There's a Nessie in Mah Soup

Cutest ladel:


www.animicausa.com/shop/Nessie-Ladle.html

Goin' to Kathmandu

Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing. - Arundhati Roy

Borrowed from Sweta's blog:
Ek Dui Teen

Connecting Continents Project - Everest Basecamp Trek! Starting March 28th watch for dispatches here. We'll be in Kathmandu for a few days setting up donated laptops and blogging with the Herald International School kids to connect them with schools in various countries - then trek to Everest Basecamp.

So... here I go! 3 1/2 weeks out of the country to meet new friends and try new things!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Travel

We are inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King's dream of a world free of race and gender bias, and his non-violent approach to change.

We want to honor this great man particularly for his advocacy for travel as a path to promote peace. He believed the simple act had the power to enlighten - to break down barriers, to combat stereotypes and bring people together. And today, many who choose to embrace travel as a lifestyle, are living the legacy created by Dr. King.

We continue to believe travel establishes an understanding between different cultures and people, as Dr. King spoke of so many years ago. It allows us to embrace other people – and ourselves – as unique and valuable individuals.

On this very important day in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., we would like to remember his belief in and advocacy for travel. For this simple act may be one way to realize his dream for a life and a world of peace.

-Eagle Creek, 2009

Obama Sprouts a New Look

I used to have the chia sheep thing, it was so fun.
Obama Chia

Belugas listed as endangered over Sarah Palin's objections

Despite opposition from Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, beluga whales in the Cook Inlet have been declared endangered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency estimates that only 375 belugas currently frolic in the inlet, down from some 1,300 in the 1980s. Restricting subsistence hunting by Native Alaskans has not helped the problem, says NOAA, and whales continue to be threatened by development, oil and gas exploration, and industrial activities (as well as beach strandings, disease, and being munched by killer whales). Palin strenuously opposed the listing, stating in August 2007 that the science was inconclusive and that "an unnecessary federal listing and designation of critical habitat would do serious long-term damage to the vibrant economy of the Cook Inlet area." There may indeed be an impact: unlike the feds' polar-bear listing, the beluga listing contains no caveat that economic development should remain unhindered.

Was It All Just a Game to You?

Beijing officials consider extending some clean-air measures beyond Olympics
Beijing's emergency measures to clear its famously polluted air during the Olympic Games have been largely successful, with the city reportedly experiencing the cleanest summer air it's had for over a decade. But now that the Olympics are over, full-time city residents have been pointing out how pleasant breathable air has been and how nice it would be to have it all the time. In response, Chinese officials, who are still under the international spotlight until the close of this month's Paralympic Games, hinted to the media recently that some clean-air measures may stay in place beyond the games' end. Officials have said that plans to reduce construction-site dust will be sped up, some of the city's most-polluting vehicles could be subject to more regulation, and that heavily polluting companies may be required to address their pollution problems in order to resume post-games operations. However, one of the most successful (and popular) measures to curb the city's pollution will not be continued after the games -- the restriction keeping half of the city's cars from operating each day.

Chivalry is Not Dead

The Georgia Aquarium's weedy sea dragons have proved that chivalry is not dead. One of the male sea dragons has been spotted carrying eggs on its tail! Although the female forms the eggs internally, it is the male sea dragon that carries them until they are ready to hatch! Stop by the Cold Water Quest Gallery, presented by Georgia-Pacific, in the next couple of weeks to spot the pregnant sea dragon.

The occurrence of a pregnant weedy sea dragon is extremely rare and has only taken place three times in aquariums throughout the US! Georgia Aquarium is excited to display the weedy sea dragon’s fascinating life cycle as one of the females has successfully transported seventy eggs onto the soft bottom of a male’s tail. As a female drops the eggs onto the male’s tail, he fertilizes them and begins covering them with “cup-like” structures. These structures harden and form to hold and protect the eggs during the pregnancy period.

After four-six weeks, the bright pink eggs will hatch into miniature weedy sea dragons. As juveniles, the sea dragons will be smaller, have shorter snouts and less coloring, but will have the same physical form as adults. Within days of birth, each sea dragon will be on its own to hunt for small crustaceans, mysid shrimp and worms for survival since the sea dragon is a solitary species.

The weedy sea dragon is a mystical creature that demonstrates natural, beautiful brilliance carrying olive green, yellow, blue, and purple hues that glisten. With their leaf- like fins and frilly appendages, the sea dragons are able to camouflage themselves among the sea weed and grass beds that are found in southern and western areas of Australia and Tasmania.