Memorial Day is somewhat strange for me. I wouldn't be here today if one of my grandfather's hadn't been a submarine captain and the other not been a contentious objector to the war digging ditches in Colorado or something. I never tried to get all the details, but my basic impression boils down to that contrast. So personally it feels like a mixed bag. Even though I now live in DC. I skipped out on the whole dedication of the WWII memorial, both due to the spilt in my family regarding the idea of military action and general laziness. But my not going also increased the enjoyment for those who did go by reducing congestion, so that's what I'm going to tell myself. I have no great opinion to offer, so I'll stop boring you with it now. All I know is that if you ask me what I've seen, I can tell you that hate is all I've seen.

On to more important news, as this is the place .0020% of the world gets all of its news-- My friend Hillary knows how to throw a party! It suggests that perhaps everyone at W&M learned some basic life skill that we missed at UVA. Sure, it may have been a 20 minute drive (as if any of my friends in high school lived closer), but it was totally worth it. When she originally invited me to a "barbecue", I did not expect chicken, shrimp, and fancy dip to be involved. But there it was, plain as day. It literally blew me away! The rain didn't seem to dampen (bam!) anyone's spirits. (I've never eaten so much in my life, and I'm from Canada!) I am sorry that it rained a little, but the weather is currently beyond my control. Anyway, in summary the food was great and I spent 90% of my time just hovering around the kitchen. If you are really interested in knowing more, you are probably out of luck unless Lyle or Praveen fills you in on things. It was just a genuine dinner party with friends. Eat that

Broadly, it turns out that there is a really swank part of the DC suburbs much farther out. Hillary is apparently my first friend to live in a gated community. I was wrong to think that having a doorman gave people the impression of a secure fortress. Having a gate is better than anything NYC offers. Having a gate is probably second only to having a moat. . . with alligators. So when you go to visit Hillary, don't plan on doing anything that involves armed invasion. She has an impenitrable fortress AND access to weapons that most of us only touch in video games.

As you can guess, we made it in. We found parking in the green zone, ate food, made friends and then drove home in the drizzle. We didn't stay for desert, but it was a great three hour dinner. (We had to get home because we have work tomorrow). I will say that it was a little hot in the kitehen, but I could stand the heat. Incidentially, Lyle had to borrow a second shirt to drive home, if you catch my meaning. (I am trying to mislead you) Further, somehow he made an embarrassing comment about breaking down a door. But what do I know? I post things on the internet. I can't be trusted.