Now Under New Management

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Roberto Miguealista, and I am the proud new editor/publisher of 127 Days To Live.

I'm sure you've heard a lot of rumours about this zine lately. Some of these rumours, such as ex-editor Ryan Bigge's predilection for "younger" women -- are false. Other rumours, like the rubber duck and the 23 bottles of Labatt's 50 embridge -- are true. So please allow me to take a few paragraphs to set the record straight and introduce myself along the way. I was born in South America, in a city your clumsy tongues would be unable to pronounce. After making millions through illegal drug cultivation and smuggling, I realized there was an emptiness. So I changed my name, enrolled in Harvard, and earned a BA. in English. It did not solve the emptiness, but I could pontificate on my ennui far more effectively.

I began flirting with newsprint, but soon realized there was a vibrancy and dynamism missing. The authenticity I craved lay elsewhere, so I began buying the rights to various zines, as other wealthy men collect sporting teams. I love the rough texture, the odour of photocopy toner, the immediacy, and yes, often even the words printed within their pages. I began acquiring zines in America, and then slowly made my way North to Canada. My penchant for zines unsatiable, I saw 127 Days to Live and I had to have it. And as it so happened, Ryan Bigge was looking to sell.

For the next few months, I will be calling Toronto my home base. It may not be as warm, nor as tropical (where are the palm trees they promised me?) as the southern hemispheric environment I was raised in, but I will adjust. It gives me character, something I don't need, but an accoutrement I can always sell or impress the ladies with.

There will many changes. Some you will like. Others, you will not. The ones you dislike should be brought to my attention in the form of an email or letter. Do not misspell my name in your correspondence. That sort of thing chafes at a man's soul.

To give you too much information would only bore you so I will provide only a few "teasers" for you. There will be no more, but no less full frontal nudity. Old features and columns will be made new again. New columns will be added. I am currently looking at a new name for this zine. Some of these names, generated at a recent brainstorming session, conclude this editorial.

To summarize and look ahead, I say to you that change is nothing to fear, fellow reader. It merely means an exciting optimism will permeate these pages. Nestled between these pages is a glimpse of something called "tomorrow." I welcome you back to the zine fold with open arms, at least in the metaphorical sense, since I truly dislike public displays of affection.

Yours,
Roberto