An Accelerating Universe

Every now and then I like to pop over to the Hubble website and become awestruck by stunning images of our universe...today was one of those now-and-then's.
While looking around I happened upon an interesting presentation and article about the discovery of dark energy and it's roll in the rate at which the universe is expanding. If you are interested in watching the presentation (and reading the more in depth articles that follow) just click here. While I find topics such as this incredibly fascinating they tend to upset me, filling me simultaneously with awe and a sense of pointlessness (the very reason why I am leery of watching "Nova.")...but then I come across something beautiful like Angelo Mariano's "Inverno" or Rastaschas' "Verona" and all is right with the universe once again...dark energy, lunar drift and universal apocalypse be damned.

An Attempt At Distraction

Etsy Buy Handmade downanddirty

and here are some of my favorite photos from flickr.com

"Day 272" by Kimberly Hurst

The Master Bedroom, originally uploaded by (Erik).

, originally uploaded by °Kristamas.

Lullaby, originally uploaded by Alyz Tale.

giving you the finger...

"polydactyl"

this is what happens when I'm bored and have a big stack of old fashion magazines sitting about.

thursday's bullet points about ghosts and coffee

because my thursdays are hectic this will be to the point:

* Ghost hunters ROCKED last night...although I disagree with their interpretation of the second EVP they captured...they heard "I will do this." Do we all become Shakespearian actors when we die? I certainly don't know anyone who speaks that way. I heard "I will..." and then a word that begins with a "th" sound. They should seriously consider bringing in a speech pathologist as a consultant...they would, without a doubt, be able to more accurately decipher EVPs since they specialize in recognizing speech patterns.

* My mom was sweet enough to swing by my house this morning with a cup of coffee from McDonalds for me...and I hate to admit this, but McDonalds sugar-free vanilla coffee blows Starbucks version out of the water. *hangs head in shame* Those of you who know me, know I despise chains like McDonalds, Burger King and the like for numerous reasons, but I'm afraid I will have to lift my boycott and make an allowance for their coffee. Delicious. Seriously. Yum.

other things i'm loving right now:

*Smith's Rosebud Salve: great multi-tasker...it makes you lips soft and shiny, makes my cuticles and nails (and i have a habit of picking at them when i'm anxious) look amazing, makes my elbows nice and soft, looks great on the cheeks for that dewy look and it smells fantastic. The only way this stuff could get any better is if it changed flat tires and did laundry.

*David Lynch: I have been resisting the urge to go on another Twin Peaks bender...whether this is due to my friend Charlene's recent visit (we would have TP marathons in high school, complete with coffee and cherry pie) or because my mother and I were talking about Kyle McLaughlin (sp?) I do not know.

*Spray Paint: it's ability to simplify crafting projects is AWESOME.

*Special K protein water: as a vegetarian I am always looking for a little extra protein. Since I started drinking this once a day I have noticed I have more energy...who knows whether it's due to the extra protein or the fact that it is LOADED with b vitamins.

Hope you all have a smashing Thursday.