Memory and freedom
She is an echo in my mind—the sound of fingernails on slate—until I remember that I don’t have to answer to her moods any more. Coming home with unplanned purchases, and it’s just a reflex; brace for impact. And only as I started to write this did I remember what a splendidly long time it has been since I drove home while worrying about someone’s drinking.
Wah
Today is one of those days when I would just like to hide in a dark room for several hours and do nothing but surf the Internet and nap until Orion comes home from school.
Which I suppose makes it a perfect day for an appointment with my counselor. But I don’t want to goooooooo.
Last time was like this, too, and it was a good session, but I feel like being a two-year-old, stomping my feet and yelling “I don’t wanna!!!!”
![purpleboots:
cryptidchronicles:
Underwater, face to face with a peaceful anacondaPhoto: © Daniel De Granville, 2010Giant anacondaReports of giant anacondas date back as far as the discovery of South America when sightings of anacondas upwards of 50 meters (150 feet) began to circulate amongst colonists and the topic has been a subject of debate ever since among cryptozoologists and zoologists.Anacondas can grow to sizes of 6 metres (20 ft) and beyond, and 150 kilograms (23 stone or approx, 330 lbs.) in weight. Although some python species can grow longer, the anaconda, particularly the Green Anaconda, is the second heaviest and largest in terms of diameter of all snakes, and it is the second biggest extant snake in the world right behind the Reticulated Python. The lengthiest reputably-measured and confirmed anacondas are about 7.5 meters (25 feet) long. Lengths of 50-60 feet have been reported for this species but such extremes lack verification and too add lack of large prey to support a super-large snake. The two only real reliable claims that can be found describe measured anacondas ranging from 26-32 feet although these remain unverified.HistoryThe first recorded sightings of giant anacondas were from the time of the discovery of South America, when early European explorers entered the dense jungles there and claimed to have seen giant snakes measuring up to 18 metres (59 ft) long. Natives also reported seeing anacondas upwards of 10.5 metres (34 ft)[5] to 18 metres (59 ft). Anacondas above 7 metres (23 ft) in length are rare; the Wildlife Conservation Society has, since the early 20th century, offered a large cash reward (currently worth US$50,000) for live delivery of any snake of 9 metres (30 ft) or more in length, but the prize has never been claimed despite the numerous sightings of giant anacondas. In a survey of 780 wild anacondas in Venezuela, the largest captured was 5 metres (16 ft) long, far short of the length required. A specimen measured in 1944 exceeded this size when a petroleum expedition in Colombia claimed to have measured an anaconda which was 11.4 metres (37 ft) in length, but its claim has never been proven. Scientist Vincent Roth also claimed to have shot and killed a 10.3 metres (34 ft) specimen, but like most other claims it lacks sound evidence. Another claim of an extraordinarily large anaconda was made by adventurer Percy Fawcett. During his 1906 expedition, Fawcett wrote that he had shot an anaconda that measured some 19 metres (62 ft) from nose to tail. Once published, Fawcett’s account was widely ridiculed. Decades later, Belgian cryptozoologist Bernard Heuvelmans came to Fawcett’s defence, arguing that Fawcett’s writing was generally honest and reliable.Historian Mike Dash writes of claims of still larger anacondas, alleged to be as long as 45 metres (148 ft), with some of the sightings supported with photos (although those photos lack scale). Dash notes that if reports of a 18 metres (59 ft) anaconda strains credulity, then a 120 feet (37 m) long specimen is generally regarded as an outright impossibility.In fictionPerhaps the most well-known and defining portrayal of giant anaconda in popular fiction is the 1997 film Anaconda, which featured a giant anaconda hunting and killing several crew members from National Geographic, and its sequel Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid. Another two sequels, Anaconda 3: Offspring and Anacondas: Trail of Blood, were produced as made-for-television movies in 2008.In documentariesIt was featured in an episode of Lost Tapes called “Megaconda”. This term was continually used in the official website. During an expedition in the Peruvian Amazon in 2009, a Belfast father and his son claim to have captured a giant Anaconda on camera. See also Titanoboa GigantophisFrom WikipediaFurther Reading:
Boss Snakes: Stories and Sightings of Giant Snakes in North America
Tales of Giant Snakes: A Historical Natural History of Anacondas and Pythons
Giant Anaconda and Other Cryptids: Fact or Fiction?
what the fuck
THIS anaconda don’t want none unless you got buns, hon.](http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luxiyyhSnk1r6ti0go1_500.jpg)
Underwater, face to face with a peaceful anaconda
Photo: © Daniel De Granville, 2010
Giant anaconda
Reports of giant anacondas date back as far as the discovery of South America when sightings of anacondas upwards of 50 meters (150 feet) began to circulate amongst colonists and the topic has been a subject of debate ever since among cryptozoologists and zoologists.
Anacondas can grow to sizes of 6 metres (20 ft) and beyond, and 150 kilograms (23 stone or approx, 330 lbs.) in weight. Although some python species can grow longer, the anaconda, particularly the Green Anaconda, is the second heaviest and largest in terms of diameter of all snakes, and it is the second biggest extant snake in the world right behind the Reticulated Python. The lengthiest reputably-measured and confirmed anacondas are about 7.5 meters (25 feet) long.
Lengths of 50-60 feet have been reported for this species but such extremes lack verification and too add lack of large prey to support a super-large snake. The two only real reliable claims that can be found describe measured anacondas ranging from 26-32 feet although these remain unverified.
History
The first recorded sightings of giant anacondas were from the time of the discovery of South America, when early European explorers entered the dense jungles there and claimed to have seen giant snakes measuring up to 18 metres (59 ft) long. Natives also reported seeing anacondas upwards of 10.5 metres (34 ft)[5] to 18 metres (59 ft). Anacondas above 7 metres (23 ft) in length are rare; the Wildlife Conservation Society has, since the early 20th century, offered a large cash reward (currently worth US$50,000) for live delivery of any snake of 9 metres (30 ft) or more in length, but the prize has never been claimed despite the numerous sightings of giant anacondas. In a survey of 780 wild anacondas in Venezuela, the largest captured was 5 metres (16 ft) long, far short of the length required. A specimen measured in 1944 exceeded this size when a petroleum expedition in Colombia claimed to have measured an anaconda which was 11.4 metres (37 ft) in length, but its claim has never been proven. Scientist Vincent Roth also claimed to have shot and killed a 10.3 metres (34 ft) specimen, but like most other claims it lacks sound evidence. Another claim of an extraordinarily large anaconda was made by adventurer Percy Fawcett. During his 1906 expedition, Fawcett wrote that he had shot an anaconda that measured some 19 metres (62 ft) from nose to tail. Once published, Fawcett’s account was widely ridiculed. Decades later, Belgian cryptozoologist Bernard Heuvelmans came to Fawcett’s defence, arguing that Fawcett’s writing was generally honest and reliable.
Historian Mike Dash writes of claims of still larger anacondas, alleged to be as long as 45 metres (148 ft), with some of the sightings supported with photos (although those photos lack scale). Dash notes that if reports of a 18 metres (59 ft) anaconda strains credulity, then a 120 feet (37 m) long specimen is generally regarded as an outright impossibility.
In fiction
Perhaps the most well-known and defining portrayal of giant anaconda in popular fiction is the 1997 film Anaconda, which featured a giant anaconda hunting and killing several crew members from National Geographic, and its sequel Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid. Another two sequels, Anaconda 3: Offspring and Anacondas: Trail of Blood, were produced as made-for-television movies in 2008.
In documentaries
It was featured in an episode of Lost Tapes called “Megaconda”. This term was continually used in the official website. During an expedition in the Peruvian Amazon in 2009, a Belfast father and his son claim to have captured a giant Anaconda on camera.
See also
Titanoboa
Gigantophis
From Wikipedia
Further Reading:Boss Snakes: Stories and Sightings of Giant Snakes in North America
Tales of Giant Snakes: A Historical Natural History of Anacondas and Pythons
Giant Anaconda and Other Cryptids: Fact or Fiction?
what the fuck
THIS anaconda don’t want none unless you got buns, hon.
At an 8-year-old’s birthday party. I don’t know where all the kids went, but the wifi password was on the kitchen counter…
Also, something about January and global warming.
Tumblr has a bus??
No, this “tumble” is spelled with an “e”. Obviously, they are trying to bus away the Missing E users.
Moon and Space Station Eclipse the Sun
uesday morning’s partial solar eclipse produced a gorgeous crescent sunrise in Europe, Africa and Asia as the moon blocked most of the sun’s disk. But for a split second, the sun was also partially blocked by another satellite: the International Space Station.
French astrophotographer Thierry Legault traveled to Oman to snap this mind-blowing photo of the sun, moon and space station all lined up. The space station took just 0.86 seconds to cross the sun.
Legault is known for his stunning photos of spaceships crossing the sun, each of which was captured in less than a second. To lose hours staring at them, check out his Astrophoto.fr website.
Image: Thierry Legault
Two of Earth’s moons.
This image was taken from Mars Rover Spirit’s PanCam looking west. It shows the nearby hills which were named after the astronauts of Apollo 1. The crew of Apollo 1 perished in flash fire during a launch pad test of their Apollo spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center, Fl. on January 27, 1967.
Chaffee, Grissom and White. RIP.
Misty morning Agra (by Nomad Tales)
Beautiful
Each January, we honor the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia crews, as well as other members of the NASA family who lost their lives supporting NASA’s mission of exploration. We thank them and their families for their extraordinary sacrifices in the service of our nation.
On this Day of Remembrance, as we remember our fallen heroes with tributes and public ceremonies, I will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Across the country, all flags at NASA Headquarters and the NASA centers will be flown at half-mast in their memory.
Space exploration is a difficult and dangerous endeavor. We recognize these pioneers’ sacrifices each day with our ongoing commitment to safety. As an agency, we know the risks inherent in each mission. Ensuring the safety of our employees is our highest priority.
The legacy of those we have lost is our ongoing work and the inspiration of generations of new space explorers. Every day, with each new challenge we overcome and every discovery we make, we honor these remarkable men and women. Please join me in working to fulfill their dreams for the future.
Charles F. Bolden, Jr.
NASA AdministratorRest in peace
Godspeed, brave children of Earth.
cwnl:
NASA Honors Fallen Astronauts in Solemn Ceremony
Image: NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, NASA personnel, and others, participate in a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA’s Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Arlington National Cemetery. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration.
This week, NASA is paying tribute to fallen astronauts who lost their lives in the pursuit of space exploration by holding a remembrance ceremony today (Jan. 26) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Today’s Day of Remembrance will honor the 45th anniversary Friday (Jan. 27) of the three astronauts who died in a fire at the launch pad while training for the Apollo 1 mission. The tribute ceremony also marks 26 years since the fatal shuttle Challenger accident on Jan. 28, and nine years since the loss of shuttle Columbia and its crew on Feb. 1.
“NASA’s Day of Remembrance was actually started after the Columbia accident,” agency spokesman Allard Beutel said. “By pure happenstance, the three high-profile accidents at NASA related to astronauts happened at relatively the same time of the year, separated by years, but all within a few days of each other. It was decided that NASA would put aside the last Thursday of January — whatever that date happens to be — to pay tribute.”.
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Birthday eve dinner at Ichiban. Ian overcompensates for not being Asian by using more fire. (He started this part blindfolded, too!)
“Happy Gumbo McGee” AH MAH LAWD
Happy Gumbo McKee and the Downtrodden Trio, opening up for Odinfreude during their blues phase. This is fantastic.
Boney Foot Rivers. Every day I got the blues.
