Hi guys!

Sadly not a ton of exciting news to report from the city of sin, certainly no daring international escapes (at least not around the Bellagio). I recently returned from the desolate wastelands of Northern Nevada and my third stint as a counselor at Boys State. The program was actually pretty great, the guys in my "city" were all really cool and we even had a very touching bonding moment about three days in that would have made all girls in the Family (actually, probably Dylan and Josh too) respond with a collective awwwww. Basically we did this "step in" activity where all the guys get in a circle and then step into the circle whenever I read a descriptor that applies to them. The descriptors start off pretty innocuously, "I have brown hair," "I have blue eyes," etc. but get progressively more personal "I have felt uncomfortable because of my body," "I or someone in my family has been the victim of abuse," you get the idea. After I'd gone through all of them we then had what essentially amounted to a collective heart to heart for an hour and a half where all the guys had realized how close they had become in such a short time. Its really a pretty amazing thing to see, and definitely the most rewarding aspect, in my opinion, of being a counselor.

In less touching news, because of how long it took for my background check to clear with Mandalay Bay (life on the 40th floor will do that to you) I couldn't take my drug test until earlier this week so I still have yet to start working. Basically what this has meant is continuing to feel like a complete bum as I alternatively read, watch The Office (definitely willing to own up to the Jim comparisons now) or get big at my nearest gym. While none of these activities are necessarily a bad thing, I certainly wouldn't mind feeling productive again one of these days.

Glad to hear that most everyone's having an amazing summer (or at least eventful in Mia's case)! Can't wait to hear your guys' updates!

Eric