Trapped miners survive on coal, urine diet | Oddly Enough | Reuters: "Trapped miners survive on coal, urine diet"

BEIJING (Reuters) - Two Chinese brothers who tunneled their way out of a coal mine collapse after being trapped for nearly six days survived by eating coal and drinking urine, a local newspaper reported Tuesday.

A diet of coal and urine, I wonder if they lost much weight? And on another front...

20 million risky condoms recalled

The condoms did not meet several standard tests for strength, pressure and lubrication, said Mngadi. The SABS Web site alerted the public, saying the faulty condoms were distributed by brand names including Ultramour, Randy Rat and Positions.

Virus Could Help Drive Obesity - Forbes.com: "Virus Could Help Drive Obesity 08.21.07, 12:00 AM ET TUESDAY, Aug. 21 (HealthDay News) -- New research is bolstering the theory that obesity may stem, a least in part, from a common virus -- one that helps create new, heftier fat cells."

No I'm not fat I'm sick... and/or big boned!

wcco.com - A Minnesota Mystery: The Kensington Runestone

wcco.com - A Minnesota Mystery: The Kensington Runestone: "Wolter and Nielsen's authored the book 'The Kensington Runestone: Compelling New Evidence.' Wolter is currently writing another book on the Runestone."

"If it's the Templars that were under religious persecution at the time, that would be a pretty good reason to come over here," Wolter figured.

"I'm sure a lot of people are going to roll their eyes and say oh it's the Davinci Code and if they do they do. This is the evidence. This is who was there. This is what the grave slabs tell us. It is what it is," he said.

I think we have the makings of Dan Brown's next book... or maybe my next book???

Man Rides Mule From Minnesota to Wyoming - washingtonpost.com

Man Rides Mule From Minnesota to Wyoming - washingtonpost.com: "'I could probably get a job and stay here, but I'm not willing to part with my mule,' Maday said. 'He's my best friend and I'm not getting rid of him for nothing.' ___"

Man Rides Mule From Minnesota to Wyoming - washingtonpost.com

Man Rides Mule From Minnesota to Wyoming - washingtonpost.com: "'I could probably get a job and stay here, but I'm not willing to part with my mule,' Maday said. 'He's my best friend and I'm not getting rid of him for nothing.'"

United Press International - NewsTrack - Science - Internet addiction more serious than OCD

United Press International - NewsTrack - Science - Internet addiction more serious than OCD: "Internet addiction more serious than OCD TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Internet addiction should be grouped with extreme addictive disorders such as gambling, sex addiction and kleptomania, an Israeli psychiatrist said."

Russians offered day off, prizes to procreate - Focus on Russia - MSNBC.com

Russians offered day off, prizes to procreate - Focus on Russia - MSNBC.com: "Sept. 12 the Day of Conception and for the third year running is giving couples time off from work to procreate. The hope is for a brood of babies exactly nine months later on Russia’s national day. Couples who “give birth to a patriot” during the June 12 festivities win money, cars, refrigerators and other prizes."

This sounds like a great ideal, I think the USA needs to implement this also, we don't want to fall behind the Russians now do we? Let's see nine months back from July 4th is....

Remains of Vera Peck identified

Remains of Vera Peck identified: "With the remains of 10 bridge collapse victims now identified, the list of the missing is at three: construction worker Greg Jolstad, 45, of Mora; Christine Sacorafas, 45, of White Bear Lake; and Scott Sathers, 29, of Maple Grove."

As terrible as it is that most likely 13 people where killed in the 35w bridge collapse it is a miracle, in that a bridge that carries a well over 100,000 cars a day, only these few where killed and several critically injured. Every day I think of those who where on that bridge and say "what if..." it just as easily could have been myself , a friend or family member.

Fake dentist's 29-year career? | Oddly Enough | Reuters

Fake dentist's 29-year career? | Oddly Enough | Reuters: "KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian police have arrested a man who practiced as a dentist for 29 years although he had no medical training and treated patients at his home in a cast-off examining chair."

I'm not sure how the dental care is in Malaysia, but it seems he was providing a service that was needed. Hell, the closest thing to a dentist that was available in the olden times was your barber (they used the same chair so why not?)!

Biker fails to notice missing leg | Oddly Enough | Reuters

Biker fails to notice missing leg | Oddly Enough | Reuters: "A Japanese biker failed to notice his leg had been severed below the knee when he hit a safety barrier,"

Hey dude, I think you dropped something!

Last night I had posted a "press release" from a quack "church" in Topeka, KS that they planned on picketing the funerals of those killed in the 35W bridge collapse here in Minneapolis. After sleeping on it and some thought I have pulled the post. This "church" does not need or deserve any media attention no matter how small. The group is vile and will receive their just reward in death.

Police seek 'professionals' who removed St. Paul man's testicles

Police seek 'professionals' who removed St. Paul man's testicles: "A St. Paul man, complaining of chronic pain, wanted to have his testicles removed. When conventional medical staff refused to do the job, he hired other 'professionals' to take off his testicles, according to a search warrant affidavit filed Monday in Ramsey County District Court."

How much pain must you be in to have someone hack your balls off???

No more crispy duck served at toilets | Oddly Enough | Reuters

No more crispy duck served at toilets | Oddly Enough | Reuters: "No more crispy duck served at toilets
Mon Aug 6, 2007 11:20AM EDT

BEIJING (Reuters) - Food stalls attached to Beijing's public toilets will be removed in good time for next year's Olympics, state media said Saturday."

mmmmmmm... finger licking good, Oh my god please don't try to sell me food or drink while I'm in the toilet, unless it's a beer and your in a bikini. (ok not even then!). My favorite bar has installed video monitors above the urinals that play commercials, thank you! I was getting really tired of staring at that little piece of tile that someone drew some graffiti on when the Twins last won the world series.

Here are a few pictures from the 35W Bridge collapse site that you will not see anywhere else... my source is a close friend who has unique access.

To all of the Heroes who came out of the woodwork, I would like to give you a belated... THANK YOU!

The shock has started to wear off and people are angry about what happened and are pointing the finger at anyone who could possibly be blamed. As a hard core Dem I find myself in the strange position of defending Bush from those who are now blaming him (see here). Don't get me wrong I don't agree with everything written in the article but it does have a few good points and examples. Every past and present state and federal politician needs to look at their record and decide if they did enough. You as the citizen who elects them needs to look at their records and let your voices be heard. What ever happened here in Minneapolis at the 35W bridge (and in New Orleans) did not just happen in the last four, eight or even twelve years it has been decades of neglect, poor planning and lack of funds that is at fault.

Some 35W collapse photo's that you might not have seen. These are up close and in the wreckage. http://www.conphoto.net/collapse.html

This weekend is usually one of my favorite weekends of the summer. (At least it has been for the last 15 yrs since I moved out of uptown.) This weekend is the Uptown Art Fair combined with two other major art fairs and the Fringe Festival. It is a weekend for every man/woman to get out and appreciate art in all it's forms. This year in the back of my (and I would bet most everyones) mind will be those who have been lost, hurt or are unknown.

edited:8/3/07 10:15pm for grammar (I should not write when I'm tired)

MnDOT feared cracking in bridge but opted against making the repairs

MnDOT feared cracking in bridge but opted against making the repairs: "Fears about bridge safety fueled emotional debate within the agency, according to a construction industry source. But on the I-35W bridge, transportation officials opted against making the repairs."

So the finger pointing has begun. If this turn out to be the cause someone will have to be the sacrificial lamb.

The networks suck!

Having watched the tragic 35W disaster unfold on local news, this morning and late last night I watched as the national news media made it out to be the end of the world! Nightline on their opening video moved Minneapolis/St. Paul around 100 miles north! While the local media really did a great job, all the stations as far as I saw pushed the good Samaritans that turned out to help. The national media hyped shocking photos, videos and half truths turning it into a an even more shocking news event to make money by keeping you riveted to your seat.

Yes it is shocking and wrenches my heart for those who have been hurt or killed. Carrie all night long kept saying that she wanted to go down and help and I also wanted to do what I could, but the mayor has asked everyone to stay away and give it time. If you want to help give blood or $$$ to the Red Cross. A friend of mine did head down there (of course he lives four blocks away so...) this morning and says it's like a zoo. Thousands of people are headed to all locations along the river, (blocking traffic and pulling stretched resources from where they are needed) with cameras in hand hoping to take pic's. People the wreckage will be their for months to come, just wait, damn it. Give the workers the space they ask for to do their work.

Nuff said

Update on Bridge Collapse:

Not much yet, but on CNN.com homepage there is a video from a security camera of the collapse.

Looking north at construction of the Interstate Hwy 35W bridge built in 1967.


I-35W bridge collapses; at least 6 dead: "Star Tribune staff

Kent Kobersteen, Minneapolis Tribune

The Interstate Hwy. 35W bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed during the evening rush hour Wednesday, dumping an estimated 50 vehicles into the water and onto the land below, creating a horrific scene of damage, fire, smoke, injuries, frantic rescuers and bloody, terrified motorists"

My prayers go out to everyone... I had a scary wait as Carrie was over an hour late getting home due to the traffic snarl caused by this. I was not too worried because Carrie does not take the freeway but little did I know she was taking a co-worker home tonight and was just a mile or two away on Hi-way 94. I have crossed over this bridge at least a thousand times in my 39 yrs in Minneapolis. I once lived three blocks from the bridge!

Here is a Google map/diagram of the location. The bridge is just south of the blue 35W near the middle of the map. The white blob to the south west of the blue 35W is the Metrodome. The green arrow is near the center of downtown.

StarTribune photo gallery.

StarTribune diagram of bridge collapse.

update: They are now saying at least 60 injured with nine dead and with at least twenty more missing... rescue work has stopped for the night, tomorrow they start recovery. This will be a major traffic problem in the years too come being that there are few other express/freeway access points into Downtown Minneapolis. This is the same interstate that runs from Texas to Duluth, Mn. Life for all who live in the Twin Cities has changed to some degree.

Please, please please... somebody... anybody?