India, Oct. 4 -- The universe does hear you, even if it answers oddly. Oddness seems to be following me around, both the 'funny peculiar' and the 'funny ha ha' kind.

I woke up this morning just before the rain began to fall. There was no gentle pitter-patter; the strong wind, thunder and lashing rain were quite in tune with my emotions when I had gone to bed the previous night. A new acquaintance had invited me to a party and then behaved in a manner I found inhospitable. On my way home, I sent a message expressing my feelings plainly. He replied with an apology. I thought I could leave it at that, but an injured ego takes some nursing. I was also famished after strength training and swimming, and the paltry nibbles at the cocktail party...