August 27, 2008
Happy Birthday to You, Tian Tian
For the non FONZ members of the reading audience, Tian Tian is the adult male giant panda at the National Zoo. That is to say, he's the Butter Daddy. He and Mei Xiang are to thank for bringing that lovable little fella we call Butterstick into the world. Of course, as is custom for giant pandas, there isn't a relationship between the father and his offspring (beyond the occasional glimpse through the fence; they live in separate but adjacent pens as male pandas don't play a role in raising offspring). And today is his birthday! A virgo like myself (that might explain all those independent tendencies), today marks his 11th glorious year on the planet. Does anybody know anything about panda years? Are they like dog years?
On August 27, 1997, Tian Tian was born at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in the Sichuan province. According to his bio on the National Zoo website,
His name means "more and more." Tian Tian has black "knee socks." The black band across his shoulders narrows in the middle. His eye patches are shaped like kidney beans, and he has two black dots across the bridge of his nose. In spring 2007, he weighed about 275 pounds.We hereby name black knee socks the it item for fall 2008.
So what has he been up to lately? "Tian Tian has been spending a lot of time on his back in his air-conditioned grotto, but by the peak heat of the day he is ready to retreat indoors." All that laying on his back might explain how he got up to 275 pounds. We're just kidding Tian Tian, big is beautiful! Here's wishing you all the bamboo-sicles you can eat and a relaxing day in your air-conditioned grotto.
Photo by RoxandaBear
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that's one hell of a suggestive pose there, mr. panda!
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We hereby name black knee socks the it item for fall 2008.
So long as they're worn with Catholic school uniforms, maryjanes, pigtails, and a big lollypop, I got no problem with this.
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An 11 year-old dead beat dad.... It breaks the heart to see one go so bad, so young.
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Foiled again ... I thought he was wearing leather chaps!
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Butter Daddy. That's awesome.
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According to Wikipedia, pandas can live 20-30 years in captivity. So applying the "dog years" logic suggests that one year equals 3 to 4 panda years.
So I guess Tian Tian is at that age when he's going to start thinking about buying a convertible to help him attract pandas half his age.
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All of you are shameful, i can't believe that no one has not made any Pandas Gone Wild: Shaved Edition jokes yet. tsk.
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well, take your crack at it blittle
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I agree with IMGoph. Come hither, Tian Tian, come hither.
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It's like he's leaning up against a bar, waiting for his Bamboo Rickey, and telling the barkeep, "Bitch? Set me up!"
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And someone tell that fat f**k to lay off the goddamned $4 cupcakes.
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Was the title of "Butter Daddy" bestowed on him by the United House of Prayer in Shaw? And is he properly referred to as Tian "Butter Daddy" Tian?
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Anyone who's seen Last Tango in Paris will tell you that Marlon Brando was the Orginal Butter Daddy. He was also something of a bear as well.
This guy's just an I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Daddy.
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He better watch out or he will end on on TV in LNS.
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actually, this seems like a perfect opportunity for a lolpanda contest, don't you think?
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"All Ur Bambooze are Belong to us: LOLpandaz, a Meme Too Far?"
Now, I don't want to pat my own back, but someone needs to dissertate that sucker. Take it, it's yours. Free o' charge.