Saturday, June 30, 2007
There is Justice After All: $54 Million Pants Lawsuit Thrown Out.
A Washington, D.C., judge Monday threw out a $54 million lawsuit against a dry cleaner accused of losing a pair of trousers. The case got worldwide attention as the worst example in years of unfettered litigiousness, in the view of some lawyers.
When Pearson returned, owner Soo Chung handed him gray pants. He said his were blue-and-burgundy pinstriped. Wrangling ensued and a ridiculous lawsuit. The full story is here.
"The court rejected a case that clearly had no merits, that was outrageous and ridiculous from the outset," says Bill Schulz of the American Association for Justice, representing trial lawyers.
The case began in May 2005, when lawyer Roy Pearson went to Custom Cleaners with a pair of pants from a suit. He was starting a new job as a District of Columbia administrative law judge and, having gained weight, needed them let out. The cost: $10.50.
When Pearson returned, owner Soo Chung handed him gray pants. He said his were blue-and-burgundy pinstriped. Wrangling ensued and a ridiculous lawsuit. The full story is here.
Below is a picture of the allegedly $54 million pants.
iPhone Hysteria
Apple wanted a spectacle when the iPhone went on sale, and it got just that.
Dozens of photographers hovered outside Apple’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue near East 59th Street, waiting to snap pictures of the elated, often sunburned faces of the first iPhone owners. Some Apple faithful had waited in line for days.
The launch became one of the major stories of the day which turns out to be millions in free advertisement for Apple.
It doesn't hold as much music as an iPod, there are issues with AT&T's service and the network that they use is something called EDGE which is slow, so expect to hear a gang of complaints once the adrenalin wears off....and the bill comes. Somewhere in the vicinity of $200 a month, on top of the $500 they laid out for the "phone". Disposable income must be a by-product of stupidity, since I figure that many of the sheep were there so that they can wave the thing in front of their friends, who will "Oooh" and "Awww" publicly, while privately wondering "what were you thinking?"
No sense of humour
Someone didn't appreciate my post regarding the Miss Moscow beauty peagent to here is the real winner.
Oh Oh, Romney's Cruel Canine Vacation
The incident: dog excrement found on the roof and windows of the Romney station wagon. How it got there: Romney strapped a dog carrier — with the family dog Seamus, an Irish Setter, in it — to the roof of the family station wagon for a twelve hour drive from Boston to Ontario, which the family apparently completed, despite Seamus's rather visceral protest.Now the incident as reported in Time happened in 1983 but in presidential politics that doesn't matter too much because people will insist it speaks to the character of the man. Let's see if the story has legs.
Calgary has an Ambulance for 'Big Loads'
Healthcare officials in Calgary have unveiled a new ambulance designed for treating and transporting obese patients in an emergency, believed to be the first of its kind in this country.
The ambulance is equipped with a wide stretcher and a mechanical lift that gently raises patients weighing up to 450kg (1,000 lbs) into the carriage.
The population is becoming heavier and and EMS officials note that they need an ambulance that could handle bigger loads and to reduce injuries to paramedics from lifting.
According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadians who are overweight or obese has risen dramatically in recent years, mirroring a worldwide phenomena. More than 20%, or six million Canadians are considered obese.
Calgarian Chad Campbell, who weighs more than 250kg (560 lbs), welcomed the new crash wagon, telling public broadcaster CBC it used to take four firemen and two paramedics to transport him to hospital.
I'm wondering how often those poor EMS staff have to cart Chad to the hospital. It's sad that they have to convert a forklift into a ambulance.
A regular ambulance is sized for patients weighing up to 160kg (350 lbs).
Panda Breakout
I love these big cuddly animals. The video found on YouTube gives the appearance that one of the pandas has escaped the enclosure. However, I've been to the Washington zoo where this was taken and that opening takes the pandas to their outside enclosure.
CN Tower Lighting
The new lighting system for the CN Tower went live last night and it certainly changes Toronto's skyline. The new LED lights are spectacular and use less energy then the crappy lights they had before. Below is a video that gives you an idea of what its like.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Most Canadians would fail own citizenship test
Most Canadians know so little about their own country that they would flunk the basic test that new immigrants are required to take before becoming citizens, according to a poll released today.The Ipsos-Reid survey showed that 60 percent of Canadians would fail the test. A similar poll done in 1997 showed a failure rate of 45 percent.
Only 4 percent knew the three requirements a citizen had to meet to be able to vote while only a third could correctly identify the number of provinces and territories. Just 8 percent knew that the Queen is the head of state.
The survey was carried out for the Dominion Institute, which aims to boost knowledge of Canadian history and values. It said all high school students should have to pass a special citizenship exam before they can graduate.
Police Probe Jefferys Principal, Vice-Principals
The principal and the two vice-principals at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate are on "home assignment" after allegations of a serious incident came to light during an inquiry probing conditions at the school.The administrators are no longer working in the school, and it's not clear if they will return in the fall when classes resume, Toronto District School Board Chair Sheila Ward said in an interview last night.
The move came after Toronto lawyer Julian Falconer, appointed to head a high-profile inquiry following the murder in May of Jordan Manners at the Jane-Finch high school, relayed information about an alleged October incident to Gerry Connelly, director of education for the Toronto District School Board, on Wednesday.
Lottery Sellers Face Criminal Check
To protect lottery players from being bilked out of their jackpots, the province is requiring 10,000 sellers of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. tickets like 6/49 to register with authorities and have criminal background checks.
The moves, along with more inspectors and a new mechanism to deal with disputes over winning tickets, follow recommendations made in Ontario Ombudsman André Marin's scathing report on lottery problems three months ago.
Among other things, Marin found about $100 million in lottery prizes over $50,000 went to lottery retailers and their employees between 1999 and 2006. The government has asked the Ontario Provincial Police to investigate.
Marin's probe was prompted by the case of the late Bob Edmonds, a retiree from Coboconk, Ont., who sued the lottery corporation claiming he was cheated out of a $250,000 winning ticket by a crooked store clerk in 2001.
The lottery corporation fought back, spending $400,000 on legal fees, but eventually settled with him. Edmonds died of cancer in early April at age 83, shortly after receiving a personal apology from a top lottery official.
The moves, along with more inspectors and a new mechanism to deal with disputes over winning tickets, follow recommendations made in Ontario Ombudsman André Marin's scathing report on lottery problems three months ago.
Among other things, Marin found about $100 million in lottery prizes over $50,000 went to lottery retailers and their employees between 1999 and 2006. The government has asked the Ontario Provincial Police to investigate.
Marin's probe was prompted by the case of the late Bob Edmonds, a retiree from Coboconk, Ont., who sued the lottery corporation claiming he was cheated out of a $250,000 winning ticket by a crooked store clerk in 2001.
The lottery corporation fought back, spending $400,000 on legal fees, but eventually settled with him. Edmonds died of cancer in early April at age 83, shortly after receiving a personal apology from a top lottery official.
Hayden Panettiere is into body painting
...among other things so get ready for the next celebrity meltdown.CNN hits big ratings with Paris
CNN's "hard news" rep took a hit, but Paris Hilton brought in the viewers, as her exclusive tell-all with Larry King drew 3.2 million viewers -- more than triple King's regular average.Ratings for the Paris edition of "Larry King Live" exceeded those for CNN's last two presidential debates. CNN drew 2.78 million for its debate between the Democratic contenders and 2.05 million for its Republican debate, earlier in June.
CNN got the interview after the major networks backed out. Barbara Walters thought she had the deal sealed for 20/20 by offering $100,000 which it billed as a reasonable license fee for family photos and videos. Then NBC offered a million dollars, and Walters got pissed at the Hiltons for reneging, so she outed them. Both networks were embarrassed and Paris fell into Larry's lap.
The show was King's highest-rated since 2005 but only his 53rd highest-rated in 10 years at CNN, according to Nielsen Media Research. Some 1.4 million adults 25-54 demo tuned in for Hilton, more than three times King's regular average.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Spice Girls together again
Yesterday the Spice Girls, Britain's biggest ever girl band, confirmed that they were reuniting to perform a world tour almost a decade after they split up.I can't wait.
Golovin's Pants Make them Red at Wimledon
A pair of bright red knickers ensured players’ clothing remained a hot topic of discussion at Wimbledon.Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin sported the dashing apparel beneath her whites during her victorious court 14 appearance.
An All England Club spokesman said undergarments can be any colour as long as they remain shorter than the skirt.
Golovin, who beat Su-Wei Hsieh in three sets, said she chose the colour to show she is strong and confident.
Asked if she was questioned by officials about her clothing, she replied: “No, I think it is totally in the dress code.”
This bullet could be the cause of your headache
A Florida man awoke with a severe headache and asked his wife to drive him to a hospital, where doctors found a bullet lodged behind his right ear.The wife, April Moylan, fled the emergency room when the bullet was discovered but later told deputies she had accidentally shot her husband as he slept early on Tuesday. She was jailed on a weapons violation charge while deputies pursued additional charges.
The husband, 45-year-old Michael Moylan, woke up with a head pain so severe he suspected he was having an aneurysm and asked his wife to take him to the emergency room.
They arrested the wife after obtaining a search warrant and finding a gun and bloody rags in the couple's home near the Atlantic coastal town of Port St. Lucie. The husband was hospitalized in stable condition.
Both husband and wife have long criminal histories.
The husband's record lists more than two dozen arrests from 1988 to 2005, mostly on charges of drunken driving and related episodes, including probation violations and driving with a suspended license.
His wife's record includes 13 arrests from 1987 to 2005. Her arrests include allegations of multiple drug violations, including the sale of cocaine; car theft; failure to appear in court; and DUI.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Paris Confesses!
It turns out that Paris Hilton is just a regular nice girl - at least that's what she told Larry King tonight. She likes to go to church and read the bible. She has never taken drugs and rarely drinks. In fact, the DUI conviction was the result of just one drink. All those parties she went to, well she just liked to go out. It was other people taking drugs. Of course Larry King never asked about the sex tape.But she has learned her lesson, turned the corner - as a result of 23 traumatic days in county jail. She is going to make good of her life and take up all kinds of causes. Of course it will probably cost at least $50,000 per appearance.
Excuse me while I go vomit.
Did Benoit Suffer from Roid Rage?
The tragic murder-suicide of Chris Benoit and his family has sent shockwaves throughout more than just the sports entertainment community. It also has prompted both houses of Congress to reprise their 2005 investigation of steroid use in MLB to probe growth hormones’ possible use in professional wrestling.
Yes it's hard to beleive that professional wrestlers would use steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Has it ever occurred to anyone that, unlike the amateur ranks, there’s only one division in professional wrestling? Heavyweight. That’s it. Well, if you exclude those increasingly rare midget wrestlers. Then they’d be bantamweights, maybe?
Below is a picture of Chris Benoit taken in 1994 and one from 2000 which show how much is body size had changed.
Germany imposes ban on Tom Cruise
I may have to re-evaluate my view of the Germans after Germany banned the makers of Tom Cruise's new movie from filming at military sites in the country because Cruise is a Scientologist.The German defence ministry said Cruise has "publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult". The Germans accuse Scientology of masquerading as a religion to make money. Scientology has been monitored in Germany in the belief that its activities are "directed against the free democratic order" in the country.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Forget about the Middle East...
...because Paris is out of the slammer!
Larry King, cancel President Abbas, Ms. Hilton is on line 3.
Larry King, cancel President Abbas, Ms. Hilton is on line 3.
Another Peace Summit in the Middle East
As Israeli and Arab leaders meet in Egypt to discuss a new peace agenda for the Middle East, Hamas makes threats for being left out of the process. Not that this new initiative will go anywhere since both Olmert and Abbas are so weak, they would never agree on any radical step forward.
It's hard to believe how much Israel contributed to this mess. Back in the days when Israel was battling Fatah, the Israelis encouraged Islamic fundamentalists in the territories to undermine Arafat. The Americans approved because they found the PLO to be too corrupt. So Hamas was formed but it grew to strong and popular so the Israelis and Americans switched allegiance and began supporting a weakened Fatah. So now we have an unpopular and weak Fatah being supported by foreigners. Where have we seen this before?
Don't policymakers ever study history?
It's hard to believe how much Israel contributed to this mess. Back in the days when Israel was battling Fatah, the Israelis encouraged Islamic fundamentalists in the territories to undermine Arafat. The Americans approved because they found the PLO to be too corrupt. So Hamas was formed but it grew to strong and popular so the Israelis and Americans switched allegiance and began supporting a weakened Fatah. So now we have an unpopular and weak Fatah being supported by foreigners. Where have we seen this before?
Don't policymakers ever study history?
New Sports Injury Discovered
A Japanese man who set a world record by wolfing down 53 hot dogs in 12 minutes has suffered a severe jaw injury due to his rigorous training, making his next title uncertain.
Takeru 'Tsunami' said he can only open his mouth to make a gap the size of a fingertip after being diagnosed with jaw arthritis. In an entry on his blog entitled Occupational Hazard, Kobayashi said: "My jaw refused to fight any more."
The injury occurred only a week after the slender 29-year-old started training to win his sixth straight title at the annual July 4 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest on New York's Coney Island.
How silly do people get?
Well there is already a line up at an Apple store in Manhattan to purchase iPhones which come out on the market this Friday. A photographer took a picture of 2 guys who have formed a line and as you can see there are barricades up to deal with the expected crowd later in the week.
ATM Turns 40 This Week
It's hard to beleive but the world's first ATM was installed in a branch of Barclays near London, England 40 years ago this week. I don't really remember seeing them in Canada until about 25 years ago.
This the the full story of John Shepherd-Barron, the man who invented the cash machine.
This looks pretty cool
It's a cornfield in Holland where some guy high on cocaine was trying to escape police. Four police cars were damaged in a desperate attempt to prevent the crazed driver from reaching public roads, but they could not save the crop from irrepairable damage.
In the end, the man was captured when he crashed the car into a ditch.
In the end, the man was captured when he crashed the car into a ditch.
Monday, June 25, 2007
If your daughter brought him home you would....
Say hello to Curtis Allgier. Curt here was arrested todayafter running from the Police when he "allegedly"murdered a corrections officer who accompanied him on a medical appointment.
Nice tats there Curt. It says at the top of yourforehead that you're "Property of Jolene".
She must feel so proud.
I also see that you're a skin head with a cute little swastika painted right between your eyes. That's what must have attracted Jolene to you huh?
Let's see, you have 5150 under your right eye. This means one of two things: You REALLY liked Van Halen's 7th album, orit's a reference to California's Welfare & Institutions Code.
I believe it says Styx under your left eye. I didn't care much for that band. Perhaps it's in reference to the river huh? Whatever...Then you have a couple little dark lightning bolts on either cheek, and what looks like ninja throwing stars to back them up. I have no idea what's done on your nose. It looks like a woman's high heeled boot or something.
You have Hatebreed scratched across your top lip. Now you can't fool me this time. I KNOW that'sa metal band. Wikipedia says so! I believe the word FUN is marked on your chin. That doesn't seem to fit to well with the other phrases you have painted on your face. You must have been drunk when you got that one done. You have some weird designs located along your jaw as well. I'm not sure what they signify. The one under your right eye looks like a Rubik's Cube, and the one under your left eye looks like one of those mazes they make mice run through. I could be wrong...I see you have a skull and other shit marked on your neck as well.
Anyway good luck with that.
Crocs aren't Chic
Ok, I'm going to catch a lot of flack for this, but I just don't get what's so cool about Crocs. When they first came out, I was puzzled. When they became a phenomenon, I just figured I was out of the pop culture loop.
Then President Bush was photographed wearing a pair on his way for a bike ride. He was also wearing a pair of black shorts, a white camp shirt, a baseball cap with the image of an unidentified Scottish terrier and black bike socks imprinted with the presidential seal. The combination makes one think of an old man on his way to the beach.
If only others 
would limit their Croc wearing to such occasions. But no. They will take the president's appropriate Croc use as validation for their own indiscriminate addiction. They must wear them to the grocery store and to the movies and to dinner.
would limit their Croc wearing to such occasions. But no. They will take the president's appropriate Croc use as validation for their own indiscriminate addiction. They must wear them to the grocery store and to the movies and to dinner.After reading this article, it appears I may have been judging the shoe by its cover. Not only are Crocs comfy, they're certified by the American Podiatric Medical Association and the U.S. Ergonomics Council. Many foot doctors wearing them, and some are recommending them to their patients as well. So what do foot experts love about Crocs? Great arch support, a large toe box, more protective than a flip-flop, lightweight, and stable are just a few of the words used to describe the shoe.
They still look hideous to me.
Sneak Preview of New CN Tower Lighting
The landmark CN Tower has been undergoing an upgrade in low energy lighting with multiple colour options. During the weekend the new system was being tested.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)