I don’t have time to write much, but here are a few updates:

1)  we’re in rhodes now.  it’s hot as hell here, literally.  Today i swam out in the water to some rocks that jutted up in the middle of the cove, and stood on them.  from the beach, it looked like i was walking on water.  after 30 seconds, i was completely dry and i could feel myself burning.  it felt exactly like i imagine it feels on the surface of the planet mercury.

besides the heat, rhodes is pretty cool.  it’s certainly not the most naturally beautiful island, but it has lots of character.  in maritsa, a little village about 20 minutes from old town, i am related to everyone.  it’s a beautiful little village where the people don’t lock their doors and everyone is friendly.  we had dinner there last night and the little unassuming pizza place earned an ‘18′ on our scale.  that’s the highest score yet (more on this scale later).

2)  i finished Atlas Shrugged a few days ago.  It was amazing.  I really liked the book and i’ve since become obsessed with the driving power of man’s ego.  i view everything through Ayn Rand’s lens.  It doesn’t always make for a great vacation mindset, though, especially when you’re traveling in a big group.  Most people don’t take too well to my random acts of selfishness, and they never seem to want to discuss why it’s OK to be selfish.

3)  i’m now re-reading sophie’s world, a novel about the history of philosophy.  more light reading.  it’s pretty accessible though, so it’s just enough mental stimulation to keep my mind occupied, but it’s also easy to put down and pick up again.  i love all this philosophy stuff.

4)  when jesus was my age, he didn’t know he was the son of god.  he had 2 more years before he discovered this.  then he spent 3 years telling everyone about it, and then they killed him.  in many ways, herbietown shows that i’m getting a jump on jesus.

5)  greta is sick.  it sucks.  it’s just a cold and a sore throat, but it’s compounded by pregnancy because she can’t take any medicine.  i think she’ll pull through tomorrow.  i hate feeling helpless…i can’t help her in any way.  but she’s a trooper.