The Days Ahead

A sampling of emails from friends abroad, whose paths I'll cross shortly:

Dude, great to hear from you, I thought you may have been swallowed up by the great law monster. South Africa was full of adventures...but lately I am splitting my time between Cambridge and Down Under. Tis a hard life. It would be fabulous to see you and I am sure I can come over from the Dark Side to Oxford for some drinking. My mob is ( - ) ... or best emailed on - I don't check this account that much. can't wait.

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MacDuff,

Great to hear you're coming home. I've booked you in for the Ireland v. England Six Nations Rugby match (in Croke Park) on Saturday afternoon. There's a bunch of Irish heading out to watch it in O'Neills of George Street. You won't need need me to tell you how historic this is - the last time the English entered Croker, it was in armoured cars to gun down a dozen unarmed hurling supporters - plus a hurler on the pitch. Seeya soon.

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MacD, Just revisiting your itinerary. I may not be in Oxford on the day you return, as I'm thinking of doing research if the funding is there. The good news, however, is that I'll be in Cork from either the 23rd or 24th until the 1st so we can probably rendevous for a few pints of Guinness and I can show you all my old haunts in the self-proclaimed European Capital City of Culture (they really claim this). See you on the River Lee (hopefully).

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Okay, nice! Text me Sunday. Somewhere round Cov Garden would be fairly easily for us both to get to to watch the footer. Think I'd like to see Arsenal do Chelsea!! So the good news is we can sit on the same side ofthe pub.And if for any reason, neither of us can make that, we'll do Mondaylunch or beers Sunday 4th. Deal?? Safe flight. See you soon raccoon X

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MacDuff lives! Will be great to see you. I take it you mean this Friday as in four days away? There's a bop this Saturday, so your timing is on song. Looking forward to it.

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Watch out baby yaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhooooooooooooo of course I want to dress as a princess!!! ha ha ha! becoz I am a prinzess ;obThat is going to be just awesome youpidoo... ok I really have to go but i'll wright more later babes!ciao jamesaloushkabizou

Yup. 5 hours until the bus, and definitely hard not to be excited given the broad range of character acquaintances to renew. My three least favorite letters at the moment are L, N, and G. Not much of which I'll be remotely thinking about once I shed this suit in short order. Just as soon as this last memo gets rattled off and the hours recorded and the dash to the Airporter shuttle is complete! Focus! Argh.