David Landman, Editor

It is with a certain je ne sais quoi that we announce the addition of David Landman to the editorial staff of Plum Lines. David's name is no doubt already familiar to you, as it has appeared in our august journal numerous times (in particular, see "Fred Patzel: Pavarotti of the piglot" in the current issue). David is a retired professor of English who spoke about PGW's song lyrics at the 1995 Boston convention. Here is how he described himself at that time:

    Renowned in café society as the fellow with his back to the check, David Landman is a byword in easily impressed circles. A fairy purse left in his shoe convinced him that he was a prince traveling until he came into his realms. Accordingly, he burned his bridges before him and spent his early years expecting at any moment to click. It was thus his youth passed as unremarked as a boa constrictor moving through a pig until want threw him upon employment. In mid-life, with palms callused from grasping too many straws, he entered upon that last nobility of an infirm mind: teaching. . . He describes himself as "the sort of person one is slightly surprised to find alive at all." He is barely survived by his wife Elizabeth and six remarkably dependent children.

    With such extraordinary talent staring us in the face, it was the work of a moment for OM and AD to form a conspiracy to recruit David to the staff. After several gin and tonics and a bit of arm-twisting, he only agreed to it after being told of the fame and glory that comes with the position. He has since entered into the fray with an enthusiastic roar that has breathed new life into his fellow editors. It is our hope, in fact, that he will help us to streamline and improve the current editorial process.

    Among other worries, David's duties will entail his being the channel for almost all contributions to Plum Lines. From now on, we are requesting that all original articles, scholarly or humorous, be sent to David, whose address appears on the masthead or by email to dalandman@aol.com. Cuttings from newspapers and magazines, as well as snippets for "A few quick ones" and "Something new" can continue to be sent to any one of the editors.

    You will note that we do not refer to David by a nom de Plum. That is because he has not yet chosen one, nor can we think of the best moniker to give him in his new assignment. If any reader has an appropriate suggestion, do please bung it along. In the meantime, be sure to welcome and congratulate our new editor, who is now giving his all for a good cause. --AD