That's the "DOWN-TO-THE Wire", you know, Ladeeez and Gennulmens, one week from today will find ALL of us (she said, typing with crossed fingers) sitting around the Italian Workmen's Club with two-and-half hours' writing under our belts!
But seriously, folks - (and this is PURELY *my* thought here; consider this a disclaimer) I hope all of you are getting as excited as I am. This year I'm really mad for trying, as I have many more hours at the Museum, two MSS I'm working on "for real", and the holidays are approaching. (*I* am the "over-the-river-and-through-the-woods"....they come HERE to "grandmother's house", think on THAT!) And some of you who've met me (that'd be you, James, primarily) are no doubt chuckling at the mental image, and you're right.
But to the youngsters (and remember, I'm 66 so that's probably ALL of you....) I say WELCOME. I'm hoping to be able to provide enthusiasm and confidence in you, and I'm welcoming the same. I say THANKS for setting up the Kick-off place and I'm looking forward to seeing whoever CAN come next week -- and to those who can't come but are with us? Imagine all of our hands piled on top of each other and a big BOOOL-YAH! (or whatever those guys say when they do that, you know what I mean).
Will it surprise anyone that I have very little trouble with the QUANTITY - NOT QUALITY part of this deal?
Dale-Harriet
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