Click for bigger.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
About the comments here, yet again
Firstly, many thanks to the kind people who've tried to assist me. But I'm still so stressed-out with the aftermath of the burst pipes that my head won't work properly.
I tried removing the code relating to the current comments, which did remove them, but I was unable to get the Blogger comments showing even though they were turned on.
So, the only way my simple brain can suss how to get Blogger comments working is to install a whole new template, then (hopefully) be able to transfer the current content.
Does anyone have experience of this? Is it easy? It's unknown territory for me. I'm planning on attempting this over the weekend.
I tried removing the code relating to the current comments, which did remove them, but I was unable to get the Blogger comments showing even though they were turned on.
So, the only way my simple brain can suss how to get Blogger comments working is to install a whole new template, then (hopefully) be able to transfer the current content.
Does anyone have experience of this? Is it easy? It's unknown territory for me. I'm planning on attempting this over the weekend.
Two-headed turtle found in Turkey
Visitors at a nature park in Turkey have been treated to a very rare sight - conjoined turtle twins.
A two-headed turtle has amazed visitors of a nature reserve in the eastern province of Izmir in Turkey.
The month-old turtle was found in the backyard of a house in the eastern province of Manisa and was immediately taken to the nature reserve park.
The turtle is a spur-thighed tortoise, a species which can live up to 75 years old.
A two-headed turtle has amazed visitors of a nature reserve in the eastern province of Izmir in Turkey.
The month-old turtle was found in the backyard of a house in the eastern province of Manisa and was immediately taken to the nature reserve park.
The turtle is a spur-thighed tortoise, a species which can live up to 75 years old.
Sudanese woman whipped in public for wearing trousers
Footage has emerged of a woman being publicly whipped in Sudan for wearing trousers. The video offers a rare glimpse of the type of punishment inflicted on women who break the country's strict morality code.
The victim was punished under Sharia law for wearing trousers under her Islamic clothing. The footage shows her crawling on the ground, raising her arm to try to ward off the attacks and screaming as the whip strikes. The public punishment sparked protests among females against laws they said humiliated women. Dozens of them were arrested.
The governor of Khartoum said there had been a mistake in the way the victim's punishment had been carried out. A journalist said: "It is a frequent occurrence but very rarely filmed. The punishment is under laws brought in 1991 for indecent behaviour - it is justice under those laws."
Video contains graphic content.
As well as pain and humiliation, the video also shows, how for some, it is entertainment, as a man is shown laughing at the woman after she is whipped.
The victim was punished under Sharia law for wearing trousers under her Islamic clothing. The footage shows her crawling on the ground, raising her arm to try to ward off the attacks and screaming as the whip strikes. The public punishment sparked protests among females against laws they said humiliated women. Dozens of them were arrested.
The governor of Khartoum said there had been a mistake in the way the victim's punishment had been carried out. A journalist said: "It is a frequent occurrence but very rarely filmed. The punishment is under laws brought in 1991 for indecent behaviour - it is justice under those laws."
Video contains graphic content.
As well as pain and humiliation, the video also shows, how for some, it is entertainment, as a man is shown laughing at the woman after she is whipped.
Naked man arrested in cemetery says he was just trying to photograph spirits
A man photographed naked in a Mississippi cemetery says he didn’t mean anything crazy by it, he was trying to capture pictures of spirits, or do orb photography. The man, 47 year-old Robert T. Hurst, of 208 Mitchell St., said he was in the cemetery conducting his year-long hobby, orb photography, which is capturing circles of light at night, some of which appear to be faces. As for why he was naked the night he was caught by a game camera set up by cemetery staff, he said skin can be the best canvas for such photography.
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said the department received a great deal of community response to its request for aid in identifying a man who was photographed naked and setting up his own camera on a tripod by a game camera in the cemetery. The community information provided Investigators Christa Groom and Shane Edgar with several leads, but none of those tips led to the man for whom they were looking. Instead, it was information from a Picayune Police officer that put the investigators at the suspect’s front door, Tucker said. The officer told the investigators that he remembered pulling a man over on a routine traffic stop recently that resembled the man in the picture.
Using that information, the investigators identified Hurst and made several attempts to contact him, but the efforts to make contact were unsuccessful, Tucker said. “It was obvious he was avoiding us.” Tucker said. On Friday, Capt. Kelvin Stanford finally made contact with Hurst who turned himself in and was booked for indecent exposure, Tucker said. “This is one of the craziest things that I’ve ever seen,” Stanford said, who has 15 years of law enforcement experience. On Friday, after Hurst was taken into custody, he sat down with a reporter to share his side of the story.
He said for the past year he’s been taking photographs of orbs, which is done at night. Orb photography can capture images of circles of light, that at times look like faces, especially on the skin, Hurst said. “I’ve got some great pictures, it’s really fascinating,” Hurst said. Initially he intended to only take off his shirt, but then took off the rest of his clothes, which he said was stupid. “I didn’t mean to expose myself to anybody and it was stupid,” Hurst said. “You never know who’s watching,” Stanford said.
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said the department received a great deal of community response to its request for aid in identifying a man who was photographed naked and setting up his own camera on a tripod by a game camera in the cemetery. The community information provided Investigators Christa Groom and Shane Edgar with several leads, but none of those tips led to the man for whom they were looking. Instead, it was information from a Picayune Police officer that put the investigators at the suspect’s front door, Tucker said. The officer told the investigators that he remembered pulling a man over on a routine traffic stop recently that resembled the man in the picture.
Using that information, the investigators identified Hurst and made several attempts to contact him, but the efforts to make contact were unsuccessful, Tucker said. “It was obvious he was avoiding us.” Tucker said. On Friday, Capt. Kelvin Stanford finally made contact with Hurst who turned himself in and was booked for indecent exposure, Tucker said. “This is one of the craziest things that I’ve ever seen,” Stanford said, who has 15 years of law enforcement experience. On Friday, after Hurst was taken into custody, he sat down with a reporter to share his side of the story.
He said for the past year he’s been taking photographs of orbs, which is done at night. Orb photography can capture images of circles of light, that at times look like faces, especially on the skin, Hurst said. “I’ve got some great pictures, it’s really fascinating,” Hurst said. Initially he intended to only take off his shirt, but then took off the rest of his clothes, which he said was stupid. “I didn’t mean to expose myself to anybody and it was stupid,” Hurst said. “You never know who’s watching,” Stanford said.
Drunk driver wedges car between two buildings
A drunk driver has emerged unscathed from his car after flipping it up in the air and ending up wedged between two houses 5ft above the ground. The California crash happened at 1.15am local time, when the young driver - who had been drinking illegally - ignored a traffic signal in San Pedro, Los Angeles.
Spinning out of control, the driver hit a kerb before crashing through a fence. The car gained so much momentum that it flew through the air, landing at an improbable angle with the front and back ends jammed into the two houses. Neither the driver or his passenger sustained any serious injuries.
Homeowner Monica Allen has told how she and her husband thought they were experiencing an earthquake until she walked into her living room and saw a car hanging out of the building. Luckily, the second home, in which the rear of the car was wedged, was empty as it had just been sold.
But the previous owners estimate about $100,000 (£63,000) worth of damage to the property. Before the Ford Fusion was removed, the authorities had to consult on how best to lower the car without causing further damage to the houses.
Spinning out of control, the driver hit a kerb before crashing through a fence. The car gained so much momentum that it flew through the air, landing at an improbable angle with the front and back ends jammed into the two houses. Neither the driver or his passenger sustained any serious injuries.
Homeowner Monica Allen has told how she and her husband thought they were experiencing an earthquake until she walked into her living room and saw a car hanging out of the building. Luckily, the second home, in which the rear of the car was wedged, was empty as it had just been sold.
But the previous owners estimate about $100,000 (£63,000) worth of damage to the property. Before the Ford Fusion was removed, the authorities had to consult on how best to lower the car without causing further damage to the houses.
Naked postal worker arrested for special delivery
A male postal worker was arrested for lewd and lascivious behaviour after walking naked into an office to deliver mail in the 300 block of West Silver Spring Drive, at 1:10 p.m. on Dec. 4. Chris Baltz, manager of the North Shore Post Office, said the matter is being handled internally and the department is working with law enforcement. The employee is not out delivering mail, he said.
According to the police report: The 52-year-old Fox Point man, who was arrested at the North Shore Post Office, 5600 Lydell Ave., on Dec. 9, admitted he had delivered the mail completely naked and that he was sorry and it was a stupid thing to do.
The man said he told a 21-year-old female employee in that office that he would retrieve the mail from the business’ post office box — something the woman usually does — and deliver it to her naked because she seemed “stressed out” and he wanted to “cheer her up and make her laugh.”
He said at that time she made a comment that he took as a dare. The woman denied daring or encouraging him in any way. She told police she did not hear him say he planned to return and deliver the post office box mail naked, but she also said she didn’t think he intended to harm her.
According to the police report: The 52-year-old Fox Point man, who was arrested at the North Shore Post Office, 5600 Lydell Ave., on Dec. 9, admitted he had delivered the mail completely naked and that he was sorry and it was a stupid thing to do.
The man said he told a 21-year-old female employee in that office that he would retrieve the mail from the business’ post office box — something the woman usually does — and deliver it to her naked because she seemed “stressed out” and he wanted to “cheer her up and make her laugh.”
He said at that time she made a comment that he took as a dare. The woman denied daring or encouraging him in any way. She told police she did not hear him say he planned to return and deliver the post office box mail naked, but she also said she didn’t think he intended to harm her.
Snowman-killing bus driver resigns
A Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District bus driver who was caught on video running over a snowman earlier this month has resigned.
CUMTD Assistant Managing Director Tom Costello confirmed that the driver, featured in a YouTube video, was no longer with the company. He could not comment further.
The video, called "Insane Bus Driver Brutally Murders Snowman," was posted on the video uploading site on Dec. 4. The clip shows the bus driver veering into an oncoming traffic lane to run over a snowman built there.
The creators of the video are heard screaming "No!" in the background as the driver approaches.
CUMTD Assistant Managing Director Tom Costello confirmed that the driver, featured in a YouTube video, was no longer with the company. He could not comment further.
The video, called "Insane Bus Driver Brutally Murders Snowman," was posted on the video uploading site on Dec. 4. The clip shows the bus driver veering into an oncoming traffic lane to run over a snowman built there.
The creators of the video are heard screaming "No!" in the background as the driver approaches.
Man castrates neighbour's dog for trying to mate with his pedigree pets
A Donegal man who castrated his neighbour's pet terrier after it tried to mate with his pedigree dogs has been fined more than 700 euro. Eddie Flood, 43, from Carnasaull in Termon, tightened a lamb ring on to the testicles of Frank McGettigan's pet, Rusty, a Lettterkenny court heard. The dog became sick and lethargic and his owner noticed that he had lost his testicles. Flood's solicitor said Rusty was a pest to female dogs and "no dog was safe".
The judge asked if wandering males around Termon were safe from Flood. Flood said Rusty was allowed to roam freely and he had been forced to remove him from his house more than 20 times. He used a set of pliers to put a rubber lambing ring, which is normally used to cut the tails off lambs, on the dog.
After a few days Rusty became unwell and lethargic, and his owner then noticed he had lost his testicles. Mr McGettigan said he was distraught when he had discovered what had happened to Rusty. He mentioned the incident to Flood who denied having anything to do with the attack. In September 2009 an inspector from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals asked Flood if he had put the lambing ring on the dog.
Flood's solicitor said the lambing ring was a common procedure used on lambs which did cause some discomfort. She said her client admitted the offence but said his three dogs had been pestered by the terrier. She said Flood, who had a pedigree border collie, had to lock his dogs in a shed because Rusty had constantly tried to interfere with them. Mr McGettigan said he had been forced to give Rusty away because he feared for his safety. He said he also spent more than 200 euro on vet fees. Flood was fined 230 euro for the vet bills and ordered to pay 500 euro compensation.
The judge asked if wandering males around Termon were safe from Flood. Flood said Rusty was allowed to roam freely and he had been forced to remove him from his house more than 20 times. He used a set of pliers to put a rubber lambing ring, which is normally used to cut the tails off lambs, on the dog.
After a few days Rusty became unwell and lethargic, and his owner then noticed he had lost his testicles. Mr McGettigan said he was distraught when he had discovered what had happened to Rusty. He mentioned the incident to Flood who denied having anything to do with the attack. In September 2009 an inspector from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals asked Flood if he had put the lambing ring on the dog.
Flood's solicitor said the lambing ring was a common procedure used on lambs which did cause some discomfort. She said her client admitted the offence but said his three dogs had been pestered by the terrier. She said Flood, who had a pedigree border collie, had to lock his dogs in a shed because Rusty had constantly tried to interfere with them. Mr McGettigan said he had been forced to give Rusty away because he feared for his safety. He said he also spent more than 200 euro on vet fees. Flood was fined 230 euro for the vet bills and ordered to pay 500 euro compensation.
Cat saves owners' house from fire by opening window
A hero cat alerted neighbours to a kitchen fire when he escaped through a window and let out billowing smoke. Three year-old Pepper — dubbed Smokey by firefighters — used a Houdini-style trick to escape after a microwave caught fire at the Stoke Gabriel property on Saturday afternoon. Frightened by the exploding glass, he leapt from his bed and up to the window. Then he used his usual party piece of nudging open the catch using his nose.
He ran to safety while the smoke billowed out behind him, alerting neighbours in Body Hayes Close. Relieved owner Phil White said: "He got out and the smoke must have been pouring out of the window and that alerted the neighbours next door." Two crews from Paignton were called to the property at 4pm to reports of smoke in the area. They used one hose reel jet, one main jet, positive pressure ventilation and a thermal image camera to ensure the fire was fully out.
Photos from SWNS.
Phil said: "There is some damage but nothing compared to what it could have been." Phil's wife Sharon added that Pepper is a law unto himself and has a fiery streak. But all is forgiven now," she said. She said that neighbours also deserve credit. Sharon said: "We are thankful that they did not just dismiss it as a bonfire.
"They rallied around and even directed the fire service here through the narrow lanes." Pepper is still a bit spooked by his ordeal. "But he is still managing to eat plenty of food," said Sharon. Crew commander Stefan Belsten said the fire was caught quickly. He said: "The cat was scared and he managed to get himself out. That's why the neighbours noticed the smoke. If he hadn't done that, the fire would have developed quite a lot."
He ran to safety while the smoke billowed out behind him, alerting neighbours in Body Hayes Close. Relieved owner Phil White said: "He got out and the smoke must have been pouring out of the window and that alerted the neighbours next door." Two crews from Paignton were called to the property at 4pm to reports of smoke in the area. They used one hose reel jet, one main jet, positive pressure ventilation and a thermal image camera to ensure the fire was fully out.
Photos from SWNS.
Phil said: "There is some damage but nothing compared to what it could have been." Phil's wife Sharon added that Pepper is a law unto himself and has a fiery streak. But all is forgiven now," she said. She said that neighbours also deserve credit. Sharon said: "We are thankful that they did not just dismiss it as a bonfire.
"They rallied around and even directed the fire service here through the narrow lanes." Pepper is still a bit spooked by his ordeal. "But he is still managing to eat plenty of food," said Sharon. Crew commander Stefan Belsten said the fire was caught quickly. He said: "The cat was scared and he managed to get himself out. That's why the neighbours noticed the smoke. If he hadn't done that, the fire would have developed quite a lot."
Judge barks at conviction for letting dog bite neighbour
A judge was ordered to pay more than £3,500 in fines and costs after storming out of a magistrates court shouting that her conviction over a pet dog's attack on a neighbour was a "f*cking travesty". Judge Beatrice Bolton, who has presided over scores of criminal trials in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the North East, muttered a brief apology after yelling that she would never set foot in Carlisle magistrates court again. She had earlier been told to stop chewing gum by the court usher as a couple of former friends claimed that her pet German shepherd, Georgina, had gradually turned her into "the neighbour from hell".
Bolton was convicted of failing to control the pedigree bitch, which attacked the couple's student son as he sunbathed and chatted to his girlfriend on a mobile in the garden they and the judge shared. She was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £930 prosecution costs, £275 compensation to 20-year-old Frederick Becker and a £15 victim surcharge. District judge Gerald Chalk, who had to prompt her to apologise for swearing, also refused to allow public funds to meet the cost of her expert witness as "his evidence had not assisted the court". Bolton said after the sentence that she was in debt and needed a year to pay the fine. Her recent expenses over the case included a £5,000 fence dividing her part of the garden from the rest of it.
The court heard Georgina had been the subject of a "dog log" kept by the Malias, who have lived next door to the judge and her partner for 20 years in Rothbury, Northumberland. Initially friendly relations gradually deteriorated and reached a nadir with the attack this summer. Becker was left bleeding and bruised by two apparent bites from the dog, although CCTV cameras installed by the Malias gave an unclear picture of exactly what had happened. Becker told the court the alsatian had run at him "making a lot of noise". He kicked it away after the attack, and was given "a sort of half-hearted apology" by the judge. He added: "If I am blunt, it was with an air of not really being concerned."
Ben Nolan QC, defending, said Bolton had invited the Malias to visit and get to know the dog, but they had declined. She had also fenced off her family's part of the garden but had taken the barrier down when the Malias said it spoiled their view. Bolton has presided over scores of cases at Newcastle, including a dispute between neighbouring families in Washington, County Durham, over allegedly noisy sex sessions. That ended with an order requiring the offender to quieten down.
Bolton was convicted of failing to control the pedigree bitch, which attacked the couple's student son as he sunbathed and chatted to his girlfriend on a mobile in the garden they and the judge shared. She was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £930 prosecution costs, £275 compensation to 20-year-old Frederick Becker and a £15 victim surcharge. District judge Gerald Chalk, who had to prompt her to apologise for swearing, also refused to allow public funds to meet the cost of her expert witness as "his evidence had not assisted the court". Bolton said after the sentence that she was in debt and needed a year to pay the fine. Her recent expenses over the case included a £5,000 fence dividing her part of the garden from the rest of it.
The court heard Georgina had been the subject of a "dog log" kept by the Malias, who have lived next door to the judge and her partner for 20 years in Rothbury, Northumberland. Initially friendly relations gradually deteriorated and reached a nadir with the attack this summer. Becker was left bleeding and bruised by two apparent bites from the dog, although CCTV cameras installed by the Malias gave an unclear picture of exactly what had happened. Becker told the court the alsatian had run at him "making a lot of noise". He kicked it away after the attack, and was given "a sort of half-hearted apology" by the judge. He added: "If I am blunt, it was with an air of not really being concerned."
Ben Nolan QC, defending, said Bolton had invited the Malias to visit and get to know the dog, but they had declined. She had also fenced off her family's part of the garden but had taken the barrier down when the Malias said it spoiled their view. Bolton has presided over scores of cases at Newcastle, including a dispute between neighbouring families in Washington, County Durham, over allegedly noisy sex sessions. That ended with an order requiring the offender to quieten down.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)