Weird in the Wild
Austin Dirks, a hiker in Arches National Park in Utah, found himself in a sitcom-worthy predicament on Dec. 7, CBS News reported. As he explored a small canyon on the second day of his backpacking trip, Dirks sank up to his thigh in quicksand. Fortunately, he had brought along an emergency satellite beacon, which was picked up by Grand County emergency responders. The team positioned a ladder and boards near him and slowly worked his leg loose. Once he was free of the quicksand, Dirks was able to hike out on his own and offer a few insights about the mythical substance. “In quicksand you’re extremely buoyant,” he said. “Most people won’t sink past their waist in quicksand.” Well, that’s a relief! [CBS News, 12/11/2025]
Weird Science
In October 2024, an Idaho man was scratched by a skunk on his property, The New York Times reported on Dec. 6. Weeks later, he collapsed and died, presumably from a heart attack. The man’s family donated several of his organs, and a Michigan man received a kidney. But a week later, he was hospitalized with fever, difficulty swallowing, and fear of water — symptoms of rabies. He died after a week in the hospital. Doctors believe the skunk that scratched the Idaho man had contracted rabies from a bat, but organ donations are not typically tested for rabies, according to the CDC. “Overall, the risk is exceptionally small,” said Dr. Lara Danziger-Isakov, a board member of the American Society for Transplantation. [NY Times, 12/6/2025]
When Fancy Goes too Far
A 38-year-old man named Sergei, who was taking part in a corporate holiday party at the Igra Stolov Game of Tables cooking studio in Moscow, was rushed to surgery after drinking a cocktail that ruptured his stomach, Metro UK reported on Dec. 25. The liquid nitrogen-infused drink was part of a “cryo-show” being put on by one of the culinary school’s chefs. Liquid nitrogen is used by chefs and mixologists to flash-chill drinks and provide dramatic effects, but because the liquid expands rapidly into a gas when exposed to room temperatures, it’s critical that the drinks are not consumed before the nitrogen has had a chance to fully evaporate. Witnesses at the Moscow event claimed they were given no warnings by the chef or staff of the danger the cocktail presented. Sergei underwent surgery and remained in serious condition at the time of the report. [Metro UK, 12/25/2025]
Awesome!
Among the 80,000 items that were traded in to GameStop for store credit during the retailer’s first-ever “Trade Anything Day” on Dec. 6 were a goose, a framed dog portrait, and a tiny Jesus, KENS-TV reported. But a store in Corsicana, Texas, may have received the weirdest item: a lounging taxidermic bobcat. A company spokesperson said the stores gave out about $400,000 in trade-in credit vouchers. “Our customers showed up with big imaginations … We are very happy with the turnout.” [KENS, 12/9/2025]
That’s Bananas!
Cargo vessels have been in the news lately, but this fruity mishap has folks in southern England on high alert. On Dec. 6, eight containers full of bananas went overboard from a cargo ship, Yahoo! News reported. In West Sussex, rotting fruit has been washing up on the pebbled beaches, the U.K. coast guard said, adding that the public should avoid the areas littered with debris. They also discouraged the public from eating the floating fruits. [Yahoo! News, 12/9/2025]
Who Knew?
In Japan, millions of families headed to their local KFC on Christmas Day for chicken and fixings, Yahoo! News reported in December. “Stores with the Colonel statue dress him in Christmas attire,” said Takuma Kawamura, a KFC marketing manager. Fans could indulge in special “Party Barrels” with chicken, side dishes, and ice cream or cheesecake. Not a terrible idea … [Yahoo! News, 12/3/2025]
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NEWS OF THE WEIRD
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