The waiting game ceased to be fun about 2 months ago. Every day I dread the arrival of the JET result. What if I don't get in? People ask me. I don't know. I tell them. I just don't know.

I suppose first things first, re-apply to NOVA, sign up (and study rigorously) for GRE. That's about all I can think of.

Will there be a poker game tonight? When all else fails, there's nothing like losing your bleeding money if you're lookiing for a pick-you-up. I've been looking for the pick-you-up in all the wrong places. Pool, poker, TV, video games, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, Saddlebac, IVC, an occasional book.

When will the downward spiral stop?