minirich (Rubrik:bizzare)

Bizarre Con-Artists

minirich — 2005-03-15T13:24:31Z

In 1872, veteran prospectors Philip Arnold and John Slack bought $35,000 worth of diamonds in Europe and scattered them on land in Wyoming. They managed to convince the Bank of San Francisco they had discovered a diamond field and made $700,000.

Starting in 1921, Oscar Merril Hartzell began a scam selling fake shares in the estate of Sir Francis Drake. He contacted as many families as he could find with the surname Drake and was eventually accused of defrauding 270,000 people. The hoax netted him over $2,000,000.

When J. Bam Morrison arrived at Wetumka, Oklahoma in 1950, he claimed to be the advance publicity man for Bohn's United Circus, which, he maintained, was due to hit town in three weeks. He allegedly sold advertising space to local traders... for a circus that didn't exist.

By forging signatures, James Addison Reavis was able to claim he was the legal owner of 17,000 square miles of Arizona. The enterprise raked in $300,000 a year until he was arrested in 1895 and he was sentenced to six years in prison.

Joseph Weill, who inspired the movie "The Sting," rented abandoned banks and convinced businessmen that he had set up a genuine bank. He waited for them to deposit large sums of money before shutting down and moving on to the next town. This, plus some of his other scams, earned him over $6,000,000.

Bizarre Town Names

minirich — 2005-03-15T13:05:47Z

Horneytown, North Carolina

Whynot, North Carolina

Hicksville, Ohio

Knockemstiff, Ohio

Slaughterville, Oklahoma

Idiotville, Oregon

Virginville, Pennsylvania

Sweet Lips, Tennessee

Ding Dong, Texas

Looneyville, Texas

Butts, Virginia

Imalone, Wisconsin

Toad Suck, Texas

Intercourse, Pennsylvania

Unalaska, Alaska

French Lick, Indiana

Famous Last Words

minirich — 2005-03-15T12:46:35Z

OVIEDO, Fla. - Talk about timing. Right after a Presbyterian minister uttered the words "And when I go to heaven..." during his sermon, he collapsed and died at the pulpit. The Rev. Jack Arnold, 69, was at the end of his sermon Sunday at
Covenant Presbyterian Church when he suddenly grabbed onto the podium before falling to the floor. Several parishioners with medical backgrounds tried to revive Arnold and paramedics were called, but he appeared to die instantly.
Before Arnold collapsed, he quoted Bible scholar John Wesley who said, "Until my work on this earth is done, I am immortal. But when my work for Christ is done...I go to be with Jesus."

Bizarre Excuses for Calling in Sick

minirich — 2005-03-15T12:45:44Z

[These are actual excuses workers gave for missing work.]

I was sprayed by a skunk.
I tripped over my dog and was knocked unconscious.
My bus broke down and was held up by robbers.
I was arrested as a result of mistaken identity.
I forgot to come back to work after lunch.
I couldn't find my shoes.
I hurt myself bowling.
I was spit on by a venomous snake.
I totaled my wife's jeep in a collision with a cow.
A hit man was looking for me.
My curlers burned my hair and I had to go to the hairdresser.
I eloped.
My brain went to sleep and I couldn't wake it up.
My cat unplugged my alarm clock.
I had to be there for my husband's grand jury trial.
I forgot what day of the week it was.
Someone slipped drugs in my drink last night.

Bizarre Bequests

minirich — 2005-03-15T12:33:47Z

In 1987, Bob Fosse, the choreographer and film director left $378.79 to each of 66 people to "go out and have dinner on me"; these included Liza Minnelli, Janet Leigh, Elia Kazan, Dustin Hoffman, Melanie Griffith, Neil Simon, Ben Gazzara, Jessica Lange, and Roy Scheider.

In 1974, Philip Grundy, a British dentist, left his dental nurse $271,500 on condition that she didn't wear any makeup or jewelry or go out with men for five years.

In 1955, Juan Potomachi, an Argentinean, left more than $37,500 to the local theater on the condition that they used his skull when performing Hamlet.

In 1765, John Hart left his brother a gun and a bullet "in the hope that he will put the same through his head when the money is spent."

In 1950, George Bernard Shaw left a considerable portion of his estate for the purpose of replacing the standard English alphabet of twenty-six letters with a more efficient alphabet of at least forty letters - it was never achieved.

The British dramatist Richard Brinsley Sheridan told his son that he was cutting him out of his will with just a shilling. His son's reaction was, "I'm sorry to hear that, sir. You don't happen to have the shilling about you now, do you?"

In 1856, Heinrich Heine, the German poet, left everything to his wife on the condition that she remarried "so that there will be at least one man to regret my death."

In 1997, Robert Brett, a Californian who wasn't allowed to smoke at home, left his entire fortune to his wife, provided that she smoked four cigars a day for the rest of her life.

[From "That Book of Perfectly Useless Information"]

Bizarre Actual Happenings

minirich — 2005-03-11T22:51:05Z

An Italian stripper, Gina Lalapola, was found dead inside a cake she was supposed to leap from at a bachelor party in Cosenza in 1995. She had suffocated inside the sealed wooden cake.

The Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones once admitted ejaculating into a French bread roll and feeding it to fellow band member Glen Matlock as mayonnaise.

In 1997 a couple from Carlisle, Craig Wilde and Simone Rooney, found a six-inch bloodstained hypodermic needle inside a half-eaten loaf purchased from a local supermarket.

German scientists involved in car safety research at the University of Heidelberg routinely use human crash test dummies, including the corpses of children.

When the mistress of the nineteenth-century French novelist Eugene Sue died, she willed him her skin, with instructions that he should bind a book with it. He did.

The holy Roman Emperor Henry VI liked to cheer up his troops by having nuns stripped, then smeared with honey, then decorated with feathers and sent on horseback through the ranks of cheering men.

A man from Silver Spring, Maryland became infected with rabies in 1996 and admitted to having sex with a diseased raccoon. He was charged with animal cruelty.

Middle Eastern cave paintings reveal that men once believed sex with female crocodiles would bring success in life.

Bizarre Bumper Sticker Quotes

minirich — 2005-03-11T13:18:13Z

The fastest way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly.

There are 2 types of pedestrians, the quick and the dead.

Mothers with teenagers know why animals eat their young.

Where there’s a will, I’m in the way.

If this sticker is getting smaller, the light is probably green.

A fool and his money are a girl's best friend.

Before giving someone a piece of your mind be sure you have enough to spare!

Blow your nose, your horn works fine.

Condoms are easier to change than diapers!

I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.

Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch.

Reality is a nice place, but I wouldn't want to live there.

Sex is a misdemeanor...the more I miss it, the meaner I get!

Bizarre Facts

minirich — 2005-03-11T13:05:42Z

When antelopes become excited and leap vertically into the air, it is called "pronking."

The average human bladder can hold 13 ounces of fluid.

There are 1,575 steps from the ground floor to the top of the Empire State building.

When in the shower, 75 percent of people wash from top to bottom.

In poker, a pair of Queens is also referred to as a "Seigfried & Roy."

The average American looks at eight houses before buying one.

The army controlled by the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz were called the Winkies.

The average American has $104 in their wallet.

The foreign city Americans visit most is Tijuana.

Bizarre Answers from Family Feud

minirich — 2005-03-11T12:58:58Z

[Here are some actual answers from contestants who have appeared on the game show "Family Feud."]

Q: Name something a blind person might use:
A: A sword.

Q: Name a song with moon in the title:
A: Blue Suede Moon.

Q: Name a bird with a long neck:
A: A penguin.

Q: Name an occupation where you need a torch:
A: A burglar.

Q: Name something you wear on the beach:
A: A deck chair.

Q: Name something red:
A: My cardigan.

Q: Name an item of clothing worn by the Three Musketeers:
A: A horse.

Q: Name a number you have to memorize:
A: Seven.

Q: Name something you put on walls:
A: Roofs.

Q: Name something that doesn't have an engine:
A: Dishes.

Q: Name something you might be allergic to:
A: Skiing.

Q: Name a non-living object with legs:
A: A plant.

Q: Name a part of the body beginning with "n":
A: Knee.

Bizarre Historical Misconceptions

minirich — 2005-03-11T12:50:10Z

There is no evidence that Betsy Ross sewed the first U.S. flag. The story didn't even flutter forth from her relatives until 1870.

George Washington did not toss a dollar across the Potomac. Even if he did toss something, the dollar didn't come into being until after the U.S. gained independence.

Francis Scott Key did not write our national anthem. He penned the words then set them to an old English drinking song. It did not become our national anthem until 1931.

Most of the midnight ride of Paul Revere was accomplished by other horsemen. It was Samuel Prescott, in fact, who carried the warning to Concord.

The Declaration of Independence was not approved on July 4, 1776. Only John Hancock, for the assembly, signed it that day. The other signatures were made on August 2.

George Washington wasn't the first U.S. President. John Hanson was the president of the Congress of the Confederation and carried the title of president of the U.S., as did eight men after him.

"Yankee Doodle" is not an American song. It was a British ditty designed to harass ragtag colonists during the French and Indian War.

Bizarre July Holidays

minirich — 2005-03-11T12:42:16Z

July 1 is Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day and Build A Scarecrow Day

July 3 is Stay Out Of The Sun Day and Compliment Your Mirror Day

July 6 is National Fried Chicken Day

July 8 is Video Games Day

July 14 is National Nude Day

July 16 is International Juggling Day

July 20 is Ugly Truck Contest Day

July 21 is National Tug-Of-War Tournament Day

July 27 is Take Your Pants For A Walk Day

July 29 is Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day

[For the rest of the list go to http://www.bizarrenews.com]

Bizarre Course Evaluation Comments

minirich — 2005-03-11T12:34:58Z

[Taken From the MIT Course Evaluation Guide]

"This class was a religious experience for me. I had to take it all on faith."

"I would sit in class and stare out the window at the squirrels They've got a cool nest in the tree."

"This course kept me out of trouble from 2-4:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays."

"TA steadily improved throughout the course. I think he started drinking and it really loosened him up."

"Text makes a satisfying 'thud' when dropped on the floor."

"Information was presented like a ruptured fire hose-- spraying in all directions-- no way to stop it."

"Help! I've fallen asleep and I can't wake up!"

"The recitation instructor would make a good parking lot attendant. Tries to tell you where to go, but you can never understand him."

"Recitation was great. It was so confusing that I forgot who I was, where I was, and what I was doing--It's a great stress reliever."

Bizarre Olympic Questions

minirich — 2005-03-11T12:28:53Z

Here are some of the questions that were asked of the Sydney Olympic Committee via their Web site, and answers supplied where appropriate.

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
A: Depends on how much beer you've consumed...

Q: Which direction should I drive - Perth to Darwin or Darwin to Perth - to avoid driving with the sun in my eyes? (Germany)
A: Excellent question, considering that the Olympics are being held in Sydney.

Q: Do the camels in Australia have one hump or two? (UK)

Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes. Gay nightclubs.

Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)
A: What's this guy smoking, and where do I get some?

Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)
A: Face North and you should be about right.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Americans have long had considerable trouble distinguishing between Austria and Australia.

Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

Bizarre Management Quotes

minirich — 2005-03-11T12:19:18Z

As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday and employees will receive their cards in two weeks. (This was the winning quote from Fred Dales at Microsoft Corp in Redmond, WA.)

E-mail is not to be used to pass on information or data. It should be used only for company business (Accounting manager, Electric Boat Company)

Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule. No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We've been working on it for months. Now, go act busy for a few weeks and I'll let you know when it's time to tell them. (R&D supervisor, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing/3M Corp.)

Quote from the Boss: "Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say." (Marketing executive, Citrix Corporation)

We recently received a memo from senior management saying: "This is to inform you that a memo will be issued today regarding the subject mentioned above." (Microsoft, Legal Affairs Division)

One day my Boss asked for a status report concerning a project I was working on. I asked him if tomorrow would be soon enough. He said "If I wanted it tomorrow, I would have waited until tomorrow to ask for it!" (New business manager, Hallmark Greeting Cards.)

Bizarre Church Bloopers

minirich — 2005-03-11T12:11:30Z

[courtesy of netscape.com]

The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing "Break Forth Into Joy."

Our church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility.

The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water."
The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."

On a church bulletin during a minister's illness: "GOD IS GOOD. Dr. Hargreaves is better."

Announcement in a church bulletin for a national prayer and fasting conference: "The cost for attending the Fasting and Prayer conference includes meals."

Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 p.m. - prayer and medication to follow.

Mrs. Johnson will be entering the hospital this week for testes.

Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.

Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.

Barbara's in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

"Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands."

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.