First off, an apology; I've been gone for a while now (a month I think) without sight or sound. Just wanna say that I haven't abandoned Star Wars nor blogging, and while I may take brief sabbaticals to clear my head and organize my life, I'll always come back.

(I don't usually do these sorts of 'journal' blog entries, so please forgive if it sounds like I have diarrhea of the brain. )

School started back up, so pile that on martial arts, my music lessons, art classes and miscellaneous other events, I have precious little free time; and based on how my schedule looks this and next month, it's going to stay that way for a while. It's good to stay busy, and I'm really learning to appreciate that now. I guess it's hard to explain; getting things done just feels good.

And, of course, the hot topic in my family today- my dad got laid off this morning. The most annoying thing about this is that there was absolutely no warning whatsoever. We weren't expecting it, and had planned a 2 week vacation to California at the start of September... Unfortunately, they're only giving my dad about four weeks severance pay, so the trip is going to have to be postponed until he finds a new job and settles in.

On top of that, my aunt has redeveloped breast cancer, and has to go into surgery to get the whole darn thing removed, so we're all trying to cheer her up with cards and funny jokes. Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying.

But things aren't always bad- a great opprotunity for my music has finally rolled along. I'm going to have a chance to train in composition and orchestration for Phillip Keveren- head orchestrator for the Hal Leanord music book company. He's got some 50 of his own books he's produced under his belt, and has had offers to do scores for movies. It ought to be an experience.

It really is helping me to put things into perspective, and keep my dreams alive.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling now.

JV out.

(Comments welcome as usual. )