Latex-free high schools are nothing new, but what happens when local dance schools have to comply with environmental regulations due to a latex intolerant student? Will we see signs going up?

Subscriptions to nude dancing classes are now being accepted.

Nude ballroom dancing, males only.

Mixed nude dancing, standing room only for males

According to Digital Journal... Mr. Bruni comes to us from Rome where he was not the local “expert” on Italian cuisine; he wrote about politics. In fact, there hasn’t been a real food critic with food background (except perhaps Amanda Hesser) at the New York Times since Ruth Reichl

This seems quite a valid a grievance by a restauranteur who didn't approve of many reviews about his business, but, do the credentials of "experts" really matter? Looking at the UK for clues, the evidence suggests, not!

Shuffle out the dead wood

So many times, Governments have re-shuffles when adulterous Ministers for Transport suddenly head the Ministry for Food. Out of sight out of mind, the politicos learn on the job and screw up until they get it right. Nobody seems to mind too much.

London Dome disaster

The same policy of mis-match was evident when the UK Government employed a French guy to turn around the London Millennium Dome disaster. Millions over budget, thousands under daily visitor numbers, and constantly under the press spotlight, the Brits needed help. Pierre somebody-or-other had cut his teeth reviving some disastrous Mickey Mouse funfair in Paris - DisneyWorld Paris! Good enough for the French, he was flown in to save UK credibility in the world of major projects. Oops.

He enthusiastically took his expertise in the marketing of cartoon characters and doughnuts and applied it to a dead duck prestigious mickey mouse idea in the London docklands. Unfortunately, no amount of fanfare could right the wrongs of years of mismanagement, and ultimately the analysts had to accept that the Dome failure was nothing to do with Pierre's expert failings. Would even a Dome expert have fallen flat on his face? Probably, although we will never know.

Italian food critics are ten a penny

But what we do know about the right person for the job in the case of food critics is that everybody knows something about eating. And in the case of Italian food critics, find me a writer who has never consumed spaghetti or pizza, and that would be a story.

What are the French like? This scantily clad woman is atop a horse that is for sale. According to the text, this pure bred Spanish stallion has plenty of upright motion and lots of mane. Remember, that description is referring to the horse.

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To mark our 100th post in quirky news, Ed is adding his own personal touches to The Pisstakers with a personal blog corner. To be more precise it is a blog bottom at the bottom of the homepage, out the way. Nothing too earth shattering, just an occasional comment or observation that The Pisstakers could never get away with - or wouldn't be interested in.

After waking up on the sofa with the TV blaring out info-mercials, I sat through a passionate paid advert for The World's Greatest Treasury of Health Secrets. Listening to the wide-eyed presenter, I thought Mankind's greatest unsung heroic researchers had found the secrets to a perpetual and happy, pain-free life. Right! Amazon reader reviews paint a less glowing perspective on the book.

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An interesting take on globalization, MARDI GRAS: MADE IN CHINA takes a look at the journey of some Mardi Gras beads, as they are constructed in a factory in China, then make their way across the globe.

This sounds like a glassier version of the Incredible Journey, where a cat and 2 dogs did a similar epic trip across America.

Will the China Mardi Gras beads make it?

Motivation is the key to completing long journeys, so, the question is: are the beads heading for a chic boutique in New Orleans, or Walmart? My money is on the beads for boutiques .where they will be treated with respect on their arrival before being wrapped in dainty tissue paper and sold on for terrific mark-ups. At Walmarts, all they can expect is to be bundled with a $15 Mardi Gras kit including a 36-pack of lite beer and a bucket for the post celebration barf.

Relax everybody, Valentines Day is over and an easier-to-remember celebration, Mardi Gras, looms. This picture by fubuki really makes you want to party in New Orleans.

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We have been experimenting by launching a Valentines Day section 6 weeks before the big day. After all it is the third biggest momey making holiday of the year, so it deserves the appropriate attention. Well, to be honest, we are totally sick of the whole idea now, living proof, if ever it were needed, that commercialism and gratuitous promotion can destroy the appeal of all half decent celebrations.

We would like to end with the sentiment that is shooting through our happily married household right now.

Valentine's Day is like herpes: just when you think its gone for good, it rears its ugly head once more. No wonder some people prefer to call it VD.

Yes, it's that special time of year when chocolate manufacturers and greetings card companies encourage you to demonstrate the extent of your fondness in cold, hard, cash (or the satin-covered equivalent) on February 14th. AntiValentine's Day

Is there a big daddy lurking on Valentine's day? Sounds quite creepy, but it actually refers to a stormy weather system highlighted in a bulletin by Henry Madman Margusity. He will obviously be spot on with his prediction about what will fall out the sky in the next few hours. We predict the same. But rather than consult satellite photos and computer-generated models, we looked out the window - saves on any guesswork!

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Who says Valentines is a purely Western commercial enterprise propagated by card makers and flower peddlers? The Chinese may march to a different tune politically, and they may celebrate on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, but they still go a bit batty for love once a year.

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This is a clever, slightly edgy Valentines Day joke about a guy in love who mixes up two shopping purchases and probably blows his chances with his sweet heart.

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2 teenage brothers were each given 10 years in prison for torturing a puppy. They cooked it it in an oven. Digital Journal. This is not remotely funny so don't look for a cheap shot here! However, what was amusing was recalling the story of the stupid woman who, in the early days of microwaves, accidentally fried her cat's intestines while trying to dry it off.

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Apparently 64% of US households own a pet. Combine that with the low literacy rates and is it any wonder that the offerings from Pet Pourri will go down a storm next week.

Check out the article on pet-inspired Valentine's sayings for cards. Bear hug and Puppy Love? How lame. How about I will make your python purr, or I'm hot for your cat's miaouw, or anything but the oldest tiredest one-liners in the book.