by Patrick Malone
There is a man down the street from me who puts up his Christmas lights around November 6th every year. He probably won't turn them off or take them down until the middle of February. It's no mean feat keeping something like that going for so long despite the derision of the neighbors. People tend to get a little nervous if things stretch a bit beyond the appointed bounds we've set for them.
But I say more power to him. I find it ironic that the first people to give us the smarmy platitude wishing that the holiday feeling could last throughout the year are usually also the first to complain when someone actually tries to do it. What would happen if someone decided to keep their lights up and lit all year round? If someone decided to keep a tree decorated in the parlor window through the middle of July? Do you imagine it might take root?
Here then is the second issue of "Teemings", and if something has taken root here, who can argue then if we try to keep it going year round? Sure, we don't get as many people pointing and staring as my neighbor down the street. And only a few shouting out rude names. But it's a small price to pay for 365 days of peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
With this issue also, we welcome Christina Saunders (ChrisCTP) as our regular graphics coordinator. We wish her the best of luck as she takes on this heady responsibility. With her help, we hope with future issues to have a more integrated graphics style for each issue.
Maybe something with lights in July.