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Headline: Poll Suggests World Hostile To U.S.

Really? You don't say? I just can't imagine why anyone would consider the U.S. a greater threat to world peace than al Qaeda, Syria, and Iran. It's not like we're invading countries based on faulty intelligence or anything. Two thirds of those polled don't have a good opinion of George? I'm shocked! Shocked, I say!

I wish I got BBC Two on my cable -- I'd be interested in seeing their special on this poll.

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Like the knitting geek that I am, I ran out at lunch today to visit the knitting shop over at 21st & Locust. I had to cross Rittenhouse Square on my way.

Rittenhouse Square is always packed on a day like today -- it's filled with mom's and their kids, bike messengers and suits on their lunch hour, the geriatric crowd out for a walk, and every other type of person you can think of. There's always at least one person making a spectacle of him- or her-self.

Today is a was a college-aged girl in a bikini.

I have nothing against people laying out and catching some sun. When you live in the city sometimes you have no choice but to cop a squat in a public place. And if you want to lay out in a very small bathing suit, OK. I'm not going to hate on you for it.

However, let's please show some class.

Bikini girl was sprawled out on a patch of grass striking a pose -- what I'm sure in her mind was an alluring pose. In reality, it looked like she was contorting herself in an effort to catch the attention of a sex-starved lunatic. As alluded to, the bikini was brief and girlie girl was writhing around in the grass all spread eagle.

Maybe she's got the hots for one of the cute little bike messengers. Maybe she thinks one of the corporate suits will fall deeply in lust with her and offer to be her sugar daddy. Who knows what goes through the mind of someone vogue-ing on the grassy knoll.

It was like free quasi-porn during my lunch hour.

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Did I mention that I'll be in Manhattan next Monday? It would be great if I could convince a few of you to guestpost that day [email me if you're interested].

Also, I need shopping recommendations. I normally stick to SoHo and the Village. Specifically I'm looking for good street markets that sell jewelry and funky little clothing shops. I could do my normal "wander the streets" routine, but it would be nice to have some suggestions!

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According to the Past Life Analysis generator, I was a man in my past life. This makes sense on a couple of different levels.

What else? Well, supposedly I was born in 1875 near Bulgaria, and I was a teacher, mathematician, or a geologist. OK...

Because I believe in reincarnation, I've always been interested in going through a past life regression. It's not that I'd believe whatever came out of the session 100%. I don't completely believe much about death and what happens when we die. How can I? It's not like I have first hand knowledge of the whole process.

But I am curious.

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Christy and I were supposed to see Batboy last night, but couldn't get tickets. I should know better than to rely on Christy to purchase anything in advance. I had to tell her to show up at my house an hour early on the day of my wedding just to ensure that she'd be there on time.

Now I have to wait until September and drive to Allentown to see it. Does anyone want to meet up with me to see it? It'll be fun, and then we can all post on the journal of the show's writer and tell him how much we loved it! Woo!

Look ma, I'm a groupie!

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I know I say this every time a new member of the administration resigns, but this has got to be a record...

Today, the Defense Department spokesperson says goodbye to Rumsfeld.

I wonder who it will be tomorrow.

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Awwwwwwwwwww yeah! It's Henry Rollins day here at go fish! Imagine me now: I'm doing a little dance around my cubicle doing the cabbage patch, singing "I'm seeing Henry Rol--lins! I'm seeing Henry Rol--lins!" at the top of my lungs.

Tonight at 7pm I'll be at the show, firmly laced into my purple Docs. And I'll be way excited. I'm excited now!

Tonight is the Black Flag tribute show to benefit the West Memphis Three defense fund.

While I am uber excited for tonight, nothing makes me feel older than going to a show. Sure, there will be the occasional fan from way back, but mostly it's a bunch of 15 year old boys who don't understand that the concept of a moshpit isn't to maim your fellow concert-goers.

If I see a show at the Trocadero, at least I can escape the hormonal masses by watching the show from the balcony. At the TLA [where the show is this evening] there's no escape. I generally try to avoid the middle of the floor. The best spot is directly in front of the stage. Because I'm so short I can't really see much if I'm any further back. And you know these young whippersnappers: no respect for the elderly.

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Just some housekeeping stuff:

• I retooled skin #6 [the olive green skin, formerly the hot pink skin] and made it default for today. If you hate it, please pick a new skin.

OK, only one housekeeping item. Go about your business. Nothing to see here.