Good (morning?), my deciduous dreamboats. Round 8 is up, Round 9 is next, it's going to be another Special Round owing to elementary mathematics, etc. etc.

BUT! There's a fly in the ointment. A very large rigid-winged fly, made from various metals and plastics and powered by jet engines, which is going to carry me on Friday to the land of Socrates and Plato and Aristotle and that hilarious family from that romantic comedy that some people thought was sort of okay maybe.

Yes, it's true. I'm going to be in Greece for 12 days, which puts paid to not one but two viable rounds of the SVC, because there is no way in Hades I am taking my MacBook with me so I can lose it halfway up Mount Olympus or something.

So, pay close heed to the words I am going to write right after I finish writing this sentence explaining that I am going to write them. You may post entries, in any quantity, from now until FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29th, 2008, at which point I will compile them, stick them in the Bowler, and draw the most insane Special Round you've ever imagined, having two whole weeks to ponder over it. It will appear on the 4th of May, which I realize is a long way away. Heartfelt apologies.

So, no rush or anything, but, uh... GO GO GO, ANYWAY!!!