The things you run into in my line of work

Quick post from the work front: I'm writing a letter declining (for the second time) a particular play. I paged through the first few scenes to make sure I was remembering the play correctly, and found this prayer in a bit of dialogue between two central characters. The prayer is drawn from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church, and since I like it, I thought I'd post it.

O Lord, support us all day long until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.

Part of what I like about this prayer is its reference to universals, with little interruption by religious doctrine. Who doesn't long for a peaceful end to a busy or trying day? Who doesn't long for security in sleep, and peace at the last when the longest sleep comes?

It also resonates nicely with my recent experience of drinking scotch on the companion bloggers' screened-in porch one evening earlier this summer. Since one of the companion bloggers is a staff singer at an Episcopal cathedral, the resonance is strengthened.

Why I got home late last night

I had been sitting on the tarmac at the Orange County airport, along with all the other passengers on my plane. We were delayed there at the end of our flight from Las Vegas, because we happened to arrive when the airport was undergoing and recovering from a security breach.

The local paper's story about the incident appears here.

I'm sleepy!

Moved!

My home, not the blog. Last weekend, I moved house. As Murphy's Law of Moving would have it, that was of course the hottest day yet this year.

Nevertheless, the move went smoothly and I am happy with my new location. Five days later I have unpacked enough to sleep comfortably, dress reasonably and prepare food in my new apartment. Decoration and the large task of unpacking books still await.

And wait they shall, until I get back from the trip I embark on tomorrow. It'll be brief, just a few days. (And I feel like I should crib La Jersild's claims of feral watchcats and well-armed neighbors protecting my place while I'm gone. Yadda yadda, don't bother trying to burgle me, you won't make any significant money on the deal and it'll piss me off.)

When I come back, I will tell you about things like:

- my terrific week of vacation, which began with a visit from my parents and ended with a 90th birthday party for my grandfather
- Erin's fantastic haircut and cool glasses -- she has really transformed her look, and the results are terrific
- news of Nephew 2.0, and the changing life of Nephew 1.0
- a link to Joe's MySpace profile and the blog he's keeping there
- my new neighborhood and neighbors

But for now, I have to sign off and pack, so that I'll be ready to head to the airport at (ulp!) 5:15 tomorrow morning.

Hasta luego, kids.