When I saw the words 'hair insurance', I thought "What a great idea! Finally people who suffer from any type of genetic baldness can relax." So I was disappointed when I followed the link and read the article. Turns out it's not some fabulous hair loss coverage plan. Instead, Troy Polamalu (who plays Football for the Pittsburgh Steelers) has gotten his long, flowing locks insured for one million dollars. The insurance is covered by Lloyd's of London and was purchased by shampoo brand Head and Shoulders. You can read more about it here.
Permian High School is best known as the inspiration for "Friday Night Lights", but its latest claim to fame is allowing a 22 year old to lead them to the state playoffs against high school age students.
Here is a picture of the former Guerdwich Montimere who re-registered as 9th grader Jerry Joseph. Scouts recognized him from earlier games, and as charged he may spend time in jail for false identification to a police officer.
Very encouraging news for those who never got enough time on the court during high school.
Here's a link -- this story broke here before the LA Times!!
When I think of the Olympics, I rarely consider that each event has both a mens and a womens division. I tend to focus more on the sport itself regardless of who is competing. After all, the Olympics is supposed to encourage the spirit of friendly competition, and not highlight major flaws, such as gender bias. Unfortunately this year's winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, is doing just that. Women ski jumpers have petitioned to join every Winter Olympics since Nagano in 1998, and each time they have been denied by the International Olympics Committee (IOC). So what's the deal? Well, the IOC is sidestepping the issue. They've issued a written statement that reads "Women's Ski Jumping does not reach the necessary technical criteria and as such does not yet warrant a place alongside other Olympic events." Yet female ski jumpers argue the point (read about it here). Lindsey Van, current world record holder for the longest jump, is quick to point out that they meet the necessary criteria. But it may be a long time before we see women flying off the end of a ski jump in front of Olympic judges. IOC member Dick Pound is quoted as saying "If in the meantime you're making all kinds of allegations about the IOC and how it's discriminating on the basis of gender," he warned, "the IOC may say, 'Oh yeah, I remember them. They're the ones that embarrassed us and caused us a lot of trouble in Vancouver, maybe they should wait another four years or eight years.'" Yes, you read that right. He is publicly threatening female ski jumpers to keep them out of the Olympics for years if they persist. So much for the spirit of friendly competition.
I tried to see actual H-2-O, but I never did catch sight of the water. When people say "the crush of humanity", this may be the perfect example. Or maybe this is the "gene pool" -- needs more chlorine!!
I think the avalanche this guy boards through is one he created. If you watch at the first, he slices through the patch which will break into the snow movement.
Whatever happened, this is one wild ride. I also really think the music compliments the piece. I can't wait for another season of "The Greatest Snow on Earth"!!
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.