Another day, another bizarre world record for Jackie Bibby, the "Texas Snake Man." Bibby spent about 45 minutes in a see-through bathtub with 87 rattlesnakes on Monday, November 5th, in Dallas, fully clothed, shattering his own record by 12 snakes, just in time for Guinness World Records Day, which is on Thursday, November 8th. A Guinness official certified the record.
The snakes crawled under his arms, between his legs and anywhere else they could slither, Bibby said. None bit him.
"They can go wherever they want as long as they don't start biting," Bibby said. "The key to not biting is for me to stay still. Rapid movement scares a rattlesnake. If you move real slow and gentle, that doesn't seem to bother them."
Bibby sat in the dry tub with a pillow behind him, wearing regular clothing. The snakes were not defanged and still contained their venom, he said.
The clear bathtub was specially made several years ago for Bibby by the Guinness folks for a televised segment. He has used it for subsequent attempts at the record for sitting in a tub with snakes.
"I have set several world records in that bathtub," Bibby said.
The record was Bibby's latest grab at glory. Last year he set a Guinness-certified record by holding 10 rattlesnakes by their tails in his mouth at once. He said he hopes to break that record shortly by squeezing in an 11th.
The Texas Snake Man also claims to hold non-sanctioned records for climbing into a sleeping bag head first with 20 rattlesnakes and going in feet first with 112.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
'Best mom' to be face of new currency
South Korea's central bank has chosen the face of Korean motherhood as the first woman to be featured on its banknotes, but women's rights groups say the selection only reinforces sexist stereotypes.
Shin Saimdang, known for raising a famed Confucian scholar and having a deft hand in painting, will grace the new 50,000 won ($55) note when it debuts in early 2009, the Bank of Korea said.
Women's groups say her selection bolsters the idea that mothers should stay at home and devote their lives to their children's education.
Shin, whose nickname is "wise mother", gave birth to the 16th-century scholar Yi I, who is also known by his pen name Yulgok. She is celebrated for placing her son on the path to fame.
A paper on a government Web site describes Shin as "the best example of motherhood in Korean history", while the central bank said she was selected "to promote gender equality and women's participation in society".
Women's rights groups acknowledge Shin as an important figure but have been pushing for other female candidates, who have risen to positions of power and respect in a male-dominated society, to be placed on the new note. "Although women nowadays are highly capable and educated, the idea of 'wise mother and good wife' holds them down," said Kwon Hee-jung, secretary general of the women's rights group IF. More than a dozen women's rights groups plan to protest against the bank's decision.
Yulgok's face is already on the 5,000 won note. Shin will appear on the second-highest valued note after the new 100,000 bill is also issued in 2009.
Shin Saimdang, known for raising a famed Confucian scholar and having a deft hand in painting, will grace the new 50,000 won ($55) note when it debuts in early 2009, the Bank of Korea said.
Women's groups say her selection bolsters the idea that mothers should stay at home and devote their lives to their children's education.
Shin, whose nickname is "wise mother", gave birth to the 16th-century scholar Yi I, who is also known by his pen name Yulgok. She is celebrated for placing her son on the path to fame.
A paper on a government Web site describes Shin as "the best example of motherhood in Korean history", while the central bank said she was selected "to promote gender equality and women's participation in society".
Women's rights groups acknowledge Shin as an important figure but have been pushing for other female candidates, who have risen to positions of power and respect in a male-dominated society, to be placed on the new note. "Although women nowadays are highly capable and educated, the idea of 'wise mother and good wife' holds them down," said Kwon Hee-jung, secretary general of the women's rights group IF. More than a dozen women's rights groups plan to protest against the bank's decision.
Yulgok's face is already on the 5,000 won note. Shin will appear on the second-highest valued note after the new 100,000 bill is also issued in 2009.
Canine Walk of Fame unveiled in London
Famous dogs including Lassie and Oscar-winning animated pooch Gromit were inducted into the world's first canine Walk of Fame in London on Monday, November 5th, as the four-legged version of the Hollywood pantheon was unveiled.
Other top hounds included Fang from the "Harry Potter" films and Toto from "The Wizard of Oz", although, disappointingly for some, Tintin's sidekick Snowy failed to make the cut.
"Dogs play a very important role in our lives, through their companionship, unconditional love and rewarding relationship they give us," said Caroline Kisko of the Kennel Club at the unveiling near the famous Battersea Dogs' Home in south-west London.
"It is fantastic to see that this is felt the world over through the recognition given by the film industry, and the number of these films that are box office hits prove how much love the public have for dogs in general."
The six winners, who also included Bobby from "Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story Of A Dog", Bullseye from "Oliver!" and Chance and Shadow from the "Homeward Bound" films, were chosen from a shortlist of 15.
Those left out in the Top Dog stakes also included Pongo and Perdita from "101 Dalmatians", Hooch from "Turner and Hooch" and the four-legged stars of "Lady and the Tramp".
Other top hounds included Fang from the "Harry Potter" films and Toto from "The Wizard of Oz", although, disappointingly for some, Tintin's sidekick Snowy failed to make the cut.
"Dogs play a very important role in our lives, through their companionship, unconditional love and rewarding relationship they give us," said Caroline Kisko of the Kennel Club at the unveiling near the famous Battersea Dogs' Home in south-west London.
"It is fantastic to see that this is felt the world over through the recognition given by the film industry, and the number of these films that are box office hits prove how much love the public have for dogs in general."
The six winners, who also included Bobby from "Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story Of A Dog", Bullseye from "Oliver!" and Chance and Shadow from the "Homeward Bound" films, were chosen from a shortlist of 15.
Those left out in the Top Dog stakes also included Pongo and Perdita from "101 Dalmatians", Hooch from "Turner and Hooch" and the four-legged stars of "Lady and the Tramp".
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