I, rarely, see anyone when I’m out observing. When I do, they’re pretty weird. One night I was out near Ken’s Lake (south of Moab) and a woman drives up because she noticed my vehicle and telescope. I thought that was unusual for a woman, by herself, in the first place. Driving up to a large, angry-looking man (her headlights were on high-beam) usually gives them pause. However, subsequent conversation brought home the fact that little in this woman’s life had ever given her pause. She was annoying. I was diplomatic, “yes, ma’am”, “no, ma’am”, “I don’t think so, ma’am”. Then the kicker. “You’re really into astrology, aren’t you?” “No, ma’am. I’m into astronomy…n-o-m-y, not l-o-g-y.” So much for that. She was lost in the intricacies of the alphabet. However, all was not lost because I got the lesson of a lifetime in all things astrologic. If only I’d listened more closely. A lot of stuff about the zodiac and my birth sign. “What was my birth sign?” I told her I didn’t know what she was talking about. With that she realized she was dealing with a mental decrepit and exited stage left. Ever since, being a little on the stupid side has worked wonders for me. Just ask anyone who knows me. Oh, and a word of advice to those out with the red neck shoot-em-ups. Next time take Patrick along with you. Nothing scares a red neck more than an old vegan. Dave