Quel dommage

[Andrew D]

Thanks, The Hen.

(It feels somehow odd to address you -- as distinct from referring to you -- as "The Hen". The opening sentence, for example, would have felt much more natural had it read "Thanks, Hen." But I have made a conscious choice to address people by the names which they have chosen to give themselves. (Not intending to raise a shitstorm, I consistently addressed Gwenhwyvar by that name, despite the awkwardness of its spelling. I consistently address quaddriver by that name, even though many others here prefer the more convenient "quad". (And for those of you inclined to start something over nothing, "consistently" does not mean "without exception".)) Would "Hen" be okay?)

Don't sweat it. (Or whatever the Australian idiomatic equivalent is.) You were not entirely clear. That's all.

And in a parallel (or otherwise related) thread, I was not entirely clear. That's all.

Clarity is a precious gem; all of us sometimes stumble, despite our attempts to achieve it. Indeed, one might well argue that those of us most concerned with achieving it stumble most often.

There's a difference, with which we are all familiar, between having one's toe accidentally stepped on and having one's toe being deliberately stomped on. I have this and my parallel (or otherwise related) lack of clarity filed under "oops; sorry".

[Sean]

And there at last is a glimpse of the Andrew that I once knew and respected!

I for one would welcome him back.

[Rick]

Andrew please feel free to address me however you will.

Bold not necessary either...

[The Hen]

Hen is perfectly fine with me.

I don't feel particularly definitive anymore.