You would think the refined students of Oxford would hire a string quartet as the entertainment for their $165-a-head May 4 summer ball, but some students are trying to hire a shark encased in a tank instead. Former students have complained, worried for the welfare of the live animal during the advertised “one night of decadence, debauchery and indulgence.”

Half of Canadians say they don't save monthly, but 72 percent say they would give up social media--Facebook, Twitter and the like--in exchange for $250 a month in extra savings. However, most were not willing to give up sex: 44 percent said they would not give up six months of sex, while women (37 percent) were far more willing to abstain than their male counterparts (26 percent).

What you'd give up for an extra $250 per month

Today I had the chance to talk NASCAR with the world famous Kyle Petty about his upcoming Kyle Petty Charity Ride, kicking off this weekend in CDA, Idaho!

Part 1

Part 2 with 1280 FOX Sports intern Noah Guinard 

During a weeklong event this spring, former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty will lead more than 175 motorcycle riders on a cross-country motorcycle trek to benefit Victory Junction. The 19th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America presented by Manheim will commence on April 27 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and extend 2,100 miles before finishing in Tempe, Arizona on May 3. The Charity Ride raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction, a camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical illnesses.

"Over the years, the Ride has turned into so much more than we ever anticipated," said Petty, who started the Ride as a small group of friends riding from track to track across the country. "I'm grateful for the chance to spend time with friends, while meeting fans and generous supporters who ultimately help create memorable and fun camp experiences for wonderful children and their families."

The 2013 Schedule includes overnight stops in:

• Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to Boise, Idaho (April 27)
• Boise, Idaho to Jackson, Wyo. (April 28)
• Jackson, Wyo. to Green River, Wyo. (April 29)
• Green River, Wyo. to Grand Junction, Colo. (April 30)
• Grand Junction, Colo. to Durango, Colo. (May 1)
• Durango, Colo. to Show Low, Ariz. (May 2)
• Show Low, Ariz. to Tempe, Ariz. (May 3)

According to Herschel Walker, former NFL great and 1982 Heisman Trophy winner, he enjoys the camaraderie among the riders each year, as well as seeing Petty interact with the crowds.

"Kyle is incredible. He works so hard and cares so much about the riders, the Charity Ride and the children who attend Victory Junction," said Walker, who is participating in his 8th Charity Ride this year. "It's truly a blessing to be a part of this experience."

Spectators, visitors and residents are encouraged to visit one of the daily scheduled fuel stops or overnight locations to show support for the riders, meet Petty and also contribute to the Charity Ride's "Small Change. Big Impact." program that benefits children with chronic illnesses.

In the last nine years, more than 7,650 children have attended Victory Junction at no cost to their families, thanks to the Kyle Petty Charity Ride. The camp has served as the Ride's primary beneficiary since its establishment by the Petty family in 2004 in honor of their late son, Adam.

The 2013 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is made possible by presenting sponsor Manheim, as well as Coca-Cola, Dodge, Pilot Flying J, Racing Electronics, FLUIDYNE Racing Products, WinCraft Racing, Krispy Kreme, FGX International and the Petty Family Foundation.

"Manheim is extremely proud to sponsor the Kyle Petty Charity Ride through 2015," said Nick Peluso, Manheim senior vice president of customer management. "Previously having sponsored the Ride, Manheim values the national awareness it brings to chronic illness and enriching the lives of children who live with chronic illness. Giving back is definitely a priority for Manheim and our parent company COX; we are looking forward to our three-year sponsorship."

Individuals can follow Petty and the riders live by visiting www.facebook.com/KPCharityRide or on Twitter @KylePetty and @KPCharityRide.

Cracked.com's readers submitted a list of real-life incidents that had been predicted by movies and TV shows. The website has published the best 27 entries, and here are some of the highlights:

• The World Trade Center Towers were destroyed in Super Mario Brothers eight years before 9/11.
• 2001: A Space Odyssey predicted tablet computers in 1968.
• The West Wing predicted a minority President would appoint one of his fiercest opponents Secretary of State three years before Obama was elected.
• Airplane II: The Sequel had scanners that generated naked images of passengers in 1982.
• The book that Farenheit 451 was based on predicted earbuds in 1953.
• The Net predicted online pizza delivery in 1995.
• The Bond films predicted pagers, mobile phones and GPS.

HuffPo has compiled a list of 20 cover songs that became more famous than the originals. Some of them are pretty surprising:

How does a romantic 501-day getaway to Mars sound? Applications have now officially opened for a couple to travel to Mars and back in a 2018 manned mission that could pave the way for a Mars base in 2023. Ten thousand couples applied before the official registration date was announced. The winners will spend nearly two years in a 600-cubic-foot capsule with only one another for company--while drinking each others' recycled urine to boot. The privately funded Mars One expedition is expected to cost more than a billion dollars.

Carl's Jr. is reportedly testing a Hand-Scooped Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream Sandwich at one of its restaurants in Newport Beach, California. The sandwich appears to be vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two strawberry Pop-Tarts, the dessert equivalent of KFC's hideous Double Down, a sandwich which substituted fried chicken patties for bread.

Hot on the heels of a study by the CDC that revealed half of couples shack up before marriage, new research finds that hunting for a home has replaced shopping for a ring for many modern couples. In fact, nearly 25 percent of couples aged 18-34 purchase a home together before exchanging wedding vows. And 80 percent of married homeowners say the purchase made their relationship stronger. Relationship experts warn, however, that it's a recipe for disaster if you or your partner aren't honest about your finances.

FULL STORY HERE