HoodedHawk

Last night I went to hear Carl Hiaasen give a talk at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington, DC. He is promoting his new book, “Downhill Lie“, a memoir about his foray back into the world of golf after 30 years. I’ve had his book, “Skinny Dip” on my queue for awhile, but haven’t read anything by him.

Anyway, his talk was hysterically funny, covering everything from sinking a golf cart to doing battle with rats. Monkey golf and late-night Golf Channel adventures were also covered. I recorded the talk, and I’m officially bumping his books up on my queue (meaning I may get to them this year).

My son recently received a badge at a Cub Scout meeting. I happened to notice the sticker on the back. For some reason this just seems wrong.

A company in Portland, Oregon (naturally), Renovo Hardwood Bicycles, makes these absolutely beautiful bikes out of hardwood. They use special computer-controlled machines to carve the wood (and the frame is also hollowed out). They only weigh about 20 lbs. The ride is supposed to be really smooth as the wood dampens vibrations. Just way cool! No price listed, but since each one is custom-made (out of ash, cherry or purpleheart), I’m thinking not cheap.

A Norwegian boy was able to escape death (and save his sister) when attacked by a moose by using skills he learned playing World of Warcraft.

Seems the boy and his sister were walking in the woods when they were attacked by a moose (moose bites hurt). He shouted at the mouse to distract it from his sister (she ran away), then as the huge moose stood over him, the boy feigned death , “just like I learned to do on level 30 of World of Warcraft”. The moose apparently was fooled and trotted off.

Popular Mechanics did a study of airplane crashes, and determined that you are 40% more likely to survive a crash in the back of the plane vs. sitting up front. Move to the back of the plane!