I'm minutes away from catching a plane ...but Fidel issued a statement saying he's "in a stable condition...perfectly good health" post-surgery. Whatever. Still didn't read it in his own voice. We DID finally hear from Alarcón, which means he hasn't been completely marginalized. According to some rather sketchy sources, one party official insists that Fidel has "given his life to keep the revolution alive." Other rumors abound. Personally, I think the go-ahead-and-postpone-my-birthday-party-until-december thing is a serious signal. More info as soon as I can post again.  ¶ 8:41 PM