ypsi~dixit

Mars and Jupiter take turns getting each other up against the ropes of the cosmic boxing ring. The tension has to do with money versus effort. What earns a lot of money is often a little effort, while a lot of toil and sweat often yields a few bucks at the end of the week. The lesson is to size up your fight before you jump onto the mat.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). As the warrior of the zodiac, you know it's pointless to wish for a conflict-free life. Aspiring to have the confidence needed to face your fear head-on is the wish you make today -- worthy indeed.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Love is possible when you believe it is possible. Impart this wisdom to anyone who feels doubtful. Tell them to look to you for strength. You have the heart to conquer your past pain -- you'll prevail.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your allies in life's battlefield are many. Still, your best ally is your own strength. Put it to the test today. Life won't always provide dramatic circumstances to challenge your resolve -- sometimes quiet ones.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Group activities are a challenge emotionally -- where do you fit in? It's not obvious, but after a few hours, you'll feel more comfortable. So stick with it. When you're having trouble, you can confide in a Capricorn.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). One size does not fit all. What you're going through today is difficult for others to understand, but that doesn't make you strange by any account. Indulge by allowing yourself to feel however you feel -- no judgment.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Marvelous social opportunities are available if you can squeeze them in. The best part is, loving eyes are on you when you're unaware. You'll make a strong connection with someone who thinks like you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your destiny is meeting you. The most supportive person in your life could very well be someone you don't even like or hardly know. Be open to all kinds of weird twists in your personal plot.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You're not sure why you love whom you do. Maybe they're singing a song only you can hear. Or maybe you're the question, and they're the answer. No matter the reason, today, you know it's true.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A financial opportunity comes from pursuing a creative idea you've had for some time. Don't give up now. A second action plan will bring better results than the first.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your intuition is hot. Use this keen awareness to finally figure out what's going on with your love life. Those in partnerships find themselves second-guessing recent decisions; remember, egos are at stake.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You have something important to say, and at least three people will take careful note. That's a start! Tonight, try to keep the same rules for everyone in your personal life.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Before, you may have believed that you were dependent on someone, but now, you realize you're utterly hopeless! This special someone is your north, south, east and west. However, you're still in the driver's seat.

Thank you, kindest Oracle. Oh, how true that Virgo is. Those social opportunities are just littering my calendar. Specially movies.

Woodman found that the Franklin party had encountered the Inuit early on in their expedition, hosting some witnesses on board their ships. AT some points, the Inuit were amazed by the Kabloona's habits: an offering of salt pork was refused because they thought it might be the rib of a Kabloona, and a Guy Fawkes' pantomime alarmed a young hunter. The Inuit knew several members of the crew by name, though names turned out to be part of the difficulty. The senior member of any party was often known as "Toolooah," and a second officer as "Aglooka" -- many different encounters with different "Aglookas" caused significant confusion, especially since James Ross (who had come near the region in the 1830's) had also been known as "Aglooka." The Inuit, after seeing the men on the ships, had seen one ship sink, with great loss of provisions and lives, which they thought was the reason the crews had come ashore. Some time later, another band came across a ship which had been piloted to an island in Queen Maud Gulf, which looked to have only recently been abandoned. The tracks of four Kabloonans (recognized by their long strides and deep boot-heels) and a dog were seen, but the ship seemed to be empty. The Inuit ventured on board, and found 'dead men in their bunks'; in a locked cabin they found the body of a "giant Kabloona, with very long teeth," whose body was so heavy it took five men to lift it. They left the bodies where they were, and set about getting what useful things they could from the ship: knives, utensils, wood, and gun-barrels (unrecognized at the time, and so broken off for the metal). They even found unopened tins of meat on board -- another enigmatic clue.

Y. never tires of these stories of polar explorers, tales so full of drama, adventure, mystery, and giant, complicated, driven personalities.

I note that the Wikipedia's Franklin entry pulls a Charles Dickens in trying to cover up the cannibalism with a preposterous made-up tale about an Inuit attack.

This is incorrect.

The National Geographic had photos of those sailors in the graves they opened up in the '80s-rather disturbing photos,I might add.

Doug: Wow. I'd love to read that article. I wonder if you can order it from them.

I've seen a photo of one of the bodies, just the face. Very well preserved by the permafrost.

I read this last winter: http://imponderabilia.blogspot.com/2006/02/ada-blackjack-book-review.html

It sounds similar in many ways, but Ada Blackjack's story was much less mysterious. Still, awful and yet compelling to read.