Thumbs Up
Broadway Strike Ends: Musicals like Mama Mia and Spring Awakening are back on stage in the Big Apple following a two-and-a-half week walkout. Now if we can just convince the writer's guild.
Stem Cell Breakthrough: Researchers recently announced the successful creation of embroynic-like stem cells from human skin cells, according to a report in Cell. The research team, which had accomplished the same feat earlier using mouse dermoblasts, retrovirally transfected the skin cells with four gene transcription factors that brought the skin cells into an undifferentiated state, succeeded with a human cell. Whatever that means.
Evel Knievel: A life lived to the fullest ended last week as daredevil Evel Knievel died of lung cancer at 69. Knievel was famous for his motorcycle stunts which included attempts to jump 16 cars, the fountains at Caesar's Palace, and the Snake River Canyon.
Jimmy V: Last week marked the annual college basketball tournament to raise money for the cancer foundation in memory of coach Jimmy Valvano. Boston College held its own intramural tournament called Hoops for Hope to benefit the V Foundation.
Vitamin Water: The ubiquitous drink has invaded the dining hall bringing the beverage to the image-conscious for the low, low price of $2.59.
Seasonal Weather: Break out the hats, mittens, and scarves because it's beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas. Snow blew through the northern half of the country leaving frosty temperatures and brisk winds in its wake.
Thumbs Down
Seasonal Traffic: Bad weather and high volume made Thanksgiving travel a nightmare. Fully booked flights and missed connections over the long weekend didn't bode well for travelers heading home for the holiday.
Term Papers: 43 pages due the week before exams?! Professors have no mercy loading on that final paper, test, or project as the semester winds to a close.
Winter Solstice: Sleep in until noon? The sun is already setting. Seasonal Affective Disorder sufferers beware, your 3 p.m. class ends after dark.
2008 Woodie Awards
