This that and the other thing. Though there might be more of this than that. And little of the other things. Maybe.

Friday, March 30, 2007

You Make Me Feel Like I Can Fly

Even though today is my day off, I was up early. How early? 05:24. Seems JT didn't want to sleep any longer. I gotta say, having JT wake you up is much better than an alarm clock. Which is handy since JT does not come equipped with a snooze button.

I also managed to ...talk him out of watching Cars this morning. Popped in Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago. Am I a good Auntie or what? :) I'll just ignore the fact that the cereal bar he gave me to open for him was strawberry. Nobody's perfect, tho JT is pretty close most of the time.

Anyway, some reminders for yall who are gonna be in the DC area this weekend.
41st Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival
National Cherry Blossom Festival
National Walk For Epilepsy
Posted by: U2Lorax / 06:54 6 comments

Thursday, March 29, 2007

All I Want Is To Get Right Next To You

Berlin Zoo's polar bear Knut at 3.5 months


National Zoo's panda bear Tai Shan at 4 months.


Both are too cute for words. Just make me smile like a maniac, kinda like what I do when I remember some U2 events. So yall know that these two little guys are ranked pretty high in my world.

Grr Argh (aka hockey update)
Canes lost to the freakin Flyers last night! WTF?????? C'mon Canes! Shake it off. You've got the Lightning at home on Friday. I know yall can win this!
Posted by: U2Lorax / 06:56 0 comments

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Cry Without Weeping

It's a sad, sad morning folks. Canes lost - Badly - to the Leafs last night and have fallen to ninth in the Eastern Conference. This puts them out of (temporarily!) the playoff spots. They've got six games left to get back - And Remain - in the top eight. C'mon Canes!!!!!!

Also, today is the first time in nearly nine years that I have gone without a toe ring. I just don't know if I can make it through the day. How can I possibly go on without it??? ;)

I hope yall have a much less ..traumatic day.


Just to clarify, the drama about the ring is sarcasm. I did not cry when it broke last night. Whether or not I felt like crying when it happened, well that's for me to know.
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:13 0 comments

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

All I Want Is ...The Edge

Okay okay, I know I can't Have The Edge himself *sigh* but I'll gladly settle for his Guitar, Beanie, Necklace, Shirt, Shoes, Jacket, etc. All or any combo of the above is fine, I'm not picky. :)

See, my dear friend Claud sent me a link to an article about The Edge donating items for auction benefiting Music Rising. There are so many things up for auction that I would dearly love to have. Julien's Auctions is hosting the event.

So everyone who is feeling guilty about missing my birthday earlier this month (March 1 for all those still clueless), feel free to bid on items 177 through 196. I'd be happy with any of them, even if they aren't directly The Edge related. All are U2 related and that's good enough for me. Especially since the odds of The Edge touching and/or holding the items are pretty high. :)

Shoot I'll happily take the auction catalog as it's only $50 and no bidding required, just order, pay and wait for it to arrive in your mailbox. The cover of the catalog is the picture shown here. It's full color and has all the details on every item up for bid. Yes, I'd frame it and hang it on my wall. What's wrong with that?
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:10 2 comments

Monday, March 26, 2007

I Gotta Do Something, About Where We're Goin'

As I posted yesterday, there's a new mini-series on the Discovery Channel called Planet Earth. There are eleven parts, the first three aired last night. The footage is incredible! Even the narration isn't bad :) I highly recommend it. Next two parts air this coming Sunday starting at 8 pm Eastern time. You can learn more about the series, environmental issues, answer trivia, ask questions of experts and even play games at the Planet Earth website. Also check out The Nature Conservancy, which partnered with the Discovery Channel for this series.

Hockey
Canes beat the Sharks 6-4 on Saturday. :) Sadly the teams I wanted to lose, did not. Ah well, maybe tomorrow as there's only one game tonight & it's Western conference teams. Perhaps I'll just watch hockey goalie (& hottie) Cam Ward getting his head shaved for charity again. Man he looks good bald. :) Cam was part of a fundraiser for St. Baldrick's Foundation, which is trying to raise awareness and funds for cancer research into kids' cancer.
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:14 0 comments

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Tryin To Throw Your Arms Around the World


Tonight on Discovery Channel, Planet Earth
Posted by: U2Lorax / 10:54 0 comments

Friday, March 23, 2007

It's a Beautiful Day!

I had something in mind to post today that wasn't hockey related but I don't remember what it was.....

Hockey
Wahoooo Canes won last night! It was a little touchy for the first two periods. Grahame had six shots against him, three became goals. Not the best percentage for a goalie. Cam (yay!) came in for the third period, fans roared like mad (even me) & the Canes scored two goals making the final score 4-3. Obviously the slash to his leg (March 11 against Rangers) isn't hampering his skills. Glad to have you back, Cam!!!

The Playoff race in the Eastern Conf. is seriously tight. The only game that went the way I wanted it last night, was the Canes (woohoo!). The Bruins, Penguins & devils failed in their Duty to win their games, thereby keeping the playoff race just as close as it was before the games last night. The big jerks.

Unrelatedly
Kansas won last night & have advanced to the Elite 8. Way to go Jayhawks!! :)
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:13 0 comments

Thursday, March 22, 2007

She's Gonna Dream Out Loud

So, like lots of people in the world, I'm in agreement that Knut is very cute. Knut is a polar bear cub that is being directly cared for by humans at the Berlin Zoo. His mother ignored him after giving birth last December. Knut's brother died so the zoo intervened & began bottle feeding Knut. As I see it, Knut is Berlin's Version of Tai Shan in the he's so cute, everyone loves him, lots of publicity for the zoo sense as Mei Xiang (Tai Shan's mom) is very attentive and loving.

If you don't remember who Tai Shan is, for shame!!!!! He's surely the cutest panda bear cub ever to roam the earth! Well, to get photographed at the very least :)

Hockey
Caps lost to the sabres last night. Grrrrrr! Stupid sabres (yes my ire is from the sabres winning not the Caps losing). Canes play Caps at home tonight which means I get to see the Canes play. Wooohoooo! Let's Go Hurricanes!!

Today
Don't forget, it's World Water Day today. Think of ways to conserve water & then take steps to do it. Little things can make a big difference folks.
Posted by: U2Lorax / 06:45 2 comments

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

No More Water in the Well, No More Water, Water

Coping with Water Scarcity is the theme for World Water Day 2007, celebrated each year on March 22 (tomorrow). This year's theme highlights the increasing significance of water scarcity worldwide and the need for increased integration and cooperation to ensure sustainable, efficient and equitable management of scarce water resources, both at international and local levels.


World Water Day .Org
UN World Water Day
World Water Day .Net
Posted by: U2Lorax / 06:54 0 comments

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Neon Heart, Day-Glo Eyes

Ever notice how a cup can have two sips of water left in it but as soon as you knock it over, there's enough water on your counter to make you worry about the condition of the Niagara Falls?

Or how when you've made couscous it kinda clumps together, until you drop some on the floor & then it scatters to the four corners of the room in individual pieces?

Hockey
Crappy night - results wise - for hockey last night. Well, actually I barely follow the Western Division so Edmonton losing might be good for the Avs, I haven't checked. I do know that the Rangers winning was bad for the Canes. That and the Penguins losing was bad for b's overall happiness. Sorry boyo, I was right there with you - yelling at the tv aspect, anyway.

Unrelatedly
Happy Happy Happy Happy Vernal Equinox everyone! Officially at 20.07 spring begins. Celebrate as you see fit - dancing naked around a campire or, for you city dwellers, dance naked around a candle in your living room. Closing the blinds is up to you ;)
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:29 8 comments

Monday, March 19, 2007

Pink Elephants on Parade

Actually, I don't think any of them wil be pink. That wouldn't set to well with a lot of folks... Anyway, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey are coming back through DC this coming weekend. And to kick off the return, they're having a Pachyderm Parade today. For those who know (& care) the parade starts at 12.30 (depending on trains) arriving at Union Station about 1.00. The route is:

- 32nd & D Streets, SE to Minnesota Avenue to East Capitol Street, NE.
- Cross the Whitney Young Memorial Bridge.
- Continue on East Capitol to 5th Street, NE to Massachusetts Ave, NE to Columbus Circle, NW in front of Union Station.
- Columbus Circle, NW to E Street, NW.
- 6th Street to G Street, NW to the loading dock of the Verizon Center.

Click for more info. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating the circus or the use of wild animals for entertainment. This is mostly a public service announcement. Although the circus is making strides to promote conservation efforts.

Hockey
Canes & devils split their back to back home to home games this weekend. However, I prefer to focus on the second meeting when the Canes won 7-2. Wooohoooo! Plus the Caps beat the Lightning 7-1 yesterday, making that two straight games the Caps have won. Way to go boys! Mostly I care because their wins means no points for their opponents, thereby increasing the Canes' playoff chances. It's all about the Canes.

Unrelatedly
Partial solar eclipse today, or maybe yesterday. Need to scroll down a bit to see the info. FYI UT (Universal Time) is basically the same, in this case, as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). See NASA's definition.

Okay, info states that the Partial Eclipse begins: 00:38:26 UT & Ends: 04:25:00 UT. But if you follow the directions on converting UT to DST -> 00.38 - 4 = 20.38 which makes it beginning at 8.38 on March 18 (yesterday), right? Am I missing something? Improper math? Anyone?
Posted by: U2Lorax / 08:54 2 comments

Friday, March 16, 2007

Under Black Belly of Cloud in the Rain

I was gonna bitch & moan about the metro system. First the train is late, then the bus is late causing Me to be 20 minutes late to work. I could've driven here & back home in the time it took me to get to work. That's crazy! And metro wonders why people are disgruntled. Think people! But it's Friday, I don't want to be whining on a Friday so no more metro talk.

Some spiffy news was announced yesterday. The Clouded Leopard on Sumatra & Borneo was declared a new species.

WASHINGTON - Scientists have discovered that the clouded leopard found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra is an entirely new species of cat. The secretive rainforest animal was originally thought to be the same species as the one found in mainland Southeast Asia.

Genetic analysis conducted at the U.S. National Cancer Institute shows that the difference between the two clouded leopard species is comparable to the differences between other large cat species like lions, tigers, and jaguars. Scientists believe the new species of clouded leopard diverged from the mainland population some 1.4 million years ago.

How incredible is that?? Finish reading the article here. Whats even more heartening is that the ministers of the three Bornean government's (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia) signed a Declaration to conserve and sustainably manage the Heart of Borneo. Theoretically this will help protect the Clouded Leopard.

For more on both species of these amazing cats:
The clouded Leopard Project
Big Cat Rescue
National Zoo - Clouded Leopard


Hockey
Canes lost to the flippin devils last night. Grrrrrr. But at least the Islanders lost too.
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:21 1 comments

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Nothing Lyrical Today

You Are a Mac

You are creative, stylish, and super trendy.
You demand the best - even if it costs an arm and a leg.
Are You a Mac or a PC?
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:20 0 comments

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

The Heart is a Bloom

The National Cherry Blossom Festival begins the last Saturday (31) in March on the National Mall. Peak bloom time is expected during the first week of April. That Saturday also happens to be the day of the 41st Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival. Kite festival is at the Washington Monument

Hockey. Hockey. Hockey!
Yesterday was a great hockey day. Canes won. Penguins beat the sabres. Tho the big news is the deal that was finalized in Pittsburgh. The Pens will stay in Pittsburgh (where they belong, sorry KC) for the next 30 years & they're getting a new arena (across the street).

Also, NHL players will be using pink sticks March 16-18. The player used autographed pink sticks will be auctioned off as part of a breast cancer fundraiser & honoring of hockey moms. This is the second year for the pink stick, with more than $150,000 being raised for research in 2006.

Unrelatedly
Kansas plays Niagara in the NCAA tournie on Friday in Chicago. Rock Chalk Jayhawk KU!
Posted by: U2Lorax / 05:22 1 comments

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

The Dust A Smoke Screen All Around

I started the morning off by watching the implosion of the Stardust Hotel in Vegas. It was pretty nifty. They shot off a bunch of fireworks beforehand, then did a countdown on the side of the building. Sadly they turned off the mega lights so the actual implosion was a bit dark & murky. I'd show you a video to it but youtube is blocked. Although it's only been two hours since the implosion so there might not even be a video online. I did find this article on a Vegas TV station's website. Enjoy

Hockey
C(r)aps lost to the Thrashers last night. Canes play the Panthers tonight though I'll likely be watching the Penguins playing the sabres. C'mon Penguins. Get well soon, Cam!!!

Unrelatedly
Happy Birthday, Adam!!
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:49 0 comments

Monday, March 12, 2007

See The World In Green And Blue

This weekend I went to see some Irish Gardens. It was a quick one day trip. Very spiffy, though I wish there had been more music.

There's a guy in CT who thinks that Ski Masks are OK and is on a mission to remake their reputation. Apparently he was charged for "breach of peace" in 2005 when he put a ski mask on after exiting a store. Someone saw him with the mask on & called the cops. Seems to me that person should've been charged for filing a false police report.

Hockey
Canes beat the C(r)aps on Friday 3-0. Woooohooooo!! Sadly they then lost on Sunday to the Rangers in OT and the two teams are currently tied for the 8th playoff spot in East. C'mon Canes!
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:53 0 comments

Friday, March 09, 2007

Frickin Frackin Frick Frack

Stupid Possessed Unreliable Blogger! GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:12 0 comments

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Sad Eyes Turn The Other Way

So my days of posting from work may be limited. IT has been cracking down on web access. Yesterday they blocked Jigzone. I nearly wept. How am I going to play online jigsaw puzzles during lunch now?? So who knows what pages will be next. Should there be nothing posted before noon during the week, yall will now know why.

Speaking of squirreliness at work, two guys nearly came to blows yesterday. Since I know work people check here, I won't go into details. I'll just say that the reason was ego. Attitude run amok.

Hockey
Canes & C(r)aps didn't play last night, nor do they play tonight. Tho the Avs won last night. Wooohoooo! No hockey for me tonight. Bummer. Maybe next year I'll invest in the Center Ice cable package doodad.

Unrelatedly, I've had a Bee Gees song in my head since Tues night. Gah!
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:18 1 comments

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Wait For Me I'm Running Late

Metro late. Elevators broken. Snow falling.

Six words.

Thanks b.
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:19 1 comments

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

See The Canyon Broken By Clouds

I've been meaning to post about this for awhile, but kept forgetting. One of the local news stations aired a segment on it last night, reminding me. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is nearly finished.

It's the brain child of the Hualapai Indians. It can hold the weight of six 747 jets, withstand hurricane force winds, will have glass bottom and sides, extends more than 50 yards over the canyon & is about 4,000 feet above the bottom. The skywalk is scheduled to open March 28, 2007. Until the talk of this skywalk began, I never knew there Was a Grand Canyon West (GCW).

It costs $25 to walk on the bridge Plus the cost of a GCW entrance package. Packages run from $30 a person to $110, except that the $30 package doesn't qualify you for the Skywalk. Sounds like a scheme to me. First you pay this, then you gotta pay this. Yeah, I don't think so. I'm not much of a package trip traveling kind of person anyway, so I doubt I'll be going to GCW anytime soon.

Don't get me wrong, I think it'd be pretty darn cool to walk on a glass bridge. The fact that it's over the Grand Canyon, is awesome. I flew over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter when I was a kid (8? 10?). Had a bright orange t-shirt that said I flew the Grand Canyon. Wonder if I still have it. But yeah, I don't see any trips to the Canyon in my near future. Maybe if it (& I) survive 2012, I'll go for a walk.

For those who still don't believe, here's the link to the Snopes Skywalk Info. Are you a believer now?

Hockey
Only one hockey game last night. Rangers vs Islanders. Rangers won in a shootout.
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:21 0 comments

Monday, March 05, 2007

I'm Not The Only One, Staring at the ...Moon

photo by Russell Croman, Austin, Texas

I found the above photo at Space.com. No indication if this is from Saturday's eclipse or from previous years. I'm thinking previous year... There are other photos of what some folks saw (albeit they're likely not from the most recent lunar eclipse). Sadly, I was not one of them. Pesky clouds got in the way. Ah well, maybe in August.

Eclipses in 2007

Canes beat the Penguins on Friday. Waaahoooo! Although they lost on Sunday to the Thrashers. At least they're back in the top eight in the Eastern Division. :) What's that? Trade thoughts? Hmmm. Yeah. Err. Ummm Hey! Wasn't the full eclipsing moon pretty on Saturday night? Gosh. So cool.
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:17 1 comments

Friday, March 02, 2007

There Was Light In My Life

Forgot to mention earlier, there's a Lunar Eclipse this Saturday (March 3).

Soon after sunset on Saturday evening, March 3, skywatchers in eastern North America can watch the rising full Moon undergoing its first total eclipse in nearly 2-½ years.

In Europe and Africa the eclipse takes place late at night high in a dark sky.

For North Americans, the farther east you are the better. The eclipse will already be in progress when the Sun sets and the Moon rises, two events that happen almost simultaneously on a lunar eclipse night.

Read rest of Joe Rao's article here.
Posted by: U2Lorax / 12:13 2 comments

Step Out Of The Driving Rain, Maybe

For the record, driving hurts the escalator bitten knee. Yes it's my left one but I'm super cool and drive a standard (that's manual transmission for all you non-car speak folk). I was out and about last night and spent $45 on myself. That's a reasonable gift price, right? Although it does cut into my hair cut budget and my Ireland Doomsday trip fund (see below).

I was watching a show on the History channel with a friend of mine last night. According to the Prophecies of Merlin and the Predictions of Mother Shipton, as well as the Bible and some Native American seers, the world as we know it is ending December 21, 2012. Well not all of them have the solstice as the Doomsday exactly, or even December for that matter. But hey, if the world is still working enough that I (& some close friends) can make it to Ireland, then that's where I'll be when the world ends. Assuming Ireland isn't under water due to the melting of the poles from global warming by then. Gotta think positive, right? :)

In Hockey news I still haven't eyeballed the trades. Give me a break, people! I've had Doomsday plans and other stuff going on (thanks for all the happy wishes, yall). Maybe this weekend.....

The Canes haven't been doing well lately. :( However, I have HIGH confidence that they'll win tonight. They're playing some pitiful team outta Pittsburgh. With some overrated talents called Sidney Crosby & Geno Malkin. Piece of cake. Yes that was riddled with sarcasm. Probably. Wish I could see the game. Gah.

Happy Belated Birthday, Cam!!!! Most excellent (& hot) goalie!
Posted by: U2Lorax / 07:15 1 comments

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Here's Wishing You The Bluest Sky

Here's a good read for yall. Creating Our Own Happiness by Wayne Coyne. The name might be familiar to some of yall as he's guitarist & singer for The Flaming Lips. Enjoy!
Posted by: U2Lorax / 10:10 1 comments

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