Jet Gorgon
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Posts posted by Jet Gorgon
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^ ya, way cheaper and fresher too, I bet.
Greg, thanks for the Thai note. We can all use new Thai words for foods. Tutsi, are you writing this down? hehe
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The first real tick infestation I had was in a beach bungalow with a large undeveloped plot next door. I did tick patrol on my pup twice a day, and got at least ten of the babies and a few of the gray dirigibles every time.
I had all my paintings and canvases stretched with masking tape on the walls and one day noticed some black dots around the edge of one. I brushed it off and blood squirted out. <deleted>? So, I lifted up the canvas and there were patched of teeny bronze-coloured blobs and black dots everywhere. Tick eggs and then stage two, black dots. Yuck. Used masking tape to pick them off the walls, them scoured everything with Dettol. Used bug spray on everything and upended the bed and everything in the place to clean and spray. Seemed to work, but I kept close watch on everything after that. No pest control back then or Frontline or even a vet.
Here's a note from http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/faculty/rbkimsey/tickbio.html
Ticks are blood feeding external parasites of mammals, birds, and reptiles throughout the world. Approximately 850 species have been described worldwide (Furman and Loomis 1984). There are two well established families of ticks, the Ixodidae (hard ticks), and Argasidae (soft ticks). Both are important vectors of disease causing agents to humans and animals throughout the world. Ticks transmit the widest variety of pathogens of any blood sucking arthropod, including bacteria, rickettsiae, protozoa, and viruses. Some human diseases of current interest in the United States caused by tick-borne pathogens include Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, rocky mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and tick-borne relapsing fever.
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Hard Ticks: Family Ixodidae
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Hard ticks have three distinct life stages. Larvae which emerge from the egg have six legs. After obtaining a blood meal from a vertebrate host, they molt to the nymphal stage and acquire eight legs. Nymphs feed and molt to the next and final stage - the adult, which also has eight legs. After feeding once more, the adult female hard ticks lay one batch of thousands of eggs and then die. Only one blood meal is taken during each of the three life stages. The time to completion of the entire life cycle may vary from less than a year in tropical regions to over three years in cold climates, where certain stages may enter diapause until hosts are again available. Many hard ticks can go for several months without feeding if not unduly duressed by environmental conditions.
Scanning Electron Micrograph
of Tick Mouthparts
The mouthparts of hard ticks are readily visible from above. There are three visible components: the two outside jointed parts are the highly mobile palps; between these are paired chelicerae, which protect the center rod-shaped structure, the hypostome. The palps move laterally while the tick is feeding and do not enter the skin of the host. The rough hypostome has many beak-like projections on it. This is the structure which plunges into the host's skin while feeding. The backward directed projections prevent easy removal of the attached tick. In addition, most hard ticks secrete a cement-like substance produced by the salivary glands which literally glues the feeding tick in place; the substance dissolves after feeding is complete.
Questing Hard Tick
(Ixodes scapularis)
Hard ticks seek hosts by an interesting behavior called "questing." Questing ticks crawl up the stems of grass or perch on the edges of leaves on the ground in a typical posture with the front legs extended, especially in response to a host passing by. Certain biochemicals such as carbon dioxide as well as heat and movement serve as stimuli for questing behavior. Subsequently, these ticks climb on to a potential host which brushes against their extended front legs. Hard ticks are most commonly collected for research by the use of "flags" or "drags" which are made from 1 m square pieces of roughly textured fabric such as fleece or flannel attached to a rod handle. The flags are slowly dragged across the surface of vegetation to collect questing ticks. Hard ticks feed for extended periods of time on their hosts, varying from several days to weeks, depending on such factors as life stage, host type, and species of tick. The outside surface, or cuticle, of hard ticks actually grows to accommodate the large volume of blood ingested, which, in adult ticks, may be anywhere from 200-600 times their unfed body weight (Sonenshine 1991).
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Lifecycles of Hard Ticks
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Hard ticks have a variety of life histories with respect to optimizing their chance of contact with an appropriate host to ensure survival. Some ticks feed on only one host throughout all three life stages. These ticks are called one host ticks. This type of tick remains on one host during the larval and nymphal stages, until they become adults, and females drop off the host after feeding to lay their batch of eggs. Other ticks feed on two hosts during their lives and are called two host ticks. This type of tick feeds and remains on the first host during the larval and nymphal life stages, and then drops off and attaches to a different host as an adult for its final blood meal. The adult female then drops off after feeding to lay eggs. Finally, many ticks feed on three hosts, one during each life stage, and are appropriately named three host ticks. These ticks drop off and reattach to a new host during each life stage, until finally the adult females lay their batch of eggs. In each case, the fed adult stage is terminal, that is, after laying one batch of eggs the female dies, and after the male has reproduced, he dies as well.
One Host Tick Lifecycle
Two Host Tick Lifecycle
Three Host Tick Lifecycle
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Soft Ticks: Family Argasidae
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The life stages of soft ticks are not readily distinguishable. The first life stage to come out of the egg, a six legged larva, takes a blood meal from a host, and molts to the first nymphal stage. Unlike hard ticks, many soft ticks go through multiple nymphal stages, gradually increasing in size until the final molt to the adult stage. Some soft ticks pass through up to seven nymphal molts before they become adults. Soft ticks feed several times during each life stage, and females lay multiple small batches of eggs between blood meals during their lives. The time to completion of the entire life cycle is generally much longer than that of hard ticks, lasting over several years. Additionally, many soft ticks have an uncanny resistance to starvation, and can survive for many years without a blood meal (Furman and Loomis 1984).
The mouthparts of soft ticks are are not readily visible from above. There are three visible components: the two outside jointed parts are the highly mobile palps; between these are paired chelicerae, which protect the center rod-shaped structure, the hypostome. The palps move laterally while the tick is feeding and do not enter the skin of the host. The rough hypostome has many beak-like projections on it. This is the structure which plunges into the host's skin while feeding. The backward directed projections prevent easy removal of the attached tick.
Some soft ticks seek hosts by questing on low-lying vegetation, but the vast majority are nest parasites, residing in sheltered environments such as burrows, caves, or nests. Certain biochemicals such as carbon dioxide as well as heat and movement serve as stimuli for host seeking behavior. Soft ticks feed for short periods of time on their hosts, varying from several minutes to days, depending on such factors as life stage, host type, and species of tick. The feeding behavior of many soft ticks can be compared to that of fleas or bedbugs, as once established, they reside in the nest of the host, feeding rapidly when the host returns and disturbs the contents. The outside surface, or cuticle, of soft ticks expands, but does not grow to accommodate the large volume of blood ingested, which may be anywhere from 5-10 times their unfed body weight (Sonenshine 1991).
Soft ticks can be readily collected via dry ice traps. Blocks of dry ice emit large amounts of carbon dioxide, a host seeking stimulant. Traps are set in and around nesting areas of animal hosts. Soft ticks can be observed running along the surface of the ground towards the trap and are collected by hand, or inside a collection chamber in the trap. Many types of soft ticks can be artificially fed in the laboratory, thus reducing or eliminating the use of animals for certain studies. Some (ie: Ornithodorus coriaceus) will feed through sausage casings filled with almost any type of mammal blood heated up to 37° C. Others can be fed blood through various types of membranes in the presence of biochemical and environmental feeding stimulants such as ATP, carbon dioxide, heat, and animal fur (Sonenshine 1993).
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That's a great part about Thailand. You can do stupic sh*t like this, but you take the responsibility for your actions. Better than facing the myriad bylaws on life in the West.
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See Tutsi's "I fekked up my orchids" thread here. They make nice hanging plants.
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^ oh, ouchola! Sorry to heat that, SBK. Three things I covet in life (here comes Tiggy): my books, my Swiss army knife and my plants.
Ya, we tied lots to coconut trees in half husks of coconut shells with fiber and charcoal inside. They seemed happy, but I'm not so good with orchids either. The ones on the trees seemed to do pretty well, but the others in the plastic box things did not. Oh ya, the "botanists" near me said not to use coconut shells from the beach area because they were too salty.
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Oooh, this is sad, and it's happened to many of my dogs. Some open areas are tick-breeding areas it seems, especially in certain seasons.
The best medicine I used was Frontline -- pipettes of liquid you put on the skin between the shoulder bladdes every month. There are also injections. The meds get in the bloodstream so the dog may still get ticks, but they should fall off and die when they start feeding. Check your dog every day, especially between the paws, dew claws, ears and general body area. Nasty critters, them ticks. Good luck.
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Nice Q, Tiggy.
I think we are all spiritual; some people don't know it. My Sis has always been matter of fact, here and now, while I've always been interested in discovering and developing my spiritual side. I equate it to Tim Robbins' character in Shawshank Redemption, when he gets thrown in solitary for playing opera over the loudspeakers. Somebody asked him how his time in the hole was, and he said the easiest time I've ever done. Because he had music and faith in his head. Others can take everything physical away from you, lock you in chains, torture you, but they can never have your spirit and soul. That's what keeps you going when everything turns to <deleted> in the physical world. I have to try and teach my Sis that now.
PS, Sabaijai, that Krishna story was funny. thanks. I used to live in Nakano when I first went to Tokyo. Sounds about right for the area. Good writer, too.
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Ya mince your own hamburger, JR. Soya sauce is a good flavour. Also good to make the patties and chuck in the fridge for a few hours before cooking. Definitely, a few pickles DSK. A bun with mayo, mustard, lettuce, cukes, tomatoes, slab of melted cheese and stir-fried mushrooms. Special sauce is just ketchup, mayo, dash of paprika/cayenne and diced pickles aka Thousand Island dressing.
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I used to love Alberta Grade A steaks and prime rib, but after being in Asia so long, it tastes funny now. Maybe too many antibiotics or ? I find most foods here have an aftertaste.
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I wanted to be a ballerina -- even won the City Cup when I was 11. No money for proper school, so I wanted to be a hockey player. But I was too little. Then I wanted to be a painter. Ended up being a runaway hippie. Everything just kinda happened after that. Managed to get into uni, went to China to study and ended up at an investment bank. Dumped all that to paint and write and live near the beach. Now, I'm searching again. It's been fun so far, but like NR and others, always mountains to surpass, too. Maybe that's why I hate living near mountains.
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Cooking -- but some food tastes different here; I think too many preservatives or drugs -- painting, drawing, walking neighbours' dogs, dreaming up new escape plans. Drinking white wine and watching vids or playing on Thai fora; occasionally, beating up jerkwads on said fora. Chatting with pals and my Sis. Staying warm; it's getting cold here already, altho these stupid Canucks are still in shorts and t-shirts.
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If you head down to your local market you will be able to pick up some great Thai tenderloin, i pay 150 Baht a kilo and the stuff is great. Can be used for all dishes (burgers, roasts, dried beef) and much cheaper than the rubbish you buy in Tesco or Tops.
Totally agree. Always bought my meat at the wet market (Tesco meat is terrible, IMO). Ask for filet -- usually have to buy the whole piece, but it is cheap. Can't remember, Bt250? Slice it and freeze. Same for chicken and pork. Back here in Canada, the meat tastes funny to me. Too many drugs or weird feed? The chicken is horrid and I want to throw up when I smell it cooking. Even the eggs taste strange.
JR Texas, like Tatler said, you have to go to the market around 5-6 am. No flies, everything fresh. Season the steaks and let them age in the fridge on a covered rack for a few days.
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^ do you have any kitty-doggy hugaboo snaps?
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^ ya, what a wanklette you are, Smithson, annoying the OP with those, those Hallmark card snaps. 555
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Give us your recipe to start us off, MrT!
Mine's pretty boring:
ground beef
diced white onion
garlic mash or garlic salt
pepper
bit of paprika
sometimes beaten egg and bread crumbs
mash then all together, make balls and flatten to patties. Put in red hot skillet to brown each side and then turn down to cook, flipping at whim. I like mine BBQed but a frypan works.
Soemtimes I make an onion gravy to pour over them with mashed potatoes. Poor man's steak.
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Ooooooh. OK.
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But, Gerd, what happened to the veg?
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Also there is a big shop on the small road to the old Maenam pier selling all sorts of household things including those paper lanterns.
That would be Gai's Pharmacy and Grocery. Loveliest lady in Maenam is Khun Gai.
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^ you just bein a name dropper now, Tutsi. But that is the cream of the crop. 555
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We donate 20,000B to the end of year police party. Amongst other benifits this ensures the police actually respond when we have a problem at any of the family bussinesses.
Soundman.
this is horrible on so many levels and you are embracing government corruption. plus, youd probably be better paying as you go.
Actually, Soundman is very smart. Less than Bt3,000 a month for year-round police protection. He could probably rob the 7-11 and the cops would arrest the cashier.
I paid Bt3,000 to a Thai jerk who said my dog bit him and Bt5,000 to the driver of a brand new Benz who pulled out of a small soi while I was reversing from my parking spot on the main road. Farang always pay.
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Thanks Farangprince -- I forgot the name of the lend-lease. I also salute you for your service.
Garro, we are not forgetting these people either. But 9-11 was a singular event, etched into many western people's memories.
For all of our war dead, we have November 11. Perhaps the Iraqis have a day for theirs. All life is sacred.
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For some reason we had an influx of mice in the house over the last few days. We caught 10 in 2 days in glue traps! The following video clip is what I've had to deal with for the last three days. Turn the volume up to really appreciate the effect.
Note: It's 15 MBytes, down converted from 221MB so may be slow to load if on a slow connection (not streamed).
You need a kittykat.
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OK, open a can of worms and...
The US was in the European war arena way before Pearl Harbour.
Not true Jet.....
Pearl Harbor was bombed on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a "date that will live in infamy," as US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt called it.
On day later, Roosevelt went before Congress to ask for a formal declaration of war. The vote was unanimous except for a lone holdout. World War 2 for the US officially began on December 8th. On December 11th, 1941, Germany and Italy both declared war on the United States.
Edit to name source as wiki.answers.com
Yes, you are right, and I stand corrected. The main US troops were deployed to the UK in Jan 42. But the US considered Germany an enemy force in September 41.
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Why is this thread going off topic: 9/11 ?
Let's pay respect.
LaoPo
True, LaoPo, sorry, I derailed it. It's gonna be a black day tomorrow. My NY office has two minutes of silence in the morning. I'll be at home remembering friends.
"fire Ring" Injuries In Full Moon Party
in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
Posted
As I said, you take care of yourself. We never wanted Western rules, because they are just that, Western. You want to jump through a ring of fire, that's your choice and they'll let you do it. You don't have a Mommy to run home and cry to for retribution. You deal with it. That's a good one, SBK, try to sue the owners.
Lots of angry people on this forum.