Augustus’ law. Rome, 18 B.C

-          A husband who does not at once dismiss his wife whom he has taken in adultery can be prosecuted as a pimp.

Well butter my biscuit, there goes reconciliation!  If you are one of those gentle soul types of men who forgave his wife, then you should make an immediate dash to Camden Square and buy yourself a purple feathered coat and hat … and don’t forget to powder your pimp hand!

York, 1173 AD

-          It is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls of York, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.

This one is still in effect today, so if you’re Scottish and visiting York and someone asks you to pose for a picture holding their toy bow and arrow, your spider sense should be tingling. On the other hand, if you’re planning to knock off your accountant, you should now plant a bow, arrow and kilt on him and say it was for the good of the kingdom and Henry II!

The Christian Bible, 538-332 BC

-          “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads.” — Leviticus 19:27

In common speak, this means that you’re not allowed to shave your beard. Granted, this wasn’t a state law, but a law is a law and this one has its downsides. Since it’s a religious regulation, it also means that it’s still in effect today so, if you see a shaven Christian or Jewish face, be sure to smite him mightily.

Greece, 620 BC

-          Lawmakers shall introduce new edicts while standing on a raised platform with a rope about their neck

Well here’s one that should have continued into modern society! The idea was that lawmakers would think very carefully before trying to introduce something self-serving or plain stupid because if your law was perceived as being dumb, then you went down with it. This might have been very effective against the American Patriot Act or the South African Protection of Information Bill.

I leave you with an amusing piece of trivia which should get you thinking the next time you give the police a statement – “It was the custom in Ancient Rome for the men to place their right hand on their testicles when taking an oath. The modern term ‘testimony’ is derived from this tradition.”

Guest Author:

Warren Kings is a content writer that has a flare for humour; he is always able to turn any topic into a smile and has recently proven so with topics such as Pennsylvania Accident Injury Lawyers and Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyers

But all is not negative when it comes to gambling as there are untapped benefits of gambling which cannot be seen within the walls of the casino, or the race track, or in the bingo social hall.

Employment

In Las Vegas, a whopping 60 percent of the employment ratio is attributed to the presence of casinos. Imagine what would happen to Las Vegas if all the casinos suddenly stopped operating.

Entertainment

Self-discipline is the key. Gambling is for entertainment, as it was intended to be. Others just couldn’t handle a loss and always kept right on thinking that the next card would be the one to salvage all that has been lost. But it never does. And these types of gamblers only comprise one-fourth of the gambling population who cannot gamble responsibly.

Imagine the other 75 percent who responsibly gamble. These are the people who find the entertainment value of gambling and they are never blinded by the illusion that hitting it big time just once is the key to financial freedom.

It is sad that only a small percentage of the gambling population gets the bad rap of how gambling can be so destructive. Families, friends, properties, jobs, crimes and deception permeate the destruction brought about by gambling but it is still a small portion of the gambling population.

Charity Work

Winnings from gambling activities have contributed in providing the needed financial support of worthy causes. They use gambling activities such as bingos or lotteries with a percentage of the jackpot winnings tied with charity institutions.

Some celebrities even show their prowess in card games like poker to provide entertainment for the viewers and winnings for the charity institution they represent.

Health benefit

Studies have been found that retirees 65 years old and above who gamble have less health issues such as depression, alcoholism and bankruptcy as they find gambling to be therapeutic as it exercises their mind and keep them alert.

The study was not conclusive, however, because retiree gamblers are the recreational gamblers who find the entertainment value of gambling. They are healthier because they are healthy to begin with and not because they gamble.

Some people play bingo games online if they dont have the chance of going to the gaming halls. This helps the elderly who can’t travel and in the end still makes them very happy, especially with the bingo bonuses they can acquire.

In the end, it is not the gambling act itself that makes it beneficial or harmful to the individual. It is the decision of the individual if gambling would rule him or he would rule his gambling habit.

It’s been called one of the most mainstream games of the moment, the largest mobile app success the world has ever seen, genius, addictive … it may even be riveting when plans for a TV series are put into action – something that actually may be on the cards. Who knows why it’s become so popular – people have been pondering that since its release in 2009. What the hell do birds have against pigs anyway, and why are they so damn angry?

The truth is, no one cares – all anyone cares about is whether their cunning and destructive plans can beat the puzzle or not. We may have some of the most advanced gaming platforms, story lines and online challenges available on PC, PlayStation and Xbox these days, but something like Angry Birds can transform even the most technologically challenged individual into an obsessive gamer in under ten seconds.

There’s the popularity right there – that, and the fact that horrid little birds attacking green fatties is cute. It’s got the strategy of Worms, the brain-tease factor of Tetris, the tenacity of Snake and the looks of Mario Brothers all mixed into one simple and effective package. The fact that it’s been downloaded more than 300 million times is testament to this. A few online polls suggest that a percentage of people delete the game once they realise how addicted they are, and the rest of us will keep flipping the bird to anyone who doesn’t love it like we do.

The light hearted and simple game play ensures you’ll keep coming back for more, whether you’re waiting in line at a shop, surviving a boring meeting or sitting on a bus next to someone staring longingly at your score. If, like me, you’ve racked up hours of game time with Angry Birds and are wondering how on earth you could possibly ever get through another family lunch without it, there’s only one answer.

You can’t.

Either delete it, wait till something even weirder comes along to keep you entertained on your silly hipster Smartphone, or keep playing the game while your parents take you on those Southern African safaris or Cederberg luxury accommodation spots.

AMERICA

• In Alabama, you may not drive a car while barefoot or blindfolded.
• In Alabama, a windshield for your car isn’t mandatory but a windshield wiper is.
• In California, a women may not drive a car if she is wearing a housecoat.
• In California, when driving your car, you may not shoot at wildlife, unless the target is a whale…
• In Eureka, California, you may not use the road as a spot for your bed.
• In Hermosa Beach, California the people are really serious about their drinks, and you may not spill your Margarita on the street.
• In Denver, Colorado. You are not allowed to drive a black car on Sundays.
• In Minneapolis and Massachusetts, you may not drive any kind of red car in Lake street.
• In Clinton, Oklahoma you’re not allowed to molest any car. We wish we knew how that one started…
• In Dublin, Georgia, it is  illegal to drive your car through any playground.
• We like this one: In Wichita, Kansas, the driver has to get out of his vehicle and fire three shots in the air before he can cross the intersection of Broadway and Douglas.
• In Florida, if an elephant is tied to a parking meter, you have to pay the full fee just as if the elephant was a vehicle.
• Another elephant one. If you decide to take your elephant for walkies, you have to leash it. If it strolls without a leash through the street, you will be fined.
• In Quitman, Ga., it is illegal for a chicken to cross the road…so who do they fine btw?
• In Arcadia, California, peacocks have the right of way, always.
• In Temulca, California, ducks are allowed to cross the road at all times. In Indiana, you are not allowed to pass a horse.
• In Pennsylvania, a driver crossing the country road at night has to stop every mile and shoot a flare into the night. After ten minutes he may proceed until the next mile.
• In Memphis, Tennessee, New Orleans, LA  and Alabama, a man has to run or walk in front of a car driven by a woman while waving a red flag to warn oncoming traffic of the impending danger.

AUSTRALIA

• When you are given a life sentence, it only lasts 25 years.
• Children may smoke cigarettes, but not buy them.
• When leaving your car, you may not leave the keys in the ignition.
• Back in the days of dial up connections, your modem wasn’t allowed to pick up on the first ring.
• You may only change your light bulb if you are a qualified electrician.
• No feeling sexy on Sundays, as it is illegal to wear hot pink pants after midday.
• Any comic books which have illegal acts depicted in them will be banned.
• Radio stations are required to have a 35% margin of Canadian music, talks and facts.
• You may not pay only in pennies when you buy a fifty cent item.
• Want to redress your bandages? Then do so in a private room, as citizens aren’t allowed to remove their bandages in public.
• Caffeine may not be an ingredient in non-dark or clear sodas.
• Businesses must have a rail available at all time, which can be used to tie up your horse.
• Crap players may not use dice in their games.
• Just been released from prison? Lucky you, as you are required by law to receive a handgun, bullets and a horse.
• You may not water your front yard while it’s raining.
• Margarine may not be yellow when produced by margarine companies.
• You have to fill your water trough before 5 am if you have one in your front yard.
• You may not pee in the city, as it in a non pee zone.
• No ugly houses in Canada, as all colors of houses and garage doors are regulated by city law.

CANADA

• Any comic books which have illegal acts depicted in them will be banned.
• Radio stations are required to have a 35% margin of Canadian music, talks and facts.
• You may not pay only in pennies when you buy a fifty cent item.
• Want to redress your bandages? Then do so in a private room, as citizens aren’t allowed to remove their bandages in public.
• Caffeine may not be an ingredient in non-dark or clear sodas.
• Businesses must have a rail available at all time, which can be used to tie up your horse.
• Crap players may not use dice in their games.
• Just been released from prison? Lucky you, as you are required by law to receive a handgun, bullets and a horse.
• You may not water your front yard while it’s raining.
• Margarine may not be yellow when produced by margarine companies.
• You have to fill your water trough before 5 am if you have one in your front yard.
• You may not pee in the city, as it in a non pee zone.
• No ugly houses in Canada, as all colours of houses and garage doors are regulated by city law.

BEIJING, SINGAPORE and THAILAND

• In Singapore, you may not write on someone’s car with removable ink.
• In Singapore, you may not be in a 50 meter radius of a pedestrian when they are crossing the road.
• In Singapore, throwing away bubblegum in the street will catch you a hefty fine of $600
• In Thailand, it is illegal to leave your house without any underwear. No freedom in Thailand.
• In Thailand, you may not step on any local currency.
• In Thailand, you must wear a shirt while driving a car.
• In Beijing, drivers who stop at a pedestrian crossing will be fined, or given a strict warning.

FRANCE

• In France, 70% of music played on any radio station has to be from French artists.
• No kissing on any railway track.
• You may not name or address your pig as Napoleon.
• No officers or police cars may appear in photos, even in the background.
• It is illegal to die in a cemetery without a cemetery plot.

SAUDI ARABIA

• In Saudi Arabia, it is illegal for any women to drive a car or bicycle on public roads. They are allowed to drive  on a private road, but will be arrested when found on public roads. .
• You may not wash your car or hang up wet clothes to dry on a Sunday.
• Mowing your lawn on a Sunday will get you arrested, since it’s oh so noisy.
• You may not relieve yourself while standing after 10pm, or flush the toilet after 10pm.
• You can drink absinth, but you’re not allowed to make it, sell it, or store it. Buy and drink on the spot!

SWITZERLAND

• You may not wash your car or hang up wet clothes to dry on a Sunday.
• Mowing your lawn on a Sunday will get you arrested, since it’s oh so noisy.
• You may not relieve yourself while standing after 10pm, or flush the toilet after 10pm.
• You can drink absinth, but you’re not allowed to make it, sell it, or store it. Buy and drink on the spot!

UK

• The commissioner of Police has to give you the go ahead to drive your cows down the road between 10 A.M. and 7  P.M.
• When a member of the family dies, all land must be left to the oldest son.
• Since 1313, Military Police may not wear armour in Parliament Carrots are the only goods allowed to be sold on a Sunday.
• All English males who are over the age of 14 must practice with their longbows for 2 hours a week. When doing this they must be supervised by a clergyman.
• It is illegal for two adult men to have sex in the same house as a third person.
• You may not break an egg on the pointed end, as decreed by Henry the VI. If you do, you will be sent to the village stocks for 24 hours.
• You may not hang your bed out of a window.
• Women may not eat chocolates on public transport.
• Any boys under the age of ten may not see a mannequin without any clothes on.

I suspect you wont find most of these on safety posters in schools so tread lightly! That’s why before you go anywhere you should study those rules, before you get any aarto fines…maybe you should lock yourself in your room, you might be breaking some obscure rule right now!

I recently Googled ‘is bingo for old people?’ and found that I’m not the only person to have had these thoughts, or to have had a GnT drinking grandmother with a penchant for gambling. Okay, that last part was a whole different Google search… the point is, here’s why I think my grandmother and her friends would have loved to play online bingo:

Social networking

Those old folks were social networking mavericks before Facebook’s inventor was even born. My grandmother could pick up endless amounts of information about people while sitting in a bingo hall. She knew everything about everyone within a 300km radius, and had an opinion on it all too. The biggest reason she’d love online bingo is because she could know more. Most internet bingo sites facilitate chat rooms where you can talk to players from all over the world while betting your cash. It’s basically a virtual simulation of a local bingo hall, complete with endless amounts of chattering and endless opportunities to make friends. The social factor, since bingo moved online in 1996, hasn’t been dampened one bit. Imagine being able to indulge your nosey GnT drinking self in chats from around the world, 24 hours a day, while still being able to shout ‘bingo!’.

In it for the long haul

Back in the day, she’d only have one or two opportunities a week to put on her old gambling shoes and head to the hall for a night of fun. These days, she’d be able to sit in the comfort of her own armchair and still chat to all her best buddies any time of the day or night. Buying into an online gaming room is like buying into a social circle where everyone is interested in the same thing you are. The selling point is that you can access it 24 hours a day from wherever you are, and enjoy the benefit of spending as much time as you want to online – if you wanted a five hour bingo session, the choice is yours.

Stay smart and techno savvy

Researchers have found that people who play games like bingo regularly are able to think faster than non players. A speaker from Southampton University has said that during tests measuring mental speed, information scanning speed and memory, people who played bingo were faster and more accurate than non players. My gran was a smart woman, so that makes sense. It’s great exercise for older people to have, as it helps ensure they get the mental stimulation needed to stay alert and strong. She’d have loved online bingo for the mental benefits as well as the computer savvy benefits – in short, she’d simply be chuffed she could use the internet to play online bingo.

Get raucous:

Make sure you tell the driver to leave the divider down. You have paid for his time, and the vehicle, so he must listen to you. Now, if you can stand it, make a loud high pitch noise and keep at that level for as long as you can. Pause, take a deep breath and start again.
Release wind:
Sit as close to the open divider as possible. Drink a gassy drink and begin belching and blowing in his direction. Feel free to cut the cheese and for improved impact, waft the toxic gasses in his direction.

Ready, aim, fire:

Take every bottle of bubbly in the refrigerator. Remove the wrapping, aim the cork at the back of the driver’s head and slowly edge the cork out with your thumbs. See how many times you can smash the projectile into his skull before he stops and begs you to stop. Agree, and then start over once he gets going again.

Have a bonfire:

Well, don’t really do that. Fire in the back of the cabin will certainly end in a lawsuit and could, in fact, cost you your life. You want to leave the cabin looking as if it was ravaged by a tornado. Mess champagne, grind snacks into the floor and hide food in between the seats. The driver will not be impressed.

Choose the parking:

Once you are done at your main event, take the driver on a journey through some dodgy neighbourhoods before making him parallel park in as many tough parking spots as you can find. As soon as he pulls up the handbrake, tell him you have changed your mind and want to go somewhere else. Repeat the process until your time is up.
Avoid having to resort to this behaviour by inspecting the limo company of your choice thoroughly before booking.

So you heard that you’re likely to get a little lucky in Long Street, Cape Town and decided to strategically book yourself into one of the Cape Town boutique hotels, which is the 1^st step to the holiday of your life. Sure the atmosphere is awesome and the music pumps from a myriad of buildings all facing each other from across the street, but you can’t be distracted by the pretty lights, you’re on a quest.

Long Street itself covers just about every kind of crowd and style you can imagine so your first act had better be familiarizing yourself with who goes where and what you’re looking for in particular. If you’ve booked a week or so at your very conveniently placed, and hopefully swinging luxury, hotel pad then you’ve got more time to explore at your leisure. What we’re talking about here is a weekend hunt for excitement but week or weekend stay – read on and learn a few tricks.

If you’re looking for the party of a life-time you’re now in the right spot for it but Long Street covers just about everything other than country music (the music of pain) so once again, make sure you know which clubs will suit you. If your plan is to look for love in all the wrong places (a worthy and celebrated past time) then do it in a place that plays your kind of music. You can run up and down Cape Town’s longest street looking for what you want without issue as well, in fact, out in the streets shopping for the right hang out is an excellent way to meet other people. I met a smoking girl on my way from Stones to Chrome and picked her up with a line regarding her shoes and walking while still appearing delicious.

Try doing that on your way from the parking lot to a restaurant, though it’s probably better that you don’t as it’s likely to only end in pain. Once you’ve found your place have a few drinks and relax, get into the vibe and then head down to one of the restaurants with outdoor seating. Hanging out with the boys (or the girls) with a couple of drinks in you and a huge beef burger bursting with spices and a mushroom sauce is simply unbeatable. Watch the wildlife of the city go by and if you’re a guy, smile at the cuties and if you’re a girl flip your hair back and pretend you don’t care – but watch which club that lad goes into if he looked back at you.

With a happy, warm alcohol feeling and the taste of a good grilled meal, you’re now ready to hit your night spot of choice again. Get in there and have a few more drinks, dance if there’s a dance floor and be sure to circulate. This isn’t the time to play the wall flower – you’re on a mission, remember, and Long Street won’t let you down if you participate. If you find Mr or Miss or even Mrs Right (never dismiss the Cougars!) for the night well then don’t botch it up by offering them a cuddle in a cubicle – that’s what your shiny and very impressive hotel in Long Street is for after all.

Good Hunting!

• Long Street:

This vibrant and bustling city street has too many interesting places to single out just one. After the hustle during business hours, Long Street comes to life at night. A wide range of bars, cars and clubs are all on offer. Enjoy drinks with friends at the Dubliner Irish Pub, listen to a variety of live music at the Zulu Sound Bar or stomp your feet to the latest house tunes at Chrome. Better yet, stroll down the street and pop into any one of the many hotels on Long Street after a good night out.

• Greenmarket Square:

Nestled in the heart of the CBD, Greenmarket Square is the perfect place for lazy afternoons out. Browse the fleamarket stalls to find a wide range of African crafts, or alternatively grab a seat at one of the surrounding cafes or restaurants to fill your belly while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere.

• Bo Kaap:

At the edge of the city lies the colourful and cultural Bo Kaap area. Try some traditional Cape Malay cuisine at the Bo Kaap Kombuis or visit the Monkeybiz shop to pick up a unique souvenir.

• Somerset Road:

Geared toward younger visitors and party animals, this road is packed with top quality nightlife. Get into the mood at Cubana with some cocktails before exploring the wide variety of bars and clubs on the strip.

• Restaurants:

Cape Town is a culinary hot spot with a wide range of tantalising tastes available on each corner. Visit places such as Kloof Street with its boutique shops and endless range of cafes or explore the streets of the CBD to find those hidden gems that are normally only known to local residents.

There is so much on offer in this beautiful and vibrant city, so chat with the locals at any of the boutique hotels you choose and get the scoop on the best places to visit in Cape Town.

If luxury with a sense of hospitality is what you are after, you need to come to Cape Town. There is no other place in the world that can offer you renowned African hospitality like we can in our hotels. Western Cape hotels are not only stunning, but there is an option for every price bracket. From Lizwe’s Guest House in Guguletu (where you find the best township atmosphere and cooking that money can buy), to the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa just off Chapman’s Peak (this is really the height of discerning quality), Cape Town hotels can’t be beaten.

If a view of the sea is your thing, why not try the Table Bay hotel, which overlooks the harbour and has ample space for swinging cats, swinging your newly-wedded partner or just swinging yourself around in the fantastically decorated rooms.

So when considering a holiday, don’t pick a fancy but dull hotel in another bland city, come to a Cape Town hotel. Western Cape hotels can’t be beaten!

Keeping it cool.

I came to Cape Town in 2003 to study Sound Engineering, being a music fanatic and all. Pressed for time and accommodation, I moved into a flat without even meeting the person I was going to spend a lot of enclosed time with. What a big mistake. My brother and I got all my stuff on our lorry, and were on our way to my new home.

Along the way, the lorry broke down on the highway and we had to wait for someone to come and help us. We decided to unload one of the couches and leisurely watched the car’s go by while waiting. It was quite funny; some drivers could not for the life of them understand what the hell we were doing. Needless to say, we got help and I successfully moved into the flat.

I was under the impression that the living arrangement included me and just one other girl. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the television room and saw that this girl’s boyfriend renovated it into a room for him, bunk beds and all! I am a very laidback person, so decided not to make an issue out of this. Later on, it wasn’t that much fun, regardless that he was not paying one cent of rent; they cuddled up in front of the TV every night and whispered sweet nothings into each other’s ear, which made me want to hurl seven kinds of vomit. The only place in the flat where my stomach could settle was in my extremely small room.

I decided that it was payback time; I pasted the most revolting Slipknot poster on my door and listened to death metal while they were watching they’re horrible soapies. They didn’t directly complain, but made it very clear that it was frowned upon. I couldn’t care less; I was partially paying for her boyfriend to stay there, so each to its own. If I can give you some advice, make damn sure that you know what you’re letting yourself in for when you move into Cape Town accommodation with someone.