My First [& Other] Present[s]

[Bad username or site: tanechigai / @ livejournal.com] gave me a package that looked suspiciously like a book two weeks ago, with explicit instructions that I was not to open it until my birthday. She then proceeded to shelve the book present for me at a convenient spot—right between my Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and my Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (hint, hint). So waited I did... until today, when I ripped open the wrapping and found (picture #1)—

The second picture is a gift from [Bad username or site: lynkemma / @ livejournal.com]. Beautiful rose and ice cream cone (and you look more beautiful, my dear :). And let's not forget the wonderul story that [Bad username or site: nenyaentwhistle / @ livejournal.com] wrote for me and the blackforest chocolate cake from [Bad username or site: sunnydlita / @ livejournal.com]. Wow, my LJ (and RL too for some of you) friends are so cool!



*beams*

Incidentally, happy birthday to Draco Malfoy, who beat me by a day (literally, 'cause we're technically born in the same year.) >:o

Pistons Wins!!!

And the Pistons are going to the NBA Championship Finals: 88-82. Miami Heat goes home.

D-Day

Today marks the 61st anniversary of D-Day, the decisive battle fought at Normandy, France during WWII.

For background information, see the Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Normandy 1944. From the Web site:

On June 6, 1944, a date known ever since as D-Day, a mighty armada crossed a narrow strip of sea from England to Normandy, France, and cracked the Nazi grip on western Europe.

I also find www.dday.org very informative.

Recommended reading: Ernest Pyle
1) "The Horrible Waste of War," an article he wrote on June 16, 1944 about the aftermaths of D-Day.
2) "Attack at Midday," written August 7-8, 1944, a contemplation of the necessity (?) of D-Day. For notable quotes on both pieces, see my October 31 post here.

News:
NY Times—Veterans Mark D-Day Landings in France

And for a Chinese perspective, Xinhua—Chinese Veteran Witnesses D-Day.

Most of the other news reports are similar: recounting of history, infused with personal recollections. BBC has a good collection of personal accounts from D-Day veterans, for example. In this case, where nothing new about D-Day made it into (inter)national headlines, I suppose no news is good news.