Do not drink the toilet water, okay? And don't juggle hand grenades, either

We human beings can always be counted upon to provide - how shall we say - interesting material that makes us shake our head in wonderment and bewilderment.

So for whatever reason, let's say somebody reading this decides to visit the Phoenix area perhaps for work or pleasure. While checking out the city and Chandler, Arizona in particular following a large consumption of coffee...or tea...whatever, nature calls and a trip to the bathroom is necessary. It appears there are signs posted in restrooms of a new $73 million, five-story building warning people not to drink water out of the urinals and toilets, which happen to use re-cycled water. Unless one gets down on one's hands and knees, this is not a probability, anyway. Mind you, non-human four-legged non-humans like cats or dogs might find this a deterrent. Thinking further, would this law apply to them?

The reason for the posting is that city code regulations located 20 miles southeast of Phoenix to post signs or tint water blue to flag the existence of non-potable "gray water."

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Been juggling various life choices? Someone in San Francisco for whatever reason known obviously only to him, decided that it might be fun and definitely an attention-getter, to perform a juggling act at Fisherman's wharf. What makes this news is that his choice of juggling material was a hand grenade. Presumably, this was a one-item juggling act. But I digress. Bomb squad investigators responding to this man's choice of items, closed down the entire block in response. After further investigation, police determined that the grenade was a fake.

The performer, who has not been identified, was arrested and may face charges. I bet.

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Last but definitely not least - another study

Love those studies. Some researchers living in Montreal, Canada, obviously and again for whatever reason known only to them, conducted studies that revealed the sight of red meat on a dinner table seems to calm men down and makes them less aggressive.

The research recruited 82 men men who believed they could punish an aide reading a script with various volumes of sound every time he made an error while they sorted photos, some with pictures of meat and others with neutral images. This leads one to wonder what this has to do with meat. But I digress.

The researchers initially believed the men would inflict more discomfort on the script reader while they sorted photos of cooked red meat, but that didn't turn out to be the case.

The researcher says in hindsight, it makes sense that our ancestors would be calm at the sight of meat that is ready to eat as they would be surrounded by their loved ones at meal time. O-kaaaaay....

This leads one to wonder - again - whether the sight of real meat would have the adverse affect, or whether the same would be applicable when seeing photos of raw chicken and other varieties of meat. Also, what about cooked meat? As a person who prepares meals regularly, my feeling is that the sight of a cooked meal when one doesn't have to prepare it is infinitely better. Really.

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?