I have magnificent Catholic-school penmanship--that I learned 40 years ago at St. Ray's in the Bronx. We had to use a cartridge (fountain) pen and could only use a pencil for math. It was a graded subject back then. The years have changed my writing some; it's more relaxed but it's still perfectly legible and looks rather nice on a hand-addressed envelope :P

I still love to hand-write letters--I correspond that way with a few people who refuse to use a computer. I took copious notes in college and grad school, in script, in fountain pen. I have beautiful writing papers and some beautiful fountain pens, too--people are fascinated with them, if they see me using one--they're not familiar with them at all and always ask to try my pen :)

There's always going to be a need to write legibly--I guess purpose and function are the name of the game now, making printing the way to go, for most. Even some printing isn't legible, though.

NCLB has pushed away several things that used to be taught in schools to young children. Sad part is, all the money going to the schools isn't really making that much of an improvement.

IIRC, Summer was a ballerina before acting. I'd have to go look it up but I read something about that when I was reading up on Firely awhile back. If she maintains those workouts, or close to them, and even if she eats properly, she isn't going to gain much weight.

I liked the show but I really liked the last few episodes. Yes, we all know the 'main' story. But there are so many other stories that can be told in and around that main story. The fun thing about programs like this one are all the loose ends that appear as well as the circles within circles. Decent writers can take one on a merry ride. LOST is a great example of that. I wish someone else would pick it up but I think all the main actors are onto other projects, at this point. Lots of new scifi/fantasy stuff coming in the fall--let's hope for something decent.

LOL, aye, I did but I thought I had read somewhere that the dead may not be ...dead.

...Sylar needs to die in order to do that :P

There are a few computer programs out there, usually offered at two-year colleges or adult ed centers, that can take you from 1st grade math through calculus, at your own pace. Some are web-based, some are server-based, but they all offer assessments (adaptive and otherwise) as well as specific lessons. Plato, Aztec, A+LS are just a few of them. Each lesson usually has a tutorial/study guide, then a practice test and a mastery test. I use one of these programs working with h.s. students who are remediating in math. Having graduated way too many years ago, I needed to brush up on my math, too. Around here, you can access these programs for free at local community tech centers or adult education centers. I think you can also access them for free at college learning/resource centers. These places usually have a teacher or someone else in attendance to help if you get stuck.