One Week Review

+AMDG

Delia Cara,

You've been on your new job for a full week now and we want to take this opportunity to give you a little feedback and support. Okay, you are HOT, but we're sure you already know that. So we won't focus on your curious choice of Faith & Values wardrobe, because frankly, you could wear a shower curtain and we would still swoon so we probably are not very objective on that front.

Instead, let's talk about your week. Well, CNN didn't exactly send you to Disneyland, did they? They stuck you in Backwards Rouge, LA (with a quick foray into Biloxi Blues). While you got to ride in the Marine helicopter surrounded by Roman collars, CNN still hasn't aired your package - we know because we love TIVO, and he has not been able to look us straight in the eyes. We have a feeling that CNN doesn't exactly know what to make of your job description yet and so they let you fly around, hold babies, hang out with holy people - Chaplain "Damn Lucky Bastard" Larry among them - and see what sticks at the end of the day. Otherwise, it's direct-to-video for your package, like some money-losing independent film. Or maybe since you're the Faith & Values girl, they think that your reports should only air on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, who knows?

We're afraid you're getting a tad frustrated, we know we are. We wouldn't be surprised if you have, during one of those hot swampy nights in the middle of nowhere, seriously pondered the wisdom of your decision to leave La Bella Città for La Bayou Shita. (Please don't mind us, Delia, it's our yankee, prep school, blue state snobbery that's talking, and we really don't mean to thrash the already-battered state of Louisiana, who probably wishes now that France never gave them up in the first place.)

We wouldn't be surprised if you have looked back longingly at those beautiful Roman evenings strolling by the Tiber, hanging with those nice folks you left at Inside the Vatican and the Vatican Press Corps, intellectualizing at one of the Pontifical universities, or simply riding your Vespa around, and are probably asking your self now what on this goddamn world made you leave that road less traveled?

You're doing a great job, Delia, given what little rope they give you. Despite our seeming irreverence, we are REALLY REALLY rooting for you, because as we said months earlier, we would not miss your first Peabody, Pulitzer, or Murrow for the world. Besides, all roads lead to Rome, so they say. Before you know it, you'd be back home again reporting from the Eternal City, and we would again miss having you around in the same time zone, but we would be gratified knowing you are happy.

So hang in there, Delia. You really have our sincerest non-clichéd best wishes and prayers.

Love,
Your Admiration Society

PS - Please wish the Shepherd's GF a happy birthday today, although Shep won't see her till this weekend.

(You had us way back then...)