DAVID ADAMS writes about the odder side of life…
• A Scottish butcher has taken his Burns Night celebrations – held annually on 25th January in honour of Scottish poet Robbie Burns – to new heights by launching a haggis to the edge of space. The almost 500 gram packet of haggis was attached to a weather balloon and sent soaring into the sky 32 kilometres above Scotland in a almost three hour trip before returning safely to Earth. Howie, who worked with space education and research firm Stratonauts to carry out the feat, is now keeping the “first haggis in space” at his premises in the town of Dunning in Perthshire. He reportedly said the idea was aimed at “lifting the spirits of the general public”.
• Like your sleep? A US-based mattress reviewing website, SleepJunkie.com, is offering $US3,000 for a “real-life Sleeping Beauty” – “someone who will be paid to sleep on the job” – to test out mattresses. The successful candidate will be sent three mattresses over a two month period to evaluate and, as well as receiving the cash, will be able to keep the mattress they like best. There is a small catch – as well as having clear writing skills, good evaluation skills and being an exceptionally good sleeper, “Our Sleeping Beauty will also have to be able to sleep alone to ensure an undisturbed night’s sleep”.
• The US Navy Band has capitalised on the sea shanty trend currently sweeping the internet, recording a version of Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together in full sea shanty-style. Rear Admiral Charlie Brown admitted the song might not be to everyone’s taste: “This sea shanty parody may VERY MUCH not be your jam… I’m so thankful for the talent, creativity and sense of humor of our @usnavyband!” He pointed people to the band’s YouTube site for some more serious takes on sea shanties.
