Fun [ news of the weird ] BY CHUCK SHEPHERD Horse show jumping is a longtime Olympics sport, but for the last 10 years, equestrians have been performing in “horseless” show jumping, in which horse courses are run by “riders” on foot (who, by the way, do not straddle broomsticks). According to an October report in The Wall Street Journal, an international association headed by retired pro equestrian Jessica Newman produces at least 15 shows a year, with between 40 to 130 competitors galloping over jumps that vary from two to four feet high (five feet in “Grand Prix” events), with the “riders” graded as if they were on horses (timed, with points off for contacting the rails). Explained Newman about the shows’ success: “It’s just fun to be a horse.”
Cultural Diversity
— Official Gaydar: Malaysia’s Education Ministry has held at least 10 seminars recently to teach parents and teachers how to head off the pesky homosexuality that their kids may be in “danger” of developing. According to officials, sure signs are when boys wear “V-neck” or sleeveless shirts or carry big handbags. For girls, the most obvious sign is “having no affection for boys.” Last year, according to a September Reuters report, the government set up camps specifically to teach “masculine behavior” to “effeminate” boys. —Championship eaters gobble down hot dogs on New York’s Coney Island, but in August, when a Filipino restaurant in Brooklyn wanted a more ethnic contest, it offered plates of “baluts” -- the Philippine delicacy of duck fetuses. Wayne Algenio won, stuffing 18 down his throat in five minutes. Typically, the baluts have barely begun to develop, sometimes allowing a “lucky” diner to sense in his mouth the crackle of a beak or the tickle of a feather. Since baluts are exotic, they
are considered to be (as is often the case in Asia) aphrodisiacs. — Surviving a cobra bite in Nepal is simple, some natives believe. If the victim bites the snake right back, to its death, the venom is rendered harmless. One confident farmer bitten in August in Biratnagar told BBC News that he went about his business normally after fatally biting his attacker and survived only after his family convinced him that perhaps the custom was ridiculous and hauled him to a hospital. — A September religious festival in Nanchang, China, is a favorite of beggars, as visitors are in a generous mood, but officials expressed concern this year about the increasing hordes of panhandlers harassing the pilgrims. Thus, town officials ordered all festival beggars to be locked up in small cages (too tiny to allow standing) to minimize the hustling. Beggars are free to leave, but then must stay away permanently. Most beggars chose to stay since they still earned more in festival cages than they would have on the street.
Least Competent Criminals
(1) Todd Kettler, 37, was arrested in October in Kalamazoo Township, Mich., and charged with robbing a Southfield, Mich., bank five days earlier. The manager of a strip club in the Township had noticed that Kettler was handing women money saturated with red dye, and called the police. (2) Two men, ages 45 and 42, were arrested in Toronto in September after they walked into a neighborhood moneytransfer store with $520,250 in a duffel bag and attempted to wire that amount to an address in Los Angeles. Police charged them in connection with an ongoing money-laundering investigation.
[ LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION ON PAGE 31 ]
[ LOVESCOPE ] BY EUGENIA LAST ARIES (March 21-April 19): Expressing emotional uncertainty will add to your mystery when it comes to conversations with someone interested in getting to know you better. A fun-loving, adventurous attitude will lead to stimulating pastimes and romantic excitement that will entice someone who can match your every mood and hold your interest. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A partnership may not turn out to be as good a connection as you had hoped for. Back up and rethink your next move. Honesty will be key in making the right decision when it comes to love
and commitment. Let your true feelings and desires be known. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll be the one who stands out, the one attracting all the attention, the one who knows how to have fun. Love is highlighted, and attracting someone who wants to explore new places, adventures and intimate encounters will entice you to journey to a place you can be alone. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Too much choice will lead to indecisiveness. Back away from anyone putting pressure on you to move too quickly. Strive for friendship first. If the person you are with won’t slow down,
move on to someone who will. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Travel and attending networking functions will lead to a surprising encounter with someone who rocks your world. You may be busy with activities you have signed up for, but making a little time to ensure that you get to see this person again will contribute to future happiness. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Letting someone from your past hold the key to your heart will not allow for future relationships to develop. Take responsibility for your personal life by doing whatever it takes to find closure. Romantically, good fortune is
within reach if you are open to advances being made. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll attract plenty of potential partners if you get out and take part in community events that promise to teach you about different cultures. Sharing your thoughts and exploring the possibilities others have to offer will lead to romance and a commitment you cannot refuse. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t feel pressured to make an emotional decision or push someone else to make a commitment to you. Enjoy the company of whoever touches your heart, and stop worrying about where
your love life is heading. One day at a time will lead to a special relationship. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A change will do you good and will increase your romantic opportunities. Doing things a little differently or spending time with someone who has something unique to offer will change your perspective regarding how you want to live life. Live, love, laugh. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Reconsider where you are heading in life before you try to initiate plans that are not in the stars. Common interests must be part of the equation if you are looking
for a relationship that can stand the test of time. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Live life honestly. Look at your goals and consider what you want before you let ulterior motives lead you down a romantic path that is for convenience rather than true love. Poor emotional choices will not bring the results you are looking for romantically. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You may be ready to make a commitment, but you have to be patient if the person you want to spend all your time with isn’t ready. Show versatility and strive to keep whoever interests you guessing if you want a union that is binding.
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