BENJAMIN

I first posted this on another website and decided to repost it here.


The last of its kind. Benjamin wasn't male as the name would indicate. She was female. Known as a Tasmanian Tiger although she wasn't really a tiger.

The species got that name because of the prominent stripes that blanketed the rear half of the coat. She was a Thylacine, a large carnivorous marsupial. Benjamin spent the last of her days in a small pen at the Hobart Zoo in Hobart Tasmania, Australia where she died in 1936.

Thylacines were quite prevalent in Australia until 3 or 4 thousand years ago when they became extinct in the Australian mainland due to its inability to compete with dingos. Dingos, introduced to Australia by the Aborigines, always had a relationship with humans which gave them a bit of a head start over the Thylacines who were their main competition.

When the Thylacine's habitat shrunk to include only Tasmania, competition for resources such as food and land, again with dingos, humans, and other mammals continued to help erode the populations.

In the wild humans considered it a pest stealing chickens and small livestock in its search for food. Bounties were placed on its head but in what seems to be a complete contradiction many were captured and kept as pets. .....Thylacine As A Pet

Young thylacine pups in captivity would play with objects such as dangled string, much like a kitten or puppy. Unlike dogs, they did not fight over food. They were generally unaggressive even when grown and, like dogs, were tolerant of children. Irene Semmens recalled that as a child in the 1920s, she played with the children whose family kept a thylacine as a watchdog. If, during the course of a game, a ball landed on or near the thylacine, the children simply walked up to the animal, picked up the ball and continued playing. The thylacine made no aggressive response. It behaved just like a well-trained domestic house-dog

The Thylacine

Eventually the Tasmanian Tiger was hunted to death. The species was wiped out before anyone realized how low the numbers were.

Sad really.


Vintage footage of Benjamin:

CONFESSIONS OF A TECH AGE DINOSAUR

I've always been a bit behind the times when it comes to arming myself with the latest technological wizardry. Don't ask me the reason because I can't figure out why I've never been motivated to get the latest and the best or at least the best that fits my budget.

Years ago I can remember being completely satisfied with not having a personal computer or the Internet in my home way after nearly everyone else had become a part of the Internet Generation. Of course the computers at work had the latest of everything so maybe that helped satisfy any need I might have had. At any other odd time I decided to get on the Internet or use the MS Office Suite I was fine with going to the small library in my little town and using their computers.

When I finally decided to break down and get my own computer I can remember it taking forever for me to research the various brands and their prices and decide on one I thought would be the ideal PC for me, within the confines of what I had to spend. My first computer was an HP, not the most expensive but for my purposes it did pretty well. The convenience of having a computer and the Internet at my fingertips made me wonder what took me so long to make that move. Now, of course, after having experienced the advantages of having a computer in my home, adding wireless, desktop, and laptop, I would never go back.

I guess that brings me around to the topic of smart phones. I went many years without a cell phone. I had a home phone and it served my purposes fine. Just as with the computer I could have gotten one but simply did not feel a compelling need to have one. Then a few years back I went through a period of time where my then car broke down a couple of times over a three or four month period leaving me stranded, no pay phones available, and at the mercy of whatever strangers would come along. Thank goodness in North Carolina people are ultra nice about stopping and asking if you need help. There, however, were times I was out on the highway late at night and I realized that I was being foolish by not having the security of a cell phone.

I didn't need a cellphone to socialize with or one with fancy doodads and gadgets. Just a cellphone that would come in handy in case of an emergency and maybe for one or two quick phone calls for convenience sake ever so often. With that in mind I went to my local Wal-Mart and picked up a little TracFone, which I have used for years now. It has more than served its purpose and still works as good as ever. I've noticed the service is reliable too. I don't think I can remember a dropped call unless I was talking to someone else who had a different cellphone service and they might go through a rough patch, but my little TracFone has worked splendidly for the purposes for which it was purchased all of those years back.

About three months ago I began to notice a change come over me. My attention was captured by an article I saw on the Internet about a smartphone. I've probably read dozens of articles about cellphones and other devices but until now the idea of owning a smartphone never really caught on with me. I don't know what it is but I scanned through a piece written about the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Reading this article and seeing various photos of the phone with its applications just set off this desire in me to have one. At work I found willing ears to listen to me blather on about that darn phone. Someone suggested I walk across the parking lot to the Sprint dealer and look at one in person to see what I thought about it. I have to tell you that when I finally held one in my hand I was quite enchanted with that little slab of technology. It did get my mind to whirling with the possibilities, but I just stopped shy of taking that leap.

Then it so happened that I ran across an informative piece, again on the Internet, that the Samsung Galaxy folks were coming out with another phone, a Galaxy S4, different from the Note II. Oh my, the features on that one left me breathless. 1080p HD, 13 mp camera, scratch resistant screen, lighter, thinner. THAT WAS THE ONE! And no, I had absolutely no problem with the idea of dropping the Note II like a hot potato even before our first date, fickle though I might have been. The odd thing though is it seems that the love was only in my fantasies because I never took the next step necessary to make the match a permanent one.

A few weeks went along and I began to notice that my lack of being up to speed technologically seemed to set me apart from others, not in a big way but as a matter of convenience. One week I took my 5 year old granddaughter to the children's museum for a day of fun and I was the ONLY person there with a camera. Everyone else was using their phone to take pictures. Heck my daughter in law can scan a check on her cellphone and deposit the funds in her bank account from her home. My son takes photos and posts them to his Facebook account and sends them out to everyone through e-mail at the same time with just one push of a button. My granddaughter keeps up with the weather at grandma's house (about 200 miles away from where they live) from a cellphone app. Oh, and by the way, all of my talk about the Galaxy S4 caused my daughter in law to take a look and she upgraded to one.

Eager yet hesitant, I was just about on the verge of making the move required to once and for all bring me up to the standards of the 21st century when what should happen but I saw another update on the Internet about the Samsung Galaxy line of phones. Rumor had it that they were coming out with a Note 3 which supposedly would have ALL of the features of the S4 and much more including the 13MP camera with optical image stabilization. So much better than carrying a camera around. Of course the Galaxy Note line being my first love I have to say that news stopped me in my tracks.

Grabbing my trusty little well-worn TracFone flip phone, of which every angle and curve fits perfectly in the palm of my hand, but which when displayed publically illuminates me with the electrified visuals akin to that of a neon sign branding me with a scarlet letter as a tech dinosaur still plodding along in the stone age, I eagerly called my local Verizon dealer to find out when I could expect those highly anticipated (by me) Galaxy Note 3s to hit the store. Nonchalantly and without a smidgen of apology in her voice the clerk smoothly informed me that the information I was seeking had not been provided to them yet. Now wait a daggone minute here!! It has taken me to a long time to get to this point. I'm ready to make that leap now. RIGHT NOW!!!! What am I going to do? What if in the meantime of those jewels hitting the stores I see another article on the Internet introducing yet a different, maybe more tempting smartphone enticing me to glance in its direction so it can seduce and claim me for its own? I don't want to go through this again. It's not fair! I promise! I really was going to settle down and quit searching for "THE ONE".

I guess I have no choice but to wait. In the meantime me and my little buddy Trac will keep on as we have been doing. Come to think of it we do make a good team. Through thick and thin over the years Trac has been with me nearly everywhere I've gone. I don't mind spending a bit more time with my tried and true. As a matter of fact, even though the day is coming I think will feel a little sad when I finally do retire my buddy.

UPDATE: October 27, 2013 - The wait was a long one but finally the phone I've been anticipating arrived at the local Verizon store on October 10. I've had mine for about 2 weeks now and am really taking well to it. It can do so much and takes great photos. It has become my little sidekick now and I take it almost everywhere I go.

THE AMAZING KANDU

It occasionally happens that illustrations in bravery and perseverance arrive on four legs -- sometimes on two. A tiny Jack Russell terrier pup, born with no front legs, was taken by his first owners to a veterinarian to be euthanized because they surmised he would have no quality of life with two legs missing.

A local rescue group heard of his story and decided to take responsibility for his care and attempt to find him a home. This little Jack Russel was a such happy little dog, seemingly unaware that he was different from any other dog, who didn't let the lack of front legs stop him from going anywhere he wanted. After a time he ended up in a forever home with the Ken Rogers family of Steamboat Springs Colorado.

"When Kandu was born, he faced immediate challenges. That's because he had been born without any front legs. The little Jack Russell puppy had been given up by his first owners and left at a shelter, where his prospects for survival were grim. But with the help of a local rescue team, Kandu was saved by a loving couple who met the challenge of raising a puppy with a disability head on."

More About The Amazing Kandu

DAUGHTER OF THE DAWN

From the Oklahoma Historical Society site:

"Daughter of Dawn is an 80-minute, six-reel silent film shot in May, June, and July of 1920 in the Wichita Mountains of southwest Oklahoma. Eventually, the Oklahoma Historical Society will release DVD and Blu-ray versions that include director's cuts on the history of the film, the Indian history and material culture depicted, the Wichita Mountains, the buffalo herd that still runs free, and a special feature on one tipi in the movie.

The story, played by an all-Indian cast of 300 Kiowas and Comanches, includes a four-way love story, two buffalo hunt scenes, a battle scene, village scenes, dances, deceit, courage, hand to hand combat, love scenes, and a happy ending. The Indians, who had been on the reservation less than fifty years, brought with them their own tipis, horses, clothing, and material culture. The lead actor is White Parker, the son of the great Comanche leader Quanah Parker."

Please visit the Oklahoma Historical Society website for more interesting information. The video below is only a 10 minute section of the 80 minute film but it is very interesting to watch.

More About The Daughter Of Dawn

A TRIBUTE TO OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM

Mary Pickersgill a Baltimore resident, never knew that when Major George Armistead requested she make an extra large American Flag the work of her hands would result in one of the most inspiring symbols of bravery and patriotism this wonderful country has ever known.

As Major Armistead, the commander of Ft. McHenry located near Baltimore explained, he was expecting imminent attack by the British and he wanted the flag to be clearly visible to the English Fleet.

Old Glory, representing this grand new nation in the making , withstood bombardment from English warships for over 25 hours. That historic flag continuing to stand through unimaginable attack was the very same one which inspired Francis Scott Key to write his poem "The Star Spangled Banner". He too never dreamed that his creation would eventually become the National Anthem of the United States of America.

I am forever proud of my nation, my flag, and those brave men and women in our nation's service who fought and continue to fight for freedom everywhere.

This video is of Larry Ford grammy winning tenor, singing our National Anthem. His powerful voice does justice to the moving words and meaning behind this grand song.

DABBLING IN DIGITAL ART

The following are digital renditions of some of the photos I took while hiking a local nature trail. I've been having a bit of fun with a few digital art programs. These were all taken with compact cameras. I used a Sony Cybershot - 12.1 mp, 5x Optical Zoom and a Panasonic Lumix - 12.1 mp, 8x Optical Zoom.

The Digital Art programs used were various ones in the Paint Shop Pro line. Not professional by any means but having fun with a new hobby.

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THE WORLD'S MOST EXTREME FEMALE BODY BUILDERS

I just can't get into that look myself. A toned body, YES. But these women look more like men to me. What do you think?







IRENE ANDERSEN






ANA CLAUDIA







YOLANDA HUGHES







KIM CIVEZSKY







NOT SURE WHO THIS IS







ROSEMARY JENNINGS







LISA AUKLAND







NICHOL BASS

99 ROOMS - INTERACTIVE ART PROJECT

ENTER 99 ROOMS HERE: http://cdn.99rooms.com/


One of these nights when you can't find a good show on TV, all your Internet buddies have disappeared spending the evening offline, and you just can't find anything to do, try exploring 99 Rooms. This is not the game 99 rooms but the interactive art project.





Fix your favorite beverage, lower the lights, make sure your speakers are turned up, get comfy and prepare for one interesting experience.





The project is a mixture of wall painting, graffiti, eerie mood enhancing industrial sounds and music, and some interactive effects, all taking place in the rooms of an old abandoned factory in East Germany.

The photographs of the factory evoke the utter dreary hopelessness that pervaded East Germany during its Communist era.







As you scan the photographs use your mouse to try to find the Interactive portion that is in some of the rooms. Your mouse pointer will turn into a pointing finger when you stumble across something. After a time the pointer will change into three arrows and you will be able to click into the next room.

This interactive art project teases your curiosity while it provokes the imagination and your desire to explore.

THE DOGS OF WAR

"Marine War Dogs gave their lives liberating Guam in 1944. They served as sentries, messengers, and scouts. They explored caves, detected mines and booby traps... Given in their memory and on behalf of the surviving men of the 2nd and 3rd Marine War Dog Platoons, many of whom owe their lives to the bravery and sacrifice of these gallant animals...."Always Faithful" was inspired "by the spirit of these heroic dogs who are the embodiment of love and devotion... the United Doberman Club ted to the courageous Doberman Pinschers that valiantly served during the War in the Pacific"

http://www.dru.org/wardog.htm

I became interested in learning about the history of Doberman Pinschers shortly after I got one. In looking I came across quite a bit of information in regards to how the Doberman Pinscher has been used to serve our country.

Originally Dobermans were bred to serve as a personal protection dog. Louis Dobermann of Germany was a tax collector who needed a dog that would protect him while making his rounds. The breed he created was named after him.

From James A. Kearns, Dobermans In World War II, "Its qualities soon became apparent to both the German police and military who, in WWII were estimated to have trained more than 200,000 war dogs.

The United States Marine Corps during WWII, also became interested in the Doberman Pinscher.

Camp LeJeune trained Seven Doberman War Dog Platoons. The 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th platoons were sent to the European theater where they served mostly as sentries. The others were sent to the Pacific where 1st Platoon saw incredible action on Bougainville, Guam, and Okinawa, and 2nd and third saw comparably hellish action on Guadalcanal, Kwajalein, Enewetak, and Guam. These Dobermans were credited for saving many American lives and are the official Marine Corps War Dog.

The 2nd and 3rd Marine Platoons on Guam used more War Dogs than all the other areas of combat in the Pacific. While during their duty on Guam 25 of our paw-fathers crossed the rainbow bridge in 1944. One Devil Dog named Kurt saved the lives of 250 soldiers when he alerted them to Japanese troops. Most of these dogs were buried in the Marine cemetery and marked by simple concrete graves that were each indented with the dog’s profile.

Most of the soldiers had never seen a Doberman before and were so impressed with it's sleek beauty and performance that they began to refer to them as the Devil Dogs. Later, on July 21, 1994, some of these soldiers dedicated the Always Faithful Doberman War Dog Memorial to the twenty-five Dobermans that died liberating Guam in 1944."

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1878/wardog.html
Doberman named Judy in Guam with her two handlers

Soldier with injured Doberman

World War II Doberman War Dog with Sleeping Soldier

USMC Devil Dogs Doberman Pinschers Training 1943 Photo

Using Walkie-Talkie,Coast Guardsman with Dobie

Marine Dog Butch at Guam Grave of another Doberman - World War II Photo

Doberman Pinscher Scout IV Guadalcanal - World War II Photo

Doberman Pinscher Jack at Bougainville - World War II Photo

1945

Marine War Dogs at Guam - World War II Photo

Doberman Pinscher Andy at Bougainville - World War II Photo

Wounded Doberman Pinscher Boy at Okinawa with Japanese Rising Sun Flag - World War II Photo

Blue - My Dobie. He doesn't have a military background but he is my good buddy.



UPDATE: Blue passed away suddenly Friday night, May 24, 2013. Only 5 1/2 years old he was gone too soon. There is no obvious reason why he died. He appeared to have been running, which is what he loved doing best, and it seems to have been sudden with no warning that he collapsed and died. EDITED: June 9, 2013 - A necropsy determined that Blue had a small amount of scarring on his heart which was undetectable even by his veterinarian. His heart went into an arrhythmia and he died of sudden heart failure. He was cremated and buried in my backyard next to Sassy.

SCARY RIDE

They say it is the Road to Death and is the most dangerous in the world for motorists. North Yungas Road runs in the Bolivian Andes, from La Paz to Coroico. It has hairpin curves and plunges down almost 2.25 miles.