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WITandWISDOM(tm) - August 24, 2001 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: In order for something to come clean, something else must get dirty. Source: The Funnies, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/andychaps_the- funnies ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: Tide had an essay contest regarding "How I Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive All Year". The winner was Vince Vitale, from San Francisco, CA. Years ago I realized how people retreat into their shells after the holiday season is over. The trees went out. The lights got packed. The doors closed. Last year, I decided to give people a reason to come together, but what was there? So I put up a sign that said, "Come for Coffee" with a date and time when I thought most people could come, and I suggested they could bring something to share if they liked. My wife said, "Vince, why are you doing this? We don't know these people." I just grinned back, and she got it. She wrapped her arms around me with warmth I remembered from our first date. I reserved the community area by the front entrance. I bought a 36-cup coffee maker and set it up fifteen minutes before the time. I figured the worst thing that could happen was I would have a lot of coffee to drink alone. Then I plugged in a little radio with some easy-listening background music and waited to see if anyone would show up. They showed up! Grandmothers with trays of cookies they made for the "occasion." People coming home from work. I counted about 45 people. I couldn't believe it. When it was over, I cleaned up so there was no evidence of all the smiling, laughing people in that space the hour before. Two days later, my second son came home from high school and told me his friends said their parents had a great time and could they come the next time. There was a little pause, and then he just lurched forward and hugged me. How many years had it been? In the coming months, I noticed the kids were starting to join things at school. We've done "the coffee thing" three times since. Now the kids want to help. Even the shy one - especially the shy one. And what always amazes me is how easy it is. I'm not sure any of this is what you mean by "holiday spirit," but maybe it comes close. By Vince Vitale Source: Tide, http://www.tide.com/neighbor/spinWin/grand.html Subm itted by :o) Kimberley Broyles ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: SOMETHING GETS LOST IN THE TRANSLATION IN A BUCHAREST HOTEL LOBBY: The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable. IN A HONGKONG SUPERMARKET: For your convenience, we recommend courteous, efficient self-service. FROM THE "SOVIET WEEKLY": There will be a Moscow Exhibition of Arts by 15,000 Soviet Republic painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years. IN AN EAST AFRICAN NEWSPAPER: A new swimming pool is rapidly taking shape since the contractors have thrown in the bulk of their workers. IN A VIENNA HOTEL: In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel porter. DETOUR SIGN IN KYUSHI, JAPAN: Stop. Drive sideways. AT A BUDAPEST ZOO: Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty. IN THE OFFICE OF A ROMAN DOCTOR: Specialist in women and other diseases. Submitted by Udi Latarre ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. - Author Unknown Source: Quote A Day, quoteaday-subscribe@listbot.com ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: How was the tornado created in "The Wizard Of Oz"? Ever since people have made movies, they have wanted to include special effects that fool viewers. In the days before computer graphics, special effects were often quite creative, as in the movie "The Wizard Of Oz" where a realistic tornado sweeps across the plains. The Kansas twister that swept up Dorothy and her house was actually a long string of muslin stockings sewed together and stuffed. It was photographed dangling down into a model scene with miniatures of the farm and nearby fields. The stocking was not the only creative tornado effect. In the most close-up shots of the twister, it was a huge dust-filled burlap bag that was being beaten to release dark, swirling clouds. There were also some actual shots of a real tornado when it was seen far away across the plains. More about the art of special effects: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/specialfx/ http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Makeup/9472/sfx.htm Source: Cool Fact of the Day, http://features.learningkingdom.com/fact/ |