Two odd tidbits from a NY Times article on Da Vinci Code author, Dan Brown:
Stuck in Logan Airport without his driver’s license, he borrowed a copy of his book from the man behind him, showed security his author photo, and they let him on his flight.
While enjoying front row tickets at an Aerosmith concert (courtesy of Steven Tyler), he also happened to be filmed for a concert scene in the movie “Be Cool.”

Conversation from the “you know you’re a parent when…” files:
Me (unplugging an AC adapter): Hey, this adapter is leaking battery acid or something.
Hubby (takes a very brief look, knowing full well that adapters don’t leak): That’s spit-up. Baby spit-up.
Me (feeling stupid): Oh. Oops.

For those cat lovers who were listening closely during last week’s episode of “West Wing” here are the cat residents of the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Note that a recent set of kittens was named after that batch of hurricanes last year (Charley, Frances, Ivan). About half the cats are polydactyl, they and others are descendants of a six-toed cat given to Hemingway by a ship’s captain.

XM Satellite Radio’s original two satellites are cutely named “Rock” and “Roll.” The company launched a third satellite recently and referred to it only as XM-3, unlike previous press releases for the other two that used the catchy names. Officially or not, however, XM-3 is actually “Rhythm” and XM-4 is “Blues.” Perhaps the new press release writer(s) need to be reminded that a little fun isn’t bad for publicity.

The NY Times sketches the scene at Book City, China’s largest bookstore, and then delves into the madness of the country’s book publishing industry. Private publishing is illegal, however, “culture houses” pay state-owned publishers $1,250 to $2,500 to get the ISBN number necessary for commercial sale of a book. Piracy is rampant and writers get minimal payments. Foreign agents are often appalled by the business practices; one says it is “like playing ice hockey without referees.” But there’s a surprising amount of material available to the general public so at least the government control, or lack thereof, is not limiting the range of available reading.

Martha’s out. And you can tell life is much different on the other side of her sentence as she is finally able to post about it on her official company website instead of using her sideline personal website.

Jorn and Robot Wisdom are back! (thanks waxy!)

BOWIE GOLDEN YEARS is a fabulously slick site that chronicles David Bowie’s 1974-1980 renaissance years month-by-month. A collection of news articles, album, TV, movie & stage listings round out the overflowing cornucopia of information. The only problem with the site is figuring out how I can possibly add it to my little David Bowie shrine. Maybe the shrine needs a computer…one that can play a circa 1994 CD-ROM game (Jump) and display websites. (via Yahoo! Picks)

Once again, it’s that special time of year where we use the power of Internet search engines to figure out what the lucky celebrities will be carting home from the Oscars. After a few complaints last year that I included too many items that were not in the Official Academy Awards Presenters and Performers Gift Basket, my list this time only includes those items that specifically claim inclusion from a news source or press release. Thus, it’s shorter than before and perhaps not as much fun, but, I hope, more accurate. Some of this list came from a USA Today article; if it’s wrong, well, you can blame me for trusting it. The Academy always refuses to release an official list or comment on the basket. One news item states that Sequoia Productions, producers of the Academy’s Governors Ball, actually puts together the Official Basket. So now you know who to bug to get your handiwork in next time!

A handful of other companies gather goodies to bestow upon Oscar nominees (note that the Official Basket is given only to presenters and performers), thus the confusion of what is really in The Basket versus the Other Bags. There’s the “Everyone Wins” (aka “losers”) bag from Distinctive Assets, one from Buzz Bags, and one from Donum Gifts. Victoria’s Secret always gives the Best Actress nominees bejeweled accessories. Motorola gives out a not-available-to-mere-mortals phone. And there’s also the “Award Suites” at the Beverly Hilton where attendees can pick up even more free stuff, like skin treatments and tea.

As usual, my favorite items to find are the handcrafted “mom & pop shop” ones and I did dig up a couple. If only the Academy would give the little guys even more publicity for their generous donations by sending out an official list! Here’s mine:

A Krups kitchen set including a toaster, electric kettle and a year’s supply of coffee and tea ($700)

$10,000 package for a three-night stay at the Opus Hotel in Vancouver, three nights at the Four Seasons Resort in Whistler, lift passes, helicopter transfers, limo transfers, numerous meals, Pilates session, spa treatments, and two OXIA oxygen personal canisters (the second time Opus has made the cut with their astonishing roundup of Canadian hospitality!)

The best news article I found while doing Oscar basket research was this lovely account of the goody bag that the town of Sudbury put together for Sir Ian McKellen when he visited the Sudbury Rotary Club. The “bag of the finest treats the town has to offer” included silk ties, golf balls, meals at local restaurants, books about local culture, a selection of beers from Mauldon’s Brewery, and a vegetarian quiche and a granary loaf. (NOTE: updated to fix Sudbury as town, Suffolk is the county. Thanks V!)