Google Answers is pretty cool. For a minimum of $2 you can post a question on just about any topic and get a quick response. I just came back from Paris and was wondering if the French word for heart ("couer") had any relation to the origins of the word "court" as used in the legal sense. Sure, I could go try to find the Oxford English Dictionary, but I don't have time. So I posted the question and got this answer (note the subsequent comment by another person who adds to the discussion with more useful information). And from the answers I learned about the Online Etymological Dictionary. It's not the OED, but it's a handy tool nevertheless.
And learning all of this cost me only $2.50. Not bad. By the way, I learned about Google Answers from my new friend A.J. Levy. He's a lawyer here in New Orleans and is gearing up to start a weblog, which will be a great thing for those of you who want to learn about "lateral thinking" as applied to the law.
Later: someone sent me this account of a person who worked for Google Answers. Interesting. But so is this.
The recent series of posts about my trip to Paris prompted a reader to E-mail me and ask if I had some tips on visiting the city: where to stay and what to do etc.
Well, the first thing I did was E-mail my friend Chris Cloud, who has the great travel weblog, CloudTravel, and asked him if he had a post on Paris. He didn't but he cooked one up, which he is going to refine some more. I wish I had had Chris's thoughts when I went there, and I can't add too much more to what he said. Nevertheless, here are my thoughts:
I agree with Chris that the islands in the Seine, Ile de la Cite and Ile St. Louis, are focal points. In fact, that is where the village that ultimately became Paris was situated 2,000 years ago. So, as a place to orient yourself, I would go there first.
But even before you arrive in Paris you should start orienting yourself.
Therefore I recommend three things: Simon Schama's book on the French Revolution called Citizen (very captivating account, which is 800 pages so start reading it now); Richard Saul Wurman's Access Guide to Paris (which breaks down the best restaurants, hotels, and points of interest by groups of neighborhoods); and the easily totable map - Streetwise Paris.
Also, if you have a chance, plan a one or two day trip outside of the city. We went to the Champagne region and visited the Moet et Chandon cellars, but you might consider a visit to Normandy (see Chris's write up on planning that trip).
Oh, and since people have asked, no the French were not upset at Americans for the whole Iraq War thing. Just like in America, there are a lot of people in Paris who live their lives with the idea that they can't really control there government so they just try to get along and enjoy life. I found the French people to be warm, animated, curious and eager to get along. Speaking, or at least trying to speak, French helps but isn't necessary.
Paris is an amazing city, with wonderful people and breathtaking monuments. Do yourself a favor: start planning a trip there now.
The recent series of posts about my trip to Paris prompted a reader to E-mail me and ask if I had some tips on visiting the city: where to stay and what to do etc. 
