Yesterday, at work, I received a nine-page letter from a prisoner. John McCain was carbon copied. These things happen  when you work at a newspaper.

My friend JR brought me The Submission for my birthday. He wrapped it in Vanity Fair covers that he patched together himself. That’s a good friend — a writer friend. (And, thus far, a gorgeous book, too. Add it to your nightstand.)

The Bergdorf Goodman Christmas windows have been unveiled in New York. I wish I was there to see them. The paper window is, of course, my favorite. Read about it on the BG blog, where you can see all the photos, too.

My friend (and Republic columnist) Ed Montini brought me his copy of A River Runs Through It after we had a talk about how writing is SOOOO hard. Here is Montini’s favorite paragraph:

“My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him, all good things — trout as well as eternal salvation — come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy.”

Next, I am going to read this, hopefully by the light of the Christmas tree — which is my weekend goal.