1.   SWIMMING two to three times a week has helped Sir Thomas Thomson to perfect the art of keeping his head above water.

2.   A bye week also helps the defense re-focus.

3.   A four-day work week helped save Volkswagen.

4.   A surge in demand from new domestic mutual funds starting up this week also helped stocks, said Hiroshi Masuda, deputy general manager at Yamaichi Securities.

5.   A surge in demand from new domestic mutual funds starting this week also helped stocks, said Hiroshi Masuda, deputy general manager at Yamaichi Securities.

6.   Bush aides believe his three-day defense policy mission this week helped cement his image as a president concerned about the military.

7.   But the five-day week would help.

8.   Getting the majority of the reps in practice this week will help, but what will help McCann the most, he says, is the game experience.

9.   Henderson said simplifying responsibilities, with fewer slants and less looping, and increased live hitting in practice this week should help turn his group around.

10.   It will be interesting to see if the off week has helped cool tensions.