Friday, August 11, 2006

In the time of Australopithecines...


In the time of Australopithecines... I was still a monkey (a chimp I think, not a chump)...

"Robert! I don't care if you do think that you're related to Napoleon... Get your hand out of my blouse!"

Australopithecines are a genus of extinct hominids that lived in eastern Africa from about 4.2 Ma until about 1 Ma. Some anthropologists believe that some of the australopithecine species are directly ancestral to humans, however others hold they are a "side-branch" of the line that led to humans, and not direct human ancestors. I rather look like one those fellows, me thinks.

There are a variety of accepted taxonomic schemes for the australopithecines, however the four most commonly accepted species are Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus robustus, and Australopithecus boisei.

A. robustus and A. boisei are larger boned and more "robust" than A. afarensis & A. africanus, which are termed "gracile." The smaller gracile forms Australopithecus africanus and Australopithecus afarensis (the species which includes the famous fossil "Lucy") are typically thought to be the most closely related to humans. Studies have found that Australopithecus africanus (very similar to Australopithecus afarensis), the australopithecine species often thought to be the most closely related to humans, had a body shape more similar to modern apes than to members of the genus Homo.

Australopithecines stood about 1-1.5 m in height and had relatively small brains typically measuring between 370 and 515 cm3 (cc) -- only slightly larger than the brain of a chimpanzee.

The australopithecine mode of locomotion has been a point of controversy, usually centered around the shape of australopithecine pelvis and knee bones. Early studies believed the australopithecine pelvis was a clear-cut precursor to Homo with human-like bipedality, while later studies of australopithecine locomotion found it to be different from modern apes, but also very different from humans -- a distinct mode of locomotion. The most common consensus is that forms of australopithecines were adapted for both tree-climbing and at least semi-upright, if not fully upright walking, having a mode of locomotion different from all extant primates, including humans and modern apes."

"Cogito, ergo sum" I think, therefore I am?

And so it was...
I remember those days, like it was (well) yesterday...

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Precious Loved

Carried with every Breath escaping mine Lips,
There is a Sweet thought of Thee.
And every Heartbeat,
Brings me precious Life and...
Caresses a new Memory made of We.
For each Tear shed due to Loss,
I would cry each another time Ov'r.
Because every Moment & Memory
That is being Shared & Made with You,
Is worth every Tear Lost, For'ver.

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

(peace) VIOLENCE ~ (war) VIOLENCE

terrorist (ter' or ist), n 1. A person who commits violence in pursuit of political goals we oppose.

hero (hē' rō) n 1. A person who commits violence in pursuit of political goals we favor.

Bullys

Those who can, do. Those who cannot, bully.

Wonderous Hugs

Just wonderous what a hug can do!
A hug can cheer you when pink turns to blue.
A hug can say, "I love you so!"...
Or, "So sad to see you go."
A hug is,"welcome back again!"
And, "Great to see you, where've you been?"
A hug can soothe a lot of pain,
Or bring forth rainbows after the rain.
The hug! There's just no doubt about it,
We scarcely could survive without it.
A hug delights and warms and charms,
'Tis why God gave new love four arms!
Hugs are great for Dads and Mothers.
So sweet for sisters, just swell for brothers.
And chances are some favorite Aunts.
Love them more than their potted plants.
Kittens crave 'em! Puppies love 'em!
Heads of State are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier.
And make the dullest day seem that much merrier.
No need to fret about having a store of them,
The more you give... the more there are of them!
So, reach out those arms without delay,
And give someone you love, a hug today!