Friday, Feb. 21, 1986
Nation/World
University Daily Kansan
7
On the Record
A bicycle, valued at $300, was stolen Tuesday or Wednesday from a KU student's porch in the 900 block of Mainne Street, Lawrence police said. Thieves cut a lock to remove the bike.
An AM-FM cassette player and two speakers, valued together at $200, were stolen between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday from a KU student's car in the 1800 block of Missouri Street, police said.
A 1972 Opel, valued at $200, was stolen sometime Monday from the 600 block of Locust Street, police said.
An outboard motor, valued at $1,000, was stolen Tuesday from a boat in the 700 block of Locust Street, police said.
A store in the 3000 block of West Sixth Street reported the theft of 1,957.37 between Nov. 25 and Jan. 25, police said. Police said an audit showed the money missing. An investigation is taking place.
Thieves broke into a pharmacy about 1:45 a.m. yesterday in the 1400 block of West Sixth Street and stole drugs of an undetermined value and type, police said. An inventory is being taken.
Tardiness, absence excuses is creative contest for some
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Most workers explain their tardiness or absence from work with prosocial tales of dead car batteries, missed trains or common colds.
But from a creative minority come explanations such as, "I thought Halloween was a holiday," or "Someone stole one of my shoes on the bus."
One hundred executives from some of the country's 1,000 largest companies were asked in a survey to describe some of the more unusual alibis they have heard.
"We're not talking about standard reasons," said Robert Half, whose employment company commissioned the survey.
Some examples:
"Suddenly, the doors of the armored car in front of me opened up, and $10 bills started flying out, causing a traffic jam."
"I ate so much during my vacation that none of my clothes
would fit me. So I had to spend the morning having them altered."
"I was having breakfast at a coffee shop when I fell asleep at the table. The waitress didn't wake me up until 9:30 a.m."
Employees seemed partial to blaming other people for their absence or tardiness, as in, "My husband forgot where he parked our car after he came home from his office party last night," and, "My 6-year-old son set all the clocks back an hour."
Some stooped to blaming dumb animals; "My parakeet spoke for the first time, so I waited for him to it again so I could tape-record it." And man's best friend: "The dog got hold of my toupee and hid it somewhere in the basement."
Other more questionable forms of life also were accused of causing delays.
"I spotted what looked like a flying saucer, and I followed it on the highway for about 50 miles," reported one tardy employee. "I
still don't know what it was."
A similar spirit of scientific inquiry was cited by another worker, who told the boss, "I didn't get any sleep the last couple of nights, because I stayed up looking for Halley's comet."
As might be expected, the super-natural is not unusual in these tales. "My astrologer warned me not to come to work before noon."
And the brazen is never far away, either, as in the case of the unfortunate employee who explained, "I had to take my grandfather to a baseball game."
James Thomas of Burke Marketing Research Inc. of Cincinnati, the company which did the survey, could not answer the most obvious question raised by the excuses — did anyone believe them?
But Half said most bosses weren't stupid, and he offered some advice to the tardy and truant: "Sometimes, if a weird thing really did happen, you're better off not saying anything."
Albino opossum stirs attention in Colorado
United Press International
HOLLY, Colo. — An albino opossum that Merle Neugebauer captured on his farm has created a stir in the sparsely settled farm country that does not often have much to be astir about.
People have driven as far as 30 miles just to look at it. It has been described as almost glaring white, with eyes so pink there appears to be no pumils.
C. V. Mills, who came from Lamar, after he heard about it, said, "It's the ugliest blooming thing you ever saw in your life."
Neubauer said, "It's not the prettiest thing in the world there is."
Neugebauer and his son, Travis, were burning winter-dead weeds out of irrigation ditches Sunday when they spotted the possum. Negebauer said they chased it and caught it by the tail, being careful of its teeth.
In some areas of the south, possums are considered edible and cooked with sweet potatoes.
"Yeah, I've heard that," Neugebauer said. "But I couldn't do it. Not the way this one looks anyway."
THE NEW ARENSBERG'S
(Good Thurs,Fri,Sat,Sun)
1350 N. 3rd
THE REVIEWS ARE IN...
"The most unique store I've ever seen..."
"The selection is fantastic..."
"...the most helpful personnel..."
"A real asset to downtown Lawrence..."
ARENSBERG'S SHOES
for the whole family since 1958.
One Step Ahead
Open Sunday's 1:00-5:00
843-3470
825 Mass
Downtown Lawrence
DOMINO'S PIZZA FABULOUS FRIDAY
It's Domino's Pizza Fabulous
Friday feast... and it's yours for
under five dollars: a delectable 12"
custom-made pizza with one topping,
and a can of ice-cold Coke*-
all for just $4.99!
With our Perfect Pizza Policy, you're assured of a great-tasting, piping hot pizza delivered to your door in 30 minutes or less. If you're not 100% satisfied, we will refund your money or deliver another pizza, free of charge.
It's fantastic! It's fun! It's just $4.99! It's the Fabulous Friday feast, now at Domino's Pizza!
OPEN FOR LUNCH!
Hours:
11 am - 1 am Sun.-Thurs.
11 am - 2 am Fri. & Sat.
Lawrence
841-7900
1445 W. 23rd St.
841-8002
832 Iowa St.
DOMINO'S PIZZA DELIVERS FREE.
---
---