I'm not sure I should admit this, after having known you for probably a couple of decades -- and maybe a half too -- through conventions and various other social interactions out here on the Left Coast, but one of the unexpected pleasures of LJ has been to get to know you better and come to really enjoy your writing. I guess I hadn't been exposed to much of your writing before I started reading LJ. In any case, you've been one of the reasons that LJ has been an eye-opener to me, and a good one. Thanks, and Happy New Year.