Dumpster Diving

I enjoy reading novelty news, and I have seen a few good articles these past few weeks. In 2002, Jodee Berry, a former Hooters server, sued her restaurant over an April Fools competition.

Instead of the new "Toyota" she thought she'd be receiving, she became the owner of a toy Yoda doll. Supposedly she received her new car as a result of the settlement, but her lawyer was mum on discussing details.

A more serious feature piece that caught my eye detailed an American family's move to Russia. The father worked for the New York Times, and accepted a temporary position covering Russian news. While the parents had the choice of placing their children in an all-English international school or all-Russian private school.

They opted for the Russian school, and the article detailed their childrens' struggles and triumphs with their situation. Eventually, the kids were able to speak fluent Russian while the parents were still learning the basics.

Here's the best I've seen so far this week. So far this year, Todd, a North Carolina programmer, has made $2,500 from an unconventinal evening part-time job: dumpster diving.

While Todd's family is by no means destitute, he says he's never needed to buy bread, and has snagged other food items such as cereal, cookies, chips and ramen noodles. He frequents drug store and grocery store dumpsters, hunting for the best treats with his 14-year old son.

It's apparently a popular hobby for others in town, Todd said. He often competes with other "divers" on a nightly basis.

Dumpsters he rifles through are not "off-limits," although he said he's had to deal with security from time-to-time.

Non-perishable items, like makeup, are sold on eBay or Craigslist. On one occasion, he discovered an entire box of anti-aging creams, and sold each for $50-60 online.

Damaged produce is used to make salsa and other sauces, after a vigorous soap and Chlorox scrubbing.

That makes me cringe---I wouldn't want to consume vegetables thrown in a dirty, stinking dumpster then doused in bleach.

While Todd's obsession is slightly unorthodox, it seems to work well, especially in larger cities.

I think, perhaps, I'll stick to couponing for now.

* Ashley Miller is a member of the Pilot news staff. Reach her at amiller@stormlakepilottribune.com