A Lonely Yet Exciting Life

July 08, 2008

(The only way I know the day or date is because when I type the month the day comes up. I've already lost track of the days.)

Well, it's been a few days now. I feel like I am finding my feet here. You can see that it's been three days since I wrote. I have to send my computer out of the tented camp to get charged, and it just isn't high on their priority list these days to get it charged and sent back. I'm just happy that they don't prioritize my food the same way. I have been eating pretty well. I am a pretty simple eater, so I have been throwing some meat over the fire and some potatoes in the fire and it's been nice. Let's see if I can catch you up.

I have been getting used to being alone out here. I was really shaken up that first night, and things have been getting better each night. In fact, I can even say now that I am sitting at the camp all alone and enjoying it! I'm living a lonely, yet exciting life right now! They conflict, but seem to be working out enough for me to be smiling most of the day.

I've met some of the cats. I saw a female the other day — the snotty thing charged me! But she was a pretty lion, and I wanted to hang with her right away. Just before I saw her I had driven my production crew's truck into a huge antbear hole ... stupid. The next day I saw a few more of the cats, and once again another female charged me, along with one of the males ... jerks!

The next day I went for my first walk. It was premature, because I hadn't been viewing them from the safety of the Jeep at all. I had no idea how they would take to me, but I was so anxious that I had to start getting on ground level and seeing what I was dealing with. I have to tell you, these animals are fantastic! I think we are going to make great friends! Funny, that's what I always think. I've never met a lion I didn't like. I wish I could say the same for the lions. I guess I am an acquired taste (and I don't mean that in the culinary way).

So, in summary, I've had some fun. I am listening to Eddie Vedder's Into the Wild soundtrack. It seems to be even better written when you are listening to it with ears that can understand some of the feelings he is expressing. I promise to send some photos soon!

Comments

[scott quach]

mingquach@yahoo.com >>>Dave,you need to look at the big picture! Do you realize your ignorance is endangering lions? While you are filming this tastless show of yours, you are never in "real" danger are you? Try being out there with lions ALONE! Now, thats a film worth watching! What you are doing is playing games with lions for t.v. which will and maybe already has gotten lions killed. I know a little about film making, editing, cut scenes, bloopers etc, You only show what you want the people to see.How many times were you almost cat-chow, and they had to shoot the lion? not with the camera? my advise to you, leave the LIONS ALONE!You can't control nature, Who do you think you are? I no longer watch Animal Planet because of your selfish actions and stupidity. From Tacoma Washington ...Scott

[Marissa]

why is scott so angry? geesh. Isn't the whole purpose of this show to save the lions? My understanding was that these lions were going to be killed for being too aggressive and now they are not... How is that endangering them? Why am I bothering to read the blog, when I can just read Scott the lion/tv/everything expert's comments... How silly of me.

[scott quach]

Dave,you need to look at the big picture! Do you realize your ignorance is endangering lions? While you are filming this tastless show of yours, you are never in "real" danger are you? Try being out there with lions ALONE! Now, thats a film worth watching! What you are doing is playing games with lions for t.v. which will and maybe already has gotten lions killed. I know a little about film making, editing, cut scenes, bloopers etc, You only show what you want the people to see.How many times were you almost cat-chow, and they had to shoot the lion? not with the camera? my advise to you, leave the LIONS ALONE!You can't control nature, Who do you think you are? I no longer watch Animal Planet because of your selfish actions and stupidity. From Tacoma Washington ...Scott

[Anna]

Africa by Toto is the song I began to love when I was over there. But I was up in a village not down in the bush (sadly).

I do not quite understand the feline body language as I do canines, but hopefully through what I see on your show and my own experiences I can start to recognize them as well. I may never use the knowledge but it's always nice to understand another person (or in this case, lion/cat).

[Lisa]

Eddie Vedder's "Into the Wild" soundtrack is amazing. And it was a great movie. :-D

[Mary]

I hope that these well, I'm ancioso to see the outcome of that documentary that those doing; confiezo that you feel envious of where these for me there is nothing more wonderful to live outdoors, I have not experienced good and what is heard roar close to a lion, but if a jaguar and the first time you shudder but after you get used and they get used to you .. I hope some day africa know, because I know the jungle is part of the Amazon that corresponds to my country: Venezuela .. cuidate much continues to work ..