Hello all!!!!!!

Been a while since I last posted. So I guess an update or two is in order.

The final Semester in my degree started last week. As usual I am a bit over loaded with homework. After this semester is over I just have a 12 week understudy in Platinum and Paladium Photographic Printing and then On to graduation! Been a long few years but I am finally almost at the finish line! Graduation happens in June! Double set of honors cords if everything goes according to plan! 🙂

I am also working on a book of photography/ poetry & philosophical rhetoric. Progress is slow, but then again it does take time to make photographs. The longest written piece (poem) is 30 pags. But it was certainly a joy to write. The hope is that the Hardbound book will be at least 200 pages evenly mixed between photography and written pieces. The initial rough draft has already been sent to the publisher for vetting and approval. I'll post details where the book can be purchased once it goes to print next year. The website for the Platinum and Paladium Large Format Photographic prints will also be going up as soon as I graduate. I shall also post details for eveyone about the site as well. 🙂

This December 17th will mark both my 38th Birthday AND 8 years of living with my pet HIV virus. It has given me a go around several times BUT… I'm still here. 🙂 Currently I am on Tivicay and Truvada. This is the 3rd regimen. Hopefully I won't have to change to another regimen.

I finally got a new specialist. Actually, on a note of Irony, I now have two HIV specialists (Both MD). One in the civillian world here in my hometown and one down at the Portland Oregon VA Medical Center. So I get seen once every three months. Thanks to the two Doctors everything has leveled out. The viral load is undetectable and the CD4 count is sitting at around 900.

On another note, for fun, I decided to take up the study of the Violin. Been at it since April this year. My teacher (Maestro) up at the Music Conservatory is very nice and continues to push me to new heights every week. Maestro tells me I shall be ready to start learning vibrato here in about 8 months as I am progressing at a near devilish pace the likes of which the conservatory rarely sees in adults. (no complaints) Should all go well according to plan I will be taking the 1st of 8 ABRSMViolinexams this time next year.

The violin I selected is an absolutely astoundingbeautiful Bench made copy of the violin that Nicolo Paganini was known to have composed his 24 Caprices with. Very proud of myself for having paid it off in one fell swoop. (it's worth more than my road bike and Car combined. That's just a little sad. LOL) Even though it is a copy I am pleasantly pleased with her. She is a wonderful melocholy yet wistful companion that evokes the sounds of a lost era from the depths of an ancient glade.

With regard to all else. I am doing ok overall I guess. Just very tired these days and thankful that College is almost done. Darwin (my Bengal Cat) will most likely be very relieved once I graduate. But then again so will I. LOL

Anyhow. I trust everyone is doing well. I send my love and hugs to each and everysingle one of you. This may be the fight of our lives, but we are all in it together and none of us is alone. Remember that my friends. Love to all!

V/r,

Doogie