Some suggestions for Ben Affleck and people looking for things to do

Given the current (as this is being written) controversy and flack regarding Ben Affleck assuming the role of the new Batman, perhaps this activity could be an opportunity to get away from it all, for the actor or anybody reading this. I mean, until the cape flies, Affleck could take to Lancanshire, England and keep in shape by gravy wrestling.

 So let’s say that you’re looking for a place to visit within the next 24 hours that offers an interesting and unusual (accent on the unusual) fun diversion.  A geographical location that is off the beaten path so to speak in addition to participating in a sport offering a competitive element.

 Welcome to the home of Gravy Wrestling.

 You read it right: gravy wrestling. The way it works is that competitors will wrestle in gravy for 2 minutes with the viewing audience deciding the winner by their applause. Now in its 5^th year, for those interested in participating - and who wouldn’t be - the gravy match will be held on Monday, August 26, 2013, at the Rose n Bowl in Stackstead starting at 11:30 a.m.

 According to the blurb on www.worldgravywrestling.com, it’s classified as a culinary competition. Thinking further about the classification, the fact that gravy is the main focus and it is used in cooking, might place it in the culinary classification. The competition is open to both men and women.

 The premise is simple in that competitors must (if they want to win) wrestle in a 16-foot pool of Lancashire Gravy with technique taken into account. Not sure the consistency of Lancashire Gravy, in spite of a cyber search to find how it’s made, which means there’s no way of knowing whether contestants will be slipping and sliding in thick or thin gravy. Then again and given the premise, does it matter?

 Entry forms can be found on the world gravy wrestling site, above.

 

A snorkelling challenge

 

If gravy wrestling isn’t appealing, consider putting on a mask and other gear for the “world famous” World Bog Snorkelling Champsionship, which is just around the corner on Sunday, August 25 and Monday, August 26. The aim of the challenge is to swim two lengths or 115 metres in a murky, peat-filled trench dug out from the Waen Rhydd Peat bog, in the quickest time as possible. The fastest snorkeler takes home a cash prize.

The current world champion, Richard Addis, swam the bog in 1 minute, 26.5 seconds. As appealing as this sport sounds, I’ll pass.

 

An alternative use for a cell phone

 

Here’s a sport in which most of us could, if we wanted to, participate. The World Mobile Phone Throwing Championship is taking place on Saturday, August 24^th, in Savonlinna, Finland. This leads one – me – to wonder the rationale behind the competition given the popularity and extensive usage of this important accessory in our lives. Be that as it may, participants compete by throwing a mobile phone the farthest/furthest distance within a throwing area designated for this purpose. Participants stepping out of the area are disqualified.

Judging is made in four categories that include traditional over-the-shoulder throw for children 12 years of age and under, freestyle with no age limits, original and team original. According to the information blurb, most phones are acceptable as long as they don’t weigh more than 220 grams.

Meanwhile, the prize for winning in the world championships is a new mobile phone since these events are usually supported by mobile phone recycling organizations that promote the recycling of phones, and of course, boasting rights for tossing your phone the longest distance.

So Ben Affleck, if you’re reading this and bemoaning the negative reaction of people regarding your newly acquired role of Batman, perhaps consider flying over to Finland, escape from it all and not have to talk to anyone on your cell phone. Or perhaps a good snorkel in bog would be good for the nerves or a go in gravy. I mean, what else do you have to do?