Category Archives: Completely Different

As someone who is interested in technologies that track people, I was quite impressed by this ONN discussion of the use of 24/7 tracking technologies to help the mentally ill.

Reprinted without comment: Ananova – Belgium up for sale on eBay

Internet auction site eBay has removed an unusual lot – the country of Belgium.

Bidding had reached 10 million euro before eBay withdrew the spoof sale, reports GVA.

It was put up for sale by former journalist Gerrit Six who wanted to protest that Belgium still had no government, 100 days after its elections.

The advert said: “Belgium a kingdom in three parts. Possible to buy it as a whole, but not advisable.

“Possible the three parts separately but beware of the public debt of 300 million euro.”

Bidding started at one euro and reached 10 million euro after 26 bids before eBay removed it from the site.

Actually, I can't resist one comment: it would have been fun to write the disclaimers, warranties and representations if it were an actual sale…

Needlenose has found something odd:

For those of you using Windows, do the following:

1.) Open an empty notepad file

2.) Type “Bush hid the facts” (without the quotes)

3.) Save it as whatever you want.

4.) Close it, and re-open it.

Weird. Really Weird.

As a long-time Francophile married to a Brit I am of course appalled at this display of European stereotypes that is making the rounds by email. But it's funny anyway.

Terrorism Alert!
The British are feeling the pinch in relation to recent bombings and have raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” Londoners have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940, when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been recategorized from “Tiresome” to a “Bloody Nuisance.”

The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was during the great fire of 1666.

Also, the French Government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Surrender” and “Collaborate.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralysing the country's military capability.

It's not only the English and French that are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”

The Germans also increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose.”

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday, as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

Actually, I'm only publishing this because I believe in affirmative action for pan-European jokes that include smaller countries.

Easily the worst techie pun of the month over at UserFriendly.

Ouch.

The Inside Story About the Rove Emails