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[JoseSPiano]

Good Morning!  Good Afternoon!

So far, a pretty nice morning.  A good sleep.  A good breakfast.  Read the Washington Post.  Then paid some my bills online.  -Oh, and I just remembered that I need to get some mail ready to mail too... Hmm...

[vixmom]

Is there no limited to the world of collectibles? Dept

Star Trek actor William Shatner has sold his kidney stone for $25,000 to an online casino, to raise money for a housing charity.

The 74-year-old actor agreed on Monday to sell the stone to GoldenPalace.com.

The Boston Legal Emmy winner and Star Trek icon passed the kidney stone last October. The actor was rushed to hospital after suffering "unbearable" backache that prompted him to drop to his knees in pain while filming on the set of Boston Legal, according to a TV interview last year reports BBCnews.

"It was just unbelievable and it made you think about what pain is," he said.

The operation is said to be excruciatingly painful, and the auction price includes the surgical stint and string used to permit passage of the stone.

The stone was so big, Shatner said, "you'd want to wear it on your finger".

According to a statement, the sale was contingent on GoldenPalace.com making its five-figure check payable to Habitat reports EOnline.

"I offered the stone, stint and string for $25,000, and informed them that 100 percent of the proceeds would go to benefit Habitat for Humanity," Shatner said, adding, "and I retain visitation rights."

"This takes organ donors to a new height, to a new low, maybe. How much is a piece of me worth?" "If you subjected it to extreme heat, it might turn out to be a diamond," he said.

GoldenPalace.com originally offered $15,000 for the kidney stone, but the actor turned it down, noting that his Star Trek tunics have sold for more than $100,000

[JMK]

Having contributed to the HHW cultural zeitgeist by introducing the charming "Is this because I'm a lesbian?" and the lesser-used by equally picante "Is this because I'm an Italian lesbian?," I now ask for your forebearance as I begin regularly using last night's classic Rexella quote, "Point to it."  

So, in that spirit, may I gently correct DR Pogue, who I'm sure knew this anyway, that "My Reverie" is Debussy, not Ravel, point to it.

TOD:  I just do not like zoos.  I get depressed seeing the caged animals.  Though we loved Disney's Animal Planet or Safari Kingdom or whatever the hell it's called in DisneyWorld, where all the animals roam relatively free.

[JoseSPiano]

As for the Topic of the Day...

I think the last time I went to the National Zoo... Well... I think I was still in the single digits age-wise.  And probably on a school field trip.  I really don't think I've been to the National Zoo in about 25 years... And I've been living in or near the DC area during the past 25 years, so...  But I do have fond memories of it.  Someday...

I do remember a zoo in Seattle, and I believe we went to the San Diego Zoo on a family vacation... when I was nine.  And then there was the petting zoo at Busch Gardens... when I was eight.

I'm sure I've been to a zoo in more recent times, but I just can't recall any particulars right now.  However, I have walked through the Central Park Zoo many a time, I just haven't "been" to the Central Park Zoo yet.

[JMK]

Now that we have way too many channels, I'd love to hear some recommendations on what to watch.  We caught a couple seconds of Project Runway last night.  What is that?  Is it designers?  Or is it that filmmakers show (or is that Project Greenlight, LOL?).   The kids are out of their minds with glee at several cartoon and/or Disney channels.

[JoseSPiano]

OH!  Thanks DR JMK for the reminder...

Ah, yes!  Disney's Animal Kingdom about four years ago.  *If you do go, remember to go during the morning hours, right after the park opens - at 7:00, I believe.  That's when most of the animals are out.  Otherwise, they're usually taking cover during the heat of the day.

[JoseSPiano]

Is there no limited to the world of collectibles? Dept

...And then there was the leftover Brussell Sprout on e-Bay.


 

[JoseSPiano]

BK - Thanks for the Deceit run info.  I remembered that you had booked the theatre for eight weeks, but I wasn't sure when that eight week period started and ended.  -Still looking into flights...

[bk]

She opened one unfriendly eye and said, "The unicorn is a mythical beast."  

Name the author.

[bk]

FJL - I guess that means that Tower has finally put out TLS.

[George]

TOD:  I just do not like zoos.  I get depressed seeing the caged animals.  Though we loved Disney's Animal Planet or Safari Kingdom or whatever the hell it's called in DisneyWorld, where all the animals roam relatively free.

I'm not much of a fan of zoos, either.  I haven't been to too many, but the one that is really cool is the Northwest's Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.  They have all of their animals in natural settings.  The bigger animals can roam freely and there's a tram that takes you through the free-roaming area.  You don't always get to see all of the animals but one time, my sister, niece, mom and visiting aunt (dad's sister) went and they said that they saw just about every different animal in the whole park!  Everything was out and they took photos and had a grand time.  I highly recommend it if you like zoos but don't like the caged aspect of zoos.

[JoseSPiano]

Well... Time for me to be productive and industrious...

Laters...

[Dan (the Man)]

She opened one unfriendly eye and said, "The unicorn is a mythical beast."  

Name the author.

James Thurber.  I'm pretty sure this is on the Thurber Carnival OCR

[bk]

Give that man a ceegar.

[Dan (the Man)]

I don't wish to cause an unseemly riot, but Amazon sells THE CALAMARI WRESTLER and there are only three copies left.

[bk]

From the Thurber story, The Unicorn in the Garden.

[bk]

It's a very pretty day here in the City of Studio.

[bk]

Can no one offer any information on the Himalayan yak or, at the very least, the Armenian aarkvark?

[vixmom]

Can no one offer any information on the Himalayan yak or, at the very least, the Armenian aarkvark?

I posted a picture on page one but if you want more well....

YAK FACTS

Yaks, Bos grunniens, a member of the bovine family, were domesticated in Tibet during the first millennium, B.C., and today, more than 12 million of them can be found in five Himalayan countries where they inhabit steppes of 15,000 feet. Known as the "grunting ox", they can climb as high as 20,000 feet, and yet they can be successfully raised at very low elevations. Their respiratory rate increases with heat and low altitudes, decreases at higher, cooler climates to help them adjust. North American yaks are divided into five types: black, trims (black with some white trim), royal (black and white pied with a white blaze face), golden, and woolly. With their horse-like tail and long skirts, these hardy animals require no special permits, and are compatible with existing agricultural operations. Two year-old yaks breed in the fall, calve 257 days later in the spring, are mature in 4-6 years, and live an average of 25 years.


What are they used for? Uses include breeding stock, cross-breeding stock, pack and draught animals, wool, hide, milk and meat production.

Are they hard to fence? Yaks are very easy to fence, requiring no special consideration. They are content in a small area and mix well with other livestock.

What and how much do they eat? They are very efficient food-converting animals and eat about half of what an average beef animal does. They are browsers and grazers and do well on a variety of pastures with no supplemental feed required. A mineral block and that is it. A mature yak can do well on as little as 6-10 pounds of grass hay per day. They alternate their day between browsing and lying quietly chewing their cud.

What sounds do they make? They make a grunting sound when agitated, hungry, or calling their young. Otherwise, they make no sound at all.

What is their personality like? Yaks are intelligent animals each with its own distinct personality. They learn to come when called and have a highly developed sense of sight and hearing. They make good watch dogs curiously investigating any activity in their vicinity. They can be halter broken upon weaning and learn and retain behaviors such as trailering, packing, pulling, and being groomed.

Are their horns dangerous? By holding their horns when training them, they learn not to throw them around. Their horns then become handy handles onto which to tie things, and hold on to when grooming them. They groom themselves, scratch, clean their hooves, and even open grain cans with them.

Are they good pack animals? Quiet and gentle, 500-600 pound yak cows make excellent packers. Without them, the famous Trans Himalayan trade between Nepal and Tibet would have been impossible. One yak can carry up to 150 pounds of load and walk trails too rough for horses, needing no additional food other than browsing. Their small split hoof is easy on trails and their excellent hearing alerts you to any activity. This hoof and their ability to browse, make the yak very compatible with the environment. They carry loads equivalent to a pack horse, yet need no special feed, do not disturb the trails, and lay quietly at night, chewing their cud. They can be trained and desensitized in several months, can carry a full pack by two years old, and have a useful life of 20 years.

What is their wool like? The soft under-hair of the Yak can be combed out in the spring. This very fine hair with a short staple is cashmere-like and can be blended with silk for easier spinning. Each yak can produce two to three pounds of under-hair which can sell for up to $16 per ounce when spun. The coarser outer-hair can be woven into ropes, belts, or bags.

What is their meat like? With a dressing percentage of 45-55%, Yak meat is deep-red in color with the fat located on the outside of the carcass where it can be easily trimmed. This makes for low marbling which creates the meat's unique tenderness. The taste of Yak is best described as beef-like, but more delicate in flavor. High in protein, with one sixth the fat of beef, Yak is of a quality of excellence to be appreciated. At present pure yak meat sells at a price equivalent to bison.

What is their milk like? Yak milk is NOT pink. It is a rich creamy color with a high fat content of 5-7 percent. Being so high in fat, it is usually processed into butter, cheese, or yogurt. An average cow will produce 110 kg. Milk in a lactation period of an average of 149 days.

[/size]

[bk]

Yes, but we want the history, which is a mystery.

[vixmom]

Yes, but we want the history, which is a mystery.

oh you are a hard taskmaster

[vixmom]

More Yak Facts

The yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired humped domestic bovine found in Tibet and throughout the Himalayan region of south central Asia. In Tibetan, the word yak refers only to the male of the species; a female is a dri or nak. In English, however, yak is usually used for both sexes.

Wild yaks (Bos mutus) stand about two meters tall at the shoulder. Domestic yaks are about half that height. Both types have long shaggy hair to insulate them from the cold. Wild yaks can be either brown or black. Domesticated ones can also be white. Both males and females have horns.

Domesticated yaks are kept primarily for their milk, fiber, and meat; they are also used as beasts of burden, transporting goods across mountain passes for local farmers and traders as well as in support of climbing and trekking expeditions. Yak milk is often processed to a cheese called Chhurpi in Tibetan and Nepali languages. Often the pack animals are actually crossbreeds of the yak and Bos taurus (common domestic cattle). These are known in Tibetan as dzo or dzopkyo.

Yak fiber is soft and smooth, in several colors, including shades of gray, brown, black and white. The length of yak fiber is about 1.2 inches. It is combed or shed from the yak and then dehaired. The result is a splendid downy fiber that can be spun into yarn for knitting.

 
Yaks were important caravan animals, replacing camels in mountainous countryUnlike cattle, yaks grunt rather than moo. Many wild yaks are killed for food by the Tibetans; they are now an endangered species. Yaks can weigh over 1200 pounds and have a lifespan of 20-25 years.

[/size]

[vixmom]

I don't wish to cause an unseemly riot, but Amazon sells THE CALAMARI WRESTLER and there are only three copies left.

I must to amazon!!!

[elmore3003]

James Thurber.  I'm pretty sure this is on the Thurber Carnival OCR

Now why isn't that on CD?

[Ben]

Now why isn't that on CD?

I'm sorry, I just have to say it.

Because you're a lesbian  

[Ron Pulliam]

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]~~~~HEALTH VIBES~~~~[/move]fo RLP... I hope your cold has gone away

No it hasn't.  This is the real deal.  Not some quickie and then off to the next victim for pillage and plunder.

No.  This cold came to stay.

I fully intended to go to work today.  I was up at 4 and had a cup of hot herbal tea.

At 6:30, two alarms went off.  I got up, putzed around for 5 minutes, and then determined I had to get another 30 minutes or so of sleep.

I woke up at 8:25 knowing I had to call in and let my boss know I was laying low another day.

I only just got up 10 minutes ago.  And that's not because I couldn't sleep but because every cavity in my head seems to be dry and sticking to itself.

So...more herbal tea...and catching up with posts from people who have lives today.

And go figure...I'm grumpy to boot.

[elmore3003]

It's a bad day at West 82nd Street today!  We've been having hot water problems for the past three days, and the men are here to work on the boiler.  Unfortuantely, our super notified no one in advance that the water and all plumbing woud be turned off today until at least 4 pm.  No one, including your truly, is the least bit amused.

My neighbor Judy is running around in her bathrobe lamenting she can't bathe before stepping out.  My neighbor Ray, the retired cop who bathes - I'd speculate - once every time Haley's comet appears, seems undisturbed by the whole megillah.

[vixmom]

It's a bad day at West 82nd Street today!  We've been having hot water problems for the past three days, and the men are here to work on the boiler.  Unfortuantely, our super notified no one in advance that the water and all plumbing woud be turned off today until at least 4 pm.  No one, including your truly, is the least bit amused.

My neighbor Judy is running around in her bathrobe lamenting she can't bathe before stepping out.  My neighbor Ray, the retired cop who bathes - I'd speculate - once every time Haley's comet appears, seems undisturbed by the whole megillah.

Oh dear...   maybe Ginny will lend you her hotel key and you can shower over there!

[vixmom]

Poor Ronny.....


[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]~~~~~GO AWAY YOU NASTY COLD YOU  VIBES~~~~~~[/move]

[bk]

Now why isn't that on CD?

Not for want of my trying.