Watercooler Stories

Internet gives nerds a second chance

WASHINGTON, July 23 (UPI) -- Nerds across the United States are getting a second chance at being popular, musician MC Frontalot said, thanks to the growth of the Internet.

The hip-hop musician, whose real name is Damian Hess, said nerds have a voice they never had before, thanks to the connectivity offered by the Internet, Britain's Sunday Telegraph reported.

"When I was at school, being branded a nerd was a terrible thing. We would band together in small groups for self defense," Hess said. "But the Internet has allowed the creation of a nerd legion with a distinctive nerd identity."

Hess -- who self identifies as a "nerdcore" rapper -- raps about the advantages of being a nerd outside the constraints of high school.

"By the end of high school, I was trying to be cool but not succeeding," he said. "When I grew up, I no longer felt ashamed of being a nerd, because that's what I am."

The newspaper said Hess is not alone in his pursuit, as comedian Brian Posehn and upcoming TV series like "The Big Bang Theory" and "Chuck" also praise the nerd life.

British city council rejects Fat Buddha

DURHAM, England, July 23 (UPI) -- The Durham, England, City Council has rejected a restaurateur's request to name his Chinese eatery Fat Buddha.

Buddhist businessman Eddie Fung said he cannot understand why council member Tracey Ingle opposed him on the restaurant's name, The Mail on Sunday reported.

"I cannot believe that this woman should go to so much time and trouble to take issue over an inoffensive name like Fat Buddha," Fung said.

Ingle called the name "provocative" and her fellow council members agreed.

Fung said the council just doesn't understand Buddhism. A Buddhist Society spokesman said Buddhists regard the fat Buddha as lucky.

"To suggest this is offensive is to misunderstand the faith," the spokesman told the newspaper.

Pet ownership grows, realtors respond

CHICAGO, July 23 (UPI) -- The pet population in the United States is experiencing a sharp and steady increase and realtors are finding it pays to become pet friendly in response.

Experts say that because of the increase in pet ownership, the real estate market needs to respond to the high importance placed on pets. One realtor told The Chicago Tribune that pet-friendliness sometimes trumps parking when it comes to issues of importance in home buying.

Because of the new prominence of pets, some realtors are jumping on the pet bandwagon by launching Web sites for realtors who describe themselves as pet friendly. Linda Lamb, a Chicago realtor, started an online site for realtors who specialize in pet friendly properties.

Pet product manufacturing groups estimate that 63 percent of all U.S. households have pets, translating to 69 million homes, up from 51 million in 1988, the Tribune said.

Memphis lawns get bikini cut

MEMPHIS, July 23 (UPI) -- The lawn-care business in Memphis has a new wrinkle -- the bikini cut, in which residents can have their lawns mowed by women in skimpy outfits.

Tiger Time Lawn Care's service costs more than typical lawn-moving services, but owner Lee Cathey told WMC-TV Memphis some clients seem to get extra enjoyment out of it.

"We had a couple of customers sitting in lawn chairs drink beer just enjoying the bikini cut," he said Sunday.

Tiger Time employees said the service draws a fair amount of attention from passers-by.

"Oh yeah, they honk and yell. They can do everything you can imagine," said Blair Beckman, 21.

Note to the women of Memphis: Cathey told WMC he has not had calls yet for a beefcake version of the lawn-care service.