Originally printed February 2003
I can always tell when the newspaper deadline is approaching, because Jeanne (Editor's note: Jeanne was the co-editor-in-chief that begged me for articles every month) comes to me begging for an article. It’s like clockwork. Usually, I take the time to make an article worth reading, but when she wants TWO articles… Well, then I’ll write anything, as long as it fills up that empty rectangle. What am I, a doctor? I’m a busy guy! (The word “Busy” is open to interpretation.)
In that spirit, here’s a couple of short news briefs that you probably won’t see on MSNBC:
- During a session of Parliament in Oslo, Norway, lawmaker Trond Helleland opened his PDA to check his schedule. However, he could not resist a quick game of Metalion, a war game set in space. TV cameras recorded this, embarrassing both Helleland and the Parliament. I have no comments, other than this guy is my new hero.
- A radio station in London was fine $24,000 for a contest called “Coolest Seats in Town.” Contestants sat on blocks of dry ice, about –108 degrees F, for 45 minutes. The contestants, all receiving major burns, were hospitalized for about two months, and had to receive skin grafts. One contestant said, “I don’t think I will ever be able to wear shorts or a skirt again, and it has had a major effect on the kind of activities I can do with my kids.” The way I see it, if you’re dumb enough to sit on dry ice in the first place, you probably deserve a few skin grafts.