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.

Get a cool TV…

Big old boxes with grainy pictures are so last decade – now TV’s are large, sleek and high definition to the max. You’ve got the choice between plasma screens, LCD ones and now even 3D. OLED is a relatively new technology which we’ll be seeing in our TV’s soon – it uses less power, produces its own light and is based on an electronic paper concept which means the screens can be bent – awesome. Laser TV is another concept that’s in development for mass markets, popular because of its exceptionally vibrant colour capabilities and reduced power consumption. If you’re looking for a TV to go with your home theatre system, look for one that’s capable of sending and receiving HDTV resolutions. Just because a TV says it is HD ready, it doesn’t mean it can transmit and receive HDTV signals. Also make sure it boasts Dolby Digital Surround Audio, as this is the best and most compatible sound system available at present. You don’t need to blow the budget as the technology is easily available these days to get a great TV for a relatively low cost.

Get your theatre on…

Take the Bose Lifestyle 48 Home Entertainment System – it’s one of the best on the market. It comes with a disc player, satellite speakers that blend into any room seamlessly, a subwoofer and a remote control. The disc player can handle a host of different format disc types, including DVD, DVD-R, CD, CD-R/RW and even discs containing MP3’s. It can transmit both Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks – which are two different audio formats – and store music on its hard drive for playback. The sound quality of the speakers is exceptional, while the system can also adjust sound to fit the acoustics of different rooms.  It also has a host of input and output capabilities, making it one of the best and most reliable systems around. Some systems have a five disc player, which is useful for when you don’t want to get up to change discs. If you’re on a budget, three speakers are more than adequate when placed to the left and right of you, as well as behind – and you can add a subwoofer at a later stage for added bass.

Guest Author:

Jacky Letard writes articles on cookware, curtains and many other topics. She enjoys travelling and the outdoors when she is not in front of the computer.

The Flying Bed:

Well, it’s not really flying – more like floating. This amazing bed was created using an insane amount of magnets which keep it levitating in the middle of the room. Cables are attached to the mattress to ensure that it doesn’t wander off (or possibly skyrocket into orbit). This amazing sleeping accessory comes at a price though – around $1.5 million.

The Molecule Bed:

This portable mattress is made up of 120 comfortable orbs that are covered by elastic fibre. The shape of the mattress can be structured in a variety of different ways. This will definitely put the fun back into the bedroom. Don’t stop there though; this awesome mattress could also be put to good use by wrapping it around yourself and rolling down a hill. I don’t know how much fun it would be sleeping on it every night though…

The Rocking Bed:

Yes, it rocks – literally. Based off of an antique rocking chair, this mattress is surrounded by a large oval wooden frame and looks awesome. Gently rock yourself off to sleep every night – or, go ballistic and see if you can get it to spin around completely. Either way, it would be a solid investment.

BedUP:

We’ve all seen those beds that fold up into the wall, but what about a bed that rises into the roof! Ideal for small bedrooms where space could be an issue. Simply pull it down when you are ready to hit the hay and, after a nice comfortable slumber, push it back into its cave.

The Coffin Bed:

Ok, so sometimes you need to scare people away from your house so that they will never return. Leave one of these lying around and you are sure to get that reaction. To really sell the point, try talking in a Russian accent and leave puddles of tomato sauces in random places around the house.

These designs don’t fit the criteria of a pressure relieving mattress and they certainly aren’t the best if you’re looking for back pain relief but it might still be fun to have a few in the house for the epic entertainment value.

Always do your inspections:

It is vitally important that you ensure the trailer is latched and locked tightly to the tow bar. Also, check that the electrical cable is attached and perform the standard checks to see that all indicators are working. Depending on the size and shape of the trailer, it could completely block out the view of the indicators on the towing vehicle – which could lead to collisions on the road if the lights are out of order.

Watch your speed:

A trailer is prone to sway if you are travelling too fast. It is the best practice to stick to the speed limits at all times. If you find that the trailer begins to sway, do not brake suddenly and do not speed up. Simply keep your wheel straight and gradually allow the vehicle to slow down.

Never overload:

When using a trailer for business purposes, many people think that it would be alright to slightly go above the recommended weight limit. This is a bad idea. Overloading a trailer will drastically increase the chances of accidents on the road. On top of this, if you are caught doing so, it will result in a hefty fine and possibly further action.

Make sure it matches:

This goes without saying but, you should never attempt to attach a monster trailer to the back of a Mini. Ideally, you should choose a trailer that is similar to the size of the vehicle that will be towing it. That way, if you stick to the weight limits, your car will be powerful enough to tow it safely.

Most trailer manufacturers have to build their trailers and water tankers to fit the guidelines, so don’t feel like you’re the only one who’s keeping an eye on your safety. If you stick to these rules, you can look forward to some trouble-free towing. So, now that you are confident and ready for the road, hitch that trailer and get going!

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.

Install a hands-free device
Most accidents are caused by people who drive while talking on their mobile phones. As you talk on your mobile, you only have one hand on the steering wheel and most of your attention on the call, rather than the road. Fix the problem of having to talk on your phone by installing a Bluetooth free-hands kit. It’s easy to install and might save your life and others on the road.

Keep your eyes on the road
60 percent of young drivers don’t have the ability to assess a situation before it approaches. It’s important to keep your eyes on the road, but it’s just as important to look ahead and be able to assess any oncoming obstacles in the road and then act accordingly.

Drive slower
It’s really as easy as keeping to the speed limit. Many accidents occur due to the driver exceeding the limit and losing control over his car. Drive especially slow if the weather is bad and rain is pelting the road as it brings up old oil spills which can be very dangerous and cause your car to skid uncontrollably across the road.

Do safety checks
Before you go on a trip, be sure to check a few things of your list. Walk around your car and check for any obstructions. Have a good look at your tires and make sure the grooves are deep to allow good traction on the road. Pop your bonnet and have a look at your water, radiator, oil and brake fluid. Finally let someone help you determine if your brights, lights and tail lights are operating.

Road Rage
Road rage is a very real and dangerous threat on the road. The world we live in is filled with people working themselves to the brink of exhaustion and not taking the time to relax. People hit cars with baseball bats or drive into your car for the smallest “misdemeanour”. If you have done everything in your power to avoid confrontation, and the road rager is still on your tail, drive to the nearest police station or police officer. Hopefully, the road rager will be scared off with the realisation that matters will be dealt with in a lawful fashion. The other way to avoid road rage is to avoid driving like a lunatic on the roads and stirring up the wrath of other drivers.

Escaping a submerging car
If, for some reason, your car crashes in a body of water, then you should follow these steps. Move to the area of the car which contains stored oxygen. Usually the heaviest part of the car will go down first (the engine). Help your passengers, if there are any, and cut or unclasp their seatbelts so that everyone can move freely.

Having a rescue tool is a good idea, since the next thing you will have to do is get out of the car through the windows. Slowly open the windows, if they are still operational, since the water pressure needs to be equalised between your car and the body of water you’re in. Take a deep breath as the water rushes in and make a swim for it. Keep an eye out for younger passengers when swimming to the surface.

Brake Failures
You see brake wires cut in movies and soaps resulting in fatal car crashes, but don’t be alarmed, it rarely happens in real life. In the instance that it does happen, due to your brakes failing in the case of a mechanical malfunction or from wear and tear, you should try and create as much friction as possible to stop your car. Start pumping the brake pedal and as you keep doing it you will feel the brake pedal tensing up, that’s fine as it builds up stopping power. The next step is to keep your foot on the pedal which will make your car come to a stop. After pumping the pedal start gearing down, it will make a loud noise but that’s part of the plan to get your car to stop. If all else fails then drive closer to a wall, shrubs or anything else which you can ease your car against to scrape the car to a halt. Parts can be replaced but lives can’t.

Buckle up and keep your kids safe. Many people tend to go on long journeys in the holiday season so do your best to keep the people around you and close to you safe, by acting like a responsible driver.

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!

Medical nanobots

Nanotechnology is the science and application of creating objects on a level smaller than 100 nanometers.  Nanobots are the way of the future when it comes to nanotechnology. The latest discovery with nanobots is that they can adapt to their environment, meaning they can react to light, heat, chemicals, surface and textures accordingly. Using the latest technology, scientist want to program the nanobots to be able to work together on complex calculations, communicate with each other when needed, repair themselves as well as each other and move fluidly.

With the improvement of nanobot technology scientists can program the bots to enhance a patient’s way of life, help the human body function beyond its normal means, repair injuries and treat illnesses.

Three Nanobots will be available:

• Nanoparticles

These nanobots will be able to move to a specific area controlled by the doctor where they can attach themselves to a surface to be stable. The doctor can then use a camera to gather information from the relay of video or images collected by the nanoparticles.

• Hollow nanocapsules

Hollow nanocapsules will be able to search for cancer cells and other dangerous cells and, when found, be able to focus the required medical treatment directly to the cell. This is an improvement from the normal method of injecting the treatment into the bloodstream.

• Nanomedibots

These nanobots will find damaged tissue and repair it, as well as attack diseases and cancerous tissues. This removes the need for surgery, which leaves scars or induces post-op pain.

Heart transplant

A company in France has developed the technology to create an artificial heart which will be able to replace the human heart. This would solve the problem of shortages on transplants for patients who need them.

Carmat is testing artificial hearts in the clinic and when they are happy with the results they will start testing them on human candidates in France.

The artificial heart is powered by two small motors through electromagnetic induction, controlled by a plug behind the ear or the skin.

Exosuit

Also known as an exoframe or exoskeleteon, this machine frame covers your body with a metal construction. It helps you move your whole body as well as carry heavy equipment. It also enables the wearer to run and walk further distances, and can also offer an advantage in dangerous situations by improving performance.

They can also be used to assist old people with walking and other normal activities. In a few years you might see your granny running to the mall in her exosuit instead of hailing a cab.

These exosuits already exist but are worked on everyday to improve various kinks. One such kink is a power supply which can power the suit for long spans of time.

Cyborgs

A former Marine, Claudia Mitchell, lost her arm during an accident and was selected to receive the bionic arm prototype. The arm moves with her thoughts, improving her way of life and helping her live a normal life.

Her thoughts are streamed to a chest muscle which is connected to the cyborg ‘nerves’, resulting in the arm moving as  her normal arm would have moved.

With this new improved technology Claudia is able to wash up, eat food with a knife and fork, peel a banana and fold her clothes.

The technology comes from the Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago, where it took them five hours to install the cyborg arm.

I’m glad medical technology has improved over the ages from iLasik surgery to cataracts treatment. I’d rather have a nanobot fix my headache by releasing the tension in my muscles than medieval doctors drilling a hole in my head to release the bad spirits.

With the unlikely combination of mixing people’s love for swimming pools with the need for a sense of wonder – I bring you some of the most astonishing swimming pools  around.

SkyPark Swimming Pool (above picture)

Now we’re talking! Meet the Infinity pool that towers over the city of Singapore by a whopping 55 storeys and makes mothers with water baby children cry in their sleep every night. Located atop the renowned SkyPark resort facility in Singapore, this particular pool holds the world record for size in terms of pools that have been constructed at a similar altitude. The entire resort cost around four billion dollars to build but at least they didn’t skimp on safety. The pool has a catch area that should prevent people who didn’t believe Newton’s theory on gravity and decided to swim off the edge, from taking the plunge.

Kandalama Hotel Infinity pool

Those Infinity pools really know how to make an impression on a person and this one is no exception, except that it’s overlooking the stunning Kandalama Lake. Architect Geoffrey Bawa certainly had this in mind when he put his plans together, as the whole thing is designed to make you feel as though you’re actually taking a plunge into the actual lake below. What’s more, they’ve even got some guy walking over the wooden decking above playing the flute over there which is just dandy. So, if you feel like pretending you’re in a lake while being in a pool and being serenaded by the Pied Piper – then you’re in luck!

La Hague corporate pool

Arguably the best swimming pool in the whole world, this Olympic sized aquatic playground will instantaneously kill you and then cause you to sprout five extra arms and a dorsal fin. Confused? Well the reason the water looks so blue and lovely isn’t because of clever lighting tricks but rather due to intense radiation known as Cherenkov radiation – which develops from a particle travelling through a medium faster than the speed of light. What you’re actually looking at there is the new French answer to nuclear waste storage and so far it looks pretty damn clever, just – maybe refrain from dropping any turtles with latent ninja skills in it.