A Little Friday File Fun (08/31)
Well, here’s a couple of thousand:
They say it was the key to saving the Titanic – – – a key to the locker that contained the binoculars for the crow’s nest on the ill-fated ocean liner – – – without access to the key (the crewman who had it was reassigned at the last minute, and failed to turn the key over to his replacement), the lookouts in the crow’s nest were forced to rely on their unaided eyes to keep an eye out for icebergs – – – It will go on auction next month – – – and is expected to fetch up to £70,000. You can see it at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2007/08/29/ntitanic129.jpg
If you’ve ever had a problem with a global positioning system (GPS), then you’ll appreciate the step taken by authorities in rural St Hilary, in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, to warn drivers about placing too much faith in the directional gadgets; posting signs that alert drivers to errant GPS instructions to take a road that is far too narrow for many to travel down. You can see the sign at http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20070829/2007_08_29t085545_450x338_us_britain_satnav_1.jpg?x=380&y=285&sig=D20aL1av5Yday8bdpwNfuQ–
– – – Near Wills Point, Texas , visitors to Lake Tawakoni State Park have been “treated” to a 200-yard stretch along a nature trail – – – now blanketed by a sprawling spider web – – – that has engulfed seven large trees, dozens of bushes and even the ground – – – and is now “filled with so many mosquitoes that it’s turned a little brown” – – – http://startelegram.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/08/29/12114802_h12780903_2.jpg
OK, if you’re like me, you had too much of Paris Hilton several years ago – – – but you’ll enjoy sharing this with folks anyway. Just when you think it can’t get any worse for Paris Hilton, she gets photographed in an unusually compromising position. http://jen-makes-u-smile.blogspot.com/2007/05/paris-hilton-photographed-screwing-by.html
Here’s something for that hard-to-shop-for person who has everything….and just in time for Halloween! MORE at http://www.amazon.com/Green-Monster-Halloween-Toilet-B819a-d/dp/B000NJFLJS/ref=pd_sbs_sg_4/105-6113092-3663624
US Home prices adjusted for inflation plotted as a roller coaster. This is a ride you’ll enjoy! MORE at http://www.speculativebubble.com/videos/real-estate-roller-coaster.php
– – – In Beijing, China , a company is offering Chinese consumers special (free) mobile phone software that it claims releases mosquito repellent waves. Over 1,000 Internet users downloaded the free software and answered the survey online attached to the file – but published reports say that most dispute the claim – and some have suffered severe headaches the morning after. MORE at http://www.ncbuy.com/news/2007-08-28/1015218.html
Lauren Caitlin Upton, Miss South Carolina Teen USA, has gotten her 15 minutes of fame – but that’s not necessarily a good thing. She was asked why one-fifth of Americans can’t find the United States on a map. Her answer was worthy of a politician. MORE at http://www.maniacworld.com/what-is-she-talking-about.html
Hagerty Insurance, a specialist in collector cars, recently surveyed its policyholders for their picks of the worst car designs of all time – – – topping the list is American Motors’ Pacer – – – which reportedly could go “0 to 60 in four-and-a-half hours” – – – the rest are online at http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/08/0824_uglycars/index_01.htm?chan=rss_topSlideShows_ssi_5
– – – In Lodi, California , Emily West was doing some meditating in her sister’s backyard – – – when she looked up and saw an intriguing image in the fence – – – and you can too at http://www.news10.net/assetpool/images/07828102833_jesus-wood2-185.jpg
– – – In Fort Worth, Texas , Shane Reas was on his way home recently – – – when he reached for his cigarette lighter – – – the lighter that had been sitting on his dashboard – – – all day – – – in the hot Texas sun – – – and it exploded – – – Shane threw the lighter to the floor – – – and the carpet caught fire – – – then he stopped the car and put the fire out – – – or so he thought – – – until the entire dashboard went up in flames – – – you can see the results at http://video.nbc5i.com/player/?id=145453