Forward Spin

By Janice Castro

TIME SAVERS

Japan has developed a computerized vacuum cleaner that lets itself out of the closet and does the house, and a word processor that works under water. Nice, but how about a device that might let someone take a day off every so often?

GREATEST HITS

Bill Clinton sang Don't Be Cruel during the primaries, played Heartbreak Hotel on Arsenio and danced to Don't Stop at the convention finale. Lately he's been crooning Stand by Me as he greets voters along the bus tour. In November, no doubt, he plans to do his version of We Will Rock You.

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

An inventor who has patented a safer, blunt-end type of ear-cleaning cotton swab says he got the idea from Hammer's flattop. Next: a feather duster that looks like Don King's do.