Something Squirrelly this Way Comes

These are from day two of my spray painting at work. I wore a glove on my left hand this time, but obviously not my right hand.



Here's the glove. On the first day, my left hand was much, much more orange than this glove. I believe my practice the day before helped that. Also, there was less wind.



My pants and boots after two days of spray painting. The boots are still vibrant orange, the photo doesn't do the neon justice. The paint washed out of my jeans. Woo!



Unrelatedly
Luna's eye is better. No goop in it this morning. Although she really, really, Really hates getting the antibacterial ointment in her eye. I had to resort to wrapping her in a towel (wet from my hair) to get her under control so I could get the good goop in her eye. The towel also helped stop the addition of new wounds to me.

Even More Unrelateldy
Still without internet at home. Supposedly cable guy came between 0800 & 0830 today. I don't miss the tv or the phone. I miss the internet. and Plants vs Zombies!!!! I've been in withdrawals all week! Oy!

Luna won her battle with a penguin. Sadly it wasn't enough to help our Canes. Ah well. Twas a great run, boys!!!

I discovered a new (minor) addiction this weekend. It's a computer game called Plants vs Zombies. I'm probably much too amused by it. I was up until 0100 playing it.

The good news is that I haven't bought it (yet). M told me about the website Wild Games where I can play the full version for free! And yes, I got her playing it too. Mwahahahahahaha err, make that, braaaiinnsss.

Somewhat Unrelatedly
I bought a quarter of a watermelon at the grocery store yesterday. I ate the whole thing - quite yummy. While I was trying to cut out the sticker on the back of the rind, I managed to injure myself. Twice. Am I good or what?

The first injury was when the knife slid through the rind faster, and in a different direction, than I anticipated and the end of the knife encountered the palm of my hand. I was using a steak knife. You know the kind with the pointy end? Yeah, that hurt.

The second injury I found when I went to the sink to clean my puncture wound. I found blood smeared on my hands in places that made no sense. No way I could've gotten blood on my right hand or on the back of my left hand when the puncture was to my left palm. Apparently I had sliced a finger on my right hand. I'm thinking I put too much pressure on the back of the knife with my finger, causing it to slice the skin.

My theory for the whole situation, is that watermelon rind thought the knife was a zombie. Hence the all out attack with the steak knife. My hands were merely innocent bystanders. I guess the rind didn't get the memo on the time out. Ah well.

Sorry about not posting yesterday. I was waylaid at work and then had to prep for hockey. Once the game was over, I was too irritated, disappointed, annoyed and bummed to post anything. If you saw the game, or the score, you know why. The title is a reference to something the (horrible beyond anything imaginable) commentators said. They are awful.

Worst. Commentators. Ever.

On the bright side, it's the Friday of a three day weekend. I also get to spray paint some more today. I wish I had gotten a picture of me yesterday. The sheer neon orangeness of my hand (and other hand, shoes, work badge & hem of jeans) was a hoot.

Maybe today...

I saw my third show of the Vertigo tour there. The only time I was on The Edge's side of the stage and I was close too. If I hadn't gotten his autograph in Cleveland, I might feel differently about Mellon. Thankfully I did, so my feelings aren't torn. Mellon arena needs to be torn down. Read this to understand why I feel this way.

I don't care how that arena is destroyed. Torn down. Blown up. Doesn't matter. It just needs to be gone. Without anyone inside of it. What? Surprised that I didn't say that the b@st@rd orpik should be inside? Give me a break. I'm not like some hockey players. I don't deliberately hurt people.

I gotta say tho, that Clean hit on b@st@rd orpik by Cole was Awesome!!!! Too bad matt cooke felt the need to lay a dirty hit on Cole later on. It appears that cooke and b@st@rd orpik are best buds. Teaching each other how to play dirty and get away with it. I don't know how they live with their conscience. Perhaps they don't have one?

The commentators from last night's hockey game on versus have some serious issues. Mostly they need to be fired. Or given a bad case of laryngitis. Between all the pansy comments like "happy hands", "magic pucks" and "stick like a frog's tongue".

Apparently one of the yappers is the play-by-play guy for the caps. Which explains a lot.

Cole and Ruutu please be okay!!!!!

I hate playing up at Pit. Someone always gets hurt. Tho it's usually that b@st@rd orpik doing it.

I loathe and despise microsoft excel 2007. Especially the chart "function". Why on earth would I want both of my vertical axis (axii?) on the same side of the chart??? In what world does that make sense???

And then it tells me there's an error. Well no kidding, ya nitwit stupid crappy program. And guess what. YOU made the error. I know this because I didn't change a thing and whamo there's now error messages.

Argh.

Why do programmers feel the need to rewrite a program that works just fine? If you need a job, go create a video game. Twerps.

WAY TO GO HURRICANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of the best games I've seen in awhile! Winning despite the obvious zebra errors (which gave the b's their first goal). And Scott Walker getting the game winning goal in OT!! How sweet is that?! Just desserts I tell you.

Hockey rocks! Best. Sport. Ever.

And now we're prepping for Staal vs Staal. Oh and that crosby kid too. Should be a fun series. As long as (b@st@rd) orpik keeps his cheap shots to himself. We don't need any more players severely injured and out for months because of him. That's not the way to win a hockey game. Frankly, I think (b@st@rd) orpik is worse than chara at playing dirty.

Go Canes!!!!!!!

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
__________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 11, 2009

PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY AND POLICE WEEK, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Every day, peace officers put on their uniforms and go to work to safeguard America's communities and uphold the freedoms we hold dear. This week we honor their contributions and sacrifice.

Law enforcement officers routinely place themselves in harm's way to protect people they do not and will not know. They serve willingly and devotedly, and their commitment is essential for us to maintain a healthy quality of life, a strong economy, the safety of our families, and a robust national security system.

My Administration is working to keep Americans safe and to strengthen the Federal partnership with America's peace officers. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which I recently signed, makes $4 billion available for State and local law enforcement. This provision will save or create thousands of law enforcement jobs across the country through the revitalized Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Recovery Program. The Recovery Act also provides $2 billion through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. These measures will put more officers on the street and help those already serving to perform their jobs more effectively.

The benefits that peace officers provide come with great sacrifice. Every year, many give their lives in the performance of their duties. Their contributions live on in the communities they strengthened, and their service will never be forgotten. This week, as we recognize their commitment to duty, we renew our pledge to support their families and colleagues.

The President has been requested to designate May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of all Federal, State, and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty, and to designate that week as Police Week in recognition of their service given to the United States (36 U.S.C. 136-37).

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2009, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 10 through May 16, 2009, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

Happy Birthday Toph!!! Hope your day has gone spectacularly and that the rest of it continues in the same vein!

Some videos of NOAA's P3 plane, Miss Piggy. She was at RDU International last Wednesday. No, I'm not in any of the shots (*whew*). Videos were filmed by/for WRAL news. To watch the videos on their website, go here.

I was walking into the living room this morning when I heard this loud thump from the dining room area. Luna went on alert. We both cautiously made our way to the dining room. I had to go cautiously as I didn’t want to step on Luna who was creeping along, belly almost on the floor.

I look around the dining room. Nothing appears out of place. I open the door to the balcony and look back to see if Luna is following. She’s still hunkered down by the dining room table. I close the door and go to the railing. I poke my head over and look at the windows & siding, nothing obviously wrong there (I was thinking that someone had thrown something at us or something had sprung off). I look down at the grass and see a bird. On its back. Not moving.

Not good since it’s sprinkling. I watch it for a bit, still no movement. I go back inside and look at the windows again. There’s a mark on one of them that I think is from the bird. It’s mostly white, I didn’t see any blood. Then again I didn’t look at it close enough to see any details. I hope the rain revived the little guy and he was able to fly away. I’d rather have the hope that he’ll be okay than the confirmation that we won’t.

Apparently I need to put something on the dining room windows. Keep other birds from doing what this guy did. There are no screens up, so it’s just the (relatively) clear glass. Maybe I’ll hang some beads or a sun catcher. Something to indicate that there’s not clear passage there.

Unrelatedly
We’ve already reached our high for the day. How crazy is that? We’re going back to Spring weather after days and days of early Summer. It’s supposed to get down in the 50’s as the day goes on. It was only 60 when I drove into work.

Hockey
Canes apparently wanted another day off between games since they didn’t show up to last night’s game. I can’t even blame the refs, although the folks I was watching the game with were. The refs were far, Far worse in previous games. We were just playing at playing. We didn’t go after the puck. We didn’t shoot the puck. We weren’t hitting like we should.

It’s not that Boston was playing extremely well. They weren’t. They were just playing better than we were. Sloppy passing. No speed. I hope the guys get some rest and their ears chewed off by the coaching staff.

Part of me wonders, just a little, if the Canes threw the game. If upper management wanted them too, so that there would be one more home game this series. One more chance to make some money off the fans. I’d like to think we wouldn’t do that but I just don’t have the best opinion of the owners/managers.

Last night, as I was going to bed, I had a frustrating adventure. I turned out the light, took off my glasses and put them on the nightstand. Except they didn’t stay on the nightstand. They jumped off. I heard a quiet thump as they hit the floor. I patted around with my hand and couldn’t feel them. So I turned the light back on. I didn’t see them.

Yes, I know. The odds of me seeing them while standing up were slim to none. So I got down on my hands and knees. Nothing. I moved the kitty pillow I have on the floor. Still nothing.

I laid down on the floor and felt underneath the bed. Nada. I felt around underneath my nightstand. Zilch.

Thinking that the glasses were just out of my reach and invisible to my unaided I, I make my way to the bathroom to put in my eyeballs. I haven’t worn them in months. Many, many months. I wasn’t sure they’d even be tolerable for the couple of minutes I anticipated wearing them.

I get back to my room, eyeballs somewhat itchily in place. I look around some more. I move more stuff around (I’d tell you it was discarded shirts, a bag or two & some random kitty stuff but my mom might think I’m a slob, so I won’t) and still don’t see them. I stretch back out on the floor and do the feeling around, this time with better vision, thing again. No glasses to be seen. I pat around underneath my chest of drawers. Zip.

Even tho my frames are black, I’m thinking maybe I can’t see them under my bed due to the lack of light. I spend the next five minutes trying to find a flashlight. I have, at least three. I can’t find one. No idea where they’ve gone off too. I know where they used to be in the living & dining rooms; they’re just not there now. I do find a clip on book light that I bring back to try. Not the brightest light, but it’s better than nothing right? Wrong. It just cast more shadows.

Then Eureka! A light bulb goes on (no pun intended) in my head. I can use my bedside lamp to shine light under the bed & dresser. I untangle the cord and tilt the lamp. The lampshade prevents me from shining as I desire so I remove it. I set the nut that holds the lampshade onto the lamp on the floor, and place the lampshade on my bed. I start tilting the lamp to shine under the bed and then have to quickly put it back down. Then I pounced on Luna and explained that the nut is not a kitty toy. I spin the nut back on the lamp and proceed with my search.

No glasses on the floor by the bed. No glasses under the bed. No glasses under the night stand. No glasses under the chest of dra- oh wait. There they are! In the far corner, underneath the chest of drawers, next to the wall. How in hell did they get over there?????

I had to lie back down on the floor and stick my arm all the way under to reach them. Still have no idea how they managed to bounce/get back there. Especially without making more than one quiet thud. There must be some weird portal from one side of the nightstand to that spot under the chest of drawers. Seriously.

All that crap I didn’t mention moving so my mom wouldn’t think I’m a slob? Yeah that was covering the access area to get below the chest of drawers. The space underneath the nightstand had some random stuff as well. Besides for the glasses to go that route, they’d have to change direction three times and avoid the glass candle lid to a Yankee Candle and a plastic bottle of lotion. My glasses hitting either one of those things would have made some sort of noise.

It took me less than a second to lose my glasses and over half an hour to find them. How crazy is that?

Have a good Friday.

Luna didn't like the roar of rain. She was rather unsettled. Sometimes running from room to room. Other times huddled next to me or under a curtain. Miss Priss had her freaked out moments too.

Hockey
Canes won last night! in OT. It was a great game!! The refs appeared to be taking a night off tho. They let the players, on both teams, get away with a lot of crap. Boarding, interference, hooking, tripping. The one that stands out most is when a bruins player ran into Cam.

There was no puck nearby. The bruin could easily have avoided Cam. Cam didn't see the guy coming as his back was to the bruin. I think Cam was partially in the crease too. I guess since Cam didn't hit the ice, it was 'okay'. It's not surprising that mccreary was there. He's my least favorite zebra. Hopefully he'll retire soon!!

Today's entry is all about special messages...

First off, I have a boisterous Happy Birthday shout out to Frulequet! She's pretty cool and I'm lucky to know her.

Next, I have a musical Happy Birthday shout out to Maddie! May there be a plethora of U2 shows in your future, my dear!

Yes, yes, I know. Neither one of those is actually boisterous or musical but use your imagination folks! Pretend there are fireworks and confetti for Frulequet. A rock concert for Maddie. That should put you in the frame of mind to better appreciate my shout outs.

I am not stalking Priss.I am merely laying on the bed, watching her. That's it. That's not stalking. That's being observant..

I always twitch my tail when I sta--observe. It helps me think. It's like my grandma sticking out her tongue when she plays card games. Besides you can't even see Priss in this picture. She's behind the curtain but you only know that because I was watching her. Making sure she didn't rip Mom's curtain off again.

This picture is proof that I am merely watching! Not stalking. No way I can pounce effectively with my leg hanging over the edge like that! Or so you think...

I didn't get any true alone time this weekend. Which means this week is going to be long and hard. Granted, it was already gearing up to be that way at work. I had hoped that I would have the place to myself for more than 20 minutes this weekend. I don't function at my best when I have to deal with people every minute of my weekend. Especially when I'm at home. I know, suck it up. I'm starting to sound like brodeur.

Hockey
Canes shut out the bruins 3-0 in game 2! Granted it should have been 4-0 but apparently the refs in Toronto are blind. At least their lack of clear eyesight didn't alter the outcome of the game.

Unrelatedly
Anyone know where I can find information on non-corporate funds for LED lighting? Grants, free money, etc. I could use some help on the research.

A friend turns 30 today. Having a party at an Irish pub (woo!) tonight. Should be fun. Hopefully they have TVs tuned to the game!! Otherwise I might be texting others for updates. All you 'others', consider yourselves warned! :)

Anyway, it's apropos that the party is at an Irish pub. Today being Beltane(Bealtaine) and all that. Although, I'm pretty sure, they won't let us build any spiffy fires inside. Ah well.

Unrelatedly
Every place I've worked, there's been at least one person who cuts their nails while at work. What's up with that??? Why is it acceptable to that? Boggles my mind. Also, the sound of the clippers, irritates me. Which is why, I'm sure, I notice it.