Greetings, fellow Earthlings. Welcome to our 1 April issue. Reality has taken a side trip lately – from arguments about whether what we're seeing on our newsfeeds is real or AI to pronouncements of doom, real and imagined. By the way, we're planning on publishing next week, pending apocalyptic events, although some armchair Nostradamus here in the US (it would have to be here) says the solar eclipse is going to be the Big One. It seems the path is going to traverse seven 'cities' named Nineveh. . .
We are quite sure that all 64 inhabitants of our local Nineveh will be paying attention. Or maybe not: they may be out reassuring the cows that nothing untoward is going on.
At any rate, your Editor's personal opinion is that the proliferation of Nineveh as a North American toponym has a lot more to do with our ancestors' favourite reading matter than evil portents tracked by NASA. Around here, Isengard is just a family name, but the road signs may make you think you're in the Fertile Crescent. Lebanon, Ohio, is that way.
So, while we wait to see what will result from the occultation other than a lot of confused poultry, we decided to celebrate April Fool's Day in style this year. After all, our official publication date is 1 April. Our contributors took to the task like ducks to water, or geese to Scottish lawns. Instead of our usual breathtaking landscapes and awe-inspiring visuals, we bring you. . .
Weirdness.
This planet is strange. We have animals doing odd things. Found art – found in the nuttiest places. The peculiar vision, and I cannot stress that enough, of Paigetheoracle. Another UFO by FWR, who sees them everywhere. I think they're following him around. Everything and everyone is playing pranks this week.
The fiction? Well, it couldn't get any weirder than it already was, right? Well, maybe. The storytellers are in top form this week, so enjoy the developments. A certain presidential candidate might want to avoid my chapter, and, indeed, this whole issue, which contains random allusions to the windmills at which he tilts.
Our weekly picture quiz was an international effort: Paige took the pic and asked the question, but Hoggetts answered it. You'll like that, too. Paige and I have collaborated (not willingly, on his part) on a Heavy Metal poster. Wonders await you here.
So: be careful out there. Don't take any wooden nickels. Avoid April Foolery that is merely disguised advertising. Also avoid your jocular in-laws. Have a safe week out there while preparing for the end of the world, as usual.
And send more Stuff.
Dmitri Gheorgheni
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