Little Miss Sunshine in Pleasantville?

THE SECOND PARTY was on July 5, also back at the Ambassador's pad. It was a much more casual affair -- shorts and T-shirts -- and attended by Americans, including those working at the Embassy and those here for other work. After presentation of the colors by the Marines and singing of the U.S. national anthem, the festivities were underway.

Highlights:

1. USA-themed temporary tattoos.

2. Bake-off, with $100 gift certificate to the winner. (Winner: Seven-story bars.)

3. Talent show, including:

a. Solo dance number by 7-ish-year-old boy to the song "Everybody Dance Now."

b. Card trick.

c. Stand-up comedy routine (I think).

d. Classical piano performance (winner!!!!).

e. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE MOMENT: Dance number by two 12-ish-year-old girls to the song "Sexual Eruption."

f. Dance routine by State Department interns.

4. Lunch, including hamburgers, hot dogs, French (freedom?) fries, and (of course) shawarma.

5. Tennis.

6. Sing-a-long, including standards like "You're a Grand Old Flag," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "The Army Goes Marching Along," etc. All sung without irony.

7. Cardboard cut-outs of President Bush and other American political and cultural luminaries, with which one could photograph oneself (or one's friends and colleagues; see photos).

8. Swimming pool.

9. Tug of war between two Marine security guards and (a) all present under 12 years of age, and (b) the State Department interns. (The Marines lost both times, bigtime.)

10. Bobbing for apples.