Missle Silo Tour

Have you ever wanted to do something that was not only cool, but slightly illegal. Today's Warped site takes the law breaking out of your hands, but lets you experience the same feelings that the site author experienced when he did what he did. It also gives visitors a chance to let the "Dr. Strangelove" side of their personality come out. Now the Warped site does not condone, nor encourage any activity that is against the law, be it federal, state, county, municipal or any other. Now, that being said, let's get on to the site.

This site is a chance to visit a part of our past. It is a journey back to a time when the Cold War was hot, the Berlin Wall still had drying cement, and there was a real Iron Curtain. This presentation will take you on a full tour of a decommissioned, abandoned underground missile complex. The site was opened many years ago by explorers and vandals, and in fact the technology therein was nearly obsolete by the time the bases were completed in 1963, so there's little "secret" about it beyond the location of these sites, which are not revealed here.

The site is essentially a slide show presentation of a Minuteman Missile Silo located out in the middle of nowhere. These silos housed the ICBMs (InterContinental Ballistic Missiles) that were part of our national defense system. They were designed to either strike first in case of a declared war, or respond to an attack from the Soviet Union. These silos were manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can explore this silo using the pictures provided. You can see the living area and control center, the missile silos, the equipment terminals and power plants. All of the equipment had been removed when the silos were decommissioned, but the basic framework remains.

This site shows just how intense our nation's defense efforts were in the 1950's and 1960's. But considering the men leading our nation had just survived World War II, their efforts can be justified. As for this site, it is pretty cool getting a look at something that at one time was protected by the highest security measures our military could provide. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site an 8.0. Not too bad for a site that would make Dr. Strangelove feel at home. I'll take one WOPPR to go, please.

http://triggur.org/silo/

The Grocery List Collection

Every time you go to the store, it is a good idea to have a shopping list. Otherwise, you might just bring back the whole store, instead of the gallon of milk and loave of bread you needed. But, believe it or not, there is a science to shopping, and putting together that all imporant grocery list. How did I discover that important sociological significant fact. I just happened to visit today's Wapred site, that's how.

THe name of the site is The Grocery List Collection. This site is the largest online collection of grocery lists that have been found. There are over 1000 here, and they are from all over the world. These aren't just lists, they are the actual paper that they were written on, an image of the list. There are post-it notes, envelopes, cash register receipts, you catch the drift.

What makes this site so interesting is just what people buy at the store. The history of the site is simple. From the founder: "I found an abandoned grocery list in a St. Louis Schnuck's parking lot in 1996 or 1997. Quite simply, I decided to keep them every time I came across one. And the internet is a great place to do stupid things. So here it is". What has he learned from all of these lists? More people like onions than originally thought. Mayonnaise is difficult to spell. So is banana, apparently. And anchovies. And yogurt. There are a lot of notepads out there touting the greatness of numerous bizarrely-named pharmaceuticals. Lately, very few people leave their grocery lists in the cart like they should!

There is a book in the works about this subject. If you want to submit yours, the founder/author is still accepting lists, and would like to get some from all 50 states. Who knows who else is sending in lists. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 9.0. It is the kind of site that puts the warped in Warped.

http://www.grocerylists.org/

Dr. Weirde's Guide to Mysterious San Francisco

I have always known that San Francisco is an interesting city. Unique is another way to describe it. But as today's Warped site shows, there are parts of the town that are just downright weird, even by California standards.

The site is called Dr. Weird's Guide to Mysterious San Francisco. Here he tells you about places that the other tour guides leave out. Having lived in the Bay Area for two years while I was in the Navy, I am familiar with the town. Or so I thought until I visited this site.

There is the Monkey Curse, which has it's ties to the founder of the Church of Satan and the pets he kept. Then the Tunnels in and under Chinatown are shown along with some of the history of them (and you thought Shanghai was a city in China?). There is a paralell between Zippy the Freemason and the TransAmerica Building. Too weird even for me.

The site is the brainchild of Dr. Weirde. Though Dr. Weirde is not a real doctor, he has TWO masters degrees. Take that, Dr. Science! Dr. Weirde has taught at a community college, a university, and in the public high schools, all in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is currently researching a doctoral dissertation on narratives of paranormal phenomena in Morocco. The delightful paperback "Dr. Weirde's Weirde Tours: A Guide to Mysterious San Francisco" is available in better bookstores in the Bay Area and is distributed through Last Gasp (ph.415-824-6636). Warp-o-Meter rating on this site is an 8.5, and a well deserved one as well.

http://www.sfgate.com/offbeat/whome.html

Offbeat Travel

It is the time of year when everyone starts thinking about taking time off, and heading for a vacation site for relaxation. Since not everyone is interested in heading to the beach or the mountains, we thought if we could find a site that gave travelers other options, that it would be a good site to feature. Well, we found one.

The name of the site is Offbeat Travel. This site is designed to provide travel destinations and information for the discriminating traveler with an eclectic sense of adventure. Some of the featured vacations they have currently are a trip to Austria to celebrate Mozart's Austria, a visit to Chautauqua, New York to feed your mind and body, and a special trip to Paradise Island where you can visit and not even get wet.

There are travel news and events that are divided up geographically, as well as information on hotels (unless you want to just hang out on the beaches). There is a special feature on New York City, which we all know is more than just a state of mind. An interesting feature is the Armchair Traveler, which is a section on books that highlight travels to exotic and interesting locations that follow the site's theme.

This site has collected quite a bit of information about locations that many of us are familiar with but never really taken the time to find out about. I mean most of us were aware that Mozart was born in Austria, but Offbeat Travel has taken the extra step to point out sites that relate to him. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site an 8.0 rating.

http://www.offbeattravel.com/

Tiddlywinks

In school it was dangerous to copy from your neighbors paper. They call that cheating. If you are writer and you copy from another author's material, they call that plagiarism. I'm not sure what you call it on the Internet. So what I am about to do is pretty warped, but since that is the name of the site, I guess I don't have to make any more excuses. The subject of today's site was just too cool not to.

The name of the site is called Tiddlywinks. It is the official website of the North American Tiddlywinks Association. I came across this site when it was featured by our sister site the WorldVillage Family Site of the Day (the one I use to author). I'm only borrowing the site, not any of Ron's excellent review.

Tiddlywinks is a game that most of us grew up playing, but I didn't realize until I saw this site that there are some pretty serious competitionsons going on. Here you find out about the history of the sport from prehistoric time up through the Victorian age and up to today's collegiate players. There are lots of rules involved, more than I realized, and there is a whole set of traditions and language that are unknown to the uneductated. Do you know what a winker is? A feeb? Do you know how to squop? How about a Paul McCartney and John Lennon? If not, you'd better spend some time here.

This year, 2006, marks the 40th anniversary of the North American Tiddlywinks Association. The site has a history on the found of the organization. as well as significant events in it history. For some real interesting aspects of the sports, be sure to check out the links to other clubs and associations. Warp-o-Meter rating on this site: 7.0.

http://www.tiddlywinks.org/

Brian's Page of Antique Weirdness

A famous baseball player (either Yogi Berra or Casey Stengel) was one quoted as saying "Deja vu ain't what it used to be" . The same could be said for today's Warped site. But beware, sometimes when you look at days gone by, things that were correct and proper then may not sees to be today. But take heart and click on.

The site is called Brian's Page of Antique Weirdness. It takes a somewhat nostalgic look at customs and traditions that were the mainstream thinking of our nation in the past. Be warned: all sorts of subjects are covered here, including sex and prostitution. So you might want to look at this site in the privacy of your own computer.

Look at the Literacy page, and you will find out what the Ralston Club thought about dietary practices in 1900. In the Fashion area look at the Big Doo and Really Big Doo. Religion is given its equal time, where you see where it rained crosses., and Christians learned about eating gold.

There are quite a few pictures here, antique drawings, that sort of thing. Some of what you see here you may find hard to believe. The Warp-o-Meter gives the site a 7.5. As for me, all I can say thank goodness the Good Old Days are gone.

http://home.teleport.com/~gumball/weird.html

Barry's Fun Site

Had a hard day at work (like I have?). Looking to kill those last few minutes with something that will make you look busy but instead help to start that daily decompression from the office? If so, then have we got a totally Warped site for you.

This is called Barry's Fun Site. It is a collection of worthless stress relieving areas that are so cool you have to see them to believe them. It is a totally personalized site (once you sign in). On the right side of the page are a few buttons that will take you to the places to unstress. Case in point: the Dolphin Stress Test. If you think you've had a bad day and are rushing to catch that last plane home, then hit the Flight Safety button. There is also some Karaoke for you if you are so inclined. You can hit the Stress button in the center of the page, that also will help you to unwind. Bug Bunny also has some interesting items to share with you.

I am writing this at the end of a very long day at work for me. But I came across this site, and spent a few minutes there. It helped me adjust my attitude. Hope it does the same for you. Warp-o-Meter rating for it is 7.5.

http://www.barry.fireflyinternet.co.uk/fun/index-b1.htm

PEZ Headquarters

Many people are familiar with the story about how eBay got started. For those who aren't, the whole concept behind the mega-giant website was the brain child of one man whose wife had a unique collecting interest. He wanted to create a website for people of similar interests could meet, trade, and sell their collectibles in a safe online environment. At the same time, he thought, why not open it to other collectors and create sort of a virtual flea market. The rest is history. But today we aren't too concerned about eBay, but the collectible item that started it all.

That collectible item is one that most of us remember from our childhood. It is the PEZ candy dispenser. The site we are looking at is one that celebrates this little gem that has increased in popularity ever since it was created. The site is called PEZ Headquarters. It is a fan site dedicated to these little creations.

It has several different areas, such as news, collectors images and past archives. One interesting news story is about the creation of a PEZ-themed motorcycle being built by Orange County Choppers (from the Discovery Channel's "American Choppers"). There even have pictures of it. Now that would be an interesting build to see. There is also information on the delay of the official PEZ site introducing their new website.

I have to admit that a lot of those pictures bring back some childhood memories. If only I still had those cheap plastic dispensers now, think how much they would be worth. The Warp-o-Meter must still have some because he rated this site an 8.5. I wonder how much he made off of eBay?

http://www.pezhq.com/

Dubai City

The ability to make something from nothing is a pretty neat trick. Magicians do it all the time. They have to, did you think that rabbit was born in that hat? Today's Warped site looks at a place in the world that has managed to create a virtual wonderland in the middle of the desert, and created some unique structures at the same time.

This site is called Dubai City. Dubai, population one million, produces some of the best modern architecture in the world. Considered the world's fastest growing city, it is estimated that there are 90 billion dollars worth of projects being built in Dubai City right this minute. Only 15 short years ago, it was nothing but a wasteland of sand and a few high rise hotels and apartments. What a difference a few years make.

For example, there is Palm Island. It is a man-made island in the shape of a palm tree. Ever since Dubai was flooded by the increase of population during the early days of oil, housing has been difficult to obtain. That is when the novel idea of building homes on artificial islands out in the middle of the water was developed. One of the first developments was "Jumeira Palm Island". Then came "The World", a series of man-made islands with homes that only the mega-rich could ever hope to afford. Ownership of an island home at "The World" is considered just as desirable as a home in Aspen, Monaco, and other favorite hangouts of the Rich and Famous.

Among the other accomplishments in this desert oasis are the Burj Al Arab Hotel, considered the world’s most expensive and beautiful hotel. Nearby you can see the construction of the Burj Dubai Tower. When it is completed in 2008, it will become the world’s tallest building. In the middle of the city will be the world’s largest theme park. Known as “Dubailand”, when finished in 2009 it will feature full size Jurassic Park-style dinosaur recreations among other things. Or you can visit the world’s biggest ski dome at the Mall of the Emirates. That’s right, they are building a ski slope in the middle of the desert. Who says money can't buy everything.

The cost of all of this building is staggering. But it goes to show that just about anything can be accomplished with a little planning and a lot of forethought. Warp-o-Meter rating on this site is a 7.0

http://www.ssqq.com/archive/vinlin23dubai.htm

The What-Do-You-Want-For-Dinner, etc, etc.

Today's Warped site could not have been a more timely find for me today. Every week my wife and I try to set a menu for us to follow for the coming week. With a handicapped adult son and a teenage daughter graduating from high school in two weeks, we need to have a schedule just to get through the day. But making a menu and then sticking to it is difficult, given our schedules. Today's site is one that will help make that discussion a little easier.

The site is called The What-Do-You-Want-For-Dinner I-Don't-Know-What-Do-You-Want? Dialog Generator ( I had to paraphrase it for the tile). How many times have you argued with someone about what to have for dinner when both of you were too apathetic to actually come to a decision? Well now you can skip the banal conversation with The What-Do-You-Want-For-Dinner-I-Don't-Know-What-Do-You-Want? Dialog Generator and start eating! It's fast and FREE. Just fill in the information requested, and the next thing you know your guessing is over. I wish it were that easy at my house. The one thing this site doesn't capture is the schedules of the parties involved. But it does catch the apathy that is rampant, especially at my house.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 7.5, but then it was measured on an empty stomach. He may change it after he has his midnight snack.

http://www.onfocus.com/eat_generator.asp

The Washington Banana Museum

Washington, the state that has given us the Space Needle, the Seahawks, and Starbucks Coffee. Why, it is even home to the Banana Museum. The WHAT??? That's what I said, a banana museum. Before your mind wanders too far, read on and you too will be amazed at what you will learn.

The site is the Washington Banna Museum. It's curator is Ann Mitchell Lovell. Ann has assembled close to 4,000 items, a melange of artifacts, folk art and other cultural oddities devoted to the world's perfect fruit. Assembled by a longtime scholar of banana consciousness, it features a compendium of whimsical and serious representations of the #1-selling fruit in the United States. In other words, it is more than just a prop for a comedian to do a pratfall on the stage on. There are labels and labels, there is artwork, there is pictures and advertising galore. It makes one wonder how such an important part of our food chain has become so ignored. Ann wondered that as well, and this museum is the result.

I don't know why, but as I sit here writing this, I hear a Paul Simon song in my mind, "Slip Sliddin' Away". It must be just my imagination, but it is late at night, and the mind plays funny thing with you. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a rating of 7.5.

http://www.bananamuseum.com/

Micro Wrestling Federation

Move over, Rick Flair. Stand aside, Triple H. Hulk Hogan, get ready to meet your match. Today's Warped site takes a look at one of the most popular sports of all time. You've heard of them, but this is a warped way to get to meet them. But then again, maybe it is you who is the weird one.

The site is called the Micro Wrestling Federation, or, to show a little less class, it is all about midget wrestling. This is home of the worlds most professional Micro Wrestling athletes. The MWF was founded in Feb. of 2000 and has been running strong ever since. The mission of the Micro Wrestling Federation is to show the world that we are equal, that we are serious athletes, and have the will and determination to succeed.

The MWF talent is an entertainment machine that provides a balance between serious "Sports Entertainment" with a touch of comedic value as well. Their "Micro Maniacs" walk away from one of the most unique events feeling as though they know the Micro Entertainer as a talented performer.

So take a seat, browse around and enjoy this new escape into another world. It is the site's hope that after your adventure here in the world of the Micro's that you to will become a Micro Maniac and enjoy their next event possibly coming to a hometown near you!

http://www.partymidgets.net/

Way Out West

Texas has a big reputation. Just ask anyone who is from there, or who has lived there. When you think of cowboys and westerns, the first thing that usually pops into your mind is Texas. Think of John Wayne, you think of Texas. Think of the Alamo, you think of Texas. Think of George W. Bush, you think of...., well maybe Texas isn't the first thing you think of with him, but you catch my drift. Today's Warped site takes a look at a site that has it's roots in the Lone Star State.

The site is called Way Out West. It is a site that celebrates the Old West in all of it's glory. There is section of some of the more famous western characters, General Custer, Billy the Kid, and Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. For the ladies of the house, there is a section on Women of the West. The W.O.W. report is an audio area with reflections on just what the West means to the webmaster. W.O.W. Approved is one of the best collection of sites for entertainers with a country twist that I have ever seen. Everyone from John Mellencamp to Jimmie Dale Gilmore to Kris Kristoferson to the Man in Black, Johnny Cash.

This is a well designed site, one that shows great potential to promote it's topic and message. The Warp-o-Meter gives it a 6.0 rating. Saddle up, saddle pals, it's headin' for the last round up.

http://way-out-west.net/

Man Laws

The state of television entertainment is in such a sorry state that some of the best cultural icons are coming from the ranks of television commercials. Who can remember the latest new network show, but we can all recall the Taco Bell Chihuahua, the Pillsbury Doughboy, and the GEICO gecko. And then there are those cavemen. But the Warped site has come across an ad campaign that is destined to take it's place alongside these other icons. Click on.

The site is called Man Law, and is an ad campaign that evokes memories of King Arthur and the Knight of the Round Table. In fact, this a square table. It is a group of famous (and not-so-famous) celebrities making laws that promote male bonding. For example:

"The Bartender is always right".

"No man should ever make excuses for the haircut he has been left with".

"A man may engage in gardening, but he must call it farming".

"The frozen dinner is an acceptable meal when a man is alone and left to his own devices".

You catch the drift. It brings back some memories of the Man Show from cable TV's Comedy Central. But if you are wondering what Jerome Bettis, Triple H, and Burt Reynolds are up to these days, be sure to stop by this site. Videos are funny, and who knows, you may see a gecko there some day. Warp-o-Meter rating: 8.5.

http://www.manlaws.com/

Slug Lines

Before you think I've lost my mind, this site is not what you think it is. There is absolutely nothing to do with gardening or pest control mentioned on this page (but if it did, what a Warped site that would be!). But now that I have your attention, read on to find out what the slug in Slug Lines means.

The site Slug Lines refers to a term used to describe a unique form of commuting found in the Washington, DC area. It has thousands of vehicles at its disposal, moves thousands of commuters daily, and the best part, it’s FREE! Not only is it free, but it gets people to and from work faster than the typical bus, metro, or train. It's unique because it is not a government sponsored commuter program, but one created out of ingenuity from local citizens to solve commuter problems.

How it works is quite simple. A car needing additional passengers to meet the required 3- person high occupancy vehicle (HOV) minimum pulls up to one of the known slug lines. The driver usually positions the car so that the slugs are on the passenger side. The driver either displays a sign with the destination or simply lowers the passenger window, to call out the destination, such as "Pentagon," "L’Enfant Plaza," or "14th & New York." The slugs first in line for that particular destination then hop into the car, normally confirming the destination, and off they go. There is an excellent description of slugging etiquitte as well as a history of this unusually named cultural custom.

Who says nothing new happens in Washington D.C. Here they are solving their traffic congestion problems, and it doesn't cost anything. That alone makes this a unique program. Hopefully it will catch on in other cities across the nation. For that fact alone, the Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 9.5.

http://www.slug-lines.com/

Strange Geography USA

Have you ever traveled to a new part of the country, visited a new location, and then promptly mispronounced the name of a local landmark or geographical location. Coming from Oregon, there are a couple of names here that will automatically identify you as not being from around here. Try to say Willamette (as in river) or Glisan (as in street). Today's Warped site explores some other geographical oddities, maybe not so much for their names as where they are.

The site's name is Strange Geography USA, and is part of the Howder Family website. This site relates some of the interesting locations they have come across on their travels. They are literally from all over the world. There is the only Iowa town west of the Missouri River, Carter Lake. There there is Four Corners. Now a lot of towns and cities have a four corners location (I grew up in one). But this one refers to the only place in America where four states share a common boundary. Another interesting site is the only landlocked place in the United States that cannot be reached by land from anywhere else in the country. It is only accessible via boat, or through another country. That is Point Roberts, Washington, created when the final boundary between the US and Canada was created.

This is really a pretty cool site. It interesting in that the person who is writing and maintaining the site is the one who has visited all of these places. The Warp-o-Meter gives it an 8.0 for that reason.

http://www.howderfamily.com/travel/geography/

Survivor Fever

It's all over. The latest edition of Mark Burnett's Survivor finished tonight, with the awarding of the latest Sole Survivor title and one million dollars. It was anti-climatic to say the least, especially since my local cable company screwed up the last half of the entire show with the transmission woes. So I did what any other Internet savvy person would do - went to a fan site and got the whole story.

The site I chose was SurvivorFever.net, one of the best ones around. It has highlights of all 12 seasons, as well as speculation about the upcoming one, which is rumored to be in the Cook Islands, with a Mutiny on the Bounty theme. But for anyone who has followed these shows, this site is a wealth of information on all of the participants. You can follow Richard Hatch (Sole Survivor #1) and his legal woes. Or find out what Ethan and Tina and Johnny Fairplay and Rupert are all doing. The sites are updated with the latest news on all survivors, and the articles are well written.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a rating of 8.5. But then he's disappointed that he didn't make the cut for the next edition. But there is always Survivor 14......

http://www.survivorfever.net/index12.html

Unusual Mother's Day Gift Recommendations

If you reading this page, hoping that you will find something for your mother one Mother's Day, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that you are too late to order anything for this year. The good news is that you are the first one to look for a gift for next year. So tarry not, and start you shopping.

The name of the site is Unusual Mother's Day Gift Recommendations. Every holiday and major gift-giving occasion presents an opportunity for the good folks over at Amazon http://www.amazon.com to put together lists of items to recommend from the millions within their database. For the most part, these lists of recommendations include all the usual suspects — gifts like chocolates and Mother's Day baskets from the gourmet foods section, jewelry, interesting and appropriate book and DVD titles, etc. However, digging a little deeper yesterday turned up some rather odd recommendations coming out of the Home and Garden section.

Among some of the items are the Dewalt Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit (for those mom's who love Monster House, and want to remodel their dining room ala Steve Watson) or the Toro electric Power Shovel Plus (not sure what the Plus is for, but I'm sure mom will). The self cleaning litter box for cats will be a big hit, as would the Kong X-treme Goodie Ship (an upscale dog chew, for those upscale dogs most moms own).

Whatever you decide to get her, I am sure she will love it. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 7.5 rating.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/04/15/185648.php

Barney Smith's Toilet Seat Art Museum

Everyone has seen, or at least seen pictures of the famous statue,The Thinker. Have you ever wondered what he was doing while he was sitting there? Or why he was sitting there? Whatever goes through your mind when you see it, you have to admit it is a work of art. At least that is something that it will have in common with today's Warped site.

According to the title, the website is called Barney Smith's Toilet Seat Art Museum. Well, I have to admit, it is a work of art. Here you can see the famous bathroom item being used in a variety of ways, each one showing a different form of artwork. They really are impressive to see, and once you get past the canvas that is being used, are quite interesting to look at. I don't know if he sells copies or originals of his work, but if you really wanted one, it couldn't hurt to ask.

This site is what the Warped sit is all about. Here you have a person with a little different slant on life, an unusual way to show off his talent, and have some fun at the same time. Warped rating on this site is 8.5.

http://www.unusualmuseums.org/toilet/

Welcome to Jim's Place

We have seen some pretty interesting websites grace this space. The one that is featured today attracted me when I first clicked on it. The music attracted me, brought back some memories. So I clicked and entered it. What I found is for you to discover when you go to it and explore yourself.

The name of this site is Welcome to Jim's Place. As it's name implies, it is about Jim's place. Where or what is Jim's place? Well, it's where he lives, and that is in, well, nobody really knows. But Jim will show you all around his house, tell you about the dogs he used to have, about where he works, some of his hobbies, and a little about his parents. After you spend some time here, you'll be tapping your foot to the music, whistling along, and just about ready to head over and take Jim up on his offer of a free room in exchange in helping him maintain his big house.

This is a rather weird site, in that it really tells a lot about Jim, and it tells very little about him. But since it's his site, and that's the way he wants it. Nothing much to be done about that. Warp-o-Meter rating: 7.5.

http://webspace.ccsisp.com/group_a/jim/

World Beard and Moustache Championships

On our sister site, Caption This (www.caption-this.com) we featured a picture of a man with a beard shaped like a windmill. The object of this site is to look at a picture, and give it a humorous caption. It was an interesting beard, one that was interesting to look at. I have had one for 30 years, but nothing like that one. Today I came across a site that the gentleman from Caption-This would feel at home at. It makes a great Warped site for today.

The site is the World Beard and Moustache Championships. They will be held in Brighton, England on Saturday, September 1, 2007. That is a ways off, you say, so why are you mentioning it today. Well, I'm glad you asked. There are two upcoming championships in the United States which have an impact on the world one. If you are in New York City on May 16th, or North Lake Tahoe, California on July 3rd, you will see some of the people who will be in the contest in England. (For reference's sake, the 2009 contest will be held in Anchorage, Alaska).

There are quite a few pictures here of participants from many previous contests, as well as links to various clubs and associations. Previous world contest results are here, as well as a collection of press coverage. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site an 8.0 rating. Not too bad since he doesn't have a beard.

http://www.worldbeardchampionships.com/

The Jersey Devil Legend or Truth

Many areas of our country have legends and myths that have grown over the years. Where I live, Bigfoot was rumored to live, or lived, or still lives. It has since become accepted that it all started as a joke when the man who made the infamous film passed away a few years ago. But the legend still lives on. Thanks to the Internet, it is easy to not only learn about those legends, but also perpetuate their existence. Today the Warped site takes a stop at just such a site.

The site is called The Jersey Devil Legend or Truth. The historic states along America’s Atlantic Seaboard have given birth to hundreds of ghostly tales and unusual stories over the years. One of the strangest is undoubtedly that of the Jersey Devil, a creature that is believed by some to be a mythical creature and by others, a real-life monster of flesh and blood. Its origins date back to when New Jersey was still a British colony, in 1735. It involves a woman who was pregnant with her 13th child. For some reason she complained about it, and said the Devil could take it. Well, he did, and the legend was born.

This site is part of the Ghosts of the Prairie website, one of the best guides to haunted locations I have seen on the net. It has a main focus on Illinois, but features sites from all over the country. This is not a site to visit late at night, except on Halloween, maybe. It is so spooky, even the ever-reliable Warp-o-Meter didn't want to visit it. But I did, and give it a rating of 8.5.

http://www.prairieghosts.com/jerseydevil.html

My Tissue Box Cover Collection

The Warped site tries to appeal to everyone at one time or another. Some sites are pretty limited in their scope, but I am sure that someone somewhere will read and appreciate it. Today the site that is selected is one that may seem pretty narrow in it subject matter, but you can never tell what can come from such small interests. Did you hear about the guy whose wife collected Pez dispensers, so he started a website to help others who collected them buy, sell, and trade them. Oh, I'm sure you have. The site was started over 10 years ago, and is still here today. It's called eBay.

While today's site won't approach the success of eBay, it nonetheless has some of the same attractions that folks who collect Pez dispensers found. The site is called My Tissue Box Cover Collection. (For reference sake, tissue box covers are what people put over the box of tissues in their houses to help them to blend into the decor.)

The site's author has been collecting these since around 1997 or so. Some of them were purchased from mail order catalogs but that didn't last long. The buying really started when she saw how many different WEIRD kinds of tissue covers there were on ebay (there's that site AGAIN). She saw one that she liked, then there was another one that just couldn't be passed up, and it sort of mushroomed from there. There are cats and dogs and farm animals, there are wild animals, faces, Winnie the Pooh, and holiday themes, and many, many more.

The Warp-o-Meter was wondering, and so was I, why someone would want to hide an object that is used quite a bit. Have you ever needed or wanted a tissue? These covers help to hide them. That is kind of warped. But that's the kind of site we like. Warp-o-Meter rating: 9.0.

http://members.tripod.com/nkim2/tissue.html

$95,093.35

Now that I have your attention, I think you would agree that this title needs some explanation. And you are absolutely correct. The amount of money mentioned is indeed the subject of today's Warped site, and like most web sites, there is a story that goes along with it. So pull up a chair and get ready to read.

The name of the site is really $95,093.35, and it is the story of one man's adventures into the world of junk mailing and pushing the envelope. The basic story is that the author of the site received a piece of mail in 1995, a check that was a piece of junk mail that included a "non-negotiable" check for the above amount. On a lark, he deposited the check in his account. He fully expected it to not be deposited, or returned, and never even entered into his account. Boy, was he wrong.

The site describes his surprise at how banks really work, and the rights that consumers have, and don't have. It is an educational story, as many of us have probably thought about doing the same thing. I don't want to ruin the story for you, but I am sure you will be as intrigued as I was by the outcome of the story. Warp-o-Meter rating on this site is a big 9.0. You have to love this guy's daring, as we did.

http://www.goodthink.com/$$tablecontents.html

Weird & Unusual Entertainment Directory

Robert Ripley made a career bringing the strange and unusual things that were in our world (believe it or not). There was an television program several years ago called Unexplained Mysteries. Now the Internet has brought a lot of those strange and unusual sites to our attention. Today's Warped site is one that helps bring some of them together.

The site is called NetCentral's Directory of the Strange and Unusual. There is nothing more mysterious than unexplained events, happenings, and surprises. Things that are normally explained as the paranormal, or acts of God. This is a site that lets visitors indulge in the strangeness of our world, all from the comfort of their favorite computer chair.

Some of the sites that are looked at are ones about the Loch Ness Monster, FBI Files of Unexplained Events, Strange Things to Buy, and an online magazine called Strange Mag. Two of my favorite areas were the Skeptic's Dictionary, and Conspiracy Theories. There is a lot of other information here, with enough variety for any visitor. Be prepared to spend some time here, and if you're at work, well, so much for productive time. Warp-o-Meter rating is a solid 8.0. Believe it or not.

http://www.1netcentral.com/strange-weird.html

XXXPSYCHIC

It's the weekend, time to relax, sleep in, and just have some fun. Sso what say we have little fun on the ol' Warped site? Let's head to a site that will not only blow your mind, it will tell you what's on it at the same time.

The site is called XXXPSYCHIC (naughty, naughty if you thought the XXX meant something else. This site is an experiment as InterWebESP. InterWebESP is known to be 99% accurate in reading minds EVEN OVER THE INTERNET! Don't believe it? Click on the Start button below to activate the software. The test will take less than 30 seconds and you will be in shock by the end, the site promises. IT WILL READ YOUR MIND.

This is a quite simple site to explore. It is on that can be shared quite easily, and might give rise to water cooler gossip if it found it's way into your workplace. The Warp-o-meter gives this site an 8.5. It didn't tell me that, but I was able to find out by reading it's mind.

http://www.xxxpsychic.com/

Roadside America

The price of gas not withstanding, the summer driving season is almost upon us. It is time to start planning the annual vacation, where you want to go, how you want to get there, and most importantly, what are you going to do after you get there. If the latter is on your mind, then today's Warped site is one that can help you with your planning.

The site is called Road Side America. By it's own site banner, it is the guide to offbeat tourist attractions. The authors of this website have explored the highways and byways of our country, researched these unusual locations, and then provided directions and descriptions of those sites. Among some of these sites are:

Urbana, Ohio - World's Largest Loaf of Bread;

Herndon, Virginia - Perils of Jungle Miniature Golf;

Lyndonville, Vermont - Star Trek USS Enterprise and Galileo Shuttle.

There is also news on interesting tourist attractions, such as the unveiling of actor James Garner's statue in his hometown of Norman, Oklahoma, or the Tourist Jail in West Virginia that is hosting it's 10th annual "Mock Prison Riot" (for that you will have to read yourself).

This is an interesting website, one that can compliment your vactation planning. You can search state by state for attractions, or there are listings for several major metropalitan areas. Either way you will be able to find a place to satisfy your wanderlust for this vacation season.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

The Center for the Prevention of Shopping Cart Abuse

Everyone needs a cause to believe in. Many people have adopted scientific causes for the eradication of any number of diseases. Or the plight of hungry and homeless children. Barney of the Simpson's tv show believes he'll have another. Today's Warped site is one that you have to see to believe.

The Center for Prevention of Shopping Cart Abuse is an organization dedicated to preventing the pervasiveness of Shopping Cart abuse. They work on the local, the national, the international level and beyond to fight abusers who are trying to undermine fundamental pillars of society. This site is here to help you understand this unspoken threat, to offer counsel to those who cause harm to the Cart and to sing the praises of the silver chariot of the parking lot.

There is a store where you can purchase items with this theme in mind. There are pages that document the daily abuse, as well as the Ten Most Wanted offenders. There is also a 12-Step program for those who have seen the error of their ways and want to go on the wagon (or in this case, off the cart).

The Warp-o-Meter is totally speechless on this site. But I give it a 9.0 rating, cause that is what this site all about - sites that make you stop, and think, and then smile.

http://shoppingcartabuse.com/

Courtesy Flush

Sometimes the Internet gives birth to a site that is totally worthless, except as a form of entertainment. Several pop to mind, but nothing like today's Warped site. In it's own way, it is what makes the world go 'round in circle.

The site is called Courtesy Flush, and, yes, it is what you think it is. Potty humor at it best (or worst). But it is cute humor, something that can make it's way around the office without too much disruption.

What happens with this site is that you choose an object to put in the toilet bowl, and then hit the plunger. The rest is self explanatory. Among the objects you can choose are a rubber duckie, a fish, or Saddam. You can leave a note to another person and send it to them (flushing action included) or you can send them the whole potty, toilet seat and all.

Sites like this show how easy it is to create an entertaining place to spend sometime on the Internet. But remember guys, just like at home, be sure to put the seat down when you are done.

http://www.courtesyflush.net/note.shtml

Show Us Your Character

Americans are. without a doubt, some of the most unique people in the world. Each of us has our own set of beliefs, morals, interests, and passions that give us that unique character. Collectively, it makes us the greatest nation on Earth. Individually it makes us, well, it makes us the subject of today's Warped site.

The name of the site is Show Us Your Character, and is sponsored by the USA Cable Network. That is the network that has given us Monk, House, and the new detective show Psyche. But this web site highlights what makes us all individuals and makes us all unique. Here they are looking for the characters of the USA. If you think you have something that may set you apart from your neighbors, or if you have a talent that everyone wants to see when your groups of friends get together, then this site is for you.

Among some of the featured characters, there are:

Meghan Miller, Miss Teen America, a wonderful ventriloquist;

Anacron, original member of the LA Breakers dance squad;

Texas Snake Man, who puts rattle snakes in his mouth and spins around,

Treadmill Painting Guy, who makes great looking paintings while working on a treadmill.

There are many, many more people associated with this site, and anyone can join. The USA Network is sponsoring a contest, with the grand prize being a major publicity campaign and other goodies. There is also 5 first prizes, 10 second prizes, and one Viewer's Choice award of $1,000.00. So what have you got to loose. I am sure that many of the subjects of this web site would be perfect for this contest, but unfortunately the Warp-o-Meter didn't qualify. But it did give the site a rating of 8.0.

http://characters.usanetwork.com/

Backstage Pass

There is an old saying that the rich are a different breed of people. Why else would one of the more successful shows on television be called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". But if you want to know how pampered some of the richer entertainers are, you don't have to look any further than today's Warped site, brought to you courtesy of that totally warped web page, The Smoking Gun.

The portion of the Smoking Gun that I am referring to is called Backstage Pass. The is a section that looks at what is called a contract rider, or a part of an entertainer's contract that makes it known what they expect at a venue where they are performing. The contract rider includes specifications on stage design, sound systems, lighting rigs, as well as an artist's wish list--from transportation and billing to dressing room accommodations and meals. In some cases, a promoter will refuse a demand (crossing out the request on the document), though stars usually get what they want, whether it's clean boxer shorts (Jane's Addiction), prune juice (Kansas), or an arrangement of tulips, roses, gardenias, and lilies (Janet Jackson).

Some of the more amazing ones are:

Limp Bizkut: need dressing rooms with an apartment "vibe." And, remember, the lights "MUST BE DIMMABLE!!!"

Snoop Doggy Dogg: security is important (with his past, he's gotta watch his back). Atmosphere, vanilla ice cream, and dinner rolls are also important--hey, a Dogg's gotta be comfortable up in that shiznit. But when it comes to "very important" matters, only one thing qualifies--a Sony PlayStation.

Paul McCartney: "very fond of flowers," won't travel in a stretch limousine with leather seats, and will not stand for backstage furniture made of any animal skin or print (even if it's of the artificial variety).

Yes, the rich and famous are different than you and me. But now you have glimpse into how they live. Warp-o-Meter rating: 7.5.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/backstagetour/index.html