expectation of an early start

London tomorrow. Whee! Will be rising early and returning late, ha ha. I hope I get a seat on the train each way, as I firmly intend to nap. (But this is December, and the season of Christmas shopping is upon us, and this is the Saturday morning train to London . . . so we will have to see.)

One of my coworkers, Nicolette (I have this constant urge to mention Aucassin to her) is heading off to South Africa for long Christmas holiday with family this weekend, so we had the first of what will doubtless be several Christmas lunches. Very nice. Nothing really exotic, just all nipping round en masse to have lunch at a good local sandwich place, but good to do in company.

Spent a fair amount of afternoon stuffing the envelopes which we were putting stickers on yesterday. Roll on e-technology sending out of these documents. Fast.

---

Christian

I dreamed I stood upon a hill, and, lo!
The godly multitudes walked to and fro
Beneath, in Sabbath garments fitly clad,
With pious mien, appropriately sad,
While all the church bells made a solemn din --
A fire-alarm to those who lived in sin.
Then saw I gazing thoughtfully below,
With tranquil face, upon that holy show
A tall, spare figure in a robe of white,
Whose eyes diffused a melancholy light.
"God keep you, stranger," I exclaimed. "You are
No doubt (your habit shows it) from afar;
And yet I entertain the hope that you,
Like these good people, are a Christian too."
He raised his eyes and with a look so stern
It made me with a thousand blushes burn
Replied -- his manner with disdain was spiced:
"What! I a Christian? No, indeed! I'm Christ."

-- Ambrose Bierce