Something Squirrelly this Way Comes

I got home from work yesterday and the living room was strewn with ivy, flowers, garlands and glue sticks. Okay, the glue sticks didn't become scattered about until a little while after I was home.

Some friends were being crafty for a Beltane celebration this weekend. There was some whining due to hot glue gun mishaps (ie the roomie was getting her fingers singed). I sided with The Cat and supervised from the couch. We both deemed it safer that way.

Whilst the creative festivities were going on, the movie James and the Giant Peach was playing in the background. It wasn't a movie I ever wanted to see, nor would I have continued to watch it, if given the choice. However, it did have some amusing one liners and, I think, a pretty amusing joke.

Why don't skeletons play music in church? They've got no organs!

Then again, perhaps it was only so amusing due to the hot glue fumes.

Hockey
Pens go ahead in the series, 3-0, after their 5-3 win over the Rangers. My Avs lost Again and are losing in their series with the red wings 0-3. Stars and Sharks - eh, who cares? I'm not a fan of the stars and, despite my efforts, can't seem to cheer on the Sharks (sorry, M). Habs trail the flyers 1-2 in their series.

Personally, I'd like the losing teams all to win one. Or two. More hockey games that way. Stop glaring at me, B! I didn't say I wanted your team to lose. Sheesh.

I know it's not the last day of April. I thought I would give yall the news anyway. I didn't write a script as per the Script Frenzy rules. I didn't even come close.

Last time I checked I had roughly seven or eight pages. Admittedly that's probably the max amount of hours I put into it. I kept getting bogged down in the squirrelly format. I was my time thinking about that instead of my plot. Which just destroyed any desire to write a script. Maybe next year I'll do better. Assuming I learn the format and find the motivation.

Hockey
The flyers took the lead in their series with the Canadians. Boo hiss. Three games tonight. How screwy is that???? Should only be two playoff hockey games a night and not at the same time. C'mon NHL. Get with program.

Song Currently Stuck in My Head
I've just closed my eyes again. Climbed aboard the Dreamweaver train, Driver take away my worries of today, And leave tomorrow behind

JT played hockey this weekend!!! Outside with some of the neighborhood kids. AND he said it was fun! Wooohooooo! I always knew he was a smart boy. Maybe he and I can play some hockey soon.

His brother, Matt, rolled over four times! He was only 9 days old! That's mind boggling. Rolling from tummy to back usually occurs in the couple months old time frame. I guess Matt knows that JT set the bar pretty high so he wants to start out strong.

Hockey
Pens, Stars and red wings all lead their series, 2-0 and the Canadians and flyers are tied at 1-1. My poor Avs :( And no, I haven't watched an entire game of the playoffs. I don't believe I've watched an entire period. Although I have watched more this round than I did of the first.

A friend of mine is kind enough to keep me updated about one series. Sending me pix and texts. That's cool. I get to live vicariously through him. Unfortunately another friend is pulling for the other team in the series. Should be interesting to hear what he has to say about the games thus far.

Unrelatedly
I've had the song Anticipation in my head since Saturday night. Well, just the chorus. I haven't even heard it on the radio recently.

Meeting was shorter than I anticipated and fairly unique but amusing. I should be finding out the committee's decision today. Theoretically. Nerves aren't nearly so out of control today.

Hockey
I watched some hockey last night. Sort of. I was on the phone and the TV was muted. I was happy about the outcome of one game, but not the other. I'd tell yall which is which, but then I might jinx the teams. If you know me at all, hockey-ily speaking, you should already know the answer.

Important meeting today at work. I've been prepping for it for awhile now. Thankfully, until late last night and early this morning, I've been too busy to be nervous. Unfortunately that seems to have caused my nervousness to jump into overdrive. Should be interesting to see how I do today - have ginger ale, will (hopefully) not puke.

Hockey
The second round playoffs start today. I'm thinking I may be able to watch more than 5-10 minutes of a game. I can tell myself that the fans of teams who have been eliminated are now getting the (snooty, imho) sale email from NHL.com. The one telling them that stuff with their team on it is on sale/clearance because they're not in the playoffs.

That email was just plain mean, NHL.com. As if we weren't heartbroken enough by not making the playoffs, you had to go and rub it in with an everything for your team is discounted because your team sucks and we want to make room for stuff for the non-sucky teams sale.

The other night my departure was delayed by a spider on my windshield. I got in my car, put on my seat belt went to turn my keys and there it was. The spider. Nearly centered on my windshield, over my steering wheel. The worst thing, I could see its back.

It was brown and darker brown or black, so my first thought was brown recluse. I wasn't getting close enough to eyeball the design any more intently. I just slid over to the side & reached for my glove box. Thanks to family road trips when I was a kid, I keep napkins in there.

I grabbed four (at least) and carefully positioned them on my hand. I did not, in any way, want to feel spider squishing *shudder*. I took a couple deep breaths and went into squish mode. It worked. I now have a smear on the inside of my windshield but I didn't feel the squish.

For those campaigning for the catch-and-release, I didn't see you around to do that. I have a hard and fast rule with spiders, any bugs really, if you're outside I'll leave you alone. If you're inside, you're a goner. I've also managed to curtail my shrieking upon spotting one. Yay me.

I have also succeeded quite well in Not pondering where the spider came from and how it got into my car. Please refrain from speculating for me. I really don't need the nightmares.

Happy Earth Day everyone! Of course, I think you should make everyday Earth Day (I also think there should be an NHL day at least once a week). I'm not talking about giant fanfare, publicity campaigns or gigantic tree planting fund raisers. I'm thinking long term, sustainable Greenness.

Recycling more than you used to, using less water and electricity, driving less, planting something in your own vegetable garden, buying organic, taking your own reusable bag (preferably cloth) to the grocery store, carpooling, walking to the store, etc. These small steps are easier to do and they add up. Especially if everyone takes one. Replace that burnt out light bulb with a compact fluorescent (those squirrelly curved tube looking ones) one. Buy one that is Energy Star rated and mercury free. They're out there. I found some at the grocery store a couple weeks ago.

Even if your small step is to think about being greener, that's good. It means you're aware and that,next time, you might say, "No thanks" to a plastic bag for only a couple items at the store. You don't need to put that garlic bulb in a plastic bag in the produce section. Or the celery, or the tomatoes.

For more Earth friendly ideas and activities:
Nature Conservancy - Earth Day '08
Earth Day Network Call your representative today 202-224-3121 and ask them to enact stronger climate legislation

I'd link you to the US government's Earth Day web page, but it's a joke. This administration is not an environmentally friendly one (that's the nicest way I can phrase it). Retail stores are doing more than the government. Macy's is giving out tree saplings to visitors today. Home Depot was giving out reusable canvas bags on Sunday. Lowe's Home Improvement hosts eco-friendly remodeling classes.

Take a small step today and repeat it tomorrow and the next day, and the next. Do it until it's a habit. Then pick a new step to add to your lifestyle, your routine. It's not hard but it's not always easy. Most good things in life are like that.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must put on my bamboo socks and recycled shoes and head to work. Happy Earth Day :)

So my cousin had a daughter (Madeline) on April 10. My nephew Matt was born on April 17. My dear friend Muffin had a daughter (Sophia) early this morning. An inquiring mind would ponder what, exactly, was going on in the world nine months ago.

As I have an inquiring mind, I checked. The highlights, in my opinion, are:

* New Zealand launches its first commercially available biofuel, which consists of 90 percent petrol and 10 percent bioethanol made from cows' milk

* NASA reports that three galaxies the size of the Milky Way are colliding with another galaxy three times the size of the Milky Way in cluster CL0958+4702. The eventual galaxy could be up to ten times the size of the Milky Way.

* Space Shuttle Endeavour lands safely at Kennedy Space Center at 12:32:29 EDT (16:32:29 UTC).

* A total lunar eclipse takes place in the early morning hours across most of North America and the eastern Pacific Ocean region.

I'm an Auntie again! Or maybe it means I'm twice the Auntie now. Hmm. Matt was born yesterday afternoon and weighed in at 8 lbs 4 oz. Big guy but still so small.


JT seems to be adjusting well to his baby brother. The lovely lady assisting JT is his Mama (pronounced mawmaw). If I called her Granny, she might hit me. ;)


A big, huge, Welcome to the newest member of the family. I'll be sure to have JT help me with teaching the love of U2 to Matt.

I know, I know. Two videos of Jeff Dunham in less than a week. I can't help it. I think he's a riot!

On the road again, Just can't wait to get back on the road agai- Wait. I already am. Oy.

Anyway, week of wedding stuff was good. Laughed a lot and sang a fair amount too. Most notably from the movie Cadence. Although a KT Tunstall chorus(Black Horse and a Cherry Tree) did make numerous appearances.

I'm working on acquiring pix. I'll forward along to interested parties (hopefully) later this week. Right now we're heading back east. Forecast is for clear weather, I hope the traffic is the same.

Due to Riesling, I'm relying heavily on spellcheck. And slow typing.

Lots of the bride's family came to town tonight. Was fun meeting them. Her Aunts are a Riot!! The Groom-to-be and best man made it to town. Tho their flight was delayed 80 minutes. But that's okay! They got here.

The other 'maids and I and the bride got lovely sapphires at Jared's today. Gorgeous stuff, all different. It was our gift from the bride. Utterly shocking. The three of us had no idea. So very sweet of Elims and hubby-to-be-of-Elims.

Then we all went and got manicures and pedicures. At least half the bridal party were pedicure virgins (tho I started calling them toe-jobs and I think I'll stick with it) and a slightly different half were manicure virgins. Holy crap the massage chairs! Seriously good times.

So, yeah, those of you who don't know me and were here for something funny - uhh sorry. I'm all about the personal today. Well, detached personal anyway. I'm really curious as to why you'd still be reading this tho.

I'm so very tired but I won't be going to bed anytime soon. I've got the hiccups. Have you ever tried sleeping when you have them? Not an easy feat. Tho I do need to work on my script. Perhaps I can fire up the laptop and do that. I think I have it plotted out. Well, in my head anyway. Just the whole format of it is so squirrelly.

Anyway, we had a bridal shower tonight. It was fun. No lame games, just chatting and present opening. Think we're going for manicures in the morning. Woo. Think it'll be my third or fourth one ever.

I've an important request for yall. Please think positive thoughts that the Groom and Best Man get here tomorrow (mainly the groom, but the best man is on the same flight). They've got tix on American Airlines. As of right now, their flight isn't one of the ones canceled. We're all hoping it remains that way.

Unrelatedly, glue guns are wonderful things!

We made it to St. Louis just fine. Right about 13 hours in the car. Stopped three times and I failed at trying to buy a lotto ticket. The guy didn't know how to run the machine and asked me if I knew how. It was kinda bizarre. Hope it's not a bad omen for Elims' wedding, since one of the tix would've been wedding numbers.

Anywho, I saw a HUGE Gibson Showcase next to Opryland. We didn't stop tho :( Which, actually, is probably for the best. I might have come out a couple thousand dollars lighter.

Well much bridesmaidy stuff to attend too. Enjoy your time at work. Mwahahahahahahaha

Oh, before you (meaning Toph) give me grief about the time stamp, I am an hour behind so changed the post time to reflect as such. So pfffffttttttt.

I'm left with one question - Who needs Roy when you've got Bill?

I'm heartbroken. My Canes didn't make the playoffs. One game. One lousy game. Personally, I believe we could have beaten the caps had we not put Williams, Whitney and Cullen in that night. A player's salary should not outweigh what's best for the team.

The Rats stepped up when we needed them. They are the reason we were in contention. Why punish them and f*ck with team dynamics to put in a player who'd miss half the season? Or one who was inconsistent at best the other times he returned? Or one who had been in and out more times than I can remember because of post concussive syndrome?

Management should have let the guys who got us this far play in that game. Then, after we won and sealed our fate as the SE Division champs, put the returning players in. Let them have a couple of games to get their skates back under them, before the playoffs began. To me that's common sense. Then again, the decision seemed to be based on dollars and cents. Ridiculous.

So now I get to suffer from an abruptly ended hockey season. I don't have the heart right now to watch any of the other games. Seeing the players, hearing the slap of sticks and skates on ice, makes me want to weep. A part of me has died and I must mourn.

Farewell 2008 Canes hockey season. It was lovely to have known you. I will miss you dearly. I look forward to meeting your 2009 sibling.

I woke up with a different song in my head this morning. I don't have the patience to youtube or google it tho. Not after yesterday's crushing disappointment. Okay, so it really wasn't crushing.

Anyway, lyrics include, "I don't know how you do the things you do, baby I'm amazed by you". I know I heard that song on the radio (or part of it) recently. And I'm pretty sure it's in my head because my new laptop battery came in the mail yesterday!!! Soooo excited! Expected delivery dates were April 4-9. And yes, I'm running on battery power now! WooHoooo!!!!

Completely unrelatedly, from Monday (3/31) until Thursday (4/3) I worked 47 hours. And that was all office time. That makes me tired just thinking about it. At least I won't have to repeat. I have four days to work the remaining 33 hours of the pay period.

And on that note, I gotta scoot.

The last two nights Ive woken up with the song, "Signs" in my head.

i>Signs, signs everywhere they're signs, Blocking up the scenery breaking my mind, Do this don't do that can't you read the signs
Something like that anyway. I would've put a youtube vid of the group performing it, however they blocked the embed function. So pffffftttt to them. Twerps.

Argh. I'm gonna be late for work. Have a good one folks.

This month, not only am I taking a road trip to St. Louis, being a bridesmaid in a wedding, but I'm also attempting to write a script. I've been on many road trips. I've been a bridesmaid twice before. I haven't even Thought about writing a script, let alone trying to write one. Should be interesting.

April is Script Frenzy month. Brought to us by the spiffy keen folks of NaNoWriMo. Basically you write 100 pages of a script (or multiple scripts) in 30 days.

The 5 Basic Rules of Script Frenzy

1) To be crowned an official Script Frenzy winner, you must write a script (or multiple scripts) of at least 100 total pages and verify this tally on ScriptFrenzy.org.

2) You may write individually or in teams of two. Writer teams will have a 100-page total goal for their co-written script or scripts.

3) Script writing may begin no earlier than 12:00:01 AM on April 1 and must cease no later than 11:59:59 PM on April 30, local time.

4) You may write screenplays, stage plays, TV shows, short films, comic book and graphic novel scripts, adaptations of novels, or any other type of script your heart desires.

5) You must, at some point, have ridiculous amounts of fun.

So what are yall doing this April?