Monster Hire or Fire + January Postings Reprised

   1. Monster Hire or Fire
      < http://survey.monster.com/hireorfire/ >
      Start at the beginning:
      < http://survey.monster.com/hireorfire/index.asp?ImageID=0 >


   2. January Postings Reprised

   [Drive My Car]
   * "Range Rover rampage"
      < http://smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/07/1073437350325.html >
   * "Woman driver causes car park chaos"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1024482.htm >
   * "Choosing a car color? This one is safest"
      < http://channels.netscape.com/ns/autos/package.jsp?name=fte/carcolor/carcolor >
   "If you're in the market for a new car, choose one that is silver. Why? Silver cars
    are involved in far fewer crashes than cars of other colors"

   [Men and Women Behaving Badly]
   * "Home-buyer holds vendor hostage"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/11/05/248855-ap.html >
   * "'Shocking' netballer facing jail"
      < http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8449181%5E13762,00.html >
   * "Heavyweight burger"
      < http://smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/22/1074732534080.html >
   * "Cops: Disgruntled customer pummels McDonald's manager with shakes"
      < http://www.wnbc.com/news/2792560/detail.html >

   [Pigeon Post]
   * "Phone masts 'knocking racing pigeons off track'"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_858668.html >

   [Creative Crime Stoppers]
   * "Burglar flees angry woman brandishing chamber pot"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_859836.html >
   * "Senior citizen nabs teenage intruder"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1033253.htm >

Alternative Accommodation

   1. "College students, retirees share nursing home"
      < http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw86316_20031018.htm >

   2. "Students to live in shipping containers"
      < http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=1&story_id=3256 >

   3. "Sigourney Weaver lived in a tree at college"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_833865.html >

   4. "Man's tree house dream comes true"
      < http://robots.cnn.com/2003/US/West/02/12/offbeat.tree.house.ap/index.html >

   5. "Council finds boy lives in pigeon loft"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_796845.html >

   6. "Abandoned missile silos become safe homes"
      < http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Central/08/02/silo.sweet.silo/index.html >

   7. "727-200 Airplane home or bar for sale"
      < http://www.airplanehomes.com/details.html >

   8. "Farmer plans to turn silos into home"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_853162.html >

   9. "House a replica of man's work boot"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/09/25/209234-ap.html >
      Picture of the shoe house
      < http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/PAHALshoe.html >

   10. "Bar owner builds house out of plastic bottles"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_824551.html >

   11. "Build a house using bales of straw"
      < http://www.straw-house.com/main.html >

   12. "Office Cubicle House"
      < http://stono.cs.cofc.edu/~kantalad/index.html >
   Save on time and money travelling to work by living at the office.

Days of the Week

   Today is Wednesday.  Ever wondered how they came up with such a name for the
   middle day of the week?  In the English world at least, the name derives from
   the head god of Norse mythology, Odin, or Woden in Scandinavian: Woden's day.
   Tomorrow is Thor's day, and after that it's Frigga's day (I kid you not).
   Saturday breaks the pattern of naming days after Norse gods and goddesses,
   since it is Saturn's day (a Roman god and planet).

   In Italian and many Latin-based languages, the middle week day is named after
   the Roman god (and planet) Mercury.

   The following sites examine the week day names and their origins in more detail.
   Some compare how days are named in other languages, past and present.

   * The Origin of the Days of the Week
      < http://www.eliki.com/ancient/myth/daily/ >

   * The Days of the Week
      < http://www.friesian.com/week.htm >

   * Days of the Week in Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese
      < http://www.cjvlang.com/Dow/index.html >

   * Our seven-day week
      < http://webexhibits.org/calendars/week.html >
   Includes a formula: What day was a certain date?

Creative Crime Stoppers

   1. "Florida women disarm gun-toting intruder with ham sandwich and rum"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/10/30/242099-ap.html >

   2. "Burglar trapped by orange juice"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_858058.html >

   3. "Salad cream foils robber"
      < http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/01/21/ncream21.xml >

   4. "Shop woman fights off raider with pastry"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_858080.html >

   5. "Armed robbers thwarted by plate throwing shop assistant"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_859507.html >

   6. "Mother superior captures burglars"
      < http://smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/07/1065292570369.html >

   7. "Man 'caught burglar with his teeth'"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_837118.html >

   8. "Police add twist to bait cars to catch 'Bad Boys'"
      < http://www.nbc4columbus.com/news/2773222/detail.html >

   9. "Deputy's dog barking tricks suspect into surrender"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/07/21/141865-ap.html >

Whatever Happened To ... / VH1 Where Are They Now?

   A couple of sites with the goal of revealing what happened to various
   celebrities after they had their brief moments in the sun.

   Whatever Happened To ...
      < http://www.weht.net/ >

   VH1: Where Are They Now?
      < http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/where_are_they_now/episode_list.jhtml >

Happy Chinese New Year

   The year of the monkey
      < http://www.raymond-lo.com/main/monkey.asp >

   Chinese Astrology - 2004, the Wood Monkey
      < http://www.chineseastrology.com/wu/monkeyyear.html >

   Year 2004 of Chinese Astrology Green Monkey Year
      < http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2004.htm >

   Find your own Asian Astrological Sign
      < http://www.chineseastrology.com/wu/asiansignpl.html >

   Netnotes from Guardian Unlimited
      < http://www.guardian.co.uk/netnotes/article/0,6729,1126493,00.html >

Pigeon Post

   For no particular reason today's theme is the humble pigeon.

   1. "Pigeon post: Nick Andreef's pigeons are faster than the internet, but
       no match for falcons"
      < http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,2756987a6004,00.html >

   2. RFC 2549: "IP over Avian Carriers with Quality of Service"
      < http://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc2549.txt >

   3. "Indian pigeons lose out to e-mail"
      < http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1892085.stm >

   4. "PigeonRank: The technology behind Google's great results"
      < http://www.google.com/technology/pigeonrank.html >

   5. "Pigeon droppings sculpture could adorn Trafalgar"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_846092.html >

   6. "Ford in trouble over pigeon-bashing ad"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_819254.html >

   7. "Man arrested for running over 15 pigeons"
      < http://www.local6.com/news/2506837/detail.html >

   8. "Racing pigeon found way off-course"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/07/14/135754-ap.html >

   9. "Royal Pigeon Racing Association"
      < http://www.rpra.org/ >

   10. "Some very basic pigeon facts"
      < http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Pigeons/BRKPigeon.html >

Embarrassing Diplomatic Incidents

   1. "US gaffe over Romanian flag hits Bucharest front pages"
      < http://quickstart.clari.net/qs_se/webnews/wed/bx/Qromania-us-russia.RNE5_DOV.html >

   2. "Spanish angry over anthem mix-up"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s999366.htm >

   3. "Duke insults Commonwealth hosts"
      < http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/printable_version.cfm?method=printable_version_mirror
          &objectid=13700416&siteid=106694 >
      "Prince Philip's spear 'gaffe'"
      < http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1848813.stm >
      The Duke of Edinburgh - Encyclopaedia of Witty Remarks
      < http://theinternetforum.co.uk/rf/philip1.html >

   4. "How to infiltrate an embassy: first, try removing your MI5 name badge"
      < http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=460942 >

   5. "Egypt stops Arab minister bringing gift of gazelles"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1023935.htm >

   6. "Israeli vandalises Swedish suicide bomber art"
      < http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=24&art_id=qw1074340440406B235&set_id=1 >

   7. "Zambia deports UK writer for insulting president"
      < http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,71508,00.html >

   8. "Romanian PM's sons hate Britain and British girls"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_800010.html >

   9. "Spanish politician labels Blair an 'imbecile' on live television"
      < http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/01/16/wspain16.xml >

   10. Guardian Unlimited: "What is the most embarrassing incident to have occurred in
       diplomatic or political circles?"
      < http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-19231,00.html >

Underwear in the News

   1. Lucky Underwear
      "Singaporeans celebrate Chinese New Year with 'lucky undies'"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1025639.htm >
      "Schoolgirls hope red underwear will bring exam success" [Poland]
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_855213.html >
      "Shoppers grab knickers for love or money" [Mexico]
      < http://smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/01/1072908856486.html >

   2. "New undies could save lives"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s964222.htm >

   3. "Undie race raises money for NSW farmers"
      < http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s785612.htm >

   4. "White Knoll HS student says he was forced to leave stadium in underpants
       after quitting"
      < http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1484831&nav=0RaPIZA6 >

   5. "G-strings save the art of crochet"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_839688.html >

   6. "Yummy undies fall down on ingredients test"
      < http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/20/1071868698266.html >
   "A consignment of edible undies has been impounded because it failed to meet
    Australian regulations governing good taste"

Men and Women Behaving Badly

   1. "'Surf rage' surfaces in Australia"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/11/10/252003-ap.html >

   2. "Cops probe 'checkout rage' case in Pennsylvania"
      < http://www.heraldonline.com/24hour/nation/story/1089537p-7611612c.html >
      "May the (checkout) rage be with you"
      < http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/perspective/article/0,2071,NPDN_14966_2529942,00.html >

   3. "Police: Fort Myers woman forces daughter to shoplift gifts"
      < http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/florida/news-article.aspx?storyid=12470 >

   4. "'Blitz' sale floors woman"
      < http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/7371154.htm >

   5. "Short-changed crowd riots"
      < http://smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/07/1070732056363.html >

   6. "12 injured in scramble for free money"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/09/15/193708-ap.html >

   7. "Desperate diners attack trapped fat lady with plastic forks"
      < http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/wwn/20031117/106908120003.html >

   8. "'Mayonnaise rage driver' runs over McDonald's employee"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_844161.html >

   9. "Muggings soar while police put on Bush duty"
      < http://www.news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1304622003 >

The Political Compass

   The Political Compass
      < http://www.politicalcompass.org/ >

   An alternative approach to the traditional Right vs Left political spectrum.
   I agree with their argument that "the old one-dimensional categories of 'right'
   and 'left'" is "overly simplistic for today's complex political landscape".
   The Political Compass considers two axes: the traditional economic issues on
   one axis and social issues on the other.

   Take the Test
      < http://www.digitalronin.f2s.com/politicalcompass/questionnaire.pl?page=1 >

   My political compass ...
    Economic Left/Right: -4.00
    Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.59
   which apparently puts me in the same (political) ball-park as Nelson Mandela
   and Mahatma Gandhi.

   About The Political Compass
      < http://www.digitalronin.f2s.com/politicalcompass/analysis2.html >
   A deeper explanation of the compass.

Unusual Items on the Auction Block

   1. "F-16 fighter jets for sale"
      < http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8289431%255E401,00.html >

   2. "For internet sale: aircraft carrier, only three owners"
      < http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/01/10/webay10.xml >

   3. "Concorde's nose fetches £278,650"
      < http://uk.news.yahoo.com/031115/80/ee1z5.html >

   4. "JFK limousine for sale"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_839785.html >

   5. "Fire chief sells off emergency equipment on eBay"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_839794.html >

   6. "The Devil's in the Details: Local auctioneer goes from boom to bust selling
       U.S. Highway 666 signs on eBay"
      < http://alibi.com/alibi/2003-08-21/news_section.html#newsfeat >

   7. "EBay really nails it: Bidding heating up for part of city's landmark"
      < http://www.freep.com/news/locway/nail21_20031021.htm >
   "you can own the 11-foot, 250-pound nail that used to stick out of the famous
    I-94 Uniroyal tire"

   8. "Bidding hots up for a British bucket of water"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s959838.htm >

   9. "EBay air guitar gets bid of £25,000"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_826208.html >

Drive My Car

   Beep beep'm beep beep yeah!

   1. "Britain has highest road-rage rate in Europe"
      < http://www.news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=884672003 >

   2. "Most U.S. drivers admit to bad habits: survey"
      < http://12.31.13.115/HealthNews/reuters/NewsStory0528200328.htm >

   3. "Sagittarians are speediest star sign"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_848814.html >

   4. "Pink car drivers 'make most claims'"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_824909.html >

   5. "'Dumb blondes' are safer drivers"
      < http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8022773%5E13780,00.html >

   6. "Indian couple drive everywhere in reverse"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_849514.html >

   7. "Man hits 11 cars trying to park "
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2004/01/06/305864-ap.html >

   8. "L-driver caught doing 130mph"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_839725.html >

   9. "Driver's test ends as car plunges into river" [broken]
      < http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0918Drivers-Test-ON.html >
      "Woman, 81, fails driving test after river plunge"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_820744.html >

   10. "Woman wins car after 52 day sit-in"
      < http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7942127%255E13762,00.html >

   11. "Which side of the road do they drive on?"
      < http://www.travel-library.com/general/driving/drive_which_side.html >
   "an attempt to list which side of the road people drive on around the world,
    and to find some reasons why".

Branded For Life

   1. "Brand Names ... for Kids?"
     < http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?sid=142203&nid=25 >
   "Today, the latest trend in baby names takes pop-culture to a new level,
    naming kids after consumer products"

   2. "Sweden blocks idea to name baby Superman"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/05/06/81085-ap.html >

   3. "Ukrainian couple named child Jesus Christ"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_851725.html >

   4. "Abandoned newborn named Apec"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/10/17/228876-ap.html >

   5. "Cornishman names son after beer"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_774296.html >

   6. "Chinese couple name their baby son Saddam SARS"
      < http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/13/1052591774910.html >

   7. "Colin Farrell says he wants his baby son to be called Fokker"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_807098.html >

The Year That Was 2003

   1. "Weird and wacky reign supreme in 2003"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1019239.htm >

   2. "Odd stories of 2003"
      < http://smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/19/1071337166872.html >

   3. "A year of media missteps in rewind: Top 10 blunders of 2003"
      < http://www.sunspot.net/news/opinion/oped/bal-pe.media28dec28,0,2948156.story
          ?coll=bal-oped-headlines >

   4. "New Scientist: Top ten stories of 2003"
      < http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994513 >

   5. "Stereophile: The 2003 Products of the Year"
      < http://www.stereophile.com/features/1203poty/ >
      "2003 Editor's Choice: Apple iPod"
      < http://www.stereophile.com/features/1203poty/index6.html >

   6. "Space.com: The Best of 2003: Top 10 Astronomy Images"
      < http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/top_10_image_031223-1.html >

   7. "2003 Year-End Google Zeitgeist: Search patterns, trends, and surprises"
      < http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist.html >

   8. "Yahoo! Picks - Top Picks of 2003"
      < http://picks.yahoo.com/picks/most/2003/ >

   9. "Ad Age: Looking back at the Ad industry's 2003"
      < http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=39419 >
      including: "10 Ads America won't see"
      < http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=39422 >

   10. "The 10 Dumbest Quotes of 2003"
      < http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bldumbquotes2003.htm >

   11. "The 2003 GOOF Awards"
      < http://www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/sho-sunday-roep14.html >

   12. "The least essential albums of 2003"
      < http://www.theonionavclub.com/avclub3948/avfeature_3948.html >

   13. "Limp Bizkit voted worst band of year"
      < http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2774083a4500,00.html >

   14. "50 things we'd like to see less of in 2004"
      < http://observer.guardian.co.uk/focus/story/0,6903,1113152,00.html >