Here’s today’s general horoscope for Leos:

You don’t need the acceptance of your peers, but it sure is energizing when it comes. Tonight, your appetites are full strength. Indulge yourself to some degree to avoid being distracted and obsessed.

And here’s the birthday horoscope:

You are determined and on purpose this year. Your career takes off when you discover that what you thought was a limitation is clearly an asset. You play hard through September and have a partner in high jinks. Passionate emotions rule the winter holiday season. You’ll be appointed to lead and protect in January. Libra and Virgo adore you.

Curiously, I am interviewing for a supervisory position at the office job on Monday. I don’t think I’ll get it — there are four others going for the spot, too, and they’ve all been there longer than I. On the other hand, the company is expanding the staff by 50% by October 1st, which means there will be three other supervisory positions opening between now and then. Now, maybe I’m reading too much into this …

… and I probably shouldn’t put this much attention to horoscopes, anyway. I’ve spent too much time tonight trying to figure out what limitation of mine is actually an asset. If nothing else comes true, though, I’m really hoping the “passionate emotions” take the form of an attractive woman.

So, today’s my thirtieth. I spent last night with some friends from work and from middle school drinking at Ireland’s Four Fields in Cleveland Park. Hungover as I was today, I still managed to clean my apartment pretty thoroughly before my parents came over and took me out for dinner. We wandered down Connecticut Avenue and finally wound up at a little cafe/bar (Woodley Cafe? I think) where — yum! — I cannot say enough about their garlic mashed potatoes served as a side to their seasoned pork chops.

I’ve been thinking about the changes in my life since March, when I got this day job. Let’s see: I moved to DC, sold my car, work in an office. I can’t believe I’ve been working this job for almost five months: that’s a real trip. Want to know what another trip was? The letter I got from the United States Postal Service saying, “Hey, buddy, y’know, you’re totally eligible to still work here, y’know, if you want…”

See, a few years ago, I tested for a position with the U.S. Postal Service. I’d been looking for a quote-unquote “real” job for some time, but I never heard back from them. Eventually, my inability to find said “real” job pushed me back to school, which led, eventually, to my current residence in the District. And then, hey, the Postal Service would’ve hired me! (Alternatively, they could be so strapped for employees they’re digging into the reject pile.)

The long and short is this: I’m thirty, and I don’t feel markedly different from when I was twenty-nine. I’ve alternated this whole week between dreading being thirty, and rejoicing in it. My twenties kind of sucked: but I think my thirties are looking bright and awesome.