Daily quick hits on topical oddities in pop culture, news and sometimes even sports...
Lester Clancy, 52, an inventor from of Mansfield, Ohio, has received a patent on a "cordless jump-rope." You heard right: A jump rope without the rope. Just two handles. What you do is, you pretend there's a rope. If you're really good at pretending, maybe you even trip once in a while to enhance the illusion. Or, better yet: Just pretend you're exercising while sitting on your couch like Jabba the Hut eating Haagen-Dazs.
Former American Idol fave Clay Aiken (shown in his boy-next-door days at far left) has adopted a new, trendier look seen near right. There is no phrase for his new look, exactly. until there is, we'll go with "fey grunge."
Interesting Herald article today ("Women gamers on the rise") on how girls and women are of increasing prominence in the realm of male-dominated video game playing. Thatta way, gals. Fight for your equal rights. Why should us guys be the only ones to let a remote control us as we spend untold wasted hours staring wide-eyed at cartoon images?
The Marlins drew 7,683 fans for Barry Bonds' first game since hitting his historic 715th career home run. Meaning the crowd and Bonds' steroid stain tied on the embarrassment meter.
In Puerto Rico, a popular TV show called SuperXclusivo features a gossip-mongering puppet named La Comay, whose success has spawned a proliferation of televised gossip on the island. However, La Comay has lost a slander suit filed by an ex-governor's ex-husband, portending a chilling effect on the broadcasting of rumor and innuendo. Speaking of which, I heard La Comay is a puppet for the government.
Suspended Dolphin Ricky Williams participated in his first practice with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts, then said, "The talent here is comparable to the NFL." The statement led some to fear Ricky may be smoking again.
Paris Hilton's upcoming album will be a mix of reggae, pop and hip-hop. Music industry officials say they are looking forward to hearing how Hilton, on one CD, manages to massacre three separate genres.