Oops

Yeah, obviously I haven't posted a photo for theme day. Oops. And I don't have a photo either. Unfortunately I'm going to have to go on hiatus for awhile. This time of year is just far too busy for me, from trying to do well in school to trying to make time to spend with my son and everything in between. I just don't have many chances to get photos. I'll post when I can, but I wouldn't count on it being too much. I'm so sorry! It's been a blast so far, though. Thanks everyone who's been stopping by and showing support.

Wrockstock WROCKED!

The weekend was just completely awesome. Wrockstock was basically a wizard rock festival held all weekend at the YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri. It was the first of it's kind around here, put together by SLAW (St. Louis Area Wizards) with all proceeds going to the Harry Potter Alliance (a non-profit organization that strives to use the examples of Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore to spread love and fight the Dark Arts in the real world. The HP Alliance is taking on all kinds of important causes the world over.) A dozen wizard rock bands donated their time to wrock out this weekend for a great cause. The fest completely sold out, with HP fans of all ages coming to enjoy the bands, HP related activities, other lodge activities, and just company and love of HP fans.



This is the right shoulder of my Wrockstock hoodie, signed by Brad (I think. I can never remember which is which) of Draco and the Malfoys!!!



This is the left arm of my hoodie. Signed by the incredibly sweet Alex Carpenter of The Remus Lupins (seen here in July. The poor guy was trying to get his lunch together when he was mobbed by several fans. Even though I'm sure he was very hungry he ever so graciously set his lunch tray down and signed several people's hoodies and shirts and got his picture taken with my son and I, all the while wearing a big smile and being totally sweet. What a guy!



This is what Harry Potter, the Harry Potter Alliance, and Wrockstock is all about. A 300 person hug at the closing ceremonies. "Dumbledore would have been happier than anybody to think there was a little more love in the world."

Botanical love

There's just so much I love about the Botanical Garden. There's so many different sections to explore. One of my favorites is the Japanese and Chinese gardens (don't think I have a picture). This is another of my favorites. I can't for the life of me remember what it's called. I was proposed to once here. It was very romantic.

Anyway, I'm out of town for the weekend and will have no internet access. Well, there may be internet access where I'm going, but I'll be far to busy having fun to post anything. Oh I'm so excited! So anyway, see you guys Monday!

Oh the prettifulness!

The hibiscus, one of my two favorite flowers. Just wish I knew the name of my other favorite! Again, from the Botanical Gardens.

Hearts of stone

Their hearts (along with the rest of them) may be made of stone, but they certainly seem to be a loving family. This state was part of a special exhibit of sculptures at the Missouri Botanical Garden awhile back.

National Sooshagraphic

This is my version of an old school National Geographic photo, taken at the St. Louis Zoo.

The Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) is an auk, similar in appearance to the Atlantic Puffin; this bird's bill is yellow at the base and red at the tip. It is a pelagic seabird that feeds primarily by diving for fish. They nest in colonies, often with other auks.

The yellow bill plate grows before the breeding season and is shed later. They have a small fleshy black "horn" above their eyes. They have a white face with a dark line extending from the back of the eye and red feet.

This species breeds on rocky islands off the coasts of Siberia, Alaska and British Columbia, in burrows, in rocky cavities or among rocks. They winter far out to sea. Feeding areas are usually located fairly far offshore from the nest. There is usually one chick and both parents feed the young.

Horned Puffins will return from hunting with several small fish in their beaks. They also eat squid and crustaceans.

The population of these birds has declined due to the introduction of rats onto some islands used for nesting.

From Reference.com.

Zoo Pals

Up close and personal with some of the residents of the St. Louis Zoo's puffin and penguin habitat.

Xcitement

The X-Prize. *drool* Initially concieved in St. Louis by a bunch of rich guys with their eyes on the heavens. The goal was for the private sector to create a ship capable of carrying people (regular people, not trained astronauts) into lower Earth orbit and doing it multiple times. On October 4, 2004 Burt Rutan and his team won the Ansari X Prize with SpaceShipOne. Watching that live webcast is something I'll never forget. Anyway, since then Virgin mogul (and the coolest business*man* ever) Sir Richard Branson founded Virgin Galactic in cooperation with Rutan & gang. It's the world's first "spaceline" (like an airline, only with flights to space) and should be underway within the next couple of years. Man, I sure wish I could afford a ticket!

Fishing for Science

I've alwasy liked this display at the St. Louis Science Center. Unfortunately the hallway it's in is much too narrow to get a proper photo. Sometime while the Body Worlds 3 exhibit is at the Science Center I plan on going. I highly doubt photography will be allowed, but on the off chance that it is I'll get some photos.

Gotta have faith

I cannot for the life of me remember the name of this church, but it's a very lovely church in St. Louis City.

Weather the Storm

I'm afraid it's going to be awhile before I can get new batteries as I've got just enough for the basics and Wrockstock in a couple of weeks. So you just have to deal with my old pictures with horrible resolution for a bit. These dramatic storm clouds were seen one lovely spring day from the balcony of my former apartment on the state streets (Michigan Ave., to be specific) in St. Louis city.

A Melee of Bad Photos

Here's the deal: The rechargable batteries for my camera have officially crapped out. At the moment I can't afford to buy new ones, so I'm having to go through my old store of photos. I truly appologize for the horrible resolution of these, but at least the subject matter is cool.








These guys are taking part in what is called melee (pronounced may-lay). PVC piping is wrapped in padding, duct taped up, and often decorated to resemble various swords and other pre-gun weapons. The weapons must meet certain standards so that melees don't go sending people to the hospital. Then when the weather is good participants beat the snot out of each other. It's not just random hitting though. Participants actually hone their style and use actual fighting techniques. Personally I've never taken part, but I love to watch. These guys and girls take part in melees that (at least used to) take place in Forest Park every other weekend in good weather.

G-old School

I don't know if this school of large gold fish are hungry or like the water raining down or what, but they sure did hang out right there for awhile!

Housing slump

By now everyone knows that generally the housing market isn't doing so good at the moment. Lots of forclosures and lots of property values going down (don't even get me started on my rant on the evils of mortgaging companies and how they don't even care that they are screwing people over on purpose)!

My little neck of the woods has always had higher than average property values compared to similar homes in the area. For example, a nice 2 story 4 bedromm house in Brentwood would go 3x or more what one would go for in Florissant. Lately this has meant that a fair number of homes on the market in Brentwood have not been selling. This home, as well as a couple others just on my street, have been for sale, lease, or rent for a very long time now. Has this effected your areaas well?