This wall of days that kept us apart from that long-awaited encounter with another barely tangible reality is finally beginning to crumble. The distance in time is frustrating, yet it also offers a wonderful opportunity to dream — piecing together fragments of reality that suit you best and creating a new reality in which everything seems destined to turn out well.

Now that the distance is shrinking, that supposed reality starts to falter too, leaving you face to face with the real one — which may not be quite so friendly or promising. Even so, this journey into the unknown makes for a fine counterpoint to the tedious routine of summer, which, thankfully, is nearly over.

Whatever comes, whatever has to come, at least we know we won’t be bored.