Well, I got my CPAP machine. I heard a lot of horror stories about these things. Some people told me it was tough to get used to. Others told me that it's hard to deal with something strapped to your face.

I'm in love with mine. I haven't slept like this in years. It's very true what they say: You don't realize what you're missing until you get it back. I had one frightening moment while I was being fitted for the machine, but once I woke up and realized that no, the mask attached to my face was not a Sigorney Weaver-style alien trying to impregnate me I was fine. :-)

Still waiting around for responses to my outstanding stories to come back, although it's looking really good for one of them. I've had contact from one of the editors at a BIG NAME magazine (not wanting to jinx it) and my story is on the edge of acceptance. They're just waiting for one more editor to read it and respond before they make their final decision. I won't name the magazine, but I will say that it would be my biggest sale to date, so keep your fingers crossed for me if you will.

It's been a little tough on the writing front lately. There is simply so much going on right now that it's been hard to focus on story-telling, though I shouldn't allow life to become an excuse for not writing. The difference between professionals and semi-professionals is that the pros keep working in spite of what the world throws at them. I could list the reasons why I haven't been producing as much lately, but in the end, they're really nothing more than excuses.

41 days until Cleveland. 12 days without a cigarette.

Joseph Haines, signing off from The Edge of the Abyss.