There will be no more furry themed conventions this year and it's shaping up that there will be no furry themed conventions next year. FC just cancelled their 2021 meet.

Damn the local Elections Commission! They sent me a ballot for the next primary election geared toward Republicans when I could swear up and down I was registered Democrat!

Ever been b-tchslapped by one of Zuckerberg's goons because of a post that "violated community standards" and you were unable to know what you posted violated those standards because you couldn't access the original post?

I've got a question for the conservatives who are pushing for the end of the "stay at home/stay safe" orders, especially by using the courts: What if you're wrong and "Covid-19" comes roaring back stronger than ever and starts killing even more people than it did in the first wave before the "stay home/stay safe" orders? What will you say and do then?????

As you know, a few months ago our nation was ravaged by a virus known as "Covid-19". There was no cure and the virus was proving fatal to certian parties (like the very old and those with compromised immune systems). Thus it was that governors everywhere ordered "non-essential" businesses (the definition of what is "essential" and what is "not essential" is rather loose to some parties and I won't go over it here) to shut down to slow the spread. Now however things are starting to ease (at least in some areas) and businesses are starting to reopen. I've heard all the "gloom and doom" saying that this will trigger a second (and deadlier) wave of the "Covid-19" virus but things are proceeding anyway. Meanwhile I'm rather torn about this. On one hand, I do want to start shopping at my favorite places and going to the movies again, but on the other hand I don't really want to catch the virus (who would?). I'll probabaly lie low and keep on staying home unless it's absolutely necessary until I see where this is going. Wish me luck.

I'm glad that some in the furry fandom are holding "virtual conventions" (like "Down Home Fur Con") where you can register at home and attend panels via Skype and such, and this not just because of the viral attacks. It's been my experience that transportation to and from a convention and hotel room fees are two of the biggest expeneses facing your typical con goer these days. These "virtual conventions" are offering furry fandom members the opportunity of experiencing at least some of the fun of a normal convention without having to take on the huge expenses from the items I mentioned.

I do a lot of reading so I'm forever on the prowl for books that catch my interest and will make fine Sunday afternoon reads. Along the way I've found that for the longest time books about pandemics (especially those pandemics that wipe out a large portion of the human race) were very popular reads. With this in mind, I'll bet that all the people who were buying those fantasies about pandemics never in their wildest dreams thought about facing a very real (and very dangerous) one like the one we're facing now.:/

Sign of the times: I saw two (two beautiful! ah, ah, ah!) gags about "social distancing" in my nightly read of the web comics tonight. :/

Some Christians are so stupid!

With the viral pandemic sweeping the nation, businesses are shutting down left and right to prevent groups of people from congregating and thus acting as possible carriers to the viruses. One exception are churches. They're remaining open either because they think of themselves as "essential services" or because their congregants think that "God will protect them".

This is foolishness personified, and this for two reasons.

One, in remaining open and not holding services online they're endangering the health of all citizens around them. I've heard about congregations meeting and later on one or more of their congregants becoming infected with the viruses. Why couldn't they just stay home and keep everyone safe?

Second they're not being Biblical. Jesus himself said via Mark 12:13-17 (NIV translation) "13: Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14: They came to him and said, 'Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax b to Caesar or not? 15:Should we pay or shouldn’t we?' But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. 'Why are you trying to trap me?' he asked. 'Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.' 16: They brought the coin, and he asked them, 'Whose image is this? And whose inscription?' 'Caesar’s,' they replied. 17: Then Jesus said to them, 'Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.' " As I see it if the state governor is calling for business to shut down then they should shut down-no questions asked.

I don't know what it is with these people. Are they stupid, too arrogant to see what's going on (and to do what's right for all) or what? I'm just glad that I don't share in their arrogance and/or fanatical ways.

One good thing about these viral attacks is that the social isolation required to fight them will mean no RHPS live shows for a while (and thus no "virgins" being humiliated..er.."sacrificed").

I'm waiting for a fantasy artist (Bruce Vallejo perhaps) to depict a dragon lording over his hoard, only instead of gold and precious jewels he's lording over it's TP and hand sanitizer.;-D

Heard there was a bit of a fracas at "Further Confusion" last weekend. It turns out that a woman driver was attacked by her boyfriend. Fortunately this fracas occurred within walking distance of the San Jose Marriott ("Further Confusion"'s primary hotel) and some congoers were able to wrest the man away from her and restrain him until the police got there. I was reading the article this morning when it occurred to me that the congoers in question were following the advice of McGruff, the Crime Dog in "taking a BITE out of crime". *grins*

"Further Confusion" begins tomorrow. I normally go but this year I went to "Painted Desert Fur Con" instead. It's going to be strange waking up at around 4:00-4:30 tomorrow morning, realizing I don't have to be driven to the airport, and going back to sleep.

I was listening to an old radio show called 'Information Please". Audience members would send in questions to try to stump the learned panelists. I don't think this would go over today. Our education has been dumbed down SO MUCH in the 50 years that the show was on the air..

Listening to "The Star Wars Christmas Album" and wondering how much Anthony Daniels (3PO) was paid for his role in it (especially after the disaster that was "The Star Wars Holiday Special").;-D

One of my all time favorite Christmas songs. Have a happy one fellers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q

I would have loved to see the jaw-dropping during San Diego Comic Con when it was revealed that Ian McDiarmid would be reprising his role as "Emperor Palpatine" in "Star Wars IX".;-D

I'm waiting for an unkind critic reviewing the ""Cats" movie to proclaim: "'Cats' is a DOG"! ;-/

:Last call to those who are going to January's "Painted Desert Fur Con" in Arizona. If you're going and need a room I can help. i'll be arriving on Thursday January the 2nd and leaving on Monday, January the 6th. I'm a quiet non drinking and non smoking sort who just needs someone to share room expenses with him. If you're interested in staying with me the entire weekend your share of the room fees will be $388.78 ($777.56 total cost for four nights split two ways) but of course I'll negotiate if you're going to be coming in later or leaving earlier. Moreover if you have a room and need a roommate, let's talk anyway! Either way, please e-mail me at baarorso[at]email.com and we'll discuss terms. Thanks!

I was watching "Empire Strikes Back" tonight and was thinking that it'd be fun to go back in time to 1980 and see the movie just to see the audience's first reactions to Vader's line "No, *I* am your father!" ;D

Self-check out kiosks in stores are getting more and more common these days. I'm surprised that the stores don't offer you a discount on your purchases when you use them. After all, they're saving on labor costs when you use them. ;D

Who's going to Arizona's Painted Desert Fur Con and needs a room? As it happens I've got one and I'm more than willing to take on a room mate or two to help you out. I'll be coming in on Thursday, January 2nd and leaving on Monday, January 6th. I've got a double bed so there's no need to bring a sleeping bag or rent a rollaway. I'm a quiet type who doesn't drink or smoke and just wants to keep expenses down. Should you elect to spend the entire weekend with me the cost will be $388.78 (total cost of $777.56 split 2 ways) but of course I am willing to negotiate should you want to go home earlier. If you're interested in helping me out, please drop me a line at baarorso[at]email.com and we'll work out the details. Thanks!

This one's for my cousin and my two aunts....I don't know what our branch of the family did to have you cut off contact with us, especially in these festive times, but happy Thanksgiving anyway! :(

Look, we haven't always treated our Native American brothers and sisters with respect-I get that. However to have a "Day of Mourning" instead of "Thanksgiving" to forever remind us "palcefaces" of the genocide and abuse we heaped upon them is, I think, going a WEE bit too far.

As usual, I hope that firefighters, police officers, soldiers, doctors and nurses have easy shifts today. Even heroes need a vacation every once in a while.