“M” is for Museum of Natural History

Imagine walking through a primordial forest and coming face to face with a Mammoth or a ferocious T-Rex. What would you do? Would you run or would you stop and have your friends take your picture with them? Well, that’s what happened to me, along with my friends Russ and Jody, when we went to the Museum of Natural History in New York City on August 17, 2012. And although some of the exhibits were rather frightening, we stood our ground and took lots of pictures.

The American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869, as a result of the dream of naturalist Dr. Albert S. Bickmore. Before being transferred to its present location facing Central Park, it was housed in the Arsenal Building in the Park itself. The Museum is one of the top museums in the world and hosts more than 5 million visitors per year that visit its 46 permanent exhibition halls as well as special exhibitions that are there on a temporary basis.

Prehistoric Animals American Museum of Natural History VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Prehistoric Eras

As the three of us entered the museum we came face to face with the skeleton of a mother Barosaurus in the act of defending her young from the attack of an Allosaurus (see first 2 photos in prehistoric photo album). We then entered the prehistoric hall and were privileged to see a wide variety  of dinosaur skeletons as well as other prehistoric creatures. There is also a photo of myself with a Mammoth, which was taken to prove that there was indeed something larger than myself.  

It was particularly interesting for us to note that although many animals of that period were much larger than their modern day descendants, there were also many that were very small in comparison. Among the prehistoric mammals we found was the first known “horse” or eohippus. I first read about the eohippus when I was in the first grade, and had always wanted to see one. In a way, it was the answer to a life-long dream. There were mammoths, mastodons, armadillos (both gigantic and miniscule) and many other types of animals.

I think that one of the most interesting parts of the section was the “fish and fowl” section. Looking at those flying dinosaurs was amazing. Pterodactyls, and other “birds” flew above the visitors. I particularly enjoyed seeing the prehistoric frog (mastadonsaurus giganteus) – whoever has read my book knows of my love of frogs and toads. There were even prehistoric shark jaws that would have made a modern day great white shark jealous.

African Mammals

African Mammal Hall VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Perhaps the most beautiful of the exhibitions that we saw that day was the African Mammals Hall. The animals on exhibit are the real deal, prepared by taxidermists so good that you would think that they were alive. But the truly amazing part of the exhibitions are the dioramas behind the animals: they are so realistic that you almost forget that you are inside a building instead of on the African Savannah.

We also spent a few minutes inside the reptile and amphibian house, although I seemed to be the only one with any real interest. Among other things there is also a giant Galapagos tortoise.

There are so many things to see that it is impossible to see everything in one day; it would more realistically take 3-4 days, just for the regular exhibits. Extra days would be necessary for the special exhibitions, which are very interesting, too. Although we actually saw only three exhibits while there, we most certainly plan on going back to see others, hopefully very soon. The Astronomy Hall, the Sea exhibits (including a series of videos) the New York State Natural History and others are calling to me. I’ll let you know when we go.

“L” is for Linguini agli Asparagi

Ingredients for 4 persons:

• 1lb. linguini pasta (I suggest Barilla)
• 1 bunch of fresh asparagus
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 5 Tbs. butter
• 4 qt. water + enough to cover the asparagus
• Salt to taste

Procedure:

Put the 4 qt. water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil; add linguini and salt to taste. Follow the instructions on the package, because each brand has a different timing. Stir from time to time to avoid sticking. Drain when cooked.

In the meantime, break the asparagus in 1 inch segments, until the woody end is reached*. Rinse and place in a large skillet, together with the chopped onions. Pour in water to cover; bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer until no water remains.

Add butter and sautée until butter is completely melted. Add cooked linguini, heat and stir, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.

*Suggestion: Many people use a knife to cut the asparagus. I would suggest snapping them manually, starting at the tip; when they no longer snap easily, the woody section has been reached.

“K” is for Keepers

I love sports. When I was much younger, I was involved in several sports, playing on softball, volleyball and basketball teams, as well as running for the school’s track team. J.K. Rowling invented a new sport in her Harry Potter books which – had I been about 30-50 years younger and this sport had really existed – I would have loved to play: Quidditch. The game is played on broomsticks, and broomsticks and I have a certain affinity for each other… Anyway, a Quidditch team is composed of seven players, one of which is called the KEEPER. The keeper’s role is to keep the soccer ball-sized Quaffle ball from being thrown through any of the three fifty feet tall hoops on his side of the field.

There are many types of keepers: finders-keepers, losers-weepers (I don’t always subscribe to this statement), secret keepers, door-keepers, inn-keepers, things that are so good they are keepers, goal keepers, Keeper of the Faith, etc.

For the most part, keepers are protectors, entrusted with the care of something of value. When I think of finders-keepers, a more positive way of considering the question is that the finders are keepers (protectors) of something until the weeping losers find what has been lost. Being a keeper is a good thing; I would like to be a keeper—in all senses.

“J” is for Japan’s War Against Whales

About a year and a half ago one of my translation clients brought an interesting situation to my attention: Japanese whalers were preparing to head out toward the Antarctic on their yearly “research” expedition, with the intention of “capturing” (translated=killing) 935 whales of various species – including the largest of all living creatures: the blue whale – all under the auspices of scientific research. I wrote an article about it which received a great deal of attention. The true reason, carefully hidden, was in some measure to satisfy a 1000 year old tradition of eating whale meat. Although the claim was highly contested, my research brought forth some very interesting facts about easily buying whale meat online, complete with per pound prices.

Last year (2012), thanks in part to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Japan’s whaling season was cut short, with the Japanese fleet heading home with only 266 minke whales and one fin whale, instead of the 935 whales that they had hoped for. This year, due to continuous harassment or as some say sabotage, by Sea Shepherd, the Japanese fleet ended their whale hunt after only 48 days, 21 of which were spent avoiding activist attacks by Sea Shepherd ships; these attacks were judged to be acts of piracy by a US court. As a result of Sea Shepherd’s interference, the whalers were able to take home only 103 minke whales and no fin whales, which is far below the desired result. It is also the lowest result since the moratorium against whale hunts began in 1987.

Japan still has intentions of continuing the war against whales during the next season, completely ignoring the international moratorium upheld by most countries – Norway and Iceland also indulge in whaling –  in the world. In fact, not only are they ignoring the fact that most countries are against whaling, they hope to gain support and approval from other countries as they continue to take advantage of the clause in the moratorium that allows for research whaling.

It has just been announced that both Australia and New Zealand will be involved in a international legal battle against Japan in the UN court this coming June, in the hope of stopping the dubious research whaling. Indeed, Australia’s Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, announced that “Australia will now have its day in court to establish, once and for all, that Japan's whaling hunt is not for scientific purposes and is against international law. Australia wants this slaughter to end."

Sources:

• Record low catch for Japan whaling season, Sea Shepherd blamed, by Ida Torres
• Australia to tackle Japan on whaling at UN world court
• Japan ends whaling season 70% below quota, by Brad Lendon, CNN

 

“I”is for Italy

  Italy is my second homeland. Although I am an American by birth, I spent most of my adult life in Italy; to tell the truth, I lived more than half my life in that beautiful country. Today, I would like to dedicate the letter ”I” to giving a pictorial view to several of my favorite parts of Italy.

Photos of Italy VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

“H” is for ‘House of Mirrors’

I love to read; I’m not sure which I love the most – reading or writing, it’s probably a tie – but at the moment I have the chance to do both together – sort of. When Vantage Press publishing company closed its doors in late 2012 it left hundreds of authors both – published and not – in the lurch. A support forum was set up for us on Facebook and it was great meeting other authors, including one who also lives in Brooklyn – Debbie Boswell, the author of House of Mirrors. She had a book signing party on March 16 in New York, so I decided to go and meet her. I’m very glad I did – the description of her book enticed me, since it’s just the kind of book I like to read – not write, mind you, just read – and I obtained a signed copy.

House of Mirrors is written a classic gothic style although in a very present-day situation. Ms. Boswell temporarily stopped writing the book when she realized she had come to something that just wasn’t her. And that is the very core of the book. There is, of course, an attempted murder. The reader knows from the very start who the “perp” is, and why it was done. And the readers may, as I have done, find themselves questioning their own sense of right and wrong as the detective in charge zeroes in on possible culprits. Will he find them? I don’t know yet, because I’ve only read halfway through; I wouldn’t tell you if I did, because I don’t want to ruin it for you.

Ms.  Boswell has skillfully entwined love, fear and hatred together with the ability to overcome abusive and twisted relationships found in a family that is a pillar of the community – with a houseful of closets with skeletons in them. It’s a fun read – not funny, but entertaining.

You can find out more about Debbie Boswell and The House of Mirrors at: http://debbieboswell1.com/house-of-mirrors_278.html

“G” is for Groundhogs

courtesy of D. Gordon E. Robertson, Wikimedia

Lately, groundhogs have been mentioned a lot in the US news. For centuries, folklore has attributed these fat, furry little animals with the ability to predict the duration of winter and the arrival of spring. Theoretically, if the groundhog sees his shadow when he comes out of his burrow on February, winter will last for another 6 weeks; if he DOESN’T see his shadow, it should mean that spring is just around the corner.

There are 2 famous groundhogs that have the job of predicting the end of winter and the arrival of spring in the United States of America. One, Punxsutawney Phil, has his headquarters in Pennsylvania, and the other, Staten Island Chuck, is from, obviously, New York. These two, along with their Canadian cohort, Wiarton Willie, didn’t see their shadow, thereby indicating that we would definitely have an early spring. On the other hand, another lesser known Canadian groundhog, Shubenacadie Sam, from Nova Scotia, DID see his shadow. However, most people, already fed up with the overabundance of snow, were more than happy to accept the prediction of the first three. Shouts of glee rose from all parts of the North American continent.

Oops! We should have listened to Shubenacadie Sam. Far from an early spring, it was a very extended winter. The last snowstorm was just a few days ago, in New York State; even here in Brooklyn we had snow that stuck on March 23. And so now, Phil, Chuck and Willie are in deep, deep trouble. There have been cries for their heads. Headlines all over the country decry deception and fraud, and Ohio authorities even filed a criminal indictment against Phil.

I would like to say that although I tend to agree that the winter was somewhat longer than I could wish for (we had temperatures in the low 30s this week) we can’t really blame those poor groundhogs. I mean really, not even the weather knows what it wants to do and so, it’s not fair to accuse these poor innocent rodents for not being able to read the inconstant weather’s mind.

In closing, Metro US news informs us that, since Phil’s handler took the fall for the indicted groundhog, the accusation has been removed and Punxsutawney Phil no longer faces the death penalty. Thank goodness for the hapless rodent. However, next time it might be better to be prepared for a prolonged or shortened winter, just in case the trio should mess up again. Run! Phil, Run!