the buzz log

Time to loosen that belt. The last weekend before the holiday glut has just passed. October will be consumed by Halloween, November by Thanksgiving, and December by whatever denominational holiday strikes your fancy.

So what intrigued people during these last two days of true respite? Reading banned books, finding out what movies dictators like to watch, and seeing what makes a true measure of a man.

1. Banned books (+infinity) The week to celebrate hotly contested literature began Saturday, and people wanted a reading "list." Luckily, we believe in naming names.

2. soxtalk.com (+infinity) As noted before, loyal fans kept coming to the blog site, even as the 2005 World Series champs wrapped up a disappointing season.

3. Lee Young-Ae (+infinity) Could the South Korean TV actress be a diplomatic peacemaker? So far, her DVD gift set is the Korea summit highlight for Kim Jong-Il.

4. Mr. Olympia 2007 (+infinity). A gender divide still exists in the arena of pronounced musculature: The muscleman contest was nearly three times more popular than the musclewoman's. Title defender Jay Cutler kept his crown, but eight-timer Ronnie Coleman swept up the weekend buzz.

5. Chelsea Clinton (+7,818%) First daughters are always remembered fondly, and Jenna Bush's book-signing sent collateral buzz to her White House predecessor.

6. VHlinks.com (+6,832%) Dude, Van Halen's back and the buzz was totally gnarly.

7. Rumi (+4,019%). When a poet turns 800 years old, you pull out all the stops: 300 whirling dervishes, songs based on his works, and a stamp.

8. Cricket live score (+3,850%) Rain is washing out games, but an Aussie umpire's lawsuit for racial discrimination stirred up offside action.

9. Women's World Cup 2007 (+3,351%) Germany's topped Brazil by a mere two points, but women's soccer scored an international victory in Buzz.

10. NCAA football scores (+1,568%) Score one for team spirit: Guys 30 and up keep track of collegiate scores, with Honolulu, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa the most interested parts of the country.