2 September 2008

Dash for cash in stiletto sprint

A world-record field of 265 women risked life and ankle in Sydney today to contest the Stiletto Sprint.

Blonde 400-metre hurdler Brittney McGlone, 18, was first to cover the 80-metre distance and collected $5000.

A few girls suffered scratches apparently, and not just from other competitors.

I fall over just thinking about trying to walk in high heels, let alone sprinting any distance. I guess it’s an acquired skill and one I’m destined never to learn.

An Australian male equivalent might be to run 400 metres in gumboots while carrying a slab of beer.

Tags: Australia, fashion, Sport, wacky
2 comments


25 July 2008

Collecting bras for busty Fijians

As an editor I’m rather fond of quirky stories. I think newspaper readers like to be entertained, as well as informed.

Collecting bras for Fijian women is quirky and interesting. In fact, it just occurred to me that Sue will like this story.

Millicent radio station manager Rebekah Lowe is collecting second-hand bras for “Operation Uplift” - an international service appeal to support indigenous Fijian women.

A chronic bra shortage has proved a major health risk to Fiji’s busty population. The average Fijian earns less than $4.50 an hour, while the cost of a new bra is about $40.

Many Fijian women can’t afford a bra and face medical issues from not wearing one in the humid climate.

It’s genuinely uplifting that people care about the breasts of others.

Tags: wacky
1 comment


9 July 2008

Mosley case truly bizarre

The defamation trial in London involving Formula One boss Max Mosley is truly bizarre.

Mosley, the son of British fascist Sir Oswald Mosley, is suing News Of the World for describing his sado-masochistic sex orgy as having Nazi overtones.

He admits the fetish and the orgy, but denies the Nazi link.

I guess Mosley is sensitive about his family history, but his reputation is surely damaged regardless of his innocence or otherwise on the Nazi allegation.

I mean, he potentially clears his name of getting excited about fascist uniforms but he’s known as someone who likes sado-masochistic group romps.

Only in Britain.

Tags: wacky
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13 May 2008

Cheeky photographer hits bottom

The Federal Budget is dominating the Australian media and web space tonight. I’ve scanned the headlines and I’ll study the detail tomorrow.

Frankly though, I felt in need of some light relief. It’s been a stressful few weeks.

They say the toughest events an average person will endure are changing jobs, moving house and losing a loved one. I’m in the home straight for a trifecta. Read more »

Tags: life, media, photography, wacky
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6 May 2008

Randy penguins and seals

Quirky stories are popular on newspaper web sites. When a man ran down Hannan Street in a mankini on a Saturday morning, it was published to the Kalgoorlie Miner and became one of the most viewed articles.

Today, I found a couple of stories involving penguins and seals which would never cut it in the main news pages but somehow attract interest on the internet.

The Age reported “Little penguins get frisky feet” at Phillip Island. Read more »

Tags: internet, journalism, news, wacky
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30 April 2008

Man died at desk

I’ve promised to write a book one day about my country newspaper experiences. As I head towards the end of my time at the Kalgoorlie Miner some anecdotes are coming back to me.

This one isn’t strictly related to the Miner, but I should be able to adapt it for the book somehow. Read more »

Tags: fiction, humor, myth, rumor, wacky
1 comment


26 April 2008

Bog snorkelling

We ran a photo in the Kalgoorlie Miner of international bog snorkeller Julia Galvin (pictured in a bog), who was visiting town, astride the statue of Paddy Hannan complete with snorkel and mud.

I had never heard of bog snorkelling until yesterday, but apparently it’s quite big in Wales.

The “sport” involves competitors completing two consecutive lengths of a 60-yard water filled trench cut through a peat bog, in the shortest time possible.

Competitors must wear snorkels and flippers, and complete the course without using conventional swimming strokes, relying on flipper power alone. Wet suits are not compulsory, but are usually worn.

Julia Galvin, from Ireland, told us she also participates in wife carrying, which brought her to Australia for recent championships.

I thought our headline “Muck of the Irish” was rather clever, but the Townsville Bulletin beat us to it.

Julia made a great comment to us: “A lot of people tell me I’m crazy. I tell them I’m not crazy, I’m just surrounded by terribly dull people.”

Indeed!

Tags: Kalgoorlie, news, Sport, wacky
0 comments


22 February 2008

Mutilated corpse identified

English boffins have reportedly identified a 682-year-old mutilated corpse as the gay lover of King Edward II.

The remains, which bear the hallmarks of having been hung, drawn and quartered, are thought to be those of Sir Hugh Despenser the Younger, who was executed as a traitor in 1326.

Sir Hugh was a favorite of Edward, who some say was murdered and others say was exiled to Germany.

After Edward vacated the thrown his wife Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer governed until Edward and Isabella’s son Edward III seized power.

They really knew how to dish out punishment in the Middle Ages.

The unfortunate Sir Hugh was hanged and, while conscious, was castrated, disembowelled and then quartered before his head was displayed on London Bridge.

That’s one way to deal with your political opponents, I suppose. Sounds similar to Labor Party factional dealings.

Tags: History, news, wacky
0 comments