Here again, we bring you "Strumpette Shorts," the cute little briefs buzzin' around the coffee klatch this morning.

- First, from the The Telegraph... there was a great article yesterday titled "Trouble in online paradise." According to the author Chris Stevens: “What began as an idyllic retreat for gamers and sci-fi fans has begun to sprout rotten polygons. From real-life murders and underground sweatshops, to money-laundering and child prostitution, virtual landscapes such as Second Life have shown that our migration to online worlds can be as traumatic and destructive as our colonization of real ones.”

Hello, Aedhmar Hynes! Talk about words coming back to haunt ya. See "Text100 CEO Releases Statement Regarding 'Game' Accusation." You just got to wonder how gassed up some people were NOT to have predicted this. Word is Aedhmar's STILL HIGH on SL. Arrrgh, our business. I am again reminded of the Woody Allen quote, "It's nothing a fist full of Prozac and a baseball bat couldn't cure."

- Oh, then there's this: if you haven't already heard, KD Paine has in all likelihood lost the farm, i.e. literally. It sure looks grim. In her words: "After a week of trying to talk to my bank about why they shouldn't auction off my house on June 15 for back taxes and getting no where, I decided to resort to the blogosphere. Let's see if this gets their attention." For more information, visit www.shankhassick.com.

On an odd side note, the only people I've ever known personally to file for bankruptcy were both CPAs ironically. I mean, the thought of one of PR's top measurement gurus in foreclosure is a little disconcerting on a very fundamental level.

- Speaking of bankruptcy, did you see where Jessica Cutler filed for Chapter 7 last Wednesday? Now, she's no CPA. She's the former congressional staff assistant for former Senator Mike DeWine whose online sex diary landed her a book deal for the bestseller, "The Washingtonienne." Well, two years later and she's hit the skids. Apparently, Cutler can't even pay her American Express bill. RECOMMENDATION: Jess... you could, of course, convert this all into a lucrative career in PR measurement. :)

- Here's one from our fans at Edelman. Note serious face. Gary Goldhammer, VP, Interactive Solutions, for Edelman L.A., has a nice (balanced) thought piece on the dire state of the newspaper biz. Rather than pink slip their best talent, Goldhammer argues: "If today’s newspaper executives truly believed the Internet was the future, then instead of laying off Pulitzer Prize winners they would be moving their best reporters to focus on the Web. They would be investing more in the newsroom and in hyper-local reporting, giving local readers content they can’t find in a Google search."

Nice article actually in spite of that fact that Gary does happen to miss the boat completely. His article is available for free and his blog employes no one, expert or otherwise.

- Hey, how 'bout this?! We've also got two personal "Amanda" notes to share:

Dearest Norah (Amanda/London) is now 5 months pregnant! She's just beginning to show. She's got the cutest little belly on the planet. I just can't get over it. Obviously, I am thrilled with Strumpette's organic growth. :)

Oh... and we've got big news on the world travel front, too. Our Lovely Vikki is off on a Jesuit mission to Tanzania Tuesday. The program's prupose is "to enhance an understanding of social suffering, and promote the infusion of social justice issues." Vikki is a bona fide saint and I'm in awe of her commitment to making this planet a little brighter.

Anyway, looks promising for pictures on both counts. Vikki's itinerary also includes Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater and a safari.  And maybe, you'll even get to see Norah's belly. Stay tuned.

- Lastly, I just read an article that could actually explain a LOT regarding my college popularity and my life presently. Newsweek's Anne Underwood has a story on a disorder called "sleep sex." First recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine two years ago, the syndrome falls under the list of behaviors called "parasomnias." An advanced form of sleepwalking, people with this disorder exhibit the complete panoply of sexual activity. However, apparently those afflicted have no conscious awareness of what they're doing... and most importantly, no recollection of it afterward. Frankly, in most instances, I think it's kind of a blessing.

Anyway, I hope those that were critical about me mentioning I've slept with my boss and various clients now understand... I'm totally a victim. Now that's PR!

Ciao for now. I just need to close my eyes for 20 minutes (wink wink). :)

- Amanda