Foot Odor Auctioned Separately

Schilling's bloody sock going up for auction

Jan. 17, 2013

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — His video game company in bankruptcy, former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is selling the blood-stained sock he wore during the 2004 World Series.

The sports director at Heritage Auctions tells The Associated Press online bidding begins around Feb. 4. Live bidding will take place in New York City on Feb. 23.

The sock had been on loan to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It's now at Heritage's Dallas headquarters and is expected to bring in at least $100,000.

Schilling's 38 Studios was lured to Rhode Island from Massachusetts with a $75 million loan guarantee, and it later filed for bankruptcy.


Schilling guaranteed loans for the business. The state also is now likely responsible for some $100 million related to the deal.

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Sri Lanka - Uptight Nation

200 Couples Arrested for Kissing in Sri Lanka

Public displays of affection are a big no-no in Sri Lanka, and to hammer home that point, 200 couples were arrested earlier this month after residents said they were made to feel "embarrassed" by watching other people's pecks. Not to worry, though: A police spokesman said, "Usually we free them after informing their parents."

Strange Phobia for a School Teacher

Ex Ohio teacher sues School, says she fears young kids

 Jan 15 2013 

AMANDA LEE MYERS, Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) — A former high school teacher is accusing school district administrators of discriminating against her because of a rare phobia she says she has: a fear of young children.

Maria Waltherr-Willard, 61, had been teaching Spanish and French at Mariemont High School in Cincinnati since 1976.

Waltherr-Willard, who does not have children of her own, said that when she was transferred to the district's middle school in 2009, the seventh- and eighth-graders triggered her phobia, causing her blood pressure to soar and forcing her to retire in the middle of the 2010-2011 school year.

In her lawsuit against the district, filed in federal court in Cincinnati, Waltherr-Willard said that her fear of young children falls under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and that the district violated it by transferring her in the first place and then refusing to allow her to return to the high school.

Good Grief! Better Late Than Never

Russian soldiers to trade foot wraps for socks

Jan 14 2013

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian official says it's time for the nation's soldiers to switch from foot wraps to socks.

Since the late 17th century, Russian soldiers have been using wraps, rectangular strips of cloth that are carefully wrapped around their bare feet to prevent blisters from tall heavy boots with no laces.

But Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who took the post two months ago, said he was surprised to learn that some soldiers are still using the wraps, called "portyanki" in Russian, and told them to use socks instead.

At a televised meeting with military officers Monday, he said, "In 2013, or at least by the end of 2013, we must forget the word portyanki."

Czar Peter the Great adopted the custom from the Dutch army in the late 17th century.

Stand Closer to the Rhinoceros

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — When do you not listen to the African wildlife expert? When he tells you to stand closer to the rhino.

That suggestion by a South African game park owner resulted in serious injuries to a 24-year-old woman from Johannesburg.

The Beeld newspaper reported Tuesday that Chantal Beyer said the game park owner snapped pictures and suggested that she "stand just a little bit closer" seconds before the attack. Photos show Beyer and her husband only feet away from two rhinos.

The paper said that just after the photo was snapped, the rhino attacked, and its horn penetrated Beyers' chest from behind, resulting in a collapsed lung and broken ribs, the paper said. The Aloe Ridge Hotel and Nature Reserve, where the incident took place, declined to comment Tuesday.

The game park owner/operator is an idiot. The game park is expected to be served with a huge lawsuit, soon.  

Mute Supreme Court Justice Speaks After 7 Years of Silence

Justice Thomas speaks for 1st time in 7 years 

January 14, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Clarence Thomas did something at a Supreme Court argument Monday for the first time in nearly seven years — he spoke.

The enigmatic and sometimes controversial Justice has made it a practice since 2006, not to speak or ask questions during oral arguments involving cases being decided by the Court.  This bizarre behavior has been noted by many court watchers, with some contending it effectively makes the Court an eight member body instead of the legally constituted nine members.

Even when he finally chose to speak what he said was not clear other than it appeared to be a joke about Ivy League lawyers.

Thomas hasn't asked a serious question in court since February 22, 2006.

Weird British Festival

Cheese Rolling

Coopers Hill, Gloucestershire.
This popular festival involves hundreds of contestants chasing a roll of cheese down the steep, muddy Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire.  No one knows how or why this bizarre activity became a popular, annual festival.