Watercooler Stories

'Hustler' seeks congressional sex secrets

WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) -- Had sex with a member of the U.S. Congress? Publisher Larry Flynt and his Hustler magazine are offering up to $1 million cash if you can prove it.

In a full page ad published Sunday in The Washington Post, Flynt asks for information from anyone who has had a "sexual encounter with a current member of the United States Congress or a high-ranking government official."

"Flynt and Hustler magazine will pay you up to $1 million if we choose to publish your verified story and use your material," said the ad, which supplies a "hotline" 800 number and e-mail address.

Going by the Post's advertising rates, it looked like Hustler paid about $13,640 for Sunday's ad.

Take a load off or else for firefighters

MANCHESTER, England, June 4 (UPI) -- Three firefighters in Britain may soon be disciplined for ignoring orders to relax on $800 reclining chairs and choosing to sleep on their station's floor instead.

The unusual disciplinary investigation came after the county of Greater Manchester decided to replace all fire station beds with the specialized chairs, a move three firefighters disliked, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service official said the chairs were designed to offer firefighters a place to rest for the three hours they are allowed per 15-hour night shift.

"Risk-assessed facilities have been provided for rest only, not sleep," official Anita Wainwright said. "However, if a firefighter were to doze off on the rest facilities provided, a common sense approach is adopted."

The newspaper said most regional firefighters have opposed the move and the required training course they each had to attend so they could learn how to sit in the chairs.

Racy hotels and restaurants on the rise

SAN DIEGO, June 4 (UPI) -- A San Diego hotel where room rates start at $450 a night is setting itself apart with a racy atmosphere featuring group showers and firemen's poles.

The Ivy Hotel, which also features scantily clad waitresses and bottles of wine for $500 to $600, could put a dent in San Diego's self-described reputation as "America's Finest City," The Los Angeles Times reported.

"We wanted something a little voyeuristic, a little seductive," said Michael Kelly, the Ivy's co-owner who has made his fortune buying and selling depressed assets. "It's an adult playground, but it's not cheap."

Julie Albright, who teaches classes on human sexuality and social psychology at the University of Southern California, told the Times that places like the Ivy are becoming more common.

"It's the pornification of mainstream society," she said. "There's more overt sexuality in our media, on television. More people have cable TV. More people are on the Internet."

Examples of more racy places to eat and entertain include a California sushi bar where one can order a "threesome roll" or ahi tuna served on a naked model draped in banana leaves. The sushi experience can cost upward of $2,100.

Students send principal on 14-mile walk

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio, June 4 (UPI) -- When Brian Wilch starts work this week, he will have to walk 14 miles to his Ohio high school because of a bet he made with his sophomore class.

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School principal bet his sophomore class that if they could score high on the Ohio Graduation Test, he would let his feet do the talking for one day, The Cleveland Plainer Dealer reported.

Wilch, of course, must be on time for school Monday, so he intends to begin his trek at 2:30 a.m.

Adding to his challenge is a construction project along his route and the fact that he is admittedly out of shape.

However, armed with gifts he received Friday from supporters -- including water bottles and aspirin -- Wilch said he has no qualms about what he's doing.

"With all the talk about emissions and air quality, it seemed like the green thing to do," he told the newspaper.