the clock ticks closer

it was only after I'd shaken the general's hand, collected my sword,
marched stiffly offstage (guiltily aware that I hadn't cradled the
pommel next to my chest, as we'd been instructed to do), and sat down
in my chair, that it struck me.



I'm not a cadet any more.



strictly speaking that isn't going to be true for one more week. But
barring some spectacular mishap, it's hard to imagine anything that
could derail our commissioning.



in one week's time this guy here is suddenly going to have to shoulder
some new rank, and a whole lot of new responsibilities. I really hope
I'm up to the task.



one of our instructors used to joke that cadets only wake up on the
commissioning parade square, after the eight religious leaders (muslim,
jewish, zoroastrian, buddhist, taoist, christian, baha'i [?] and hindu
[i think]), bless us.



maybe I'm starting early.