Watercooler Stories

'Moofing' a sign of the times

CHICAGO, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- You may not know what "moofing" is, but the slang for "mobile out of office" is becoming increasingly useful in the U.S. workplace.

Originally coined by British business manager James McCarthy, the term "moof" has caught on in a big way in many major U.S. cities, where mobile devices allow workers to remain active wherever they go, The Chicago Tribune said.

But while office workers and even busy parents attest to the value of moofing, McCarthy warns that being busy while on the go does not necessarily equate with being productive.

"You can miss out on office connections and relationships," he told the Tribune. "And some days, it can be difficult to concentrate, wherever you are located. Moofing doesn't always mean you'll be more productive at any one time."

But in a world of rush-hour traffic to and from work, along with tight cubicles and office chatter, McCarthy said a little moofing can do wonders for some workers.

New York not getting safer for birds

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- New York officials are cracking down on poachers trapping pigeons for sale to out-of-state bird hunters and possibly even restaurants.

Bird lovers say the bird-nappers drive through the city in the early morning, tempting birds with seed and then trapping them in large nets, The New York Post reported. The birds are then sold for $5 or $10.

Animal advocates gained the ear of City Councilman Tony Avella, who passed their complaint along to the city, the Post said.

In response, Health Department Commissioner Thomas Frieden said he is starting a coordinated effort with other city and state agencies to combat the practice.

Concerned citizens who witness pigeon harvesting can inform authorities by calling the city's 3-1-1 citizen access hotline.

Chelsea Clinton a rebel -- vegetarian

CONCORD, N.H., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Chelsea Clinton, whose father was once the U.S. president and whose mother is seeking the same office, rebelled in her youth by becoming a vegetarian.

While traveling with her mother, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., on the campaign trail, the youngest Clinton told one potential supporter who happened to be a vegan her unusual story of rebellion, The New York Post said Sunday.

"My mother is asking these questions partly because I got home when I was 11 and just declared I was no longer eating meat," the 27-year-old said during the recent visit to New Hampshire.

Chelsea Clinton has become an integral part of her mother's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, focusing on drawing in younger supporters for her mom's campaign.

The Post said at one recent function, the young Clinton even used a bit of the charm typically associated with former President Bill Clinton.

Talking with a young male college student, Chelsea asked him for his support and then flashed him a wink, apparently for emphasis.

Wife mulls baby contract for husband

DENVER, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A Colorado woman who admits to over-thinking things is preparing for motherhood by having her husband of 19 years sign a baby contract.

Renata Bauman said that when she finally decided she was prepared to have a child, she was concerned her husband, Nick Rosen, would not adequately meet his parental responsibilities. Her answer, The Denver Post said, was an actual baby contract.

With Bauman due to give birth in May, the former corporate litigator took the contract very seriously.

"(A) You will take my various parenting concerns seriously, e.g., not blow them off, laugh them off, refuse to discuss or consider them with an open mind," the contract read. "(B) You will agree to be responsible for an equal share of the childcare and parenting responsibility -- as those things are defined by me."

But when it finally came down to signing the document, the Post said Bauman gave Rosen a pass and chose to focus on trust rather than insisting in getting it in writing.