To misquote Theoden: today is a suit day, a pin-striped day 'ere the sun rises.

Donning the old whistle and flute does make one feel a bit more important, and talking to other people who are also trying hard to feel important helps make one feel even more important. But it all means nothing unless someone somewhere does the hard work to produce something of value.

Yesterday was honest intellectual toil, today was all talk of 'bilateral agreements' and 'memorandums of understanding'. What a varied life I lead ...