Looking for a job that definitely could be classified as "different?"A tourist attraction, Wookey Hole, located near Wells, Somerset, England is advertising in the local Job Centre for a witch. Duties include teaching visitors about witchcraft and magic and the successful applicant should be a good cackler and not be allergic to cats. Sounds reasonable.
The person - it's open to both females and males - who replaces the current witch who retired, will receive a salary of £50,000 pro rata based on work during school holidays and weekends. The job duties will be focused on summer holidays including Halloween and Christmas.
Legend has it that the caves were home to the Wookey Witch who was turned to stone by Father Bernard who had been appointed by the Abbott of Glastonbury to rid villagers of her curse.
Right now you're probably asking yourselves how does one go about applying for this job?
Auditions for the role are being held on July 28 in front of a panel of judges who will assess applicants costume and character as well as the ability to perform witch tests.
Witch tests? As in curses and other witch stuff?
According to the people posting the vacancy:
- Interviews for the post will involve on-site assessment incorporating a range or standard tasks.
- Ambitious witches, looking for a key career move, should turn up dressed for work and bring any essential witch accoutrements.
- A limited range of potion ingredients will be available.
- We are witchless at the moment so we need to get the role filled as soon as possible.
- We are looking for someone who is friendly, a little mischievous and with lots of character.
No information regarding whether or not wands and/or brooms will be provided.
A photo of the current witch who is going into retirement can be found here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5769160/Witch-required-for-Wookey-Hole-Caves---must-be-able-to-cackle.html
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Queen Elizabeth orders her swans counted
Given the state of the world today what with loss of employment globally, famine, homelessness, war, you have to wonder about the timing of this news.
Queen Elizabeth, she who rules England, has ordered a counting of the swans, known as the annual "Swan Upping." Perhaps some people might use these words as a means in which to express their thoughts about the activity. Seems that the counting of the swans is a British tradition that dates back to the 12th century involving the counting of the swans on the Thames River.
One wonders why somebody - especially a royal - would want to know the amount of swans on any river, actually.
So y'see, the process involves the official Swan Marker, one David Barber, rowing up the Thames for five days(!) accompanied the the Swan Warden, one Christopher Perrins of the University of Oxford, wearing the special and traditional swan counting scarlet uniforms while counting, weighing and measuring adult and cygnets.
One wonders once again, if duplication could enter into the picture. I mean, how can one be sure that swan "A" for example, won't swim down the river and be counted as another swan. But I digresss.
According to custom, Britain's sovereign owns all unmarked, mute swans in open water, but the queen now exercises the right only on stretches of the Thames and its nearby tributaries.
Oh the angst of having one's swans limited to a territory!
This year Queen Elizabeth herself will be joining her team of Swan Uppers for part of the cencus. She will follow them up the river and visit a local school project on the whole subject of swans, cygnets and the Thames.
Yes but will Queen Elizabeth actually count the swans or just smile and do a royal wave?
Here's an older photo of a Swan Upper in full uniform checking (or counting) a swan and a story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/3906385.stm
Just wondering why it's necessary for a/swan uppers to wear a uniform? British tradition one surmises.
Still, would have made a great skit for Monty Python.
Queen Elizabeth, she who rules England, has ordered a counting of the swans, known as the annual "Swan Upping." Perhaps some people might use these words as a means in which to express their thoughts about the activity. Seems that the counting of the swans is a British tradition that dates back to the 12th century involving the counting of the swans on the Thames River.
One wonders why somebody - especially a royal - would want to know the amount of swans on any river, actually.
So y'see, the process involves the official Swan Marker, one David Barber, rowing up the Thames for five days(!) accompanied the the Swan Warden, one Christopher Perrins of the University of Oxford, wearing the special and traditional swan counting scarlet uniforms while counting, weighing and measuring adult and cygnets.
One wonders once again, if duplication could enter into the picture. I mean, how can one be sure that swan "A" for example, won't swim down the river and be counted as another swan. But I digresss.
According to custom, Britain's sovereign owns all unmarked, mute swans in open water, but the queen now exercises the right only on stretches of the Thames and its nearby tributaries.
Oh the angst of having one's swans limited to a territory!
This year Queen Elizabeth herself will be joining her team of Swan Uppers for part of the cencus. She will follow them up the river and visit a local school project on the whole subject of swans, cygnets and the Thames.
Yes but will Queen Elizabeth actually count the swans or just smile and do a royal wave?
Here's an older photo of a Swan Upper in full uniform checking (or counting) a swan and a story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/3906385.stm
Just wondering why it's necessary for a/swan uppers to wear a uniform? British tradition one surmises.
Still, would have made a great skit for Monty Python.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Pet Airways - paws-itively a great idea
Many pet owners when planning a trip, worry about what to do with their four-pawed friends. Pet sitting and pet boarding facilities are available but a new type of service is entering the market place. Would you believe - an airline that flies pets exclusively?
The new airline company, Pet Airways working out of Delray Beach, Florida, is aimed exclusively at pet travel. Like their human counterparts, pets get to travel in the main cabin and their owners aren't permitted to join them. What's more, the airline claims to be the first of its kind designed specifically for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets.
Seats normally for human pasengers will be removed to make room for pet carriers. The first departure for cats and dogs is scheduled for July 14 and the carrier will serve 5 U.S. cities including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles.
There is no mention of expansion plans to include other species/pets like gerbils, mice, birds, snakes, etc. etc.
The pawsengers, as the new airline calls them, can be booked in online and are checked in to a Pet Lounge at the airport. Does this mean that there will be catering services that offer bones or a steak before departure? Do you see another $$ lucrative$$ market here?
The pawsengers will get a "potty break" before departure and will be monitored during the flight. Presumably, this will be in the hands of the pet attendant who is on standby to cater to the travellers.
Owners or Pet Parents can follow their travel progress using an online "pet tracker".
The flights will be made in 19-seat turbo-prop planes operated by Suburban Air Freight, which have their seats removed to make space for the pet carriers.
The new airline company, Pet Airways working out of Delray Beach, Florida, is aimed exclusively at pet travel. Like their human counterparts, pets get to travel in the main cabin and their owners aren't permitted to join them. What's more, the airline claims to be the first of its kind designed specifically for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets.
Seats normally for human pasengers will be removed to make room for pet carriers. The first departure for cats and dogs is scheduled for July 14 and the carrier will serve 5 U.S. cities including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles.
There is no mention of expansion plans to include other species/pets like gerbils, mice, birds, snakes, etc. etc.
The pawsengers, as the new airline calls them, can be booked in online and are checked in to a Pet Lounge at the airport. Does this mean that there will be catering services that offer bones or a steak before departure? Do you see another $$ lucrative$$ market here?
The pawsengers will get a "potty break" before departure and will be monitored during the flight. Presumably, this will be in the hands of the pet attendant who is on standby to cater to the travellers.
Owners or Pet Parents can follow their travel progress using an online "pet tracker".
The flights will be made in 19-seat turbo-prop planes operated by Suburban Air Freight, which have their seats removed to make space for the pet carriers.
Friday, November 21, 2008
There are liars...and then there are liars...
Some people call them fibs depending on the extent and depth of a made-up story. A fib is considered a small, trival lie but a lie is your grand daddy of a fib as in your new and never-met Nigerian friend left you a lot of money because of the spelling of your name.
It could be said that some people make an art of lying and this is the case with competitors who recently participated in the World's Biggest Liar Contest held at the Bridge Inn located in the English Lake District.
The origin of this contest dates back to the 19th century with one Will Ritson who lived and owned a pub in Wasdale Valley and had a reputation for telling stories about the heritage of the area. Some people believed his stories while others thought they were merely tall tales. Over the years Will's tales expanded to the point where it grew into "The World's Biggest Liar" competition held every November.
On November 20, liars from all over the globe gathered together at the Bridge Inn and when all the lies had been told, John "Johnny Liar" Graham took home the honors, again, for the 7th time.
Seven times... Those are some lies he must have told! Thinking further about this, one wonders if politicians are aware of this competition... I mean, it seems like a natural but I digress.
A local farmer, he clinched the title impressing 8 judges with a story/lie detailing the experience of a trip to Scotland in a wheelie bin (definition: A wheelie bin is a type of waste container and is made in several different types-Wikipedia) that went under the sea.
By the way did I mention there's a fortune waiting for everyone if your name contains the letters a, e, i, o, u and sometimes, y. Really...
Watch the liar in action in a video clip here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7741037.stm
It could be said that some people make an art of lying and this is the case with competitors who recently participated in the World's Biggest Liar Contest held at the Bridge Inn located in the English Lake District.
The origin of this contest dates back to the 19th century with one Will Ritson who lived and owned a pub in Wasdale Valley and had a reputation for telling stories about the heritage of the area. Some people believed his stories while others thought they were merely tall tales. Over the years Will's tales expanded to the point where it grew into "The World's Biggest Liar" competition held every November.
On November 20, liars from all over the globe gathered together at the Bridge Inn and when all the lies had been told, John "Johnny Liar" Graham took home the honors, again, for the 7th time.
Seven times... Those are some lies he must have told! Thinking further about this, one wonders if politicians are aware of this competition... I mean, it seems like a natural but I digress.
A local farmer, he clinched the title impressing 8 judges with a story/lie detailing the experience of a trip to Scotland in a wheelie bin (definition: A wheelie bin is a type of waste container and is made in several different types-Wikipedia) that went under the sea.
By the way did I mention there's a fortune waiting for everyone if your name contains the letters a, e, i, o, u and sometimes, y. Really...
Watch the liar in action in a video clip here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7741037.stm
Friday, October 17, 2008
Basil the cockerel is living on borrowed time
It's not always an easy life for the aviary set, hence the expression, "for the birds." It's particularly applicable for a cockerel named, Basil, who has been given his walking - make that flying - orders by residents living in the neighborhood where the bird does his thing.
Seems that Basil, who arrived uncerimoniously in a garden six months ago and currently lives on a Gateshead, UK, housing estate, did what any healthy cockerel would do when the sun comes up, and welcome the day with some loud crowing. Really loud crowing. This didn't go over well with neighbors and complaints were registered with the Gateshead Housing Company and he was subsequently given his flying orders. Most of the residents according to reports, love him but he's got his detractors.
Thing is...Basil is considered livestock and under tenancy agreements, he must leave. Go tell that to the bird!
A spokesperson from the Gateshead Housing Company said: "Gateshead Council's tenancy agreement clearly states that tenants 'must not keep livestock, such as horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, cattle, ducks, geese and chickens at the property'.
"Also, 'animals must not cause a nuisance, annoyance or concern to anyone in the local area including any employee or agent of the council or the Gateshead Housing Company'.
However, Basil has received/is receiving help of the divine type from a group of local nuns who
live in a convent in Gosforth, Newcastle. Sister Mary, a nun at a convent in Gosforth in Newcastle, told her family that prayers had been offered.
There is even a Facebook page set up for Basil that you can join here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35567441405
Also, fans of Basil have written to Buckingham Palace requesting the Queen back their campaign.
The cockerel has until October 21st to vacate the area but how do you explain this in cockerel-ese?
See the bird in living color here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/7675829.stm
Seems that Basil, who arrived uncerimoniously in a garden six months ago and currently lives on a Gateshead, UK, housing estate, did what any healthy cockerel would do when the sun comes up, and welcome the day with some loud crowing. Really loud crowing. This didn't go over well with neighbors and complaints were registered with the Gateshead Housing Company and he was subsequently given his flying orders. Most of the residents according to reports, love him but he's got his detractors.
Thing is...Basil is considered livestock and under tenancy agreements, he must leave. Go tell that to the bird!
A spokesperson from the Gateshead Housing Company said: "Gateshead Council's tenancy agreement clearly states that tenants 'must not keep livestock, such as horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, cattle, ducks, geese and chickens at the property'.
"Also, 'animals must not cause a nuisance, annoyance or concern to anyone in the local area including any employee or agent of the council or the Gateshead Housing Company'.
However, Basil has received/is receiving help of the divine type from a group of local nuns who
live in a convent in Gosforth, Newcastle. Sister Mary, a nun at a convent in Gosforth in Newcastle, told her family that prayers had been offered.
There is even a Facebook page set up for Basil that you can join here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35567441405
Also, fans of Basil have written to Buckingham Palace requesting the Queen back their campaign.
The cockerel has until October 21st to vacate the area but how do you explain this in cockerel-ese?
See the bird in living color here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/7675829.stm
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A tale of two cities: Birmingham city council makes boo-boo on its location
Seems that the members of Birmingham City Council aren't sure exactly where their city is located.
More to the point in a recent marketing campaign to promote the achievements of residents and their participation and achievements in recycling, somehow the city council of Birmingham, England instead promoted the city of Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A.
It must have been really embarrassing since the photos that were supposed to show places like the Selfridges building and the Rotundra located in the UK city, instead showed a shot of downtown Birmingham, Alabama.
Go figure that they look exactly the same...at least to some people.
The error was spotted by a resident of Birmingham - the UK city - who just happened to be a regular visitor to the U.S. location, and upon retrieving a pamphlet stuffed in his mailbox noticed what was supposed to be a photo of Birmingham, UK. but was instead the American city. Upon further checking it out in Google, he found the very same photo as on his pamphlet but this one was in Birmingham, Alabama.
That's some mix-up!
Initially, City Council officials claimed no mistake had been made and the "generic skyline [was] intended to symbolise an urban area".
Of course! After all - a city is a city is a city, even if it's in another country! I knew that! Didn't you?
A spokesperson who was not named (what a surprise) commented: "We accept that the wrong photo was used, but the text and detail contained in the leaflet is wholly correct which is the most important message."
Of course. The medium is the message...unless it's in the wrong place.
More to the point in a recent marketing campaign to promote the achievements of residents and their participation and achievements in recycling, somehow the city council of Birmingham, England instead promoted the city of Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A.
It must have been really embarrassing since the photos that were supposed to show places like the Selfridges building and the Rotundra located in the UK city, instead showed a shot of downtown Birmingham, Alabama.
Go figure that they look exactly the same...at least to some people.
The error was spotted by a resident of Birmingham - the UK city - who just happened to be a regular visitor to the U.S. location, and upon retrieving a pamphlet stuffed in his mailbox noticed what was supposed to be a photo of Birmingham, UK. but was instead the American city. Upon further checking it out in Google, he found the very same photo as on his pamphlet but this one was in Birmingham, Alabama.
That's some mix-up!
Initially, City Council officials claimed no mistake had been made and the "generic skyline [was] intended to symbolise an urban area".
Of course! After all - a city is a city is a city, even if it's in another country! I knew that! Didn't you?
A spokesperson who was not named (what a surprise) commented: "We accept that the wrong photo was used, but the text and detail contained in the leaflet is wholly correct which is the most important message."
Of course. The medium is the message...unless it's in the wrong place.
Monday, July 21, 2008
(Sir) Paul takes Quebec and leaves people smiling
"He" came, he played and certainly conquered according to the media reports in today's, Montreal Gazette (Montreal's daily newspaper). Given the historical significance of playing a gig on the Plains of Abraham, 200,000 plus Quebekers and visitors from all over the planet, welcomed Paul McCartney with open arms.
Fans were welcomed in French, a nice touch, with "bonsoir les québécois!" (good evening, Quebecers) and "bon soir toute la gang!" (good evening everyone!").
He opened with "Jet"and continued with picks that included Drive My Car and Only Mama Knows among others. There was a mixture of old favorites but he also included newer numbers. Quebec's 400th anniversary was aknowledged with the song, "Michelle" dedicated by McCartney in French to a "a lady who is 400 years old." Again, nice PR touch.
I, unfortunately, was not among the masses who attended the show. Insert big sigh here.
"I would have loved to attended that concert," I told my husband who also happens to be a McCartney fan, while watching clips from the show.
"How much of fan are you, though," he responded. "Enough to line up the day before the actual concert takes place to get a good place in front?"
He had a point.
So next up in August, Celine Dion will take centre stage and the spotlight. Absolutely the spotlight given her hubby Rene Angelil's managerial prowess and it will be interesting to see if she will draw the same numbers. She's a star for sure but perhaps not the same calibre as McCartney, IMHO.
For more information and photos:
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2008/07/20/6214161-cp.html
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080721/national/music_mccartney_quebec
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7516711.stm
There are also some clips on YouTube but the sound is almost indistinguishable and the visuals are taken from the big screen for people who weren't lucky enough to be within visual range of the singer.
Fans were welcomed in French, a nice touch, with "bonsoir les québécois!" (good evening, Quebecers) and "bon soir toute la gang!" (good evening everyone!").
He opened with "Jet"and continued with picks that included Drive My Car and Only Mama Knows among others. There was a mixture of old favorites but he also included newer numbers. Quebec's 400th anniversary was aknowledged with the song, "Michelle" dedicated by McCartney in French to a "a lady who is 400 years old." Again, nice PR touch.
I, unfortunately, was not among the masses who attended the show. Insert big sigh here.
"I would have loved to attended that concert," I told my husband who also happens to be a McCartney fan, while watching clips from the show.
"How much of fan are you, though," he responded. "Enough to line up the day before the actual concert takes place to get a good place in front?"
He had a point.
So next up in August, Celine Dion will take centre stage and the spotlight. Absolutely the spotlight given her hubby Rene Angelil's managerial prowess and it will be interesting to see if she will draw the same numbers. She's a star for sure but perhaps not the same calibre as McCartney, IMHO.
For more information and photos:
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2008/07/20/6214161-cp.html
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080721/national/music_mccartney_quebec
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7516711.stm
There are also some clips on YouTube but the sound is almost indistinguishable and the visuals are taken from the big screen for people who weren't lucky enough to be within visual range of the singer.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Wanted: naked cleaning person. Experience optional
If you happen to be vacationing or perhaps back-packing in England and looking for a job that has a loose - very loose - dress code, then perhaps this would be of interest to you.
A job vacancy for a naked cleaner is being advertised at a Jobcentre, the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed today.
The advertisement, placed in Southampton, Hampshire, by a company called Knobs 'n' Knockers, is looking for applicants of both sexes to do washing-up and ironing in the nude.
Why? According to the ad, it wants to make the tasks more erotic for customers in the South East.
"Required for household cleaning duties in the nude. Pinny provided. Must have pleasant nature." the ad states.
A "pinny" for those people unaware of the term according to Wikipedia, "A pinafore (colloquially pinny in British English) is a sleeveless garment worn as an apron."
Successful applicants will make £10 per hour compared to £6 for regular clothed cleaners. I suppose this could be considered unfair hiring practice but I digress.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said it could not legally refuse to carry the advertisement.
"Jobcentre Plus has a duty to advertise any legal job. Legal vacancies within the adult industry come within this, a requirement which was confirmed in a legal test case brought by the Ann Summers company in 2003. The High Court overturned Jobcentre Plus's policy which did not accept certain types of adverts connected with the sex and personal services industries. We have safeguards in place to ensure customers are fully aware of the nature of these jobs."
So? Anybody planning to apply?
A job vacancy for a naked cleaner is being advertised at a Jobcentre, the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed today.
The advertisement, placed in Southampton, Hampshire, by a company called Knobs 'n' Knockers, is looking for applicants of both sexes to do washing-up and ironing in the nude.
Why? According to the ad, it wants to make the tasks more erotic for customers in the South East.
"Required for household cleaning duties in the nude. Pinny provided. Must have pleasant nature." the ad states.
A "pinny" for those people unaware of the term according to Wikipedia, "A pinafore (colloquially pinny in British English) is a sleeveless garment worn as an apron."
Successful applicants will make £10 per hour compared to £6 for regular clothed cleaners. I suppose this could be considered unfair hiring practice but I digress.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said it could not legally refuse to carry the advertisement.
"Jobcentre Plus has a duty to advertise any legal job. Legal vacancies within the adult industry come within this, a requirement which was confirmed in a legal test case brought by the Ann Summers company in 2003. The High Court overturned Jobcentre Plus's policy which did not accept certain types of adverts connected with the sex and personal services industries. We have safeguards in place to ensure customers are fully aware of the nature of these jobs."
So? Anybody planning to apply?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
You think you have problems department: no flush in space
International Space Station astronauts are eagerly awaiting the arrival of shuttle Discovery since it'sbringing a new pump to mend their broken toilet.
I bet they are! Can you imagine no flushing mechanism in space?
The station's urine collection unit, as opposed to its solid waste unit, has been malfunctioning for several days. NASA said it thought a separator pump was at fault and the three male crew members were operating it manually.
To make room for the new part, NASA has had to remove other equipment from the shuttle, which launches on Saturday.
"Clearly, having a working toilet is a priority for us," shuttle payload manager Scott Higginbotham said.
The Discovery mission is the second of three to take up key components of the Japanese-built Kibo laboratory.
Read the full story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7425180.stm
It goes without saying that a working toilet is an absolute necessity, given the gravity situation. One wonders what and how they are disposing of the urine. One shudders to think...
Thought du jour: if a person flushes in space, does anyone hear it?
I bet they are! Can you imagine no flushing mechanism in space?
The station's urine collection unit, as opposed to its solid waste unit, has been malfunctioning for several days. NASA said it thought a separator pump was at fault and the three male crew members were operating it manually.
To make room for the new part, NASA has had to remove other equipment from the shuttle, which launches on Saturday.
"Clearly, having a working toilet is a priority for us," shuttle payload manager Scott Higginbotham said.
The Discovery mission is the second of three to take up key components of the Japanese-built Kibo laboratory.
Read the full story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7425180.stm
It goes without saying that a working toilet is an absolute necessity, given the gravity situation. One wonders what and how they are disposing of the urine. One shudders to think...
Thought du jour: if a person flushes in space, does anyone hear it?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Gloucester cheese chase was downhill all the way
They came, they ran and when it was all over, the biggest cheese chaser (say that fast a dozen times) was 19-year old, Christopher Anderson. He took first place - and a back brace for his efforts - in the annual Bank Holiday Cheese Rolling Contest at Cooper's Hill. One might ask the reason for people chasing after a circle of giant Gloucester. Go know but the prize being a big chunk of cheese certainly must be some inspiration.
The challenge was even greater given the weather conditions being less than satisfactory with a torrential rain pelting down. Approximately 3000 specatators cheered on the cheese chasers with contestants coming as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Japan attempting to climb Coopers Hill and then sliding down after their fromage.
Photos of the contestants in action here: http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk/the_event.htm
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
The challenge was even greater given the weather conditions being less than satisfactory with a torrential rain pelting down. Approximately 3000 specatators cheered on the cheese chasers with contestants coming as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Japan attempting to climb Coopers Hill and then sliding down after their fromage.
Photos of the contestants in action here: http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk/the_event.htm
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
Friday, February 01, 2008
OF LOST EYEBALL...DEFLATED DOLL...AND OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
Came accross two interesting tales of loss worth passing on. Maybe it's just my quirkie sense of humor but they did make me smile. That's life!
Let's say...you're staying at a hotel in this case in Tasmania and somebody knocks on your hotel room door to deliver a box. Let's say...you open it and staring down at the contents, are greeted with an eye ball staring back.
That's exactly what happened to a hotel guest in Tasmania when he received a foam cold box containing a single human eyeball. The box marked 'Live human organs for transplant' was delivered by mistake to a hotel in Hobart by a taxi driver.
Hotel worker Gabriel Winner, who requested the name of the hotel not be used (I bet!), says the agitated guest brought the box to reception.
"The guy left with me with a box with an eyeball in it,'" he said. "I thought this is just too weird. I went and put it in the fridge because I didn't know what else to do with it. It was more than a little disconcerting."
So this leaves one to wonder why Mr. Winner (interesting name is this case) would assume that one of his guests was waiting for the delivery of an eyeball. I mean, it's not something that most if not all people would order. Even more interesting that he put it in the fridge along with other "normal" food. Can you imagine the shock a hotel employee would receive when opening the fridge to take a prepared sandwich for lunch?It's something out of a horror movie!
MAD SCIENTIST
Igor...go deliver this eyeball
IGOR
Where master?
MAD SCIENTIST
Let me check the destination... The Provincial Hospital
IGOR
Sorry? Could you repeat that?
MAD SCIENTIST
When are you going to get a hearing aid? I said, 'Provincial Hospital'
IGOR
Of course, master. Provincial Hotel...
And the rest as they say, is history.
An Australian Air Express spokeswoman confirmed a "failure in an internal handover process'" and apologized.
To say the least.
"As soon as we discovered the error we quickly rectified that and delivered the consignment within the appropriate timeframe,'" she said.Queensland Health spokeswoman Penny Geraghty said tissue from the eye was recovered and successfully transferred to a patient. "Nobody missed their operation. The tissue wasn't compromised," she said.
***********************************************************************************
Sometimes you can't win for losing. Take the case of this Romanian guy who recently registered a complaint with officials that his inflatable doll has lost its moan. Not knowing anyone who has ever encountered this - um - situation or problem, I would imagine that - um - a moan-less adult doll would be kind of...demoralizing.
"Moan, damn you, Isla!" the man probably/could have/might have said as he... Never mind.
A sex shop in Brasov, Transylvania, was fined 600£ and ordered to provide the man, said to be in his 40s, with a new doll.
The man had also complained that the rubber doll deflated too quickly(!), according to local media.
Well... I'm no scientist or physicist but perhaps - um - the doll's owner was a little bit too - how shall we say - active with his vinyl "friend?"
Iulian Mara, head of the local Consumer Protection Office, said: "No matter how strange it sounded to us, we went to the sex-shop from where the man bought the object of complaint and found out he was justified.
So...like...how did Mr. Mara et al discover that the complaint was justified, one asks/ponders.
"The doll was losing air very quickly and due to a faulty electrical circuit it didn't make the expected specific sounds."Oh gawd! Electricity is involved? I mean, what about shocks? Did the doll operate on batteries or was she a plug-in, one wonders...
There is no mention you will note, about what type of sounds were uttered.
Never a dull moment in Transylvania...
Let's say...you're staying at a hotel in this case in Tasmania and somebody knocks on your hotel room door to deliver a box. Let's say...you open it and staring down at the contents, are greeted with an eye ball staring back.
That's exactly what happened to a hotel guest in Tasmania when he received a foam cold box containing a single human eyeball. The box marked 'Live human organs for transplant' was delivered by mistake to a hotel in Hobart by a taxi driver.
Hotel worker Gabriel Winner, who requested the name of the hotel not be used (I bet!), says the agitated guest brought the box to reception.
"The guy left with me with a box with an eyeball in it,'" he said. "I thought this is just too weird. I went and put it in the fridge because I didn't know what else to do with it. It was more than a little disconcerting."
So this leaves one to wonder why Mr. Winner (interesting name is this case) would assume that one of his guests was waiting for the delivery of an eyeball. I mean, it's not something that most if not all people would order. Even more interesting that he put it in the fridge along with other "normal" food. Can you imagine the shock a hotel employee would receive when opening the fridge to take a prepared sandwich for lunch?It's something out of a horror movie!
MAD SCIENTIST
Igor...go deliver this eyeball
IGOR
Where master?
MAD SCIENTIST
Let me check the destination... The Provincial Hospital
IGOR
Sorry? Could you repeat that?
MAD SCIENTIST
When are you going to get a hearing aid? I said, 'Provincial Hospital'
IGOR
Of course, master. Provincial Hotel...
And the rest as they say, is history.
An Australian Air Express spokeswoman confirmed a "failure in an internal handover process'" and apologized.
To say the least.
"As soon as we discovered the error we quickly rectified that and delivered the consignment within the appropriate timeframe,'" she said.Queensland Health spokeswoman Penny Geraghty said tissue from the eye was recovered and successfully transferred to a patient. "Nobody missed their operation. The tissue wasn't compromised," she said.
***********************************************************************************
Sometimes you can't win for losing. Take the case of this Romanian guy who recently registered a complaint with officials that his inflatable doll has lost its moan. Not knowing anyone who has ever encountered this - um - situation or problem, I would imagine that - um - a moan-less adult doll would be kind of...demoralizing.
"Moan, damn you, Isla!" the man probably/could have/might have said as he... Never mind.
A sex shop in Brasov, Transylvania, was fined 600£ and ordered to provide the man, said to be in his 40s, with a new doll.
The man had also complained that the rubber doll deflated too quickly(!), according to local media.
Well... I'm no scientist or physicist but perhaps - um - the doll's owner was a little bit too - how shall we say - active with his vinyl "friend?"
Iulian Mara, head of the local Consumer Protection Office, said: "No matter how strange it sounded to us, we went to the sex-shop from where the man bought the object of complaint and found out he was justified.
So...like...how did Mr. Mara et al discover that the complaint was justified, one asks/ponders.
"The doll was losing air very quickly and due to a faulty electrical circuit it didn't make the expected specific sounds."Oh gawd! Electricity is involved? I mean, what about shocks? Did the doll operate on batteries or was she a plug-in, one wonders...
There is no mention you will note, about what type of sounds were uttered.
Never a dull moment in Transylvania...
Sunday, January 06, 2008
World's strangest laws
It's the beginning of a new year and perhaps some travel plans are on your agenda. It's always a good idea to know something about the place you plan to visit and perhaps some of the local customs.
Suppose a visit to France is on the travel itinerary and while there for whatever reason, adopting a pig seems like a fun idea as is naming the pig, say...Napoleon. You would be breaking the law since it's illegal to name a pig Napolean. No mention if it's applicable to the naming of other pets,Napoleon like a cat or dog. I mean, how would authorities find out if one named one's pet Napolean, anyway? But I digress.
There are some strange laws around the world down in the books, for example:
In Ohio you're not allowed to get a fish drunk.Why anyone would waste good liquor on fish is another thing but I digress.
It is illegal for a cab in the City of London to carry rabid dogs or corpses. Don't we all? I mean, really...
It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. "Arrest that man for dying!"
It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside down. Why? Will she get dizzy?
In Alabama, it's illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle.
Royal Navy ships that enter the Port of London must provide a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.
In the UK, a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants – even, if she so requests, in a policeman’s helmet.
In Lancashire, England, no person is permitted after being asked to stop by a constable on the seashore to incite a dog to bark.
In Miami, Florida, it is illegal to skateboard in a police station.
In England, all men over the age of 14 must carry out two hours of longbow practice a day. Don't all English-men own longbows?
In London, Freemen are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged a toll; they are also allowed to drive geese down Cheapside. Some would could say it's favoritism.
Now this is an interesting feat to accomplish: In the UK, a man who feels compelled to urinate in public can do so only if he aims for his rear wheel and keeps his right hand on his vehicle.
In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed. No wonder the jails are so filled!
In Kentucky, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon more than six-feet long.
In Chester, Welshmen are banned from entering the city before sunrise and from staying after sunset.
In the city of York, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
In Boulder, Colorado, it is illegal to kill a bird within the city limits and also to “own” a pet – the town’s citizens, legally speaking, are merely “pet minders”.
In Vermont, women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth. And if they don't? Is there a jail term involved?
In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.
One of my favorites: The head of any dead whale found on the British coast is legally the property of the King; the tail, on the other hand, belongs to the Queen - in case she needs the bones for her corset. So...like...who does the rest belong to? Anybody know?
Suppose a visit to France is on the travel itinerary and while there for whatever reason, adopting a pig seems like a fun idea as is naming the pig, say...Napoleon. You would be breaking the law since it's illegal to name a pig Napolean. No mention if it's applicable to the naming of other pets,Napoleon like a cat or dog. I mean, how would authorities find out if one named one's pet Napolean, anyway? But I digress.
There are some strange laws around the world down in the books, for example:
In Ohio you're not allowed to get a fish drunk.Why anyone would waste good liquor on fish is another thing but I digress.
It is illegal for a cab in the City of London to carry rabid dogs or corpses. Don't we all? I mean, really...
It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. "Arrest that man for dying!"
It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside down. Why? Will she get dizzy?
In Alabama, it's illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle.
Royal Navy ships that enter the Port of London must provide a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.
In the UK, a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants – even, if she so requests, in a policeman’s helmet.
In Lancashire, England, no person is permitted after being asked to stop by a constable on the seashore to incite a dog to bark.
In Miami, Florida, it is illegal to skateboard in a police station.
In England, all men over the age of 14 must carry out two hours of longbow practice a day. Don't all English-men own longbows?
In London, Freemen are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged a toll; they are also allowed to drive geese down Cheapside. Some would could say it's favoritism.
Now this is an interesting feat to accomplish: In the UK, a man who feels compelled to urinate in public can do so only if he aims for his rear wheel and keeps his right hand on his vehicle.
In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed. No wonder the jails are so filled!
In Kentucky, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon more than six-feet long.
In Chester, Welshmen are banned from entering the city before sunrise and from staying after sunset.
In the city of York, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
In Boulder, Colorado, it is illegal to kill a bird within the city limits and also to “own” a pet – the town’s citizens, legally speaking, are merely “pet minders”.
In Vermont, women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth. And if they don't? Is there a jail term involved?
In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.
One of my favorites: The head of any dead whale found on the British coast is legally the property of the King; the tail, on the other hand, belongs to the Queen - in case she needs the bones for her corset. So...like...who does the rest belong to? Anybody know?
Thursday, April 19, 2007
A Stranger's Last Wish...whoever...whatever
Like many people reading this I'm a cyber $$$ millionaire a few times - more than a mere few times - over but today, posted directly in one of my e-mail's bulk file, I was asked to fulfill a dying man's wish. This letter joins all the others including one from my Nigerian friend, Mr. Nagobukutu along with hundreds - nay - thousands of "friends" from around the globe. However, this was my first letter from a dying friend.
It's true! Really!
As is the case with all the other "offers" the request came by letter and I know it was directed to me personally because it was addressed: "dear friend." The sender, a virtual stranger in the true sense of the word, seeked me out personally explaining, "I got your contact informations from the web data directory when I was searching for a relaible individual to assist me in this project." I mean - how much more personal can it get?
Before going into his spiel...I mean to say, before he explained the purpose of his letter, he wrote: "I don't want you to feel SORRY or PITY for me because I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Mr. Larry -----, a merchant in Dubai in the U.A.E. I have been diagnosed with prostate and esophageal Cancer that was discovered lately due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled (a Freudian slip perhaps?) all forms of medicine and right now,I have only about few months to live according to medical experts."Furthermore," he went on to confess and/or reflect on his past, "I have not particularly lived my life so well as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business. I wasn't too generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my businesses as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world."
Oh yeah?
Larry - I'm sure he doesn't mind me using his first name since I feel that we became cyber buds in the money sense - then went on the juicy part where he explained that he was rich and "the last of my money, which I planned to use in openning a shopping complex in London is a huge cash deposited with a Financial Security Firm abroad. I want to donate it to any worthy, charity organisation, hence my contacting you with blind trust having been led by my intuition of goodwill."
Aw Larry! Such generosity!
'Intuition of goodwill' - such poetic drivel...I mean, self-expression.
Anyway, the gist of his communique was "...I am looking for a trustworthy individual/firm to help me collect this deposited funds with the Financial Firm abroad and dispatch it to charity organizations and let them know that I, Mr Larry ---- is making this generous donation as a dying man's last wish."
Now ain't he just the greatest? I get all choked up at the point where he says he is writing his letter to me in a hospital bed on a laptop computer.
He closes his comminique by writing: " I have decided to offer you 25% of the total sum and also set aside 5% for all your expenses (i.e for any expenses you may incure during the process of this project).
I mean...here's a guy - Larry - a stranger let's not forget - who makes me an offer that I can easily refuse! Is there no end to how much cyber money a person can make?
Anybody else receive a letter from Larry? If not - I'm sure he'll get to you all sooner or later.
Writers & Friends forum
www.jrslater.com/forum
It's true! Really!
As is the case with all the other "offers" the request came by letter and I know it was directed to me personally because it was addressed: "dear friend." The sender, a virtual stranger in the true sense of the word, seeked me out personally explaining, "I got your contact informations from the web data directory when I was searching for a relaible individual to assist me in this project." I mean - how much more personal can it get?
Before going into his spiel...I mean to say, before he explained the purpose of his letter, he wrote: "I don't want you to feel SORRY or PITY for me because I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Mr. Larry -----, a merchant in Dubai in the U.A.E. I have been diagnosed with prostate and esophageal Cancer that was discovered lately due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled (a Freudian slip perhaps?) all forms of medicine and right now,I have only about few months to live according to medical experts."Furthermore," he went on to confess and/or reflect on his past, "I have not particularly lived my life so well as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business. I wasn't too generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my businesses as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world."
Oh yeah?
Larry - I'm sure he doesn't mind me using his first name since I feel that we became cyber buds in the money sense - then went on the juicy part where he explained that he was rich and "the last of my money, which I planned to use in openning a shopping complex in London is a huge cash deposited with a Financial Security Firm abroad. I want to donate it to any worthy, charity organisation, hence my contacting you with blind trust having been led by my intuition of goodwill."
Aw Larry! Such generosity!
'Intuition of goodwill' - such poetic drivel...I mean, self-expression.
Anyway, the gist of his communique was "...I am looking for a trustworthy individual/firm to help me collect this deposited funds with the Financial Firm abroad and dispatch it to charity organizations and let them know that I, Mr Larry ---- is making this generous donation as a dying man's last wish."
Now ain't he just the greatest? I get all choked up at the point where he says he is writing his letter to me in a hospital bed on a laptop computer.
He closes his comminique by writing: " I have decided to offer you 25% of the total sum and also set aside 5% for all your expenses (i.e for any expenses you may incure during the process of this project).
I mean...here's a guy - Larry - a stranger let's not forget - who makes me an offer that I can easily refuse! Is there no end to how much cyber money a person can make?
Anybody else receive a letter from Larry? If not - I'm sure he'll get to you all sooner or later.
Writers & Friends forum
www.jrslater.com/forum
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