So beach volleyball is evidently one of the big sports in Athens right now, in part because of the uniforms - or lack thereof. Though one could debate the merits of a decision to continue to promote the sport specifically by trying to bring the appearance of the athletes into it (and despite the classical value of beautiful bodies, in our society it is definitely looked down on), one thing that is less debatable, at least to my understanding, is that this is pretty much along the lines of how the Greeks handled things in the ancient gymnasiums, so it seems appropriate. After all, they seemed to be rather fond of looking at naked male bodies; and lest you doubt that was in part what they were up to, remember Plato having Socrates (I think) complain about the old men showing up to the gymnasium - because of course they were so ugly naked - in The Republic. So, we return to our cultural roots with beach volleyball, I say.
I just came back from California. The significance of that fact is that I made the mistake of renting a car while I was there. I claimed this would give me the independence that would be useful while visiting two completely unrelated groups of people on the same trip (not likely they would want to shuttle me around between houses, that is to say). I also claimed this would give me an opportunity to become more familiar with the area; why that would be helpful still has not occurred to me.
The true reason, I suspect, however, was sheer greed for gratification, I suspect. I like driving. Renting a car would give me a chance to drive in an interesting place I had never driven, and would allow me to drive a car I don't usually get to drive, since I am usually stuck driving my classy but dull Buick Century.
[Remainder of article]