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Aww rats, Primeval has been canceled.

While season 3 did not go the way I wanted I thought the last episode really ended well.

It seems that so many show that I like get canceled, Sara Connor, Surface and a slew of others :(

Ouch!
3 hours in a Dentist chair.

I need a stiff drink !

Dream a little dream
Interesting Dreams

Yesterday I saw “Watchmen” which might explain some of the drams I had last night.

The first one I remember was a dream music video.

The Cruxshadows were on stage and Rogue was singing “Monsters”. As he sang Jessica and then Sara turned into Muppets as they were dancing. Next Rachel and her violin became a muppet, followed by Jen and then at last Rogue. Near the stage the Fairies also turned into muppets as they danced to the song.

As the dream ended I thought wow awesome dream, followed by, hey I remembered all the words to the song.

The next dream was very different if you have seen the trailer to the movie “Mutant Chronicles”

http://www.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/mutantchronicles/

you have a good idea of the dream, the whole last band of humans vs the mutants.

The last dream I remember was more of a “Twilight Zone” or “Outer Limits” type.

I was about 16 or so and at one of those traveling carnivals. Of course the carnies and some of the crowd were varies monsters. The dream was mostly avoiding the monsters and trying to find a way out. There was voodoo and magic with a very Goth/Stempunk styling to it.

All in all a Totally Awesome set of dreams.
Wonder what tonight will bring, more of the same I hope.

Current Music: Cruxshadows - Monsters

Tooth Work
One of the worst things about going to the dentist is the burning smell when he drills your teeth. Even a full day after I still have the burning smell in my nose.

At least I was numbed so I did not feel any pain.

Also it is Damn Expensive, looks like about $5000-7000 and that does not take into account the possible braces I need :(

Current Mood: annoyed
Current Music: Abney Park - She

I Voted, now it's your turn :)
Went to vote today, yea me ;)

From when I got into line until I walked out the door was just over an hour.

Not to bad, although when I drove back by there after lunch the line was 4 count them 4 people. Guess I should have had lunch before I voted. LOL

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: Lacuna Coil

Hurricane Ike
Well it looks like Hurricane Ike is going to pass somewhere to the south of me. Which is good, just don't know how far south.

Today I went and got 25 gallons of gas and a case of water. I already had two cases of MRE's left over from last year so I should be set for food. I started my little Honda generator and she started on the fourth pull. She is only a small 2000 but she can run the fridge, lamp and a small tv or radio.

Tomorrow I will pick up another case of water, couple of canned fruit, meat and some snacks.

Also need to to see if the storm is close enough that I will need to put up all my storm shutters or just the main ones. A lot will depend on both the power of the storm and how much rain is ahead of it. Putting shutters up in wind and rain sucks. At least the upstairs is already done.

Hopefully the storm will stay far to the south and weaken as it passes over the islands.

Best Wishes to all my Friends :)

Current Mood: annoyed
Current Music: Abney Park - Holy War

Dragon*Con - 1
Well I arrived at the Marriott at 3:30 PM Wednesday.
Not bad for a 21 hour drive.
Wait you say "you only live 11 hours from Atlanta".

Well in that there is story.

The story starts when a friend ask me to take him and two dogs plus their litters with me
when I came up to Atlanta. Sure thing I say. Cages are found for the mom's and their puppies.
Mom's and puppies were given light doses of sleepytime. Luggage was loaded and it was time
to load the puppies. As I picked up the last two I asked my friend to pick up my shoulder bag
with my wallet, DC confirmation card, drivers license phone, ect. you get the idea. And lock
the door.

I put the puppies in with their mom and I asked my friend if that was everything he assured
me it was. So off we go 5 hours later we pull into Ocala (this was about 3:00 PM Tuesday.
As I were checking into the hotel there I asked my friend to hand me my bag.
Him "didn't you pick it up"
Me "I asked you to get it for me and you said you did"
Him "I got it and hung it on the door for you"
Me ""which door"
Him "the front door"
Me "inside of outside"
Him "outside"

So I get back in my truck and drive 5 Fracking Hours back home and there it is hanging on the door.
O, and the door was also unlocked ***head desk***

Sitting next to my bag is a Amazon package, so the UPS Girl saw my bag, there was mail in the
mail box so the post man sawmy bag. Neither bothered it and everything that was in it when I
left was still in it.

I get back into my truck and head back to the hotel in Ocala, 5 Fracking Hours I get to the hotel ,
take a shower and hit the sack. About 3:00 am.

Morning comes and I am wide awake, look at the clock and it says 6:00 AM. I get up and have
a cup of Mata Vana Tea, shower, dress, grab a quick bite at the hotel buffet. And then it's back
on the road. 5 Fracking Hours later I pull into the Marriott hotel.

I am totally beat , think I am going to take a shower , quick nap and then grab a bite to eat.

P.S. there were three other DragonConers were checking in at the same time.

P.P.S. The Madness is Beginning :)

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: Abney Park - She

Close Call
I try to walk six miles every day to help keep my blood pressure low and just feel better overall. Yesterday after a storm moved through looked like the perfect time for a walk. It was cloudy, cool and just a touch of mist in the air. As I walked it kept getting lighter and lighter then after about five miles it suddenly started getting very very dark. To the north a pitch black cloud was moving in fast and there was a rumble of thunder in the background.

The wind started picking up and suddenly as I was about a half mile from home Flash/Boom a bolt of lighting hits the intersection in front of me. Next thing I know I am sitting on my ass and can't hear a thing. At first I thought I was deaf and then I realized my i-Pod had stopped playing. I was tingling all over and I could feel static electricity in the air.

So I shake myself off and start back home when the sky opens and it starts flooding down rain. By the time I get home I am totally soaked.

Anyway my i-Pod Nano is fried but the interesting thing is my i-Phone still works.

Just think now I have a reason to buy a new i-Pod so all is good ;)

Mark

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Abney Park - She

Creation ;)
I was going through old emails and found this, made me laugh so I thought I would repost it.

( Creation )

Current Mood: amused
Current Music: Lacuna Coil

Feeding Time ...
Stolen from Sara.....

It's good to know I am good for something ;)

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: Megadeth with Cristina Scabbia - A Tout le Monde

Here be Monsters - Stolen from Phantoms Siren
( (Meme_Thing,_You_Know_You_Want_To) )

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Within Temptation

Words.......
I went and voted today....yea me.

But it got me to thinking. I don't think that there are many politicians that understand the meaning of the following.

-------------------------
Do not injustice to another
Defend the weak and innocent
Let truth and honor always guide you
Let courage find the light within
Stand up when no one else is willing
Act not in hatred or in spite
Be to this world as a perfect knight
Even if it means your life

Words by Rogue
-------------------------

I wish that when we voted there was a "None of the Above" button.

Just thinking out loud.

Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Music: Sophia by The Cruxshadows

New Year's Resolutions

In 2008,

MacDude4 resolves to...

Be nicer to

emaleth.
Start a leica fund.
Go to dragoncon every Sunday.
Keep my art clean.
Apply for a new

digital_ferret.
Learn to play the

gearworld.

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Lacuna Coil

Bad way to start off the New Year
Bad way to start off the New Year :(

I stayed home New Years eve and played Warcraft while watching Football. A little after 1:00am I went to bed. Around 2:00am I rolled over and felt something pop either in my neck or head. Instant Vertigo, everything started spinning and I became very dizzy and nauseous. All I could do was lay there and hope it would pass. I put my hands over my eyes and felt them (my eyes) just jumping. A few minutes later it seemed to ease and by this time I felt sick on my stomach, Got up to get a pan to throw-up in, barely got back to bed before the Vertigo hit again. This time when it eased I remembered that I had not taken my nightly blood pressure meds, so I walk gently down stairs and get them, I also grabbed some Xanax that I take when I get stress attacks.

So I took Metroprolol 100mg, Lisinopril 40mg and Ataivan 2mg.

I was also getting hot flashes, would push the covers off and then get cold an pull the covers back on. And repeat.

Any sudden move (trying to get comfortable) would bring on the spinning,

After 45 minutes or so the Ataivan relaxed me and I fell asleep.

I slept for around three hours and work up feeling a little better, until I moved that is then *bang* vertigo. Luckily it did not last very long this time, although I still felt nauseous.
Eventually I went back to sleep and work up at 11:45am. After about 20 minutes I was able to get out of bed and as long as I made no sudden move I was ok. Slowly I have felt better and better but still fell like weak glass that could shatter at any sudden movement.

It is now 8:00pm and i feel a lot better, but it still feels that if I am not careful something will jump out of my head and I will be right back where I started.

Something very similar to this happened at DragonCon at the Cruxshadows concert. I felt very lightheaded and weak and before I could get out of the crowd my legs just gave out. Luckily someone gave me a hand up and I was able to walk over to the wall and sit down. Later I was able to make my way to a chair for the rest of the concert. And then after resting for a while I walked back over to the Marriott and went to bed.

When something like this happened my first though is that is this my Dissected Aorta breaking open. But that would be over quickly.

I wonder if my meds are starting to cause a reaction?

Every morning I take Prilosec 20mg, Metroprolol 100mg, Norvasc 10mg and Lasix 20mg.
Every Evening I take Metroprolol 100mg, Lisinopril 40mg.

And Ativan 2mg as needed.

Whatever it is I am still here and can only hope that this year gets only better from this day on.

Current Mood: nauseated
Current Music: Norah Jones

How did a Big Black Dog get inside the fence ?
Ok now that was strange.

I take the trash out this afternoon and there is a Big Black Dog inside the fence. I take a couple of steps and the Dog Grows a Pair of Wings and flies away. WTF

Teach me to go outside without my Glasses :)

Anyway here is what it was..........

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

A Big fracking Buzzard.

Now why would a Buzzard be in my back yard ?..............
Well here is a hint..........

Here is Another.........

Answer ........ A Possum

O, and I wonder if this is the Villain of the peice ?..........

The Feral Cat that lives in the nearby woods.

So best guess is that the cat killed the possum and the buzzard came for what was left.

Anyway that was what happened this afternoon.

Current Mood: amused
Current Music: Within Temptation

Nature has teeth and tails
Today I went down to Everglades National Park to check out the water levels and wildlife. I am walking down one of the pathways and right next to it there is a Cottonmouth Water Moccasin. In fact he is so close my lens wont come to focus, so I start backing up and step off the other side of the trail. Well here is what I stepped onto.

Yep, that's right Snake on one side and Gator on the other. I have a strong feeling that the Little Gator was hunting the snake. And I spoiled his hunt by stepping on his tail. So the Gator moves across the trail and the snake goes into the water and disappears.

When I say Little Gator I mean about 20"-24" say from my elbow to the tip of my longest finger.

Anyway more pics behind cut.

( More )

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: Cruxshadows

more behind cut
( Read more )

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: Abney Park

A good thing and a bad thing
The good thing is my Hawk is back. Last night I went to put out the trash and noticed a lot of feathers in the yard. My first thought was that the cat had gotten herself a bird, and then I noticed feather floating down from a tree. I looked up and sitting there about seven feet off the ground was my Mr. Hawk. He just looked at me and continued eating his supper (a big fat dove). At this point I was about five to six feet away from him so I slowly backed up (hoping to get my camera. But as I moved away he took off and flew to one of the tall trees in the back yard. I was not able to see which one. Oh, and he took what was left of his supper with him.

The bad thing is I hurt my back Saturday, the only thing I can think of that might have caused it was I leaned over the couch and picked up a heavy metal box from behind it. The first I noticed of the pain in was centered on my kidneys there was a burning pain across my back. This really scared me because it felt a lot like the pain I had when my Aorta dissected. And at the same time my legs felt all cold and tinglely like bugs were running all over them. I sat down to take my blood pressure and it was only slightly high 145/95 nothing like the 250/165 it was when my aorta dissected so that made me feel better, and then I found a seated position that caused most of the pain to go away. So I was 95% sure it was just my back.

I went to bed early Saturday night and took some muscle relaxers and Tylenol PMs and slept until 10 AM Sunday, when I got up had a cup of coffee, took more muscle relaxers and went back to bed until 1:30PM.

As of right now my back has only slight discomfort unless I move wrong and then it's sharp knife time. But it does feel like it's getting better. If this time is anything like the last time it will take about 10 days before it's back to normal. Well normal for me that is.

Anyway that's all for now.

PS I am carrying my camera with me every-time I go outside now hoping to see Mr. Hawk again.

Current Mood: uncomfortable
Current Music: Ego Likeness

Santa Came, Better Late than Never
I got my first Leica in high school and have always had a soft spot for their Rangefinder style cameras. I the past I have used a IIIg, M3 and M7.

But as the Digital world seduced me away from film I found myself using the Leicas less and less. And I really missed using them. So when Leica announced the M8 Digital I told Santa that I wanted one for Christmas. (Santa is my American Express Card). I put my name on a couple of waiting list but Christmas came and went without getting the call.

Then while surfing the Leica board I saw where a dealer just got some in. I logged onto their web site and placed my order yesterday. Today around 10AM FedEx shows up with a package Yea. I told the FexEx guy that he needed to be wearing a red suit.

Anyway I have been playing around with it and Jeez it is Nice!

I can already tell that I will be shooting a lot more photographs in the coming year. I can't wait to see how it handles DragonCon. Last year I used a small pocket zoom so it will be a big change going to a fixed 24mm or 35mm lens for costumes and general Con stuff. Not to mention the Cruxshadows concert, I am thinking 50mm or 75mm for that.

Current Mood: pleased
Current Music: Ego Likeness

Weird Sound
Weird Sound

I have been hearing this weird sound for the last week or so. It starts in the morning around 9 - 9:30 and lasts until about 4 - 4:30 in the afternoon. And it pulses. I

It goes

Hummmmmmmmmmm for about 40 seconds

Silence for 20 seconds then

Hummmmmmmmmmm and repeats all day.

The strangest thing is that when I am inside the house I can tell that the sound in coming from outside, but when I go outside I can’t hear it ?

The only thing I can think of is that when I am outside the sound is hidden by louder sounds but when I am inside the walls filter out the louder higher range sounds and let the softer Lower sounds through.

Either that or I am drinking too much coffee, nah , never too much coffee.

Current Mood: amused
Current Music: The Doors