Another great weekend!

I have known Dan for more than 10 years. We hadn't spoken for more than 5 years, but then we met again in London at my best friend Eddie's house, and then it was like we never were apart for a day. So I asked him to come visit to see Fabien and Sophie, and introduce me to his lovely Spanish wife Amaia. They came over this weekend and we had a rocking time.

But that's not the purpose of this post. It was supposed to have been a reflection on friendship and change. But I think I am a bit too sleep deprived to make any profound discourse on that right now.

Huxley said we practice Alchemy in reverse. To touch the pure gold of experience with words seems to turn it into pure dross. We experience Shakespearean levels of emotion, but (unless you are Shakespeare) can only express it in cumbersome language and mush.

I feel somewhat spaced out. Overwhelmed by the amount of trivial detail involved in the impending move to Beijing, and not having fully accepted the emotional impact of saying goodbye to all the friends we've met and made here.

It is somewhat comforting to have met Dan again to remind me that there are friendships which survive grand displacements in time and geography.