*New Potter book breaks sales records: 250,000 per hour for first 24 hours/My Way -- I can't take it any more. Which major character dies in the sixth book. (And: Mike Kennedy, when are you going to finish reading the book to your kids so you can loan it to me?)

*GOP allies say Bush is close to court pick: choice may be announced this week/Washington Post -- Gentlemen (and I use that term loosely when applied to Ted Kennedy), start your filibuster.

*Secretary of State Rice keeps up a record travel pace: 152,235 miles and 35 countries/US News & World Report: You go, girl.

*Sandra Bullock Weds 'Monster Garage' Star Jesse James: Surprised guests included Jamie Lee Curtis, William Shatner and James Hetfield/M-TV: Any guesses how long this Planet Hollyweird match made in heaven is going to last? Choices: 1. 6 months, 2. A year, 3. Less than 2 years, and 4. Who cares?

*Quitting smoking helps heal chronic gum disease: Smokers 6 times more likely than nonsmokers to develop gum disease/Reuters -- Cigareets are a blight on the whole human race/A man is a monkey with one in his face/Come listen my good friend come listen my brother/Fire on one end a fool on the other.

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