The possibility of encountering “water scorpions, leeches, of course, a few trout and maybe the odd eel” did not deter competitors in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships. Now featuring corporate sponsorship (auctioned off on eBay) and worldwide press, the annual event is the product of a late night barroom brainstorm. Llanwrtyd Wells, Britain’s smallest town, hosts the 100+ competitors (and fans). Participants, wearing snorkels and flippers, are allowed to kick but can only doggy paddle to navigate the 60 yard trench twice. For the first time in the 21 year old event, a “swim-off” tie-breaker was necessary to crown the World Champion Bog Snorkeller, Haydn Pitchforth.
The Floating Homes Association of Seattle is holding its biennial houseboat tour on September 10th. 15 homes floating on Lake Union will be open for viewing. (Seattle Times’ impressions of a two-story model)
Art glass fans looking for new kitchen cabinet hardware may want to check out SpectraDecor. The Seattle company recycles glass into accents for drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, and tiles too.
Limited edition dark chocolate M&Ms; played a role in a Star Wars Episode III marketing campaign. The company received over 30,000 e-mails requesting the permanent return of dark chocolate so they’ve now added it to the growing M&M; arsenal. The ad campaign ignores pop culture in favor of Expressionism. M&Ms;’ parent company is offering a reward of two million dark chocolate M&M;’s for the return Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” stolen from the Munch Museum two years ago. White chocolate fans can grab a bag of “Pirate Pearls”, M&M;’s movie promotion for Pirates of the Caribbean.
Has this already made the weblog rounds? It’s the original S.S. Minnow from Gilligan’s Island. For Sale. (Not Cheap.)
The last time we watched Mythbusters the narrator made a personal observation which made me wonder for the first time who he was. Of course real Mythbusters fans have already gotten the goods on the voice that always sounds amused by the antics of Adam (Jamie is always serious, no antics. Really.). Robert Lee has an American accent but he was born in England, lived in North American and is now a resident of Australia.
Just a few days after our evening at The Herbfarm’s “European Common Table”, The Seattle Times published a rundown of local restaurants with communal tables. Carrie Van Dyck, co-owner of The Herbfarm, is quoted many times. Some are reluctant to share a table with strangers but most warm up to it and have a fun time and even make new friends.
Freaky Astronomy Picture of the Day. Don’t worry, it’s not natural.
75 years of Mercedes-Benz Popemobile, not much text but lots of photos (via frykitty)
A butter sculpture of a cow may be old news at the Ohio State Fair, but this year there’s also a butter sculpture of team mascots Who Dey of the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dawg of the Cleveland Browns. The Ohio dairy industry has a partnership with the NFL.