8/27 Hard to grasp how life does not come to a complete halt. You’d think all the scientists would stop working, since their funding has been cut, all the companies close, since their reputation is ruined, all the teachers stop teaching, since what they teach has been destroyed. None of this happens of course. Life goes on as normal. I have my driving test next Saturday. The company reports earnings and the stock makes a big jump. Children learn violin from J and something bigger enters their lives. We do all these things, except with the cold smoke of a candle that’s been blown out inside.