Costumed Comic-Con Team Rocket

Costumed Comic-Con, originally uploaded by mhaithaca.

A good brother sister costume!

VOYAGER / LOUISIANA PURCHASE

VOYAGER. In the late 1970s, two unmanned scientific probes, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, were launched to explore Jupiter and Saturn. Both spacecraft were so well designed and versatile that their missions were expanded to include all the planets of the outer solar system. Now, 34 years later, NASA has announced that the Voyager probes are about to extend their incredible journeys into interstellar space. Arguably the greatest success story among all projects launched to explore space, manned or unmanned, the Voyager program is the gift that keeps on giving. Click here to view a four minute NASA video on this intrepid pair of explorers, and their approach to a threshold no other craft has ever crossed -- the edge of the heliosphere (see image below) and the great interstellar space beyond. Voyagers, long may you sail !

LOUISIANA PURCHASE. On this date in 1803, the U.S. acquired 828,800 square miles of France's claim to a large portion of the interior of North America. The Louisiana Purchase (see map below, click to enlarge) cost the U.S. a mere $15 million ($219 million in 2010 dollars), and nearly doubled the territorial size of the nation. The boundaries included what eventually became all or part of 14 current U.S. states. The acquisition legitimized U.S. expansion across the continent, in what later came to be known as the doctrine of Manifest Destiny -- a rationalization for U.S. entry into the group of colonialist nations whose theft of land and resources from native inhabitants had proceeded for 300 years, and would proced for another 100 years. According to Wikipedia, "Napolean Bonaparte, upon completion of the agreement, stated 'This acquisition of territory affirms forever the power of the United States, and I have given England a maritime rival who sooner or later will humble her pride.' "

Given our ongoing avarice for land, resources, and power, by purchase or by military conquest, it appears that Napolean was correct. But at what cost to our souls?

The Royal Wedding & yet Pokemon! £1 Pokétoys

£1 Pokétoys, originally uploaded by PkmnTrainerJ.

Via Flickr:
Toy machines! All Pokémon themed of course. I think I managed to get a Minun from them. This was at the UK Top 10 Pokémon event

Sad Pikachu cushion

Sad Pikachu cushion, originally uploaded by liquidindian.

This made me both laugh and cry, smooshie Pikachu pokemon cushion in London England. Crazy!

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

(Each paragraph header is a link, on which the subsequent comments are based.)

TRUMP DOGGED BY RUMORS HIS HAIR IS NOT FROM U.S. -- So-called "balders" movement gathers steam. Does anyone seriously believe that the thing on his head is natural hair? Just looking at it frightens me.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN SAYS PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS "NEUTERING" MEN. Really? Given that the planet is home to ten times more people than it can support in a sustained fashion, perhaps this would be a good thing. If it were true. Another wondrous parnoid pronouncement from someone who was endorsed by Sarah Palin. Perhaps it's time to consider her endorsements as a sort of reverse litmus test?

"GET HER OUT OF HERE!" A 5 minute video in which Lawrence O'Donnell gives birther Orly Taitz every opportunity to apologize, after President Obama released his full birth certificate to quell the non-issue that he might not be an American citizen. Taitz, who is ironically a native of the Soviet republic of Moldova, stubbornly stonewalls and obfuscates until O'Donnell loses all patience with her mendacity, and boots her from the show. About damn time. NOTE: for a satiric look at the birthers' persistence of myopia, check out a sample of their annotated copy of Obama's birth certificate below (click to enlarge).

FATBOY SLIM - WEAPON OF CHOICE. Who knew that actor Christopher Walken was an accomplished dancer? I first saw this video about 15 years ago, and it still charms and delights.

YOSUKE GODA. A series of photos (and a time-lapse video) showing the process of turning an entire room into a work of art. One shot appears below. Simply astonishing.

DIY: Cute Fabric Band-Aids

I have never in all my life seen a cute Band-Aid - until now!! I love the idea of making your own Band-Aids using fabric scraps or ribbon pieces. Such a lovely, sweet little gift idea - make a bunch of these for a friend!

 Start with a Band-Aid add glue dots and scrap fabric...

End with this...adorable fabric Band-Aids!! Pink couch (hearting that name) has a tutorial on how to make these little guys.

                                       

  Glue Dots Permanent and Removable       Ribbon  Red/White                     Band-Aid Fabric

Construction Party Ideas...

Someone's brilliant! This tractor is amazing - not only does it look real but the arm lifts, the steering wheel turns and the headlights turn on and off!

Crew members report for shift...Christine designed this fun-filled construction theme party for her little guy. Her hubby was the master mind for the cardboard tractor. Check out more party images here.

 Oh my...this party is so dang cute. Can you use the word cute in describing a boys party? The Smiths came up with this really clever construction party - complete with yellow hard hats!

 Houndstooth wrapping paper is a nifty idea for the food table backdrop.

 Old construction plans were used for the table cover - loving the construction cone cups.

The guests got to dig in the sand pile and search for hidden treasures. Check out the Smiths blog for more construction party photos.

 Black and yellow felt make for a perfect table runner. This image and the below image from here.

Before entering the construction site, kids were asked to sign-in for their shift. The guests colored nail aprons from Home Depot with permanent markers.

 A 1st birthday construction party designed by Catherina. Isn't the photo banner a great idea for parties?

 Check out more sweet touches at Catherinas Creative Corner for baby's 1st year birthday.

Invitation word and idea...

                                    

 Child Construction Hats - 12 Pack             Loving the pink construction hard hats

 Attach the following wording to a hardhat for a construction party invitation...



Grab your hammers, your screwdrivers and tape,



We're building a birthday that's made out of cake!



{child's name} construction party will be made to last,



So put on your hardhat and RSVP fast!





Favor and project ideas...

Tool box favors made out of Altoids tins. Via here.  Ideas for kids gummy tools and construction tool cupcake toppers make for cute favors.

 

Kids love getting involved in a project. How about constructing a house for a construction party.

    Simple idea to construct your own extra large tools or purchase here.

                   

 Construction Cone Cups    7" Traffic Signs Party Supplies    Construction Mini Bubbles (24) Party Supplies



                 

  Tonka Steel Dump Truck         CATERPILLAR tractor        Construction Tool Belt Set/Accessories





                                   

 Under Construction Warning Tape  Rocks Cake Decor EDIBLE  Construction Hat Cupcake Picks 





Current giveaway ends Saturday, April 30th. Make sure to enter to win $75 gift certificate of your choice (hundreds to choose from)i.e. construction decals below....