Nuts About Southwest

As proof of what a serious journalistic enterprise Spirit Magazine is, check out the December cover. To highlight our “Hot Fun in the Wintertime” package, we did not stoop to putting some totally hot swimsuit model on the cover. Instead, we chose totally hot swimsuit model AND SURFER Marisa Miller. We asked her to give us beginners some tips on how to stay up on the board. Her easiest advice, at least when you’re talking to her: Don’t look at your feet.

I personally got myself into hot water with my editor’s note. Up until the early 20th century, I pointed out, doctors believed that diseases resulted from an imbalance of elements—earth, air, fire, and water—in the form of bodily juices—black bile, blood, yellow bile, and phlegm. Whatever elements predominated in you were supposed to determine your character. As an example, I mentioned that my wife Dorothy is a yellow-bile type. I meant that in a good way. That type loves the sun but isn’t keen about water, especially the frozen variety. I didn’t show her the column before it printed. She didn’t find it as funny as I did.  Don’t get me wrong, we’re still happily married. But these yellow-bile people can be pretty sensitive.

Less controversial is this month’s Life Apps section, which includes a Decidificator that helps you choose holiday movies, a Libationator on America’s best beers, an Agonizer with the latest health research, and a Drinkatron that serves up a beet-red martini.

Here’s to a great season, and let nothing you dismay.

Jay Heinrichs
Editorial Director