Imagine a job for which you get paid quite handsomely, just by slipping into a deep slumber.
NASA is looking for volunteers to lie in bed for 70 days, and the chosen ones could earn around $18,000. Inspired by the opportunity on offer, we've bookmarked a few odd jobs for you that may make you feel that your nine-to-five regime is better in many ways
Commuters-onto-train pushers
Known as Oshiya, these professionals in Japan are tasked to ease rush-hour traffic by pushing as many commuters as possible onto trains in the morning and evening. Thanks to train service being one of the most popular modes of transportation in the country, sometimes, even part-time workers and station staff don the role of 'people pushers'.
Pet food tester
If you are the squeamish kind, this job is not for you. Pet food testers painstakingly sample each bit of the eatables before they land in your furry pal's bowl at home. Dog (or cat) food is analyzed for flavour, nutritional value, texture and other nuances. A seasoned taster, over the years, masters the art of identifying flavours that your pet may enjoy or reject.
Fortune cookie writer
'The love of your life is stepping into your planet this summer.' Reading something like this when you crack a fortune cookie may put a smile on your face almost instantly. But have you ever wondered who writes these lines? Being good with words and clairvoyance, of course, may help you land this job.
Golf ball diver
Professional golf ball retrievers are usually found clad in a wetsuit and scuba gear, carrying a net full of the dimpled balls, and scooping out the duffs and fluffs and the bad shots from the golf course wetlands. The number of 'picked-up' balls on a busy day may go up to around 5,000 in some parts of the world, which are later sent to a refinishing company and resold for half price.
Shark tank cleaner
A snorkeling tour under turquoise waters amid coral reefs and zillions of fish always sounds interesting. Now imagine a similar ambience, but add a shark to it. Shark tank cleaners spend nearly seven hours a day scrubbing the glass walls and picking offs bits of poop surrounded by the deadly creatures, while onlookers enjoy the sight from outside.
Storm chaser
Remember the 1996 thriller Twister? Storm chasing is a spine-tingling job, often driven by a sense of curiosity or simply the love for extreme adventures. Scientific researchers, and sometimes media persons, document how cumulonimbus clouds, hail and lightning that get the better of the skyscape during a thunderstorm.
Odour judge
Nosing around for a new job? Check this out. The duties of an odour may vary from sniffing armpits to evaluate the effectiveness of a new deodorant to smelling stinky feet or even bad breath. Different smells are rated between one and 10. Interestingly, most odour judges around the world are women, as they are thought to have a finer olfactory sense
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