Quick Links: Sheep Rescued from Tree, etc.
Sheep Rescued from Tree
Firemen were called to rescue a sheep, later nicknamed 'Tarzan', from seven metres off the ground.
(Thanks, Gerrit.)
Oldest New World Writing Discovered
A stone slab discovered in Mexico in the 1990s shows the oldest example of New World writing, new evidence suggests.
(Thanks, Dave.)
Pierce Your Ride
As far as I can tell, a non-hoax website selling vehicle piercings. They look pretty cool, and I have to say that, if I drove, I wouldn't mind them on my car...
(Thanks, Big Al.)
Posted By: Flora | Date:
Fri Sep 15, 2006 |
Permalink |
Comments (10)
Category:
Animals,
History,
Technology
Giant Swiss Army Knife
Status: Real

This has to be a publicity stunt, because how could anyone actually use this thing? It's a
Giant Swiss Army knife, featuring 85 tools, including a flashlight, golf divot repair tool, fish scaler, cigar cutter, toothpick, and a key ring. It weighs 2 pounds, 11 ounces and measures 8.75 inches. Wenger is selling it for $1200. But you have to special order each one.
Posted By: Alex | Date:
Thu Aug 24, 2006 |
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Comments (20)
Category:
Technology
Quick Links: Odd Chickens, etc.
Odd Chickens
This site includes a rare photo of
Mike the Headless Chicken.
(Thanks, Dethcheez.)
Women send private emails to the world
Yep, it's another case of someone hitting the wrong button, and things taking a turn for the embarrassing.
Chicken or rat?
Could you tell chicken from rat when it's been properly prepared and cooked? (Perhaps not suitable for those of a nervous disposition.)
Posted By: Flora | Date:
Mon Aug 21, 2006 |
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Comments (10)
Category:
Animals,
Food,
Sex/Romance,
Technology
Quick Links: Bonsai Contortionist, etc.
Bonsai Contortionist
Hugo Zamoratte is known as 'The Bottle Man' and has the ability to dislocate almost every bone in his body.
Playing Astronauts
The Haughton Mars Project's research and development of ways to survive in space seem like a dream come true for big kids.
Cardboard Office
Mike, a keen prankster, pushed his co-workers too far. It was probably a mistake to then take a few days away from the office.
Lobster Pinches Wallet
A man who lost his wallet during a late-night swim was surprised when it turned up in the claws of a lobster caught by a diver.
Posted By: Flora | Date:
Mon Aug 14, 2006 |
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Comments (12)
Category:
Animals,
Entertainment,
Pranks,
Science,
Technology
Prankplace.com
TOOTING ANGELThis little angel ate too many beans the night before Christmas. When you walk past her, she lets 'em rip (because of a hidden motion sensor in her hand).
Quick Links: Banana Phone, etc.
Banana Phone
Disguise your mobile phone as a banana. Admittedly a pretty stupid product, and yet I want one. Too bad I'm one of the last people on Earth not to own a mobile phone. (via
OhGizmo)
5Lb Fat Replica

Amazon is selling a "A grossly dramatic replica of 5 lbs. of fat." However, gift wrapping is not available for this item, so you can't send it as a mean gift to someone you don't like. The one reviewer for this item gives it "Bonus points for the realistic blood vessels!" I don't know if this is at all related to the
Pet Fat gimmick that someone was marketing a few years ago. (via
J-Walk)
Hodag Search
The town of Rhinelander, Wisconsin is holding an open casting call
"for people who have the best Hodag stories or "sightings" of the mythical creature." Video of people telling the stories will be used in an upcoming TV ad campaign. For some reason, I have a vision of
Ellen Feiss doing these ads:
"And the hodag was going, like, bleep-bleep-bleep-bleep."
Digital Beautification
Researchers have developed a "digital beautification" algorithm that, when applied to a photograph of a human face, can make that face look "more attractive in just a few minutes without significantly altering the person's appearance." The algorithm and software was developed by Tommer Leyvand of Tel Aviv University in Israel. My problem when anyone takes my picture is my complete inability to smile on command for the camera. If I try to fake a smile I get a maniacal grimace look. If this algorithm could do anything to fix that, I'd definitely use it.
Posted By: Alex | Date:
Sun Aug 13, 2006 |
Permalink |
Comments (12)
Category:
Body Manipulation,
Tall Tales,
Technology
Quick Links: Perishing Penguins, etc.
Penguins Perish in Freak Texas Truck Accident
A truck carrying zoo animals to a new home overturned on a Texas highway. Four penguins died as well as some exotic fish. The octopus got away unharmed. The person who emailed me this (they didn't give a name) writes :
"The story itself isn't all that interesting, but the headline is a classic. Possible sequel to Hippo Eats Dwarf?"
Beware of Eyeball-Sucking Red Lamprey
A prankster in northern Wisconsin has been placing hoax signs around lakes. The signs are decorated with the logo of the Department of Natural Resources and claim that a) a bounty is being paid for crayfish if you deliver them to a DNR office; and b) There's an invasion of red lamprey who like to attach themselves to the optic nerve of swimmers. I assume that red lamprey do not attach themselves to eyeballs. But do they attach themselves to any part of the body? Big Gary's knowledge is needed here.
Chinese Create Robot Secretary
Chinese researchers have created an attractive robot secretary. She can greet visitors, act as a tour guide, and is equipped with advanced voice and movement control. Her name is Rong Cheng. This reminds me of that John Hughes movie
Weird Science. (Thanks, Kathy)
Zaky Infant Pillow
Now you can fool your baby into thinking that you're there holding it as it falls asleep, while you're really out in a bar getting drunk.
"The Zaky is an ergonomic infant pillow designed by a mom to mimic the size, weight, touch, and feel of her hand and forearm to help her baby with comfort, support, protection, and development." Kids raised on this thing will be natural customers, later in life, for the
Boyfriend Arm Pillow. (via
Must Have Gizmos)
Posted By: Alex | Date:
Thu Aug 10, 2006 |
Permalink |
Comments (10)
Category:
Animals,
Birth/Babies,
Technology
Quick Links: Square Watermelon, etc.
Flora and I have decided on a more efficient way to post links that really don't need (or don't deserve) an entire post of their own. We'll just dump them together in a "quick links" post whenever we accumulate a bunch of them. Should mean more stuff gets posted. Here's the first such set of links:
Square Watermelon
Soon to be on sale in Britain. Really.
"Boxes are placed around the growing fuit which naturally swells to fill the shape." Buy two and get a
bonsai kitten free!
(Thanks, Lou)
Reuters admits altering Beirut photo
Bloggers spot repeating symmetrical patterns in Beirut smoke. Cry photoshop.
Amazon Milk Reviews
Amazon now selling groceries. I suspect some of these user reviews for "Tuscan Whole Milk" might not be completely serious. (via
Metafilter)
Tom Cruise Can't Throw a Baseball
YouTube video offers slow-motion analysis of the scene in
War of the Worlds where Tom Cruise throws a baseball. Or rather, pretends to throw a baseball.
The Ring Prank
Annoying online prank inspired by "The Ring." Enter your friends phone number and email address in the
online form. Your friend will receive an email with a link to "The Ring" video. Once they watch the video, they'll then receive a phone call with a computer-generated voice telling them "You will die in seven days." The best way to get revenge on someone who does this to you is to fake your death after seven days. They'll feel guilty then.
Popularity Dialer
Mobile phone application allows you to pre-plan excuses to escape from unpleasant meetings.
"Via a web interface, you can choose to have your phone called at a particular time (or several times). At the elected time, your phone will be dialed and you will hear a prerecorded message that's one half of a conversation. Thus, you will be prompted to have a fake conversation and will easily fool those around you." Reminds me of
Escape-a-date. (via
Boing Boing)
Posted By: Alex | Date:
Mon Aug 07, 2006 |
Permalink |
Comments (18)
Category:
Food,
Journalism,
Photos/Videos,
Pranks,
Technology
Wooden Knobs For Your Stereo
Status: Dubious product

This seems like it should be a joke, but I don't think it is. Reference Audio Mods is selling
wooden knobs for Silver Rock stereo equipment (to replace the standard metal knobs). They claim these knobs will greatly improve sound quality:
The point here is the micro vibrations created by the volume pots and knobs find their way into the delicate signal path and cause degradation (Bad vibrations equal bad sound). With the signature knobs micro vibrations from the C37 concept of wood, bronze and the lacquer itself compensate for the volume pots and provide (Good Vibrations) our ear/brain combination like to hear... way better sound!!
And they're asking $485.00! I refuse to believe that wooden knobs would make any difference in the sound quality of stereo equipment.
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Nov 08, 2005:
Altmann Tube-O-Lator Lacquer
Posted By: Alex | Date:
Wed Aug 02, 2006 |
Permalink |
Comments (33)
Category:
Technology