Holiday laffs ... 'The Middle Stories' ... mas, mas, mas

Young People's Press
November 27, 2002

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The 411 is a weekly column of what's hot and what's not, compiled by youth correspondents for Young People's Press, the North American youth news service:

HOLIDAY LAUGHS

Looking for a great holiday gift, or just a great book to read? "Holidays on Ice" by David Sedaris is a sardonic look at the holidays. The book is a collection of downright hilarious stories about the holiday season. Laugh-out-loud tales include Sedaris' experience as a holiday elf at Macy's department store, and one about a retired theatre critic who critiques small-town school Christmas pageants. Sedaris and his dark humor are a regular fixture on U.S. National Public Radio. And if you get a chance to catch him on one of the network talk shows, he'll have you rolling on the floor with laughter.

MIDDLE STORIES

If you're looking for a different kind of read, pick up "The Middle Stories," Sheila Heti's stunning and surprising debut book of previously published short stories. Her compact and unexpected tales, usually no more than 3 pages long, glow with the open and enthusiastic voice of a truly original talent. Heti writes effortlessly about the secret life of dumplings, a mermaid kept captive in a little girl's jar, and the boundless love between a boy and a monkey. This is a tiny, delicate book - as much in size as in style - filled with remarkably unpretentious tales that tell of the fantastic in the familiar.

NO MERCY

Who needs pity? Television Without Pity is a shockingly honest site, full of spicy and hilarious summaries of all your favourite T.V. shows. It's the place to go if you're feeling irked by the previous episode of Survivor or want to pull out your hair after the latest "ER." So log on to www.televisionwithoutpity.com and get ready for a good laugh. And get ready to spend hours reading the addictive recaps of your favorite shows - it's so much fun to mock the programs we love to hate. You can also check out other viewers' funny and insightful remarks on the forums and contribute your own.

PUNK FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM

It's been at least a quarter century since punk splashed on the music scene, but it shows no signs of age. Case in point: Ten Foot Pole. The punk rock band's recent release, "Bad Mother Trucker," carries on the righteous tradition of kicking out the jams while delivering relevant, socially conscious lyrics. And the So-Cal punkers prove that melody needn't take a back seat to crunchy guitar rhythms and whiplash beats - the songs on this CD have gobs of both.

ALICE PEACOCK

What do you get when you combine a husky blues voice, pop riffs, acoustic guitar and catchy songs? Alice Peacock. Her self-titled album is her first album on a major label (Columbia). The label signed her after she made a name for herself in the industry by selling 10,000 copies of her independent release. Peacock's song writing is honest and original, without a trace of pretension. The music has a folky quality but is infused with pop sounds. If you're a fan of Sheryl Crow or Joni Mitchell, definitely check out this album.

PHONE FACTS

The first payphones in America were staffed by an attendant who placed the call and collected money after the call was made. In 1889, inventor William Gray installed the first "postpay" phone, meaning coins were deposited into the machine after the call was made. In 1898, "prepay" phones appeared and were the norm until the modern "dial tone first" service appeared in 1966.

WISE WORDZ

"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room."

- African Proverb

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