Anna Liisa Land

Pamper Your Pet at The Reign of Cats and Dogs

nobody@vox.com(annaliisa) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:27:15 -0500

Leesburg's boutique store for pets, The Reign of Cats and Dogs, has relocated to a more easily accessible space in one of old town Leesburg's historic buildings on King Street. The new store space features three charming rooms filled to the brim with treats for pets and pet owners alike, including customizable collars, leashes, and pet beds; dog and cat stationery and magnets; and dog and cat treats and toys galore, some of which I have not been able to find anywhere else in the area. My cats have already declared the little catnip twists a hit; these tiny fabric pouches made out of colorful scraps of fabric twisted at the ends to resemble candy are just small enough for their little paws to grasp, and they are pretty enough that I don't mind them littered all around the house. I am hoping to save up enough money to go back and buy gender color coded food bowls for each my kitties, each declaring his or her "Royal Tiny-ness." And with a (possible) fifth cat living under my roof right now, I'll need to save a bit before I can buy hand-painted dishes for all of them, but aren't they worth it? Even if you don't have pets, the store is so cheerful and cute, you're sure to find a little something for yourself or the pet lover in your life.

The Reign of Cats and Dogs

3 North King Street
Leesburg, VA 20176

(703) 669-6920

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A Little Taste of Japan in Sterling, Virginia: Aoba Japanese Restaurant

nobody@vox.com(annaliisa) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:17:45 -0500

I went to Japan on business in 2003 and loved the food I encountered there, so as a result I was delighted to be introduced to Aoba Japanese Restaurant in Sterling, Virginia by a friend; the small, blondewood and light filled restaurant reminds me of the little cafes in Tokyo where we would grab our late lunches. Aoba specializes in sushi and bento boxes at reasonable prices; the number of selections is impressive. They also stock green tea ice cream and red bean flavored ice cream, sweet treats that will be familiar to those who have lived in or traveled to Japan. I am not sure if bananas fried teriyaki-style and drizzled in honey syrup are a Japanese specialty or an American creation, but either way, they sure are delightful. The staff at Aoba always aims to please and to provide an authentic experience, and I trust them to execute sushi and sashimi professionally so that there is never a fear of raw food contamination. The presentation of the food is pretty, too, particularly the crispy crab rolls, which are absolutely delicious. Aoba is a great value and a convenient way to sample a little bit of Tokyo in our own backyard.

Aoba Japanese Restaurant

20921 Davenport Drive #110

Sterling, Virginia 22165

703-430-1234

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BHS Wrestling at the County Championships

nobody@vox.com(annaliisa) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:07:23 -0500

Brunswick High School participated in the Frederick County Public High School Wrestling Championships held at Tuscarora High School this weekend. According to the Frederick News Post, "Brunswick finished second in the team standings with 172.5 points. The Railroaders had more finalists than any other team with seven, but did not crown a champion."

Several promising wrestlers like Zach M. and T.J. look like they might make it to the State level, too, so things are getting pretty exciting as the wrestling season wraps up.

By the way, Tuscarora High School has to be the prettiest, most cheerful and light filled public school I have ever seen! If I had gone to a high school like Tuscarora instead of the pit of gloom and doom I went to back in the 1990s, I would be an entirely different person today, I am sure of it.

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A Little Photographic Interlude

nobody@vox.com(annaliisa) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:23:27 -0500

Night of the Ice Scuptures, Frederick, Maryland, February 2008:

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Apalling Scene in Accokeek, Maryland: Why Did This Even Happen?

nobody@vox.com(annaliisa) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:56:08 -0500

I am astounded, saddened, horrified, angered, and mystified by today's illegal street racing tragedy in Accokeek, Maryland, where 8 people lost their lives in a truly senseless highway accident.

Astounded: Why would dozens of drag race spectators step out into a street--knowing full well that other cars could be oncoming at highway speeds--at 3 in the morning, a time of night when drivers do not expect pedestrians to be in the road; drunken and sleepy drivers with slow reaction times abound; and the risk of injury is so great?

Saddened: Eight people beloved by their families, friends, and colleagues are dead today--and for what? Killed for the pursuit of pleasure? These deaths are so senseless--why did this happen? Five more people are critically injured. An unrelated driver--someone who had not participated in the race at all, yet accidentally crashed into the crowd of spectators--is left with a lifetime of guilt.

Horrified: I won't get into the gruesome details here, but this is one of the most apalling and nauseating accident scenes I have ever heard about in my 33 years of life on this planet.

Angry: We hear about foolish teenagers taking silly risks all the time--but the people who staged, watched, and executed this illegal street race were adults who should have known better. I don't want to throw barbs at the dead--and believe me, I wish time could be turned back so that every one of these people could be brought back--I don't think making one mistake in judgement should result in death. All I mean is this: as aduilts we are supposed to model sane and responsible behavior for our children, and drag racing on suburban streets that have drivers on them around the clock is not sane and responsible behavior. These deaths are senseless and wonderful people are gone--that makes me angry.

Mystified: This is the Washington, DC metropolitan area, so no roads here are ever truly deserted, even at 3 AM. Why was this race staged here in the first place? Next, why did so many spectators participate in this foolish activity? Why did the spectators step into the street without thinking about the possibility of oncoming cars? Why did so many people choose to step into that street like they did? These are all rhetorical questions, really. I just don't understand.

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February Blues

nobody@vox.com(annaliisa) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:34:26 -0500

It's that time of year again...February is typically the one time of year that my serotonin level in my brain, and thus my mood, plummets. Last year I did OK. This year, not so much,. I'm not suicidal or anything like that, just feeling kind of worn out and more pessimistic than usual.

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QotD: One Day to Live

nobody@vox.com(annaliisa) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:32:43 -0500

What would you do if you had one day to live and you were still young and healthy?
Submitted by Green Tea Adelaide.

Kiss my loved ones and give everything away.

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