h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

>>I'm a Sub-editor for the Guide, and if you write articles than there's a small chance I'll be editing one of yours someday. I say 'small' because I'm absolutely the most incompetent person when it comes to dealing with deadlines.

Well they've sent you one of mine to do. Not one of my more profound or important offerings, and not one of those I have really worked hard over, I admit - but one of mine nevertheless.

>>I do the last nine-tenths of an assignment at the last possible moment. The fact that that nine-tenths turns out to be some of my best work is a constant aggravation.

It looks like you are saying here that most of your work turns out to be some of your best work, which although I am no mathematician seems quite logical. The question is whether your present best couldn't be improved if you were to work in a different way. But such speculation would be pointless if your present way of working is the only one possible for you, which may well be the case. However, it does sound as though you are not happy with the present state of affairs.

Anyway, all I really wanted to say is that I hope you don't have any problems dealing with my baby, and that if you do you will let me know.

Appreciate the diagnosis, Belshazzar.

I hope to get to work on your entry very soon - and will of course contact you if there are any problems. (Although I don't anticipate any.)

Best,

Michael Brown