On to this great issue. The following page has a preface explaining our Year In Pictures concept, so I won’t do it here. I hope you will read it. Also, there are over 250 pictures in this issue, so if you’re not pictured, or you see someone more than once, you can complain to: Complaints@Modeweekly.com/deletedimmediately~heeheehee.

About the cover, which I did manage to forget to put in the preface. We’re pretty sure these are some of the more memorable 1998 events for the average MODE reader. Of course the PENNDOT implosion was probably the most memorable. But who could forget the Philharmonic’s Barge Concert (lower left), or the Backyard Bash. Which, by the way, looks so psychedelic thanks to our experimenting (and possibly drunk) Photography Editor, Paul Emberger.

And then, of course, there’s always the gratuitous photo at right of Gloria, myself and the newest Giambalvo, Quinn. I’ve been badgered to death for not carrying around a pix of our little (destined to be a sales rep) buddy, so I figured put one in here for a month or two, and everyone will be happy. There.

Someone recently asked me why I am always late. I answered, "because I’m an overzealous perfectionist, and spend too much time on everything, yet I’m also a consummate procrastinator, so I wait until the last possible moment, but being an extremely ingenious type, I set my watch over 20 minutes ahead so that I always give myself enough lead time... unless, of course, I forget to wear it, which I do far too often." I guess I should have told them I’m just plain absent minded. I must have forgotten. Oh well.

So, what was your New Year’s Resolution, and how long did you go without breaking it? I thought long and hard about this one and decided that I’d do a complete 180 from years past. Instead of swearing to eat less in an effort to diet. I’ve vowed to eat every possible thing that crosses my path that doesn’t move faster than me (that would require too much effort to chase). But seriously, I hate making resolutions. I should make a resolution not to make any more resolutions. Alas, I did make one. I promised myself that I would jot down a short note about each and every day and what that day presented me. I guess it’s my desire to give my new boy something to remember me by. Occasionally I come across a letter from my dad, now deceased, and think about how much I never knew about him. I don’t think it’s fair to me that I feel so disconnected from him, so I’m going to make darn sure that I don’t let it happen between my son and me. Sorry to sound so somber, but it’s the first resolution I think I’m ever going to keep.

       Scot Giambalvo, Publisher