My Firehorse horoscope on Facebook today includes: “Bureaucracy will be slower than usual, which will cause you to be in an execrable mood; but at least spare your near collaborators.”

I’m waiting for the bank to approve finance on a new housing investment loan. That seems to be a circular process which has no logical timeframe. Based on our last experience I’m actually happy with how smoothly this one has gone.

If the stars were flagging a work issue I can’t say the wheels are turning any faster or slower than usual. Read that as you will.

I filled my former deputy in this morning on some recent events and she replied it’s fortunate I have “the patience of a Saint”.

That was a very nice thing of her to say. I’m always determined to be calm under pressure and patient except in relation to deadlines.

Towards the end of last year, when various external pressures were mounting, I felt I was losing patience.

I don’t have any meditative formula for remaining calm; I think it just comes with experience. There isn’t much that shocks or surprises me any more.

That could be a positive thing, or it could be like the boxer who knows how to absorb punishment.

A staff member could resign suddenly tomorrow because their pet gerbil is homesick, and I would take it in my stride.

My computer could spontaneously combust and I’d still find a way to get the paper out.

The truck delivering our papers could be seized in a police raid because it was planted with drugs, and I would sense the opportunity for a news story, rather than a logistical threat.

While experience teachers you how to manage different situations, it doesn’t necessarily provide an antidote for grumpiness.

Good news is the best cure for that malady and I don’t seem to be getting much of that lately.

I had some on the financial front today (after losing heaps in the recent stock market downturn). The house we paid $245,000 for at Moonta Bay in late September 2007 is now worth $262,000 according to the valuer!