Time goes by

I’ve been holed up in my air-conditioned house for a few days now, trying to pull together all the loose ends that make up an issue of M! That’s an apt analogy, especially at this (late!) stage of the game, when it can feel like I’m stuffing bits and pieces into whatever available space I can find.

But all in all, it’s a pleasant process, a satisfying process, and one that is strangely comforting in its regularity. My months have developed a cycle (no, not that one!) that’s like clockwork when we’re all “on it” – and like a wheel with a stick in it when we’re not. There’s a joy to be found in routine, one that perhaps we appreciate more as we grow older and have more years under our belts. We watch time go by, and remember times gone by, with more fondness that we could have imagined in our younger days.

According to the ancient Viking Runes, the symbol “M” signifies transit, transition and movement, and this can mean movement in the sense of bettering or improving a situation. “There is about this Rune a sense of gradual development and steady progress, with the accompanying notion of slow growth through numerous shifts and changes.” These words ring true for M!’s almost-complete-first-year of publication.

Needless to say, M! has seen “numerous shifts and changes” in these past months (ahem) and we hope these haven’t been too jarring for any of you. (They were for some of us!) We hope M! has bettered your lives somewhat and somehow, in the sense of sharing some of what Mazatlán has to offer: from tejuino and churros to that new restaurant down the street; from humorous life-in-Mexico anecdotes to more serious everyday issues, to current and relevant info about sports, health, fitness, and the fascinating and sometimes surprising history of our community. We hope we’ve opened the world of music, dance and the arts even more to all of you, and we’ll continue to do so with articles, profiles and photos, and detailed guides and calendars.

That said, here’s what you’ll find inside this month’s issue: a packed-full-of-info Hot Topic, all about the cleanliness of Mazatlán’s beaches, and vocabulary to go along with it – Vamos a la playa! El Buscadero considers the ramifications of the tropical climate on clothing, and M!’s Not-So-Secret Shopper returns with a look at mirrors. Good Taste tries out a few non-alcoholic cold drinks, and we have a Special Report on car care during the soon-to-be-upon-us rainy season.

Now, we didn’t choose “M!” as the name of the magazine with any of this Rune-stuff in mind – by chance I found that meaning just a few days ago. The description concluded, “You have progressed far enough to feel a measure of safety in your position, and you can turn to face the future reassured, prepared to share the good fortune that comes.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Janet

P.S. - We'll miss you, Michael.