The Way We Live Now: on a Challenger shuttle trip straight to the moon. We surely will not encounter any unexpected tragedies! Stocks are up. The art market's back. We're getting cash for Christmas. Soar, America—hubris be damned!

Here is some unequivocally good news: The AP reports that New York's power grid is holding up "...So Far." Direct quote! Plus, "electricity demand typically jumps between 5 and 6 o'clock." That's, let's see...now! Everything's fine...so far. [Pic via]