Cuckoo Orlando News Stories

I hope to one day look back on this post as a time capsule that captures the wackiness of Orlando news happenings.

First of all, the two non-felonious members of the infamous astronaut love triangle announced today that they plan to marry next year. Following a nationwide car trip (and who knows how many adult incontinence products), a creepy encounter between Lisa Nowak and the bride-to-be, Colleen Shipman, took place here in Orlando at the international airport. We don't know for sure what Nowak would've done with the rubber hoses, mallet, BB gun, and garbage bags she packed in her trunk, but we can guess.

Also, soon after the announcement that the H1N1 vaccine will be ready in a few months, a headline popped up on my home page that gave me another reminder that the danger of swine flu hasn't faded away--a busload of tourists checked into Celebration Health today complaining of flu-like symptoms. Yes, that is the hospital where I work, and yes, I did walk by every one of them on their way to the main lobby, and yes, every one of them had a surgical mask on. Did I figure out what was going on?! No, not even after the newspiece yesterday about the vaccine! It was a bunch of kids with chaperones, so I thought they were on some junior surgeon field trip or something. Good thing I wash my hands one time per baby per day, which today was five times in three hours. I hope I got all the flu germs off.

*sanitizes keyboard*

Another Shooting at Half-Time(s)

According to Central Florida News 13, a man was shot early this morning in downtown DeLand at a popular Stetson hang-out, Half-Time (or, as most students refer to it, "Half-Times"). This is the second shooting at Half-Time in about as many years. Neither time was a Stetson student involved, but it's still creepy.

Despite this weirdness going on, Half-Time(s) seems to still be the place to be in DeLand, which should tell you a little bit about DeLand. When I was at Stetson, I tried to steer clear of it as much as possible anyway (and this was before any shootings occurred there) because the floor creaked and sagged. I know, it seems like just a tiny detail, but it's a two-story building and I never liked deciding between the lesser of two evils: potentially falling through the floor while on the second story, and potentially being fallen on top of while on the first story. Now, we are presented with the choice between the lesser of three evils: fall, be squished, or get shot. I choose none!

Assault with a Deadly Pet

The following article has nothing to do with our lives, besides the fact that I watch Project Runway and I'm a big fan of Season 5 villain Kenley's designs. And also that it made me laugh my jeans off, so I had to share it with whomever is reading. From IMDb:

Project Runway Designer Pleads Guilty To Disorderly Conduct

A former contestant on Heidi Klum's TV designer challenge Project Runway has pleaded guilty to a count of disorderly conduct after allegedly beating her former boyfriend with a laptop computer and throwing her cat at him as he slept.

Kenley Collins was arrested on 17 March and charged with two counts of assault, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment.

The 26 year old was fined $120 and handed a two-year protection order prohibiting her from contacting her ex, Zak Penley.

Frankfort's On the Map

Eric's hometown of Frankfort, New York, has been featured in the national news media lately as a result of a very bizarre story, the conclusion of which can be read here. What a crazy tale!

Look who made the papers...again!

This article detailing our wedding, impeccably written by my mom, was published in my hometown paper, the Waycross Journal-Herald, this week. Three cheers!

Click the image below for a larger view.

Germy Lemons

I knew there was a reason to order my ice waters with no lemon.

Germs!

Birth Order Traits

I heard a blurb about birth order on the John Tesh Radio Show (don't make fun!). According to Dr. Kevin Leman, author of The Birth Order Connection, birth order and behavior are linked. His findings definitely relate to our personalities!

FIRST BORNS (Katie) are natural leaders and high achievers, traits which stem from a sense of entitlement and superiority. They pay attention to detail and are organized. But they can be moody and insensitive to others’ feelings. They’re also bad at delegating, because they don’t trust others as much as they trust themselves. That’s why they’re often stressed out--in control, but stressed out.

MIDDLE CHILDREN (Eric) are people pleasers who hate confrontation. They’re usually calm, down to earth and great listeners, and they make excellent negotiators. Middle kids are usually less driven firstborns, but more eager to be liked--that’s why they have trouble setting limits.

Sound familiar?

Intriguing Revelations about Karaoke

First, thanks to BestWeekEver.tv and ListoftheDay.blogspot.com, we have a list of 10 karaoke songs to avoid. Everyone on earth needs to read this because you'd be surprised how many times I hear about 80% of the songs on this list! Then, a repost from the updates section of my website, a May 2 MSNBC article about the effects of American Idol on the karaoke scene. Also, it includes a list of tips by which every karaoke singer should live!

We have sexy jobs

MSN Careers recently released a list of 10 jobs with under-the-radar sex appeal. Not only was photographer included on the list (go, me), my dad's profession of mail carrier made the cut also!

6. Mail carriers spend their days walking from house to house to deliver letters and packages, guaranteeing their legs look nice in those signature navy blue shorts. You know carriers are determined and trustworthy, seeing as they come to your house regardless of the weather and (hopefully) none of your letters are ever opened. Wouldn't most of us rather stay home on cold days and read personal letters and magazines from their bags?

8. Artsy types get a boost in the sexy department for having a strong sense of style and a unique perspective on the world. Even among artists, photographers stand out because they stay behind the camera, finding beauty in unconventional and overlooked places. Their willingness to stay out of the spotlight and focus their attention on someone else is endearing.

Look who made the papers!

First, my mom and her fellow teachers were recognized with a statewide award and featured in the Waycross paper. Can you find her in this picture? Hint: she's 6'.


Here's an article I wrote about Four Corners Academy of the Arts. It ran in the Clermont News-Leader recently. No byline. Bummer.



Also, 2008 is the 10-year anniversary of the following article appearing in the Observer-Dispatch out of Utica, New York.

Mental Floss

If you haven't discovered MentalFloss.com yet, you're missing out. I just discovered it and it's already filling the void. Just thought I'd share a few interesting things that I've found so far.

First of all, Eric's brother Jeff attends Alfred University on a football scholarship. I found his school on MentalFloss.com as part of a list of 12 College Classes We Wish Our Schools Had Offered because in spring of 2005, Alfred offered a course entitled "Maple Syrup - The Real Thing."

Like many MentalFloss readers (and EricAndKP blog readers), I grew up on PBS family programming, so I thought y'all would get a kick out of 15 Reasons Mr. Rogers Was the Best Neighbor Ever. Warning: Only follow the obituary links at the bottom of the page if you have tissues handy.

And lastly, this article explains once and for all why we think it's so much fun to sing in the shower.

P.S.

Headline of the Day

Charge Dropped in Gas-Passing Case