Time for more from the files of the Incredibly Stupid

How about this for a new start-up venture? Star Toilet Paper, distributes rolls to public restrooms in restaurants, stadiums and other locations absolutely free -- because they have sold ads on each sheet. (The company slogan is: "Don't rush. Look before you flush.") They have  50 advertisers enlisted so far. They say they came up with the idea, of course, while sitting on the can at the University of Michigan library.

An international trade association reported that women bought 548 million pairs of shoes in 2011 (not even counting those used exclusively for sports). So, a manufacturer, Nine West, decided to start its own cable TV channel with programming on "various aspects of footwear."  Programs will feature celebrities 'rhapsodizing' about their favorite pair of shoes, women who hoard shoes (purchasing many more than they know they'll ever wear even one time), tips on developing one's stiletto-walking skills and shoe closet designs. -Sound silly? Yeah, but I have one female friend who'll probably be tuning in on the sly... Never underestimate the love affair between women and their shoes....

Sometimes feel that our hospitals over charge a little? How about this story: Scorpion anti-venom made in Mexico sells in Mexico for about $100 a dose, but for a while over the last year, the going rate in the emergency room of the Chandler (Ariz.) Regional Medical Center was $39,652 a dose, charged to Marcie Edmonds, who was stung while opening a box of air-conditioner filters in June. She received two doses by IV and was released after three hours, to later find a co-pay bill of $25,537 awaiting her (with her Humana plan picking up $57,509), according to the Arizona Republic newspaper. The Republic found that Arizona hospitals retailed it for between $7,900 and $12,467 per dose -- except for Chandler. Following the newspaper's report, Chandler decided to re-price the venom at $8,000 a dose, thus eating a $31,652 "loss." [Arizona Republic, 9-4-2012, 9-20-2012]

And, last for today, this example of true hatred: The ongoing feud between two Warwick, R.I., households has intensified, according to an August complaint. Kathy Melker and Craig Fontaine charged that not only has neighbor Lynne Taylor been harassing them with verbal insults and threats, but that Taylor has now taught her cockatoo to call Kathy Melker, on sight, a nasty epithet (which rhymes with "clucking bore").   -Well, you have to admit, it's creative...

Work at having a great day!

Live Long and Prosper....