I didn't make it.
I missed the train.
It's my own fault. I cut it too close. I got to the station, bought my ticket, and headed to the train. Or what I thought was the train. North Station is under construction and I counted the tracks the wrong direction. The tracks aren't marked inside the station, they're only marked once you're out on the platform, but I was in such a hurry, thinking the train was about to leave, I didn't look at the platform signs. The only door not closed because of construction is the door to Track 5. So I went through and went the wrong direction. (Who marks things from right to left? What is this? Arabic?) I got on Track 4 instead of Track 6. The train was empty, so I kept going farther and farther towards the front of the train looking for a conductor. When I got to the engine, I looked back and saw it was Track 4, so I hot-footed (i.e. hopped on the bike) it all the way back to the station to cut over two tracks. Then I heard the train whistle and it was pulling out. I almost jumped onto the train, but thought better of it as I couldn't quickly figure out how to wrestle my bike onto a moving train.
So I'm home.
Working.
Got a call from my Great Uncle & Aunt (my grandmother's brother) last night who is spending a few days in town visiting his grandkids. He wanted to go to dinner last night but called after I'd eaten so I met them for coffee and a glass of port. In Aujourd'hui at the Four Seasons. I was the only one without a suit.
I was supposed to meet them there at 8:30, which I did, but d'oh! I gave the wrong name and they couldn't find him on the little "where are they sitting" computer. See, my grandmother was a girl and my great uncle is a boy. Her name doesn't match his, and as I always associate him with that side of the family, I think of him as a R-----, not as a L---, which is his name. But I spotted him anyway. It's not that big of a room.
I'd describe the service as "cloying".
They're here until Thursday, and the still want to go to dinner, so I suggested Hamersley's. I think we're going tonight. Hmmm... what to get? I'm zeroing in on the halibut (not Eric).
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by CS Forester
The first (chronologically) of the Hornblower books, although written sixth.
Hornblower reports abord the Justinian as a gangly seventeen year old. What follows is a series of ten short stories, each independent but chronologically ordered with references to earlier stories. In some cases, considerable time passes between the chapters/stories.
In the stories, Hornblower fights a duel and is transferred to the Indefatigable where he spends the rest of the book. His first command ends in relative disaster when he's put in charge of a prize carrying rice. He doesn't realize the rice in the leaking ship is soaking up the water until the ship is about ready to explode at the seams from the swelling cargo. He's captured and spends time in a Spanish prison, attempts rescue of his Spanish captors and wins his release. He later tests for Lieutenant but, on the brink of failure, the test is suspended when the ship comes under attack.
Quite exciting stuff, really. Excellent, excellent book.
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