The first week was a bit unsettling though. Movember was in full swing, and it was rather scary to be surrounded with hairy people. You can get your dose of fright on the CloudRaker Movember site, but be warned, it's hairy and alive. However, the awards are out and the mustaches are off, which is a relief! I'm strangely looking forward to participating next year, I'll have to meditate on the motives for that. Either way, my hat is off to the CloudRaker, Taxi and Toxa for not being afraid to look ridiculous for a good cause.

In other news, I've finished reading The Pact by Jodi Picoult. It was a great read, really moving. I'm hesitating between two books for my next read. I get to choose between Stephen Lawhead's Taliesin (Book I of the Pendragon Cycle) and Guy Gavriel Kay's Fionavar Tapestry. They're both fantasy, although having read the first three tomes of the Pendragon Cycle, I can say that it has a more historic background, if you consider Atlantis and the Legend of Arthur history.

Also, my latest tattoo has stop hurting and is now scab-less. I'm considering getting another. I'm happy to be able to wear white shirts again without getting tattoo cream all over it and put on my coat without looking like a one-armed dude.

That's it for now, I've run out of things to say. December's around the corner, and I wish you all a great holiday season!

"... there's a specific term for the kind of relationship that had developed between Chris and Emily over the years"

"What's that?"

"Fusion." He smiled at the jury. "Just like the physicists. It means that two personalities have bonded together so strongly that a whole new personality is created, and the separate ones cease to exist."

Jordan raised his eyebrows. "Could you run that by me again?"

"In plain English," Dr. Karpagian said, "it means that Chris and Emily's minds and personalities were so connected there really was no distinction between them. They grew up so close that they couldn't function without each other. Anything that happened to one of those kids was going to affect the other. And in the case of the death of one of them, the other one literally would not be able to go on living." He looked at Jordan. "Does it make more sense?"

"It's more clear," Jordan said, "but it's hard to accept."

Dr. Karpagian smiled. "Congratulations, Mr McAfee. That simply means you're mentally healthy."

Nuff said.

I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.