Category Archives: WTF??
Clerk praised for saving marriages with ‘broken printer’ excuse
Blaming a faulty printer is a convenient excuse for failing to get work done – but this explanation has helped a woman in China’s Hubei province save hundreds of marriages.
Xiong Ling, a clerk at the Wuhan city marriage registry was given the title of China’s “Most Beautiful Matchmaker” last week for helping to thwart 500 of divorces for nine years, news portal cnhubei reported.
Her marriage-saving strategy was to cite excuses such as “the office printer is out of order” and “the network is down” as soon as couples came in requesting divorce. She would often apologise to them for the technical problems and tell them to come back another day.
She said most couples would go home, take time to re-think their decision and end up not divorcing.
Xiong, 39, who has helped process marriages for more than 30,000 couples during her career, said “love fatigue” was the most common driver of divorce and the best cure was to spend some time apart to think.
Her story was met with mixed reactions online. It spurred debate as to whether her actions were “professional” because divorce was a couple’s legal right.
“I think it’s a good thing. She’s just telling couples to take some time to reconsider, nothing wrong with that,” said one user on microblog Sina Weibo.
Xiong said she respected people’s choice to divorce but would often mediate between couples if she saw there was hope for reconciliation.
Teenager taunts cops on Facebook, “catch me if u can. Can you guess what happened?
When a U.K. police station posted a fugitive’s mugshot on its Facebook page, the cheeky lad wrote in from his personal account: “Catch me if u can.”
“In the past it’s taken us several weeks to get a hold of him,” Inspector Umer Khan, who runs the department’s Facebook page, told NBC News.
But the very next day, the runner, 19-year-old Sam Greenwood, was spotted and arrested by a squad car out on patrol.
Before the police had deleted Greenwood’s mug from Facebook — standard procedure once a perp had been caught — the shot had gathered 82 “Likes.” “Underneath that thread there were comments from his mates, saying ‘Go on Sam,’ and other bravado-type comments,” Khan said. In response, once they’d arrested him, Khan replied to his note on police department’s official page: “Caught you. Do not pass Go, do not collect £200, go straight to jail.”
Some Facebook readers from the area (and abroad) were tickled by the exchange and Monopoly reference, Khan said. “A lot of people have sent messages saying it brought a smile to them, and showed that the police have a sense of humor.”
But at least one commenter called the retort unprofessional. Khan replied that “the Monopoly-themed comment was a spur of the moment thing” that was removed soon after it was posted. “I said to that, it’s a fair comment and it’s constructive,” he explained to NBC News. So even though he deleted his own words, Khan has chosen to leave up the critical commentary, and is letting people “have their opinion on the issue.”
The aspiring Frank Abagnale (Remember that Leonardo DiCaprio movie?), Greenwood, was arrested in January for a driving infraction, and served four months at the Young Offenders Institute. He attracted the attention of the police when he skipped out on appointments at the Rochdale Probation Service and broke the conditions of his release.
GMP Rochdale North, like many police departments in the U.K. and U.S. is active on Facebook and often asks for the public help looking for wanted people. The page, which got its start only last fall, is manned by Inspector Khan — which explains why posts are sometimes more personal than other official accounts — all the way down to the frequent “Inspector’s Blog” contributions. The department also posts updates on YouTube, Twitter, Flickr and Pinterest.
Are ‘cat beards’ the most bizarre internet craze you have ever seen?
There have been many unusual internet crazes down the years but could cat beards be among the strangest?
Forget breading or dressing up your favourite feline friend to look sushi, this new cat phenomenon looks set to eclipse them all.
A pet owner shows off his impressive beard (Picture: Tumblr)
Pet owners across the world have embraced the wacky trend which began when a Tumblr user uploaded a snap of his fake feline beard.
‘Cat beards is a photo fad that involves positioning a cat in front of one’s face in such a manner that the feline’s furry chin appears as if it is part of the model’s facial hair,’ explains knowyourmeme.com.
Another awesome cat beard example (Picture: Tumblr)
The earliest example of a ‘cat beard’ first emerged last year but has since spread across platforms including Twitter, Tumblr and Reddit.
Interest in the meme spiked this week when Tumblr user Captain Awesome Sauce collated some of the best cat beard examples across the web, which has been shared over 85,000 times.
The original cat beard? (Picture: Tumblr / Catasters)
A dedicated cat beards website has also been launched via Tumblr, showcasing the best snaps of pet owners embracing the trend.
Confused former UK Cabinet minister thinks gay marriage will force him to marry his son
Norman Tebbit has launched a bizarre attack on David Cameron, saying Tory plans for gay marriage could allow him to marry his own son and warning of a possible lesbian queen on the throne.In a blistering, foul-mouthed rant, the former Cabinet minister said the Prime Minister had “f****d things up” by pressing ahead with same-sex marriage legislation despite growing resistance from his own party.
His criticism comes as Mr Cameron was dealt another blow yesterday when he was forced to do a deal with Labour to keep his gay marriage legislation on track.
Tory rebels defied him by tabling an amendment to the Equal Marriage Bill aimed at stalling it.
He was also forced to write a grovelling letter to Tory activists in a bid to repair the damage wreaked by “Loongate” .
Lord Tebbit warned the Government had not thoroughly considered possible implications and the problems arising from passing new legislation in a hurry/
The 82-year-old warned that plans for gay marriage could allow families to avoid inheritance tax.
He told the Big Issue: “It would lift my worries about inheritance tax because maybe I’d be allowed to marry my son. Why not?
“Why shouldn’t a mother marry her daughter? Why shouldn’t two elderly sisters living together marry each other?”
The Conservative Party Chairman also questioned how the gay marriage bill could impact on Royal succession.
He added: “When we have a queen who is a lesbian and she marries another lady and then decides she would like to have a child and someone donates sperm and she gives birth to a child, is that child heir to the throne?
“It’s like one of my colleagues said: we’ve got to make these same sex marriages available to all.”
Lord Tebbit warned that disunity over gay marriage and Europe would push voters in the direction of UKIP, who are just two points behind the Conservatives in a recent opinion poll.
He said: “If they (UKIP) make significant gains in the European elections, I know there’s people rich enough to get involved and fund a significant campaign at a general election.”
You can do a lot of bad things as a priest, but plagiarizing sermons from sermons.com is not one of them
An Episcopal priest in Massachusetts has been removed from his post after being accused of stealing his sermons out of a book he ordered from Sermons.com.
Rev. John McGinn, 65, was placed on administrative leave by officials at St. John’s Episcopal Church in the Cape Cod town of Sandwich, Mass. It is believed that he has been delivering, and even publishing, sermons from a book called “Dynamic Preaching” since 2006.
The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts wrote a letter to the 300 or so families that regularly attend McGinn’s services.
“This is a serious breach of the pastoral relationship between John and each of you,” wrote Bishop M. Thomas Shaw. “I am sorry that this matter has caused pain and will likely cause further pain in the parish. As difficult as this situation is, we know that truth telling helps to bring about healing, and our renewal follows repentance.”
McGinn first came under suspicion of plagiarism a year ago and was approached by church elders. He assured them at the time that everything was on the level. “We investigated further,” wrote Shaw, “and have documentation that not only did he continue to copy sermons and preach and publish them verbatim, in print and online, as his own, but he had been doing so for many years.”
Sean Randall, a senior warden of the church, issued a statement on behalf of the local parishioners.
“For 17 years Fr. John McGinn has raised thousands of dollars for local charities and provided pastoral care for hundreds of people on the Upper Cape. Our prayers are with him as the diocese, St. John’s Church and Fr. McGinn work to resolve this,” Randall said
McGinn doesn’t sound overly concerned about the situation, The Daily Mail reported.
“I’m going to retire,” McGinn said. “I loved my time at the parish. That’s all. I think I did a good job.”
Woman’s Large Figure Causes Failed Suicide Attempt
Being obese is never seen as being advantageous. Aside from putting one at risk for many illnesses, another disadvantage of being big-bodied is, well…experiencing a failed suicide attempt.
A woman from Jiehe, a rural town in Shandong, China, attempted to kill herself because she feared her husband would reprimand her for causing the potatoes of their 2,700 square meter field to spoil.
She apparently tried jumping into a well, but her large size stopped her from falling down farther than three meters.
With her endless cries for help, she was rescued by the police in no time. With only scratches on her body, she told the reporters later on that she felt embarrassed about what had happened.
Hip Hijab–Haute Head Coverings & Chic Fashion
by Rebekah Sager
Haute Hijab is a website dedicated to bringing Muslin women trendy and high-fashion head scarves or hijabs, clothing, accessories, and wraps.
According their website, their fashion philosophy “Lies in the Quranic tradition of wearing the head cover (hijab) and dressing modestly in order to be recognized as women of faith and to uphold modesty. While we do not promote ostentation, we do believe in an individual’s personal expression of faith and modesty through dress. We aim to ease the process of shopping for modest clothing by providing a line where every piece of clothing designed is hijab-friendly.Unique as you are, you are and always will be our inspiration. Your confidence, conviction and fortitude as a hijab wearing woman encourages us to create and innovate the finest options available.”
In addition to finding great hijab options, muslin fashionista’s can now look to some of the newest “hijab bloggers and fashion sites” for all things hip but modest.
Bloggers like Yazmine Kanar “Yaz the Spaz“, a Cuban and Turkish blogger out of Miami. Her site is dedicated to make-up and beauty. A scientist and fashion blogger, Yaz sells a variety of accessories–hair scrunchies, hijabs, rings, and turtle necks. Her video on pashmina wrapping has over 762,000 views, and she now has 48,000 followers on Facebook and 24,000 followers on Instagram.
Hijab Chic, elegantly assembles complete outfits for women. And Hijablicious, featured in Marie Claire, describes the site as having a “passion to bring modest yet stylish clothing to the forefront of the fashion world. Including beauty reviews, features on inspirational women and giveaways, whilst providing a platform to help small and especially female led businesses market their products.”
Mango Whirl, is a 20 something, London based blogger with a degree in Law from Kings College. A small following on Facebook and Twitter, but an average of over 70K page views on her fashion site.
The hijab fashion world may not be a place all fashion followers are aware of, but it seems no matter your religion, girls love to look pretty and modest or not, everyone strives to be their authentic selves. These sites offer some fabulous options.
Andres Munos-Munos Charged With Intoxication Manslaughter In Death Of Sheriff’s Deputy
HOUSTON — The man accused of hitting and killing a Harris County sheriff’s deputy while driving drunk was in the country illegally, a judge said in court overnight.
Andres Munos-Munos, 23, was charged with intoxication manslaughter in the death of Sgt. Dwayne Polk.
According to the Houston Police Department, Munos-Munos allegedly ran a red light on Little York at N. Shepherd and hit Polk’s personal truck shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday. HPD said there were no skid marks to indicate Munos-Munos even attempted to stop prior to the crash.
The deputy died at the scene. He was in uniform, and officials believe he was driving home following an off-duty job.
During his court appearance early Monday, Munos-Munos was ordered held without bond. Details weren’t immediately available on his attorney.
Police said the suspect suffered minor injuries in the wreck and was taken to the hospital prior to being taken to court. It was there he underwent a mandatory blood draw.
Polk, 47, had been with the sheriff’s office for 16 years. On Sunday afternoon family and friends left small mementos at the Houston intersection where the deputy was killed.
“Tough morning,” Sheriff Adrian Garcia tweeted. “The HCSO suffered a terrible loss & we are all grieving. Keep HCSO members & their families in your prayers.”
According to the Houston Chronicle, Polk grew up in Houston with his two brothers, three sisters and many cousins. The Bible was among the books his mother used to teach him and his siblings to read, according to a 2012 obituary for his younger brother.
The suspect accused in Polk’s death has had trouble with the law before.
Records show he was arrested on June 10, 2012 for driving while intoxicated. He also was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon. He was deported in July 2012, but later returned to the U.S.
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Sheriff Garcia sent this e-mail to his staff following Polk’s death:
The members of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office mourn the untimely death of Sgt. Dwayne Polk, a 16 year veteran of the HCSO and a dedicated public servant.
The HCSO deals with on a daily basis the tragedy that happens in our community. Our deputies are trained to handle these situations and do what we can to help our citizens move forward when they have been touched by tragedy. Today, it reminds us that although we wear badges and guns, we too are human and our hearts hurt and are heavy as anyone else who has dealt with the loss of a son, a brother, a dedicated colleague, a caring friend and a proud father. Our prayers are with Sgt. Polk’s family and those who knew him best.
Sgt. Polk’s death reminds us that we must stop these senseless actions at the hands of irresponsible individuals who insist on ignoring the law and common sense, and get behind the wheel after having too much to drink!
As we move forward, Sgt. Polk’s death will not be in vain. We will continue to put behind bars those who run the risk of devastating other families, as the Polk family has been. It was eerily ironic that on the morning of June 18th I was with Mothers Against Drunk Driving as they held the annual “Walk Like MADD”.
Let’s remind ourselves that these deaths can be prevented either by personal responsibility or by handcuffs, but we will not stop in our efforts to save lives on our roadways!
Selena Velasquez, 17, Accused Of Blackmailing Man With False Rape Claim
State police say a 17-year-old Glorieta girl faces a charge of extortion after allegedly trying to blackmail a 43-year-old sexual partner for cash.
The man had met the girl, Selena Velasquez, at a Cinco de Mayo party in Pecos, police said Thursday, and the two had consensual sex. After that encounter, the man claims, the girl threatened to call police to report that he had raped her — unless he paid her $500 every Friday for three weeks.
State police said Velasquez had been visiting the man at work, texting him and calling him since the encounter, allegedly threatening to harm him and his daughter.
State police met with the man May 8, according to Sgt. Emmanuel Gutierrez, and he told police about the girl and her alleged efforts to blackmail him. Officers then monitored a phone call between the man and the girl, during which “the suspect clearly threatened and extorted the victim.”
On May 10, state police officers set up surveillance at Wal-Mart, 3251 Cerrillos Road, where the man told Velasquez he would meet her to pay her the money.
Instead, several police officers arrested her on the extortion charge.
Gutierrez said Velasquez was arrested in the parking lot without incident, although police had prepared for potential violence at the scene because of Velasquez’s alleged threats. Gutierrez said police did find that a male associate of Velasquez, who also was at the scene, was in possession of a pellet gun.
Velasquez was booked into the Santa Fe County Juvenile Detention Center and was released from custody Monday.
Gutierrez said he was unsure if she would be prosecuted as an adult or as a juvenile.
Gutierrez said the man, who didn’t give the girl any money, wasn’t charged with a sexual crime because the girl is over the age of consent in New Mexico.
“It was a consensual encounter,” Gutierrez said. “There was no crime because the age of consent is 16, and he was not in a position of authority over her.”
