Can't for the life of me figure out which is worse:

(1) Former Rep. Mark Foley's excuse-making for his "encounters" with teenage boys (the booze made me do it! sexual abuse when I was an altar boy made me do it!)

or

(2) The attitude of the retired priest who acknowledges nudity and "light touching" with Foley when Foley was an altar boy (see paragaph from this Washington Post story :

The Rev. Anthony Mercieca, in a telephone interview with The Washington Post from the Maltese island of Gozo, said he was surprised that his long-ago interaction with Foley had become linked to the scandal that erupted last month and cost the former congressman his job .

The retired priest is like, yeah we skinny-dipped and engaged in some light touching, but hey, nobody complained to me or the bishop about it, so what's the harm?

I guess nobody wants to actually TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for what they've done. No, THAT would be PREPOSTEROUS. *sigh*

I put my name in (e:jenks,253) 's quiz and apparently I will be defined in the dictionary as "a master of storytelling."

OR, if I delete my middle initial, "a beat poet working the streets."

Hmmm.

Paul, Matthew, Terry --

Thanks for hosting the party, (e:chicoschica) and I had a great time. I met so many (e:strip)pers -- one-stop shopping, almost as ruthlessly efficient as Wegman's, haha. We left early (I worked 14 hours on Sunday) and I still met at least 10, maybe 15 e-strippers -- (e:paul) , (e:matthew) , (e:terry) , (e:imk2) , (e:leetee) , (e:uncutsaniflush) , (e:mrmike) , (e:dragonlady7) , (e:zobar) , (e:enknot) , (e:carolinian) , (e:metalpeter) , (e:kookcity2000) (while he was still coherent haha), (e:jill) , (e:twisted) , (e:hodown) , (e:theecarey) , (e:ladycroft) , (e:libertad) ...how many is that so far? And I know I've forgotten some, sorry about that. I'm just so happy to "know" so many (e:peeps) in our new city.

Next time we'll bring some good homemade food for the veges, or (e:vegs), or whatever you meat-o-phobes like to call yourselves.

Also: that house is amazing, it has good bones and is going to be stunning when it is done. Good luck with it guys!

I'll never understand how the mind of Charles Wang, owner of the New York Islander hockey club, works.

The New York Islanders signed Alexsei Yashin to a 10-year deal, and the only thing he does consistently is underperform. Of course, with a big fat 10-year contract, he's basically untradeable.

Lesson learned... right?

Wrong. I like Rick DiPietro, I do. He's an exciting netminder and not without talent. But to sign a 25-year old goalie to a FIFTEEN YEAR CONTRACT? Whaaaaaaaaaat?!

This, on top of canning general manager Neil Smith and replacing him with Garth Snow. As much as I hate the Rangers and dislike Neil Smith, the guy is a pro with experience building a team. So hey, why not fire him right after hiring him, and replace him with a backup goaltender.

These are strange times for my beloved Islanders. Anyone remember the old Paul Newman flick "Slapshot!"? I'm wondering if it's beginning to come true on Long Island.

Oh, and apologies to all you wonderful e-strippers who helped us out...I still want to meet you all, but the job's got me swamped. Once I'm out from under, I'll be lurking about Elmwood looking for you.

Hey -- if you spot the hottest 5-foot-one, 29-ish brunette you've ever seen in Buffalo strolling around on Elmwood Avenue tonight or tomorrow night, yell out "Hey (e:chicoschica)!" -- she's due in town this evening and will be around till Thursday morning. She's likely to be with her mom and her (taller) younger sister.

Chica and I will be up in B-lo permanently in one week!

See you all soon...