long silence
October was a month of extremes and contrasts. In the beginning of the month there was hope and anticipation which reached its zenith at the shindig on the second weekend of the month. From there it was a steady downward spiral punctuated by a few plummets. The details are protracted and rather boring to the reader, but let me only say that I think I finally realize the foolishness of optimism. Now I'll contradict myself and say that perhaps November will be a better month.