UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Manic Monday brings divorce deluge

LONDON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Divorce lawyers call this Monday D-Day -- the Monday after the holiday season when reality sets in hard, and they're deluged with calls.

It's also one of the busiest days of the year for industries aimed at starting anew: debt consolidators, travel agencies and job hunting, The Times of London said.

"Christmas is not a cause of divorce but it is certainly a catalyst, and January is the busiest time of the year for us as a result," James Stewart, a partner at Manches, England's biggest family law firm, told the Times.

"Families who don't spend much time together ordinarily are forced to spend a lot of time together. It is an expensive time and financial difficulties can exacerbate existing tensions."

Family allegedly beats dad over iPod

KINGSTON, Wash., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A 13-year-old Kingston, Wash., boy allegedly bit and kicked his 46-year-old father in the groin over an iPod, with his mother allegedly joining the fray.

Kitsap County deputies were called to the house where the father said that his son had become impatient because he wanted to use the computer to load songs on to his iPod, but was not allowed, the Kitsap (Wash.) Sun reported Monday.

After taking the iPod away from the boy, the father said, he was bitten on the finger and kicked in the groin.

As they struggled, the 44-year-old wife and mother appeared and punched her husband in the face several times before leaving with the son, the father alleged.

The father told deputies she had a history of mental illness and had attempted suicide in the past.

The woman was later arrested and booked into the Kitsap County jail for fourth-degree assault.

A report of the son's involvement in the fight was forwarded to the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney's juvenile division office.

Bush pokes fun at his use of English

CHICAGO, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush poked fun at himself Monday and his handling of the English language.

During a trip to Chicago and an appearance before businessmen at the Union League Club, Bush noted former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill also appeared at the club in 1932 "right before I was born."

"When people think of Churchill, of course they marvel at what he managed to do with the English language," Bush said. "When people think of me -- never mind."

Church members do away with complaining

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Members of a Charlotte, N.C., church have taken a New Year's pledge to halt all complaining for 21 consecutive days.

Rev. Nancy Ennis of the 135-member Unity of Charlotte church said purple rubber bracelets were passed out to her congregation to show they are working to help create "a complaint-free world," the Charlotte Observer reported Monday.

Church members who catch themselves complaining are required to move the bracelet to their opposite wrist and restart their 21 days at the beginning.

The program was first used in 2006 by the Rev. Will Bowen at a Unity church in Kansas City, Mo. Bowen's church has since shipped 6 million bracelets worldwide to people who requested them and Bowen authored a book on the subject, "A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted."

Ennis said participants are encouraged to take legitimate grievances to the subject and work their concerns out amicably, rather than simply complain.

"We are here to build up with love," Ennis told her congregation, "not tear down with criticism and complaining."