092309: Water Cooler News
Water Cooler News – September 23/09
We are half-way through another week! This is also the first official full day of Autumn. In Upstate New York it feels more like summer today. A high near 80, sticky and muggy. But, I’m not complaining. Of course as you gather around the Water Cooler for small talk today, no one really wants to talk about the weather. So, with that in mind, you will find some helpful conversation starters right here!
There’s the usual historical fund factoids and birthdays for today. As well as some off-beat news!
- Ex-Couple Gets Joint Custody of Dog
- Cops Caught Playing Video Game At Drug Dealer’s Home
- Lucky Number License Plates Bring Bad Luck and Jail For Five Men
Daily Mindbender Question
72% of people do this within 5 minutes of getting off an airplane.
What is it?
Answer at end of post!
Off-Beat News
“Ex-Couple Gets Joint Custody of Dog”
A man and woman in New Jersey spent the past three years fighting over custody of a pet pug. But, the court battle is now over as a Superior Court judge ordered the ex-couple to share ownership. According to court documents, Eric Ware and Doreen Houseman spent 13 years together before splitting up in 2006. Ware claimed the dog was his because he bought it and a lower court agreed. But Houseman appealed and another court reversed the decision. On Monday, a Superior Court judge ordered the ex-couple to share their pug, Dexter, on a five-week cycle.
“Cops Caught Playing Video Game At Drug Dealer’s Home”
Several police detectives in Lakeland, Florida are facing disciplinary action after they were caught playing a Nintendo Wii bowling game while cataloging evidence at a convicted drug dealer’s home. Surveillance video shows Polk County sheriff’s detectives playing Wii, with one officer jumping with excitement. Authorities say the officers were members of an anti-drug task force that raided the home earlier this year.
“Lucky Number License Plates Bring Bad Luck and Jail For Five Men”
People in China have traditionally considered the number eight to be lucky, but it didn’t bring good fortune to five men — they’ve been jailed for fighting over the number. The Beijing News reports four men were hired by a fifth man to arm themselves with knives and clubs and stand next to a government machine that issued license plates. The ringleader had four cars that needed license plates and the machine was about to issue ones with “8888″ as the last four digits. Police say a number of people were injured by the men, who are now serving 16 months in prison.
Historical Notes
Today is…
Innergize Day – A day set aside for anyone who has said “I don’t have time to do the personal things I want
to do for myself”.
Notable Birthdays…
Mickey Rooney, 89, actor
Julio Iglesias, 66, singer
Bruce Springsteen, 60, singer
Elizabeth Pena, 48, actress
Born on this date…also known as the late…
John Coltrane–1926-1967/jazz sax master
Ray Charles–1930-2004/singer-pianist
TV Premieres for today…
1962 – The Jetsons
1986 – Who’s The Boss
Movie Premieres
1994 – Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction premiered in theaters.
1994 – The Shawshank Redemption premiered.
Music History
1997 – Elton John released his new recording of “Candle In The Wind” in the U.S. All profits from the single would go the charity fund set up in the name of PRINCESS DIANA, who died earlier in the year.
1969 – It was reported by the London Daily Mirror that Paul McCartney was dead. It was the first time the rumor was printed.
1956 – Future Monkee Mickey Dolenz got his start on television on the NBC-TV series, Circus Boy.
General History
1806 – The Lewis & Clarke expedition returned to St. Louis from the Pacific Northwest.
1845 – The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York was formed by Alexander Joy Cartwright. It was the first baseball team in America.
1848 – John B. Curtis of Bangor, Maine, manufactured the first chewing gum.
1952 – That famous Nixon “Checkers” speech took place. Dick was a candidate for vice president at the time and had been accused of accepting illegal campaign contributions, one of which was a cocker spaniel named Checkers that was given to his daughters.
1975 – John Lennon’s deportation order was temporarily halted on humanitarian grounds because Yoko’s pregnancy had reached a critical stage.
2001 – Thousands gathered at New York’s Yankee Stadium to pray for the victims of terrorism after the September 11th attacks. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said, quote, “Our skyline will rise again.”
Daily Mindbender Answer
72% of people “send a text message” within 5 minutes of getting off an airplane.
Yours in Water Cooler News Fun!
Dr. Rus
Thank you for mention my annual Innergize Day.