Happy Birthday
General | Posted 16 years ago...to me!
As Rare Earth observed, it's worth celebrating another year of living; especially since the alternative sucks.
I don't have any plans for the day; it's been a long time since I had anything close to a party, so I'm going to play it by ear - maybe go by the mall and hang out with a few friends (hi Thurak!) I bump into along the way.
D.O.P.R
As Rare Earth observed, it's worth celebrating another year of living; especially since the alternative sucks.
I don't have any plans for the day; it's been a long time since I had anything close to a party, so I'm going to play it by ear - maybe go by the mall and hang out with a few friends (hi Thurak!) I bump into along the way.
D.O.P.R
What a Trip
General | Posted 16 years agoBe it ever so tenuous, it's good to be home.
It was a long trip, and I'm glad to be back. As I mentioned in a previous journal, my parents make a nearly annual trip to the Tattoo Rendezvous in Kansas City (http://www.safe-tattoos.com/2009booth.html), and they decided to take me along with them this time.
Also, since Nebraska isn't that far away, we took the opportunity to visit family on the way. I was especially keen on going this year since my Grandpa Jack and my Aunt Shari are both in declining health and it's not certain whether we will have another chance to see them.
The drive from Tucson to Nebraska was a long, and mostly numbing one; empty desert and wide fields are about all you see along the way. While I welcomed the fields as an improvement over the desert, they don't really keep the interest during a drive.
Most of the time my father drove (he is a notoriously bad backseat driver, so it was for the best) so I spent my time reading and watching videos on my iPod (hallelujah for the iPod).
Of all the country we passed through, Texas and Oklahoma take the prize for being the most boring to drive through. There is absolutely nothing on either side but dirt. Occasionally you'll pass through a few scattered buildings which make up a town, or a few grazing cows, but it's mostly miles and miles...of miles and miles...
Albuquerque was the first major stop. There's a diner there called "The Owl Cafe" which has become a traditional stop each time we go past. It's a old 1950s diner that's still up and running and still has some of the greatest ham and cheese sandwiches...complete with chocolate malts and cherry phosphates. Mmmmm....
But undoubtedly the most interesting place we passed through was Greensburg, Kansas. The town had been hit by an EF5 tornado in 2007, which leveled at least 95% of all structures in the town. But tenacity took hold and they're rebuilding as best they can.
Evidence of the tornado was still plain - groups of trees all leaning in the same direction, a large amount of portable shelters, and many, many empty plots with hints of concrete foundations poking above the grass.
But we survived the trip and made it all the way to Madison, NE to visit my mother's side of the family.
Lots of good farm food, no TV other then "The Price is Right" and awkward questions about why my wife wasn't with me.
Overall it went good. My grandmother didn't chastise my mom too much for not staying at home, and my Aunt Jeanette didn't stick her foot in her mouth up to the knee this time. My eldest cousin apparently has gained an interest in computers (the only person in the family to have one). He's on Steam, he plays Eve Online, and he's built his own rig. I have to say - I'm proud of him!
After a couple nights in my Grandmother's basement (which is still infested with spiders), we made our way south to Beatrice to see my father's side.
My Grandpa Jack will be 90 this year, but he's still on his feet, although he's using a walking stick. My Aunt Shari is still her same old self in attitude, but the dialysis really frustrates her. A while back, she went into the hospital with kidney failure and died on the operating table twice and then slipped into a coma. My father, her younger brother, got "the call" to be ready to fly up for her funeral, but fortunately that never became necessary. She came out of her coma, is on a transplant list, and doing very well. Although she's a lot thinner then she use to be.
Her younger daughter Katrina is also doing surprisingly well. Her husband is a cook at the only fancy restaurant in Beatrice and feeling it a family obligation, we ate there. Fancy food, pretty expensive, but it was good and it was a fun time.
We jaunted up to Lincoln to visit my brother as well. He's apparently doing well, although he doesn't seem to recognize me anymore.
Then there came the tattoo convention.
In lieu of a traditional birthday present, my dad donated the two hours of work he had scheduled with Shahn Anderson to me so that I could get a piece done that I've been planning for a while.
It's my third tattoo, and was by far the largest. It's the only one I have that's in colour, and like the other two, represents something that I'm extremely fond of.
I'll be posting pictures of it after this.
My mother got some more work done on her Ganesha portrait (http://www.essaysbyekowa.com/Zoomorphic/ganesha.jpg), and got a seahorse on her foot with some coloured seaweed to tie it into the rest of her leg.
My dad was the only one who didn't get inked this time around (usually that's my place), but he was compensated by winning the award for "Most Unique" tattoo. I had entered mine into "Tattoo of the Day", but didn't win. I can't complain though, there were a whole bunch of fantastic entries this year.
My cousin Katrina, her husband, and two of their friends showed up at the convention Sunday, and it was neat being able to show them around. One of her friends had already been teaching himself tattooing, and Katrina was thinking of getting some herself, so it was hopefully a great learning experience for them both.
After the convention however came the long trip back... Pretty much the same as before. Lots of fields, and lots of desert. Another stop at The Owl Cafe, and back home at last. At lest now I have something to show for it; a brand new, gorgeous tattoo as an early birthday present.
Mucho thanks to Kwan for looking after my cats while I was away. It seems strange to me that a rat would want to watch a gaggle of cats, but hey, it seems to have worked.
I had close to two thousand journals when I got back last evening, so I went ahead and nuked them. If anything of super-great importance happened that I should know about, then please let me know! The submissions I'll try and slog through a bit today, but most of the day will be spent trying to get bills back in order, and reordering the house.
And that's the way it is.
D.O.P.R
It was a long trip, and I'm glad to be back. As I mentioned in a previous journal, my parents make a nearly annual trip to the Tattoo Rendezvous in Kansas City (http://www.safe-tattoos.com/2009booth.html), and they decided to take me along with them this time.
Also, since Nebraska isn't that far away, we took the opportunity to visit family on the way. I was especially keen on going this year since my Grandpa Jack and my Aunt Shari are both in declining health and it's not certain whether we will have another chance to see them.
The drive from Tucson to Nebraska was a long, and mostly numbing one; empty desert and wide fields are about all you see along the way. While I welcomed the fields as an improvement over the desert, they don't really keep the interest during a drive.
Most of the time my father drove (he is a notoriously bad backseat driver, so it was for the best) so I spent my time reading and watching videos on my iPod (hallelujah for the iPod).
Of all the country we passed through, Texas and Oklahoma take the prize for being the most boring to drive through. There is absolutely nothing on either side but dirt. Occasionally you'll pass through a few scattered buildings which make up a town, or a few grazing cows, but it's mostly miles and miles...of miles and miles...
Albuquerque was the first major stop. There's a diner there called "The Owl Cafe" which has become a traditional stop each time we go past. It's a old 1950s diner that's still up and running and still has some of the greatest ham and cheese sandwiches...complete with chocolate malts and cherry phosphates. Mmmmm....
But undoubtedly the most interesting place we passed through was Greensburg, Kansas. The town had been hit by an EF5 tornado in 2007, which leveled at least 95% of all structures in the town. But tenacity took hold and they're rebuilding as best they can.
Evidence of the tornado was still plain - groups of trees all leaning in the same direction, a large amount of portable shelters, and many, many empty plots with hints of concrete foundations poking above the grass.
But we survived the trip and made it all the way to Madison, NE to visit my mother's side of the family.
Lots of good farm food, no TV other then "The Price is Right" and awkward questions about why my wife wasn't with me.
Overall it went good. My grandmother didn't chastise my mom too much for not staying at home, and my Aunt Jeanette didn't stick her foot in her mouth up to the knee this time. My eldest cousin apparently has gained an interest in computers (the only person in the family to have one). He's on Steam, he plays Eve Online, and he's built his own rig. I have to say - I'm proud of him!
After a couple nights in my Grandmother's basement (which is still infested with spiders), we made our way south to Beatrice to see my father's side.
My Grandpa Jack will be 90 this year, but he's still on his feet, although he's using a walking stick. My Aunt Shari is still her same old self in attitude, but the dialysis really frustrates her. A while back, she went into the hospital with kidney failure and died on the operating table twice and then slipped into a coma. My father, her younger brother, got "the call" to be ready to fly up for her funeral, but fortunately that never became necessary. She came out of her coma, is on a transplant list, and doing very well. Although she's a lot thinner then she use to be.
Her younger daughter Katrina is also doing surprisingly well. Her husband is a cook at the only fancy restaurant in Beatrice and feeling it a family obligation, we ate there. Fancy food, pretty expensive, but it was good and it was a fun time.
We jaunted up to Lincoln to visit my brother as well. He's apparently doing well, although he doesn't seem to recognize me anymore.
Then there came the tattoo convention.
In lieu of a traditional birthday present, my dad donated the two hours of work he had scheduled with Shahn Anderson to me so that I could get a piece done that I've been planning for a while.
It's my third tattoo, and was by far the largest. It's the only one I have that's in colour, and like the other two, represents something that I'm extremely fond of.
I'll be posting pictures of it after this.
My mother got some more work done on her Ganesha portrait (http://www.essaysbyekowa.com/Zoomorphic/ganesha.jpg), and got a seahorse on her foot with some coloured seaweed to tie it into the rest of her leg.
My dad was the only one who didn't get inked this time around (usually that's my place), but he was compensated by winning the award for "Most Unique" tattoo. I had entered mine into "Tattoo of the Day", but didn't win. I can't complain though, there were a whole bunch of fantastic entries this year.
My cousin Katrina, her husband, and two of their friends showed up at the convention Sunday, and it was neat being able to show them around. One of her friends had already been teaching himself tattooing, and Katrina was thinking of getting some herself, so it was hopefully a great learning experience for them both.
After the convention however came the long trip back... Pretty much the same as before. Lots of fields, and lots of desert. Another stop at The Owl Cafe, and back home at last. At lest now I have something to show for it; a brand new, gorgeous tattoo as an early birthday present.
Mucho thanks to Kwan for looking after my cats while I was away. It seems strange to me that a rat would want to watch a gaggle of cats, but hey, it seems to have worked.
I had close to two thousand journals when I got back last evening, so I went ahead and nuked them. If anything of super-great importance happened that I should know about, then please let me know! The submissions I'll try and slog through a bit today, but most of the day will be spent trying to get bills back in order, and reordering the house.
And that's the way it is.
D.O.P.R
On My Way
General | Posted 16 years agoAlright, I'm on my way.
I'll see you guys later, I hope!
D.O.P.R
I'll see you guys later, I hope!
D.O.P.R
Gone to Get Inked
General | Posted 16 years agoEarly tomorrow morning (the 11th) I'm off with my folks to Nebraska - visiting family.
We'll be driving the whole way, so I've already got reading material as well as select pieces of the internet on my iPod to keep me entertained beyond watching the scenery (which I actually rather enjoy).
After a few days visting both sides of the family (it might be my last chance to see my Grandpa Jack and my Aunt Shari alive, seeing as they're both in declining health), we'll head a little south to Kansas City for the Tattoo Rendezvous (http://www.safe-tattoos.com/2009rendezvous.html) where I will get some ink by Shahn Anderson, premier artist and former president of the APT.
Since hardly any of my extended family have computers, I'll likely be out-of-touch for nearly two weeks. I hope to be back though, so no worries.
Wish me luck.
D.O.P.R
We'll be driving the whole way, so I've already got reading material as well as select pieces of the internet on my iPod to keep me entertained beyond watching the scenery (which I actually rather enjoy).
After a few days visting both sides of the family (it might be my last chance to see my Grandpa Jack and my Aunt Shari alive, seeing as they're both in declining health), we'll head a little south to Kansas City for the Tattoo Rendezvous (http://www.safe-tattoos.com/2009rendezvous.html) where I will get some ink by Shahn Anderson, premier artist and former president of the APT.
Since hardly any of my extended family have computers, I'll likely be out-of-touch for nearly two weeks. I hope to be back though, so no worries.
Wish me luck.
D.O.P.R
Contact
General | Posted 16 years agoI think I have an MSN account now.
Search for my email (it's in my profile) and you should find me.
I've been struggling to keep in contact with people, and since a lot of folks use MSN, and I bundle all these programs in Meebo, I thought I'd go ahead and add MSN to the list.
So now I have AIM (spudugly), Yahoo (DOPR5), and MSN (spudugly).
D.O.P.R
Search for my email (it's in my profile) and you should find me.
I've been struggling to keep in contact with people, and since a lot of folks use MSN, and I bundle all these programs in Meebo, I thought I'd go ahead and add MSN to the list.
So now I have AIM (spudugly), Yahoo (DOPR5), and MSN (spudugly).
D.O.P.R
KRAP Middle of the Wasteland Radio!
General | Posted 16 years agoIt's no secret among local furs that I'm a big fan of the game Fallout 3.
One of the features that I like is the ease with which new content can be added. To this effect, I've been working on a mod to add in a new radio station - K.R.A.P. Wasteland Radio!
I've been at it for a while, and it's already got quite a bit of custom content - from "visitors" in the studio, to references to other games and entities (including Dr. Steel, World Emperor).
It's already pretty large - but I want more... So if any of you have any suggestions for between song dialogue, or suggested tracks, anything - let me know!
Heck, if anyone feels like recording some stuff, I might use it! This is my first real mod (other then retextures) so I want it to be big and beautiful!
D.O.P.R
One of the features that I like is the ease with which new content can be added. To this effect, I've been working on a mod to add in a new radio station - K.R.A.P. Wasteland Radio!
I've been at it for a while, and it's already got quite a bit of custom content - from "visitors" in the studio, to references to other games and entities (including Dr. Steel, World Emperor).
It's already pretty large - but I want more... So if any of you have any suggestions for between song dialogue, or suggested tracks, anything - let me know!
Heck, if anyone feels like recording some stuff, I might use it! This is my first real mod (other then retextures) so I want it to be big and beautiful!
D.O.P.R
One Sweet Dream...
General | Posted 16 years agoI've most of my afternoon so far listening to The Beatles and intermittently crying like a little kid with a scratched knee.
I think what has made The Beatles as successful and powerful a force in music as they are, is the ability of their music to connect to the feelings inside us that we might not understand enough to tap into ourselves.
As a musical force, they've been around for so long, and touched on so many different genres and styles (and yet are always recognizable as The Beatles) that no matter your preference for music, chances are they've done at least one song that is applicable to you at each point in your life.
While listening, I've also been scanning in a bunch of older sketches and pics that I'm not planning on finishing. So the second part of my promised flood is heading mostly to scraps, although there will be a few in the main gallery.
"One two three four five six seven / All good children go to heaven."
D.O.P.R
I think what has made The Beatles as successful and powerful a force in music as they are, is the ability of their music to connect to the feelings inside us that we might not understand enough to tap into ourselves.
As a musical force, they've been around for so long, and touched on so many different genres and styles (and yet are always recognizable as The Beatles) that no matter your preference for music, chances are they've done at least one song that is applicable to you at each point in your life.
While listening, I've also been scanning in a bunch of older sketches and pics that I'm not planning on finishing. So the second part of my promised flood is heading mostly to scraps, although there will be a few in the main gallery.
"One two three four five six seven / All good children go to heaven."
D.O.P.R
Picture Flood
General | Posted 16 years agoI just went through my art bin searching for a long-lost request picture and found a stack of pics that I though should be scanned in and shared with my fellow enthusiasts.
I've put up a couple already, but there are more incoming.
I actually had a moment after posting the first pic where I regretted not having a webcam active.
After hitting the "Finished" button, I went back to "Submit" to post an alternate version of what I had just uploaded. As I did so, I saw in the upper-right corner that I already garnered a new favorite. I grinned, feeling pleased at the thought that within the few split seconds between navigating the buttons, someone had already decided to add my pic to their fave list.
Naturally, I immediately clicked to see who faved, and probably leave a thankful comment for their trouble. But when I clicked the link - "The user has removed this favorite". My smile withered instantly into a pouty face.
In the span of 10 seconds, I went from inane glee, to puppy-eyed rejection.
Such drama here on FA!
Of course, I could also amuse myself with the thought of some schmuck clicking wildy on anything with a mature tag only to realize just as the button clicks that there's no 'cawk' and desperately struggling to remove it before it taints his favelist.
Either way, tl;dr version - picture flood incoming.
D.O.P.R
I've put up a couple already, but there are more incoming.
I actually had a moment after posting the first pic where I regretted not having a webcam active.
After hitting the "Finished" button, I went back to "Submit" to post an alternate version of what I had just uploaded. As I did so, I saw in the upper-right corner that I already garnered a new favorite. I grinned, feeling pleased at the thought that within the few split seconds between navigating the buttons, someone had already decided to add my pic to their fave list.
Naturally, I immediately clicked to see who faved, and probably leave a thankful comment for their trouble. But when I clicked the link - "The user has removed this favorite". My smile withered instantly into a pouty face.
In the span of 10 seconds, I went from inane glee, to puppy-eyed rejection.
Such drama here on FA!
Of course, I could also amuse myself with the thought of some schmuck clicking wildy on anything with a mature tag only to realize just as the button clicks that there's no 'cawk' and desperately struggling to remove it before it taints his favelist.
Either way, tl;dr version - picture flood incoming.
D.O.P.R
Digital Colour is Hard!
General | Posted 16 years agoI think I'm driving myself crazy with this. I have one commission that I've had from a great guy who has commissioned me before, and I figured that I'd try and colour it up in Photoshop since I want to get a hang of digital.
I thought that for certain aspects of the pic I'd take photos off the 'net and layer them behind the lineart. Thus, the cammo jeans are real cammo, the shirt has the texture of a real shirt, the ammo can in the corner is built from pics of a real ammo can, etc.
But the more I get into it, the more off-kilter it seems to get. I knew that there were some items I couldn't get photos for, or would be too hard to manipulate, so I've been painting them in like usual. But everytime I add a layer (I'm up to 20+ ) I end up having to redo or alter a previous layer, or redo a section because the colour doesn't mix well with the surroundings, or I find I screwed up a layer somewhere back, or so forth.
I'm wondering if I should just scrap a lot of what I've already got and start over, even though I hate to throw out what I've been working so hard on. And if I start over, I'll likely just end up painting the whole thing like normal and ditch the photostuff, which sucks in itself, because some of it looks really good.
I'm just glad the commissioner is such a great guy and has stuck with me through all my bullcrap.
Oy...my love-hate relationship with Photoshop continues...
D.O.P.R
I thought that for certain aspects of the pic I'd take photos off the 'net and layer them behind the lineart. Thus, the cammo jeans are real cammo, the shirt has the texture of a real shirt, the ammo can in the corner is built from pics of a real ammo can, etc.
But the more I get into it, the more off-kilter it seems to get. I knew that there were some items I couldn't get photos for, or would be too hard to manipulate, so I've been painting them in like usual. But everytime I add a layer (I'm up to 20+ ) I end up having to redo or alter a previous layer, or redo a section because the colour doesn't mix well with the surroundings, or I find I screwed up a layer somewhere back, or so forth.
I'm wondering if I should just scrap a lot of what I've already got and start over, even though I hate to throw out what I've been working so hard on. And if I start over, I'll likely just end up painting the whole thing like normal and ditch the photostuff, which sucks in itself, because some of it looks really good.
I'm just glad the commissioner is such a great guy and has stuck with me through all my bullcrap.
Oy...my love-hate relationship with Photoshop continues...
D.O.P.R
But if you call now, we'll throw in Billy Mays!
General | Posted 16 years ago...absolutely free!
Free in dollars, that is. Not so free when it comes to heartache.
It's been a bad week for fans - from the older generations when Ed McMahon was introducing Johny Carson, to the '80s pop star Micheal Jackson, and now the recent viral favorite Billy Mays.
And of course, we can't forget the stunning beauty of Farrah Fawcett who titillated fans of all generations.
Death hits fast, and often unexpectedly at any time. In fact, I just learned that
witchiebunny got an autograph and her photo taken with Billy Mays as he boarded that fateful flight.
She's upset, shocked, as I think any one of us would be upon finding out that someone we met, talked to, shook hands with only hours before was now gone.
There isn't really any kind of phrase that I could give that would comfort anyone, or make the deaths easier to take, or understand. That is what belief is for.
D.O.P.R
Free in dollars, that is. Not so free when it comes to heartache.
It's been a bad week for fans - from the older generations when Ed McMahon was introducing Johny Carson, to the '80s pop star Micheal Jackson, and now the recent viral favorite Billy Mays.
And of course, we can't forget the stunning beauty of Farrah Fawcett who titillated fans of all generations.
Death hits fast, and often unexpectedly at any time. In fact, I just learned that
witchiebunny got an autograph and her photo taken with Billy Mays as he boarded that fateful flight. She's upset, shocked, as I think any one of us would be upon finding out that someone we met, talked to, shook hands with only hours before was now gone.
There isn't really any kind of phrase that I could give that would comfort anyone, or make the deaths easier to take, or understand. That is what belief is for.
D.O.P.R
More Money Grubbing
General | Posted 16 years agoIt's looking like I'm going to need $70 by the end of this month or my electric will be shut off.
Fortunately I payed rent early, so that's not an issue, but losing the electric and/or the internet would be pretty bad.
I'm no good at asking for money, but I will offer sketch commissions to people who have the ability or generosity to help out.
D.O.P.R
Fortunately I payed rent early, so that's not an issue, but losing the electric and/or the internet would be pretty bad.
I'm no good at asking for money, but I will offer sketch commissions to people who have the ability or generosity to help out.
D.O.P.R
The Hunt for Gollum
General | Posted 16 years agoLOTRs movie fans: Watch this. Now.
You will not be disappointed.
http://www.thehuntforgollum.com/
D.O.P.R
You will not be disappointed.
http://www.thehuntforgollum.com/
D.O.P.R
End of the Islamic Regime...
General | Posted 16 years ago...in Iran?
Not likely, but considering that Ayatollah Khomeini set up the "New Islamic Government" based almost solely on the idea that the ruling leaders were guided by "divine providence", when I read that the Guardian Council (edit: Guardian Council, not Elder Council) is considering recounting some votes, it seems that some of the faith in that providence might be lost.
I personally doubt the protests and violence in Iran will result in a full-scale revolution - but what it might do, indeed, what I think it's already done, is galvanized a large percentage of the Iranian populace against the establishment - created yet another idealist faction which isn't afraid to openly speak out against the elders, or even the Ayatollah himself.
1979 wasn't all that long ago, and many of the people who marched in support of Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution, may very well now be among the protesters, risking their well-being to challenge the very authority they helped to create 30 years ago.
But 30 years is also long enough for a new generation to grow up and start reaching for the torch the older generation is holding just a little bit too high. Most of the protesters I've seen are younger men and women who have grown up in the world that Khomeini and his Council created, and I think their protests are more then just dissatisfaction with an election - they're dissatisfied with a government that doesn't appeal to them.
While it's not likely these protests will result in revolution, or the toppling of the Islamic regime; what they have done is taken away all the idealism and a lot of the "divine providence" from that - and that might be a mortal wound that is slow in the result, but inevitable nonetheless.
D.O.P.R
Not likely, but considering that Ayatollah Khomeini set up the "New Islamic Government" based almost solely on the idea that the ruling leaders were guided by "divine providence", when I read that the Guardian Council (edit: Guardian Council, not Elder Council) is considering recounting some votes, it seems that some of the faith in that providence might be lost.
I personally doubt the protests and violence in Iran will result in a full-scale revolution - but what it might do, indeed, what I think it's already done, is galvanized a large percentage of the Iranian populace against the establishment - created yet another idealist faction which isn't afraid to openly speak out against the elders, or even the Ayatollah himself.
1979 wasn't all that long ago, and many of the people who marched in support of Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution, may very well now be among the protesters, risking their well-being to challenge the very authority they helped to create 30 years ago.
But 30 years is also long enough for a new generation to grow up and start reaching for the torch the older generation is holding just a little bit too high. Most of the protesters I've seen are younger men and women who have grown up in the world that Khomeini and his Council created, and I think their protests are more then just dissatisfaction with an election - they're dissatisfied with a government that doesn't appeal to them.
While it's not likely these protests will result in revolution, or the toppling of the Islamic regime; what they have done is taken away all the idealism and a lot of the "divine providence" from that - and that might be a mortal wound that is slow in the result, but inevitable nonetheless.
D.O.P.R
You Put the Absence in Abstinence
General | Posted 16 years agoFalco Lombardi, I love you... >sigh<
:-P
D.O.P.R
:-P
D.O.P.R
Where are my Dragons at?
General | Posted 16 years agoWhere are ya?
D.O.P.R
D.O.P.R
How's Everyone Doing?
General | Posted 16 years agoLots of drama and whining going on - inside and outside the fandom.
I'm not immune from it either, sadly, and have been on the knife-edge of despair for a while, but things aren't all bad, even if they seem to be.
So let's hear about the good things that are happening right now. Or even if you don't feel like commenting, just think of something positive that happening in your life right now.
Sure it's putting on rose-tinted glasses, but it's better then abject melancholy.
D.O.P.R
I'm not immune from it either, sadly, and have been on the knife-edge of despair for a while, but things aren't all bad, even if they seem to be.
So let's hear about the good things that are happening right now. Or even if you don't feel like commenting, just think of something positive that happening in your life right now.
Sure it's putting on rose-tinted glasses, but it's better then abject melancholy.
D.O.P.R
Vegas
General | Posted 16 years agoPhew. I just got back from Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada about 40 minutes ago. It was a very quickly planned trip.
My parents had gotten themselves some tickets to the CircusCircus hotel and when I learned that I would be getting Friday through Monday off, I tagged along.
This was my second trip to The Strip, the first time I went, I returned home a married man.
Nothing so grand happened this time around, and there was a couple times I missed having some friends there to share it with, but I love Vegas and it was a tremendously fun experience.
I'm not going to try and write up a whole report of all that I did, but there may be a picture or two coming up in the following weeks to highlight a few of the things that happened while I was at Sin City.
And before anyone asks...no, I didn't hire a Escort Girl. Even if I had, the old motto applies - what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
D.O.P.R
My parents had gotten themselves some tickets to the CircusCircus hotel and when I learned that I would be getting Friday through Monday off, I tagged along.
This was my second trip to The Strip, the first time I went, I returned home a married man.
Nothing so grand happened this time around, and there was a couple times I missed having some friends there to share it with, but I love Vegas and it was a tremendously fun experience.
I'm not going to try and write up a whole report of all that I did, but there may be a picture or two coming up in the following weeks to highlight a few of the things that happened while I was at Sin City.
And before anyone asks...no, I didn't hire a Escort Girl. Even if I had, the old motto applies - what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
D.O.P.R
Happy Ending
General | Posted 16 years agoThis is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.
Wake up in the morning, stumble on my life
Can't get no love without sacrifice
If anything should happen, I guess I wish you well
A little bit of heaven, but a little bit of hell
This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' every day
This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.
2 o'clock in the morning, something's on my mind
Can't get no rest; keep walkin' around
If I pretend that nothin' ever went wrong, I can get to my sleep
I can think that we just carried on
This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' every day
This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.
A Little bit of love, little bit of love
Little bit of love, little bit of love
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I waste everyday
This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
To live the rest of our life,
But not together.
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.
Wake up in the morning, stumble on my life
Can't get no love without sacrifice
If anything should happen, I guess I wish you well
A little bit of heaven, but a little bit of hell
This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' every day
This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.
2 o'clock in the morning, something's on my mind
Can't get no rest; keep walkin' around
If I pretend that nothin' ever went wrong, I can get to my sleep
I can think that we just carried on
This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' every day
This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.
A Little bit of love, little bit of love
Little bit of love, little bit of love
I feel as if I'm wasted
And I waste everyday
This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
To live the rest of our life,
But not together.
Corvids
General | Posted 16 years agoAfter a significant measure of effort, I have attained entrance into the Legion of the Crow.
To those 'in-the-know', and all my Corvid colleagues, I ask to be accepted into your own. :-P
D.O.P.R
To those 'in-the-know', and all my Corvid colleagues, I ask to be accepted into your own. :-P
D.O.P.R
If it's not a Utilikilt, it's CRAP!
General | Posted 16 years agoThere are very few things for which I will be a "brand wore".
Cheez-Its, Arby's roast beef, iPod, United Cutlery, and these are mainly the result of preference for the quality, or the quality of the service.
While I know there are other providers through whome I can get a cheaper, or better (arguable) product - I have to get a Utilikilt.
http://www.utilikilts.com/?page_id=30
Part of this decision was based on the ads that they have done, but mostly because in my opinion - Utilikilts probably are the very best in men's freedom-fashion.
As an added bonus, I discovered my families tartan. So if I really wanted, I could get a kilt or a plaid in my families colours!
D.O.P.R
Cheez-Its, Arby's roast beef, iPod, United Cutlery, and these are mainly the result of preference for the quality, or the quality of the service.
While I know there are other providers through whome I can get a cheaper, or better (arguable) product - I have to get a Utilikilt.
http://www.utilikilts.com/?page_id=30
Part of this decision was based on the ads that they have done, but mostly because in my opinion - Utilikilts probably are the very best in men's freedom-fashion.
As an added bonus, I discovered my families tartan. So if I really wanted, I could get a kilt or a plaid in my families colours!
D.O.P.R
In Your Dreams
General | Posted 16 years agoThere was a Dragon in m dreams last night. One of only a handful of times I've dreampt of Dragons.
I get the feeling it was a 'he'. He was dark-coloured, dark grey or black, with a somewhat Asian-style narrow muzzle.
He also had a great deal of flowing black hair(dark grey) which gave him 'whiskers' and a mane running down his back, both very much in an Asian style.
The other details of the dream I'm not going to get into (I honestly am not sure how applicable they are), but when I realized he was there, I put a hand to his scaly neck and asked him to help, if he could. I remember the feel of his hair more vividly then his scales. It reminds me now of the few times I've ran my fingers through a well-groomed horse's mane; full and textured.
Just before he flew off, I got the awe-inspired feeling that thumps in the chest like a heavy weight, and suddenly realized who/what I was speaking too.
I kissed my hand, and placed it upon his forehead and with that symbol of affection/esteem, he took off.
The few other times I've dreampt of Dragons it's generally been related to someone I know. So whichever one of you it was - Thanks.
D.O.P.R
I get the feeling it was a 'he'. He was dark-coloured, dark grey or black, with a somewhat Asian-style narrow muzzle.
He also had a great deal of flowing black hair(dark grey) which gave him 'whiskers' and a mane running down his back, both very much in an Asian style.
The other details of the dream I'm not going to get into (I honestly am not sure how applicable they are), but when I realized he was there, I put a hand to his scaly neck and asked him to help, if he could. I remember the feel of his hair more vividly then his scales. It reminds me now of the few times I've ran my fingers through a well-groomed horse's mane; full and textured.
Just before he flew off, I got the awe-inspired feeling that thumps in the chest like a heavy weight, and suddenly realized who/what I was speaking too.
I kissed my hand, and placed it upon his forehead and with that symbol of affection/esteem, he took off.
The few other times I've dreampt of Dragons it's generally been related to someone I know. So whichever one of you it was - Thanks.
D.O.P.R
Information
General | Posted 16 years agoI don't want any of my watchers to think that they can't come to me with questions, or ask me for information, but at the moment, questions about me and my wife are kind of off-the-menu.
As any of you know who have been reading her page, she doesn't want to talk to anyone, and talking to me only makes her upset.
She doesn't want people asking questions behind her back.
I only mention this because I've gotten several notes and emails lately asking for information, even after she has posted a journal of her own asking to be contacted directly. The Bun feels that this is going behind her back and unfair to her.
So while I encourage people to talk to me, unfortunately talk about The Bun is going to have to be off-limits.
I'm sorry that this has to be stated. I try to keep all personal drama out off of my FA, but it doesn't always work out easy in that regard.
D.O.P.R
As any of you know who have been reading her page, she doesn't want to talk to anyone, and talking to me only makes her upset.
She doesn't want people asking questions behind her back.
I only mention this because I've gotten several notes and emails lately asking for information, even after she has posted a journal of her own asking to be contacted directly. The Bun feels that this is going behind her back and unfair to her.
So while I encourage people to talk to me, unfortunately talk about The Bun is going to have to be off-limits.
I'm sorry that this has to be stated. I try to keep all personal drama out off of my FA, but it doesn't always work out easy in that regard.
D.O.P.R
Third Day
General | Posted 16 years agoThe third day of my new job at a call center, and I'm already feeling that drag when my alarm goes off in the mornings.
There's been a lot of "energizing" activities and of course, some long presentations about how great the company is and our commitment to the clients, and so forth. Many of them take the form of games or 'role-plays' where the presenters pretend to be secret agents teaching us "Secrets to Success". It's pretty tacky, but there's useful job information within it so it's worth paying attention to - even if having to choose a "Secret Agent name" was a bit awkward.
It's going to be a long "career" at this place, but I'm still banking on my apprehensions falling away as I get farther into actual training.
Spending all day sitting down answering/making phone calls is not what I want to be doing, and considering how difficult it is for me to talk and type at the same time, probably not what I'd be best at. But it's a good job (by all accounts) and any job is a plus in this environment, especially considering how close I am to the cutting block.
D.O.P.R
There's been a lot of "energizing" activities and of course, some long presentations about how great the company is and our commitment to the clients, and so forth. Many of them take the form of games or 'role-plays' where the presenters pretend to be secret agents teaching us "Secrets to Success". It's pretty tacky, but there's useful job information within it so it's worth paying attention to - even if having to choose a "Secret Agent name" was a bit awkward.
It's going to be a long "career" at this place, but I'm still banking on my apprehensions falling away as I get farther into actual training.
Spending all day sitting down answering/making phone calls is not what I want to be doing, and considering how difficult it is for me to talk and type at the same time, probably not what I'd be best at. But it's a good job (by all accounts) and any job is a plus in this environment, especially considering how close I am to the cutting block.
D.O.P.R
Rue
General | Posted 16 years agoWhy God? Why...? I've tried to be good!
Is it because I have too many picture of Anubis...?
D.O.P.R
Is it because I have too many picture of Anubis...?
D.O.P.R
FA+
