Driver Rob's selection

Weird news, jokes, world travel and personal thoughts. Feel free to comment or leave questions.

Which is the most attractive camel? February 6, 2010

Filed under: Humor, News and politics, Weird news — driverrob @ 10:03 pm
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Aren’t they all lovely?

Well, have you made your choice?

In the UAE, apparently, they do indeed award a prize for the most attractive camel at an annual festival.

One camel was sold at auction there for about $2.7m, not for its beauty, I have to add, but for its racing ability.

Read the full story: here

 

Joke of today February 2, 2010

Filed under: Humor — driverrob @ 1:41 pm
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I haven’t posted a joke for ages and this one just got me hooting.

A duck walks into a shoe-shop and asks the attendant, “Have you got any grapes?”. The attendant, bemused, explains to the duck that he is in a shoe shop but the fruit shop next door should have what he wants.
Next day the same duck walks in again and asks the same question, “Have you got any grapes?”
The attendant, this time a little more sternly, explains again that this is a shoe shop but the fruit shop next door should sort him out.
Next day, same duck same question and every day for the rest of the week until finally the attendant snaps, “If you come in here asking for grapes one more time I swear to God I`ll nail those ******* webbed feet to the ******* floor now **** off!!”
Next day the duck walks in and says, “Have you got any nails?”. This takes the attendant aback and he hesitantly replies “No”.
There is a long pause before the duck says “Have you got any grapes?”

 

Malaysia court fines adulterers four buffaloes February 1, 2010

Filed under: Humor, News and politics, Weird news — driverrob @ 9:34 am
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“A Malaysian court has fined a man and a woman four buffaloes and a pig after they were found guilty of an extra-marital affair, a local report says.

The pair were convicted by the Native Court in Penampang on Borneo island, after the man’s wife lodged a complaint”

Quite right, too, in my opinion. Set an example. I’m not sure how well that sort of punishment would transfer to most other countries though. :)

Read the full story: here

 

How not to thaw out a frozen car windscreen January 28, 2010

Filed under: Humor, News and politics, Weird news — driverrob @ 1:55 pm

We haven’t had one of these stories for a while.

“A 76-year-old German man trying to thaw out his car incinerated it instead when he decided to speed things up by putting a blow heater under the bonnet.”

Do I need to say more? Actually, he almost lost his home as well!

Read the full story: here

 

The pitfalls of buying a second-hand car January 28, 2010

Filed under: News and politics, Rants, Work — driverrob @ 11:53 am
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There’s an old saying in the UK, when referring to someone who seems dodgy or untrustworthy – “Would you buy a second-hand car from this person?”

Well, research published recently by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in the UK has found that the top complaint made by consumers were:

1. Second-hand cars from independent traders and auctions
2. Televisions
3. Mobile phone service agreements
4. Mobile phone hardware
5. Laptops, notebooks and tablet PCs

“In general, a fifth of those buying a second-hand car from a dealer or auction had experienced problems with it after the sale.”

“Among those who paid to resolve the problem, the average cost was £465. This was significantly higher if the car had been bought at auction, averaging £752.”

To someone who works at a car auction and comes into contact with many second-hand car dealers there, this comes as no great surprise. There are lots of really nice cars at good prices sold every day there but, as we all know, there are many which would fail the MoT or have other, serious faults which buyers have little time to discover. Caveat emptor!

Read the full story: here and feel free to post your own comments or questions.

 

Terror group ‘planning paraglider attacks’ January 25, 2010

Filed under: News and politics — driverrob @ 10:48 am
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“Indian intelligence officials suspect that the terrorist group behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks is planning another audacious strike on the country — this time from the air, using suicide bombers flying paragliders.

U. K. Bansal, an Indian Home Ministry official, told reporters that the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba faction was thought to have acquired a number of the gliding parachutes.

“We have intelligence reports that LeT has purchased 50 paragliding kits from Europe with an intention to launch attacks on India,” he said.”

That could be pretty depressing news for the rest of the civilised world if the group manages even one successful attack this way.

Read the full story: here

 

Cancer forces island move for Tasmanian devils January 25, 2010

Filed under: News and politics, Weird news — driverrob @ 10:42 am
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“The endangered animals, which are known for their wild temperament, will be shipped to islands off Tasmania to create a back-up group in case the population on the main island fails. About 70 per cent have died from the disease, which is spread through biting when the animals fight.”

A cancer that is contagious?  That’s a first, isn’t it? God help the human race if we develop one.

Read the full story: here

 

Floor collapses during Weight Watchers’ meeting January 21, 2010

Filed under: Humor, Weird news — driverrob @ 7:18 pm
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“We suddenly heard a huge thud; we almost thought it was an earthquake and everything flew up in the air. The floor collapsed in one corner of the room and along the walls,” a member told the paper, according to a translation on Swedish news Web site “The Local.”

Read the full story: here

There’s a lesson to be learned there :)

 

Tree sex man ordered to leave park January 21, 2010

Filed under: Humor, Weird news — driverrob @ 7:08 pm
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There are some strange people in this world. These three happen to be Scottish:

“A MAN has been banned for life from a public city park after he allegedly dropped his pants and tried to have sex with a tree.
William Shaw, 21, has been ordered by a court not to enter Central Park in Airdrie, Scotland after claims he attempted to have intercourse with the plant.
It is alleged he dropped his trousers and underpants while in the visitor attraction in September last year.
It is claimed he then tried to have simulated sex with the tree while his trousers were around his ankles.”

“It is not the first bizarre sex charge to hit the headlines in Scotland.
In 2007 Steven Marshall, 19, admitted simulating sex with the pavement in Galashiels, Selkirkshire.
In the same year Robert Stewart, 53, was caught by two cleaners having sex with a bicycle in his hostel room in Ayr.”

Read the full story: here

I suppose they’re only of possible harm to themselves, unlike rapists or paedophiles.

 

Never mind bankers; $33m for Conan O’Brien January 21, 2010

Filed under: News and politics, Rants, Weird news — driverrob @ 6:58 pm
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This TV host took over from Jay Leno for seven months on an evening talk show, during which ratings slumped.

So he moves out for Leno to return and gets a pay-off of £20m !!!!!!!!!!!!!

“The deal allows Leno, 59, to return to the show, a programme he hosted for 17 years before leaving last May. O’Brien, who took over in June, will host his final programme on Friday.”

Read the full story: here

Has the world gone mad?