Viennese Orchestra Uses Instruments Made of Produce

April 2, 2008 (Discover Magazine)
"Green beans gently pop, like raindrops hitting a puddle. This succulent sound is the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra playing “Frkklz,” a tender piece the 11 musicians produce by blowing into carrot tubes, strumming a pumpkin harp, and snapping celery stalks. The ensemble plays music exclusively on vegetables: leek violins, pepper trumpets, eggplant clappers, and cucumberphones. Such damp implements lend the works a watery timbre. “The more water, the softer the sound,” orchestra manager Ernst Reitermaier says. “It’s more soothing, more juicy, more smooth.”..."

(http://discovermagazine.com/2008/mar/02-viennese-orchestra-uses-instruments-made-of-produce)

Amber says: Amazing! I love music, and I love my veggies. Why did I never think of this??!! Oh, how I would love to hear veggies making music. I knew there was more to the buggers than just vitamins! Kudos to those who thought 'I wonder what a carrot sounds like...'. Im glad Im not the only one to have ever thought these things!!
The world is crazy, and I love it!

Device To Protect Surfers Against Sharks...Eaten By Shark

March 5, 2008

"Sydney, Australia (AHN) - A device attached to surf boards to repel sharks and protect surfers from getting attacked by the sea predator failed during an actual test off South Africa on Friday when a great white shark ate it."

(http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010235628)

Christie Anna says: Irony and I are pretty much as close as a person and a concept can be. Wherever I am, it's usually not far away. We've come to a nice agreement where it can attack me on minor points as much as it wants as long as it stays away from the major stuff, and I worship it s the most fantastic of all concepts (hell, it's made me eliminate certain words from my vocabulary). If you don't know me, this paragraph has probably made little to no sense and only made you believe I'm rather insane, but I felt it was a necessary explanation as to just why I adore this article as much as I do. The whole point is that there is little I love more than irony, and this certainly qualifies. I just hope the shark's okay.

Thanks to Kevin for the link!

German Opera Goes Underground

Apr. 22 - "Mozart's world-famous opera "The Magic Flute" is performed in a Berlin underground station."

(http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=80809&videoChannel=4)

Amber says: Okay, so this one is a video- but 'The Magic Flute' is one of my favorite (FAVORITE!!) operas, and 'The Revenge Aria' is playing in the background, which is amazing... and... Well, Im going to be in Germany in a week and a half, so- I figured I would let everyone know how awesome this article is.

I think it is really great that they are able to do something as outlandish as perform an opera (which is outlandish in its own right...) in an underground station. I LOVE Opera (My #1 music choice...) but most people think its stuffy and boring. Just LISTEN to it- its so full of passion and... well, this one is 'The REVENGE Aria'. Come on, what is so stuffy about that? Murder, mayhem!! I just wish I could have caught this show!

Judge issues warrant for Darth Vader

4/23/08

"A judge has issued a warrant for the arrest of a Darth Vader impersonator who allegedly attacked two Star Wars fans in their own back garden...."

(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/23/ndarth123.xml)

Christie Anna says: Will it never end? Will the Jedi never fully triumph over the Sith? How many times does Darth Vader have to be defeated (or arrested) before he's going to get the point? What really makes this story worth it, in my opinion, is the judge's line: "I hope the force will soon be with him." Very nice.

Amber says: We are dorks. I swear, if you look in the dictionary under the words "Dork", "Nerd", "Geek"... Yeah. Pictures of us... Just thought that needed to be said.

Green funerals make for eco-exits

April 20, 2008
" (AP) -- It's no longer enough to live a greener life - now people are being encouraged to be environmentally friendly when they leave the Earth too.
Cardboard coffins, clothes sewn from natural fibers, a burial plot in a natural setting. Green funerals attempt to be eco-friendly at every stage..."

(http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/G/GREEN_GRAVES?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-04-20-03-53-16)

Amber says: I completely agree with "green funerals". Not only for the "save the world" factor- but for the "getting back to the Earth" factor as well. It's like The Lion King says- "We become the grass, then the antelope eat the grass. It's all a part of the 'circle of life'." I couldn't think of a better way to become part of the Earth than to be buried in a slower- covered straw basket. Im not even kidding.

Actually, when I was little, I used to pretend to be Ophelia (Check this picture out to see what I mean) Kind of like in Anne of Green Gables, she would pretend to float down the river in a boat, to her grave. Bury me like that. Set me off in a canoe, floating down the river to my final resting place. I am sure people would frown upon that, especially when they found a bloated dead body in their back yard (Okay, a little... Ummm... Off topic... I suppose...)
But, my point is- Green Funerals make so much sense, why preserve your dead body with chemicals and whatnot when you are supposed to become the soil? Give back to the Earth that you misused in your lifetime. :-) Such a peaceful way to finish off the amazing life you will have lived!!

It's time to retire the penny

Monday, April 07, 2008 (Times Colonist)
"What do you do with your pennies? Carefully count them out when paying for something? Drop them into that little tray by the cash register, regarding them as worthless? Or hoard them, putting them into a jar that someday your kids will have to deal with?..."

(http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=e0905433-328b-4ada-a986-055810356577)

Amber says: Poor penny. What did it ever do to you? Actually, I'm torn on this topic. I am a Numismatist (Coin collector. Where is your mind?) and I have quite a few pennies in my collection. Old ones, shiny ones, foreign ones... I am guilty of hoarding the copper beauties. My sister hates pennies. And I mean, absolutely hates them. She will get rid of them as fast as she can- usually by pawning them off on an unsuspecting 5 year- old at the mall or something similar... Working in retail, I had people REFUSE to take pennies. "I'm sorry, I dont have a nickel, would you like five pennies?" "*Huff* No! Keep them! I will start shopping at *insert competition here*." And I'm not even kidding. People hate them.

I don't. I don't really care for them either... but I wouldn't put it on my list of things to abolish before the year 2010 or anything...

I don't see how eliminating the penny would cause a Y2K disaster or anything, but it would screw us up for a while. I read somewhere that polls show that people don't think a penny is worth bending over to pick up anymore. Sad. I always do. Haven't you heard the saying? "Find a penny, pick it up..." Couldn't we all use some good luck? What is the saying going to become? "Find a half-dollar, pick it up..."? Would that be enough for the hassle of bending over?

All things considered, I think I would like to keep the penny. It's familiar. It's shiny. It's... a penny! Where would "penny candy" be without it? (Oh, wait... isn't it "nickel candy" now?)

Oh, and I know this is a Canadian article, but they are talking about doing the same thing in the US. It was on the Colbert Report the other night. Look it up, they've even got Obama talking about it. :-)

Man unharmed by exploding toilet

April 17, 2008

"A 61-year-old Johnson City (NY) man said he wasn’t injured Wednesday when a toilet exploded with water and launched him against a wall...."

(http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080417/NEWS01/80417006)

Christie Anna says: To make up for my previous joke post, here we have an actual story - though one, perhaps, no less unbelievable. (And, I have to note, taking place less than an hour from where I attend college). I have to admit, if it came out tomorrow that this was a reporter's application for a job at The Onion and had no basis in fact, I wouldn't be surprised. First of all, how crazy is it to be attacked by an exploding toilet? And secondly, this attack came the day after he had a cancerous brain tumor removed? I'm not sure whether he's extremely lucky or extremely unlucky. Well, Mr. Szymanski, I hope things take a turn for the better for you. You survived neurosurgery one day and exploding appliances the next; that's something to be proud of. Best of luck to you, and you might want to work on that "sleeping with one eye open" thing for a while - just to be safe.

Yankees Bury Bernie Williams Under New Stadium For Good Luck

April 17, 2008

"NEW YORK—Citing a need for physical and spiritual cleansing after a Boston Red Sox fan entombed a David Ortiz jersey in the floor of the new facility, the New York Yankees buried former centerfielder Bernie Williams under 4,650 pounds of concrete Wednesday in the foundation of the new Yankee Stadium for good luck..."

(http://www.theonion.com/content/news/yankees_bury_bernie_williams_under)

Christie Anna says: Well, since no one other than the three of us are actually reading this blog at this point, I feel no necessity to shy away from articles that are, shall we say, less than factual. I decided to keep the blog updated on this story, so aren't I obligated to post even a joking follow-up? Besides, I won't be entirely convinced that this isn't true until I see Bernie Williams alive and well with a current newspaper in hand. Some of those comments were way too perfectly written...

In conclusion, I think that we may all say with absolute certainty that there is no more notable and entertaining source of "news" than The Onion. Fantastic job.

Grunt Work: Scientists Re-Create Neanderthal Speech

April 16, 2008 -- (Discovery News)
"After a nearly 30,000-year silence, Neanderthals are speaking once more, thanks to researchers who have modelled the hominids' larynx to replicate the possible sounds they would have made, scientists say.
The work, led by Robert McCarthy, an anthropologist at Florida Atlantic University at Boca Raton, is based on Neanderthal fossils found in France..."

(http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/04/16/neanderthal-language.html)

Amber says: Speech is an amazing thing. Some would believe it is what sets us apart from the creatures we share this Earth with (as well as our early anscestors)... But the way I see it- everything speaks. It may not be with words, or even with sounds. To me, speaking doesn't always mean "Hi, how are you doing today? Very well, thanks.". Animals chatter, birds squak (sometimes annoyingly outside my bedroom window as I try to snatch another 15 minutes sleep...) Even facial expressions and gestures can say as much as a shout.

This article is fastinating. I regularly say "Wow, I want to do THAT for a job!!". Well, this is one of those times. To be able to re-create the noises that were made, replacing our current communication... well, it is like time- traveling, super-sleuthing, and history- discovering... all in one job.

It's hard enough for me to try to learn a new language. I couldn't imagine trying to decipher what these ancestors of ours would have been saying...

NASA extends Saturn mission

April 17, 2008
"(AP) -- NASA says it is extending the international Cassini mission that is touring Saturn and its moons for another two years.

The space agency announced the extension Tuesday. Since 2004, the unmanned probe has beamed back about 140,000 images. Its prime mission is slated to end in July..."

(http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/04/16/NASA.Saturn.ap/index.html?eref=rss_latest)

Amber says: This article makes me happy because it reminds me of a wonderful trip to Maine, full of bookstores and giant snowwomen, and a trip to a certain planetarium with a certain two friends of mine!

I have always been curious about Saturn- I admit, it isn't my FAVORITE planet... But it is still really cool. The show that we went to see was great, going into detail about the rings and what they are made of, and how they probably got there. I'm really happy that NASA is continuing this mission, who knows what we might find out there!!

It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Loses It

Game of catch turns ugly
April 16, 2008

LINCOLN — A simple backyard “bat-and-catch” baseball game between a father and son quickly developed into a serious case of “hardball” with a neighboring father-son tandem on Tuesday afternoon.

Turns out, Anthony J. Delsignore brought the wrong equipment to the “contest” and lost. Shortly before 5:45 p.m., police arrested Delsignore, 47, of 14 David Drive, on a charge of felony assault with a dangerous weapon, that being a 38-caliber handgun.

This is not funny. Not even a little. But it does illustrate how competition can be an ugly and even dangerous thing. I don't know if there are sports psychologists out there, but if there are I propose a research project: do people who are drawn to competitive sports share certain personality traits? If so, what are they?

It's not just suburban soccer moms or dads hyped up on testosterone either; we see the ugly side of competition at the national level too. European soccer riots, the SWAT team on the field at Fenway, and NBA stars who vent their frustrations bodily on fans are not, unfortunately, unheard of. Taken together these incidents make me wonder if organized sports provide a safe way to compete, or if they stoke the fires of aggression (in players and fans alike) to an unhealthy and unacceptable level.

Those situations when things do spiral out of control are never anything to be proud of. Whether you're a player, a coach, a fan, or a parent (and whether you like it or not) you are modeling behavior for someone. Do keep that in mind the next time you feel the urge to flatten a rival and maybe we can take some of the ugly out of sports.

~R

Georgia coach going through with promise to shave off mustache

April 16, 2008
Georgia coach Dennis Felton is keeping his word: The mustache comes off.

Felton will have his barber shave off his trademark mustache Friday at the school's student center, following through on a promise he made during a question-and-answer sessions with students in early January.

I've been mildly interested in the role that sports plays in identity (both individual identity and group identity) for a while now. The effect of sports on identity is most easily seen during playoff seasons, but this goes to show that identifying with a team can go much deeper than wanting to be seen on the Jumbo-tron.

~R

Flip-flop rule has Canton City students flipping

April 15, 2008

"CANTON - Adam Makridis' footwear choice this morning could cost him a Saturday morning.

Boots, tennis shoes, loafers, anything but flip-flops — he's fine.

But if he goes with that staple of summertime leisure wear — and the 16-year-old sophomore at McKinley High School says he will — he'll be hit with his fifth Saturday school in recent weeks..."

(http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=407703)

Christie Anna says: High school dress codes are getting a bit ridiculous, in my opinion. I am all for trying to get teenagers to dress more appropriately, but flip-flops? Really? The principle is quoted as saying things about "safety" and "practice for the business world," but come on - it's high school. First of all, I don't see how flip-flops are really that much of a safety hazard - these are teenagers, not infants, and hopefully they've learned how to walk by now. And as for the business world, (most) teenagers know perfectly well that if they show up to a formal job interview in ratty jeans, a low-cut top and flip-flops they aren't going to get the job. (And if they haven't caught on to that much, they probably shouldn't be getting the job anyway.) That doesn't mean that exact outfit isn't acceptable for sitting in a classroom. I think dress codes as an idea are great - I think I was one of the few people in my HS who came down on the side of the dress code when it hit, though even I was willing to admit some of it was a bit excessive. But I also think that there's a fine line between keeping students dressed appropriately (not for the business world, for public) and just being plain mean. It's hard enough keeping kids focused on school these days - why make them any more uncomfortable than they have to be? It seems to me that the banishing of flip-flops is nothing more than a show of power - "see what we can do to you? Fear us!" - and the kids have had enough. Good for them. There are some things that should be fought for, and freedom of footwear is, in my opinion, one of them.

Love-struck hacker proposes using 'Bejeweled'

April 15, 2008 (AP)

"Hiding a ring in a bouquet just wasn't enough when a computer programmer decided to pop the question.
Bernie Peng reprogrammed Tammy Li's favorite video game, "Bejeweled," so a ring and a marriage proposal would show up on the screen when she reached a certain score..."

(http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/04/15/bejeweled.proposal.ap/index.html?eref=rss_latest)

Amber says: I'm a sap, what can I say? How adoreable is this? I'm a bit of a mega-geek myself, and this is one of the coolest proposals I've ever seen. Kudos to PopCap Games, too. Tammy, hold onto this guy. If someone is willing to alter a game and risk getting into trouble for it (Not to mention the time it must have taken to hack the program...) then he is worth it! Congrats to the couple.

Olympic protests keep breakdancers grounded

Olympic protests keep breakdancers grounded
April 14, 2008
DURHAM -- Recent protests over the Olympics have sidelined a planned trip to Beijing for [Canadian] break dancers.

Just thought I would add this as an update to my earlier post. I guess break dancing is a "pre-Olympic" sport now. I wonder, will it ever be accepted as a true Olympic sport like snowboarding has been? Or would that kind of mainstream attention morph break dancing culture into something so commercial that it would alienate some of the people who are drawn to it in the first place (like skateboarding)?

~R

Watch Out for Volcanoes

Snowmobiler survives fall into Mount St. Helens
April 13, 2008
YACOLT, Wash. (AP) -- A snowmobiler from Oregon suffered an injured leg but survived a fall of up to 200 feet into the crater of Mount St. Helens on Saturday.

Rock, paper, scissors
April 11, 2008
The Anheuser Busch/Budweiser sponsored tournament pitted 23 people against each other for a chance to qualify for a regional tournament April 19 in Sheridan.

Since Christie Anna has pretty well covered the "excavating things" topic and Amber has nailed the science beat, I thought I would bring you a couple of stories from the wide world of sports. Sort of.

The journey of the Olympic torch has raised the question, both nationally and in people's living rooms, of what organized sports really symbolize. Are the Olympic Games a way for one nation to lord its accomplishments over the rest of the world? Are sports a way for people to fight wars without really fighting wars? Should sports be free of politics and outside influence? Is such a thing even possible?

I don't bring you the answers to any of these questions. I don't know the answers, for one thing. For another, they aren't really important to enjoy sports on a local level. Whether it's trekking up the side of a mountain on a motorized sled or competing with your friends after work in a bar, sport for the individual can be just plain enjoyable. Until you fall into the massive crater of a blown-out volcano, that is. But I suppose every recreation has it dangers (what they are for Rock, Paper, Scissors I'm not sure, but I bet there are people out there who have hurt themselves playing the game).

I do have one last burning question though: Is there anything that Anheuser Busch won't sponsor?

~R

Black Day for love, big day for noodles

"April 14, 2008

(Reuters) - It was a Black Day for love in South Korea on Monday with lonely hearts trying to ease their pain by diving head first into bowls of noodles..."

(http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSSEO18852320080414)

Amber says: First of all, I think America needs to follow this line of thinking- women do for men one month... then men for women the next. I don't know about the rest of you- but to my "husband", coming home and taking his shoes off before he sits down is doing something for me. (Okay, so I lied- he is quite the catch... but that kind of kills my point- so forget that minor detail!!)
Secondly, what a pick up line... erm... Well, you know what I mean. Sitting alone, all in black, and pitying yourself. What a way to find another lonely person to connect with. I'm sure it makes things easier- I was always afraid to make a move because I was worried the person I was eyeballing would be in a relationship or not interested. Throw every 'single and looking' person together wearing black and you KNOW that they are trying to find love!
Good luck to them- it takes courage to be able to flaunt the fact that you are lonely and hating it.

Yanks fend off new stadium 'curse'

April 13, 2008

"NEW YORK (AP) -- A construction worker's bid to curse the New York Yankees by planting a Boston Red Sox jersey in their new stadium was foiled Sunday when the home team removed the offending shirt from its burial spot.

After locating the shirt in a service corridor behind what will be a restaurant in the new Yankee Stadium, construction workers jackhammered through the concrete Sunday and pulled it out..."

(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/04/13/curse.foiled.ap/index.html)

Christie Anna says: Lame! Had to post the follow-up and voice my displeasure. I liked it better when they brought in the witch. Really, it would have been marvelous to have that legacy at the new stadium. And wouldn't it have been a great scapegoat for when the Yankees implode from now on? The Sox always had Babe Ruth, and it certainly made the fans feel better (well, sort of). Now what are they going to blame? However, perhaps there's a bright side: my dad has theorized that the Sox fan in question inadvertently buried David "Big Papi" Ortiz's batting average in concrete along with his jersey, since Ortiz has been in a noticeable slump of late and did just get a hit in his first at-bat since the shirt was unearthed. So perhaps the Yankees just spent massive amounts of time and money to re-enable their biggest enemy's top slugger. I'm not much of an Ortiz fan, but even I like the irony. Now, Papi, keep up the good work so we can make the Yankees doubt their move. Self-doubt is the fastest way to decimate a team, so that could certainly make it a fun season. And as for the jersey itself, I think it's fantastic that the Jimmy Fund will be auctioning it off. Now, perhaps the new owner will find a way to smuggle it back into the stadium...?

'Jabba the Hut' Frog With No Lungs Found

April 10, 2008 (AP)

A frog has been found in a remote part of Indonesia that has no lungs and breathes through its skin, a discovery that researchers said Thursday could provide insight into what drives evolution in certain species.

(http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/04/10/lungless-frog.html)

Amber says: Can I have one? Please?! In a time when everyone is so worried about "global warming" and "climate change" and... well, the end of the world as we know it... It's nice to see that at least some of our smallest neighbors can overcome what may seem like a little problem to us- but is most likey a giant problem for them. If a little frog can figure out a better way to breath through evolution (Or whatever you want to believe...) then, it should give our gigantic human race something to spur them on. 100 degree weather? No problem, I'll just grow an air-conditioned skin that had moisture beads inset in the most crucial areas! :-)

Animal docs buy island for dogs' pleasure

April 10, 2008

"VICTORIA, British Columbia, April 10 (UPI) -- Three Canadian veterinarians have ponied up $2.2 million for an island off British Columbia as a vacation resort for rescued dogs.

All three animal doctors are from the province of Alberta, and have been involved in helping 'special needs' dogs, including four pit bull dogs who survived Hurricane Katrina that devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, a Globe and Mail report said..."

(http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2008/04/10/animal_docs_buy_island_for_dogs_pleasure/8488/)

Christie Anna says: I love it, and I'm sure the dogs do, too. It's great that there are people willing (and able) to shell out that kind of money for the sake of dogs. I just hope that it all works as planned and they can manage the upkeep long-term. My only question - do they need volunteer helpers?

Outer-Space Economy will Top Internet as Future Tech Boom

April 11, 2008 (The Daily Galaxy)

"Outer space is the future of business, according to a report released Tuesday by the Space Foundation, a nonprofit research and education association. The report said the Space Economy, defined as the full range of economic activities in the course of exploring, understanding and utilizing space, has become the next great frontier for business growth, exceeding $250 billion in projected value to the U.S. economy."

(http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2008/04/outer-space-eco.html)

Amber says: How cool is it that we live in a time where such amazing exploration and discovery is possible? I mean, I'm pretty sure I'd be saying the same thing if I were with Amerigo Vespucci- making my way across the ocean, or if I were on the Lewis and Clark expedition. But, even on the verge of their important discoveries, I bet you anything they never expected to be able to be exploring the stars.
Even 10 years ago, I'm sure that the idea of paying someone to take you up into space wasn't on many people's minds. Ten years ago, I don't think I had even used the internet yet... I'm pretty sure my first internet experience was in 2000, I was in the schools library and trying to do a research paper, and the librarian said "Try Google."- and I started looking on the shelves for a book called "Google". And now look at me- blogging, web designing, "surfing", uploading pictures and video- and it's still growing. Anything is possible in this era of technology and what-not. Before we know it (and hopefully before I die) space tourism will be advertised on our T.V.'s and will have replaced Caribbean cruises.
I do, however, have a complaint. Where, pray tell, do people think I'M going to get money to try this out? Have you ever checked out how much it costs to have these Zero-G experiences? I'm going to have to go out and invent my own spaceship- It will be cheaper for me that way...

(I also suggest this article: http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2007/05/the_hawking_sol.html. It's an older one, but still cool and space-travel-y...)

'Breakthrough' at Stonehenge dig

April 9, 2008

"Archaeologists carrying out an excavation at Stonehenge say they have broken through to a layer that may finally explain why the site was built.

The team has reached sockets that once held bluestones - smaller stones, most now missing or uprooted, which formed the site's original structure.

The researchers believe that the bluestones could reveal that Stonehenge was once a place of healing..."

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7337292.stm)

Christie Anna says: So, I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to, well, a lot of things, but especially ancient history. As such, I naturally find Stonehenge absolutely fascinating. A small group - funded by the BBC - started a dig about a week ago (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7322134.stm), and apparently have been finding some very interesting things since then. (I'm a bit skeptical about it being that big a 'breakthrough' after only a week, but who knows - they certainly seem to be making progress, and I'm willing to keep watching). This is the first dig on the site in some forty years. I think it's marvelous; on the one hand, the mystery of Stonehenge is half the magic of the place, but on the other, I would love to know more solid information about its history. I feel like every time I hear something new about Stonehenge, it's more convincing of just how awesome a feat its construction was.
I'd recommend the videos that are shown on the article page; they're all under three minutes, which is nice for any of you who have as short an attention span as me. They give some nice background information and explanation of what's going on. Besides, one of them throws out a "the Romans picnicked and littered here" theory, which just amuses me with its triviality (and that I find fascinating anyway - told you I'm a nerd). All in all, it's a story I think is definitely worth keeping an eye on; I don't think it gets much better than filling in gaps in history. The BBC will be airing a televised account of the dig sometime this fall.

Beer-sipping clients have taxes done in a bar

HOBOKEN, New Jersey (Reuters)

"The sounds of the Rolling Stones pour from the speakers while beer glasses are filled and a jovial game of darts takes place 10 feet away.

It's just another night at the office for Carmine Sodora, certified public accountant..."

(http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN1034276220080410)

Amber says: Alright, I admit... I'm a sucker for articles that involve alcohol. It's sad, but true. However, you can't deny the brilliance of this guy. Wouldn't you rather have your taxes done in a nice, cozy pub than a cubicle set up in a Wal*Mart somewhere under a big, green HR Block sign? And, having a few pints in you sure would ease the "I have to pay in how much?" pain. This close to the tax deadline, I'm sure most people would be groaning and mumbling under their breath while their significant others are ordering a wasted Saturday to finish up ("You've had MONTHS to do them!"). Well, mumble no more! The answer is here! (It sure beats the way I did my taxes- hunched in a camp chair on my laptop, trying to balance papers and reciepts around my already too-small keyboard, and type at the same time!)

Again, I say- Brilliant. And not only for the beer involved.

Sox shirt buried at Yankee Stadium

April 11, 2008

"NEW YORK (AP) -- Say it ain't so, George!

A construction worker on a concrete crew at the new Yankee Stadium secretly buried a Red Sox T-shirt under the future visiting clubhouse in an effort to jinx the Yankees, the New York Post reported Friday...."

(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/04/11/buried.shirt.ap/index.html)

Christie Anna says: Well, here we have it: the first Headlines of Note post. Hopefully it is a decent example of what we're trying to do here: bring you random, interesting and sometimes bizarre news articles from all over the world. We know that everyone's sick of hearing the same stuff over and over and that it can be hard to find the fun stories in amongst the top headlines, so we're going to do the grunt work for you and share anything and everything we think deserves sharing. The world can be absolutely absurd sometimes, and it can absolutely fantastic. We want to make sure every endearing angle is shared: the funny, the ridiculous, the fascinating, and perhaps even the depressing. It's vitally important that we can all look at the news with a sense of humor, so we're going to try to do just that while still keeping ourselves at least somewhat grounded in reality.
This small gem of an article is nicely random, just as we like it. (Of course, it helps that we're all Red Sox fans). It's a great show of sports loyalty - something that's extremely integral to our culture - and a perfect example of what people will do for what they care about. A harmless prank that speaks volumes and amuses at least me to no end. And hey, if it jinxes the Yankees, all the better. *g*
(Edit: So, as a quick update, I heard on NECN news today that apparently a witch was called in an to attempt to counter the curse brought on by the shirt. I love it.)
This is what we're aiming to do: bring you things we think are interesting. Naturally, this means that there will be some subjects that are seen more often than others on this blog; can't be helped, we're biased. We just want to be able to share articles that you guys might not see on your own.
Well, that's enough rambling from me (for now, anyway). We hope you'll enjoy following our blog as much as we're going to enjoy managing it!