31 August 2008
Balls Found Inside 'Rattling' Dog
06/09/2008 06:29
Thirteen golf balls
were found inside
OscarA dog had to have 13 golf balls removed from its stomach after eating them on walks around a Fife course.
Owner Chris Morrison had been taking five-year-old black labrador Oscar round the Pitreavie golf course in Dunfermline for several months.
He took Oscar to the vet after noticing a rattling sound coming from his pet's stomach.
They then discovered that 13 balls - each weighing 45 grams - were lodged in his stomach.
Mr Morrison, a planning administrator, said one of the balls had been in his stomach so long that it had turned black and was decomposing.
Bouncing details here.
SINC SAYS:
It would appear that Oscar had more balls than the average dog.
Man In Wheelchair Robs Texas 7-Eleven Of Condoms
06/09/2008 06:25
Canadian Press: THE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS - A robber rolled into a Dallas convenience store came armed with a bat and a knife. He left with a lot of condoms and an energy drink.
Dallas police Cpl. Kevin Janse said Friday that a man in a wheelchair entered a Dallas 7-Eleven Wednesday afternoon, rolled straight toward the cash register and beat it with a baseball bat until it opened. But he didn't grab any cash. Instead, police say he stole 10 boxes of condoms and an energy drink before making his getaway Wednesday afternoon.
Janse says the suspect may have been homeless and was likely intoxicated at the time of the robbery.
SINC SAYS:
I think the guy was dead sober folks. I mean why else would he need that energy drink to go with all those condoms?
City Of Las Vegas Getting Tough On Taggers
06/09/2008 06:19
The City of Las Vegas
is adding more ammunition in their war against
graffiti vandals. City Council members approved
stiffening penalties, raising fines and if
caught destroying property, taggers could even
lose their drivers
license.Graffiti is more than an eyesore, it's a tell-tell sign of a bigger problem; gangs.
Not only does it deface the community, but it cost tax payers nearly $30 million to clean it all up. City Council members have had enough.
Take a drive through the valley and it won't take long to find.
"They will go down here and do the entire neighborhood," said Travis Tapia. It's his job to cover it all up, "It's a full time job, all day, every day."
He spends hours fixing the damage graffiti vandals took just seconds to leave behind.
"We are not going to have this graffiti on our public and private property. I am not going to stand for it," said Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow. "It is ugly and I am looking to beautify the community."
Full story here.
SINC SAYS:
In Vegas they fine the perpetrator. In Edmonton they fine the owner of the building. See anything wrong here?
Man Who Refused Drink Murdered For Being 'Cheeky'
06/09/2008 06:16
A THUG who kicked a
man to death for refusing a drink said his
victim was being
"cheeky".
Thomas Muir, 44, was questioned by police after Val Dalzell's body was found at a drinking den in Clydebank, on 21 February.
He told them that Mr
Dalzell was sleeping off a drinking binge
under a quilt, wearing only socks and
underpants.
A court heard that when Mr Dalzell, 48, refused another drink, Muir challenged him to fight. Muir later told police: "He was very cheeky to me. I turned round and said: 'Would you like to put your clothes on, mate, and we'll have a square go?' He said 'no' then I jumped for his head."
But at the High Court in Edinburgh he denied murder – claiming someone else was as likely to have inflicted the fatal blow.
The jury found Muir guilty of murder. The judge, Lord Menzies, remanded him in custody. He is to be sentenced next month.
SINC SAYS:
I thought that a Scot was only cheeky under his kilt.
A court heard that when Mr Dalzell, 48, refused another drink, Muir challenged him to fight. Muir later told police: "He was very cheeky to me. I turned round and said: 'Would you like to put your clothes on, mate, and we'll have a square go?' He said 'no' then I jumped for his head."
But at the High Court in Edinburgh he denied murder – claiming someone else was as likely to have inflicted the fatal blow.
The jury found Muir guilty of murder. The judge, Lord Menzies, remanded him in custody. He is to be sentenced next month.
SINC SAYS:
I thought that a Scot was only cheeky under his kilt.
'It Seemed To Be A Body From WWII'
06/09/2008 06:10
What appear to be the
"feet" are visible in the canopy (image
courtesy of Lisa
Fabre)A team of Australian investigators is preparing an expedition to the arduous Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, after a hiker spotted what is believed to be the body of a World War II airman hanging from a tree. The BBC's Becky Branford found out more.
History is alive on the densely forested slopes north of Port Moresby, the Papua New Guinea capital.
The hillsides around what is known as the Kokoda Trail are littered with rusting guns, grenades and mortars - reminders of the strategically crucial battles that raged there in 1942 and 1943.
Hundreds of Australians lost their lives fighting off an invading Japanese force that probably planned to use Port Moresby as a bridgehead for an assault on the Australian mainland. Japanese losses were several times heavier.
David Collins, who leads treks along the Kokoda Trail, is used to imagining how the stench of death, sickness and starvation once hung heavy in the air in what is now a verdant and peaceful landscape.
But he little imagined that he would one day be confronted with what is probably the corpse of one of the many fighters who lost their lives.
Details here.
SINC SAYS:
That’s a long time to be hanging around the jungle.
Phone Number Error On U.S. Government 'Duck Stamp'
06/09/2008 06:07
Sends callers to sex
lineWASHINGTON - It's clearly a case where the U.S. government failed to get all its ducks in a row.
Now callers are getting their feathers ruffled over a typographical mix-up in a phone number that tells hunters where to call to buy their duck stamps. The Duck stamps, which cost $15 a piece, are required to hunt migratory waterfowl in the United States.
The carrier card for the duck stamp transposes two numbers so, instead of listing 1-800-782-6724, it lists 1-800-872-6724.
The first number spells out 1-800-STAMP24, while the second number spells out 1-800-TRAMP24.
As a result, people calling a federal phone number to order duck stamps are greeted instead by a phone-sex line where they are enticed by a husky female voice to "talk only to the girls that turn you on," for $1.99 a minute.
More from CBC News.
SINC SAYS:
Well, that would be quite a surprise. Call for a duck license and hook up with talk dirty to me baby.
Mountain Jumper Survives Crash After Chute Problem
06/09/2008 06:06
OSLO, Norway - A Norwegian thrill jumper says he learned a hard lesson about tempting fate after surviving a spine-chilling crash in a jump from a mountain.
Video captured by a camera attached to Hans Lange's specially designed jump suit showed him struggling to straighten out his parachute before slamming into a rock wall and crashing into a tree top.
He survived with a broken leg.
The 44-year-old says he was "too nonchalant" and added "there is no room for mistakes in this sport."
The accident happened Aug. 23, as the experienced BASE jumper leapt off the 1,600-metre-high peak.
BASE is an acronym that stands for the categories of fixed objects from which a person can jump with a parachute - building, antenna, span or earth.
More from CBC News.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
With respect to BASE jumping, I have always been told it’s not the jumping that hurts, it’s the sudden stop at the end.
Disgraced Sprinter Marion Jones Released From Prison
06/09/2008 06:05
SAN ANTONIO - Disgraced sprinter Marion Jones has been released from federal prison after completing her sentence for lying about her steroid use.
A federal Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman says Jones was released Friday morning from a halfway house in San Antonio after serving most of her six-month sentence for lying to federal investigators about her use of performance-enhancing drugs.
An admitted steroid dealer testified that he gave Jones a cocktail of steriods before the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
She was stripped of her five medals in 2007 after admitting that she used the drugs.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Hmm . . . six months for lying about steroid use, eh? Seems to me the punishment still doesn’t fit the crime a lot of times in North America.
Pillow Dome To Get $65 Million Facelift
06/09/2008 06:05
BC Place Stadium is getting a $65-million interior upgrade in time for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
B.C. Pavilion Corp., the provincial Crown corporation responsible for the stadium, hopes to spruce up everything from concession stands to lighting to the facility's washrooms.
Much of the stadium's outdated interior will be replaced with a modern new colour scheme and wood accents, designed to give the facility a warmer, more comfortable feel, according to PavCo chair David Podmore.
"The work we're doing right now we can comfortably complete before 2010. I have no concerns about that at all. And it's also an enhancement for the uses of the building for 2010," he said.
The $65 million for the interior upgrade will come from cash reserves and money from future real estate sales around the stadium. The renovations will be completed well in advance of the Winter Games, Podmore said Thursday.
More from CBC Sports.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Isn’t it just amazing how governments can find money for projects like this when the Olympic games are involved? It’s all about putting your best “face” on for the rest of the world to see, isn’t it?
LPGA Backs Down On Requirement To Speak English
06/09/2008 06:04
The LPGA Tour has backed off plans that would have suspended players who could not efficiently speak English.
The policy was widely criticized as discriminating against players, with most of the attention on Asians.
LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens said Friday the tour would announce a revised plan by the end of the year. That plan would not include any penalties.
Bivens said there are other ways to achieve the tour's objective of ''supporting and enhancing the business opportunities for every tour player.''
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
That’s unfortunate, really. If North American players went elsewhere to play regularly, you can bet your bottom dollar they would have to speak the language.
Scene And Noted Around St. Albert . . .
05/09/2008 08:29
Bits ‘n pieces from
here and
there:
St. Albert Transit Drivers Don’t Obey Traffic Rules?
Yesterday afternoon, Thursday September 4, my wife and I made a trip to D’Arcy’s Meat Market in Campbell Park.
We left our home on Fenwick Crescent and turned right off Fenwick onto Falstaff and stopped for the red light at the intersection of Hebert Road while we waited to turn left.
It was exactly 2:28 pm when St. Albert Transit bus number 680 came up behind us and squeezed past us in the right lane as we waited for the red light to change so we could turn left.
The thing is though folks, when it made that right turn onto Hebert Road, it didn’t stop for that red light. Hell, it hardly slowed down.
This is not the first time I have seen similar traffic infractions by St. Albert Transit drivers. The last one was speeding in a playground zone which I reported to the city at the time.
What gives St. Albert Transit drivers the right to ignore traffic laws? It certainly reflects poorly on the city and worse, is a safety hazard for the passengers they carry.
I will report this incident too as I will copy an e-mail of this story to the mayor.
Such behaviour by St. Albert Transit drivers is just plain wrong. They should be setting an example to other drivers. But if those drivers are under pressure from St. Albert Transit to maintain schedules as some former drivers tell me, we know fully where the blame lies, don't we?
D’Arcy’s Meat Market Changes Hours
As I mentioned in the item above, we dropped in to see D’Arcy yesterday and I noticed quite a change in his hours of operation.
Not only did D’Arcy change the hours he is open, he changed the days he is open.
The shop is now only open for three days a week as follows:
Thursdays: Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Fridays: Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
D’Arcy told me he just can’t get reliable help to keep the place open for any more hours per week. “As soon as I pay them, they don’t show up the next day,” he lamented.
D’Arcy is not the only business that faces such obstacles these days. It is sad to see service levels decline for lack of staff, but I hear similar stories everywhere I go these days.
So if you enjoy D’Arcy’s products as we do, make a note of the new days and times so you can buy your product when they’re open.
Good luck with your new system D’Arcy.
Canada Post Taken To Task
I see a full page ad in Wednesday’s Gazette urging their readers to contact Canada Post to complain about newspaper delivery to their rural subscribers.
The issue? Canada Post won’t guarantee delivery on publication day, or even the following day.
If my memory serves me correctly from my dealings with Canada Post over the years, this was an option built into their “delivery rules” that they never really followed. But as I recall it was always there.
It is no secret that Canada Post has long coveted the flyer business, essentially taken away from them many years earlier by newspapers who undercut their rates and stole the business.
That prompted them to launch “Admail”, a program designed to try and recoup that flyer business.
I suspect that the lucrative flyer business is what is driving their current stance on newspaper deliver in general.
And no amount of reader complaining will change that in my opinion.
It is simply one more chapter in the slow but steady decline of the newspaper industry.
St. Albert Transit Drivers Don’t Obey Traffic Rules?
Yesterday afternoon, Thursday September 4, my wife and I made a trip to D’Arcy’s Meat Market in Campbell Park.
We left our home on Fenwick Crescent and turned right off Fenwick onto Falstaff and stopped for the red light at the intersection of Hebert Road while we waited to turn left.
It was exactly 2:28 pm when St. Albert Transit bus number 680 came up behind us and squeezed past us in the right lane as we waited for the red light to change so we could turn left.
The thing is though folks, when it made that right turn onto Hebert Road, it didn’t stop for that red light. Hell, it hardly slowed down.
This is not the first time I have seen similar traffic infractions by St. Albert Transit drivers. The last one was speeding in a playground zone which I reported to the city at the time.
What gives St. Albert Transit drivers the right to ignore traffic laws? It certainly reflects poorly on the city and worse, is a safety hazard for the passengers they carry.
I will report this incident too as I will copy an e-mail of this story to the mayor.
Such behaviour by St. Albert Transit drivers is just plain wrong. They should be setting an example to other drivers. But if those drivers are under pressure from St. Albert Transit to maintain schedules as some former drivers tell me, we know fully where the blame lies, don't we?
D’Arcy’s Meat Market Changes Hours
As I mentioned in the item above, we dropped in to see D’Arcy yesterday and I noticed quite a change in his hours of operation.
Not only did D’Arcy change the hours he is open, he changed the days he is open.
The shop is now only open for three days a week as follows:
Thursdays: Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Fridays: Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
D’Arcy told me he just can’t get reliable help to keep the place open for any more hours per week. “As soon as I pay them, they don’t show up the next day,” he lamented.
D’Arcy is not the only business that faces such obstacles these days. It is sad to see service levels decline for lack of staff, but I hear similar stories everywhere I go these days.
So if you enjoy D’Arcy’s products as we do, make a note of the new days and times so you can buy your product when they’re open.
Good luck with your new system D’Arcy.
Canada Post Taken To Task
I see a full page ad in Wednesday’s Gazette urging their readers to contact Canada Post to complain about newspaper delivery to their rural subscribers.
The issue? Canada Post won’t guarantee delivery on publication day, or even the following day.
If my memory serves me correctly from my dealings with Canada Post over the years, this was an option built into their “delivery rules” that they never really followed. But as I recall it was always there.
It is no secret that Canada Post has long coveted the flyer business, essentially taken away from them many years earlier by newspapers who undercut their rates and stole the business.
That prompted them to launch “Admail”, a program designed to try and recoup that flyer business.
I suspect that the lucrative flyer business is what is driving their current stance on newspaper deliver in general.
And no amount of reader complaining will change that in my opinion.
It is simply one more chapter in the slow but steady decline of the newspaper industry.
The Old Wal*Mart Wardrobe Malfunction Trick
05/09/2008 06:37
Sinc,
Here’s what happened in the lineup at Wal*Mart yesterday. As you know any time spent in the lineup at the east end Wal*Mart can supply you with fodder for a number of issues of MyBirdie, but I digress.
I was standing there with my box of rice, admiring the casual way they mix trail mix with thumb drives along the wall as you're herded to the checkouts, when I heard the man in front of me suddenly take a deep breath.
The reason for his distress was a "wardrobe malfunction" on the woman directly opposite him in the line. She was blissfully unaware of the change in temperature and went about her attempts to maneuver kids and carts ahead of her.
To the relief of everyone else in the line, I came to her rescue and pointed out the problem.
I'm sure the man will recover eventually, but judging by the color of his face, he was near apoplexy.
Margaret
Regina, SK.
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for sharing that funny story Margaret. I see more wardrobe malfunctions in the summer than enough. Trouble is, some of ‘em want to make you look the other way.
The Frugal Ways Of The Scottish People
05/09/2008 06:35
A man in Scotland
calls his son in London the day before
Christmas Eve and says, ‘I hate to ruin your
day, but I have to tell you that your Mother
and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery
is enough’.
'Dad, what are you talking about?' the son screams.
‘We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,' the father says. 'We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Leeds and tell her.'
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. 'Like hell they're getting divorced,' she shouts, 'I'll take care of this,'
She calls Scotland immediately, and screams at her father, 'You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?' and hangs up.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. 'Okay,' he says, 'They're coming for Christmas and they're paying their own way.'
EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50
05/09/2008 06:31
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side.
With a 5-lb. potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.
Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.
After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb. potato bags.
Then try 50-lb. potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb. potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level.)
After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.
SINC SAYS:
Seriously folks, give it a try. It really makes you feel good.
Questions Surround Exploding Glass Tabletops
05/09/2008 06:28
PLANO - Nationwide,
including North Texas, reports of glass
tabletops randomly exploding have spread
concern.Lawsuits have ensued as tables continue to explode. Now, one Plano woman wants to share her own experience.
Audrey Ruedas said she loves spending time on her outdoor patio.
"It was really a nice day - normal, calm [and] no wind," she said of the day she was hit with a big surprise.
Without warning, Ruedas said the glass in her patio table suddenly exploded.
"I just didn't know what to think," she said.
Breaking story here.
SINC SAYS:
The story goes on to state that glass is neither a solid, nor a liquid. Who knew?
Woman Rows From San Francisco To Hawaii
05/09/2008 06:24
Waikiki, Hawaii --
Ninety-nine days after she rowed west beneath
the Golden Gate Bridge, Roz Savage landed on
Monday in a much different setting:
Hawaii.Savage, who set out from San Francisco on May 25 in an attempt to become the first woman to row alone across the Pacific Ocean, rowed before dawn through the choppy waters of Molokai Channel off Waikiki. After daylight she was met by supporters in a boat dispatched by the Waikiki Yacht Club.
The English-born Savage rowed the Atlantic Ocean in 2005, then spent two years in the cottage of a Woodside supporter while lining up sponsors for what is projected to be a three-part, 7,200-mile journey ending in Australia. She first set off in her customized 24-foot rowboat last year, but that launch foundered after 10 days.
This summer, though, Savage was able to settle into a routine of days spent rowing for 12 to 15 hours, followed in part by updating her Web site via modem and satellite phone.
Savage, who describes the goal of her voyage as "trying to raise awareness of the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean," will resume rowing next spring.
Besides food, a sea anchor and two laptop computers, Savage traveled with four iPods containing audio books - a diversion she didn't have on the Atlantic.
"I listened to 62 books," Savage said in a telephone call from her Waikiki hotel. "They passed the time and helped keep me sane."
SINC SAYS:
This is yet another one of those things that prompts me to simply ask, why?
Brothers Admit Plundering Corpses In Philadelphia
05/09/2008 06:19
They Sold Parts From
At Least 244 Bodies Brought To Their Funeral
HomePHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Two brothers who ran a funeral home and crematorium admitted Tuesday that they sold corpses to a company that trafficked in stolen body parts, a macabre scheme that left families aghast and wondering about the fate of their loved ones.
Louis and Gerald Garzone pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy, theft, abuse of corpse and welfare fraud.
The gruesome allegations read in court drew gasps, murmurs and tears from about two dozen people who had entrusted the bodies of their loved ones to the Garzones' facilities in Philadelphia.
The brothers allowed at least 244 corpses to be carved up without families' permission and without medical tests, prosecutors said.
Skin, bones, tendons and other parts -- some of them diseased -- were then sold around the country for dental implants, knee and hip replacements and other procedures.
Some bodies were only torsos by the time the hacking was done, said Assistant District Attorney Evangelia Manos.
The mastermind of the scheme, Michael Mastromarino, pleaded guilty Friday to hundreds of charges that could send him to prison for life. He is already serving 18 to 54 years for running the scam in New York.
Gory details here.
SINC SAYS:
This is just so wrong, but better to know it can happen than to ignore that it did.
CFL Fines Argos’ Arland Bruce III For Using Prop
05/09/2008 06:19
The Canadian Football League fined Toronto Argonauts slotback Arland Bruce III an undisclosed amount on Tuesday for using a prop in a touchdown celebration in yesterday's game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
With just over five minutes to play in the first half and trailing the Ticats by six points, Bruce caught an 11-yard touchdown pass before surprising the crowd by donning a Spider-Man mask.
"I was Spider-Man in Winnipeg and I had to bring it back," Bruce told The Canadian Press. "My son (Arland Bruce IV) is a big Spider-Man fan; we had a mask that we used for Halloween."
Bruce said he was simply trying to lighten up the moment after enduring a tumultuous week that saw quarterback Michael Bishop get traded and veteran safety Orlondo Steinauer get cut.
"Just having fun on Labour Day," said Bruce. "If you recall Labour Day before, I did the Tiger Woods with the pylon. It's just fun out there, I love Labour Day Classics."
Bruce had a game-high 10 catches for 149 yards and a TD in the Argonauts victory.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I’ve always wondered why some players have to be “show boats.” Whatever happened to just playing the game and showing some class while you are at it?
Federer Reaches 18th Straight Grand Slam Semi
05/09/2008 06:18
Flushing Meadows, NY (Sports Network) - Reigning four-time champion Roger Federer was a hard-fought quarterfinal winner Thursday at the U.S. Open. The Swiss superstar will now play in his record 18th straight major semifinal.
The second-seeded former world No. 1 Federer held off qualifier Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) on Day 11 on the hardcourts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Federer took the first set via tiebreak against the 6-foot-5 big-serving Muller, as neither player was able to record a service break in the opening stanza.
In the second set, the Swiss would assume control of the bout by registering the first, and only, break of the match for a 5-4 lead and then closed out the stanza with a hold for a commanding two-sets-to-love advantage.
The third set went to another tiebreak, which Federer captured by winning five of the last six points. He converted on his first match point when a game Muller netted one final backhand.
Muller swatted 16 aces in the 2-hour, 26-minute affair.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
What an impressive record – reaching the semi-final in 18 straight Grand Slam events. Could it possibly be another Federer/Rafael Nadal final? If so, this would be the third Grand Slam event this year where the two will have faced off in the final – the others being Wimbledon and the French Open. If we could see a final that is even half as good as Wimbledon, it would be a real treat and something special.
Perry Lefko’s CFL Mid-Season Report Card
05/09/2008 06:17
School may have started this week in Canada, but for the Canadian Football League it's the halfway point of the season and Sportsnet.ca's CFL columnist Perry Lefko hands out report cards.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
To read Perry Lefko’s entire CFL mid-season report card, click here.
Dan Marino Believes NFL Could Succeed In Toronto
05/09/2008 06:16
TORONTO - He's not sure if the NFL is coming to Toronto, but there's no doubt in Dan Marino's mind whether a franchise could flourish in Ontario's capital.
"I've been here many times and it's a fun place, I don't see why it wouldn't work," Marino said. "I could see the problem with having Buffalo right there.
"But as far as the size of the city and the people and having NFL fans, I think it would work."
The long-time Miami Dolphins star quarterback was in town to preview the 2008 NFL season - which begins Thursday night with the Super Bowl-champion New York Giants facing the Washington Redskins - as well as help with NFL Canada's annual live fantasy draft and the Special Olympics Canada Foundation.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Here goes this old debate again. It’s possible the NFL could succeed in Toronto, alright, but it would be at the expense of the CFL. I’m sure there are a bunch of American cities that would jump at the opportunity to watch their boring brand of football every Sunday before the NFL looks to Toronto. But, then again, it's all about the money, as usual, isn't it?
Lorena Ochoa Criticizes LPGA’s English Rule
05/09/2008 06:16
MEXICO CITY - Lorena Ochoa of Mexico says a new LPGA Tour policy requiring players to be effective in English starting in 2009 is a ''little drastic.''
Ochoa, the No. 1 player in women's golf, says golfers are better judged by their performance.
She was asked at a charity event in her hometown of Guadalajara on Tuesday if she thought the new policy discriminated against international players.
''That is a very strong word. I wouldn't want to use it,'' said Ochoa, who speaks English. ''But I do think it is a little drastic.''
There are 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour, including 45 players from South Korea.
While some thought the rule might be aimed at the Koreans, Ochoa said, ''I think they are making an effort and they are trying to communicate more with the players, I think they are doing enough.''
The LPGA will require players to speak English during pro-ams, trophy presentations and media interviews starting in 2009, with players who have been LPGA members for two years facing suspension if they can't pass an oral evaluation of English skills. The rule is effective immediately for new players.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
We’re talking about tournament sponsors here. Methinks Lorena would be well advised to tread a little bit softly on this one.
French Minister Admits Defeat In Battle Against English
04/09/2008 05:40
French Education
minister Xavier Darcos has admitted the
secret to the French success is speaking
English
For generations, the French have fiercely guarded their language against the horreurs anglais.
But France's education minister yesterday admitted for the first time that the secret to success is speaking better English.
Xavier Darcos claimed poor English is now a 'handicap' because all international business is conducted in the language, and said French schools would offer extra lessons during the holidays.
He also admitted that, because of globalisation, very few people outside France will being able to speak French in the future.
Mr Darcos said he wanted to make it easier for all French students to learn English, saying that 'while well-off families pay for study sessions abroad, I'm offering them to everyone right here.'
Details in English here.
SINC SAYS:
We might want to file this story for future reference right here in Canada. French will die here as more immigrants arrive and eventually go the way of the Dodo as an official language.
For generations, the French have fiercely guarded their language against the horreurs anglais.
But France's education minister yesterday admitted for the first time that the secret to success is speaking better English.
Xavier Darcos claimed poor English is now a 'handicap' because all international business is conducted in the language, and said French schools would offer extra lessons during the holidays.
He also admitted that, because of globalisation, very few people outside France will being able to speak French in the future.
Mr Darcos said he wanted to make it easier for all French students to learn English, saying that 'while well-off families pay for study sessions abroad, I'm offering them to everyone right here.'
Details in English here.
SINC SAYS:
We might want to file this story for future reference right here in Canada. French will die here as more immigrants arrive and eventually go the way of the Dodo as an official language.
Experts Fear Firefly Populations Are Blinking Out
04/09/2008 05:35
BAN LOMTUAN, Thailand
— Preecha Jiabyu used to take tourists on a
rowboat to see the banks of the Mae Klong River
aglow with thousands of
fireflies.These days, all he sees are the fluorescent lights of hotels, restaurants and highway overpasses. He says he'd have to row a good two miles to see trees lit up with the magical creatures of his younger days.
"The firefly populations have dropped 70%, in the past three years," said Preecha, 58, a former teacher who started providing dozens of row boats to compete with polluting motor boats. "It's sad. They were a symbol of our city."
The fate of the insects drew more than 100 entomologists and biologists to Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai last week for an international symposium on the "Diversity and Conservation of Fireflies."
They then traveled Friday to Ban Lomtuan, an hour outside of Bangkok, to see the synchronous firefly Pteroptyx malaccae— known for its rapid, pulsating flashing that look like Christmas lights.
Yet another much-loved species imperiled by humankind? The evidence is entirely anecdotal, but there are anecdotes galore.
Lights out details here.
SINC SAYS:
I can remember seeing fireflies as a kid, but I haven’t seen one now for many years.
Beer Maker Wins Fight To Market 'Legal Weed'
04/09/2008 05:32
Vaune Dillmann of
Weed, Calif., who took on federal regulators
when they ordered his Mt. Shasta Brewing Co. to
stop using bottle caps with the slogan 'Try
Legal Weed,' prevails on
appeal.SACRAMENTO -- -- The brewer who dared market "Legal Weed" has won.
Vaune Dillmann took on federal regulators this year when they ordered his Mt. Shasta Brewing Co. in the Northern California town of Weed to stop topping beer bottles with caps bearing the play on words, "Try Legal Weed."
Regulators cited federal law prohibiting drug references on alcoholic beverages.
A plain-talking 61-year-old former cop, Dillmann refused to back down, and his high-spirited appeal drew widespread media attention as well as support from beer lovers and civil libertarians far and wide.
Now, facing a storm of bad publicity and the prospect of a drawn-out court battle, authorities at the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau have quietly reversed course. The agency finalized approval of Dillmann's controversial cap Thursday.
At first, Dillmann thought the fight might put his brewery out of business.
"They acted like Big Brother. They said I was guilty of a thought crime," Dillmann said of his six-month battle with the authorities. "But it's over. Weed fought the law, and Weed won!"
Dizzying details here.
SINC SAYS:
If there is anyone reading this story after using the “illegal” weed, they’re likely laughing their you-know-what’s off right now.
A STUNNING SENIOR MOMENT
04/09/2008 05:32
A self-important
university student attending a recent football
game took it upon himself to explain to a
senior citizen sitting next to him why it was
impossible for the older generation to
understand his generation.
'You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one' the student said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. 'The Young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon.
Our space probes have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, ships and electric and hydrogen cars, cell phones. Computers with light-speed processing... And more .'
After a brief silence the senior citizen responded as follows:
“You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young, so we invented them. Now, you arrogant little creep, what are you doing for the next generation?”
The applause was deafening.
Club Bans First Names On Kids' Team Jerseys
04/09/2008 05:25
Carmel youth sports
league changes policy to help guard against
sexual
predatorsCARMEL, Ind. -- Concerned about protecting children from potential sexual predators, the Carmel Dads Club has banned the use of first names and nicknames on the back of team jerseys.
"We did it for safety," said Mike McGinley, president of the organization, which oversees nearly a dozen children's sports and 12,000 young athletes.
A parent's anxiety led to the change.
"She raised the concern about someone coming up to a kid and saying, 'Hi, Mary' or 'Hi, Jimmy,' and that might lead the youngster to believe that they knew them," he said.
The decision, made in mid-August, came too late for fall sports, so teams that have already printed their uniforms for football and soccer are exempt and do not need to order new ones. But the change will go into effect for winter and spring sports.
Silly details here.
SINC SAYS:
And yet another paranoid parent gets their way and destroys the fun for every kid out there. When will over protective parents get it that they can’t protect their charges from every little thing? I fear we’re raising a new generation of paranoid wimps.
The Clbuttic Mistake: When Obscenity Filters Go Wrong
04/09/2008 05:21
President Abraham
Lincoln was buttbuttinated by an armed
buttailant after a life devoted to the reform
of the US
consbreastution.Abraham Lincoln: A victim of buttbuttination?
Not an extract from an essay by a particularly poor history student, but a selection of the nonsense phrases created by automatic software designed to remove offensive words from articles posted on the internet.
The phenomena, known as “The Clbuttic Mistake” after a mangling of the word “classic” that is believed to be the first identified instance of the problem, can be found on tens of thousands of websites.
The error is caused by poorly programmed anti-obscenity filters – similar to spell checkers – that automatically replace words considered rude or offensive with more acceptable variants. “Butt” replaces “ass”, “breast” is substituted for “tit”, and so on.
Rudimentary versions of this software do not just replace obscene words, but also alter longer words which contain banned letter combinations, so "assassination" becomes "buttbuttination", "passenger" becomes "pbuttenger", and "passerby" becomes "pbutterby".
Clean up details here.
SINC SAYS:
Filters simply mask the real world’s use of language. There are plenty of people who use the word ass often and it doesn’t offend me one bit. Unless of course they call me one, and that too has indeed happened.
Last Night's Winning Lotto 649 Numbers
04/09/2008 05:12
Lotto 6/49 : Wednesday, September 3, 2008
5, 21, 28, 32, 43, 46, Bonus 13
Western Extra : 2233179
__________________
*Lottery numbers are unofficial, check lottery retailer for official numbers*
SINC SAYS:
The bad news is, I only had two numbers on my ticket. How about you? The good news is, nobody won and the pot jumps to $9 million on Saturday.
Stamps Place Dickensen On Injured List, Career In Doubt
04/09/2008 05:07
It appears that the
playing career of Calgary Stampeders'
quarterback Dave Dickenson has come to an
end.On Monday, Dickenson replaced Henry Burris in the Stamps' Labour Day Classic loss to the Edmonton Eskimos, but did not finish the game. Wednesday, Dickenson was placed on the nine-game injured reserve list with post-concussion syndrome, making him ineligible for the remainder of the regular season.
"Your body tells you certain things. Sooner or later you better listen," Dickenson said following the announcement.
Dickenson has a history of concussion problems and, when he was released by the B.C. Lions in the offseason after suffering his third concussion in two years, some felt he would retire. But he returned to Calgary this season, making his second appearance of the season on Monday.
More from TSN Sports.
SINC SAYS:
This is bad news for the Stamps if they hope to avenge that loss on Friday night.
Coaches To Wear Helmets In Practice
04/09/2008 05:05
Canwest News Service
- The Edmonton Journal
CALGARY - Even hockey coaches will have to wear helmets during minor hockey practices in Calgary this season.
Hockey Calgary has imposed a new rule that applies to about 3,000 coaches, trainers, development coaches and volunteers who work with players ages five to 21 years.
Hockey Calgary president Perry Cavanagh said trainers and volunteers are susceptible to falls, wayward sticks and flying pucks -- all of which could cause serious head injuries. Cavanagh said coaches will lead their players by example in wearing helmets.
Mandatory helmet wearing for coaches, trainers and volunteers will not apply during games, nor will it be applicable to adult recreation leagues.
SINC SAYS:
So, let me get this straight. They wear helmets during practice where they are in a controlled situation that coaches themselves direct, but in an uncontolled and emotional game when pucks are flying for real, they take them off? Sure, makes perfect sense to me.
Serena Unearths Venus; Nadal Reels In Fish
04/09/2008 05:04
To reach U.S. Open
semis
NEW YORK — Venus Williams squandered 10 set points to let younger sister Serena escape to the U.S. Open semifinals with a 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (9-7) victory Wednesday night.
"It definitely felt like a final of the U.S. Open," said Serena who, like Venus, owns two U.S. Open titles but has not been to the final since 2002. "I can't believe I won."
Serena will play No. 6 seed Dinara Safina of Russia, who brushed aside No. 16 seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-2, 6-3 earlier Wednesday.
Venus trumped her sister in the Wimbledon final in July, but this time Serena's nerves held up better in the evenly matched, 17-match rivalry that had been deadlocked at 8-8 and dates to 1998.
Venus, who at 28 is 15 months older than Serena, built leads in both sets but seemed to lose her range in the crucial moments.
Details in USA Today.
SINC SAYS:
How much longer can these two sisters continue to dominate the game?
STREAM OF ABUSE
03/09/2008 04:25
NEIGHBOR PEED OFF AT
PUBThe Nolita hot spot Delicatessen has a full cocktail menu, pricey food, model patrons - and nightly golden showers, thanks to one pissed-off neighbor.
The glass-roofed lounge, which opened with red carpets and loud trance music in July, has neighbors at 265 Lafayette St. up in arms over the riotous party atmosphere.
But one unidentified building resident has taken matters into his own hands, emptying his bladder on the see-through ceiling from his apartment window above.
The stream of discontent prompted another apartment dweller to post a sign in the hallway that reads:
"I know not everyone is happy with Delicatessen but, please stop urinating on the glass roof. I have to buy a new a/c because you did not aim correctly! Thank you!"
"I didn't do it," says Mickey Campbell, 45, who has lived in the building for 18 years. "But I think it's damn funny, whoever did do it."
Sprinkle of details here.
SINC SAYS:
Hehehe. Stream of abuse. Hehehe. I love it when a story comes together like this one.
Typewriters Morph Into Creepy Sci-Fi Creatures
03/09/2008 04:21
Mayer often takes inspiration from the shape of the typewriter itself to mold his figures. He prefers to dismantle Royal Safari typewriters for his female creations, using the parts for the inner thighs, labia and breasts.
"That's how the typewriter was made in the first place," said Mayer. "The shape resembles the human body and forms of nature."
See all 9 images here.
SINC SAYS:
Sob, sniff. Makes me kinda sad given the amount of hours I spent on the keyboard of one of these babies.
Stiletto Sprinters' Record Dash
03/09/2008 04:15
The world record
for the number of high-heeled sprinters in a
race has been smashed by a group of women in
Australia.
Two hundred and sixty-five women took part in the 80m dash in Sydney wearing three-inch heels.
Professional hurdler Brittney McGlone easily outran her competitors, taking home $5,000 Australian dollars (£2,500) and a pair of gold stilettos.
Watch the video of the race here.
SINC SAYS:
This is just plain silly, but the awkward pace is fun to watch.
Two hundred and sixty-five women took part in the 80m dash in Sydney wearing three-inch heels.
Professional hurdler Brittney McGlone easily outran her competitors, taking home $5,000 Australian dollars (£2,500) and a pair of gold stilettos.
Watch the video of the race here.
SINC SAYS:
This is just plain silly, but the awkward pace is fun to watch.
US Police To Begin Testing New 'Rumbler' Siren
03/09/2008 04:06
The Washoe County
Sheriff’s Office and Nevada Highway Patrol are
one of the first agencies in Northern Nevada to
test out a new siren called “The Rumbler” that
motorists and pedestrians will not only hear,
but
feel.The idea behind “The Rumbler” is that it will clear intersections for emergency vehicles trying to respond to high priority calls for service. Some motorists are not aware these vehicles are trying to navigate through traffic because they can’t hear them. Either their windows are up, or their radios are too loud.
With this device, low frequency tones emitted through a pair of high output woofers under the front license plates penetrate and shake solid materials, said Washoe County Sheriff Mike Haley. He compared the effect to being next to a vehicle using a lot of bass through its stereo system, and feeling the sound waves.
“Vehicle operators and nearby pedestrians will feel the sound waves, and may even see their effects through a shaking rearview mirror,” he said.
Hear details here.
SINC SAYS:
Well folks, we all know this will work. I mean all you have to do is listen to (and feel) the bass in that kid’s car behind you or coming down your street.
Cat Rescued After Six Days Stuck In Tree
03/09/2008 04:04
WESTMONT, N.J. --
After six nights in a tree, Bella the cat is
back on solid
ground.She had been stuck up a tree in Westmont, Camden County, N.J., since Wednesday.
The 2-year-old black-and-white mix couldn't seem to make her way down.
Brian Clark, 8, had been trying to coax his cat out of his neighbor's tree.
"I'm getting worried, not like super really worried, but just a little worried," Brian said.
She was about 50 feet up in a maple tree.
"Today she got lower and went to a different branch," Brian said Monday.
All efforts to rescue her had failed.
Even the fire department truck ladders couldn't reach her. In fact, it appeared the ladders spooked her, because she climbed higher.
While Bella the cat didn't seem to mind all the attention, the squirrel family living in the tree did not appear pleased with the intrusion into their privacy.
Thirty neighbors gathered on Saturday as firefighters tried to hose her down. They had no luck. Brian's dad, Pete Clark, said they had simply run out of tricks.
"We tried everything. We tried food. We tried calling her," Pete Clark said. "She loves to go outside, but we're going to have to rethink that when she comes down."
Tuesday, tree professionals came in and were able to rescue the cat.
SINC SAYS:
Did you notice we just love to run these animal stories folks? It sells electrons too you know.
Tiger And Elin Woods Expecting Second Child
03/09/2008 03:58
ORLANDO, Fla. - Even with his golf done for the year, Tiger Woods found something to celebrate Tuesday: His wife is pregnant with their second child.
Woods said on his website that Elin is expecting in late winter without being more specific on a due date.
He has not played since his U.S. Open victory in June, and two weeks later had reconstructive surgery on his left knee that put him out for the year. Woods' first child, daughter Sam, was born the Monday after the 2007 U.S. Open.
"Elin is feeling great and we are both thrilled," Woods said. "While my injury has been disappointing and frustrating, it has allowed me to spend a lot of time watching Sam grow. I can't begin to tell you how rewarding it is being a dad and spending time with her and Elin.
"The injury has been a blessing and a disappointment."
The world No. 1 player has begun rehabilitation and has travelled recently to Dubai and New York for business projects.
Woods had said after he married in 2004 that he wanted more than one child. Woods was an only child, while Elin has a twin sister.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Although Tiger has been injured since the U.S. Open in June, he has obviously found something to keep him busy.
Canada's Mike Weir Shoots Up World Golf Rankings
03/09/2008 03:57
TORONTO - Mike Weir's good run in the PGA Tour Playoffs is being reflected in the world golf rankings.
Following a second-place finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship, the Canadian lefty moved up 10 spots to No. 24 on the list released Monday.
It's the second straight week he's moved up.
Tiger Woods continues to maintain a healthy lead over Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh, who jumped to No. 3 after winning his third event in five starts at the Deutsche Bank. Padraig Harrington sits fourth while Sergio Garcia is fifth.
Calgary's Stephen Ames dropped a spot to 28th.
Weir sits third in the FedEx Cup standings heading into the third playoff event and has improved to 14th on the tour's money list with over US$2.46 million in earnings.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Hmm . . . lets’ see, 24th in the world? That’s certainly nothing to sneeze at.
Jaguars Offensive Tackle Richard Collier Shot
03/09/2008 03:57
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier suffered life-threatening injuries after he was shot while waiting for some women outside an apartment early Tuesday.
Collier, 26, and former Jaguars defensive end Kenneth Pettway were waiting in a car when a gunman fired into the vehicle, said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Jefferson. Collier was shot several times, but it wasn't clear where he was hit.
Collier was in critical condition at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, a hospital official said. The motive behind the attack was unclear, and the sheriff's office was investigating. Pettway, who was released in final cuts Saturday, was not injured in the attack.
The shooting happened around 2:45 a.m. in a middle-to upper middle-class neighbourhood just west of downtown Jacksonville and blocks from the St. Johns River.
Collier is the third NFL player to be shot in the past 18 months. Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor was fatally shot during what police said was a botched burglary attempt at his Miami-area home in November. Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed when his rented limousine was sprayed with bullets minutes after leaving a New Year's party at a downtown Denver club in 2007.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Will the senseless random shootings in the U.S. ever stop?
U.S. Captain Azinger Fills Out Ryder Cup Team
03/09/2008 03:56
NEW YORK - Chad Campbell made one last impression on U.S. captain Paul Azinger and was rewarded Tuesday with a spot on the Ryder Cup team, joining Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan and J.B. Holmes as captain's picks.
Campbell will play on his third straight Ryder Cup team, the first as a wild-card selection. The other three players will be making their Ryder Cup debut, among six rookies for an American team that has not won since 1999.
The Ryder Cup will be played Sept. 19-21 at Valhalla in Louisville, Ky.
European captain Nick Faldo picked Ian Poulter and Paul Casey on Sunday to fill out his 12-man team, overlooking Darren Clarke, who had won twice in the last four months and had played in the Ryder Cup the last five times.
Azinger revamped the criteria, doubled his picks to four, then asked to delay his selections three weeks with hopes of finding someone who could get hot with the matches approaching. None of the Americans auditioning for the team stood out, although Azinger's four picks showed signs of life the last two weeks.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
The American team had better hope this year’s “Dirty Dozen” can do a better job than the past three U.S. Ryder Cup Teams.
TSN Garners Nine Gemini Award Nominations
03/09/2008 03:53
TSN's esteemed broadcasts received a total of nine Gemini nominations, as the nominees for the 23rd annual Gemini Awards were announced last week. Eight of TSN's nominations involve the network's hockey coverage (NHL on TSN and IIHF World Junior Championship) and one is for the weekly live sports debate show TSN The Reporters with Dave Hodge.
Six-time Gemini Award nominee James Duthie is nominated for "Best Host or Interviewer in a Sports Program or Sportscast" for his role as host of NHL on TSN TradeCentre '08, while Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie is nominated as "Best Studio Analyst" alongside former TSN hockey analyst Mike Milbury. Gord Miller and Pierre McGuire are both nominated for their work on the World Juniors, receiving nods as "Best Sports Play-by-Play Announcer" and "Best Game Analyst," respectively. McGuire won a Gemini last year as "Best Game Analyst" for his work on the NHL on TSN.
TSN also received four Gemini nominations for production. The IIHF World Junior Championship received a nod in the "Best Direction in a Live Sporting Event" category and is nominated alongside the NHL on TSN for "Best Live Sporting Event." TSN The Reporters with Dave Hodge is also nominated for an award for "Best Sports Analysis or Commentary Program, Series or Segment."
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
For a complete list of the TSN Gemini Award nominations, click here.
A Recycle To Remember . . .
02/09/2008 07:48
Sometimes you just have to stop and recognize someone saving the environment.
Such is the case with this woman who gets the award for the most innovative way to recycle.
If you look real close, you can see that her tank top has been recycled from another piece of clothing in her household.
You do see it, don't you?
Man Who Fell To Earth ... Out Cold
02/09/2008 07:37
A SKYDIVER plunged
4,500ft to earth unconscious – but incredibly
escaped with only minor
bruises.Jamie Robertson was blown against the tail of the plane seconds after leaping out.
Eleven fellow jumpers watched helplessly, but somehow the impact triggered a reserve parachute – and Jamie, slumped in his harness, floated to the ground.
The three-minute descent took him on to the airfield’s landing zone – and into the arms of anxious paramedics.
Dad-of-two Jamie, 57, came round only on the way to hospital – with no memory of his amazing freefall.
Free fall here.
SINC SAYS:
When you click on the link and see a picture of this guy, you wonder what the hell he’s doing up there in the first place.
Man Documents Surging UFO Sightings
02/09/2008 07:27
It's not a matter of
if, but when, for UFO tracker John
Ventre.And if you believe his stats, the little green men -- or whatever -- will be here soon.
Here could even be Western Pennsylvania.
"It's an intervention that will take place. They're going to make contact. We weren't ready in the '50s and '60s, but we're ready now," said Ventre, who serves as Pennsylvania coordinator for the Mutual UFO Network, in addition to working as director of security at the UPS depot in New Stanton.
The Colorado-based network with its 300 members, also known as MUFON, keeps track of UFO sightings. According to Ventre, Pennsylvanians led the way this summer in spotting unidentified flying objects.
Since June, there have been about 100 sightings of UFOs above the Keystone State. Ventre said there have been about 25 sightings over the Pittsburgh region, including eight above Westmoreland County.
Close encounters have more than tripled over previous years' tallies.
Insert eerie music here.
SINC SAYS:
I always knew they were out there. You did too, didn’t you?
A Little Quiz For All You Kool Kats . . .
02/09/2008 07:23
OK, ALL YOU KOOL KATS
AND SLICK CHICKS, LET'S SEE HOW KOOL YOU REALLY
ARE. DON'T CHEAT CAUSE YOU KNOW THAT
AIN'T NEAT. WRITE A, B, OR C DOWN FOR YOUR
ANSWER TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, THEN CHECK
THE ANSWERS AT THE
END.1. When did 'Little Suzie' finally wake up?
a) The movie's over, it's 2 o'clock
b) The movie's over, it's 3 o'clock
c) The movie's over, it's 4 o'clock
2. 'Rock Around The Clock' was used in what movie?
a) Rebel Without A Cause
b) Blackboard Jungle
c) The Wild Ones
3. What's missing?____ _Baby, Earth_____,_ ____On My Shoulder
a) Angel
b) Head
4. 'I found my thrill...' where?
a) Kansas City
b) Heartbreak Hotel
c) Blueberry Hill
5. 'Please turn on your magic beam, __________ bring me a dream'
a) Mr Sandman
b) Earth Angel
c) Dream Lover
6. For which label did Elvis Presley first record?
a) Chancellor
b) RCA
c) Sun
7. He asked, 'Why's everybody always pickin' on me?' Who was he?
a) Bad Bad Leroy Brown
b) Charlie Brown
c) Buster Brown
8. Bobby Darin's 'Mack The Knife', the one with the knife was named:
a) MacHeath
b) MacCloud
c) MacNamara
9. Name the song with 'A-wop bop a-loo bop a-lop bam boom'?
a) Good Golly Miss Molly
b) Be-Bop-A-Lula
c) Tutti Fruitti
10. Who is generally given credit for the term 'Rock And Roll'?
a) Dick Clark
b) Wolfman Jack
c) Alan Freed
11. In 1957, he left the music business to become a preacher.
a) Little Richard
b) Frankie Lymon
c) Tony Orlando
12. Paul Anka's 'Puppy Love' is written to what star?
a) Brenda Lee
b) Connie Francis
c) Annette Funicello
13. The Everly Brothers are...
a) Pete and Dick
b) Don and Phil
c) Bob and Bill
14. The Big Bopper's real name was:
a) Jiles P. Richardson
b) Roy Harold Scherer Jr.
c) Marion Michael Morrison
15. In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. started a small record company called...
a) Decca
b) Cameo
c) Motown
16. Edd Bynnes had a hit with 'Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb...'What TV show was he on?
a) 77 Sunset Strip
b) Hawaiian Eye
c) Surfside Six
17. In 1960 Bobby Darin married:
a) Carol Lynley
b) Sandra Dee
c) Natalie Wood
18. They were a one hit wonder with 'Book Of Love .'
a) The Penguins
b) The Monotones
c) The Moonglows
Answers are below---no peeking!
ANSWERS:
1. c) The movie's over, it's 4 o'clock
2. b) Blackboard Jungle
3. a) Angel
4. c) Blueberry Hill
5. a) Mr. Sandman
6. c) Sun
7. b) Charlie Brown
8. a) MacHeath
9. c) Tutti Fruitti
10. c) Alan Freed
11. a) Little Richard
12. c) Annette Funicello
13. b) Don and Phil
14. a) Jiles P. Richardson
15. c) Motown
16. a) 77 Sunset Strip
17. b) Sandra Dee
18 b) The Monotones
SINC SAYS:
I gotta be honest here folks. I missed one question, but got the rest right. How’d you do?
Pennsylvania Beers Are Focus Of Collection
02/09/2008 07:19
At first Ron Leese's
collection of beer memorabilia looks innocuous,
two Rolling Rock light-up signs that he picked
up last week sit just inside the door and about
a dozen clocks displaying different beer logos
hang on a wall just behind and to the right of
them.
Going downstairs into the basement, the walls are lined with enough trays, signs and coasters that the wood paneling cannot be seen beneath. And then you hit the floor. There are no walls. Cans line shelves from floor to ceiling in half the room, including a small passageway, all carefully secured by a guardrail of fishing line that runs along the shelves.
The shelves in the middle of the room have pull tab cans on the lower shelves, but the upper shelves contain painted bottles, lighted signs, cone-top cans and "chalk" statues. Chalk statues are what collectors call the plaster promotional figurines produced by the breweries. On the right side of the room, no fewer than 10 Rolling Rock mirrors hang over a sofa.
Any open space on the wall where Leese has not installed his own shelves is home to tap handles, strings of bottle openers and display boxes. Two of the boxes contain a series of Rolling Rock items including letter openers, "drinking" gloves, key chains and a small wood, bottle-shaped pen.
Beer trays have been installed on the ceiling using a creative method of screwing tin can lids into the floor above and placing magnets between the trays and lids. A line of 9-inch "buttons," made of tin over cardboard, run against the wall just below the ceiling. Magnets also adhere drink coasters, ash trays and tip trays to a small metal cart.
"I used to display it all nice. Now it's in front of each other and on top of each other," Leese said.
Full details here.
SINC SAYS:
I posted this entirely for the benefit of our readers. I have absolutely no interest in anything that has to do with beer. Honest. Really.
Michigan Couple Tie The Knot At Funeral Home
02/09/2008 07:13
ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP,
Mich.—It generally has flowers, and a clergyman
is often present, but this was a first for a
local funeral
home.Jason and Rachael Storm held their wedding at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, where he is a funeral director.
Their reception, including dinner and dancing, also was held at the funeral home.
"This room is usually filled with sadness and contemplation, but today it is filled with joy and celebration," the Rev. Greg Prather said at the start of Saturday's ceremony.
Jason Storm, 24, doesn't see much difference between getting married in a church or the funeral home.
"I look at it as, if you go to a church and get married, how many caskets do you think have been rolled down that aisle?" he told The Herald-Palladium of St. Joseph.
Rachael Storm, also 24, said the location did "not creep me out at all."
"I'm very accustomed to what he does. The one thing I'm very much about is being unique," she said.
Not everyone was entirely comfortable with the idea.
Rachael Storm said some invited guests initially refused to attend, but the couple assured family and friends there would not be any caskets or corpses in the room.
SINC SAYS:
I don’t know about you folks, but this would be an invitation I would RSVP with a huge NO WAY!
Mental Age Assessment Test . . .
02/09/2008 07:13
The following was developed as a mental age assessment by the School of Psychiatry at Harvard University. Take your time and see if you can read each line aloud without a mistake. The average person over 40 years of age cannot do it!
1. This is this cat.
2. This is is cat.
3. This is how cat.
4. This is to cat.
5. This is keep cat.
6. This is an cat.
7. This is old cat.
8. This is fart cat.
9. This is busy cat.
10. This is for cat.
11. This is forty cat.
12. This is seconds cat.
Now go back and read the third word in each line from the top down.
Grooming The Manbrow?
02/09/2008 07:07
A close trim and
sharp shape leap the gender
gapSome people may be raising their eyebrows at one of the latest trends for men.
Men are putting the razors and trimmers aside and picking up the tweezers and wax to get a more precise look for their brows.
The days of the unibrow are gone as more men try to create a streamlined look for their brows and keep up with the women in the grooming department.
Men's beauty companies, such as national beauty retailer Sephora, offer brow grooming options for men, including the Jean Paul Gaultier brow pencil and brow groomer for $14 and $18 respectively.
Bring up the topic of men and waxing and many picture Steve Carell in the infamous body-waxing scene from "The 40 Year Old Virgin" or a look that is more feminine.
Whether to pluck or wax is the dilemma for many men, Sarah Smith, a stylist and esthetician for American Male, said. Taking matters into their own hands may be a scary proposition for some men, many of whom have been prompted by an outside source to get their brows done.
Believe it or not here.
SINC SAYS:
Dilemma? For a real man? Not in this lifetime. Only marginal men would even consider such nonsense.
Esks Smoke Stamps In Labor Day Classic
02/09/2008 07:06
CALGARY - At first glance, it may look as if the Edmonton Eskimos had a little inside help Monday afternoon.
Quarterback Ricky Ray threw three touchdown passes - including a pair to the aptly named Fred Stamps - to lead the Eskimos to a 37-16 rout of the Calgary Stampeders in front of a sold-out crowd of 35,650 fans at McMahon Stadium.
The win was the fourth in the past five games for the Eskimos (6-3), who moved back to within two points of the Saskatchewan Roughriders atop the West Division Standings.
Ray had plenty of praise for Stamps - the receiver.
"Fred has been playing great all season," said Ray, who completed 26 of 38 passes for 376 yards. "We have deep receiving corps and today it was him who got the scores."
Stamps said that people bug him about having the same last name as his team's Alberta rival, but that it's no big deal. He was more concerned about helping lead the Eskimos to victory after learning that his family in New Orleans was safe from hurricane Gustav.
"I am from New Orleans and was glued to the television this morning," said Stamps, who commended the offensive line for giving Ray time to throw the ball. "My family is all out and everyone’s safe so I am relieved."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
That’s two very dominating performances in-a-row by the Eskimos, against Saskatchewan last week and Calgary again yesterday. I’m starting to really like what I see from this Eskimo football team. If they can win the rematch with Calgary here on Friday, they’ll sweep the season series with their provincial rivals.
Singh Rolls Past Weir To Win Deutsche Bank
02/09/2008 07:05
NORTON, Mass. - Another victory for Vijay Singh is turning the FedEx Cup into another snoozer.
Singh made three long birdie putts and closed with an 8-under 63 to win the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday by five shots over Canadian Mike Weir for his second straight victory in the PGA Tour's playoff system. That gave Singh such a big lead that he could win the US$10-million prize without even showing up at the Tour Championship.
Attribute this to the power of positive thinking.
Singh, who has long struggled with the putter, convinced himself last week that he was the best putter in golf when he won The Barclays in a three-man playoff.
He made a few more believers on Labour Day at the TPC Boston.
Singh rolled in a 35-foot birdie putt on the 13th hole to stretch his lead to three shots, then raised the belly putter like a trophy when he holed a 60-foot birdie putt on the next hole. He capped off his amazing run with a 35-foot birdie on the 17th hole.
Any doubters?
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
That’s three wins for Singh in the last five weeks and two “playoff” wins-in-a-row. He has built up such a points lead in the FedEx Cup race, he could clinch the top prize by not even playing in the Tour Championship. That would be a “Tiger-like” feat, non?
Keith Eyes Possible CFL Return After Being Cut By Colts
02/09/2008 07:05
A day after being cut by the Indianapolis Colts, running back Kenton Keith appears to be open to a return to the CFL.
In an interview with Vancouver radio station CKNW, Keith's agent Jason Medlock said that he expects the former Saskatchewan Roughriders' standout to clear waivers today. When that occurs Medlock said he will explore all opportunities on both sides of the border.
Medlock also admitted that Keith has expressed interest in joining the BC Lions due to his relationship with assistant general manager Roy Shivers, whom Keith is comfortable with from his time with the Riders. Assuming that Keith does clear waivers, Medlock stated he would call the Lions to gauge the team's interest, however he realizes that the decision will be Lions GM Wally Buono's to make, not Shivers.
A potential move to BC may be blocked by the current log-jam in the Lions backfield where rookie Stefan Logan has been starting in favour of defending rushing champ Joe Smith. Logan took over duties in Week 2 when Smith suffered a shoulder injury.
Keith is coming off a successful season in the NFL where he backed up Joseph Addai.
The New Mexico State product rushed for 533 yards and three touchdowns, however he became expendable when the Colts re-signed running back Dominic Rhodes and selected Michigan tailback Mike Hart in the sixth round of the NFL Draft in April.
Prior to joining the Colts, Keith enjoyed four solid years in the CFL with the Roughriders, twice rushing for more than 1,000 yards in a season.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Kenton Keith’s reputation as a malcontent and a “head case” proceeds him. Keith back together again with Roy Shivers? Those two deserve each other.
NFL Players To Wear Patch In Honor Of Upshaw
02/09/2008 07:04
NEW YORK - NFL players will wear a uniform patch this season to honor NFL Players' Association leader Gene Upshaw, who died Aug. 20.
The league announced Monday that the patch will have the initials GU and the number 63, which he wore while playing for the Oakland Raiders.
Upshaw died of pancreatic cancer just three days after he was diagnosed.
The patch will be worn on the left chest of jerseys and is scheduled to make its debut Thursday, when the New York Giants and Washington Redskins open the season.
Upshaw's wife, Terri, and his three sons will participate in the coin toss.
Upshaw made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 as the first player to play guard exclusively. He won two Super Bowls and made seven Pro Bowls in his 307-game NFL career.
He served 25 years as the executive director of the union from 1983 until his death.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
A very fitting honor to the memory of Gene Upshaw, I would say.
Doctors Halt 7 ft. 12-Year-Old From Growing Bigger
01/09/2008 06:09
Lofty: Brenden Adams
is 7 ft. 3 ins. and is only
12Doctors first realised Brenden Adams was unusually big at two months, at four months he had all his teeth, and by the age of eight he was the same height as a 15-year-old.
Now at just 12 years old he is a staggering 7ft 3ins and until a recent medical breakthrough it was feared he would not stop growing.
Brenden's runaway growth - caused by a unique genetic condition -has baffled doctors for years and they have frantically tried to find a way of slowing it down.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Dr Melissa Parisi, a geneticist at Seattle Children's hospital, where Brenden has been cared for since he was four, said:
'We were concerned that he would continue growing and there'd just be no stopping it.
'He really is a remarkable young boy. He's unique.'
Full story here.
SINC SAYS:
Ma Nature works in strange ways some times. This is one of those times.
Name That Tune Game Proposed By Reader
01/09/2008 06:09
A reader who wishes to remain anonymous (I wonder why?) sent along this picture to let other readers play a round of the old game "Name That Tune".
I doubt that there will be many St. Albert's Place Readers who won't be able to come up with the song this picture represents!
It never ceases to amaze me the things that people send me.
Flying Foxes 'May Be Spreading Hendra Virus'
01/09/2008 06:02
Scientists are
investigating whether flying foxes are
involuntarily reacting to the loss of habitat
in Queensland by spreading deadly viruses
including
Hendra.A horse veterinarian died from the Hendra virus earlier this month and five horses were destroyed after an outbreak at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic in south-east Queensland.
Researchers are looking into a rising number of flying fox-related viral outbreaks in other parts of the world, including the deadly ebola virus in Africa and the 2003 SARS epidemic in southern China.
CSIRO virologist Dr Linfa Wang has told the ABC's Background Briefing there is an emerging theory that the animals' immune systems are reacting to human interference.
"Some people even propose that the virus [is] good for bats," he said.
"It's like a biological weapon protect their ecological niche. Only when humans try to destroy that balance that the virus jumps out."
SINC SAYS:
Holy hendra Batman, this is the stuff of horror movies.
Rescuing Giant Panda Babies During Chinese Earthquake
01/09/2008 05:55
The recent
earthquake in China was right in the area where
Giant Pandas live. Most Pandas are
protected well, especially those babies, even
if they were scared a lot.
Right after the earthquake, they rushed out and some stayed together.
People were rescuing the Pandas.
Here’s a look at how they fared.
Right after the earthquake, they rushed out and some stayed together.
People were rescuing the Pandas.
Here’s a look at how they fared.
Same-Sex School Balls A Tough Topic
01/09/2008 05:52
The Secondary
Principals Association is steering clear of the
controversy around same-sex couples at school
balls after gay rights advocates criticized a
policy requiring couples of the same gender to
sign contracts confirming they are
homosexual.The group Rainbow Youth is now organising an Alternative Ball for gay students whose schools will not let them take their dates or subject them to harsh scrutiny.
It says schools which ban same-sex couples are discriminating and should look again at their policies.
Secondary Principals Association president Peter Gall says it needs to be left to individual schools to decide what is best for their students.
Complete details here.
SINC SAYS:
You really have to wonder just how long the editor in this case thought about that headline. I don't make this stuff up folks. Click the link and see for yourselves.
White Bengal Tiger Named Odin
01/09/2008 05:46
Here's something you don't see very often
There are some incredible underwater shots of this unique white Tiger.
See many more photos here.
SINC SAYS:
They are certainly worth checking out folks.
The Disturbing Origins of 5 Common Nursery Rhymes
01/09/2008 05:41
Let's face it:
everything is a lot more horrifying than you
thought when you were a
kid.
Pick even the most
childlike, innocent thing you can think of,
and the odds are that there's a deeply
disturbing story behind it.
For instance, nursery rhymes. We grew up memorizing these seemingly nonsense lines of verse from Mother Goose, which seem to exist for no other reason than to keep toddlers entertained. There couldn't possibly be some kind of weird, twisted history to them, could there?
Well, guess what ...
Read about them all here.
SINC SAYS:
There’s always some so-called “expert” around to ruin a childhood fantasy.
For instance, nursery rhymes. We grew up memorizing these seemingly nonsense lines of verse from Mother Goose, which seem to exist for no other reason than to keep toddlers entertained. There couldn't possibly be some kind of weird, twisted history to them, could there?
Well, guess what ...
Read about them all here.
SINC SAYS:
There’s always some so-called “expert” around to ruin a childhood fantasy.
Weir Leads Deutsche Bank Open
01/09/2008 05:40
NORTON, Mass. - Mike Weir of Bright's Grove, Ont., holed a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a 4-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead Sunday in the Deutsche Bank Championship, leaving him in a familiar position with hopes of a better outcome.
It was the 10th time the Canadian has had at least a share of the 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour, but he has only one victory when leading going into the final round.
Protecting this one might be the toughest yet.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Let's see if Weir can hold on. It should be a very interesting final round today.
Schultz: 2008 NFL Preview – Playoff Picks
01/09/2008 05:40
TSN football analyst Chris Schultz weighs-in with his pre-season playoff picks for the NFL season - including his projected winner of Super Bowl XLIII.
NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
The common denominator for my projected division winners in the NFC is great defence. It is more important to control an opponent on defence than to try outscoring everybody every week with offence (unless you are the Colts).
As for the wildcard teams, it is illogical to think that Andy Reid and Sean Payton won't bounce back with good teams this season. For Reid, 8-8 is a poor record, and that's what happened in 2007. For Payton, a 0-4 start to the season won't happen again. Here is how I think the NFC playoffs will go.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
To see TSN football analyst Chris Schultz’ complete list of NFL playoff picks, click here.
Harrington, Garcia Headline Europe’s Ryder Cup Team
01/09/2008 05:39
GLENEAGLES, Scotland - Ian Poulter and Paul Casey were chosen Sunday as wild-card picks for Europe's Ryder Cup team.
Europe captain Nick Faldo made his announcement shortly after the end of the Johnnie Walker Championship.
"I've been watching these guys through the summer," Faldo said. "Ian is a very determined guy. I love his attitude and what he did at The Open - that back nine he played with the intention to win and had that emotional feeling."
Faldo said he had been keeping an eye on Casey and waiting for his putting to improve.
"I've been watching Paul play and he has been playing absolutely the best through the summer," Faldo said. "He has an extremely good record in the Ryder Cup and, going back, the Walker Cup."
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
This is by far the most talented European Ryder Cup team of all time. The Americans will have their hands full later this month in the Ryder Cup matches at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky from September 15-21.
NFL To Implement New Rules
01/09/2008 05:39
NEW YORK - The NFL decided last April to allow coaches to make a choice if they win the coin toss at the start of the game - take the ball or defer to the second half, just as they do in college.
It takes effect when the Redskins visit the Giants Thursday night in the season opener, one of several new rules for the 2008 NFL season.
In the exhibition season, most teams have done it the old way - they have chosen to take the ball. But that may have been because coaches wanted to look at their offences quickly so it could change when the games count and they decide they'd like to start the second half with offences on the field.
"I think there are some advantages to deferring but we have played in an awful lot of games where, when we win the toss, we take the ball and we have done well in a lot of those games as well," New England coach Bill Belichick said when asked why he took the ball at the start of Thursday's game.
"I don't know if there is anything to getting the ball and having first crack at it or giving it up and having that first possession in the second half."
The coin toss deferral is one of several new rules, most of them geared to defence after a decade of rules that generally helped the offence.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
It’s too bad they couldn’t come up with some rules that would make their boring game more entertaining!
Lindros Won’t Be Part Of Spectrum Ceremony
01/09/2008 05:38
Eric Lindros will not be part of a special ceremony the Philadelphia Flyers have planned next month at the infamous Spectrum arena.
As part of their September 27th preseason game against Carolina at their former home, the Flyers have invited all 15 captains back to take part in commemorative ceremonies, including Lindros who was named captain at the age of 21 in 1994.
However, his tenure with the team ended in a bitter dispute with management, which included then general manager Bob Clarke.
While Clarke, Lou Angotti, Mel Bridgman, Dave Poulin, Ed Van Impe, Bill Barber, Ron Sutter and Kevin Primeau have confirmed their attendance, Lindros has declined because of a previous commitment according to senior vice president of business operations Shawn Tilger.
"We're going to put season ticket holders back in their original seats," Tilger said of the celebration which will include a postgame skate with fans. Team executives and coaches will also wear the familiar orange blazers of the era.
The Flyers also plan on bringing back players from their 1973-74 and 1974-75 championship teams back for another ceremony on October 7.
The Spectrum, which saw the Flyers win two Stanley Cup titles, is scheduled to close and be demolished at the end of the 2008-09 season.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
What can I say other than typical Eric Lindros? Here’s a kid who really squandered what was a very promising hockey career because he was too wrapped up in himself.
Colts Add Canadians Federkeil and Giguere To Final Roster
01/09/2008 05:38
Dan Federkeil and Sam Giguere have ensured that the Indianapolis Colts will open the NFL season with some Canadian content on their roster.
The six-foot-six, 290-pound Federkeil, a native of Medicine Hat, Alta., survived the Colts final cut Saturday, cracking the team's 53-man roster. The third-year player from the University of Calgary signed as a free agent with Indianapolis and spent his first season on Indianapolis's practice roster (when the Colts captured the Super Bowl) before being promoted to the active roster last year.
Federkeil, a transformed defensive lineman whose CFL rights belong to the Toronto Argonauts, appeared in the Colts' first eight games in 2007 before being de-activated for the next four. Federkeil was then put on injured reserve with a concussion.
Giguere, who was selected in the first round, eighth overall by Hamilton, in the 2008 CFL Canadian college draft, will open the season on the Colts' practice roster. After being bypassed in the NFL draft, Giguere signed as a free agent with the Colts.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Good for these young men. While I would love to see them play in the CFL, there is no question they will ensure their future financial security by playing in the NFL.