In what some have described as a childish and immature race to the
GOP nomination, a new darling has emerged.  Little Ricki Santorum,
unseated from the US Senate at 2 (terms) surprised the judges, the
moms, and the dads with a triple state upset (MO, MN, CO) over
self-anointed front-runner Mittzi Romney. Sanatorium may now be
considered the new “enfant terrible” of the GOP (Girls’ Own Power)
race. While in the Senate, Shantaram was famous for his earmarks.
Perhaps it is these beautiful ear markings which have put him ahead
in recent state beauty pageants. “Romney has been treated with
kid gloves,” said a Sanctum supporter. “Well now those gloves are off.”

Amidst the tantrum-throwing and hair-pulling of the contest in
Maine (also known as Tiddlers in Tiaras), Little Mittzi has been
regaining her top spot, wowing the judges with her talent: being very
very rich. (And a bit out of touch). But with only Romney and former
favorite Neutered Gingrich as serious competition, Little Ricki
Factotum is still very much in the picture, and what a pretty picture it
is too!

Rick Santorum is 3 in the Maine contest.

Newt Gingrich promised Florida the full moon. Florida gave Gingrich the finger. Days later, showing off his brand new 270 billion karat flawless diamond ring, Mitt Romney officially beds The Donald.

After South Carolina spanked Romney so hard he couldn’t sit down for ten days, Little Mitt went and dried his eyes in Florida, where he and Newt got down and dirty with each other. This nasty tryst climaxed with Mitt breaking into his beautiful soprano, “I feel pretty, oh so pretty…” and ended with him bragging “I like big votes and I cannot lie…”

So what’s next for the two? More dirty dancing until one of them lands firmly on top.

Did you know?

*There are several variations on the mythology behind Chinese New Year celebrations. Most are based on an ugly bloodthirsty monster named Nian that would emerge on the last night of each year to destroy villages and eat people. A wise elder advised villagers to scare the monster away with loud noises. That night, they set fire to bamboo, lit fireworks, and banged their drums. The monster, afraid of the loud noises and lights, ran away to hide in its cave. In another version of the myth, an old man persuaded Nian to turn its wrath on other monsters, not the villagers. Before he was seen riding away on Nian, the old man, actually a god, advised the people to hang red paper decorations in their homes and set off firecrackers on the last night of the year to keep Nian away. On the first day of the new year, the villagers celebrated, greeting each other with the words “Guo Nian” which means “survive the Nian”, a tradition that has continued to this day to mean “celebrate the new year.”
*A Chinese proverb states that all creations are reborn on New Year’s day. Thus, the Chinese New Year is a celebration of change … out with the old and in with the new!
*On New Year’s Day, we are not suppose to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed away good luck for the New Year.
*Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, and one of the luckiest colors in the Chinese tradition.
*Red underwear is one of the most popular gifts for sweethearts to exchange around Chinese New Year. Every winter, red underwear decorated with gold embroidery usually illustrating the pertinent zodiac animal go on sale in China’s stores.
*It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year’s sets the tone for the rest of the year. Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word “four” (Ssu), which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning.
*If you cry on New Year’s day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.
*Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given lai see, little red envelopes with crisp one dollar bills inserted, for good fortune.
*The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows.
*It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.
*Do not use knives or scissors on New Year’s Day as this may cut off fortune.

While many Chinese people today may not believe in these do’s and don’ts, these traditions and customs are still practiced. These traditions and customs are kept because most families realize that it is these very traditions, whether believed or not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with an identity.

4709: The Year of the Dragon

Years:
1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Character:
Never cautious, the Dragon is not afraid when faced with a challenge. They will defend and protect any cause close to their heart. Confident and strong, they enter all battles. Dragons are known for their powerful and majestic spirit.

Compatible with:
Monkey, Rat and Snake

Non-Compatible with:
Dog

Western Counterpart:
Aries

Famous Dragons:
Bruce Lee, Martin Luther King , Shirley Temple, Grace Kelly, Oliver Hardy, Christopher Reeves, Florence Nightingale, Robin Williams, Roseanne, Courtney Cox, Keanu Reeves, Dan Aykroyd, Calista Flockhart, Sarah Bernhardt, Salvador Dali, Sigmund Freud, Joan of Arc, Bing Crosby, Neil Diamond, Placido Domingo, Bo Diddley, Tom Jones, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Raquel Welch, Pearl Buck, Lewis Carroll, Lady Godiva, J. Paul Getty, Marlene Dietrich, Faye Dunaway, Joan Baez, Frank Zappa, Mae West, Joseph Campbell, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, William Harrison, and Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson

COUNT/POINTERCOUNT

I, Candi