NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Every picture tells a story, don't it? Today's picture is of a market looking to find a reason to believe. Not much of a hook today, though just enough positive earnings news from companies reporting on the first quarter to propel the averages higher.

A few bell-ringers led the way like Coke. Techs are much stronger, led by Microsoft and Intel. Did you know that the NASDAQ is up about 6 percent for the year! Best performing index! (All right--I'm ignoring where it's been!)

On Thursday the Dow climbed 80.04 to 8,337.65. The NAZ was up 30.78 to 1,425.50! Hey watch me, Rod Stewart, I mean Andy Serwer, on CNN's "American Morning" no longer with Paula Zahn, and Headline News. Read Loose Change to find out about Deep Blue's dot-com survivor. Here's what is up:

STOCKYARD There is money to be made in airline stocks, that's for sure. Only it won't be my money. AMR stock went through the roof today after a flight attendant vote appeared to stave off bankruptcy for the time being.

So get this: On March 12, AMR shares closed at $1.41. Today, a little over a month later, the stock closed at $4.91. So if you had bought $100,000 worth on March 12, you could have sold today at $348,226 for a profit of $248,226. More than tripled your money! You have the stomach for this? Did you see the flight attendants voting the way they did? Interesting today that Delta announces a $466 million loss in 1Q and stock goes up 10 percent. Go figure...

And, the State Department awarded Bechtel Corporation a contract worth up to $680 million to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure, which will include rebuilding airports, helping to repair Iraq's main port, Umm Qasr, and possibly hospitals and schools.

Colgate is such a juggernaut. Reuben Mark is the last CEO standing! (From Yahoo! Finance: "Colgate-Palmolive Co. on Thursday posted its 28th straight quarter of profit growth, helped by new products like Simply White tooth whitener...") Company has a $30 billion market cap (By the way, Delta Air's market cap is $1.4 bil!), Also, btw, P. Sellers points out that Amgen's market cap is $77 bil, while Dell's is $76 bil. Never would have thought that!

Speaking of Rod Stewart's "Every Picture Tells a Story," I know it sounds strange today, but I always thought it is one of the greatest rock and roll albums ever. "Reason to Believe," "Maggie May" And how about "Mandolin Wind"? I've sang, "...coldest winter in almost 14 years..." several times this season.

SHOUT OUT TO PAULA ZAHN Hey Paula, I feel kinda bad about the way I said goodbye to you on TV today. I didn't realize it, but I guess I was sort of lame. Got this from a fan: "Y'know, she was trying to be tender, man. You seemed like you could have bared more of your soul in saying goodbye to Paula -- tell her what she REALLY means to you, Andy. Instead, you had to play it cool...just like a guy. (Then again he didn't see me bring out the cake!) Anyway, Paula, you are the best. I had a fantastic time working with you on AM. You have done a terrific job. Best luck to you!

WARREN BUFFETT AND THE PORN STAR (I bet Warren gets a kick out of this. Who wouldn't?) Asia Carrera is apparently one of the biggest porn stars around. (I wouldn't know. Mrs. StreetLife doesn't let me know these things.) Anyway, she has a Web site, with the usual (not that I would know!), pics and offers.

She has an interesting story -- won't bore you with it -- but she says she's very smart. Says she is a member of Mensa and got 1440 on her SATs. Asia is a hardcore techie (nice pun!), and she also says she does some serious investing. In fact you will never guess who her idol is? That's right!

"My Idol -- Warren Buffett! *sigh*... Warren is the legendary financial genius behind the most expensive stock in the world, Berkshire Hathaway. He was the richest man in America before Bill-what's-his-name and the Silicon Valley geeks took over, yet he's always remained a modest and down-to-earth kinda guy. For years, I invested only in mutual funds, but finally I gathered the courage to buy some baby Berkshire shares -- just in time for the lousiest returns in their 30-year history. Luckily my other idol, ace fund manager Garrett VanWagoner, posted some stellar returns that more than made up for it!:)" Garrett Van Wagoner? Not in the same hemisphere, Asia!

THIS FROM DEEP BLUE: "After reading the New York Times lead magazine article last night I ended it thinking maybe safe and secure ain't all that bad. (guy selling khakis at the GAP) My sister's company looks like it's going to be a dot-com survivor: AQNT. After trading below $1 for some time, they are now above $6. From the outhouse to the penthouse: You wonder how companies do it -- like ERICY and a few others, 'cause it can't just all be cutting jobs."

NEW YORK, April 17 -- PR Newswire -- "Dr. Robert C. Atkins, one of the pioneers of complementary medicine in the United States and one of the most famous, successful and enduring nutrition experts of the last 40 years, died on April 17, 2003, in New York City at the age of 72.

Dr. Atkins was the founder of The Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine and Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. He also authored more than a dozen health and nutrition books, including "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution," one of the 50 best-selling books of all time, and "Atkins for Life." Released earlier this year, "Atkins for Life" quickly joined "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution" on the New York Times bestseller list.

The cause of death was related to head trauma from an accident that occurred while Dr. Atkins was on his way to work. The serious snowstorm that hit New York City the day before the incident, along with unseasonably cold temperatures, left streets and sidewalks slippery. As was his daily habit, Dr. Atkins walked from his home to his office, a distance of about one mile. At approximately 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2003, he fell and hit his head, suffering severe head trauma.

Keith Berkowitz, M.D., a colleague at The Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine, was arriving at work at the same time, and was able to rush Dr. Atkins to the hospital within minutes. The doctors at the hospital emergency room determined that Dr. Atkins had suffered a subdural hematoma and that surgery was required to remove the blood clot from his brain. He survived for several days, but eventually succumbed to complications." Horrible! I was chatting with him just a couple of months ago. Very sad!

Andrew Serwer is editor-at-large of Fortune magazine.

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