At the tender age of 21, Sidney is one wanted man. Not only did the sizzling Pittsburgh Penguins player cause a firestorm of excitement by becoming the youngest NHL captain in history, Sidney also sets his female fans' hearts ablaze - both on and off the ice!
Hahaha, no wonder the Boys stole Versus reporter Chris Simpson's copy!! Oy! Poor Siddo will probably never live this one down. ;)
The puck finally drops in Raleigh tomorrow. Let's DO IT and close the book on this series!
the energy was only bout 1/3 of the Hiroshima bomb, showing that the explosion is likely really from a nuclear bomb. Because for a chain reaction to happen, there need to be at least certain critical mass of Uranium (or Plutonium), as demonstrated first by physicists Rudolph Pierls. And the Hiroshima bomb is just over the critical mass
There had not really been confirmed radioactive trace from the surrounding international observation. (The US said the signal is "consistent" with a nuclear test, but radioactively of this small amount (for underground test) is easy fake. Note also the choice of word, "consistent" is a much weaker word that "confirm", which will mean consistency in both strengh, spectrum, and also spatial distribution. "consistency" only means that there is some radiation detected and that no obvious contradiction)
The most recent claim has a magnitude of 4.7 (vs 4.2 in the previous test). The energy is about 3 times larger ( 10^(4.7-4.2) = 3.1 ), making the total energy similar to that of the Hiroshima bomb.
For a nuclear test it still seems to be very minor. Two possibilities
It is a real nuclear blast, but DPRK has barely enough Pu/U, so they used all the 'available' material for this "test"
It is another fake test, they figured the previous test was 2/3 short in magnitude, and got the right amount to make a more credible fake (it would to too expensive to use more)
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p.s. it is hard to accurately measure the energy with seimological measure, as the rock/water of the surrounding is complex and differ from the calibration references (for both seimic calibration and also underground nuclear test energy calibration). the most reliable data is perhaps the 'relative scale' (i.e. the difference) in energy for data taken by the same probe(s).
e.g., from one source (NEIC National Earthquake Info Center, which i think is the USGS) the numbers read 4.7 (2009) and 4.3 (2006) so the difference is 10^0.4<3.>
WOOOOOOO!!!!!!! I'm having another Saturday Pens party. :D Since it's only Game 3 and there is no chance for a conclusion tonight regardless of the outcome, don't look for a recap. But to make up for it, I've got a ton of cool stuff for you.
Longtime readers will remember our good Friend of The Show DayWalk3r, who provides us with quality videos of our Boys. With the first video he sent, you can relive the play that Head Coach Dan Bylsma called "The Geno:"
And just for good measure, check out all three of Geno's goals that resulted in his first playoff hat trick of his NHL career:
Sidenote - I wonder how long it has been since two players on the same team have earned their first playoff hat tricks in the same year? Anyhoo, anyone keeping up with the Wings/Hawks series saw a CRUNCHER of a hit last night from Detroit's Niklas Kronwall on Chicago's Martin Havlat. If you missed it, DayWalk3r sent along a clip of that for us, too:
Good Friend of The Show Jaime has been hard at work making more playoff wallpapers for us. She's got two versions for Game 1 for us:
And the last thing I have for you before tonight's Game 3 action comes from Friend Nicole G., who found this piece that so full of awesomeness that I can't even begin to start describing it. Just go check it out and watch the video. You'll be glad you did.
Big, BIG thank yous go out to Friends DayWalk3r, Jaime, Miche11e, and Nicole for all the postseason goodness. :)
Janet Wong sent me a link to the following post at the Mama Without Borders blog: Packing our “poetry in a suitcase.” I think you'll find this post about an inventive method for getting children excited about poetry--a method suggested by Janet--quite interesting. Minerva Canto, the author of Mama Without Borders, wrote about how effective using a “poetry suitcase” she had decorated and filled with poems and objects was in helping to get her son and daughter interested in listening to and talking about poems.
I feel strongly that poetry should be an integral part of children’s literary lives. I also feel that it’s of great import to introduce children to this genre when they’re very young—at a time in their lives when they are most receptive to it...at a time when they take great pleasure in hearing poems and stories with rhythm and rhyme…at a time when they’re like little sponges absorbing and then repeating everything they hear. Getting children interested in poetry when they’re wee toddlers may be the best method to foster an appreciation for it that could last throughout their lives.
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Edited to Add
Janet Wong left the following advice in the comments:
A simple way for teachers to create a Poetry Suitcase is to make it a homework assignment. Hand out large index cards and tell the children that they have one week to find a poem. It could be a short poem, long poem, poem they love, poem they hate...whatever: they just need to write it down on the index card.
Next they need to find some prop to tie to the card. For instance, if the poem was about trees, they could tie it to a branch. One week after giving the homework assignment, a teacher will have a Poetry Suitcase full of dozens of poems and props that could be very fun to share, perhaps during the last 5 minutes of the day, when kids are especially wiggly...
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For Poetry Friday this week, I thought I’d recommend some poetry collections and anthologies that are excellent for sharing with young children— preschoolers, kindergartners, and kids in the early elementary grades. The books include poems that would be great to pack up in your own "poetry suitcase."
On the Farm Written by David Elliott Illustrated by Holly Meade Candlewick Press, 2008
The Llama Who Had No Pajama: 100 Favorite Poems Written by Mary Ann Hoberman Illustrated by Betty Fraser Browndeer Press/Harcourt Brace, 1998
Click here to read a brief review of the book and some of the poems included in this outstanding collection of poems by our new Children’s Poet Laureate.
Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry Collected by Jane Yolen & Andrew Fusek Peters Illustrated by Polly Dunbar Candlewick Press, 2007
Click here to read my review of Here’s a Little Poem.
Go! Poetry in Motion Written by Dee Lillegard Illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev Knopf, 2006
This is a fun little book of poems about all kinds of things that can be put into motion: a scooter, roller skates, hot air balloon, wheelbarrow, roller coaster, ice skates, freight train, helicopter, etc. The rhyming poems are short—most of them have no more than four lines. These are poems that young children could quickly learn to memorize and recite. Here are two poems from the book:
Lawn Mower
Chewing grass is all she knows. She never moos, just mows and mows.
Roar and More Written and illustrated by Karla Kuskin Harper & Row, 1956, 1990
This is Karla Kuskin’s first published book of poems. It began as a project for a class she was taking while a student at the Yale School of Design in the 1950s. Originally published in just two colors—black and yellow—the book was reissued in 1990 in full color.
This is a delightful book of short rhythmic, rhyming poems about different animals (elephant, tiger, fish, snake, kangaroo, cat, dogs, mouse, etc.) and the sounds they make. Each animal gets four pages—or two two-page spreads. There is an illustration of and a poem about the animal on the first two pages and the sound that the animal makes on the second two pages.
First two-page spread about the elephant:
The elephant’s nose makes a very good hose Or maybe a holders for flowers. It can snore, it can croon Or trumpet a tune. It has most remarkable powers.
Second two-page spread: HOOOOOOOOOOONK
Click here to read some of the poems and view illustrations included in Roar and More.
Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young Selected by Jack Prelutsky Illustrated by Marc Brown Alfred A. Knopf, 1986
Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young is a wonderful general anthology of poems about many different subjects: animals, weather, seasons, picnics, feelings, and childhood activities. It includes poems by Dorothy Aldis, John Ciardi, Eleanor Farjeon, Aileen Fisher, Mary Ann Hoberman, Karla Kuskin, Myra Cohn Livingston, David McCord, Eve Merriam, Lilian Moore, Christina Rossetti, Robert Louis Stevenson, and others. Marc Brown’s cartoonlike illustrations add to the humor and childlike wonder expressed in many of the selections. This is a “must have” anthology for parents and teachers of young children.
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At Blue Rose Girls I have a special Favorite Poem Project video of Stephen Conteaguero talking about his life and reciting the poem Politics by William Butler Yates in honor of Memorial Day.
Check this out. The folks at PSAMP found this sweet video of Saint Siddo teaching Mario's son Austin the art of stick handling. It is truly something to behold how good our Captain really is:
Okay, after two weeks days off, it's time to drop the puck. FYI: If we would go to a Game 7 (which it won't because we're taking this one in 6!), this series would take an unreal 16 days to complete because Game 7, if it is needed, isn't scheduled until June 2!! Yeesh. Anyhoo, let's win this and take a 2 game series lead down south!
First Period Siddo wasn't happy with the way he played in Game 1. So tonight he opened the night with a nice clean goal less than two minutes into the game. [Pens 1, Canes 0] It was his 13th goal of the playoffs, giving him the lead in the NHL. Incidentally, it was also the 6th time in this playoff season that Siddo has scored the first goal of the game - an NHL record. :) One minute 16 seconds later, Larose beat Gill to a loose puck in the corner of the blue paint. [Pens 1, Canes 1] Seidenberg collided with Adams at center ice in the second knee-on-knee hit of this series.
After a few minutes of weird chippy play where the puck wanted to be everywhere but on the ice, our beastly 3rd line went to work. TK was making a wrap-around attempt when, seemingly out of nowhere, Geno came swooping in, fresh off the bench, to bang the leftovers home. [Pens 2, Canes 1] His parents were shown swinging their towels. But we had a moment of deja vu: just 25 seconds later, Jokinen got the equalizer off a big, bouncing rebound. [Pens 2, Canes 2]
Following a period of Canes offense, Letang demonstrated the world's worst clearing attempt by giving the puck right to Seidenberg, who fired a hard shot that found its way through traffic and into the back of the net. [Pens 2, Canes 3]
After a relatively well disciplined 15 minutes, Kuni took a penalty for high sticking right off a faceoff. The Pens' penalty kill was more offense than defense. It was brilliant and kept the Canes from even coming close to scoring. Cullen later shoved Siddo into Flower. With 1:10 left in the period, Larose was penalized for tripping Brooksie. The Canes kept the Pens from getting anything going in their abbreviated power play.
Second Period The Pens started the period with some time left with a man advantage. Letang hit the post, so the Pens didn't score. As the penalty ended, Sid was hauled down, so he, in turn, hauled a guy down. Versus refused to show a better angle, so I can't tell you what happened exactly. I can tell you that Sid was hit with a tripping penalty. On the penalty kill, Superstar to Adams nearly resulted in a shorty. The Canes didn't score on their power play. If you look the word CLUTCH up in the dictionary, you will surely see Max Talbot's face. Siddo came out of the box and got back in play. A few seconds later, he sent a long lead pass to Superstar at center ice and unchallenged. He went one on one against one of the best goalies in the league - and won. [Pens 3, Canes 3]
Play got even more physical. Walker sent Geno flying. Cullen kept irritating our Captain. First he tried to give Sid a face wash with his stick, then he tripped Sid, and then he whacked him in the face with a high stick. He was finally busted for the final infraction. During the power play, Versus interviewed Slapshot's Dave Hanson and his son Christian. Despite rapid fire offense with really great chances, the Pens didn't add to their tally.
Just after the penalty ended, a scrum erupted on the ice. There were sticks and gloves everywhere, and when all was said and done, Geno and Larose were hit with coincidental roughing minors. On the ensuing 4-on-4, Scudsi made the save of a lifetime. Gronk nearly got a goal. But then Tank was called for tripping the elder Staal. The Canes had 46 seconds with the man advantage on the 4-on-3. But it was killed beautifully by Cooker, Adams, and Scudsi. Geno came streaking out of the box and tried to set up a play for a shorty, but his pass was a tad too hard. The Canes didn't score on the remainder of Tank's penalty.
We saw another 4-on-4 when Cole was called for holding at the same time Gonch was nailed for interference. Siddo showed us one more time why he's the best in the world when he faked, curled, dragged, and fired a shot that forced Ward to make the save of a lifetime for the Canes. Neither team scored on the 4-on-4. In the last minute of the period, the Pens unleashed an offensive onslaught. Just as the Versus announcers were talking about how the Canes' defenders had to be out of gas, Kuni ended his 19 game scoring drought with a big shot with only 7.3 seconds left in the period. [Pens 4, Canes 3]
Third Period Early in the 3rd, Eaves tied it up. [Pens 4, Canes 4] Fans of lesser teams would have gotten nervous, but not us - we know we've got a few TRICKS up our sleeves... ;) Cullen tripped Siddo again. The Pens didn't score on the resulting power play. Following a hard working shift, just as the crowd began a "GE-NO!!" chant, he responded in kind by stuffing one in behind Ward. [Pens 5, Canes 4] His parents are shown again. They are adorable.
A while later, Geno was tripped right in front of an official who decided not to call it. Geno responded to that with an amazing move off the next faceoff. He came from behind the net, went around the side, spun around to protect the puck, and fired a backhand shot that found its way over Ward and into the net at the far top corner. [Pens 6, Canes 4] HATTIE FOR GENO!!!! Also, tonight was Geno's 5th consecutive multiple point playoff games - tying a record with Lemagnifique. Geno's father was shown planting kisses on Geno's mom. They are awesome. :)
Adams hit Larose with two consecutive monster hits; Larose followed him as he went to the bench for a change and hit him from behind. That cowardly, dirty move went unnoticed by the officials. Flower made an unbelievable save on Cole. With 2:25 left in the game, Ward was pulled in favor of the extra attacker, but after a quick whistle, he was put back in for the next faceoff. He was gone again at the 2:05 mark, and a few seconds later, our 3rd line worked in tandem to get the puck down deep, and TK scored an empty netter. [Pens 7, Canes 4]
There aren't any pics of TK's goal up yet, so I thought I'd close with a good laugh. ;)
With 1:19 left in the game, Bayda put a late hit on Letang then had the audacity to confront Letang about it. The teams erupted in a scrum. This time, two full-on fights took place simultaneously: Letang v Gleason and Satan v Eaves. Adding injury to insult, both men in the black sweaters won their fights. However, they were all hit with serious penalties:
Tim Gleason : Fighting (maj) - 5 min Patrick Eaves : Fighting (maj) - 5 min Miroslav Satan : Fighting (maj) - 5 min Kris Letang : Fighting (maj) - 5 min Ryan Bayda served by Ray Whitney : Match penalty - 5 min Kris Letang : Game misconduct - 0 min
Siddo and Geno were shown smirking on their bench, while all of the Canes were shown on their benches looking like they've already lost the series. The atmosphere was tense; the teams were constantly just on the edge of a brawl. The officials must have felt it, too, because Seidenberg was immediately called for cross-checking Adams, but then Adams was hit for elbowing Seidenberg in the first place. No matter - the clock finally ticked to 0:00 and we're heading down south with a delicious 2 games to none series lead.
We don't have to wait 2 days this time. We're in their house on Saturday.
Thanks for stopping by, and for your prayers and encouragements.
I am thankful for the rest these few days and thank God I am feeling better. I have started taking my anti-depressant, Prozac and I think it is beginning to take effect now.
I have been very exhausted over the last few months but I wasn't feeling down. My moods fluctuated every now and then but it didn't plunge into depression until a few days ago. Now as I look back, I suspect I may have burn-out as I was extremely busy with various commitments.
Though I tried to slow down over the last few months, I was still very occupied generally and constantly tired. I was too tired to write on this blog or to visit blogs. But you are in my thoughts and prayers. I do missed all of you very much.
Managing this condition is a very great challenge to me. Pacing myself is a constant challenge daily as when I am well I have many projects on my hands and tend to do more and more things. I get carried away :)
Perhaps this is part of the gift of this condition, the creativity and energy to accomplish many things. But the other side of this condition, is that after prolonged busy period, I tend to burn-out and plunge into depression. I am thankful that with medication and other helps, I am feeling better faster and more functional. In the past, it would take about 3 to 6 months before I start feeling better and be functional again.
The feeling of depression is still very distressing nevertheless. Each relapse brings along a fear that I will never get better. But thank God that He does delivers and now with various helps, He delivers me more speedily.
I know I must not over-exert myself yet. I am looking forward to go out tomorrow to visit an elderly lady that is coming to know our Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour, to read the Bible, sing Psalms and pray with her. I find much joy in giving of myself to help others. It gives me a sense of usefulness despite my condition and brings me great joy.
