Day Two "The Best of all possible worlds." Voltaire

Late lunch following Senate hearing on the Hill. Reminded me of the scene from Casablanca, "Rick I am shocked to learn there is gambling going on in this casino! Just shocked!" Politics and money are the fuel of DC. Shocking! Newsflash! Impossible to have one without the other. Then throw in a mix of idealism, opportunism, naivitie, and sheer ambition and voila you are in our nation's capitol! Without going into specifics it was an intense showdown of cat and mouse. I would not have wanted to be sworn in and testifying on this particular matter. The Senators were out to make their point. I am curious if this thing as any traction. Can't imagine that it will be who knows. Will look to see how media plays it if at all.

Last nights party at the govt affairs office of a major company was impressive, not for the open bar, attendees, lobster rolls, band playing Phantom, air craft landing simulator (very funny as I the co-pilot wathched Tom land plane into Vegas airport with the Luxor pyramid, Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building move in and out on the screen) but for the view out the window of the Capitol. It was beautiful. We were quite delayed by the security around Chalabi's hotel and the rainy dc rush hour. He was so funny regarding the confusion between the OEOB and the OEG! Had better time in the car than at the party!

Off to Adam's neighborhood event tonight. Unlike last year I will not be dropping hundreds on holiday gifts at his store. My list has been greatly reduced for 05. Anyway I am looking for alternative gestures beyond the temporal. Adam is so fun it will be great to catch up with him anyway. I hope I do not succumb to the temptations of items! I hope I can maintain my resolve. Times like this I wished I remembered how to knit! How cute would homemade knit things be? Very nostalgic for my grandmother who knit me sweaters, hats, ponchos, mittens, stockings from birth until 25! Although they were not cool by the time I was in my 20s I wore them anyway since I knew she loved me. (She lived to 98 thus the length of the knitting!) I have saved them all. When I think about them it makes me smile! Once again I drift back into the past! I hope for Christmas my friends find peace and good will in their stockings! Note to self: Buy mistletoe!