h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sounds like a load of balls to me!

*winces and crosses legs*

Back on the subject of food... There appears to be a new trend emerging, involving pizza and inappropriate vehicles.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4245723.stm

The Ministry of Defence spokesman did not confirm what toppings were on the pizza.

DM

More food... of a sort. This is just plain odd.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200502/s1299042.htm

Clearly, someone is testing jet planes nearby.

When the new Eurostar trains were first being designed, it was decided that the engineering standards for the cockpit should match those of a commercial airliner. To that end, they asked Airbus (the nearest jet manufacturer) how they tested for what is euphemistically called "birdstrike". Airbus replied that they had a specially-designed gun which they used to fire shop-bought poultry at the windscreen with, to test whether they would break when hitting birds at speed. Eurostar engineers borrowed the gun, but found that their windscreens weren't strong enough. They fired chickens at 200mph, 150mph, 100mph, down to 50 mph, and all of them broke the windscreens, even though they were made of specially-strengthened glass. they reported these results back to Airbus and asked for their advice. The reply came back: "defrost the chickens".

RF

Thanks RF, haven't seen that one about for ages. Did you know that story goes back at least to 1972?

Anyway, a real story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4249831.stm

"The Virginia state house has voted to outlaw the trend of wearing trousers so low that underwear hangs over the top."

Probably about the first Intercity 125 trains, then...

In decades to come, that Virginia one will appear on lists circulated by e-mail, followed by the comment "apparently this was enough of a problem to legislate against it".

RF

actually, I think the original was all american. And was about firing it into a jet engine themselves. Dunno, all the variations are on Snopes as I recall.

"He had a history of mental problems"... that's on just so many levels!

Plus ca change...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4248679.stm

The local high school has just become the first in the country to discuss an alternative Darwin's theory of evolution in class, called Intelligent Design.

Is it just me that thought the sign in front of the school with 'Student of the Month' and then their name is a bit odd?

Student of the Month - it made me think of the McDonalds Crew Member of the Month!

The Ban on pet cosmetic surgery!!!

Jose Antonio Reyes has added to speculation linking him with a move from Arsenal to Real Madrid after falling victim to a radio prank.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4250173.stm

"Jenson Button believes he will benefit from the new Formula One rule that says one set of tyres must last throughout qualifying and the race."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4253919.stm

This is as least as fascinating as Jose Antonio Reyes...

Staff at Horror Store Crush Scene Offered Counselling.

For f*ck sake, get a life. I wonder if a Counselling Service Provider approached IKEA to tout the idea and they were sucked in by the 'experts'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4259073.stm

I think its got more to do with the general credos of Ikea and possibly a premptive measure against claims from staff filing damages for mental distress.

The mazing, incredulus rediculus thing about that storey of the 'crush' at the openeing of the North Londond store is I think:
4000 people turned up (I also heard the figure of 6000 quoted on a difference source), to the opening of the store; now I guess its quite* a big store, but....

If a normal* person turned up to the opening of a store, after a bargin sure, and saw several* thousand people waiting to go in, would they join the throng? No, a normal person would look at it and think or say 'f*** that, there's not a badgers chance in Letchworth of us getting in there,' and leave.... Made me laugh a lot that storey did

Cuba says the oldest man in the world is living on the Caribbean island.

Benito Martinez says he is 123 years old, while Cuban experts believe he is just four years younger than that.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4260191.stm

NZ unveils Stonehenge replica

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4264945.stm