tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299164332024-03-23T13:59:08.409-04:00Tales from the Testosterone ZoneMusings from a mother of three boys. If you're looking to bolster your alpha-maleness, go away!Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-14625231894471741342007-08-31T15:29:00.000-04:002007-08-31T15:35:44.233-04:00Movin' On UpTales From The Testosterone Zone has <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">moved</span> to a new home. Please change your bookmarks and bloglinks to come visit us at Wordpress.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://testosteronezone.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">http://testosteronezone.wordpress.com/</span></a></span><br /></div><br /><br />Bye, Blogger. It's been fun.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-41820610545475639402007-08-30T10:19:00.000-04:002007-08-30T10:19:33.293-04:00Because I Said SoOne of the August Moms sent the group a link to an eBay auction of Pokemon cards. The seller is a mother of six children. One of the little darlings sneaked a pack of Pokemon cards in her grocery cart, and the mom only found out later on. She was so furious that she sold the cards on eBay. Click <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2m42bd">here</a> to view the auction.<br /><br /><a href="http://somewhereinthesuburbs.blogspot.com/">Somewhere in The Suburbs</a> found a link to this woman's blog, "<a href="http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/">Because I Said So</a>." The author, Dawn Meehan, has been blogging since June 2007, and she already has some 77,000 hits to her blog because of that eBay auction. I'm a little jealous, but I'll get over it.<br /><br />You MUST read her <a href="http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/2007/08/i-resign.html">resignation letter</a>. I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. I only wish I could write like that. Then again, I don't want the "six pack of motivation" she has. Ugh, my three wolves are enough.<br /><br />Go ahead! Have a laugh.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-65452802848953684722007-08-29T01:10:00.000-04:002007-08-29T01:11:50.961-04:00Smog Angeles (Part 4 of 4)<span style="font-style: italic;">Back to our regular programming . . .</span><br /><br />After the Jeopardy! taping, we resumed our breakneck tour of Los Angeles. The next free morning took us back to the Hollywood Bowl for another free dress rehearsal. This morning we heard Michael Tilson Thomas conduct the L.A. Philharmonic and the L.A. Master Chorale in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._9_%28Beethoven%29">Beethoven's 9th Symphony</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_to_Joy">"Ode to Joy"</a>. They were outstanding. MTT elicited so many nuances from the orchestra, it was like hearing the piece for the first time. The Chorale was phenomenal. Their voices were a wall of jubilant sound bursting forth to the very top of the Bowl. I have sung the Ninth before, so it was a thrill to hear it performed so well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyWgEiUYj-wmoaSrcJGLRBKIMP8I2HCJhWzsCLesKDIVqNd2gW8d6H2fkaZzn80GCzJ4mh7o7JywTN3ujdiuLAtu-5VKuNe0DARpgso_b4W4q1VVjPB-0DMP-qwzbrh2Or1HH/s1600-h/pnksezlrt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyWgEiUYj-wmoaSrcJGLRBKIMP8I2HCJhWzsCLesKDIVqNd2gW8d6H2fkaZzn80GCzJ4mh7o7JywTN3ujdiuLAtu-5VKuNe0DARpgso_b4W4q1VVjPB-0DMP-qwzbrh2Or1HH/s200/pnksezlrt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103804418424692226" border="0" /></a>With the sounds of joy ringing in our ears, we drove off the mountain and down to <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);" href="http://www.pinkshollywood.com/">Pink's</a> Hot Dogs for lunch. This is the Hollywood hot dog institution that's been at the corner of La Brea and Melrose for 39 years. At lunch on a hot day in the middle of the week, the line was nearly 20 people long. We all had a good time choosing and creating our perfect dogs, but Wild Thing enjoyed his the most.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VzcDrkqe3JG3PBlOrgl2Oh2BSjyVvEEPzMnk9b0n01v9aZkgKdOk7qlB3uJj5ONhEe3Wj0BeU1WoqmZ9u1ERRT-7tWZfGbMPcAoWpEoGfuo10OBDjHSwkjbGNH9I_k7-rYqK/s1600-h/869386-R1-23-23_024_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VzcDrkqe3JG3PBlOrgl2Oh2BSjyVvEEPzMnk9b0n01v9aZkgKdOk7qlB3uJj5ONhEe3Wj0BeU1WoqmZ9u1ERRT-7tWZfGbMPcAoWpEoGfuo10OBDjHSwkjbGNH9I_k7-rYqK/s320/869386-R1-23-23_024_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103805423447039506" border="0" /></a><br />Thus fortified, we went in search of that sulfurous, odiferous place known as the La Brea Tar Pits (George C. Page Museum). The boys loved it! I thought it was pretty interesting, too. The lake pits have regularly belched methane and asphalt for some 30,000 years. It is at once bizarre and captivating. The boys particularly enjoyed the woolly mammoths -- statues outside and reproductions inside -- and a sabre-tooth tiger skeleton and hologram.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS7aScSUBCupsdYjNnZsaKYfLaNlzLoUfLlYB_0GONQOyh598vFhTnLBsyPrALl0SMwYp7sz1Z5c6cDOg1xs4iOjG8YTiDTyw4Q2LqttmSwH6eaRB-RLCfV7iGUK_dZ0P-QaW/s1600-h/869520-R1-00-1A_001_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS7aScSUBCupsdYjNnZsaKYfLaNlzLoUfLlYB_0GONQOyh598vFhTnLBsyPrALl0SMwYp7sz1Z5c6cDOg1xs4iOjG8YTiDTyw4Q2LqttmSwH6eaRB-RLCfV7iGUK_dZ0P-QaW/s200/869520-R1-00-1A_001_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103809761364008482" border="0" /></a><br />When we were finished being The Flintstones, we drove back into the 21st century Farmer's Market, complete with valet parking. We found fresh limeade and lychees there and not much else; however, it was a good place to buy cheap souvenirs. We finished the day at a noodle shop in West L.A., Asahi Ramen ("noodle nirvana"), on Sawtelle. That street is a mecca for fabulous Asian food.<br /><br />The following day was our last in Smog Angeles. We began with breakfast at another L.A. institution, Langer's, a real Jewish delicatessen. The boys did not understand their father's fascination with this place. WineGuy saw it to be a throwback to the classic 1960s deli experience, complete with knishes, corned beef hash, and egg creams. The boys viewed it as some diner in a seedy part of town, where there were no Jews to be found. [Sometimes I think WineGuy's mindset is still set somewhere between "Leave It To Beaver" and "Sargent Pepper".] The food was fair. The experience? Wistful. But, it was relatively close to Watts, Hebrew Union College, and the California Science Center. The latter was our destination. It, too, was disappointing. Those exhibits which worked were weak. It was jam-packed with hundreds of screaming kids, and we were not amused. Wild Thing and Moose most enjoyed BodyWorks, featuring "Tess," the 50-foot woman (a body simulator). Wizard had a blast riding the High Wire Bicycle.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kJHyh-IKpE7-l1AsWrKCgrce6Zhm6hunceUfLv78PT91ymJbylZ0iV4h06iB52mTd6vN-xfkTF3XpAzGBXaGZ8nXo8TDwgTJU5zVHxh2tR_S4x0V5e9a3Gk_tNMU3uf8Kzo8/s1600-h/869520-R1-07-8A_008_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kJHyh-IKpE7-l1AsWrKCgrce6Zhm6hunceUfLv78PT91ymJbylZ0iV4h06iB52mTd6vN-xfkTF3XpAzGBXaGZ8nXo8TDwgTJU5zVHxh2tR_S4x0V5e9a3Gk_tNMU3uf8Kzo8/s200/869520-R1-07-8A_008_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103817410700762722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVTwQ7elK2b7fU6JPs-GXJpvRYuCS62B8BU1rujDN9gb2_Sl-3ARMEQWlc10lF8uJbdewFhwfJVarN1rc7w-RhbrRvowl6KTl06XYh6-05BJndcGK_03XieRtc0fSv-Ery7SQ/s1600-h/869520-R1-08-9A_009_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVTwQ7elK2b7fU6JPs-GXJpvRYuCS62B8BU1rujDN9gb2_Sl-3ARMEQWlc10lF8uJbdewFhwfJVarN1rc7w-RhbrRvowl6KTl06XYh6-05BJndcGK_03XieRtc0fSv-Ery7SQ/s200/869520-R1-08-9A_009_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103817543844748914" border="0" /></a><br />That's the end of our Adventures in Smog Angeles. We did not see any movie or TV stars there other than Alex Trebek. We flew back to Miami, drove home, did many loads of laundry and packed for our next trip, Chicago.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-2388174699573112482007-08-28T11:40:00.000-04:002007-08-28T14:30:41.878-04:00Broadcast Interruption<span style="font-style: italic;">We interrupt your regularly scheduled "Smog Angeles" programming for this important announcement:</span> I am on the horns of a dilemma.<br /><br />The next days of our L.A. trip were devoted to my Jeopardy! appearance. I want to describe the experience in detail, but I am contractually prohibited from divulging the results until<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-size:130%;">the air date, OCTOBER 17, 2007</span></span>. Check your local TV listings for the time; even if you don't know me personally, you'll easily figure out who I am.<br /><br />I have already written the final installment of our trip to LaLaLand. I'll post it tomorrow.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-48024886353545850862007-08-27T11:24:00.000-04:002007-08-29T01:11:06.157-04:00Smog Angeles (Part 3 of 4)<span style="font-size:85%;">[Part 2 turned out to be very long, so I continue here.]</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3RwHcOcYEoSYbNKrio4Ao5LhhA84FBoEM_jsZ2SzQMhH42VgU9oQKTTrn9yiD1Mlt0A5MlcEbiY6mwUMk6WaohhUFRu1up_K1s1FKtyPn7S7ft0_PlpyQlmvUYCK5qMvqAx6/s1600-h/869386-R1-02-3A_003_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3RwHcOcYEoSYbNKrio4Ao5LhhA84FBoEM_jsZ2SzQMhH42VgU9oQKTTrn9yiD1Mlt0A5MlcEbiY6mwUMk6WaohhUFRu1up_K1s1FKtyPn7S7ft0_PlpyQlmvUYCK5qMvqAx6/s320/869386-R1-02-3A_003_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103456130936724898" border="0" /></a><br />One true highlight of this trip was our visit to the Getty Museum. We've been trying to get there for 10 years, and WineGuy and I were ecstatic to have finally made it. The Getty was worth the wait. The Disney Hall paled in comparison to Richard Meier's travertine tour-de-force on the mountain. Wizard and I took an architecture tour, wherein they discussed how Meier lived on the site during the 15 years it took to build the museum, research center, and foundation buildings. Regardless of which gallery you're in, there is plenty of seemingly natural light, that moves with the day and changes the patron's viewing experience. The interplay of light and shadow on the walkways was artful.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-3QnRisVRWx0O5tcwiI3_IohKeqz78WTKHuO7mw8HehXd2QfIzar1a4u7lN4WDuNrrjL-muLqPXJJi_VJp1XeOu2ZEcaVBmpP0lQNTT8MAxnQV6WJe6GrxzePU1KERXQ_53f/s1600-h/889397-R1-19-20_020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-3QnRisVRWx0O5tcwiI3_IohKeqz78WTKHuO7mw8HehXd2QfIzar1a4u7lN4WDuNrrjL-muLqPXJJi_VJp1XeOu2ZEcaVBmpP0lQNTT8MAxnQV6WJe6GrxzePU1KERXQ_53f/s320/889397-R1-19-20_020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103454997065358738" border="0" /></a><br />Meier said that his task was to "manipulate forms in light, changes in scale and view, movement and stasis." He used the principles of Modernist architecture – simplified forms, materials and function that dictate the final result – to create volumes and surfaces and that mold the light. The setting is incomparable; the buildings are masterful. Nothing overwhelms the visitor except for the vistas, which are beautiful from every vantage point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDWiMeCCxWFWF3T9sI4_fESJN2-75lnGpCGCG8Lnab4yWb1o-KDaA8YKfFL9_LfmbhAl-10vIyCAs7GNdr1jMo-ogMe3IJ6igltvGOXnM1auhjMN0_2TSTY1UnAUlSWQrEoWp/s1600-h/869386-R1-06-7A_007_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDWiMeCCxWFWF3T9sI4_fESJN2-75lnGpCGCG8Lnab4yWb1o-KDaA8YKfFL9_LfmbhAl-10vIyCAs7GNdr1jMo-ogMe3IJ6igltvGOXnM1auhjMN0_2TSTY1UnAUlSWQrEoWp/s320/869386-R1-06-7A_007_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103456959865413042" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, yes, they have art there, too. Good art, some outstanding pieces. Truly remarkable for such a young collection. It goes to show you that a huge endowment can create an amazing collection in no time. From the ancient Roman antiquities (some of which have recently been in the news), to the illuminated manuscripts, the period French furnishings, and the incredible Impressionist paintings, it is clear that the museum directors had <span style="font-style: italic;">carte blanche</span> to pursue the ultimate collection. My little art student, Wild Thing, was particularly taken with Van Gogh's <span style="font-style: italic;">Irises</span>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gogh/irises/gogh.irises.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gogh/irises/gogh.irises.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>He loved the brushstrokes and movement in Van Gogh's paintings. We also enjoyed seeing some of Edward Weston's photographs. WineGuy and I had a great time discussing the visual and psychological ambiguities of <a href="http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/manet_bar/">Edouard Manet's <i>A Bar at the Folies-Bergère</i></a>. which was a special exhibit this summer.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc9eOvoAF3GqDVDzJijcXD0Hrrr4ETLhTfdD-XxUlyMIp_vSLARxzqch71DO2b2Dar9FDvOlv3I23TAA8O78vciXQ8E1xznwVdzewdPgjn4cHRFjrxpCPzVCgKT2OYwjWJmt3/s1600-h/manet_bar_zm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc9eOvoAF3GqDVDzJijcXD0Hrrr4ETLhTfdD-XxUlyMIp_vSLARxzqch71DO2b2Dar9FDvOlv3I23TAA8O78vciXQ8E1xznwVdzewdPgjn4cHRFjrxpCPzVCgKT2OYwjWJmt3/s320/manet_bar_zm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103452265466158466" border="0" /></a><br />After spending hours looking at art, we took a break at one of the lower level cafes. It was wonderful sitting outside in the cool mountain breeze overlooking the magnificent gardens at the Getty. We meandered down through the Central Garden, just blazing with summer's floral glory. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXpZpgt1A2qukF0UFM0iJ4ShYMg__TII-5KezR63fjo0bjFWVXg6_-cXx5XH5g3c1drjLefeQ4nhOwH4iG6HV6ksAODcrKDzXaXn7mfcugWIOnIBgDQ0oP5wlFx3FzIp9Dbyg/s1600-h/869386-R1-09-10A_010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXpZpgt1A2qukF0UFM0iJ4ShYMg__TII-5KezR63fjo0bjFWVXg6_-cXx5XH5g3c1drjLefeQ4nhOwH4iG6HV6ksAODcrKDzXaXn7mfcugWIOnIBgDQ0oP5wlFx3FzIp9Dbyg/s200/869386-R1-09-10A_010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103457569750769090" border="0" /></a>There is a series of water features whose sounds change depending where you stand near them. There were lots of butterflies and bees enjoying nature's bounty that day, too. We found a secluded sculpture garden just off the Central Garden. It offered "smogly" beautiful views of the City of Angels. We even hiked down to the South Promontory to see the cactus garden. Wizard took this photo of me and WineGuy in the Central Garden.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6Ef5tTEayBYa8fFNF6hqHoEsMI5mVSZbPn7ixoEXXb9s5fu1nOSiEKGHOrBGiEB60hsPhGSwftm6t2GviPDiA3U3Mb04hhJSb2G72kEk3fKGBR167T0H89yJS8ZanmIxM62U/s1600-h/869386-R1-07-8A_008_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6Ef5tTEayBYa8fFNF6hqHoEsMI5mVSZbPn7ixoEXXb9s5fu1nOSiEKGHOrBGiEB60hsPhGSwftm6t2GviPDiA3U3Mb04hhJSb2G72kEk3fKGBR167T0H89yJS8ZanmIxM62U/s320/869386-R1-07-8A_008_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103458664967429586" border="0" /></a><br />We ended our Getty excursion in the museum store, where I purchased a box of notecards featuring pictures of the building. WineGuy got a rock. Yes, a rock, like Charlie Brown found in his Halloween sack. No, I'm not kidding: WG purchased a small block of the ubiquitous travertine, etched with the museum's logo.<br /><br />Guess what? Our day was far from over. WineGuy believes in milking every last experience out of every trip -- despite exhausted and whining <strike>spouse</strike> children, so we took a little driving tour. We saw some famous theaters -- Pantages, El Capitan, and the newly restored Egyptian; the Capitol Records building and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I found Bonnie Raitt's star there, but not my own. ;-)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEPrPWayIfGOMzaLegeBBkH6jEVMKchSaQxo7RBvEe-1JNqxmDqKQpsJsgAcVqy3Xw3vODS389LirNZdZjH9Kfmuiqe1ppDrCkio_iLgNSBwAByuu5JHLpejUdznEAAGeTdwb/s1600-h/869386-R1-19-21A_020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEPrPWayIfGOMzaLegeBBkH6jEVMKchSaQxo7RBvEe-1JNqxmDqKQpsJsgAcVqy3Xw3vODS389LirNZdZjH9Kfmuiqe1ppDrCkio_iLgNSBwAByuu5JHLpejUdznEAAGeTdwb/s200/869386-R1-19-21A_020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103460997134671346" border="0" /></a>We wended our way up Mulholland Drive. The views from up there were spectacular, BUT the road is one tight switchback after another and requires 110% concentration to drive. You have to intensely crave privacy to live up there.<br /><br />Finally, the touring ended. We drove back downtown to have dinner at a Los Angeles institution, <a href="http://www.philippes.com/">Philippe</a> (pronounced "FILL-ih-pee") the Original. Philippe is "French dip heaven". Yea and verily it was. I've never had a better French dip sandwich anywhere. In fact, the leg of lamb version was even better than the beef. By the end of dinner, we were stuffed and exhausted. I needed to shower and get some sleep because the Jeopardy! taping was scheduled for the next two days.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-47159092182023477052007-08-24T18:27:00.000-04:002007-08-29T01:10:52.104-04:00Smog Angeles (Part 2 of 4)The weekend arrived, and that meant <span style="font-style: italic;">dim sum</span>, a traditional Chinese breakfast of dumplings. We took <a href="http://testosteronezone.blogspot.com/2007/07/la-briefly.html">Paige's advice</a>, albeit after the fact, and drove downtown to Empress Pavilion in Chinatown. Arriving early was the key to a good table and no crowds. This was strategic because we planned to take the 12:00 p.m. guided tour of the new Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown.<br /><br />Filled with <span style="font-style: italic;">shiu mei</span> and shrimp dumplings, we navigated our way across downtown Los Angeles. We found a parking spot on the street behind the concert hall and hiked up to the main entrance. WineGuy took Wild Thing and Moose inside to procure the tickets while Wizard and I loitered outside (and across the street) to take multiple photos of Frank Gehry's colossal "bloom". It is rumored that, from above, the Walt Disney Concert Hall looks like a blooming rose, an homage to patroness, Lillian Disney's, love of roses.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yG_1YxURnzFYpkhjNsfx4Pz6zCIeDQQKxvqzj3V2FGcXWRjN48SFVyAQZi77Dk4hnaohvMl44HguTX1l2LLbrAPi0Ys45-YbppcuxrbqHZTDO0gcR8c7w71MvXEVBHFhcrkk/s1600-h/889397-R1-06-7_007_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yG_1YxURnzFYpkhjNsfx4Pz6zCIeDQQKxvqzj3V2FGcXWRjN48SFVyAQZi77Dk4hnaohvMl44HguTX1l2LLbrAPi0Ys45-YbppcuxrbqHZTDO0gcR8c7w71MvXEVBHFhcrkk/s200/889397-R1-06-7_007_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102383205156511058" border="0" /></a><br />It took 16 years and $274 million to create this marvel of steel and wood. The exterior panels are made of bright- and satin-finished stainless steel panels. This photo shows Wizard in front of these panels.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPDY_2M-pRDTBl2J-0lVI5GSbbN7GNKYedY1xS3G1H9khgr9x_wj4Qrax5igQdOfP8DjntrT_G0-IpHM9ep1DcEA6Yn_6jaeHXlxN-WdvDrQ3RPTLwF0aAq-YrRl4ZcZaminh/s1600-h/889397-R1-11-12_012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPDY_2M-pRDTBl2J-0lVI5GSbbN7GNKYedY1xS3G1H9khgr9x_wj4Qrax5igQdOfP8DjntrT_G0-IpHM9ep1DcEA6Yn_6jaeHXlxN-WdvDrQ3RPTLwF0aAq-YrRl4ZcZaminh/s200/889397-R1-11-12_012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102383810746899810" border="0" /></a><br />There are lush public gardens on several levels around the building. One garden features a rose sculpture covered in a mosaic of broken Delft tiles. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq6TK6ouA6eCS0i3sAed1t2xc6V__DQEa6AVqvHrCXkIgOcdHqPod6-ma7Uy5PmywOO28a11-p3Pa_PBxhk9MFCugEJ5fKD5YWaF0I8ZSqyu0BuUU0N9pYPhqdrPXm7gjAPQV/s1600-h/889397-R1-14-15_015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq6TK6ouA6eCS0i3sAed1t2xc6V__DQEa6AVqvHrCXkIgOcdHqPod6-ma7Uy5PmywOO28a11-p3Pa_PBxhk9MFCugEJ5fKD5YWaF0I8ZSqyu0BuUU0N9pYPhqdrPXm7gjAPQV/s200/889397-R1-14-15_015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102382036925406514" border="0" /></a>The building's interior is even more curious as there are no right angles anywhere to be found. The architect used Douglas fir paneling throughout the public and performance spaces. As a result, the entire interior feels organic, almost living. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignPQE97Htngeq8N1LZnj3lH6-6Ap0AaYMRRlJxX4EvtaOKNHF8rsDzS-_XUU-laOy9RC50Oh7aVXY5oFtvqs7nTqrx_D5UM_uTeug8N3wzY68TPnM64A7Pw57PBdcKDoWvXFU/s1600-h/889397-R1-09-10_010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignPQE97Htngeq8N1LZnj3lH6-6Ap0AaYMRRlJxX4EvtaOKNHF8rsDzS-_XUU-laOy9RC50Oh7aVXY5oFtvqs7nTqrx_D5UM_uTeug8N3wzY68TPnM64A7Pw57PBdcKDoWvXFU/s200/889397-R1-09-10_010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102382260263705922" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, we were unable to view the performance space live as there was a closed rehearsal inside at that time. However, we did watch a video of the auditorium and saw up-close images of the amazing 6134-pipe organ, the "<a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4181668">forest of pipes</a>," which Gehry and Manuel Rosales designed for the hall. Although there is a terrific gift shop at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, we left without making a purchase because three children (who shall remain nameless) could not make a decision!<br /><br />We decided to explore a little more of downtown L.A. before heading on to our next destination. WineGuy navigated us through the Jewelry District, with over 3,000 wholesalers spread across several city blocks -- it's larger than New York's 47th Street; the Flower District, complete with wholesale markets exploding with color and fragrance; the Toy District, which is clearly the central market for all those crummy, little, toxic toys made in China. Afterwards, we drove back out to Belair to the Skirball Cultural Center.<br /><br />The Skirball Center is Reform Judaism's concept of a musuem <span style="font-style: italic;">cum</span> concert space <span style="font-style: italic;">cum</span> exhibition hall: a facility trying to be all things Jewish all at once, kind of like the Reform movement. To me it was an annoying and confusing melange of a public space. Their permanent exhibit, <i>Visions and Values: Jewish Life from Antiquity to America,</i> is a broad representation of Jewish artifacts from the Old World to the New. For a small exhibit, it was nicely curated but poorly organized. The most fascinating displays were about Jews in China (Kaifeng and Shanghai). WineGuy particularly liked the museum store there; it was a giant Judaica shop, the likes of which we haven't seen in a long time.<br /><br />After a Jewish outing, what should good Jews do? Eat, of course! Eat what? Chinese food, of course! Actually, we decided on a wonderful Japanese noodle shop in Beverly Hills . . . close enough. But first, we had to show the boys Rodeo Drive. The jaded little varmints I'm raising were totally unimpressed. Some comments worth repeating:<br /><ul><li>Why is it called Roh-DAY-oh Drive when it's spelled ROH-dee-oh? <span style="font-style: italic;">I have no clue.</span></li><li><span>What's so special about all the fancy cars? Jamie's dad drives a Bentley Continental</span><span>, and his mom drives a Range Rover. Donald's dad drive a convertible Jaguar, and Billy's mom drives a Maserati. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ho hum.</span></span></li><li><span>What's the big deal with Gucci and Prada and Hermes? We have the same stores at [the local fancy shopping center]. <span style="font-style: italic;">Did I mention they were jaded?</span></span></li></ul>And so the comments went about everything in Beverly Hills, from the shops to the houses: we have the same thing at home, and ours is bigger, fancier, and nicer. <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;">Jaded</span>, I tell you! The best we could do at that point was feed them dinner at <a href="http://mishima.com/restaurant.html">Mishima</a>. This was a terrific little noodle shop featuring giant bowls of <span style="font-style: italic;">udon</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">soba</span> soups. The tempura was great, too, but the biggest hit was Wild Thing's children's dinner. They served him noodles, rice, and a gelatin dessert in a monkey-shaped bento-like box: it had three sections, each stacked on top of the other, which formed a monkey's head when fully assembled. Here's a (downloaded) photo of the puppy box:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6zKlEvuohgkwTMDzO-nsOUqoqItW6jgINcXdM6ucayf6GTj7bUcngA0csBU6RxXLMLHFhhy153FCwSWz78D1I4zrQsXXxXNVb4zIcrFsUqCG5iJcar6E9bIoWxDGtqtZ8JUP/s1600-h/Bento+box.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6zKlEvuohgkwTMDzO-nsOUqoqItW6jgINcXdM6ucayf6GTj7bUcngA0csBU6RxXLMLHFhhy153FCwSWz78D1I4zrQsXXxXNVb4zIcrFsUqCG5iJcar6E9bIoWxDGtqtZ8JUP/s200/Bento+box.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102394402136251762" border="0" /></a>How cute is that??<br /><br />By now, you've figured out that our travels are mostly about food and museums. The following morning was no exception. We set out early on Sunday morning for breakfast at Kay 'n Dave's in Brentwood. On our way there, I passed a truck hauling a horse trailer and nearly crashed. There were CAMELS in the horse trailer, not horses! <span style="font-style: italic;">Only in L.A.</span> As it turned out, the truck brought its exotic livestock to set up a weekly petting zoo in a parking lot across the street from Kay n' Dave's. Breakfast was mediocre, but the postprandial entertainment was a hoot: camels, llamas, a cockatoo that tried to steal my diamond ring, some baby goats, and miniature horses. The boys reluctantly left the animals while WineGuy couldn't get out of there fast enough. We headed further north to Bel Air and the Getty Museum.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-26436030323263178062007-08-21T13:08:00.000-04:002007-08-29T01:10:37.431-04:00Smog Angeles (Part 1 of 4)Here it is, the first installment of The Zone Goes To Los Angeles. Suffice it to say that my children's first impression of the City of Angels was the horrible air. They couldn't believe "Hollywood" was so polluted. However, they did love the beach, and I loved what little I saw of Malibu.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9n794USjz1__dHc_JY6oazf3sG66RuJrshMbRwRztcRP9KVvtLUvgI_Wv9G37XErIv9WP0WEbaZOfIBUPw-QyyuNgG4168Yn7MbsaVhKTVeSsHX6k51yXsO_1KuUcAqZC552/s1600-h/869386-R1-14-16A_015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9n794USjz1__dHc_JY6oazf3sG66RuJrshMbRwRztcRP9KVvtLUvgI_Wv9G37XErIv9WP0WEbaZOfIBUPw-QyyuNgG4168Yn7MbsaVhKTVeSsHX6k51yXsO_1KuUcAqZC552/s320/869386-R1-14-16A_015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101232510403468578" border="0" /></a><br />The drive at the beginning of our trip presaged all the driving I would do throughout the entire trip. We drove from our home to Miami (2 hours) to catch a direct flight to LAX. It was a good plan to fly non-stop to the West Coast. We arrived in L.A. early enough in the afternoon to get some things done. AAA was our first stop, and it was very close to our hotel. Moose and I picked up our packet of L.A. maps and information. He proudly announced to the AAA clerk – and everyone else we met in L.A. – that I would be appearing on Jeopardy! We zoomed down Sepulveda to our hotel, Radisson Los Angeles West Side. The studio contracted a great rate for contestants so it was hard to pass up, even though Wine Guy would have rather stayed somewhere more central. The west side location allowed us to explore West L.A., Marina del Rey, Venice, and Santa Monica.<br /><br />Speaking of Venice, we managed to snag a reservation at <a href="http://www.joesrestaurant.com/">Joe's</a> for dinner that evening. Joe's gets top ratings in several categories from Zagat's (the little red dining guides that are foodie bibles): Most Popular and Top Food. We arrived at the beginning of dinner service and were seated in a lovely courtyard. Wine Guy and I each ordered the prix fixe dinner and some other small dishes for the boys. The waiter offered them things like plain pasta and grilled chicken, but my boys were having none of that! They wanted heirloom tomato salad, tuna tartare and the like. The service was attentive and fast, especially as the boys started to fade (and fuss) from exhaustion. All in all a good culinary start for the family that travels "by its stomach" so they say.<br /><br />Day 2 dawned sunny and smoggy. We motored over to <a href="http://susinabakery.com/">Susina Bakery</a> for some coffee and pastries to fortify us for the morning's activity, the <a href="http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/about/history.cfm">Hollywood Bowl</a>. The baked goods were pretty good but frightfully expensive for what we got. Nevertheless, we headed up into the hills to catch a free dress rehearsal of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. I was excited to go because I had seen the Bowl once before, briefly, when I was 15. We got great seats way down front and proceeded to read our L.A. Times and eat our goodies to the strains of violin soloist, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2xrkpc">Sarah Chang, playing a Brahms concerto</a>. The boys weren't interested in sitting still so they took great pleasure in running to the very top of the 18,000-seat ampitheater!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZnMIR12ZQAgfHTkM5HrP0pmjyjMp6CmdmRyegNbJDuKzKcYeqxQuJ_WovIAVb8h-td4E7CXtoGsA-3TDVxuwtLRYC8Qm_SFy8o3TtCyymkl3KPQ2_zu6hiu4U186KJFfJfaU/s1600-h/869398-R1-03-6A_004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZnMIR12ZQAgfHTkM5HrP0pmjyjMp6CmdmRyegNbJDuKzKcYeqxQuJ_WovIAVb8h-td4E7CXtoGsA-3TDVxuwtLRYC8Qm_SFy8o3TtCyymkl3KPQ2_zu6hiu4U186KJFfJfaU/s200/869398-R1-03-6A_004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101224912606321826" border="0" /></a> They ran up and down a few times and left us alone. It was bliss! After the rehearsal, Wine Guy navigated us through the old Jewish area, the Fairfax district, past Henson Productions and Kermit the Frog, and down to Little Ethiopia. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQn4R1SQ8KPLyegtCegnXvUrFPpjxRWwszhxVyM6Bi-v6FD3drHPEp2R7O4piqVOAta2sNYzdqa_L6ML3w2JisvM8ZFop5Z9uNlvr-6iHRyBH2G1HH4e66bQ_j8DGHIB4ik14/s1600-h/869398-R1-11-14A_012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQn4R1SQ8KPLyegtCegnXvUrFPpjxRWwszhxVyM6Bi-v6FD3drHPEp2R7O4piqVOAta2sNYzdqa_L6ML3w2JisvM8ZFop5Z9uNlvr-6iHRyBH2G1HH4e66bQ_j8DGHIB4ik14/s200/869398-R1-11-14A_012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101225294858411186" border="0" /></a>We enjoyed an authentic Ethiopian lunch at <a href="http://nyala-la.com/">Nyala</a>, complete with that spongy, sourdough-y bread, <span style="font-style: italic;">injera</span>. The food was interesting but fair.<br /><br />By this point the boys were tired and whining and wanted to swim. We ran back to the hotel, changed into swimming stuff and drove out to Venice Beach. We managed to find a prime parking spot, although with a 1-hour meter. It was enough time to see the boardwalk spectacle there and dip our toes in the (cold!) Pacific Ocean. We drove back to the hotel for dry clothes and headed back up the beach to Santa Monica for dinner. We had a reservation at the <a href="http://www.bordergrill.com/BGSM/bgsm.htm">Border Grill</a>, the restaurant made famous by the "Two Hot Tamales," former Food Network stars, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. I'll be frank: Border Grill is completely overrated. The Mexican food was neither creative nor authentic. It was barely better than Taco Bell. The service was indifferent and chaotic. The room was so dark that you needed a candle or flashlight to read the menu; and, it was deafeningly loud in there. Border Grill was a portent of things to come: an overrated restaurant of a celebrity chef relying on her reputation instead of her culinary skills. [See my comments about Rick Bayless in Chicago; link to follow.] On the way back to the hotel, we detoured through Marina del Rey to see the inlet and the fabulous boats.<br /><br />The next day we escaped the smog of the city for Pacific Palisades. WineGuy got us tickets to see the newly refurbished <a href="http://www.getty.edu/visit/">Getty Villa</a>. J. Paul Getty modeled his Malibu villa after the Villa dei Papiri (Papyrus House) excavated in Herculenium, near Pompeii. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyS8bHop0I-5Ozt-rxsOBGwkumU7keC5xfebKTdcy4bKoN5sdShShZHMLYj2Wd1AkrBJAxu5ykkTEQ3Mim_Kkv8JNXkv3GNaKD6N0EE7f1IkYotvZ1oQMJKAvoDoo_FD4G3kqJ/s1600-h/869398-R1-18-21A_019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyS8bHop0I-5Ozt-rxsOBGwkumU7keC5xfebKTdcy4bKoN5sdShShZHMLYj2Wd1AkrBJAxu5ykkTEQ3Mim_Kkv8JNXkv3GNaKD6N0EE7f1IkYotvZ1oQMJKAvoDoo_FD4G3kqJ/s200/869398-R1-18-21A_019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101229787394202850" border="0" /></a>It is a 2-story museum dedicated to the study of Ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art. The interior is cool and quiet despite the hot sun outside. There are lovely gardens: an inner Peristyle (courtyard),<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0i5Nh-0WFijqsunXvCuwK-7pRiTgWKbnPA_KE8IYawRpFD6sQOaCQo-u96wH-g7Y4_f_OrcqJaCU-Am8MEziJwFLaaHdGUKeXYX-CXLoWJMTwD3EH-QfH13LJ_y4QQEgGz9Nd/s1600-h/869398-R1-17-20A_018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0i5Nh-0WFijqsunXvCuwK-7pRiTgWKbnPA_KE8IYawRpFD6sQOaCQo-u96wH-g7Y4_f_OrcqJaCU-Am8MEziJwFLaaHdGUKeXYX-CXLoWJMTwD3EH-QfH13LJ_y4QQEgGz9Nd/s200/869398-R1-17-20A_018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101230255545638130" border="0" /></a> the East Garden with a beautiful blue mosaic fountain, and a magnificent Outer Peristyle with a reflecting pool.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MDbhTb0lHBRuuSKXtzZFVRlkCuJweCdAlO7Aum7VHXxQ4gTmW8ajhf8f_sMwHoArLg5J4ptKKITrlbmrsObi_Ptyh5b-NmQxX29_Zv9YuG03s7d_Tp9MqS6D_3WGjfJRK1F1/s1600-h/869398-R1-15-18A_016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MDbhTb0lHBRuuSKXtzZFVRlkCuJweCdAlO7Aum7VHXxQ4gTmW8ajhf8f_sMwHoArLg5J4ptKKITrlbmrsObi_Ptyh5b-NmQxX29_Zv9YuG03s7d_Tp9MqS6D_3WGjfJRK1F1/s200/869398-R1-15-18A_016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101230594848054530" border="0" /></a> The Villa's antiquities included beautiful sculptures and urns and the most intricate mosaics all over the walls and floors. There is also an outdoor ampitheater that is generally used for staging ancient dramas, in which my "gladiators" struck their own poses!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1btb0VLkcY2PFrZqt30KiTofXO7nlz1B2LfIh6u0ihjPKYb4Ir-GHH04AwnIzRD-8OcFsk77lVaDzs2GiPvhmVHdZAHzUVGTDDPFX5xsQMbbVgqgWO35RAozh-1U4mPmuXtrM/s1600-h/869398-R1-20-23A_021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1btb0VLkcY2PFrZqt30KiTofXO7nlz1B2LfIh6u0ihjPKYb4Ir-GHH04AwnIzRD-8OcFsk77lVaDzs2GiPvhmVHdZAHzUVGTDDPFX5xsQMbbVgqgWO35RAozh-1U4mPmuXtrM/s200/869398-R1-20-23A_021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101231853273472274" border="0" /></a><br />We surprised ourselves at spending the entire day at the Villa; there was so much to do. The family took a guided tour of the museum's highlights. We had a lovely lunch at the museum's café. Later on, Wizard and I took an architecture tour while WineGuy took Wild Thing and Moose on the Children's Tour of the galleries. A great thing about these guided tours was the wi-fi audio system used by the tourguides and guests: the guide spoke in a normal voice, and there was no shoving to be at the front of the line to hear or see. Really smart! Walking around all that antiquity in all that heat really wore us out, so we drove back to the hotel and rested for a while. Dinner that night was at a Los Angeles institution: In-N-Out Burger. The little critics loved the milk shakes, liked the burgers, and hated the French Fries. For dessert, we found this little <span style="font-style: italic;">paletería</span>, a Mexican popsicle and ice cream shop, called Mateo's (in the 4900 block of Sepulveda). <span style="font-style: italic;">Paletas</span> are Mexican popsicles usually made out of fresh, tropical fruits like mango, mamey, <span style="font-style: italic;">maracuya</span> (passionfruit), guava, ñance, etc. Mateo's featured mouth-watering sorbets made from these fruits; they were cool and refreshing after a hot day.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />(Apologies for the date stamp on the photos. The photos are from my film camera; my digital camera was being repaired. I had the photo center burn a CD with my 35mm photos.)<br /></span>Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-80094606770384842962007-08-19T22:16:00.001-04:002007-08-19T22:33:36.643-04:00Hang OnThe kids start school in two days. After I have coffee with all my friends on the first day of school, I'll come home and post details about our trips to Los Angeles and Chicago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fQvc4Kc9GBX5xVKiQVM1J_KiGKc60NwxqUwoDo5Tmmi_4qS2KzDorlwfYjYdTNeIBMKvd-VAAh1kww05yu0nN6FIH-w9I467g6K7bvOHoX-0EEHx9SGbZbTjHhs_Ndi4a7_g/s1600-h/hang_in_there_baby.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fQvc4Kc9GBX5xVKiQVM1J_KiGKc60NwxqUwoDo5Tmmi_4qS2KzDorlwfYjYdTNeIBMKvd-VAAh1kww05yu0nN6FIH-w9I467g6K7bvOHoX-0EEHx9SGbZbTjHhs_Ndi4a7_g/s200/hang_in_there_baby.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100605135940607122" border="0" /></a><br />When we got home from Chi-town last week, I hoped to hit the ground running. Forget it. I landed in an alligator pond . . . as in "up to my a** in alligators". Moose had an infected ingrown toenail which necessitated a trip to the podiatrist, Foot. Foot took care of Moose's toe and lectured him (again) not to bite his toenails. Ewwww. Foot also trimmed one of my toenails that cracked in half when I ran into Wild Thing who stopped short to gawk at <strike>nothing</strike> something. Then I asked Foot to look at Wizard's gait. We noticed he was dragging his right foot badly while shlepping around Chicago. We thought it was an affectation, but it clearly is not.<br /><br />Wizard has a new onset foot drop. He can walk on his toes but not on his heels. He apparently has tendinitis in his left achilles tendon as well. Foot was so concerned about Wizard that she consulted our family neurologist, Nerve. Nerve doesn't see kids, so we have to take Wizard to the pediatric neurologist this week. Every doc we've consulted has asked about headaches, of which Wizard has complained some. Now I'm imagining all sorts of horrible things, from stroke to brain tumor. Dear Lord, what next.<br /><br />In good Customer Service news is a commendation for our local Sam's Club optical department. Before the appointment with Foot, I took Wizard to the eye doctor, who wrote a new glasses prescription. We ran to Sam's Club to order new glasses and begged the manager to get them in before school started. The manager did me one better: he got the new glasses in in two days!! Wizard had them in time for us to attend our friend's son's Bar Mitzvah this past weekend. Kudos to Pete, the optician.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-294809296664594872007-08-07T21:48:00.000-04:002007-08-07T22:51:21.030-04:00My Kind Of TownChicago is my kind of town. At least it will be for the next week. We arrived today to 90+F temperatures and high humidity. Feels just like home, except for the beautiful architecture and great food.<br /><br />I know you are waiting for a detailed description of our trip to L.A. and my Jeopardy! appearance. I will post lots of details -- but no spoilers -- when we return on Aug. 14th.<br /><br />Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-83967855380468051502007-08-04T21:56:00.001-04:002007-08-04T21:58:43.253-04:00Back from L.A. and Off to ChicagoWe got home very, very late two nights ago from Los Angeles. We unpacked and have been doing laundry in preparation for another trip to Chicago two days hence. I have lots to report from the Left Coast, but I cannot give Jeopardy details. I will describe what it was like to be on the set and to meet Alex Trebek. But not tonight because the washer calls.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-75775157523266995532007-07-27T21:55:00.000-04:002007-07-28T00:56:42.741-04:00L.A., BrieflyWe arrived in Los Angeles without incident two days ago. The flight was an hour late leaving Miami, but it made up the time in the air. The boys behaved very well on the 5-hour flight. They have been good for the most part here, but a little wild. Wizard sees his job as testing the limits of my and WineGuy's patience every chance he gets. We've done a little sightseeing and even got to Venice Beach. Boy, the Pacific Ocean is COLD! Not at all like the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico near my house.<br /><br />Jeopardy! news: I called the Jeopardy office yesterday. They told me that 13 people are scheduled to appear on Monday, July 30, 2007. The receptionist told me that there is a guy, who has already won three games, who will be the returning champion next week. Yikes!!! I also gave the Jeopardy office my guest list. Malibu Mom and her two daughters will be attending along with WineGuy, Wizard, and Wild Thing. Malibu Mom's nanny will watch Moose the two taping days. I am really grateful for her help; it 's the only way I could make all these arrangements work.<br /><br />More later when I can. Keep those good thoughts and prayers coming!Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-49476551679081854322007-07-24T11:31:00.000-04:002007-07-24T22:13:22.425-04:00AA Argh!<span style="font-style: italic;">A cautionary tale . . .</span><br /><br />American Airlines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEFrtoXe537RvYt6sLVE9GMmAzVCdBlP0oeyIiQ6axWjXe3MJJdS34n1lMWd_vmCNHM2qvWxh0ikWuFVYQoVI6XjQqHRH_ttQTL6bHvnQ7BUpttjo8rQ54cS6mlpIKAVkGjCP/s1600-h/american_airlines_logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEFrtoXe537RvYt6sLVE9GMmAzVCdBlP0oeyIiQ6axWjXe3MJJdS34n1lMWd_vmCNHM2qvWxh0ikWuFVYQoVI6XjQqHRH_ttQTL6bHvnQ7BUpttjo8rQ54cS6mlpIKAVkGjCP/s200/american_airlines_logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090802279922885074" border="0" /></a> nearly gave me a heart attack. I was sitting here gathering all my paperwork to pack for our trip to Los Angeles. I checked in and printed boarding passes for myself, Wizard, Wild Thing, and Moose. WineGuy had a separate record because we used travel credits left over from our <a href="http://testosteronezone.blogspot.com/2006/11/best-laid-plans.html">aborted trip</a> last Thanksgiving. I went to check WineGuy in and found that he does not have an electronic ticket. What?<br /><br />I called American Airlines reservations and navigated my way through their hellish automated system. The agent told me WineGuy's ticket was not paid for and that they were waiting for the travel vouchers. My blood pressure vaulted as I informed the agent that the ticket was, in-fact, paid for, but again she demurred. I asked to be transferred to a supervisor. Smartvisor (<span style="font-style: italic;">c.f.</span>, <a href="http://testosteronezone.blogspot.com/2006/08/die-fpl-die.html">Stupidvisor</a>) picked up the call. Smartvisor, who works for American Airlines not AA.com, looked at the record locators and couldn't figure out what AA.com did to create and pay for the reservation. Smartvisor came back on the line twice to tell me she had the entire electronic trail: the original tickets; their cancellation; partial usage of the credit for some travel in the spring; and the remaining credit left after that. The AA.com agent -- Shirley, whose name I have in contemporaneously written notes (date, time) from the night I made my reservations -- tried to apply the travel vouchers electronically; there was a small overage, which I paid for by credit card. The problem is that American Airlines computer systems do not have that capability, and Shirley made a giant mistake. Shirley told me the ticket was paid for and that the travel vouchers were no longer valid.<br /><br />NOT. American asked for the travel vouchers to be produced. I can't. I destroyed them the night I made my reservations because Shirley assured me the vouchers were no good. I explained all this to Smartvisor. WineGuy's ticket was never issued although the airline held his reservation and seat. AA.com or American Airlines was supposed to contact me to correct the problem, but they never did.<br /><br />Finally, after more than 30 minutes on the phone, and being disconnected in the process, Smartvisor just called to say that she authorized the vouchers to be reissued at the airport and for the original fare to be honored. She then called the local ticket office to issue WineGuy's e-ticket and processed the small additional charge to my credit card. I just checked WineGuy in online and printed his boarding pass.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Caveat emptor:</span> Whenever you get on the phone with a service person, get out your pen and paper. Take notes of everything that was said or promised. Make note of the time and date of the call, and get the first and last names (and employee number) of the person with whom you spoke. If you're using travel vouchers, do not destroy them until after the trip.<br /><br />Today, I pack. Tomorrow we leave for L.A. for a week. I am the last luddite (no laptop), so I doubt I will post for the next week. The Jeopardy! taping is July 30-31. Wish me luck and say a prayer for me to win, win, win!Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-18660730306079276862007-07-23T04:23:00.000-04:002007-07-23T04:27:58.889-04:00Finished!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41qTZcMasSL._SS400_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41qTZcMasSL._SS400_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's 4:15 a.m. in the The Zone. Not a creature is stirring but plenty are snoring. I have just finished reading <span style="font-style: italic;">Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</span>. No spoilers or discussion other than to say that the book's ending had far more Christian overtones than I would have expected. And, J.K. Rowling has clearly left herself room to expand upon this series if she so chooses.<br /><br />'Nuff said.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-33916957950728887032007-07-21T00:33:00.000-04:002007-07-21T01:17:32.515-04:00It's 12:01 SomewhereIt's half past midnight here in The Zone, and I've just returned home with my very own copy of <span style="font-style: italic;">Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows</span>. There are no spoilers here. This is a tale of acquisition.<br /><br />I decided not to pre-order HP7. Why? Because I've done so for the past two installments and have waited endlessly in line at the bookstore. And, because <a href="http://malewis1212.blogspot.com/">Are We There Yet</a> shrewdly instructed me to go to my local WalMart at midnight to acquire the book as effortlessly as she did for <span style="font-style: italic;">Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince</span>. Brilliant strategy: simple, efficient. I should have been home by 12:10 a.m.<br /><br />I left the house here at 11:40 p.m. and drove 5 minutes up the road to the closest WalMart. I parked right in front and walked right to the book section. There were a few friendly people waiting there, some of whom who'd been sitting there for hours.<br /><br />The clock struck midnight, then 12:01, but no books appeared in the book section. We all looked at each other like, "WTF? Where are the books?" Then one smug bastard in a backwards baseball cap sauntered by and said, "Dudes, the books are all in the electronics section in the back of the store." Four people stampeded and the rest of us race-walked to the electronics department to find 15 people already in line. There were 5 people behind the counter, and one cash register open. ONE CASH REGISTER! There are 15 cash registers in the front of the store, but the only one at which you could acquire and purchase HP7 was in the absolute rear of the store. To add insult to injury, two of the people standing behind the counter weren't even WalMart employees; they worked for the book distributor, which I suspect is Source Interlink because they're based in the area. So, there we were in line. The girls in front of me were pissed because they had been in the store for several hours, waiting by the book section because the functional illiterates in Customer No-Service told them that's where the books would be. I was pissed because I expected the store to make an announcement directing customers to the right place. Really, I was more angry with myself because I should have realized that the <strike>INS rejects</strike> employees were too lazy to cart the books to the front of the store. I had contemplated wandering to the stockroom door but decided against it to stay near the books. <span style="font-style: italic;">[Note to self: always trust your first instincts.]</span> As the line in front of me grew shorter, I became more vocal, insulting José (his real name) for not announcing where the books were and for being unintelligible over the intercom when he finally did. I finally bought my book and received some free bookmarks and four free "house bracelets" as a bonus. (The book rep. was clearly trying to appease me.)<br /><br />I close with an open letter to the management of the WalMart SuperCenter (store 5391) in North Naples.<br /><ul><li>To José: you can't help going through life being short, round, and bald. Being arrogant on top of it all just doesn't work. You're a WalMart manager, forchrissakes. Remember that your customer always comes first.</li><li>To Robert Talbot, manager of the store: you need to hire people who speak English fluently. It is unacceptable for your telephone operators, cashiers, and stock people not to be able to understand and communicate with your customers. Even if your employees have difficulty communicating in English, they should at least be courteous enough to smile when they do their jobs instead of lazily shrugging their shoulders or mouthing off when asked for help.</li><li>To the Book Manager of this store: you should have put signs up directing customers to the right area. You, yourself, should have been in the store at midnight making a clear announcement, in English and Spanish, welcoming the book buyers and inviting them to the electronics department.</li></ul>[stepping off the soapbox] I'm headed for the couch and my new book. Good night!Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-9710307914236777292007-07-19T14:14:00.000-04:002007-07-19T14:36:39.125-04:00Ticket To RideNo, not The Beatles song . . . it' s a board game and an online community. We love board games, but the boys continually abuse them and lose pieces. Todd received Ticket To Ride for Chanukah last winter, and we have really enjoyed playing it. The game board has a map of the USA and lower Canada and train routes connecting the various cities. Players use destination tickets and colored wagon cards to claim routes and connect cities to each other. <a href="http://www.daysofwonder.com/en/games/">Days of Wonder</a> makes TTR and a host of other fascinating games.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51424R3Z7QL._SS500_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51424R3Z7QL._SS500_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Ticket To Ride has several different editions. Another popular board is Europe, and there is a USA 1910 expansion pack. We have our eyes on both. Included in the game's instructions, which Todd promptly lost, is a web code you can use to log into the Ticket To Ride online community and start your own games. You can play TTR without a web code, but you are treated as a guest player who must join someone else's game. Both Todd and I have created screen-names to play: I am Alto2, of course, and he is Laxstar ("lacrosse star" haha).<br /><br />I highly recommend both the TTR board and online games. I've played against some interesting and fun people. Just this afternoon, I played online against Astrid from Holland. She was very chatty while she beat the pants off me! I had fun and learned some more strategy.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-21925925947296087072007-07-17T08:58:00.000-04:002007-07-17T11:41:15.041-04:00Summer 2007 Books<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/5141h3T7raL._SS500_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/5141h3T7raL._SS500_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In spite of, or perhaps because of, all this studying, I have been reading a lot this summer. Last night, my book club met to discuss Marisa de los Santos's <span style="font-style: italic;">Love Walked In</span>. We were looking for a light, summer read that had some substance. This debut novel fit the bill. Cornelia Brown, an educated woman in her late twenties, has given up her academic career to work in a coffee shop in Philadelphia's tony Rittenhouse Square. In walks Martin Grace, a suave businessman, and Cornelia's life changes forever. Cornelia imagines -- and creates -- her life right out of old movies, "The Philadelphia Story", to be specific. Martin is Cary Grant to Cornelia's Katherine Hepburn. Martin, however, has a skeleton in his closet, his 11 year-old daughter, Clare. Clare's mother suffers a psychotic break, and Clare is forced upon her father. When Martin walks Clare into Cornelia's life, Cornelia's movie bubble bursts: Martin is not the man she expected him to be; Cornelia finds herself inexorably drawn to parenting Clare. And, in the midst of everything, Cornelia's brother-in-law, Teo, shows up to enervate and complicate things more.<br /><br />Marisa de los Santos is an award-winning poet. I am not sure she has successfully morphed her wordcraft from poetry to prose. The novel alternates between Cornelia's narrative in the first-person and Clare's in the third person. This scheme confuses the reader for easily the first 25% of the book. Additionally, the author made each character a shade beyond believable: Cornelia is just a little too petite and perfect. Clare is just a little too mature and wise. Martin is too debonair and charming. Teo is too handsome and dedicated. The author's characters are charicatures of themselves. Nevertheless, <span style="font-style: italic;">Love Walked In</span> is a good book for summer reading. It is heartwarming, well-crafted, and literate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41oqxR7H86L._SS500_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41oqxR7H86L._SS500_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The book I just finished is another debut novel, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Friday Night Knitting Club</span>, by Kate Jacobs. While FNKC has received less acclaim than LWI, I liked it better. FNKC is the story of single mother, Georgia Walker, the proprietress of Walker and Daughter, a Manhattan yarn shop. Georgia and her pre-teen daughter, Dakota, live above the shop. Thanks to some recent publicity, business is good. Then, Dakota's father, James, comes back into their lives and wants to get involved as he never had before. Georgia's old high-school friend, Cat (a trim, toned socialite), shows up and commissions Georgia to knit a couture gown for her. Cat seemingly wants to re-establish the tie she, herself, broke as the girls were heading off to college. Finally, Georgia is drawn into the lives of those knitters who regularly participate in the weekly knitting club. Fellow knitters become Georgia's true friends as the true crisis of the novel unfolds.<br /><br />The Friday Night Knitting Club is really about friendship and love with a little knitting thrown in. Kate Jacobs created very "real" characters, not charicatures. The single mother is not just the put-upon woman who found herself pregnant: she is a former careerwoman whose hardworking farm background prepared her to meet the challenges of working and raising a child alone in the city. The widow, Anita, is not just another Jewish mother; she is a vibrant crafter who can tolerate her children and grandchildren for only so long. Darwin, the young Ph.D. candidate, is not the characteristically excellent Asian-American student; she can't commit to a thesis topic, and she is easily distracted by everything. The author created pithy, complex characters who propel the story forward to the last sentence. FNKC does not have a happy ending like LWI, but it is a much more fulfilling read.<br /><br />I'll finish with a little Hollywood:<br /><ul><li>Sarah Jessica Parker will star in the movie version of <span style="font-style: italic;">Love Walked In</span>. The Hollywood trades report that SJP will co-produce the movie with Paramount.<br /></li><li>Julia Roberts will star in the movie version of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Friday Night Knitting Club</span>. Roberts, a an avid knitter, will co-produce the film with Universal; it is scheduled for release in 2009.</li></ul>The next book for book club is <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ywnwke"><span style="font-style: italic;">The World to Come</span></a>, by Dara Horn. My friend, Violin, suggested it, although it has been on my to-read list for about a year. Come to think of it, I should suggest it for the synagogue's reading group; then I could satisfy two book clubs with one book.<br /><br />Did I mention that Brilliant Deb, a mom from Moose's Pre-K class, asked me to participate in the book club she wants to start? I am anxious to join that group because Brilliant Deb teaches English at the private school's high school. Brilliant Deb got her name for good reason: she has masters' degrees in English and American Literature from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's in English Language and Literature from Oxford University. I would gladly discuss books with her anytime!Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-77889871687603969952007-07-14T22:14:00.000-04:002007-07-15T10:13:04.188-04:00Rule, Brittania<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOB1XCFBAUNrOIRDWT0GUD6mdDf0tOYGDzpKyY-zB3i7JhDA1m7qcWtMQUd3-GYNNvjgNck0khO9bVIgkjDcCNbcHbGbf_JNTB3XSWW92GHJ5j9N-xPlC8Lo2YLuYXOKTaMki/s1600-h/shakespearePA_228x304.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOB1XCFBAUNrOIRDWT0GUD6mdDf0tOYGDzpKyY-zB3i7JhDA1m7qcWtMQUd3-GYNNvjgNck0khO9bVIgkjDcCNbcHbGbf_JNTB3XSWW92GHJ5j9N-xPlC8Lo2YLuYXOKTaMki/s200/shakespearePA_228x304.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087247281340405682" border="0" /></a>I've been brushing up on my Shakespeare <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >[nod to Cole Porter]</span>, as it were. I've been trying to write very short synopses of all the plays and got through the comedies, the tragedies and a few of the histories before I burned out. I just listed the rest of the histories and the late romances on separate index cards.<br /><br />In piecing together The Bard's Henries and Richards, I realized I needed to get a handle on the British monarchy. So, I made index cards for each royal house and listed the members. It was a fascinating exercise that made me wish I had taken European History instead of Comparative Governments in college. Oh well. At any rate, my research led me to this mnemonic verse of monarchs in England:<br /><br /><blockquote style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee,<br />Harry, Dick, John, Harry three;<br />One, two, three Neds; Richard two;<br />Harrys four, five, six . . . then who?<br />Edwards four, five; Dick, the bad;<br />Harrys twain, Ned six (the lad);<br />Mary, Bessie, James you ken;<br />Then Charlie, Charlie, James (again);<br />William and Mary, Anna Gloria;<br />Georges four, Will four, Victoria;<br />Edward seven, next and then<br />Came George the fifth in 1910;<br />Ned the eighth soon abdicated,<br />Then George the sixth was coronated;<br />After which, Elizabeth.<br />And that's all folks until her death.</span></blockquote>Pretty cute, huh? FYI: Willie=William; Harry=Henry; Stee=Stephen; Ned=Edward; Dick=Richard; Bessie=Elizabeth; Charlie=Charles; Anna Gloria=Anne. If the Prince of Wales ever accedes to the throne, he'll be Charles III. When Prince William takes the throne, he'll be William V. If, by chance, Prince Harry becomes king, he will be Henry IX. I could even tell you whom the verse omitted, but then I'd have to shoot myself for knowing entirely <span style="font-style: italic;">too</span> much detail.<br /><br />All hail Brittania!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5fRY6C9N_hy-JBC2-RZSZU9vyjmlPyz4tOsDWll_SeZrilaplCGP-loRowIBAjnHKtjM8EB3VsMuOg-GQ7LlPAjQutw43LFG2rnZ8UBWLV-Dv5_GHqqNjBloko4YYlyeY-xG/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5fRY6C9N_hy-JBC2-RZSZU9vyjmlPyz4tOsDWll_SeZrilaplCGP-loRowIBAjnHKtjM8EB3VsMuOg-GQ7LlPAjQutw43LFG2rnZ8UBWLV-Dv5_GHqqNjBloko4YYlyeY-xG/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087246671455049634" border="0" /></a>Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-75821058419375035552007-07-14T11:57:00.000-04:002007-07-14T11:59:19.807-04:00Closest Book MemeI think I've done this one before, but I happen to have a book on my [clean!!!] desk right now.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">The game:</span> Grab the nearest book to you. <span>Open the book to page 123. </span><span>Find the fifth sentence. </span><span>Post the text of the next 4 sentences on your blog along with these instructions. </span><span>Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">The book:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">How To Get On Jeopardy! . . . And Win! Valuable Information From A Champion</span>, by Michael Dupée (1988, Carol Publishing Group, Secaucus, New Jersey) [out-of-print]<br /><br />(From Chapter 8, "Learning the Facts: Cooking and Food")<br /><br /><blockquote>Q. This yellow, pear-shaped fruit contains enzymes that break down meat.<br />A. Papaya<br />Q. Another name for a carambola, which describes its shape. A. Starfruit<br />Q. The Hawaiian solo variety of this fruit is best. A. Papaya<br /><br /><u>And Finally, An After-Dinner Coffee</u><br /><br />What better finish to a meal than a steaming cup of coffee? If you said "potent potable," see the next chapter.</blockquote><br /><br />I have been reviewing the fact sections in this book to help me prepare for the Jeopardy taping in two weeks. The more I study, the more I forget. It is overwhelming.<br /></span>Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-34940023731231743482007-07-13T08:46:00.000-04:002007-07-13T10:53:02.781-04:007 Random Facts Meme<a href="http://docthelmashouse.blogspot.com/2007/06/eight-random-facts-meme.html">Doc Thelma</a> tagged me with this a couple of weeks ago. The random facts meme has been circulating privately as seven random facts amongst the August Moms, although Doc Thelma tagged me with eight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Rules:</span> Players start with 7 random facts about themselves. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 7 random facts. Players should tag 7 other people and notify them they have been tagged.<br /><ol><li>I am the second person from my high school graduating class to appear on Jeopardy!</li><li>My oldest and dearest friends are, not one but two, sets of twins with whom I grew up in the DC area. Both sets of twins and their families now live near each other in Northern California.</li><li>Brussels sprouts are vile little things. So are lima beans.</li><li>I studied ballet for 10 years, 5 of which were in a (UK) Royal Academy of Dance program.</li><li>I am a serial "starter" of things but leave many projects undone.</li><li>When I was in labor with Wizard, I had a vision (premonition) of him before he was born: I saw his face rejuvenate from a teenage boy to baby.</li><li>I once met Justice Anthony Kennedy of the Supreme Court of the United States.<br /></li></ol>I tag these seven people to pass along this meme, whether in the blogosphere or via e-mail:<br /><a href="http://www.lily.org/blog/">Dispatches From Maine</a><br /><a href="http://bogsofohio.wordpress.com/">Life In The Bogs</a><br /><a href="http://stuntmother.blogspot.com/">Stunt Mother</a><br /><a href="http://newtalesfromtheparkside.blogspot.com/">Tales From the Parkside</a><br /><a href="http://xfacta.blogspot.com/">X Facta</a><br />Radio Mom<br />CalvinAlto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-87060606315274903922007-07-12T06:15:00.000-04:002007-07-12T08:08:33.906-04:00Murphy's Law Of The HomeWhatever can go wrong in the home, will go wrong. And it will happen in the middle of the night, in the least convenient way possible.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">Case No. 1:</span> This morning, at approximately 5:25 a.m., a sharp, piercing beep jolted me out of a snoring slumber. It was the smoke detector in the foyer. You know, the foyer with the lovely cove ceiling that is 14+ feet up? That foyer. WineGuy, who was up at 5:00 showering (which woke me earlier), ambled upstairs to check the smoke detectors in the boys' rooms. Apparently, Moose's smoke detector chirped for a battery last night; WineGuy changed it, but the battery was bad. And Moose's room was a Superfund sight. And WineGuy couldn't find a flashlight. And several other problems, which are apparently my fault.<br /><br />But, I digress. To get to the smoke detector in the foyer, one must utilize the 10' step ladder, which is in the garage, and another 9-volt battery, which is also in the garage. I, in my fetching cotton nightshirt, stumbled and grumbled into the 80º garage. I retrieved a battery from the Battery Cave (a/k/a the freezer) and gingerly extricated the step ladder from its nest amidst the bicycles, tennis rackets, and palmetto bugs. I wrestled the mythical beast through the front door, into the foyer, and into position. WineGuy spent another 5 minutes precisely angling the ladder so he could reach the smoke detector – at 6'4" he can reach it by standing on a lower rung than the top one, which I would have to do. WineGuy climbed the ladder and <strike>broke</strike> took apart the smoke detector. He asked for a screwdriver, and I dutifully fetched it. Woof. He spent 10 minutes in the stratosphere changing the battery and trying to screw the confounded alarm back into its very complicated holder. While dutifully holding the ladder, I used time to dream up creative uses for said screwdriver. WineGuy finally put the smoke detector back in place and climbed down. He graciously held the front door for me to haul the great step ladder back out to the garage. When I came back inside, WG gave me explicit instructions on how and why to fix Moose's smoke detector (sometime during daylight hours), because of course, I could not figure it out for myself. So – not – true.<br /><p></p><blockquote><p>"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east . . ." and the sun rises o'er the swamp.<br /></p> --From <i>Romeo and Juliet </i>(II, ii, 1-2)</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">Case No. 2:</span> It was 1999 in the early spring, and I was still pregnant with Wild Thing. <span style="font-style: italic;">[must ... resist ... urge ... to post in iambic pentameter]</span> WineGuy woke me from a happy slumber with the news that Wizard, then 2.5 years, had vomited in his bed. As if that weren't joyous enough, WineGuy then reported that when he went to put the soiled bedding in the washer, he found a lake in the laundry room. The washer hoses had burst, sending dozens of gallons of water across the 2d floor laundry and down two stories, through the office and back room and into the basement of That Old House (our 1856 Federal Revival home). WineGuy shut off the washer valves to stop the flood. We used every towel in the house to sop up a small fraction of the mess. Surveying the damage, I found the plaster ceiling sagging in the office and 3 solid cherry bookcases full of soaked books. Thankfully, our insurance agent sent in the water restoration team at first light. They dried out the house and saved a lot of square footage and stuff. In the end, we had to refinish the laundry room floors and walls, drywall the office ceiling, refinish the office and back room floors (finding a plumbing leak in the process), and repaint the office.<br /><br />Now, it is 7:00 a.m. The children and I are wide awake, and Moose's room is still a mess.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.</span>Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-2384364954041577592007-07-10T00:05:00.000-04:002007-07-10T00:26:04.206-04:00Clean and DirtyMy desk is clean! I would take a picture to show you, but my digital camera is dead. You already knew that. I spent hours and hours and hours yesterday and today sorting through every blasted piece of paper piled on there. I filed some of it but trashed tons. Still need to clean the piles of children's artwork stacked up all around my office. I have half a mind to trash it all. There's a huge backlog of Mac magazines to go through <strike>in my spare time</strike> whenever. They'll have to wait until the Jeopardy trip is over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.snoopy.com/comics/peanuts/meet_the_gang/images/meet_pig_pen_big.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.snoopy.com/comics/peanuts/meet_the_gang/images/meet_pig_pen_big.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>My laundry needs some serious attention, but apparently less so than the boys' rooms. AGAIN! <span style="font-style: italic;">Damnitalltohell.</span> I spent days and days in their rooms digging everything out and putting everything away, and they trashed them. Pulled all the towels out of the linen closet, messed up the bathroom, food and candy wrappers everywhere. Wild Thing tried to pull a nightlight out of a socket in his room and pulled the whole freakin' faceplate off the outlet. WTF?! I should have suspected the pigpen when WT lost one shoe (+ one expensive orthotic) for a couple of days. They all claimed to have looked for hours today, but no one could find it. They all lied through their teeth about how clean their rooms were. I'm so pissed off at them, especially Wizard. He is a manipulative, conniving, overgrown toddler.<br /><br />I'm trying to get organized and study and be prepared for the biggest opportunity of my life, and my husband is bitching that I need to go upstairs and inspect the boys' rooms daily. Hello? I feed them, bathe them, wash their clothes, entertain them, and chauffeur them everywhere. I do not feel like policing the upstairs. That was always WineGuy's job: he would put them to bed each night and check on their rooms. He no longer puts them to bed – because he says they're old enough to go to sleep on their own – and he never climbs the stairs anymore. Too damn lazy, IMVHO.<br /><br />Frazzled again.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-31044317729575876632007-07-08T23:26:00.001-04:002007-07-08T23:39:05.413-04:00Dead CamerasWhen I was in DC last month, I went to use my 2 year-old digital camera (Canon SD400 Digital Elph), <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007TJ5OG.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 161px;" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007TJ5OG.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>and it was dead. The battery was fully charged, but it wouldn't work. I finally took it to Ritz Camera the other day, convinced it needed a new proprietary battery. The clerk, who happened to be the manager, was arrogantly sure that it was the camera and not the battery. He was right. Damn! He tried to sell me a new camera, but I wanted to check my warranty. I checked it and called the service company which is sending me a call-tag for repairs. The call-tag still hasn't shown up, and I'm required to use it to send the camera off to Pensacola for repairs. I'm worried I won't have a camera to take to Los Angeles.<br /><br />So, I pulled out my old film camera, which I use occasionally. It's a 35mm Pentax point-and-shoot. It was dead, too. Damn, damn!! I took a look at the screen, and it apparently needs a battery. I'm headed to Radio Shack for a camera battery tomorrow. If that doesn't fix the film camera, I'm sunk.<br /><br />In a way, I'd love to have a new digital camera that has more of a zoom than my little Elph. However, I just don' t have the time or mental energy to researching and learning a new camera. What to do, what to do? I'm open to suggestions.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-85761053805972538412007-07-07T22:35:00.000-04:002007-07-07T22:49:54.323-04:00Brain FreezeI've been studying like mad for Jeopardy. Today, I decided to study maps and geography, which are strong subjects for me. Wizard was quizzing me on world capitals, and I missed a lot of them. Which made me panic. Which drove me to the (all too detailed) world atlas, which in turn drove me back to the general maps in the almanac. So, I made flashcards ... lots and lots of flashcards.<br /><br />At one point, I was studying the Canadian provinces and was looking at the newest one, Nunavut, which was split off from the Northwest Territories in the late 1990s. However, my almanac did not show the capital of Nunavut. So, I trotted over to the boys' computer and looked it up. For your information, the capital of Nunavut is Iqaluit, located on the east coast of Baffin Island, which is so unbelievably far north that I'm certain no one has ever been there except for three polar bears and an elephant seal. The town has a mayor, and she acknowledges that it's in the remote Arctic tundra. I'm not kidding! Look <a href="http://www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca/apps/fusebox/index.php?fa=c.displayHome">here</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8LxwBxdYyeuXvgjuHJQoJqgm560rTZEykjDVVq_NJ2oh5_TA6dHzVAP1nY7JVGM0QIGi_4Vy7EvF_ictDCFlnlzp68gEF_E058R42J34L38wChFGJq-CMyzL9me7KC42jy1x/s1600-h/canada.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8LxwBxdYyeuXvgjuHJQoJqgm560rTZEykjDVVq_NJ2oh5_TA6dHzVAP1nY7JVGM0QIGi_4Vy7EvF_ictDCFlnlzp68gEF_E058R42J34L38wChFGJq-CMyzL9me7KC42jy1x/s320/canada.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084652382119852418" border="0" /></a>If you are a regular Jeopardy watcher and have suggestions on categories that appear frequently, <span style="font-style: italic;">i.e.</span> what to study, please leave me a comment.<br /><br />Thanks for tuning in to the Trivia Channel, all drivel all the time.Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-81892401511910128692007-07-05T12:06:00.002-04:002007-07-08T11:24:58.559-04:00Divination Quiz, Year 7Wizard is a huge Harry Potter fan. He's angling for me to (drive the 115 miles) to take him to the IMAX showing of "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix" next week. I haven't decided, but I did show him <a href="http://docthelmashouse.blogspot.com/2007/07/divination-quiz-year-7.html">Doc Thelma's</a> and <a href="http://slyemm.blogspot.com/2007/07/doc-thelma-is-avid-harry-potter-fan-she.html">One Feather Tail's</a> predictions on the Year 7 Divination Quiz. Here are <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">his</span> very educated responses.<br /><br /><table style="border: 0.75pt outset silver; width: 338.2pt;" border="1" cellpadding="0" rules="rows" width="451"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"><p class="western" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>Prediction /Possibility</b> <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western"><b>True/</b> <b>False</b><o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">1. Hogwarts will be closed for the entire year. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">2. Harry will enroll in Year 7 classes at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">3. Ron will enroll in Year 7 classes at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">4. Hermione will enroll in Year 7 classes at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">5. Harry will take N.E.W.T. exams. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">6. Ron will take N.E.W.T. exams. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">7. Hermione will take N.E.W.T. exams. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">8. Harry will be Head Boy at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">9. Ron will be Head Boy at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">10. Hermione will be Head Girl at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">11. Harry will teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">12. The DADA teacher at Hogwarts will be ________________________. (fill in the blank) <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">Mad-Eye Moody<br /><o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">13. Harry's scar is a Horcrux. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">14. Nagini is a Horcrux. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">15. Slytherin's locket is a Horcrux. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">16. Hufflepuff's cup is a Horcrux. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">17. The locket that nobody could open at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place is a Horcrux. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">18. Harry will keep his Horcrux quest secret from the Order of the Phoenix. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">19. R.A.B. = Regulus A. Black. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">20. R.A.B. has already destroyed the locket-Horcrux. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">21. Voldemort already knows (by the end of <i>Half-Blood Prince</i>) that R.A.B. took the locket-Horcrux from the cave. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">22. Voldemort already knows (by the end of <i>Half-Blood Prince</i>) that Harry is seeking his Horcruxes. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">23. Albus Dumbledore is really dead. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">24. On top of the "Lightening-Struck Tower," Dumbledore was asking Snape to kill him. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">25. Dumbledore gave Snape the DADA position because he knew Snape would be leaving Hogwarts at the end of the school year. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">26. Dumbledore will communicate with Harry through his portrait in the Headmaster's office. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">27. Dumbledore will communicate with Harry through the Pensieve. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">28. Harry will use the <i>Sorcerer's Stone</i>. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">29. Harry will return to the <i>Chamber of Secrets</i>. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">30. Harry will be a <i>Prisoner of Azkaban</i> (or at least go there). <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">31. Harry will use the <i>Goblet of Fire</i>. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">32. Harry will join the <i>Order of the Phoenix</i>. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">33. Harry will (intentionally) join forces with the <i>Half-Blood Prince</i>. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">34. Harry will visit a place called the <i>Deathly Hallows</i>. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">35. One of the Dursleys will learn to do magic. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">36. Petunia will (intentionally) give Harry vital information before he leaves Privet Drive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">37. Ron and Hermione will be a couple. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">38. Harry and Hermione will be a couple. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">39. Harry and Ginny will get back together. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">40. Ron and Hermione have already kissed "off-screen" by the end of <i>Half-Blood Prince</i>. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">41. Sibyll Trelawney will make another <i>real</i> prophecy. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">42. Rufus Scrimgeour will be Minister of Magic at the end of <i>Deathly Hallows</i>. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">43. Harry will use the Mirror of Erised again. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">44. Harry will use the sword of Godric Gryffindor again. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">45. Harry will use the Sorting Hat. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">46. Harry will use a Time-Turner. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">47. Harry will use the two-way mirror that Sirius gave him. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">48. Harry's knowledge of Muggle artifacts will save him from imminent danger. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">49. Grawp will (intentionally) save Harry/Ron/Hermione from danger. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">50. The Weasleys' - now wild - flying Ford Anglia will play a significant role in saving and/or transporting Harry/Ron/Hermione. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">51. Aside from James, Lily, Harry, and Voldemort, there was at least one other person present at the Potters' house the night James and Lily died. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">52. Bill Weasley will become a full werewolf. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">53. How did James and Lily Potter acquire their small fortune? _________________________________ (fill in the blank) <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">They took it from Tom Marvolo Riddle's vault at Gringotts.<br /><o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">54. Snape is an Animagus. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">55. We will learn more about the relationship between Lily and Snape. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">56. A current member of the Order of the Phoenix will betray Harry. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">57. The Death Eaters will attack Privet Drive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">58. The Death Eaters will attack The Burrow. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">59. The Death Eaters will attack during Bill and Fleur's wedding. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">60. The Death Eaters will attack Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">61. The Death Eaters will attack Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">62. Draco will abandon the Death Eaters. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">63. Peter Pettigrew, a/k/a Wormtail, will abandon the Death Eaters. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">64. Snape will be openly allowed back into the Order of the Phoenix. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">65. Snape is truly loyal to:<br />(a) Dumbledore<br />(b) Voldemort<br />(c) Neither <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">B <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">66. Dumbledore trusts Snape because:<br />(a) Snape made a heartfelt apology<br />(b) Snape made an Unbreakable Vow<br />(c) Snape passed crucial secret information to the Order about Voldemort/Death Eaters<br />(d) Dumbledore had no hard evidence, he just wanted to give Snape the benefit of the doubt<br />(e) None of these, but we'll find out in <i>Deathly Hallows</i><br />(f) We'll never know <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">A <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">67. Snape began working as a double agent for the Order:<br />(a) Before the prophecy was made<br />(b) After the prophecy was made, but before James and Lily died<br />(c) The night James and Lily died<br />(d) After James and Lily died <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">C <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">68. Harry will use, or attempt to use, an Unforgivable Curse. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">69. Harry will use, or attempt to use, the Avada Kedavra Curse on Voldemort. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">70. Someone other than Harry will actually finish-off Voldemort, even though Harry will have done most of the work. (i.e. Darth tosses the Emperor, Gollum falls in with the ring.) <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">71. The U.S. edition cover-art for <i>Deathly Hallows</i>, portrays the final showdown. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">72. The U.S. edition cover-art for <i>Deathly Hallows</i>, portrays Harry and Voldemort reaching for a Horcrux. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">73. Harry will destroy at least one Horcrux by sending it through the Veil. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">74. The <i>Deathly Hallows</i> is:<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="western">(a) at Hogwarts<br />(b) in Godric's Hollow<br />(c) a graveyard<br />(d) beyond the Veil<br />(e) another name for Horcruxes<br />(f) none of these, but depicted on the US cover <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">C <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">75. The final showdown will be at:<br />(a) the Deathly Hallows<br />(b) Hogwarts<br />(c) Azkaban<br />(d) Veil/Ministry of Magic<br />(e) Godric's Hollow<br />(f) The Underground Lake/Gringotts<br />(g) somewhere else <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">E <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">76. Harry will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">77. Ron will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">78. Hermione will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">79. Ginny will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">80. Neville will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">81. Luna will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">82. Hagrid will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">83. Lupin will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">84. Tonks will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">85. Molly and Arthur will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">86. Fred and George will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">87. Bill and Fleur will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">88. Percy will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">89. Voldemort will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">90. Snape will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">91. Peter Pettigrew will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">92. Bellatrix will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">93. Lucius Malfoy will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">94. Narcissa Malfoy will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">95. Draco Malfoy will survive. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">96. Harry will become an Auror. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">97. Harry will become a professor at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">False <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">98. Ron will become a professor at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">99. Hermione will become a professor at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">100. Neville will become a professor at Hogwarts. <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True <o:p></o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 200.7pt;" width="268"> <p class="western">101. The final word of <i>Deathly Hallows</i> will be "scar." <o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td style="border: 0.75pt inset silver; padding: 2.25pt; width: 130.9pt; text-align: center;" width="175"> <p class="western">True</p></td></tr></tbody></table>Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29916433.post-39737839372817886412007-07-03T23:52:00.001-04:002007-07-05T11:42:50.853-04:00A Powerful Film<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCW0Iz7iGGajM2LyzTUj0X0Ab_YfeQ6VkUY6hNGot9GtpcoVXN2OdvSKtNf8JRgECg-1YeJAEZTt6IjBtVWbe8leptOkGxi4Sp5cUAqlCDJbJMUKfcOUWRKXd_TZAdhZnb5Ae/s1600-h/1175073.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCW0Iz7iGGajM2LyzTUj0X0Ab_YfeQ6VkUY6hNGot9GtpcoVXN2OdvSKtNf8JRgECg-1YeJAEZTt6IjBtVWbe8leptOkGxi4Sp5cUAqlCDJbJMUKfcOUWRKXd_TZAdhZnb5Ae/s320/1175073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083738103841618290" border="0" /></a>Radio Mom and I went to see "A Mighty Heart" a couple of nights ago. We both were mildly interested in the film until I read that the screenwriter is married to one of my favorite bloggers, <a href="http://newtalesfromtheparkside.blogspot.com/2007/06/proud-wife.html">Tales From The Park Side</a>. She announced 2 weeks ago that her husband's movie was opening, and I was excited to go see it.<br /><br />The movie is based on Mariane Pearl's eponymously titled memoir about the "brave life and death" of her husband, Daniel Pearl. Curiously enough, the majority of the movie takes place in the Karachi apartment Mariane and Daniel Pearl shared with his Wall Street Journal colleague, Asra Nomani, but the film really spans the globe – geographically and emotionally. We all know how tragically the story ended. The movie shows us how the story developed, through Mariane's eyes.<br /><br />One evening, Daniel Pearl left his pregnant wife to meet with an elusive source, further research a story on the shoe-bomber, Richard Reid. Pearl never came home. What follows is Mariane's courageous search for her husband. We see the fetid, teeming streets of Karachi, Pakistan contrasted with the cool, elegance of the apartment; the quiet joy of the Pearls' Buddhist-Jewish wedding ceremony flung against the horror of kidnapping and terrorism.<br /><br />Through it all, Angelina Jolie, as Mariane Pearl, comes across as unflinchingly devoted wife, and a dogged journalist. I am no fan of Ms. Jolie. I personally think she's traded on her beauty to advance her acting career. However, she gave a stunning performance in "A Mighty Heart." Radio Mom and I agreed that she'll get an Oscar nomination for this film and she would likely win. <span style="font-size:85%;">[The one, picky thing that bothered me through the whole film was her poor French accent; she needed a better voice coach, like the one Meryl Streep uses.]</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> I've been a fan of Dan Futterman's since he appeared on TV's "Judging Amy". Although his on-screen part was small, he played it with great conviction and integrity.<br /><br />Grab your tissues and your good friend and go see "A Mighty Heart". Bravo to John Orloff, the screenwriter for this film. I predict he's going to be nominated for an Oscar, too.<br /></span>Alto2http://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.com2