Charles L

I've seen the musical a few times and am wondering if, given Andrew Lloyd Webber's life story, the play isn't a bit autobiographical? Has he ever spoken about its parallels to his life and relationships, e.g. he is like the Phantom and women in his life are like Christine?

When I go to Canada I almost always get blue-slipped and sent to the tank to endure questioning and delays by Immigration. They ask elementary or oddball questions but don't seem to know anything relevant (Do I have an arrest record? Have I ever been a problem in Canada? Have I even BEEN to Canada before?). Since everyone else in the country is so polite, I can never get a straight answer for this. Is it a) Well, US immigration treats Canadians badly so we're just returning the favor to random people (understandable); b) I said or did something at some point that made somebody mad so I'm on some List of People to Blue Slip and Hassle; c) they don't believe my reasons for my visit so this is my punishment; d) I look suspicious; e) evidence of prior travel to SE Asia; f) something else? I've gone dressed up, dressed down, doesn't matter. Different reasons, doesn't matter. Blue slip in the passport, "step that way please". Arrrrrrrrrgh! What can I do? (Info: I am a native born white USAian, white bread looking, respectful, with no Texas accent.) Maybe somebody who works for Immigration Canada can answer; I promise not to repeat whatever is said or who said it, I'm just looking for an answer. Thanks!

I've been to New Jersey and have seen some of the beautiful parts and the wonderful people, so I'm not fooled. And I think the state has the highest per-capita income of any US state. But there is an endless drumbeat of mockery of New Jersey in popular culture from outsiders, and I wonder how residents cope. Do people just smugly say "oh yeah this place sucks" knowing it doesn't? Do people feel genuinely humiliated? Are people just so shell-shocked it's just like some sort of game? Do people just roll their eyes knowing that there ARE some really cruddy parts of New Jersey and that's what most people know? I am curious about this, Jersey friends...

I'm a big fan of Indian culture and people and am wondering about one point. When I call a help desk, the person answering will say in a heavily accented voice, "this is Vijayalakshimi" or something like that. I usually can't understand the name, and often have to have the person send me an email just so I can get the name right. Is there some cultural reason for not adopting an American-sounding nickname? Many Japanese businesspeople I met in the USA adopted nicknames, e.g. Takahashi used "Mike" or some such thing. Many Indian names have religous overtones; would using a nickname be somehow disrespectful? FYI I frequently use nicknames or variations of my name myself when traveling overseas, particularly when my name is difficult to pronounce in that language. Why is this not the case for most people in India?

This guy has dated all the hot gals in Hollywood, and it is a mystery to me exactly what is appealing about him. I am a normal guy so I don't get it when you say "He's HOTTTT!" or "omg omg he's so cute!" Could you explain specifically what about his attire, mannerisms, facial features, personal wealth, fame, etc. you find so attractive (and presumably what would attract large numbers of Hollywood A-list young ladies)? Just curious. Thanks.

Can you cite a url for it or other info on it? This is the ship that was once the USS Taussig (DD-746). Thanks.

Women have been enduring this kind of humiliation for decades, maybe you can help a guy out. I will go insane on a treadmill and I don't want to wear an ipod for safety reasons. People doing these things are usually in moving vehicles approaching from behind me so I have little or no time to defend myself or react.