For Jack Maple, who lived it

Home. And everything, even the sunny Friday afternoon out my window, remains depressingly the same as it was left. Call it the hangover of a blessed trip, with the added touch that my heart needs some time to mend now that there is nothing definitive on the horizon to look toward. And no clear sign on how to change that, the stars last night failing to provide an answer. I wonder if we can wait until 2009?

For a long time I have avoided the temptation posed by the casino that I can see from my window. Today seems a day in which you could start with $50 at the blackjack tables and really go the distance or bust out trying. As it is about lunch time, and with nothing really serious on the desk until the Monday, it might be time to see if fortune is onside. And if not, there is always the Bourne Ultimatum matinee at 3:40. Not the ideal way to spend a TFI, but after last week with the Jupiler and amongst the cobblestones and aimless Manhattans last night, it seems appropriate. Too many similar monuments to mock my return, not enough work to keep me occupied, and Daly doesn't tee-off until late afternoon at the PGA.

But stop what you are doing, take a drink from the keg of glory, and breathe. It is Friday, after all. And All's Well tomorrow night.

LAFEU
They say miracles are past; and we have our
philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar,
things supernatural and causeless. Hence is it that
we make trifles of terrors, ensconcing ourselves into seeming
knowledge, when we should submit
ourselves to an unknown fear.

PAROLLES
Why, 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that hath
shot out in our latter times.

BERTRAM
And so 'tis.

LAFEU
To be relinquish'd of the artists,--

PAROLLES
So I say.

LAFEU
Both of Galen and Paracelsus.

PAROLLES
So I say.

LAFEU
Of all the learned and authentic fellows,--

PAROLLES
Right; so I say.

LAFEU
That gave him out incurable,--

PAROLLES
Why, there 'tis; so say I too.

LAFEU
Not to be helped,--

PAROLLES
Right; as 'twere, a man assured of a--

LAFEU
Uncertain life, and sure death.

PAROLLES
Just, you say well; so would I have said.

LAFEU
I may truly say, it is a novelty to the world.

PAROLLES
It is, indeed: if you will have it in showing, you
shall read it in--what do you call there?

LAFEU
A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor.

PAROLLES
That's it; I would have said the very same.

LAFEU
Why, your dolphin is not lustier: 'fore me,
I speak in respect--

PAROLLES
Nay, 'tis strange, 'tis very strange, that is the
brief and the tedious of it; and he's of a most
facinerious spirit that will not acknowledge it to be the--

LAFEU
Very hand of heaven.

PAROLLES
Ay, so I say.