Few things are priority

All things are urgent

Only work on those things that are priority

Some things that are priority are also urgent

Some things that are urgent could be priority

Do all things that you are asked to do

Never turn down things that are urgent
Don’t stop working on things that are priority

If there’s anybody out there that has been reading these golden rules, I apologize for the little break in transmission. I had just finished typing up Golden Rule #19 and when I hit post, the internet connection chose that moment to act up and my post vanished into the wilderness of cyberspace. I now need to psyche myself up to type it over.

Birthday girl here. We do apologize for that break in transmission but got caught up in some other stuff (not birthday stuff tho).

Day 3

Well Day 3 was the actual birthday. The morning started early with an excited mother bursting into a darkened room. You’d think it was her birthday. Well first act of the day was to open the self-purchased birthday gift. I must say I loved it! Well chosen!

After a custom breakfast (which included french toast - thanks mummy!) it was off to work. E-card from the boss, hugs from the coworkers - not a bad start. Shortly the text messages began to come in. By time I checked Facebook my wall was full of good wishes. Thanks to everybody.

The evening saw me getting all gussied up for a dinner for two at Cafe Aubergine. My first time there - nothing like Kingston Restaurant Week to free up the pocket a little. Food was great! Ambience was great! Service was great! Company was great!

All in all a birthday well spent. Thanks to all who contributed.

Received the following from a fellow Scorpio this morning:

Magnetic, elusive, sexy and determined. That’s you Scorpio!

You were born under the eighth sign of the zodiac which is referred to by astrologers as a fixed water (ice) sign. In a lot of ways ice sums up your emotional character. But why is this, when you have fiery and warlike Mars ruling you?

Your star sign is probably one of the most misunderstood signs of the zodiac. It has had a pretty bad rap over the years, but that’s just because what people don’t understand, they tend to fear. That cool aloofness is just the surface of your complex nature, and is by no means bad. Below the surface of your cool exterior is a scorching and passionate fire. You know it and others sense it too.

You’re an emotional being, and you take it to the limits. In fact you need overkill to feel really alive. You also want approval, though you don’t often verbalise that. You give 100 per cent of yourself to those you love, and expect the same, if not more, in return. There are definitely no half measures in your attitude to love.

You are demanding of yourself and others, but when you give your heart to someone you’re very loyal. You are committed to anything you do, including relationships — you absolutely adore the idea of love. It’s a challenge that excites you.

You turn heads whenever you walk into a room — you are the strong, silent type, and you have a magnetic aura. You have something that’s hard to put your finger on but makes it nearly impossible for people to ignore you. You know full well that you can manipulate people, and you love it! This magnetic power is really your greatest strength.

It’s well known astrologically that the eyes of a Scorpio can hypnotise. Whether you know it or not, this is your most powerful physical trait. Often people will often say that you have amazing eyes. So even though you don’t always articulate your feelings, your eyes do plenty of communicating for you — they can express the full range of your emotional states.

Determination is another of your key characteristics. People can see you as insensitive to others’ needs, even obsessive, because you push forward so single-mindedly. There are no half-measures in your life — in friendship, love, family life or work. You want to be the best, and you won’t let anything stand in the way. But on the plus side, you like to share your successes with the people you take under your wing, whether they’re family or friends.

You’re not afraid of obstacles or challenges, whether they are something unavoidable or foes or competitors. In fact, you thrive on them — you love trying to prove that no one can stop you.

If someone tries to corner you or put you in a difficult situation, they’d better be prepared to give it their best shot, because you won’t give in until you win, and your enemy is totally crushed in body, mind and spirit.If that ruthless streak in your character can’t be satisfied straight away, you’ll wait, patiently, until the proper time to seek revenge. Time is of no consequence to you when it comes to wreaking vengeance.

Whether you’re fulfilling your sensual appetites or your more noble aspirations, pleasure will always be a focus for you. You want it all. You are not afraid of the dark side, even though you seek the light. This is why Scorpio has three totems — the scorpion, the lizard and the phoenix.

The scorpion is the most vengeful and dangerous part of your nature. If you’re operating on that level, you’ll be constantly seeking to hurt others with your power. This is, of course, something to avoid.

The lizard represents the class of scorpions who hide from life and never quite achieve the full measure of their power. They sometimes seek self-destructive outlets such as drugs or even criminal activities to satisfy their obsessive nature.

If you aspire to the best that Scorpio has to offer, you’ll be the phoenix, which rises out of the ashes. This transformative totem indicates that you have to burn your lower nature to allow the most splendid parts of your nature to live and grow. Fortunately, most Scorpios lean towards the phoenix.

In appearance you will be well proportioned, strong in body, muscular, and with a broad face and a commanding look. Your eyes, as already mentioned, are your strong point.

You are a tireless worker and generally achieve great success after the middle part of life.

The life of a Scorpio is challenging, but there’ll never be a dull moment.

This is your favourite birthday correspondent, Birthday Girl, reporting from the cool climes of the Liguanea valley. I’ll be bringing you all the latest updates on Bianca’s Birthday, the 2007 edition.

Day 1

The birthday season began early this year, sailing in two days before usual. Saturday November 10, saw the lady of the week waking up inordinately early (i.e. before 7am) to prepare for an out-of-town trip. The lady’s gentleman showed up with a sly smile leaving her wondering what he was up to.

The trip was accompanied by a “mix CD” that’s right, hours of mushy love songs, no staticky radio for us. Arrival in Ocho Rios was at about 10:30. First stop Dolphin Cove. Bianca lived one of her dreams and swam with the dolphins. Unbelievable! Combined with petting iguanas and holding a stingray (de-barbed), the day was one big creature feature.

Next stop Riu Ochi Rios. Let the food fest begin. Before reaching the room the young couple stuffed themselves at the pizzeria. After checking out the room, the hotel tour included stops at the bar. A little nap and then off to dinner Like I said, a food fest.

Nothing like a little show after dinner. The Riu entertainment team had a whole theatrical production going on with fabulous dances and strange gender-bending. Not to mention an almost naked Michael Jackson. Hmm. No comment on that.
Day 2

Day 2 was all about the rain. Having woken to the sounds of rain, a light drizzle greeted the lady of honour on the way to breakfast. During the meal the rain began to pour and pour and pour. That didn’t stop the intrepid pair from walking to another restaurant to check out the breakfast there.

Amidst the soaked tourists a second breakfast was had before a quick nap. Checkout was followed by a little snack for the road and off they headed back to town.

All in all, Birthday ‘07 is off to a good start. Let’s see what the rest of the week holds.

It’s really sad when…
instead of your job being a part of your life…

it gets in the way of your life.

Today is my mummy’s birthday. Every year I try to figure out some way to kind of say thanks for everything and make her feel special. Up to last night we were talking about the surprises we have pulled on her in the past. This year my father and I have collaborated on a present that will definitely surprise her. No way we could sneak it in in the night so the plan is to hopefully get it setup before she gets back from work. Fingers crossed. Of course, she will probably beat me home so I won’t get to see the face. Oh well.

Wow! It is amazing how much difference it makes when you really care about what you’re doing. Of course, being able to compare it to other things you do really makes it clear.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to teach a 2-hour session at the Edna Manley School of Dance. Not in dance though (ha ha, that would be funny). No, I was a guest lecturer in a Theatre Arts Management class being given to final year Dance students. The course is being run by a friend of mine who asked me to help out. So I spent 2 hours lecturing and conversing on Fund-raising, Sponsorship, Proposal Writing, all tailored to the arts in Jamaica. I must say I enjoyed it.

Now contrast that to a 3-hour training session I gave the day before at work. Same small class size, similar level of familiarity with the material but talking about software definitely does not give me the same buzz. When I was finished I was just relieved to have gotten it over with, though I actually have several more of those (exact same) sessions to do.

It’s a small thing but it really felt good to be doing something (anything) in the direction of where I want to go, even if it was teaching which I never saw myself doing really. Apparently I don’t do badly though because I may be asked to help out with other sessions and perhaps be on the panel to evaluate their final project presentations.

Hmm, a wind is blowing.

Many a time in my life I have felt the sweet relief of freedom as I jump into my car. The ability to direct one’s travels in very liberating. Those people who have had to go without their vehicle for some time quickly feel burdened by having to wait for someone else.

But there are those moments when that same car can make you feel trapped.

Yesterday I left work at my usual time (5 p.m. that is, not the under-project-pressure time of after 7, 8, 9). As always I found myself sitting waiting for the traffic light at the end of Knutsford Boulevard. Eventually I was the second car from the front. The light had just gone red so I whipped out my cellphone to make a call. Unfortunately this meant I did not notice the indigent fellow approaching my car. His hand out, he began to ask for some money. I politely responded that I had nothing to give him (perfectly true unless he takes credit cards).

He continued to ask. I shook my head, began to scowl, flashed my hand at him as he continued to plead his case. Well, I guess he saw an opportunity. He leaned on my window and proceeded to shout through the closed window. The general gist was how much he loved me and my “ripe breasts”. I would laugh if I had not been feeling so very trapped and violated as there was nothing I could do.

Luckily the light changed shortly thereafter and I was able to move off. But my skin was crawling all the way home.

Is it any wonder I refuse to drive with my windows down, and burn AC all the time when it’s cool outside?