Tales from the Crypt - Shanghai Hairy Crabs

The Crabs in Moscow

 

The Crabs team to beat the Chinese National Team in 2004

 Rear: Mark Thomas, Damien Smith (Wallaby), Richard Hughes, Bobby Mitchell, Philippe Coquelle, The HK National front row, Bryce Dailly, Forgotten, Ben McGrath, Forgotten, Josh Kronfeld (All Blacks).

Front: Forgotten, Marc Ellis (kneeling, All Black), Big Thomas, Yours Truly, Sylvain Benoit, Nick Francis, Little Thomas, Forgotten, Pierre, Wayne McIntosh.

Between them, the above players have a combined 54 tests and 14 tries for the All Blacks.

Things I saw at the Zoo - zoo keeper attachment

I passed the Docent exams last week and was lucky enough to spend two days in a keeper attachment. Basically shadow a keeper and spend two days-in-the-life of. The zoo is very specific about not sharing photos of the back of house so the below are random Internet photos indicating some of my activities at the River Safari.

 Smelled and rubbed by a curious giant anteater with baby.

 Searched and nudged by a hungry coati.

 

 Struggled with by an elephant trunk snake who would rather not be moved.

 

Growled at by feeding jaguars advising me to back off.

 

 Teased by picky sturgeon who demand hand feeding.

Licked by tapirs mistaking sweat for a salt lick.

 

Smiled at by the ghairal when watching the keeper's back.

 

And spending an hour scrubbing the Ganges River of algae. Yep, it only took an hour, but there was two of us. It wasn't all fun though. Cleaning cages and exhibits, prepping food for all and sundry, back-washing and cleaning filters, sweeping, moving and caging. I probably added and hour to the keeper's day with distraction and annoying questions but it felt like a rare opportunity.

Look-alikes

I was recently told I look exactly like a particular Indian politician so thought I would compare that with my most commonly referenced look-alike.

 Rahul Gandhi

Vincent D'Oonofrio

 

 

That is crazy, because I look like this.

 

Tales from the Crypt - Super 8

Georgia found some unprocessed Super 8 footage from around 1996 or 1997 I would guess. Nick, Dom, Georgia and I must be about 20 or so. Architecture and art, Kellett St and Dean's, X-Files and rollies, Blackheath, LPs, friends who are missed. Although I still have nightmares that I have failed or not completed university, those were the days.

Things I saw at the Zoo - adolescent orangutan

 

Today I sat my practical as well as my written exam for the Docent position. It was strangely nerve wracking for what is really just a hobby. I guess without passing, this hobby is a little harder to enjoy. I am pretty confident of passing though you never know.