Mmmh, there's a story behind Mack. He's the macaw in the pictures and as much a part of the family as ... well, I am I guess. Probably more so.

We (my girlfriend/fiance/love of my life [I hope I get some brownie points for this!]) worked at two lodges in the Caprivi Strip on the border of Namibia. The previous owners of the lodges left him there after having had him for almost 15 years. ............(<---insert appropriate deity here) knows why. Everyone said he was impossible and always bit every person that came near him. My fiance (that stage still my gf) was the only one that ignored this and got him to trust us. Thing is, everyone usually just threatened him with a stick if they wanted to go in his cage to feed him. Food consisted solely of sunflower seeds with maybe once or twice a week some leftover fruit from the kitchen.

Long story short, we could not in all conscience leave him there when we moved. So we had to make a choice, take him to breeders of these same birds, or keep him with us. By this time we had become extremely attached to him and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now he thinks he rules us all (ow, ow, sorry Mack), I mean he rules the household.

But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Unknown "rough rider" Serene - 16 years, 6 months, 25 days ago

Millenium hands and shrimp. No idea what's up but the pics are not uploading. Will try again tonight, see if it works...

Raining here, things are definitely going well.
Unknown "rough rider" Serene - 16 years, 7 months, 3 days ago

YAAAAIIIIHHHHHH!! (<-- supposed to be yell of great happiness/elation/ecstasy/joy/delight/euphoria/jubilation/exultation/desolation... um .. last one is actually antonym, bloody thesaurus). Anyway my big project is finished, at last!! (<--Again the above, except the desolation part). Will see if I can get some pics up tonight for everyone to see what I been working on this last six months. It was hard work, but it was worth it. Reason I'm only putting this tale up now (3 days after the actual unveiling), is I was a little ....um... out of commision. Nothing I couldn't recover from but well, enough said.

So at the moment I'm between projects, the next one will only start in about a week/2 weeks. Bliss. Gives me a lot more time for my studies, which is actually going quite well. But more of that whenever.
Unknown "rough rider" Serene - 16 years, 7 months, 4 days ago

Books have arrived so I guess there's nothing for it, I'll have to start with my studies. But in all honesty, I actually can't wait. It's what I want to do. Bit apprehensive though, hope I make it. Anyway, watch this space for (possible) updates.
Unknown "rough rider" Serene - 16 years, 8 months, 3 days ago

We have no interest in your politics. Take us to your bars. A shebien will also do if there's really nothing else.
Unknown "rough rider" Serene - 16 years, 9 months, 1 day ago