ODDS AND ENDS: Ugly sweater T-Rex and other offbeat offerings

Eddie Chau
Published Dec 12, 2021  •  4 minute read
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A Tyrannosaurus Rex statue at the Natural History Museum in London was outfitted with a holiday sweater recently.
A Tyrannosaurus Rex statue at the Natural History Museum in London was outfitted with a holiday sweater recently. Photo by Screenshot /Twitter/sunriseon7

THIS T-REX GETS INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

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There is no avoiding ugly Christmas sweaters.

Even at the Natural History Museum in London, England.

A robotic Tyrannosaurus Rex got into the festive spirit at the museum after donning a knit sweater made by a family-owned company in Leicester. According to the BBC, British Christmas Jumpers has previously made knit Christmas sweaters for members of the House of Parliament and Ed Sheeran.

Making a sweater for a giant T-Rex is no easy task, and director Snahal Patel said it took 100 hours to produce the special piece of holiday clothing.

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“It’s probably the biggest thing we’ve made and going forward into the future there are other big projects planned,” said Patel.

Museum official Carla Treasure said the organization wanted to do something fun to attract visitors back after a tough year. She said there are also human versions of the sweaters for sale, with proceeds going back to support the museum.

The T-Rex’s sweater was made out of recycled yarn and plastic bottles.
THESE NON-MEAT BURGERS WILL MAKE YOUR SKIN CRAWL
Most non-meat burgers are plant-based and delicious.
But would you eat one made of insects?
According to Bloomberg, many food producers are looking into making faux-meat out of resources that will make your skin crawl such as mealworms, crickets, maggots and beetles. With many companies looking into diversifying their food portfolio by utilizing insect proteins.
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While it’s guaranteed vegetarians and vegans alike won’t touch these products, there are more than 2,000 species of insects that are currently consumed by two billion humans in developing countries. Bloomberg reported insects have a lower carbon footprint, are rich in minerals, vitamins and proteins, have mild tastes and can easily be hidden in foods.
The potential insect market got a boost after the European Union approved of locusts and mealworms for human consumption while reviewing dozens of applications for other species. Company Barlays Plc predicts the yearly sales of edible insects will grow to $8 billion by 2030, which will challenge the alternative meat market currently dominated by plant-based companies Impossible Foods Inc. and Beyond Meat Inc.
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The key is producing bug-based products that don’t resemble, have the texture or flavour of insects, which is the aim of dozens of companies currently working on bug-based foods.

One such company is Flying Spark, which is making seafood alternatives made of fruit fly larvae. Other companies are making insect-food products for animal consumption.

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Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, makes a sketch of court artists during a pre-trial hearing ahead of jury selection, in a courtroom sketch in New York City, U.S., November 1, 2021.
Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, makes a sketch of court artists during a pre-trial hearing ahead of jury selection, in a courtroom sketch in New York City, U.S., November 1, 2021. Photo by JANE ROSENBERG /REUTERS

THE CASE OF GHISLAINE MAXWELL VS. THE COURTROOM ARTIST

Ghislaine Maxwell seemingly had some disdain for a courtroom artist who was sketching her.

In retaliation, the ex-associate of Jeffrey Epstein sketched the artist herself, Jane Rosenberg, while she was covering the sexual abuse trial of Maxwell on Nov. 1.

The courtroom sketch which shows Maxwell sketching Rosenberg on a paper pad has since gone viral with many fascinated with the rendition, calling it such things as “horrific” and “terrifying,” Newsweek reported.

One Twitter user who shared the courtroom sketch said they were “Completely losing my mind over this courtroom sketch” of Maxwell sketching Rosenberg while staring daggers at her.

“Imagine doing a court illustration of ghislaine maxwell while she stares directly at you and draws you right back,” another tweeted.

In an interview with The Western Journal, Rosenberg said it’s not the first time someone has drawn her in the courtroom during her 40-year career as a sketch artist.

“Maybe I got more interesting-looking since (the) pandemic?” said Rosenberg.

In an ironic twist, Rosenberg told the New York Post she once sketched Maxwell’s late associate, Jeffrey Epstein, whom she called “a sicko, weirdo.”

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Bottles of Chanel No.5 perfume are seen in Pegomas near Grasse, in southern France, August 26, 2021.
Bottles of Chanel No.5 perfume are seen in Pegomas near Grasse, in southern France, August 26, 2021. Photo by ERIC GAILLARD /REUTERS

PEOPLE ACTUALLY PAID $1,025 FOR A CHANEL ADVENT CALENDAR

Would you pay $1,000 for an Advent calendar?

If you love the iconic scent of Chanel No. 5 you may just do so as the designer company is selling one for a hefty price tag of $1,025. According to CBC News, the Chanel version is not like a traditional Advent calendar, which allows people to open boxes for treats beginning on Dec. 1 leading up to Christmas Day.

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To no one’s surprise, the Chanel calendar starts on day five — a nod to the fragrance — leading up to Dec. 31. Trinkets in the Chanel Advent calendar include a sample of Chanel No. 5, hand cream, lipstick, nail polish, an Eau de parfum, soap and body cream.

TikToker Elise Harmon unboxed the Advent calendar and revealed its content, which also included stickers, a bookmark and keyring. She wasn’t impressed.

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“Stickers? This has to be a joke,” Harmon said in the video, which has been viewed more than 14 million times on TikTok. “I’m kinda bummed so maybe I should just open something else.”

Many viewers shared Harmon’s views, with many reacting negatively to the now-viral video.

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