Wolf whistle works, woman strips

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -

"Road workers in a small New Zealand town got their wish granted when a woman stripped saying she was fed up with their wolf-whistles.

The Israeli tourist was about to use an ATM in the main street of Kerikeri, in the far north of the country, when the men whistled, the New Zealand Press Association reported..."

(http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSPAT25005620080522)

Amber says: This sounds like something that my mom would have done!!! Okay, seriously... what else are you going to do when men are being annoying and such? Pretending to ignore them only works so long, and if you get all flustered and blush, it's only going to push them on! You've gotta do something unexpected... haha. Kudos to her, I bet she gave at least one of them a heart attack!

Mystery deepens as 4th severed foot found

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) -
"Another severed human foot has been discovered washed ashore on Canada's Pacific coast, but police are no closer to solving the gruesome mystery.
The foot, still wearing a shoe, was discovered on Thursday on a small uninhabited island south of Vancouver in the Strait of Georgia, and is the fourth discovered in the region in the past 10 months..."
(http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2341453420080523)


Amber says: Are you freakin' kidding me? Of all the weird news... ever... Wow. Here are my theories...
3) It's a cult...
2) It's a weird cult...
1) It's a freakin' weird ass cult!

No, in all seriousness- this is just odd. If the person was just hacked at and their foot was taken away, I'm sure they would tell someone... If it was a missing person, I'm sure DNA would have matched them with someone... Strange. This is why I live in Vermont... No severed feet washing up on the shore of Lake Champlain! (Of course, I think our lake monster friend would have enjoyed a quick snack if he found a foot floating around...)

Cults. Sheesh.Publish Post

'Indiana Jones' would make a bad archaeologist

May 13, 2008

"Indiana Jones managed to retrieve the trinket he was after in the opening moments of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.' He pretty much wrecked everything else in the ancient South American temple where the little gold idol had rested for millennia.

Though he preaches research and good science in the classroom, the world's most famous archaeologist often is an acquisitive tomb raider in the field with a scorched-earth policy about what he leaves behind. While actual archaeologists like the guy and his movies, they wouldn't necessarily want to work alongside him on a dig..."

(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24595365)

Christie Anna says: In honor of the release of Indy 4, which came out today and I'm extremely excited to see. Not necessarily a "news" article, but interesting nonetheless. Indiana Jones has always been one of my heroes, but after actually taking some archaeology classes and participating on a dig, I've realized that, well, Indy doesn't make much of an archaeologist. As the article says, most archaeologists would not want to work with him. In actuality, I think if he tried pulling some of his usual stunts on a real dig, he would probably be beaten by his co-workers. Tomb-robbing has always been one of the main problems facing archaeologists, and Indy isn't much more than just that - he just knows what it is he's stealing and wants it for academic purposes rather than monetary. If we were trying to do this today, he would probably be locked in a prison somewhere at this point - laws have gotten a little more strict in the last few decades. If you try taking a tiny sherd of pottery out of Greece, they'll arrest you. Major finds like what Indy takes? That wouldn't go over well.

...But I love him anyway. I'm pretty sure it's impossible not to.

And on a similar note, a short parody letter to Indiana Jones fom his employers that I enjoy:

Back from yet another globetrotting adventure, Indiana Jones checks his mail and discovers that his bid for tenure has been denied.

Lost parrot gives vet his name and address

May 21, 2008

"TOKYO, Japan -- When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught -- recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help..."

(http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/21/lost.parrot.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories)

Christie Anna says: Animals are amazing. I think it's marvelous that he could be taught to do such a thing - and that his owners would think to teach it to him. Obviously it was a good thing they did. And I can't help but be amused that he would talk to a vet - but not to the cops. Obviously he's learned a thing or two other than his name...

German resort will be first 'allergy-friendly community'

April 28, 2008

"The German Baltic Sea resort town of Baabe is to be named the world’s first 'allergy-friendly community' next week by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation..."

(http://www.thelocal.de/11565/20080428/)

Christie Anna says: In honor of Amber, who is currently on a plane headed to Germany and who is also one of the most allergy-plagued people I know. It's great that there's a place for people to relax without having their vacation ruined by their allergies. I'm sure it will bring more visitors and will thus be good for the local economy. And anywhere that's banning smoking - especially in Europe - wins points from me.

Marshal faces World Series investigation

May 2, 2008

"Federal authorities are investigating whether the head of the US Marshals Service in Boston assigned deputy marshals, normally charged with tracking fugitives and protecting judges, to ferry Fox Sports broadcasters Tim McCarver and Joe Buck between their hotel and Fenway Park during last year's World Series..."

(http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/02/marshal_faces_world_series_investigation/)

Christie Anna says: So, I'm torn. On the one hand, WTF? They were seriously ditching all other duties to help Tim McCarver and Joe Buck around Boston? (Two men known fondly in my family as "The Devil Incarnate" - DI - and "The Devil Incarnate's Balding Sidekick" - DIBS. Okay, not really, but you get the point, and you know, I kinda like those acronyms - I'm dorky like that). Really, the widdle sports announcers couldn't take care of themselves for a few days? Get a cab? Get a limo? Get a private helicopter? I think I'm more angry at the Fox guys than the marshals, myself. Whiny little spoiled brats couldn't handle being on their own in Big Bad Boston. Poor babies. Though yes, the head Marshal is to blame - she could have passed when asked. She should know better. Marshals are here to protect the people, not just the TV personalities.
On the other hand, though, whatever. We would have heard about this a long time ago if anything earth-shattering had happened while the marshals were distracted. Then this would be a big deal. And if my family hates DI and DIBS, then the huge portion of Red Sox nation within Boston city limits during the World Series was probably so far beyond hatred that there isn't even a word to cover it. AKA, Buck and McCarver were probably perfectly reasonable in their delusion that people might actually care enough to do something cruel. I don't think anything would have happened, but I can see why Fox might have been worried. And hey, if you can't trust an old friend to take care of your new friends, who can you trust?
So yeah. In my honored opinion, it was a perfectly understandable situation that was just handled kind of poorly by all involved, and the media just likes scandals a bit too much to let people off the hook. The Marshal should be reprimanded and warned, but I rather hope nothing much comes of it. Except, perhaps, DI and DIBS not getting their way next time. And that's my two (or perhaps four, judging by the length) cents.

$800 bid wins dino poop

May 1, 2008

" NEW YORK, May 1 (UPI) -- A New York auction house said an anonymous bidder won two specimens of dinosaur droppings with an $800 bid...."

(http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2008/05/01/800_bid_wins_dino_poop/2525/)

Christie Anna says: Only 800 bucks? Jeez, if I weren't a broke college student, I'd spend so much more. I know, it's kinda wierd, but on the other hand...dinosaurs are so cool. I have no idea why the "fossilized fish" went for so much more - when it comes down to fish or dinosaurs, dinosaurs win, hands down. But I suppose not many people agree with my odd way of thinking. Oh well. To each their own.