112709: Water Cooler News
Water Cooler News – November 27/09
The Black Friday Edition of the Water Cooler News!
Are you one of those people who rolled out of bed really, really, really early to hit the stores for Black Friday bargains? The Dunkin Donuts shop I stop at in the morning certainly was busy today! All kinds of people looking for coffee and energy to find some bargains.
Some are working today, while others are standing in long check out lines today. With that in mind, here’s a Black Friday edition of the Water Cooler News so you have something to talk about as you stand in line. In this edition you will find the usual collection of historical tidbits and birthdays for today.
You will also find some off-beat news…
- Baboon Gangs in South Africa
- Utah Teen Fighting Citation for Rapping McDonald’s Order
- Dog With Name Tag ‘Works’ Drive-Through Window
Daily Mindbender Question
Black Friday is actually the SECOND busiest shopping day of the year. What is the first?
Answer at end of post!
Off-Beat News
“Baboon Gangs in South Africa”
Visitors to a South Africa holiday destination who are worried about becoming victims of the country’s high crime rate could find themselves instead robbed by a more furry kind of felon…baboons. Authorities say the primates have learned how to open car doors and jump through windows in pursuit of tasty sandwiches and snacks. City officials are battling to control the increasingly aggressive baboon’s and there are fears the problem will only worsen with the influx of visitors to Cape Town during the World Cup next year.
“Utah Teen Fighting Citation for Rapping McDonald’s Order”
The case of one of four teens who were cited after rapping their order at a McDonald’s in Utah appears headed for trial. Police in American Fork, about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City, cited the teens for disorderly conduct last month after the drive-through rap. The teens said they were imitating a rap from a popular YouTube video, which begins: “I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce.”
“Dog With Name Tag ‘Works’ Drive-Through Window”
Customers at one Gulf coast gas station might be surprised at who responds to the counter when they pull up to the drive-through window…the store owner’s dog. Dozens of times each day, Cody the chocolate Labradaor retriever pops up on two paws behind the counter at a BP gas station and convenience store in Clearwater. He even has a BP logo shirt and a name tag.
Historical Notes
Today is…
Black Friday
Buy Nothing Day – A 24-hour moratorium on consumer spending.
National Flossing Day
Sinkie Day – A day to dine standing over the sink day. (Perfect place to eat the leftover turkey sandwiches)
Plumbers Day – Business increases by 50% today as plumbers are called in to unclog drains from Thanksgiving Day dinners!
Your Welcome Giving Day – The day after Thanksgiving to enjoy a 4-day weekend.
Notable Birthdays…
Bill Nye, 54, TV personality
Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg 52/author, daughter of JFK and Jackie
Robin Givens, 45, actress
Samantha Harris, 36, TV Host (Dancing With The Stars)
Jaleel White, 33, actor (Family Matters)
Born on this day…also known as the late…
Jimi Hendrix–1942-1970/guitar genuis
Eddie Rabbitt–1944–1998/country singer, “I Love A Rainy Night”
Bruce Lee–1940-1973/martial arts actor, Return of the Dragon
Music History
2000 – The Beatles returned to the top of the album charts with 1, a single CD collection of 27 of their chart-topping hits. The CD sold over 595,000 copies in its first week in the stores.
1995 – The Beatles Anthology I album set a first week record, selling 1.2 million units.
1989 – Paul McCartney suggested the three surviving Beatles might get back together, but George Harrison quickly stopped that idea by saying, quote, “There won’t be a Beatles reunion as long as John Lennon remains dead.”
1970 – George Harrison released his solo album All Things Must Pass.
1967 – The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour album was released in the U.S. only. In the UK, the songs from the film were released as a double-EP.
1966 – The New Vaudeville Band had the number one single with “Winchester Cathedral.” Lead singer Geoff Stephens did his thing through a megaphone.
General History
1889 – Curtis Brady, of New York, after promising not to frighten horses, was given the first permit to operate a motor vehicle in Central Park.
1910 – New York’s Pennsylvania Station opened.
1974 – Marlon Brando made his TV acting debut in the miniseries Roots.
Daily Mindbender Answer
Black Friday is the second busiest shopping day of the year. The “Saturday before Christmas” is the busiest.
Yours in Water Cooler News!
Dr. Rus
