Strange BUT TRUE

* It was notorious American self-described “gonzo journalist” Hunter S. Thompson who made the following sage observation: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a ride!’”

* Spread out your fingers as far as you can, then measure the distance between the end of your thumb and the opposite

side of your palm. That distance is known as your shaftment.

* Roto-Rooter, the plumbing and drain service company, conducts an annual survey of its technicians to find out what sorts of things are being found in customers’ pipes. Among the more interesting items over the years have been Barbies, false teeth, TV remotes, alligators and six-packs of beer. * Over the past 100 years, the life expectancy of the average American has risen from 47 to 78. * Those who study such things say that, on a per-capita basis, Canadians consume more macaroni and cheese than citizens of any other country in the world.

* Railroads in Japan have a persistent problem: turtles. It seems the reptiles have a habit of wandering onto the tracks, and many of them get stuck between the switching rails. This prevents the switches from closing properly, causing train accidents. To address the problem, the West Japan Railway Company consulted with the Suma Aqualife Park in Kobe; together, they created tunnels under the tracks to allow the turtles to pass freely without endangering railway passengers — or themselves.

Thought for the Day:

“English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment, and education — sometimes it’s sheer luck, like getting across the street.” — E.B. White