Next Thursday, Friday, And Saturday...It's Where You'll Want To Be

 It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Sure, you'll most likely hear that at a different time of year, and I do agree that the holidays are hard to beat, but for me and tens of thousands of others, September in Salt Lake City can give the holidays a run for its money.

It's FanX time!

Ten years ago, we had nothing like FanX in Utah. Many/most had never attended a comics convention in their life. I know I didn't. Sure, comics conventions have been taking place for decades, but not where we lived. That changed in 2013 and I'm so glad it did.

Next week, I'll be at the event. My station? That narrow neck of land separating the southwest section from the northeast section, If you're familiar with the event, you'll know that location where the two main sections meet, is a stage. That's my baby. This year, we've got bands, dancers, fighters, musicians, a comedian, and even a magician, and many more. 

If you're going, stop by. I'll be there all day Thursday, part of Friday, and part of Saturday. I'd love to see you. Plus, you'll see some of the state's best talent (me excluded...). 

It's almost time. Can't wait!

Reunited...And It Sounds So Good

 You know how certain summers are remembered for specific things? The first summer after graduation from high school, the first summer you're together with a significant other...those are a few that come to mind.

For our family, this will be the summer we fell in love with (some would say, become addicted to...) yard sales. I don't know why this particular summer turned out to be a summer of yard sales for our family, but it did. I've included many of our finds on this blog and for my daily pictures. Not to crow too loudly, but we've been able to decorate our home from items bought at this summer's yard sales.

Then, last Saturday, we came across pure gold.

Well, gold to us.

We found a Guitar Hero guitar and two Guitar Hero games.

Years ago, we had several of those guitars and several games for the Nintendo Wii. Then, we gave them up--literally. We turned them in and didn't think much about it. Little did we know that a decade later, we'd miss those days. 

So, what did we do when we missed something? We did what most of us do--we looked online to see how much it would cost to replace our beloved game. Turns out, a lot. It would cost several hundred dollars to replace the equipment.

At the yard sale, it cost $9 for a guitar and two games. Needless to say, there's been many smiles in our house this week. 

Yes, as I sit in our living room, I look around and see several yard sale finds. But, the haul from last Saturday might have brought us the biggest smiles to our faces.

I Could Tell Right Away This Friend Request...Was Not On The Level

 If you're like me, you get friend requests on social media from time to time. Since I'm not as active in theatrical productions and other such things, my friend requests have slowed over the years. I now place friend requests into two categories: people I've never heard of looking for a way for me to pay them money (probably...), and friends I already have who have had their accounts hacked.

Point being, I never accept these requests. Today, however, I got a request from a person I wish so much I could accept, a person who meant a great deal to me at a time when I was confused, scared, homesick, and feeling very much alone.

But I couldn't accept--I knew it had been hacked.

I know because my friend passed away a year ago next month.

It brought back a lot of memories, and reminded me again how I felt when I received the terrible news.

Facebook is a strange place. Over the years I have accepted friend requests to people I knew only briefly and even some I've never met...mostly writer friends. I also make it a point to wish everyone on my list a "Happy Birthday" when their special day arrives. The problem is, I know some of these friends have passed away. I try and remember which one are no longer with us, but it's difficult. I know I've wished people who have passed a happy birthday. That makes me look like a total tool for not remembering. 

The sentiment is honest, though, just poorly executed.

I remember almost a year ago. I saw a post from Ed. He took a selfie in a hospital bed telling us he was in rough shape. I responded letting him know that he was in my prayers. He died four days later. Even though we didn't keep in touch often, I feel bad for his family. I'm sure next month will be a tough one for them, and others.

Yes, I knew the request was not on the level. Oh, how I wish it was.

Give Thanks...Right Place, Right Time

 Leaving work tonight, I happened to glance to the west. When the sun is about to disappear into the western sky, it's one of the few times you can look at the sun without sunglasses or anything else to protect your eyes.

Tonight's sky was beautiful.

Of course, all the smoke from distant fires helped create the incredible colors. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Actually, I happened to look west at the right time and I was in the right place to see what I saw.

I've watched thousands and thousands of sunsets not necessarily from that exact spot, but from the area. I miss seeing the sun set behind the mountains. Where we live now, we see the sun set behind our backyard neighbors's homes. The skies are still beautiful, but it's different to be able to look at the sun at is disappears. 

I'm grateful that I've been fortunate enough to have seen so many beautiful and incredible sunsets. Sometimes, I see them forming, get an idea that they might turn into something special. Other times, I'm walked through a parking lot to get to my car and I look west...

Right place, right time.

Choosing Things...For The Kids

 My son started a new job. Because of that, we needed to get him a couple of things--a key and a water bottle. There were other things that needed to be gathered, but those two things, well...I was the one to pick them out.

Does anyone really know what their kids like?

Of the two, the key was the easiest. My son likes to collect skulls--not real ones, but representations. He uses skulls in his social media persona. I went to the hardware store, stared at the dozens of key options and once I found the one with the flaming skull, I knew I had the right one.

The water bottle was a little trickier. Maybe it's because it's more visible. He'll be taking it to work--others will see it and we all judge each other by the things we have (or don't have...). Before I left home to secure the water bottle, I asked which color he would like. He said there was one color he didn't want so I could eliminate one color from the choices

That still left me with five.

Truth be told, I had no idea which colors they would have. I got to work and tried calling my son to get a confirmation. The call didn't go through and neither did the text. I was on my own. 

I know this is not a big deal, but for some people, it is. And I don't want to disappoint my son, so I took a chance and picked one...white. About an hour later, the photo went through. He texted back and said white is a good choice.

These are small things, but it was a dad thing. Glad I was two for two.

Art...For The Office Walls

 At our first house, we planned on living there forever. And because of that, whenever we wanted to make modifications to the house, i.e., hang pictures, we put nails and screws in the walls wherever we wanted. We didn't care--why should we? We were going to be there a long time.

Turns out, things don't always work out like you think they would.

That being said, we have been gun-shy about putting in any nails or screws into the walls of our fairly new home. Maybe it's because it took us so long to take out the nails and screws at the old house and fill in the holes. However, as time goes on, we're getting more brave when it comes to hanging art.

Case in point, my office. 

Last week, I came across a picture at a yard sale that I liked. It reminded me of Copenhagen, but I'm sure it's Amsterdam. No worries--the memories it brings back are why I bought it. I hung it in a spot that seems as if it were made for just such a painting.

At the very first yard sale we visited, we bought a clock. We needed one for the basement. The problem was, the second hand kept stopping because of the minute hand. A clock that doesn't keep time isn't worth much. I decided I wanted a clock on my office wall so I dug up the old clock and took off the cover to see if I could adjust the minute and second hands. 

Then, I got an idea.

I printed a photo of my kids and our family dog and stuck it inside the clock. When I put in a battery, the hands no longer prevented the passage of time--success!

It's only a couple of things. I may get more brave in the future and add more art. Glad we're taking that next step.

And So...The Craziness Begins

I watched from my office this morning as the sun rose in the east, the reds and oranges intensified by smoke from distant fires. Red dawn in morning signals--at least, for me--the beginning of a crazy time of year. 

In the next seven weeks I will have participated in the state's largest comics convention, and completed yet another season of scaring the crap out of people. Throw in the fact that both events are either fifty miles or seventy miles from our home--yes, it's busy, but I love it.

I've participated in FanX since its inception (2013). I've worked as a panelist, a vendor, and most recently, part of the programming staff. The people involved in the convention are the best and they treat me so well. I'm looking forward to this year especially. We have some great talent performing on the vendor floor stage so if you go, you'd better come check it out.

As far as Lagoon's Frightmares goes, I have not been a part of it since its inception. I was late to the party, but ever since joining in on the fun, I've returned each year, covid year not included. This year's Séance show is new. I could elaborate, but I won't...it's new. Come see it for yourself.

The craziness ends on Halloween. November will be slower, at least, that's the plan. It's a birthday month for many in my family and hopefully we can celebrate those days. It's also a month to give thanks for everything we have. 

Yes, I'm about to start a marathon that ends in seven weeks. 

Bring it on!