Watercooler Stories

Canadian official allegedly drove on phone

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The premier of Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador province has refused to comment on accusations he used his cell phone while driving.

Motorist Kevin Little said he was annoyed to see a man using his handheld cell phone while driving -- a practice that was outlawed in the province in 2002 -- and was astonished when he recognized the chatty driver as Premier Danny Williams, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Wednesday.

"I slowed right down and I looked right at him, stared right at him, and yes, sure enough, it was the premier," Little said.

He said he rolled down his window and questioned the official about the legality of his actions, but Williams responded only with a shrug.

"My understanding, as I heard yesterday, is that some NAPE (Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees) worker had basically phoned in a complaint about a cell phone," Williams said. "He's indicated now he's gone to the police, so if ... this is a matter that could be before the courts, I wouldn't have any comment on that."

However, Little said the authorities seemed disinterested in his complaint, and dismissed him without taking down his information.

State, city laws collide on snake issue

DELTONA, Fla., Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Officials in Deltona, Fla., are considering whether a city ordinance trumps a state permit held by a man who owns 50 pet snakes.

Brian Radenberg is licensed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to keep his 50 snakes -- which include both venomous and non-venomous specimens -- but the collection violates a Deltona city ordinance, WESH-TV, Orlando, Fla., reported Wednesday.

Radenberg made his case for keeping the snakes to the Deltona City Commission, and the body tabled the debate for 30 days while lawyers research whether the state law or city ordinance holds more sway.

Several neighbors made arguments for and against Radenberg's pets at the commission meeting.

"It doesn't bother us at all. He takes very good care of them," neighbor Jennifer Self said.

"If we allow this guy to have venomous snakes in his home, then quite sure it's going to be more people wanting to have pets, and it's going to be a problem," said Bessie Washington. another resident.

Paintball game features pres. hopefuls

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A popular gaming Web site offers players the opportunity to assume the identity of one of six U.S. presidential contenders in a virtual paintball match.

"Presidential Paintball," a game playable on miniclip.com, allows players to assume the identity of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Mitt Romney, John McCain or Rudy Giuliani and face off against the remaining presidential hopefuls in a paintball match held in various White House settings, TheSmokingGun.com reported Wednesday.

Candidates struck by paintballs disappear without blood, and the game says they have been "eliminated."

However, TheSmokingGun postulated the game may become the subject of controversy, as it allows players -- including children -- to aim weapons at public figures who have been targeted by death threats.

Poll: British women spend $54,000 on hair

LONDON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A hair care company's British poll suggests the average woman spends $54,047.16 on trims and other hair maintenance costs in her adult lifetime.

The poll, conducted by TRESemme, found the average female respondent in London spends $106,928.80 on hair care -- including the costs of shampoos and conditioners -- during her adult life, while those in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, spend 94,833.70, The Daily Mail reported Wednesday.

The poll found the amount was lowest in the city of Bradford, where women spend an average $41,013.03.

"It's incredible how much money women spend on their hair, but also unsurprising as we know that many women aspire to achieve a salon-like finish," a TRESemme spokesman said.

"Hair is such an important aspect of our appearance and having stylish locks can really make you look and feel good about yourself," he said. "Professional women will no doubt consider hair as a very important part of their image."

Meanwhile, the poll suggests the average British man spends only $24,787.40 on hair care during his adult life.