this.randomshow = function(area, pause){

	var length = $("#"+area+" li").length; 
	var temp = -1;		

	this.getRan = function(){
		// get the random number
		var ran = Math.floor(Math.random()*length) + 1;
		return ran;
	};
	this.show = function(){
		var ran = getRan();
		// to avoid repeating
		while (ran == temp){
			ran = getRan();
		}; 
		temp = ran;
		$("#"+area+" li").hide();	
		$("#"+area+" li:nth-child(" + ran + ")").fadeIn("slow");		
	};
	setInterval(show,pause);
};

$(document).ready(function(){	
 	if($("#news li").length > 1) randomshow('news', 9000);
	if($("#events li").length > 1) randomshow('events', 12000);
});