Happy Thanksgiving!

Weird Websites won't be updated today or Friday but will return Monday as its regularly scheduled time. To all those who celebrate it, Happy Thanksgiving!
And save me a drumstick!

Old Woodies

Suggestive URL notwithstanding, this is actually a very nice website. The page pays homage to cars and trucks with wooden bodies, most of which were made between 1920 and 1950. Visitors to the site can view photos of the vehicles, peruse old ads, learn how to fix damaged parts, and read a history of the Woodie. Who knew, for example, that the very first wooden car (actually a sailing chariot, powered by wind) appeared in China, and that one designed by Simon Stevin in the year 1600 could cover forty-two miles in two hours? I sure didn't. This site is filled with similar facts, figures, and information, a virtual cornucopia of exciting information for fans of all shapes and sizes of the Woodie.

Easter Eggs

Okay, so this site isn't really related to Easter - in reality, the traditional Easter Egg shares its name with hidden surprises found in video games, DVDs, and other media. And, yes, it's that kind of "Easter Egg" that this site is all about. For example, on the X- Files Motion Picture soundtrack CD, ten minutes after the last song has played a voice will come on and explain the entire history of the X-Files conspiracy. Easter eggs aren't just for Easter anymore.

The Digital Landfill

Do you have an e-mail that you just don't want? How about an old web page or even a graphic? Just toss them in the back of the truck and take them down to The Digital Landfill and you'll never have to deal with them again! Once you dump it (by copying the offending material into a window and clicking the submit button) the website adds the HTML, text, or other unwanted digital debris to everything else all the previous visitors have dumped, creating a huge mass of digital garbage. Individual trash is listed to the left of the dump, and is just a click away from folks wishing to sift through it. Who knows? You just might find a digital treasure somewhere in the piles. That is, if you can avoid the dirty diapers and old beer cans.

Fish Posters of the World

This website highlights not only fish posters from the United States but from all over the world. What more could you ask for in a website related to fish posters? Canada, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Iceland, Ireland - they're represented here, in all their glory. The Irish poster, for example, shows over fifty marine fish and shellfish, while the Argentina poster shows, well, pretty much the same thing, but with different species and a title in a language that I can't read. There are many other posters here as well - several dozen, in fact. You might even say that there are more posters here than you can shake a fish stick at.

The Daily Howler

A howler is defined by this website as either a stupid and ridiculous logical blunder, or one that howls. While howler is defined on this site, the actual purpose of the website is not as immediately obvious. But it appears it is almost daily reviews of pundits and their �works.� Recent Howlers point out the obviousness of one pundit, and the tendency of another to find a theme to discuss ad nauseum. Pique your intellectual bent for discussion and peruse this website.

Karsten's Loincloth Site

Karsten's Loincloth Site is devoted entirely to loincloths, breechcloths, and similar-type garb as worn by males, says the blurb on the front page, in not only movies and television, but in real life also. In addition, drawings and artwork from comics, trading cards and illustrations are also represented along with anything and everything pertaining to the loinclothed male. There's also a message board to discuss loincloths, a section of the site to trade and sell said clothing, and even an option to send a loincloth greeting card. Personally, I'm a kilt kind of guy, but if you're into loincloths (or just like looking at pictures of guys in loincloths), then this is the site for you.

The Skeptic's Dictionary

The Skeptic's Dictionary bills itself as "a guide for the new millennium," and with over 400 entries on zombies, telekinesis, and the Loch Ness Monster, who am I to argue? The website, created by Robert Todd Carroll, offers a cornucopia of comprehensive information on all sorts of paranormal pursuits, including urban myths, psychic phenomena, and UFOs. While the whole site is fun to read through and explore, my favorite section has to be "Frauds and Hoaxes," which offers up information on crop circles, haunted houses, the Philadelphia Experiment, and a whole lot more.

Mego Head Toys

This website is the official home for noted Mego collector and author John Bonavita, who has authored three editions of the book Mego Action Figures with Values for Schiffer Publishing. The website has pictures and info about many rare Megos, including foreign gems and protoypes never before seen. The newest addition to his site is a photo spread of The Wizard of Oz Witch's Castle, a toy produced by Mego in the 70's for the Wizard of Oz line of 8" toys. The castle was only available for a short time in stores and didn't see much distribution so is particulary rare today. The website is filled with all sorts of fascinating tidbits, including a virtual tour of Mego's legendary toy warehouse in New York. Now if only someone would invent a time machine so I could go back to that warehouse circa 1976 and pick up a few key pieces that I'm missing in my collection!

WackyMonkey

To quote from this site�s own FAQ, �Mainly, we're here to have fun, poking at bad neighbors, right wing freaks, internet kooks and pretty much anybody we don't agree with.� And that they do. The owners of this website may or may not be actual monkeys but they don�t care if you think they are. Join them and play �Spoof or Kook� where you decide if weird, pathetic links are earnest websites or jokes. Read about neighbors you won�t want. Determine if you are a bad email monkey. Laugh at the listed kooks, or submit new ones. Check out the links to all sorts of other hilarious sites. In general, just laugh at the exciting wacky-monkiness of this website.

Hunter Dan Action Figure

Hunter Dan 8" tall action figures, billed online as the ultimate hunting gift, come with authentic replica gear such as hunting vests, decoys, and guns. The doll, says the site, offers unlimited possibilities for the young hunting enthusiast. Like shooting pretend bullets and arrows at your sister's Barbie, in anticipation of someday growing up big and tall and being able to really shoot things that are actually alive such as deer, birds, and that pesky neighbor that never turns down his stereo. Hunter Dan - an 8" tall advertisement for the NRA.

Virtual Gift Generator

What do you give to that special person on your Christmas list who has everything? A virtual gift, of course! But, not surprisingly, virtual gifts can be just as difficult to find as real gifts. Enter the Virtual Gift Generator, a site that'll do it all for you, and won't cost you even one thin dime. Once you've surfed onto the site, just enter your friend's name, a general description for them (leather clad, delicate, balding, etc,) their relationship to you, and their sex. Once you've finished entering these pertinent points, click the gift button and off you go! It might be a bottle of vodka, a pair of shoes, or countless other virtual gifts, but your loved one is bound to be happy with whatever you get them - and if they're not, tell them to visit the site themselves are pick out their own virtual gift.

Archie Comics

If you're like me, you probably spent a good portion of your pre-teen years reading about the adventures of Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, Betty Cooper, and Veronica Lodge in the full-color pages of Archie Comics. Heck, the only reason I stopped was because the comics started selling for more than I wanted to pay. The website, though, is free, and filled with all sorts of goodies, including a map of Riverdale, bios on all the gang, a feature on how the comics are drawn, and more. If you used to be (or still are) a fan of the comics, you have to check out the website. And be sure to play a few tunes on the jukebox in Pop's Chocolate Shoppe while you're there.

City of Denton, Texas

Okay, okay. There's nothing that terribly weird about the City of Denton, Texas website. Except, however, for a recently rediscovered film that was made in 1913 that's now available on the website. The film was intended as a documentary of life in Denton but now serves as a time capsule of sorts that shows how Texans lived in the early 20th century. And while you're there, check out the Metropolis that is Denton as well.

Smokey The Bear

Only you can prevent forest fires. Smokey the Bear (originally just called Smokey Bear) first uttered those words in 1944, and nearly sixty years later he's still keeping forests safe for everyone. This website chronicles the history of Smokey, and includes videos of vintage television commercials, original radio broadcast recordings, old posters, the story of the real bear that inspired the creation of Smokey, and just about everything else you wanted to know or see about Smokey the Bear but were afraid to ask. The videos in particular are fun to watch, and there's also a special kid's section that includes online games and all sorts of fun. I've always wondered about the history of Smokey the Bear and this website answers all of my questions and then some. Now if only someone would tell be how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop my life would be compete.

Marx Toys

Even if you don't remember Johnny West from your childhood, you most likely remember him from the movie American Pie 2. Johnny West was a 12" tall cowboy action figure made and marketed by Marx Toys in the late sixties and early seventies. Marx also made other action figures, including more cowboys (and Indians!), Vikings, and knights. Most of these vintage figures will cost you an arm and a leg on eBay, but a new version of Marx Toys has thankfully released many of the original figures. You can own Johnny West and his horse Thunderbolt, General Custer, and a plethora of various knights and Vikings. And in addition to being able to buy the toys on the website, you can read about the history of the figures, trade messages with other collectors, and more. Priced between $40-$50 the figures aren't cheap, but isn't capturing a piece of your childhood priceless anyway?

Baby Boomer Food

Do you remember Pillsbury Space Food Sticks? They were licorice-sized wedges of chocolate or peanut butter, billed as "energy snacks," that real, live astronauts ate - or so the advertising wanted you to believe. In reality, who knows? But, as a kid in the 70's, I loved them. The Baby Boomer Memories website features baby boomers from all across the country recounting whatever nasty, sugar-filled treats they ate as a kid. And you wonder why we all turned out the way we have?

Hi Monkey!

Who is Hi Monkey? Well, I know he's a little stuffed money, but beyond that (even after spending over an hour reading through this site) I'm not quite sure. What I do know, though, is that the website boasts poetry, recipes, stories, and photos, all dedicated to this little stuffed white primate. There are even pictures of Hi Monkey with a group of Tibetan monks and if that's not an endorsement, I don't know what is.

Sea Monkey Worship

I know I had Sea Monkeys as a child, then I found out they were just shrimp brine. You see, I also had seahorses that I had ordered and the three tiny seahorses came with shrimp brine for food. And those shrimp brine looked exactly like my Sea Monkeys. Even so, Sea Monkeys are a fun possession for a child and this page celebrates their sea-monkiness. From the Diary of a Mad Sea Monkey Lady to a link to join a Sea Monkey chat group, this site fulfills the full range of needs of Sea Monkey enthusiasts. Don't miss the helpful hints for raising Sea Monkeys or clicking your way to the site that sells Sea Monkeys and Sea Monkey accessories. You can't find a better Instant-Pet than a Sea Monkey.

Slugging

No, this isn't a tribute page to the sweet science of boxing. Slugging is, in fact, a creative euphemism for hitchhiking in the Washington, DC area. The thing is, though, it isn't exactly hitchhiking, per se - Slugging is a very organized system with its own set of rules, proper etiquette, and specific pickup and drop-off locations, all coordinated through total strangers. The website gives tips and hints to using the system, as well as maps, a message board, and even a history of Slugging. Sluggers unite!