E^{verybody Has Issues}

It almost goes without the need of a mention that this issue is late -- 7 months late to be exact. In the past, I've apologized or not depending on the reasons for the delay. If the delay was my fault, if I was just plain lazy or whatever, I've taken the responbility. If it was because some writer pulled something at the last minute to muck up the works, I've shrugged my shoulders and said, "Oh well ..." In the case of this issue the reason is sort of a gray area. It's my fault in that I chose to delay the issue several months. But my excuse is that I was sick. I came down with a bad case of cancer. We all have issues, I suppose and maybe cancer is not any better an excuse than any other. Indeed, I thought somehow, that my illness wouldn't slow me down, but it turns out that chemo and radiation therapy simply are not at all conducive to spending long hours in front of a computer screen hashing out pages and pages of material and markup language. Go figure.

I'm grateful to those who were supportive during that time (for those who chose to get on my last nerve despite learning of my situation, there is a special place in Hell for you, trust me).

I am also grateful to be strong enough now to have completed this issue. I think it's one of the best I've published. Hopefully, dear readers and contributors, you will also think so. Be forewarned, this may be the last issue. Since at this time, my financial situation is dire and I am uncertain as to my final prognosis, I cannot guarantee that another 13thWR will be published. If not, well, at least I'm going out on a win. That's not so bad.

Anyway . . . enjoy.

-- JCE 09/30/2007