Australian Open RESULTS: MEGA MATCH

Novak Djokovic 2012 Austrialian Open Champion

There were no losers in the epic men's championship in Australia today. Two champions of the sport gave their ALL in an unrelenting battle that lasted just 7 minutes shy of SIX HOURS, setting a record for the longest final in Open history.

Novak Djokovic edged out Rafael Nadal in a 5-set barnburner that brought the roof down in Melbourne.

We've never seen anything like it - EVER - and we've been watching for the better part of over 30 years. It was a mind-blowing contest, a match for the fucking ages. Nothing has ever come close to the sheer physical battle and test of willpower that these two men gave us today. NOTHING.

It was such a long match that in the end both men were left in utter shock. They were on the very edge of collapse, needing chairs to sit in for the ceremony, both in danger of not even being conscious for the trophies! In our opinion, Novak and Rafa desperately needed medical attention and stood just long enough to receive the trophies.

There were no jubilant victory dances today. No, Novak Djokovic was left barely able to stand as he took his award and he and Rafa gave very brief statements before probably pitching headfirst into stretchers for a host of medical treatments.

It was truly the most epic match of all time and we watched every single second.

The first set led to a Rafa Nadal lead, as he nabbed it 7-5. Novak took it from there with an easy next 2 set lead 6-3, 6-5.

That's when just 5 points shy of the win, over 4 hours in, Rafa got fired up to win the 4th set and force a 5th.

Novak and Rafa were hitting rallies that would put other players to shame, each demonstrating why they are number one and two in the world, while in the midst of their 5th hour on the court. Lesser men would have collapsed but these champs braved the humidity and heat of Melbourne, the brief rainstorm that swept inside before the delay of the roof closure, and the bugs and crazy ass loud birds of Australia dropping feathers all over the place at one point to give the world the best tennis match in the history of the sport.

No losers today. These guys are the real deal.
Hats off and a twenty-one gun salute for Novak and Rafael,
two of the most tired champs you'll ever see.

R.I.P - Cheetah

Cheetah, "Boy", Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O' Sullivan (1930's)

Cheetah, Johnny Weissmuller's co-star in the 1930's Tarzan films, passed away at age 80 on Christmas Eve.

He had been living at a sanctuary since before we were born!

"Cheetah came to the sanctuary from Weissmuller's estate sometime around 1960."

Wow! Good job to the people at the sanctuary! It's obvious that they must've taken good care of him all these years.

News Article

J.R. Martinez Wins Coveted Mirrorball

JR Martinez and Karina Smirnoff win season 13

Jose Rene Martinez is an amazing example of how ordinary people can overcome difficult and painful obstacles and accomplish extraordinary things.

JR's journey has been incredible. Born in Louisiana in 1983, he enlisted in the army in 2002. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and was there only 2 months when the Humvee he was driving hit a landmine.

JR was burned over 40% of his body. He was airlifted to Germany and spent almost 3 years in hospital recovering. To date he has undergone 33 surgeries and skin grafts.

This is where the story gets really inspirational. JR was asked to speak to a newly burned patient and try and comfort him. Not only did it work but JR discovered he has a way with people.

He became a motivational speaker and has been honored nationally for his work, on multiple occasions by various veterans groups and more.

He's a fixture on General Hospital, a groundbreaking role for daytime television.

As far as Dancing With the Stars goes, we liked Ricki Lake but are sick of Derek Hough winning and although we like Cheryl Burke, there's no way we wanted Rob Shallnotbenamed to win. So this was perfect.

It's thrilling to have a guy like JR, who breaks the mold in every way, win this year. He's already accomplished amazing things and we can't wait to see what he does in the future.

News Article

Cats That Answer Phones

Cats are hilarious!

Here's are the latest viral vids featuring our favorite pet answering phones:

"Time Lapse Trifecta"

Amateur photographer Tommy Eliassen had this to say about his photo capturing a meteor, the Milky Way and the Northern Lights all in one time lapse shot:

"I quickly went and took some pictures in a regular spot of mine, and thought to myself that I had got some good aurora shots and also some separate good milky way shots. But just as the clouds started to come in over the mountains I noticed this faint aurora lining up perfectly beside the milky way. Normally the lights from the aurora is much, much stronger than the lights from the stars, so getting the right exposure on both is difficult. But it was ideal conditions - almost once in a lifetime."

Pretty amazing!

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A DREAM COME TRUE

They walk free

We heard about this possibility yesterday but held no hope for it. Could Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, really release "prisoners of conscience"?

YES. YES!

Over 300 prisoners were released yesterday to cheering crowds.

Myanmar has certainly taken the right steps in the last year. Elections, freeing Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi after 15 years of house arrest, overturning controversial plans for an environmental disaster of a dam and now this.

Many in Myanmar are disappointed by the small numbers of people released. Just 300 out of 2,100. But all of this was unthinkable just LAST YEAR.

We'd say that they've turned the corner and that things can only get better from here.

However, the political powers that be in the Western world will not ease sanctions on Myanmar until it has released all 2,000 people. Probably rightly so in a sense, but the only people hurt by sanctions are the people themselves not the junta cronies.

This is an amazing step forward.

President Thein Sein, a former military commander is the first civilian (if you can call him that) to rule the country in over 50 years. He is really making progress here and is to be commended. He just needs to keep it going now.

Amnesty Internation is not at all impressed and thinks the reforms are slowing down actually. We think they are out of their minds. This alone is super-impressive. The country was a hell hole for over half a century and its going to take a while for it to be all right again. Amnesty needs to cool down and congratulate this guy not get him all fired up again by insulting him. Baby steps, motherfuckers. Baby steps. But steps in the right direction.

300 today, maybe 300 tomorrow? And 300 after that?

This is why Amnesty is still angry. 300 is a drop in the bucket.
LET THEM ALL GO!

News Article

The "NoNoNoNo" Cat

This has to be seen to be believed and even then it may just be "enhanced" video. But for sure, it's pretty fucked up. And hilarious.



Most cats will run when they are scared, but this guy just keeps fluffing up and fluffing up and arching his back and yelling "No!"

The Beauty of Caves

There were a few articles published recently that caught our eye. The Earth's cave systems are beautiful beyond belief. Some are awe inspiring cavernous spaces that just catch your breath they are so amazing.

Here are 2 pics from the Lake General Carrera cave in Patagonia, Chile. It is hailed as the Earth's most beautiful cave.

Click on the article to see more impressive larger photos and to learn more about the system.

Chilean Cave Article

This Vietnamese cave system, The Hang Son Doong, was discovered in 2009 by some British spelunkers. It is so large that the end has yet to be found. It is simply breathtaking!

Click on the link to read more about it and see the larger pictures.
A MUST SEE!

Vietnamese Cave

This cave system in Tennessee is a spelunker favorite. The 350 foot "Rumble Room" has climbers going crazy over it.

"The intrepid cavers reached the cave by plunging down large waterfalls, shimmying through tight underground spaces and swimming in the world's most remote underground rivers."

Tennessee Rumble Room

"Who's a Pretty Boy Then?"

Wild Galahs comparing notes

This is from Down Under - the Wonderful Land of Oz - Australia.

"ENTIRE flocks of wild galahs, cockatoos and corellas are learning to talk.

The wild birds are being taught by pet birds that have escaped or been released by their owners and joined the flocks.

This is a TRUE story! People are reporting that while in their backyards or other outdoor places where large flocks of birds are hanging out they are hearing them speak English.

"We have had people call us thinking they are going mad or had something put into their drink because they've gone out to look at the flock of birds in their backyard and all the birds have been saying something like: 'Who's a pretty boy then'?" the Australian Museum's naturalist, Martyn Robinson, said yesterday.

"These birds are very smart birds and very social and communication and contact is important between them.

"So the pet bird begins to say things it's been taught by its owner and the rest of the flock learns and starts speaking too, to mimic the pet bird," Mr Robinson said.

"I just hope a pet that's been taught dirty words doesn't join a flock."

WE DO! How freakin' funny would that be?

News Article

13 Dogs Jumping Rope

This belongs in the "I don't see this every day" category.

Here's the description from the Youtube vid.

"Uchida Geinousha's 'Super Wan Wan Circus' based in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, offers a unique act for its audience; the incredible sight of 13 dogs skipping on a rope."

Free At Last!

The video says it all.



To think that these animals have been trapped in cages since before we were even teenagers makes us want to scream.

Lab animals of all kinds NEED YOUR HELP TO BE SET FREE.

The human race is not an endangered species and has zero justification for torturing animals in the name of science.

Keeper Renate Foidl said: 'The chimps are incredibly happy. This is amazing, I have been waiting for this moment for so long.'

The lab chimps are now at the Gut Aiderbichl Animal Sanctuary, near Salzburg, Austria.

99 Luft Ballons - Okay Make it 343

343 hot air balloonists broke the world's record for taking off at the same time.

The pics are pretty amazing.



The event took place back in July at the 12th Lorraine World Air Balloon Festival, in Chambley-Bussieres, France and included balloonists from over 14 countries.

'Tonight the streets are filled with love'

150,000 people lined Oslo's streets yesterday for a gathering of love.

Each person held a single rose into the air as a sign and symbol of love for the fallen.

We don't even have words for this it's so beautiful.

Norway, we love you and we will always stand with you.

We love Thor Hushovd, one of our favorite athletes, We cannot get over the irony that during the entire month of July people lined the street of France waving Norwegian flags for Thor and then this happened.

We love Sig and Edgar Hansen from the F/V Northwestern and hope they are all okay right now.

We think of our Norwegian friends fondly and send them our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.









News Link

Happy 40th Birthday, KOKO

Koko, the Western Lowland Gorilla adopted by the San Diego Zoo decades ago, was born July 4th, 1971. Her name means "fireworks child."

Koko is an ordinary gorilla that was raised and lives in remarkable circumstances. Her abilities are not remarkable, but the circumstances that gave her the gift to be taught human communication are. And for that, she is a remarkable, unique, wonderful and amazing animal.

To manipulate a quote from Star Trek "Of all the gorillas we have known...Koko is the most...human."

To date, she has mastered over 1,000 English words using sign language and over 2,000 words of spoken English.

She is able to talk and communicate her feelings and thoughts. It is well known that Koko loves kittens and over the years many kittens have been introduced for her to live with and take care of.

For a long time Koko had a "mate" named Michael. Koko was supposed to have a baby with Michael but instead told their keeper, Penny Patterson, that she considered Michael like a brother and could not mate with him and have a much desired baby.

Koko has always wanted to me a mother.

Michael died in 2000 but before that he had told Penny that he remembered being captured as a baby and how he was forced to see his parents being slaughtered in a bush raid. He said they were shot.

Michael was in command of just 600 words compared to Koko's 3,000 and managed to tell a remarkable story.

We can learn so much from the animals that we can communicate with...as people.

Visit Koko at her website: http://www.koko.org/index.php

A Blood Red Moon

The highly anticipated lunar eclipse is going to happen very soon...only not in North America.

The best places to view it live and in person are in Europe, Asia and Africa.

However, because its 2011, we get to watch it live on the Internet!

Google.com is going to stream it live over their famous "doodle" which all day has already been a lunar eclipse.

Youtube.com is also going to have it along with a dozen or so other sites.

The entire process will last five hours, 36 minutes, ending at 7 p.m. ET, making it the longest one of the 21st century.

Not only that but it will turn the moon a red color.

"All lunar eclipses are cool, but in a total lunar eclipse, the moon turns a kind of a red color. The middle of Earth's shadow isn't black, it's red, Dundee explained, because the light waves from the sun that are on the red end of the spectrum bend around the planet at just the right angle to bathe the moon in red light."

Amazing!

What a Difference Three Months Can Make

These astonishing pictures show what an incredible effort the Japanese tsunami survivors and volunteers have made in cleaning up and rebuilding after the disaster.

Amazing!





We are super-impressed with the remarkable efforts they have made so far. Let's hope the people of Tuscaloosa and Joplin can also be inspired by this and show how quickly they are cleaning up and rebuilding as well.

Good job!

Wildlife Photography Award Winners

WINNER: Art In Nature - Peter Lik
Ghost, Antelope Canyon, Arizona, U.S.

The winners have been announced in the annual Wildlife Photography awards. The annual Windland Smith Rice International Awards programme is among the most highly-respected and visually compelling nature photography competitions in the world.

There are at least 16 categories including:
Zoos And Aquariums
Grand Prize
Birds
Art In Nature
People In Nature
African Wildlife
Oceans
Power Of Nature
Environmental Issues
Youth Photographer
Small World Spectacular
Conservation Photographer of the Year
Animal Antics
Wildlife
Creative Digital
Endangered Species

"Art in Nature" category winner and host of the Weather Channel Series "From the Edge with Peter Lik" had this to say about his stunning ghost picture:

"The biggest lesson I have learned in photography is that timing is everything. No matter how perfect your technique and equipment, if you aren't in the right place at the right time, you simply won't get the shot.

In the underground caves of Antelope Canyon, I knew the summer sun would pass directly overhead at midday. As my only opportunity for the shot approached, a narrow sliver of light beamed down through a keyhole onto the sandy canyon floor.

At the precise moment I clicked the shutter, my Navajo Indian guide threw a handful of dust into the light. It wasn't until weeks later, when I finally got to review the results of the shoot, that I was able to see the ghostlike human form that emerged. I wondered if the ancient spirits of the canyon were present with me that day."

Umm...YES! Yes, Peter, they were! Congratulations on the award.

WINNER: Zoos And Aquariums - Tom Warren
Western Lowland Gorilla and Mallard Duck, Bronx Zoo, New York, U.S.

This photo, capturing a gorilla making friends with a duckling, is absolutely compelling.

Follow the link to see ALL of the absolutely amazing pictures that won in numerous categories.

AMAZING PICS

Dog Runs 1/2 Marathon - Unintentionally

When Dozer the dog escaped from his backyard on May 15th he may have been just trying to get out and explore.

What he did next though has made him a youtube star.

You see, Dozer got caught up with the 2,000 runners in the Maryland Half-Marathon around mile 5 and crossed the finish line with them.

What's even funnier was that he stopped with the other runners at the watering spots! "Although many runners saw the canine running the course and drinking water from cups at the water spots, nobody realized he was on his own."

"The Maryland Half Marathon is looking at ways to involve Dozer in the future. He currently has his own fundraising page on the race website where he’s raised nearly $1900 for cancer research. He received a finisher’s medal for this year’s race" (pictured above).

WE LOVE THIS STORY. What a great dog!

Watch Dozer cross the Finish Line:

Mishka Says "I Love You"

Mishka, the Siberian Husky, can say I love you. We googled this item and actually came up with TONS of husky's that can talk videos.

Apparently, Siberian Huskies are the Parrots of the dog world and can be taught to speak...and very well!

Check out this video of Mishka and then Youtube her. Her proud parents have posted numerous videos of her saying everything from "How you doin'" to "Obama"!

I Shouldn't Be Alive...Japanese Dog Edition

And in the only good news to come out of Japan recently, a beautiful little brown dog was found on a rooftop floating in the Pacific Ocean this afternoon.

Rescuers tried to retrieve the dog using a helicopter but the noise frightened him and he kept hiding in the house under the eaves of the rooftop. They then sent in a Japanese Coast Guard ship, that was able to get him out safely.

He's in pretty good shape for having been out to sea for three weeks and will make a full recovery.

Rescuers searched the submerged house for people to no avail. No one was found.