Weird Sports: Chess Boxing
We’ve all heard of sporting events being described as a chess match, with the competitors strategizing and managing the game down to every minute detail, but this takes the analogy to a whole new level. Sports fans, we give you chess boxing.
Far from a backyard phenomenon, chess boxing has existed on a professional level for nearly a decade. Originating in Europe, this test of both mind and body has spread to include clubs all over the world. Frankly we can’t think of a smarter way to get a concussion…
So, how does it work? Well, according to the World Chess Boxing Organization (WCBO), the sport’s sanctioning body, competitors face off against each other in six four-minute chess rounds, with five three-minute boxing rounds in between. You can win with a checkmate in the chess portion, or with a K.O. in the boxing portion. Matches last 24 minutes total, and competitors are given one minute between rounds to change their gear (we’re guessing that playing chess in boxing gloves probably wouldn’t work too well).
To date, the WCBO has crowned eight world champions in three different weight classes, with another world championship set to be held in Berlin on June 24th. The sport seems to be gaining popularity, and serves as a humble reminder to never make fun of the chess team.
Offbeat Earth News – Weekly Weird Roundup
Yes, yes, the entire world is talking about this morning’s Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. But here at Offbeat Earth, there are more important things to talk about! Ok, not really, but since we’re hardly the go-to source for Royal Wedding news, here’s a roundup of some of the best/weirdest things we found on the web this week.
We’ll start off with 3D Projection Mapping. Haven’t heard of it? It’s a new projection technology that turns buildings into moving works of art and animation (and it’s apparently a great way to generate media for your ad campaign/business/product launch). This article from Mashable compiles the top 10 best examples from around the world. Here’s one of my favorites:
Next up: Golf balls made from lobster shells! That’s right, if you want to go green on the green, you can use these biodegradable golf balls made from ground up lobster shells. They might not fly as well as a regular golf ball, but they’re much tastier with butter than a regular golf ball.
And finally, we present to you the real-life sport of… Quidditch. Yes, the make-believe and magic game played by wizard Harry Potter has now been turned into an actual sport. There’s even an International Quidditch assocation (and, we imagine, a lot of geeks with busted noses).
Just like the book... except without magic
Well, that wraps it up here. Until next time, Offbeat Earth readers, keep it real and keep it weird.
Images courtesy of umaine.edu and salon.com
These Are My Kind of Peeps – Easter Candy Dioramas
There are so many Easter traditions that I love. Buying the same PAAS egg-coloring kits that I did when I was little and dyeing eggs. Eating my body weight in Easter candy. Watching my dad dress up in a creepy Easter bunny costume and scare the young neighborhood kids.
But for the past few years, one of my new favorite Easter traditions has been the Washington Post’s annual Peeps diorama contest.
Each year they invite people to construct a diorama using Peeps candy – the marshmallow fluff shaped like chicks and bunnies – as the “Peep-le” (sorry, I just can’t resist a good pun). These extremely creative (and slightly masochistic) people construct elaborate and detailed dioramas, with subjects ranging from pop culture to current events.
I collected a few of my favorite Peeps diorama pictures for you (most, if not all, entries from the Washington’s Post previous Peeps contest). To see the full gallery of this year’s entries, click here.
Andy Warhol Peeps
Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" Peeps
"Gentleman Prefer Blonds" Peeps
Super Mario Bros. Peeps
"The Office" Peeps
Star Trek Peeps
Need more Peeps action? Take a look at this article on creative uses for Peeps (including a Peeps wreath and Peeps s’mores).
Speaking of weird uses for Easter candy, check out this post from Cakespy showing you how to make Deviled Cadburry Creme Eggs. Yum!
Unusual Business Cards That Will Really Get Some Attention
Business is tough these days. It’s not enough to just keep up with the competition, you have to go one step further (and make sure your Facebook page looks better than theirs, too). You’ve got to stand out to get noticed in the business world and one way to do that is with business cards that nobody else is handing out.
We’re not just talking about some two-sided, full-color print job. That’s just lame. These are cards that scream for attention. Cards that won’t be tossed as soon as that networking event is over. Cards that are absolutely impossible to ignore (OK, and few that are impossible to take seriously).
Come on, sing it with me now: Ch-ch-ch Chia! While this business card does get some points for taking us back to the childhood days that we spent watching our Chia-man sprout his afro, we’re not sure if it’s the way to go. You run the risk of giving them to someone like me, who’s going to be annoyed that you gave them yet another plant that’s just going to make them feel guilty when they die.
If you follow Offbeat Earth on Twitter or Facebook you know that we are big, big LEGO fans. So it’s no surprise that we are consumed with jealousy over the fact that LEGO employees get LEGO figurines to hand out as cards. Must. Have. This.
An absolutely genius idea: Give them a tool related to their business that they can actually use, so your business card is with them when they need it most. IT guys can give USB ports. Bankers can give money clips. And strippers can give… well, use your imaginations.
Nothing says “I’m a bad-ass” like ninja stars (even if they are made from card stock).
These business cards printed on peanuts are perfect for when you’re meeting with someone who’s too busy too eat lunch. Bonus points if you meet after hours and can hand them a nice frosty beer with your sales pitch on it.
Give them this card and then make a joke about how “flexible” you can be when it comes to making deals, and that it’s no “stretch” to see a successful relationship with them in the future. At the very least, you’ve forced them to politely laugh at your corny puns.
The meat card – the Chuck Norris of business cards. It’s an edible business card made of meat that shows them you mean business. Just walk in, hand them this and then hand them the contract. If they won’t sign instantly for someone who’s bold enough to have a meat card, then they’re not worth doing business with.
The Wackiest Royal Wedding Memorabilia
The UK is in an absolute fever over the upcoming Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. And, as is British tradition, Royal Wedding memorabilia is once again a hot commodity.
And it seems like anything can be turned into a Royal Wedding trinket. There are the traditional items of course, such as china sets and postage stamps and T-shirts. And then there are the items that are, well, less than traditional. In fact, they’re downright odd. For those of you Royal Wedding trophy hunters, here are some of the wackier items you can find in tribute of William and Kate.
Feeling crafty? How about a “Knit Your Own Royal Wedding” DYI book?
And what stylish kitchen is complete without this stunning refrigerator model? The picture of William and Kate will really add some elegance to your room design.
Now your porcelain throne can become even more royal.
Sick of hearing about the Royal Wedding? Well then, these sick bags were designed with you in mind!
Oh those Brits and their tea…
And for those who prefer a stronger drink, Royal Wedding beer!
And finally, to end the night with a royal bang, don’t go home without some protection, like these Royal Wedding condoms!
Supersize me
A bevy of ridiculously large, unhealthy, but in most cases tasy-looking food.
The Sextrigenuple (36) Stuffed Oreo
Bigger is Better!
Bigger really IS better, especially when it comes to toys and games.
The biggest animals in the world
This is a collection of the largest animals in the world. You may have heard of some of them, but hopefully a few will be new. Enjoy this colossal compilation.
Prominent Pets
Heaviest Dog: An Engligh Mastiff named Kell holds the World Record for heaviest dog, weighing in at 294 pounds!
