I had $700 worth of work done to my car today. Now the brakes are in tiptop shape.

5 years.....

Some of you know I'd had a serious medical issue 5 years back. It prompted a biopsy and then radiation treatment. But I've done very well, and now I've graduated to a follow up once per year!

Those in our furry community, who've been down a similar road, know how big a milestone this is.

And I am thankful to all those who'd given me so many well wishes when it happened; cards; hugs; and just a nice ear to bend.

You are a big part of this health improvement, and I am forever grateful.

Yep! Even with a new job, it's just not in the financial cards for me.

Part of it.., my house hasn't yet sold; I need to fork over a few grand to either (a) get my car fixed or (b) buy a new car.. and just time itself.

Now if I won the lottery.., but I'm not that lucky.

So have fun.., all those going.

To see the initial post by my friend Arty http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8120166/

I was just heading to work yesterday morning when I read Arty's post... my heart broke.

Admittedly I didn't know Albert "Gene Catlow" Temple as well as many fortunate others have, but I had met him several times. The first was with my dear friends Vinci & Arty, at a gathering. They were kind enough to introduce me to Albert, and .. you know how first impressions are?

He was one of the kindest men I'd ever met right off the bat! I don't just say that... you can tell when you meet someone like that. Occasionally I'd see him at Further Confusion, usually drawing or wandering about; it was fun to watch him draw. So focused... quiet while he worked.

The last time (and GOD why was it actually NOW the last time?) I saw him and chatted a bit was at this years FC. That was only just under 2 months ago. He looked fine, and was apparently having a good time; attendees like us were navigating the new venue at the San Jose Convention Center, where FC has been since 2011. The meeting was only about 8 to 10 minutes at most... then we wandered our separate ways again.

Never could have imagined it would be the last time I'd see him.


Albert.. your presence, kindness and talent shall never be forgotten. Those who knew him far better than I lost a dear friend, and relatives, a loved family member.

To all... my condolences.

Just read about the passing of actor Bill Paxton; complications during surgery (no mention as for what).

Some of us recall his comic work in "True Lies" along with dramatic films like "Twister" and "Apollo 13."

RIP sir.

Got my brand new dishwasher, started to install it (with help from a younger brother) and ... "Hey Bro!? Look at this!"

Here, not just on the top frame of the door, but along the Bottom of the door as well.. a MASSIVE pair of dents! Point of fact.. the areas are actually caved in!! Seems some moron didn't use warehouse equipment properly and (forklift or .. whatever they improperly used) left exterior damage that just can't be wished away or swapped out.

Brand NEW and it arrived dented??!! WTF?? Sears is getting a call! They'll be eating the return, and I'm gonna not just make sure they deliver a new one (which I'll personally check upon arrival) but I'm gonna force them to pay for installation.

This totally sucks!!!

Got to the convention center at 10 am, and spent nearly a hour looking for something affordable to eat, beyond a sweet roll at the small coffee houses. Marriott, and Hyatt just outrageous in $$$.

Settled on Original Joe's for a late breakfast; about $4 cheaper than the two hotels.

Maybe FC should look into onsite mark plans for a bit extra,.., perhaps something the gives a bit of a discount on the hotel meals.

Parked off site (way cheaper !!)

Some .. ehh,.. talks. Hate to say it, but the presenters didn't know how to present their topics. The BEST one I attended was on how to start towards having a fur suit. It was fun and really good!

Second night eating at Johnny Rockets (everything is so expensive ~ $12 to $14 starting.. even a bar menu was outrageous)!

Maybe I should brown bag it next time?

Got here checked in, and now I'm gonna grab something to eat. A few panels after 9 o'clock. Will try and catch a few, then maybe do some drawing.

Probably crash out and about 1130 or so.

Thursday 1/12 -- Can't make it due to work.

Friday 1/13 -- Will be driving directly from work, and probably arrive just after 6pm (7pm if I hit parking issues). Then, if the registration desk is still open, I'll pick up my badge, catch whatever panels I can get to, then eat, then draw a bit, before crashing for the night.

Saturday 1/14 -- I'm gonna do my best to be there so flipping early... I want good parking in the convention center. Or, I end up parking elsewhere. In any case, I'll be there all day and into the evening. And, I can't wait to see the new accommodations for the Dealer's Den. No participation in the Art Show this year, but I probably will be bidding on anything I find that I like.

Sunday 1/15 -- same as Saturday!

Those who know me on sight, it'll be fantastic to see you!

Over New Years my folks tuxedo cat, Sylvia took ill; lethargic, not taking water ...

After a Vet ER run, and 4 hours of waiting & lab work it was far worse than we thought. Liver, kidneys, good chance of pancreatitis, and new condition of diabetes (and blind).. we had to say goodbye.

Just.., not s good day for any of us.

She was 15 and some months.

Sad to say we begin the new year with the loss of another actor: William Christopher (TV's MASH pastor) passed away just after 5am, in Pasadena, CA.

From what I've heard he was as kind as the character he played in MASH. Condolences to his friends & family.

If the loss of Carrie Fisher wasn't enough, now her mother passes away from what is initially reported to be a stroke.

RIP dear lady.

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas; good health; happy times; and for those Senfield (sp) fans... "A Festivous for the Rest of us!"

Sorry I could not get any Xmas cards out to those on my list: Tygon, Gen, Hollie, Kittybird, Thwaitesy, Bobby T., PeterandCompany, Kresblain, Balto, Carrizo, Maxgoof, Vinci & Arty; etc., but RL got in the way (mostly a new job and a sudden move to that new job).

I hope to get (if slowly) in touch with those on my list, to pass on my new address. In the mean time...

Happy Christmas!

Just got my new 15 inch Apple MacBook with the touch bar feature!

All solid state (no mechanical hard drive) and I've even expanded my Wifi capacity to meet the demand of my new iPhone 6S.

Which means….

STEAM GAMES!! Ahem,…, well astrophotography related stuff too… but it's been a long wait. My old 13 inch screen MacBook still works, and probably drag it about the star parties for astronomical charts and stuff,.., but it's showing its electronic age…, the computer version of senility w.r.t. maintaining an Internet link.

So, as soon as it's totally configured to my needs, you folks in STEAM will see me pop in to play.

Well I officially moved to new digs (job related, cheaper area, family, etc.).

So if some have gotten Xmas cards from me, and you've got my email, send me a note and I'll pass that new addy to you!

Currently sitting in the DMV, feeling like Nike Wilde.

Just read this late this evening. Another talent gone, but never to be forgotten.

Here's the article I discovered;
https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/flo.....060621260.html

RIP Mrs. Brady

Good news: Got a new job, with more pay (~ 60% more a week).

Mediocre news: New job means moving to a new area. Up side is the area is a bit less expensive that my current residential area. Down side is FC will be cut short by about a day; I'll loose all of Thursday, most of Friday ( to commute in after work).. and no art show entry this year.

Bummer news: Had a secondary eye exam today - a follow up to my annual last month. I have Gloucoma .., right eye showing it more than the left. *sigh* well at least they seem to have caught it early; I hope so at least. Next is how to treat it. High cholesterol, then cancer, then cataracts showing up, high blood pressure .., now this.

Damn it! I know I've paid the premium on that extended warranty!😏

Too many life things abound; it's kept me missing streams, doing art,.., hell I almost forgot to register for FC!

Had my regular 6-month check, and delighted to hear the blood values are well below zero. The outlook is very good, and if this value remains unchanged in March... I'll be switched to a once-per-year checkup. I also dicovered my oncologist now shares the same office as my urologist. Two great docs in one place!! Awesome.

The afternoon was my eye exam. Sadly the cataracts are still progressing, but it'll still be some time, before I have bionic replacement lenses. And, I need new glasses. Seems as a nearsighted person ages the condition starts to go into reverse. So, I now need a weaker prescription of lenses than in prior years; time to shop for specs again.

Only one test ( preventative due to my age .., and my dad having been treated for it) for glaucoma. Noooo .. I don't have, as far as I know.. They just want to check & start a baseline .

Been looking at the local housing market and.., I'm thinking about a move.

Nothing firm yet, and it also depends on this job I've applied for. If I take this plunge into a sale, I'll have to invest in some upgrades to the property first.

We'll see ...

Wow! Got back to my Reno departure point on time last night (11:30pm Orlando time or 8:30pm Reno time).

With a plane change in Las Vegas, that's a 7 hour flight. Thunderstorms at boarding time while in Orlando (yes I saw lightning) along with rain. Take off was late due to that, and a need to give the 737-700 a time to start.

Only bad part of the return flight was the travelers worst nightmare - a screaming toddler. 30 minutes out this little one (either due to aircraft cabin pressure, or due to being too hungry & tired) had a meltdown.

This meltdown went on for an hour and 15 minutes straight! Wow! Thank goodness the kid wore himself out and slept the remaining flight to Vegas.

Had a snack in Reno, then headed home to our family cabin in Tahoe.

With Megaplex having a (roughly) 24% increased attendance (440 fur suites) the cons been invited to hold Megaplex at Orlando Sea World next year.

And now I return you to your normal programming. 🎮🖥📺

Have been at Lake Tahoe since last month, but headed to Megaplex today.

Got up at 5am (PDT), and left for Reno/Tahoe airport at 6am (brother drove me over).
Arrived at airport by 7am, and got through TSA quickly.

Had some text communication with  Charonbond and now sitting on my grizzly butt until boarding for a 9:50 departure.

I should be in Orlando by 8:30pm eastern time.

** leag 2 - from Vegas to Orlando:

30 minutes late leaving Reno, and arrived in Vegas about 11:40.
Planned Vegas departure at 12:50pm & possible rain.

*** Orlando- after an added 30 minutes delay at Las Vegas, my flight continued to Orlando with relative ease. However, said delay had me landing at 8:45pm.

The up side is I ran into  carrizo as we both picked up the tram into the main terminal. That & speaking briefly again with  Charonbond made up for the delays.

Though I missed getting my registration package tonight (I'll get it in the morning) I did get dinner & a beer at the bar.

Room is great - A shorting light switch had to be replaced in the bathroom of my room, but other than that, the room is fabulous.

Now 💤💤💤💤💤💤

I had a wonderful time at the most recent astronomy camp out.

I accomplished everything I wanted to do.

A) I actually got my telescope polar aligned for photos.
B) I was able to photograph:

• Lagoon Nebula
• Swan Nebula
• Trifid Nebula
• Eagle Nebula (this one was tough and faint!)

Photos will need processing, but I'll post the best raw images soon.

For Megaplex:

Southwest- Reno to Orlando via Las Vegas.

9:50am departure with a layover of 1hr., 50min in Las Vegas. Arriving 8:30pm (excluding any bad weather of course).

Looking forward to see those of you I saw last year😊