We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet: and, amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog, has made an alliance with us.
– Maurice Maeterlinck

Tonight I tried to write my Represenitive in Arizona’s 8th District, GabreiI Giffords. I wanted to let her know that we appreciated her voting NO on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (H.R. 3997).

I don’t think Wall Street deserves a bailout and I wanted her to know. That’s the process right?

Well, it turns out that I can’t mail her. The House’s email servers have been overwhelmed with communications about the bill and they can’t be reached.

I can tell they are running on Sun Microsystems hardware… I thought that stuff was much better put together than that.

So, until they get that fixed, I guess my input goes no where.

…the windy city is mighty pretty
But they ain’t got what we got
I’m tellin’ ya, boys
We got more life in Deadwood City
Than in all of Illinois”   – Doris Day

Late flights and a long week of stuffing our heads full of new web ideas for government. Its good to be back in my own bed. I’ll put up some details latter but Chicago was beautiful and very interesting; Cobban was a great guide!

Next week I am off to Chicago with my freind and co-worker Cobban to attend the Goverment Webmaster’s Conference there.  I have never spent any time in the city but Cobban has so he will be acting as my guide.

Anyone out there have any suggestions of places to see after4or 5 durning the week?  I know I want to hit some deep dish pizza and some authentic dogs!

Well, its been a crazy few weeks and I just haven’t gotten around to updating anything…  Oh well!

Anyway, in a nutshell, GENcon was awsomesauceness in a can and it was incredible to see something Jess worked so hard on (“Changeling; The Lost” )sweep the ENnies for five separate awards. It was amazing to see that!  Food was great, people were wonderful and finally after 20 + years, I got to a GENcon! I have never seen so many dice in one place and will try to dig up photos later.

Work has been very busy and I have not had a chance to really do anything else until very recently. Picked up a new Bowflex and have been back to hitting that very hard. Its really nice.

Monsoons are still in full swing here. Everything is green and the air is cool until the sun breaks through and then its instantly muggy.

Had deer in the yard for the first time this week and the peach tree has put off some delicious fruit this year. I think it has doubled in size since we moved in.

Well, I am sue there is more and I will be back to update as I think of things.

I really love living here. Its amazing the little gifts nature brings us on a daily basis!

First a tarantula on the wall outside and latter that evening a wonderful monsoon born thunderstorm.

Along came a tarantula…

Storm

This is so very cool! Proof of Water on Mars.

Is going to be at ConnectiCon this coming weekend!

In addition, one of my lovely and talented wife’s books has received nominations in multiple categories for an “ENnie” at this years GenCon!. Best Interior Art, Best Production Values, Best Writing and Best Product of the Year

“What’s an ENnie ?” you might ask, well to quote the site:

“The Gen Con EN World RPG Awards (the “ENnies”) are an annual fan-based celebration of excellence in tabletop roleplaying gaming. The ENnies give game designers, writers and artists the recognition they deserve. It is a peoples’ choice award, and the final winners are voted upon by the gaming public at EN World.”

Its a fan based award, so please go to the site and review the many fine works there and vote for your favorite.  I did!!

After 2 years in a box, my SCA armor still fits!

Well, really an old hobby. I am going to start up a page here with my SCA stuff on it. I went walking with the dog this afternoon and he mentioned that I should get a hobby. I used to SCA a lot. It was my life for many, many years but I have been away from it for the last four or so… I wonder if I am too old to start again?

Think I’ll go try on the armor to see if it fits.

Funny, the dog always sounds like Johnny Cash when he talks. Must be those damn Guatemalan Insanity Peppers that Topher gave me.