Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, is a parallel novel published in 1995. It was written by Gregory Maguire and illustrated by Douglas Smith. Based upon the writings of L. Frank Baum, it is a revisionist look at the land and characters of Oz, best known from Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.It is the basis for the Broadway musical Wicked. A sequel, entitled Son of a Witch, was published in fall of 2005. As of October 2006, Maguire is working on a third novel in the Wicked Cycle, The Watermark, formerly titled A Cowardly War.

What makes a great women's vacation? How about a spa? A good cooking school? A walking tour of Rome, or the sites that inspired the Harry Potter books? An art workshop or craft retreat? Maybe you'd like to learn to surf or join an archaeological dig. These are great vacations to share with your sisters or your friends.

From Truthout - http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/120707F.shtmlMichael Winship wonders whether those supporting Rudy Giuliani have "lost your ever-loving minds," Guiliani WOULD make a logical successor to our current liar in chief, what with his cooking the books, making up statistics, and having very shady friends in the international shadows.

He is an impossible man. And I’m glad I’m not his mother. I’m equally glad I’m not his editor. I am only an unlikely friend. While I never met Sarjano’s mama (God bless her), I can well imagine what it must have been like.