Something Squirrelly this Way Comes

Why is it that rental rug cleaners have to be pulled towards you to work? Why can't you push them too? Do they have a fear of moving forward? Do they have glory days from their past and are always striving to relive them?

Or is that they're trying to remember when they earned their Doctorate degrees? That's something I'd like to know more about myself. If I went to their school, could I be a Rug Doctor too? How about a Squirrelly Doctor? I'm pretty sure that'd suit me better.

Hmm, yes. Miss Squirrelly Doctor has a nice ring to it. From now on, please call me that.

These are crazy good. I bought some the other day at a convenience store near work. Wow. They're not as spicy as I'm used to buying. Nor are they as spicy as what I tend to make (admittedly my homemade ginger cookies are typically much spicier than anything I've ever bought). However, they are quite scrumptious.

In fact, I had them for breakfast today. You have one and want another. And another. It's a delicious downward spiral that's hard to break until you run out of cookies. Which I did. So, if you see them, give 'em a whirl.

What do you want? I'm in the final throes of packing and needed something easy (yet entertaining) to post for the day. Feel free to send me good travel & packing vibes this weekend!

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

A friend sent me a link to an article about fishing. Crashing fish populations, sustainable & overfishing fishing, what you can do to make smart seafood choices, etc. It's called Fish For The Future and was in the Chicago Sun-Times yesterday. It's a good article, written so that everyone can understand it not uber-environmental geeks like me who read the technical papers published in science journals. Thanks again, Muffin.

No, this doesn't mean I'll start eating fish and/or seafood again. There's still that whole issue that the very smell of fish gives me a headache, which can become a migraine. I willingly cede all my fish eating options to be split upon the masses. You're welcome.

Unrelatedly
Yes that's French in the title. Yes it's from a movie. Can anyone who doesn't have a kid (or more) tell me which movie it's from?

Today is the last day of Spring, well according to some calendars anyway. Which means tomorrow is the Summer Solstice (tho some call it Midsummer, which makes sense as it's Felt like summer for weeks now) and that on Friday, the days will start getting shorter. So, tomorrow, get up and watch the sunrise and take time to watch the sunset.

The Solstices are all about the Sun, so take a couple minutes to be thankful we have it and, just as importantly, think about how lucky we are to have an Ozone layer. Then take steps to reduce your carbon footprint so we can continue enjoying the sun. Want to decrease your footprint but don't know how? Go here.

Pfffffft!
To the guy in the silvery gray Honda Accord, just because you use your turn signal doesn't mean it's okay! Nitwit.

Pack rat
–noun
1. Also called trade rat. a large, bushy-tailed rodent, Neotoma cinerea, of North America, noted for carrying off small articles to store in its nest.
2. Informal.
      a. a person who collects, saves, or hoards useless small items.
      b. an old prospector or guide.

One guess which definition is on my mind this week.

Unrelatedly
It's hot and humid today. Again. In fact that's the forecast for this weekend. So for the peeps coming to help me out this weekend, be sure to wear lightweight, light colored short clothing. I'll provide beverages. Any requests?

I'm channeling my inner environmentalist today. Actually, I channel her most everyday. Today I'm choosing to let her write.

Rock Out
07.07.07 is quickly approaching. For those unaware of what the big deal is about that day, read on. July 7, 2007 is the day of the 24 hour, 7 continent concert series called Live Earth. There are over 100 musicians scheduled to perform - all to combat the climate crisis.

There are some individuals who are scoffing at this. Claiming that the idea was stolen from the Live 8 concerts to combat global poverty. Why are they wasting their time arguing? Do they not understand that without action to save the environment, it won't matter how many people they save from poverty? They'll be dying for other reasons. Work together people! One World. One Life. One Love.

This is not to say that I'm actually a big fan of any of the musicians playing at any of the shows, mind you. Tho I do have more respect for them for actually Doing this show. Regardless if it's just for exposure or if it's because they sincerely believe in the cause. Their presence means their fans are there and maybe some of those fans will begin new environmentally friendly, sustainable habits. Every change made to reduce, reuse or recycle is a step made for the greener, regardless of how small it is.

Read
Some books to read this summer - or any time, really.

Listen
I found a new artist this weekend. Her name is Christine Kane and today's blog title comes from her song Everything Green. She's a folk musician, so of course I adore her. Go listen to some of her stuff, maybe you'll like her yourself. :)

I don't know about yall but I, for one, am glad that the news is talking about the Space Shuttle Atlantis' current mission in space. Sure it's all doom and gloom about the International Space Station's computers being on the fritz but at least it's information. Normally the astronauts are floating around up there, working diligently, risking their lives for scientific gain and all we ever hear about - maybe - is the launch and the landing. I'd much rather hear about this than the wars of the world. One story is about hope, the other about despair.

Anyway, the big announcement isn't actually that big. Especially since almost everyone here already knew about it - despite my not telling them. I quit my job. That sounds so melodramatic. I actually gave just over two weeks notice, so it's not a sudden departure or anything. Before yall ask, no, I don't have a new job lined up yet. Anyone know of any places hiring environmental scientists near Raleigh, NC? Anyone?

I feel like I should post something really good today. Something Earth shattering. Well, maybe not That extreme as my goal in life is to Save the planet, not destroy it. This urge overcame me when I saw that t had checked in here twice before 7 am. Like maybe his day was going downhill already and he needed Something to make it better. Or perhaps he was just bored. Either way, I feel like I should try and help him out. Call it sibling guilt, boredom, as good a reason as any to post something lively.. Call it whatever you want. I'm on a mission...

Which means I can't post this link since t is the one who sent it to me. Bummer. It's a fun game. Kept me occupied for a bit. Sadly I conquered it. Several times. Yes that means I've managed to do the Expert levels which can be insanely hard! My kind of challenge :)

Umm, let's see, what else? Oh my current mission prolly means I can't post anything U2 related. Sadly t is lacking the most basic of genetics which tells him that U2 are the best band. Ever. Obviously illustrating that everyone has flaws.

He's not a big hockey fan, so I can't ramble on about that. Even if the season is over, I can find something hockey related to babble about. Hart Trophy contenders, for example. What's that? Yeah, I figure Sidney will get it.

Wait a minute here. Why should I take on the task of improving t's day?? He's the one who told me last night that 'Trout swim in the river and there are some called rainbow which are pretty' when I tried to ask him a perfectly reasonable question. With snarky commentary like that, I'm thinking *he* needs to do something to uplift *my* day.

Well? Hop to it, t.

My chocolate raspberry coffee tastes like dark chocolate sugar free raspberry cremes. Seriously, I feel like I should be chewing my coffee - because of the taste, not because of lumps.

And yes I took liberties (again) with the lyric above. I'm sure the Lads won't mind. :)

Unrelatedly
Big announcement coming on Friday. Stay tuned loyal reader. Err readers. I know there's at least three of you out there.

They're at it again. My family, that is. Treating my sweet nephew as a manual laborer. Field worker. Slave labor. Here's a picture of him at a strawberry (yuck) field. But is he picking strawberries? Or even eating them? Nooooooo. He's hauling buckets of strawberries.

Where is the family? Obviously one of them is taking pictures of JT doing all the work. I doubt that JT volunteered to lug two buckets of berries around. I bet that second bucket belongs to the photographer.

This picture obviously illustrates JT's amazing work ethic. Poor little guy needs a vacation. Come visit me, JT! We'll go chase squirrels and mini-bears to your hearts content!

So, it's Monday. I'm not quite up to speed yet, I blame the haze of pollution in the air. I could give yall an overview of what Bono has been up too but c does such a fine job of that, why should I try to improve her stuff? Check out Scatter O'Light for music info (why yes, a lot of it is U2 related) presented in an amusing, sometimes snarky, way.

Toph also sent me a link to some pictures of flying cats that might amuse some of yall. Some were entertaining, some looked altered. All the cats were cute.

Anyway, I'm off to decorate a coworker's cube. Tis his birthday. I decorated a different coworker's cube last Thursday morning. Now wouldn't yall love to have me as a coworker?? :)

Unrelated
A big honorary kudos to the first person who can tell me where the song lyric (today's title) is from. Song, album, artist(s)...

The picture is from the Planet Earth website. Their match game, to be exact. It's an amusing way to pass a minute or 46 seconds :)

However, the game isn't why I saved this picture for posting here. Nope. It's the ad to the right of the game. I'm sure it's quite obvious why.

The Edge Is Never Dull

Hello?! What dimwit out there would think he is? Sheesh. Rock god guitar player. Yeah, he'd be the antithesis of dull. I find the ad redundant, yet amusing.

Happy Friday all.

In case yall haven't heard Bono is the guest editor for the July 2007 issue of Vanity Fair Magazine. There are 20(!!) different covers with a variety of celebrities, all with the same theme. Africa.

I don't know that I've ever read VF, I'm nearly certain I've never bought an issue. While I don't see that changing now, don't let my lack of consumerism stop yall from buying one. Or, better yet, donating directly to the Global Fund. Or buying (RED) . Or reading about D.A.T.A.. And signing up with the ONE campaign.

Yes, if it were The Edge on the cover, I'd be staking out stores looking for the issue(s) with him on the cover. It is what it is. :) Maybe VF's next big public awareness issue can be about New Orleans. Focus on Music Rising. Have nine different covers...

Hockey!

The Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup last night. The first time in franchise history (they've been around 14 years). It's the first time the cup has been won by a team in California. I guess Lord Stanley finally found a good deal on earthquake insurance.

It's heartbreaking and thrilling to watch a team win this. So much emotion. Big, strong, manly men crying with sheer joy or utter despair. Stanley's Cup has some mega skills at bringing out the passions in people.

Congrats Anaheim! Enjoy the Cup while you can. The Canes are taking it back next year!!

These days you can have practically anything as the ringtone on your cell phone. Music, sound effects, animal sounds. For years I had mine set to howl life a wolf. I'd likely still have that except I switched phones and a wolf howl is not an option. Bummer.

Anyway, in the forests of western India people are setting their ringtones to the calls of goats, roosters and cows. I thought that pretty odd. Then I found out that they're connecting their cells to speakers and broadcasting the calls at night. Which struck me as Really odd. Surely they have better ways to entertain themselves?

Turns out folks there are using the ringtones to lure leopards into cages for relocation away from villages. Leopards hear sounds of food, stalk up to the sound & the cage door comes down. Pretty darn smart if you ask me. The ringtone as lure, that is. I feel bad for the kitties. Although, it's safer for them to be moved now instead of killed later.

Read Ringtones Used to Trap Stray Leopards for the full story.

Hockey
Lots of diving going on last night. I think my favorite was when Emery stuck his arm out tripped a Duck & then flipped over onto his back, skates up in the air. He should be in the movies.

I'm all for the ruling that if someone dives, then he's the one that goes to the penalty box. Sure there'll be controversial calls when a player is flattened & is called for diving but there are crap calls now. At least, theoretically, with the diving vetoing the penalty on the instigator, fewer dives will take place. Either that or physical comedy/acting lessons will become part of the NHL's practice sessions.

If that happens, please invite me to watch! I'd love to see hockey players skating around with rolls & rolls of toilet paper stuffed in their pants in lieu of real pads. Like those commercials with the little kids from the 90's (or maybe it was early 00's, don't quite remember). You can't have practice diving sessions without odd items sticking out of your pants for padding. Where's the comedy in using real equipment??

Anyway, Ducks won last night 3-2 and now lead the series 3-1. I got wish of a non-sweep so I'm good. Apparently all the cool kids are cheering on the Ducks (okay maybe not cool kids but all the hockey fans I know are). Kinda makes me want to cheer on the Senators. I'm contrary like that. :)

Unrelatedly
Some tosser was standing outside my patio yakking on his cell phone, disturbing my hockey viewing last night. So I turned on my AC to drown him out. Worked too. I even got a bonus of some cursing by the guy about the noise :)

As I've alluded to in the past, I don't have the brightest (or considerate, polite, respectful, aware, quiet, law abiding, clean, etc.) neighbors. On Sunday Mr. Wimpy -yes I know his real first name but only because his wife (Mega-Bitch) screeches it multiple times a day, everyday - starts pounding on another neighbor's door. Mr. Wimpy & MB share the main wall with this other couple (Ms. Nose In Air & Mr. Can't Carry A Tune). So Wimpy stands in the hall, his foot in his door whilst banging on the other door.

Bang. Bang. Bang. Pause. Bang. Bang. Bang.
"WIIMMMPPPYYYYYYYYY knock louder, they obviously can't hear you!" MB screeches.
BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.
"They're not answering, maybe they're no-"
"I KNOW they're home! I can Hear them! Knock on their door!"
BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG
I look out the peephole & see Wimpy put his hear next to the door, seeing if he can hear anything. There's still no answer and MB is hollering at Wimpy because, apparently, it's his fault that their neighbors are ignorning them?
Wimpy says, "They're not answering, I guess I'll have to try later" as he slams the door to his apartment. There is more MB screeching, quite audible & clear despite the fact that I share no walls with these people & both our front doors were closed. MB has quite a pair of lungs.

For the record, not five minutes later I see Nose-In-Air, Can't-Carry-A-Tune & their kids leaving their apartment. Apparently they have more brains than I thought.

Hockey
Senators won game 3! WooHoo! No sweep for the Stanley Cup this year! More hockey! Yes!!

Cam Ward signed a 3-year deal to stay with the Canes!!! And Glen Wesley signed a 1-year deal. I did a dance of joy when I found that out last week. I'm still beaming about it :)

Today is the official start of the Hurricane Season (sadly, not talking hockey). We've already had Andrea, can Barry really be too far behind? I'm *really* hoping that Barry is a major storm. Entirely because I have a friend named Barry and I appreciate any and all opportunities to give him a hard time. Something along the lines of, Geez Barry, why'd you have to go and trash Wilmington, NC for?? You know I love that town! etc.

Hmm maybe Hurricane Barry should be a wimpy storm, cause then I could give him grief about his lack of strength, manliness, etc. You call that a storm surge? What are you, a toddler? Guess that means it's a win-win for me. :)

One of my Nano novels involved a hurricane named Barry,toxic waste and dolphin research. Hmm, maybe I'll dust off the manuscript and give it an edit. In honor of potential Hurricane Barry this year.

Unrelatedly
Apparently it's go to work an hour late day. Wish someone had told me that yesterday. Does this mean I can leave an hour early to compensate?