As has become my custom, I am using the occasion of another MRI to launch one of my periodic missives. For several years, they have come at six month intervals, but as of the next one…marking the five-year anniversary of my brain tumor’s debut…I will only have to go once a year.

I’ve gotten really used to MRIs. On the doctor TV shows, they’re always sliding patients into this big white donut thing that looks sort of intimidating. In real life, they also make quite a racket. It’s necessary for one’s head to remain stationary, so they strap your head into this basket-like thing, and they run an IV into your arm to inject you with “contrast” to make everything show up better. I’ve always wondered why they don’t just use a “contrast” button on their software, but they know best. Nobody in the room can have any metal on or near them. On the forms to be filled out, they always ask if you have claustrophobia. So people are all concerned about things. But when I’m in the belly of the beast, so to speak, I take a nap. It’s a convenient way to make sure one’s head remains stationary, and it passes the time. And I’m happy to report that everything is stable as an astronaut’s mental state. Oops, bad analogy.

Anyway, life has settled into something pretty normal-like, except that I can’t take it for granted the way I used to. I expect to be around to see my kids leave home and start families (that’s a pretty good leap of faith right there) and I don’t feel as though something is following me in the shadows which could appear at any time. It’s great, and I feel truly blessed.

It’s been very interesting professionally. After some months, I put the finishing touches on the new version of our website. Parts of it have been up for some time, but all the content that had been penciled in has now been put up. It has several galleries devoted to Ellen’s photography, and samples of my design, illustration and writing. If you haven’t visited it recently, check it out at www.bullseyecreative.biz.

Although we hope the new site will bring in lots of business, we are always looking for other sources of income. One such “revenue stream” I have been able to develop is an e-greeting card company for whom I have produced several short, fun soundtracks. This has been made possible by a new computer, speakers and Pro Tools set-up for my home studio. I can sneak down there for a few hours, and put together a piece of music that sounds like a band, orchestra, or whatever I can imagine. All I have to do is play reasonably well, and use the software to fix my mistakes. My pride as a musician tries to keep that sort of thing to a minimum, but it’s an awesome set-up, and I’m already at work on a new collection of songs for another CD.

I’ve also been working with another startup company, this time in the computer security sector. I’ve been their entire creative department, which has given me the opportunity to build an identity for a company from the ground up, from their logo to their website and corporate communications. I’ve also learned more than I ever wanted to know about internet security, which is both interesting and a little scary. They have serious potential, though, and I will keep you up to date.

We published our first travel article…a piece on the Denver Art Museum which opened in October to much fanfare. We were there, and our story and pictures were published by a website, TravelPostMonthly. We’re hoping higher-profile…and paid…articles will follow. Our family was recently hosted by Ellen’s mom at a villa in Cabo for a week. It was outstanding, and of course, we wrote about it. The article (with a sidebar about the art colony town of Todos Santos) has been submitted for publication at TravelPost and we’re looking into other publications as well.

Ellen finally took down her show of photographs at the Mt. Tam Racquet Club in Larkspur after six months, and will have another this June at California Closets in San Rafael. She is exploring still more places to display her work outside the gallery scene. She sold more than a dozen prints from the Mt. Tam show, and is raising her profile as an art photographer through various means, including placing six images in the New York Art Expo in March, after joining an organization that represents artists to commercial markets such as hotels and offices. Ellen is also excited about a new internet travel business that she has launched. She has been spending several hours a week on webinars that are helping her get up and running with the business. We’d love it if you booked your travel through her website…it works like any other travel site and the prices are the same or less, however, she’ll get 60% of the travel commission. Several friends have already booked flights through her, and you can too by going to: www.bullseyetravelcenter.net.

As for me, I just celebrated my 55th birthday (no surprise to my body…it knows) and continue to practice Chi Gung every morning. I’ve been sharpening my performing skills and trying out new songs at various open mics in Marin, either at clubs or at a series of “house concerts” that take place in people’s living rooms. I really like these “house concerts,” they’re much more intimate and friendly than clubs. Perhaps we will host one ourselves someday.

Ginger and the kids continue to move through life, the former at a slower but still hearty pace (she’s nearing 12) and the latter with the indifference and occasional exuberance that has marked their teen years. As for this stage of parenthood, let me say this…you haven’t really had teenagers until you have experienced both turquoise hair and lip piercings. But they’re good kids…staying away from drugs and alcohol…and if they can muster any sort of self-powered mojo, they’ll be all right.

And that’s about it. Expect six months of messages about fake watches, stock tips and erectile dysfunction medications until my next installment arrives in your inbox, and may your life away from your computer be full of joy and fulfillment.

Peace and love,

Dan