrograde a couple weeks before and after it actually happened.

So how NOT to have a nervous breakdown?
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17068/the-dos-donts-of-surviving-mercury-retrograde.html

[elleng]

1. 'Thanks' for the reminder.

HA! Watching Chris Hayes' show, about repug responses to State of Union addresses. PERFECTO!!!

[cwydro]

3. This is interesting.

I've decided to quit my job.

And I've called out every day this week.

NOT me.

I do think I might be having a nervous breakdown lol.

[elleng]

4. I just took a deep breath

for YOU!


Planning to travel from MD to NJ around Feb. 14, to celebrate big birthdays. Thinking of taking train instead of driving.

[cwydro]

5. Thank you hon.

Just saw my typos.

Hey, I LOVE trains!

[elleng]

6. So do I,

love trains. Regulated them (freight, that is) as my 'career.' Took Amtrak in Dec. for grandson's birthday, thought I might drive for our 'big' birthday visit, but not sure about that, given weather + 'stars' etc.

[cwydro]

7. That is very cool.

I'm jealous.

[WolverineDG]

2. dammit...I have to buy a plane ticket this week

crap

[CTyankee]

8. guess so. I'm gonna have to get another car...bad news I was hoping not to hear...

so I've been looking at some good, used vehicles. They come with hefty price tags...

[elleng]

9. SORRY, yank.

I recommend 'old' Toyotas. I'm driving Dad's '93 Camry wagon, 150,000 miles, with few (if ANY) problems.

[CTyankee]

10. I'm not looking for much as a replacement...

I don't need fancy stuff. Reliability, good mileage, automatic, air conditioning, am/fm radio, good tires. I don't want a car that's older than maybe a 2005. 2010 would be better.

Had a good run in the Altima. Bought it in 1998 and my mother paid it off for me in 2002. Boy, I really loved not having a car payment all that time. I boosted my retirement contribution amount by the same amount as the car payment each payday, tho, since I was getting nearer to retirement. Best move I ever made (after my decision to divorce my first husband!).

But sun roofs and leather seats are not in the least important to me.

[elleng]

11. Same as me, yank,

and as I'd left 'our' car with estranged husband, I'd have had to buy one when my Dad gave me his. Haven't had a payment, and hope never to have one!

Its not fancy at all, but is a wagon, and here it is, same color! This model's not made any longer.

[CTyankee]

12. great looking car...

[elleng]

13. Well, I never WANTED a wagon,

but Dad did the research, and it still works, thank goodness.

THIS is MY car:

Would LOVE to have it back. The color makes me SO HAPPY!

[CTyankee]

14. It's great. What make is it?

[elleng]

15. VW, Jetta

My FIRST car was a Rabbit, in 1979, and after the Rabbit 'died' and we had a kid, I moved to the Jetta.

[CTyankee]

16. I've had a VW hatchback and a Subaru sedan and by far my best car has been

the two Altimas I have had in the last 15+ years or so. Now that their day is over and done with I've got to move on to a better make...

[elleng]

17. I love the 'action' of the VWs,

and if I had had to buy a car, probably would have bought one again. Toyo is very well behaved, and trustworthy, likely to last for another 50-100,000 miles, making the total 200,000 - 250,000 miles, pretty good imo.

[CTyankee]

18. My problem with that old of a car is that it begins to look like crap...

and I'm not into the "looks" of a car that much, but time takes its toll in wear and tear. Frankly, I am not that upset by the verdict on my old Altima. I was kinda expecting it, to tell the truth. For one thing, the mileage has not been what it used to be. And I'm paying about $1500 per year for repairs (over the last few years). Enough is enough.

[elleng]

19. Yes, that's a lot to pay, annually.

And I do agree that time takes it's toll. MY '93 Camry doesn't look as good as the one in the picture!

CarMax is a good place to go, to check things out in your market.

[CTyankee]

20. Yep. When they go, they go...my son in law had a Land Rover he really liked...

but it became a rust bucket. So it was banished to their Chappaquiddick summer house. It quickly became known as the Sand Rover since it was a "go to beach car."
Finally, enough was enough.

[LWolf]

21. This has been a horrific few weeks.

My best friend slipped on some ice and broke her arm, then had her car totaled a few days later when another car slid out of control on that ice. My son's car was totaled when someone ran a stop sign he was waiting at and started a chain reaction. Thankfully, everyone in both of those incidents is going to be okay.

Not so for my beautiful dog; I lost her on the 22nd to an injury suffered on a hike, and I'm still not over it.

I'm ready for this retrograde to be done.

[murielm99]

22. That is a lot to endure

in such a short time. I am very sorry about your dog. Hugs.

[LWolf]

23. Thank you. nt