There wasn’t anything on TV last night that interested me, so I did more catching up on recorded stuff. Two episodes of Numbers, one episode of 1000 Places to See Before You Die, and an episode of a show that’s on periodically on the History Channel called Vanishings. That last one was VERY interesting.
It covered two of my favorite subjects: the 1920s and mysterious (or not so mysterious) disappearances. In 1927 Princess Lowenstein-Wertheim (English born widow of a German prince) wanted to be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic (even though she wasn’t actually piloting herself). She never made it. The plane disappeared somewhere between England and Newfoundland, Canada.
Two months later, Frances Grayson (a niece of President Woodrow Wilson) attempted to fly from New York to London. She and her companions also disappeared.
Then in 1928, The Honorable Elsie Mackay, daughter of the Earl of Inchcape, made her attempt to cross the Atlantic. Like the others before her, she never made it. I found this one especially entertaining, not because she died but because Alex in the Kitchen Sink Book’s last name is Mackay. *g*
I guess it really wasn’t all that unusual back then for planes to ditch into the ocean, but it just seems really bizarre that three women in a row would die that way. Oh, and there was no wreckage found for any of the planes. Though a wheel did eventually wash up on a beach in Ireland that turned out to be from the Hon. Elsie’s plane.
Anyway, this got me to playing the “what if” game. What if they didn’t die? What if they flew into another dimension? Yes, folks, I am a writer. 
Then I just about had a conniption fit (what IS a conniption fit, anyway?) while watching 1000 Places. They were in Paris and this guide who was taking them around told them the Eiffel Tower was built for the 1900 World’s Fair. Uh, NO, IT WASN’T!!!! It was built for a world’s fair called the Exposition Universelle in 1889. The minute those words came out of the woman’s mouth, I flew up off the chair 
(as well as I can fly 
) and checked my Timetables of History book because I knew she was wrong. And I was right. Hah! You’d think a travel show would get this stuff right! 
Not much on tonight except Traveler. So I guess I’ll use the other two hours to do more catching up.
I wrote another two pages last night. And the mayhem has begun! Though I’ve discovered I’ll have to rearrange some of it because I forgot where Act I ends and the intermission occurs during Phantom of the Opera. Anyway, the mayhem includes the chandelier crashing for real. I haven’t quite figured out how/why yet, but I’m pretty sure it was caused by magic. *g*
One of today’s horoscopes:
Be careful about telling secrets or spreading gossip. A trusted source could be a double agent. Focus on socially pleasant topics and scrutinize the prodding of any people who attempt to dig deeper.
This really makes my life sound a lot more exciting than it really is.
So, last night I watched Cities of the Underground. Much to my surprise, the show had a different host. The new guy, Don Wildman, is much cuter. And it turned out they weren’t actually under Mount Vesuvius itself (which I thought highly impossible anyway *g*), they were under Naples. Another fascinating episode. And next week they’re going under Boston in the episode entitled “Freemason Underground”. Shades of National Treasure! Should be great fun!
I wrote two pages last night. No mayhem yet, but I’m letting an idea percolate. It may happen tonight. We shall see.
I haven’t done a meme in a few days (or longer), so for your reading pleasure *snicker* here goes:
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yep. I was named after one of my dad’s best friends. (Weird, huh? *g*)
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Just a couple of days ago. Tears of frustration, mostly, because of the Broken Ankle from Hell.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I used to. It used to be really pretty. Now it’s more chicken scratchy.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham. Or turkey. Sometimes roast beef. Or salami. Depends on what I’m in the mood for.
DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Nope.
IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I’d like to think so.
DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Only about 90% or the time.
DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope. Lost those when I was three.
WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not in this lifetime.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Oh, that’s a tough one. I have a lot of favorites. Not all of them good for me. Like Froot Loops. LOVE them!
DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I wouldn’t be able to get them off otherwise. 
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? No.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Probably Rocky Road. But I used to love (and would kill for) Blue Bell’s Chocolate Cheesecake, but the sorry cows apparently quit making it. 
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? It shames me to admit, it’s clothes. And it’s not like I’m in any position to point fingers in that regard. But there you go. Nobody said I had to be logical.
RED OR PINK? Red or pink what? Or are we just talking in general? If so, I’d go with pink.
WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? All the weight I’ve gained in the past five or six years. Granted some of it’s my own fault, but a lot of it’s all the meds I’m on. It sucks.
WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friend Katherine. 
WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Gray shorts, no shoes unless you count the cast as one. *g*
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Some vegetable crackers.
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? One of the music channels on Dish Network. It’s called Screen Door. “Alternative country, Americana, and rootsy neo-folk” music.
IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Vivid Violet
FAVORITE SMELLS? Cinnamon, lemon, rain, peppermint, bread baking
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Er…. probably the pharmacy when I called in prescription refills. I usually try to avoid talking on the phone.
FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Horse racing, baseball if there’s nothing else on (Go, Cardinals! 
)
HAIR COLOR[S]? Brown with reddish highlights (not counting the ones that have turned gray)
EYE COLOR? Green
DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? A long time ago, but not now
FAVORITE FOOD? Pizza, steak (not that I get it very often), spinach souffle (though it’s really more of a casserole)
SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Oh, happy endings. I don’t as a rule like scary movies.
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe
WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Pink (you should not be surprised by this)
SUMMER OR WINTER? What? Spring and Fall don’t count?
HUGS OR KISSES? Why can’t I have both?
FAVORITE DESSERT? Cheesecake
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Dead Days of Summer by Carolyn Hart
WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don’t have a mouse pad. I use my iBook’s trackpad.
WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Mystery! (They started the latest series of Foyle’s War which I love.)
FAVORITE SOUND[S]? Rain on the roof, blessed silence, music (of my choosing not somebody else’s)
ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Oh, the Stones, hands down. Jumpin’ Jack Flash is a gas, gas, gas! 
WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Which home? I’ve lived in many places. But probably sleazy border towns in Mexico. Okay, they’re probably not really that sleazy, but we really didn’t see what I’d consider the “real” Mexico.
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Not that I can think of off the top of my head…. 
WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Sheryl Crow’s hometown
WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Nobody’s because I’m not tagging anybody.
Today’s horoscope:
Your writing and speaking abilities are operating at a high level today, so if you’ve been thinking about pursuing either of these avenues, starting now gives you an advantage towards attaining success. Make a start and get your ideas down on paper, however rough they may be. The only downside is the stress that might result from the sudden stimulation. Try to remain calm.
Calm?! How can I remain CALM?!
As I mentioned in the meme, I watched Mystery! last night which was very good. Love Foyle’s War. I also watched a new episode of Kim Possible. I wonder if they’ll ever do a live action version? That could be fun. Also, I watched the last three episodes of the season of Ghost Whisperer. What a freaky season finale! And one episode of Dead Famous. They were in search of Janis Joplin in Austin, Texas. I never knew she’d ever even set foot in Austin. Of course, I’ve never actually seen the appeal of her music anyway. But that’s neither here nor there. It was a creepy episode!
Tonight we have the season finale (I think) of Deal or No Deal, Kyle XY (with more Nick Lea), and Cities of the Underworld (this time we’re going under Vesuvius—though I’m not sure exactly how one goes beneath a volcano….)
Only wrote one page last night. It’s hard to write during commercials when you’re watching PBS. *g* Maddie & Alex are on their way for an evening at the theatre. They’re going to see Phantom of the Opera. But I think mayhem is going to ensue soon. It’s been too dull lately….
