WWTBAM Bored

Okay... I'm seriously considering going to the Charlotte audition. I'm tired of getting frustrated over and over again while watching the show because I know things that the contestants don't. This is my only real chance to try out, and I feel really confident that I can get on the show. I assure you that it's not cockiness whatsoever... I just feel like, based on how much the show has gone away from picking contestants based on intelligence, I've got a great shot. People tell me that I'm really smart, and while I am nowhere close to being a genius, I just remember things easily, so I feel like I could hold my own on the show. On top of that, I really need the money, so to me, this is a huge opportunity that I really don't want to pass up. I'm not even 100% sure I'll have the money to go, but in case I am able to make the three-hour trip, I wanted to ask you guys a few things about the protocol for auditions.

My most important concern is the line. I'm not expecting anything TPIR-like with people camping out the night before, but you never know, so I wanted to ask how that goes to be sure. Since they apparently won't let people in the official line before 6AM, will anyone be able to form a line outside the building before that time? And if so, as I asked before, is there typically a large amount of people in line well before the 7AM start? Plus, if you get there a little after the start time, are your hopes pretty much screwed? I wasn't going to risk getting there late, anyway, but if you guys tell me that there is still a great shot at getting in, I might try it. The reason I ask is because I was trying to avoid getting a hotel because of money, but then again, I'd have to wake up at like 4AM at the latest to get there in time, and that's just not reasonable. So the only way I wouldn't do that is if I could get there at like 9AM and be okay, but I highly doubt arriving at that time would get me in. Also, one final question about the line... is my mom allowed in despite not wanting to participate in the audition process? My mom would go with me if I am able to make the trip, but I'm the only one who has interest in getting on the show.

The other thing I'm wondering about is the actual getting inside part. I assume the test isn't too difficult, but is there anything in particular that I would find on it, or is it just general trivia? I imagine the latter is the case. But what I'm really wondering about is the interview if I pass the test. Are there any specific questions they ask? I'm guessing it's like TPIR in that you can't just act dead... you have to show some personality. And while I'm not an overly energetic person by means, I would like to think I've got a pretty good personality and would be liked by the contestant coordinators. Plus, it seems that this season, they've been looking for people who really need the money, and I definitely qualify there, unfortunately. Also, if you pass the test, can you leave to get lunch before coming back to talk to the contestant coordinators? That's probably a dumb question, because I can't imagine them making you starve for half of the day, but I just wanted to be sure. And lastly... the all-important postcards that tell you your fate. When do you typically receive them, and if you get the good one, does it tell you your tapedate?

Sorry this was so long, but if I am able to go, I just want to be absolutely sure that I know how it all works, and I knew this would be the place to get good advice on that. I certainly hope this all works out... I just feel like this is a really good opportunity for me, and with the way things have been going for me lately, I could really use something like this.

I'm surprised no one has answered this although some of the questions you've asked are unanswerable right now. I haven't auditioned in a while but I think each location is different. That being said I know I can answer this part: a happy post card does NOT guarantee that you will be on the show. It merely means that you are in the pool. If you get a bad card you most likely will not be on the show.
I'm sure others will offer more info once they see this.

I don't recall anyone here reporting that they attempted to go to a remote audition but got turned away for lack of room.

The questions in the past have been taken directly from the show, with the caveat that at times they have been questions from episodes that have not yet aired. No one knows for certain, but our best guess is that the passing score is 25 out of 30.

We don't know about schedule. I would not rely on them scheduling matters so that auditioners have the opportunity to get lunch between the written exam and the audition. If that's a concern, I suggest you brown bag it. --Bob

I'll let other people who are better experienced with the inner dealing deal with the detail questions (i.e. you get your card about a month later, it doesn't include your tapedate because you're not guaranteed a shot just b/c you get a card).
But the one thing I do want to mention, especially since you are closer to me in age, is that you should NOT take for granted that the test is easy. The vast majority of people on this Bored are supersmart and therefore the test is not an issue. However, it was a pretty difficult test for me and given that you have to get appx. 27 (26, 25?) out of 30 correct, your margin of error is not high. Just remember this: At my audition there were about 150-200 people. About 15 of us passed the test. Granted, you may very well be a whole lot smarter than me (Believe me, the odds are on your side there) but be careful what you assume....

I tried out in Baltimore last year. I got there ninety minutes early and was 83rd in line. A friend made it to the 8 a.m. tryout and said that group was not full. You never know, but I think you would be safe getting there at 9. That would give you three time slots to take the test.

They said generally you get the postcard in the mail three weeks later.

I'm not sure if there would be a place for your Mom to wait. Why not have her take the test with you? Even if she's sure she wouldn't pass, its only a few minutes long, and she'd have a chance to get a free t-shirt and ask questions about the show.

There have been several good points made so far. Every location is different. My Las Vegas audition must have had at least a thousand people in line. We had to wait outside in the August heat and ten minute rain storm. Another note about the cards. I received a good card from audition and was never called. Some auditioners have been called to be on the show before they even received their happy card. And you do know that hotel and flights are your responsibility.
Oh, I don't know about the prime time show.

The line length can be a crap shoot. I think you will always get in if you arrive at the designated start time (7:00). Beyond that depends on how many are interested and show up. In Nashville next week, I'm planning on hitting the line area sometime between 6 and 7 but will not be trying for any 'pre-line'.

Your mom should be able to walk along with you for 90% of the wait. Once you get inside to be seated to take the test she will have to wait elsewhere. Everyone in the room gets a number.

Do not discount the difficulity of the test. In my experience if you have 150 to 200 taking the test, only 15 to 30 will pass.

You will need to be upbeat and positive at the interview. I would not count on 'needing the money' as being any kind of hook. What the AP's look for is a mix of demographics and whim of the moment. Many have a 'perfect' sounding interview and still get a sad card.*

*Keep in mind that this advice is from a guy who is 0 for 7 in audition interviews.

Good luck, have fun with it.

Okay, my only advice is that everyone's experience is pretty different. I auditioned in NYC so my experience is different than road auditions.

If you pass the test, which I hope you do, but as someone else mentioned, is not a given...I found it easy but my ex-boyfriend who was with me at the time took it several times and never passed once. And he was smart and knew the answers to questions at home. As far as the interview, just be yourself and if you're what they're looking for then you'll probably get picked. No one really knows what that is, and it is possible that it changes season to season. I auditioned once and got a call a few days later and still to this day never actually got my happy card, even though I was on the show.

As far as a time commitment, if it seems unreasonable to wait a few hours for a chance to win a million, I'd say just stay home and don't bother, there are many people who think it's worth a few hours and more. You're not going to die if you don't eat for a few hours, and if you're already worried more about lunch plans than the test or the interview, you may want to pass until a time when it seems more convenient for you...

But if you do audition, best of luck....

sunflower wrote: If you pass the test, which I hope you do, but as someone else mentioned, is not a given

Someone?? Is that all I am to you now??? Jeez, a guy leaves for a week and it's like he never existed. You're breaking my heart...

clem21 wrote:

sunflower wrote: If you pass the test, which I hope you do, but as someone else mentioned, is not a given

Someone?? Is that all I am to you now??? Jeez, a guy leaves for a week and it's like he never existed. You're breaking my heart...

Sorry Clem!!! I was honestly too lazy to go back and read the post to see who wrote it!!! Plus "someone" is the new cool word on the bored, you know...

You know I meant no offense.....welcome back!!!

Keep in mind that since they are also auditioning for Regis PT show, the lines/crowds could be way larger!!!

If they come to CA, I plan on getting there early!

And from my experience, the only way your mom could stay with you is for her to take the test, too. That's what I made my hubby do last year.

Good luck!

Hi everybody! I'm also looking to audition in Tampa next week, and I am just all around nervous about everything on audition day (the line, the test, the interview). I live an hour away from Tampa, but I'm still planning on heading over the night before and camping out in the car somewhere nearby the testing center. As far as the test goes, I found a spreadsheet on the WWTBAM Bored with the last season's questions, and after going through about 1500 questions I'd say I've gotten about 1400 of them right (I'm marking the ones I got wrong down for later review). My weak areas seem to be common sense stuff that older adults would probably know but not 19-year-old college students (song lyrics from the '70s, etc.). Am I on par for doing well on the test? I'm so nervous that I"ll do something completely stupid like mark the wrong side of the answer sheet or suddenly forget what my number is when they call out the numbers.

Also, this is something I posted on Television Without Pity, and I got a good answer from hcethatsme, but I figured I'd get another good opinion from here:

So I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I'm trying to get together a couple of good anecdotes from my life. Since I'm only 19, I can't say that I've had too many deep life experiences, but my life has been interesting. So I was wondering, would they not care about funny stuff that happened to me in, say, elementary school, and would they rather more recent stuff? Cuz I got a gold mine of stories from my child and teenage hood including:

-Not knowing my own name until I was 6
-The only reason I wanted to play the cello was because it was an instrument I could sit down to play (as opposed to the violin I was playing at the time. I was a fat lazy kid.)
-I bit a kid in 5th grade and got suspended for it, and my mom didn't find out about it til last summer
-I was a finalist in the National Geographic Bee in 8th grade

Is any of this stuff good? I mean, I also intend to talk about my more recent life and some of my college extracurriculars (acting in the annual interactive Easter play, orchestra, pre-med club, camping in the Smokys, College Bowl). Gosh, this almost all feels like I'm applying to college all over again.

Anyway, thanks everyone, this site is great!

hanzz wrote:Hi everybody! I'm also looking to audition in Tampa next week, and I am just all around nervous about everything on audition day (the line, the test, the interview). I live an hour away from Tampa, but I'm still planning on heading over the night before and camping out in the car somewhere nearby the testing center. As far as the test goes, I found a spreadsheet on the WWTBAM Bored with the last season's questions, and after going through about 1500 questions I'd say I've gotten about 1400 of them right (I'm marking the ones I got wrong down for later review). My weak areas seem to be common sense stuff that older adults would probably know but not 19-year-old college students (song lyrics from the '70s, etc.). Am I on par for doing well on the test? I'm so nervous that I"ll do something completely stupid like mark the wrong side of the answer sheet or suddenly forget what my number is when they call out the numbers.

Also, this is something I posted on Television Without Pity, and I got a good answer from hcethatsme, but I figured I'd get another good opinion from here:

So I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I'm trying to get together a couple of good anecdotes from my life. Since I'm only 19, I can't say that I've had too many deep life experiences, but my life has been interesting. So I was wondering, would they not care about funny stuff that happened to me in, say, elementary school, and would they rather more recent stuff? Cuz I got a gold mine of stories from my child and teenage hood including:

-Not knowing my own name until I was 6
-The only reason I wanted to play the cello was because it was an instrument I could sit down to play (as opposed to the violin I was playing at the time. I was a fat lazy kid.)
-I bit a kid in 5th grade and got suspended for it, and my mom didn't find out about it til last summer
-I was a finalist in the National Geographic Bee in 8th grade

Is any of this stuff good? I mean, I also intend to talk about my more recent life and some of my college extracurriculars (acting in the annual interactive Easter play, orchestra, pre-med club, camping in the Smokys, College Bowl). Gosh, this almost all feels like I'm applying to college all over again.

Anyway, thanks everyone, this site is great!

It's a youth revolution!

College kids taking over the Bored! What will Marley think??

Welcome by the way. I too, do not have a wealth of years but I have had some, er, crazier experiences in my life. Oddly enough, the interviewer seemed most interested in how I smashed up my hand on an ambulance and what life was like growing up independent in NYC, so I guess you never know. My only advice is to be extra smiley and go over the questions on the test after you've done 'em if you have time. Ya never know what you might catch...

Thanks very much for all of the responses. It is a bit discouraging to read what some of you have said... I had no idea the chances were as low as they are. I didn't think it would be super easy by any means, but I didn't think it would be as difficult as you guys are saying it is, either. I still feel like I've got a chance, though, so if I am able to make the trip, I'll just stay positive and try my best.

clem21 wrote:Granted, you may very well be a whole lot smarter than me (Believe me, the odds are on your side there)

Yeah, since you're a Giants fan and all.

Seriously, though... I'm not so sure about that. I would have had NO chance on that $16K question you got right.

sunflower wrote:As far as a time commitment, if it seems unreasonable to wait a few hours for a chance to win a million, I'd say just stay home and don't bother, there are many people who think it's worth a few hours and more. You're not going to die if you don't eat for a few hours, and if you're already worried more about lunch plans than the test or the interview, you may want to pass until a time when it seems more convenient for you...

Whoa now... I wasn't implying that I cared more about lunch than this. I was simply asking if they let you leave or not. This is a big opportunity, so I definitely wouldn't lose sight of that. Plus, I went without food for most of the day when I went to TPIR, so I can certainly do it for this.

Don't get TOO discouraged. Hell I did pass, however fluky and lucky it may've been, so why shouldn't you be able to as well. Good luck and stay upbeat!

Heels and Hanzz - I have a feeling that both of you will do great!

Welcome to the bored.

Hey auditioners--
Everyone else has already given you some good advice, but here's my experience:
I did two road auditions in Florida maybe five years ago, passed the tests, seemed to have great interviews, and got the postcards telling me I wasn't in the pool, then after repeating in NYC a few years later, I got the "yes" card and went on to do very well on the show, so if this is really your thing, don't ever give up.
Keeping in mind that all of these experiences are at least a few years old:
The line: At both my road shows, I was there a few minutes before the announced time in the morning, and there were already dozens, if not hundreds, of people already waiting. I don't believe they'd turn you away for being at the end of a long line, but why risk it? I always approached the whole adventure like a second job, prepared meticulously and was always early.
The questions on the test: There were 30 questions, with four possible choices each, just like on the show. I'm an excellent player with a strong memory and a broad range of knowledge, and I did find most of the questions pretty straightforward. However, there were a few where I had to guess between two possibilities, a few where the answer choices seemed ambiguous, and one or two that I knew I just didn't know. (Keep in mind I have a lot of experience with quiz shows, so this is probably not typical. DO NOT assume the test is easy. Most of the people who took it with me said it was hard, and consistently only about 10 percent who take it pass it. Prepare as well as you possibly can.)
Most of the pop culture and current events questions seemed to have been taken from events in the previous year or two. However, I did get some questions about TV shows from a generation or two ago: I think one was about "Full House," of all things.
I have no idea what a passing score is, but on every test I took I never thought I'd missed more than five, if that many. The questions do represent a broad variety of things, including literature, history, science, Nobel Prize and other award winners, geography, pop culture, TV, the usual things you'd expect. I do retain the impression that the tests featured far more U.S. history than world history. I recall being asked about the Civil Rights movement, the previous year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, foreign currency, national parks, chemical elements, Halle Berry and Bob Dole, if that gives you any idea. I personally have never found questions on the tests that I thought were as tricky as the actual show questions above, say, the $100K level.
DO NOT take the test for granted, even if you are very good already. I know I'm good, and I never took anything for granted. Probably the best thing you can do to prepare is go through your World Almanac. And catch up on your diet of TV news and pop culture, including slogans and commercials past and present, which I mention because they do seem to ask about that quite a bit, on the show and in the tests I took over the years. They also seemed to ask quite a few U.S. government things, as in so-and-so is a senator from which state, what is such-and-such specific constitutional amendment about, etc. This is your World Almanac stuff...
I have no idea where they get these questions, or if they're from previous shows, although some people have told me they remember some from the show.
I feel a bit silly bringing this up, but do be very careful to bubble in your answer sheet completely and darkly with the pencil, just like in school, and double check to make sure you've answered the right number question on the answer sheet. You'll have an answer sheet that's separate from your question sheet, and sometimes the layout doesn't correspond between the two in the way you'd intuitively expect. If you have extra time, go back over the questions to make sure your answers are correct. There are no extra points for finishing quickly. I used every bit of extra time to go back over things, and on one occasion I think an answer I changed at the last minute might have been the difference between passing and failing.
The interview: They will probably give you the chance to print out the contestant questionnaire and bring it with you. DO IT! Bringing it there already filled out gives you the chance to think about your responses and organize your thoughts. If you do nothing else I say, think about your personal anecdotes ahead of time and have them on the tip of your tongue. Brainstorm all the unusual/interesting things about you, things that would engage an audience and that you can talk about engagingly, write them all down on scratch paper, then use a different one to fill in each of the questions.
Give very detailed answers on that questionnaire. One producer said she really liked my detailed answers.
I do think that it's more your attitude when you interact with the producer, than the substance of the anecdotes. Few of us have shot tigers in India and skinned them with our bare teeth, or lived in a penguin colony in Antarctica. I certainly thought my anecdotes were zzzzz-inducing. Just pick the ones that the "average" audience member might like to hear about, the ones that are the most "different," and practice talking about them with as much sparkle as you can. Practice on your friends and family and get them to critique you. Honestly. And ask your loved ones to give you anecdotes about yourself--you'll be surprised (I hope pleasantly) at what you haven't thought of. Think of cute little one-liners that sum up each anecdote. Comedians will tell you it's all in the delivery.
Write legibly and form your sentences clearly and completely. Let your writing show personality and charm in the way you tell the stories, yet still be concise and don't run on unnecessarily--maybe a paragraph/four or five sentences per question. Be like a politician: If they ask you a question that's less than ideal for you, answer it, but use the answer as a place to jump into something else more interesting. If you're an academic, don't write or speak like one. In your written responses and in the interview, be concise and engaging, and don't use "big words" unless it's for humorous effect. Know when to stop. Knowing that you'll have maybe one minute for the interview, take your two or three best stories and refine them into a concise "elevator pitch" for the oral interview.
On the road, realize you may be interviewed in close quarters. In one of mine, I had to stand in the doorway of a cramped little room in a car dealership, with the producer inches away from me, while people squeezed past us as they walked down a narrow hall. And it was noisy. Don't let anything unexpected throw you, and don't look confused or nervous.
The producer will probably spend no more than one or two minutes with you. The minute you walk toward them, you should be smiling (genuinely, not maniacally). Your body language should reflect relaxation, friendliness, confidence--if you don't feel like that, practice with friends ahead of time how you're going to do that. Have friends do a one-minute interview with you so you learn to think on your feet. I did this for a friend who was auditioning and she said it helped her a lot.
Because the producer has so little time with you, he or she will probably pick only one or two or possibly three things from your questionnaire to ask about. Be direct and answer the questions asked, but try to segue whatever you're asked into a discussion of the anecdotes you feel are your best. And make sure to be very excited and enthusiastic and tell them how much you enjoy the show. Have a genuine give-and-take conversation with the producer--they really are people--so they see you can interact well with Meredith and the studio audience. Laugh at yourself when it feels appropriate, but don't put yourself down. As in any job interview, show them what you can do for them: Draw an audience that will take you to its heart.
The X factor: Having taken and passed the test and not been picked about six times total (on the road and in NYC) before finally getting to yes, I tried to analyze how that could be, so maybe this will help you, but remember all of this is my own experience and opinion, not inside info: Every time I took the test and didn't get picked, I had the same MO. I was completely myself, which means I didn't show nervousness, and was, I think, outgoing, poised and polite. I always thought the interviews went very well and that the producer liked me a lot--but I didn't get picked. At last I thought: Maybe I'm a little TOO poised and polite.... The time I finally got picked, I did one thing differently: I showed a LOT more excitement and desire. In fact, when they called my number as one of the "passers," I jumped up, clapped my hands and screamed with delight, provoking the producer to say, "I dare anyone to top that." (This likely works better for girls than guys, but there's got to be a male variant on this that should work...) Then in the one-on-one interview, I showed a lot more enthusiasm and told the producer how much I loved the show. She seemed to really like that, and said something like, "Oh, it's so great that you love it so much..." And quite honestly, that was the only difference in my "yes" audition and my "no" auditions. I dressed the same way and behaved about the same, and had pretty similar anecdotes. The only thing I did differently was make a conscious decision to be a lot more excited and exuberant. Be careful, though: I think they can detect phoniness a mile away, so be yourself, just be sure it's your most positive, enthusiastic, exuberant self possible. That's exactly the way I played it, and I continue to think that's what did it.
Wishing all our auditioners LOTS of broken legs--
Lyn

Thanks very much for all of the responses. It is a bit discouraging to read what some of you have said... I had no idea the chances were as low as they are. I didn't think it would be super easy by any means, but I didn't think it would be as difficult as you guys are saying it is, either. I still feel like I've got a chance, though, so if I am able to make the trip, I'll just stay positive and try my best.

I don't want to sound discouraging but we have no idea how many pass the the test around the country and in New York and how many get happy cards. We do know how many make it on the show. I don't know that figure myself but someone here should know. Paging fifteenquestionsaway...

But as is often said, you can't get on the show unless you audition.

LynPayne wrote:Hey auditioners--
Everyone else has already given you some good advice, but here's my experience:

(SNIP)

Wishing all our auditioners LOTS of broken legs--
Lyn

Lyn, that has to be one of the best posts ever written on this board for auditioning contestants. Anyone trying to get on the show would do well to follow Lyn's advice as much as possible. She knows what she's talking about. Good luck to everyone this season!

hanzz wrote:Hi everybody! I'm also looking to audition in Tampa next week, and I am just all around nervous about everything on audition day (the line, the test, the interview). I live an hour away from Tampa, but I'm still planning on heading over the night before and camping out in the car somewhere nearby the testing center. As far as the test goes, I found a spreadsheet on the WWTBAM Bored with the last season's questions, and after going through about 1500 questions I'd say I've gotten about 1400 of them right (I'm marking the ones I got wrong down for later review). My weak areas seem to be common sense stuff that older adults would probably know but not 19-year-old college students (song lyrics from the '70s, etc.). Am I on par for doing well on the test? I'm so nervous that I"ll do something completely stupid like mark the wrong side of the answer sheet or suddenly forget what my number is when they call out the numbers.

Also, this is something I posted on Television Without Pity, and I got a good answer from hcethatsme, but I figured I'd get another good opinion from here:

So I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I'm trying to get together a couple of good anecdotes from my life. Since I'm only 19, I can't say that I've had too many deep life experiences, but my life has been interesting. So I was wondering, would they not care about funny stuff that happened to me in, say, elementary school, and would they rather more recent stuff? Cuz I got a gold mine of stories from my child and teenage hood including:

-Not knowing my own name until I was 6
-The only reason I wanted to play the cello was because it was an instrument I could sit down to play (as opposed to the violin I was playing at the time. I was a fat lazy kid.)
-I bit a kid in 5th grade and got suspended for it, and my mom didn't find out about it til last summer
-I was a finalist in the National Geographic Bee in 8th grade

Is any of this stuff good? I mean, I also intend to talk about my more recent life and some of my college extracurriculars (acting in the annual interactive Easter play, orchestra, pre-med club, camping in the Smokys, College Bowl). Gosh, this almost all feels like I'm applying to college all over again.

Anyway, thanks everyone, this site is great!

Welcome Hanzz, and good luck on your audition...

I also owe you an apology since I believe I deleted your registration with this Bored once (and maybe twice) in our crusade against an onslaught of spammer registration we have had this year. Unfortunately, many of the spammer accounts register with gmail, and combined with the kinda odd handle you have, I erred on the side of caution... and mistakenly so. But I'm glad to see you kept trying and caught an administartor with a little better sense than I have....

lb13

Most of the questions have already been answered. To provide a more specific answer to this one:

heelsrule1988 wrote:Also, if you pass the test, can you leave to get lunch before coming back to talk to the contestant coordinators? That's probably a dumb question, because I can't imagine them making you starve for half of the day, but I just wanted to be sure.

Yes, you'll have a break between the written test and the interview, as explained on the official web page:

All road audition testing will start at 7am and the last session will begin at 11am. Those who pass the audition test(s) will be given a specific time to return in the afternoon from 12:30pm-4pm for their audition interview with a member of the Millionaire staff. To complete the audition process you must participate in the audition interview.

You can presume the first batch of people taking the test will be given the first times to return.

As for the interviews, just don't do anything like I've done in my 21 tries, and you'll be fine.

Hey Marley - you're all about the pyramids, but how about helping get some limit set on post lengths! My short attention span can't take it...especially not on a Monday morning!!

sunflower wrote:Hey Marley - you're all about the pyramids, but how about helping get some limit set on post lengths! My short attention span can't take it...especially not on a Monday morning!!

That's why I tend not to read posts containing more than 5 words. I have a 3 word limit if I'm really tired.....

lb13

littlebeast13 wrote:

sunflower wrote:Hey Marley - you're all about the pyramids, but how about helping get some limit set on post lengths! My short attention span can't take it...especially not on a Monday morning!!

That's why I tend not to read posts containing more than 5 words. I have a 3 word limit if I'm really tired.....

lb13

Even if I had a 3 page limit, I think I would have been in trouble here...

(and I mean 3 pages in a single post)

sunflower wrote:Hey Marley - you're all about the pyramids, but how about helping get some limit set on post lengths! My short attention span can't take it...especially not on a Monday morning!!

Sorry, if Lyn has a lot to say, she should say it. I will not discourage ontopicosity!

An extra line feed between paragraphs might help a bit with the readability, though.