The Duke of Wembley

How easy it proved to duck out of the second half of these “15/16” meetings. An email, a quick comment, and things move on. Reminder to follow what is important, and deal with the rest come what may.  Let this day, this view, this resignation to destiny, be a lesson to you.

Life, suddenly, is very good. The Antigua fiasco in the past, and a ticket procured to Wembley as a result. Two new nephews have entered the world, in seemingly wonderful health. What will be their story, I wonder? May they become Arsenal fans and see many famous victories. Back in A’s good books after the cable wharf confessions, and the hated arbitration now through its sleepless hearing, leaving one final brief to write before closing the case (we all hope).

Watching the clock tick by ever so slowly all afternoon before some farewell pints at the Duke. Tragically managed to leave the Masai scarf back home, but otherwise all seems to be going according to plan. To think that you’ll soon be exchanging this coveted view of the Narrows for that favourite of favourites, the ancient Thames. What a world.

Block 543, Row 17. The Green Man. Piebury Corner. Other assorted touchstones along the path of history, as you collect your first yellow ribbons and wait for 90 minutes of history to unfold in the oldest of cup competitions. Nothing to do but dream as brightly as possible, and then live out such dreams in thanks to randomness and the whims of lady fortuna.  As a lawyer especially, it is hard to avoid looking back at the uncontrollable pattern of events that led to this moment, the consequential nature of life and such.  How wonderful it can be, when things go according to ridiculous plans....

What else? What else could there be, truly. It looks a gorgeous day out there, but my tired body and mind are not yet up for the likes of Signal Hill at the moment. As the Coop says, energy must be conserved for Saturday. Time to take a solitary stroll back through the scene of a few crimes from a month ago as this fateful plan was hatched. Much can happen in the course of a month. And so it has. Now to make time slow down so each minute of the next 4 days is savoured.

Thus, without further adieu, let this ever-brief holiday begin, and let it not disappoint. Make it one to put up with the Arshavin and Henry goals that live long in the memory.

Do it, Arsenal.  C'mon. On.