The Absurd

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and transportation can certainly be considered a necessity. But this method of doing so in Turkey sure sounds like a pain in the back. We hate animal poachers and we especially hate people who buy parts of endangered animals for stupid reasons. Now, there is a new approach to help protect animals from poachers. Mel will tell us about a truly harrowing incident in which a mother had to rescue her children from their burning home. She paid a terrible price. Lastly, we’ll learn about a search and rescue effort in the BC interior after cries for help were heard. Thing is, the person wasn’t crying for help. They were singing.

Ever have a chest or head cold? We all have. And many of us have used the good old Vick’s rub to relieve those hideous symptoms. But how did it come about? Next, we’ll meet a woman who paid a high price when a bat flew into her mouth. Mel will then tell us about a man who left this world in a very weird way. But at least he had a great tan. Lastly, we’ll meet a 10 year old girl whose quick recognition helped save hundreds of people from the terrifying 2004 tsunami.

There are an estimated 20 quadrillion ants on earth, and they are very warlike. One species is very nearly taking over the planet by wiping out all other species of ants. We’re both glad that we’re not ants. Then, Mel will take us to Mexico to learn about Ines Ramirez, a woman with no medical experience, successfully performed the first and only documented self C-section. Who the heck doesn’t love ice cream. Everyone has a favourite flavour. There’s a new flavour hitting the shelves; breast milk flavoured. Yes, you read that right. Lastly, we’ll learn that kindness and helpfulness are not the sole province of people when Mel tells us a whale of a tale.

Mel will start us off this week with a trip to Italy where we will learn of a bizarre bit of history. The mummies of Venzone are a collection of mummies discovered in Venzone, Italy, in the 16th century. Although similar mummies may be found elsewhere, the reason for the Venzone mummies’ preservation is still unknown. They were mummified by natural processes. Next, Rod will tell us about a bizarre plague that swept the world in the early 20th century which left people with a myriad of symptoms. Some people instantly fell into a near comatose state while others died. Ever pulled an all-nighter? Stayed up for a couple of days. We’ll meet a 17 year old who set the record for the longest time without sleep. Terrifying. Lastly, we’ll learn about a new medical treatment using the eggs from two women and the sperm from one man which results in babies being born without a hereditary genetic disorder. We love a good news science story.

We start with a listener submitted story about the root of garden gnomes. Real people who were paid to live on the premises of the wealthy, remain unwashed and unshorn for years to play the role of a resident hermit. Next we’ll learn about a German man who at the age of 22 began a quest to visit every country on earth on his bicycle. Then Rod will tell us about the reason we as humans are able to metabolize alcohol, and our ancestors who gave us the gene. Ever thought of owning a hippo as a pet? Mel will tell us why this is a terrible idea. They don’t call them hungry for no reason.

We’re going to start this episode with looking at some strange and even scary rites of passage practiced around the world. Next, Mel will tell us about a woman whose parachute failed and she fell 4,000 metres and landed on a colony of fire ants. But hold on, there’s more. Then Rod will look at a news story in which a man died in his hotel room while travelling with the supposedly possessed Annabelle doll. Then Mel will bring it on home with a harrowing tale about a group of boys who were marooned on a deserted island.

Ed Gein was a serial killer whose crimes inspired the films Psycho, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Silence of the Lambs. Need we say more? Next we’ll meet an Iranian man who lived at the airport in Paris for 18 years! Then we’ll meet Myrtle Corbin who was born with four legs and two pelvises but sure didn’t let that stop her from having an interesting life. Ever been caught in a traffic jam? Miserable experience. Now imagine being stuck in a traffic jam that lasted 12 days!

In a notable medical case, doctors in China temporarily grafted a man's severed hand to his leg to preserve it while his arm injury was treated. The man, Xiao Wei, lost his hand in a work accident and doctors grafted it to his ankle to maintain blood supply. Next, we’ll learn about another absurd Tiktok thingy wherein people are doing their own botox injections at home. As you should be aware, it’s a very bad idea. The Island of the Dolls south of the centre of Mexico City is notable for the multitude of dolls of various styles and colors that can be found throughout the island. It is said that a girl was found drowned many years ago on this island and that the dolls are possessed by her spirit. Lastly, we’ll head to Wales where a teacher is being investigated for being drunk and insisting her students do the Macarena with her.

Medical scientists in France have found a woman with a brand new blood type. Even more interesting, she is the only person in the world with that specific blood type. We all need to sleep, and many of us love to sleep. But did you know that there are different approaches to sleeping among the world’s cultures? Next we’ll learn about the carnivorous New World Screwworm Fly, whose young (maggots) pose a serious threat to livestock, pets, and even humans. To combat these scary little buggers, the US is going to release billions of sterilized fly eggs which will hopefully eliminate the threat. Lastly, Mel will tell us about some foul-mouthed feathery friends. Would you want a parrot? Would you teach it to swear? We would.

We’re going to start off with a trip down to New Zealand where a man had a very unpleasant experience with some compressed air. We honestly didn’t know something like this was even possible. Next, Mel takes us to India where we learn about the terrifying ritual of baby tossing. Then we’ll visit an event in which people named Josh fought over the right to retain the name. Lastly, we’re going back to 2012 when 11-year-old Liam Corcoran ran away from home, snuck into Manchester Airport, boarded a flight to Rome without a passport, ticket, or luggage. He passed 5 security checks by blending in with another family and told passengers he was "just off on an adventure."