Rochester, NY (WFN) -- Life isn't as happy as it was back in 1998. According to a "feel good index" conducted by Harris Interactive that rates varying degrees of happiness, Americans currently feel about 70 on a 100-point scale, down five points from 1998.

HIAWATHA, Iowa -- Residents near Interstate 380 in Hiawatha, Iowa, were treated to a tasty treat when a semi-truck carrying a shipment of pudding crashed and spilled on the road. More than 100 cases went splat when, according to the driver, the contents shifted and he lost control of the rig.

MOSCOW -- A Russian man drank himself into an early grave in a vodka drinking contest in the town of Volgondonsk. The man had downed one-and-a-half liters of vodka before he died on the spot. Ironically, he won the competition, but was unable to collect his prize -- 10 bottles of vodka.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The vandalism-prone trees at the University of Minnesota are getting booby-trapped to prevent the plague of Christmas poachers. After losing seven evergreens to vandals last Christmas, groundskeepers have decided to spray all the evergreens on the campus with the stench of skunk, according to the "Star Tribune."

Appease an angry Great Volcano by winning 10 Tribal Challenges in SKIP-BO Castaway Caper! Take advantage of this incredible bargain and get two hit puzzle games for one low price!

More Weird News From 2003-11-20 The day's offbeat stories from around the world. • Celine Dion Billboard Makes Nevada Man's Dreams Come True • Flash Lites: Rip 'N' Read Pop Culture Recap • Awakening The Buddhist Filmmaker Within • U.S. Mint Pressing Artists For Contributions • 'Family Fear Factor' Future Franchise? • Frankie Avalon: A 'Beauty School Drop-In' • Volunteers Wanted For Deathbed Video • Food Network Turns 10 • Now Playing: God • 81-Year-Old Woman Happy Britney Spears Is Touching On Masturbation • Around The Weird: Bizarre News Briefs   « Current Weird News Stories