The red-eyed tree frog (and I thought I had it tough!).

Imagine that when you were born, instead of the warmth and protection of the maternity ward, you were left to fend for yourself in a rain forest full of predators who viewed you simply as - the next meal.

Welcome to the world of the Agalychnis callidryas; otherwise known as:

The red-eyed tree frog.

In an on-line article about this fascinating creature, author Jennifer S. Holland from the National Geographic described the perilous journey of these tropical frogs during their mating season in Central America.  

According to Holland's article, the female frog searches for prime locations (located over water) where her fertilized eggs can be left to hatch. And this is where the drama of life and death takes a whole new twist!

Whether it's snakes, wasps, or some other creature hell-bent on feeding its appetite, these sacs of eggs make for an easy target. In fact, these two predators alone, decimate up to HALF of the total number of fertilized eggs!

But just like any good drama, these determined little amphibians are not about to go down without a fight!

In her article, Holland describes how the eggs can hatch "within seconds" (prematurely up to two days) when they're attacked. And according to research conducted by Boston University biologist Karen Warkentin and her colleagues, the eggs can differentiate between a predator, a gust of wind, or a rain shower through the vibrations in the egg jelly.

But in an astonishing discovery that has mystified the researchers, not only can the eggs differentiate between the various types of "disturbances", but they can also tailor their responses to fit them as well!

According to Warkentin, when a snake bites into the eggs, "all the embryos try to wiggle free". When a wasp attacks (more precision), only the neighboring eggs begin to hatch, and when a rainstorm hits, it "triggers nothing at all".

Absolutely amazing!

If you'd like to read the entire article, click HERE.

And for more amazing facts about the world we live in, visit:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

(Boy! And I thought I had it tough!).


Photo credit: Christian Ziegler.

The Diamond Princess

You know how some things can jog your memory?

Like the smell of someone's cologne, or hearing a familiar tune on the radio?

Well, mine came in the form of a 116,000-tonne marine vessel by-the-name of:

The Diamond Princess.

As is often the case, I was out for a stroll on a sunny, summer afternoon in downtown Vancouver when I noticed, peeking above the roof-tops, the unmistakable array of antennae, radar equipment, and smoke stakes that I've come to recognize oh-so-well.

From October 2005 to January 2006, I had the privilege of working on-board the Diamond Princess as a Videographer.

During that time, I visited ports in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It was an experience that I will never forget! Some of the highlights included:

Visiting the Great Wall of China.

Seeing Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour.

Feeling the chill of Tiananmen Square.

Figuring-out how to use the ticket machine in Osaka, Japan.

Standing in the very same spot where my father stood to get his picture taken while visiting Osaka Castle before I was born.

Riding on the back of a motorbike in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Taking-off to Thailand for a week during dry-dock in Singapore.

And scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef on my 30th birthday.

Fuelled by an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, I found myself gravitating towards the cruise ship terminals at Canada Place. My pace quickening with every step as if I was late for a reunion with a long-lost friend.

After crossing Howe and Cordova, her image finally came into view. A massive display of blue and white opulence; a jewel like no other!

As I climbed the stairs towards the top of Canada Place, I passed a few crew members going in the opposite direction, their tattle-tale laminexs (crew i.d. cards) giving them away. As I watched them go past me, I couldn't help but to smile as I too, understood the pain and pleasures that awaited them in the city. For as a crew member, your time on land is the only thing that keeps you sane (apart from the cheap drinks in the crew bar of course!).

After stopping to take a picture of the aft (back) of the ship,

I soon joined the other spectators as we watched the grandeur of this floating hotel spread-out before us.

A smile crept across my face as my eyes slowly scanned her glistening white exterior. I knew where the casino, restaurants, gym and discos were located. I knew which deck allowed you to walk from one end of the ship to the other. But more importantly, I knew where the crew slept and ate and where they went to seek camaraderie and fun with one another during those long days at sea.

Like seeing an old "flame" across a crowded room, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment in this intimate knowledge that I held, and the memories that went along with them.

As the horn sounded and the Diamond Princess slowly left her berth, I took out my camera for one last photo-op.

With my trip down "memory-lane" complete, I said a silent farewell to the MV Diamond Princess, and left. Having already been to where she's heading, there was no need for one last look.

And besides, just like The Terminator:

She'll be back!

Friday Afternoon in the City (brought to you by the letter S)

Sugar

Steps

Stop-lights

Soccer

Sabine

Samurai

Shady

Spaces

Salads

Slices

Squish

Students

Studs

Sluts

Silicon

Sexy

Smoke

Silly

Shades

Solo

Speed

Stilettos

Sandals

Security

Shakes

Shade

Station

Stores

Streets

Satchels

Shit

Shopping

Smooch

Sad

Squalid

Squares

Stripes

Stoic

Smart

Slovenly

Snow white

Socks

Slims

Sharing

Stories

Seduction

Style

Shorts

Sun

Some more!

The Running Man

Today, I went to the gym.

While I was running on the treadmill, the girl beside me started talking on her cell phone.

I was not happy.

I told her to stop talking on her cell phone.

She did.

And then I was happy again.

But then she said, "It was only a short call."

And then she apologized.

And then I felt like a shit.

And now, I was not happy.

Again.

...

And then she finished her workout and left.

And then I was happy again.

Or, so I thought.

(Sigh)


Photo credits:  http://www.happyhotelier.com/, http://www.penguin.com.au/, http://www.businessweek.com/, http://www.msnowe.files.wordpress.com/, Robert Lee YMCA.