It was reported that since September 2006, O’Brien had allegedly been stalked by Father David Ajemian of the Archdiocese of Boston, who despite multiple warnings to stop, had been sending O’Brien letters signed as “your priest stalker” and coming in contact with O’Brien’s parents. Ajemian sent a letter to O’Brien, frustrated that he had been denied a spot in the Late Night audience. He stated in his letter to O’Brien that he flew to New York, “in the dimming hope that you might finally acknowledge me.” He also stated in another letter that, “Is this the way you treat your most dangerous fans??? You owe me big time pal.” Ajemian also seemed to have made a death threat to O’Brien in another letter; saying, “Remember Frank Costello once dodged a bullet in your building and so can you.” Ajemian then tried to forcefully enter a taping of Late Night, but was caught and arrested. He was previously warned by the NBC security team to stay away from the studio. After a psychological evaluation, he was deemed fit to stand trial. He has since been bailed out of jail.[40] He was then reported missing by his father around 3:15 PM EST on November 10, 2007. He was found and underwent evaluation at a hospital. It is known that the two had attended Harvard University at the same time. He was found fit to stand trial on April 4, 2008. On April 8, 2008, Ajemian pleaded guilty to stalking, stating that “he never meant to cause anxiety or to upset anyone.” He was ordered to pay a $95 USD court charge, and was also required to sign a two-year restraining order, barring him from coming near O’Brien.[41] On September 11, 2008, Ajemian checked himself out of his treatment at a hospital against the wishes of his bishop, Seán Patrick O’Malley. Cardinal O’Malley then released a statement, saying that because he violated his bishop’s wishes, Ajemian can no longer serve as a priest in the Catholic Church.[42]
Personal life
O’Brien was in a relationship with Lisa Kudrow, until O’Brien decided to move to New York to pursue a television show.
Cory Booker feud
On September 23, 2009, on The Tonight Show host Conan O’Brien made the following comment: “The mayor of Newark wants to set up a city wide program to improve residents’ health. The health care program would consist of a bus ticket out of Newark.” Newark mayor Cory Booker responded in a YouTube video telling Conan O’Brien to apologize, and that Conan is banned from ever entering Newark Liberty International Airport by putting him on the “No Fly List.” Conan responded by further making fun of Newark saying the only way he could get to Newark now would be like everyone else, “through a series of poor decisions.” He also called out Cory Booker to come on the show to air out their grievances. Booker subsequently banned Conan from the state of New Jersey as well as all the sister cities of Newark. In response, O’Brien read a letter on air from Elizabeth, New Jersey mayor Chris Bollwage, declaring that he will temporarily rename Terminal A of Newark Liberty (which lies in Elizabeth) the Conan O’Brien Terminal. Conan continued, saying he had created a “geographic toilet seat” around Newark. The mayors of Bayonne, East Orange, Kearny, Jersey City, and Elizabeth have publicly sided with Conan O’Brien. He ended this by saying, “Your move, Mayor Booker.” The feud was unofficially ended when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for it to end during a prepared comedy bit, telling Booker to chalk it up to Conan’s head injury suffered less than two weeks earlier.[43]
Mel’s Hole is an urban legend about an alleged geographic anomaly that a man named Mel Waters claimed to have discovered on his land near Ellensburg, Washington. This man claimed that he lived in or near Manastash Ridge, Washington, about nine miles due west of Ellensburg, though later investigation revealed that no such person is listed as a resident. According to him, the hole has paranormal properties, including an infinite depth and the ability to restore dead animals to life.[1][2]
The first references to the hole were made in a series of interviews with Waters, made by Art Bell on the American radio show Coast to Coast AM.
While speaking on Coast to Coast AM, Waters related several stories about the hole and its properties. Among these stories was the claim that he had discovered that it was in excess of 15 miles (24 kilometers) deep, a figure he is said to have reached after spooling out 18 reels of 20 lb test fishing line, tied end on end, into the hole. Waters claims that he attached a “triangular, one-pound, standard lead fishing weight” to the end of the fishing line
Waters also alluded to the hole as having a property to resurrect dead animals, this claim arising from a story about an acquaintance who said he threw his dead dog’s body into the hole and re-encountered his dog, alive, hunting with someone else, some time later. He also speculated that the hole and its properties might be tied to certain cosmological events, including unspecified alignments of the moon.[3]
On the September 18, 2008 edition of Coast to Coast AM, Guest Red Elk, an Inter-Tribal Medicine Man recounted the time he visited Mel’s hole with his father. He recounted the hole as “around 9 ft. around and somewhere between 24–28 miles deep” and said that it was a blow hole for Mount Rainier.[4]
Casu marzu (also called casu modde, casu cundhídu, or in Italianformaggio marcio) is a traditional Sardinian sheep milkcheese, notable for being riddled with live insect larvae.European Union for health reasons Although outlawed in the , it is found mainly in Sardinia, Italy on the black market. Casu marzu literally means “rotten cheese” in Sardinian, and the cheese is known colloquially as maggot cheese.
Derived from Pecorino, Casu marzu goes beyond typical fermentation to a stage most would consider decomposition, brought about by the digestive action of the larvae of the cheese flyPiophila casei. These larvae are deliberately introduced to the cheese, promoting an advanced level of fermentation and breaking down of the cheese’s fats. The texture of the cheese becomes very soft, with some liquid (called lagrima, from the Sardinian for “tears”) seeping out. The larvae themselves appear as translucent white worms, about 8 millimetres (0.3 in) long.[1] When disturbed, the larvae can launch themselves for distances up to 15 centimetres (6 in). Some people clear the larvae from the cheese before consuming; others do not.
Casu marzu is created by leaving large pieces of Pecorino cheese outside and letting it ferment.[4] During the fermentation process, the eggs of the cheese skipperPiophila casei are either intentionally introduced to the cheese, or a female Piophila casei lays her eggs in the cheese, sometimes exceeding five hundred eggs at one time.[5][1] The eggs hatch and the larvae begin to eat through the cheese.[6] The acid from the maggots’ digestive system breaks down the cheese’s fats,[6] making the texture of the cheese very soft, as described. By the time it is ready for consumption, a typical Casu marzu will contain thousands of these maggots.[4]
Consumption
Casu marzu is considered toxic when the maggots in the cheese have died. Because of this, only cheese in which the maggots are still alive is eaten. When the cheese has fermented enough, it is cut into thin strips and spread on moistened Sardinian flatbread (pane carasau), to be served with a strong red wine.[6][7]Casu marzu is believed to be an aphrodisiac by local Sardinians.[2]Because the larvae in the cheese can launch themselves for distances up to 15 centimetres (6 in) when disturbed,[1][8] diners hold their hands above the sandwich to prevent the maggots from leaping into their eyes.[4]Those who do not wish to eat live maggots place the cheese in a sealed paper bag. The maggots, starved for oxygen, writhe and jump in the bag, creating a “pitter-patter” sound. When the sounds subside, the maggots are dead and the cheese can be eaten.[9]
Dangers
Several food safety issues have been raised in relation to Casu marzu, including anecdotal reports of allergic reactions and the danger of consuming cheese that has advanced to a toxic state. In addition, there is some risk of enteric myaisis, or intestinal larval infection. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea.[10]Piophila casei larvae are very resistant to human stomach acid and can pass through the stomach alive, taking up residency for some period of time in the intestines and causing stomach lesions and other gastrointestinal problems.[11][12] The larvae have powerful mouthhooks which can lacerate stomach linings or intestinal walls as the maggots attempt to bore through internal organs.[1]
Due to EU food hygiene-health regulations the cheese was outlawed for a while, and offenders used to face heavy fines.[9] However, it was always possible to get Casu marzu on the black market, where it can sell for double the price of a regular block of Pecorino.[2]. Nowadays, the EU ban has been circumvented by using another EU regulation, and having the casu marzu declared “traditional” food (made by the same recipe for more than 25 years), and as the recipe is thousands of years old, it is therefore allowed to deviate from ordinary food hygiene regulations. In fact the traditional method is even explained by an official paper of the local government[1].
Nutraloaf, sometimes called prison loaf, confinement loaf, seg loaf, or special management meal,[1] is a food served in United States prisons to inmates who have demonstrated significant behavioral issues.[2] It is similar to meatloaf in texture, but has a wider variety of ingredients. Prisoners may be served nutraloaf if they have assaulted prison guards or fellow prisoners with sharpened utensils. Prison loaf is usually exceedingly bland in taste, perhaps even unpleasant, but prison wardens argue that nutraloaf provides enough nutrition to keep prisoners healthy without requiring utensils to be issued.[3]
There are many different recipes which include a range of food, from vegetables, fruit, meat, and bread or other grains. Some versions may be vegetarian or completely vegan. The ingredients are blended and baked into a solid loaf form. In some institutions it has no fixed recipe but is simply the regular prison meal (including drink) blended together. In one common version, it is made from a mixture of wheat bread, non-dairy cheese, various vegetables, and mixed with vegetable oil, tomato paste, powdered milk and dehydrated potato flakes. Prisoners do not need utensils to eat it, and it is generally served on a piece of paper, rather than a tray.
Legal challenges
Although prison loaf has been employed in many United States prisons, its use is controversial. The standards of the American Correctional Association, which accredits prisons, discourage the use of food as a disciplinary measure, but adherence to the organization’s food standards is voluntary.[4][5] Denying inmates food as punishment has been found to be unconstitutional by the courts,[6] but because the loaf is generally nutritionally complete, it is sometimes justified as a “dietary adjustment” rather than a denial of proper meals.[4]
Lawsuits have taken place in several states regarding nutraloaf, including Illinois,[7] Maryland, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, and West Virginia.[2] In March 2008, prisoners brought their case before the Vermont Supreme Court, arguing that, since Vermont state law does not allow food to be used as punishment, nutraloaf must be removed from the menu.[8]Vermont’s version of nutraloaf has 966 calories per serving.
The Cheetoh cat breed is derived from crossings between specific Bengal cat and Ocicat bloodlines.
The Cheetoh cat incorporates the distinctive spotted coat characteristics from both the Ocicat and the Bengal breeds. Notably that of harnessing the pronounced spotting from the Bengal breed and the taller longer legged stature from the Ocicat breed. The goal of the Cheetoh breeding program was to create a very intelligent cat that is considerably larger with an extraordinary wild look without adding more wild blood. Its main distinguishing characteristics, apart from its spots and sleek, plush, velvety coat, is its low shouldered “wildcat” walk. Males grow to around 15-22 lbs. Females are slightly smaller & seldom reach more than 15 lbs.
Bosnian pyramids refers to an area located around Visočica hill (or Grad hill), in the Bosnia and Herzegovina town of Visoko, northwest of Sarajevo (located at 43°58′40″N 18°10′38″E), which became the focus of international attention in October 2005 following a news-media campaign promoting the false idea that it is actually the largest of a group of ancient human-made pyramids.
Scientific investigations of the site show that there is no pyramid there.[1][2][3] Additionally, scientists have criticised the Bosnian authorities for supporting the pyramid claim saying, “This scheme is a cruel hoax on an unsuspecting public and has no place in the world of genuine science.”[4]
The 213 metre Visočica hill, upon which the Old town of Visoki was once sited, is roughly pyramid-shaped. The idea that it constitutes an ancient artificial edifice was publicised by Bosnian author and metalworker Semir Osmanagić who currently is based in Houston, USA. His subsequent excavations at the site have uncovered what he claims to be a paved entrance plateau and tunnels, as well as stone blocks and ancient mortar which he has suggested once covered the structure. Osmanagić has claimed that the dig involved an international team of archaeologists from Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Scotland and Slovenia.[5]However, many archaeologists he named have stated they had not agreed to participate and were never at the site.[6] The dig began in April 2006.
Osmanagić believes his discoveries around Visoko will have further implications for world prehistory. By comparing the varying heights of the tallest pyramids in Mexico and Egypt with Visočica hill, he concluded that the pyramids were all built by the same people, with the Bosnian Pyramid being the last to be built. However, upon further thought he has decided that this dating mechanism may not be reliable and has now announced Visočica hill could be “The mother of all Pyramids”, a claim he says would be corroborated by the existence of sacred geometry and further numerological study of messages left in the pyramid for future generations.[8]
Semir Osmanagić’s claims, widely reported in the mass media, have been challenged by a number of experts, who have accused him of promoting pseudo-scientific notions and damaging archaeological sites with his excavations. Penn State University Professor Garrett Fagan is quoted as saying “They should not be allowed to destroy genuine sites in the pursuit of these delusions[...] It’s as if someone were given permission to bulldoze Stonehenge to find secret chambers of lost ancient wisdom underneath.”[11]
In a letter to the editor of The Times on 25 April 2006, Professor Anthony Harding, president of the European Association of Archaeologists, referred to Osmanagić’s theories as “wacky” and “absurd” and expressed concern that insufficient safeguards were in place to protect Bosnia’s “rich heritage” from “looting and unmonitored or unauthorised development”.[15]
The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 (the Act), signed into law by PresidentGeorge W. Bush on December 20, 2006,[1] is a U.S. law that broadens the provisions of previous U.S. law addressing the unauthorized wear, manufacture, sale or claim (either written or verbal) of any military decorations and medals. It is a federal misdemeanor offense, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for not more than 1 year and/or a fine; the scope previously covered only the Medal of Honor.
Under the act, it is illegal for unauthorized persons to wear, buy, sell, barter, trade or manufacture “any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces.” In the 18 months after the act was enacted, the Chicago Tribune estimates 20 prosecutions. The number is increasing as awareness about the law spreads. [8]
The Act was likely passed in order to address the issue of persons claiming to have been awarded military awards for which they were not entitled and exploiting their deception for their personal gain. For example, as of June 2, 2006 there were only 120 living Medal of Honor recipients, but there were far more known imposters.[9][10][11] There are also large numbers of fake Navy SEALS[12][13] and ArmySpecial Forces,[14] among others.
From the Great Moon Hoax wiki article:
“The Great Moon Hoax” was a series of six articles that were published in the New York Sun beginning on August 25, 1835, about the supposed discovery of life and even civilization on the Moon. The discoveries were falsely attributed to Sir John Herschel, perhaps the best-known astronomer of his time.
Article
The headline read:
“
GREAT ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERIES
LATELY MADE
BY SIR JOHN HERSCHEL, L.L.D. F.R.S. &c.
At the Cape of Good Hope
[From Supplement to the Edinburgh Journal of Science]
”
The articles described fantastic animals on the Moon, including bison, goats, unicorns, bipedal tail-less beavers and bat-like winged humanoids (”Vespertilio-homo”) who built temples. There were trees and oceans and beaches. These discoveries were supposedly made with “an immense telescope of an entirely new principle”.
The author of the narrative was supposedly Dr Andrew Grant, who described himself as the travelling companion and amanuensis of Sir John Herschel, but Dr Grant was fictitious.
Reaction and effect
Herschel was initially amused by the hoax, noting that his own real observations could never be as exciting. He became annoyed later when he had to answer questions from people who believed the hoax was serious.
The story may also have inspired Edgar Allan Poe to write and publish “The Balloon-Hoax” in the same newspaper[3] on April 13, 1844.
On March 16, 1985, Chris Terreri and Scott Gordon (playing for Boston University) both placed water bottles on the top of their nets. This would be the first time ever that goalies would place water bottles on the top of nets in a hockey game.[1]
Shadow people (also known as shadow men, shadow folk, or shadow beings) are supernatural shadow-like creatures of both modern folklore and paranormalpopular culture that believers claim appear as dark forms seen mostly in peripheral vision.[1][2] Anecdotal reports of shadow people occupy a similar role in popular culture to ghost sightings.
Shadow people are typically described as black humanoid silhouettes with no discernible mouths, noses, or facial expressions, child-sized humanoids, or shapeless masses that sometimes change to human like form and featuring eyes that are either glowing or not discernable.[3] Movement is said to be quick and disjointed, and some stories describe the visible outline of a cloak, or a 1930s style fedora hat.[1][4][5][6]
Several principles based in science can be used to explain reports of shadow people, including optical illusions or hallucinations brought on by physiological/psychological circumstances, drug use, and the interaction of external agents on the human body.
Images seen in peripheral areas of vision can be caused by pareidolia, a condition in which the brain incorrectly interprets random patterns of light/shadow or texture as being familiar patterns such as faces and human forms.[9] The same condition can also be observed in macular vision in low light conditions, or when viewing a complex but random image. A common example would be perceiving a shadow, thrown by an item of furniture in a darkened room, as being a person.
Hypnagogia, also known as “waking-sleep”, a physiological condition in which a person is part-way between sleeping and waking, can also account for such perceptions.[10] During hypnagogia, a person can be conscious and aware of their environment, but also in a dream-like state where they can perceive images from their subconscious. People experiencing waking-sleep commonly report the sensation of lights or shadows moving around them, as well as other visual hallucinations. A feeling of dread is also a sensation that occurs when experiencing hypnagogia. Hypnagogia is sometimes known as ‘the faces in the dark phenomenon’ because those who experience this state commonly report seeing faces while experiencing waking-sleep.[11] Similar hypotheses have been put forward linking this condition to a number of other apparent paranormal experiences, including alien abductions, paranormal nocturnal visitations, and religious experiences such as contact with angels or demons.
From the Conan O’Brien wiki article:
From the 
From the 
From the 
From the 
From the 
From the 
From the