An answer
to the energy
question?
THE Christmas tree in a Chattanooga aquarium, in Tennessee, is being lit up by … an electric eel.
The electric eel in question is known as Miguel Wattson (Geddit? – watts), according to Huffington Post
A special system connected to Miguel's tank carries his electric shocks to power strands of lights on a nearby tree.
Miguel releases low-voltage blips of electricity when he's trying to find food. That translates to a rapid, dim blinking of the Christmas lights. When he's eating or excited he emits higher voltage shocks which cause bigger flashes.
Wattson has his ownTwitter account where he shares tweets generated by his sparky self, courtesy of coding by Tennessee Tech University's iCube centre.
"They combine electrical engineering and emerging business communication to give the eel a voice," centre director Kevin Liska says.
Between Miguel's tweets come statements like "SHAZAM!!!!" and "ka-BLAMEROO!!!!!,". A video posted to the account shows Miguel shaking in his tank as lights on the nearby tree sputter on and off.
Hey, what a Christmas in Chattanooga!
Unexpected energy
ELECTRIC eels are pretty rare on our coast. However, I knew a fellow who encountered one on the sandbank in the Mbotyi lagoon, down the Wild Coast.
He was wading across the sandbank when he stood on it. We've most of us had the somewhat unnerving experience of treading on a small skate in the sea or in a lagoon, and having the thing wriggle momentarily under the foot.
For this fellow it was exactly the same, except it also delivered a jolt of electricity. He leaped high in the air, splashing down backside first, where he landed on it again, getting another jolt of electricity in his nether regions.
A shocking experience, to be sure. But imagine how terrifying it must have been for the poor electric eel.
Stage 7
LOAD shedding continues. A video comes this way showing a fellow sitting in his digs, which are lit up only by a candle.
There's a knock at the door. "Eskom!"
He gets up and answers the door holding his candle. An Eskom official is standing there.
"Yes, how can I help you?"
"I'm here to implement Stage 7."
"What's Stage 7?"
Foof! The Eskom fellow leans forward and blows out the candle.
Insults with class
MORE from Rosemarie Jarski's Great British Wit. Topic: Insults, put-downs and comebacks.
· If there's a worse insult I don't know it. I have just been told by my friend Gladys that she'd trust her husband to spend an evening alone with me. – Marjorie Proops.
· I expect to pass through this world but once and therefore if there is anybody I want to kick in the crotch I had better kick them in the crotch now for I do not expect to pass this way again. – Maurice Bowra.
· It seldom pays to be rude, It never pays to be half-rude. – Norman Douglas.
· If I had to choose between him and a cockroach as a companion for a walking tour, the cockroach would have had it by a short head. – PG Wodehouse.
Tailpiece
PADDY is on a quiz show.
"What's the capital of Ireland?
"Pass!"
"Kissing which famous stone gives you the gift of the gab?"
"Pass!"
"What are the colours of the Irish flag?"
"Pass!"
Voice from the back of the studio: "Good man, Paddy! Tell dem nuttin!"
Last word
One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards. - Oscar Wilde
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