Bigfoot sightings or a bear with mange

by Jamie Rhein on

At the beginning of October, Catherine wrote about the Loch Ness Monster. People aren’t seeing the Loch Ness as often these days. But what about other creatures? A few days ago, I found out that there’s still some speculation about Bigfoot, particularly since there has been a recent sighting in Pennsylvania. Some people say that the furry creature that was spotted in the Allegheny Mountains isn’t Bigfoot at all, but a mangy bear. Others swear that this stooped over figure is definitely that mysterious beast.

Rick Jacobs, the fellow who captured the image with his camera said he’d never seen anything like it. When he contacted the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, the group thought he may have a winner. The Pennsylvania Game Commission said, “Mange.” Could Bigfoot have mange?

This photo by Olivander is of the statue of Bigfoot on Highway 54 near Mt. St. Helen’s. This part of Oregon has much Bigfoot lore.

Photo of the Day (10/31/07)

by Jamie Rhein on

Happy Halloween!! When I looked through our Gadling Flickr Pool for an appropriate post to commemorate today, I came across Sun Toad’s shot taken at Tokyo Disneyland in 2005. If this isn’t an indication of how cultures travel, I don’t know what is. Today at Tokyo Disneyland, people come to the park decked out in costumes and there are Halloween activities all day. (The activities been going on since September.) Leave it to Disney.

If you have any shots where you’ve captured culture, or scenery, or whatever, load them up on the Gadling Flickr pool for consideration.

Monte Cristo: Australia’s most haunted house

by Jamie Rhein on

When I was poking around to find a haunted house tour on You Tube–I don’t have the time to actually go to one–I found this one of a house that is spooky enough to give anyone the willies. The music is perfect. That droning organ music that is mixed with rattles and wind whooshes made me a bit antsy by the end. And, the setting really put me on edge. My dog just shook herself and I jumped. Seriously, I’m not lying. The filming is a perfect creep out.

Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee, Australia is said to be Australia’s most haunted house. Throughout the video, Mrs. Aussie Bear, who created it, includes heading titles that highlight the details of just what awful thing happened in each spot of the house. It’s said to be haunted by the ghost of Mrs. Crawley, one of the owners who only left the house twice in the 23 years after her husband died. Here’s a link from the homestead’s website that highlights some of the mysterious happenings.

The house is open for tours every day but Christmas.

The Toilet Hotel

by Jamie Rhein on

If eating out of a toilet doesn’t sound edgy enough–grand enough, how about a night in a house that looks like one? Might sound odd, but don’t be hasty. The Toilet House may not be so weird. The guy who had it built, Seoul, Korea’s, Sim Jae-Duck, is the founder of The World Toilet Association and wants to make sure that people have clean toilets to use. By this, I don’t mean toilet hygiene, per se, but toilets that are clean to use–meaning people have a place to go do their business without creating a health hazard. If you’ve ever lived in an African village, you understand the need for a good latrine that’s far enough away from the village well.

If you pay the $50,000 a night to stay in this house, you’ll be adding money towards Jae-Duck’s work to make sure that people in the world can get rid of their bodily waste without the danger of making people sick. Not a bad idea. Plus, the house does look funky. Again, thanks to Tom Barlow from BloggingStocks for sending this treasure my way.

Foreigners get warm welcome from Disney video

by Catherine Bodry on

When the U.S. State Department decided foreigners needed a friendly welcome upon entering the country, they turned to Disney. Disney has long been active in lobbying efforts for more welcoming treatment of foreign visitors, and has expressed concern about the USA’s declining share of international travelers. The company produced the video free of charge.

The short film is a montage of still scenes of the “American life.” Naturally it’s warm and fuzzy. There’s no dialogue, just smiling people repeating the word “welcome.” USA Today also reports that “viewers will see dramatic images of American icons like the Statue of Liberty and the Las Vegas Strip. They’ll also see ordinary cities and farms as well as sweeping outdoor vistas. The video has no shots of Disney property.”

You can view a clip of the video here, or visit some 219 consular offices or airports with customs facilities.