Streaming John

No More Trips to the Strip?

2009-05-10T07:22:00.000-05:00

Lubbock County Voters Approve Alcohol Sales
By Adam D. Young | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Story last updated at 5/10/2009 - 2:06 am

Lubbock County voters overwhelmingly approved two ballot propositions expanding alcohol sales in the county during a countywide election that ended Saturday.

Proposition 1, which expands packaged alcohol sales in the county, passed by a nearly 2-1 margin with 64.5 percent in favor.

Proposition 2 to allow mixed-drink sales in restaurants passed with about 69.5 percent in favor.

About 41,000 ballots were cast early. When polls closed at 7 p.m. Saturday, 9,552 votes were cast on Election Day - substantially fewer than County Elections Administrator Dorothy Kennedy had expected - according to the Lubbock County Office of Elections.

The tally does not include provisional or mail-in ballots, which are expected to take about five days to count. The county sent out about 1,000 mail-in ballots, Kennedy said.

The early voting numbers sparked excitement at pro-alcohol expansion Political Action Committee Lubbock County Wins' watch party at the Hawthorn Inn and Suites.

"There were lots of cheers in the room and relief that the results were in our favor," the PAC's chairwoman, Melissa Pierce, said when early voting results came up on the television screen in the hotel's conference room.

"I expected it to be very, very close" she said, but explained she would have preferred to see a larger voter turnout.

Only 35 percent of the county's 144,910 registered voters cast ballots.

But Pierce said she wasn't surprised by what looks like Lubbock County voters' approval of the propositions.

"I think Lubbock is a progressive city and we're ready for this," the stay-at-home mom said.

At anti-alcohol-expansion PAC Truth About Alcohol Sales's backyard voting watch party, spokeswoman Connie Curry said low-key anticipation of the results turned to disappointment.

"We certainly were expecting a higher percentage in the early voting," she said.

Though Pierce said turnout was lower than she would have liked, she believes the will of the voters was expressed by the results.

"The hard work has paid off and now we can sit back and be happy that we had the opportunity to vote on this," she said.

Pierce praised the actions of the Let Lubbock Vote PAC, which was formed, in part, by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce in September as part of its efforts in leading a petition drive to put the propositions on the ballot.

"They put in a lot of work and we put in a lot of work," she said.

Truth About Alcohol Sales formed as a political action committee of residents concerned that alcohol sales would be a detriment to the county shortly after Let Lubbock Vote organized.

Despite the results of Saturday's election, the future of alcohol sales in Lubbock County remains in flux.

Owners of the liquor stores at The Strip, Pinkie's and Majestic Liquor, filed a lawsuit against the city of Lubbock and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage commission claiming city zoning ordinances violate state law. The Lubbock City Council approved alcohol zoning ordinances in December 2008 in anticipation of Saturday's vote.

The liquor stores asked 237th District Judge Sam Medina to bar the city from issuing the necessary paperwork to obtain alcoholic beverage permits until an agreement can be reached on the wording of the ordinance.

In 1960, Lubbock County voters legalized the sale of beer and wine in the southeast part of the county - then justice of the peace Precinct 6 - creating what today is referred to as "The Strip," a row of liquor stores south of town on U.S. 87.

The Precinct 6 boundaries have changed over the years, but liquor sales are still limited to those original locations.

In 1972, voters allowed restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages inside the city. Liquor-by-the-drink sales are limited to the 1972 city boundaries, when the city limits stopped at 82nd Street. Restaurants outside the 1972 city limits have been unable to sell alcohol unless they operated as a private club and offered memberships to diners.

full aj story

"Behind" Mt Rushmore

2009-02-01T07:22:00.002-06:00

Witchcrafting Goat in Custody

2009-01-28T07:22:00.003-06:00

(Reuters) – Police in Nigeria are holding a goat on suspicion of attempted armed robbery.

Vigilantes took the black and white beast to the police saying it was an armed robber who had used black magic to transform himself into a goat to escape arrest after trying to steal a Mazda 323.

"The group of vigilante men came to report that while they were on patrol they saw some hoodlums attempting to rob a car. They pursued them. However one of them escaped while the other turned into a goat," Kwara state police spokesman Tunde Mohammed told Reuters by telephone.

"We cannot confirm the story, but the goat is in our custody. We cannot base our information on something mystical. It is something that has to be proved scientifically, that a human being turned into a goat," he said.

Belief in witchcraft is widespread in parts of Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation. Residents came to the police station to see the goat, photographed in one national newspaper on its knees next to a pile of straw.

The Last GEICO Ad

2009-01-26T07:22:00.002-06:00

Why College Takes 5 Years

2009-01-06T07:22:00.003-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2008-10-31T07:22:00.002-05:00

Loaded at Starbucks

2008-10-23T07:22:00.000-05:00

A Starbucks coffee shop in central London. A police officer guarding former prime minister Tony Blair left her loaded gun in a Starbucks where it was found by a member of the public, police and media reports said.(AFP/File/Adrian Dennis

Punked?

2008-10-20T16:26:00.001-05:00

I'm not really sure why this is funny, but several people told me it was. ;)

In this video still, Mr Litorus, homeowner, is interviewed on the local news after hurricane Ike damaged his home.

Texas Tech Waterball Stadium?

2008-09-12T16:26:00.002-05:00

Yikes! I guess the flooding issues have not been resolved in Lubbock yet. Where's the plug?

Penis Nut Removal

2008-09-05T07:22:00.005-05:00

A Malaysian welder had to have a nut removed from around his penis after an attempt to lengthen it before he gets engaged next week went embarrassingly wrong, a news report said Sunday. The nut got stuck on his penis following an erection, the Star newspaper said, forcing him to seek help at a hospital. (AFP/File/Martin Bureau)

Tongue Action

2008-09-03T07:22:00.003-05:00

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain reacts as a supporter grasps his hand a bit aggressively at the end of a campaign rally where he introduced his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in Dayton, Ohio.
(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

I Prefer Syrup

2008-09-02T07:22:00.001-05:00

Jake Deitchler of the U.S. (in red) fights Armen Vardanyan of Ukraine during their 66 kg men's Greco-Roman wrestling repechage round 2 match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 13, 2008.
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez (CHINA)

Hillary Flicking Off Camera?

2008-08-29T07:22:00.001-05:00

Okay, I thought Hillary was better than this, in public at least...

U.S. Sen Hillary Clinton addresses the Emilys list luncheon at a hotel in Denver, Colorado during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
(Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Tomatoe Fight

2008-08-28T07:22:00.006-05:00

A man lies in a sea of tomatoes during the Tomatina festival that takes place in Bunol. Tens of thousands of people from around the world have hurled tons of ripe tomatoes at each other in an annual food fight that leaves the eastern Spanish town covered in red juice.(AFP/File/Philippe Desmazes)

Tree Man Comes Home

2008-08-27T16:26:00.009-05:00

JAKARTA (Reuters) - An Indonesian man dubbed the "tree man" because of gnarled growths on his body has returned from hospital after six kilograms (13 pounds) of warts were surgically removed from his body, a doctor said on Tuesday.

Dede, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, first noticed the warts on his body after cutting his knee as a teenager. Over time, he was sacked from his job, deserted by his wife and shunned by neighbours as the horn-like extensions covered most of his body.

One of Dede's doctors, Rachmad Dinata, said the hospital had allowed the 37-year-old man to enjoy the Islamic fasting month with his family now that 95 percent of the warts had been removed after nine operations. The fasting month begins on September.
"He cannot be 100 percent cured, but his life quality has improved. If once he depended on others to do his activities, now he can eat by himself, use his hand to write, use the cell phone," Dinata said.

The doctor said the warts on Dede's body, which an American doctor said were a result of severe Human Papilloma Virus infection, might re-grow. But the disease is not life-threatening anymore.

Dede was operated on at the Hasan Sadikin provincial hospital in Bandung in West Java where he was admitted nine months ago with a lung infection as a result of the warts.

Dede must still go through more surgery to trim more warts from his palms and the back of his hands after the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday in October.

"We sent him home so he can gather with his family again, especially ahead of the fasting month. It will mentally help the healing process," Dinata said.

(Reporting by Telly Nathalia; Writing by Olivia Rondonuwu; Editing by Sugita Katyal)

PSHS Roof Graffiti

2008-08-25T07:22:00.006-05:00

Yes, it's real! I verified the the authenticity of this photo with an administrator at the Plano Independant School District. The "graffiti" was spotted a couple of weeks ago from a traffic helicopter. The drawing was well placed, in all it's glory and stature, on top of the B building at Plano Senior High School. And it appears to be anatomically correct. So, I guess you could call it a masterpenis?

The pilot of the helicopter snapped the photo on July 15th with a cell phone and sent it to someone at WBAP who forwarded it to a PSHS administrator. Somehow (of course) the photo was leaked. Here is some of the text that hopped along as the photo was forwarded through the admins at PSHS.

"WBAP Radio has sent me this photo of alleged graffiti on the roof at PSHS. Would you please advise me regarding any details related to this. The photo was taken by the traffic reporter in a helicopter."

"We received a call today from WBAP that there is a picture of a penis on top of PSHS. We have our facilities people painting over the graffiti. We are filing a police report and we are optimistic we can identify the individuals who did this."

"See what you missed this summer?"

8 Eight Ate

2008-08-08T20:08:00.004-05:00

I just could not pass up the opportunity to post on 08/08/08 at 08:08:08.

My feet

2008-08-08T17:41:00.002-05:00

Test post from my phone.

National Spelling Bee: Numbnut?

2008-06-05T16:26:00.004-05:00

This is pretty funny. Sameer Mishra, winner of the 2008 National Spelling Bee, was thrown a curve ball when asked to spell "numnah."

New Blog

2008-05-02T16:26:00.005-05:00

Greetings to all. I wanted to let you know that I am ALSO blogging on my Indie Music blog, "Indie Jack." It is still in it's infancy, but if you like music, hop on over. Otherwise, stay tuned here.
Go to >> Indie Jack Blog

Hey Coach, Wrong Ball

2007-08-31T07:22:00.002-05:00

This is a genius trick football play executed to perfection. Enjoy! (turn up your volume)

So... What's the Answer?

2007-08-27T07:22:00.001-05:00

Oh this is good. Miss Teen South Carolina answering a question at the Miss Teen USA Pageant 2007.

Question: Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a world map. Why do you think this is?

You will have to listen to this several times to even attempt to understand her answer. This transcript will help...
Answer: (verbatim) I personally believe that, U.S. Americans are unable to do so, because some… people out there in our nation that don’t have maps, and I believe that our education, like such, as in South Africa and the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should… our education over here in the U.S., should help the U.S., er, should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future.., for our…

Tallest Man

2007-08-11T07:22:00.001-05:00

Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko, left, shakes hands with Leonid Stadnik, 36, believed to be the world's tallest man at 8ft, 5.5in. Stadnik is the tallest person in the world, beating a Chinese man who previously held the title, Guinness World Records said Wednesday Aug. 8, 2007. Stadnik's growth spurt started at age 14 after a brain operation apparently stimulated his pituitary gland. He lives with his mother, Halyna, taking care of the family's house and garden.

Polydactyl Sheep

2007-08-06T07:22:00.001-05:00

A seven legged lamb is pictured on its farm at Methven near Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. Veterinarian Steve Williams said he believed a misprint in embryo formation had resulted in the lamb being born polydactyl, with many legs, a condition that occurs once in several million sheep.

Time to Talk to Jared?

2007-07-30T07:22:00.001-05:00

Manuel Uribe, tipping the scales at 1,234 pounds and seen here at his home in 2006, will be listed as the world's fattest man by the Guinness Book of Records, while a loss of 440 pounds may make him the man who lost the most weight.

"Weird Al" Yankovic - Bob

2007-07-27T07:22:00.001-05:00

This is great, the lyrics are completely in palindromes (same forward and backward). Oh, and it's a spoof of Bob Dylan.

Radar Love?

2007-07-26T07:22:00.001-05:00

Radar, a Belgian draft horse and reigning Guinness World Record holder as the 'Tallest Living Horse,' at 19 hands 3.5 inches (6ft 6in), and Thumbelina, a miniature sorrel brown mare and the world's 'Smallest Living Horse,' 17.5 inches, are united for the first time for a photo shoot that will appear in the Guinness World Records 2008 edition.

Here She Be

2007-03-26T08:22:00.001-05:00

Miss USA 2007

Newly-crowned Rachel Smith, Miss USA 2007, poses in her new Mikimoto tiara, YMI Jeans and Ritmo Mundo watch in downtown Los Angeles the morning after winning her title. The 21-year-old from Clarksville, Tennessee, will spend her year-long reign making special appearances on behalf of the Miss Universe Organization, its sponsors and affiliated charities.

Nudist Gym

2007-03-11T08:22:00.001-05:00

The first clothing-free workout session at a Dutch gym went ahead as planned in Heteren, eastern Netherlands, and participants and observers said it met expectations. Around a dozen middle-aged and elderly men braved the glare of nearly twice that number of journalists, including reporters, photographers and at least five television teams, to fulfill their dream of exercising naked. 'There are things that you like to do, and for a nudist, it just feels better to do them with your clothes off,' said Ron van der Putten, left, who drove for more than an hour to take part in the first session, dubbed 'Nudifit'. 'You feel more free.'

SORRY!

2007-03-10T07:22:00.001-06:00

Okay, so I'm a slacker. I am back in gear now, good stuff to come...

Get Another Chair

2006-12-20T07:22:00.001-06:00

How would you like to sit next to this on your next flight?

A passenger waits for a delayed flight at Heathrow airport's terminal four in London. Dieters may find some welcome assistance from a new nasal spray that could help resist the appetizing aromas of cinnamon bun stands, pizza parlors or tempting bakeries.

Mouthfull

2006-11-13T07:22:00.001-06:00

Jackie Bibby, aka "The Texas Snakeman," holds in his mouth ten 2 ft. 6-inch-long western diamondback rattlesnakes for 12.5 seconds without any assistance to set a new Guinness World Record for Most Live Rattlesnakes Held In Mouth.

Killer Biscuits Wanted for Attempted Murder

2006-11-06T07:22:00.001-06:00

Linda Burnett, 23, a resident of San Diego, was visiting her in-laws and while there went to a nearby supermarket to pick up some groceries.
Several people noticed her sitting in her car with the windows rolled up and with her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her head. One customer who had been at the store for a while became concerned and walked over to the car. He noticed that Linda's eyes were now open, and she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda replied that she'd been shot in the back of the head, and had been holding her brains in for over an hour.
The man called the paramedics, who broke into the car because the doors were locked and Linda refused to remove her hands from her head. When they finally got in, they found that Linda had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head. A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded from the heat, making a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, and the wad of dough hit her in the back of her head. When she reached back to find out what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed out, but quickly recovered and tried to hold her brains in for over an hour until someone noticed and came to her aid.
Linda is a blonde and a Democrat, but I'm certain that's irrelevant.

.: Special thanks to SJ Field correspondent Betsy for this story.

Ahh, Poor John Kerry

2006-11-04T07:22:00.001-06:00

Ha, ha, ha...

A group of soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard stationed in Iraq, hold up a comically misspelled sign mocking recent comments by Sen. John Kerry about people who didn't study in school being 'stuck in Iraq.' According to Air Force Public Affairs Officer Capt. J. Elaine Hunnicutt, 'the soldiers' intent in taking this photo was meant as a humorous response to the current debate in the media and the command recognizes it as such.'

Are There Hippo Dentists?

2006-10-31T07:22:00.001-06:00

A 43-year-old hippopotamus eats a pumpkin at the San Francisco Zoo.

Fried Coke?

2006-10-28T07:22:00.001-05:00

A view of a new fast food making its debut at U.S. fairs this fall. Ping-pong-sized balls of batter made with Coca-Cola syrup are deep-fried, then served in a cup, topped with more Coca-Cola syrup, whipped cream, cinnamon sugar and a cherry on the top. Where did this start? The State Fair of Texas, of course.

Smells Like a Punch in the Face

2006-10-21T07:22:00.002-05:00

This is live footage of Nirvana playing at Trees in Dallas, TX in October 1991. Kurt goes nuts and gets jacked in the face by a bouncer. Very interesting...

When Pigs Dive?

2006-09-29T07:22:00.001-05:00

A pig dives while other pigs watch during a performance at a zoo in Nanjing, in eastern China's Jiangsu province.

OUCH!

2006-09-26T07:22:00.001-05:00

Track and field line judge Lia Mara Lourenco is helped after a javelin hit her in her foot during 'Brazil Trophy,' a national track and field competition, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Spineless

2006-09-25T07:22:00.001-05:00

Bulgarian Simona Peycheva performs with a ball at the 22nd European Rythmic Gymnastics Championship in Moscow.

Eye-Popping Excellence

2006-09-20T07:22:00.001-05:00

In this combination picture of before and after, Claudio Paulo Pinto pops his eyeballs out of their sockets, in Belo Horizonte, 210 miles north of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Claudio Paulo Pinto is looking for work. Pinto can pop his eyeballs at least 7 millimeters (0.3 inches) out of their sockets, a national record for eye-popping according to RankBrasil, an organization modelled after the Guinness Book of World Records that lists Brazilian records. Pinto says he's been doing this since he was nine years old and 'it doesn't hurt a bit.'

Got Pepto?

2006-09-15T07:22:00.001-05:00

A python sits on a road after swallowing a pregnant ewe in the village of Kampung Jabor, about 124 miles east of Kuala Lumpur. The six-metre reptile weighing 198.5 lbs was too laden to move, making it easy for firemen to capture it, said a local daily newspaper.

Special thanks to SJ Field Correspondent Meagan Martin.

Chillin'

2006-09-14T07:22:00.001-05:00

Asiatic black bear takes a rest at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.

First Movement

2006-09-02T07:22:00.001-05:00

This photo released by the Capla Kesting Gallery(CKG) shows a sculpture purportedly cast from 19-week old Suri Cruise's first bowel movement. The work by controversial artist Daniel Edwards, is to be auctioned off for charity on eBay.

Mini Her

2006-08-31T07:22:00.001-05:00

Khagendra Thapa Magar, 14, dances, as his mother looks on, in Baglung village, 270 kilometers (169 miles) west of Katmandu, Nepal. Magar, who is only 20 inches (50 centimeters) tall and weighs 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds), is waiting for word from the Guinness World Records, where he has applied to be named the shortest in the world.

The Aristocrats'

2006-07-21T07:22:00.001-05:00

Paul Provenza, left, and Penn Jillette perform in 'The Aristocrats,' a documentary about retelling a filthy joke. Executive director Jillette developed the documentary's concept four years ago over coffee with comedian Provenza, who directed the film, which makes its television premiere Wednesday, July 26 on HBO.

Giant Fish

2006-07-20T07:22:00.001-05:00

In this photo provided by the office of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sen. Murkowski hugs a 63-pound king salmon she caught July 7, 2006, along the Kenai River in Alaska, during the annual Kenai River Classic. The event, primarily attended by senators, corporate executives and lobbyists, raised about $800,000 for river conservation. BP Vice President Peggy Hudson caught the largest fish, a 67-pound king.

Do What?

2006-07-19T07:22:00.001-05:00

Athlete Kathy Brennan (R) of Washington, D.C., helps to apply tanner on Forrest of Ferndale, Michigan, before the Physique competition during Gay Games VII in Evanston, Illinois.

Diamond Is In The Rough

2006-06-20T07:22:00.001-05:00

Dustin Diamond, who played Screech on the television series 'Saved by the Bell,' holds a t-shirt in this photo taken in Port Washington, Wis. Diamond is selling the shirts to try to raise $250,000 so he doesn't lose his house under a foreclosure order.

Priceless Photo

2006-06-19T07:22:00.001-05:00

This 1978 file photo made available by Microsoft Corp. shows the 11 people who started Microsoft. The photo was taken in Albuquerque, N.M., just prior to moving the company to the Seattle area. Shown top row, from left, are: Steve Wood, Bob Wallace and Jim Lane; second row, Bob O'Rear, Bob Greenberg, March McDonald and Gordon Letwin; and front row, Bill Gates, Andrea Lewis, Marla Wood and Paul Allen. Gates announced Thursday, June 15, 2006, that he will transition from day-to-day responsibilities at the company to concentrate on the charitable work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates will continue as the company's chairman after transferring his duties over a two-year period.

Big Mama

2006-06-15T07:22:00.001-05:00

Qiao Yubo, who is pregnant with at least five babies, walks with her husband, right, in Songyuan, in China's northeast Jilin province. Qiao, who is 1.67-meters tall, has a waistline measurement of 1.75 meters, five months into her pregnancy. Qiao's excessive bulk is causing difficulties in getting around, with taxi drivers too afraid to take her in their cars. Her clothing is all custom-made and she eats up to seven meals a day.

Imagine the possibilities

2006-05-30T07:22:00.001-05:00

A doctor inspects a 59-day-old baby boy who was born with three arms, at a hospital in Shanghai, in east China Monday, May 29, 2006. Doctors are checking the boys physical condition before deciding whether to remove his third arm.

Super Sandwich

2006-04-12T07:22:00.001-05:00

London's most expensive sandwich, nick-named 'The MacDonald Sandwich.'

From Selfridges in London, the sandwich, which is on sale for 85 pounds ($148 dollars), contains ingredients of Wagyu beef, fresh lobe foie gras, black truffle mayonnaise, brie de meaux, rocket, red pepper and mustard confit and English plum tomatoes.

Huh...

2006-04-05T01:02:00.002-05:00

Right now, it's 01:02:03 04/05/06. How about that?

Basketball Anyone?

2006-03-23T07:22:00.001-06:00

The tallest woman in Asia, Chinese Yao Defen (R), and her friend sit at the entrance of her home in Shu Cha in eastern China's Anhui province. Yao is 34 years old and 2.36 metres tall.

Funny

2006-03-21T07:22:00.001-06:00

Needs a trim

2006-03-15T16:26:00.001-06:00

The Great Tenor Luciano Pavarotti needs to needs to get those eye brows thinned out! Looks like a jungle up there...

Bummer

2006-03-03T07:22:00.001-06:00

A Los Angeles County sheriff inspects the wreckage of a rare Ferrari Enzo that crashed on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Calif.

The red Ferrari, estimated to be worth more than $1 million, was going at least 100 mph when the driver lost control and struck a power pole, investigators said. Sheriff's investigators identified the owner as Stefan Ericksson, 44, of Bel Air, who escaped the wreck with only a cut lip.

Nude Curling

2006-02-27T07:22:00.001-06:00

A streaker promoting a website runs onto the field of play during men's curling bronze medal match between the U.S. and Great Britain at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Pinerolo, Italy.

Boots and a Hat

2006-02-22T07:21:00.001-06:00

Naked ramblers Stephen Gough (L) and Melanie Roberts start their walk to John O'Groats in June 2005. Gough walked the length of Britain wearing nothing but a hat, boots and a rucksack and celebrated the successful completion of his marathon trek by putting his clothes back on.

How does she sleep?

2006-02-02T07:22:00.001-06:00

Actually, How does she go to the bathroom?

Ear-Shot?

2006-01-26T16:26:00.001-06:00

In case you want a shot of ear wax...

Venezuelan tattoo maker Constantino, with a glass piercing in the ear, offers his service outside the venue of the annual World Social Forum in Caracas.

There she is

2006-01-23T07:22:00.001-06:00

Miss America 2006

Miss Oklahoma Jennifer Berry smiles during a news conference after being named Miss America 2006 at the conclusion of the Miss America pageant at the Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wendy's Chili Hoaxers

2006-01-21T07:22:00.002-06:00

Anna Ayala, 41, is escorted into a Santa Clara County Superior Court in a San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, for a sentencing hearing. Ayala was sentenced to nine years in prison for planting a severed finger in a bowl of Wendy's chili in a failed attempt to extort money from the fast food chain. Her husband, Jaime Plascencia , was ordered locked up for more than 12 years.

Great News!

2006-01-16T07:22:00.002-06:00

Scientists at the National Taiwan University have successfully bred three pigs which glow fluorescent green in the dark, marking a breakthrough in stem cell research.

Whiplash

2006-01-13T07:22:00.002-06:00

Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey rides his border collie dog during a break in the Denver Nuggets Phoenix Suns game in Denver.

Alright, Alright, Alright...

2006-01-04T07:22:00.000-06:00

What a life!

Matthew McConaughey, center, gestures as he poses for a team photo with University of Texas football players Rodrique Wright (90) and David Thomas (16) during a team photo session at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

Real Good Idea

2006-01-03T07:22:00.001-06:00

Chris and Dana Weissbach jump into the icy water during the annual New Years Day polar bear dip at Mooney's Bay in Ottawa.

Happy New Year

2006-01-01T07:22:00.000-06:00

Marco Fois of Italy dives into the Tiber River from the Cavour bridge as part of traditional New Year celebrations in Rome January 1, 2006. A group of three men jumped from one of Rome's many bridges which span the Tiber river, continuing an annual tradition which dates back to 1946.

Nice Ride

2005-12-29T07:22:00.000-06:00

An ostrich jockey rides a two-year old male ostrich during a training at a Ostrich farm in Kitengela, Kenya.

That's Gonna Leave a Mark

2005-12-28T07:22:00.000-06:00

Racing Lens' Eric Carriere grimaces as he heads the ball during the UEFA Cup first round first leg soccer match against Groclin Grodzisk at the Felix Bollaert stadium in Lens.

Real Women

2005-12-12T07:22:00.000-06:00

This is a member of the women's motorcycle contingent known as 'Dykes on Bikes.'

The US patent office has reversed position and approved a request to let the lesbian San Francisco motorcycle club trademark the name 'Dykes on Bikes'

Does this hurt?

2005-12-07T07:22:00.000-06:00

Why is the guy on the left smiling and the one on the right look like he took one in the...?

Marketable Talent?

2005-11-30T07:22:00.000-06:00

A contestant balances on her head while burping the alphabet at the Great American Trailer Park Pageant in New York. Contestants across the country showcased a vast array of talents for a panel of judges and talk show host Jerry Springer.

Micah got married

2005-11-23T07:22:00.000-06:00

Mican Ben-Aharon is now a married man. I don't have a picture of Mican and Amy, so here is one of me and my new hat...

To Much Free Time

2005-11-15T19:22:00.000-06:00

Here is a study done by some MIT students that have WAY to much free time.

Effectiveness of Aluminium Foil Helmets
It has long been suspected that the government has been using satellites to read and control the minds of certain citizens. The use of aluminum helmets has been a common guerrilla tactic against the government's invasive tactics [1]. Surprisingly, these helmets can in fact help the government spy on citizens by amplifying certain key frequency ranges reserved for government use.
more...

Keeping Up Foreign Relations

2005-11-14T19:22:00.000-06:00

Was this taken with a Poloroid?

Two U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a mirror formation during Aviation Nation Air Show at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

Lost the weight

2005-11-09T07:22:00.000-06:00

Kirstie Alley makes a grand entrance on stage before her speech to the Simmons School of Management Leadership Conference. Alley has lost 55 pounds-- and says she wants to lose more. Alley said that when she started the Jenny Craig diet program, she was horrified at the results of her weigh-in. "I weighed 219," the 54-year-old actress said Monday, Nov.7, 2005, on television's "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "For someone who spent most of her life at 130 ... it was a shock."

Papal Wheels

2005-11-03T07:22:00.000-06:00

This light blue 1975 Ford Escort GL once owned by Pope John Paul II sold for $690,000 Saturday to Houston multimillionaire John O'Quinn who said he plans to put it in a museum he wants to build in his hometown.

Woman Used Stolen Card in Lottery

2005-11-02T07:22:00.000-06:00

Christina Goodenow, 38, of White City in southern Oregon bought a winning lottery ticket worth $1 million with a stolen credit card and could wind up with nothing if convicted. She faces numerous theft-related charges, forgery and possession of methamphetamine, said authorities, who searched her home. The card belonged to a deceased relative, they said.

TAKE ME HERE!

2005-11-01T07:22:00.000-06:00

More Wedding Pics

2005-10-31T07:22:00.000-06:00

Here are more pictures from Bethany's wedding in Chillicothe on September 24, 2005.
Holly Woods, Me and Kristy Gilbert

Holly Woods, Me and Patricia Miller

Splitsville

2005-10-29T16:26:00.000-05:00

Yikes! This can't feel good... I hope she won the point.

Belgian Kim Clijsters returns a ball during her WTA quarter final match against Germany's Julia Schruff in Hasselt's Ethias Arena.

A little to far?

2005-10-27T07:22:00.000-05:00

Okay, come on now. Do this somewhere else...

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, left, gets a kiss from a well-wisher after the White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 1-0 in Game 4 to win the World Series.

Looks like fun

2005-10-22T07:22:00.000-05:00

South Korean bee farmer Ahn Sang-kyu is covered by bees in Daegu, south of Seoul, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005. Ahn, a local bee farmer, released over 260,000 bees and attracted them to his body to celebrate the opening of a new subway in his town.

Interesting Look

2005-10-20T07:22:00.000-05:00

Their parents must be so proud...

Tattoo and body-piercing fan Elaine Dickinson, right with a friend pose for pictures during London's International Tattoo Convention.

How does he eat?

2005-10-19T07:22:00.000-05:00

Tattoo and piercing fan Ernst-Michael Wegener from Germany smiles during London's International Tattoo Convention, Friday Oct. 7, 2005. The first ever London convention kicked off Friday as more than 150 of the world's best tattoo artists from as far as Australia, Japan, Greece and Italy arrived to share their craft with veterans and newcomers to body art. The convention-goers can schedule appointments or stop by for a spur-of- the-moment tattoo, depending on the artist and organizers expect at least 15,000 people to attend this weekend.

Underpants Run

2005-10-16T07:22:00.000-05:00

Competitors wearing little but their underwear smile and cheer as they finish the ninth annual Underpants Run, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. About 100 men, women and children ran in the mile-long event, which crossed paths with the start and finish areas of the considerably more serious Ironman competition, which will be held Saturday. The Underpants Run, originally begun to poke fun at Speedo-wearing Ironman competitors, is now a fundraiser for a local charity.

Ouch

2005-10-15T07:22:00.000-05:00

A boxer getting punched in the face. The leading Catholic magazine 'Civilta Cattolica' has taken a swipe at professional boxing, describing the sport as 'a legalised form of attempted homicide,' driven by powerful interests which are often 'cruel and pitiless' in their pursuit of financial gain.

Yea, what took them so long to figure that one out?

Nice

2005-10-07T16:26:00.000-05:00

A visitor displays her tattooed feet as she walks around an international tattoo exhibition in east London, October 7, 2005. Over one hundred and fifty tattoo artists are displaying traditional and contemporary tattooing.

My Favorite German Festival

2005-10-05T07:22:00.000-05:00

The World Beard and Moustache Championships
Yeah, it's already that time again...
Is this the Quaker Oats guy?

German Willi Chevalier, contestant in the category Partial Beard and Freestyle.

Do you think he goes to job interviews like this?

German Juergen Reinl, participant in the Freestyle category.

The Weedwacker

2005-10-04T07:22:00.000-05:00

I got caught in the middle of the ole "Weedwacker" at Bethany's wedding.

Picture courtesy of Jackie Wallace.

Mr and Mrs Smith

2005-10-02T16:26:00.000-05:00

Torrey and Bethany were wed in a wonderful ceremony in Chillicothe, Ohio on September 24, 2005. Best wishes to the lovely couple.

Picture courtesy of Kay Wallace.

Shoot First, Ask Later?

2005-10-01T16:26:00.000-05:00

On October 1, 2005 the State of Florida's new 'Shoot First' law also known as the 'Stand Your Ground' law, goes into effect.

Throw it Chewy

2005-09-30T07:22:00.000-05:00

Chewbacca throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday Sept. 28, 2005. Chewbacca and Princess Leia were promoting the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New Bill

2005-09-29T16:26:00.000-05:00

The new and improved U.S. ten dollar note was unveiled at a ceremony on Ellis Island in New York September 28, 2005. The new bills are designed with better security features to prevent counterfeiting.

I want to hang out with these guys

2005-09-27T07:22:00.000-05:00

A request for ice sets outside a Hurricane Rita damaged home in Lake Charles, La., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005.

Luckieee

2005-09-26T07:22:00.000-05:00

A house surrounded by flood waters from Hurricane Rita, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Abbeyville, La.

What a Relief!

2005-09-22T07:22:00.000-05:00

Well, I feel better now. How about you?

Supermodel Tyra Banks, right, is shown getting a sonogram from an unidentified physician's assistant to prove that her breasts are not fake on her new talk show during taping in Los Angeles.

Greatness

2005-09-21T16:26:00.000-05:00

How can you look at this still from Dumb and Dumber and not laugh? The great Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. It's hard to believe this movie came out in 1994. It's 11 years old!
At the bar, putting out the vibe