Detroit 3-Pittsburgh 1

Assclown Defined

So, does anyone know who this assclown is?




His name is Kanye West and I guess he supposedly is a singer or something.* I've heard the name and hope to NEVER hear it again. I just was made aware of something he said and I am LIVID that anyone who commands the attention of so many young people would say such an assclowny thing!!!

His quote:

"Sometimes people write novels and they just be so wordy and so self-absorbed. I am not a fan of books. I would never want a book's autograph. I am a proud non-reader of books."

I cannot believe his trainers let him SAY such a thing. How proud his family must be. I certainly hope someone with more credibility comes along and denounces him for the idiot he is.

(At least this gave me something to obsess about besides the game tonight! ;))



*And yes, this is total sarcasm.

Game 2

31 May 2009

Joe Louis Arena
Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh Penguins
8:00 PM (EDT)
NBC, CBC





GO WINGS!!!

Sign Of The Times?

The youngest daughter texted me the other day. As she was driving to work, she spotted the following sign in front of a hair salon:

FREE MULLET REMOVAL

:D

Police Log

--11:13 PM, suspicious males with buckets


--9:42 AM, small white dog at large chasing people


--11:24 AM, found items in back yard


--1:05 AM, male subject on porch, subject looking for his dog at the wrong house


--11:51 AM, snow blower found in front of residence, returned to proper house


--6:10 PM, suspicious situation involving suspicious package containing pictures and letters


--10:50 AM, suspicious man drinking from container in paper bag


--3:44 PM, animal in chimney


--8:24 PM, report of a drunken male in an alley with his pants down


--11 PM, loud bang heard at the north end of the building


--3 AM, semi running with lights on, unloading sod for new condos


(As usual, all of these happened over a period of several days.)

Detroit 3-Pittsburgh 1

Game 1

30 May 2009

Joe Louis Arena
Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh Penguins
8:00 PM (EDT)
NBC, CBC



GO WINGS!!!

A Little Of This, A Little Of That

I have been SO discombobulated (love the word, hey?) lately and things won't get any better till the Finals are over with. Unfortunately, things might be worse--I might be going into a summer-long deep, deep depression. Can't think about that now.

----------

K finally got the new grill over the weekend. It has been SO great to have burnt offerings again. Today before going to work, he made steaks and baked potatoes! Nummy!!!!!

----------

Things still are going fine with the Enbrel. I can see, almost DAILY, improvements in my skin. This stuff is amazing. So far, I haven't had any/many side effects and am keeping my fingers crossed that things stay that way. However, on Tuesday I DID have an injection-site reaction which was a bit strange. That night or the next morning (CRS--what can I say) I had a red area about 2" X 4" surrounding where I gave the injection. It was VERY red and a bit warm--and when I ran my finger across it there was a bit of an itchy feeling. It gradually faded and as of today it only looks a bit 'shadowy,' so I did today's injection. If I have a repeat, I WILL talk to the doctor, but right now I'm just treating it as an isolated incident. I'm assuming I hit something under the skin and that's what caused the reaction.

----------

Tomorrow the step-grandson's graduation party is being held at C's house. Unfortunately, K is on night shift and we won't be able to attend. While I wouldn't have minded being there, I am VERY happy that this keeps me from having to deal with The Family.

We are getting to the age where we won't be getting too many more grad invites. Most/all of our acquaintances are old enough that their kids have been through this already. NOW we will be faced with weddings. Good grief, but it is never-ending! :/

----------

I NOW think I have an explanation for the traveling sheep! Turns out, for the last several days, there have been workers putting in a new lawn--complete with sod--at the house. I'm just waiting to see if the sheep move out of the garage and back onto the lawn as soon as the sod has become established. Updates will follow. ;)

----------

Last night I had a horrible dream. The only thing I can remember about it is crying uncontrollably. Whenever I have dreams like that, I spend the rest of the day with a very unsettled feeling--almost like I'm expecting some bad news. Very icky.

----------

And, of course, I can't possibly end a post without saying something about hockey. ;) Looks like Lidstrom WILL be back in the line-up tomorrow night, but Datsyuk is still being called a game-time decision. They claim he DIDN'T break his foot, just re-injured what wasn't completely healed. Word is that Draper is getting better and might be back before the Finals are done. And finally, Ericsson has come out disagreeing with Babcock and says he doesn't know if he'll be able to play. He said yesterday he couldn't eat or skate and felt very nauseous, but is doing better today. I still highly doubt him returning before Sunday, at the earliest.

I'm STILL not any less stressed than I was yesterday--and I actually am stressing MORE as game time gets closer---but I think I'm getting a better perspective. Thinking back on these play-offs and all of the things so many of the players have done, I am even MORE sure that the Wings can win the Cup again. The depth of the club is so much better than any other team, it is ridiculous. Every day I'm falling in love with Helm more and more--the kid is SCARY good. And he only is 22 years old! I can't imagine how much better he will be in five years. And he STILL will be considered a rookie next year--even after getting his name on the Cup last year. Amazing.

And Here We Go Again

The more things change, the more they stay the same...or something like that. Once again we come to the Stanley Cup Finals. And once again, the Wings are up against The Boy and Co. For the most part, the teams aren't much different than they were last year, but the outcome isn't as widely agreed upon as last year's was. As far as most 'experts' are concerned, it is a toss-up as to who will win the Cup.

On paper, the Wings look to be the better team--and they are, actually. But--and this could just be my natural pessimistic nature--I really don't know if the Wings can actually win this year. And there are so many different reasons. Of course, The Boy's Daddy wants nothing more than a Penguins victory--Daddy's man-love for The Boy has no limits and he doesn't hide the fact. And this is why there are so many conspiracy theories floating around--and why the Wings might not win it all.

(I DO believe in conspiracy theories, but not in the 'cigar-smoke-filled-room with mustache-twirling men laughing maniacally' kind of way. I believe there are more subtle ways that the cards are stacked against Detroit--and they aren't necessarily conscious on the part of the people 'working against' the Wings.)

The last time two teams met in back-to-back Finals was in 1984. The last time a team won back-to-back Cups was in 1998--and that team was the Red Wings. So, they have been there, done that--and will try again. But it will be hard.

The first problem is the start of the Finals--on Saturday. This gives only two days for the Wings to rest before they have to play back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday. THIS was a decision made by the League--The Boy's Daddy--so this, of course, is a conspiracy against Detroit. There are all kinds of supposed reasons for beginning on Saturday--all because of NBC and Conan O'Brien--but the NHL really has the last word on this. Besides, the games could always be broadcast on VERSUS if NBC doesn't want the possibility of any interference with Conan. One strike against Detroit.

The Wings are nursing some big-time injuries right now--well, some big-time players are nursing injuries, that is. Datsyuk has been out because of a foot problem and needs as much time as possible to heal. If the foot is broken, then there isn't a good chance that he will be back, but if it is only a bruise, the more time off, the better. Lidstrom has the old 'lower-body injury' and there is no definitive word on whether he will be back on Saturday or not. (They are HOPING he will be in the line-up, but that remains to be seen.) Draper isn't coming back any time soon--and even with a few more days off, he probably is out. Jonathan Ericsson had an emergency appendectomy yesterday afternoon and might not be able to play on Saturday. (Did you read that? MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PLAY. THREE days after surgery!!!! Unbelievable!) And there is nothing being said about Lilja or Kopecky anymore--they ARE done for the season. Not enough time to heal is probably the biggest reason why the Wings won't win.

Not only are the Wings hurting physically, they are also beat up mentally--much more so than Pittsburgh. This, in no way means that the Penguins are better than the Wings, it just means that Detroit faced MUCH tougher apponents in the early rounds. And that is because the Wings are in the Western Conference and the Penguins are in the East. Whether people want to believe it or not, the West is tougher than the East. The round with the Ducks was very hard and it took just about everything out of the Wings. Even though Pittsburgh faced Washington and dragged the series out as long as they did, it was mainly an offensive battle--NOT the defensive war the Wings went through. While this gives Detroit a definite advantage against Pittsburgh, we are back again to not having the time needed to heal.

All of this makes for some pretty dismal feelings. But that isn't the WHOLE picture.

Since 1997, Detroit has won four Cups. They have the experience to win. They have Marian Hossa. And Henrik Zetterberg. And Pavel Datsyuk. And Brian Rafalski. And Brad Stuart. And...and...and. (All Pittsburgh has is The Boy and the other one.) And they have pride. They ARE the better team--and it was proven last year. Once again, they will have to beat the Penguins, the League, and the refs in order to bring number 12 home. I'm not sure it will be this year. But then, I'm one of the world's biggest pessimists! All I can do is hope.

GO RED WINGS!!!

Detroit 2-Chicago 1

Four more wins to back-to-back Cups!!! Go Wings--and PULVERIZE Sid and Co!!!! Game 1 is on Saturday night on the 'Nothing But Crosby' network.

Game 5

27 May 2009

Joe Louis Arena
Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
7:30 PM (EDT)
VERSUS, CBC





GO RED WINGS!!!

Memorial Day

Thank you to all who made the ultimate sacrifice so that I can live the good life that I do. We don't say how grateful we are often enough. And 'thanks' is just not enough.

On a different note, I found this at Miss Cellania's site and found it quite funny. Enjoy!



LETTER FROM BOOT CAMP

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.

I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m..But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing.

Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings. like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc. but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food. But tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.

We go on "route marches," which the platoon Sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him any different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

The Sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and Colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move. And it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys do at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.

Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this. Except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake.

I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me. But I'm only 5'6" and 130 pounds. And he's 6'8" and near 300 pounds dry.

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry up and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

Your loving daughter,
Alice


:D

Detroit 6-Chicago 1

Photoshop Wars

With every round of the playoffs, people post their best photoshopped pics on a hockey website that I frequently visit. I have been using the pics with each of my hockey game day posts, but there are too many good ones for me to ignore. So, I decided to do an entire post of some of the best for this round.

Game 4

24 May 2009

United Center
Chicago, Illinois
Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
3:00 PM (EDT)
NBC, CBC



GO RED WINGS!!!

Enbrel Update

Today I finished the first box of Enbrel and so far things are going well. I am already seeing a difference in my skin and can only hope that things will keep getting better. The only problem is that I went to the tanning salon yesterday and now my psoriasis 'spots' are a nice shade of cherry red! (It is fading, though.) I have never had this as a big problem before, so I can only think it is a reaction to the Enbrel--even though the doctor said there is nothing to keep me from tanning while using it. This whole situation is very much a learn-as-I-go process. Last night I thought I was coming down with something, but things are better today. My tonsils are a bit swollen, but that could just be my allergies/sinuses acting up. I will, however, keep a close watch and get my buns to the doctor ASAP if it looks like I need an antibiotic.

Using the epi-pen/sure-click to inject the meds is the only way I could EVER give myself an injection. And it is VERY easy to do--and the 'pain' isn't too bad. (Actually, it is more of an intense kind of sting as the meds are going in.) The entire process only takes about ten seconds, so it isn't a long length of time. Yet, because a needle is involved, I don't think I will EVER be able to do this with a nonchalant attitude. I seem to overthink the whole 'giving myself an injection' thing and find myself getting nervous and having to stop myself from having a panic attack. (It HASN'T gotten to that stage and I hope it never will.) The amount of 'talking to myself' that I have to do is unbelieveable. WHY am I so damn neurotic? :D

Chicago 4-Detroit 3

Game 3

22 May 2009

United Center
Chicago, Illinois
Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
8:00 PM (EDT)
VERSUS, CBC



GO RED WINGS!!!

Weather--Again

On Tuesday, the low temp in the UP was about 32 degrees. On Wednesday, the temp went all the way up to 95. A change of more than 60 degrees in 24 hours. Tomorrow morning, there may be frost in the 'cold spots.' We ARE a hearty people who live here. ;)

Police Log

--1:57 AM, group of people singing Back Street Boys songs



I don't think anything more needs to be said. :)

glitter-graphics.com

Detroit 3-Chicago 2

Game 2

19 May 2009

Joe Louis Arena
Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
7:30 PM (EDT)
VERSUS





GO RED WINGS!!!

Some Geekiness, The Web, My Life, and...HOCKEY!

Did you know that there is the inTERnet AND there are inTRAnets? And they aren't the same.

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You don't need an online dictionary if you use Google. In the search box type: "define: (word)" and hit enter. The definition will come up! (Of course, you don't use the quotation marks or parenthesis--and you supply your own word! DUH!)

To see the time in any city or country, simply type "time (city)."

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You can get computer hard drives for home computers with 1 terabyte+ of capacity. That is about four times larger than what my computer hard drive has. I don't have half of my hard drive filled. My question is: Why would someone NEED that much storage space? I guess if you download movies, maybe, but it still seems like an awful lot of storage space for an individual.

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A couple of sites I have found recently:

--Awkward Family Photos. We ALL have 'those' pictures that we would rather not see again. That's what these are. Frightening.

--Not Always Right. These are funny--and maddening--stories about customers. Who aren't always right.

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The weather here in the UP:

--tonight: rain mixed with snow.
--Wednesday: a high of 74+

We have strange weather here.

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I gave my oldest her first sewing lesson on Saturday. She NEVER wanted to know a thing about it while living here, but now is eager to learn. She gave me a back-handed compliment: She said she knows a lot of people who sew, but wants to learn from someone that is anal-retentive like I am. That way she will be sure to learn the right way to do things. :D

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Referees for sporting events should be unbiased. Of course, they are also human and could, subconsciously, rule for or against a certain team. There is a certain ref in the NHL that was once SHOT while in Detroit. (Something to do with a mugging, I think.) Some of the most HORRENDOUS decisions against the Wings have come from this man. Coincidence? YOU decide. ;)

Shattered Illusions

The other day I was talking to the oldest. She was telling me how 'traumatizing' it was as a kid when she found my albums: Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple... NEVER did she think that HER mother would listen to such stuff!!! I responded by saying, "I guess it's good that you never knew that I smoked weed." I think she fainted. :)

Detroit 5-Chicago 2

Game 1

17 May 2009

Joe Louis Arena
Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
3:00 PM (EDT)
NBC




GO RED WINGS!!!

16 May

It snowed today. No accumulation, but it definitely snowed!!!

LOL

Found this over at Miss Cellania's blog:

A large woman, wearing a sleeveless sun dress, walked into a bar in Dublin. She raised her right arm, revealing a huge, hairy armpit as she pointed to all the people sitting at the bar and asked, "What man here will buy a lady a drink?"

The bar went silent as the patrons tried to ignore her, but down at the end of the bar, an owl-eyed drunk slammed his hand down on the counter and bellowed -- "Give the ballerina a drink!"

The bartender poured the drink and the woman chugged it down. She turned to the patrons and again pointed around at all of them, revealing the same hairy armpit, and asked "What man here will buy a lady a drink?"

Once again, the same little drunk slapped his money down on the bar and said, "Give the ballerina another drink!"

The bartender approached the little drunk and said, "Tell me, Foy, it's your business if you want to buy the lady a drink, but why do you keep calling her a ballerina?"

The drunk replied, "Any woman who can lift her leg that high has got to be a ballerina!"

Detroit 4-Poultry 3

So, once again the Wings give me hope. The words about how I am feeling right now just will not come. I will savor this win for the night--maybe even tomorrow--and then I will get myself right back on the stress train in anticipation of the next round against Chicago. But, for tonight, I am numb with joy!!!!!!!

Game 7

Tonight will decide the fate of two hockey teams. (Well, actually FOUR, but I'm most concerned with two.) Game 7 is going to be played between the Clucks and Wings--one team will go on to try and win the ultimate prize, the other will be cleaning out lockers and go home for the summer. At this point, I'm in the depths of despair and pretty sure the Wings will be the ones going home. And I'm okay with that. Well, I may not be OKAY, but I am accepting. I couldn't hate the Poultry more than I already do, so tonight's game won't be able to change that in any way. As for my disappointment in the Wings, what can I say.

This year did not turn out quite the way it was supposed to. On paper, the Wings had the best team assembled. For some reason or other, they didn't dominate the league like they could/should have. Was the inconsistency of the team due to the dread 'Stanley Cup hangover?' Who knows--it just happened. And I am ready to give up the possibility of a repeat Cup win. Hey, I've been disappointed so many times this year that it is getting old. I hate getting my hopes up and then being kicked in the stomach when they totally blow a game--as they did the last one. Maybe it would be best if I was put out of my misery and start waiting for next year.

As for next year: the team will be quite different than it is right now. If Hossa gets signed to a long-term contract, then many faces will be gone because of salary cap issues. Even if Hossa doesn't sign, there will be several players that won't be invited back and this will make room for some of the young guys from Grand Rapids. Next year will be interesting, for sure. Right now, three hours before game time, I am ready to give it up and say, "There's always next year."

As If I Didn't See THIS Happening

Well, two elements of Little Gary Bettman's ultimate wet dream are still in place: the Penguins won tonight. So, both Pittsburgh and Chicago are still in the playoffs, on the road to the 'greatest Stanley Cup finals, ever': Chicago's young guns against Thid the Kid and his supporting staff. I REALLY hate the NHL sometimes--actually I hate the NHL MOST of the time. Thank goodness for the Wings--if it wasn't for them, I'd be SO done with the NHL and all of the bullshit that goes on. (If the Wings lose tomorrow night and are done for the year, so am I. There isn't a team left for me to root for--they all are bottom-feeders with bottom-feeding players on their rosters.)*



*This is assuming that Carolina will lose tomorrow night--and I don't have much more hope for them than I do for the Wings.

Anaheim 2-Detroit 1

Dying To Get Better

So, I finally made my decision. Today I gave myself my first injection of Enbrel--and I did very well, indeed. I never thought I would be able to actually come anywhere close to my skin with a syringe, but I did. Okay, so it was an epi-pen, but still...

I took six months to do research and think about using this medication. I went back and forth and asked for guidance from a lot of people. My internist isn't COMPLETELY onboard with this--he likens using the Enbrel to killing a mosquito with a flyswatter--but he will honor what I want. When I told him how much my psoriasis affects my lifestyle, he reluctantly agreed that I probably should try this. I have high hopes that things will go well for me.

I will have to be careful from now on when it comes to being around people--if there is someone who is sick, I will have to stay away. This makes it that much more difficult to see the grandchildren--they seem to ALWAYS be sick. (Of course, with six kids and most of them in school, they always are being exposed to one thing or another.) This is something that I will worry about until the first time I get sick and see how I do. But, I won't TRY to get sick just to test things.

My next appointment with the dermatologist is in three months--this is about how long it will take to see how well the Enbrel is working and whether or not I will continue to use it. I am hoping things will go a lot faster than that--but, then, I AM impatient. Until then, I will be injecting myself twice a week and hoping I don't have any horrifying side effects!

Game 6

12 May 2009

Honda Center
Anaheim, California
10:00 PM (EDT)
VERSUS, FSN-D
GO RED WINGS!!!

LOLCats

From I Can Has Cheezburger.




I think the fish was singing:

Detroit 4-Anaheim 1

Game 5

10 May 2009

Joe Louis Arena
5:00 PM (EDT)
FSN-D



GO RED WINGS!!!

Have A Wonderful Day

I want to wish all of my readers who are mothers a wonderful day. For those who AREN'T mothers, make sure and make someone's wishes come true today!

glitter-graphics.com

It IS May 9th, Right?

Here we are, May 9, the day before Mother's Day. And we have had snow falling off and on all day. Gotta love living here in the Great White North! (At least it makes it seem RIGHT to be watching hockey when it snows. ;))

Lawn Ornaments

I mentioned a few posts back about our neighbor's lawn ornaments--the ones that look like full-sized sheep. Now, when you think about LAWN ornaments, isn't the word 'lawn' the operative one here? Doesn't that mean the object is placed--and STAYS--on the lawn? Outside? This is what I would think. However, the neighbor doesn't seem to believe this. Every night I look out and the sheep are missing. Sometime during the day, the sheep are back in the yard. I assume she brings them in every night and then brings them out to graze in the sunlight every day. I am baffled. Considering she is new to the neighborhood--she moved in last summer--I guess I will just have to go there and welcome her. Maybe I will find out what is going on?

Anaheim 2-Detroit 1

Game 3

5 May 2009

Honda Center
Anaheim, California
10:30 PM (EDT)
VERSUS, FSN-D


GO RED WINGS!!!

Around The Web

I have found a new (to me) site that ROCKS! Miss Cellania is a contributor to mental_floss and comes up with some of the most fascinating things ever. She has her own blog and posts very funny stuff. Today she posted a very funny video of a unique interpretation of the classic Patsy Cline song "I've Got Your Picture." HYSTERICAL!! Check it out, stay awhile, and I'm sure you'll go back for more.

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According to mental_floss, it seems as if these signs are popping up everywhere these days at public swimming pools:




This seems to be absolutely ludicrous, but a comment on this post said:

"The problem with breath holding is what we refer to in scuba classes as “shallow water blackout”. It goes something like this:

Simply put, you don’t breathe because you’re low on oxygen. Your normal, healthy body has basically no idea how much oxygen you have left. What it *does* have a decent handle on is the amount of carbon dioxide hanging around. When the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood reaches a certain point, you feel that distinct urge to breathe.

Well, normally, that wonderful “time to get air” feeling is triggered in plenty of time. However, if you artificially lower your carbon dioxide level (e.g. by hyperventilating just prior to going under the water), you can actually lower your carbon dioxide level to such an extent that you “run out” of oxygen before your carbon dioxide level has built up enough that you feel the need to breathe.

Because your body does not sense oxygen level, there is effectively no warning that your blood oxygen level is about to cross from “can sustain consciousness” to “cannot sustain consciousness”. One moment you’re fine; the next moment you’d better hope someone is there to rescue you, as loss of consciousness underwater tends to result in drowning.

In a public pool, chances are any breath holding would naturally result in breath holding contests between swimmers. Such contests naturally result in hyperventilating to try to extend times, and the potential for that to possibly result in unconsciousness is the reason for the rule.

(In the skin diving section of our scuba classes, the printed rule is that you must not hyperventilate in an attempt to extend breathe holding time. You are to take no more than three of four deep breaths before a surface dive. I doubt that would be easy to enforce in a public pool.)"

Well, in THAT case, maybe it makes sense. However, it seems as if this is just another example of the legal system getting WAY out of hand. Here is a link to the original post.

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Cake Wrecks is a site I visit every day--simply because I can't believe some of the things I see there. The baby shower cakes are some of the most disturbing things I have EVER seen. For example:

If you really MUST, here are links to other 'belly cake' pictures: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

THESE are something I would rather not see in person.

OMG!!!

I needed something to help my mood tonight and Postcards From Yo Momma was just what I needed. This is too, too funny:

"Backstory: Our neighborhood was recently targeted by thieves. After a couple of break-ins, my mom (who lives alone) bought a battery-operated motion detector to put by the back door.

The motion detector went off last night around 3 am. It was the loudest thing, scared me to death. I woke up and quickly realized I didn’t have a plan. I never thought about what I would do if the stupid thing went off!

So, I grabbed the old boyscout hatchet you always make fun of and went out to the landing. I waited and I didn’t hear anything. I held up the hatchet and yelled down the stairs, “I HAVE A GUN MOTHERFUCKER!!!” I didn’t hear anything.

I stood there quietly in the dark for a good thirty minutes. Finally I went downstairs, one step at a time, only to find that the goddamn thing was just out of batteries.

Guess I’ll go ahead and get that gun."

Anaheim 4-Detroit 3 (OT)

Game 2

3 May 2009

Joe Louis arena
Detroit Red Wings vs Anaheim Ducks
2:00 PM (EDT)
NBC




GO RED WINGS!!!

Small Town Newspapers

I really love reading the letters to the editor in our newspapers here in the UP. Many, many, many letters are fire and brimstone religious rants (I am very religious/spiritual, but some of these letters are VERY whacko), a lot are crazy political speeches, and then there are the ones that make no sense whatsoever. I think this one qualifies as a 'WTF' kind of letter.

"As a female who often wears stiletto shoes when I go out and knowing that most females do not know the benefits of wearing stilettos, I feel that education on this subject would benefit the female community in Houghton. Below is an excerpt taken from a research paper that I recently completed.

Despite popular belief, stilettos are more then merely a fashion accessory. The health benefits of wearing stilettos cover everything from tension relief in quadriceps to increased speed and vertical leap. If you take the number of calories that one burns while standing and walking and add the extra muscle tension from wearing heels, you may not necessarily burn more calories but you are working more muscles with an increased strain and thus more effectively toning your body.

Taking a few tips from athletic training techniques, staying up on ones toes while running, jumping and exercising has been proven to increase speed, reduce the effects of shin-splints and increase vertical leap. With that in mind, wouldn't walking to a party or out on a date in heels have the same effects on the muscle groups being used? It certainly does.

High heels also force the wearer to stand up straighter, thus improving posture and strengthening the back muscles. Another benefit to wearing heels is the "tucking" of the tummy that results from elongating the upper body due to improved posture. This strengthens the abdominal muscles and gives a leaner mid-section.

The ankles are another area of the body that benefits from wearing stilettos while moving about. The forced tension in the ankles that is caused by walking on such a small surface area, the tip of the heel and ball of the foot, increases ankle strength and actually can help in the prevention of ankle injuries while not wearing the heels i.e. playing a sport or working out.

The overall point of describing how stilettos increase muscle tone/strength and burn calories is to say that your overall health is affected by the health of your muscles and the cardiovascular exercise that you are getting; the more cardio that one performs on a daily basis, the healthier their heart, lungs and internal systems are."

I don't know, but this really confuses me. Why would someone send this to the Letters To The Editor column?

Detroit 3-Anaheim 2

Short Rambling Post

Not too sure how I will be feeling after tonight's game. I just found out that Rafalski will not be playing because of an 'undisclosed injury,' and is listed as day-to-day. Of course, we will never find out what the real story is until June, so whatever is going on is anyone's guess. And to add insult to injury, Chelios will be in the lineup. Don't get me wrong, I LIKE Cheli, but really. He hasn't played much more than a handful of games this season because of his broken leg and he IS starting to show his age. I really don't have many good feelings about the game. :(

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One of our neighbors up the street has a couple of lawn ornaments that look like full-sized sheep. The other day when we drove past the house, K had an idea: We should go every night and move the sheep. :D The trouble is, I would have to be friends with the woman first so that I could experience the meltdown that would follow. (Yeah, I'm mean like that!)

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I just saw an ad for a 32GB thumb drive. Unbelievable!! Our first computer had--at the MOST--a 16GB harddrive. I honestly think it could have only been 8GB. I wonder when they will finally hit the limit when it comes to technology.

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Talked to youngest daughter last night and the kitten is doing very well. With only three legs, she has adapted well enough so that she not only gets around, she RUNS through the house and plays with the rest of the critters. And she finally is gaining weight: she now is a little over a pound! Looks like she will make it.