Farewell to Pluto

In 1930 an astronomer named Clyde Tombaugh made a discovery, the likes of which would not be replicated for another 70 years. He found a planet which later came to be known as Pluto. This discovery not only added another word to the mnemonic device "Many Visitors Eat Many Jelly Sandwiches Until Night Passes", but it also inspired the name of a dog beloved by Mickey Mouse and his many fans. You can read all about Pluto here.

If you want to read the tragic story of how Clyde's wife is taking the news that her husband's discovery is being demoted, click here.

My question now is - what's going to happen to Disney's Pluto???????

He's done a lot in 76 years. He had quin-puplets, he has a kid-brother, he's been a faithful companion to Mickey, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy. He starred in 48 of his own cartoons, and he never broke his contract because he wanted more money. He never jumped up and down on couches declaring his love for some new labradoodle, or spouted strange demonic religions.

He never spattered the headlines because of some midnight drunken accident, never had to apologize for thoughtless words, never sparked any media scandal, never made embarrassing comments about how he hates America, never raised money for baby-killers or crooked politicians.

Now that the planet is being demoted, will he have to change his name? Will he go nameless until they discover another planet to name him after? If you are concerned about the fate of Pluto, I urge you to contact Disney and let them know that you don't want Pluto abandoned despite the fact that the science community is abandoning the planet.

For the moment, we'll be gathering names of people who are willing to adopt Pluto in case Disney is looking to "bring him to a farm."

Let's Be Serious...

So, you're at the airport. You've picked up a newspaper and the headlines read all about the terror plot planned to down 10 planes flying over the Atlantic by Muslim terrorists. Disturbing indeed. The news reports on the monitors show pictures of planes, the World Trade Centers crashing and other forms of hysteria. You think about the stepped up security, how you can't have your Starbucks with you at the moment, and that expensive Clinique lotion you had to discard before going through the security line. And you're okay with that. Life with chapped hands is better than being blown up over the Atlantic.

And then you see these guys come into your gate. You think either, they're Muslim male models who take themselves way too seriously, OR they've just spent all of their suicide bomber money on Western clothes before carrying out their mission. That's what the other passengers thought, and refused to get on the plane until they were removed.

When I first read the story I was a bit sympathetic to these guys. They're just getting on a plane... what if someone sees my innocent Irish face and thinks I'm on some sort of a bomber mission?!?!?! But then again, I don't look like I've just returned from a training camp in Syria.

The other reason that they may have rebelled is the excessive cologne, but to be fair - that was not in the article.

Here's my advice to these guys: If you don't want to kicked off any more planes in the near future - try shaving, and stop dressing like thugs. You might even want to do something about those eyebrows. And buddy, grease goes into your car- not the hair. Just a thought.

We Are The Winners

For all you aficionados of Lithuanian culture out there, you probably already know that Lithuania made quite the splash this year in the Eurovision contest with their home grown band, LT United.

For you Ameri-centrist, we might describe Eurovision as a European knock off of American Idol - except that Eurovision has been around for about 50 years (ah hem). But you get the idea.

LT United, whose website can be found at www.winnersofeurovision.com, operates along the philosophy that subtlety is bad, and if you just say something over and over again, it may just come true.

You have to check out this link, and download the video of the National ESC Selection Final Show:

http://www.winnersofeurovision.com/en/downloads/

Unfortunately, they did not win the Eurovision contest this year, but came in sixth. Which is consistent with my opinions of the taste of our Europeans neighbors - cuz these guys are cool.

GO LT UNITED.

Gates of Dawn

So, even though I'm back, I'll start posting pictures and continue the adventures :)))

The Gates of Dawn, known in Lithuanian as Austro Vartu, is the only city gate from the original wall that still exists around Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania. This Gate has been graced by the presence of an miraculous image of Our Lady.

The Holy Father was invited to visit here in 1986, but the Soviets refused to allow him. So, he sent his hat instead. When he visited in 1993, he left another hat. These are kept in the sacristy.

On my last day in Lithuania, I went there at 6am because I wanted to be among the first there to visit Our Lady. As I waited for the door to open, a delivery boy on a bicycle rode through the gate, stopped his bike, turned around and prayed for about 10 minutes before continuing on his paper route.

People going to work would walk through the gate, turn and bless themselves to show honor to Our Lady.

When the door to the chapel finally opened, there were about three elderly ladies who entered with me, but they walked up the stairs on their knees.