All quiet on the home front

Today marks a bit of a sad day for me here in Fort Worth. I saw the last of my friends here in Fort Worth this morning for before he moves to start a new job teaching English as a second language. Over the last year or so I have watched every one I know move to start new lives in other parts of the U.S.

Am I a bit sad? Sure, I am feel somewhat saddened by everyone continuing their lives elsewhere, but that is to be expected. Fort Worth will now feel odd because this will be the first time that I haven't had friends nearby in almost 6 years. This is hardly the first time I have been without local friends and most likely not the last time either. Nonetheless, it will take time getting used to the idea that I just cannot call up a buddy of mine to hang out.

Luckily, I still have my loving wife and (sometimes) faithful Labrador to spend time with.

D&D 5th Edition on the horizon

I am past my days of playing D&D (AD&D 1st edition to be precise) but when I see a headline stating that the 5th iteration of D&D is now being developed I cannot help but let my inner geek squeal like a little girl!! \(^-^)/

Supposedly WoTC is actually taking player input this time around. Wizards' are trying to make it sound like they actually care....riiiiight. Sound more like Paizo has handed down some serious geek smack with their version of D&D 3.75, better know as Pathfinder. Wizards really made some serious errors with D&D 4.0. To me it 4.0 seemed like a dumbed down version of D&D with strong influences from video game play styles. I truly hope WoTC fixes D&D with the 5th Edition. If they do I might have to stop by the friendly, local gaming store to check it out.

Hey Wizards!!! IMPROVE the quality of your book construction and binding the next time around!!!!

No Star Wars for YOU!!!

It is that time...the time when the new Star Wars MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) is released. I am unable to play this game due to the limited power of my computer. This is one time where I am happy my computer doesn't have that extra horsepower. :P

I am grateful that Krystal and I have found the Humdingers board gaming group. Getting together with friends while playing a few board games is REAL socialization versus the faux socialization that is found in the virtual worlds of MMOs.

What a cool picture

I thought someone out there might enjoy this picture!!!

Land of the Lost

Did you ever watch the old Saturday morning serial Land of the Lost? A father and his son and daughter are rafting when they fall down a waterfall. Instead of dying, they end up in some alternative prehistoric past populated with dinosaurs, strange technology and a sentient reptilian race called the Sleestak. The corny program tells the tale of their adventures. I never missed watching it, but to tell the truth, I don't remember how the show ended.

What does this have to do with anything? I feel like my life is following the same path as that of the Marshalls. No, I don't plan on falling into an inter-dimensional rift and becoming Allosaurus kibbles, but I do think that I need to let go of my past and move on with my life. It looks like it is time to make new friends and find new interests. I've tried to keep old friendships alive, but as I was told today, long distance friendships are hard to maintain. While I didn't want to accept this, I think I really don't have a choice. My old friends have moved on with their lives and we rarely communicated except through Facebook and the rare phone call.

So, from now on I need to blaze a new trail while watching out for dinosaurs and perhaps making some new friends with the local Sleestaks. (The picture shows "Grumpy" the T-Rex taking a gander at a pylon.)

Gall bladder no more!!!

Two weeks ago I went in for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. That translates, for the non-medical folks among us, into gall bladder surgery. I have suffered from gall bladder problems for the last 12 years. For over a decade I would suffer, on average, one gall bladder attack a year. Overall the discomforts were easily forgotten within a few days, but starting in April that was no longer the case. :(

After 5 months, and much prodding from Krystal, I finally broke down and had the surgery. The first week of recovery was very tiring. The first few days I could only walk about a 1/4 mile without becoming exhausted. Krystal named my first trip to the local Super Target "Joe's Grand Adventure". The second week has been better and I now have my energy level back, but I still have to be careful of my sutures for another 3 to 4 weeks. No weight lifting right now. :)

One of the best things about the recovery is that many of my friends, family and people I know took the time to either post on my Facebook page or call me to see how I was doing.

So here are my pics, both pre-op and post-op. Excuse the grouchy face on the post-op, but I was still half sedated.

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Back to the Dark Side

I began to put my office back together today. So far all I have done is vacuum the carpet and set up my old computer, Silvermax. For the last year, Krystal and I have been sharing her Mac Mini, so we haven't really used Windows (except for her work laptop) in a year. That all changes now. I am back to using Windows 7 Ultimate for the foreseeable future. I admit I have gotten quite used to OSX Snow Leopard, and I was excited about the upcoming OSX Lion, but that isn't a concern any longer.

Until we get a second Mac Mini it is time to return to the Dark Side. :)