Paradoxical as it seems, during a time when right-wingers and leftists are at each other's throats, there are still those who leave their politics aside when it comes to bumping uglies. America Swings (Taschen, October 2008) is documentary photographer Naomi Harris' first book -- a borderline-X-rated expose, featuring middle-aged middle-Americans at good old fashioned swinger sex parties -- from hoedowns, barbeques, and private clubs to the inside of their suburban homes. Exclusivity amongst swingers' clubs varies, but the parties Harris shot are far from haughty (see our gallery of samples, which, while among the tamer examples, are still most certainly NSFW).

On Friday, September 13, I arranged an interview with Heather and Amber Langely, better known as the Porcelain Twinz. It was a week after they had posted a scandalous post on their MySpace -- a tell-all about their unsettling experiences, working at the New York nightlife novelty The Box. It's been a hectic few weeks for Twinz: There’s a lot of press regarding their legal case against Box owner Simon Hammerstein, and they are without work. Yesterday, Eater reported on a community board meeting, held on Monday, during which the Box was denied a renewal application for its liquor license. What really goes on at the Box has always remained concealed behind a heavy and closely watched door; however, if the Twinz blow up their case against Hammerstein, the debauchery and scandalous events they allege might explain why the club has such a strict entrance policy.

My mother's partially to blame for Heather joining the sideshow. Heather Ramon, my childhood friend and fellow Girl Scout, is now known as Heather Holliday, the sword-swallowing starlet of Coney Island's freak show, "Sideshows by the Seashore". Miss Holiday has mastered the art of effortlessly devouring 28 inches of cold steel to the very bottom of her throat. As she explains to her audience, "All you need is saliva, no lubrication required." Of course, you'll want to see the video.