My birthday this year was everything a birthday should be! And I have my amazing friends and family to thank. It was a threshold of new beginnings, expansiveness, and optimism. It’s going to be a great year. What can I say, I know it’s corny, but I feel absolutely blessed. Another year, and hopefully I’ve attained a little more wisdom…hmmm…

My extended birthday extravaganza consisted of seeing “What the Bleep do we Know,” chilling with Margaritas at my favorite old Mexican dive, El Coyote, dinner at the not-so-shabby Polo Lounge in BH. And smoothies at the Hustler store cafe, etc. All the while, the Dem convention is taking place and Al Sharpton drives me to tears! It doesn’t get much better…

…with the exception of…dancing like a complete carefree freak at a cheesey 80’s club in Hollywood with one of your oldest, dearest friends and then having the club blog your picture. Check it out, as Mr. Bowie days, “John, I’m only dancing.” Who the Hell is John?

J’espere que tous mes copains Francais aurons un joyeux 14 Juillet!

My birthday is coming up on the 28th of July, coincidentally simultaneous to the Democratic National Convention. If I have any wish at all it’s that you donate at least $5 to the Democratic campaign or MoveOn.org in my name. I am scared about what this country is becoming under this leadership. I miss America. Hope the ‘prise de la Bastille’ will not be necessary here. Thanks for your support! I live for the idea of America, freedom, no judgment, separation of church and state, union, ethnic diversity.

Hey look, it’s me and my old friend Bryan Ferry, from the Pandora’s Box of archives…

I am so happy the my clever designer/stylist friend Barbra Horowitz introduced me to a hip network for women in LA in entertainment related fields, called Ladies Who Brunch. These women look out for each other, help each other, pass on information, meet up and their only agenda is their careers and being around creative people.

I have to admit being a little disgruntled as of late towards the attitude of some men in power or influence positions. I’ve encountered this personally and heard stories from friends.

It’s not all men. Believe me, I’ve met some wonderful, kind, balanced, decent professional men out there. I praise these “real men.” But other men abuse their power to manipulate women with creative agendas by telling them what they want to hear regarding assistance and contacts, when their intentions are purely selfish and lascivious.

To those men, I would say, if you’re interested in getting laid, please indicate so, upfront. And the lady in question will respond accordingly. By masking your true intentions with interest in the woman’s creative work you not only appear desperate and sleazy but set up a very bad precedent for a work or romantic involvement.

Sure, this is the oldest trick in the world and I know that men will continue to do it as long as there are naive women to bait. And sure there are those women who turn the tables on these men and use them only to turn away at the last moment when the man expects a little something extra. That’s just as wrong. Yet it’s hard to lay total blame on these women. Their behavior tells the story of being jaded and having one’s pride beat into submission in the past.

A final plea to these men:
Creative women (creative human beings, for that matter), are sensitive. If you tell them you like their work, please mean that you like their work, not their bodies. If you’re interested in a purely carnal situation, there are plenty of career strippers and gym-bettes who would be more than happy to oblige. Please stop preying on those who genuinely have creative gifts to give to the world. It’s demoralizing and says more about you and your desperation than anything else.

I love rediscovering musical artists, especially ones who didn’t lose their talent and balls in a pathetic and cliche drug-haze. This month I’m re-obsessed with Prince. He was great on “The Tavis Smiley Show” a few months back promoting his new album, singing his sexy little heart out. And he looked amazing…even at 46. Total integrity and “revolutionary rock n’ roll,” to quote the purple poet himself.

I’m non-stop listening to “Dirty Mind” and “Controversy” (the former kicks big time ass). When Prince sings about heartache, getting down and dirty, and society’s ills it’s REAL but also lyrical. A great track is the irreverant “Party Up,” a pleasure-seeker generation’s anti-war statement (”That war, is such a fucking bore, party up, got to party up…You’re gonna have to fight your own damn war, ’cause we’re not gonna fight no more…)

And, for those of us who are getting older and running out of songs about our ages (no longer able to lay claim to Stray Cats’ “Sexy and 17,” Alice Cooper’s “18,” and Steely Dan’s “Hey 19″) Prince offers his own taboo reverence to the thirtysomething foxy mamma. Remember his snappy little track about incest, entitled “Sister?” I quoth the Prince formerly known as The Artist: “I was only 16 but I guess that’s no excuse…my sister was 32, lovely and…loose.”

And (please see above) who puts a picture like that on an album anyway? Only someone who doesn’t give a flying fuck what all the clones out there think. In this day and age of self-consciousness, boring sheep and sycophants, that’s really saying something.

July is a magical, mystical month (in Beatle-ese). Not only is Venus finally direct after 40 days in retrograde, moving things forward in matters relating to values and the heart. But, later in the month, it returns to the position where it was eclipsed in June. That means that the 21st-23rd should be the gone-shot in the marathon…ready, steady, go…your mission beckons. See last month’s blog for your specific mission as it was outlined by the position of the Venus eclipse in your chart. Also, July goes out with a bang as there are not one but TWO full moons this month, which means the second one is blue. You know the expression, “once in a blue moon.” There is wisdom behind the cliché. The month is offers a rare opportunity to tune in to the ethereal powers that be and channel them for personal and global benefits. For your personal reading, check your birthdate below:

(January 15th-February 12th)
This can be an extraordinarily passionate (or turbulent) time for you. When Mars, planet of both the aforementioned traits, is cruising through your house of relationships and others and Venus is in your house of relationships. I am however veering towards the side of passion. This can be passion for another or a burst of fresh creativity and a collaborative project that will inspire everyone involved. You’ve had trouble keeping a routine and getting really into work related issues so this may seem like yet another distraction, at first. The full moon in your sign at the end of the month is Blue. So July is jam-packed with more psychic, spiritual and emotional power.

(February 13th-March 13th)
If you work from home this could be a very lucrative month for you. That’s because you’ve got smooth and easy vibes on the domestic front and a new moon and Mars (planet of action) in your work and “getting things done sector.” This could also, of course, relate to renovations, remodelling and on the more boring end of the spectrum, general home maintenance. You’ll also be feeling very loving towards family. The past couple of months have taken the glimmer out of your home scene and made you more pensive and less giving but July will see a return to the home on a range in the most positive of ways.

(March 14th-April 13th)
You’ll find yourself thinking and creating with more mental acuity than you’ve had in months this July. You’ll be a master of connecting and charming so it’s a great time to get out there and meet influential people. Since you may have been suffering, in the past year or so, from backlogged issues relating to your family, this should come at an opportune time. I’m sorry to say that, though those issues will let up a little in the Fall. There’s still at least another six months, during 2005, of cleaning house with your family and/or domestic partner. Take heart, the Venus eclipse is ushering in a new way to communicate that could be of great assistance to you.

(April 14-May 14)
This year has already shaped up to be a dynamic one for you. Even if you haven’t noticed a lot of outward changes things are definitely going on the inside. This isn’t always easy to handle because change means giving up a lot of things from your past. Even bad habits and old phobias can seem like missed friends when the light of nostalgia is shining on them. Mars in your fourth house this month suggests that some of these childhood issues will crop up again-many having to deal with security-so that you can put them to rest once and for all. With Venus now direct in this very house, it’s all for the best because you’ll be entering a new period when trust and assurance will be welcome and ample.

(May 15-June 14)
You’re contemplating an identity makeover but you’re not sure which aspect of yourself you want to commit to the most. As Venus moves forward in your sun, and the moon and Mars point to communication, you would be best served by taking your cues from others. Normally, you’re told to look deep within yourself for the answers and I wouldn’t necessarily rule that out. Just pepper that with some guidance from those around you. It is during conversations, debates, discussions and chats that you will find out exactly what you need to know about yourself and where you stand on the toughest of issues.

(June 15-July 15)
You’ve been in a dreamy state for the past couple of months. You’re off somewhere in fantasy-land, perhaps thinking of the past, or just of your greatest fantasies. As Venus moves forward this energy turns into something sublimely attractive to those around you. Whether they want to sleep with you or just want to be around that peaceful energy to inspire themselves, they’ll come to you. Security will be a big word this month, especially during the second half. People may also seek you out as a pillar of security or you may meet solid people. On the more mundane level, it’s possible that financial issues will be the focus of this period as well.

(July 16-August 16)
There is a part of you that would rather stay at home and luxuriate in your abode than step out amongst the masses. That part remains dormant this month. That’s because, just in time for your birthday, Mars will be conjunct your sun. Last year Mars was far away from this position and you felt the tug of war between yourself and others. This year, with Venus going direct in your house of friendships and this lucky Mars voyage, your social life will take off and this will give you the extra energy you need to do just about anything, especially during the second half of the month when the new moon graces, none other than, your sun sign. The second full moon (a blue one) in your opposite sign at the end of the month can move mountains for relationships.

(August 17-September 16)
You’re normally a very outward person who aims to be the life of the party and in the limelight. Don’t worry, you haven’t changed that much. It’s just that July is a month when inner voices (not the crazy kinds) will be calling you. You may decide you want to go to therapy or that you would like to meditate to achieve an understanding of what’s going on at your core and how it connects to the greater good. There is, sorry to tell you, the possibility that this planetary positioning can result in insomnia so make sure that you do have an outlet for relaxation. Your career will provide inspiration but be careful not to work yourself into oblivion.

(September 17-October 17)
You’ll have lots of friends around after the middle of the month when a new moon graces your sector of group associations and friendships. However, with Mars camping out in this house as well, it’s likely that at least one or two disputes or disagreements will arise. Most likely these scuffles will have to do with clashing values. Venus has been causing you to question your values lately. Perhaps something has changed or you have been drawn back to your core beliefs. As the loving planet finally forges ahead, not backwards you are able to see what you’re really going for and what really matters. Whether, ALL of your friends can catch your drift on these issues is debatable.

(October 18-November 15)
Your career will either get a kick or a kick in the butt, depending on your attitude. If you’re one of those fair and balanced types, your career will profit from your goodness and equilibrium. You’ll be able to handle several projects at once. If you’re more of a flighty sort who can’t make up their mind what project they need to give their time to, this may be a difficult time for you. Working with others is vital to your success at the moment. And a collaboration will require that you stick to your guns on something. It will also require a deep commitment on your part to, not just a “job,” but a calling. With Venus making waves in your house of joint finances and intimacy, this month’s lessons are likely to have long-term effects.

(November 16-December 15)
You’ve been working hard to sort out the gnawing details of your personal life and relationships. This may have brought you deep into the corridors of the past or it may simply be slowing down a current amour or partnership. The good news is that as Venus moves forward so can you. You’re ready to abandon past mistakes and forge ahead. If you’re with someone, you’re ready to make a decision either way (stay or go). Mars and the moon in your 9th house indicates that the second half of the month will be particularly expansive for you. You will open up to new perspectives, and if you’re in publishing or the media, it’s a great chance to throw all of your weight behind a project.

(December 16th-January 14th)
You’ve been labouring over old relationship or partnership issues in the past month or so. That probably hasn’t been the easiest thing on your psyche. You may have wanted a vacation from this but I can’t yet promise your request for time off will go through. You’re entering an even deeper phase of analysis and deep probing when it comes to how you handle yourself with other people. Now it’s about true intimacy. The good news is that should you need to work on things hands-on with a partner or just ring up an ex to set things straight, those opportunities will be available to you all month as Venus bustles into direct action in your house of partnerships adding outward therapy to all the soul-searching you’ve been doing yourself.