Oh, good morning! As The Awl's designated representative of the Italian-American community it falls upon me to wish you all a very happy Columbus Day. We've got lots of exciting festivities and events planned to celebrate the event, if you consider a "half day" to be exciting, which we sure as hell do. Anyway, while we're getting stuff together, why don't you take a look at this piece from yesterday's Times Styles section-I know-which overcomes a bit of overwriting to emerge as as a genuinely heartbreaking essay. And do send us anything exciting that passes through your browser this morning; you know what I'm taking about.