This was bright.....

How many of us have ever gone on Spring Break?  I'm 34, 35 in a about a week, and I recall having fun during Spring Break; going to the beach, hanging out with the fellas. Apparently, this college student's idea of a fun Spring Break is to spend is to "spend a week in a Wal-Mart as a test of endurance."  What's more, "his college adviser liked the idea."

This is so wrong on many levels.  First of all, there's nothing exciting or interesting, at least to me, about living in a Wal-Mart.   I know that is some places, homeless people do seek shelter in Wal-Mart, if only to stay out of the elements, and for safety reasons.  For this moron to stay so long at this store that reach "the point of hallucinating" is just plain stupid. 

Second, you have to give it up to the security at this store.  Dude was there for 41 hours straight before "a shift manager approached him and asked him if he was finding everything he needed" and "some store greeters began to take notice -- pointing at him and whispering." Very nice. 

Third: why didn't this dip go somewhere for Spring Break?  No friends? No girlfriends?  Really...you spent your Spring Break living in Wal-Mart, and his professor "intuitively thought this is brilliant." No, it's not.  Finding the cure for polio, landing a man on the moon, inventing the automobile: all brilliant.  Living in a Wal-Mart SuperCenter: dumb:

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College student lives in Wal-Mart for 41 hours He ate at in-store restaurant, napped in restroom or on lawn chairs

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- For spring break, some college students set out for sun-drenched beaches or cheap European cities. Skyler Bartels headed for the local Wal-Mart.

Bartels, 20, an aspiring writer and Drake University sophomore, thought he'd spend a week in a Wal-Mart as a test of endurance, using it as the premise for a magazine article. His college adviser liked the idea.

"I just intuitively thought, 'This is brilliant!"' said Carol Spaulding-Kruse, an associate professor of English. "I wasn't quite sure why, but it just sounded like a really good idea."

For 41 hours, Bartels wandered the aisles of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Windsor Heightsthat's open 24 hours a day. He checked out shoppers, read magazines, watched movies on the DVD display and played video games.

He bought meals at the in-store Subway sandwich shop, but was able to catch only brief naps in a restroom stall or on lawn chairs in the garden department.

Other shoppers and employees didn't pay much attention until the end of his stay, he said, when it appeared some store greeters began to take notice -- pointing at him and whispering.

A shift manager approached him and asked him if he was finding everything he needed.

"He said, 'Didn't I see you over by the magazines, like, five hours ago?' I told him, 'Maybe,"' Bartels said.

Tiring to the point of hallucinating, Bartels said he decided to go home before he was thrown out.

He considered the project a failure.

Then, The Des Moines Register, which had been contacted by Spaulding-Kruse, called to ask him about the experience. Once the story ran, TV networks began calling.

He also talked with a book agent, has been contacted by New Line Cinema about a movie concept and did a radio interview with National Public Radio.

Bartels told The Associated Press he has decided the stunt wasn't such a failure after all.

"I'm incredibly happy with the press coverage," he said. "It would be kind of silly not to accept it with open arms."

Wal-Mart spokesman Kevin Thornton said Bartels neither violated store policy nor broke the law.

"We were unaware of his presence and if we were aware of it we certainly wouldn't have condoned it," Thornton said. "We're a retailer, not a hotel."

 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/29/walmat.spring.break.ap/index.html

Something to make you think

"No matter what we want of life we have to give up something in order to get it."

-- Raymond Holliwel

Dead In The Mud

One of my favorite TV shows of all-time is "Cops". Why? Because it makes me realize that no matter how crappy my life can be, there's some moron out there that has it worse than me, as evident by the dips that always seem to appear on "Cops".   So, when I read this story about "A man running from a routine traffic stop early Tuesday sank waist-deep in mud and apparently died of exhaustion and cold while authorities tried to pull him out", it made me understand just how dangerous it can be to resist being arrested.  Sadly, though, this gentleman was running from the cops because he thought he was wanted for something, however, "he wasn't wanted for anything, except his driver's license was expired".  Ouch!!!

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Man dies stuck in mud after running from deputies Exhaustion, exposure thought to blame; toxicology tests pending

DALLAS, Texas (AP) -- A man running from a routine traffic stop early Tuesday sank waist-deep in mud and apparently died of exhaustion and cold while authorities tried to pull him out.

Deputies stopped Shawn E. Leflore, 33, for having an outdated registration sticker, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Don Peritz said.

"He thought he was wanted. That is why he ran," Peritz said. "But it turns out he wasn't wanted for anything, except his driver's license was expired."

Leflore ran about 700 yards off the road, where he got stuck in the mud, Peritz said. The weather was windy, and temperatures were in the upper 30s in the dark field, which had been saturated by heavy rain. (Watch exhausted rescuers slog out of the sludge -- :52)

Deputies searched about an hour before finding him. They called for help and tried for another hour to pull him out, but Leflore died, Peritz said.

Peritz said officials believe Leflore suffered from exhaustion and exposure. Toxicology results were pending.

A passenger in Leflore's vehicle was not injured.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/21/mud.death.ap/index.html

Another Dumbass Dad

I can't picture any self-repspecing father doing this.   And, of course, it happened here in Tulsa.  This rocket scientist decided that he needed to get his fill of dancing snaks, so he took his little boy to the club with him, and left him alone in the car.   Keep in mind that this club isn't exactly in the best of neighborhoods, this moron left the car doors open and told his son that if he got out of the car that the "monsters would eat him".  The club manager called the cops on this weirdo when the little boy came inside the club to look for his dad.

This is the kind of case that a defense attorney would run away from.  I mean, what the defense? "You're honor, my client was horny, so he had to do something about it"????  This dip should have his parental rights stripped. 

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From NewsChannel 8:
Father Arrested After Leaving Son In Cold Car Outside Strip Club
Location: Tulsa
Posted: March 21, 2006 5:50 PM EST
URL: http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0306/312372.html

Tulsa - A Kansas man was arrested over the weekend at a Tulsa strip club after leaving his young son alone in a cold car.

It happened at the Showplace Club on Admiral near Memorial. The club's manager called police after the pre-schooler came into the club looking for his father.

According to police, the father allegedly told his son to stay in the car and that if he left, monsters would eat him.

At the time, it was raining and 45 degrees. The car was unlocked and parked near a busy street.

Damm!

I'm sure that all of us, at one time, have had "that neighbor"; the one who is so obsessive with his lawn that it becomes a worse addiction than gambling or drinking.  However, I doubt any of us has had a neighbor that was "charged with murder" for shooting someone for walking across his lawn.   If you read this story, you get the feeling that dude's obsession with his green thumb caused him to shoot this poor kid.   Me, I think he's just nuts.  No one in their right mind would do something as horrid as this.   A life is not worth keeping your yard pristine. I know you were taking matters into your own hands since you previously "told police he had several times had problems with neighbors walking" into your yard....why not build a fence???? Fence: good.  Shooting someone: bad.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

'I just killed a kid' Neighbor charged with shooting teen who walked on his grass

BATAVIA, Ohio (AP) -- A man who neighbors say was devoted to his meticulously kept lawn was charged with murder in the shooting of a 15-year-old boy who apparently walked across his yard.

Charles Martin called 911 on Sunday afternoon, saying calmly: "I just killed a kid."

Police, who released the call's contents, said Martin also told the dispatcher: "I've been harassed by him and his parents for five years. Today just blew it up." (Watch for the 911 call from the accused shooter -- 1:46)

Larry Mugrage, whose family lived next door, was shot in the chest with a shotgun. The high school freshman was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Martin, 66, allegedly told police he had several times had problems with neighbors walking on his lawn. He remained jailed without bond Monday. His jailers said no attorney was listed for him.

Neighbors said Martin lived alone quietly, often sitting in front of his one-story home with its neat lawn, well-trimmed shrubbery and flag pole with U.S. and Navy flags flying.

Joanne Ritchie, 46, said Mugrage was known as "a good kid." She said she always also considered Martin to be friendly.

Union Township is near Batavia,about 20 miles east of Cincinnati, Ohio.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/20/boy.shot.ap/index.html

CNN.com does it again/The blue pill for horses!

Once again, CNN.com has turned to tabloid journalism to fill space on it's webpage.  I'm not buying that a "court ordered Viagra to be given to a stallion" is something that should be on their website.  While I'm at it:

Memo to all guys:

          Stop taking these pills.  Your not getting it up is nature's way of saying you shouldn't reproduce.  Also, if you're going blad, just shave your hair off.  You can use the money saved from hairplugs and rugs for a downpayment on a fly sports car:

Court's prescription for ailing horse: Viagra

BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- A German court ordered Viagra to be given to a stallion after his new owner claimed he was impotent and refused to pay the full asking price.

The buyer of the horse called Vedor paid just a tenth of the price of over 4,000 euros ($4,900), claiming it had only one testicle and failed to get frisky with a female pony.

A vet found the testicle after an examination, said Egbert Simons, a spokesman for the court in the eastern town of Neuruppin.

And when the stallion was given the potency drug, it emerged he was fully functional, he added.

The court ordered the buyer to pay the full price.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/03/20/viagra.stallion.reut/index.html

The Diaries of A Dog and Cat

A friend of mine sent this to me yesterday.  I'm not sure who the original author is, but this is one of the funniest things I have ever read.   Enjoy!

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 EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DAILY DIARY:

8:00 a.m. Oh, boy!  Dog food!  My favorite!

9:30 a.m. Wow! A car ride!  This is a blast!

9:40 a.m. A walk in the park! Ate some crap...Delicious!

10:30 a.m. Getting rubbed and petted!  I'm in love!

12:00 p.m. Lunch!  Yummy!

1:00 p.m. Playing in the yard!  I just love it!

3:00 p.m. Staring adoringly at my masters...they're the best!  I'll wag my tail in joy.
 
4:00 p.m. Hooray!  The kids are home!  I'm bouncing off the walls!

5:00 p.m. Milkbones!  Great!

7:00 p.m. Get to play ball!  This is too good to be true!

8:00 p.m. Wow! Watching TV with my master!  Heavenly!

11:00 p.m. Sleeping at the bottom of my master's bed!  Life is soooooooo great!


EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DAILY DIARY:

Day 683 of My Captivity:

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomited on the floor.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a ''good little hunter'' I am. The audacity!! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to my power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow-- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.  The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released--and he seems more than willing to return! He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant-- I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. The captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe........ for now.

Mother Of The Year....NOT

As father of a son who has special needs, this story hits me like a kick in the groin.   This Ohio couple built "cage-like beds fitted with alarms" because, as wife Sharen Gravelle explains, her special needs foster childen "had asked for the structures to be built".  Oh, they did?  I believe you.  Why, just yesterday, my son asked my why I hadn't begun to bulid him that 4x4 cage he wants so desperatly to live in.   But, my spidy senses told me that I shouldn't do that because kids really need to have a room with toys in it, a bed, lots of books (that's only if you want to make you kid smart), and lots of clothes. 

While I'm at it, where was the child protection agency on this?  It wasn't like this couple was caring for one kid.  They have 15 kids living in cages like animals.   Nice going, State of Ohio.

Finally, I'd like to wish the Gravelle's a fun time in prison.  Hey, at least your jail cells will be bigger than the cages you built for your kids.  Have a happy time!

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Ohio Woman Says Kids Requested Caged Beds

By CONNIE MABIN, Associated Press WriterThu Mar 2, 11:13 AM ET

Some of the special-needs children who slept in cage-like beds fitted with alarms had asked for the structures to be built, their adoptive mother testified at a custody hearing.

Sharen Gravelle testified Wednesday that she and her husband Michael built bunk beds and attached a wooden playhouse the family called a clubhouse for some of the children's toys. The other children then requested and got them.

The couple eventually added wire enclosures and alarms to help corral what the mother described as uncontrollable wandering at night. The couple felt the cage-like, brightly painted enclosures helped keep the children from getting dangerous kitchen utensils and into other trouble, the mother testified Wednesday in a custody hearing.

The couple have pleaded not guilty to several charges, including child endangerment, in a separate criminal case.

Sharen Gravelle was the last witness in the custody hearing, and the judge has set a March 13 deadline for closing arguments. Once those are received the judge was likely to rule within a week, court administrator Christopher Mushett said Thursday.

Prosecutors accuse the couple of locking some of their 11 adopted children in cages to discipline them, and want Huron County to take permanent custody them. The children have been in foster care since the enclosed beds were discovered last fall.

The Gravelles are fighting to regain custody. They deny abusing their adopted children, ages 1 to 15, and say the beds were necessary to protect the youngsters, who suffered from psychological and behavioral problems.

Under questioning by her attorney, Ken Myers, Sharen Gravelle said that when the children became older they acted up more, including escaping from their regular beds in the middle of the night to fetch knives from the kitchen or punch each other.

"They just didn't seem normal to me, I mean the behavior didn't and I didn't know what to do," she said.

The mother said she sought help from county social workers and received none. Research on the Internet led her to Elaine Thompson, an independent licensed social worker who is also charged in the case.

Gravelle said Thompson approved the beds and that at least one inspection for another adoption was done at the home in rural Wakeman about 60 miles west of Cleveland after the enclosures were built.

Prosecutor Jennifer DeLand said the Gravelles have refused a court order to undergo psychological testing. She presented documents from the Gravelles' first adoption home study that she said proved the couple had lied about previous abuse allegations and investigations by a child protective agency in Lorain County, where they used to live.

Sharen Gravelle denied lying and said she had not seen the documents, although she acknowledged her and her husband's signatures were on the papers below a sworn statement that the information was true.

Sharen Gravelle said she met her husband in 1986 at a dinner for a child sex abuse support group. She said she was attending because a relative had been molested. Michael Gravelle was there because he was accused of inappropriate touching, a charge he denies. The couple married two months later.

The Gravelles are charged with child endangering, falsifying adoption applications and lying under oath when becoming qualified for adoption funding. If convicted, they would face one to five years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine for each of 16 counts of felony child endangerment.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060302/ap_on_re_us/caged_children