ARIES (March 21-April 19): Have fun with the people you work with. Networking will assist you in meeting the right people and discovering what's available in your chosen field. Balance will be the key to everything you do.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Lay your plans out in detail, and you will eliminate doubts that may have initially been suggested. Travel plans should be made if it will help you seal a deal. Put time aside for a little rest and relaxation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don't be too quick to share your secrets. Someone may want to use information you divulge against you in order to get ahead. Jealousy will lead to emotional deception in a close relationship.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don't let work cause you to avoid responsibilities at home. An older relative may be a burden, but once you get into a routine, it will become easy. You will realize you, too, benefit from the interaction and experience.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take a break, plan a trip, or sign up for something you've always wanted to do. It's idle time that will bring you down. A serious change is in order, bringing with it new friends and a better atmosphere.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You can plan to have some fun, but that shouldn't mean you spend money you can't afford to part with. Love is in the stars. Take time to primp and prepare for an eventful, memorable encounter that brings about a stronger bond.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep your thoughts to yourself. Avoid any confrontation that is mounting between you and a colleague. Let your counterpart make the first move so you can assess the situation and decide whether to get involved.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Change will come about through the company you keep and the people you help. You will be granted favors, and people will have a greater understanding of what you are trying to accomplish. With a couple of minor adjustments, success will be yours.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Exaggeration may help to sell something you've got on the market, but it will also lead to a poor reputation. Stick to the facts and what's possible, and you will get a lot further ahead.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Partnerships will have to be looked at carefully before you decide to make any monetary contribution. Problems with rules or regulations will lead to delays if you travel or have dealings with foreigners.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Someone is likely to confuse you. Don't you assume there's something happening between you and someone you just met — take a wait-and-see attitude. You may be mistaking kindness for personal interest. You should be focusing on making a better life and future for yourself.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Emotions are likely to take you on a roller-coaster ride. Throw jealousy out the window, and plan to have fun and to be the best company ever. A positive, playful attitude will help you score big with friends, lovers, and peers.

How I made cupcakes for a going-away party:

• Googled "cupcakes" (4,190,000 hits).

• Bookmarked a few sites.

• Turned child-safe search filter on.

• Googled "cupcakes" (1,480,000 hits).

• Found recipe for triple chocolate cupcakes, copied recipe, went to store.

• Bought ingredients, mixing bowl, and two muffin pans ($28.37).

• Came home, unpacked groceries, cackled wildly.

• Combined enough ingredients for 30 triple chocolate cupcakes.

• Consumed enough batter for 10 triple chocolate cupcakes.

• Baked 20 triple chocolate cupcakes (18 minutes).

• Ate two cupcakes straight from the oven.

• Washed cupcakes down with milk.

• Absorbed milk with another two cupcakes.

• Ate the six cupcakes that were misshapen (quality control).

• Sugar coma.

• Upon waking, realized that roommate had eaten four cupcakes.

• Frosted the six remaining cupcakes.

• Ate the six remaining cupcakes.

• Sugar coma.

• At the party, chipped in $5 for pizza.