So how about this new year that we're about three months into?

Gas prices are up, food prices are up, still no Democratic front-runner and Wall Street is in massive denial about that "r" word. And if you guys are like me, you're probably busy scrambling to work (or look for work) and make ends meet. It's a tough world out there.

Last week was especially tough, because I had to be there for my two brothers as they buried another high school/college friend. Their friend Austin had gone to high school with both of them and was Jean Paul's college roommate for a year; he'd come to our place a couple of times, and Daryn even helped Jean clean up after he came into the dorm room drunk one night, yakked all over the floor and then passed out on his bed! (Word to the wise, don't ever do screwdrivers and Reese's Pieces.) Sadly, Austin met his demise on Sunday, March 9 when he tried to pass somebody on a back road doing about 100mph and lost control of his car. He wasn't wearing a seatbelt, and alcohol may have been involved. This is the third friend that either of my brothers have had to bid farewell since 2004.

The really sad and ironic part is that Austin died seven years TO THE DAY after he and Jean Paul walked away from a wreck that totalled Jean's pickup. That day Jean insisted that Austin wear a seat belt, which helped save both of their bacons. If only Austin could've had another Jiminy Cricket with him two weeks ago.

So I guess the mood around here right now is a bit grim but determined. I technically have one job right now, but it's not enough hours so I'm looking for an additional one. I haven't been able to mess around on Flash any more lately, but recently I've been trying to illustrate some more pages for my manga, "Eye of Horus"; maybe come summertime I can have Issue Two complete. I'm also working on a book on Egyptian religious practices, both ancient and modern. That's something I've been writing and researching off-and-on since September. I'd love to have something publishable by the end of the year, but we'll see how that goes. AND, I've got a couple of other sideline projects I rotate between in addition to those! I guess I just respond to stress by trying to bury myself in work. Something's gotta crack sooner or later...long as it's not me, we can call it progress.

I do have some more artwork, I just need to upload it at some point. It's coming! In the meantime, I just want to say thank you to all my friends out there in Deviant Land. A lot of you guys I've met in person, and for those I haven't, I would love to one day so we can trade hugs in real time! I'm grateful for all of you, and I hope for nothing but the best for all of you. I often wonder what will be said of our era in the distant future; we'll never know, but I can at least say from this end that there are those of us who struggled together, conspired together, cried together...for better or for worse, this world is ours and we're doing the best we can to make it in it.