Favorite lion shot in Namibia


A black-maned lion nicknamed “Old Boy” has been shot in Etosha National Park, Namibia. This is the second lion to be killed in the park in the past five months. Both lions were collared, meaning park rangers were studying and protecting them.

“Old Boy” had been a favorite among visitors for years because he lived near Hobatere Lodge. Conservationists believe he was the most frequently seen lion in the country. The park has a no-shoot policy towards collared lions, which didn’t stop a professional hunter from killing “Old Boy.” The hunter had a permit, but officials want to know why he targeted a lion that was being studied. The hunting party claimed they didn’t see the collar until the lion was dead. They also claim the lion attacked them, something “Old Boy” had never done before, although in a separate interview the hunters didn’t mention any attack.

The incident highlights the troubles conservationists face in trying to preserve animals on a continent where big game hunting is still popular.

[Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

House of Gladiators in Pompeii collapses


Italian Archaeologists are enraged at Saturday’s collapse of the House of Gladiators in Pompeii. The 40 ft. wide structure had recently undergone reconstruction work on its roof, which might have contributed to its total collapse during heavy rains early on Saturday morning. An even greater culprit may turn out to be the Italian Arts Ministry. The ministry’s secretary general, Roberto Cecchi, admitted the building hasn’t had routine maintenance for more 50 years.

Now archaeologists, environmentalists, and conservationists are calling for the arts minister to resign and are demanding an investigation.

The Schola Armaturarum was buried like the rest of Pompeii when the nearby Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. There is some debate about the building’s original use, with archaeologists unsure if it was a school, an armory, or something else. A series of frescos of winged Victories bearing weapons has led many researchers to draw the conclusion that the building was reserved for gladiators. Pompeii receives millions of visitors every year and while the building wasn’t open to the public, it was next to a walkway. If the collapse had happened during opening hours, archaeologists warn, people could have been injured or killed.

State prosecutors are already investigating how funding for the site has been used and if there has been any Mafia involvement. Huge cuts to arts and culture funding has prompted a Italian museum strike on November 12.

[Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

SkyMall Monday: Jumpin Jammerz

With cold weather rapidly heading our way, it’s time to start thinking about our winter wardrobes again. Down jackets, knit caps and wool socks do the job when we’re outdoors. Sweaters keep us warm at the office (including the SkyMall Monday headquarters). However, when it comes time to sleep, we’re left to burrow into our blankets to stay warm. Why aren’t we wearing pajamas? As children, we wore pajamas to bed and it made sense. They were warm, comfortable and absorbed the various liquids that the human body leaks while at rest. Sadly, as adults, we typically eschew proper pajamas for old t-shirts, sweatpants or, for the whores, nudity [Author’s note: This is what we in the industry call “a joke.” I, too, sleep in the nude and am not a whore. A sense of humor goes a long way towards enjoying this column, folks]. That leads to cold nights and damp sheets. It seems to me that our departure from pajamas is some kind of evolutionary mistake. Our ancestors wore animal skins for warmth. They also had there own luxuriously thick body hair to retain heat. Now, we shave and wax off our hair and use our best animal skins for luxury car seats. Our priorities are all out of whack and we’re going to freeze to death in our sleep because of our vanity. I say it’s high time we returned to our pajama roots. Thankfully, SkyMall knows and understands our needs. That’s why they sell Jumpin Jammerz fleece footed pajamas for adults.Even people who do wear pajamas typically wear some plaid pants and, at best, a t-shirt. That leaves their feet grossly uncovered. What’s that you say? Socks keep your feet warm at night? First of all, people who sleep in socks are most likely serial killers or freaks. That’s a fact. Look it up. Second of all, socks can slide off at night, exposing your feet to winter chills that can become pneumonia and kill you. It happens. Look that up too. Footed pajamas keep your feet warm and keep your body heat circulating throughout your pajamas like a rotisserie oven.

Think that blankets can keep you warm at night? Believe that adults look ridiculous in footed pajamas? Well, you pay your heating bills while the rest of us read the product description:

Undeniably cute and yet boasts a playful pajama attitude that can suit everyone. The do anything, wear anywhere — Footed Pajamas.

While I know that you are undeniably cute (all of my readers are), I’ve always felt that you’ve lacked that playful pajama attitude required to earn that promotion/find a mate/survive a nuclear holocaust. Also, lest you think that Jumpin Jammerz fleece footed pajamas were solely for the home, rest assured that these can be worn “anywhere.” Finally, a pajama fit for the office, dinner party or funeral.

Rather than curl up and die with the rest of the freezing pajama-less masses, fleece up in some Jumpin Jammerz so that you can live to share the oral history of your people for generations to come.

And yes, I recall that I might have mocked Jumpin Jammerz in 2008’s SkyMall Monday Holiday Gift Guide. After writing this week’s SkyMall Monday, re-reading my gift guide review and remembering that even the CEO of SkyMall has purchased herself a pair, I felt as though I owed it to Mr. and Mrs. Jammerz to try out their product. So, next week’s SkyMall Monday will be an actual review of Jumpin Jammerz. Things are going to get sweaty.

Check out all of the previous SkyMall Monday posts HERE.

Tekkeon myPower for iPhone 4 offers swappable batteries – up to 50 hours extra usage

Tekkeon just unveiled their newest iPhone power solution. Their myPower for iPhone 4 combines a slim rechargeable battery pack inside a case – offering power and protection in a single product.

Now, iPhone charge cases are not really a new innovation, but the Tekkeon case is unlike anything else on the market – its battery pack is swappable, thanks to their eSwap technology. eSwap allows you to exchange the battery pack in the case for a fresh module. Packs are available in 1200mAh and 2200mAh.

These high capacity batteries can provide between 7 and 12 hours of extra video playback, up to 50 hours of audio or up 18 hours of talk time. The battery packs don’t actually charge the iPhone – they merely power it, which reduces wear on the internal iPhone battery pack. When plugged in, the charger cord charges your iPhone and the myPower at the same time.

The MyPower for the iPhone 4G retails for $79.95, and additional battery packs are $39.95 (1200mAh) and $49.95 (2200 mAh). The new myPower is available directly from Tekkeon.

Disney Imagineers said to be working on a ‘Tron Legacy’ ride

The next Disney movie to get a ride at Disneyland may be more futuristic than fairytale. The blog Blue Sky Disney is reporting that Disney Imagineers have been given the green light to develop a ride treatment for the upcoming movie “Tron Legacy.”

Disney Parks have gone a little Tron crazy this fall, with a Tron-wrapped monorail at Walt Disney World and a nighttime elecTRONica party at Disney’s California Adventure.

Last week, Disney added a new “Tron Legacy” scene to the World of Color show at Disney’s California Adventure, the first addition to the show since it premiered earlier this year.

Slashfilm is giving further credibility to the rumors, reporting that Disney Imagineers – the folks that design Disney’s rides and attractions – visited the Tron movie set in Toronto to study the sets, props and concept art being used on the film.

So, while Walt Disney World adds princess castles and The Little Mermaid ride during its Fantasyland expansion, Disneyland may be looking to Tomorrowland for the next big changes at the California theme park.

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