i loved the beaches of cozumel and grand caymen b/c i thoroughly enjoyed playing in the sand where the waves recede.  i'd just pick it up and let it fall through my hands, using my thumbs to move the grains around and marvel in the way that it felt.  it's not the same as the sand that we have in say, florida.

stephen was making his amazing stir fry while i prepared the rice.  as i washed it i noticed that the texture reminded me of something. 

oh my....

crazy asians....

miscellaneous bits and pieces:

• madonna was frikin awesome as usual.  we were so close that i could have touched her.  so close that the dancers sweat actually fell on us. (yeah i know, that's gross, but in a sense it was awesome)
• i've become increasingly frustrated with work, people, and the never ending supply of horrible drivers.  it's one thing to be a bad driver and know it.  but the ones i've been coming across are absolutely clueless as to why i am screaming and hollering and honking at them.
• my birthday wasn't too bad.  quiet but not too bad.  it was a plus that people actually remembered it this year.  (except a certain group of people who i won't discuss b/c i could write 9208520985 pages worth of the retarded things they do and i just don't simply have the time)
• someone wanted to use my photo of cozumel that i took (you can see it as jo's picture on her xanga) for their mexican travel agent site.  that made me feel pretty good.
• the chinese government is stupid.  see: www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/131317412?z00m=97510 and this date on my xanga: 02/22/06
• and please, sign me up too:

Change of Status Request - A Petition for Illegal Status July 10, 2006
 
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510
 
Dear Senator Boxer,
 
As a native Californian and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance.   I have contacted the Immigration and Naturalization Service in an effort to determine the process for "becoming an illegal alien" and they referred me to you.
 
My reasons for wishing to change my status from U.S.  Citizen to illegal alien stem from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted.  If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, what I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years.
 
I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.  Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine.  Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.
 
Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications.  As well as being able to stop paying exorbitant health care bills.
 
If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative.  Thank you for your assistance.
 
Your Loyal Constituent, 
 
Jim Nasium