I’d never played poker before Brenda’s party, but it wasn’t the cards I remembered when I left. It was the cat. The improbably-named “Flurffy” associated me with a previous tall, curly-haired owner and spent more time on my lap than I spent on cards.

When Brenda got pregnant and wanted to downsize her number of pets, she turned to Flurrfy’s original adopter, Jason Quigley, but his allergic wife and young daughter were reasons why Brenda had Flurrfy instead.

Quigley and Brenda turned to us. Continue reading →

Mission comprete

Recently, a good friend from work changed jobs, which prompted the exchange of all manner of contact information. Including, naturally, my website, where I hope all friends past and present will converge in unanimous pride once I make good on my career as a writer.

This event forced me to realize the website is woefully behind.

The reasons for this are simple, but multitudinous. Speaking of work, for example, I devoted a good deal of time to applying for a position more suited to my talents; sadly I did not get it, but bucking for a promotion (even a beneficial lateral move) can be all sorts of time-consuming.

Additionally, I have begun playing guitar again. But as with any of my hobbies, it is not enough to merely do the hobby; I have to explore new outlets for the hobby. So not only am I playing guitar, but I am practicing vocals, and trying to take recordings for the purpose of eventually producing a demo album and posting on Youtube.

And if that weren’t enough, several long-awaited video game titles have occupied much of my leisure time; among them, Final Fantasy XIII and Starcraft 2. As with guitar, merely playing is not enough; I have to go Achievement hunting. In Starcraft 2, I have to compete in leagues which are unlikely for the casual player to attain.

It’s not enough for me to merely experience a thing. I have to explore the ramifications and possibilities of it. The advantage of it is that I learn lots about many things. My friends who are serious video gamers do not have hobbies like writing and music. My friends who are musicians are not gamers. My friends who are writers are normally not either one.

Trying to be all three — and many more, such as, for example, a competent chess player, or an educated film buff, or decent theologian — takes its toll on the expertise I can bring to any particular role.

One reason I created this site was to force myself to admit that though I have many passions and hobbies, writing is first and foremost the one in which I want to succeed above all others. Now and again, it does serve to remind me of that.