05/14/2012 – The MEGA ISSUE

Editor’s Note: The Blip includes short headlines with odd, feel-good, informational, or pointless material. Stories are presented in a fast, easy-to-read format with news that will make you laugh and be enlightened. The Blip is updated often for relevancy.

OWN going down

Oprah Winfrey’s cable channel (creatively named the Oprah Winfrey Network, or OWN) is currently at a loss of $330 million, and is expected not to last another year.

Discovery, who partnered with Winfrey to make the network possible, is scrambling to regain costs—about $600 million since 2008. Discovery Communications’ CEO David Zaslav likely will cancel the program as soon as possible, famously canceling floundering projects in the past, such as the Planet Green channel.

Winfrey, oddly enough, has little invested in her own OWN, but her image may be marred.

Click here to read more.

 

An unconventional resume lands one man a job

In downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bennett Olsen put his face next to the words “HIRE ME!” on an electronic billboard for twenty-four hours. The billboard displayed his ad, which included a link to his website, for eight-second intervals for an entire day. The result was that Olsen gained a job at Laser Design & GKS Services, a 3-Dimensional scanning company located out of Bloomington, Minnesota.

Read more over here.

 

What country is the best one to be a mom in?

Not here. Consider moving to Norway instead, which received the best scores in categories that include education and economic status, maternal health, child health, and mortality rates. The United States placed twenty-fifth on the list, and Niger was the country in dead last.

For all the details, head over here.

 

Weather and Magic: The perfect combo

The Federal Agency known as NOAA (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is in trouble for recently planning to hire a magician motivational speaker for agency leader training. NOAA posted the notice, stating the presentation should incorporate “physical energizers, magic tricks, puzzles, brain teasers, word games, humor, and teambuilding exercises.” This posting came only a few weeks after a recent General Services Administration mind-reader scandal. Many in Congress, along with many senators summed up the idea as a waste of money. NOAA has taken the notice down.

Get all the juicy tidbits here.

 

Is your show getting cancelled?

Networks are starting to get rid of low-rated, under-viewed shows. Is your favorite on the list to get the axe?

Find out here.

 

Surprise Lexus found in a pool

The Diaz family of La Puente, California woke this morning to find a shiny Lexus submerged and resting on the floor of their swimming pool. Modesto Cabral, the 40-year-old driver, was able to escape via the passenger window after failing to navigate a difficult intersection. He had only minor injuries.

If you’re intrigued, click here.

 

Body spray overabundance causes fire alarm to trip

In Middletown, Connecticut, one student’s hope to get rid of his armpit stench ended with a fire alarm going off. The student released a large amount of his bodyspray, causing a cloud of mist to form under a heat sensor. Firefighters arrived at about 3pm, but were able to allow students and staff to return inside, citing the incident a “routine accidental.”

Read about it here as well.

 

Texting while walking now illegal

In Fort Lee, New Jersey, police officers are now issuing $85 jaywalking tickets to those caught texting while walking. A grace period was issued in March, where citizens were informed of the new laws through pamphlets, before the plan took effect. Over 117 tickets have already been issued under this new plan, which has received mixed reviews by the public.

Read some more here.

 

Fifty-three years later, things are made right

This Mother’s Day, 72-year-old Bill Teitleff returned hydrangeas to Centennial Park—hydrangeas he had stolen fifty-three years ago. In 1958, Teitleff had stolen the plants as a Mother’s Day gift because he didn’t have any money. Recently, he felt guilty and decided to return the flowers.

Read it here as well.