For those who asked questions… thanks! Here are answers to the first half, the rest I’ll answer on Wednesday.

1. From G In Berlin: So, once I have a break from my German course, what shall I go to see and do in Berlin?

Hmm, taking into account you live in Berlin (so all the standard tourist stuff probably doesn’t apply), I’d hit Schlotzsky’s for lunch and bask in the american-sandwich-making of it all. Then an english-language movie at the Sony Center, followed by a trip to Mommseneck to see how many of ‘der 100 bier’ you can work your way through before getting sleepy…

2. Also from G In Berlin: Also, do you know that due to the annoying change in the US DST, your time clock (and mine) is wrong for the US?

I’ve pretty much resolved myself to the fact that my clock’s off at least half the time. As long as it gets the Dresden part correct I figure I won’t complain or do anything about it.

3. From Cliff & Sarah: If I’ve got a long weekend in Dresden, Leipzig, or really any major east-German city, what’s good to do where?

I’ve only been to Leipzig once, so I can’t speak to what to do there, but Dresden’s full of fun stuff. The Frauenkirche is a must-see, and it’s well worth the extra €€ to take the long & winding trip to the top to check out the city panorama. Then there are the Zwinger (an enormous museum complex), the Semper Oper Haus and St. Trinitatis. If you have a car you should head outside of the city and visit the Königstein Fort- a beautiful castle atop a hill. The Saxon countryside (called Saxon Switzerland) are not to be missed…

There’s much more than just this… these are just a few of the things that pop into my head.

4. From Jeanni: (excluding humans) what is your least favorite mammal and why?

My least favorite mammal has got to be the ferret (an overgrown rat with teeth). Robyn had one when she was 10 and I hated the little bastard. It would attack anything that was near it and not let up until whatever it was (us, the dog, stuffed animals, you name it) was ripped to shreds. We paid $40 to buy it and 2 months later $75 to have a ferret rescue society to take it off our hands. Best $75 I’ve ever spent…

5. From Schokolade Mädchen: Why does my husband wear a pair of sweat socks, roll them back up perfectly, and then put them back in the sock drawer. He says that if he only wore them for a short period of time, then they are not “technically” dirty and he can wear them again later. He also says that he does this because he doesn’t want to contribute to more laundry for me. It drives me insane because of course, when I look for a pair of sweat socks (we share the same sock drawer), I always find that pair, and when I unroll them and see the dirty bottoms, I freak out. Is my husband dirty or considerate?

As Sydney likes to say, boys are gross. I don’t think he’s dirty or considerate, it’s just that German practicality popping up. What amazes me is when I see people wear the same outfit two or three days in a row. I finally worked up the courage to ask a friend about this, and he said (I kid you not) that sometimes in the winter when he doesn’t sweat, he can get 4 wearings out of the same outfit before he has to ‘retire’ it. I said ‘aren’t you embarrassed to be seen in the same outfit over & over again?’ His reply… ‘of corse not, it shows my employer how sensible I am’. See… things could be worse.

6. From Katie: Would you rather: Respond enthusiastically with “NACHO CHEESE!” to any question you’re asked, for the rest of your life? -OR- Moonwalk as you exit any place you ever enter for the rest of your life?

Being that I’m a completely uncoordinated klutz, nacho cheese is much safer. Plus it would give me a chance to use my ‘whatchoo talkin ’bout, Willis’ voice when answering nacho cheese.

On this day..

• Five minutes until the half of twelve. - 2006