Finally someone in this administration is officially being sanctioned for duping the country. Ex-Medicare chief, Tom Scully, is being asked to repay 7 months of his $145,000 annual salary after he was found guilty of threatening to fire Medicare's top actuary, Rick Foster,if he gave congressional staff information about his cost estimates of the controversial legislation strongly backed by President Bush. His estimates ended up being $134 billion higher than the $400 billion 10-year price tag from the Congressional Budget Office. If only some of this blame (add to that failure to find WMDs, prison abuse, failure to find Osama...) could ever "trickle-up" to those really in control.

Any weekend where you get to go swimming twice is just wonderful. This one here was just that. A beach party at a mega-fantastic crazy ass rambling mansion. Played tennis (well, we hit the ball a couple times usually far from the court), danced around a bonfire (where I learned that I have an entire fan club that has been documenting my dancing style), ended up naked in the water with about ten other folks (where I somehow lost my glasses not once, twice, but thrice-amazingly for pitch black underwaterness they were recovered each time). No talking without my pants on for hours, but I did walk around the party in my soggy underpants, much to the chagrin of our host (as I later discovered). Good time. And we made it back across the border, no problema (thanks (e:holly) for the ride).

The next day was at (e:Matthew) 's family cabin out by Westfield. It was a nice little spot nestled in a patch of forestland. The night was a little insane. This was my first time meeting most of his family, and they were just about all there. Everyone got super wasted (including a couple 15 year olds?), but I might've taken the cake. I ended up in the forest on hands and knees for goodness knows how long. From what I've heard of the night after I wandered off it was probably just as well. Many honors were besmirched, though apparently all forgiven in the morning sun.

And then... Another day at the beach!! Went to Bennett beach on Erie (as you've probably read/seen from (e:paul) and (e:matthew) documenting fools that they are). It was very nice. The blow-up mattress was very fun in the water, though the wind made it a bit ungainly. I did sommersaults down a sand dune (almost killing some poor guy). We collected little shells and beach-washed glass that will hopefully become some sort of accessory (though perhaps more likely end up in a pile or drawer for the rest of eternity). All 'n all great weekend spent with great friends. Heralding summer's end? We shall see. Perhaps nature has more surprises waiting?

Just Awesome! Who standeth in the way of nature in all her righteous fury?

Ima goin crazy. My damn job has got me in training right now for the last four weeks. It's driving me batty. Yesterday I really thought I was gonna jump up and scream or start scratching the skin off my arms. Today is my last day before a holiday weekend which is nice. Hopefully I will make it and won't injure anyone in the process. I apologize if I am not as nice as I usually pretend to be, but Ima goin crazy.

Thank you Begum biscoot for the invite, and yes indeed am I prepared for fine Indian cuisine followed by rump-shaking frivolity. I've been dutifully acquainting myself with the literature you suggested and am loving the glimpses of your country that I've so far experienced. Of course, the more I learn the more I realize what a huge expanse of land and culture India hides within its boudaries. I've just started reading VS Naipul's An Area of Darkness which is setting up a very different picture from the pictureque Delhi of Dalrymple's City of Djinns. Always best to get many sides to the picture, and they are talking about visits 40 years apart from one another. We shall see...

I am listening to Björk's new album, Medúlla, which (e:matthew) got for my birthday. Right now there is what sounds like a rabid wolf in the middle of engaging his in-heat bitch... The first half was pretty neat. Lots of choral sounds, which I appreciate. But, I will plead the fifth on judgement at the moment. She always takes a bit of getting used to. One of my favorite parts is just getting to know the songs, the words, the meanings, and the meanings behind them. Does anyone still think she's talking about the beauty of winter in Vespertine?

In response to people talking about their politics, I agree it can be uncomfortable. Not everyone is going to agree with you. But if you don't talk about it how are you ever going to let your ideas grow? I can't tell you how many heated conversations I've had with people who most would consider on my "side." I also hate this stupid party system. All it does is restrict your options. Especially when the terms mean so little now. There're liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats for heaven's sake. My question is, if you don't agree with them on tons of issues and you don't want to talk about being one, than why call yourself either. There's no law saying you have to give in to either side. Call youreslf a green or a libertarian or an independant, or refuse to be called anything. Vote by your ideals and not those of any party.