Friday, August 3, 2012: Van Halen - Panama

After focusing on such a big country like Germany, it is only right we feature one of the smaller countries as we enter into the weekend - how about Panama?

Best Sports: They have a few elite athletes but other than that competitors are scattered sparadically

Star Performers: Irving Saladino is the reigning Olympic long jump champion and Panama's first ever gold medalist. He will return to the Olympics to defend his title. Alonso Edward won a silver in the 2009 World Championships, behind Usain Bolt, and has qualified for the same event in 2012.

Olympic Medal History: 1 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze

Olympic Debut: 1928

Total Games Appearances: 15


(All Olympic information is courtesy of The Telegraph, and their excellent Olympics Country Profile page).

Thursday, May 3, 2012: Sharon Van Etten - Serpents

Let's keep the new releases coming.

Off her third album, 2012's "Tramp", here is the haunting Brooklyn singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten.

August 22, 2011: Van Halen - Jump

Its JUMP WEEK here on Cool Song Of The Day!

Yes, gentle reader, here we go with another of our immensely popular and successful theme weeks!

The theme this week is JUMP - verb
1. to spring clear of the ground or other support by a sudden muscular effort; leap
2. to rise suddenly or quickly
3. to advance rapidly from one level to another, especially in rank; pass through or skip intermediate stages in a forward or upward progression

To jump is generally thought to be something positive (to jump for joy) or to emphasize excitement and energy (that joint was jumping), or taking advantage of an opportunity (she jumped at the chance).

My reasoning for doing this specific theme week is that, unless you've been living under a rock, these are peculiar and difficult times we are living in. And, if you have been living under a rock, your life is probably even more peculiar and difficult. In short, it is rough out there, and it feels like it ain't gonna get any smoother anytime soon.

Also, with a specific 10 year anniversary just on the horizon, I'm sure the mood will soon turn even more somber.

This week pretty much marks the last week of summer. Some of you have finished your holidays, some of you might even be back at school this week. So, let's take this week, this last gasp of freedom, this stretch of sun just before that slow slide into autumn, and lets stretch our legs, raise up our arms and take that leap.

Let's do something positive, emphasize excitement and take advantage of an opportunity. Just one more time.

What do you say? Might as well jump...