Up betimes, latteing and smoking the favor of Kristen's old roaches. Nowadays, instead of reading the newspaper first thing in the morning, I check the headlines in Google News, then google(news) whatever seems most to be in the air ("Bush fascist," "Pope insults Islam," "Bush farts"); then I check the National Weather Service's latest prognostications; and lastly, check my 'mail. In among it all I blog and play chess with the PC. Sometimes (not so often lately) I play bridge online. I have, over the years, acquired a friend or two online, as a result of internet bridge-playing. My favorite, Yvonne, came to me during an exquisite French/Italian afternoon-for-me(in Connecticut), evening-for-them(in Europe) match, during which, contrary to my usual practise, I exhibited exceptional wit and grace in the chat-box--and so did they, now't I think on't. I apologized for playing badly, when in fact I was playing well (for me), and when Yvonne as my partner made a misplay, I covered for her by making a joke of it, which caused the Italians(on the Riviera) to fall down in stitches, and forever won Yvonne(in Paris)'s heart. In fact she used to sign all her gallant little notes to me with a playing-card heart. Ah.

The end-of-Virgo rains have come. Friday, alas, of course, had no certain prospect of shelter when I left him in front of the Palace last night. 'Tis time to be seeking better lodging for myself and my manservant (though he doesn't think of himself that way). Kristen took me out after our practise yesterday and bought me a hundred dollar pair of shoes, the sandals she bought me last spring having worn enirely out. Bless her. 'Tanyrate, I may not be able (him being absent) to invite Friday to my birthday party (the one Kristen's giving me), and I'm still conflicted about whether I can or should. I can already see that we're going to have trouble getting Kristen not to turn the event into a concert with a captive audience (Of friends! She has no scruples).