Weird Universe Archive
November 2008
November 30, 2008
World’s Most Dangerous Road
For those who did not get enough excitement with the "King's Path" post, here is the Yungas Road.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 30, 2008 -
Comments (2)
Category: Death, South America, Cars
November 29, 2008
Bernie Krause
The musician Bernie Krause has had an arguably weird and fascinating career. He's gone from being a minor pop star to being a scientist in the field of bio-acoustics, or the noises of the natural world. Along the way he came up with the concept of "biophony," short for the biological symphony that each ecosystem makes.The first clip below shows him at work, while the second is a trailer for his concepts.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 29, 2008 -
Comments (1)
Category: Music, Nature, Science
Ian’s Shoelace Site
Ian's Shoelace Site promises that it brings you "the fun, fashion & science of shoelaces". Wondering why your laces keep coming untied? Or maybe you're looking for some new ways to tie your shoes? Ian's is the place for you. There's even a frequently updated page of shoelaces in the news (example: "a hapless burglar was left hanging upside down against a window after trapping a shoe lace during a break-in"), as well as a Shoelace Urban Myth Warning:It is widely mis-reported that shoelaces were invented by Harvey Kennedy on 27th March 1790. This date is centuries after shoelaces were in common use and is clearly NOT correct.
Posted By: Alex - Sat Nov 29, 2008 -
Comments (5)
Category: Fashion
Other World Kingdom
The goal of the OWK is to get as many male creatures under the unlimited rule of Superior Women on as much territory as possible. Gradual realization of this goal in its final consequence will mean the introduction of an Absolute Matriarchy - the only righteous social order.
However, the OWK is not a sex resort. According to wipipedia:
The forms of domination appear to be severe, with little if any sensuality or seductive qualities. Psychodrama does not seem to be a concept the ladies there understand or practice. There is reportedly NO sexuality or sexual contact at the OWK, and the behavior seen in videos seems to bear this out.
If this sounds like a place you'd like to visit, you better do so soon. The OWK has recently been put up for sale. The asking price is eight million euros.
Posted By: Alex - Sat Nov 29, 2008 -
Comments (3)
Category: Hotels
November 28, 2008
A Hairball, Beetle Larvae, Brian Williams’s Ties
and the Afternoon Edition of Chuck's News of the Weird Daily for FridayAt a zoo in China, they've supposedly watched gay penguins trick straight penguins out of their eggs (leaving stones in their place). [Ed.: That's what it says here. I only know what I read in the papers.] Daily Telegraph (London)
An Ohio woman gets her writerness on, daily, by waxing baroque about, um, Brian Williams's neckties. Associated Press via Washington Post
Manabu Mizuta, 35, was arrested in Osaka prefecture, charged with releasing hundreds of beetle larvae on a commuter train "to see women get scared and shake their legs." Agence France-Presse
Recurring Themes galore: (1) Another janitor accidentally trashed an underappreciated art project (Bonus: Woman climbed into the Dumpster to look for it); (2) Another incompetent multi-tasker (texting-driving) (Bonus: He won't be doing it again.) (3) Another cat lover with too many (Bonus: "This is the first [case] I've been to where the people were actually sleeping with dead carcasses"); (4) Another girl with a hairball in her stomach. Atlanta Journal-Constitution /// KQRE-TV (Albuquerque) /// Springfield (Ohio) News Sun /// The Times of India
Professor Music's Weird Link o' the Day
UnusualLife.com is a nice place to pass the day browsing some unusual things (architecture, scenery, etc.) . . . and then there's this . . little . . exhibit of mighty pixellation power put to questionable use: Marika Takahashi's Fitness Video.
Today's Newsrangers: P.L. Bartnicki, Paul Music, Gil Nelson, Eli Christman, Jenny Beatty, Stan Rummel, Emory Kimbrough, Ginger Katz, Stephen Taylor, Bruce Townley, Sam Gaines
Comments on the Afternoon Edition of Chuck's News of the Weird Daily for Friday?
Comments 'cycle_081128'
Posted By: Chuck - Fri Nov 28, 2008 -
Comments (0)
Category:
Encyclopedia of Strange Things
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Strange Things, by Boris Servais, is a book you won't find for sale on Amazon. Servais had it "Produced in Italy by a specialized printer for small-size books, it collects odd discoveries and inventions around nostalgic aviation, astronautics, time trips or science fiction warfare." Below is an example of one of the entries. (via Book By Its Cover)
Posted By: Alex - Fri Nov 28, 2008 -
Comments (4)
Category: Art, Books
Curfew Breakers, or, Hooked
If you decide, after viewing the CURFEW BREAKERS clip, to rent this film, you'll have to look for it on DVD under its alternate title, HOOKED. It's a glorious mess, but not quite as outrageously stupid or weird as some of its ilk.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 28, 2008 -
Comments (1)
Category: Cops, Drugs, Education, Family, Juvenile Delinquency, Inebriation and Intoxicants, Movies, 1950s
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Opera is inherently weird: people singing their every speech. But with classical opera, one doesn't notice the effect so much, since they've always been around.But relatively recent operas, especially with contemporary settings, somehow magnify the weirdness.
Take, for instance, 1964's THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG. A simple love story, it features a script in which every single line is sung. Thus, at about the 3:30 mark in the opening clip below, you can hear the immortal lyric, "Check the ignition on the gentleman's Mercedes."
Apparently, the entire film is available on YouTube in nine parts, for your operatic enjoyment.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 28, 2008 -
Comments (3)
Category: Movies, Music, 1960s, Cars
Name That List, #7
What is this a list of? (Googling is cheating.) Click on "More" or "Comments" for the answer.- a two-story high cream colored teapot
- a matching blue vase
- a giant yellow umbrella
- an ornamental fishing boat
- a crescent moon icon
More in extended >>
Posted By: Alex - Fri Nov 28, 2008 -
Comments (5)
Category: Name That List
November 27, 2008
Turkey Calls
Before you dig into your turkey today, check out Preston Pittman demonstrating his turkey calls. Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted By: Alex - Thu Nov 27, 2008 -
Comments (1)
Category: Animals, Human Marvels, Thanksgiving
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction books such as Elephants on Acid. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Chuck Shepherd Chuck is the purveyor of News of the Weird, the syndicated column which for decades has set the gold-standard for reporting on oddities and the bizarre. Our banner was drawn by the legendary underground cartoonist Rick Altergott. Contact Us |
