Bill the dog has recently run into a string of unfortunate events. After his owner took him out for a hike to take some photographs, Bill walked into some thorns and other nasty debris. So to prevent this from happening again, Bill was fitted with four protective boots on their next walk. Unfortunately, Bill was not a fan. Bill does everything he can to try to get used to walking in these funky socks but it just doesn’t seem to be working for him. The good news is, according to his owner, Bill eventually learned to accept his fate and run happily with his boots no problem. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/bill-does-not-like-his-boots/
Many kids dream of growing up to be an astronaut or fly a jet. Unfortunately, often times those dreams are abandoned when faced with the realization of the hard work and sacrifice that goes into preparing for these jobs. Maybe the hardest preparation of all is the infamous centrifuge training that is required of aspiring fighter pilots. Here, a pilot in training is experiencing the force of 9 G’s. The physical toll this takes is obvious from the man’s grunts and facial expressions. When the force is at its peak you can even see his face begin to distort. The training is vitally important so that pilots don’t pass out when they experience these effects while flying. Unlike in the movies, flying planes isn’t all fun and games. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/centrifuge-training-9-g/
It can only take a single second for your life to change completely. Alissa Sizemore knows that better than most, and learned that lesson at a very young age. While outside with friends just a little while before she turned seven, her leg was run over by a delivery truck, resulting in an amputation just below the knee. This kind of event would hit anyone hard, but for Alissa, it was even more significant. Her main passion in life up to that point was ballet. She’d been dancing since age four, half her life. But thanks to tons of support and encouragement from friends, family, and Colby Caillat, this accident hasn’t stopped her, or even slowed her down. In fact, she’s embracing her situation and incorporating it into her choreography. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/girl-recital-dance-choreography-new-leg/
Ravens have a tarnished reputation. Everyone from Edgar Allen Poe to Ray Lewis has given them a bad name. Don’t worry, though, after meeting Mischief the talking raven, you might give them a second chance. Mischief is a White-Necked Raven with the unique ability to accurately imitate words and voices. Though his vocabulary is limited, Mischief can speak in a variety of accents and intonations. Sometimes he will even go off-script, squeaking “hi” when he is supposed to say “hello.” I guess that’s why they call him Mischief. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/talking-raven-says-hello/
Sometimes, even in the midst of tense competition, something so crazy happens that you can’t help but laugh. That’s what Connor Murphy and Jason Zucker experienced when Murphy’s stick got caught in between both of Zucker’s skates in a recent hockey match between the Arizona Coyotes and the Minnesota Wild. The players are as perplexed as the viewers, considering the space between the skate’s boot and blade is only 1 – 2 inches wide. The Coyotes went on to lose the match, marking their first loss this season. As a defenceman, this defeat must have been frustrating for Murphy, who was temporarily unable to block. Luckily, no scoring happened while both players were out of commission, and you can even see Zucker laughing about it with the referee. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/hockey-stick-caught-between-skates/
When you lose a camera while you’re out on the lake, it’s a fair assumption you will never see that camera ever again. One family man experienced this common misfortune while enjoying a day on the water with his wife and kids and understandably accepted the loss. He was bummed to lose a gift from his wife, but it’s part of life. A few months later his camera was discovered, but it’s journey home had just begun. The man who found it was a father who had just had also recently almost lost something, something that hit closer to home than a simple camera. This isn’t just the story of a lost camera. It’s a story about the bonds of fatherhood, and how even strangers can impact our lives. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/the-bonds-of-fatherhood-lead-a-lost-camera-home/
The term “oktavist” describes a basso profundo singer with an extremely deep range. You’ll notice that the singers showcased in this video all sound unbelievably deep, with some making you question whether or not it’s humanly possible to produce such low notes. Their voices can go as deep as an octave below the bass staff. What makes their craft truly impressive, though, is their ability to make audiences hear their voices over an entire choral arrangement without using any amplification. Oktavists spend years training and conditioning their voices for these strenuous performances. While the video only provides examples of Russian oktavists, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t talented oktavists all around the world. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/russian-oktavists/
Gephyrophobia is the weird word used to describe a fear of bridges. You might think that it’s just a simple fear of heights, but it’s actually way more complicated. Psychologists who have researched this phobia have come to the conclusion that it’s more about the lack of control and other factors, stimulating anxiety and panic than it is just being up in the air. That’s one reason many sufferers find their symptoms worsened when they hear about bridge disasters. As a result of this condition, a rather unusual business has popped up. Bridge-crossing services exist for several spans throughout the country, including the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge featured in this Inside Edition video clip. By calling in advance, a driver will meet you near the bridge and take over for you, easing some anxiety, especially since no harm will come to you if you do happen to panic on the roadway. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/chesapeake-bay-bridge-in-maryland-is-scary/
Orangutans are pretty unique among the great apes. They’re the only species of ape that spends most of its time in trees, as well as the largest tree-dwelling mammal on the planet. While they’re especially adapted to life in trees, the word “orangutan” actually means “forest person.” Locals originally thought that these hairy cousins of ours were simply people hiding in the woods to avoid farm work. A very sociable species, these big goofballs love the company of other orangutans or even other species. They’re pretty clever as well, figuring out all sorts of novel uses for various items. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/baby-orangutan-meets-others-first-time/
Folk singer Shawn James was on tour when he and his crew had the opportunity to stop by the W.O.L.F. sanctuary in Colorado. With snow in the air and on the ground, and wolves milling about, they decided it might make a great backdrop for a recording, a cover of A.A. Bondy’s “American Hearts.” The song just so happens to begin with the lyrics, “We were raised by wolves / And we are still wild / And we howl when the troubled wind blows.” Imagine their surprise, when shortly after they began to sing this song, the wolves decided to join in. They reported shivers down their spine during the recording, and it’s easy to see why. The slow, somber song and the eerie, echoing wails of the wolves combine for one beautiful and atmospheric video. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/folk-song-wolves-join-singing/
