Each month when I sit down to write this editorial, a million thoughts go through my mind as to what to include. Sometimes, the words flow easily and quickly, and from start to finish it’s an effortless task. Other times, it’s like pulling teeth, and I wander here and there, each paragraph disjointed until suddenly - hopefully - it all clicks.

This month was one of those hard ones. There I was, rolling along in my normal schedule, when WHAM! dengue hit me like a 5-ton truck. It was impossible to think coherently, much less work or communicate, and I lay in bed delirious for days wondering if life would ever be enjoyable again. I couldn’t imagine even going to the corner store, much less out for Carnaval or to all the festivities of the month ahead.

In the midst of all that, I learned of the sudden death of a dear friend, Lety Aguirre – known to all from her family’s popular Stone Island restaurant, Lety’s, where her gentle, friendly manner made each of us feel welcome and special, always. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and we can only say that she will be sorely missed by all.

With so much – maybe too much – time to think, I value more than ever, now, my friends and loved ones, those who care about me and are not afraid to show it, who take the time to help and check up on me. A new disease in a new land: not a pleasant place to be. Exacerbated by the loss of friends and loved ones, it causes one to reflect on what’s important in life, and what’s really meaningful.

I’d intended to write about Carnaval – almost upon us, aieee! – but it seems almost redundant to talk about preparations at this point, as in a flash it will actually be upon us – Feb. 11-16. You’ll find info about all the Carnaval events on pg. 10-11, in Coming Up.

M!’s 2010 Mazzie Award voting is going very well, and we at the M! offices have been very busy tallying them all up. Haven’t voted yet? Go to the Mazzie Award Ballot and let us know your favorite everything about Mazatlán – the list’s at left. It takes only a few minutes to send props out to your favorite restaurants, bar, hairdresser or coffee place, and lets the rest of us know what we might be missing out on. Voting ends the last week of the month, so don’t delay! The March issue of M! will be full of the winners – your favorites, the people’s choices.

You’ll find two new columns debuting in M! this month: Tech Talk, your questions about computers answered (send ‘em in, folks!) and Bookmarks, short reviews of books available at the Mazatlán English Lending Library.

One more thing: TripAdvisor.com has named Mazatlán one of its Top 10 Romantic Mexico Destinations for the year – how cool is that? Congrats to us, eh?

Alrighty then – que te vaya bien!

Janet Blaser
Editor