Jockstrip: The world as we know it

CASTLES, MANOR HOUSES GOING CHEAP

For sale: one of Prussia's grandest houses, 44 rooms, panoramic view, chapel, torture chamber -- going cheap.

When the former East Germany was under Communist rule, maintenance of buildings never seemed to be a high priority.

As a result, many of the stately homes were left to decay and now dozens of them, which are owned by cash-strapped state and local governments, are being sold at bargain prices from about $2 million or even $100,000, the London Telegraph reports.

The catch is they all need a lot of work and a truckload of money. A castle going for $1 million may need another $8 million to get it into shape.

CRONKITE MEETS BLAIR

Former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite, often described as the "Most Trusted Man in America," had a face-to-face meeting with not quite so trusted former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair.

Cronkite was being interviewed at breakfast by Texas Monthly Editor Evan Smith at a New York hotel and a publisher asked if Blair, who made headlines for fabricating parts of numerous articles, could say hello.

Blair said, "Oh, Mr. Cronkite, I'm an amazing admirer of your work," while Cronkite shook hands.

After Blair left, the New York Magazine reports that Cronkite turned to Smith and asked, "What am I supposed to say to that guy? Nice job? Tell me about your journalism career?"

BILL AGAINST SMOKING IN CAR

Several bills are being considered in New York's state capitol that would prohibit smoking.

One bill prohibits smoking in a vehicle if children are on board and other bills ban smoking at carnivals, parks and beaches.

"This is a well-planned strategy to essentially eradicate tobacco use using back-door methods," Audrey Silk, co-founder of the New York City-based pro-smokers group CLASH, tells the New York Post.

Anti-smoking advocate Assemblyman Alexander "Pete" Grannis, D-Manhattan, says the bills are meant to protect children from second-hand smoke and the parks and beaches from litter.

'REJUVENILES,' THE NEW DEMOGRAPHIC

They are called "rejuveniles" and they come in all ages but they have disposal income and they cultivate children's tastes in products and entertainment.

In addition to adult fans of Harry Potter and Sponge Bob, adults also are buying fuzzy pajamas with attached feet at Target and Scooby-Doo underpants, the Albany Times-Union reports.

According to the Entertainment Software Association, the average age of those who play video games is no longer 18 but 29.

Nielsen Media research finds more adults ages 18 to 49 watch the Cartoon Network than watch CNN, the Times-Union says.