CSMonitor-This Week's Backstory Articles

Now everyone's a comedian
From stockbrokers to firefighters, more people are pursuing stand-up comedy as a hobby - or even a second career.

Spain's collection agents practice public humiliation
Debtors may be visited by collectors disguised as monks, bagpipe players, bullfighters, or even Zorro.

The iPod generation in stitches
Young people discover a traditional domestic art tailor-made for them - sewing.

The sharks of Australian suburbia
The prime waterfront real estate on Australia's Gold Coast is not just habitat for humanity - even sharks want a piece of the action.

Having a (broom) ball
The sport with the air of a snowball fight may be the biggest thing to sweep college campuses since streaking.

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