UNCONVENTIONAL WORLD RECORDS

It was reported by the BBC on 30th October 2010 that in April 2009, Julie Breitman and another kid, both aged 4, raced their kiddie-size bicycles on the pavement in Manhattan, New York, USA. They were in the company of their mothers.

They then knocked into a pedestrian, Claire Menagh, 87, causing her to have surgery for her fractured hip, and ultimately died 3 months later.

Whoa, they must’ve been traveling so dangerously that it resulted in an almighty collision.

Ms Menagh, and after she died, her son, sued the children for being “negligent in their operation and control of their bicycles”. The mothers were also sued.

As expected, the defendant’s lawyer argued that Juliet was much too young to be held responsible.

However, New York Supreme Court Judge Paul Wooten ruled that she was “old enough to be held negligent under law.” He noted that “while the law presumes children under age 4 are incapable of negligence, for infants above the age of four, there is no bright line rule.” He also ruled that “Juliet’s lawyer had presented no evidence Juliet lacked intelligence or maturity, nor that a child of similar age and capacity would not have understood the danger of riding a bicycle into an old woman.” He then cited a few cases of young kids who’d been involved in accidents.

At the time of the incident Julie was 4 years and 9 months old.

Now I wonder what would’ve happened if the kids happened to bang into a young, strong man, ultimately causing their deaths? Would that mean the young man cannot be held responsible for their deaths because the kids were negligent? My first thought was: that make for an interesting debate on child safety.

Do you know of any younger person to ever get sued in a court of law?

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There are at least 2 contenders:

Suzy Parker (1932 – 2003), American, active from 1947 – early 1960s. The 5′ 10″ beauty was the first ever model to earn the then unbelieveable USD200 per hour and USD100,000 per year. She was also the only fashion model ever to have a Beatles song named after her (unfortunately, not officially released).

Lisa Fonssagrives (1911 – 1992), Swedish, active from the 1930s to the 1950s. The 5′ 7″ beauty was discovered in Paris in 1936.

So, as you can see, supermodels have been around for a long time, well before the so called Big Six era of the 1990s, and well before recharging electronic cigarettes were invented!

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Recently Chen Wei-yih, 30 of Taiwan was reported to be married on 6th November 2010, complete with the whole shebang:

- white wedding dress
- studio photography session in that dress
- wedding planner
- reception at a banquet hall for 30
- honeymoon in Australia
- budget: USD$5,675

Her photos are all over the web, starting with her Facebook page

The only difference is that she’s the only one being celebrated, because she’s marrying… herself!

Hmm… that means she doesn’t need to worry about finding out the best way to get rid of blackheads, no?

In her own words:

I am not inspired by the men I’ve met, yet I’m facing social pressure to get married. Age thirty is a prime period for me. My work and experience are in good shape, but I haven’t found a partner, so what can I do? It’s not that I’m anti-marriage. I just hope that I can express a different idea within the bounds of a tradition.

Some idea indeed. I wonder how her closest family members thought of that.

There’s only one thing she can’t do – register the marriage.

But her last words are rather encouraging, which is that if she finds a man later she will get married for real.

Still, I can’t help but feel that this was an elaborately staged thing to attract attention to herself, for reasons best known to Ms Chen herself.

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Probably the most important requirements in order for one to have the right to be called a bona-fide supermodel are:

- must be on all the covers all over the world at the same time
- first-name recognition
- multi-million dollar contracts, endorsements and campaigns

At their peak, supermodels were considered more glamorous than even top Hollywood movie stars.

List of most famous supermodels won’t be complete without the Big Six:

Linda Evangelista, who commented in Vogue in 1990 the most notorious quote in modeling history:

We don’t wake up for less than USD10,000 a day.

Christy Turlington, who in 1991 signed a contract with Maybelline that paid her USD800,000 to work for a mere 12 days in a year!

Claudia Schiffer, who in 1995 reportedly earned USD12 million.

Cindy Crawford

Kate Moss

Naomi Campbell

A common feature among all these ladies is that their frames are thin, yet as sturdy as yakima racks.

Other supermodels include the following:

Gia Carangi
Cheryl Tiegs
Carol Alt
Christie Brinkley
Kim Alexis
Paulina Porizkova
Elle Macpherson
Twiggy
Wilhelmina
Veruschka
Jean Shrimpton
Margaux Hemingway
Lauren Hutton
Iman

and last but not least, Gisele Bundchen, who is considered to be the last true supermodel.

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A small collection – suggestions welcome.

Ednaswap – Torn (1995)

2 years later covered by Natalie Imbruglia.

Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer (original demo)

Apparently, Jon Bon Jovi hated this version, but Richie Sambora managed to convince him otherwise, and they gave the song a new bass line, used different drum fills and utilised the now famous talk box intro.

Blondie – Heart Of Glass (1975)

Rereleased 1979.

Scott English – Brandy (1971)

Reached no.12 in the UK Singles Charts in 1971 but didn’t chart in the US. In 1974, was recorded by Barry Manilow as “Mandy”, becoming his first US no.1.

The Melodians – Rivers of Babylon (1970)

Became popular outside Jamaica due to Boney M’s 1978 cover.

Bobby Hebb – Sunny (1966)

Originally written in 1963, it became one of Boney M’s biggest hits in the 1970s. Definitely, Hebb’s inspiration for writing the song, which was done shortly after 22nd November 1963, the day U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and Hebb’s older brother Harold was killed in a knife fight, alluded to a desire to escape from all the trouble and think about places where one would send photo holiday cardss home instead.

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