Oddity Central

Oddity Central

Detroit Homeowner Uses Dummies Dressed as Gang Members to Deter Real Criminals

Posted: 28 Nov 2013 03:00 AM PST

Who needs live security guards when a pair of dummies can do the job? A Detroit homeowner from the city's west side has been putting this theory into practice for the past few weeks, with excellent results.

Detroit's news channel Local 4 reported the story in detail. While the homeowner preferred to remain anonymous, we do get to hear snippets of his voice during the video coverage. "This is my home, my castle," he says. And he's converted his castle into a fortress of sorts with a security system, sensor lights, bars on windows, double screen doors and two dogs. The icing on the cake: two security guards stationed at the front door 24/7. If you look closely, you'll realize they're just dummies (the kind used for CPR training) dressed as gang members.

The man says he got the idea after several break-ins occurred and he couldn't afford insurance premiums. His insurance company actually told him that they see risk all around his home – vacant homes and constant crime. So he has been making efforts to minimize that risk. In perfect Home Alone style, he's doing his best to outsmart burglars.

dummies

Chinese Millionaire Builds Six European-Style Castles in China, Plans to Make it 100

Posted: 28 Nov 2013 02:00 AM PST

59-year-old Liu Chonghua is the latest to join a string of wealthy Chinese businessmen with eccentric hobbies. Liu is spending millions of dollars building fake European castles in the megacity of Chongqing. And get this – he copies the designs out of a book of castle pictures he keeps in his office.

One of the castles Liu built is a gray stone structure resembling Britain's Windsor Castle. The only difference – the Chinese version is surrounded by lush green paddy fields. Another one is a red brick fairytale structure with soaring spires, inspired by the Disney movie, Aladdin. He also has a white castle with candy-colored towers, similar to 19th century Bavarian 'Mad' King Ludwig's hilltop fantasy – Neuschwanstein.

Recreating foreign designs on Chinese soil might involve architectural challenges, but Liu's team has dismissed them. Ma Wenneng, former soldier and now a construction worker, says, "Actually, European castles are really easy to build."

Chongqing-castles

Mas Provencal – The Perfect Restaurant for Flower Enthusiasts

Posted: 28 Nov 2013 01:00 AM PST

When you first step into Mas Provencal on the outskirts of Eze Village, you're likely to mistake it for a greenhouse. Located close to the city of Nice in southeastern France, this restaurant has way more flowers than tables.

Mas Provencal's interior décor is pretty special, perhaps even one-of-a-kind. Almost every square inch is covered with fresh flowers – roses, orchids, ivy, glads and more. There are plants everywhere and it takes some squinting to even spot the sign board. The large amount of flora either enthralls diners, or leaves them a bit overwhelmed. One tourist called the decorations "fabulously gaudy." I don't think I could have put it any better.

Inside the restaurant, each table is done up with elaborate center pieces made of flowers. Exotic trees adorn the passageways and you can spot a few carnivorous plants in the crowd. Antique knick-knacks are scattered everywhere. A large glass enclosed waterfall containing ferns is also part of the décor. The best part – diners can munch on grapes and cherry tomatoes hanging from the ceiling at arm's reach.

Mas-Provencal-restaurant

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