The difference between a top-grade launch officer and one doomed to mediocrity...

[ck]

...is in knowing exactly when, inside this chiming and fable-crowded passage, to order Hauptstufe.

It's Chris.  I've been back on the list since the Orwell gathering in NYC, which was a lot more interesting than what I've been 
reading here for nearly a week.  By the way, Doug's objection to Thomas Friedman is spot-on, as was the small Quail's plea 
for discipline on behalf of the Nabokov reading.  (Which starts when, exactly?)

Now, everybody--

I propose that we self-monitor our postings to the list, sending no more than three per day and otherwise behaving ourselves 
like ladies and gentlemen.  (Or I will go back north to Humboldt County.)

Hauptstufe ist gegeben.

c