The Arch-Illuminator

Headed off in a few short moments for the holidays - stopping first along the way to pay another hospital visit to grandfather who is now up walking on his 90 year old legs and shall soon be released (it is fervently hoped). He has passed through a bout of the flu recently as well, but nothing seems to slow him down. The fact that he should yet see 2007 makes that year all the more special.

Rather than just the usual quote from the Bard today, first here's a link to an absurdly wonderful piece by Max Beerbohm. The parody is on one of his contemporary's writing style, so well done as to illustrate it in the mocking. But the larger thesis I enjoyed - a hypothesis on why the Shakespearean canon is almost entirely void of references to the upcoming holiday. In short:

"It is clear that Shakespeare cannot bring himself to write about Anne Hathaway's birthday - will not stain his imagination by thinking of it. That is entirely human-natural. But why should he loathe Christmas Day itself with precisely the same loathing? There is but one answer - and that inevitable-final. The two days were one."

Thanks once again to google for such uncovering the quick wit and prose of Sir Beerbohm. It led also to the discovery of the existence and (free) text of his ZULEIKA DOBSON, or (an Oxford Love Story) - as fine a present as I am likely to get this year.

Back to the beginning tonight with Rum and Coke among the old high school boys, some of whom are married and others who might as well be. Amazing, frightening, and lovely how the world ticks on so as to - above all else - deliver us from boredom. Happy holidays.