Cooling Down
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Cool Feet Laptop Stand
The portable companion for your overheated (or overworked) laptop. Simply attach Cool Feet to the bottom of your laptop and get a perfectly raised laptop that allows air to circulate, protecting it from overheating.
You can have both sets of feet, just the tall feet or just the short feet attached to your laptop and when you need to travel, the Cool Feet can be popped off and stored in the handy carrying pouch.
Available in sexy silver.
You can have both sets of feet, just the tall feet or just the short feet attached to your laptop and when you need to travel, the Cool Feet can be popped off and stored in the handy carrying pouch.
Available in sexy silver.
So it is true ... a shock really will stop the hiccups
When young man walked into the accident and emergency department of Univer- sity Hospital in Jacksonville, Tennessee, complaining of hiccups that had lasted three days, Francis Fesmire, who treated him, had little idea he was about to make medical history.
Yesterday, the American doctor’s innovative solution to the problem — an uncomfortable one that you might not wish to try at home — received the honour it deserves, an Ig Nobel Prize for research that “cannot or should not be reproduced”.
After trying a variety of standard hiccup cures, such as pulling the patient’s tongue and making him gag, Dr Fesmire decided on a different approach.
“Digital rectal massage was then attempted using a slow circumferential motion", he wrote in his seminal case report, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. “The frequency of hiccups immediately began to slow, with a termination of all hiccups within 30 seconds.”
Dr Fesmire’s unconventional therapy has since been replicated, by Majed Odeh of Zion Medical Centre in Haifa, Israel, with whom he shared the Ig Nobel Prize for Medicine, in Harvard University’s annual spoof of the real Nobel awards.
You can see the full list of the 2006 Ig Nobel Prize Winners here.
Yesterday, the American doctor’s innovative solution to the problem — an uncomfortable one that you might not wish to try at home — received the honour it deserves, an Ig Nobel Prize for research that “cannot or should not be reproduced”.
After trying a variety of standard hiccup cures, such as pulling the patient’s tongue and making him gag, Dr Fesmire decided on a different approach.
“Digital rectal massage was then attempted using a slow circumferential motion", he wrote in his seminal case report, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. “The frequency of hiccups immediately began to slow, with a termination of all hiccups within 30 seconds.”
Dr Fesmire’s unconventional therapy has since been replicated, by Majed Odeh of Zion Medical Centre in Haifa, Israel, with whom he shared the Ig Nobel Prize for Medicine, in Harvard University’s annual spoof of the real Nobel awards.
You can see the full list of the 2006 Ig Nobel Prize Winners here.
Outback driver caught in reverse
A man pulled over for driving slowly in the Australian outback has been charged with reckless driving - because police found him driving in reverse.
The man was stopped for driving at a little over 56km/h (35mph) on a highway near the outback town of Kalgoorlie.
But quick police work soon established that the car was in fact heading backwards - all the way to Perth, some 550km (340 miles) across the desert.
The driver, 22, told police he chose to drive in reverse when his gears failed.
He had already travelled 20km before he was stopped.
Police breathalysed the man, who was found not to be under the influence of alcohol.
The man was stopped for driving at a little over 56km/h (35mph) on a highway near the outback town of Kalgoorlie.
But quick police work soon established that the car was in fact heading backwards - all the way to Perth, some 550km (340 miles) across the desert.
The driver, 22, told police he chose to drive in reverse when his gears failed.
He had already travelled 20km before he was stopped.
Police breathalysed the man, who was found not to be under the influence of alcohol.
The man who gets paid to watch paint dry
Most of us would admit to finding our working day slightly tedious at times.
But spare a thought for Keith Jackson.
The married father-of-one has perhaps the most boring job in the world - watching paint dry.
For more than 30 years, assessing the drying time of industrial paint has been part of Mr Jackson's working life.
The highlight of his day is simply touching the paint to assess it's tackiness.
Mr Jackson refused to reveal exactly how much he earned, but said watching paint dry paid "fairly well."
"Watching paint dry sounds quite easy, but it can be stressful at times," he added.
But spare a thought for Keith Jackson.
The married father-of-one has perhaps the most boring job in the world - watching paint dry.
For more than 30 years, assessing the drying time of industrial paint has been part of Mr Jackson's working life.
The highlight of his day is simply touching the paint to assess it's tackiness.
Mr Jackson refused to reveal exactly how much he earned, but said watching paint dry paid "fairly well."
"Watching paint dry sounds quite easy, but it can be stressful at times," he added.
Man Gets Naked In Convenience Store
A man walked into a convenience store and – rather than rob it – he went behind the counter and took his clothes off.
The clerk at a Kwik Fill gas station in Fayette County thought the man wanted all of the store’s money so she started putting the money from the cash register into a bag.
While the man was behind the counter, a female who he apparently came to the store with entered the store. She asked him what he was doing and the couple left.
No money or merchandise was taken from the store.
The man is described as being in his 20s, 5-feet 10-inches tall, weighing 190 pounds with a tattoo of praying hands on his right bicep.
With video.
The clerk at a Kwik Fill gas station in Fayette County thought the man wanted all of the store’s money so she started putting the money from the cash register into a bag.
While the man was behind the counter, a female who he apparently came to the store with entered the store. She asked him what he was doing and the couple left.
No money or merchandise was taken from the store.
The man is described as being in his 20s, 5-feet 10-inches tall, weighing 190 pounds with a tattoo of praying hands on his right bicep.
With video.
Abducted by aliens? Call now for compensation
A German lawyer hopes to drum up more business by pursuing state compensation claims for people who believe they were abducted by aliens.
"There's quite obviously demand for legal advice here," said Jens Lorek. "The trouble is, people are afraid of making fools of themselves in court."
Lorek, a lawyer based in the eastern city of Dresden who specializes in social and labour law, said he hoped to expand his client base by taking on the unusual work.
He has yet to win any abduction claims, but says there are plenty of potential clients, noting that extra-terrestrial watchdogs report scores of alien assaults every year.
Lorek, 41, is pinning his hopes for success on a German law which grants kidnap victims the right to state compensation.
Asked if he was worried he might look ridiculous by seeking justice for clients haunted by aliens, Lorek was unfazed.
"Nobody has laughed about it up until now."
"There's quite obviously demand for legal advice here," said Jens Lorek. "The trouble is, people are afraid of making fools of themselves in court."
Lorek, a lawyer based in the eastern city of Dresden who specializes in social and labour law, said he hoped to expand his client base by taking on the unusual work.
He has yet to win any abduction claims, but says there are plenty of potential clients, noting that extra-terrestrial watchdogs report scores of alien assaults every year.
Lorek, 41, is pinning his hopes for success on a German law which grants kidnap victims the right to state compensation.
Asked if he was worried he might look ridiculous by seeking justice for clients haunted by aliens, Lorek was unfazed.
"Nobody has laughed about it up until now."
104-Year-Old Named America's Oldest Worker
104-year-old Waldo McBurney of Quinter, Kansas has just been honoured as America's oldest worker by Experience Works, a group that provides training and employment services for seniors.
A 1927 graduate of Kansas State Agricultural College, which is now Kansas State University, McBurney had a nearly 25-year career in agriculture. He now works as a beekeeper. In the last few years he's maintained as many as 100 colonies.
But that's just part of his story. McBurney began long-distance running at 65, and running competitively at 75. At age 80, he set a Kansas state record for the 10-mile run for runners his age and went on to set records in running, long jump, discus and shot-put into his 90s and 100s at the Senior Olympics.
Retirement? McBurney said, "I can't find it in my Bible."
A 1927 graduate of Kansas State Agricultural College, which is now Kansas State University, McBurney had a nearly 25-year career in agriculture. He now works as a beekeeper. In the last few years he's maintained as many as 100 colonies.
But that's just part of his story. McBurney began long-distance running at 65, and running competitively at 75. At age 80, he set a Kansas state record for the 10-mile run for runners his age and went on to set records in running, long jump, discus and shot-put into his 90s and 100s at the Senior Olympics.
Retirement? McBurney said, "I can't find it in my Bible."
Schoolboy who beat leukaemia found that his feet kept growing
Carl Griffiths’ feet have grown to a massive size 18 — double the average for adult men in Britain — after he was treated for leukaemia.
Carl, 14, of Trimsaran, near Llanelli in South Wales, was given steroids during four years of treatment. But after the schoolboy was given the all-clear two years ago, his feet kept growing. They have already gone up two sizes this year alone.
It means that Carl, 6ft 3in tall, has had to give up rugby because he cannot get boots big enough. “They only make them up to size 15, so I have to watch instead,” he said. “I’m heartbroken because I love playing and I’m an ideal second-row forward because of my height. I’ve tried everywhere to get boots, but it’s impossible.”
Carl’s parents managed to track down two pairs of size 17 trainers from America, the only footwear that fits.
He still has some way to go to claim a world record. That honour goes to Matthew McGrory, the late US actor, who had size 29.5 US shoes (UK size 29).
Carl, 14, of Trimsaran, near Llanelli in South Wales, was given steroids during four years of treatment. But after the schoolboy was given the all-clear two years ago, his feet kept growing. They have already gone up two sizes this year alone.
It means that Carl, 6ft 3in tall, has had to give up rugby because he cannot get boots big enough. “They only make them up to size 15, so I have to watch instead,” he said. “I’m heartbroken because I love playing and I’m an ideal second-row forward because of my height. I’ve tried everywhere to get boots, but it’s impossible.”
Carl’s parents managed to track down two pairs of size 17 trainers from America, the only footwear that fits.
He still has some way to go to claim a world record. That honour goes to Matthew McGrory, the late US actor, who had size 29.5 US shoes (UK size 29).
Baldness-treating robot gets funding
The UK government is providing 1.85 million pounds of funding to a Cambridge-based company that is building a robot to help treat baldness.
Biosciences firm Intercytex aims to perfect a treatment that involves taking hair follicles from the back of the neck, multiplying them and replanting them where they are needed.
"The technology is challenging. No one has done this before", said Intercytex Chief Executive Nick Higgins
"We take cells responsible for hair growth, multiply them and then inject them in the head. We tease out the cells responsible for growing a new hair."
"The challenge is to make sure they grow thick enough and quick enough so they are cosmetically acceptable," he added.
Biosciences firm Intercytex aims to perfect a treatment that involves taking hair follicles from the back of the neck, multiplying them and replanting them where they are needed.
"The technology is challenging. No one has done this before", said Intercytex Chief Executive Nick Higgins
"We take cells responsible for hair growth, multiply them and then inject them in the head. We tease out the cells responsible for growing a new hair."
"The challenge is to make sure they grow thick enough and quick enough so they are cosmetically acceptable," he added.
'The worst drivers own BMWs'
BMW owners have been named as the worst drivers in Britain in a poll of more than 5,000 motorists.
The survey showed that the image of the BMW driver has not changed since they came to symbolise the brash winners of the boom-bust economy of the 1980s.
"They seem to be unable to use signals, expecting others on the road to have psychic powers," said Ian Vince, co-author of The Myway Code, who organised the survey.
"The BMW is a smug car and perhaps there is some envy towards the drivers from those of us in our Fiestas."
Mr Vince added: "BMWs are solidly and beautifully built cars and, as a result, their drivers seem detached from the rest of the world."
My last four cars have been BMWs.
The survey showed that the image of the BMW driver has not changed since they came to symbolise the brash winners of the boom-bust economy of the 1980s.
"They seem to be unable to use signals, expecting others on the road to have psychic powers," said Ian Vince, co-author of The Myway Code, who organised the survey.
"The BMW is a smug car and perhaps there is some envy towards the drivers from those of us in our Fiestas."
Mr Vince added: "BMWs are solidly and beautifully built cars and, as a result, their drivers seem detached from the rest of the world."
My last four cars have been BMWs.
Hull folk 'dimmest in UK'
Hull is today named and shamed as the most stupid place in Britain.
The Humberside city — which elected bungling Deputy PM John Prescott, as an MP — is also revealed as both the poorest and cheapest to live in.
Meanwhile Edinburgh is named the cleverest city.
Stoke and Liverpool are next on the list of Britain’s dumbest, while Manchester is the rudest but best-dressed, Stoke is the worst-dressed, with Swansea the safest and Glasgow both drunkest and most dangerous.
Liverpool has the best sense of humour and Cardiff is the most polite. Bristol gets the nod as the best all-round place to set up home.
The Humberside city — which elected bungling Deputy PM John Prescott, as an MP — is also revealed as both the poorest and cheapest to live in.
Meanwhile Edinburgh is named the cleverest city.
Stoke and Liverpool are next on the list of Britain’s dumbest, while Manchester is the rudest but best-dressed, Stoke is the worst-dressed, with Swansea the safest and Glasgow both drunkest and most dangerous.
Liverpool has the best sense of humour and Cardiff is the most polite. Bristol gets the nod as the best all-round place to set up home.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Let's Paint and Exercise TV
This is a guy called John Kilduff who appears on public access TV, painting whilst walking on a treadmill.
Some NSFW language.
Some NSFW language.
Call-in-Sick - When you're just too lazy to make that early morning call
Call-in-Sick is a revolutionary new FREE service that allows you to call in your sick message to your boss or employer from anywhere, any time.
Picture the scenario: You stay out too late on a workday night and decide to call in sick the next day. The next day you drag yourself out of bed at 5am because you know your boss won't be there to answer the phone.
With Call-in-Sick you can record your sick message the night before then schedule it to be sent directly to your boss's phone early in the morning without you even getting out of bed!
Before calling in sick, you may also wish to read the guide.
I think is only available in the US at present.
Picture the scenario: You stay out too late on a workday night and decide to call in sick the next day. The next day you drag yourself out of bed at 5am because you know your boss won't be there to answer the phone.
With Call-in-Sick you can record your sick message the night before then schedule it to be sent directly to your boss's phone early in the morning without you even getting out of bed!
Before calling in sick, you may also wish to read the guide.
I think is only available in the US at present.
Injured Dog Limps Into Hospital Waiting Room
An injured 6-year-old German shepherd mix limped into a hospital waiting room after apparently being struck by a car, according to animal control officials.
Buddy the dog limped into emergency at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Bellflower on Wednesday and sat in the waiting area at about 1 p.m., officials said.
"We were on a routine assignment, and we got a Code 2 that a dog had wandered into the hospital," said Wendy Alexander of the animal control unit. "When we walked in, he was laying on his bad hip. At that time, we didn't know that there was an injury. He was shaking. I thought, he knew he needed help, and he knew where to get it."
Hospital officials called the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority in Downey, and agency officials picked up Buddy and brought him to the shelter for treatment of a fracture.
Through an identifying microchip implanted in Buddy's skin, SEAACA officials were able to locate his owner, who adopted him from the animal shelter about five years ago. Fabian Ortega, Buddy's owner, owns a construction equipment rental business about a block from the hospital.
"We didn't teach him that," said Ortega. "I don't know how he figured that one out."
Buddy the dog limped into emergency at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Bellflower on Wednesday and sat in the waiting area at about 1 p.m., officials said.
"We were on a routine assignment, and we got a Code 2 that a dog had wandered into the hospital," said Wendy Alexander of the animal control unit. "When we walked in, he was laying on his bad hip. At that time, we didn't know that there was an injury. He was shaking. I thought, he knew he needed help, and he knew where to get it."
Hospital officials called the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority in Downey, and agency officials picked up Buddy and brought him to the shelter for treatment of a fracture.
Through an identifying microchip implanted in Buddy's skin, SEAACA officials were able to locate his owner, who adopted him from the animal shelter about five years ago. Fabian Ortega, Buddy's owner, owns a construction equipment rental business about a block from the hospital.
"We didn't teach him that," said Ortega. "I don't know how he figured that one out."
Police assist man in laundry room
A man in the west end of Reykjavík had to call police yesterday evening after winding up in a critical situation while doing laundry.
The man told police that he had placed dirty laundry in the washing machine but when he turned on the machine it began to jerk and lurch with a great deal of commotion, ending up propped up against the laundry room door and blocking the exit.
Police came to the man’s rescue, remarking that this was one more example that doing laundry is not man’s work.
The man told police that he had placed dirty laundry in the washing machine but when he turned on the machine it began to jerk and lurch with a great deal of commotion, ending up propped up against the laundry room door and blocking the exit.
Police came to the man’s rescue, remarking that this was one more example that doing laundry is not man’s work.
Teen Ordered To Wear Toga
An Amherst teen will be wearing a toga in front of the town police station to make amends for shouting obscenities at an officer.
James Connelly, 19, was arrested Saturday and charged with three other minors on alcohol possession charges.
Police allege Connelly was shouting obscenities at the female officer who arrested him.
In Eastern Hampshire District Court Tuesday, Connelly suggested his punishment should be to stand outside the Amherst police station for one hour on Friday, wearing a toga and apologizing for his behavior.
Judge Nancy Dusek-Gomez agreed the punishment fit the crime, and also fined Connelly $300.
James Connelly, 19, was arrested Saturday and charged with three other minors on alcohol possession charges.
Police allege Connelly was shouting obscenities at the female officer who arrested him.
In Eastern Hampshire District Court Tuesday, Connelly suggested his punishment should be to stand outside the Amherst police station for one hour on Friday, wearing a toga and apologizing for his behavior.
Judge Nancy Dusek-Gomez agreed the punishment fit the crime, and also fined Connelly $300.
Cigars and sex 'boost Cuba lives'
Cuba's high number of centenarians say their longevity is down to laying off alcohol, but indulging in coffee, cigars and sex.
The findings are the result of a study that looked into the lives of 54 out of the more than 100 centenarians who live in Villa Clara province.
More than 60% of them had parents who also lived to be over 100.
Cuba, with a population of 11.2 million, has about 3,000 people who have lived for more than a century.
The findings are the result of a study that looked into the lives of 54 out of the more than 100 centenarians who live in Villa Clara province.
More than 60% of them had parents who also lived to be over 100.
Cuba, with a population of 11.2 million, has about 3,000 people who have lived for more than a century.
Gardener's giant cactus grows through greenhouse roof
A man had to cut a hole in the roof of his greenhouse after his spiky cactus outgrew its pot - and shot 32 feet skywards.
Stunned Geoffrey Bowman, 58, couldn't believe it when the plant, a succulent, suddenly sprouted a giant flower spike in May and rocketed upwards.
Geoffrey built a polythene shelter over it to protect the plant from the elements - but it soon outgrew that and he was forced to build another one.
But the monster 'agave americana' - which has 43 spikes - continued to grow, so in June this year, Geoffrey cut a hole in roof.
It now stands at a whopping 32ft - a whole 26 feet above Geoffrey, who is a mere 6ft tall.
Geoffrey, of Newent, Glos., said: "I planted it in 1988 and at first it grew very slowly.
Stunned Geoffrey Bowman, 58, couldn't believe it when the plant, a succulent, suddenly sprouted a giant flower spike in May and rocketed upwards.
Geoffrey built a polythene shelter over it to protect the plant from the elements - but it soon outgrew that and he was forced to build another one.
But the monster 'agave americana' - which has 43 spikes - continued to grow, so in June this year, Geoffrey cut a hole in roof.
It now stands at a whopping 32ft - a whole 26 feet above Geoffrey, who is a mere 6ft tall.
Geoffrey, of Newent, Glos., said: "I planted it in 1988 and at first it grew very slowly.
Free conkers – no missiles required
For Barbara Hockley the conkering season was a nightmare. And it wasn't much fun for her insurance company either.
The culprit was a horse chestnut tree in the park adjoining her home that was a magnet to children.
Sticks and stones, not to mention cricket bats and crash helmets, were thrown to dislodge the nuts and, inevitably, some of the missiles missed, causing hundreds of pounds of damage to her conservatory.
This year, however, 69-year-old Mrs Hockley was a step ahead of the conkering hordes. When her insurers said they were not prepared to foot the repair bill any more she called in the council.
In a few hours two men with a hydraulic cherry-picker from Worthing council in West Sussex, which was anxious to avoid being made liable for damage, picked 10lb of conkers and left them in a pile for children to collect.
In other conker related news, The French bid to conker the world.
The culprit was a horse chestnut tree in the park adjoining her home that was a magnet to children.
Sticks and stones, not to mention cricket bats and crash helmets, were thrown to dislodge the nuts and, inevitably, some of the missiles missed, causing hundreds of pounds of damage to her conservatory.
This year, however, 69-year-old Mrs Hockley was a step ahead of the conkering hordes. When her insurers said they were not prepared to foot the repair bill any more she called in the council.
In a few hours two men with a hydraulic cherry-picker from Worthing council in West Sussex, which was anxious to avoid being made liable for damage, picked 10lb of conkers and left them in a pile for children to collect.
In other conker related news, The French bid to conker the world.
University bans dyed hair in 'decency' drive
Fashion-conscious university students in northern Japan are being offered money to do away with their dyed hair and body piercings as part of a drive to tackle falling standards of behaviour.
This month Akita Keizaihoka University and an affiliated vocational college introduced a ban on "unusual" hairstyles and colourings, as well as pierced earrings and body piercings that "might make other people feel uncomfortable".
The university threatened to discipline students who disobey the rules but said it would also offer a financial sweetener of 10,000 yen (£45) each to encourage them to comply.
The regulations say that students "should avoid gaudiness and maintain decency", adding that their hair should be "hygienic".
This month Akita Keizaihoka University and an affiliated vocational college introduced a ban on "unusual" hairstyles and colourings, as well as pierced earrings and body piercings that "might make other people feel uncomfortable".
The university threatened to discipline students who disobey the rules but said it would also offer a financial sweetener of 10,000 yen (£45) each to encourage them to comply.
The regulations say that students "should avoid gaudiness and maintain decency", adding that their hair should be "hygienic".
Sex-change woman darts ban
A woman darts player has been thrown out of her ladies’ league — because she used to be a man.
Christine Makin, formerly Clive, had to quit her pub team after 17 out of 25 rival sides protested.
She revealed she was cruelly taunted during games, with opponents shouting: “You can’t play because you’re not womanly enough.”
Christine, 51, was married for 13 years as a man but became a woman through a series of sex-change operations.
Christine was turfed out for the 2006/7 season under Rule 35, which states: “Under no circumstances can any person of any gender play in the league unless that person was born a female.”
In other sex-change related news, it seems that anglers are more tolerant of someone who has lost their rod.
Both with photos.
Christine Makin, formerly Clive, had to quit her pub team after 17 out of 25 rival sides protested.
She revealed she was cruelly taunted during games, with opponents shouting: “You can’t play because you’re not womanly enough.”
Christine, 51, was married for 13 years as a man but became a woman through a series of sex-change operations.
Christine was turfed out for the 2006/7 season under Rule 35, which states: “Under no circumstances can any person of any gender play in the league unless that person was born a female.”
In other sex-change related news, it seems that anglers are more tolerant of someone who has lost their rod.
Both with photos.
'Mystery' prisoner baffles court
A mystery man arrested two weeks ago for trespass and burglary has baffled police and immigration officials.
Magistrates were told the authorities have no idea of his name, age, nationality, or even his language.
The court at Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, was told he had broken into the same house three times, washed himself and cooked food, and stole a sewing kit.
The man - referred to as the prisoner or defendant - was remanded in custody as no plea could be taken.
He has briefly spoken once in a language thought to be Amharic, but when a translator was called they said they did not understand him and had no clue to the dialect he was speaking.
Magistrates were told the authorities have no idea of his name, age, nationality, or even his language.
The court at Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, was told he had broken into the same house three times, washed himself and cooked food, and stole a sewing kit.
The man - referred to as the prisoner or defendant - was remanded in custody as no plea could be taken.
He has briefly spoken once in a language thought to be Amharic, but when a translator was called they said they did not understand him and had no clue to the dialect he was speaking.
Russian climber for high jumps
Onlookers watched in amazement as a man scaled this 180ft pylon — and performed acrobatics in teeming rain.
The nimble climber balanced on one leg and went through a routine of chin-ups and squats.
At one stage he gripped the 400,000-volt electricity cables — but the power had been switched off to the pylon in a country park in Pitsea, Essex.
The man, a Russian national, was talked down and led to safety.
He was detained under the Mental Health Act.
The nimble climber balanced on one leg and went through a routine of chin-ups and squats.
At one stage he gripped the 400,000-volt electricity cables — but the power had been switched off to the pylon in a country park in Pitsea, Essex.
The man, a Russian national, was talked down and led to safety.
He was detained under the Mental Health Act.
Killer's widow pension bid fails
A woman who killed her retired police officer husband has had her legal battle for a widow's pension dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Carol Glover stabbed husband Michael in the heart with a kitchen knife at their Stoke-on-Trent home on Boxing Day 1998.
Glover, then 48, who admitted manslaughter, was jailed for two years at Birmingham Crown Court in May 1999.
She was told she would not be granted a widow's pension, but had challenged the decision in the High Court.
Staffordshire Police Authority's reason was based on the common law rule of forfeiture.
That means someone who has unlawfully killed another cannot acquire a consequential benefit.
Carol Glover stabbed husband Michael in the heart with a kitchen knife at their Stoke-on-Trent home on Boxing Day 1998.
Glover, then 48, who admitted manslaughter, was jailed for two years at Birmingham Crown Court in May 1999.
She was told she would not be granted a widow's pension, but had challenged the decision in the High Court.
Staffordshire Police Authority's reason was based on the common law rule of forfeiture.
That means someone who has unlawfully killed another cannot acquire a consequential benefit.
Granny, 81, smashes clamper van
A Grandmother smashed a wheel-clampers' van with a hammer when they threatened to tow away her car.
Theodora Loizou lost her temper when the clampers demanded a £100 fine for having a tax disc two days out of date.
The 81-year old widow told the clampers she was on her way to buy a new one.
"It's all about power for these people — they have got to be stopped," Mrs Loizou said.
ISTM, the clampers, said: "We get about five smashed windscreens a month, but she was definitely the oldest attacker."
Theodora Loizou lost her temper when the clampers demanded a £100 fine for having a tax disc two days out of date.
The 81-year old widow told the clampers she was on her way to buy a new one.
"It's all about power for these people — they have got to be stopped," Mrs Loizou said.
ISTM, the clampers, said: "We get about five smashed windscreens a month, but she was definitely the oldest attacker."
Volvo estate named 'best passion wagon'
The humble Volvo Estate has been voted the best car to have sex in.
The 'passion wagon' - renowned for its reliability on the road and spacious interior - has lived through more steamy encounters than any other vehicle.
And the Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van comes in second place, proving that the 'white-van-man' has great pulling power.
Whilst the stylish BMW 3 Series Saloon and the old school Ford Escort complete the top five.
The poll revealed that 68 per cent of folk have had nookie in a car.
More worryingly, both for road users and car insurers, one in 10 thrill seekers have actually engaged in sex whilst driving.
The 'passion wagon' - renowned for its reliability on the road and spacious interior - has lived through more steamy encounters than any other vehicle.
And the Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van comes in second place, proving that the 'white-van-man' has great pulling power.
Whilst the stylish BMW 3 Series Saloon and the old school Ford Escort complete the top five.
The poll revealed that 68 per cent of folk have had nookie in a car.
More worryingly, both for road users and car insurers, one in 10 thrill seekers have actually engaged in sex whilst driving.
Binmen in stand-off at dawn
A householder angry at being woken before dawn by rubbish collectors blocked their lorry in a cul-de-sac until they agreed to start later.
After he was woken at 0545 BST, Chris Perry got in his car in Winchester and parked in the middle of the road to stop the lorry continuing its rounds.
The workers called police but they agreed with Mr Perry that the rubbish collections were too early.
Part-time teacher Mr Perry said the bin collectors threatened to ram his car but eventually they called police who, he said, sided with him and told the workers to leave.
"I am not putting up with being woken at that time of the morning. I was very riled when one of the men told me the driver had to get his boy to school.
After he was woken at 0545 BST, Chris Perry got in his car in Winchester and parked in the middle of the road to stop the lorry continuing its rounds.
The workers called police but they agreed with Mr Perry that the rubbish collections were too early.
Part-time teacher Mr Perry said the bin collectors threatened to ram his car but eventually they called police who, he said, sided with him and told the workers to leave.
"I am not putting up with being woken at that time of the morning. I was very riled when one of the men told me the driver had to get his boy to school.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Lion Attacks a Teenager for Stepping on his Paw
This clip is from Pakistan where a family have a fully grown lion as a pet.
Some youths are stroking it, when one of them loses his balance.
Ouch.
Some youths are stroking it, when one of them loses his balance.
Ouch.
Pet Peek
Dogs are curious, they want to know what’s happening out there!
Help satisfy their curiosity and make it possible for them to have a peek.
The PetPeek window is a durable, clear, hard plastic dome 9.5 inches in diameter, with a black trim-ring and all necessary hardware for easy do-it-yourself installation into your wooden fence. It is an attractive addition to your fence.
Help satisfy their curiosity and make it possible for them to have a peek.
The PetPeek window is a durable, clear, hard plastic dome 9.5 inches in diameter, with a black trim-ring and all necessary hardware for easy do-it-yourself installation into your wooden fence. It is an attractive addition to your fence.
To pay or not to pay
A Seminole man is fighting to stop alimony payments to his ex-wife because the woman is now a man.
Lawrence Roach says his ex-wife has had a sex change and is now living as a man with a new identity. Roach says he should be allowed discontinue $1,200 in monthly alimony payments.
"This isn't right. It's humiliating to me and degrading," Roach said. "You know, I'm a man and I don't want to be paying alimony to a man. If you can't be married to a man legally, how can you legally pay alimony to a man?"
Legal analyst Joe Episcopo said unless Roach's ex-wife remarries or one of them dies he's required by law to pay alimony for life.
Lawrence Roach says his ex-wife has had a sex change and is now living as a man with a new identity. Roach says he should be allowed discontinue $1,200 in monthly alimony payments.
"This isn't right. It's humiliating to me and degrading," Roach said. "You know, I'm a man and I don't want to be paying alimony to a man. If you can't be married to a man legally, how can you legally pay alimony to a man?"
Legal analyst Joe Episcopo said unless Roach's ex-wife remarries or one of them dies he's required by law to pay alimony for life.
'Drunk' Bear Captured Near Lyons Elementary School
Officers from the Division of Wildlife and deputies with the Boulder County's Sheriff's Office captured a bear in Lyons Tuesday morning. The bear came close to Lyons Elementary School during the chase to get the animal out of the neighbourhood.
The bear sighting happened as students were arriving for class at the school. They were moved into the gym as a precaution.
Deputies fired a bean bag at the bear which appeared to be woozy and wobbly as it moved away from the school. They speculated the animal was drunk from eating rotten apples in its preparation for hibernation.
DOW officials said the bear was tagged for its first offence and will be released at a higher elevation in the mountains.
With video of a very drunk bear.
The bear sighting happened as students were arriving for class at the school. They were moved into the gym as a precaution.
Deputies fired a bean bag at the bear which appeared to be woozy and wobbly as it moved away from the school. They speculated the animal was drunk from eating rotten apples in its preparation for hibernation.
DOW officials said the bear was tagged for its first offence and will be released at a higher elevation in the mountains.
With video of a very drunk bear.
Safety fears over falling pears
A council has cordoned off pear trees in a public park over fears falling fruit could land on someone's head.
Two black pear trees in Cripplegate Park in Worcester have been sealed off with a safety barrier and tape and a sign warns people of falling fruit.
A city council spokesman said the precaution was cheaper than the potential legal cost if someone was hit on the head with a pear and sued.
The cordon will be removed when all the fruit has fallen to the ground.
In other tree related news, a baby was delivered in a park by tree surgeons.
Two black pear trees in Cripplegate Park in Worcester have been sealed off with a safety barrier and tape and a sign warns people of falling fruit.
A city council spokesman said the precaution was cheaper than the potential legal cost if someone was hit on the head with a pear and sued.
The cordon will be removed when all the fruit has fallen to the ground.
In other tree related news, a baby was delivered in a park by tree surgeons.
Mindless vandals kill Tree of Knowledge
Australians were yesterday mourning the death of a 200-year-old tree that became a symbol of the workers’ movement in the country.
The Tree of Knowledge, a ghost gum in the Queensland Outback, was pronounced dead almost five months after vandals poured toxic pesticides around the trunk.
Revered by generations of Labor politicians, the ghost gum sheltered thousands of striking sheep shearers who gathered in Barcaldine in 1891 to oppose the region’s landowners who wanted to break organised unionism.
Pat Ogden, the local Labor Party president and custodian of the tree, said: “In May we noticed the leaves falling off it. Now there are no leaves and the limbs are up there in the air just like a ghost.”
The Tree of Knowledge, a ghost gum in the Queensland Outback, was pronounced dead almost five months after vandals poured toxic pesticides around the trunk.
Revered by generations of Labor politicians, the ghost gum sheltered thousands of striking sheep shearers who gathered in Barcaldine in 1891 to oppose the region’s landowners who wanted to break organised unionism.
Pat Ogden, the local Labor Party president and custodian of the tree, said: “In May we noticed the leaves falling off it. Now there are no leaves and the limbs are up there in the air just like a ghost.”
Equine surprise for new landlady
The new landlady of a Tyneside pub has spoken of her surprise at discovering that one of the regulars is a horse.
Jackie Gray recently took over the Alexandra Hotel in Jarrow and said she was shocked when carthorse Peggy joined owner Peter Dolan for a pint.
The 12-year-old female, which has a taste for John Smiths and pickled onion crisps, has apparently been visiting the pub for several years.
Mrs Gray was taken aback at first but says Peggy is no bother at all.
Jackie Gray recently took over the Alexandra Hotel in Jarrow and said she was shocked when carthorse Peggy joined owner Peter Dolan for a pint.
The 12-year-old female, which has a taste for John Smiths and pickled onion crisps, has apparently been visiting the pub for several years.
Mrs Gray was taken aback at first but says Peggy is no bother at all.
Half of Americans admit to re-gifting
Wrapping up that unwanted picture frame from last Christmas and giving it to someone else as a gift might not be as taboo as it once was, according to a study.
The survey of 1,505 American adults, conducted by market research firm Harris Interactive, found that over half of the respondents admitted to "re-gifting" with passing on gifts becoming a far more common and acceptable phenomenon.
In fact 78 percent of consumers who were polled felt that it was acceptable to re-gift some or most of the time.
According to the survey, the mostly commonly re-gifted items were decorative household items, such as vases, paintings, picture frames and other trinkets.
The study showed that nine percent of people admitted that they re-gifted out of laziness to purchase a new gift and four percent confessed that they re-gifted out of dislike for the recipient.
The survey of 1,505 American adults, conducted by market research firm Harris Interactive, found that over half of the respondents admitted to "re-gifting" with passing on gifts becoming a far more common and acceptable phenomenon.
In fact 78 percent of consumers who were polled felt that it was acceptable to re-gift some or most of the time.
According to the survey, the mostly commonly re-gifted items were decorative household items, such as vases, paintings, picture frames and other trinkets.
The study showed that nine percent of people admitted that they re-gifted out of laziness to purchase a new gift and four percent confessed that they re-gifted out of dislike for the recipient.
Boris Johnson
I don't usually give much space to politicians on here. In my view they're all very much the same.
But then there's the wonderfully gaffe-prone shadow higher education minister, Boris Johnson, who was under siege after committing four faux pas in a few anarchic hours of the Conservative party conference.
Boris was besieged by dozens of reporters, photographers and TV cameramen after blundering into controversies on everything from school dinners to Muslim extremism.
After holing up in the conference press office for half an hour, he eventually made a break for freedom, surrounded by a media scrum.
Follow Boris as he attempts to evade the press pack. This video wonderfully illustrates what it's like to have the media pursuing you.
Oh, and here's another opportunity to see Boris playing football in a charity match against Germany earlier this year.
Finally, in case anyone was in any doubt that the Reverend Tony and Davy (Dave) Cameron are one and the same, consider this.
But then there's the wonderfully gaffe-prone shadow higher education minister, Boris Johnson, who was under siege after committing four faux pas in a few anarchic hours of the Conservative party conference.
Boris was besieged by dozens of reporters, photographers and TV cameramen after blundering into controversies on everything from school dinners to Muslim extremism.
After holing up in the conference press office for half an hour, he eventually made a break for freedom, surrounded by a media scrum.
Follow Boris as he attempts to evade the press pack. This video wonderfully illustrates what it's like to have the media pursuing you.
Oh, and here's another opportunity to see Boris playing football in a charity match against Germany earlier this year.
Finally, in case anyone was in any doubt that the Reverend Tony and Davy (Dave) Cameron are one and the same, consider this.
Austrian's body found in bed 5 years after death
Austrian authorities have discovered the body of a man who apparently died at home in bed five years ago.
The corpse of Franz Riedl, thought to have been in his late 80s when he died, went undetected for so long because his rent had been paid by automatic order from the bank account into which he received his pension.
Neighbours said there was no strange smell coming from Riedl's apartment and authorities who found the body after a court order was given to enter said his body appeared to have "mummified" and was well preserved.
Police said they were not certain as to exactly when the man had died, but that they had found only schilling notes in the apartment -- the currency used by Austria before the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2002.
The corpse of Franz Riedl, thought to have been in his late 80s when he died, went undetected for so long because his rent had been paid by automatic order from the bank account into which he received his pension.
Neighbours said there was no strange smell coming from Riedl's apartment and authorities who found the body after a court order was given to enter said his body appeared to have "mummified" and was well preserved.
Police said they were not certain as to exactly when the man had died, but that they had found only schilling notes in the apartment -- the currency used by Austria before the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2002.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Microwave Cam
Things being destroyed in microwave ovens.
Also, here's Richard (Hamster) Hammond showing what happens when you put a
balloon containing oxygen into a microwave.
Get well soon Richard.
Also, here's Richard (Hamster) Hammond showing what happens when you put a
balloon containing oxygen into a microwave.
Get well soon Richard.
USB Hamster Wheel
Do you sometimes feel that you're caught up in the rat race of the working world, and that you are chained to your desk and getting no-where fast? Well we've found the perfect way to lighten the load. Now we can't promise to take you out of the rat race but we can throw a hamster in there to mix it up a bit.
Plug it into your USB port, load the software from the CD provided and get typing. As you type, the hamster gets running, spinning the hamster wheel around in the process - the faster you type, the faster he runs.
Plug it into your USB port, load the software from the CD provided and get typing. As you type, the hamster gets running, spinning the hamster wheel around in the process - the faster you type, the faster he runs.
The Food Loop
The first heat resistant silicone food trussing tool.
Designed to replace kitchen string and toothpicks in the food preparation and cooking process.
Designed to replace kitchen string and toothpicks in the food preparation and cooking process.
SensorfreshQ for Meat & Poultry
SensorfreshQ is a handheld electronic "nose" that uses leading-edge food-safety technology to quickly measure the bacteriological activity on uncooked meat or poultry.
Its sophisticated micro-processor takes over 2,000 readings in under one minute and through complex algorithms, determines the food's safety.
A green LED means the food is safe; yellow means okay but eat within a day; and red signals that freshness is no longer assured.
Its sophisticated micro-processor takes over 2,000 readings in under one minute and through complex algorithms, determines the food's safety.
A green LED means the food is safe; yellow means okay but eat within a day; and red signals that freshness is no longer assured.
New Beatles album, 25 years on
To purists it is close to sacrilege. But the surviving Beatles have announced their first “new” album in more than 25 years: a remix of some of their best-known songs that was used as the soundtrack to the theatrical show Love.
Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, with Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison representing John Lennon and George Harrison, agreed to the release on EMI under the Beatles banner. Sir George Martin, the octogenarian producer, used original master tapes to create a new musical suite with the opening chord of A Hard Day’s Night merging into Get Back, the Eastern drone of Within You, Without You accompanied by the drums from Tomorrow Never Knows and phrases from Penny Lane weaving in and out of Strawberry Fields Forever.
The soundtrack accompanied spectacular aerial acrobatics by Cirque du Soleil in the stage show at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.
Love will compete for attention with Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart), a choral piece composed by Sir Paul after the death of his first wife, Linda.
Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, with Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison representing John Lennon and George Harrison, agreed to the release on EMI under the Beatles banner. Sir George Martin, the octogenarian producer, used original master tapes to create a new musical suite with the opening chord of A Hard Day’s Night merging into Get Back, the Eastern drone of Within You, Without You accompanied by the drums from Tomorrow Never Knows and phrases from Penny Lane weaving in and out of Strawberry Fields Forever.
The soundtrack accompanied spectacular aerial acrobatics by Cirque du Soleil in the stage show at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.
Love will compete for attention with Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart), a choral piece composed by Sir Paul after the death of his first wife, Linda.
Aborigines back to original total number
After enduring two centuries of disease, displacement and violent death, Australia's Aboriginal population is back to the level it was when Britain first settled the continent.
A high birth rate and reduced infant mortality have boosted the indigenous population to an estimated 500,000. "This brings us symbolically full circle in terms of original numbers," Dr John Taylor, from the Australian National University's Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, wrote in a paper.
Aboriginal people inhabited the continent for 50,000 to 60,000 years before the arrival of the First Fleet of British convicts in 1788.
A high birth rate and reduced infant mortality have boosted the indigenous population to an estimated 500,000. "This brings us symbolically full circle in terms of original numbers," Dr John Taylor, from the Australian National University's Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, wrote in a paper.
Aboriginal people inhabited the continent for 50,000 to 60,000 years before the arrival of the First Fleet of British convicts in 1788.
Pensioner ends up in a hole lot of trouble
A pensioner was trapped upside down in a hole for four hours - finally being rescued by a passing postman who saw his feet sticking out.
Albert Hughes, 70, was adjusting the water flow of the sprinklers in his front garden when he fell head first into the hole which houses the water meter.
Passing postwoman Janelle Maury was delivering letters when she saw his boots and heard his muffled cries for help.
"His feet were at ground level but that was all I could see. When I was closer I could see he was down there," said Janelle.
She immediately called the emergency services who rushed to the scene. Initially the fire service tried to pull Albert out by hand, but eventually had to use a tripod.
They attached a rope and straps to his feet and winched him out of the pit at his home in Spokane, Washington state.
Albert, who was conscious throughout the ordeal, was taken to hospital but released uninjured.
Albert Hughes, 70, was adjusting the water flow of the sprinklers in his front garden when he fell head first into the hole which houses the water meter.
Passing postwoman Janelle Maury was delivering letters when she saw his boots and heard his muffled cries for help.
"His feet were at ground level but that was all I could see. When I was closer I could see he was down there," said Janelle.
She immediately called the emergency services who rushed to the scene. Initially the fire service tried to pull Albert out by hand, but eventually had to use a tripod.
They attached a rope and straps to his feet and winched him out of the pit at his home in Spokane, Washington state.
Albert, who was conscious throughout the ordeal, was taken to hospital but released uninjured.