First, we’d like to thank all of the contributors to this issue of diode for making it possible for us to start the New Year with a bang.

Second, we’ll have no preface this issue, but rather an announcement and invitation.

The announcement: diode will have a table at the Bookfair of the 2009 AWP Annual Conference to be held in Chicago February 11-14. Our table number is 726. If you’re at the conference please come by come by and say hello, readers and contributors alike.

The invitation: If you are in Chicago during the conference, please plan to attend an off-site reading, held jointly with Anti-, at 7 pm Friday, February 13. We’ll be at Curtiss Hall, the 10th floor of the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Avenue, just down the street from the Hilton Chicago. It’s free, and readers will include Bob Hicok, Mary Biddinger, Jake Adam York, Paul Guest, Noah Falck, Joshua Ware, Steven Schroeder, G.C. Waldrep, Patrick Lawler, Lee Ann Roripaugh, Brent Goodman, Adam Clay, Matt Guenette, and Ada Limon.

Now, enjoy diode, v2n2.