Sprint or Marathon? November 1, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Boo at the Zoo, Central Park Zoo, gibbons, Halloween, Jon Stewart, Marathon, orangutans, Philadelphia Zoo
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Talk about strange overlaps. While walking my dog Benny (who does not yet acknowledge the fact that we turned the clock back an hour last night), I noticed the Halloween revelers were still walking home while the NYC Marathon buses filled with anxious runners, were headed to Staten Island to await the start later this morning. I guess that there are both party marathoners and running marathoners, right?
- Since people are taking part in both activities at the same time I decided I can write about the Marathon and still be celebrating Halloween. So, the above photo of Benny is my little Halloween greeting to you and yours.
- The medals featured on the left are all about my Marathon days.
- The New York Times had a front page story this rainy Marathon morning about cheating while Marathoning. I know from my five NYC Marathons that it is uber-tempting to cheat. When you enter Manhattan at mile 17 you can practically smell Central Park but you still have to lumber north on first Avenue through the Bronx, turn around and then head south to the finish line. Shame, shame, shame on the cheaters.
- My memories of those five Marathon are some of the sweetest in this addled brain. After hanging up my running shoes six years ago, I hung up my five medals and look at them almost every day (especially when these old bones begin to ache). Completing a marathon is like nothing else. It is a feeling of accomplishment and empowerment. The down side are blisters and black toes. Those things go away – but the sweet memories linger. Benny and I waved to all of those anxious Marathoners this morning and I will be watching and cheering for them both a the gym this morning and form my couch.
- To the Halloween revelers that are stumbling home, I say – do not forget to turn your clocks back an hour.
- Speaking of Marathons, the seemingly never ending November elections slog on.
- Jon Stewart joins in the chat about NYC Mayoral race. It is all about term limits. Must watch.
- Jon Stewart also looks at how the Fox opinion shows influence Fox “news” reporting. “See the Fox opinion guy’s outrage becomes the ’some say’ source for the newsside. It’s a perpetual rerevulsion machine,” explained Stewart.
- Last week’s visit to the Philadelphia provided some great images and this funny 33 second video I shot of an orangutan playing doctor with a gibbon.
-Boo at the Central Park Zoo for you:
To Shoot a Hummingbird September 22, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Dogs and cats, Photography, wildlife.Tags: cats, hummingbirds, NYC
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It would have been quite a coup for me to spy a hummingbird in the New York City. It would have even been a better coup had she been on my balcony, dining on some luscious plants of mine. And it would have been even better if I had gotten my camera out and been able to shoot this rare occurrence. And I did.
Special mention has to be given to my cat, Madison (also pictured), for it was her twitching tail and mesmerized gaze, as she sat by the balcony doors watching the hummingbird, that caught my attention.
Monsters, Madness and the Public Option September 13, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Anthony Weiner, Bill Maher, Edinburgh Zoo, Highland Wildlife Park, Loch Ness Monster, March of the Penguins, Penguins, Public Option, Robert Reich, Scotland
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The debate rages on. While I am still confident some form of reform will get through Congress this year I get enraged by the distractions that the Repugnants excel at creating. The ‘birthers’, ‘deathers’, Fox Noise and now the ‘tenthers’ are fine fodder for the non-stop chatter of the talking heads shows. Aurgh.
The above photo is ‘Nessie’ the Loch Ness Monster that I was lucky enough to see on last week’s trip to Scotland. Check out more photos below. By the way, everything I knew about Scottish history I learned from the movies. And guess what? It is all wrong. Double aurgh.
- Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich explains what a public option for health care coverage really means for working people. Pass it on to everyone you know. We can’t let the insurance companies decide who gets care and who doesn’t.
- Well spoken Congressman Anthony Weiner (I wanted him to run for NYC Mayor or NY Senator) was on Bill Maher’s show Friday night. Here is his simple take on the single payer debate (or non-debate).
- New Rules from Bill Maher.
- Here’s a little ditty called We’re # 37:
- Our recent visit to Scotland was terrific. Along with all of the beautiful castles, breathtaking landscape and rich artistic heritage we included visits to two Royal Zoological Society of Scotland venues.
- The first is the all inclusive Edinburgh Zoo.
- The second is located in the Highlands and is both a drive thru and walk thru venue. The cat that looks like a house cat is actually one of only 400 pure-bred Scottish wildcats.
- A bonus montage includes wildlife that we saw as we toured the countryside. And yes, that is the Loch Ness monster, lovingly referred to as ‘Nessie.’
- A visit to the Edinburgh Zoo is not complete without watching the daily (2:15) March of the Penguins. The zoo has about 200 penguins in three connected pool areas. The keepers open the gate at 2:15 and whichever penguins choose to take a stroll leave voluntarily and march around a large oval surrounded by adoring zoo visitors. The day we visited just three Kings and one Gentoo took advantage of the march. Check out my short video for the results. I left the sound intact so you can hear the narrator and the clicking of penguin feet on the ground.
Here’s To Our Health September 10, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Links, Photo Archives, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Gail Collins, Healthcare, Joe Wilson, Supreme Court
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I am back, rested and refreshed. (The photo above was taken this morning. Oh what a beautiful morning). I have rebooted my entire system and am ready to take on the Repugnants. Last night’s Presidential address to a joint session of Congress was all I needed to kick in my new outlook. I thought Obama was… well – Presidential. He found his summer silenced voice and explained his plan, which appears to be organic, and most likely stirred the Democratic base while at the same time alienated the Repugnant base (if they were watching). Fox was the only major network that chose NOT to air the speech. They went for ‘So you Think You Can Dance.’ South Carolina Congressman, Joe Wilson, in a wacky outburst, calling President Obama a ‘liar,’ stood in for all of the crazy ‘birthers’ and deathers’ that we have watched all summer at these town hall scream-a-thons. He later apologized for his outburst, but the damage was done. When I heard him scream, something deep inside of me wanted him taken out to the public square and be drawn and quartered (Okay, I overreacted, a bit) Did you see Nancy Pelosi’s reaction? I think she wanted to do to he same thing to him too.
Here is the outburst:
So what’s going to happen? As I said way back in early summer, the Democrats will pass some major health care reform. Will it be what we all imagine it to be? No. But it will be a start. Will there be any Repugnant support? Highly doubtful. But there will be a handful of Repugnants who will step up to the plate and do the right thing. There is lots to be done as the NY Times states today in it’s editorial.
- Gail Collins joins in on the subject.
- Click on this link and you can actually see a photo of Congressman Joe Wilson. He is the one pointing his finger.
- Crooks and Liars has a link to the guy who is challenging Joe Wilson for his Congressional seat. Check it out if you wold like to donate to his opponent’s campaign. (Ya gotta love democracy, right?)
- If you missed the full speech last night, click on this link for the text and the video.
- If you feel the need to contact Congressman Joe Wilson to express your thoughts, here is his contact information.
Address in DC:
The Honorable Joe Wilson
United States House of Representatives
212 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4002
DC Phone: 202-225-2452
DC Fax: 202-225-2455
Email Address: http://www.house.gov/formwilson/IMA/issue.htm
District Offices:
903 Port Republic Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
Voice: 843-521-2530
FAX: 843-521-2535
1700 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1
West Columbia, SC 29169
Voice: 803-939-0041
FAX: 803-939-0078
- Meanwhile, down the street, the Supremes are about to knock holes in our already wobbly campaign financing system. Aurgh.
- A salute to our two year old walrus, Akituusaq, (check out my photos here) who lived at the New York Aquarium and died this week. The walrus died due to complications from pneumonia. During the past few days, Akituusaq had been under special care by Wildlife Conservation Society veterinarians and received round-the-clock attention. Working tirelessly, WCS staff closely monitored his status and provided dedicated medical care’. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved walrus Akituusaq and are proud of the exemplary care that our entire staff provided during this critical time,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, New York Aquarium Director. “We know Brooklyn was proud of Akituusaq and many loved him. This is a loss to the whole community.”
Akituusaq was the first Pacific walrus baby born in the Aquarium’s 113 year history. This past spring he celebrated his second birthday. He was born June 12, 2007. Walrus births in aquariums are very rare with only 5 surviving to one year of age.
I took this video in September of 2007.
Movie Review: The Cove August 10, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Politics, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: dolphins, Richard O'Barry, Joe Chisholm, Mandy-Rae Cruikshank, Charles Hambleton, Kirk Krack, Isabel Lucas, Roger Payne, Hayden Panettiere, Louie Psihoyos, Paul Watson
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Movie Review: The Cove
Alternate Title: A Town Without Pity
Story: Before you step foot in another Sea World or spend hundreds of dollars to swim with a dolphin you should go to see this amazing and heart breaking documentary film by director Louie Psihoyos (prior Executive Director of the Oceanic Preservation Society and photographer for National Geographic) and writer Mark Monroe.
It is a first rate eco-thriller that will have you biting your nails, squirming in your seat and rethinking everything you know about sea mammal entertainment.
A hi-tech group of dedicated and brave people vow to expose the secret slaughter of over 23,000 dolphins each year in Taijo, Japan. They were all inspired by Richard O’Barry, who 45 years ago was the star and trainer of the vastly popular TV series ‘Flipper.’ In the last 35 years O’Barry is the ‘go to’ guy for any story about dolphin slaughter or abuse. He has spent the last 35 years atoning for his sin of popularizing these wonderful sea mammals. His dedication will inspire you and bring tears to your eyes.
The 23,000 dolphins are herded into a secret cove where the lucrative bottlenose female dolphin (Flipper) is captured and sold for $150,000 to aquariums and places where you can swim with them for a fee. The rest are brutally slaughtered. The meat is then sold as whale meat and is extremely toxic. The level of mercury in a dolphin is over the top.
Make no mistake, the bad guy in this film is the Japanese Government who has begun to hi-jack the International Whaling Commission (an ineffective International agency who successfully banned the hunting of whales in 1986 but has no power to keep the Japanese from their continued slaughter of whales claiming it is for scientific study). Smaller cetaceans like dolphins and porpoises are not protected at all.
After I saw the movie Flow last year I vowed to never buy another bottled water to bring into my house and I have stuck with that promise. After seeing this film, I doubt that I will ever go to another aquarium that has captive, performing dolphins or whales (sorry, Mary).
As they say in the film, you are either an activist or an inactivist. Public opinion is an effective weapon. It can embarrass and shame Governments to change their policies. The final scene shows you Ric O’Barry infiltrating an IWC meeting. It will make you want to stand up and cheer. Get on board.
Acting: A fine brave group of people including, Richard O’Barry, Joe Chisholm, Mandy-Rae Cruikshank, Charles Hambleton, Kirk Krack, Isabel Lucas, Roger Payne, Hayden Panettiere, Louie Psihoyos, Paul Watson
Trivia: Louis Psihoyos is a photographer for National Geographic as well as a new documentary film maker Check out his work here. Want to do something about this nightmare? Go to this site.
Hayden Panettiere has become a young spokesperson for this issue.
Predilection: I am a confessed animal lover and a documentary film aficionado. This film had it all.
Critters: The footage of the dolphins is amazing.
Theater Audience: Five other weeping dolphin lovers.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 9
Drift Factor: I was rapt.
Predictability Level: Sadly, high.
Tissue Usage: Two
Oscar Worthy: The film has already won these awards and I would not be surprised if it got an Oscar Best Documentary nod. Sundance, Audience Award, 2009, Hot Docs/Toronto, Audience Award, 2009, Newport Beach Film Film Festival, Audience Award, 2009
Big Screen or Rental: Go support this film. It is important.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 9
Cat Days of August August 9, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Politics, Videos, Zoos.Tags: Al Franken, Carolyn Maloney, Eliot Spitzer, John Hughes, Kirsten Gillibrand, Sonia Sotomayor, Tatiana the tiger
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August is notorious for nutty, under-reported and or just eye popping stories. Here are some that caught my attention this week.
- Did you hear about the Florida man who blamed his cat’s paws for child porn downloads? From the AP – Florida investigators say a man accused of downloading child pornography is blaming his cat. Keith Griffin of Jensen Beach is charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography after detectives found more than 1,000 images on his home computer. According to a sheriff’s report Friday, Griffin told investigators that his cat jumped on the computer keyboard while he was downloading music. He said he had left the room and found “strange things” on his computer when he returned. Griffin is being held on $250,000 bond in the Martin County jail. It is unclear if he has an attorney. This is not the first time someone has blamed their cat for a dirty deed.
- In the most aggravating story of the week, the one challenger for the New York Democratic Senatorial Primary has dropped out. My Congresswoman, Carolyn Maloney has dropped her Senate bid. I am appalled and disappointed that the thugs in the New York Democratic power halls have used their shameful arm twisting to cause her to drop out of the race. Now Kirsten Gillibrand has no opponent.
In the what would have happened if mode of thinking — If Eliot Spitzer had not been such a damn fool none of this wold have happened in the first place. We would never have gotten the miserable David Paterson as Governor, nor when Hillary left for the State Department, Spitzer would have chosen someone with better credentials than Gillibrand and we all would have been better off. Oh, Eliot.
- Those two brothers that survived the Tatiana the Tiger incident at the San Francisco Zoo, who sued the City and settled for $900,000 have been arrested yet again. Shame on them.
- Al Franken has hit the ground running. He is having a fine first month as Senator.
Week One: Swearing in, moving in and making appearances.
Week Two: Jumping headlong into Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
Week Three: Offering his first bill, which passed in just 24 hours.
Week Four: Moving into his new home on Capitol Hill.
Week Five: Scrambling to keep up as the Senate roars through its work before recess.
- Oh yes, and then there is this. I am hoping that she turns out to be the liberal everyone is accsuing her of being. But, as they say ‘the jury is still out’ on this one, for me.
- Another Repugnant is quitting early. Florida Senator Mel Martinez is quitting at the end of the month. Hmm
- We will miss you John Hughes:
Dog (and Cat) Day Afternoon July 23, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Videos, wildlife.Tags: Binky Foundation, cats, dogs, Gidget
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Gidget, the Chihuahua best known for her Taco Bell ad campaign, died from a stroke the other night at age 15. “She made so many people happy,” said Gidget’s trainer Sue Chipperton . The mostly retired actor lived out her days laying in the sun. “I like to joke that it’s like looking after a plant,” said Chipperton. “Gidget always knew where the camera was.” She charmed millions without ever saying a word — and managed to make fast-food tacos adorable. “Yo Quiero Taco Bell”.
I did not know little Gidget, but I did know Beamer the dog, Jazzie the cat and Alex the dog who all passed away this month. They were beloved companions of some of my friends. They all had good lives and will be greatly missed. Only another pet person can truly understand how hard it is to let a pet go. Making that big decision is very hard and if you have had to do it – you know what I mean.
I decided to honor the memory of these beloved animals with a contribution to The Binky Foundation. The Binky Foundation is a private charitable organization dedicated to the protection of domestic and wild animals and the protection and expansion of their habitats. At The Binky Foundation they recognize that the resources for starting an initiative are often the hardest to obtain. Thus, they are committed to assisting individuals and organizations in taking those critical initial steps toward protecting animals and their habitats.
You can check out the photos of Alex, Beamer, Jazzie and little Geyser on the Binky Foundation’s remembrance page here.
Here is a video I made last year of Larry the anole and Beamer the Dog who shared a long term friendship on the beautiful island of St. Croix
And who can forget these TV ads:
Clouds, Crowds and Shrouds June 28, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, wildlife.Tags: Farah Fawcett, Frank Rich, Gay Pride Parade, Langur monkey, Mammatus clouds, Mark Sanford, Michael Jackson
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I admit to being a long time cloud watcher. They are ever changing, magical and portend the weather. Last Friday night while walking my dog Benny, I noticed a very dramatic in-progress sunset - it reminded me of the twice a year Manhattanhenge night sky.
Upon returning to my apartment and searching for something on TV other than a story about Michael Jackson I saw the color of the sky start to turn an orange-salmon. The fast changing light was ominous. I heard the sounds of dramatic music in my head. Was this a sign of the apocalypse? I grabbed my camera and took the above photo from my dining room window and watched the entire event until it passed. It turns out my imagination had run wild. It was a Mammatus (bumpy clouds), a meteorological term applied to a cellular pattern of pouches hanging underneath the base of a cloud event. It was very cool indeed. Others saw it as well, of course. Since everyone has a camera these days there are many other images as well.
- Today is the Gay Pride parade in NYC. The crowds will be lining the streets to cheer, smile, dance and generally have a grand time. It is also the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The parade passes by my apartment and I can already hear the disco tunes in my head. Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ stays in my head for days after the parade. There is much to celebrate in today’s crowded parade and much to be upset about, including Barack Obama’s weak support of Gay Rights. Tsk, tsk, Mr President. The Gay community is tired of being told to wait for their civil rights. Frank Rich addresses this issue in today’s column called 40 Years Later, Still Second-Class Americans.
- Michael Jackson’s death has moved everything off of the front pages. The riots in Iran, Farah Fawcett, Mark Sanford, the economy and everything else that seemed important for the talking heads to yada yada about are suddenly non-issues. I did notice this morning that the NY Times has returned to normal front page coverage of other doom and gloom stuff but there are still many articles about the self-proclaimed ‘King of Pop.’ I admit that I was to old to appreciate Michael jackson when he first hit the big time but always enjoyed his music from afar. Ultimately his bizarre personal life superseded his music for me. It became increasingly difficult to see him without wincing. The legal problems, the physical morphing, the three children, the chimpanzees, the dangling of a baby off of a balcony all became overriding images for me that quelled the music. The public outpouring of grief (for all celebrities) is something I cannot understand. What brings people out to gather and cry together? Is it an inability to feel sad alone? Is it an inability to deal with grief? How do you mourn a public figure that you did not know? The legal battling amongst the folks that want a piece of Michael Jackson is already brewing. It will be ugly, long and one can only pity those three kids.
- The Filipino inmates who shot to global fame with a Youtube video recreating the “Thriller” dance, swayed and stomped again on Saturday in a behind-bars tribute to their idol, Michael Jackson.
- Michael Jackson Best Dance Moves (R.I.P.)
- The Mark Sanford scandal has moved to the inside pages because of the death of Michael Jackson. I am still paying attention to this crazy story, are you? Why he is not resigning from his Governorship is a head scratcher. Sex Scandal Flow Chart from Talking Points Memo for your amusement and recall:
- In the always leave ‘em smiling mode – check out this enchanting langur monkey and the camera lens:
Happy Benniversary! June 18, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Photography, Videos.7 comments
Yes, there is much going on in the world of politics both foreign and domestic but every once in awhile we need to celebrate something closer to home. Today is four years since I adopted my dog, Benny. I know, I know – you are most likely saying to yourselves ‘only four years?’ Yes, it is true that I have taken and shared hundreds of photos of my little guy so it seems as if he has been around much longer – but it is only four years.
Those of you that have met him know that he is special. We think he is a combination chihuahua/pug and a few other things thrown into his DNA. He barks when the phone rings thinking it is someone at the door. He has too many toys (my fault) and gets too many treats (mea culpa as well). He knows most everyone on the block and his presence has allowed me to meet tons of other people in the ‘hood. He loves to go shopping in Duane Reade, Staples and Barnes & Noble with me and has met many new friends in those stores too.
There is something about the little guy that makes people smile – and that’s a good thing.
Happy Benniversary, little guy!
Watch Benny enjoying the Wegman exhibit in Madison Square Park last summer. Over 5,000 others have hummed along.
Hate is Not New and Other Sunday Items June 14, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Dogs and cats, Links, Photo Archives, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos, wildlife.Tags: Al Franken, Ambassador Appointments, Bob Herbert, Central Park Zoo, Eugene Robinson, Frank Rich, Hate Map, High Line., John Yoo, Keith Olbermann, snow leopards, Southern Poverty Law Center
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The rage that is headlining across the land is finally getting the media’s attention. It is hard for the media to ignore the murders of abortion doctors and the latest nightmare at the Holocaust Museum in DC. Raise your hand if you think the loners and groups of gun wielding, right-wing, haters of anything that is not a mirror image of themselves is new? Frank Rich attacks the issue of the enablers who are stirring the pot and giving these lunatics talking points in today’s column called The Obama Haters’ Silent Enablers.
I have been a long time supporter of the Southern Poverty Law Center . From its website ‘ The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded in 1971 as a small civil rights law firm. Today, SPLC is internationally known for its tolerance education programs, its legal victories against white supremacists and its tracking of hate groups.’ On their website they have a link to a frightening Hate Map. You can select a state and another map will come up showing you exactly where these groups are located and where their hate is directed. If you follow your local politics, you will not be surprised. Bob Herbert discusses The Way We Are (and it is not pretty).
Watch Keith Olbermann talk to Eugene Robinson about the Right, their thought process and the ever growing threats to all of us.
- Some stories seem to be re-runs don’t they? Patrick Kennedy is back in rehab. Sarah Palin is back in the news with a tirade against David Letterman. Riots in Iran, again. North Korea continues to be rogue with their imprisonment of those two reporters. Poppy Bush jumps from an airplane (again). I was hoping the change we voted for would silence all of these nut jobs. Sigh.
- Ever wonder who gets those Ambassador appointments? We usually never hear about them unless they are controversial. Here is a list of some of the appointments thus far by the Obama Administration. Interesting stuff here. I would have wanted the post to Belize but sadly it is already filled. Shucks.
- Al Franken Watch: Norm Coleman must pay $94,783 to future-Senator Al Franken to cover court costs. This decision was handed down last week. Still to be decided: whether Coleman must pay Franken’s attorneys’ fees and the outcome of who gets to be Senator. I have a feeling that we will find out this Thursday about Al’s future. Stay tuned.
- John Yoo, the former Bush administration wacko lawyer connected to the torture program put in place by the Bush Administration, has been ordered to testify in court about accusations that his work led to the torture of a detainee.
- The City was treated to two fabulous openings this week. The Snow Leopard habitat at the Central Park Zoo and the High Line. The High Line is located in the old meatpacking District on the West side of Manhattan and has opened the first of the proposed three parts to the public. It is an urban oasis unlike anything else. I went to visit early Saturday morning with my good buddy who is an amazing horticulturist. We were both dazzled by the design and incredible vistas as the High Line as it winds its way through the old streets, combining state of the art architecture, yet keeping the integrity of the old railway line. He was a little critical of the plantings (I liked everything) but we both loved the visit and will be back for more. You can check out the official website of the High Line for its history, videos and more images. Here are my photos from yesterday.
