Posted: Friday, October 24th 2008

The Kid wasn't doing so hot. He was constantly red and itcy. He had obviously become allergic to something in the house. After scheduling and appointment with an Allergist we found out he was allergic to soy, eggs, and... pet dander. Over the next few days that became ridiculously obvious. We established a clean room that neither of the pets had access to. He was fine. But if he played in the living room (where the pets tend to centrally locate), his eyes would get all red and puffy within a minute or two.

So we had to make the unfortunate decision to get rid of ED and Caesar. This made me really sad. There's something comforting about walking through the house and seeing them sitting there or chasing each other about.

ED came from a local Humane Society and they ask that if you ever need to give up your pets to contact them. We relinquished her to them with the understanding that if she can't be adopted out, we will be contacted to reclaim her.

Caesar came from a Pug breeder and, like the Humane Society, they asked that if we ever needed to give him up that we call them first. The upside here is that the breeder has agreed to keep him until we know if the Kid is going remain allergic. Since he is so young it's possible he will outgrow all of his allergies. Knowing we could go and visit or reclaim him if the Kid outgrows this didn't help much though. I took him over today, cried on the way home and cried again when I saw his empty spot on the couch. Yes, I'm a softy.

I'm going to miss them. But I guess this is one of those "sacrifices you make for your kids". Constantly fighting allergies depletes his immune system making him more likely to get colds and then take longer to get over them. As a father I can't really combat that with the possibility that he might get over it.

Here's to you ED and Caesar, I hope you'll both find loving homes where the food is plentiful and the scritching is endless.

Submitted by Woody | 12 Comments - last comment by: Dawn White

Posted: Monday, October 6th 2008

When the Themis folks approached me a few months back about the idea of allowing an advertiser to skin GU, I was vocally skeptical. But when the first bite came from Blizzard, there was no questioning it. I had to give it a shot. The way I saw it, I might as well break fans in on the idea by putting up a skin for a game most of them like.

I was absolutely delighted when the Wrath of the Lich King skin came in and was a blue similar to the blue that usually sits behind the GU design. That would make the skin even more palatable. And quite frankly, I just plain damn think it looks nice back there. My only complaint is its file size.

Submitted by Woody | 11 Comments - last comment by: Woody

Posted: Sunday, October 5th 2008

I don't mind paying bills. Companies provide me with a service that allows me to live the way I've chosen to live. Companies have provided me credit that lets me buy things there were just slightly out of my reach and covered my butt when things got way too tight for my liking. So when it comes time to give that money back, I'm all for it.

But the thought occurred to me while I was paying my mid month bills (yes early). While I was balancing out my checkbook, I ran across the entry for purchasing he Ironman DVD. My first thought was, "Hmm I should do an Ironman comic or two about the movie so I can write it off as a business expense". Then my mind went on a tangent, as it's prone to do, and the question came to me: If I do comics about my non writeoff bills... can I write those off my taxes because they serve as inspiration for content? **grins**

It was a curious, if short lived, thought. But the truth is, because I run my business out of the home, a portion of my bills are already written off of my taxes. Ignoring the car, that would only leave credit card bills. And my credit cards have been used, mostly, for business purchases anyway. Sooo... I can't really double dip you know?

I still think the idea has merit though. How many comics are out there making fun of this monthly chore almost all of us spend time on? But then, how long could I keep a comic about sitting at one's desk, paying bills electronically, and balancing a checkbook afterwards funny? Especially since when it's an activity that makes most people want to cry?

Meh, people have done worse right? Family Circus has been in papers without being funny for how long now? **whistles**

Submitted by Woody | 1 Comment - last comment by: Elraidal