GeekNUZ

Rugby Player Finds Tooth Stuck In Head

Ben Czislowski, an Australian rugby player, required stitches this past April after butting heads with another player, Matt Austin, during a game.  Little did Czislowski know that one of the few teeth lost by Austin was stitched up inside his head, which later lead to an eye infection as well as persistent shooting pains.  A doctor later discovered the source of his headaches - the embedded tooth.  There is precedence for tooth embedment, however.  In 2004 another player had an opponent's tooth removed from his head, and in 2002 another player's arm was found to be so badly infected that amputation was considered until an embedded tooth was found to be lodged inside.  Yuck.  Via BBC Sports.

iPod Wearing Jogger Struck By Lightning

A 37-year-old man in Vancouver, BC suffered second degree burns to his left leg, chest, and external ears when a nearby tree he was passing got struck by lightning, which was subsequently transferred to him.  From the New England Journal of Medicine:

Although people may be struck directly by lightning, it is more common for the lightning to jump to a person from a nearby object, such as a tree — a phenomenon known as a side flash. Opisthotonic muscle contraction may project the victim some distance, leading to further injury from blunt trauma. Because of the high resistance of skin, the lightning is often conducted over the outside of the body (an effect known as a flashover); however, sweat and metallic objects in contact with the skin can disrupt the flashover, leading to the internal flow of current. Although the use of a device such as an iPod may not increase the chances of being struck by lightning, in this case, the combination of sweat and metal earphones directed the current to, and through, the patient's head.

*By the way, an opisthotonic contraction is when your body is bowed forwards while your head and heels are bend backwards. Ouch.

Original article HERE. [Thanks to Andrew Schechtman]

Weekend Photolog

I was in a 3 million dollar house in San Francisco the other day and I had to take a picture of the shower.  Not only does it sport a panoramic view of the city itself, it has a panoramic glass ceiling.  I hope there are no nosy neighbors around.

NYC To Ban Cars From Times Square?

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced this week that he will hire Danish urban planner Jan Gehl to reshape NYC.  Via Left Lane News:

According to The New York Daily News, Bloomberg wants Gehl, whose resume includes helping several major European cities - London and Copenhagen among them - alleviate serious traffic concerns in congested areas. Gehl's previous works have prioritized cyclists and pedestrians over vehicles in congested areas.

Bloomberg's plan, called plaNYC, would call for Gehl to increase the number of tree-lined streets (thus decreasing parking) and possibly making a $8 toll for drivers entering Manhattan below 86th Street. The toll would go directly towards improving the city's mass transit systems. Although the plan has met some opposition in the city, many local businesses support the initiative, which would decrease congestion and pollution and likely amplify public transportation.

What's Times Square going to be like without the traffic?!  I don't know about you, but I like Times Square's hustle and bustle.  I expect that when I go there and I'm sure many tourists do as well.  It's the main attraction!

Residents of Oregon Town Offended By Shape Of Traffic Posts

Oh, give me a break!  Seriously.  People just need to stop.  I will say no more.  Original article here: Keizer, Oregon Residents Angry At Traffic Posts.

Weekend Japanese Dance Videos

The first is Futureshock's "Late At Night" video set in afterdark Tokyo with a set of unlikely characters busting out some crazy moves.  The second is Tokyo Pantomime artist Hiromi Hosokawa teaching YOU how to moonwalk ;)  Via Pink Tentacle and YouTube.  Also, catch more Hiromi Hosokawa dance videos at Hosokawahiromi.net.

Here's One To Watch Twice

Marketing Strategy #256:

Make the consumer think your product is made in Germany.  Yet again, I was perusing my local Asian grocery store when I came upon this piece of marketing genius.  The front of the box for this soymilk maker is branded with the words: Major Parts From "Germany." AKA: Major parts from "China."  What's funny also is that the Chinese company name is Tayama, which is obvioiusly Japanese.  Genius.

Did You Know That Goats Have Rectangular Pupils?

Apparently goats and sheep have horizontally oriented pupils - compared with cats whose pupils are vertically oriented.  According to Wikipedia: the orientation of the slit may be related to the direction of motions the eye is required to notice most sensitively (so a vertical pupil would increase the sensitivity of the eyes of a small cat to the horizontal scurrying of mice). The narrower the pupil, the more accurate the depth perception of peripheral vision, so narrowing it in one direction would increase depth perception in that plane. Animals like goats and sheep may have evolved horizontal pupils because better vision in the vertical plane may be benficial in mountainous environments.

Speaking of goats...my friend Paulina took this shot of strategically placed weed-clearing goats along the highway.  They apparently were the cause of traffic congestion while on her way up to Walnut Creek, CA.  

Chinese Knock-Offs

Here in Silicon Valley there are a lot of Asians.  A LOT.  And where ever there are Asians, there are Asian supermarkets - one of the best places to peruse for weird foods and knock-off products.  Take for example the following items that caught my eye today at my local Ranch 99 market.  The first is a chicken drink.  No, it's not some sort of chicken soup.  It is, in fact, a chicken DRINK.  On the box it says "Essence of Chicken Drink is formulated using quality chicken and is specially formulated for easy absorption and digestion by the human body.  This nutritious product contains no preservatives and is cholesterol and fat free."  Oh, and by the way, a free dinner plate comes with the 6-bottle pack.  Perhaps it's just chicken broth, lost in translation?  Who knows.  But, drinking chicken juice from a bottle just isn't appetizing to me.
    Next, I found a new brand of products from a company called "IKEDA."  Just one look at their logo and you'll see what I'm talking about.  This is a blatant rip off of the "IKEA" logo.  Classic.