read between the lines

Horoscopes have always seemed silly to me. How could a bunch of random people follow the same advice just because they were born during the same 30 day period? Most newspaper horoscope columns also have a paragraph just for people celebrating their birthday. On the surface it seems more specific, until you think about the number of other people born on the same day. Here's what the Chicago Tribune had for today's birthdays:

You'll do very well this year when speaking to large groups of people. Be careful what you say. You might be elected to office.

Now let's check the Los Angeles Times:

Knowing your purpose will be the genesis of your success this year. This month and next are for exploring, deciding and changing your mind -- all part of the growing process. Be patient with yourself. Ultimately, you'll know when you've struck "gold." A windfall in August is one big clue! Your relationships with Libra and Aquarius people bring much joy. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 20, 11, 33 and 39.

There are plenty more columns, each with optimistic advice. Here's what the New York Post had to say:

A Jupiter-Saturn aspect on your birthday suggests this is a make or break time in your life. Whatever it is you most dream of doing that is what you must focus on to the exclusion of everything else. Don't let money worries hold you back: the important thing now is that you find an outlet for your creativity. You'll soon be swimming in cash.

So who can expect a windfall? Here are some of the people having birthdays today:

• Donald Faison
• Carson Daly
• Mary Lynn Rajskub
• Kurt Warner
• Dan Brown
• Dicky Barrett
• Amy Brenneman
  
• Erin Brockovich
  
• Tracy Pollan
• Bruce Campbell
• Cyndi Lauper
• Graham Greene
  
• Lindsay Wagner
• Meryl Streep
• Todd Rundgren
• David L. Lander
• Brit Hume
• Ed Bradley
• Kris Kristofferson
• Ralph Waite

Oh yeah, Freddie Prinze and the great Billy Wilder would have had birthday parties today if they were still alive.