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Oops! Just a tad late due to the Honeymooner’s Special going on all week here at the Zone (if you missed it, click to see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 or Part 4). Plus, I’m in Chicago today for the Big Bash of the Year, SOBCon08. But what the hey; better late than never, I always say!

Anyhoo - since it’s that time of the month again (no, silly, not that time!), here’s a roundup of just a few of the more unusual things I ran across out there this past month…

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen - the time has come for another exciting edition of… OOB!

________________________________

Hero Dept.

A policeman in Eugene, Oregon earned the rank of Hero after rescuing a woman from the hungry jaws and threatening coils of a Burmese python, who apparently decided to make a meal of her. Upon arriving on the scene (and no doubt letting loose his best Tarzan yell), he managed to pry the snake’s jaws open enough to let the woman loose.

Now that’s what I call “above and beyond”! If it had been me, I have no problem admitting I’d probably have screamed like a girl and run as fast as I could the other way. I think I’m with a lot of other folks who would wholeheartedly agree with Indiana Jones’ succinct and somewhat pithy assessment of similar situations:

“Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?”

Why Didn’t I Think of That Dept.

For those of us who remember when public phone booths were useful for more than just making a phone call (for instance, you could use them to change into your super crime-fighter costume, or travel through time and/or space) it’s disheartening to say the least that they are becoming fewer in number.

The reason: the practically ubiquitous cell phone. Yep, by spreading through our societies like a plague, these things are turning the old phone booth into a totally useless and practically obscure technological oddity, like vinyl records, transistor radios, and Macs.

Unfortunately, the transition has not been easy. One of the most irritating things about these, er, things is the fact that people will whip one out no matter where they are. Then they start talking on ‘em with their “outside voice” such that anyone within throwing distance is ready to pick up the nearest rock and do just that!

But not to worry! Thanks to a chance-discovered link, I’m here to tell ya, artist Nick Rodrigues has a solution: the Portable Cell Phone Booth! Yessir; you carry it like a backpack, and whenever you feel the urge to make that call, well, no matter where you are, you reach over your shoulder, flip it over your head, and voila! instant phone booth!

So if you’re one of those folks who simply don’t know how to speak softly on a cell phone (I wish I could say you know who you are - but alas, you usually don’t), well I’m here to tell ya: get one! You can trust me on this; everyone around you will thank you!

Dept. of Strange and Unusual Holidays

In South Korea, on Valentine’s day, women give gifts to men. Alright, guys, altogether now: “That sounds OK to me!” And, in a trend that’s been sweeping Asia, a new holiday called White Day (March 14) is when the men give the women gifts (sound of millions of women cheering).

But in North Korea, they have one more related day, called Black Day (April 14), in which those who haven’t managed to find love can, er, celebrate commiserate their poor fortune. But, it’s the way they celebrate that makes this story qualify for the OOB column.

They, um, dive head-first into a vat of noodles. Yep; you read it right.

Head first. Vat of noodles.

Oh, well; when you consider the date (right next to April 15^th, which in the U.S. is affectionately known as Tax Day to the local denizens), maybe we Americans might just feel like doing the same.

(Image: Ooooodles-of-Noodles-Posters)

Dept. of Self-Promotion

Did you know there’s a new installment of OOB every month? Yes indeedy! So if you’re interested in an even bigger helping of the strange, the unusual, and the extraordinarily whacko (that is, as opposed to just plain whacko), you might want to check out previous editions.

Hey, it’s easy! Just click on that cute little Archives button up there at the top, then scroll down the categories list and click on OOB. In fact, I double-dog dare you! (But don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

(By the way, if you have any great suggestions for future OOB items, by all means drop me a line at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net. If I use one of your suggestions, to demonstrate my undying gratitude, I’ll mention your name and link to you. But hurry! This offer expires on Dec. 31, 2597!)

You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!

Well, waddaya know! The end of the first quarter came and went, and I almost missed it! Well, at least we lived to tell about it! Hey, who knew life of this little ol’ green earth could be such a riot?

Anyhoo - since it’s that time of the month again (no, silly, not that time!), here’s a roundup of just a few of the more unusual things I’ve run across out there this past month…

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen - the time has come for another exciting edition of… OOB!

________________________________

Dept. of Justice

According to a recent study by the Pew Center, more than 1% of the U.S. population is in prison. Why, that’s more than… let’s see… multiply by 29… carry the 8… that’s more than two dozen!!! But alas and darn; it seems there are still a few folks worried about what they claim is a huge drain on resources - or some such blather - because of that number. (Not that they have any better ideas, mind you.)

However, a NYTimes article (you know, that paragon of journalistic integrity) reports that Paul Cassell, a law professor and former U.S. Federal Judge says they’re only looking at half of the equation. See (he says), that figure corresponds to a very real reduction in crime and its associated costs - which actually translates into a humongous benefit.

What happens, is, now that the criminals are behind bars, there’s a whole lotta crime that doesn’t happen. Hey, that seems pretty clear to me!

So, could we further postulate reducing the crime rate even more by incarcerating more U.S. citizens? Prudence (and a healthy fear of crime) dictates that if 100% of all U.S. adult citizens were put in prison, the crime rate would drop to a level acceptable to almost everyone.

Culinary Dept.

And they said it couldn’t be done… You may remember last month’s OOB feature about cheeseburger-in-a-can, right? Well this month, thanks to ol’ eagle-eye Brad Shorr, we now have the perfect condiment for it! Come to think of it, this may actually be the most perfect condiment ever!

Yessir, ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to (sound of drumroll)… bacon flavored salt (sound of crowd cheering wildly)! Yep; you read it right folks! My new favorite people, Justin and Dave, have turned their dream (”to make everything taste like bacon”) into a reality, and I’m tellin’ ya, I can’t wait to get my hands on some!

Check out their website and, yes, their blog. Oh, and their Facebook group. And, uh, MySpace page…

Dept. of Geology

HOLD ON EVERYBODY! Stop the presses! I just received this late-breaking notice from my good buddy Dennis McMullin…

Apparently there are (albeit admittedly) spotty reports of a highly-localized, yet devastating earth tremor that caused heavy damage to the Lincolnshire Museum of Etch-A-Sketch Artwork in England. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many details as yet, but early estimates place the damage in the millions.

(Click on the photo for a much better view of the, er, carnage…)

War Dept

I think we might just have found a solution to the ever increasing arms race! Yessir, just take a look at what these folks have created for I-have-no-idea reason - the world’s largest air cannon. Actually, it’s being used to advertise a sandwich shoppe’s 20^th Anniversary, but who came up with the idea and how they figured it out isn’t divulged. But who cares - this thing is major amazing!

Watching videos of the air cannon in action, though, a great thought occurred to me (sound of dull thud). Wouldn’t it be fun to get all the warring nations of the world to face off with each other using these babies? Oh man; I can see it now…

Plus, imagine the ramifications if we could scale these up even bigger! Place a battery of ‘em along the U.S. Gulf Coast and blow oncoming hurricanes away with one big puff! Set a new sailboat regatta speed record! Hurl Evel Knievel’s son across Snake River Canyon! Bungee jump up!

Yep; the sky’s the limit! (Er, sorry!)

Dept. of Sanitation

And finally, rounding out this month’s edition with a helpful home care technique via Chip Camden, I give you: How to clean the toilet without using that nasty brush. Just trust me and go there - you’ll thank me for it.

Dept. of Self-Promotion

Did you know there’s a new installment of OOB every month? Yes indeedy! So if you’re interested in an even bigger helping of the strange, the unusual, and the extraordinarily whacko (that is, as opposed to just plain whacko), you might want to check out previous editions.

Hey, it’s easy! Just click on that cute little Archives button up there at the top, then scroll down the categories list and click on OOB. In fact, I double-dog dare you! (But don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

(By the way, if you have any great suggestions for future OOB items, by all means drop me a line at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net. If I use one of your suggestions, to demonstrate my undying gratitude, I’ll mention your name and link to you. But hurry! This offer expires on Dec. 31, 2597!)

You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!

Well, congratulations, everybody! It’s the end of the month, and you’re still kickin’! Um… you ARE still kickin’ aren’t you?

Anyhoo - since it’s that time of the month again (no, silly, not that time!), here’s a roundup of just a few of the more unusual items going on out there…

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen - the time has come for another exciting edition of… OOB!

________________________________

Dept. of Insanity

If you’re insane (or maybe just a little crazy… nah, insane is the right word), then you’d probably love to try out one of these babies. Ky Michaelson, a.k.a. “Rocketman”, is an artist/stuntman/inventor who has a love of, well, all things rocket-powered.

He’s created quite a few rocket-powered vehicles, many of which have been used in various and sundry movies and TV shows. Yes, they all work (although how well they work is sorta “up for grabs”), and some of the designs literally boggle the mind (sound of mind being boggled).

Among them, the Rocket-powered toilet pictured here is most definitely my favorite (although, based on personal experience with similar seating designs, I would guess it’s probably got a rather short range - 20 minutes, max).

The amazing thing about these creations is they are literally works of art. In fact, you can view many of them at the Bloomington Art Gallery, in Bloomington, Minnesota. Next time you’re in town, drop by!

Dept. of … LOVE

From an M&M ad campaign:“What is it about the green ones?”

Yep, that’s the question, all right. Despite their tongue-in-cheek denials, M&M’S® took advantage of the long-standing rumor of aphrodisiac-like properties for their green candies (which of course those killjoys at snopes.com are still trying to disprove).

This year, the company released bags of green-only M&Ms just in time for Valentine’s Day. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see their sales figures from that week?

Dept. of Health

As a former smoker (quit cold turkey in 1978 and never looked back) I bring you this public service announcement on behalf of all smokers who have to take their smoke breaks outside in cold weather.

Apparently Philip Morris is bound and determined to capture this particular niche market by developing and marketing worldwide a new, shorter cigarette with - get this - the same amount of nicotine as the longer versions. That’s so smokers can get their full dose without having to spend as much time out in freezing weather, don’cha know. Uh-huh.

Why would PM bother, you ask? Well, it seems the Global-Warming crowd is trying to ban outdoor heaters because of their effects on climate change. Yep, much like the ones smokers crowd around now when they smoke outside in cold weather.

Nice to know they care, and are thinkin’ of you, isn’t it?

Dept. of “I Can’t Believe You’re Going to Eat That!”

If Wimpy, the hamburger-eating character is your hero, then this ought to be good news for you!

82-year-old company Katadyn, best known for mobile water sterilization and desalination equipment, has finally gone where no one has gone before (sounds like yet another commercial opp for William Shatner) and produced the world’s first cheeseburger in a can (sound of crowd cheering going “eww- yuck!”)

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, you can now enjoy that cheeseburger in even the remotest parts of the Earth! From the tallest peaks of the Himalayas to the bottom of the Marianas Trench, you can be sure of getting a fresh burger whenever and wherever you want. Sorta puts new meaning to the phrase, “I can haz cheezeburger”, doesn’t it?

‘Course, I can’t vouch for it’s quality, though…

Dept. of Self-Promotion

Did you know there’s a new installment of OOB every month? Yes indeedy! So if you’re interested in an even bigger helping of the strange, the unusual, and the just plain whacko (that is, as opposed to extraordinary whacko), you might want to check out previous editions.

Hey, it’s easy! Just click on that cute little Archives button up there at the top, then scroll down the categories list and click on OOB. In fact, I double-dog dare you! (But don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

(By the way, if you have any great suggestions for future OOB items, by all means drop me a line at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net. If I use one of your suggestions, to demonstrate my undying gratitude, I’ll mention your name and link to you.)

You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!

Well, congratulations, everybody! You’ve already made it through 1/12^th of 2008, and you’re still kickin’! Um… you ARE still kickin’ aren’t you?

Anyhoo – since it’s that time of the month again (no, silly, not that time!), here’s a roundup of just a few of the more unusual items going on out there…

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen – the time has come for another exciting edition of… OOB!

________________________________

Postal Dept.

Well, it’s finally official. We can now finally prove the truth about the Postal Conundrum: the shorter the delivery distance, the longer the time needed to deliver.

It’s one of those, you know, facts that everyone believes, like the existence of the Tooth Fairy, the Loch Ness Monster, or that you’ll hurt yourself if you run with scissors. We know they’re real; it’s just that stuff like that isn’t that easy to document, you know?

But this time, we got documented proof that the mail in Warsaw, Poland actually travels slower than snails!

Dept. of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Part 1

Sheesh, I bet you never thought you’d live to see the day…

The police sent a 19-year old man around their small town in New York State to try and buy beer (he’s an underage undercover officer) – but nobody would do it! It was a sting operation with no takers, if you can believe that. Apparently the local vendors are getting the message.

But to me, though, the biggest irony is the name of the town – Babylon – a name synonymous with sin and debauchery. (Not that this town is guilty of that sort of thing… but still.)

Dept. of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Part 2

Then there’s the bumbling pair of Australian robbers who not only mistakenly grabbed a bag of bread (thinking it was a bag of money), but the man accidentally shot his accomplice and, er, “former” girlfriend while attempting to make it to their getaway car!

I tell ya, some days, it just doesn’t pay to get up in the morning, ya know?

Dept. of Self-Promotion

Did you know there’s a new installment of OOB every month? Yes indeedy! So if you’re interested in an even bigger helping of the strange, the unusual, and the just plain whacko (that is, as opposed to extraordinary whacko), you might want to check out previous editions.

Hey, it’s easy! Just click on that cute little Archives button up there at the top, then scroll down to categories list and click on OOB. In fact, I double-dog dare you! (But don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

(By the way, if you have any great suggestions for future OOB items, by all means drop me a line at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net. If I use one of your suggestions, to demonstrate my undying gratitude, I’ll mention your name and link to you.)

You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!

OK everyone, not only is it the end of another exciting month here at the Middle Zone; hey, it’s the end of another incredible YEAR! So for the *sob* last time this year, here’s a roundup of some of the more unusual items going on out there…

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen – the time has come for another exciting edition of… OOB!
________________________________
Dept. of Stupidity

Isn’t it nice to know that unseen forces, working for the common good, are feverishly laboring behind the scenes, constantly uncovering ways to make our lives better? Man, I know I’m relieved!

On that note (F-sharp, I think), here’s an absolutely stunning development I ran across recently in News of the Weird:

“Software engineers told Fortune magazine in November that they are constructing a filter to eliminate stupid messages to online forums and bulletin boards.”

That’s right, folks! No longer will you have to put up with stupidity and idiocy on the internet; you can filter it right out! Of course, there might be a, well, small detail to consider. I mean, without stupidity and idiocy, at least 90%… no, 92%… or maybe 95% of internet conversation might simply vanish!

But alas; the filter doesn’t work yet. How can you tell? Well, it was unable to delete this story.

Legal Dept.

The Michigan anti-lawsuit group M-LAW has come out with the winners in this year’s annual Whacky Warning Label contest. The grand prize winner came from Pennsylvania and was found on a small tractor (from the picture it looks like a “Bobcat”): “Warning: Avoid Death”.

Let’s see… there’s also the one found on a baby-stroller featuring a small storage pouch that warns, “Do not put child in bag.” Then there’s the label on the Vanishing Fabric Marker that cautions users: “The Vanishing Fabric Marker should not be used as a writing instrument for signing checks or any legal documents.” Dang! I bet you wish you’d thought of that one yourself!

But my personal favorite, and a sure candidate for the next Extreme Ironing video, is the one from an iron-on T-shirt transfer sticker that includes the line: “Do not iron while wearing shirt.”

Dept. of Improbable Research Part I
In case you’ve never heard of it, there really is a publication called The Annals of Improbable Research (AIR). It’s a compendium of strange and unusual scientific studies on varied and sordid subjects, most of which will have you scratching your heads and uttering intelligent phrases like “Huh?”

But every now and then it’s worth a look see, just to keep an eye on what those whacky scientists are up to. Last month, for instance, there was a fascinating article about the effects of caffeine on honey bees. Needless to say, it’s pretty riveting stuff.

See, the idea behind scientific research is to identify all pertinent factors, then figure out how to individually control them; thus you identify the effects of each one on the whole. (It’s quite different from practical research, i.e., “I wonder what would happen if I poke that rabid dog with this here sharp stick?”)

But it did bring up an interesting question from fellow Investigator Oliver Baker. He wants to know how they controlled for the *ahem* buzz? (sound of rimshot – followed by sound of gunshot)

Dept. of Improbable Research Part II

And just to prove this particular Dept. isn’t all work and no play, that whacky AIR gang also conduct a monthly limerick competition to prove they have the je ne se quoi (a French word that means long white coats with pocket protectors) it takes to properly evaluate a particular scientific study.

This month the study was “Maximum Angle of Stability of a Wet Granular Pile,” Sarah Nowak, Azadeh Samadani, and Arshad Kudrolli, Nature Physics, vol. 1, August 15, 2005, pp. 50-2 (which, in case you were wondering, is a study of, well, how sand castles work.)

The winner is from Investigator Brant Boucher, who penned these soon-to-be-immortal words:

When building a castle of sand
Keep a bucket of water on hand;
Choose your particle size:
With the angles be wise,
And maybe your castle will stand.

Not to be outdone, Limerick Laureate Martin Eiger gives us this rejoinder:

I went to the beach on Nantucket
With a shovel, a pail, and a bucket.
I would have done better
If the sand had been wetter.
When my castle fell down, I said, “Perhaps the technical
literature explains this.”

Who says those scientist guys don’t know how to have a good time? Although they may need to re-read the official Limerick Construction Instruction Manual.

Seasonal Dept.

(Sound of shots being fired) …and just let that be a warning to ya, Santa! – At least, that’s the conclusion of one hapless would-be Santa recently in Rio de Janeiro. Reuters reported:

“Drug traffickers in a Rio opened fire on a helicopter carrying a Santa to a children’s party, apparently mistaking it for a police helicopter, police said Tuesday.”

But don’t worry, kids! As you no doubt have observed (a few days ago now), Santa isn’t one to give up easily; he successfully completed his appointed rounds by, er, car.

Dept. of Self-Promotion

Did you know there’s a new installment of OOB every month? Yes indeedy! So if you’re interested in an even bigger helping of the strange, the unusual, and the just plain whacko (that is, as opposed to extraordinary whacko), you might want to check out previous editions.

Hey, it’s easy! Just go to the categories list over there on the left and click on “OOB”. In fact, I double-dog dare you! (But don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

(By the way, if you have any great suggestions for future OOB items, by all means drop me a line at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net. If I use one of your suggestions, to demonstrate my undying gratitude, I’ll mention your name and link to you.)

You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!

Well, folks, once again the sun sets on yet another exciting month here at the Zone. Thrills, chills, spills – and that’s just what’s happening at MY desk! Just imagine what else has been going on out there…

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen – the time has come for another exciting edition of… OOB!

Note from the Proprietor: Oddly enough, there didn’t seem to be that much unusual stuff come across my desk this month. Probably not paying attention. But what the heck, here’s a few items that might tickle your fancy.

________________________________

Dept. of Retirement Planning

(A tip o’ the hat to Dennis McMullin, a fellow Bored Member and regular contributor to OOB.)

Ever heard the old joke about engineers? You know, that they never grow old, they just lose their bearings. Bwa-ha-ha-ha – er, sorry.

Hey, I’ve always believed that there’s got to be something better to do upon retirement than taking up golf (sound of avid golf fans fainting everywhere). I mean, why spend all your money and new-found time just whacking a silly little ball all over the place? And you know; all that walking and everything – why, it’s enough to wear me out just thinking about it!

Hmmm… what to do, what to do…?

Well folks, have I got an amazing source of inspiration for you! Here is a great example of what happens when engineers get bored (link to a flash video clip that is absolutely awe-inspiring!)

And, a word of warning to the spouses of engineers (this one’s for you, Liz!): if you ever hear the phrase, “What’s the worst that could happen?” – well, take my advice: Run! Run for your lives!

Dept. of Transportation

Psst! Hey Buddy! Wanna buy a bridge?

Man, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that one! But now, for a limited time only, you may just have your chance to own your very own big pile of rusty scrap metal bridge!

The town of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, is offering a hundred-year-old bridge for sale (click on the photo to see a similar type bridge) for the incredible year-end, no-holds-barred, blowout sales price of just $1. Yep, you read it right, folks! Only $1 for the opportunity of a lifetime!

‘Course, there’s a small, er, catch: you, um, have to remove it. Hey, but think of what you could get for scrap metal value! OR – maybe it’ll look good in the backyard…?

Dept. of Corrections

Well, you can’t say they didn’t at least try to fill a new niche.

Hallmark (yes, that Hallmark!) created a new line of cards for the, um, er, (let’s see… how can we put this delicately?) “recently incarcerated”. That’s “new prisoners” in layman’s terms. (Although – what exactly is a layman, anyway? One who lays? And why are we always using their terms?)

Anyhoo – criminal defense lawyer Terry Cheatham (who says lawyers don’t care?) developed the new line of cards. The story goes on to say:

Among her selections are cards reading “Sorry to hear about your arrest,” and “Honestly, I never knew anyone who was arrested before,” and, simply, “Not You!” A remorseful correspondent could choose: “I know that I have not visited you. But I still care about you … When are you getting out, anyway?”

Hey, I think that last one really captures the true essence, the genuine spirit – the, uh, je ne se quoi (which is a French word that roughly means Call me when you get out) of the thing, don’t you?

Oh, by the way… the cards are, um, not selling too well. What. A. Big. Surprise.

Dept. of Self-Promotion

Did you know there’s a new installment of OOB every month? Yes indeedy! So if you’re interested in an even bigger helping of the strange, the unusual, and the just plain whacko (that is, as opposed to extraordinary whacko), you might want to check out previous editions.

Hey, it’s easy! Just go to the categories list over there on the left and click on “OOB“. In fact, I double-dog dare you! (But don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

(By the way, if you have any great suggestions for future OOB items, by all means drop me a line at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net. If I use one of your suggestions, to demonstrate my undying gratitude, I’ll mention your name and link to you.)

You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!

Yep, once again the sun sets on yet another exciting month here at the Zone. Thrills, chills, spills – and that’s just what’s happening at MY desk! Just imagine what else has been going on out there…

Note from the Proprietor: Oddly enough, there didn’t seem to be that much unusual stuff come across my desk this month. Probably not paying attention. But what the heck, here’s a few items that might tickle your fancy.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen – the time has come for another exciting edition of… OOB!
________________________________

Dept. of Transportation

(A tip o’ the hat to Dennis McMullin for bringing this to my attention.)

In case you missed it, Seattle made the news recently when a new streetcar came into use in the Cascade area that’s undergoing considerable renovation. Apparently the neighborhood is, um, less than thrilled about it. But in the spirit of cooperation, they’re showing remarkable support for the change, even printing and wearing commemorative T-shirts and everything.

Now, before you applaud their attitude, you might just want to know, as Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story.

See, the official name is the South Lake Union Streetcar (or S.L.U.S. for short). So far, so good, right? However, local residents swear by what they say was the original name for it (that is, until officials discovered the, er, unfortunate acronym): the South Lake Union Trolley (S.L.U.T.).

At least, that’s their story and their sticking to it!

More Than You Needed to Know Dept.

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to be a lot more careful when I travel. The Travelodge Hotels in London are reporting a 95% increase in customers’ sleepwalking! But that’s not the disturbing part – no, the problem is, most of them are, um, somewhat scantily clad!

Experts say that sleepwalking “can be brought on by stress, alcohol, eating cheese or consuming too much caffeine” (which, except for the alcohol, unfortunately sounds like the menu during every job-related trip I’ve ever been on).

Oh, well, I guess I better make sure Mrs. MZM packs the pajamas!

Music for Life Dept.

Next time your child complains about having to take music lessons, why not tell him how it just might save his life! Think I’m kidding?

In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a little boy on his way to school was hit by a speeding car, and if it hadn’t been for the violin case he was carrying (which took the brunt of the impact), he would have been much more seriously hurt!

As it was he only suffered minor cuts and bruises. Alas, still no word on how the violin made out.

Dept. of Self-Promotion

Did you know there’s a new installment of OOB every month? Yes indeedy! So if you’re interested in an even bigger helping of the strange, the unusual, and the just plain whacko (that is, as opposed to extraordinary whacko), you might want to check out previous editions.

Hey, it’s easy! Just go to the categories list over there on the left and click on “OOB”. In fact, I double-dog dare you! (But don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

(By the way, if you have any great suggestions for future OOB items, by all means drop me a line at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net. If I use one of your suggestions, to demonstrate my undying gratitude, I’ll mention your name and link to you.)

You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!