It is predicted that, perhaps before this year is out, the English language will reach a milestone of 1,000,000 words. At a rate of around 9000 words per issue, it is predicted Square magazine will publish its 1,000,000th word in around Issue 111. That’s a fair number of issues away, but the pleasing fact is that, with a combination of both luck and “hard labour”, we have at least arrived at Issue 3.
Just what the millionth English word will be is of course presently unknown, but chances are it will be in some way related to the wonderful world of web. The word to facebook somebody has probably already been added to the list of official words, but a friend of mine presently living in Libya, and so enjoying the multitude means of cross-continental communication that the internet affords us, reckons that this particular verb should in fact be replaced by the word to “fisk”. Don’t ask me why. And don’t ask him why either. He’ll probably try and fisk you.
Those of you who read Issue 2 of this magazine will know that this is the Art Issue. As with the Belfast Issue, things haven’t gone quite as according to plan, although in the end, it’s worked out quite well. Basically, the place which inspired this issue, the Plus One Gallery in London, were not at all keen, as I had hoped, to allow me to use any of the pictures they have on display there. However, instead, I contacted a couple of the artists personally, and two of the best photorealists in my view have both given me permission to print the pictures you see in the centre page. Yes, they really are paintings! If you don’t believe me, go to the Plus One Gallery yourself, and have a look close up.
With regret, I have had to put the cover price of the magazine up. Originally, the idea was that the mag was roughly the same price as a pint – well now, it’s about the same as an expensive pint. This is solely because of the extra printing costs of the centre page. I thought it was too good an opportunity to miss printing the pictures, since I had permission, and I just didn’t think black and white would do them justice. But take it out, use it as a poster if you like – not bad for 50p really?
No crossword this month. After all the effort I put into the last one, and not a single completed entry, I wondered if it was really worth it! I must admit, there was a small mistake with the last one – 5 across had 2 more blanks at the start than it should have done (should be 11, rather than 13 blanks – ie. 5/6, as in the clue). If this helps anyone who was struggling, and you’d still like to enter, the prize of a year’s subscription to the mag still applies. I will even accept part-complete entries if you’re really struggling. Let’s make the final day for entries 31/12/08 – ok?
As usual of course, a whole host of poetic gems. There are art-inspired pieces by Owain Williams, Jim Bartlett, Jacqueline Jones and Square favourite, DF Morgan, a sporty piece by Alun Rees, two TV- inspired poems from Stuart Thomas, as well as work by Sue Moles and Roberto Pastore. This issue we have an extract from Annis Abraham’s book about the greatest team in football, and of course, it’s up to you to decide – which is the winner out of photorealism and abstract expressionism? Can Paul Yoward persuade you that Fisk is talking nonsense? If he can’t, surely someone can? Engleburt Bartfast??
Nick
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