Logic Problem: You have 12 cases of beer (12 beers in each case) A normal bottle of beer has 12 ounces. One of the cases is filled with bottles containing only 11 ounces per bottle, and all other 11 cases are filled with normal 12 ounce bottles. You are given ONE press on a digital scale to figure our which case has the 11 ounce bottles. How do you do it? (ask questions in the comment section)

Question: If a man speaks in the woods and no woman hears, is he still wrong?

Birth Announcement: As I was driving home from Temple last night, I called home to get a voice mail from Chip, stating that Abby was in labor. This morning, at about 10:00 a.m., Chip and Abby welcomed Rebecca (middle name tbd) into this world. She was delivered early because of some concerns of the doctor, and was small, at a little under 5 pounds. She is progressing well, as is Abby. I am smiling ear to ear and am so happy for them. What a blessing for the New Year!

"Kimpossible-Cole's-Jewish-New-Year" Friday Five:
- Do you know who Kimpossible is? Yes, I know who the person is who writes this blog (KHC) and the Disney cartoon character that this is reference to. She (both) is a feisty redhead who is prone to wear black shirts, has lots of energy, had lots of great friends, take sh*t from no one, and likes to be in control. (See...that's why I picked the persona!) The funny part is that I have never watched a full episode.
- How many people with the last name Cole do you know? Even I know surprisingly few. I know the small Cole family, but I don't know if I *know* anyone else with that last name.
- What religion do you consider yourself? Culturally I consider myself Jewish. In terms of rituals and holidays, I also consider myself Jewish. There is certainly no other organized religion that I follow. My values and sense of being are compatible to Judaism, although they are also found in many other religions. I really treasure the High Holidays as a time to reflect, take the time to be still long enough to think about where I have been and where I would like to be going, and think about the kind of person I strive to be.
- What is the newest thing you have? Some wine I bought last weekend at a vineyard with Hilary and Steve in CT.
- What is your favorite year of your life? I think sophomore year of college. I had great friends, liked where I was living (with Major Mocha), was happy in my classes, and just felt good about my life. Unfortunately I would say that 1st-8th grade were hard for me because I was picked on a lot (not that I was miserable all the time but I wouldn't say they were the best years of my life) and I have serious tragedies in my life in high school. I have actually said that I think I have been happier every year since I was 13. I still think that stands if I base it on my self esteem, quality of life, sense of self, and overall joy.

Shout Out To Ms. Eyrich: In yesterday's Globe a picture of a young girl doing Highland Dancing jumped out at me. Macalester College (where I went to undergrad) is a Scottish school and one of my closest friends did highland dance all through college. My friends and I would even go watch her compete in Highland Games, where she and our classmates were always the oldest participants. Looks like a Scottish Fair is out this way this weekend.

Huh?: In a story about a man who fell to his death while on a hike in the Grand Canyon, it reports, "It was an unclear why the man fell while hiking Saturday...His wife had been walking in front of him and didn't see him fall...Authorities didn't release the man's identity because they had not yet positively identified the body Monday." Does the woman not know who her husband is? How could thye be having trouble identifying the body?

I Drive A Driving School Car???: When we were teenagers, we used to say that Judi's car looked like a driving school car. Ya know, all the driving schools used these boxy-ish Chevy's and other cars, that when you saw them you thought "Driving School Car". Well, driving into work today I was behind a student driver in a CAROLLA! That's my car! Hopefull this means that driving schools have become hip, and not a statement of my car tastes. (Except, maybe it shows that I pick safe, easy to drive, and common cars....)

Weekend Update: On Friday I went down to CT to see Hilary and Steve around 4, and arrived there around 6. We hung out for a bit and then went to a yummy (and HUGE) dinner at Angellino's. We then went to the 9:50 showing of Vanity Fair. It was quite good (maybe a B+) but I was sooooo tired! Saturday it was pouring so we stayed in and were cozy for the first part of the day. Hilary did a fashion show of her clothes so she could sort, eliminate and plan her wardrobe. Then we went to a vineyard and did a wine tasting around 4, and went to an orchard to pick apples after that. We went back to their place where we (by that I mainly mean Steve, who is a wonderful cook) cooked dinner and made apple crisp with the apples we picked. We also made s'mores on the bbq! Sunday I drove home around 10 (beautiful fall day) and went to the new SUPER grocery store by my house. Its like a city! I made some of "Kim's Famous Soup" to have for the week, and went to my brothers for a little bit to help him strategize his new furniture etc. Then I watched some of the Patriots and went babysitting (well, 8 year-old sitting). (By the way, Pats won!!!!...we don't talk about the Red Sox this weekend) The other good news/bad news is that my back feels 85% better, after bringing me to tears for about 1.5 months! The bad news is that I have a cold. No wonder, since the temp has been going between 72-45-68 all week. I would much rather have a cold than a bad back!!! So, here I am back at work. Marshall and I are going to dinner tonight...its been way too long!

L'Shana Tova: Happy (Jewish) New Year to all my loved one (and everyone else too) May you have a happy, healthy, and love-filled year.

We Lost A Nuclear Bomb???: Government experts are investigating a claim that an unarmed nuclear bomb, lost off the Georgia coast at the height of the Cold War, might have been found, an Air Force spokesman said Monday. The hydrogen bomb was lost in the Atlantic Ocean in 1958 following a collision of a B-47 bomber and an F-86 fighter.

Long But Quite Interesting Aricle: After nearly being killed when his drunk cab driver got into an accident, former NBA player Manute Bol recovers in the hospital. The Globe reports, "Some 76 days after the accident and still facing a long rehabilitation, Bol is not only broken but broke. He says he has no health insurance and is not eligible for his NBA pension until he is 45. He gave away an estimated $3.2 million to help his countrymen fight the Islamic government in Sudan, and he's not sorry he did. "I don't feel bad because I feel I saved some people by doing that," said Bol."

This Could Be Big: Ericka Ebbel, MIT alumna, won the talent portion of the priliminary round at the Miss America pagent last night. Two of my collegues are going to Atlantic City this weekend to watch the actual pagent. A rifle shooting, piano playing, beautiful, wicked smart, MIT educated woman in the Miss America pagent! Who woulda thunk? She is actually favored to reach the top 5 at least!

Truly Excellent Movie: Last night Emily and I went to see Garden State (after a yummy dinner at Cheesecake Factory....mmmmm, Thai lettuce wraps). I am not overstating when I say it was one of the best movies I have ever seen. (Mom and Dad- Yes, I know you predicted I would love it...thanks!) Absolutely fantastic acting (it didn't even seem like they were acting), wonderful writing, and wonderful character to explore in Natalie Portman's character.

Kim's Semi-Cranky, Semi-Happy Friday Five:

* What five things are you most cranky about? My back has been hurting me so much lately that it brought me to the point of making me tear up today (I have been going to a chiropractor 2-3 times a week...I am just so uncomfortable!), I don't have plans tonight, my knee hurts and I don't know why, the Red Sox lost last night, and I lost my sunglasses.
* What five things are you happiest about? It is supposed to be a beautiful weekend, the Patriots won last night, my meeting went quite well last night, I am working to heal a relationship in my life that has been hurting, and I had an amazingly honest and eye opening conversation with someone at work this morning.
* What five words would describe you right now? physically uncomfortable, productive, hungry, optimistic
* What five words do you WISH described you right now? limber, eating ice cream, giggling
* What five words would describe your past week? busy, child-filled, sleepy, productive

Yeah Pats! One down....15 more to go...then the playoffs...then about 4 more to go...then the Super Bowl Champs AGAIN....oh, wait, did I just get ahead of myself?

Wish Me Luck: Tonight I am hosting a "focused discussion" (not to be confused with a focus group...these alumnae are far to elite for such rif raf) about the MIT Women's Leadership conference I am in charge of this spring. As my boss astutely warned "Kim, you know you have to do the rest of your job too...and can't just plan this women's event, right?" Eight high power (highly opinionated, and used to being listened to) alumnae are coming to my dinner and meeting, hosted at a hotel. I feel well prepared, and hope that I will be met with supportive women, who offer constructive criticism, lots of good ideas, and offers of their personal contacts etc. We'll see.... Also, my boss and my boss's boss will be there.....Talk slowly, listen carefully, don't be defensive, its gunna be great. p.s. Good luck to Prof. Em, who is teaching her first class at Tuft's X College tonight. Lady power!

A Wonderful Idea: A job and maybe a home (plus an increased quality of life) all because of voice mail. The nonprofit Community Voice Mail project provides homeless people with a way for potential employers, social service agencies and relatives to contact them. It also enables them to apply for a job without having to tell a prospective employer they are living on the streets.

In sporting news: The streaking Red Sox all but did no wrong as they whipped A's bulldog Tim Hudson behind the latest act of mastery by Pedro Martinez to win their 20th game in 22 tries by completing a staggering sweep, 8-3, at Network Associates Coliseum. Also, the WORLD CHAMPION New England Patriots (did I tell you we won the Super Bowl???) open their season against the Hoosier Colts (he he he Dad) Beautiful!

A Little Bit of Hate Removed: Richard G. Butler, the notorious white supremacist who founded the Aryan Nations and was once dubbed the "elder statesman of American hate," died in his sleep at his home in Hayden, Idaho, authorities said yesterday....I have to admit, I mourn some losses more than others.

Health Is More Than Skin Deep: I was just looking at a recent picture of Clinton, thinking that he looked thinner and healthy. Then I read today that he is in need of a heart bypass, perhaps a quartuple, maybe as early as Saturday. Guess it really doesn't work to eat junk food for 50 years, diet for one, and expect to have no ill affects. (Although better late than never!)