Brief off-topic news update

Limited posting the next few days as Your Editor heads to the coast and conventionland. Expecting to hear some good stuff and meet assorted escapees from similar venues, including some of the fine editors who check in here every now and then. Make the double-secret hand signal if you're there.

Now. If you're wondering why your recent (or, um, several weeks old) note seems to have gone unattended, it's because one of the summer's amusements was doing comprehensive exams and reaching the exalted ABD status in time for the said convo. That goal formally in hand (no appplause, just throw money), prompt correspondence -- and the subscribers-only edition -- will resume shortly.