let it be known that on this day, the 19th of august 2008, for the first time ever, I watched the mikado from start to finish without falling asleep. you can hold your applause till the end.


let it also be known that yesterday, the 18th of august 2008, I finished the write-up to my dissertation. now you may applaud.


with the power and wisdom vested in me, finisher of dissertations and master of evading sleep, I decree that there shall be a late-night train from buxton to sheffield that does not necessitate a midnight change in manchester, which is precisely the distance from buxton that sheffield is, but in the opposite direction.


thanks for your attention. audience dismissed.