I write this missive from a mountain located approximately three hours east of Istanbul. Despite having gloves that are too small, boots that are a little roomy, and a small resort hill reminiscent of the dreaded East Coast, by God, I have been skiing. Had I not taken this opportunity, it would have been the first year in perhaps a decade in which I had not hit the slopes. The skiing is not spectacular - spring conditions on mostly bunny slopes - but we had "juicy fruit" skies*, mulled wine, and huge amounts of good food. So all is well.

*Refers to blue skies, as seen in the Juicy Fruit gum commercials from the mid-eighties.