Watercooler Stories

'Hand of God' available on eBay

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, April 27 (UPI) -- An Idaho man says he believes a rock formation in his backyard is a divine sign, and worth at least a few earthly bucks on eBay.

Paul Grayhek, 52, of Coeur d'Alene, listed the rock formation he calls "Hand of God Rock Wall" on the Internet auction site and had a high bid of $250 as of early Sunday, CNN reported.

The formation looks like a 9-feet tall hand and appeared in Grayhek's backyard after a rockslide. He says the shape and the fact it showed up during the Christian season of Lent added up to a "symbol the hand of God in my life."

"People think I'm some holier-than-thou person trying to get rich. I'm not," Grayhek said. "The purpose is to spread the story of God and eBay is just a vehicle."

The winning bidder won't get the actual rock formation but will have exclusive rights to it.

Teacher no fan of frisky gerbil painting

AUSTIN, Texas, April 27 (UPI) -- A former University of Texas at Austin art teacher says she left her post after a conflict over a painting of a gerbil having a bit too much fun with itself.

Polly Jackson, who had served as a painting teacher for informal art classes, said a conflict began over the 6-by-7-foot painting after she grew concerned its risque imagery may be too much for younger class visitors, the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman said.

"I've got people in my classroom who are 12 years old who are offended by that," Jackson said. "And not to mention the horrible use of yellow. And the rendering is horrible. The foot looks like it's coming out of the stomach."

Sharon Hartman, the 21-year-old senior who created the questionable art work, said she had a problem with how Jackson routinely censored her work by facing it toward the wall.

"She kept turning it around, and I kept leaving notes saying, 'Please don't touch the painting,'" the art studio major told the American-Statesman.

Public anxious to be London art project

LONDON, April 27 (UPI) -- Some of the nearly 10,000 applicants seeking to be part of a public art display in London say they are ready to pose naked for the sake of art.

Glass artist Rachel Elliott said if she is selected to be part of the Trafalgar Square art project being organized by sculptor Antony Gormley, she plans to incorporate her art and her body into her posing assignment, The Sunday Times of London said.

"I'm planning on making some glass beads with my blowtorch whilst I'm up there, although, as a former life model, I'd like to perform naked," Elliot, 27, said.

Gormley is seeking people to pose as part of his London art project that has entered its first week with more than five weeks to go.

Mark Ashworth of Colchester, Essex, said he would have no problem posing semi-nude -- and would do it as a tribute to the famous Rodin sculpture, "The Thinker," if he gets the gig.

"I'll get as close to the original in dress terms, although I don't quite have the physique of your typical Greek sculpture," he told The Times.

A police spokeswoman said officers would only intrude on the exhibit if requested or if the display disturbed the peace.

Hard times for Britain's richest

LONDON, April 27 (UPI) -- The worldwide economic slump has been tough on the richest people in Britain, costing them about one-third of their net worth, The Times of London reported.

The Times published its annual Rich List Sunday, cataloging the 100 richest people in the country. This year, there are only 43 billionaires on the list, down from 75 in 2008.

Only three of those in the top 100 are worth more this year than last, the Times said. Collectively, the group has lost 92 billion pounds ($136 billion).

Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal has managed to remain the richest person in Britain while losing 16.9 billion pounds ($25 billion), more than half his fortune and more than anyone else in the country lost. Mittal's wealth is now 10.8 billion pounds ($16 billion).

Russian financier Roman Abramovich, owner of the Chelsea Football Club, lost only 4.7 billion pounds ($6.9 billion). With 7 billion pounds ($10.3 billion) left, he remains second on the list.