Something Squirrelly this Way Comes

So New Year's is this weekend. Growing up (mostly in Ohio), my family always had pork and cabbage on New Year's Day. Supposedly for health and wealth in the coming year. When living in Kansas we encountered the tradition of having black eyed peas on NYD. Living in North Carolina I was introduced to the tradition of collard greens and chitlins for the NYD feast.

I'm not a fan of peas, black eyed or otherwise. Collard greens are okay. I don't know if you could pay me to try chitlins. Their smell does nothing for me except make me extremely nauseous.

So I'm falling back on the childhood tradition of pork and cabbage. Even though I'm not a fan of pork. The texture is just ..not the best. The last couple of years I've just had a ham sandwhich and and a salad. Perhaps I haven't been having enough of the two main ingredients... so this year I'm cooking a pork loin in my crock pot (to be doused with lots of BBQ and shredded) and I have a head of red cabbage to include in my salad. Or maybe I'll make a stew and include the cabbage that way. Not sure. I'm not a fan of sauerkraut. That stuff just reeks! (sorry mom)

Yall have any suggestions?

Shortly after arriving at the Columbus Zoo to walk and view their Wildlights, the family and I were at the wolf habitat. It's fairly close to the entrance and we're all pretty much in awe of these beautiful creatures. Sure it was dark out, hard to see. But chances are the wolfies would be more active. We did see two of them, off in the distance of their habitat. However, the zoo had a video playing of the wolf pups. I'm not sure when they were born, perhaps the past spring.

I went from cooing "oohhhh how cute!" about the babies to squealing, "OHMYGOD!!" My mom knew why. The rest of the family was like, "What?! What?! Did you see something? Did a wolf get out??" My next squealy shriek answered their questions. "It's U2!! One Tree Hill! They're playing U2 in the wolf pup video!! One Tree Hill!!!"

I'm fairly sure I got eye rolled by everyone but it was dark and I couldn't see. Besides I was too busy humming along. Not sure if I freaked any other visitors out or not. I mean, most people would take a shrilling female outside a wolf exhibit as a bad sign. Imagine that. ;)

I'm sorry for those of yall going through squirrelly withdrawals. I just didn't feel like blogging anything whilst up North for the holidays. Okay for part of the holidays. Am back at work now. So since I have to be up anyway and have access to the WWW, I figured I'd do a quick recap.

Flew to Ohio Friday night. Plane was full and delayed about 30 minutes. However I did manage to finish a crossword puzzle while waiting in the airport for 4 hours (thanks Rach!). See my work closed early on Friday. The building closed at 3.10, I had to leave and my plane wasn't scheduled to leave until 7.30. Since I had no desire to lug my bags to a mall to watch people, I went to the airport to watch people. I tried getting on an earlier flight, to no avail.

I get on the plane and see that the middle seat is wet and getting wetter. Supposedly the air conditioning unit was leaking. The lady in front of me had the aisle seat and I had the window. So she pushed the flight attendant button as I dug some napkins out of my bag to sop up some water. Flight attendant (FA) was very nice and prompt. She climbed on the seats to check the overhead bins, make sure it wasn't a drink container leaking. That's when we hear "It's leaking up here too." Two rows up, the middle seat was also getting a drip bath. FA crams some napkins into the seam and puts down a layer of napkins, then a blanket for the middle person to sit. Thankfully SHE was also nice and laid back. Didn't pitch a fit about water dripping on her. Middle seat lady looked eeriely similar to Ty of Girlyman.

Saturday is spent doing last minute shopping with the folks. We also saw Harry Potter 4. My mom and I were up late doing a mini-shave job on my cat Pierre. He's a silver shaded persian that I rescued back in 1998 (along with his dad, Gallagher). Apparently Pierre was taken from his mom too young as he isn't the best groomer (ie he doesn't groom). He also has chronic ..gastrointestinal issues. So we shaved his butt, part of his tail and the back of his hind legs. I'm sure it's a little breezy, but he's gotta feel better having the matted, fragrant fur removed.

Christmas morning I get up about 8.30 (and recieved MUCH grief about this. "She didn't up until WHEN?? Is she feeling alright?" Hello People! It's a weekend AND a holiday! Aren't I allowed to sleep in????). I figured we'd wait to do gifts until my brother and his family arrive. But no. I'm not even permitted time to have breakfast before gift unwrapping ensues. For those interested, I got a variety of candles, lotions, ornaments and candy. All very good stuff :)

My folks and I are done with the gifts and my mom asks me to get some more tissues out of their bathroom. I say okay, go into their bathroom and look under their sinks. I yell back to the living room, "mom there aren't any tissues under the sink." She gets up, comes in and goes into the linen closet to get some out. She swears she says closet and I swear she said under the sink. Anyway, I turn around to go back out into the other room and what do my wonderous eyes see? A guitar shaped package on their bed! Do I read the tag? Nope. Do I take it out into the other room to open? Yes but only after my mom says, "You can take that into the other room you know." I stop tearing at the paper and carry into the other room.

It's so pretty :) My first guitar. And tuner and picks. Now I just need to learn how to play it *grin* Although that'll be awhile yet. Mr. Guitar had to stay in OH. No way was I trusting the airline to bring him back to DC undamaged. As it is my checked bag was hand screened. I opened it up to find a piece of paper saying that someone had pawed through it. I was seriously creeped out. No way am I wearing any undergarments that were in there until I wash them again. Which is sad since they had been washed before packing. Ah well.

My brother's family arrives around 2 (Christmas Day), we have dinner and try to put JT down for a nap. He was having none of that crap. So then we do the second round of gift opening. This is where we determine that some of us had gone a teensy bit overboard in the gift buying department for JT. Hey, he'll only have his second Christmas once! So what if he won't remember it. We will!

Monday night we (folks, brother's family & I) all go to see the Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo. Once my brother uploads some of the pictures he took at the zoo, I'll post them here. And that's pretty much it. I'm sure I left out lots of stuff but I was just trying to do a short recap.

Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night! :)

Last night about 5.30 I get the urge to bake. I have this recipe for chocolate gingerbread cookies that I haven't tried out and have been wanting to. I peruse the recipe - I have everything I need but the dough is supposed to chill for two hours in the fridge. Which would make it after at 8 before I could start baking. I ponder on it a bit and then decide to go ahead and make them. I'll just chill the dough in the Freezer to speed things up. I'm crafty like that ;)

So I unearth my stand mixer - a very helpful gift received some years ago - (thank you Santa!!) and start whipping my butter. See I didn't soften the butter and figure it could whip by itself a bit first before I grated in the ginger. I peel my ginger (when I cook with it, I often leave the peel on because most of it shreds away but since I planned on bringing these cookies into work, I took the extra minute to peel. Am I considerate or what?), dig out my grater and start grating. What a mess.

Typically I just dice it because I don't mind biting into a hunk of ginger. The grater I had bought some weeks ago with ginger specifically in mind was too small. The bits of ginger were sticking in the holes and only the juice was getting in the bowl. I tried scraping off the back but there wasn't much there. Scraping of the front was pointless because of the sharp edges. Besides I'd already grated my thumb (at the knuckle and by the wrist) and saw no need to grate my fingertips. After juicing a good inch of my ginger I gave up. I needed two tablespoons (making a double batch) but had maybe a quarter that - 90% of it being ginger juice. So I cut off another inch of ginger and finely dice it. If someone bites into a hunk o ginger, so be it.

I whip my butter and ginger and start sifting together my dry ingredients. Make sure that the bowl that's more than big enough for a single batch is big enough for a double batch. Also make sure that when sifting that all holes in your sifter are INSIDE the bowl. Makes clean up later much easier when you don't have spices, flour and cocoa all over the stove, the floor and yourself. I also take this time to nuke some water to dissolve my baking soda in (first time I've ever had to do this).

I add in the sugars and beat. One cup each of brown sugar and granulated sugar (double batch mind you). What? you say that I only should've added 1/2 cup of gran. sugar? You're right. I screwed up and doubled the amount of granulated sugar. But that's not even the best part. Read on and you'll see what I mean.

I beat in the molasses to my super sugary butter ginger mixture. Then half the dry ingredients and pour the hot water over my baking soda. Some of it dissolves. I stir it in the water but there are still obvious baking soda granules sitting on the bottom. So I put that bowl in the nuker, thinking that I'd just directly heat up the soda water. I recommend not Ever doing this! That stuff fizzes up Fast and you get baking soda residue all over your microwave and what didn't fizz up and out has now absored All the water and looks rather like globs of gelatin. I dump it out, make a new batch and pour it in despite it only being partially dissolved.

I beat in the rest of the flour mixture and the chocolate chips. I divide the dough in half and flatten with a rolling pin (dough between two pieces of plastic wrap - rolls out like a dream) to about a quarter inch thick (recipe says one inch). I place both slabs of dough in my freezer (it's 7.30) and start cleaning the kitchen. I also hunt up my holiday cookie cutters.

It's a gingerbread recipe, you're supposed to be able to cut out ginger people. Right? Not so much. This is one of those, grab a hunk of dough, roll into ball with your hands, place on sheet and flatten. I managed to make two shapes but they're barely recognizable as a tree and an ornament. The dough puffs up, obliterating most traces of a shape. plus it's very sticky and you often leave the top layer of dough inside the cutter. Perhaps if I just had cookie cutter outline shapes, not ones with details. Hmmm there's a thought.

I check the recipe to see the temperature I needed to pre-heat the oven to and if I needed to grease the pan. One version of this recipe says use parchment paper. I spend a good ten minutes trying to figure out that if you don't have parchment paper if you should grease the pan. I never did find the answer but I did find the same recipe (only slight variations) with nary a mention of parchment paper. This is when I discover that I had botched the recipe.

The granulated sugar is for Rolling the dough balls in before putting on the baking sheet! Not for mixing into the recipe!! Color me observant. Shoot I didn't even realize that I had doubled the gran. sugar until typing up this blog entry! Obviously I have issues with following directions. :)

I check the dough at 8.40ish and it's very firm. So I sprinkle some flour on the counter, unwrap the dough (leaving the top layer of plastic wrap on it - easier rolling) and flatten it out some more. Then I attempt to cut out a santa shape. No luck. His face sticks to the cutter. I don't know about you, but a santa cookie with a disfigured face just doesn't appeal to me. So I cave and just roll into balls and flatten with fork. For the record it's much easier to just roll into a ball and then flatten with your palms, not a fork.

The cookies are good, a little sweet though (imagine that!). Which is fortunate since I have over 50 of them!! Techincially I should've had 14 oz of chocolate but I only had a 12 oz bag of chips so I can't blame the sweetness on them. It's gotta be that extra cup of sugar. Although the texture is good, so at least I didn't screw that up too. The ginger is only a slight spiciness in the background of the sweetness. I'm sure if I had added ginger pulp instead of just the juice it'd be a better contrast. Well that and not adding an extra cup of sugar :) Anyway, here's the recipe.


Chocolate Gingerbread Drop Cookies

7 oz semisweet chocolate
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
8 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup dark brown sugar packed
1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling dough in before baking)

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Chop chocolate into 1/4-inch chunks; set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cocoa.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer,fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and grated ginger until whitened, about 4 minutes. Add brown sugar; beat until combined. Add molasses; beat until combined.

3. In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in 1 1/2 teaspoons boiling water. Beat half of flour mixture into butter mixture. Beat in baking-soda mixture, then remaining half of flour mixture. Mix in chocolate; turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Pat dough out to about 1 inch thick; seal with wrap; refrigerate until firm, 2 hours or more.

4. Heat oven to 325°. Roll dough into 1 1/2- inch balls; place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Refrigerate 20 minutes. Roll in granulated sugar. Bake until the surfaces crack slightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

I had the best dream last night. Actually it was this morning. I woke up with this huge smile on my face and that delicious warm fuzzy feeling. I looked at the clock, twas 4.45. My alarm wouldn't go off for another 20 minutes.

After reliving the dream a couple of times, I thanked Gallagher. I'm sure he sent me the dream as a holiday gift. He's a clever, dear sweet boy, my Gallagher. I had been talking to him last night. Telling him I love him, miss him, hope he's happy. You know the stuff you feel and say to someone who is far, far away but always close in your heart.

Anyway, the dream. I was at a U2 show, in the first seated row straight out, dead center of the ellipse. The legions of GA fans (and the security guards and railings) the only thing between the boys and me. For some reason we were all sitting down.. Not sure why, it wasn't disrespectful. Maybe Bono had asked as all to sit? Not really sure. Anyway they're playing Until the End of the World (UTEOTW) and it's at the part where Edge just wails on his guitar and he and Bono chase each other around the ellipse. They're both half way up other side when they turn around and run towards each other. They meet in the center, directly across from me.

Then Bono is shading his eyes, looking into the crowd. He says "Where's U2Lorax**? Anyone see U2Lorax?" My heart stops and I just freeze in place, staring at Bono and Edge wild eyed. Sort of like a deer in headlights. I was thinking They know me?? They know my name?? Holy crap!! Edge spots me, points me out and Bono nods. Then they step out onto the rail, reach down and pull me up onto stage.

I was on the stage, shell shocked. Bono looks at me, then at Edge and grins. "So I hear all you want for Christmas is a hug from The Edge." I blush and stare blindly at nothing. I couldn't see. Could barely hear. My heart was thundering in my ears. Then this arm comes around me and my knees go weak, my heart flutters. The Edge has his arm around me!!! He leans down and says, "That true?" I stare at him, blushing, and try to speak but nothing comes out. Like a fish out of water, gasping for air. He just smiles at me and pulls me closer. I'm now leaning into him and Bono is babbling about something. I have no idea what. Hello! Standing next to The Edge! His arm around my shoulders!!

I finally settle down enough to relax. I put my arm around Edge's waist, look up at him and smile (yet more proof it's a dream, he and I are about the same height) and he smiles back. I tune into Bono and hear him say, "So Lorax, you think Edge is a better hugger or me?" Then he comes over and gives me a huge bear hug. I'm stunned. Bono releases me and just grins at me. Then he asks, "Well? Which is it then? Does Edge hug better or do I?" I blink at him a couple times and then look at Edge. Edge is shaking his head at Bono, then he motions me back to him. Then he mimes giving me a bear hug - he wants ME to hug him like Bono hugged me.

So I go to wrap my arms around him (I may be shockey but I'm not stupid!) and encounter his acoustic guitar (he plays an electric one for UTEOTW). So my right arm is sorta flailing about and I start blushing even more. Edge then pulls his guitar away from himself and I sort of duck under and hug him. Best hug I've ever had. I just stand there, hugging him, his guitar at my back and sort of rocking side to side. *sigh* Gives me warm fuzzy happy feelings just to remember it.

Time just sort of freezes. I have no concept of how long I stood there hugging Edge, his maroon leather jacket clutched in my hands (I've never seen him wear a maroon leather jacket that has a waist tie). I finally let go and step back. At some point Dallas had come out and taken the guitar. I was oblivious. I smile at Edge and thank him. He smiles and nods at me. Then Bono says, "How about one more?" And opens his arms, I nod, smile and then hug Edge again *grin* They both laugh at me. Then they help me off the stage and the show goes on.

*happy sigh*

**They actually knew my Real name.

Today is our Christmas Luncheon or Holiday Luncheon - it depends on which email you read. Enough people said that they wouldn't go to the Luncheon at the country club in middle-of-nowhere Maryland, even with free transportation provided. So the home office switched their plans. They're taking each office out to lunch. Today is my office's turn.

Last week we found this all out and one of my supervisors came by and told everyone that she had decided that we're going to a seafood restaurant. She said that she didn't want to go to any of the other multitude of restaurants within walking distance because she was "tired of going to those". It never crossed her mind that some people do not eat seafood (like me) or that people have severe allergies to seafood (again, like me). When I told her that I won't be going because I don't eat seafood (it's an environmental choice for me so even if I weren't allergic, I wouldn't eat it). She had the nerve to call me a Party Pooper and say that everyone else was fine with it. I said that's fine, I'll stay here or go somewhere else to eat. To which I was treated with an eyeroll and sigh. My other coworkers razzed me about it too. Explaining that I was allergic did nothing to improve the situation.

I asked my other supervisor this morning if we were going to leave right after lucnh, or if we had to come back after eating. He said that we'd be coming back to the office (I used 'we' so as not to alienate him and possibly alter his answer). Then I explained that I wasn't going and when he asked why not (he truly sounded concerned), I explained that I don't eat seafood and that I'm allergic. "I don't want to spend the holidays on drugs, in the hospital or dead." Admittedly the chances of my dying are slim but it's a possibility nonetheless. Plus I wanted to impress upon him the seriousness of it.

He said, "Oh. I bet K [other supervisor] didn't think of that. Did you tell her?"
"Yeah, I did. She didn't seem to care. Said that she didn't want to go to any of the other restaurants. And that everyone else was fine with it."
"Oh. Okay." A slight pause. "Oh Good! Now I won't have to put a note on the door! You'll be here!" There go my plans for loitering in the mall.

And a Merry Happy ChrismaHanuhKwanzaa to you!

Late Friday night, my phone rang. I'm not used to the phone ringing so I jumped. I had been watching (and rewatching) Edge sing the end of In A Little While from the U2 Boston Elevation DVD. Slow down my beating heart, slowly, slowly love. (oh wow. Love that Man!) A strange, yet familiar voice said "We're here! In your parking lot!" and I was brought back to planet Earth (bye bye Planet Edge) with a thud.

My friends were here. I knew they were coming, had been excited all week. Impatiently waiting for Friday to get here. They thought they'd be at my place around 9, twas after 11 pm when they did get here. My impatience had outdone itself. So, in goes Elevation DVD to improve my mood and spin the hands of time faster. Two were coming up for the Bon Jovi concert at the MCI Center on Saturday night and one was along for the ride.

I meet them in my parking lot, much hugging and shivering (freaking COLD out!) and unpacking. After toting their assorted belongings back to my place (two girls, one boy) we headed out to Ireland's Four Courts, an Irish pub. Despite MaqQuest's directions, we found the place. Great atmosphere! Lovely stained glass in the windows, creaky wood floors, tables and chairs. Live entertainment (older guy and his acoustic guitar) was good, the other patrons were having fun. Good food. Definitely a place I would visit again.

We take a detour back to my place (read: we went around our elbow to get to our nose - thanks again MapQuest!), chat for awhile and then hit the sack. Saturday morning comes and I discover that my friend E has never been to DC before. Much shock! So we eventually, gradually, hop to it and head out. I drive us to the metro station and we set out. We go to Chevy's for breakfast/lunch (it's after noon at this point). Good food, CRAPPY service. Back on the metro and go to the Smithsonian exit (puts you out on The Mall, closer to the Capital Building) and see the sights around there. Washington Monument (all tickets to go in it are gone for the day), WWII Memorial (thank you Tom Hanks et al for getting this built!), Lincoln Memorial (under construction), Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial (I still get teary eyed when I let myself see how many names are carved here), White House and The Ellipse - some kind of holiday/Christmas event going on here. plus one tree that was decorated badly. Lights should be wrapped AROUND the tree, not strung from top to bottom in rows people!!!.

We follow S's directions (yes the sole boy in our group) and then ask a cop (yes, male) for directions and end up walking way out of our way (easily an extra mile) to get to the Hard Rock Cafe. But wait! We never make it there! It's an extra four or five blocks further and half the group is in agony with every step (yes, I was one of them). We veto the HRC and stop into a brewery - standing room only. It's 6 pm and everyone is killing time before the Bon Jovi concert. So we decide to head towards the MCI Center (yet another two blocks from our current location) to see if there are any seats available at any restaurants there.

We ended up going to this Fabulous Thai restaurant (Thai Chili) in Gallery Place, which is attached to the MCI Center. Such good food! The two Bon Jovi peeps each got a Mai Tai and were much impressed. Told the servers/host that it's the only Mai Tai to actually taste the same as the ones they had in Hawaii (they both lived there nearly five months). The other friend (E) got a Flaming Volcano and we were curious as to why it was called flaming, as it was just 151 rum and fruit punch. Then the drink comes out, on fire. It all made sense then.

They go in to the concert and E and I head back to the metro and the Pentagon City Mall and kill some time. I buy a couple of Christmas gifts and then we metro back to my car and I drive her through Old Town Alexandria. We've killed enough time and I drive back to the metro and pick up the two Bon Jovi peeps and go back to my place. We stay up chatting again.

Sunday morning is spent sleeping. They had originally wanted to leave around noon but we didn't even leave to get breakfast until after noon. We take both cars and go to IHOP. We have a good breakfast and then they head on home. I go to a mall and try to knock out some more Christmas shopping. I don't fare so well as I forgot what exactly certain people wanted and the people who might know weren't answering their phones. So I get one gift card, visit with a coworker who has a part time job at a bookstore there, and then head back home and nap.

Historic monuments/memorials visited: 6 (plus several others seen from a distance)
Laughs shared: Infinite
Photos taken: over 100 (none by me)
Miles walked: 5+
Number of times where someone mentioned my meeting The Edge: 20+ *grin*
Food/Drink/Metro cost (myself only): Roughly $85
Time spent laughing with friends: Priceless
Cheesy blog entries about the weekend: 1 (so far)

For all the other science nerds/geeks/whazits out there.

The Elements - Animated

I hate to do this but I have some other exciting news to share. Which only enhances the feeling of sheer joy at meeting the Edge last Saturday..

I got a full refund from the airline!!!!!!! Checked with the credit card company today. Everything refunded. Nary a cancellation fee in sight! Waahoooo! :)

Although I had to call the credit card people because my card expired last month and I haven't received my new one yet. Found this out when I got a call from a store I had put in an order with online. *sigh* After a couple of hoop jumping sessions, I'm now waiting for a call back from the store to put the item on a different credit card. I won't receive the new card (with the new number *sniffle*) until next week. Much too late to get the item in time for a Christmas gift.

My mom brought me good luck to meet The Edge. Perhaps meeting The Edge brought me good luck in getting a refund? It's possible.... :)

Some pictures from Cleveland. First two are Meet 'n Greet. Edge (I actually snapped one!!) and Bono. The spots are from my camera lens, not snow flakes. Next one is from the opening song City of Blinding Lights and last three are from Vertigo.

Some of the following is the same info as my U2 Vertigo Cleveland entry, just more coherent. Possibly more cohesive. Definitely as giddy *grin*

I wanted to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but my mom and I got
a late start (drove up from Columbus) as I had to remake my sign
(airplane was not kind to my first one). We stood at the loading dock
for 2 hours and froze our extremities off. All worth it though as Edge
showed up and autographed my sign!! He was inches from me. My brain
froze. All coherent thought evaporated. I didn't get any pictures of
him as I forgot I had my camera. Hello! The Edge! In front of me!

So he's signing something for someone a person down from me (after
autographing my sign) and all these people are shouting things Will
you sign my magazine? Will you sign my hat? Will you sign my rock?
(yes, a rock and yes, he did) Will you sign my guitar? ("I'm sorry but
I don't sign guitars.") So I open my mouth and I shout out Will you
come home with me? He laughs! I made The Edge laugh! *does giddy dance
in chair* Glad he laughed as I was a tad mortified that I had shouted
that. The brain was still not working.

Edge was out there probably 10 minutes signing all kinds of stuff
(rock, cell phone, my lame sign). Worked the entire line before he
hopped back in the SUV and went on inside.

Another black SUV pulls up and this group of people start shouting
Bono Bono Bono! I tell my mom that I don't think it's Bono as he's not
wearing a hat. People to my right confirm that it was, in fact, Larry.
Poor guy. All these people shouting for Bono. No wonder he didn't get
out. That and it was FREEZING and he has to do his PT/electrical
stimulation on his arms/back before the show. There's dedication! Guy
has to go through 2+ hours of therapy before he can perform - Every
night!

A group of people start walking in front of the service entrance as
the other stalkers and I spy another SUV coming our way. People start
shouting and waving "Get out of the way! Move your asses! It's Bono!!"
(no way in the world you can tell that it's Bono, but the most vocal
shouters assume it is). Turns out they're right.

People start pushing and shoving and going around the security rail.
Mr. Clean (forgive me as I don't remember the real name of Bono's
bodyguard) is very cool and keeps people back. Bono is wearing his
leather jacket and cowboy hat. Signs all kinds of things. I was still
at the front of the rail but the people who went around the rail were
in front of me. So I contented myself with photos. Apparently my brain
only freezes at the site of Edge. Bono did sign the guy's guitar and
another guy's cell phone. No idea about the rock though.

Bono heads back to his SUV but stops and speaks with a little boy (7?
8? 10? I have no idea the boy's age) for a bit, gives him a hug,
ruffles his hair. One lady near me says "next time, I'm bringing a
kid!" and we laugh. Bono gets in his SUV and goes inside. The group of
stalkers disappear at an amazing rate. Out of a group of 50+ people,
there were now only six of us (counting my mom & I) waiting around for
Adam to show.

A couple minutes after Bono's exit and crowd dissipation a security
guard comes out and tells us "You can wait out here all night but
everyone is already here. Including the opening act" To which I reply
"We don't care about them!" So I ask the guard, "Adam too? We haven't
seen him come in." Guard just says "They're all in there. I swear." I
look at my mom and shrug. We head back to the car to drop off the
signs and thaw out a bit.

My mom and I stood out at the loading dock for about two hours with our signs. The one I made for her requested the song Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). The one I had requested a hug from Edge.

About 6:00, a black SUV pulls up and we could see Edge through the tinted windows sitting in the back seat, behind the driver. At first I was just in shock and then I'm sure I was screaming my head off. The SUV stopped just inside the loading dock and Edge got out and came back and started signing whatever was handed out to him. He signed some guy's cell phone and a lady brought a rock. A guy had a guitar but Edge said, "I'm sorry but I don't sign guitars." The guy with the guitar was one person over from me. I was at the railing holding my sign, too busy watching Edge and being shocked that I was mere feet away from him that I didn't get my camera out. Then he got to me and I said, "I'd love a hug but you can just sign my sign." Which he did!! I have Edge's signature!!!!

People were shouting out things.. Sign this, sign that. We love you. Can you come over here. So I said (he was signing a lady's hat right next to me) "Will you come home with me?" and he laughed! I made Edge laugh! Yay me!!! :):)

Here's my mom's sign, which she held above her head when Edge showed.


My sign with Edge's signature!!


Close up of Edge's signature


My glittery Edge with Edge's signature



I have more pics from the meet in greet when Bono showed. I didn't get to touch him this time but I was still breathing the same frigid air as he was :) I'll try and post those tomorrow, when I get back to the DC area. I also have a couple pictures from the show and a short (soundless) video. My memory car was full so I only have shots from the first two songs (City Of Blinding Lights and Vertigo).

Get your mind out of the gutter, folks! Just meant a quick update. Work was on a two hour delay, roads are fine, have boarding pass printed out and am making my sign for Edge (for when I'm waiting at the loading dock).

It will have garland and glitter and lights and ribbon and who knows what else :) Will try to remember to take a pic of it when I'm done. :)

John Lennon
October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980

Moment of silence at 22:50 (shot) and 23:15 (died)



Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...

Imagine there's no countries,
It isn't hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...

Imagine no possesions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer,
but I'm not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.

Just had a pleasant conversation with a refund agent of the airline that was screwing me over. Quick recap.

Booking ticket online to fly to Ohio for U2 show.
Webpage froze/crashed. Told me ticket couldn't be processed and to start over.
I start over.
Book ticket for show.
Book ticket for Christmas flight.
Check email. Have 3 confirmations. Two for the U2 flight (& 1 for Christmas). 2 seats on the same plane.
Call web support. No record of a problem. Can't refund. Have to cancel ticket and pay cancellation charge. Will have remaining $ (after deducting cancellation fee) as a credit for future flight.
Try repeatedly to get refund dept. to no avail (8-4.30 M-F only).
Have credit card put a Dispute on charge. Final determination: If I can't provide a copy of the failure message from the webpage, airline won't credit the credit card company and therefore the credit card company won't credit me.

This morning's I called the refund dept again. Asked on the status of my ticket refund. Gave ticket number to lady on phone.
"Ma'am this is a non-refundable ticket"
"I know but I was booked twice on the same flight"
"Oh, okay. What's the other ticket number?" I give it to her.
"Okay, your ticket is refunded now."
"The first one I gave you?"
"Yes"
"Okay great! Thanks so much!"

Silly silly silly stupid me. Despite all the crap this airline has put me through, it did not even occur to me to get a confirmation number for the refund or the lady's name. Took a coworker asking me if I had for me to realize how I screwed up. *bangs head on desk*

I quickly checked my ticket status on their webpage (not the most trustworthy thing, I know). I punched in the illegitimate ticket # and it said Coupon 01 not been used, Coupon 02 not used. I had a mild panic attack thinking she had cancelled BOTH tickets! I punch in the other ticket # and it says "no data available". Increase feelings of panic overcome me.

I go to another page and check ticket status there and the illegitimate ticket has no itinerary but the real one does. I emailed it to myself as backup. I start to calm down. So as of right now and as far as I know - I only have one seat on the plane and my other ticket is being refunded. Cross your fingers!

Although, as I told my folks in an email earlier. If I can only have yall crossing your fingers for one thing, have it be my making it to Cleveland for the U2 show this Saturday!! See we're under a winter storm watch. Forecasting 2-5" of snow with freezing rain and sleet mixing in starting tonight around 11 and continuing into the morning commute.

If the fed gov't is closed, I don't have to go into work (just use my sick/vac time to get paid) and my apt shuttle to the metro doesn't run. So I'll either have to walk the 2.5 miles to the nearest metro or take a bus. Assuming the busses are running. Oy!

My coworkers and I just received this lovely email invite from the CEOs of our company.

C, T and M want to invite you and your employees to our corporate luncheon for Washington area staff to be held on Thursday December 22nd at Woodmore Country Club. We'll get started around noon and will be finished not later than 3:00 pm.

Given that people will have to travel to/from their work places, and, the length of the luncheon, it may be prudent for you to discuss with your COTRs the situation to make sure they are aware of the plan and can make whatever arrangements may be necessary.

C, T, & M

Ignoring the fact that the country club is in the middle of nowhere Maryland (our offices are in northern VA), isn't this a lovely thought? But wait! There's a second email from our immediate boss saying the following:

I know that it is a considerable inconvenience to get out to the Country Club in the middle of the day but if at all possible, lets have as many people as we can attend the function so [our company] isn't wasting its money on the function.

Per the terms of our subcontract, staff persons will need to either use their leave time to account for the hours involved in the luncheon or will need to make up the hours before or after the event. Staff persons have until the end of the reporting period 12/31/05 to make up any time lost for the luncheon.

Can't you just FEEL the love from our CEOs?? Oh yeah, I have no idea what a COTR is. So they don't have the money to pay us for snow days, but they can have a Christmas Luncheon at some country club that isn't metro accessible? Hmm. Methinks they're a wee bit out of touch with their employees.

They probably think this is a morale booster. "The contract fiasco, the lack of paid snow days, a Christmas Luncheon will brighten things up!" *slapface* Bunch of [censored] idiots.

I debated about posting this. I already emailed several folks with it. But as I told U2ismydeal, if you can't post it on your blog, where can you post it? So here's my revamp of Fountains of Wayne's song, Stacy's Mom.

Levi's dad has got it goin' on
Levi's dad has got it goin' on
Levi's dad has got it goin' on
Levi's dad has got it goin' on

Levi, can I come over after work? (after work)
We can hang around and not eat pork (not eat pork)
Did your dad get back from his show last night? (show last night)
Is he there, or is he trying to help Bono write? (help Bono write)

You know, I'm not the speechless fan I used to be
I'm all grown up now, darlin can't you see

Levi's dad has got it goin' on
He's all I want and I've waited for so long
Levi, can't you see you're just way too young for me
I know it might be wrong but I'm in love with Levi's dad

Levi's dad has got it goin' on
Levi's dad has got it goin' on

Levi, you remember when I fainted that one night? (fainted that one night)
Your dad arrived without a beanie in sight (beanie in sight)
I could tell he liked me from the way he stared
And the way he said, "Hey- are you okay down there?"

And I know that you think it's just a fantasy
But since he's always on tour, your dad could use a girl like me

Levi's dad has got it goin' on
He's all I want, and I've waited for so long
Levi, can't you see you're just way too young for me
I know it might be wrong,
but I'm in love with Levi's dad


**For those of you who don't know (and didn't figure it out), Levi is The Edge's son. I believe he's about six years old.

Except not so bad on Friday that the airports are closed!! My apt. complex got about three inches yesterday (that's three inches covering the ground, not a total of three inches for the entire complex to share). I was pleasantly surprised that the sidewalks had been cleared of snow. Granted they hadn't been salted or sanded so there were still some sketchy parts.

At work the the sidewalk around the metro entrance/exit was salted and clear of all snow but cross the street and Nothing had been done! As much as the rent/lease is here and they can't even throw some salt on the sidewalks?? Or clear the street? Geez! I was doing the shuffling walk across the streets and sidewalk as I talked to my dad on the phone. Quite handy knowing someone who gets up as early as I do. Actually, he gets up earlier than me. This way when I learn something knew and must share it with someone, I can call him.

In this case, I had just learned that this house is in Mason, Ohio (near Cincinnatti). Although I forgot to tell him that we're expected to have a "worse snow event" Thursday night. I fly out on Friday evening. *crosses fingers and toes that the airport is operating, that my flight isn't cancelled, that the roads in OH to the show are good to go and that the show isn't cancelled*

Did yall think you wouldn't have to read about anymore U2 shows on here? Not so, my lovelies!!! My fourth (and final *cry*) U2 Vertigo show this year is on Saturday!!! Waaahoooooo!! It's in Cleveland (Ohio for those of you geographically challenged) and I'm taking my mom to her first U2 show!

I'm hoping to sweet talk her into going to Cleveland early so that we can partake of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before the show. After all U2 Was inducted this year! Of course I want to be at the loading dock so as to maybe catch a glimpse of the boys arriving. She knows about the stalking aspect. I believe she plans on waiting in the car and not freezing outside with me. Her loss ;)

Our seats are at the end of the ellipse, a little more towards Edge's side. Should be a killer view! I'll finally be able to see the light show straight on and not from the sides. Yay hooray!!

I tried to focus on the positive here and not the last show of the tour for me aspect. Figured it'd make me look less bipolar or manic depressive. Sooo happy excited joyful for seeing U2 again but sooo depressed sad morose because it's my last show for Vertigo.. Unless, of course, yall want to sponsor a trip for me to Mexico to see them in 2006 :)

Blog title comes from a song. Happy thoughts to the person who knows which one. I can send you a bootleg copy of Edge singing it from the PopMart tour.

Howland Island is a U.S. territory that is part of the National Wildlife Refuge system. It's three times the size of The National Mall in DC. It is physically located in the North Pacific Ocean, approximately half way between Hawaii and Australia (see bottom map). I found the info on the special Howland Island section of the CIA web page. What is Not mentioned on their webpage though is that Howland Island time is the official stop time for NaNoWriMo. I wonder how they could miss such an important tidbit of info???

One of the more interesting tidbits about it is that an "airstrip [was] constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable (2004 est.)" Pretty spiffy info, eh? The lighthouse was partially destroyed during WWII but they rebuilt it and named it for Ameila Earhart - Earhart Light.


I copied the location map from the Geography IQ web site. It's a map of Oceania. I swear I tried to make it bigger! I couldn't finangle the Blogger photo to enlarge it though. Ah well. Howland Island is circled in blue. Yeah yeah yeah so you can barely see the blue. I've already spent an hour on this thing, what more do you want?? ;) All kinds of formatting issues when you have more than photo. I mean, I gotta make it look pretty, right? Granted it looks good for my Mozilla screen size, no clue how it looks through your screen.

Oooh I just remembered. You can click on the photo and it gets bigger! So clickie clickie and see a bigger map of Oceania and the Earhart Light.

I finished this baby at 7.45 am but seem to have lost the ability to adjust my publish time. Hmmm.