Water Cool Week-in-Review

Good, clever, fun stories to share at the "water coolers" of your life.

News submitted by Tom Walsh

We don’t see as much of the great humorist Dave Barry since he dropped his weekly column a few years back, but here’s his year in review  for 2009. He’s just the same as you remember him, eloquently describing the dramatic challenges we faced this year: “The Centers for Disease Control releases an urgent bulletin warning of a new, fast-spreading epidemic consisting of severe, and in some cases life-threatening, arm infections caused by ‘people constantly sneezing into their elbow pits.’ ”
 

Television submitted by Nancy French

Do you love to watch AMC’s television show Mad Men, which portrays an accurate "romanticized and corrupt version of sixties life in Manhattan?" 

Then, you might enjoy this article which delves in the moral struggles and failings demonstrated in the character of the dashing Don Draper.

More Television submitted by David French

I started watching this show on DVDs sent by friends, and I’ve been hooked ever since.  And now the anticipation builds as “Lost” counts down to the start of its final season.  I gave up trying to figure out the place sometime around episode 9 of the first season and just enjoyed the ride.  Some people, however, can’t help but try to make sense of the nonsensical.  If you’re a fan, enjoy some rather . . . creative . . . musings on ew.com.

Entertainment submitted by Tom Walsh

Where do Mel Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Robert DeNiro, Grace Bumbry (OK, I didn’t know her either) & Dave Brubeck party together when they’re in Washington? Here, with the President. Quite a lineup. In fact, quite a country that is blessed with them all – and the thousands of other artists they represent. Only a handful will ever achieve this kind of fame, but many of them are finding joy in doing what they love and passing that joy on to many more.

Mid-Life Crisis submitted by Nancy French

They usually result in flashy new sports cars or lavish vacations.  But Katie Smith Milway decided, "I want to have a positive mid-life crisis."

Read this article about how she's had one that actually benefits others.

Charity submitted by Nancy French

 Did you forget to send out your Christmas cards?  Here's a chance to put a positive spin on your procrastination.  You can send an e-card that helps buy musical instruments for public school students.

Arts submitted by Tom Walsh

Who can forget the timeless story of Juliet and her Romeo? As this new theater production demonstrates, pretty much everyone. The actors maintain Shakespearean diction, costumes, etc., but replace Shakespeare’s dialogue with people’s vague recollections of the story from high school. "Juliet is the sky, and I am the sun. No ... It's getting all jumbled in my head. Jumbled in my head!" Perhaps we should never read anything new, but just re-read everything we read in high school, over and over, so at least we’ll stay as smart as we were at age 18.

Technology submitted by Nancy French

Anyone who's ever gotten stuck behind a large 18 wheeler can appreciate this new technology.  While it's not cost-effective yet, how cool would it be to have virtually transparent trucks?