Okay, cats and kittens, I know I've been MIA for a while. Trying to get things back into shape and whatnot... Man, those personal issues are a total bitch, ain't they?

But, I'll not let them drag me down anymore. You guys depend on me on like a fish needs water, and I'm the most important person in the world right now, I know (I just love these anti-depressants, they're so empowering ), but on to more important matters.

Okay, seriously, though, I've gotten our first admin volunteer. Let's give a big round of applause and an espresso to for stepping up to lend a hand, despite his own undisclosed personal crises. From now on, we'll be referring to Toby as Manservant Hecubus, and I expect you all to show him the same disre-, er, respect you almost show me. Thanks, Toby, and welcome aboard!

And let's also give a big Underground welcome to our newest member, Welcome to the club!

Now, then, on to the other stuff you've maybe been wondering about. No, I didn't worry about the ten themes thingy for March. I didn't do them, either, having dealt with other issues which sucked up a lot of my time and energy, so we'll chalk that one up to experience. And I'm not going to be featuring a poet of the month for May, since it's already well into the month, and the shorter time would be really unfair to the poet. But, we WILL be picking it back up in June, so keep an eye out for that.

Also, in order to further the Underground's goal of total world domination through the literary arts, I would like to encourage each of you to check out Read This Magazine. One of the editors is dA's own , and they're looking for submissions. So, obviously, if you guys have a few minutes to spare, submit your best work. Even if you're not accepted, they'll still read your work, and offer pointers on how to improve your writing, and you can't go wrong there. And besides, they could always say "Accepted!" But you won't know until you try, will you? I know you guys have it in you to shine, so start shining, dammit!

Now, for May's writing assignment, I'll set the tone a little darker. I could say, write me your best example of being broken-hearted and let down hard, but emo poetry is so last February. So, instead, what say we let the djinni out of the bottle and release all the REAL hurt we've repressed after a harsh breakup? We don't need all that negative energy inside us, do we, so give me your best, bile-laden, "what the hell is HIS/HER damage, anyway?", you totally didn't deserve this treatment poetry. Let 'er rip, kids.

Oh, and, for an extra credit assignment, I've got a REAL challenge for you. You're going to start a fight with a total stranger- Oops, sorry, went into Fight Club mode for a sec. No, here's what I want you to do:
If you can, find yourselves a poetry night somewhere close to you. Go to said poetry night and participate, which means actually reading your work to the crowd, and bring a friend along to videotape you in action. Post the vid on youtube or wherever. We need to get to know each other here, and what better way than starting to put faces to usernames, eh?

Like I said, though, it's extra credit. I know how time (or lack thereof) and other things can interfere with that.

Okay, well, I can't think of anything else for now, so it looks like it's time to say:

Peace and bottle of hair grease!
Out!