10 most frequently asked Olympic questions in Philly

1. What are those blue lines on the ski courses? They do look jarring, don't they? Actually, it's just dye that has been placed there to aid the skiers. They're not required to stay within them.

2.Is Johnny Weir really that bizarre? Hey, they don't call him Johnny Weird for nothing. If they awarded medals for outrageousness or interesting answers, the Coatesville native would be these Games' Michael Phelps.

3. You really get to see all these events for free? When you consider the thousands of dollars the Inquirer is contributing to the Olympic movement through our lodging, meal, transportation and communication costs, it'shardly free. Phil Sheridan alone has spent $576 in McDonalds in little more than a week.

4. Have you been to curling yet? Shhhh! My editor might hear you -- assuming the noise in whateverrestaurant he's in at the moment isn't too distracting.

5. What's Vancouver like? Wet.

6. What did you think of the opening ceremonies? Not sure. Given our tight deadlines and Vancouver's time zone, I was typing through most of them. I heard Joni Mitchell's voice, which was worth the trip here, but never looked up to notice she wasn't actually in the stadium. There's no way she's 66. That would make me .... yikes!

7. Who's the most beautiful women you've seen so far? Well, since my wife didn't accompany me, I'd have to say it was this Japanese TV personality who was covering men's figure skating the other night. Banzai! As for the competitors, Tanith Belbin ain't chopped liver.

8. What's the best meal you've had? Well if you eliminate all the takeout fare from the Fogg 'n Suds, it was probably the rigationi and lamb shanks at the Italian Kitchen in downtown Vancouver.

9. What's been your favorite Olympic moment so far? Actually, there's been a paucity of them so far at these Games. It might have been the meal I had with an old friend from Cardinal O'Hara whom I hadn't seen in 43 years. He got old-looking.

10. What events are you most looking forward to? Canada-U.S. hockey. Canada-Russia in hockey, if it comes to that.  The men's four-man bobsled. And my flight home.