A recent study has found that lazy Saturday and Sunday lie-ins can disturb your body clock, leaving you fatigued at the start of the week.
Sleep expert Leon Lack said people often used the weekend to catch up on sleep lost during the week. But while this might help pay off a "sleep debt", it came at a cost.
"We've discovered that these sleep-ins are actually putting your body out of whack enough to change your Sunday night bedtime and set you up for Monday blues," Professor Lack said.
His research team tested the theory by tracking 16 people over a weekend, asking them to go to bed a little later than they would on a weeknight but sleeping-in an extra two hours. By comparing saliva samples and hormone tests he found participants' body clocks had been delayed by 45 minutes.
"That might not sound like a lot but it means that you're not quite as sleepy on Sunday night at the normal bedtime and you'll be much sleepier the next day," Prof Lack said.
Questionnaires completed on Monday and Tuesday showed much higher levels of self-reported fatigue and tiredness compared with pre sleep in days. This was because the subjects' circadian rhythms - which determine patterns of alertness and tiredness - had been disturbed, creating an effect similar to jet lag.
By mid-week most people manage to get back on track but then they start staying up later, getting into "debt" once again and perpetuating the cycle.
Here's a few fun ways you can make Monday bearable again:
· Act like it's Friday. Go around work wearing a TGIF button and a big smile. At first, nobody'll go along. But when you keep insisting it's Friday and that happy hour drinks are on you after work... they'll come around.
· Don't let the weekend go. Show up at work in pajama bottoms and slippers. Then call out for pizza and spend the whole day watching sports on TV. It won't feel like a workday, and soon it won't be - because they're bound to send you home.
· Extra long lunch. Shuffle papers around for awhile, then go to lunch at ten. Take an hour to decide where to eat, another hour to order... and chew real slow. Then catch a movie so when you get back to work at 4, you have just enough time to wrap things up and go home like it never even happened. What Monday?
· Rename the day. Change your calendars so Monday is now Funday. Then train yourself to actually like going to work more than you like sleeping late, loafing around and doing whatever else you do on weekends. But then you have to deal with the Saturday and Sunday Blues.
· Quit your job. The whole reason we hate Monday's is because it means going back to work. No job, no Monday blues. It couldn't be simpler. Unless paying the rent and eating everyday are things you're fond of.
Fire Closes Monte Carlo In Vegas
A fire on the roof of the Monte Carlo hotel-casino Friday sent flaming embers raining down onto the Las Vegas strip, and sent gamblers running. Luckily, no serious injuries were reported.
"It could have been very serious," Clark County Fire Chief Steve Smith said. "Due to the aggressive firefighting tactics of our personnel we were able to contain it."The fire that damaged the landmark's visage was under control in about an hour.
The fire was largely confined to the rooftop and upper floors, but the burned exterior will have to be removed or secured before they can reopen, said the chief county building inspector on Saturday. A spokesman for the casino company was not sure how long repairs would take.
Guests and employees were evacuated but were allowed back into the hotel late Friday and Saturday with security escorts to retrieve their personal items.
Lionsgate, Marvel Reach Deals With Striking Writers
An interim agreement has been made between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Lionsgate studio, enabling writers to work on its projects and Lionsgate projects to move forward.
Comic-book-movie giant Marvel Studios has also reached an agreement with the guild.
Writers and producers have resumed talks in hopes of ending the strike that has stopped most prime-time television production.
Writers already have reached temporary deals with production companies and studios including United Artists and Worldwide Pants.
The WGA reached its first interim deal with Worldwide Pants, the production company owned by late-night TV host David Letterman, which allowed his show and another one produced by his firm, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, to return to the air during the strike with writing teams intact.
The WGA said it also has reached deals with Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films, and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment.
Miss Michigan Crowned Miss America
Kirsten Haglund, otherwise known as Miss Michigan, was crowned Miss America 2008 on Saturday.She is the first Miss America to come from the pageant's "new, hipper look."
Haglund beat Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash, the first runner up, and Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto, the second runner up for the crown and the $50,000 scholarship and year of travel that comes with it.
TLC aired a series called Miss America: Reality Check, an attempt at updating this year's 52 contestants from "pageant queens" to "it girls."
Haglund will embark on a year of promoting the pageant, awareness for eating disorders (her chosen platform issue), and the Children's Miracle Network, a pageant partner.
COMPANIES GETTING MORE FAMILY FRIENDLY
According to a new survey, employers are finally coming around and getting more family friendly. Sixty-two percent of companies have made policy changes to better accommodate working parents.
"Many employees are juggling multiple priorities and appreciate these types of programs," said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam, the temp company that sponsored the survey. "Programs that support work-life balance are attractive to professionals, especially members of the 'sandwich generation' - those caring for both children and elderly parents."
Working parents aren't the only ones who benefit from perks such as telecommuting, flextime, extended family leave and elder care. Some employees are juggling different things and appreciate any program that eases their stress.
Suggestions:
A hobby or side-job that keeps you out of the office for days at a time.
A pet that comes to the office with you.
Attending school.
GROUP PROMOTES FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY
The comic book industry recently conducted a survey about their readers and found that average mainstream comic book readers are ...
20 to 25 years old
video game enthusiasts
single
male
In other words, the survey discovered that the stereotype of a typical comic book reader (geeky guys) is pretty accurate.
Shannon Crane is a comic book fan who wants to change the fact that more than 90% of the readers of comics are male. She is president of Friends of Lulu, "a national organization whose purpose is to encourage female readership and participation in the comic book industry."
Punishment Fits The Crime
Painesville, Ohio ... A judge ordered a Salvation Army bell ringer who stole a holiday red kettle containing about $250 to spend the night homeless.
Municipal Judge Michael Cicconetti ordered Nathen Smith, 28, to spend the night anywhere but a house. Smith was even fitted with a GPS device to track his movements.
"My initial reaction was, 'Wow.' But I don't think the sentence is too harsh," said Smith, who expected to spend the night in a homeless shelter. "I can see the judge's point because what I did, I shouldn't have done. Now I've got to pay the consequences."
Smith, who also received a three-day jail sentence, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft.
He worked as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army outside a Kmart store on December 17. Police arrested him at his mother's house after a co-worker reported that one of eight kettles was missing.
Where's My House?
Moscow, Russia ... A woman who returned home from vacation got a very unpleasant surprise -- her house was missing. Yes, her entire house.
Seems her home was torn down mistakenly by construction workers clearing a site. They were supposed to tear down a nearby house that had been marked for demolition.
"There was nothing left, not even a log," the woman said.
The builder reportedly offered the woman money -- but she has refused, saying it wasn't enough even to rent a room on the outskirts of the city. She is now suing.
Cat Saves 8 Lives
Allendale, Michigan ... A cat named Oreo saved the lives of eight people when their house caught on fire, officials said.
Oreo began to cry when flames started in the family's garage about 5 a.m. on Thursday.
Fire officials said the smoke detectors in the house did not sound when the fire started, but, luckily, Oreo did. The cat's cries reportedly woke the family of eight and sent them rushing out of the house.
Fire damaged the garage and one bedroom, officials said.
JEN WON'T GO
The annual 2008 pre-Oscar's party is being held this year on Saturday, February 23, at the Beverly Hills Hotel and three of the event's hosts are Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie -- and Jennifer Aniston! However, before we get too excited about Jen and Angelina finally crossing paths, Jen's rep told PageSix.com that she might not be able to attend.. Although Jen's rep admits Jen is on the host committee, Jen "doesnt know if her production schedule will allow her to attend" (Jen is currently filming Traveling in Vancouver).
Other celebrity couples scheduled to attend the event are Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise, Reese Witherspoon & Jake Gyllenhaal, and Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith.
And Speaking Of Brangelina...
Star magazine is saying Angelina is pregnant again -- with twins! Rumors of pregnancy started after Angelina appeared at the Critics' Choice awards on January 7 looking a lot healthier than usual and not stick-thin. And while Brad drank beer, Angelina stuck to water.
"Brad and Angelina are absolutely ecstatic," a "source" says. "But I still think there will be more adoptions to come."
THE MOVIES HE PASSED UP
In a recent interview, Sylvester Stallone admitted that he'd turned down starring in these movies over the years: Superman, Beverly Hills Cop, Die Hard, and Witness.
WHY IS SHE SINGING AGAIN?
Perezhilton.com reports Paula Abdul's 100% performing her new song at the Super Bowl this weekend. But, of course, it's being pre-taped.
NO ONE CARES SHANNA
Shanna Moakler is so pathetic. She's STILL talking about that fight she got into with Paris Hilton that happened over a year ago! So sad when the best things you've done in life are over. Shanna was Miss USA 1995, she married TWO famous men (Oscar de la Hoya, and Blink 182's Travis Barker) and she's had a few kids. What's left, really?
Shanna wrote on her loser MySpace blog: "Never in all my life did I ever think having a confrontation with a whore in a club or the complete heartbreaking ups and downs of my marriage which sadly have to play out in front on the public, would take center stage...the reality is having a sex tape and letting men piss on you, getting DUI's , flashing your crotch and going to jail is apparently today, the image young men and woman strive for to get their foot in the door."
THIS IS SUCH BS
According to a recent survey by Harris Interactive, U.S. adults see firefighters, scientists, teachers, doctors, military officers and nurses as the most prestigious occupations. The least prestigious? Real estate brokers, actors, bankers, accountants, entertainers, stockbrokers, union leaders, journalists, business executives and athletes!
FAST ENOUGH?
Slow down, you move too fast ... NO! I CAN'T. I'M FRANTIC. GOTTA GET STUFF DONE... We live in world today where if it isn't done fast, it isn't done right. In fact, it seems in the workforce -- it's not always the most talented person to get the job -- it's who can do it the quickest -- thus getting the most done in a single day. Don't agree? Here's a snapshot of how hyper our culture has become...
The average workweek is 47 hours -- up from 34 hours two decades ago.
There's no time for home-cooked meals: Children consumed 300% more food from fast food restaurants in 1996 than in 1977. Not surprisingly, one-third fewer families report regularly eating together today compared with three decades ago.
Most of us get 90 minutes less sleep per night than our great-grandparents did.
Almost 28% of fewer families take vacations now than two decades ago.
55 mph was the national speed limit from 1973 to 1995; now it's 65 mph to 75 mph in most states.
4 REASONS HE'S NOT TALKING
Why is he being so quiet? Unless he's comatose in front of the TV, sports blaring, there's a reason. Cosmo says there are four possibilities why he suddenly went mute...
He feels guilty. When your man has committed a minor crime, he may get quiet to avoid incriminating himself.
You undermined him. When you question your man or make a biting comment in front of other people, he feels stupid. After attacking his manhood, you can count on getting the cold shoulder.
He wants you to quiet down. Blabbing about the high-calorie count of your dinner or how your brother's new girlfriend isn't right for him are things men don't care about. Men stay quiet as a way of letting women know that they're not interested in talking about dumb stuff.
He had a hard day. If his day sucked, he's not going to feel like talking about it. You might feel better venting, but he doesn't... at least not today.
And Speaking Of Guys Not Saying Anything...
Cosmo asked guys what they were afraid to tell their girlfriends...
"I was dating a woman ten years older than I am, so I wouldn't tell her my real age. Well, she found out by looking me up online, and she dumped me."
"If I want to hang out with the guys, I'll cancel on my girlfriend and make up some kind of an excuse. Telling her the truth would only create drama."
"I had a girlfriend, but I'd still give my number to other women for fun. When my cell would ring, I'd just say it was a wrong number. How could I tell her the truth?"
FOOTBALL AND WRESTLING ARE FUELING VIOLENCE IN GUYS
Reports are constantly coming out about how terrible movies, TV, and videogames are for kids.
Well, here's a new one ... It looks like wrestling and football are bad for you too.
According to a new study from Penn State University, playing football and wrestling may fuel aggressive and violent behavior -- not only among the players, but also among their friends on and off the field.
"Sports such as football, basketball, and baseball provide players with a certain status in society," said researcher Derek Kreager. "But football and wrestling are associated with violent behavior because both sports involve some physical domination of the opponent, which is rewarded by the fans, coaches and other players."
Compared with non-athletes, football players and wrestlers are at a higher risk of getting into a serious fight by over 40%. High-contact sports that are associated with aggression and masculinity increase the risk of violence, he concluded.
"Players are encouraged to be violent outside the sport because they are rewarded for being violent inside it," Kreager said.
The study found that violent behavior was not restricted to players alone. Instead, the risk of getting involved in fights increased with the proportion of friends who played football.
"Males with all-football friends are expected to have a 45% probability of getting into a serious fight -- more than 8% higher than similar individuals with no football friends and almost 20% higher than males with all tennis friends," Derek Kreager said.
Kreager believes pressure on teams to win games may be contributing to the problem, because it makes coaches want to build a stronger team by putting aggressive players on the team and encouraging a "win at all costs" attitude both on and off the field.
Sucking the life out of the wire services:
Your new Miss America: dark-eyed, blond-haired Miss Michigan, 19-year-old KIRSTEN HAGLUND. She wants to use the crown to raise awareness of eating disorders. Her talent was singing opera --and she wants to pursue a career on Broadway after her reign. In the meantime, she picked up a $50-thousand scholarship which should help her out at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
The first runner up: Miss Indiana, NICOLE ELIZABETH RASH. Second runner up: Miss Washington, ELYSE UMEMOTO.
The top five also included: California, and Texas.
The top 10 also included: Iowa, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Virginia.
Best moment of the pageant: after Miss Utah, JILL STEVENS --who'd been chosen as "America's Favorite" by internet voting-- was axed after the swimsuit round, she dropped on the floor and led the girls in 20 impromptu pushups! She apparently picked up that talent while serving in Afghanistan as a combat medic!
The pageant, hosted by "Entertainment Tonight's" MARK STEINES, was run on the TLC cable channel, and broadcast live from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas strip.
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Things that might make the Miss America Pageant more interesting (Maiman):
--New "Recently Female" division
--Accidentally leave the price tag on your breasts
--Contestants who shout to the judges, "Don't forget last night at the Marriott!"
--Miss North Dakota must spend entire pageant on Miss South Dakota's shoulders
--More emphasis than ever on oxyacetylene welding
--"Swimsuit, Evening Gown and Talent" segments replaced with "Punt, Pass and Kick"
--New hair-pulling competition judged by Jerry Springer
--Your "talent" is eating a 64-ounce steak in 45 seconds
--Girls still make lame speeches about world affairs, but now they do it naked
--Two words: Tiara rash
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Ever wonder why beauty pageant queens never have a problem with their swimsuits riding up on them? Why, it's "Firm Grip," which contestants use to keep the swimsuits in place.
In the biz, contestants call it "butt spray" or, our preference, "butt glue."
Yours for only $15.99 a can.
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E! Online.com reports that CHRISTOPHER WALKEN and CHARLIZE THERON are headed for Harvard University after being given the title of Man and Woman of the Year for the Hasty Pudding Theatricals. The two will be "roasted" during separate ceremonies and Charlize gets to lead a parade through Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Lee)
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SUZANNE PLESHETTE didn't live long enough to see her own induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. E!Online.com reports that she'll still get the star treatment this Thursday, which have been her 71st birthday. BOB NEWHART is expected to speak at the ceremony, which will be in front of the Frederick's of Hollywood store, per Ms. Pleshette's request. (Lee)
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GEORGE CLOONEY tells Newsweek magazine that he had quite a scare recently after hearing helicopters flying over his home. Fearing that a prisoner had escaped, the brave A-list star went out to take a look around, realized the whirlybirds were there to monitor the BRITNEY SPEARS meltdown and is now looking for a new home. (Lee)
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JESSICA SIMPSON is madder than a wet hen after rumors surfaced Friday that TONY ROMO had dropped back 15 and punted her outta his life for good. Not so, according to Jess, whose lawyers sent a latter to the editor in chief of OK! magazine, which printed the original rumor, claiming the article was "utterly false" and "based on nothing more than rumor, gossip and innuendo."
Going that extra mile, Jessica's attorneys also claim the whole thing is part of a "smear campaign" that they believe has subjected Jess to "public contempt, ridicule, aversion or disgrace." They want an immediate retraction from the magazine or else (read $$$). And if all that wasn't enough, PerezHilton.com says Jess and Tony were spotted vacationing together in Rancho Mirage, CA, this past weekend.
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This week's National Enquirer tabloid claims a 25-year-old former Victoria's Secret model has allegedly had two children with magician DAVID COPPERFIELD and is living in a multi-million Las Vegas home that he owns. Czech model MARIE PETLICKOVA's attorney [Editor's note: yes, it really doesn't sound all that real, does it] told the Enquirer, "David is a wonderful, loving and caring father."
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EVA LONGORIA is still denying rumors that she's expecting. People magazine reports the "Desperate Housewife" was spotted buying Dolce & Gabbana baby clothes this week, but her rep claims the infant couture is a gift for her heavily-pregnant buddy, JENNIFER LOPEZ. (Lee)
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MADONNA is serious about keeping her body fit, and is willing to pony up the cash to do it. The Daily Mail reports the material mom purchased a house right next door to her London home and turned the residence into a state-of-the-art gym. Word is she wanted to join the fitness center onto her existing property, but couldn't get the permits. Poor thing now has to walk 20 yards to her 12-million-dollar workout facility. (Lee)
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BRITNEY SPEARS' uncle is the latest to weigh in on the pop wreck's issues, and tells the British tabloid the London Sun that his famous niece has not yet reached the depth of her despair. WILLIAM SPEARS says Britney's done nearly every drug imaginable and is ruthless and bossy. Meanwhile, her recovery may take a while --Uncle Bill claims that no one can control her which is why there isn't anything anyone can do. (Lee)
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Sources tell People magazine that LINDSAY LOHAN spent some quality time with BRODY JENNER of "The Hills" last Friday night. Word is the two got cozy inside two New York night clubs until 3:30 am, and sources say they're "sweet" together. This might come as a surpise to CORA SKINNER, who was supposedly Brody's latest girlfriend. (Lee)
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Sucks to be you:
HALLE BERRY surprised the world by admitting she'd like to stay pregnant forever, but there's a good reason for it-she's terrified of giving birth! The beauty tells Reveal magazine that she's more nervous about going into labor than she was before winning her Oscar Award and has realized that there's a baby on the way which someone will need to push out. Meanwhile, Halle has diabetes, which has cause complications during childbirth so she'll need to be monitored extremely carefully. (Lee)
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Trolling for publicity:
SCARLETT JOHANSSON denies that she's planning to walk down the aisle with boyfriend RYAN REYNOLDS, but does admit being engaged to BARACK OBAMA. People magazine reports she told reporters upon her return from the USO tour that her heart belongs to the Democratic hopeful while she says that everyone she met overseas was very sweet. (Lee)
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Sucking up:
TIM BURTON is truly after HELENA BONHAM CARTER's heart. CINDY ADAMS of the NY Post reports that after finding out she was pregnant with the couple's second child, he went out and bought her four pairs of motorcycle boots and several more pairs of lace-up boots after giving birth. (Lee)
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OWEN WILSON really knows how to treat himself! Life and Style Weekly reports the unstable star dropped $300 on a new bong last week while in Venice, CA. Owen's drug use was rumored to be a contributing factor to his suicide attempt last year. (Lee)
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Like you really care:
IVANA TRUMP's ex-husband, DONALD, is a generous guy. CINDY ADAMS of the NY Post reports that the "Apprentice" mastermind has given his ex-wife the use of his Florida Mar-a-Lago estate for her upcoming wedding on April 12. Plan on dressing the part if you're invited --the invitation states that women are requested to wear solid pastel gowns in colors other than pink and yellow and the gentlemen's dress code is white-tie. (Lee)
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TARA REID feels no sympathy for jailbirds PARIS HILTON or LINDSAY LOHAN. She tells Ireland Online that the duo broke the law and got what they deserved, while taking a moment to defend her own party-girl reputation. Tara feels she's unjustly persecuted when all she's ever done is dance on tables and can't understand why "people punish others for being happy." (Lee)
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Baby showers from Star magazine:
--JENNIFER LOPEZ had a pink and blue themed shower for her twins she's expecting with MARC ANTHONY
--HALLE BERRY threw herself a Moroccan themed shower complete with a henna tattoo artist
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ASHLEE SIMPSON is now a redhead. A pic in this weeks Star magazine shows the singer with beau PETE WENTZ at the "Cloverfield" premiere with her new dyed locks.
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The "American Idol" cast wasn't always so cool. Pics in this weeks Star magazine show SIMON COWELL with FARRAH FAWCETT hair when he was 17, RANDY JACKSON had a massively tall flat top and wore MICHAEL JACKSON clothes while playing bass and touring with ELTON JOHN, JOURNEY and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN. And RYAN SEACREST was a 16-year-old DJ in Atlanta who posed with his shirt off!
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KIRSTEN DUNST is devastated that her ex-, JAKE GYLLENHAAL, is in love. Star magazine reports that the actress looks pale and thin after finding out that Jake and girlfriend REESE WITHERSPOON are close to getting engaged.
Meanwhile, Jake's mom NAOMI FONNER isn't thrilled about his relationship with Reese. She thinks that Reese has too much baggage having two kids and Jake should find someone younger with no kids.
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GEORGE CLOONEY and girlfriend SARAH LARSON are moving in together. According to Star magazine, the couple is always together so George thought it made sense to cohabitate. He also bought her clothes to keep on the east coast so she doesn't have to pack a bag and even told her to use his credit card if she needs anything!
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MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY isn't ready to get married yet. Star magazine reports that the dad-to-be isn't saying no to baby mama CAMILLA ALVES but he's a little scared of the complete commitment.
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New couple alert from Star magazine: "High School Musical's" CORBIN BLEU and actress LAUREN STORM. (Myers)
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Stupid people, stupid places:
Where exactly would you look if you wanted to hire a hit-man? The Grand Rapids Press reports that a Michigan woman used the Craig'sList website for her killing needs.
48-year old ANN MARIE LINSCOTT put up a "freelance job offer" at the site, offering very few details about her job. Ann Marie did get three replies, though. She allegedly told each of them they'd get $5-thousand dollars if they'd off the wife of a guy she was having an affair with. In her words: "This IS a serious proposition... (looking for) silent assassins."
FBI Special Agent ISLAM OMAR came across Ann's assassin-search. When Omar asked her what she wanted done, Ann allegedly said "Duh... have (the other woman) killed." The massage therapist is now in jail, leaving behind a beautiful suburban home, her husband, and two teenagers. (Couchman)
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Getting even:
Stabbing somebody is a pretty good sign that you're not in your right mind. Suing the person you stabbed is another good sign you're nuts.
According to the Flint Journal, a 50-year old psychologist went bananas on Christmas Eve, taking his knife to LISA HEINTZ and a 17-year old helping her move.
Dr. WILLIAM HARSHMAN claims Lisa and her husband, KURT, drove him to "financial ruin." The doctor and his wife used to be friends with Lisa and Kurt. They did some business together. But Dr. Will's marriage fell apart, as did some business arrangements. That's why he pointed the finger, and the blade, at Lisa and Kurt.
And even though Lisa's family is recovering from the doc's knife attack, he's still suing the family for $5-million dollars. (Couchman)
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This weekend's hot movies (Daily Variety):
"Meet the Spartans" just edged out SYLVESTER STALLONE's "Rambo" on what appeared to be a lackluster weekend for the movies. Not so --all the movies were just bunched around the $10 million mark, and the gross for the top five was $75 million --not bad at all for a January weekend. The rest of the top-10:
10. "Mad Money," $4.6 million;
9. "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," $4.7 million;
8. "There Will Be Blood," $4.9 million;
7. "The Bucket List," $10.2 million;
6. "Juno," $10.3 million;
5. "Untraceable," (debut), $11.2 million;
4. "Cloverfield," $12.7 million;
3. "27 Dresses," $13.8 million;
2. "Rambo," (debut), $18.2 million;
1. "Meet the Spartans," (debut), $18.7 million.
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Survivor: real life:
It's a cold, wintry morning. You see a 68-year old woman braving the elements in her wheelchair, trying to cross the street. Then, boom! Her chair is clipped as a car drives by. The old-lady is thrown to the ground, and when the cops show up, they say it's her, not the driver who hit her, that deserves the ticket. According to the Grand Rapids Press, that's exactly how it went down. The 24-year old driver saw the elderly gal in her wheelchair, and unsuccessfully swerved to avoid her. Deputy TIM ERHARDT said the old woman should have been on the sidewalk."We looked at the sidewalks, they were clear (of snow)." That made the accident her fault, and authorities are deciding whether she should get a ticket. Thankfully, the 68-year old's injuries were minor. (Couchman)
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Life imitated art in Chesterton, IN
Inspired by the movie "A Christmas Story," two fourth grade boys stuck their tongues on an elementary school flagpole to see if they'd stick. They did. A school nurse tells the Munster Times, "They learned their lesson."
We don't know who triple-dog dared who but one of the kids said, "I decided to try it because I thought all of the TV shows were lies, but turns out I was wrong."
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Swallowing the punch:
It only figures that since some Star Wars fans are pretty fanatical, it was only a matter of time before they became religious Star Wars zealots. London's Daily Mail found the Jedi Church, which boasts having 400-thousand members around the world. They have regular church services just like any other religion, with Yoda prominently displayed and 2 Light-saber holding knights standing guard at the altar.
26-year old hairdresser BARNEY JONES, and his 21-year old brother DANIEL, run a Jedi Church in the U-K because, as Barney puts it, "We think of it as proper lifestyle enhancement...it can't be bad if it makes life better."
If you decide to worship Jedi-style, Barney wants you to expect a proper schooling too. "We will have teachings based on Yoda - the 900-year-old grand master - as well as readings, essays submitted, meditation and relaxation, visualization and discuss healthy eating. The Jedi religion is about life improvement, inner peace and changing your lifestyle so you have a more fulfilling existence."
Polling America:
Woman's Day magazine asked women about marriage: "Do you keep secrets from your husband?"
--Small stuff, like how much I spent on a shopping spree: 51 percent
--I've hidden major things from him (i.e. credit card debt): 25 percent
--We don't keep secrets: 24 percent
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