* Gary Bauer … mentioned Ronald Reagan … Reagan began his term in 1981 - 18 years ago. Sophomores in college this fall were not yet born.

* Steve Forbes and the balloons - When the balloon supply began to run out I said to someone standing next to me, "The popcorn is almost done. Turn off the microwave."

* … a scene from "Boogie Nights." - The film about the porno industry (which inexplicably got excellent reviews) and starring Burt Reynolds. One scene has a coke-head's house guest walking around randomly setting off firecrackers.

* … you could launch a magazine. A few weeks ago "Talk" magazine - which contained the infamous interview with Hillary Clinton - held its gala launch party on Ellis Island which is home to the Statue of Liberty.

* … I began to have warm thoughts about Bill Bradley." I was not, however, invited to join the daily, nationwide conference call during which all reporters are told how to make life miserable for Republicans.