The first thing
The ax began swinging yesterday at the Very Large Metropolitan Newspaper. Oddly, there was no sort of dramatic announcement; we learned who was laid off in hushed whispers from department heads. I only heard two names, which means the rampant speculation continues. I am told that everyone in my department who was going to be let go has been already. I'll allow myself to feel some relief. The final toll: 73 out of more than 2,000 employees. I hope they all land on their feet.

The headline implies there will be more to today. And there will.

The second thing
Spent the early part of my day with my wife and the Young Daughter at a very fine children's hospital. She underwent an MRI today, as doctors pursue the reason for some small but noticeable light brown spots on her skin. The medical technical term is "cafe-au-lait" spots. The disease in question is called neurofibromatosis. What they found from the MRI ... well, we won't know until Monday. Dread diseases take no holidays, but doctors are human and they must.

In case you're wondering, by the way, the Young Daughter is fine. Perfectly healthy in every way, and developing well. Whatever this is, if it is at all, manifests itself later. Right now, everything's fine. I've always been a big fan of Right Now, and I'll stick with that.