I'm watching a special on my soon-to-be-defunct satellite service, about how a woman was suffering from depression and other psychological maladies, only for her spirits to be lifted once her contrada winning Siena's palio. There are seventeen neighborhoods in this medieval city, and each are their own little mini-country within the city walls. From baptism to your introduction to society as a young adult to your funeral, the contrada is the most fundamental unit of social structure in the city. Each section has its own archives and civic center and church. Everyone in the city proudly wears scarves of their respective neighborhood, and civic pride is at its height during the horse race that pits the contrade against each other. The horses are randomly assigned, but the jockeys are individually hired (on the order of $140k irrespective if the jockey wins). The Contrada of the Tower currently has the oldest losing streak, not having a banner win since 1961.

I mention all this because I'm wondering where else to go if and when I manage to make to Cologne next year.

I have more to talk about regarding Highlands last Saturday night for Stan's birthday, but I'd like to wait until this Saturday to give me a week to mull things over. In the meantime, I'm over the halfway mark when it comes to the group sessions, and lately Jill's group has been very enjoyable. Last week was some sort of word association exercise, tonight there was hypnosis and meditation. All in all, the experience may not have been productive, but at least it's been positive.