It's hoped the birthday will be auspicious for the landing, NASA's John Grunsfeld said in a news conference.

CNN: Rover Curiosity near Mars landing

The title's a bit misleading, but the "auspicious beginnings" part sounds about right.

NPR: The Rest: An Artfully Unsteady Pocket Orchestra

The crunchy, urgent power-pop of "Hand Me Down" opens the album on a particularly auspicious note, as crunchy guitars and Flotard's incomparable voice simultaneously destroy and mesmerize.

NPR: Visqueen: A Ferocious Song Of Devotion