As I had written a couple of days ago, I had hoped that this week would be like any other and today would have meant a rather innocuous post about either really tiny or stupidly heavy bottles. Or something equally mundane.

Instead, in just a few moments, I will be heading over to Père Lachaise Cemetery here in Paris to pay my last respects to a dear friend. The last couple of days have been filled with trying to help to get a bunch of boxes checked for the surviving members of his family as well as catching up with some old friends who have come to Paris for the ceremony.

In a couple of hours, I am scheduled to take the podium to give a few words and while I know what I am going to say, I am terrified that I will not be able to give them in any coherent manner. That is where you come in. starting at about 9:30 a.m. on the East Coast, if you think of it, send me some positive mojo to help me get through the service.

No one wants to see a freakishly tall (particularly in France) grown man cry.