Kingdom of BELGIUM

stamp: 17 francs / 0,42 €

year: 2000

reptile: lizard – Lacerta agilis

I don’t know when this piece of purple fabric entered the stash or even where I got it from, but I do know that it has been in the stash a long time. I was doing some fine tuning adjustments on my basic sloper pattern last March and I needed to try out my adjustments, so I dug this purple piece, as well as a blue piece, out of the stash. I washed the fabric and took it to the cutting table, but as I cut out the purple fabric, I lost interest in the fabric and the shirt. I can’t explain it. It just didn’t cut out well and it soured me on the whole project. After cutting and ironing on some interfacing, I sewed the shoulder seams and that is where the construction stopped. I just did not care to sew on it anymore, so I tucked it in the closet. Each time I opened the closet to start a new project, it would be sitting there staring at me, but there it would remain for a long time.

A few weeks ago during the prep for embroidery day, I ran across the shirt and decided to get it out and finish it. As I sewed the collar on, it just didn’t quite sew right, but I didn’t care. While sewing the side seams, the serging puckered a little and I just didn’t care. The hems wanted to give me some grief, but I just did not care. In picking out an embroidery design, I picked the design I had been wanting to try, not what would have been best looking on the shirt. I just didn’t care.

Well, upon completion of the shirt, I looked back at the sewing process and thought to myself, “This shirt actually was a struggle to sew together, but with the I don’t care attitude, it was not problem.” I wish all my sewing projects could be have the I don’t care attitude. It would save me a lot of frustration. But, it would probably make me a sloppier sewer so maybe it is for the best that I do care. Although, I think I will tuck a little I don’t care attitude away for the those times when a sewing project is really trying my patience.

Another funny thing about the “I don’t care” shirt is that it is very comfortable and I love to wear it.

By the way, my adjustment worked well in both the blue shirt and this shirt.

There’s a few different brands of mobile spytools out there to choose from, but none of them are as flexible or powerful as the company Flexispy. The main reason for this is because as a trucker you will always be on the road and without access to your wife’s phone. So having remote capabilities are of imperative importance.

Flexispy allows you to activate settings literally from anywhere on earth there is a mobile connection. An internet connection is only required to set up the software. When phone activity is recorded to the main server you have an option to relay the information to your email, which in turn can be relayed one more time to your mobile phone. So this is a truly closed system with full remote surveillance capabilities. On some versions you even have the ability to remove the software altogether by sending a special command. Virtually all commands can be sent by SMS text to control functions once installation has been completed.

Using the phone which is to be monitored, simply point the phone’s internet browser to the download site and the download begins automatically. The download takes a couple of minutes and once its completed simply restart the phone. After the installation has been completed you will have to setup the software. To do this just enter the secret code into the phone’s keypad and the screen will come up. At this point look for the monitor number setting and simply enter your phone number, after this point all call information as well as SIM card change notification will be sent to your personal mobile phone.

That’s pretty much it to actually get the software working, now all you have to do is choose which package from Flexispy will suit you best.

The last couple of days Master and I have been talking a lot. About what kind of job I want to do, will I be happy, do I still want to pursue psychology as opposed to web design, rules and things that have been forgotten or fallen to the side. So I thought I would talk about those things today, my silver lining of logic in the storm cloud of emotions that is this last week.

A friend of mine thought it was weird when I said that I was more excited about being able to work soon that about getting married soon lol. She said that’s the sign of a workaholic and is bad…but I countered with marriage is a piece of paper. It changes nothing in where we stand in each others lives or roles. Having a job and being able to contribute to that relationship, however, is so important. I have always believed that a relationship is what you put into it, not a piece of paper tying you legally to each other. As long as I feel that I am a vital and contributing member of this relationship, then I am happy.

hey! sorry it’s been so long since my last update. Had a mad weekend and couldn’t get around to any photo editing. But I am now ready to bring you the second to last installment in the critters section from Madagascar!

Scincidae

Skinks are found quite easily in most of Africa, but in Madagascar some have evolved some really peculiar habits. There are numerous fossorial species (dwelling underground), several leaf-litter swimmers, and even acquatic species. The only ones I was able to photograph, which we found in our bucket traps, were leaf-litter swimmers. Typical of skinks, they show dramatic limb reduction, though unlike species I’ve found before, they have not completely lost any limbs. They also have extremely elongated tails, helping them swim through the undergrowth.

Amphiglossus tanysoma

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/125s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/6.3

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/11

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

Madascincus intermedius

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/5

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/200s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/13

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

And that is unfortunately it for the skinks! I apologise for the monotony of it all, it’s very difficult to get photos of skinks in situ, seeing as they do sort of slither through the undergrowth and the only times we really saw them were in buckets and in hands.

Anyways, next time is what I hope to be the most awaited installment, and the final one – Mammals! Lemurs, tenrecs, and all that jazz! stay well tuned, it should be out by Saturday!

Over the past two weekends I’ve been out running SPA training course’s in some horrible weather conditions for sunny Cornwall.

The rain and wind has been so bad, I’ve found myself  hiding down in the valleys waiting for the sun to come back & just when I think the sun’s on its way along comes the hail (Whats that all about I want to know).

Any how it’s still good to get out on the hill even if it’s at the bottom.

CHEERIO FOR NOW

Republic of INDONESIA

stamp: 500 rupees

year: 2000

reptile: lizard / komodo – Varanus komodoensis

It’s a slow news day…

look what I saw as I was rinsing the shampoo out of my hair:

yup– a lizard somehow crawled into the ceiling light in my bathroom.  I quickly turned off the light so the bulb didn’t burn him, and DH came and removed the lizard to the outside.  Alive and well, he scooted back to his friends, with tales to tell of living on the edge.

Check in sometime during your Thanksgiving day preparations.  I have some fun shoes to show off, providing you with a nice break from cooking!

A lifeboat assists a gas tanker that was unable to lay its anchor and was left drifting off Cornwall…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: fast boat. The blog is also related to: boat names.

The Margay is a rare, endangered cat that closely resembles an ocelot.  These beautiful cats can be seen in rain forests in Mexico, and South and Central America east of the Andes Mountains.  The Margay’s fur can be grayish to cinnamon in color with dark brown spots. They have large eyes and short, round heads.  Adult Margays can be range from 18.2 to 31 inches in length and weigh between 6 and 20 pounds. The tail can grow to be 20 inches long.

The Margay is a very skilled climber and jumper as is often called the “tree ocelot.” The scientific name of this cat is the “Leopardus Wiedii”. Named for Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied. Other names and subspecies of the Margay are Felis Wiedii, Long-tailed Spotted Cat, Tree Ocelot.

The Margay is the only cat species that is known to be able to climb down a tree head first, they are able to rotate their ankles 180 degrees while heading down the tree.  They are also known to hang from tree branches with one hind foot, like a monkey does with its tail.

Preferring to spend most of it’s time in the trees the Margay is a solitary and nocturnal animal that prefers remote sections of the rain forest.  This cats diet consists of rodents, monkeys, lizards, birds, tree frogs and fruit.  They may also eat grass and vegetation, but mainly to help with digestion.  Margays do hunt on the ground but are able to hunt prey entirely in trees.

Mating can occur year-round and this species is solitary until ready to mate.  Females give birth to one or two kittens after a gestation period of 70 days.  The nest for the kittens is made in a hollow tree hole.

The main threat to the Margay is hunting for it’s fur, pet trade and habitat loss due to deforestation.  They do not adapt well to human interference and are nearly extinct in the northern parts of it’s range.

Altogether there are sixteen species within the Genus of Uromastyx. The following are the most common seen for sale within the industry. U. acanthinura, U. benti, U. hardwicki, U. ornata, U. ocellata, U. geryi, and U. aegyptia. The common names for these strange animals have a range almost as extensive if not more than the species themselves.

Whether you find them sold as Dabb lizards, Spiny Tails, or Spiny Tailed Agama, etc. They are lizards which deserve if not demand a special place within the ranks of any Saurian fan. They can be found in the northwestern territories of Africa and as far east as Pakistan while the furthest south they have been found is Djibouti. Looking at a world atlas the Uromastyx seem to be found mostly in the desert areas however there are a few species which occur within the montane regions of Africa. All of the species inhabit very arid areas of the world. Even species that are recognized as a mountain species occur within the range of extremely arid areas. This genus is believed by some to show their best colors at body temperatures above 100°F.

Denizens of the desert

Uromastyx acanthinura occur in North Africa. These Uromastyx can obtain an overall length of 40 cm. The typical coloration is variable within the species. The head of most is typically black in coloration while the body can represent a netlike coloration of yellow, gray, red, and green.

Uromastyx benti Rainbow Benti AKA Mountain Benti occur on the coast of Yemen in Saudi Arabia. The males are described as having a bluish torso with white spots that bleed into a reddish color towards the rear of the lizard. The females are typically tan in color while having a reddish tail[1]. They obtain an overall length of 12in.

The smallest of the Uromastyx species Uromastyx hardwicki is a mountain dwelling species occurring in the north west portion of India & into Pakistan. Hardwicks typically obtain a length of 10 in. Coloration is usually tan with light yellow spotting.

Uromastyx ornata occur in eastern Egypt, Israel, and Saudi Arabia[2]. The Ornate Uromastyx typically reach a total length of 12in & are sexually dichromatic with the male of the species being green, blue, rust or any combination and variation in shades of these colors. Females are usually light brown or tan with the possibility or hints of colors. Males typically do not show the full coloration until sexual maturity is reached.  There is also a subspecies known as U. ornatus philbyi, which I am not covering within this article, these occur in Western Saudi Arabia and northwest Yemen.

Uromastyx ocellata occurs in Northwest Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, North Sudan, and Southeast Egypt. The same description could be used as was for the U. ornata. This is a “scale counter” or Taxonomists call that I would rather leave to the academe of the herp industry. I have however seen high orange color morph as well as a tan and white morph as well as a high blue color morph

Uromastyx aegyptia has within its ranks two subspecies one being U. a. microlepis the other being U. a. aegyptia. These Uromastyx occur in Libya, East of the Nile in Egypt, Israel, Northern Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Jordan.  The aegyptia seem to appear as a typical tan color that would be expected of most desert species. There are variances within the species but not any of such note that has made me take serious note of this particular species. The U. aegyptia can obtain a length of up to 30-in. total length.

U. geryi Niger Uromastyx occur in South Algeria, Mali, and Niger in the Air mountains which are north of Agadez and East of Arlit. They also occur in the Hoggar mountains of Algeria which are located southeast of Adrar. They usually appear in the industry as red, orange, or yellow. Males are considerably brighter than females.

Captive vs. Wild caught

All the Uromastyx species can be cared for in very similar ways.  Yet, it is suggested by some that certain species have different requirements when it comes to breeding temperatures. All the captive-bred animals that I have encountered within the industry are very hardy lizards. The wild caught specimens that I have occasionally seen are very difficult to bring around to being stable.

The wild caught specimens are typically very dehydrated and literally infested with some type of parasite(s). This in turn means for the new owner that an extremely large veterinary bill is in order. Even then, there is no guarantee that the “cheaper” lizard will survive. By the time the scenario is over it would have been better to purchase a captive-bred animal rather than getting the cheaper wild caught one.

Housing

You can safely house a pair of Uromastyx in a four-foot long by two and one half foot deep by two-foot high enclosure. You need an enclosure that is large enough to provide roaming room for these very active species. These lizards are extremely active. They are not really a climbing species like the Bearded Dragons Pogona sp.

By active, it is meant that they are explorers that are constantly moving back and forth in the terrarium. Therefore, a large enclosure is necessary. This is not an option that you can ignore if you are considering owning a Uromastyx. In my opinion even, a baby Uromastyx needs a larger enclosure than most other species of lizards.

Something that I tell all the customers that come into my store is to buy the largest enclosure that you can get. Even if it means waiting to get the animal and the rest of the equipment later. This will make you and your animal much happier than simply buying the smaller enclosure at first and then having to buy a larger one later.

In addition to a large enclosure, you will want to offer multiple hide boxes. Whether you have them housed as pairs or as individuals, multiple hide boxes have been noted as having an effect on the psychological aspect of the lizard. Hide boxes can be very simplistic such as a cat litter pan turned upside down with a hole large enough to accommodate the lizard. You can also silicone pieces of slate or other rock material together and silicone these to the bottom of the cage so that the Uromastyx will not excavate underneath it and cause it to fall and crush them. Personally, I like the appearance of the natural vivaria.

Something that should be noted here is that some Uromastyx have been known to injure themselves while attempting to climb the glass of their enclosure. Spinal injuries have occurred repeatedly in the Uromastyx species because they bend their backs in such a way that they crush their vertebrae when trying to escape. It is therefore suggested that you build up a rock wall or some other type of structure around the front of the enclosure so that they will not attempt to climb out.

Lighting & Heating

As with any desert dwelling species high heat is a must for this species. Now then, by high heat I mean some extremely high heat. This species need temperatures that would most likely “cook” other animals. A basking area of 130° F. is preferred. The lizard should be able to avoid this basking spot and get to another place in the cage where the temperature is at 90°F. This is what is known as the ambient cage temperature.

A thermometer placed at both ends of the cage will help you to regulate the temperatures to the necessary parameters. There are those who have advocated and shown proof from personal studies that an ambient temperature as high as 90-100° and a basking area of 140°F. Have produced larger animals. This same person also admits that they have no idea which factor was influential in the difference between the control group and the other.

There are two subjects that are hotly debated regarding captive care of Uromastyx. One is substrate and the other is food. First I will relay and discuss the matter of substrate. All Uromastyx that have been found in the wild have been reported as being found in the rocky outcroppings of the desert. They have also been misconstrued as sand dwelling animals when actually in the wild they avoid sand altogether. They instead inhabit clay/sand mixtures or loamy soil. The reason for this is that these types of soil hold a burrow rather than collapsing in on itself.

From what I have read and observed myself in captive Uromastyx washed play sand or high quality birdseed work the best as bedding. The lizards will occasionally eat the birdseed from which the sunflower seeds have been sifted out and what is processed in the gut is nutritious and what is not passes easily enough as to not cause any impaction. Crushed walnut appears to be a point on which there is much contention. I would highly advise against using this type of bedding. Reports say that when it is ingested by the lizards it swells and causes a major impaction within the gut. People say that they have used it without ill effects but most all the reports say that it is a bad idea for bedding.

Uromastyx are by classification omnivores but they should be fed primarily herbivorous foodstuffs, as this is what they encounter and eat in the wild. In studies, it has been shown detrimental to feed them too many insects, which is anything more than a few at one time. Gravid females may be fed more than this make sure however that the insect is treated with type of supplement itself. Water is obtained through the intake of the herbivorous diet that should consist of dandelion greens, turnip greens, collard greens, and frozen mixed vegetables that have been defrosted. In addition, I have personally seen a dried mixture of seven-bean soup used with great results.

Some foods that should never be offered to the Uromastyx are spinach greens, beet greens, Swiss chard, or cabbage. Kale, broccoli, and collard greens should be limited. Water should not be offered within the terrarium. It will usually only end up being spilled and cause humidity problems within the cage which will cause serious complications with the Uromastyx’ health.

[2] http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Uromastyx_SP_ornata']

See the lizard in the banner up there? Suggest a name for him. The top 3 name suggestions will go into a poll for a vote on December 1, 2009. Winner will get a valuable (not really) item purchased from Woot.com!

*Exactly, JR staff reserves the right to amend these rules and prizes without notice at any time. And to make fun of anybody that complains. Don’t like it? Don’t suggest a name.

Cutie Pie and I ran a bunch of errands after we dropped off Wildman at preschool yesterday morning.  As a special treat I swung by a local park on the way home.  The weather was gorgeous but slightly too warm for my taste.  The incredible heat we’ve been experiencing needs to go!

Cutie Pie ran right over to the canal that borders the park.

And began throwing leaves and mulch into the water.

This is a favorite past time for him.  It makes me nervous.  Even though he can swim I’d still be terribly freaked out if he fell into the canal.  I can only imagine how traumatized Cutie Pie would be if he fell into the water unexpectedly.

We checked out this lizard sunning himself next to me on the bench.

After several minutes of leaf/mulch throwing and lizard investigation I suggested we head over to the play ground equipment.  He happily agreed.  I just love the huge grass field at this park.  It makes me want to run too!

There were a bunch of other kids playing on the playground so Cutie Pie, being the slow-to-warm child that he is, was reluctant to play.  Eventually he did manage to climb up one structure that was far away from the other children and slide down the slide.  That was about it.

He much preferred sitting next to me on the bench and using my camera.  Silly kid!

Later that evening, we headed back out for more park fun.  This time Wildman got to go and we went to a different park.  The park we went to was on the beach and we stayed until sundown.  The boys had a blast playing with all of their friends.

Afterward, we headed over to Pizza Hut with Steph and her two boys for dinner.  We sat in a corner where the four boys got their own booth and Steph and I got our own booth.  It worked out wonderfully as long as I kept the carrot sticks and ranch coming!

This guy got into the apartment and Angie found him on the windowsill at the top of the stairs. I got my camera and started shooting pictures from the bottom of the stairs, figuring he scoot away before I got close, but then he let us get real close and I got the bottom picture. Turns out he was kind of weak; probably couldn’t find his way out and so he let us put him in a cup and then release him in the garden.

A pair of desert spiny lizards basks on a sunny morning. The male is distinguished by the blue throat markings.

ATTENTION EARTH: Snakebite piercings don’t make you look cool. They make you look trashy, and not in a semi-acceptable grunge sort of way. Please, if you have a snakebite, remove it and never wear it again!

You look like an idiot.

As some of you know, my most recent iPhone project involves dinosaurs and claymation.

In order to establish a style google image search has been a valuable research tool. Google image search allows me to view a plethora of relevant but different artists conceptions in just seconds!

Naturally, when I decided to research how different dinosaurs moved I wanted to see different birds, reptiles, and other critters moving. The choice was clear, and I went to youtube. Good idea?

The dangerous related videos feature makes youtube an almost unusable research tool. Instant distraction is never more than a single click away. I am only human! As a result …

I present to you– my top 3 favorite dancing reptile videos.

The runner up in 4th place.

3rd place

2nd place

1st place

Now that those are out of the way I can go back to animating the dilophosaurus.

Republic of INDONESIA

stamp: 500 rupees

year: 2000

reptile: lizard / Komodo - Varanus komodoensis

15 Listopada w klubie Lizard King odbył się jubileusz listy przebojów Polskiego Radia Pomorza i Kujaw.

Święto listy rozpoczęło się punktualnie o 18.00 i trwało do 22.00.
Imprezę poprowadził dobrze znany prezenter listy przebojów Dariusz Gross, a ze studia radiowego Piotr Majewski. Na inauguracji obchodów tysięcznego notowania listy przebojów bawiło się wielu radiosłuchaczy i przyjaciół listy oraz zespoły, które swoją działalność i karierę wiązały z historią listy.

więcej na MMBydgoszcz.pl

For the last few weeks on MTR I have been discussing rumor casting choices for  Spider-Man 4. As of right now it seems that Dylan Baker will finally become The Lizard,but like always it’s never 100% concrete and as of last week there have been rumors of Black Cat making her film debut and being played by Rachel McAdams which is good casting in my book. I personally think that keeping the film closer to the books in pivotal to avoid the debacle that was Spidey 3. If  you want to introduce characters then have a look at my suggestions.

Spidey's Rogues Gallery

Minor villains ( Didn’t cast)- Should appear at the beginning of the films just to show them being caught and give them some screen time.Such as :

• The Shocker
• Beetle
• Rhino
• Speed Demon
• Hammerhead
• Mysterio

Now regarding main antagonists (cuz we know they won’t go back to one)

• Chameleon- A character that while not the most powerful would make a great secondary villain to work against Spider-Man. I would cast Tim Roth who played Abomination in the Hulk film
• Hydro-Man ( Considered a secondary villain but for effects purposes can moved up the ladder)-Hydro-Man is a special effects wet dream (no pun intended).After the excellent work in bringing the Sandman to life I wouldn’t mind seeing him on-screen just to see how they would pull it off. I would cast James Marsden for the role.
• Kraven The Hunter- Kraven to me is a very well balanced foil for Spider-Man since he has no real powers but has keen hunting ability and feels Spidey makes for an excellent hunt. In using Kraven you can also use Chameleon as they are brothers and even toss in Kraven’s love interest Calypso.   Before giving my casting choice I’d recommend Kraven get a costume update just cause his normal costume is a bit weak . Kraven-Tchéky Karyo or Benicio Del Toro and for Calypso-Salli Richardson. The actors I selected not only look close their comic counter parts but have the acting chops to give these characters depth.
• Lizard- Dylan Baker already well on his way towards this character.
• Morbius - You need a great screen presence to play the tortured living vampire . I had a decent list of guys that could play him and feel that Alexander Skarsgård while already cast as Eric Northman on Tru Blood would be actor to convey the best screen presence and also to appear imposing to Spidey
• Scorpion- Jackie Earle Hartley screams Matt Gargan just on his look alone. After his great work in Watchmen I think this role would suit him. Scorpion was brought by Jonah Jameson in the books and as such could be brought into the film franchise the same way.
• Tombstone- Tombstone is considered by most a 2nd tier character,but to me he adds a great dynamic that plays well with Peter Parker’s relationship to fellow Daily Bugle employee Robbie Robertson. Tombstone- Micheal Jai White or Chiwetel Ejiofor. In case you are wondering about my cast choice note that Tombstone is african american and only looks white because of the accident he suffered in his origin story.
• Vulture-Ahh good ole Vulture. A Spidey villain staple for years. Spider-Man has fought both young and old versions of the legendary character. It’s hard to cast the senior citizen Vulture because it’s a physical role and I am not sure an older actor would want to do it. I honestly would go with Ian McKellen or Patrick Stewart.
• Alastair Smythe & The Spider Slayers – You’d need someone smart yet also physical for Smythe’s spider slayer transformation. I’d go with Guy Pierce or Ewan McGregor on this one
• Kingpin- In keeping with continuity I’d keep Micheal Clarke Duncan in the role since he plays it well and has the imposing frame to bring the character to life.
• Electro -  One of  Spider-man’s mainstays and all around pain in the ass. I’d go with Sam Rockwell

These are casting choices which “I” personally feel would work. Feel free to share your choices and/or comments.

Click on the map to get a larger map

Some of the animals and birds I saw in this park was Bear, Goose, Python, Monkey, zebra, deer, crocodile, Indian king cobra, Hippopotamus, Elephants, Aquarium, Jackal, Panther, Lizard, Rat snake, Wild boar, Viper, ….