Sorry about this left turn for those of you who were really looking forward to finding out what the demon babe was going to look like. I had episode 3 already pencilled on Tuesday, then...well, y'all know what happened on Wednesday March 19. I was just about to head for my Middle Eastern dance class, and watched the sun rise over Baghdad. I remember thinking, "so, that's what Baghdad looks like these days." The dominant sound, strangely, was not the traffic, or the distant thud of the bombs -- it was the chirping of the birds. They sounded beautiful, a bright, liquid warbling that reminded me a little of the red wing blackbirds we have in the Pacific Northwest. I wondered what kind of birds they have in Baghdad. Do they look as pretty as they sound?

Later that night, I realized that I couldn't ignore it in the next Goth House, I couldn't do business as usual. So I wrote this. I tried to allow the characters to speak authentically, rather than merely serve as editorial mouthpieces for the writer. Everything they say is based on a genuine opinion I have encountered (Except for Alexandra's. Actually, I am the only person I have ever heard express that particular opinion. But I'm hoping it starts to catch on).

It's the vernal equinox, the first day of spring, and traditionally a time for me to rant about how much I hate spring fashion. It is also time for the Academy Awards, another excellent opportunity to rant about trivia such as the stars' fashion choices.

Maybe next year.