Only In Florida

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:36 pm

It can only be Florida if the top news story today was about a naked man smoking crack in the marsh of a lake at 4 AM, attacked by a 12 foot alligator that almost took his arm off. Saved by some deputies. Critical condition.

http://www.wesh.com/news/10420389/detail.html

They think they caught the gator. When they showed a close up of its mouth and teeth, we actually saw red flesh stuck between its teeth!!

The other "Only in Florida" headline is the Space Shuttle will take a night launch in early December.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:41 pm

I saw a bit about this on the news !

Tracy...

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:46 pm

I just watched the video in that section on the right.
I could see the red meaty looking particle!
There's a choice of video or slide show on the right.
In the last image on the slide show, they show a mug type view of the guy.

I forgot to add, when asked what the heck the guy was doing naked there, his friend surmised in a Southern type accent:
"I guess he was using -you know- the rest room."

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:37 am

His arm? He is very lucky he didn't lose his clackers. 4am, in the nude in a swamp, smoking crack! I thought only Californian's do stupid things like that.

Pass that gator some dental floss.

-1bigsteve (o:

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:03 am

Ewwww, Kat, watched the video and saw the red chunk, how gruesome! Isn't it common knowledge in Florida that if you go into areas with water, look out for gators? I remember as a little girl hearing that from all sorts of people when we came to Florida on family vacation; dire warnings for us kids not to go near the canal, pond, lake, swamp, etc. because there were gators that would eat us up!

Yes, Steve, we do have some winners out here in CA. Though oddly most of the really strange stories I hear on the radio that are like Kat's find come out of Michigan.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:44 pm

The End Of Hurricane Season Today! Yay!

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:52 am

Kat @ Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:44 pm wrote:The End Of Hurricane Season Today! Yay!

When Does Tornado Season Start?

Sorry Kat, I just could not resist that little barb.

-1bigsteve (o:

bobarth · Post by **bobarth** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:38 pm

Kat

Your alligator made the BBC news.......

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:30 pm

bobarth @ Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:38 pm wrote:Kat

Your alligator made the BBC news.......

Have you heard how that guy is doing, Bobbie? I haven't heard a word since it happened.

I promised Kat I would send her a 30 foot gator as soon as I find one. I know how much she love's those things.

-1bigsteve (o:

bobarth · Post by **bobarth** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:37 pm

1bigsteve

Havent heard how he was doing, was just scanning for news and ran across that article on Kats gator.
Went back to the site and can't find the story now.
Figures huh!

bobarth · Post by **bobarth** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:44 pm

From the BBC website - Found it!!!!

US man saved from alligator jaws

Alligators are a common sight in Florida
A naked man was saved from the jaws of a 12-foot (3.6-metre) alligator by Florida deputies after reports of a man screaming in a lake in the early hours.
Four members of the Polk County Sheriff department waded through waist-deep mud in the dark to reach Adrian Apgar, 45, and pull him free from the alligator.

Mr Apgar was later described as critically ill in hospital.

Police said it was unclear why he was in the water in the early hours, but he had admitted taking crack cocaine.

They responded to calls from the public who had heard a man screaming for help at central Florida's Lake Parker at around 0400 (0900 GMT).

Caught

"I remember him saying: 'I'm over here, get here quick, he's still got me, he's going to kill me, my arms are broken'," one of the deputies, Michael Parker, later told a news conference.

The four officials dragged Mr Apgar 40 yards (metres) out of the water, up a steep bank to the ambulance.

He is believed to have severe injuries to his left arm, a broken right arm and leg injuries.

Another deputy, Billy Osborne, said that any fear of the alligator was overshadowed by need to rescue the man.

''It was a human being, he was dying. He needed help,'' Mr Osborne said. "I knew my partners were behind me. I wasn't too afraid another 'gator was going to get me."

The alligator believed to have carried out the attack was later caught, wildlife officials said.

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:52 pm

Thank you, Bobbie. I hope that guy makes it. Bad things can happen so quickly to a person.

-1bigsteve (0:

shakiboo · Post by **shakiboo** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:05 pm

I hope he makes it too, and I'd bet the next time he does crack it won't be in a Florida swamp in the middle of the night!

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:02 am

Yeah, and I'll bet he won't be showing any cr... well, you know what I mean. Naked at 4am. smoking drugs in a gator infested swamp! If that isn't one for the books. He sure has paid dearly.

-1bigsteve (o:

RayS · Post by **RayS** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:48 pm

One nice thing about the Jersey Shore is that you can go into the waters and never worry about alligators.

The sharks eat them all up.

shakiboo · Post by **shakiboo** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:55 pm

RayS @ Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:48 am wrote:One nice thing about the Jersey Shore is that you can go into the waters and never worry about alligators.

The sharks eat them all up.

It'd be my luck to run into both at the same time, one on one side and one on the other!! Wouldn't that be the nightmre from hell!!!

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:51 pm

I don't think gators can live in salt water for very long. But then that saltwater shark killed those two guys miles up that creek in New Jersey in 1916. So, you never know.

-1bigsteve (o:

RayS · Post by **RayS** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:17 pm

1bigsteve @ Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:51 pm wrote:I don't think gators can live in salt water for very long. But then that salt water shark killed those two miles up that creek in New Jersey in 1916. So, you never know.

-1bigsteve (o:

The salt water crocodiles of northern Australia are man-eaters and man-stalkers. Very, very dangerous.

I hope you would take my comments with a grain of salt water.
I think the mild Jersey winters are still too cold for cold-blooded big lizards.

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:48 pm

Freshwater crocs are no fun either. I had a book on croc attacks on people in Northern Austraila a few years ago. Gory.

These nature shows have episodes on documented attacks on people now and then, both crocs and gators. Sharks too.

If I were stranded out in the Florida swamps the first meal I would go after would be a gator. A lot of meat on that boy. I could smoke him and live for weeks. Of course I would need a source of carbs too. With a gator skin I could make some shoes and walk out of that place.

-1bigsteve (o:

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:48 pm

There is a difference between alligators and crocodiles. There are both freshwater and saltwater crocs. Your local library may have a book you can check out.

Tracy...

RayS · Post by **RayS** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:05 pm

Alligators have rounded snouts, crocodiles have pointed snouts.
If you can see the difference, you are way too close for comfort!
Keep you 45 Colt handy (I don't mean the drink).

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:10 pm

theebmonique @ Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:48 pm wrote:There is a difference between alligators and crocodiles. There are both freshwater and saltwater crocs. Your local library may have a book you can check out.

Tracy...

"Local Library??" Oh my heavens, Tracy, you are beginning to sound like RayS!!!

Gators have a shorter more blunt snout. Saltwater crocs are supposed to be meaner than freshwater crocs and gators but all three lizards can ruin your week.

-1bigsteve (o:

RayS · Post by **RayS** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:19 pm

1bigsteve @ Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:10 pm wrote:
theebmonique @ Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:48 pm wrote:There is a difference between alligators and crocodiles. There are both freshwater and saltwater crocs. Your local library may have a book you can check out.

Tracy...
"Local Library??" Oh my heavens, Tracy, you are beginning to sound like RayS!!!

Gators have a shorter more blunt snout. Saltwater crocs are supposed to be meaner than freshwater crocs and gators but all three lizards can ruin your week.

-1bigsteve (o:

I think that is perfectly reasonable advice for most people here who are not obsessed with buying any book on this subject.

So what books would YOU recommend?

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:58 pm

I figured to get him to understand, it was best to use his own vernacular. I could be wrong.

Also, as far as I know, just because a person wants to or does buy a book on a subject they are interested in does NOT make them "obsessed".

However, quoting from the SAME book repeatedly, does seem obsessive to me.

Tracy...

RayS · Post by **RayS** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:14 pm

theebmonique @ Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:58 pm wrote:I figured to get him to understand, it was best to use his own vernacular. I could be wrong.

Also, as far as I know, just because a person wants to or does buy a book on a subject they are interested in does NOT make them "obsessed".

However, quoting from the SAME book repeatedly, does seem obsessive to me.

Tracy...

My working definition of "obsessed" are those who want to buy or own EVERY copy of any book dealing with the Borden murders. Because they are not all of the same quality.

The Amazon Review of Arnold Brown's book recommends it to libraries. Public institutions must be careful with taxpayer's money. And the purpose of a book is to read it, not necessarily to own it.

I think most books in a public library have some merit, if only because it has passed a review board. The last two books on the Borden murders were not praised by all here. Are they worth reading? Depends after I browsed them. Worth buying? That is a persona decision.

Surely no one here will claim they are all the same?

RayS · Post by **RayS** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:16 pm

I don't know what salt water does to make those crocs more deadly.

But salt water is denser than fresh water, and more buoyant for large lizards, so they may be able to move faster.

What do you think?

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:44 am

http://www.wesh.com/video/10534773/index.html

This is a link to a video taken in Altamonte of a car driving into the mall.
It's known that I collect stories of cars crashing into houses- but this one beats them all.

This was our Mall for many years. It's actually the last mall I was at, maybe 3 months ago.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:17 pm

We're 15 minutes from those DOUBLE SONIC BOOMS!!!

Good Luck, Space Guys!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:29 pm

That's IT!

I was ready but it still makes me JUMP!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:41 pm

http://www.wesh.com/news/10590197/detail.html
You can see the landing I think

http://www.wesh.com/video/9329788/index.html
Here is a live view of the Shuttle at the Cape

After you watch that link of the landing, stay tuned because it shows live coverage of the support crews working.

Also, don't watch the jellyfish invasion video!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:53 pm

Look at that- I just noticed that I passed the 8,000 post mark here!

(I have to say I also have 20,000 posts amassed previously.)

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:09 pm

My A/C is running!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:57 am

1,000 lightning strikes in 5 minutes, according to the weatherman on TV. Bad weather day! 2 tornadoes! But not at my house.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:56 pm

http://www.wftv.com/index.html
This Central Florida TV station website has video of tornado damage. We are just now- around noon- seeing the destruction by heliocopter.

Here is a map of how close it all came to Orlando. I had to sit and watch this weather event on TV in case there were warnings locally. It was pretty exciting.
Embry-Riddle Aviation School was really hit hard. So weird to see all those planes scattered all around.
They say they are thankful it happened on a Holiday.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:21 am

The counties north of here were under a tornado watch most of today.
But just now I heard something I had never heard before!
It was the sound of an instant huge gigantic storm right outside in the street. I paused and then ran to my safe room. And it was over by the time I got there!
I don't know what it was, but I had never been so instantly scared as that in my whole life.
I then went outside but didn't see anything nor had there been any rain.
It seemed like the sound of a big vibration (like a jet plane) but without the movement, meaning nothing was shaking.

Very strange.
I think my blood pressure was affected because I now have a splitting headache.
Maybe a big change in a barometer would do that too?

Jeesh!
I am very sorry for those who have actually met up with a tornado!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:13 pm

It might have been a "dry" microburst- this site says they are more common in the west. But maybe because of El Nino we will be getting these different weather problems in the south?

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wmcr ... crbrst.htm

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 12:07 am

This afternoon, just after hanging up the phone with Stefani, I walked into my front bedroom and glanced out the window.

There was a waist-high vulture standing on my lawn!

I hope he was here for carrion!

Anyway, I grabbed my camera and snuck outside thru the back door and around the side of the house. Just as I was taking his pic he took wing.

He settled in the tree across the street.

I ate my lunch while watching him thru my front window. All he did was groom. Boring!
At some point tho he left.

I went out to see what was on the menu. Not mutton, but a squirrel. They don't get hit by cars too often- in fact this was my first out front.

So this is a "Picky" Vulture! Maybe he will be back tomorrow to get his meal. There were too many cars today for him to safely take his prize. It's a shame!

He was nice looking and had a red head!

Imagine THIS in your front yard??

Smudgeman · Post by **Smudgeman** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:14 pm

Wow, that is a huge bird. I have a hawk visiting my backyard from time to time. There are woods behind me , and lands on my back fence sometimes. Cool picture, Kat.

shakiboo · Post by **shakiboo** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:45 pm

Wow that is cool, I've seen them from a distance but never in a town, always out along side of a highway, somewhere.

Angel · Post by **Angel** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:38 pm

The nice thing about living in W.V., esp. near the Shenandoah River, is that we occasionally see a bald eagle around here.

Yooper · Post by **Yooper** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:49 pm

The U.P. has many bald eagles, too. I see them about as often as not when I'm out bumming in the woods.

shakiboo · Post by **shakiboo** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:03 pm

My hometown is about 13 miles from where I live now, right on the Mississippi River and there are alot of Bald Eagles stopping on their way either coming or going south. They are indeed quite majestic!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:15 am

The vulture is a cousin to the eagle. They are - with hawks and falcons- part of the family of Falconiforms.

It's neat you-all look UP^^^
Not many people do- and thus they do not observe the things going on in the sky!

In Seminole county, near me, there is the largest nesting population of eagles in the state. I was actually watching 2 thru binolculars a couple of days ago!

SallyG · Post by **SallyG** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:00 pm

Tracy...[/quote]
My working definition of "obsessed" are those who want to buy or own EVERY copy of any book dealing with the Borden murders. Because they are not all of the same quality.

The Amazon Review of Arnold Brown's book recommends it to libraries. Public institutions must be careful with taxpayer's money. And the purpose of a book is to read it, not necessarily to own it.

I think most books in a public library have some merit, if only because it has passed a review board. The last two books on the Borden murders were not praised by all here. Are they worth reading? Depends after I browsed them. Worth buying? That is a persona decision.

Surely no one here will claim they are all the same?[/quote]

Here we go!...Let me get my popcorn!

SallyG · Post by **SallyG** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:10 pm

Kat @ Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:56 pm wrote:http://www.wftv.com/index.html
This Central Florida TV station website has video of tornado damage. We are just now- around noon- seeing the destruction by heliocopter.

Here is a map of how close it all came to Orlando. I had to sit and watch this weather event on TV in case there were warnings locally. It was pretty exciting.
Embry-Riddle Aviation School was really hit hard. So weird to see all those planes scattered all around.
They say they are thankful it happened on a Holiday.

Looking at your map I see Palm Bay...my brother in law is buying a house there...my sister-in-law lives in that area, my step-son lives in Gainesville, my granddaughter lives in Gainesville...I'm sure my husband will be wanting to move back down there soon...

Smudgeman · Post by **Smudgeman** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:14 pm

My Father lives in Apopka. I love Florida, but I also love my 4 seasons here in Georgia. We all complain when it is too cold, too hot, too rainy, but I love it! I tried to live in Florida, but the heat and the bugs got the best of me!

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:52 pm

SallyG @ Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:00 pm wrote:Tracy...

My working definition of "obsessed" are those who want to buy or own EVERY copy of any book dealing with the Borden murders. Because they are not all of the same quality.

The Amazon Review of Arnold Brown's book recommends it to libraries. Public institutions must be careful with taxpayer's money. And the purpose of a book is to read it, not necessarily to own it.

I think most books in a public library have some merit, if only because it has passed a review board. The last two books on the Borden murders were not praised by all here. Are they worth reading? Depends after I browsed them. Worth buying? That is a persona decision.

Surely no one here will claim they are all the same?[/quote]

Here we go!...Let me get my popcorn!

[/quote]

Just some clarification; I know it was unintentional on Sally's part, but the way the above post looks, it appears that the paragraph is credited to me. Those words actually belong to RayS. I am no fan of Mr. Brown.

I am not sure why, but the quote feature is not working for me tonight.

Tracy...

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:09 am

It is easy for a review board to recommend a book but unfortunately the ones recommending the Brown book are not experts on the Borden case. As long as the book looks well written, has a nice cover, well, why not? Thats probably their thinking anyway. I don't think anyone here is a fan of Mr. Brown. Well, except for you-know-who.

We had big birds like that one flying over a nearby hill when I was a kid, Kat. I don't know what kind they were but they were sizeable.

Speaking of sonic booms, I heard my first one when a young kid in the '50's. It must have been right on top of us because it shook all the windows and my nerves. After I climbed down off the ceiling mom calmly explained it was a military fighter breaking the sound barrier. The Air Force was not too far away so I got used to them.

-1bigsteve (o:

william · Post by **william** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:44 am

Kat:

The Turkey Vulture (the adult bird has a red head, the immature a black head).
Although formerly uncommon in the northeast, in the past fifty years it has increased its range. This is due, no doubt, to the increase in motoring:the more more cars, the more carrion, the more turkey vultures.
Although uncommon on Long Island it can be frequently seen in the eastern section. It has been known (rarely) to breed on Long Island.

SallyG · Post by **SallyG** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:21 am

theebmonique @ Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:52 pm wrote:
SallyG @ Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:00 pm wrote:Tracy...
My working definition of "obsessed" are those who want to buy or own EVERY copy of any book dealing with the Borden murders. Because they are not all of the same quality.

The Amazon Review of Arnold Brown's book recommends it to libraries. Public institutions must be careful with taxpayer's money. And the purpose of a book is to read it, not necessarily to own it.

I think most books in a public library have some merit, if only because it has passed a review board. The last two books on the Borden murders were not praised by all here. Are they worth reading? Depends after I browsed them. Worth buying? That is a persona decision.

Surely no one here will claim they are all the same?

Here we go!...Let me get my popcorn!

[/quote]

Just some clarification; I know it was unintentional on Sally's part, but the way the above post looks, it appears that the paragraph is credited to me. Those words actually belong to RayS. I am no fan of Mr. Brown.

I am not sure why, but the quote feature is not working for me tonight.

Tracy...[/quote]

Sorry about that...not sure if it was my computer or what happened. It was just a humorous reference to Ray's bringing up Brown again.

Actually, it's still not working right.....Argggg!