Wayne Brady and Mike Tyson Redo "Every Little Step"

On the list things that I needed to see before the end of my lifetime, watching Wayne Brady and Mike Tyson redo "Every Little Step" by Bobby Brown was one of them.

Thanks to the peeps over at Funny or Die.com, they made one of my dreams come true:

Every Little Step with Mike Tyson & Wayne Brady from Mike Tyson

(Courtesy of Funny or Die)

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Jim Mora Does Not Appreciate Your Questions, Doug Gottlieb!

Today, ESPN's Doug Gottlieb was filling in for Colin Cowherd for his ESPN Radio show, "The Herd."

One of his guests was former NFL head coach/NFL Network analyst Jim Mora. Gottlieb decided ask Vick's former head coach about his recent play as of late in regards to how he played for him in Atlanta and then decided to ask him about how fans should react to Donovan McNabb return to Philadelphia.

Let's just say Jim Mora didn't like those questions:



(Courtesy of Shutdown Corner)

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Atlético Madrid 2-1 Fulham (UEFA Europa League 2009 2010 Final)

Forlán double gives Atlético glory


Diego Forlán struck twice, the second four minutes from the end of extra time, to decide the first UEFA Europa League final.


Diego Forlán struck with four minutes of extra time remaining as Club Atlético de Madrid ended a 48-year wait for major continental silverware, beating Fulham FC 2-1 in the inaugural UEFA Europa League final.

There had been little to choose between the sides throughout. Forlán and Simon Davies exchanged first-half goals then, as fatigue set in, they matched each other for endeavour. Yet as those around him tired the Uruguayan international gained energy. With the lottery of a penalty shoot-out looming, he did just enough to divert Sergio Agüero's cross into the far corner via Brede Hangeland. The wait was over.

 If this was to be the night Fulham introduced themselves to the big stage after 131 years in the shadows, there were few obvious signs of nerves. They started confidently, expansively, passing from the back. That almost proved their undoing on 12 minutes, as Agüero pounced on a loose Danny Murphy pass just inside the Fulham half. He fed Forlán with only Mark Schwarzer to beat from the angle but the striker, in such fine form, fluffed his lines – his low shot across goal hitting the upright.

Fulham heeded the warning, finding a more natural rhythm and, midway through the half, a long-range shot from Davies to warm David de Gea's hands. Agüero was knocking on the door in more subtle style at the other end, ever a threat cutting in from the left flank. His contribution to the opener, though, was less refined. José Antonio Reyes outstripped Dickson Etuhu on the right, lofting a pass for Simão to direct into Agüero's path. The striker miscued his effort but it fell perfectly for the lurking Forlán, who made no mistake this time.
But Fulham have performed so many Lazarus acts this term that they could reasonably have the feat renamed in their honour, and within five minutes it was all square. Bobby Zamora did well to turn inside Luis Perea on the left though the opening it brought had all but closed when the ball rolled to Zoltán Gera. The Hungarian international steadied himself and crossed towards the far post where Davies lashed in.
After surviving more Atlético pressure as half-time approached, Fulham emerged for the restart a renewed force. The Spanish side were indebted to the reactions of De Gea, the goalkeeper wary to the threat of Gera after a brilliant Murphy pass, then beating away Davies' shot after the ball dropped fortuitously for the winger. In between Zamora, a major injury doubt before the game, had made way for Clint Dempsey – it failed to stem the Fulham tide, though as the game became more and more fractious Atlético got on an even keel.

Extra time was increasingly inevitable, a test for any side let alone two who have played over 60 games of the season. Forlán has played the majority for Atlético but ominously for Fulham he looked fresh – Quique Sánchez Flores's greatest regret must have been that his No7 was not on the end of his own surging run and cross on 105 minutes as Eduardo Salvio and Agüero both failed to capitalise. And then, with penalties approaching he was where it mattered; nearly half a century after Atlético beat ACF Fiorentina to claim their first major European honour, they have a second.
Before Match

Goals Highlights

After Match

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Any Good Wedding Has A Hockey Style Fight

Recently, the interwebs have been buzzing with this clip of a wedding introduction where Joey Kocur and Bob Probert decided to throw-down hockey fight style wearing Chicago Blackhawks/Detroit Red Wings jerseys.

So, I figured it's time for it to make a appearance on this site. So Enjoy!

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Lebron James & Dr. Dre Commercial for Power Beats

It's been widely known that Lebron James has been rocking Dr. Dre's headphone line called Power Beats.

Recently, they did a commercial for it which featured Lebron and Dr. Dre working out at a gym with actor Affion Crockett playing the role of the scamp:



(Courtesy of That NBA Lottery Pick)

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Send in the Links (9/30/2010)

Send in the Links is back, start celebrating party people!

-> The Hottest Women Tend To Go Into These Sports (Unathletic Magazine)
-> Poor Cooper Manning, Eli and Peyton Still Got Him Beat! (Real Fake Sports)
-> Al Bundy is Steve Bartman (The Slanch Report)
-> Never Drunkenly Challenge A Bull! (Out of Bounds)
-> Something, Something, Maria Sharapova! (Bob's Blitz)

Today's Moment of Awesome: Man catches foul ball with baby in arms



(Courtesy of No Guts, No Glory)

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Earth 2.0 ... Life Possible On Gliese 581g, 20.5 Light-Years Away

A planet, as depicted in this rendering, orbits the habitable zone of a star 20 light years from Earth, meaning it could have water on its surface. Image Credit: National Science Foundation and NASA

Earth 2.0 ... Life Possible On Gliese 581g, 20.5 Light-Years Away

Astronomers at the Keck telescope in Hawaii, during a study that has been underway for more than a decade, have identified a solar system that has a planet they suspect could support life as we know or understand it here on our Oblate Spheroid.

Let's call it Earth 2.0. It is a planet that is circling a Sun named Gliese, that is located a little over twenty light years away (the time it would take to get there if one could travel in a craft at the speed of light and carry enough food and etc. to sustains one's life to arrive and observe this suspect orb on site).

Carbon copy? The Gliese 581 solar system resembles our own but on a much smaller scale. Planet "G" is located in the "Goldilocks" zone of this sun's solar system [CTRL-CLICK photo to launch YouTube video]. Image Credit: Zina Deretsky/National Science Foundation

This excerpted and edited from All Voices news webportal -

Discovered Planet Zarmina (Gliese 581g) Is 'Habitable' For Human Life
By ryangeneral - Honolulu : HI : USA | Sep 30, 2010

The planet lies near the middle of the Goldilocks zone, or habitable zone of its parent star, and the presence of liquid water is considered a strong possibility. The discovery of Gliese 581 g was announced in September 2010, and is believed to be the first Goldilocks planet ever found, the most Earth-like planet, and the best exoplanet candidate with the potential for harboring life found to date.

The planet was detected using radial velocity measurements combining the data from the HIRES instrument of the Keck 1 telescope and the HARPS instrument of ESO's 3.6m telescope at La Silla Observatory. The planet is believed to have a mass of three to four times that of the Earth and an orbital period of just under 37 days.

Steven Vogt, the co-discoverer, unofficially named the planet "Zarmina", after his wife.
Reference Here>>

The Goldilocks zone refers to a story that parents read to their children that goes by the formal title "The Story Of The Three Bears". This fable, often referred to as "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" is a children's story first recorded in narrative form by English author and poet Robert Southey and first published in a volume of his writings in 1837. The same year, writer George Nicol published a version in rhyme based upon Southey's prose tale, with Southey approving the attempt to bring the story more exposure. Both versions tell of three bears and an old woman who trespasses upon their property.
(ht: wikipedia)

In the fable, Goldilocks is hungry and stumbles upon a home of Bears where three bowls of soup or porridge are on the table. Goldilocks helps herself to eating some of the porridge and discovers that one bowl of the food mixture is too hot, one is too cold, and one ... the one she presumably eats all up is ... Just Right!

This planet discovery is in a solar system zone that is just right given our knowledge of the origins of life as we know it here on Earth.

We wonder if the shape of this Gliese 581g orb is the same Oblate Spheroid shape of our own Earth. Welcome Zarmina ... welcome Earth 2.0.

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Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich in Mid-Season Interview Form

The NBA training camps are starting to get underway which means that players and coaches are getting used to getting bombarded by the media.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided to have a little fun with some reporters after being asked a rather tame question:

Coach Pop being Coach Pop from 48 Minutes of Hell on Vimeo.

(Courtesy of That NBA Lottery Pick)

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NBA Out In Front Over The MLB And NFL

It’s a good time to be a sports fan.

Baseball is in its final week and while a few teams have solidified their spot in the playoffs, others are in an all out battle for the last few.

Football is going at full blast into the 2010 season with the fourth week upcoming and surprises galore all around the league.

While both of the sports are currently active and playing meaningful games, they cannot compare to the anticipation of one sport that is almost ready to tip off: basketball.

This NBA off-season has been one of the most important and influential ever in the history of the NBA. Here are the top five reasons why the sport of basketball is at the forefront of everyone’s attention.

1) The Heat Is On

If there was a vote to determine the biggest sports moment of the year, the highest percentage of votes would go to the spectacle of the Lebron James’ decision. In a close second would be watching he, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh put on the Heat jerseys and getting on the court against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, October 26th.

Heat tickets at home or on the road will be the hottest commodity anytime they are in town. Miami will have a giant target on its back and be hated by all crowds they face when going on the road. Despite that, checking in on them will be fun to watch all season long to see how the big three handle the heat.

2) Carmelo Anthony Will End Up…?

The James situation has had a reverberating effect on the NBA world. Other free agents waited anxiously like domino tiles to see where the first piece would fall. Despite training camp beginning and the free agency period come and gone, the James effect is still being felt.

The one person who has felt it lately has been Carmelo Anthony. The smooth-shooting small forward has been trying meticulously to get out of Denver.

Various articles have been published about possible locations where Melo may end up. With no deal set in stone and questions running rampant about a trade for the former Syracuse star, the team Anthony ends up with will be the second most intriguing squad to watch this season.

3) Lakers Lost In Translation

With all the hoopla over the new Heat team, Amar’e Stoudemire leaving Phoenix for the big apple and Anthony’s drama in Denver, there has been one team that remained steady and submarine-like by staying below the radar: the reigning back-to-back champs Los Angeles Lakers.

The team was stealthy in keeping the nucleus intact (only losing Jordan Farmar and Josh Powell) and upgrading with new acquisitions (signed Matt Barnes and Steve Blake). Although the NBA is topsy-turvy after the off-season, it is the Lakers that are the quiet and safe pick for a three-peat.

4) What’s Eating Gilbert’s Grape?

If there is one person who can hope to feed off the attention Michael Vick is now receiving after his miraculous comeback, that man is Gilbert Arenas. He returns back to the Washington Wizards after being suspended for most of the 2009-10 season after a gun altercation occurred in the locker room.

It will be interesting to see how Arenas will bounce back after a tumultuous year. The point guard witnessed his power over the squad become diminished with the addition of number one pick John Wall. The biggest question facing him: will he remain a Wizard and if he does, can he find a way to co-exist with the rookie from Kentucky?

5) New Changing Of The Guard In The NBA

This season more so than any will feature a new dynamic, teams that were on top dropping down and teams on the bottom moving up. While most sports feature a cyclical power change for teams year in and year out, basketball is one sport where teams remain on top for years.

Of course, there are teams that will remain at a high pedestal (such as the Lakers, Celtics and the Magic), but many top teams will drop this season. In the East, the Cavaliers were the top team last year but that was with James as the leader. They will most likely drop out of the playoff picture.

The West is where the change will be noticed the most. San Antonio is no longer the fearful team of years past with age creeping upon them. Denver is influx with front office and coaching turmoil to go with the Anthony issue. Phoenix lost a big piece of their puzzle when Stoudemire headed to New York.

Other teams will hopefully be able to move up the power ranking depth chart this season. The Bulls, Knicks, Heat and Wizards should be much improved in the East, while the Thunder, Blazers, Clippers and Kings appear to be contenders in the West.

With more stories and scenarios to go along with the ones described above, this season will prove to be the beginning of a brand new road never traveled in the NBA.

Good thing for them, the season hasn’t even started and they have everyone’s utmost attention.

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Pee Wee Football Coaches Be Brawlin'

Normally, I wouldn't think that a Pee Wee Football game was something to brawl over but the coaches from the Pearland Patriots and the Pearland Hurricanes in Texas decided to brawl anyway.

After two players got into a fight during a Patriots touchdown, the coaches decided to take Pee Wee Football to a new brawlin' level:



I don't know what's more depressing that both teams don't get to participate in the playoffs or that the coaches acted this way.

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Gold & Silver hit all time high

This week and yes it is only Tuesday, Gold and Silver hit all time highs--twice. Gold closed (US markets) at $1310 and silver at $22

Interestingly, Sun opposed Jupiter today and Sun Opposed Uranus. Gold is associated with the Sun (no surprise) and Jupiter is associated with 'inflation.' I do not use that word with a big "I" as in Inflationary Market. I use it as in---"to pump up". Jupiter will inflate anything from a waistline to a friendship circle. It just comes in contact and throws its weight around. But what about Uranus? Uranus is the unusual. Uranus is the oddball. And this might have something to do with silver market? As those who follow the metals market know, Silver moves very slowly. In fact it would be a big day if silver went up 25 cents in one day. That would be HUGE news. But in the last two weeks it crossed $20 which was the highest since 1980 and in that amount of time it moved another two bucks. This is weird.

We are certainly still feeling Jupiter's conjunction with Uranus (9/18) which ties with the activity of both metals.

My guess is that there will probably be a pull back on Thursday when the Sun conjuncts Saturn. However, if the price does not retreat, then this would be indicative of a market that is VERY concerned about national currencies. I know you are nodding your head saying, "no shit, sherlock."

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La Liga 2010-2011 Preview: The Lowdown On Top 5 Teams

Barcelona: Will Pep Pip To Jose To La Liga Title?

That is the number of fans that could fit into Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium to enjoy some of the finest football ever played by anyone anywhere.

Last season, ''La Blaugrana'' romped to the Spanish title thanks to another clean sweep of the two El Clasico derby showdowns against arch-rivals Real Madrid:1-0 in Camp Nou, 2-0 at the Bernabeu.
This season, the club has already swept aside Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup, courtesy of an exquisite 4-0 second-leg victory, to add yet another trophy to the football museum's bulging cabinet.
The signing of feisty Argentinian holding midfielder Javier Mascherano from Liverpool in a €22 million deal and the loan of under-performing Swedish striker and record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to AC Milan are seen to be the final pieces in a jigsaw puzzle which will once again prove impossible to break down.
Expect Leo Messi to run amok, David Villa to fill his boots and Bojan Krkic to have breakthrough season.

Last season: 1st
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Key Player: Leo Messi
Prediction: 1st

Real Madrid: Can Mourinho Finally Dethrone Barcelona?

Last season, the fate of the La Liga trophy was ultimately decided by El Clasico.

Two victories for Barcelona both at home and in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu saw the Catalans finish on 99 points, three points ahead of Real Madrid.

This year, Real has a new manager - possibly the most gifted and tactically astute in the world at the moment.
However, they not only have a lot of catching up to do to create the same confidence, team spirit and flowing football that Barcelona achieve on a weekly basis, but they also have to do it with only three top-quality forwards: Gonzalo Higuain, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
They should, nevertheless, have enough goals in the squad to cruise into second place, while Florentino Perez will hope that Mourinho can repeat his extraordinary Champions League success with Porto.

Last Season: 2nd
Manager: Jose Mourinho
Key Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Prediction: 2nd

Valencia: Will Team Continue To Win The Second League?

Good news and bad news for Valencia fans: David Villa is no more but Roberto Soldado can score his goals; the team still looks an impressive outfit, but the club has a mountain of debt.

This season will be an exciting and nerve-wracking one at the Estadio Mestalla: upcoming coach Unai Emery can pair Spanish international with promising Algerian signing Sofiane Feghoulu in midfield, a potentially lethal duo who could provide plenty of ammunition for in-form David Villa replacement Roberto Soldado.
Add to the mix talented midfield trio David Albelda, Ever Banega and Manuel Fernandes and there is a very good team on paper. That was the case last year, and will be the case this year. In fact, ''Los Che'' started the season on a high with a comprehensive 3-1 win at Malaga, with veteran winger Joaquin scoring two.
This year will see Valencia re-affirm their position as La Liga's nearest rival to Barca or Real - but any shot at breaking up that tussle is still a long way off!

Last season: 3rd

Manager: Unai Emery
Key Player: Roberto Soldado
Prediction: 3rd

Atletico Madrid: So Near Yet So Far?

This year may be the year for manager Quique Sanchez Flores and his Colchoneros.

After last year's memorable Europa League victory and this year's impressive European Super Cup victory over Internazionale, you could be forgiven for thinking that surely this is Madrid's strongest team.
However, despite these successes in cup competitions, it is the bread-and-butter La Liga where Atletico continue to labour; last season the team finished a lowly 9th.
This season, led by the super-talented strike duo of maned Uruguayan Diego Forlan and Diego Maradona's son-in-law Sergio ''Kun'' Aguero - the youngest player ever to start a game in the Argentinian league at an astounding 15 years and 35 days old - the team should make giant leaps.

Last season: 9th
Manager: Quique Sanchez Flores
Key Player: Diego Forlan
Prediction: 4th

Sevilla:What To Expect Of The League's Most Unpredictable Team?

Last season was a disappointing one for Sevilla, despite a respectable 4th-placed finish and victory in the Copa Del Rey.

For of all of the teams eager to challenge the duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid, it is only really they who have the players and resources.

This season, even more disappointment may follow. Having led the first leg of the 2010 Spanish Supercup by 3-1 against Barcelona, they crumbled to a 4-0 loss at Camp Nou.

Despite managing to keep hold of exciting World Cup winning winger Jesus Navas, who is bound to join Real Madrid soon, the team's strikers are not what they once were and there are still unsettling reports that Luis Fabiano that may be a Tottenham Hotspur player before the transfer window shuts.

Last season: 4th

Manager: Antonio Alvarez
Key Player: Jesus Navas
Prediction: 5th

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Our Vacation, Part 5

This last post about our vacation is, once again, about Como Park.  

On the grounds of the Park is a beautiful Japanese garden--wonderful in its elegance and simplicity.  Adjacent to the garden is a teahouse, surrounded by a traditional teahouse garden.  While we were able to go TO the teahouse, it is not made for thousands of people to walk through, so we only got to see the outside.  Traditional tea ceremonies ARE conducted in the teahouse and they are extremely popular and anyone can attend.  However, because they ARE so popular, one has to sign up and have their name placed in a lottery where it MIGHT get picked to attend a ceremony NEXT year.  Crazy. I only got pictures of the 'regular' garden--which was so beautiful and peaceful.

Our last stop of the day was the Butterfly House.  Let's be truthful here:  Butterflies ARE bugs--of a sort--but when you put them in a butterfly house, they are quite neat.  I don't even mind when they land on me.  But out in the outside world--FORGET IT!  ;)  While this butterfly house wasn't comparable, at all, to the one in Niagara Falls, it was really pretty--as were the butterflies they had.

And this concludes my vacation pictures.  Hopefully, by the end of the week, I will have some more pictures to post:  I'm hoping we will go up-north this week to look at the colors.  And if this happens, I will be taking a LOT of pictures.  :)

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NFL Referee Carl Cheffers Gets Conflicting Penalties Confused

Most likely, you have no idea who NFL referee Carl Cheffers is but you will remember his name after you see this video.

During the Dallas/Houston affair over the weekend, Cheffers had a little trouble trying to explain the off-setting penalties called on one play:



Maybe we can create a new penalty called, "Unnecessary Explanation".

(Courtesy of NESW Sports)

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Florida Gator Takes Out Guy in Wheelchair

During last Saturday's game between the Florida Gators and the Kentucky Wildcats, Gators defensive-back Will Hill was expecting to cover and possibly hit a Kentucky wide receiver.

Well after the pass was overthrown, Hill still got the contact he desired as he collided with a guy sitting in a wheel chair on the sidelines:



That guy in a wheelchair got JACKED UP!

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I Really Didn't Lie

Ever since the 'Do Not Call' list came into being, I don't get nearly as many of 'those' calls that I used to.  And, with Caller ID, I wouldn't even have to answer the majority of those calls that still come through to the house.  But, there are some problems that I continue to have and I wind up answering my share of those calls.

First, I NEED my reading glasses to see the Caller ID displays--and I don't wear my readers all of the time.  So, I don't always know who is calling.  Also, every one of our Caller ID displays will show a number in a different way;  one display will say "Number Unavailable" and another will say "Unknown Caller."  I just never know if it is a call I want to answer.  Sometimes, I may be bored or just not have much to do, so I will take one of these calls.  If it is a survey, I may answer the questions--after all, it just takes a few minutes.  And, there are times when the display comes up a bit funky when 'privacy' is an issue:  As in, when my mail order pharmacy calls.  All of these factors go a long way toward my answering enough calls that most people wouldn't.  I got one of those calls tonight.

Of course, I didn't have my glasses on, so I answered the phone when it rang.  With the baby just getting home, I don't want to miss a call that The Oldest may make--and with K at work, I never know when he might call.  Anyway, this is the way the call went:

ME:  Hello.
MAN:  Hello.  May I speak with a head of the household, please.
ME:  I'm sorry, but no one is available.
MAN:   How about you, ma'am?
ME:  Oh, I'm only the caretaker here.
MAN:  Thank you.
(phone hangs up)

I believe that was the easiest time I have EVER had getting away from an unwelcome, possible solicitor call.  And I didn't have to lie!  :D

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The Consensus on Global Warming

American Association for the Advancement of Science:

The scientific evidence is clear: global climate change caused by human activities is occurring now, and it is a growing threat to society.

American Geophysical Union:

The Earth's climate is now clearly out of balance and is warming. Many components of the climate system-including the temperatures of the atmosphere, land and ocean, the extent of sea ice and mountain glaciers, the sea level, the distribution of precipitation, and the length of seasons-are now changing at rates and in patterns that are not natural and are best explained by the increased atmospheric abundances of greenhouse gases and aerosols generated by human activity during the 20th century.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

The 2009 State of the Climate report released today draws on data for 10 key climate indicators that all point to the same finding: the scientific evidence that our world is warming is unmistakable.

American Physical Society:

The evidence is incontrovertible: Global warming is occurring. If no mitigating actions are taken, significant disruptions in the Earth’s physical and ecological systems, social systems, security and human health are likely to occur. We must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases beginning now.

American Meteorological Society:

Indeed, strong observational evidence and results from modeling studies indicate that, at least over the last 50 years, human activities are a major contributor to climate change.

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Solar Plexus ja muutama muu

Pitkällinen korujumi ja motivaation puute koki viikonlopun aikana elpymisen merkkejä. Kolme viikkoa kestänyt flunssakin alkaa nyt helpottaa, että näköjään se mieli ja keho kulkee käsi kädessä. Siitä aasinsiltaa pitkin siis itse koruun: Solar Plexus.

Tutkailin joku aika sitten kivien voimia, chakroja ym. Energiakeskus Indigon sivuilla. Paljon kaikenlaista informaatiota ja todella tyylikkäät sivut. Sieltä löytyy myös Koruskooppi :D Chakroista jäi alitajuntaan muhimaan tuo Solar Plexus ja eilen oli mahtava aurinkoinen syyspäivä, joten kädet tarttui meripihkakapussiin ja "aurinkomaiset" kiekurat laitettiin etsaantumaan. Tänään juottelin hopeat kasaan ja halkaisijaltaan 2 senttinen riipus tuli valmiiksi. Takapuolelle juotin ketjulle kiinnikkeen kapeasta hopeaputkesta, laskeutuu aikasta kivasti.

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Weston Dressler's Whirling Dervish Touchdown Catch

Usually here at Outside the Boxscore, we like to keep tabs on the Canadian Football League for any impressive plays.

Well, Weston Dressler of the Saskatchewan Rough Riders made an impressive touchdown catch against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats:



Pretty good touchdown, eh?

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Our Vacation, Part 4

The Como Park has a very large building--the Conservatory--that houses some wonderful gardens.  If I lived closer, I would spend hours in this building.  The place is quite peaceful--full of plants of all types and ponds and water fountains.  Just a wonderful place.  And, of course, I took pictures.

Outside of the Visitor Center, there are water ponds--and there were some wonderful plants.

The Conservatory is divided into several 'rooms'--each room houses different plants.  A very humid and warm room was the fern room.  I didn't know where to look first, as there was so much to see.

There was an Orchid House, which was off-limits to all but the staff.  We were able to look into it through a window--not able to take pictures, however--and the flowers were amazing.  I really wished I could have gotten closer to them.

If it wouldn't have been another very humid and warm room, I think the Palm Dome might have been my favorite room.  It had wonderful benches for sitting and a gorgeous pool/fountain in the middle.

Of the gardens, the Sunken Garden was my favorite.  It was filled with flowers and had a beautiful pond in the middle. The openness of the room was much different from the other ones--and it was very bright, which was also different from the fern and palm rooms.

My favorite room in the Conservatory was the Bonsai Gallery.  This room is meant, strictly, for viewing the bonsai on display--it is not a place to sit and relax, as you can in the other rooms.

Golden Wissel Cypress--65 years old

 

Japanese White Pine--45 years old

 Ponderosa Pine--115 years old

Horsetail Tree--100(?) years old

White Cedar

Japanese Maple

There is one more post that I will do from the park--and then I will be done with my vacation pictures.  We had a great time, as can be seen from the pics.

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