Hohenzollernbruecke Bridge — Bridge of Love

Thousands upon thousands of locked padlocks can be seen affixed to the fence across the unpronounceable Hohenzollernbruecke bridge in Cologne, Germany. The phenomenon called Love Locks (or Love Padlocks), which many believe to have originated from Italy, is a new kind of vandalism where lovebirds lock padlocks bearing their names against fences, gate, bridge or similar public place to symbolize their everlasting love.

According to

Wikipedia(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_padlocks), Love padlocks have existed for quite some time, though there are no certain sources for their origin. In Europe, love padlocks started appearing in the early 2000s. In Rome, the ritual of affixing love padlocks to the bridge Ponte Milvio can be attributed to the book I Want You by Italian author Federico Moccia, who later made it into the film-adaptation Ho voglia di te.

A similar bridge in Serbia exist, where the practice of love locks can be traced to before World War I. The story goes as that there was a local schoolmistress named Nada, from Vrnjacka Banja, who fell in love with a Serbian officer named Relja. After they committed to each other Relja went to war in Greece where he fell in love with a local woman from Corfu. As a consequence, Relja and Nada broke up their engagement. Nada never recovered from that devastating blow, and after some time she died as a result of her unfortunate love. As young girls from Vrnjacka Banja wanted to protect their own loves, they started writing down their names, together with the names of their loved ones, on padlocks and affixing them to the railings of the bridge where Nada and Relja used to meet.

Love Locks are frowned upon by the local authorities and owners of various landmarks. Some years ago, Deutsche Bahn, the Hohenzollernbruecke bridge operator, threatened to have the locks removed from the bridge but in the end relented in the face of public opposition.

Love locks are a growing phenomenon in cities across Europe. They have even appeared along the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island in Canada. 

Shruthi Hassan New Stills From Gabbar Singh

10 Absurd Laws From Around the World

Ah yes, laws – the rules which govern all nations universally (exempting an interesting few). They protect ordinary citizens and provide consequences to those who break them, providing order so that the country may be stable and not anarchic. There are, however, an abundant amount of countries with laws that are just downright ridiculous, ranging from the United States to Swaziland. I present to you the top ten lists of absurdly ridiculous laws, in no precise order, from ten different countries.

10. China — One Child Policy

I am fairly certain that this will be the most well-known law on this list, for it has received much controversy. Put into effect in 1987, the law hoped to slow and even decrease China’s vast population of more than 1.3 billion. The law places a heavy tax on couples who choose to have more than one child. Debate rages on the ethnics of the law, supporters stating that China has taken a great step in targeting the overpopulation issue in, not only its own country, but in the world. Detractors, however, believe that restricting couples ability to raise a family of less than what they would like is morally wrong, and that abortion has increased because of parents wanting to have male offspring. Numerous groups have fought for its repeal, and only time will tell what the future brings.

09. Greece — Banning of Electronic Games

This law was first passed on September 3, 2002, and at first only illustrated the banning of video games in Internet Cafes as a way to combat illegal gambling, but as of December 8, 2003, it has been “revised” to include the banning of all electronic games. The reason was that lawmakers concluded that it would be too difficult to distinguish illicit gambling games from other harmless games, like online chess. I couldn’t imagine this law being implemented in my home of the United States, in which teenagers are infected with the “first-person shooter epidemic,” in which franchises like Halo and Call of Duty have sold millions of copies. However, other people have formed groups like the Mothers Against Video Game Addiction and Violence (MAVAV), which aim to have electronic games banned in countries, like the United States, believing that the increased violence in modern games increases instability and crime among young kids and adolescents.


08. France — No pig may be called Napoleon by its Owner

Yes, the great French general and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, responsible for conquering most of Europe during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815), before finally being bested at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington. The French had the utmost respect for him, and it is thought that George Orwell’s famous short story, Animal Farm, in which the pig representing Stalin was named Napoleon, launched the laws publication. Even in France, the pig is often referred to as “Caesar” rather than “Napoleon” in the book, but this is more due to Napoleon being represented as Stalin rather than being represented as a pig. Today, however, many people consider the law a joke and hardly anyone respects it, let alone know it exists.

07.Germany —Pillows are Labeled as “Passive Weapons”

Hmmm, if attacked by a thug, would you rather be assaulted with a knife or a pillow? As for myself, I would choose a pillow, yet in Germany they seem to think otherwise, in which pillows are labeled “passive weapons.” Perhaps if filled with rocks or used for suffocation maybe? In the meantime, however, I prefer to choose a gun as self-defense rather than a fluffy sack.

06. Israel — Picking your nose is Prohibited on the Sabbath

Ah yes, the nation of Israel, formed shortly after WWII, in 1948, as a place where Jews could reside without being persecuted. The country is internationally famous as being tough and resilient, fighting near constant war with its neighbors for nearly its entire existence. It is centered around key issues such as the rights of the Palestinians, and is the source of much controversy. Well, back to the law, a rabbi is legally allowed to, and often does, prohibit church-goers from picking their noses during the Sabbath. This law exists, not so much because of it being disgusting (although that is obviously a contributing factor), but also in that it is believed that the potential bleeding caused by the loss of nasal hair may result in violation of the religious code of sanctity. Thus, the law is only directed to believers of the Jewish faith, exempting ordinary citizens.

05. Swaziland — Forbidding Girls to Wear Pants

 Swaziland is listed as one of the world’s absolute poorest and most poverty stricken countries, in which the average lifespan is between 30-35 years old. The people are suppressed by corrupt governmental control and a tyrannical and power hungry “king” (dictator), the current one being King Mswati III, who has passed a number of bizarre laws in an attempt to reestablish “traditional values” (aka patriarchic society), in which girls are unequal and considered inferior to their male counterparts. Thus, women are forbidden to wear clothing resembling menswear, and if one is caught in public displaying pants, they are subject to having them forcibly ripped off of them by soldiers, and humiliated.

04. USA/California — Animals Publicly Mating

That’s right, animals are prohibited from publicly mating with each other within 1,500 feet of any tavern, school or church. I selected a strange law from California because it happens to be the state I live in. What I wonder is how this law is enforced, and why this would be a concern with our citizens or local school children. I have never yet had the sudden urge to view animals mating during church, and I have yet to see any kind of “guards” or “regulators” who would be responsible for keeping animal couples from engaging within 1,500 feet of a school. As a resident of California, I can say that this law is, overall, just ridiculous and ignored by the people.

03. Philippines — License Plates Law

This law is very interesting in that it is so absurdly specific. It states that Cars whose license plates end with a 1 or 2 are not allowed on the roads on Monday, 3 or 4 on Tuesday, 5 or 6 on Wednesday, 7 or 8 on Thursday, and 9 or 0 on Friday. I can’t possibly understand what would be the goal behind the makings of this law, and how it would be implemented and enforced. Its logic has to do with some kind of identification and status procedure, but the law is so subtle and irrelevant it was difficult to do in-depth research on.

02. Japan —Honor Law of Marriage

This law isn’t so much “absurdly ridiculous” in the sense of others on this list, but it is surely considered very strange by most readers (especially American) and truly depicts the intense respect and honor Japanese people give to their family. This law illustrates that an elder brother, by law and honor, can formally ask for his younger brother’s girlfriend’s hand in marriage, and both must agree to it. Surprisingly, there are many laws similar to this in other Asian countries and displays how the Asian people still have not let go of the thousand-year tradition of respecting your elders. We Americans still do as well, we’re just not as serious about it.

01. United Kingdom — Death In parliament

Great Britain is famous throughout Europe for its number of ridiculous laws and taxes, dating back hundreds of years. Over 2,000 laws have been repealed since its long history. Justice Secretary Jack Straw has been on a crusade to get rid of all of Britain’s most absurd laws, and one of his top priorities was this one, in which it was illegal to die in Parliament. This law, which as of now is no longer in affect (wonder why) was internationally criticized and laughed at for being pointless, as there could obviously be no punishment, and if a government official were to abruptly collapse from a heart attack far from the exit and need urgent help, the paramedics would first move him outside before operating on him? In case he died in the building? God Save the Queen, it is no longer in affect now.

What Breed and Mustache Say About You

What This Says About You: That you like the idea of having facial hair, but you’re not really willing to commit completely to the idea. You’re fairly middle of the road, probably pretty boring and there’s a good chance you at least dabble with the acoustic guitar.

Typical Quote: “Kurt Cobain was just so, like, you know, wounded. Say, why don’t you take off your shirt while we rap some more?”

Experimentation is a part of becoming a man. I mean haven’t you ever wondered what it would feel like to have those coarse wiry hairs dangling all over your lips or to have that ultimate symbol of manliness spread all over your face, keeping you warm during those cold, cold nights? Yes, growing a beard is a rite of passage for every man. Wait… what did you think I was talking about? But you should all know that whenever you decide to experiment with facial hair you are making a statement to the world, whether you realize it or not. And because we care about you and what you choose to spread all over your face, we here at Guyism have decided to give you all a helping hand on your road to manhood (Not that kind of hand. Not this time, anyway…) with this helpful guide, which explains what these 16 different types of facial hair say about you.

16 Circle Beard

15 Five O’Clock Shadow

What This Says About You: That you think you look rugged, but you think you’re too good looking to grow a full beard. You want people to think you’re a man without thinking that you’re Hillbilly Jim. Either that or you’re just really lazy.

Typical Quote: “I’m thinking about waxing my chest but I want to keep a little strip. You know, just something for the ladies to admire.”

14 Horseshoe Mustache

What This Says About You: That you really, really want people to think you’re a badass. You probably own a motorcycle (only a Harley, none of those commie rice rockets) and you met your wife during a bar brawl when she hit you with a bar stool.

Typical Quote: (Sneers, stares silently, trying to intimidate you.)

13 Chinstrap

What This Says About You: That you want people to think that you’re sweet, sensitive, but still tough, a wounded bad boy with soul. Also, you really, really want early-90’s R&B to come back in a big way. Oh, and that you are hilariously cheesy.
Typical Quote: “Come on, girl, you know I do it all for love. I just wanna $ex you up, baby. I adore mi amor.”

                                      12 Pencil Mustache

What This Says About You: That you are kitschy as hell and you probably own a complete set of retro Buck Rogers collector cups. Oh, and that you’re still a “bachelor” even though you’re 58 years old and you live in Key West with your “roommate,” Ramon.

Typical Quote: “I prefer A Star is Born era Judy Garland to Wizard era Judy, but that’s just me. I can just feel her pain.”

11 Van Dyke

What This Says About You: That you consider yourself an artist even though the only thing artistic about you is that beret you bought from the thrift store and your heroin addict girlfriend.

Typical Quote: “Ugh, I find politics to be so… suburban. Let’s talk about something more important, like did you hear that they’re not going to run midnight showings of The House of Wax on Halloween this year? Fascists.” 

10 Mutton Chops

What This Says About You: That you want a beard without actually having to have one. Either that or you can’t grow the rest. Of course, there is also the possibility that you are an Elvis impersonator or that you are in training to join the X-Men.

Typical Quote: “They wanted me to shave my sideburns before they’d hire me at McDonald’s, but I told them no way, man. This is, like, my identity and shit. I’ll just apply at Arby’s. I hear they let you smoke weed out by the dumpsters when you take out the trash. That’s just what I heard, man.”

09 The Magnum P.I.

What This Says About You: That you drive around in your Corvette just so you get the chance to make eye contact with ladies -– it doesn’t matter who, as long they have a vagina and are ages 18-80 -– and that you probably own at least one gold medallion, which is good because you need something to cover your chest since you refuse to button your shirt past your sternum. Oh, and you desperately wish that it was still 1981. Either that or you’re a cop.

Typical Quote: “Why don’t we go back to your place? Mine is still being fumigated for crabs. Wait… where are you going? Wait!” Or: “License and registration.”

08 Soul Patch

What This Says About You: That you think that you’re sensitive and a bit mysterious, but really you just look like the sort of dude who snaps at bad poetry and then breaks out his one anecdote about Gloria Steinem that he uses every time he meets a vulnerable looking woman at the bookstore. You want people to think that you’re cooler than cool, more progressive than progress itself and that you really, really care, man.

Typical Quote: “I don’t have a condom, but it’s alright, we can just cuddle. Unless… you trust me, don’t you?”

07 Goatee

What This Says About You: That you’re comfortable going through life looking like a billy-goat. Also, that you can’t grow in the rest, but you think that this manages to hide your weak chin/six chins.

Typical Quote: “I prefer regular Mountain Dew to Code Red Mountain Dew even though the guys I play Call of Warfare with make fun of me for being boring. But I’m an individual, man.”
                                  06 Ordinary Mustache

What This Says About You: That you’ve basically given up on life and/or you own a white van and are not allowed within 100 yards of a public school. Typical Quote: “Get in the van.”

05 Hitler Stache

What This Says About You: That you really, really don’t like the films of Steven Spielberg or Woody Allen. Either that or you’re Michael Jordan. Also, you accept the fact that everyone you meet will instinctively hate you on site. Oh, and it’s possible that you own a weiss van and are not allowed within 100 yards of a schule.
Typical Quote: “Get in ze van!”

04 Hobo Beard

What This Says About You: That you just don’t give a F. Typical Quote: “I just don’t give a F”

03 The Amish

What This Says About You: That you have at least two friends named Jedediah and that you are unable to read this because reading this is a sin. Also, you get your kicks drag racing your horse and buggy through a cornfield but if Pa ever finds out, he’ll take away your other pair of pants and your good work shirt.

Typical Quote: “Thou can’t catcheth my whip in the quarter mile, English. I hath two horsepower.”

02 Fu Manchu

What This Says About You: That you are either the villain in a 70’s Kung-Fu flick or you are an outrageous hipster. Either way, everyone you meet secretly wants to karate kick you in the chest through an open window. Typical Quote: “douchebag”

01 The Stonewall Jackson

What This Says About You: That you really, really love having a beard, so much that you are willing to have it be your defining characteristic. Also, you may or may not live in a shack in the woods and make a living selling moonshine and spend your days hollering at people because you think that the flu shot they got last winter really contained tiny neurotransmitters so that the government can read their thoughts.

Typical Quote: “If you don’t get off my property, I’m gonna introduce you to my good friend Winchester J. Rifle. Oh shit, get inside before the satellite from The Googles gets you and sells you to the Chinese! Hurry!”

10 Strange & Unusual Facts About Australia

Australia today is a vibrant multicultural country with people of British descent, as well as Aboriginal and immigrants from many countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. It is the sixth largest country in the world and the only country that is also a continent. Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, where Summer is from December to February. Here are some more interesting things that you may not know about Australia.

01. Dingo Fence - The World's Longest Fence

Dingo Fence on the 29th parallel of latitude. Sturt National Park (right of fence) - looking east from Cameron Corner after rain.

02. The Flying Doctor

The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (The Flying Doctor) is an emergency and primary health care service for those living in rural, remote and regional areas of Australia. It is a not-for-profit organisation which provides health care to people who are unable to access a hospital or general practice due to the vast distances of the Outback. The Royal Flying Doctor Service is a unique icon of Australian culture.

03. Home to 100 Million Sheep's

At the turn of the new century (2000), there were estimated to be 120 million sheep in Australia. Due to the effects of ongoing drought and lower demand for wool due to the wool stockpile, this figure has gradually fallen to the point where there is currently an estimated 100 million sheep in Australia. Therefore, Australia has five times more sheep than people (20 million inhabitants).

04. Why Canberra is the Capital of Australia?

The site of Canberra was selected for the location of the nation's capital in 1908 as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two largest cities. A location was chosen which was 248km (154mi) from Sydney and 483km (300mi) from Melbourne. It is unusual among Australian cities, being an entirely planned city.

05. Largest Cattle Station in the World

The Anna Creek cattle station in the South Australian Outback is by far the largest working cattle station (ranch) in the world. It covers a huge area of some 34.000 sq km (13,000 sq mi). This makes the station bigger than the country of Belgium. By comparison, the largest ranch in the USA is around 6,000 square kilometres. The ranch has a carrying capacity of 16,000 head of cattle but due to the extended drought in Australia this has currently been reduced to less than 2,000 head.

06. Australian Alps Receive More Snow Than Switzerland

Every winter the Australian Alps have more snow cover than Switzerland. The Alps (or "Snowy Mountains") are part of the Great Dividing Range on the eastern side of the country. The Great Dividing Range stretches over 3.500 kilometers (2,200 mi) and runs from north to south through the states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The snowfields are an important feature for Australian tourism. When it's summer in the northen hemisphere, it's winter in Australia. The snowfields are an important part of the local tourism industry. Thousands of visitors from the Northen Hemisphere come to enjoy the skiing and other winter activites on the Aussie snowfields.

07. Largest Organic Construction on Earth

Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world, also, it is the largest organic construction on Earth. It stretches for 1,250 mi (2,000 km) in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is actually a series of individual reefs separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon. The reef is extremely beautiful and attracts thousand of tourists a year, which threatens to harm the delicate eco-system of the reef and its unusual marine life.

08. Sydney’s Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is a modern expressionist design, with a series of large precast concrete "shells", each composed of sections of a sphere of 75.2 metres (246 ft 8.6 in) radius, forming the roofs of the structure, set on a monumental podium. The building covers 1.8 hectares (4.4 acres) of land and is 183 m (600 ft) long and 120 m (394 ft) wide at its widest point. It is supported on 588 concrete piers sunk as much as 25 m (82 ft) below sea level. Sydney’s Opera House was designed in 1957 by Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect. Its roof weighs more than 161,000 tons.

09. Australia Was Home to 160,000 Prisoners

Britain discovered Australia and as a result used it as a place of imprisonment for thousands of convicts and political prisoners. About 160,000 of Britain's unwanted were shipped out there. Many died on the high seas during the eight month journey. Now, about twenty five percent of Australians have ancestors who were convicts.

10. Australian Antarctic Territory

The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is a part of Antarctica. It was claimed by the United Kingdom and placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1933. It is the largest territory of Antarctica claimed by any nation. The Australian Antarctic Territory covering an area of almost 5,9 million sq km (2.3 sq mi) is the largest of these territories.