2005-07-28 - 2:10 p.m.

And then you get comments like this from someone who has the power to give you work and money: �Your writing samples are just lovely. I can't tell you how refreshing.� And then you think, well, maybe I can write a bit after all and then you think that�s reassuring as it�s how you plan to make a living and then you spend the day after your birthday with sweet shreds of optimism and then, and then, and then�

And then you say a bigger thank you than you can muster in words to the people who called, e-mailed, left a note, sent a card, had a beer on a rainy school night, bought a book. You know who you are, and so do I.

And then here�s (merci, Todd) a clip of the world�s most powerful man showing
just what an brilliant intellect he is.