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The whole reason I stocked up over the past few weeks was to not use my card so much...and then I get a wild hair this morning and order more juice! I need more juice like I need a hole in my head! But alas, I'll consider it job security for my cc fraud department. I'm too lazy to get a prepaid or even look into options. Always something to do! I will eventually I reckon. Hate they got you! I didn't have fraudulent charges but mine was shut down due to the possibility. Those bastiches!
Sorry to hear that GT. I am actually discovering that I am sick or else I would go in to this long post about SE Hacking (aka Google hacking) and how hackers can use all the information that search engines index. It doesn't even have to be used on online charges as such.
So be glad Im sick or i prolly would have geeked all over this place.
I will try to catch up later.
Not that big a deal, they said I wasn't responsible for any of the charges and they'd just send me a new card.
Just to clarify (not that anyone cares, except perhaps the Maestro) I do not dispute the necessity of killing man-eating lions. We are the apex creature on this planet, so when we are threatened, we destroy the threat.
However, if killing lions is justified by lions killing humans, it is not to be celebrated in my opinion. These are amazing creatures who represent the top of feline evolution. They are the only social cats, they have pronounced sexual dimorphism, and are apex predators wherever they live. No other creature on earth can compete with hyenas as top predator. Their population has plummeted in the last 20 years. It is not known why, but it is generally suspected that loss of habitat is one issue.
My personal opinion is that the intentional hunting of the finest male specimens by poachers has done more to decimate the population of lions than loss of habitat, which is comparatively well maintained. Frequently the strongest and most spectacular males are killed, which results in an unprotected pride for a time. When a new male lion comes in to take over this pride, he will almost always kill any cubs that are under a year old. He does this so his lionesses will go into heat, so he can produce his own cubs. Now this new lion is generally weaker than the old Pride Male (or the pride would already be his) so not only does the species lose one spectacular male, frequently his line is destroyed forever. Imagine if poachers work the same territory annually. It is quite probable that a pride will go without reproduction for generations due to this abhorrent practice, and that only the weaker lions will survive since they are not prime targets of these brave hunters. This dilutes and weakens the species, all so some Johnny Safari can have a stuffed head on his wall.
For this reason, I take pass on celebrating some made-up hero defending mankind from a couple of rogue lions, when we are on the verge of destroying this amazing and majestic creature. I know this is my pet crusade and I do not expect you all to share it, but I do want to explain why I despise that movie.
Oh, and I actually liked, "Lost in Translation". And not just because of Scarlett and her beautiful Johanssens....
However, if killing lions is justified by lions killing humans, it is not to be celebrated in my opinion. These are amazing creatures who represent the top of feline evolution. They are the only social cats, they have pronounced sexual dimorphism, and are apex predators wherever they live. No other creature on earth can compete with hyenas as top predator. Their population has plummeted in the last 20 years. It is not known why, but it is generally suspected that loss of habitat is one issue.
My personal opinion is that the intentional hunting of the finest male specimens by poachers has done more to decimate the population of lions than loss of habitat, which is comparatively well maintained. Frequently the strongest and most spectacular males are killed, which results in an unprotected pride for a time. When a new male lion comes in to take over this pride, he will almost always kill any cubs that are under a year old. He does this so his lionesses will go into heat, so he can produce his own cubs. Now this new lion is generally weaker than the old Pride Male (or the pride would already be his) so not only does the species lose one spectacular male, frequently his line is destroyed forever. Imagine if poachers work the same territory annually. It is quite probable that a pride will go without reproduction for generations due to this abhorrent practice, and that only the weaker lions will survive since they are not prime targets of these brave hunters. This dilutes and weakens the species, all so some Johnny Safari can have a stuffed head on his wall.
For this reason, I take pass on celebrating some made-up hero defending mankind from a couple of rogue lions, when we are on the verge of destroying this amazing and majestic creature. I know this is my pet crusade and I do not expect you all to share it, but I do want to explain why I despise that movie.
Oh, and I actually liked, "Lost in Translation". And not just because of Scarlett and her beautiful Johanssens....
Beautifully said, Lion! I "liked" Mr. Scarycamera's post describing the movie because I've never heard of it and couldn't even fathom a movie about the indiscriminate killing of lions. He explained the context that was much-needed. But I agree with every word of your post, and it educated me, too. Such majestic beasts are your brethren! I also agree about Lost In Translation, but I just wish I hadn't read all of the over-the-moon critical acclaim for it before I went to see it. That's really always a mistake.
I'm crediting Chloe to lots of love and a little good rum
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I'm crediting Chloe to lots of love and a little good rum
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Don't get the wrong idea about me, Lion. I think you and I are on the same wavelength, just walking on parallel paths. My love for the great cats goes well into my childhood and although I am partial to the Tiger and Leopard over the Lions (perhaps just from being from India), I absolutely despise what is happening to the last remnants of these species in whatever country that it may be happening. The British damn near wiped out the Tiger and Leopard populations in India in the span of less than 100 years, all in the name of sport.
Nothing gets my blood boiling more than when I see vintage photographic footage of 20 or 30 hunters posing with the bodies of Tigers and Leopards laid out before them, only to eventually end up gracing the walls or floors of their mansions.
I have spent many a night in the jungles of India listening to the call of the wild, and regret that coming generations will not be able to share in the beauty of watching a mother lead her furtive cubs to a watering hole, or to patiently teach them the art of stalking their prey.
The only plus side is that we as humans have for the most part come to the realization that this senseless slaughter cannot continue, and are taking steps to protect these animals. My fear stems from what you have alluded to, Are we perhaps already too late?!
Sorry to hear that GT, and glad it's getting taken care of. Will that leave a blemish on your credit rating? I hope not.
Don't get the wrong idea about me, Lion. I think you and I are on the same wavelength, just walking on parallel paths. My love for the great cats goes well into my childhood and although I am partial to the Tiger and Leopard over the Lions (perhaps just from being from India), I absolutely despise what is happening to the last remnants of these species in whatever country that it may be happening. The British damn near wiped out the Tiger and Leopard populations in India in the span of less than 100 years, all in the name of sport.
Nothing gets my blood boiling more than when I see vintage photographic footage of 20 or 30 hunters posing with the bodies of Tigers and Leopards laid out before them, only to eventually end up gracing the walls or floors of their mansions.
I have spent many a night in the jungles of India listening to the call of the wild, and regret that coming generations will not be able to share in the beauty of watching a mother lead her furtive cubs to a watering hole, or to patiently teach them the art of stalking their prey.
The only plus side is that we as humans have for the most part come to the realization that this senseless slaughter cannot continue, and are taking steps to protect these animals. My fear stems from what you have alluded to, Are we perhaps already too late?!
I do realize that you are sympathetic. Like I said, this is my pet crusade, and I do not expect everyone to boycott a perfectly good movie on my account. I only wished to share my perspective.
No, we are not too late for the lions. If a few generations of good strong males can be permitted to right the ship, the lions could survive quite well, at least this is my belief. I base this on "Moran" who was a stunning male species in the Ngorongoro Crater. He was a stunning male, who successfully sired three generations of cubs and was the subject of a really cool documentary and then cult following for his remaining days. He was confronted by four mature males in his fourth year of his reign (late in a pride male's life, since they cannot generally take a pride until age five, and are dead by 12 in best case scenarios), and it looked like he was sure to be dethroned. Without a moment's hesitation, he immediately confronted the invaders. They actually captured the remarkable confrontation where he ran the four usurpers off of his territory. Him standing and roaring at the four of them when they tucked tail and ran actually gave me goose bumps, it was truly a powerful scene. The old lion still on top of his game. It is estimated that he sired 40 cubs, with around 25 likely to survive.
Here he is:
The tigers are a bit more of a quandary due to their more secluded lifestyle and equally sought after prize pelts. One successful male tiger might only have one or two offspring that survive. So they can be saved, but it will take time to restore them. Sadly, habitat is as much an issue for them as poaching/hunting. They are astounding creatures, especially the great Bengals of India.
While I do not feel the same kinship with the jaguar, tiger, or leopard as the lion, I do admire their amazing power and strength. The big cats are remarkable creatures, all. The leopard's secretive lifestyle and smaller size may be its best weapon, and it may outlive both of its larger cousins.
I think both of our cats face a doubtful future. But there is hope.
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I'm not as much worried about the Leopard either. Their stealth IS their largest advantage. I read and own books by an English author Jim Corbett, who now has a National Park in India dedicated to him, who wrote about a Leopard that took out a Bullock that was plodding along at night pulling a cart. The cart driver did not know that his Bullock was killed until it just collapsed in front of him. Never saw it happen!!
From Wikipedia:
Edward James "Jim" Corbett (25 July 1875 in Nainital, India – 19 April 1955 in Nyeri, Kenya) was a legendary British hunter and tracker-turned-conservationist, author and naturalist, famous for hunting a large number of man-eaters in India.
Corbett held the rank of colonel in the British Indian Army and was frequently called upon by the government of the United Provinces, now the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, to kill man-eating tigers and leopards that were preying on people in the nearby villages of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. His hunting successes earned him a long-held respect and fame amongst the people residing in the villages of Kumaon. Some even claim that he was considered to be a sadhu (saint) by the locals.
Corbett was an avid photographer and after his retirement, authored the Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore, and other books recounting his hunts and experiences, which enjoyed much critical acclaim and commercial success. Later on in life, Corbett spoke out for the need to protect India's wildlife from extermination and played a key role in creating a national reserve for the endangered Bengal tiger by using his influence to persuade the provincial government to establish it. The national park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in his honour in 1957 after his death in 1955.
From Wikipedia:
Edward James "Jim" Corbett (25 July 1875 in Nainital, India – 19 April 1955 in Nyeri, Kenya) was a legendary British hunter and tracker-turned-conservationist, author and naturalist, famous for hunting a large number of man-eaters in India.
Corbett held the rank of colonel in the British Indian Army and was frequently called upon by the government of the United Provinces, now the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, to kill man-eating tigers and leopards that were preying on people in the nearby villages of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. His hunting successes earned him a long-held respect and fame amongst the people residing in the villages of Kumaon. Some even claim that he was considered to be a sadhu (saint) by the locals.
Corbett was an avid photographer and after his retirement, authored the Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore, and other books recounting his hunts and experiences, which enjoyed much critical acclaim and commercial success. Later on in life, Corbett spoke out for the need to protect India's wildlife from extermination and played a key role in creating a national reserve for the endangered Bengal tiger by using his influence to persuade the provincial government to establish it. The national park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in his honour in 1957 after his death in 1955.
You see, I truly believe you cannot study these great and noble creatures for too long without falling for them. My plan is to go in two years to see them, before it is too late.
That is not the same one, but it is a good one. The most famous (there have been several about Moran) documentary was narrated by Alec Baldwin, and it does show part of the confrontation I referenced. The footage in that was taken from a larger two-hour one I watched, but have lost track of. Maybe I can find it and I will get back to you.
I love the big cats too. I'll watch any big cat show on TV or read any updates on them. They fascinate me to no end. Love all of them. But I probably side with Dust a little on my faves. The tiger gets my crown. That was going to be my avatar when I first signed up on ECF. And that picture Dust posted disturbs me. Sadly, of all the big cats, the tiger is closest to extinction. Best estimates have their populations down to just a few thousand. There is still much we don't know about them. They too are very elusive.
Oh, jeez, insane cuteness starting at 15:57. I'm sorry, it's just the cub stuff that everyone falls for. I've fallen.
...Hope you do let us know the one you like the best, Lion. [ETA - Like the General,] I love this stuff.
...Hope you do let us know the one you like the best, Lion. [ETA - Like the General,] I love this stuff
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Here is one clip from the one I was talking about...
Moran appears at the end, with a tease of the upcoming battle.
Moran appears at the end, with a tease of the upcoming battle.
Good evening everyone..hanging in there this week...just busy. Can't complain, again owning your own business you want to be busy..it just tires me out. Diet is going well, haven't got on the scale as I'm not all about the numbers, but I really feel better and have a lot more energy (thank goodness). The weight will come off when it does. After a week I may not stay on the 4 shake, 3 snack 1 meal diet as I am missing some of my favorite foods..but will incorporate part of what I'm doing this week for sure.
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I feel out of shape after cutting grass all evening. I told Dad (he helps with the steep bank) it was too hot. I'm still not over it. My legs are shaky and I have no energy. Afternoon sun blazing down and it's in the mid 90's and we are out there cutting grass! The back and sides I already did so that helped. But dang! I need to get my son to help...I'm really feeling my age lately.
I took tomorrow off to work in the basement. Dad is giving us a pool table he's had in his shop and no longer wants and I need to make room. How the heck does two people have so much JUNK! I dread tomorrow although it will be more like shifting things around and definitely taking a load of stuff to the charity drop off man. At least I won't be at work.
Hope everyone is enjoying their evening! I've got to find the strength to go take a shower...
I took tomorrow off to work in the basement. Dad is giving us a pool table he's had in his shop and no longer wants and I need to make room. How the heck does two people have so much JUNK! I dread tomorrow although it will be more like shifting things around and definitely taking a load of stuff to the charity drop off man. At least I won't be at work.
Hope everyone is enjoying their evening! I've got to find the strength to go take a shower...
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