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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!
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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.)

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