Giant Monster Maneaters!
I’ve always been fascinated by Great White sharks, but have only just realised that Jaws is not the largest nor most dangerous water dwelling man-eater.
According to Wikipedia, the largest recorded crocodile is a giant saltwater crocodile measured at 8.6 metres and 1,352 kilograms shot in Queensland Australia in 1957. The largest living crocodile documented is a 7.1 metres long, in Orissa, India. It lives in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and in June 2006, was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Lifesized replica of crocodile killed in 1957
A crocodile exists today that is at least 6.1 metres long. It has been responsible for 300 human deaths, and has allegedly eaten an entire adult hippopotamus. Nicknamed ‘Gustav’, it lives along the Ruzizi river in Africa. The most recent sighting was in April 2007.
Crocodiles are adept at learning and memorizing routines, such as the location of nearby campers or the routes of travellers.
Crocodiles can slow their metabolism to such an extent that a tree with an intruder hiding in its branches may be guarded continuously for several weeks, without breaks for food.
There is a sensitive flap in a crocodile’s throat, known as the ‘glottis’ which they use for breathing. As a result, forcing the arm into the roat may encourage release, although this may instead lead to the arm being severed.
Sweet dreams 
Mouse Mansion!
A few months ago I scored a fish tank for next to nothing. The glass was badly scratched so it wasn’t much use as an aquarium, but has proved perfect for furry little rodents.
And so, after a few small Trademe purchases, a visit to various DIY shops, some kiwi ingenuity, and about a day’s leasurely work… I present to you ‘The Mouse Mansion’!
(It’s for the kids, of course
Spurgeon rocks!
Filling now or root-canal later
Growing up in the 70′s and early 80′s, dental hygiene wasn’t a priority like it is today. Boy, I wish it was.
A couple of years ago I had a cavity filled. At the time, the dentist said that I had a minor cavity on another tooth, and that I should get it filled sooner than later.
I remember thinking four things at the time…
1. Dentists must be the richest people in the world.
2. My left eye won’t close (due to the anasthetic), I hope the assistant doesn’t mistake my blinking for winking.
3. When I have $150 to spare I’ll get the cavity filled (yeah right).
4. When it starts to hurt too bad, then I’ll get the cavity filled (more like it).
(Present day) For the last month I have had a very sore tooth (understatement), and visited the dentist today.
The dentist gave me no option, I walked out of the surgery…
… with half a root-canal done (to be completed at the next appointment),
… alot poorer (root-canals are about ten times more expensive than fillings),
… with some spiritual parrallels.
Burton’s pearls of dental wisdom (with spiritual overtones) follows:
1a. We eat food (no kidding) which, if we don’t brush regularly (etc.) will eventually cause tooth decay.
1b. We live in a fallen world which, if we don’t spend time with God regularly, will cause spiritual decay.
2a. It’s our responsibility to keep our teeth healthy, but only dentists can fix teeth.
2b. It’s our responsibility to keep our lives healthy, but only God can forgive sin and cleanse from all unrighteousness.
3a. If cavities aren’t repaired when they are minor, decay sets in, causes great pain, and the only option is a root-canal or (gulp), extraction.
3b. If spiritual ‘cavities’ (bad atttitudes, offences, wrong thinking, sin etc.) aren’t sorted when they are minor, spiritual decay sets in, causes great pain, and the only option is to be operated on by God (which can be very humbling, painful, and expensive).
4a. Dentists don’t want to cause us pain, they genuniely want us to have healthy teeth. It maybe painful when they repair the damage though, for healing to come.
4b. God doesn’t want to cause us pain. He loves us more than we can know, and genuinly wants us to have healthy lives. It maybe painful when He repairs the damage though, for healing to come.
(Neen will be so proud)
The ‘Star Wars Musical’ mystery
The Star Wars Holiday Special was a two-hour television special set in the Star Wars galaxy. It was the first official Star Wars spinoff produced. It was broadcasted in its entirety in the United States only once on Friday, November 17, 1978.
David Hofstede, author of ‘What Were They Thinking?: The 100 Dumbest Events in Television History’, ranked the holiday special at number one, calling it “the worst two hours of television ever.”
18 babies in the palm of my hand
, you know what to do.
Zipporah is pregnant
My boys are getting pet mice for Christmas. I reckon every boy should have a mouse at least once in his lifetime. When I was young I had a few, and then progressed to rats. It’s amazing how one can get attached to an animal so small (ask Paisley Jade what happened when one of my pet rats ‘got put to sleep’ sometime).
But I digress.
Attaining baby mice isn’t as easy as you would think. So my plan was to buy a girl mouse, buy a boy mouse, play some mood music (‘Love is in the air’ comes to mind.) and viola… on Christmas day, the boys can pick from about 10 ready-to-be-weaned cute and fluffy baby mice.
Meet Zipporah. A long haired, white and brown spotted mouse. She’s grown on me, and I’m fairly sure I’m the only 34 year old in Northland who has a pet mouse in my bedroom.
She is extremily pregnant, and is the fattest mouse I’ve ever seen! Delivery day is tomorrow.
So, post a comment with your guess as to how many babies she will have, and if you guess right, you can have one for free
