Hey guys,
First of all, I haven't been around much lately. Some personal issues have been pressing me very hard. I did not always cope with them well. In the process I left messages unanswered, missed birthdays and milestones, and generally behaved in an irrational and churlish manner by becoming totally non-communicative. I do apologize to all affected; you were not forgotten or unappreciated.
Things are a bit better now. At least the immediate and hopefully scariest crisis has been averted. I hope to be back up to speed soon.
One thing I find heartening is to see The Saloon thriving and lookin' good.
Thanks to you all for keeping the peace, and it's great to see lots of new threads started by lots of different voices.
Kudos to our Mods, who kept things running smoothly. Why, you'd never know I was gone, except of course for the obvious improvements.
This is especially notable since Con left his passport in a taxi again and will be along later, while Nolefan has been distracted by first beeping noises and then heading off to get all his crevasses re-sanded.
Nice job, guys.
Special thanks to our lovely and talented Membership Fairy, AMonk, who has kept the membership machinery moving a lot more reliably, soberly, and responsibly than I ever did.
For the first time in oh I guess the entire history of this place we have new members with whom I am not electronically acquainted. I look forward to meeting you all.