Old notions : Democracy, equality, commonality -- The other shore -- The idea of the city -- Flags -- Choosing icons : the Piarists, Slawinski, and Wright -- The slave Daniel -- Geology : The stream -- Paleontology : the protector -- Obama's election -- The allure of what's ancient : tree of life -- Hunting the enemy -- The ambiguities -- Hates -- Ties -- Embracing civilization, fighting savagery -- Contests ; Sculls -- The sports -- The next season : Being cold in Buffalo -- Christmas morning -- Christmas night