The following is Lisa S.’s way of saying Happy Friday to all.

Working in the journals department, I correspond with a wide range of people from all over the world. Scholarly publishing can often be hectic and stressful, but once in awhile, you get a charming email that puts the spring back in your step and a smile on your face. Below is an edited version of one such email I received earlier this year. Some names have been changed to protect the innocent.

From: Prof. Q. Quiggley [mailto:qquiggley@university.com]
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 1:33 PM
To: Lisa Savage
Subject: Page proof for review

Dear Ms. Savage:

I hope this reaches you in good health.  My long-time friend, R. S., told me of your unfortunate accident.  I, myself, nearly shared your misfortune. I was trying to negotiate a steep brick walkway covered with a thin film of ice, which was not apparent from even a few feet away. I couldn’t go forward or back without slipping. I was clinging to the window frame of an upscale restaurant, trying to figure out what to do, when I became aware of laughter. The customers within were laughing at me!  Fortunately, I didn’t add physical injury to humiliation, but managed to get downhill by clinging to various prominences of the architecture. Whew! As Bette Davis said, “Old age isn’t for sissies.” So, you have the best wishes from a decrepit old professor.

Again, best wishes,

Q. Quiggley

The truly unfortunate thing was that I had not had an “unfortunate accident.” When I told him that this was a case of mistaken identity, he bashfully replied that he must’ve misheard R. S.: “R. S. doesn’t make many mistakes.  I make them all of the time. Awww. Well, that’s what my wife with the super Mensa IQ tells me anyhow.”

Awww, is right.