In a coastal desert of Peru the massive skull and jaw of a 13-million-year-old sperm whale has been discovered. The whale is the extinct distant cousin of the modern sperm whale although, this this whale is a very different beast according to Olivier Lambert of the Museum National d'Historie Naturelle in Paris, France. Lambert led a team that located the massive fossil.
The whale, Leviathan melvillei has a 3-meter (10 foot) skull with teeth in the top and bottom jaws that are each up to 36 centimeters (14 inches) in length. Modern sperm whales only have teeth in the lower jaw and feed on giant squid. It is believed the fossil sperm whales are to have eaten by actually taking huge bites out of their prey instead of swallowing it whole as modern sperm whales do.
A large hole in the skull that accommodated a large jaw muscle further strengthens this belief. The fossil most likely fed on baleen whales and lived in the same waters as Charcharocles megalodon, the now-famous monster-sized ancestor of the Great White shark.
Researchers are focusing in on the teeth of the animal to learn more about its eating habits. Horizontal wear lines suggest it swallowed prey like modern sperm whales. Vertical wear lines suggest it bit into prey.
For more information and to see an artists rendition of what Leviathan melvillei might have looked like, you can read this article.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Giant Whale-Eating Whale Discovered
In a coastal desert of Peru the massive skull and jaw of a 13-million-year-old sperm whale has been discovered. The whale is the extinct distant cousin of the modern sperm whale although, this this whale is a very different beast according to Olivier Lambert of the Museum National d'Historie Naturelle in Paris, France. Lambert led a team that located the massive fossil.
The whale, Leviathan melvillei has a 3-meter (10 foot) skull with teeth in the top and bottom jaws that are each up to 36 centimeters (14 inches) in length. Modern sperm whales only have teeth in the lower jaw and feed on giant squid. It is believed the fossil sperm whales are to have eaten by actually taking huge bites out of their prey instead of swallowing it whole as modern sperm whales do.
A large hole in the skull that accommodated a large jaw muscle further strengthens this belief. The fossil most likely fed on baleen whales and lived in the same waters as Charcharocles megalodon, the now-famous monster-sized ancestor of the Great White shark.
Researchers are focusing in on the teeth of the animal to learn more about its eating habits. Horizontal wear lines suggest it swallowed prey like modern sperm whales. Vertical wear lines suggest it bit into prey.
For more information and to see an artists rendition of what Leviathan melvillei might have looked like, you can read this article.
The whale, Leviathan melvillei has a 3-meter (10 foot) skull with teeth in the top and bottom jaws that are each up to 36 centimeters (14 inches) in length. Modern sperm whales only have teeth in the lower jaw and feed on giant squid. It is believed the fossil sperm whales are to have eaten by actually taking huge bites out of their prey instead of swallowing it whole as modern sperm whales do.
A large hole in the skull that accommodated a large jaw muscle further strengthens this belief. The fossil most likely fed on baleen whales and lived in the same waters as Charcharocles megalodon, the now-famous monster-sized ancestor of the Great White shark.
Researchers are focusing in on the teeth of the animal to learn more about its eating habits. Horizontal wear lines suggest it swallowed prey like modern sperm whales. Vertical wear lines suggest it bit into prey.
For more information and to see an artists rendition of what Leviathan melvillei might have looked like, you can read this article.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Lonesome George: The World's Rarest Animal
He calls the Darwin Research center on the Galapagos Islands home. Researchers have tried, without success, for years to find another of his kind. He's Lonesome George, the only Pinta Island Turtle left.
The area George calls home was once full of the turtles but they, like so many other animals, were killed off throughout the years. Conservationists are trying to restore the animals and ecosystem in the area but it isn't always easy, especially in the case of George.
Local fishermen, angry that the conservationists have moved in and are trying to save the animals and ecosystem in the area, have been protesting. They have even gone so far as to barricade the researchers inside the Darwin Research Center and threatened to kill Lonesome George.
The fishermen aren't the only obstacle they have faced. Researchers have been trying, without success, to get the 80 year-old George to mate. When sperm collection proved unsuccessful, female tortoises were brought in. That was fourteen years ago. George seemed reluctant to mate despite having two beautiful ladies living with him. Finally, in 2008, after 36 years in captivity, George shocked conservationists by mating for the first time. However, the eggs laid by one of his female companions turned out to be infertile.
So, George has made progress! Hopefully, we will shortly have the excellent news that George has once again decided to strike up a courtship with one of the ladies he lives with and there will be some little George's running around at the Darwin Research Center. Go, George!!!
For more information:
Lonesome George, The Last Galápagos Giant Tortoise, May Become a Dad, July 22, 2009
Galápagos Giant Tortoise Saved From Extinction By Breeding Programme, June 27, 2010
A short video by BBC Worldwide about Lonesome George:
The area George calls home was once full of the turtles but they, like so many other animals, were killed off throughout the years. Conservationists are trying to restore the animals and ecosystem in the area but it isn't always easy, especially in the case of George.
Local fishermen, angry that the conservationists have moved in and are trying to save the animals and ecosystem in the area, have been protesting. They have even gone so far as to barricade the researchers inside the Darwin Research Center and threatened to kill Lonesome George.
The fishermen aren't the only obstacle they have faced. Researchers have been trying, without success, to get the 80 year-old George to mate. When sperm collection proved unsuccessful, female tortoises were brought in. That was fourteen years ago. George seemed reluctant to mate despite having two beautiful ladies living with him. Finally, in 2008, after 36 years in captivity, George shocked conservationists by mating for the first time. However, the eggs laid by one of his female companions turned out to be infertile.
So, George has made progress! Hopefully, we will shortly have the excellent news that George has once again decided to strike up a courtship with one of the ladies he lives with and there will be some little George's running around at the Darwin Research Center. Go, George!!!
For more information:
Lonesome George, The Last Galápagos Giant Tortoise, May Become a Dad, July 22, 2009
Galápagos Giant Tortoise Saved From Extinction By Breeding Programme, June 27, 2010
A short video by BBC Worldwide about Lonesome George:
Lonesome George: The World's Rarest Animal
He calls the Darwin Research center on the Galapagos Islands home. Researchers have tried, without success, for years to find another of his kind. He's Lonesome George, the only Pinta Island Turtle left.
The area George calls home was once full of the turtles but they, like so many other animals, were killed off throughout the years. Conservationists are trying to restore the animals and ecosystem in the area but it isn't always easy, especially in the case of George.
Local fishermen, angry that the conservationists have moved in and are trying to save the animals and ecosystem in the area, have been protesting. They have even gone so far as to barricade the researchers inside the Darwin Research Center and threatened to kill Lonesome George.
The fishermen aren't the only obstacle they have faced. Researchers have been trying, without success, to get the 80 year-old George to mate. When sperm collection proved unsuccessful, female tortoises were brought in. That was fourteen years ago. George seemed reluctant to mate despite having two beautiful ladies living with him. Finally, in 2008, after 36 years in captivity, George shocked conservationists by mating for the first time. However, the eggs laid by one of his female companions turned out to be infertile.
So, George has made progress! Hopefully, we will shortly have the excellent news that George has once again decided to strike up a courtship with one of the ladies he lives with and there will be some little George's running around at the Darwin Research Center. Go, George!!!
For more information:
Lonesome George, The Last Galápagos Giant Tortoise, May Become a Dad, July 22, 2009
Galápagos Giant Tortoise Saved From Extinction By Breeding Programme, June 27, 2010
A short video by BBC Worldwide about Lonesome George:
The area George calls home was once full of the turtles but they, like so many other animals, were killed off throughout the years. Conservationists are trying to restore the animals and ecosystem in the area but it isn't always easy, especially in the case of George.
Local fishermen, angry that the conservationists have moved in and are trying to save the animals and ecosystem in the area, have been protesting. They have even gone so far as to barricade the researchers inside the Darwin Research Center and threatened to kill Lonesome George.
The fishermen aren't the only obstacle they have faced. Researchers have been trying, without success, to get the 80 year-old George to mate. When sperm collection proved unsuccessful, female tortoises were brought in. That was fourteen years ago. George seemed reluctant to mate despite having two beautiful ladies living with him. Finally, in 2008, after 36 years in captivity, George shocked conservationists by mating for the first time. However, the eggs laid by one of his female companions turned out to be infertile.
So, George has made progress! Hopefully, we will shortly have the excellent news that George has once again decided to strike up a courtship with one of the ladies he lives with and there will be some little George's running around at the Darwin Research Center. Go, George!!!
For more information:
Lonesome George, The Last Galápagos Giant Tortoise, May Become a Dad, July 22, 2009
Galápagos Giant Tortoise Saved From Extinction By Breeding Programme, June 27, 2010
A short video by BBC Worldwide about Lonesome George:
12 Year-Old Norwegian Boy Saves Sister from Moose Attack Thanks to World of Warcraft
Twelve year-old Hans Jørgen Olsen has become a hero after saving himself and his from a moose attack. The siblings were walking in the forest near their home when a moose started to attack. Any other 12 year old might be frightened in a situation like this but not Hans. You see, Hans is a devoted player of the online video game, World of Warcraft (hereafter referred to as "WoW").
Young Hans immediately went into WoW mode. He first "taunted" the moose, using himself as a target to draw the moose away from his sister. In WoW, "taunting' is used to distract monsters from the more vulnerable team members. After successfully 'taunting' the moose from his sister, Hans employed a skill he learned at WoW level 30: he feigned death. The moose tired of harassing the boy and wandered away.
Kudos to Hans for having the courage to protect his sister from an animal as large as a moose!
I'm a bit of a Pogo.com addict. You think my top-notch Poppit skills would ever come in handy during hand-to-hand combat with an attacking woodland creature?
Source: http://www.nextnature.net/2010/05/norwegian-boy-saves-sister-from-moose-attack-with-world-of-warcraft-skills/
Young Hans immediately went into WoW mode. He first "taunted" the moose, using himself as a target to draw the moose away from his sister. In WoW, "taunting' is used to distract monsters from the more vulnerable team members. After successfully 'taunting' the moose from his sister, Hans employed a skill he learned at WoW level 30: he feigned death. The moose tired of harassing the boy and wandered away.
Kudos to Hans for having the courage to protect his sister from an animal as large as a moose!
I'm a bit of a Pogo.com addict. You think my top-notch Poppit skills would ever come in handy during hand-to-hand combat with an attacking woodland creature?
Source: http://www.nextnature.net/2010/05/norwegian-boy-saves-sister-from-moose-attack-with-world-of-warcraft-skills/
12 Year-Old Norwegian Boy Saves Sister from Moose Attack Thanks to World of Warcraft
Twelve year-old Hans Jørgen Olsen has become a hero after saving himself and his from a moose attack. The siblings were walking in the forest near their home when a moose started to attack. Any other 12 year old might be frightened in a situation like this but not Hans. You see, Hans is a devoted player of the online video game, World of Warcraft (hereafter referred to as "WoW").
Young Hans immediately went into WoW mode. He first "taunted" the moose, using himself as a target to draw the moose away from his sister. In WoW, "taunting' is used to distract monsters from the more vulnerable team members. After successfully 'taunting' the moose from his sister, Hans employed a skill he learned at WoW level 30: he feigned death. The moose tired of harassing the boy and wandered away.
Kudos to Hans for having the courage to protect his sister from an animal as large as a moose!
I'm a bit of a Pogo.com addict. You think my top-notch Poppit skills would ever come in handy during hand-to-hand combat with an attacking woodland creature?
Source: http://www.nextnature.net/2010/05/norwegian-boy-saves-sister-from-moose-attack-with-world-of-warcraft-skills/
Young Hans immediately went into WoW mode. He first "taunted" the moose, using himself as a target to draw the moose away from his sister. In WoW, "taunting' is used to distract monsters from the more vulnerable team members. After successfully 'taunting' the moose from his sister, Hans employed a skill he learned at WoW level 30: he feigned death. The moose tired of harassing the boy and wandered away.
Kudos to Hans for having the courage to protect his sister from an animal as large as a moose!
I'm a bit of a Pogo.com addict. You think my top-notch Poppit skills would ever come in handy during hand-to-hand combat with an attacking woodland creature?
Source: http://www.nextnature.net/2010/05/norwegian-boy-saves-sister-from-moose-attack-with-world-of-warcraft-skills/
King Tutankhamun Died of Blood Disorder, Not Malaria, Study Says
According to German scientists, ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was probably killed by the genetic blood disorder sickle cell disease instead of malaria as suggested by an earlier research study.
A team from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine announced their findings Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Hamburg, Germany. They questioned the conclusions of a major study released in February that suggested by use of DNA testing and CT scans that the young pharaoh had died of malaria after suffering a fall.
The Journal of the American Medical Association published a letter by the German researchers claiming that scrutiny of King Tut's foot bones indicated sickle cell disease.
According to the letter, the German researchers state: "(The) radiological signs are compatible with osteopathologic lesions seen in sickle cell disease (SCD), a hematological disorder that occurs at gene carrier rates of nine percent to 22 percent in inhabitants of Egyptian oases."
The researchers feel further DNA testing should be done to find a definitive answer as to how the young pharaoh actually did die.
Sickle cell disease is a common genetic disorder where the blood cells form a crescent shape rather than being smooth and round. This causes blood flow to be blocked and leads to chronic pain, infections and tissue death.
King Tutankhamun died around the age of 19 after ruling Egypt for ten years between 1333 to 1324 B.C as "The Boy King". The exact cause of his death has long been cause for speculation and rumor.
Source: Discovery News
A team from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine announced their findings Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Hamburg, Germany. They questioned the conclusions of a major study released in February that suggested by use of DNA testing and CT scans that the young pharaoh had died of malaria after suffering a fall.
The Journal of the American Medical Association published a letter by the German researchers claiming that scrutiny of King Tut's foot bones indicated sickle cell disease.
According to the letter, the German researchers state: "(The) radiological signs are compatible with osteopathologic lesions seen in sickle cell disease (SCD), a hematological disorder that occurs at gene carrier rates of nine percent to 22 percent in inhabitants of Egyptian oases."
The researchers feel further DNA testing should be done to find a definitive answer as to how the young pharaoh actually did die.
Sickle cell disease is a common genetic disorder where the blood cells form a crescent shape rather than being smooth and round. This causes blood flow to be blocked and leads to chronic pain, infections and tissue death.
King Tutankhamun died around the age of 19 after ruling Egypt for ten years between 1333 to 1324 B.C as "The Boy King". The exact cause of his death has long been cause for speculation and rumor.
Source: Discovery News
King Tutankhamun Died of Blood Disorder, Not Malaria, Study Says
According to German scientists, ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was probably killed by the genetic blood disorder sickle cell disease instead of malaria as suggested by an earlier research study.
A team from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine announced their findings Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Hamburg, Germany. They questioned the conclusions of a major study released in February that suggested by use of DNA testing and CT scans that the young pharaoh had died of malaria after suffering a fall.
The Journal of the American Medical Association published a letter by the German researchers claiming that scrutiny of King Tut's foot bones indicated sickle cell disease.
According to the letter, the German researchers state: "(The) radiological signs are compatible with osteopathologic lesions seen in sickle cell disease (SCD), a hematological disorder that occurs at gene carrier rates of nine percent to 22 percent in inhabitants of Egyptian oases."
The researchers feel further DNA testing should be done to find a definitive answer as to how the young pharaoh actually did die.
Sickle cell disease is a common genetic disorder where the blood cells form a crescent shape rather than being smooth and round. This causes blood flow to be blocked and leads to chronic pain, infections and tissue death.
King Tutankhamun died around the age of 19 after ruling Egypt for ten years between 1333 to 1324 B.C as "The Boy King". The exact cause of his death has long been cause for speculation and rumor.
Source: Discovery News
A team from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine announced their findings Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Hamburg, Germany. They questioned the conclusions of a major study released in February that suggested by use of DNA testing and CT scans that the young pharaoh had died of malaria after suffering a fall.
The Journal of the American Medical Association published a letter by the German researchers claiming that scrutiny of King Tut's foot bones indicated sickle cell disease.
According to the letter, the German researchers state: "(The) radiological signs are compatible with osteopathologic lesions seen in sickle cell disease (SCD), a hematological disorder that occurs at gene carrier rates of nine percent to 22 percent in inhabitants of Egyptian oases."
The researchers feel further DNA testing should be done to find a definitive answer as to how the young pharaoh actually did die.
Sickle cell disease is a common genetic disorder where the blood cells form a crescent shape rather than being smooth and round. This causes blood flow to be blocked and leads to chronic pain, infections and tissue death.
King Tutankhamun died around the age of 19 after ruling Egypt for ten years between 1333 to 1324 B.C as "The Boy King". The exact cause of his death has long been cause for speculation and rumor.
Source: Discovery News
Sunday Funnies: The Black Bra
As told by a woman...
I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends.
One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I have been married for 20+ years. We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door wearing a black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes. We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes..
Here's how it all went.
My engaged friend:
The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams. I love you.' Then we made passionate love all nightlong.
The mistress:
Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra, heels and mask over my eyes. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble and we had wild sex all night.
Then I had to share my story:
When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. When he came in the door and saw me he said,
"What's for dinner, Zorro?"
I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends.
One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I have been married for 20+ years. We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door wearing a black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes. We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes..
Here's how it all went.
My engaged friend:
The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams. I love you.' Then we made passionate love all nightlong.
The mistress:
Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra, heels and mask over my eyes. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble and we had wild sex all night.
Then I had to share my story:
When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. When he came in the door and saw me he said,
"What's for dinner, Zorro?"
Sunday Funnies: The Black Bra
As told by a woman...
I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends.
One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I have been married for 20+ years. We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door wearing a black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes. We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes..
Here's how it all went.
My engaged friend:
The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams. I love you.' Then we made passionate love all nightlong.
The mistress:
Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra, heels and mask over my eyes. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble and we had wild sex all night.
Then I had to share my story:
When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. When he came in the door and saw me he said,
"What's for dinner, Zorro?"
I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends.
One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I have been married for 20+ years. We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door wearing a black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes. We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes..
Here's how it all went.
My engaged friend:
The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams. I love you.' Then we made passionate love all nightlong.
The mistress:
Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra, heels and mask over my eyes. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble and we had wild sex all night.
Then I had to share my story:
When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. When he came in the door and saw me he said,
"What's for dinner, Zorro?"
Lake Michigan Shipwreck Found After 112 Years
Over a century ago, in October 1898, the L.R. Doty, a 300-foot-long wooden steamship was carrying a cargo of corn from South Chicago, Illinois to Ontario, Canada. A fierce storm on Lake Michigan that produced heavy winds, snow, sleet and waves as high as 30 feet caused the steamship to sink.
By all accounts, the Doty should have been able to withstand the storm. The ship was a mere five years old and its massive hull was reinforced with steel arches. But, it had a weakness. It was towing a small schooner, the Olive Jeanette. The schooner began to founder in the storm and the tow line snapped. Experts believe the Doty sank when it came to the aid of the Olive Jeanette. All 17 of the ships crew members, and two ship's cats, Dewey and Watson, perished when the ship sank.
Until now, the Doty was the largest wooden ship still unaccounted for. The ship was discovered in the Milwaukee-area shoreline and appears to be completely intact having been preserved by the cold fresh waters.
In 1991, a Milwaukee fisherman reported snagging his nets on an underwater obstruction about 300 feet down. His report was forgotten until diving technology improved to allow exploration at such a depth. In recent months, researchers conducted preliminary surface scouting, then used deep-sea technology to finally find the massive wreckage. Last week, divers were able to go into the waters. Immediately, they knew they had the Doty.
The Doty is sitting upright and completely intact--including the cargo of corn in the hold--in the clay at the bottom of Lake Michigan. The ship has been protected for the last 112 years because of the cold waters of Lake Michigan and its depth shielded it from storms. Brandon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association who worked on this find believes the bodies of the 17 crew members are likely intact as well, mostly likely in the boiler room where they believes they probably went as the ship sank.
Baillod believes the rudder chain must have snapped when the Doty was turning to assist the Olive Jeanette leaving the massive steamship at the mercy of the storm. He imagines the crew must have had at least an hour of knowing they were going to die in the icy Lake Michigan waters before the cargo holds collapsed.
There are no plans to raise the Doty. Doing so would probably be more harm than good. As it sits, the ship is protected by the cold Lake Michigan waters and its depth in them. Raised, the ship would be exposed to air that could cause it to rot away within a few years. Diver interference isn't something the Doty must worry over either. The depth of the ship guarantees that few divers will visit it because of the amount of experience one must have to make such a deep and dangerous dive.
For more information, to see an underwater photo of The Doty and to read about Brandon Baillod's next project, please visit the MSNBC.com Technology and Science Article.
Update: More spectacular underwater photographs of The Doty, courtesy of John Scoles, can be seen at this link. The photographs are amazing quality; very clear and you really get a great look at this amazing find.
By all accounts, the Doty should have been able to withstand the storm. The ship was a mere five years old and its massive hull was reinforced with steel arches. But, it had a weakness. It was towing a small schooner, the Olive Jeanette. The schooner began to founder in the storm and the tow line snapped. Experts believe the Doty sank when it came to the aid of the Olive Jeanette. All 17 of the ships crew members, and two ship's cats, Dewey and Watson, perished when the ship sank.
Until now, the Doty was the largest wooden ship still unaccounted for. The ship was discovered in the Milwaukee-area shoreline and appears to be completely intact having been preserved by the cold fresh waters.
In 1991, a Milwaukee fisherman reported snagging his nets on an underwater obstruction about 300 feet down. His report was forgotten until diving technology improved to allow exploration at such a depth. In recent months, researchers conducted preliminary surface scouting, then used deep-sea technology to finally find the massive wreckage. Last week, divers were able to go into the waters. Immediately, they knew they had the Doty.
The Doty is sitting upright and completely intact--including the cargo of corn in the hold--in the clay at the bottom of Lake Michigan. The ship has been protected for the last 112 years because of the cold waters of Lake Michigan and its depth shielded it from storms. Brandon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association who worked on this find believes the bodies of the 17 crew members are likely intact as well, mostly likely in the boiler room where they believes they probably went as the ship sank.
Baillod believes the rudder chain must have snapped when the Doty was turning to assist the Olive Jeanette leaving the massive steamship at the mercy of the storm. He imagines the crew must have had at least an hour of knowing they were going to die in the icy Lake Michigan waters before the cargo holds collapsed.
There are no plans to raise the Doty. Doing so would probably be more harm than good. As it sits, the ship is protected by the cold Lake Michigan waters and its depth in them. Raised, the ship would be exposed to air that could cause it to rot away within a few years. Diver interference isn't something the Doty must worry over either. The depth of the ship guarantees that few divers will visit it because of the amount of experience one must have to make such a deep and dangerous dive.
For more information, to see an underwater photo of The Doty and to read about Brandon Baillod's next project, please visit the MSNBC.com Technology and Science Article.
Update: More spectacular underwater photographs of The Doty, courtesy of John Scoles, can be seen at this link. The photographs are amazing quality; very clear and you really get a great look at this amazing find.
Lake Michigan Shipwreck Found After 112 Years
Over a century ago, in October 1898, the L.R. Doty, a 300-foot-long wooden steamship was carrying a cargo of corn from South Chicago, Illinois to Ontario, Canada. A fierce storm on Lake Michigan that produced heavy winds, snow, sleet and waves as high as 30 feet caused the steamship to sink.
By all accounts, the Doty should have been able to withstand the storm. The ship was a mere five years old and its massive hull was reinforced with steel arches. But, it had a weakness. It was towing a small schooner, the Olive Jeanette. The schooner began to founder in the storm and the tow line snapped. Experts believe the Doty sank when it came to the aid of the Olive Jeanette. All 17 of the ships crew members, and two ship's cats, Dewey and Watson, perished when the ship sank.
Until now, the Doty was the largest wooden ship still unaccounted for. The ship was discovered in the Milwaukee-area shoreline and appears to be completely intact having been preserved by the cold fresh waters.
In 1991, a Milwaukee fisherman reported snagging his nets on an underwater obstruction about 300 feet down. His report was forgotten until diving technology improved to allow exploration at such a depth. In recent months, researchers conducted preliminary surface scouting, then used deep-sea technology to finally find the massive wreckage. Last week, divers were able to go into the waters. Immediately, they knew they had the Doty.
The Doty is sitting upright and completely intact--including the cargo of corn in the hold--in the clay at the bottom of Lake Michigan. The ship has been protected for the last 112 years because of the cold waters of Lake Michigan and its depth shielded it from storms. Brandon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association who worked on this find believes the bodies of the 17 crew members are likely intact as well, mostly likely in the boiler room where they believes they probably went as the ship sank.
Baillod believes the rudder chain must have snapped when the Doty was turning to assist the Olive Jeanette leaving the massive steamship at the mercy of the storm. He imagines the crew must have had at least an hour of knowing they were going to die in the icy Lake Michigan waters before the cargo holds collapsed.
There are no plans to raise the Doty. Doing so would probably be more harm than good. As it sits, the ship is protected by the cold Lake Michigan waters and its depth in them. Raised, the ship would be exposed to air that could cause it to rot away within a few years. Diver interference isn't something the Doty must worry over either. The depth of the ship guarantees that few divers will visit it because of the amount of experience one must have to make such a deep and dangerous dive.
For more information, to see an underwater photo of The Doty and to read about Brandon Baillod's next project, please visit the MSNBC.com Technology and Science Article.
Update: More spectacular underwater photographs of The Doty, courtesy of John Scoles, can be seen at this link. The photographs are amazing quality; very clear and you really get a great look at this amazing find.
By all accounts, the Doty should have been able to withstand the storm. The ship was a mere five years old and its massive hull was reinforced with steel arches. But, it had a weakness. It was towing a small schooner, the Olive Jeanette. The schooner began to founder in the storm and the tow line snapped. Experts believe the Doty sank when it came to the aid of the Olive Jeanette. All 17 of the ships crew members, and two ship's cats, Dewey and Watson, perished when the ship sank.
Until now, the Doty was the largest wooden ship still unaccounted for. The ship was discovered in the Milwaukee-area shoreline and appears to be completely intact having been preserved by the cold fresh waters.
In 1991, a Milwaukee fisherman reported snagging his nets on an underwater obstruction about 300 feet down. His report was forgotten until diving technology improved to allow exploration at such a depth. In recent months, researchers conducted preliminary surface scouting, then used deep-sea technology to finally find the massive wreckage. Last week, divers were able to go into the waters. Immediately, they knew they had the Doty.
The Doty is sitting upright and completely intact--including the cargo of corn in the hold--in the clay at the bottom of Lake Michigan. The ship has been protected for the last 112 years because of the cold waters of Lake Michigan and its depth shielded it from storms. Brandon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association who worked on this find believes the bodies of the 17 crew members are likely intact as well, mostly likely in the boiler room where they believes they probably went as the ship sank.
Baillod believes the rudder chain must have snapped when the Doty was turning to assist the Olive Jeanette leaving the massive steamship at the mercy of the storm. He imagines the crew must have had at least an hour of knowing they were going to die in the icy Lake Michigan waters before the cargo holds collapsed.
There are no plans to raise the Doty. Doing so would probably be more harm than good. As it sits, the ship is protected by the cold Lake Michigan waters and its depth in them. Raised, the ship would be exposed to air that could cause it to rot away within a few years. Diver interference isn't something the Doty must worry over either. The depth of the ship guarantees that few divers will visit it because of the amount of experience one must have to make such a deep and dangerous dive.
For more information, to see an underwater photo of The Doty and to read about Brandon Baillod's next project, please visit the MSNBC.com Technology and Science Article.
Update: More spectacular underwater photographs of The Doty, courtesy of John Scoles, can be seen at this link. The photographs are amazing quality; very clear and you really get a great look at this amazing find.
CDN Television: Rookie Blue, Episode 1.1 "Fresh Paint"
Rookie Blue is a Canadian police drama airing on the American television network, ABC. The series, formerly known as Coppers, is set and filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and follows five rookie cops as they embark on their new jobs protecting and serving the citizens of Toronto.
Andy McNally (Missy Peregrym), Dov Epstein (Gregory Smith), Traci Nash (Enuka Okuma), Chris Diaz (Travis Milne) and Gail Peck (Charlotte Sullivan) report for their first day on the job and meet their seasoned partners. Peck and Epstein are assigned to the station rather than getting jobs on the street. Andy McNally is partnered with Oliver Shaw and the two are called to a disturbance at a neighborhood crack house that turns into a murder. On her first day, Andy makes a huge rookie mistake when she arrests an undercover narcotics officer and ends up ruining an eight-month operation. She later gets the chance to redeem herself in a big way when she arrests the shooter.
I'm not fond at all of Gail Peck. The character comes off as too cold and self-centered for my liking. I don't get the impression from her that being a policeman is what she really wanted out of life. She strikes me more as someone who would be better suited in a profession with no hard and dangerous work for low pay and more easy breezy up the ladder of success for big bucks because I'm beautiful. I'm hoping as the series progresses her character changes.
Andy McNally was really the stand out character in this first episode as the story was centered around her more than any other. Peregrym seemed quite comfortable with the character and, with the right material, I truly do think this will become her show. I had to smile when she was leaned against the police cruiser with a grin on her face obviously pleased at the two arrests she had made moments earlier unaware that she had arrested an undercover narcotics officer. She didn't have an easy first day and there were several times when it seemed she was on the verge of breaking into a crying jag but she pulled through pretty good. It appears she has two possible love interests: the undercover drug officer she arrested, Sam Swarek, and Homicide detective Luke Callaghan. I'm personally rooting for Sam because Luke is too much of your stereotypical pretty boy who always gets the girl while Sam is more of a rebel. And what gal doesn't like a rebel, right?
Traci Nash is also a likable character in my opinion. She has a good moment outing the problems of a drug addicted father who left his son in a closet in the same crack house where the murder took place earlier that day. Later, when we learn Nash is the mother of a young child, we see why she was able to relate to the addicts young son so well. Nash has a potentially interesting storyline unraveling. Along with her being a single mother, she is having an affair with a detective. Both of these could be used for some interesting stories as long as the writers don't choose to go down the road most often traveled with them.
Oliver Shaw is another great character. He adds subtle humor to the show and a good friendship could easily be built between him and McNally.
A lot of crime dramas today fall into the "stereotype trap". The cops are all gorgeous and every hair stays in place regardless of how much physical activity they have to go through during the course of their day. They always get the bad guy. There's always a curmudgeonly older cop who thinks the younger cops don't know anything while the younger cops think the older cops are getting too fat and old for the job and maybe a little senile to boot. When a policeman shoots a suspect you rarely get to see how it makes the policeman feel--really feel. (Actually, I think the best example of a TV cop feeling something over shooting a suspect was when Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale (Gregory Sierra) killed two bank robbers in the May 1, 1975 episode of Barney Miller, The Hero.) It's almost as if this is the "formula" of a crime drama that must be followed. I won't pretend that Rookie Blue doesn't have any of this in it because it does. But, I intend to continue with the show for a while yet in hopes that the writing strengthens to not follow the formula but to break out into a direction all its own.
I have to say I enjoyed watching Rookie Blue a lot more than I enjoyed Memphis Beat earlier in the week. Memphis Beat seems to be more focused on hawking the city of Memphis and Elvis and is laden with too many strained fake Tennessee accents than it is focusing on being a crime drama. Both shows have flaws but, right now, Rookie Blue has a lot less of them.
For More Information:
Official ABC Rookie Blue Web Site
Internet Movie Database
TV Rage
Andy McNally (Missy Peregrym), Dov Epstein (Gregory Smith), Traci Nash (Enuka Okuma), Chris Diaz (Travis Milne) and Gail Peck (Charlotte Sullivan) report for their first day on the job and meet their seasoned partners. Peck and Epstein are assigned to the station rather than getting jobs on the street. Andy McNally is partnered with Oliver Shaw and the two are called to a disturbance at a neighborhood crack house that turns into a murder. On her first day, Andy makes a huge rookie mistake when she arrests an undercover narcotics officer and ends up ruining an eight-month operation. She later gets the chance to redeem herself in a big way when she arrests the shooter.
I'm not fond at all of Gail Peck. The character comes off as too cold and self-centered for my liking. I don't get the impression from her that being a policeman is what she really wanted out of life. She strikes me more as someone who would be better suited in a profession with no hard and dangerous work for low pay and more easy breezy up the ladder of success for big bucks because I'm beautiful. I'm hoping as the series progresses her character changes.
Andy McNally was really the stand out character in this first episode as the story was centered around her more than any other. Peregrym seemed quite comfortable with the character and, with the right material, I truly do think this will become her show. I had to smile when she was leaned against the police cruiser with a grin on her face obviously pleased at the two arrests she had made moments earlier unaware that she had arrested an undercover narcotics officer. She didn't have an easy first day and there were several times when it seemed she was on the verge of breaking into a crying jag but she pulled through pretty good. It appears she has two possible love interests: the undercover drug officer she arrested, Sam Swarek, and Homicide detective Luke Callaghan. I'm personally rooting for Sam because Luke is too much of your stereotypical pretty boy who always gets the girl while Sam is more of a rebel. And what gal doesn't like a rebel, right?
Traci Nash is also a likable character in my opinion. She has a good moment outing the problems of a drug addicted father who left his son in a closet in the same crack house where the murder took place earlier that day. Later, when we learn Nash is the mother of a young child, we see why she was able to relate to the addicts young son so well. Nash has a potentially interesting storyline unraveling. Along with her being a single mother, she is having an affair with a detective. Both of these could be used for some interesting stories as long as the writers don't choose to go down the road most often traveled with them.
Oliver Shaw is another great character. He adds subtle humor to the show and a good friendship could easily be built between him and McNally.
A lot of crime dramas today fall into the "stereotype trap". The cops are all gorgeous and every hair stays in place regardless of how much physical activity they have to go through during the course of their day. They always get the bad guy. There's always a curmudgeonly older cop who thinks the younger cops don't know anything while the younger cops think the older cops are getting too fat and old for the job and maybe a little senile to boot. When a policeman shoots a suspect you rarely get to see how it makes the policeman feel--really feel. (Actually, I think the best example of a TV cop feeling something over shooting a suspect was when Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale (Gregory Sierra) killed two bank robbers in the May 1, 1975 episode of Barney Miller, The Hero.) It's almost as if this is the "formula" of a crime drama that must be followed. I won't pretend that Rookie Blue doesn't have any of this in it because it does. But, I intend to continue with the show for a while yet in hopes that the writing strengthens to not follow the formula but to break out into a direction all its own.
I have to say I enjoyed watching Rookie Blue a lot more than I enjoyed Memphis Beat earlier in the week. Memphis Beat seems to be more focused on hawking the city of Memphis and Elvis and is laden with too many strained fake Tennessee accents than it is focusing on being a crime drama. Both shows have flaws but, right now, Rookie Blue has a lot less of them.
For More Information:
Official ABC Rookie Blue Web Site
Internet Movie Database
TV Rage
CDN Television: Rookie Blue, Episode 1.1 "Fresh Paint"
Rookie Blue is a Canadian police drama airing on the American television network, ABC. The series, formerly known as Coppers, is set and filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and follows five rookie cops as they embark on their new jobs protecting and serving the citizens of Toronto.
Andy McNally (Missy Peregrym), Dov Epstein (Gregory Smith), Traci Nash (Enuka Okuma), Chris Diaz (Travis Milne) and Gail Peck (Charlotte Sullivan) report for their first day on the job and meet their seasoned partners. Peck and Epstein are assigned to the station rather than getting jobs on the street. Andy McNally is partnered with Oliver Shaw and the two are called to a disturbance at a neighborhood crack house that turns into a murder. On her first day, Andy makes a huge rookie mistake when she arrests an undercover narcotics officer and ends up ruining an eight-month operation. She later gets the chance to redeem herself in a big way when she arrests the shooter.
I'm not fond at all of Gail Peck. The character comes off as too cold and self-centered for my liking. I don't get the impression from her that being a policeman is what she really wanted out of life. She strikes me more as someone who would be better suited in a profession with no hard and dangerous work for low pay and more easy breezy up the ladder of success for big bucks because I'm beautiful. I'm hoping as the series progresses her character changes.
Andy McNally was really the stand out character in this first episode as the story was centered around her more than any other. Peregrym seemed quite comfortable with the character and, with the right material, I truly do think this will become her show. I had to smile when she was leaned against the police cruiser with a grin on her face obviously pleased at the two arrests she had made moments earlier unaware that she had arrested an undercover narcotics officer. She didn't have an easy first day and there were several times when it seemed she was on the verge of breaking into a crying jag but she pulled through pretty good. It appears she has two possible love interests: the undercover drug officer she arrested, Sam Swarek, and Homicide detective Luke Callaghan. I'm personally rooting for Sam because Luke is too much of your stereotypical pretty boy who always gets the girl while Sam is more of a rebel. And what gal doesn't like a rebel, right?
Traci Nash is also a likable character in my opinion. She has a good moment outing the problems of a drug addicted father who left his son in a closet in the same crack house where the murder took place earlier that day. Later, when we learn Nash is the mother of a young child, we see why she was able to relate to the addicts young son so well. Nash has a potentially interesting storyline unraveling. Along with her being a single mother, she is having an affair with a detective. Both of these could be used for some interesting stories as long as the writers don't choose to go down the road most often traveled with them.
Oliver Shaw is another great character. He adds subtle humor to the show and a good friendship could easily be built between him and McNally.
A lot of crime dramas today fall into the "stereotype trap". The cops are all gorgeous and every hair stays in place regardless of how much physical activity they have to go through during the course of their day. They always get the bad guy. There's always a curmudgeonly older cop who thinks the younger cops don't know anything while the younger cops think the older cops are getting too fat and old for the job and maybe a little senile to boot. When a policeman shoots a suspect you rarely get to see how it makes the policeman feel--really feel. (Actually, I think the best example of a TV cop feeling something over shooting a suspect was when Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale (Gregory Sierra) killed two bank robbers in the May 1, 1975 episode of Barney Miller, The Hero.) It's almost as if this is the "formula" of a crime drama that must be followed. I won't pretend that Rookie Blue doesn't have any of this in it because it does. But, I intend to continue with the show for a while yet in hopes that the writing strengthens to not follow the formula but to break out into a direction all its own.
I have to say I enjoyed watching Rookie Blue a lot more than I enjoyed Memphis Beat earlier in the week. Memphis Beat seems to be more focused on hawking the city of Memphis and Elvis and is laden with too many strained fake Tennessee accents than it is focusing on being a crime drama. Both shows have flaws but, right now, Rookie Blue has a lot less of them.
For More Information:
Official ABC Rookie Blue Web Site
Internet Movie Database
TV Rage
Andy McNally (Missy Peregrym), Dov Epstein (Gregory Smith), Traci Nash (Enuka Okuma), Chris Diaz (Travis Milne) and Gail Peck (Charlotte Sullivan) report for their first day on the job and meet their seasoned partners. Peck and Epstein are assigned to the station rather than getting jobs on the street. Andy McNally is partnered with Oliver Shaw and the two are called to a disturbance at a neighborhood crack house that turns into a murder. On her first day, Andy makes a huge rookie mistake when she arrests an undercover narcotics officer and ends up ruining an eight-month operation. She later gets the chance to redeem herself in a big way when she arrests the shooter.
I'm not fond at all of Gail Peck. The character comes off as too cold and self-centered for my liking. I don't get the impression from her that being a policeman is what she really wanted out of life. She strikes me more as someone who would be better suited in a profession with no hard and dangerous work for low pay and more easy breezy up the ladder of success for big bucks because I'm beautiful. I'm hoping as the series progresses her character changes.
Andy McNally was really the stand out character in this first episode as the story was centered around her more than any other. Peregrym seemed quite comfortable with the character and, with the right material, I truly do think this will become her show. I had to smile when she was leaned against the police cruiser with a grin on her face obviously pleased at the two arrests she had made moments earlier unaware that she had arrested an undercover narcotics officer. She didn't have an easy first day and there were several times when it seemed she was on the verge of breaking into a crying jag but she pulled through pretty good. It appears she has two possible love interests: the undercover drug officer she arrested, Sam Swarek, and Homicide detective Luke Callaghan. I'm personally rooting for Sam because Luke is too much of your stereotypical pretty boy who always gets the girl while Sam is more of a rebel. And what gal doesn't like a rebel, right?
Traci Nash is also a likable character in my opinion. She has a good moment outing the problems of a drug addicted father who left his son in a closet in the same crack house where the murder took place earlier that day. Later, when we learn Nash is the mother of a young child, we see why she was able to relate to the addicts young son so well. Nash has a potentially interesting storyline unraveling. Along with her being a single mother, she is having an affair with a detective. Both of these could be used for some interesting stories as long as the writers don't choose to go down the road most often traveled with them.
Oliver Shaw is another great character. He adds subtle humor to the show and a good friendship could easily be built between him and McNally.
A lot of crime dramas today fall into the "stereotype trap". The cops are all gorgeous and every hair stays in place regardless of how much physical activity they have to go through during the course of their day. They always get the bad guy. There's always a curmudgeonly older cop who thinks the younger cops don't know anything while the younger cops think the older cops are getting too fat and old for the job and maybe a little senile to boot. When a policeman shoots a suspect you rarely get to see how it makes the policeman feel--really feel. (Actually, I think the best example of a TV cop feeling something over shooting a suspect was when Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale (Gregory Sierra) killed two bank robbers in the May 1, 1975 episode of Barney Miller, The Hero.) It's almost as if this is the "formula" of a crime drama that must be followed. I won't pretend that Rookie Blue doesn't have any of this in it because it does. But, I intend to continue with the show for a while yet in hopes that the writing strengthens to not follow the formula but to break out into a direction all its own.
I have to say I enjoyed watching Rookie Blue a lot more than I enjoyed Memphis Beat earlier in the week. Memphis Beat seems to be more focused on hawking the city of Memphis and Elvis and is laden with too many strained fake Tennessee accents than it is focusing on being a crime drama. Both shows have flaws but, right now, Rookie Blue has a lot less of them.
For More Information:
Official ABC Rookie Blue Web Site
Internet Movie Database
TV Rage
Friday, June 25, 2010
Music: Jeffree Star "Beauty Killer"
This isn't a music blog but since I've got the whole potpourri thing going I figure it's alright to make a mention of a song every now and then.
I have an awesome friend who is constantly introducing me to new music that, in all honesty, I never would have known about otherwise. This is one of the new songs that I definitely wouldn't have ever heard.
Beauty Killer is a new song by Jeffree Star. This genre of music isn't usually my cup of tea but the chorus to this song is infectious. Once you hear it, it will get into your head and you'll find yourself humming it later. Since hearing it, I've had it running through my head and have caught myself singing "I'm a beauty killer" at odd times throughout the day. I can see this song being very popular in clubs and would be quite surprised if there won't eventually be numerous "DJ remixes" of it showing up around the Internet.
The video is scenes of Jeffree Star wearing pink, blue and blond hair and blue and purple contact lenses intermixed with Star showing off the ladies he has tattooed on his body including the late Princess Diana and Audrey Hepburn. As with Star's video for Get Away With Murder, the Beauty Killer video is creatively unique and striking and a video you will most definitely remember after seeing.
It's safe to say I really like Beauty Killer so, thank you, awesome friend. ;-)
Jeffree Star Official Facebook Page
Jeffree Star Official YouTube Channel
I have an awesome friend who is constantly introducing me to new music that, in all honesty, I never would have known about otherwise. This is one of the new songs that I definitely wouldn't have ever heard.
Beauty Killer is a new song by Jeffree Star. This genre of music isn't usually my cup of tea but the chorus to this song is infectious. Once you hear it, it will get into your head and you'll find yourself humming it later. Since hearing it, I've had it running through my head and have caught myself singing "I'm a beauty killer" at odd times throughout the day. I can see this song being very popular in clubs and would be quite surprised if there won't eventually be numerous "DJ remixes" of it showing up around the Internet.
The video is scenes of Jeffree Star wearing pink, blue and blond hair and blue and purple contact lenses intermixed with Star showing off the ladies he has tattooed on his body including the late Princess Diana and Audrey Hepburn. As with Star's video for Get Away With Murder, the Beauty Killer video is creatively unique and striking and a video you will most definitely remember after seeing.
It's safe to say I really like Beauty Killer so, thank you, awesome friend. ;-)
Jeffree Star Official Facebook Page
Jeffree Star Official YouTube Channel
Music: Jeffree Star "Beauty Killer"
This isn't a music blog but since I've got the whole potpourri thing going I figure it's alright to make a mention of a song every now and then.
I have an awesome friend who is constantly introducing me to new music that, in all honesty, I never would have known about otherwise. This is one of the new songs that I definitely wouldn't have ever heard.
Beauty Killer is a new song by Jeffree Star. This genre of music isn't usually my cup of tea but the chorus to this song is infectious. Once you hear it, it will get into your head and you'll find yourself humming it later. Since hearing it, I've had it running through my head and have caught myself singing "I'm a beauty killer" at odd times throughout the day. I can see this song being very popular in clubs and would be quite surprised if there won't eventually be numerous "DJ remixes" of it showing up around the Internet.
The video is scenes of Jeffree Star wearing pink, blue and blond hair and blue and purple contact lenses intermixed with Star showing off the ladies he has tattooed on his body including the late Princess Diana and Audrey Hepburn. As with Star's video for Get Away With Murder, the Beauty Killer video is creatively unique and striking and a video you will most definitely remember after seeing.
It's safe to say I really like Beauty Killer so, thank you, awesome friend. ;-)
Jeffree Star Official Facebook Page
Jeffree Star Official YouTube Channel
I have an awesome friend who is constantly introducing me to new music that, in all honesty, I never would have known about otherwise. This is one of the new songs that I definitely wouldn't have ever heard.
Beauty Killer is a new song by Jeffree Star. This genre of music isn't usually my cup of tea but the chorus to this song is infectious. Once you hear it, it will get into your head and you'll find yourself humming it later. Since hearing it, I've had it running through my head and have caught myself singing "I'm a beauty killer" at odd times throughout the day. I can see this song being very popular in clubs and would be quite surprised if there won't eventually be numerous "DJ remixes" of it showing up around the Internet.
The video is scenes of Jeffree Star wearing pink, blue and blond hair and blue and purple contact lenses intermixed with Star showing off the ladies he has tattooed on his body including the late Princess Diana and Audrey Hepburn. As with Star's video for Get Away With Murder, the Beauty Killer video is creatively unique and striking and a video you will most definitely remember after seeing.
It's safe to say I really like Beauty Killer so, thank you, awesome friend. ;-)
Jeffree Star Official Facebook Page
Jeffree Star Official YouTube Channel
Music: Jen Titus "Oh Death"
I don't often mention music here but there are some songs that just beg and plead to be mentioned. One of those songs is O Death as performed by Jen Titus.
For fans of the mega-fantastic series Supernatural on the CW network this song has become a favorite. Not only is the song amazingly appropriate for the series (and especially the episode and scene it appeared in) the song itself is phenomenal.
O Death is an old spiritual that was most recently heard in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou. Chris Donovan, the senior VP and creative executive at the CW network, thought the song would be perfect to use in the advertising campaign for the fifth season of Supernatural. However, he wanted something fresh, not the old recording of the song.
Enter Jennifer (Jen) Titus, an on-air promotions executive for the CW and someone known amongst her network colleagues for her singing ability. Titus did a quick demo of the song on her iPhone. Chris Donovan loved her version and, after making a few tweaks to the lyrics, he sent Jen Titus into the studio to record a polished version. CW staffers performed background vocals and Leonard Richardson, the CW's music executive mixed the track.
Thus, was born the hypnotic and hauntingly beautiful theme for the fifth season of Supernatural. The song appears in the promos for the fifth season as well as in the episode Two Minutes to Midnight. Jennifer Titus has a gorgeous voice that makes this song even more ethereal and captivating. Yes, the song is about death but it's impossible not to listen to this song and not be completely mesmerized by Titus' amazing voice and the striking presentation.
The song used to be available as a download on the CW's official web site, but, unfortunately, I cannot find it there any longer.
The song is in the background in the official Supernatural season 5 trailer presented by the CW Network on their myspace page:
Supernatural Trailer - O Death
CW Network - Supernatural | MySpace Music Videos
For fans of the mega-fantastic series Supernatural on the CW network this song has become a favorite. Not only is the song amazingly appropriate for the series (and especially the episode and scene it appeared in) the song itself is phenomenal.
O Death is an old spiritual that was most recently heard in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou. Chris Donovan, the senior VP and creative executive at the CW network, thought the song would be perfect to use in the advertising campaign for the fifth season of Supernatural. However, he wanted something fresh, not the old recording of the song.
Enter Jennifer (Jen) Titus, an on-air promotions executive for the CW and someone known amongst her network colleagues for her singing ability. Titus did a quick demo of the song on her iPhone. Chris Donovan loved her version and, after making a few tweaks to the lyrics, he sent Jen Titus into the studio to record a polished version. CW staffers performed background vocals and Leonard Richardson, the CW's music executive mixed the track.
Thus, was born the hypnotic and hauntingly beautiful theme for the fifth season of Supernatural. The song appears in the promos for the fifth season as well as in the episode Two Minutes to Midnight. Jennifer Titus has a gorgeous voice that makes this song even more ethereal and captivating. Yes, the song is about death but it's impossible not to listen to this song and not be completely mesmerized by Titus' amazing voice and the striking presentation.
The song used to be available as a download on the CW's official web site, but, unfortunately, I cannot find it there any longer.
Oh, Death...Oh Death...Oh Death...
Won't you spare me over another year
But what is this, that I can't see
with ice cold hands takin' hold of me
When God is gone and the Devil takes hold
who will have mercy on your soul
Oh, Death...Oh Death...Oh Death...
No wealth, no ruin, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul
Oh, Death,
Well, I am Death, none can excel,
I'll open the door to heaven or hell.
Oh, Death...Oh Death,
My name is Death and the end ïs here...
Won't you spare me over another year
But what is this, that I can't see
with ice cold hands takin' hold of me
When God is gone and the Devil takes hold
who will have mercy on your soul
Oh, Death...Oh Death...Oh Death...
No wealth, no ruin, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul
Oh, Death,
Well, I am Death, none can excel,
I'll open the door to heaven or hell.
Oh, Death...Oh Death,
My name is Death and the end ïs here...
The song is in the background in the official Supernatural season 5 trailer presented by the CW Network on their myspace page:
Supernatural Trailer - O Death
CW Network - Supernatural | MySpace Music Videos
Music: Jen Titus "Oh Death"
I don't often mention music here but there are some songs that just beg and plead to be mentioned. One of those songs is O Death as performed by Jen Titus.
For fans of the mega-fantastic series Supernatural on the CW network this song has become a favorite. Not only is the song amazingly appropriate for the series (and especially the episode and scene it appeared in) the song itself is phenomenal.
O Death is an old spiritual that was most recently heard in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou. Chris Donovan, the senior VP and creative executive at the CW network, thought the song would be perfect to use in the advertising campaign for the fifth season of Supernatural. However, he wanted something fresh, not the old recording of the song.
Enter Jennifer (Jen) Titus, an on-air promotions executive for the CW and someone known amongst her network colleagues for her singing ability. Titus did a quick demo of the song on her iPhone. Chris Donovan loved her version and, after making a few tweaks to the lyrics, he sent Jen Titus into the studio to record a polished version. CW staffers performed background vocals and Leonard Richardson, the CW's music executive mixed the track.
Thus, was born the hypnotic and hauntingly beautiful theme for the fifth season of Supernatural. The song appears in the promos for the fifth season as well as in the episode Two Minutes to Midnight. Jennifer Titus has a gorgeous voice that makes this song even more ethereal and captivating. Yes, the song is about death but it's impossible not to listen to this song and not be completely mesmerized by Titus' amazing voice and the striking presentation.
The song used to be available as a download on the CW's official web site, but, unfortunately, I cannot find it there any longer.
The song is in the background in the official Supernatural season 5 trailer presented by the CW Network on their myspace page:
Supernatural Trailer - O Death
CW Network - Supernatural | MySpace Music Videos
For fans of the mega-fantastic series Supernatural on the CW network this song has become a favorite. Not only is the song amazingly appropriate for the series (and especially the episode and scene it appeared in) the song itself is phenomenal.
O Death is an old spiritual that was most recently heard in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou. Chris Donovan, the senior VP and creative executive at the CW network, thought the song would be perfect to use in the advertising campaign for the fifth season of Supernatural. However, he wanted something fresh, not the old recording of the song.
Enter Jennifer (Jen) Titus, an on-air promotions executive for the CW and someone known amongst her network colleagues for her singing ability. Titus did a quick demo of the song on her iPhone. Chris Donovan loved her version and, after making a few tweaks to the lyrics, he sent Jen Titus into the studio to record a polished version. CW staffers performed background vocals and Leonard Richardson, the CW's music executive mixed the track.
Thus, was born the hypnotic and hauntingly beautiful theme for the fifth season of Supernatural. The song appears in the promos for the fifth season as well as in the episode Two Minutes to Midnight. Jennifer Titus has a gorgeous voice that makes this song even more ethereal and captivating. Yes, the song is about death but it's impossible not to listen to this song and not be completely mesmerized by Titus' amazing voice and the striking presentation.
The song used to be available as a download on the CW's official web site, but, unfortunately, I cannot find it there any longer.
Oh, Death...Oh Death...Oh Death...
Won't you spare me over another year
But what is this, that I can't see
with ice cold hands takin' hold of me
When God is gone and the Devil takes hold
who will have mercy on your soul
Oh, Death...Oh Death...Oh Death...
No wealth, no ruin, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul
Oh, Death,
Well, I am Death, none can excel,
I'll open the door to heaven or hell.
Oh, Death...Oh Death,
My name is Death and the end ïs here...
Won't you spare me over another year
But what is this, that I can't see
with ice cold hands takin' hold of me
When God is gone and the Devil takes hold
who will have mercy on your soul
Oh, Death...Oh Death...Oh Death...
No wealth, no ruin, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul
Oh, Death,
Well, I am Death, none can excel,
I'll open the door to heaven or hell.
Oh, Death...Oh Death,
My name is Death and the end ïs here...
The song is in the background in the official Supernatural season 5 trailer presented by the CW Network on their myspace page:
Supernatural Trailer - O Death
CW Network - Supernatural | MySpace Music Videos
President Barack Obama's Vision for NASA: Is it the Doom of US Space Exploration or a Misunderstanding?
There has been a great deal of talk about the plans the Obama administration has for NASA since those plans were announced earlier in the year. Some feel that the current administration has all but taken the United States out of the business of space exploration. Just what is the truth about the future of NASA? Has President Obama sealed its fate or is it just one big misunderstanding?
Leaders at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have recently put together an FAQ about the direction the organization is now headed under the current administration. They've answered some questions by offering further information to clear up some of the misconceptions about the future of the space program. NASA would like for the public to focus more on the new directions of the organization, such as their plans to send astronauts to an asteroid by 2025 than on the furor surrounding the Obama administrations plans for NASA.
Is the Space Program Dead in the Water?
According to Leroy Chiao, a former NASA astronaut and member of the Augustine committee, the new administration didn't come in and kill the space program despite what is commonly being said. Chiao feels that NASA is getting a slight bump from the Obama administration instead. In 2010 the annual budget for the space administration was $18.3 billion. The new plan has set aside $19 billion for 2011. While that isn't a large increase, it isn't a cut, either.
President Obama has also asked for an additional $6 billion over the course of five years to support a new initiative for private companies to develop commercial spacecraft to carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station. It is thought this initiative carries some of the blame for the misunderstanding that the Obama administration wants to pull the plug on US space travel. Bad timing might also play a part in that seeing as how a current NASA headline is the retirement of the NASA shuttle fleet.
In February 2011, after nearly 30 years in service, the NASA shuttle fleet will be officially retired leaving the US without a means of space travel. The new plan calls for NASA to work on the design of a heavy-lift rock to carry astronauts to an asteroid and Mars leaving the travel of humans to the International Space Station to Russians and the private sector.
According to Bill Nye, future director of the Planetary Society, this doesn't mean US space exploration will cease, it only means we will be directing our attentions elsewhere. Despite this, there has been a strong protest from the public, lawmakers and space leaders, the most recent protest from former astronaut and senator John Glenn.
The United States Must Rely on Russia to Hitch Rides Into Space?
Yes, it is true that once the NASA shuttle fleet is officially retired, the United States will be left without transportation to and from the International Space Station. According to Chiao, this isn't a new development. As far back as 2004 when the Constellation moon program was announced it was known then that the US would be left without space vehicles after the retirement of the shuttle fleet.
According to the Augustine committee, a committee established by the Obama administration, the gap of time the US will be without space vehicles is a possible three years as opposed to at least seven years under the Constellation program.
Was the Obama Policy Constructed Behind Closed Doors By a Group With a Hidden Agenda?
In May of this year, American and space legend Neil Armstrong made the following statement to a Senate subcommittee reviewing NASA's new space plan of an astronaut visit to an asteroid: "A plan that was invisible to so many was likely contrived by a very small group in secret."
But not all share Armstrong's views.
James Oberg, a former shuttle mission control engineer feels it is a great misconception that the whole idea of the asteroid project was dreamt up behind closed doors with no space community input. He says the plan went through years of analysis, modification and critiques by a worldwide team.
The Problems with the Obama Plan, Are They in Presentation Only?
Oberg believes that some of the misunderstandings surrounding the Obama administrations plans for NASA stems from clumsy presentation. On February 6, 2010, NASA Chief Charlie Bolden admitted he made mistakes in presenting the plan. "Was it screwed up? Yes, it was," Bolden said in regard to the presentation of the plan.
Oberg also feels that the current political environment and trust issues with the current administration is partly to blame for the misunderstandings of the space plan.
For more information:
FAQ: NASA's New Direction
Space.com's "The Fact Sheet: Obama's Space Plan Revealed"
Leaders at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have recently put together an FAQ about the direction the organization is now headed under the current administration. They've answered some questions by offering further information to clear up some of the misconceptions about the future of the space program. NASA would like for the public to focus more on the new directions of the organization, such as their plans to send astronauts to an asteroid by 2025 than on the furor surrounding the Obama administrations plans for NASA.
Is the Space Program Dead in the Water?
According to Leroy Chiao, a former NASA astronaut and member of the Augustine committee, the new administration didn't come in and kill the space program despite what is commonly being said. Chiao feels that NASA is getting a slight bump from the Obama administration instead. In 2010 the annual budget for the space administration was $18.3 billion. The new plan has set aside $19 billion for 2011. While that isn't a large increase, it isn't a cut, either.
President Obama has also asked for an additional $6 billion over the course of five years to support a new initiative for private companies to develop commercial spacecraft to carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station. It is thought this initiative carries some of the blame for the misunderstanding that the Obama administration wants to pull the plug on US space travel. Bad timing might also play a part in that seeing as how a current NASA headline is the retirement of the NASA shuttle fleet.
In February 2011, after nearly 30 years in service, the NASA shuttle fleet will be officially retired leaving the US without a means of space travel. The new plan calls for NASA to work on the design of a heavy-lift rock to carry astronauts to an asteroid and Mars leaving the travel of humans to the International Space Station to Russians and the private sector.
According to Bill Nye, future director of the Planetary Society, this doesn't mean US space exploration will cease, it only means we will be directing our attentions elsewhere. Despite this, there has been a strong protest from the public, lawmakers and space leaders, the most recent protest from former astronaut and senator John Glenn.
The United States Must Rely on Russia to Hitch Rides Into Space?
Yes, it is true that once the NASA shuttle fleet is officially retired, the United States will be left without transportation to and from the International Space Station. According to Chiao, this isn't a new development. As far back as 2004 when the Constellation moon program was announced it was known then that the US would be left without space vehicles after the retirement of the shuttle fleet.
According to the Augustine committee, a committee established by the Obama administration, the gap of time the US will be without space vehicles is a possible three years as opposed to at least seven years under the Constellation program.
Was the Obama Policy Constructed Behind Closed Doors By a Group With a Hidden Agenda?
In May of this year, American and space legend Neil Armstrong made the following statement to a Senate subcommittee reviewing NASA's new space plan of an astronaut visit to an asteroid: "A plan that was invisible to so many was likely contrived by a very small group in secret."
But not all share Armstrong's views.
James Oberg, a former shuttle mission control engineer feels it is a great misconception that the whole idea of the asteroid project was dreamt up behind closed doors with no space community input. He says the plan went through years of analysis, modification and critiques by a worldwide team.
The Problems with the Obama Plan, Are They in Presentation Only?
Oberg believes that some of the misunderstandings surrounding the Obama administrations plans for NASA stems from clumsy presentation. On February 6, 2010, NASA Chief Charlie Bolden admitted he made mistakes in presenting the plan. "Was it screwed up? Yes, it was," Bolden said in regard to the presentation of the plan.
Oberg also feels that the current political environment and trust issues with the current administration is partly to blame for the misunderstandings of the space plan.
For more information:
FAQ: NASA's New Direction
Space.com's "The Fact Sheet: Obama's Space Plan Revealed"
President Barack Obama's Vision for NASA: Is it the Doom of US Space Exploration or a Misunderstanding?
There has been a great deal of talk about the plans the Obama administration has for NASA since those plans were announced earlier in the year. Some feel that the current administration has all but taken the United States out of the business of space exploration. Just what is the truth about the future of NASA? Has President Obama sealed its fate or is it just one big misunderstanding?
Leaders at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have recently put together an FAQ about the direction the organization is now headed under the current administration. They've answered some questions by offering further information to clear up some of the misconceptions about the future of the space program. NASA would like for the public to focus more on the new directions of the organization, such as their plans to send astronauts to an asteroid by 2025 than on the furor surrounding the Obama administrations plans for NASA.
Is the Space Program Dead in the Water?
According to Leroy Chiao, a former NASA astronaut and member of the Augustine committee, the new administration didn't come in and kill the space program despite what is commonly being said. Chiao feels that NASA is getting a slight bump from the Obama administration instead. In 2010 the annual budget for the space administration was $18.3 billion. The new plan has set aside $19 billion for 2011. While that isn't a large increase, it isn't a cut, either.
President Obama has also asked for an additional $6 billion over the course of five years to support a new initiative for private companies to develop commercial spacecraft to carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station. It is thought this initiative carries some of the blame for the misunderstanding that the Obama administration wants to pull the plug on US space travel. Bad timing might also play a part in that seeing as how a current NASA headline is the retirement of the NASA shuttle fleet.
In February 2011, after nearly 30 years in service, the NASA shuttle fleet will be officially retired leaving the US without a means of space travel. The new plan calls for NASA to work on the design of a heavy-lift rock to carry astronauts to an asteroid and Mars leaving the travel of humans to the International Space Station to Russians and the private sector.
According to Bill Nye, future director of the Planetary Society, this doesn't mean US space exploration will cease, it only means we will be directing our attentions elsewhere. Despite this, there has been a strong protest from the public, lawmakers and space leaders, the most recent protest from former astronaut and senator John Glenn.
The United States Must Rely on Russia to Hitch Rides Into Space?
Yes, it is true that once the NASA shuttle fleet is officially retired, the United States will be left without transportation to and from the International Space Station. According to Chiao, this isn't a new development. As far back as 2004 when the Constellation moon program was announced it was known then that the US would be left without space vehicles after the retirement of the shuttle fleet.
According to the Augustine committee, a committee established by the Obama administration, the gap of time the US will be without space vehicles is a possible three years as opposed to at least seven years under the Constellation program.
Was the Obama Policy Constructed Behind Closed Doors By a Group With a Hidden Agenda?
In May of this year, American and space legend Neil Armstrong made the following statement to a Senate subcommittee reviewing NASA's new space plan of an astronaut visit to an asteroid: "A plan that was invisible to so many was likely contrived by a very small group in secret."
But not all share Armstrong's views.
James Oberg, a former shuttle mission control engineer feels it is a great misconception that the whole idea of the asteroid project was dreamt up behind closed doors with no space community input. He says the plan went through years of analysis, modification and critiques by a worldwide team.
The Problems with the Obama Plan, Are They in Presentation Only?
Oberg believes that some of the misunderstandings surrounding the Obama administrations plans for NASA stems from clumsy presentation. On February 6, 2010, NASA Chief Charlie Bolden admitted he made mistakes in presenting the plan. "Was it screwed up? Yes, it was," Bolden said in regard to the presentation of the plan.
Oberg also feels that the current political environment and trust issues with the current administration is partly to blame for the misunderstandings of the space plan.
For more information:
FAQ: NASA's New Direction
Space.com's "The Fact Sheet: Obama's Space Plan Revealed"
Leaders at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have recently put together an FAQ about the direction the organization is now headed under the current administration. They've answered some questions by offering further information to clear up some of the misconceptions about the future of the space program. NASA would like for the public to focus more on the new directions of the organization, such as their plans to send astronauts to an asteroid by 2025 than on the furor surrounding the Obama administrations plans for NASA.
Is the Space Program Dead in the Water?
According to Leroy Chiao, a former NASA astronaut and member of the Augustine committee, the new administration didn't come in and kill the space program despite what is commonly being said. Chiao feels that NASA is getting a slight bump from the Obama administration instead. In 2010 the annual budget for the space administration was $18.3 billion. The new plan has set aside $19 billion for 2011. While that isn't a large increase, it isn't a cut, either.
President Obama has also asked for an additional $6 billion over the course of five years to support a new initiative for private companies to develop commercial spacecraft to carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station. It is thought this initiative carries some of the blame for the misunderstanding that the Obama administration wants to pull the plug on US space travel. Bad timing might also play a part in that seeing as how a current NASA headline is the retirement of the NASA shuttle fleet.
In February 2011, after nearly 30 years in service, the NASA shuttle fleet will be officially retired leaving the US without a means of space travel. The new plan calls for NASA to work on the design of a heavy-lift rock to carry astronauts to an asteroid and Mars leaving the travel of humans to the International Space Station to Russians and the private sector.
According to Bill Nye, future director of the Planetary Society, this doesn't mean US space exploration will cease, it only means we will be directing our attentions elsewhere. Despite this, there has been a strong protest from the public, lawmakers and space leaders, the most recent protest from former astronaut and senator John Glenn.
The United States Must Rely on Russia to Hitch Rides Into Space?
Yes, it is true that once the NASA shuttle fleet is officially retired, the United States will be left without transportation to and from the International Space Station. According to Chiao, this isn't a new development. As far back as 2004 when the Constellation moon program was announced it was known then that the US would be left without space vehicles after the retirement of the shuttle fleet.
According to the Augustine committee, a committee established by the Obama administration, the gap of time the US will be without space vehicles is a possible three years as opposed to at least seven years under the Constellation program.
Was the Obama Policy Constructed Behind Closed Doors By a Group With a Hidden Agenda?
In May of this year, American and space legend Neil Armstrong made the following statement to a Senate subcommittee reviewing NASA's new space plan of an astronaut visit to an asteroid: "A plan that was invisible to so many was likely contrived by a very small group in secret."
But not all share Armstrong's views.
James Oberg, a former shuttle mission control engineer feels it is a great misconception that the whole idea of the asteroid project was dreamt up behind closed doors with no space community input. He says the plan went through years of analysis, modification and critiques by a worldwide team.
The Problems with the Obama Plan, Are They in Presentation Only?
Oberg believes that some of the misunderstandings surrounding the Obama administrations plans for NASA stems from clumsy presentation. On February 6, 2010, NASA Chief Charlie Bolden admitted he made mistakes in presenting the plan. "Was it screwed up? Yes, it was," Bolden said in regard to the presentation of the plan.
Oberg also feels that the current political environment and trust issues with the current administration is partly to blame for the misunderstandings of the space plan.
For more information:
FAQ: NASA's New Direction
Space.com's "The Fact Sheet: Obama's Space Plan Revealed"
Man Enters Into Wedded Bliss--With a Pillow??
A 28 year old Korean man has finally found Miss Right. The only thing is, Miss right just so happens to be a pillow.
Lee Jin-gyu has apparently fallen head over heels in love with his "dakimakura", a large, Japanese huggable pillow with the picture of his favorite anime character, Fate Testarossa printed on it. Fate Testarossa is a character from the Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.
The wedding was a special ceremony complete with a local priest and wedding dress for the "bride".
From all accounts, Lee Jin-gyu takes his pillow everywhere just as he would a real woman. They go to the funfair together and even out to eat where the pillow gets its own seat and meal.
I know cultures all have their own customs and things can sometimes seem strange from one culture to another, but a pillow?? Really??
For more information and to see a photo of the lovely couple, click here.
Lee Jin-gyu has apparently fallen head over heels in love with his "dakimakura", a large, Japanese huggable pillow with the picture of his favorite anime character, Fate Testarossa printed on it. Fate Testarossa is a character from the Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.
The wedding was a special ceremony complete with a local priest and wedding dress for the "bride".
From all accounts, Lee Jin-gyu takes his pillow everywhere just as he would a real woman. They go to the funfair together and even out to eat where the pillow gets its own seat and meal.
I know cultures all have their own customs and things can sometimes seem strange from one culture to another, but a pillow?? Really??
For more information and to see a photo of the lovely couple, click here.
Man Enters Into Wedded Bliss--With a Pillow??
A 28 year old Korean man has finally found Miss Right. The only thing is, Miss right just so happens to be a pillow.
Lee Jin-gyu has apparently fallen head over heels in love with his "dakimakura", a large, Japanese huggable pillow with the picture of his favorite anime character, Fate Testarossa printed on it. Fate Testarossa is a character from the Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.
The wedding was a special ceremony complete with a local priest and wedding dress for the "bride".
From all accounts, Lee Jin-gyu takes his pillow everywhere just as he would a real woman. They go to the funfair together and even out to eat where the pillow gets its own seat and meal.
I know cultures all have their own customs and things can sometimes seem strange from one culture to another, but a pillow?? Really??
For more information and to see a photo of the lovely couple, click here.
Lee Jin-gyu has apparently fallen head over heels in love with his "dakimakura", a large, Japanese huggable pillow with the picture of his favorite anime character, Fate Testarossa printed on it. Fate Testarossa is a character from the Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.
The wedding was a special ceremony complete with a local priest and wedding dress for the "bride".
From all accounts, Lee Jin-gyu takes his pillow everywhere just as he would a real woman. They go to the funfair together and even out to eat where the pillow gets its own seat and meal.
I know cultures all have their own customs and things can sometimes seem strange from one culture to another, but a pillow?? Really??
For more information and to see a photo of the lovely couple, click here.
Tiny Turtle Thrown in the Trash Reunited with Family
Tuesday, ten-year-old Carley Helm and her two sisters, Rebecca and Annie were on their way home to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from a visit with their father in Atlanta, Georgia. On a side trip to South Carolina, Carley saw a coin-sized turtle in a souvenir shop. Her father bought the turtle for her and she named it Neytiri.
When the girls were ready to go home to Milwaukee, Carley thought it would be fine if she took the tiny turtle on the plane with her. AirTran officials didn't seem to mind either, at first. As the plane was taxiing, it was called back and the turtle removed from the plane because of a no-reptiles rule AirTran, like most other airlines, have in place.
Rebecca Helm insists AirTran staff told her to throw the tiny turtle away--something they deny. Rebecca called their father and he was on his way to the airport to get Neytiri the Turtle. According to Rebecca, airline staff refused to contact her father to make transfer arrangements so she set Neytiri, tank and all down in a trash bin. She hoped that if the turtle was left there, her father could retrieve the tiny turtle.
However, when William Helm arrived at the airport, he nor airline employees couldn't find the reptile. Another AirTran employee had fished the turtle out of the trash, handed it off to a co-worker who had taken it home as a pet for their son.
Neytiri was retrieved and the little boy who thought he had a Yellow-Eared Slider was given two replacement turtles for his loss. AirTran sent the coin-sized Neytiri to Milwaukee free of charge--in the cargo hold.
I'm so very happy that Neytiri is safely back with her family. What I'd like to know? If the airline had no problem sending the turtle to Milwaukee in the cargo hold of the plane the second time around, why all the hubbub originally? It sure would have spared Carley and her little turtle a lot of misery.
For further details about this story with a very happy ending and to see pictures of the too cute for words Neytiri the Turtle, refer to this article.
When the girls were ready to go home to Milwaukee, Carley thought it would be fine if she took the tiny turtle on the plane with her. AirTran officials didn't seem to mind either, at first. As the plane was taxiing, it was called back and the turtle removed from the plane because of a no-reptiles rule AirTran, like most other airlines, have in place.
Rebecca Helm insists AirTran staff told her to throw the tiny turtle away--something they deny. Rebecca called their father and he was on his way to the airport to get Neytiri the Turtle. According to Rebecca, airline staff refused to contact her father to make transfer arrangements so she set Neytiri, tank and all down in a trash bin. She hoped that if the turtle was left there, her father could retrieve the tiny turtle.
However, when William Helm arrived at the airport, he nor airline employees couldn't find the reptile. Another AirTran employee had fished the turtle out of the trash, handed it off to a co-worker who had taken it home as a pet for their son.
Neytiri was retrieved and the little boy who thought he had a Yellow-Eared Slider was given two replacement turtles for his loss. AirTran sent the coin-sized Neytiri to Milwaukee free of charge--in the cargo hold.
I'm so very happy that Neytiri is safely back with her family. What I'd like to know? If the airline had no problem sending the turtle to Milwaukee in the cargo hold of the plane the second time around, why all the hubbub originally? It sure would have spared Carley and her little turtle a lot of misery.
For further details about this story with a very happy ending and to see pictures of the too cute for words Neytiri the Turtle, refer to this article.
Tiny Turtle Thrown in the Trash Reunited with Family
Tuesday, ten-year-old Carley Helm and her two sisters, Rebecca and Annie were on their way home to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from a visit with their father in Atlanta, Georgia. On a side trip to South Carolina, Carley saw a coin-sized turtle in a souvenir shop. Her father bought the turtle for her and she named it Neytiri.
When the girls were ready to go home to Milwaukee, Carley thought it would be fine if she took the tiny turtle on the plane with her. AirTran officials didn't seem to mind either, at first. As the plane was taxiing, it was called back and the turtle removed from the plane because of a no-reptiles rule AirTran, like most other airlines, have in place.
Rebecca Helm insists AirTran staff told her to throw the tiny turtle away--something they deny. Rebecca called their father and he was on his way to the airport to get Neytiri the Turtle. According to Rebecca, airline staff refused to contact her father to make transfer arrangements so she set Neytiri, tank and all down in a trash bin. She hoped that if the turtle was left there, her father could retrieve the tiny turtle.
However, when William Helm arrived at the airport, he nor airline employees couldn't find the reptile. Another AirTran employee had fished the turtle out of the trash, handed it off to a co-worker who had taken it home as a pet for their son.
Neytiri was retrieved and the little boy who thought he had a Yellow-Eared Slider was given two replacement turtles for his loss. AirTran sent the coin-sized Neytiri to Milwaukee free of charge--in the cargo hold.
I'm so very happy that Neytiri is safely back with her family. What I'd like to know? If the airline had no problem sending the turtle to Milwaukee in the cargo hold of the plane the second time around, why all the hubbub originally? It sure would have spared Carley and her little turtle a lot of misery.
For further details about this story with a very happy ending and to see pictures of the too cute for words Neytiri the Turtle, refer to this article.
When the girls were ready to go home to Milwaukee, Carley thought it would be fine if she took the tiny turtle on the plane with her. AirTran officials didn't seem to mind either, at first. As the plane was taxiing, it was called back and the turtle removed from the plane because of a no-reptiles rule AirTran, like most other airlines, have in place.
Rebecca Helm insists AirTran staff told her to throw the tiny turtle away--something they deny. Rebecca called their father and he was on his way to the airport to get Neytiri the Turtle. According to Rebecca, airline staff refused to contact her father to make transfer arrangements so she set Neytiri, tank and all down in a trash bin. She hoped that if the turtle was left there, her father could retrieve the tiny turtle.
However, when William Helm arrived at the airport, he nor airline employees couldn't find the reptile. Another AirTran employee had fished the turtle out of the trash, handed it off to a co-worker who had taken it home as a pet for their son.
Neytiri was retrieved and the little boy who thought he had a Yellow-Eared Slider was given two replacement turtles for his loss. AirTran sent the coin-sized Neytiri to Milwaukee free of charge--in the cargo hold.
I'm so very happy that Neytiri is safely back with her family. What I'd like to know? If the airline had no problem sending the turtle to Milwaukee in the cargo hold of the plane the second time around, why all the hubbub originally? It sure would have spared Carley and her little turtle a lot of misery.
For further details about this story with a very happy ending and to see pictures of the too cute for words Neytiri the Turtle, refer to this article.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Movies & Film: Top 7 Animatronic Movie Beasts
Throughout movie history certain films have required a bit more than what the average actor could give. When that occurred, it was time to call in the guys and gals who specialized in building complex, and sometimes, malfunctioning animatronic animals and beasts. After all, dinosaurs no longer roam the earth, no actor in their right mind would want to do scenes with a 3 ton Great White shark and, while gorillas can get pretty big, none have reached 40 feet in height.
The top seven animatronic movie beasts have been compiled by Charles Q. Choi in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the classic film Jaws which opened in theaters on June 20, 1975.
I think Charles Choi did a pretty good job on his list.
1. Jaws
Certainly, there isn't a single person who enjoys films of any kind that hasn't seen Jaws at least once. Some of us, have seen it dozens and dozens of times. I'll admit that Jaws is one of my favorite movies of all time. The cast is brilliant. Where else can you find three such dynamic actors and characters as Roy Scheider (Chief Brody), Robert Shaw (Quint) and Richard Dreyfuss (Hooper) in one place? Add a 3,000 pound animatronic shark named "Bruce" to the mix and you've got a perfect movie. Bruce, affectionately named for Spielberg's lawyer, was well-known for his tendency to malfunction and present the cast and crew with a host of issues to work around. Thanks to Bruce's cantankerous behavior, Spielberg filmed a great deal of the movie from the shark's point of view, thus adding a brilliant element of suspense to his 'big fish story'. Even if it wasn't the 35th anniversary of the picture, no list of movie beasties could be complete with out Bruce. Jaws is a classic and when it's celebrating its 100th anniversary, it will still be just as suspenseful and psychologically terrifying as it was on June 20, 1975.
2. Jurassic Park
Another Steven Spielberg film makes the list. Between the aliens, gremlins, giant killer sharks and dinosaurs Spielberg is a guy that likes to make movies with creepy creatures. He's my kind of guy! Paleontologist Jack Horner supervised the production of the aniamatronic dinosaurs created for Jurassic Park by the Stan Winston Studios. The complex robotic creatures could be controlled remotely by puppeteers using "Waldos" to capture performances for the machines to mimic thus bringing the long-extinct dinosaurs to life on film.
3. Aliens
Legendary horror master H.R. Giger designed the alien from the first movie in the blockbuster series but Giger's creation wasn't animatronic, it was an actor in a suit. In the sequel, the animatronics took over. It was powered by cables and hydraulics with two puppeteers inside the device operating its arms with 16 others moving the rest of the creature.
4. The Terminator
James Cameron's original drawings for this film intended the Terminator to be stop motion animation. Jim Henson's puppet-based technology helped bring this baddie to life on screen.
5. Gremlins
They were tiny, they liked to cause trouble, they were cute and they came in all sorts of colors. They were the Gremlins. Chris Walas, also famous for the melting Nazi soldiers in Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark, designed and brought the little creatures to life for this film. The animatronics used here was complex. The lead Gremlin, Stripe, required 64 controls to make him work.
6. King Kong
In 1976, the classic horror film from 1933 King Kong was remade. In this version, the giant ape stood 40 feet tall and weighed almost 13,000 pounds. Three-thousand, one-hundred feet of hydraulic hose and 4,500 feet of electrical wiring went into building the monster. Twenty technicians were required to operate it. However, despite all of this, the Carlo Rambaldi created beast often malfunctioned and appeared only in a few glimpses in the final cut of the film.
7. E.T.
Carlo Rambaldi created the lovable little alien from Steven Spielberg's much-loved film E.T.: The Extra Terresterrial. E.T. had an aluminum and steel skeleton with fiberglass, polyurethane and foam rubber for an exterior and was capable of 150 motions. To add authenticity, Steven Spielberg enlisted a craftsman who made glass eyes for the blind to create the human-like eyes.
You can read more about Charles Choi's list here, including photos and more details about the creatures and how they work.
The top seven animatronic movie beasts have been compiled by Charles Q. Choi in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the classic film Jaws which opened in theaters on June 20, 1975.
I think Charles Choi did a pretty good job on his list.
1. Jaws
Certainly, there isn't a single person who enjoys films of any kind that hasn't seen Jaws at least once. Some of us, have seen it dozens and dozens of times. I'll admit that Jaws is one of my favorite movies of all time. The cast is brilliant. Where else can you find three such dynamic actors and characters as Roy Scheider (Chief Brody), Robert Shaw (Quint) and Richard Dreyfuss (Hooper) in one place? Add a 3,000 pound animatronic shark named "Bruce" to the mix and you've got a perfect movie. Bruce, affectionately named for Spielberg's lawyer, was well-known for his tendency to malfunction and present the cast and crew with a host of issues to work around. Thanks to Bruce's cantankerous behavior, Spielberg filmed a great deal of the movie from the shark's point of view, thus adding a brilliant element of suspense to his 'big fish story'. Even if it wasn't the 35th anniversary of the picture, no list of movie beasties could be complete with out Bruce. Jaws is a classic and when it's celebrating its 100th anniversary, it will still be just as suspenseful and psychologically terrifying as it was on June 20, 1975.
2. Jurassic Park
Another Steven Spielberg film makes the list. Between the aliens, gremlins, giant killer sharks and dinosaurs Spielberg is a guy that likes to make movies with creepy creatures. He's my kind of guy! Paleontologist Jack Horner supervised the production of the aniamatronic dinosaurs created for Jurassic Park by the Stan Winston Studios. The complex robotic creatures could be controlled remotely by puppeteers using "Waldos" to capture performances for the machines to mimic thus bringing the long-extinct dinosaurs to life on film.
3. Aliens
Legendary horror master H.R. Giger designed the alien from the first movie in the blockbuster series but Giger's creation wasn't animatronic, it was an actor in a suit. In the sequel, the animatronics took over. It was powered by cables and hydraulics with two puppeteers inside the device operating its arms with 16 others moving the rest of the creature.
4. The Terminator
James Cameron's original drawings for this film intended the Terminator to be stop motion animation. Jim Henson's puppet-based technology helped bring this baddie to life on screen.
5. Gremlins
They were tiny, they liked to cause trouble, they were cute and they came in all sorts of colors. They were the Gremlins. Chris Walas, also famous for the melting Nazi soldiers in Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark, designed and brought the little creatures to life for this film. The animatronics used here was complex. The lead Gremlin, Stripe, required 64 controls to make him work.
6. King Kong
In 1976, the classic horror film from 1933 King Kong was remade. In this version, the giant ape stood 40 feet tall and weighed almost 13,000 pounds. Three-thousand, one-hundred feet of hydraulic hose and 4,500 feet of electrical wiring went into building the monster. Twenty technicians were required to operate it. However, despite all of this, the Carlo Rambaldi created beast often malfunctioned and appeared only in a few glimpses in the final cut of the film.
7. E.T.
Carlo Rambaldi created the lovable little alien from Steven Spielberg's much-loved film E.T.: The Extra Terresterrial. E.T. had an aluminum and steel skeleton with fiberglass, polyurethane and foam rubber for an exterior and was capable of 150 motions. To add authenticity, Steven Spielberg enlisted a craftsman who made glass eyes for the blind to create the human-like eyes.
You can read more about Charles Choi's list here, including photos and more details about the creatures and how they work.
Movies & Film: Top 7 Animatronic Movie Beasts
Throughout movie history certain films have required a bit more than what the average actor could give. When that occurred, it was time to call in the guys and gals who specialized in building complex, and sometimes, malfunctioning animatronic animals and beasts. After all, dinosaurs no longer roam the earth, no actor in their right mind would want to do scenes with a 3 ton Great White shark and, while gorillas can get pretty big, none have reached 40 feet in height.
The top seven animatronic movie beasts have been compiled by Charles Q. Choi in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the classic film Jaws which opened in theaters on June 20, 1975.
I think Charles Choi did a pretty good job on his list.
1. Jaws
Certainly, there isn't a single person who enjoys films of any kind that hasn't seen Jaws at least once. Some of us, have seen it dozens and dozens of times. I'll admit that Jaws is one of my favorite movies of all time. The cast is brilliant. Where else can you find three such dynamic actors and characters as Roy Scheider (Chief Brody), Robert Shaw (Quint) and Richard Dreyfuss (Hooper) in one place? Add a 3,000 pound animatronic shark named "Bruce" to the mix and you've got a perfect movie. Bruce, affectionately named for Spielberg's lawyer, was well-known for his tendency to malfunction and present the cast and crew with a host of issues to work around. Thanks to Bruce's cantankerous behavior, Spielberg filmed a great deal of the movie from the shark's point of view, thus adding a brilliant element of suspense to his 'big fish story'. Even if it wasn't the 35th anniversary of the picture, no list of movie beasties could be complete with out Bruce. Jaws is a classic and when it's celebrating its 100th anniversary, it will still be just as suspenseful and psychologically terrifying as it was on June 20, 1975.
2. Jurassic Park
Another Steven Spielberg film makes the list. Between the aliens, gremlins, giant killer sharks and dinosaurs Spielberg is a guy that likes to make movies with creepy creatures. He's my kind of guy! Paleontologist Jack Horner supervised the production of the aniamatronic dinosaurs created for Jurassic Park by the Stan Winston Studios. The complex robotic creatures could be controlled remotely by puppeteers using "Waldos" to capture performances for the machines to mimic thus bringing the long-extinct dinosaurs to life on film.
3. Aliens
Legendary horror master H.R. Giger designed the alien from the first movie in the blockbuster series but Giger's creation wasn't animatronic, it was an actor in a suit. In the sequel, the animatronics took over. It was powered by cables and hydraulics with two puppeteers inside the device operating its arms with 16 others moving the rest of the creature.
4. The Terminator
James Cameron's original drawings for this film intended the Terminator to be stop motion animation. Jim Henson's puppet-based technology helped bring this baddie to life on screen.
5. Gremlins
They were tiny, they liked to cause trouble, they were cute and they came in all sorts of colors. They were the Gremlins. Chris Walas, also famous for the melting Nazi soldiers in Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark, designed and brought the little creatures to life for this film. The animatronics used here was complex. The lead Gremlin, Stripe, required 64 controls to make him work.
6. King Kong
In 1976, the classic horror film from 1933 King Kong was remade. In this version, the giant ape stood 40 feet tall and weighed almost 13,000 pounds. Three-thousand, one-hundred feet of hydraulic hose and 4,500 feet of electrical wiring went into building the monster. Twenty technicians were required to operate it. However, despite all of this, the Carlo Rambaldi created beast often malfunctioned and appeared only in a few glimpses in the final cut of the film.
7. E.T.
Carlo Rambaldi created the lovable little alien from Steven Spielberg's much-loved film E.T.: The Extra Terresterrial. E.T. had an aluminum and steel skeleton with fiberglass, polyurethane and foam rubber for an exterior and was capable of 150 motions. To add authenticity, Steven Spielberg enlisted a craftsman who made glass eyes for the blind to create the human-like eyes.
You can read more about Charles Choi's list here, including photos and more details about the creatures and how they work.
The top seven animatronic movie beasts have been compiled by Charles Q. Choi in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the classic film Jaws which opened in theaters on June 20, 1975.
I think Charles Choi did a pretty good job on his list.
1. Jaws
Certainly, there isn't a single person who enjoys films of any kind that hasn't seen Jaws at least once. Some of us, have seen it dozens and dozens of times. I'll admit that Jaws is one of my favorite movies of all time. The cast is brilliant. Where else can you find three such dynamic actors and characters as Roy Scheider (Chief Brody), Robert Shaw (Quint) and Richard Dreyfuss (Hooper) in one place? Add a 3,000 pound animatronic shark named "Bruce" to the mix and you've got a perfect movie. Bruce, affectionately named for Spielberg's lawyer, was well-known for his tendency to malfunction and present the cast and crew with a host of issues to work around. Thanks to Bruce's cantankerous behavior, Spielberg filmed a great deal of the movie from the shark's point of view, thus adding a brilliant element of suspense to his 'big fish story'. Even if it wasn't the 35th anniversary of the picture, no list of movie beasties could be complete with out Bruce. Jaws is a classic and when it's celebrating its 100th anniversary, it will still be just as suspenseful and psychologically terrifying as it was on June 20, 1975.
2. Jurassic Park
Another Steven Spielberg film makes the list. Between the aliens, gremlins, giant killer sharks and dinosaurs Spielberg is a guy that likes to make movies with creepy creatures. He's my kind of guy! Paleontologist Jack Horner supervised the production of the aniamatronic dinosaurs created for Jurassic Park by the Stan Winston Studios. The complex robotic creatures could be controlled remotely by puppeteers using "Waldos" to capture performances for the machines to mimic thus bringing the long-extinct dinosaurs to life on film.
3. Aliens
Legendary horror master H.R. Giger designed the alien from the first movie in the blockbuster series but Giger's creation wasn't animatronic, it was an actor in a suit. In the sequel, the animatronics took over. It was powered by cables and hydraulics with two puppeteers inside the device operating its arms with 16 others moving the rest of the creature.
4. The Terminator
James Cameron's original drawings for this film intended the Terminator to be stop motion animation. Jim Henson's puppet-based technology helped bring this baddie to life on screen.
5. Gremlins
They were tiny, they liked to cause trouble, they were cute and they came in all sorts of colors. They were the Gremlins. Chris Walas, also famous for the melting Nazi soldiers in Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark, designed and brought the little creatures to life for this film. The animatronics used here was complex. The lead Gremlin, Stripe, required 64 controls to make him work.
6. King Kong
In 1976, the classic horror film from 1933 King Kong was remade. In this version, the giant ape stood 40 feet tall and weighed almost 13,000 pounds. Three-thousand, one-hundred feet of hydraulic hose and 4,500 feet of electrical wiring went into building the monster. Twenty technicians were required to operate it. However, despite all of this, the Carlo Rambaldi created beast often malfunctioned and appeared only in a few glimpses in the final cut of the film.
7. E.T.
Carlo Rambaldi created the lovable little alien from Steven Spielberg's much-loved film E.T.: The Extra Terresterrial. E.T. had an aluminum and steel skeleton with fiberglass, polyurethane and foam rubber for an exterior and was capable of 150 motions. To add authenticity, Steven Spielberg enlisted a craftsman who made glass eyes for the blind to create the human-like eyes.
You can read more about Charles Choi's list here, including photos and more details about the creatures and how they work.
Are Humans Destined to Be Extinct Within 100 Years?
Ninety-five year-old Australian microbiologist Professor Frank Fenner is world renown for bringing the myxomatosis virus to rabbits in Australia to control their population in the 1950's. He's also the man who announced to the World Health Assembly in 1980 that smallpox had been eradicated. Now, Professor Fenner has made another startling announcement.
In an interview with The Australian, Professor Fenner has revealed his fears that "we're going to become extinct" and that "whatever we do now is too late."
According to Fenner, "Homo sapiens will become extinct, perhaps within 100 years. A lot of other animals will, too. It's an irreversible situation. I think it's too late. I try not to express that because people are trying to do something but they keep putting it off."
Fenner feels that despite efforts to control global warming and overpopulation issues the fate of humans is already sealed.
According to experts, the world population will rise past the 7 billion mark next year. Fenner believes this will end up leading to "food wars" as the world's nations struggle to cope with the strain on food and water supplies caused by the population boom.
Climate change is also a great worry to Professor Fenner. He feels we've already passed the point of no return despite the fact we have the scientific ability to fight global issues. The lack of political will is the problem.
No one can really argue with Professor Fenner that a staggeringly large population and global warming are serious issues that affect all life on this planet. It does seem that some humans have done more to destroy the planet than preserve it.
But does that really mean we are all doomed within 100 years? Some feel that Fenner is being a tad rash in his estimations that all humans will be extinct in a mere 100 years. They feel that unless there is a string of catastrophes that lead to literally every single human being dying that, at the very least, there will still be a few humans left on the planet to manage a meager existence.
Regardless of who is wrong or right in this situation, the fact remains that we are still living on an increasingly warming planet, we're killing off certain species of animals at an alarming rate and have already pushed some to extinction. If the shocking words of Professor Fenner do nothing, they should, at the very least, cause some to stop and think about what we are doing and, hopefully, lead them to change their ways and help the planet rather than destroy it. Before it really is too late.
Follow this link to read the original The Australian article.
In an interview with The Australian, Professor Fenner has revealed his fears that "we're going to become extinct" and that "whatever we do now is too late."
According to Fenner, "Homo sapiens will become extinct, perhaps within 100 years. A lot of other animals will, too. It's an irreversible situation. I think it's too late. I try not to express that because people are trying to do something but they keep putting it off."
Fenner feels that despite efforts to control global warming and overpopulation issues the fate of humans is already sealed.
According to experts, the world population will rise past the 7 billion mark next year. Fenner believes this will end up leading to "food wars" as the world's nations struggle to cope with the strain on food and water supplies caused by the population boom.
Climate change is also a great worry to Professor Fenner. He feels we've already passed the point of no return despite the fact we have the scientific ability to fight global issues. The lack of political will is the problem.
No one can really argue with Professor Fenner that a staggeringly large population and global warming are serious issues that affect all life on this planet. It does seem that some humans have done more to destroy the planet than preserve it.
But does that really mean we are all doomed within 100 years? Some feel that Fenner is being a tad rash in his estimations that all humans will be extinct in a mere 100 years. They feel that unless there is a string of catastrophes that lead to literally every single human being dying that, at the very least, there will still be a few humans left on the planet to manage a meager existence.
Regardless of who is wrong or right in this situation, the fact remains that we are still living on an increasingly warming planet, we're killing off certain species of animals at an alarming rate and have already pushed some to extinction. If the shocking words of Professor Fenner do nothing, they should, at the very least, cause some to stop and think about what we are doing and, hopefully, lead them to change their ways and help the planet rather than destroy it. Before it really is too late.
Follow this link to read the original The Australian article.
Are Humans Destined to Be Extinct Within 100 Years?
Ninety-five year-old Australian microbiologist Professor Frank Fenner is world renown for bringing the myxomatosis virus to rabbits in Australia to control their population in the 1950's. He's also the man who announced to the World Health Assembly in 1980 that smallpox had been eradicated. Now, Professor Fenner has made another startling announcement.
In an interview with The Australian, Professor Fenner has revealed his fears that "we're going to become extinct" and that "whatever we do now is too late."
According to Fenner, "Homo sapiens will become extinct, perhaps within 100 years. A lot of other animals will, too. It's an irreversible situation. I think it's too late. I try not to express that because people are trying to do something but they keep putting it off."
Fenner feels that despite efforts to control global warming and overpopulation issues the fate of humans is already sealed.
According to experts, the world population will rise past the 7 billion mark next year. Fenner believes this will end up leading to "food wars" as the world's nations struggle to cope with the strain on food and water supplies caused by the population boom.
Climate change is also a great worry to Professor Fenner. He feels we've already passed the point of no return despite the fact we have the scientific ability to fight global issues. The lack of political will is the problem.
No one can really argue with Professor Fenner that a staggeringly large population and global warming are serious issues that affect all life on this planet. It does seem that some humans have done more to destroy the planet than preserve it.
But does that really mean we are all doomed within 100 years? Some feel that Fenner is being a tad rash in his estimations that all humans will be extinct in a mere 100 years. They feel that unless there is a string of catastrophes that lead to literally every single human being dying that, at the very least, there will still be a few humans left on the planet to manage a meager existence.
Regardless of who is wrong or right in this situation, the fact remains that we are still living on an increasingly warming planet, we're killing off certain species of animals at an alarming rate and have already pushed some to extinction. If the shocking words of Professor Fenner do nothing, they should, at the very least, cause some to stop and think about what we are doing and, hopefully, lead them to change their ways and help the planet rather than destroy it. Before it really is too late.
Follow this link to read the original The Australian article.
In an interview with The Australian, Professor Fenner has revealed his fears that "we're going to become extinct" and that "whatever we do now is too late."
According to Fenner, "Homo sapiens will become extinct, perhaps within 100 years. A lot of other animals will, too. It's an irreversible situation. I think it's too late. I try not to express that because people are trying to do something but they keep putting it off."
Fenner feels that despite efforts to control global warming and overpopulation issues the fate of humans is already sealed.
According to experts, the world population will rise past the 7 billion mark next year. Fenner believes this will end up leading to "food wars" as the world's nations struggle to cope with the strain on food and water supplies caused by the population boom.
Climate change is also a great worry to Professor Fenner. He feels we've already passed the point of no return despite the fact we have the scientific ability to fight global issues. The lack of political will is the problem.
No one can really argue with Professor Fenner that a staggeringly large population and global warming are serious issues that affect all life on this planet. It does seem that some humans have done more to destroy the planet than preserve it.
But does that really mean we are all doomed within 100 years? Some feel that Fenner is being a tad rash in his estimations that all humans will be extinct in a mere 100 years. They feel that unless there is a string of catastrophes that lead to literally every single human being dying that, at the very least, there will still be a few humans left on the planet to manage a meager existence.
Regardless of who is wrong or right in this situation, the fact remains that we are still living on an increasingly warming planet, we're killing off certain species of animals at an alarming rate and have already pushed some to extinction. If the shocking words of Professor Fenner do nothing, they should, at the very least, cause some to stop and think about what we are doing and, hopefully, lead them to change their ways and help the planet rather than destroy it. Before it really is too late.
Follow this link to read the original The Australian article.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Robert Pattinson Distantly Related to Dracula??
According to genealogical researchers at Ancestry.com, Robert Pattison, famed for playing Edward Cullen in the Twilight series of films isn't the only famous individual known for blood lust in his family tree.
Researchers say Pattison is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler through the relationship both men have to the British royal family. Pattinson is distant cousins with Princes William and Harry. Vlad the Impaler is the distant uncle to the Princes.
According to Anastasia Tyler, an Ancestry.com genealogist, it was difficult work tracing Pattinson's family back to the 15th century Wallachian prince. "Without any myth or magic, we find royalty and vampires lurking in Pattinson's life--making his history just as supernatural as the one he's playing on screen."
As much as I hate to burst Ms. Tyler's bubble, I must disagree with her. History disagrees with her. Research may prove the distant relation between Vlad and Pattinson, but hundreds of years of history proves that Vlad the Impaler was not a vampire. So, no, just because he is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler there aren't any vampires lurking in Pattinson's ancestry making his life somehow supernatural.
Vlad the Impaler was born in 1431 in Sighisoara, Transylvania. He was the third son of Vlad II Dracul, the future voivode of Wallachia. (Wallachia is a historical region of the country now known as Romania. It was located north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathian mountains.) Vlad II Dracul was a member of the religious chivalric order The Order of the Dragon. Vlad III received his iconic surname due to the fact he was the "son of Dracul" or "the Son of the Dragon".
Vlad III first ruled as prince of Wallachia on three separate occasions. First in 1443, again in 1456-1462 and finally in 1476. During his time on the throne, Vlad ruled with an iron fist. He believed it better for a prince to be feared than loved.
While Vlad was known to have committed many cruelties during his reign that shed the blood of thousands of individuals, Vlad the Impaler didn't have fangs, wasn't a vampire and, I'm pretty darned certain he didn't "sparkle" when he went out during the day.
The world at large perhaps might not have even given second thought to Prince Vlad had Bram Stoker not taken the rulers surname and used it for his most famous literary creation: Count Dracula. Stoker knew little about the Wallachian prince but he knew he liked the name. And thanks to the vampire legends that have lived for centuries in Romania, Count Dracula and the legacy left behind by Prince Vlad Dracula are forever intertwined.
I can respect the pleasure of escaping into a fiction world, and I love a good vampire story as much as the next person. I have for a while. While this may make great fodder for the Twilight machine, as someone who has a great respect for history I think Ms. Tyler's comments have a slight 'fangirlish' quality to them.
Enough said by me, I think.
Researchers say Pattison is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler through the relationship both men have to the British royal family. Pattinson is distant cousins with Princes William and Harry. Vlad the Impaler is the distant uncle to the Princes.
According to Anastasia Tyler, an Ancestry.com genealogist, it was difficult work tracing Pattinson's family back to the 15th century Wallachian prince. "Without any myth or magic, we find royalty and vampires lurking in Pattinson's life--making his history just as supernatural as the one he's playing on screen."
As much as I hate to burst Ms. Tyler's bubble, I must disagree with her. History disagrees with her. Research may prove the distant relation between Vlad and Pattinson, but hundreds of years of history proves that Vlad the Impaler was not a vampire. So, no, just because he is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler there aren't any vampires lurking in Pattinson's ancestry making his life somehow supernatural.
Vlad the Impaler was born in 1431 in Sighisoara, Transylvania. He was the third son of Vlad II Dracul, the future voivode of Wallachia. (Wallachia is a historical region of the country now known as Romania. It was located north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathian mountains.) Vlad II Dracul was a member of the religious chivalric order The Order of the Dragon. Vlad III received his iconic surname due to the fact he was the "son of Dracul" or "the Son of the Dragon".
Vlad III first ruled as prince of Wallachia on three separate occasions. First in 1443, again in 1456-1462 and finally in 1476. During his time on the throne, Vlad ruled with an iron fist. He believed it better for a prince to be feared than loved.
While Vlad was known to have committed many cruelties during his reign that shed the blood of thousands of individuals, Vlad the Impaler didn't have fangs, wasn't a vampire and, I'm pretty darned certain he didn't "sparkle" when he went out during the day.
The world at large perhaps might not have even given second thought to Prince Vlad had Bram Stoker not taken the rulers surname and used it for his most famous literary creation: Count Dracula. Stoker knew little about the Wallachian prince but he knew he liked the name. And thanks to the vampire legends that have lived for centuries in Romania, Count Dracula and the legacy left behind by Prince Vlad Dracula are forever intertwined.
I can respect the pleasure of escaping into a fiction world, and I love a good vampire story as much as the next person. I have for a while. While this may make great fodder for the Twilight machine, as someone who has a great respect for history I think Ms. Tyler's comments have a slight 'fangirlish' quality to them.
Enough said by me, I think.
Robert Pattinson Distantly Related to Dracula??
According to genealogical researchers at Ancestry.com, Robert Pattison, famed for playing Edward Cullen in the Twilight series of films isn't the only famous individual known for blood lust in his family tree.
Researchers say Pattison is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler through the relationship both men have to the British royal family. Pattinson is distant cousins with Princes William and Harry. Vlad the Impaler is the distant uncle to the Princes.
According to Anastasia Tyler, an Ancestry.com genealogist, it was difficult work tracing Pattinson's family back to the 15th century Wallachian prince. "Without any myth or magic, we find royalty and vampires lurking in Pattinson's life--making his history just as supernatural as the one he's playing on screen."
As much as I hate to burst Ms. Tyler's bubble, I must disagree with her. History disagrees with her. Research may prove the distant relation between Vlad and Pattinson, but hundreds of years of history proves that Vlad the Impaler was not a vampire. So, no, just because he is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler there aren't any vampires lurking in Pattinson's ancestry making his life somehow supernatural.
Vlad the Impaler was born in 1431 in Sighisoara, Transylvania. He was the third son of Vlad II Dracul, the future voivode of Wallachia. (Wallachia is a historical region of the country now known as Romania. It was located north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathian mountains.) Vlad II Dracul was a member of the religious chivalric order The Order of the Dragon. Vlad III received his iconic surname due to the fact he was the "son of Dracul" or "the Son of the Dragon".
Vlad III first ruled as prince of Wallachia on three separate occasions. First in 1443, again in 1456-1462 and finally in 1476. During his time on the throne, Vlad ruled with an iron fist. He believed it better for a prince to be feared than loved.
While Vlad was known to have committed many cruelties during his reign that shed the blood of thousands of individuals, Vlad the Impaler didn't have fangs, wasn't a vampire and, I'm pretty darned certain he didn't "sparkle" when he went out during the day.
The world at large perhaps might not have even given second thought to Prince Vlad had Bram Stoker not taken the rulers surname and used it for his most famous literary creation: Count Dracula. Stoker knew little about the Wallachian prince but he knew he liked the name. And thanks to the vampire legends that have lived for centuries in Romania, Count Dracula and the legacy left behind by Prince Vlad Dracula are forever intertwined.
I can respect the pleasure of escaping into a fiction world, and I love a good vampire story as much as the next person. I have for a while. While this may make great fodder for the Twilight machine, as someone who has a great respect for history I think Ms. Tyler's comments have a slight 'fangirlish' quality to them.
Enough said by me, I think.
Researchers say Pattison is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler through the relationship both men have to the British royal family. Pattinson is distant cousins with Princes William and Harry. Vlad the Impaler is the distant uncle to the Princes.
According to Anastasia Tyler, an Ancestry.com genealogist, it was difficult work tracing Pattinson's family back to the 15th century Wallachian prince. "Without any myth or magic, we find royalty and vampires lurking in Pattinson's life--making his history just as supernatural as the one he's playing on screen."
As much as I hate to burst Ms. Tyler's bubble, I must disagree with her. History disagrees with her. Research may prove the distant relation between Vlad and Pattinson, but hundreds of years of history proves that Vlad the Impaler was not a vampire. So, no, just because he is distantly related to Vlad the Impaler there aren't any vampires lurking in Pattinson's ancestry making his life somehow supernatural.
Vlad the Impaler was born in 1431 in Sighisoara, Transylvania. He was the third son of Vlad II Dracul, the future voivode of Wallachia. (Wallachia is a historical region of the country now known as Romania. It was located north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathian mountains.) Vlad II Dracul was a member of the religious chivalric order The Order of the Dragon. Vlad III received his iconic surname due to the fact he was the "son of Dracul" or "the Son of the Dragon".
Vlad III first ruled as prince of Wallachia on three separate occasions. First in 1443, again in 1456-1462 and finally in 1476. During his time on the throne, Vlad ruled with an iron fist. He believed it better for a prince to be feared than loved.
While Vlad was known to have committed many cruelties during his reign that shed the blood of thousands of individuals, Vlad the Impaler didn't have fangs, wasn't a vampire and, I'm pretty darned certain he didn't "sparkle" when he went out during the day.
The world at large perhaps might not have even given second thought to Prince Vlad had Bram Stoker not taken the rulers surname and used it for his most famous literary creation: Count Dracula. Stoker knew little about the Wallachian prince but he knew he liked the name. And thanks to the vampire legends that have lived for centuries in Romania, Count Dracula and the legacy left behind by Prince Vlad Dracula are forever intertwined.
I can respect the pleasure of escaping into a fiction world, and I love a good vampire story as much as the next person. I have for a while. While this may make great fodder for the Twilight machine, as someone who has a great respect for history I think Ms. Tyler's comments have a slight 'fangirlish' quality to them.
Enough said by me, I think.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Manet Self-Portrait Sells for £22 Million
Tuesday, at Sotheby's in London, England a self-portrait of Edouard Manet painted between 1878 and 1879 sold for a record £22,441,250 million British pounds (roughly $33.1 million US dollars). The painting titled "Edouard Manet with Palette" was one of only two Manet self-portraits and was purchased by an anonymous bidder.
Tuesday's sale is the highest amount ever paid for a Manet painting. In 1989, a Manet painting fetched £16 at an auction in New York City, New York.
Edouard Manet, a French impressionist, is considered by many to be the father of the Impressionist movement. Impressionism led to the creation of 'modern art'. Manet was born January 23, 1832 in Paris, France and died April 30, 1883. Some of his notable works are "Music in the Tuileries", "Luncheon on the Grass" and "Olympia".
To see "Edouard Manet with Palette", click here.
Tuesday's sale is the highest amount ever paid for a Manet painting. In 1989, a Manet painting fetched £16 at an auction in New York City, New York.
Edouard Manet, a French impressionist, is considered by many to be the father of the Impressionist movement. Impressionism led to the creation of 'modern art'. Manet was born January 23, 1832 in Paris, France and died April 30, 1883. Some of his notable works are "Music in the Tuileries", "Luncheon on the Grass" and "Olympia".
To see "Edouard Manet with Palette", click here.
Manet Self-Portrait Sells for £22 Million
Tuesday, at Sotheby's in London, England a self-portrait of Edouard Manet painted between 1878 and 1879 sold for a record £22,441,250 million British pounds (roughly $33.1 million US dollars). The painting titled "Edouard Manet with Palette" was one of only two Manet self-portraits and was purchased by an anonymous bidder.
Tuesday's sale is the highest amount ever paid for a Manet painting. In 1989, a Manet painting fetched £16 at an auction in New York City, New York.
Edouard Manet, a French impressionist, is considered by many to be the father of the Impressionist movement. Impressionism led to the creation of 'modern art'. Manet was born January 23, 1832 in Paris, France and died April 30, 1883. Some of his notable works are "Music in the Tuileries", "Luncheon on the Grass" and "Olympia".
To see "Edouard Manet with Palette", click here.
Tuesday's sale is the highest amount ever paid for a Manet painting. In 1989, a Manet painting fetched £16 at an auction in New York City, New York.
Edouard Manet, a French impressionist, is considered by many to be the father of the Impressionist movement. Impressionism led to the creation of 'modern art'. Manet was born January 23, 1832 in Paris, France and died April 30, 1883. Some of his notable works are "Music in the Tuileries", "Luncheon on the Grass" and "Olympia".
To see "Edouard Manet with Palette", click here.
Australian Television: The Music of City Homicide
I've done four posts on the Australian crime drama City Homicide and I can't talk about that show without talking about the music from it.
Along with delivering a great drama from a stellar cast, City Homicide delivers a wealth of good music. Virtually every episode of the show has two or three songs in it that adds to the tension, emotion and action of the storyline.
A couple of years ago, some of the music from the series was collected into a 2 disc soundtrack. The soundtrack was sold in Australia and available on some Internet music retailers to other countries as an import. (A full track listing of this soundtrack is at the end of this post.)
In my opinion, Josh Pyke's Goldmines and Into My Arms by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were two of the stand-out tracks from the soundtrack.
But the soundtrack didn't contain all of the excellent music viewers of City Homicide have been privileged to hear over the course of the three seasons the show has been on the air. Some of the songs that didn't make the cut for the soundtrack can be found on iTunes as well as on the original albums on which they appear (providing the albums are still in print). Fans of the show and its music living outside of Australia might have a little trouble finding the songs but some of them are certainly worth the extra legwork to find. I can't mention them all here, sadly, as it would make the post several pages long.
Hello by the John Butler Trio is a very notable exception. The song is a rocking folksy number from the premiere episode of season one. I love everything about this song--the lyrics, the beautiful guitar work and the prominent percussion--and am quite surprised it didn't make the soundtrack. The band is from Freemantle, Western Australia and appears twice in City Homicide. Their song What You Want makes an appearance in episode 8 of season two. Both songs appear on the John Butler Trio record Sunrise over Sea.
Beautiful Storm by Greg Johnson is another great song from the premiere episode. Yes, the lyrics are a bit odd but the "the sun will once more rise" line alone is more than worth the trouble you might have finding this song. It appears on Johnson's album Sea Breeze Motel.
Alex Lloyd's Never Meant to Fail from his self-titled album makes an appearance twice in the fourth episode of season one. Both times, it adds some emotion to scenes featuring Matt Ryan. The video below was posted on YouTube by bluetonguefilms:
Finally, my hands-down favorite song from all three seasons of City Homicide that, unfortunately, didn't make the soundtrack cut is Damien Leith's Shine Like the Sun. Used in the after-episode video of the 5th episode of season one, this song, albeit in an edited form, provides the musical background to a video montage of scenes from various episodes illustrating the ups and downs our heroes have faced. Leith has an excellent voice and the lyrics to this song are amazing. This song is truly one of my favorite songs ever and made me an instant Damien Leith fan the first time I heard it.
City Homicide Original Soundtrack
Disc 1
01. John Butler Trio – What You Want
02. Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
03. Pete Murray – Saving Grace
04. Wolfmother – Joker And The Thief
05. Gyroscope – Silver Heart
06. Josh Pyke – Goldmines
07. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Into My Arms
08. Evermore – The Only One I See
09. Little Birdy – On And On
10. My Friend The Chocolate Cake – It’s All In The Way
11. The Grates – Aw Yeah
12. Kisschasey – Spray On Pants
13. Whitley – The Life I Keep
14. Intercooler – Hold Me Again
15. Lovers Electric – Could This Be
16. Bob Evans – Don’t You Think It’s Time
17. Dash & Will – Pick You Up
18. Skybombers – It’s Goes Off
19. Anika Moa – Ka Whakahuia Ano
Disc 2
01. Gabriella Cilmi – Don’t Wanna Go To Bed Now
02. Jessica Mauboy – Running Back Feat. Flo Rida
03. The Living End – Moment In Sun
04. The Presets – Down Down Down
05. Operator Please – Get What You Want
06. Rogue Traders – What You’re On
07. Cut Copy – Lights & Music
08. The Potbelleez – Are You With Me
09. Paul Kelly – I Won’t Be You Dog Anymore
10. Choirboys – Run To Paradise
11. Clare Bowditch And The Feeding Set – Old Joelene
12. Kate Miller-heidke – Can’t Shake It
13. Tim Finn – Salt To The Sea
14. Lisa Mitchelle – Neopolitan Dreams
15. Lenka – The Show
16. Missing Hours – Falling Down
17. The Screaming Jets – Blue Sashes
18. Rose Tattoo – Bad Boy For Love
Along with delivering a great drama from a stellar cast, City Homicide delivers a wealth of good music. Virtually every episode of the show has two or three songs in it that adds to the tension, emotion and action of the storyline.
A couple of years ago, some of the music from the series was collected into a 2 disc soundtrack. The soundtrack was sold in Australia and available on some Internet music retailers to other countries as an import. (A full track listing of this soundtrack is at the end of this post.)
In my opinion, Josh Pyke's Goldmines and Into My Arms by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were two of the stand-out tracks from the soundtrack.
But the soundtrack didn't contain all of the excellent music viewers of City Homicide have been privileged to hear over the course of the three seasons the show has been on the air. Some of the songs that didn't make the cut for the soundtrack can be found on iTunes as well as on the original albums on which they appear (providing the albums are still in print). Fans of the show and its music living outside of Australia might have a little trouble finding the songs but some of them are certainly worth the extra legwork to find. I can't mention them all here, sadly, as it would make the post several pages long.
Hello by the John Butler Trio is a very notable exception. The song is a rocking folksy number from the premiere episode of season one. I love everything about this song--the lyrics, the beautiful guitar work and the prominent percussion--and am quite surprised it didn't make the soundtrack. The band is from Freemantle, Western Australia and appears twice in City Homicide. Their song What You Want makes an appearance in episode 8 of season two. Both songs appear on the John Butler Trio record Sunrise over Sea.
Beautiful Storm by Greg Johnson is another great song from the premiere episode. Yes, the lyrics are a bit odd but the "the sun will once more rise" line alone is more than worth the trouble you might have finding this song. It appears on Johnson's album Sea Breeze Motel.
Alex Lloyd's Never Meant to Fail from his self-titled album makes an appearance twice in the fourth episode of season one. Both times, it adds some emotion to scenes featuring Matt Ryan. The video below was posted on YouTube by bluetonguefilms:
Finally, my hands-down favorite song from all three seasons of City Homicide that, unfortunately, didn't make the soundtrack cut is Damien Leith's Shine Like the Sun. Used in the after-episode video of the 5th episode of season one, this song, albeit in an edited form, provides the musical background to a video montage of scenes from various episodes illustrating the ups and downs our heroes have faced. Leith has an excellent voice and the lyrics to this song are amazing. This song is truly one of my favorite songs ever and made me an instant Damien Leith fan the first time I heard it.
City Homicide Original Soundtrack
Disc 1
01. John Butler Trio – What You Want
02. Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
03. Pete Murray – Saving Grace
04. Wolfmother – Joker And The Thief
05. Gyroscope – Silver Heart
06. Josh Pyke – Goldmines
07. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Into My Arms
08. Evermore – The Only One I See
09. Little Birdy – On And On
10. My Friend The Chocolate Cake – It’s All In The Way
11. The Grates – Aw Yeah
12. Kisschasey – Spray On Pants
13. Whitley – The Life I Keep
14. Intercooler – Hold Me Again
15. Lovers Electric – Could This Be
16. Bob Evans – Don’t You Think It’s Time
17. Dash & Will – Pick You Up
18. Skybombers – It’s Goes Off
19. Anika Moa – Ka Whakahuia Ano
Disc 2
01. Gabriella Cilmi – Don’t Wanna Go To Bed Now
02. Jessica Mauboy – Running Back Feat. Flo Rida
03. The Living End – Moment In Sun
04. The Presets – Down Down Down
05. Operator Please – Get What You Want
06. Rogue Traders – What You’re On
07. Cut Copy – Lights & Music
08. The Potbelleez – Are You With Me
09. Paul Kelly – I Won’t Be You Dog Anymore
10. Choirboys – Run To Paradise
11. Clare Bowditch And The Feeding Set – Old Joelene
12. Kate Miller-heidke – Can’t Shake It
13. Tim Finn – Salt To The Sea
14. Lisa Mitchelle – Neopolitan Dreams
15. Lenka – The Show
16. Missing Hours – Falling Down
17. The Screaming Jets – Blue Sashes
18. Rose Tattoo – Bad Boy For Love
Australian Television: The Music of City Homicide
I've done four posts on the Australian crime drama City Homicide and I can't talk about that show without talking about the music from it.
Along with delivering a great drama from a stellar cast, City Homicide delivers a wealth of good music. Virtually every episode of the show has two or three songs in it that adds to the tension, emotion and action of the storyline.
A couple of years ago, some of the music from the series was collected into a 2 disc soundtrack. The soundtrack was sold in Australia and available on some Internet music retailers to other countries as an import. (A full track listing of this soundtrack is at the end of this post.)
In my opinion, Josh Pyke's Goldmines and Into My Arms by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were two of the stand-out tracks from the soundtrack.
But the soundtrack didn't contain all of the excellent music viewers of City Homicide have been privileged to hear over the course of the three seasons the show has been on the air. Some of the songs that didn't make the cut for the soundtrack can be found on iTunes as well as on the original albums on which they appear (providing the albums are still in print). Fans of the show and its music living outside of Australia might have a little trouble finding the songs but some of them are certainly worth the extra legwork to find. I can't mention them all here, sadly, as it would make the post several pages long.
Hello by the John Butler Trio is a very notable exception. The song is a rocking folksy number from the premiere episode of season one. I love everything about this song--the lyrics, the beautiful guitar work and the prominent percussion--and am quite surprised it didn't make the soundtrack. The band is from Freemantle, Western Australia and appears twice in City Homicide. Their song What You Want makes an appearance in episode 8 of season two. Both songs appear on the John Butler Trio record Sunrise over Sea.
Beautiful Storm by Greg Johnson is another great song from the premiere episode. Yes, the lyrics are a bit odd but the "the sun will once more rise" line alone is more than worth the trouble you might have finding this song. It appears on Johnson's album Sea Breeze Motel.
Alex Lloyd's Never Meant to Fail from his self-titled album makes an appearance twice in the fourth episode of season one. Both times, it adds some emotion to scenes featuring Matt Ryan. The video below was posted on YouTube by bluetonguefilms:
Finally, my hands-down favorite song from all three seasons of City Homicide that, unfortunately, didn't make the soundtrack cut is Damien Leith's Shine Like the Sun. Used in the after-episode video of the 5th episode of season one, this song, albeit in an edited form, provides the musical background to a video montage of scenes from various episodes illustrating the ups and downs our heroes have faced. Leith has an excellent voice and the lyrics to this song are amazing. This song is truly one of my favorite songs ever and made me an instant Damien Leith fan the first time I heard it.
City Homicide Original Soundtrack
Disc 1
01. John Butler Trio – What You Want
02. Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
03. Pete Murray – Saving Grace
04. Wolfmother – Joker And The Thief
05. Gyroscope – Silver Heart
06. Josh Pyke – Goldmines
07. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Into My Arms
08. Evermore – The Only One I See
09. Little Birdy – On And On
10. My Friend The Chocolate Cake – It’s All In The Way
11. The Grates – Aw Yeah
12. Kisschasey – Spray On Pants
13. Whitley – The Life I Keep
14. Intercooler – Hold Me Again
15. Lovers Electric – Could This Be
16. Bob Evans – Don’t You Think It’s Time
17. Dash & Will – Pick You Up
18. Skybombers – It’s Goes Off
19. Anika Moa – Ka Whakahuia Ano
Disc 2
01. Gabriella Cilmi – Don’t Wanna Go To Bed Now
02. Jessica Mauboy – Running Back Feat. Flo Rida
03. The Living End – Moment In Sun
04. The Presets – Down Down Down
05. Operator Please – Get What You Want
06. Rogue Traders – What You’re On
07. Cut Copy – Lights & Music
08. The Potbelleez – Are You With Me
09. Paul Kelly – I Won’t Be You Dog Anymore
10. Choirboys – Run To Paradise
11. Clare Bowditch And The Feeding Set – Old Joelene
12. Kate Miller-heidke – Can’t Shake It
13. Tim Finn – Salt To The Sea
14. Lisa Mitchelle – Neopolitan Dreams
15. Lenka – The Show
16. Missing Hours – Falling Down
17. The Screaming Jets – Blue Sashes
18. Rose Tattoo – Bad Boy For Love
Along with delivering a great drama from a stellar cast, City Homicide delivers a wealth of good music. Virtually every episode of the show has two or three songs in it that adds to the tension, emotion and action of the storyline.
A couple of years ago, some of the music from the series was collected into a 2 disc soundtrack. The soundtrack was sold in Australia and available on some Internet music retailers to other countries as an import. (A full track listing of this soundtrack is at the end of this post.)
In my opinion, Josh Pyke's Goldmines and Into My Arms by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were two of the stand-out tracks from the soundtrack.
But the soundtrack didn't contain all of the excellent music viewers of City Homicide have been privileged to hear over the course of the three seasons the show has been on the air. Some of the songs that didn't make the cut for the soundtrack can be found on iTunes as well as on the original albums on which they appear (providing the albums are still in print). Fans of the show and its music living outside of Australia might have a little trouble finding the songs but some of them are certainly worth the extra legwork to find. I can't mention them all here, sadly, as it would make the post several pages long.
Hello by the John Butler Trio is a very notable exception. The song is a rocking folksy number from the premiere episode of season one. I love everything about this song--the lyrics, the beautiful guitar work and the prominent percussion--and am quite surprised it didn't make the soundtrack. The band is from Freemantle, Western Australia and appears twice in City Homicide. Their song What You Want makes an appearance in episode 8 of season two. Both songs appear on the John Butler Trio record Sunrise over Sea.
Beautiful Storm by Greg Johnson is another great song from the premiere episode. Yes, the lyrics are a bit odd but the "the sun will once more rise" line alone is more than worth the trouble you might have finding this song. It appears on Johnson's album Sea Breeze Motel.
Alex Lloyd's Never Meant to Fail from his self-titled album makes an appearance twice in the fourth episode of season one. Both times, it adds some emotion to scenes featuring Matt Ryan. The video below was posted on YouTube by bluetonguefilms:
Finally, my hands-down favorite song from all three seasons of City Homicide that, unfortunately, didn't make the soundtrack cut is Damien Leith's Shine Like the Sun. Used in the after-episode video of the 5th episode of season one, this song, albeit in an edited form, provides the musical background to a video montage of scenes from various episodes illustrating the ups and downs our heroes have faced. Leith has an excellent voice and the lyrics to this song are amazing. This song is truly one of my favorite songs ever and made me an instant Damien Leith fan the first time I heard it.
City Homicide Original Soundtrack
Disc 1
01. John Butler Trio – What You Want
02. Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
03. Pete Murray – Saving Grace
04. Wolfmother – Joker And The Thief
05. Gyroscope – Silver Heart
06. Josh Pyke – Goldmines
07. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Into My Arms
08. Evermore – The Only One I See
09. Little Birdy – On And On
10. My Friend The Chocolate Cake – It’s All In The Way
11. The Grates – Aw Yeah
12. Kisschasey – Spray On Pants
13. Whitley – The Life I Keep
14. Intercooler – Hold Me Again
15. Lovers Electric – Could This Be
16. Bob Evans – Don’t You Think It’s Time
17. Dash & Will – Pick You Up
18. Skybombers – It’s Goes Off
19. Anika Moa – Ka Whakahuia Ano
Disc 2
01. Gabriella Cilmi – Don’t Wanna Go To Bed Now
02. Jessica Mauboy – Running Back Feat. Flo Rida
03. The Living End – Moment In Sun
04. The Presets – Down Down Down
05. Operator Please – Get What You Want
06. Rogue Traders – What You’re On
07. Cut Copy – Lights & Music
08. The Potbelleez – Are You With Me
09. Paul Kelly – I Won’t Be You Dog Anymore
10. Choirboys – Run To Paradise
11. Clare Bowditch And The Feeding Set – Old Joelene
12. Kate Miller-heidke – Can’t Shake It
13. Tim Finn – Salt To The Sea
14. Lisa Mitchelle – Neopolitan Dreams
15. Lenka – The Show
16. Missing Hours – Falling Down
17. The Screaming Jets – Blue Sashes
18. Rose Tattoo – Bad Boy For Love
"Great Grandfather" of Lucy Found in East Africa
A 3.6 million year old partial skeleton from the same species as "Lucy" was recently discovered . The skeleton, Kadanuumuu, meaning "big man", was found in Ethiopia's Afar region, the same place Lucy was found in 1974. Both skeletons share the species name Australopithecus afarensis. Australopiths share traits with chimpanzees and humans. They share protruding faces and small brains with chimpanzees and skeletons built for upright walking with humans.
There isn't much information on Kadanuumu at this point. I'm sure there will be more released as further research is conducted.
The complete press release from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History regarding Kadanummu can be found here.
There isn't much information on Kadanuumu at this point. I'm sure there will be more released as further research is conducted.
The complete press release from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History regarding Kadanummu can be found here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
