Strange but True Stories

[Gutter Monkey]

Apparently goldfish have this 'sense' that they send out, and in a spherical goldfish bowl it bounces back at them from all angles and messes them up.

At least that's one story I heard.

[Mythor]

As far as I know, goldfish only use sight. I guess a lack of distinct objects on which to focus in an unadorned bowl might cause them to become effectively blind, though.

According to an egghead that was on a Mythbusters ep about goldfish memory, Hitler actually banned goldfish bowls too, because bowls don't have a corner for the fish to hide in.

I think it's sensible to not let people keep goldfish in vegemite jars or other too small containers, but I don't think the suitability should be judged on the tanks bowl-i-ness.

[Gutter Monkey]

Originally Posted by Mythor

I think it's sensible to not let people keep goldfish in vegemite jars or other too small containers, but I don't think the suitability should be judged on the tanks bowl-i-ness.

The spherical bowls have a really bad surface-to-volume ratio for the water they hold, which is bad news for oxygenation. You don't see many spherical bowls with aerators, either ... so unless the water is changed every day the goldfish won't be too happy.

[Gutter Monkey]

Harry Potter's flying car stolen

Oct 28, 12:26 PM EST

The Associated Press

LONDON -- Harry Potter's flying car has flown.

The Ford Anglia used in the Harry Potter films was reported stolen from South West Film Studios in St. Agnes, Cornwall, police said Friday.

Police said the car was not believed to be in driving condition, so the thieves would have needed to tow the car or put it on a trailer.

The car apparently was taken on Wednesday or Thursday.

[Gutter Monkey]

Maybe this should be a Smacktard nomination instead:

CEO spends quarter mil in strip club on company card

Savvis CEO exposed to naked business truths in strip club-charge card flap

MSNBC
Updated: 11:30 a.m. ET Oct. 28, 2005

It's fairly common knowledge that strip clubs are in the business of separating patrons from their money in the most efficient manner possible. (Guys, don't pretend you didn't know this.) But $241,000? Now that's entertainment!

Or at least that's what American Express is saying in its lawsuit against Savvis Communications Corp. CEO Robert McCormick and his company, after he refused to pay most of a huge tab allegedly run up on his corporate charge card during an outing with a number of business associates at the Manhattan adult nightclub Scores in October 2003.

At first, Savvis defended its apparently randy chief exec, saying he was a victim of fraud, as McCormick claimed he spent only about $20,000 to enjoy the company of women in various stages of undress. (Only twenty grand? That's showing fiscal responsibilty.)

But upon further review, the St. Louis-based technology firm decided the Scores affair was enough to strip McCormick of his responsibilities until a probe reaches completion.

Savvis officials were quick to reveal that McCormick never submitted an expense report for the Scores bill, thus allaying shareholders' fears that company earnings would be exposed to extraordinary items.

“We will not allow these internal matters to affect our ability to deliver superior services for our customers and continued improvements in financial performance for our shareholders,” said acting CEO Jack M. Finlayson, although he didn't elaborate in his statement whether "internal matters" referred to Savvis' investigation or what may or may not have occurred in what Scores calls its "super elite Presidents' Club." Frankly, we're glad he didn't.

[unfrufru]

Burglars run off with artificial leg
Los Angeles: Thieves broke into the California home of a teenage amputee and made off with her artificial leg, her family said this week. Melissa Huff, 16, was horrified when burglars stole loot including cash and valuables, and her leg.

"It's cruel, because what can they do with the leg?" Melissa's mother, Lisa Huff, said.

Melissa lost her right leg two years ago when a driver hit her while she stood on the footpath. Although she has other replacement legs, the stolen prosthetic device is a shock absorbent "sports leg" with a flexible foot that allows her to play softball.

"That's my favourite leg," she said. "I won't be able to play softball without it." A financial company has offered up to $US9000 ($12,000) for a new leg, reports said. - Agence France-Presse

[Mythor]

Huge buzz for iPod gizmo.

... not safe for work?

[hails]

ohhhh, so want one. two, even!

[Gutter Monkey]

Aw no. I loved this little guy.

World's Ugliest Dog dies
Purebred 'Sam' became famous for winning ugly dog contests
Updated: 12:44 p.m. ET Nov. 22, 2005

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Sam, the tiny dog whose hairless body and crooked teeth earned him a reputation as the World’s Ugliest Dog, has died.

The pooch died Friday, just short of his 15th birthday, his owner said.

“I don’t think there’ll ever be another Sam,” Susie Lockheed said, adding: “Some people would think that’s a good thing.”

Sam won the ugliest dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair this summer for the third year in a row. The pedigreed Chinese crested had made appearances on TV in Japan, radio in New Zealand and in Britain’s Daily Mirror tabloid. He also had met Donald Trump on a talk show set.

Lockheed said she initially was terrified of Sam when she agreed to take him in as a rescue dog six years ago on a 48-hour trial basis. Although she fell in love with him, his appearance repulsed her then-boyfriend and prompted the man to break up with her.

Later, however, Sam became a matchmaker by bringing together Lockheed and her current beau, who saw a picture of the two on an online dating site.

Lockheed said she had Sam euthanized after she learned Sam’s heart was failing.

She said she’s felt a little lost ever since, and is sleeping with Sam’s favorite toy — a stuffed bear he picked up and carried home.

[Mythor]

And a not particularly surprising follow up to the panther story of a while back.

Tests reveal super-sized feral cat.

Quick summation: It was a very large feral cat, not a panther. What a shocker.

[hails]

a 35kg kitty!! fuck, that's brilliant!!

[Mythor]

I don't think it would have appreciated being patted, kitty or not.

[unfrufru]

hehe 35 kg pussy, imagine THAT coming at ya hehe. i thought my cat was bad at 15kg.

[Gutter Monkey]

MOTHER THERESA STOLEN!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4562170.stm

Christmas thief steals 'Nun Bun'

A cinnamon bun that bears a striking likeness to late Catholic nun Mother Teresa was stolen from a US coffeehouse on Christmas Day.

The owner arrived to find that the famous flaky pastry had vanished from the shop in Nashville, Tennessee.

Bob Bernstein said he thought the culprit was angry over the display.

The "Nun Bun" has drawn tourists since it was preserved and put in a glass case at the shop, where it was discovered by a customer in 1996.

The bun became international news following the find in the folds of its pastry.

The Bongo Java coffee shop sold T-shirts, prayer cards and mugs with the bun's image until Mother Teresa wrote a letter asking the sales be stopped, before her death in 1997.

Mr Bernstein said the thief "went right for the bun", ignoring cash lying nearby.

"Unfortunately I think it's somebody who wanted to take it to destroy it," he said.

[unfrufru]

and i thought i was desperate
British woman weds dolphin

British tourist Sharon Tendler has finally made her dream match - by "marrying" a dolphin she has been visiting for 15 years in the Israeli resort of Eilat, the mass-circulation Yediot Ahronot daily reported.

Tendler, 41, has been visiting the city on the Gulf of Aqaba two or three times a year to spend time with her 35-year-old underwater sweetheart.

"The peace and tranquility under water, and his love, would calm me down," the Israeli daily quoted her as saying.

Last week Tendler finally plucked up the courage to ask the dolphin's trainer for the mammal's fin in marriage.

The wedding took place Wednesday, with the bride, wearing a white dress and watched by amazed spectators, walking down the dock to where the groom was waiting in the water.

She kissed him, to the cheers of the spectators and then, after the ceremony was sealed with some mackerels, was tossed into the water so she could swim away with her new husband.

"I'm the happiest girl on earth," the bride was quoted as saying.

"I made a dream come true. And I am not a pervert."