My Daughter Makes B Honor Roll!

I am so glad I live in the internet age! I was thinking about my daughter, Martina, earlier today and I googled her. I found out this last year she made B honor roll in her middle school! That is absolutely AWESOME! I wish she knew how proud I was of her, but ofcourse her mom won't allow me contact. I think I'll try sending another letter, one of them will get thru to Martina eventually. I look forward to the days when she is an adult and can make her own decision if she wants to be in touch with me or not. I made alot of mistakes with her mother (was my childhood sweetheart) and I learned alot from that relationship. I never would have believed she would deny me contact with Martina, I'm sure she thinks she is doing the right thing.

It sure does hurt though, and for that reason alone I could never stop Seb from visiting with his mother. It is only fair Sebastian knows where he comes from, who his parents are (for better or worse). I'm going to go write that congratulations letter to Martina. Cross your fingers on it getting through to her!

UberDragon; The Beginning Ages 0-7

Today was rather uneventful. I told myself when I started this blog, if I didn't have anything current to write about I'd go back into my vault of stories and fill you in with background about me. With that being said, I will begin at the beginning:

I was born Friday, September 13th 1974 in Minneapolis Minnesota. Actually my birthday has fallen on a friday a number of times, I haven't found a pattern for how many years it takes to pop up. The next time a friday birthday will occur for me will be in the year 2013. Interestingly enough that year will turn me 39 which is 3 x 13! Thats a whole lot of 13's falling on the same day hehe, luckily 13 seems to be a good number for me. It's treated me well even if it has been taken off the elevators all over the country. lol

My mother and father were both 20 when I was born. They were young and wild, liked to party and drugs and alcohol were common place. I'm told when I was about a year old my mother took me and left state, within a few months the police had called my father to come pick me up. My mother stayed there, that would be the last time I ever saw my mother. To date I have seen one picture of her. So my father took on the responsibility of single father hood. There are stories of me being abused that float around my 'interesting' family, but it is hard to tell truth from fiction sometimes with them. I do know by the time I was 3 I had been taken from my father and placed in the foster care system.

From 3 to 7 I spent with Mabel and Lloyd Peterson who lived in Crystal, Minnesota. I must say some of my most precious memories come from this time in my life. They were great people, who showed extreme love for every single foster child that came thru their home. I was a trouble maker as a child and got into plenty of trouble. They were stern but always fair. I remember during these years getting into a fight with a girl about my age while on vacation with the Petersons. I hit the poor girl which resulted in her loosing a tooth. She wore ice in a red bandana for days and I sat on the mobile home steps the rest of our stay there. I felt terrible about it immediately afterward, alot like Sebastian, I had trouble thinking before doing as a child. I will say this particular event is a vivid memory and it helped to shape the person I've become. I would never hit a woman and in general I'm a very non-violent person.

I don't remember visits from my father during this time. I don't resent my dad for any of the things in the past by the way. I'm content and overall happy with who I am and each of these pieces you hear about my past make me who I am. If things had gone differently in the past, I assure you I would be a VERY different person today.

I can remember going up north to the woods with the petersons. We made Indian TeePees waay out in the woods. We stocked them up with shelves full of different cans and cardboard boxes. We used anything we could find to make it look like we had food in our TeePees and forts. haha The little personal cereal boxes were my favorite. There were always lots of other kids around to play with because it was a foster home. I still miss them, they treated me very well considering how things went a little later in this story.

And thats where this part of my story ends. Age 7, having fun, beginning to get in trouble with my real mom and dad AWOL for years. Be on the look out for the next segment of this story: UberDragon; The Adopted Years Ages 7-13.

Aches and Pains

Ow, ow.. oh and did I mention OW? haha.. I am so incredibly sore. Sebastian gave me his best massage which helped some lol. I'm definately going to get to bed early tonite though. I really didn't do anything today but sit around, trying to get inspired to do a new front page for the Dress To Kill website. I was supposed to get it done over the weekend, but all that fun I had.. its looking like I'll be doing that first thing tomorrow morning when I get to the office.

I did get to talk to Barbie tonite though. She and I dated pretty seriously a few years back. It's good to talk to her again. We even turned on the webcams and exchanged a few friendly smiles and laughs while we chatted. I've missed her, Seb has missed her, why did we break up again? All I know is it has felt good to talk to her again. I'm glad to hear she is doing well. (Yes she is the same Barbie leaving comments in my blog.. obviously she is blog tracking me lol.)

OW. Oh the pain hahahaha...

Tired, Sore and back in New Orleans

WOW we had SO MUCH FUN today! I was completely wrong about where we were going, we ended up in Goutier, Mississippi. As we were leaving town we passed the castle that is visible on I-10 near Slidell. Sebastian wanted to see it up close so we stopped and checked it out. I'm told the castle was built for a sick little girl by her father. She always wanted to live in a castle and he made her wish come true. This building is absolutely beautiful. I want my own castle one day! Sebastian stayed well behaved during the 2 hour car ride there. Here he is posing for the picture while we waited for Ashley and Sonny, Sebastian's Uncle, to leave the gas station (about half way there). I don't think Seb has had this much fun in a long long time. Look at this picture and tell me this is not a happy boy! lol It's times like this I wish Martina was here to share in all the fun. When we arrived to Ashley's Mom's House it was absolutely gorgeous. We lounged for a few minutes in the air conditioning as we rested from the journey. It wasn't long before Sebastian (and I) felt the need to go explore the grounds. Sebastian played in the back yard for a few minutes but we were both drawn to the boat house and the water (even if it is swamp water). lol We threw the crab net out a few times with no luck as we waited for the boat to arrive. It turned out the problem regarding the boat, I mentioned in a previous post, was it had run out of gas. rofl. So while Sebastian practiced his casting and fished Sonny and Ashley's Sister gased up the boat and drove it down the winding swamp channels up to us at the boat house. Once the boat got there I was ready! Oh ya ready to get some water skiing in. I had been talking about all my prior water skiing experience (albeit 15 years go lmao) so I was hoping I wouldn't land flat on my face instead of getting up and out of the water. Well as you can see not only did I manage to pull myself out of the water but I did quite well for not water skiing in 15 years or so. Oh it was so much fun, it reminded me of summers of my youth. In my adoptive family, the grandparents had a cabin in northern Minnesota. I forget the town but I know it was located on lake Shaminaw (sp?). We used to go there multiple times every summer and fish, water ski, swim, explore the woods, etc. As my friend Ashley said when I told her, the following information dates me severly. As I was skiing around, jumping the wake of the boat I was reminded of the very first time I got up on water skis. I sang the song, "Eye of the Tiger" as loud as I could while I held on for dear life! See that last picture up there, of me in the water? As I look at it now, I'm still not sure if that is a smile or a grimace on my face, I was pretty winded after all that skiing. I was so incredibly tired, my muscles burned and my body ached all over. I skied 3 times and hit the water tube once and my body will certainly be paying the price when I wake up! When all the fun was done we ate some shrimp with red beans and rice for dinner. It was awesome, fresh caught shrimp, sausage in the red beans.. mmmmmmm yummi. Before we left we got to see Ashley's Mom's picture DVD from her recent trip to Africa. Every single picture was absolutely amazing. Pictures of lions, water buffalo, hyenas, and all kinds of natives... Soon after, we piled into the car for the ride back home to New Orleans. I was happy to let Sonny drive so I could simply rest my tired old body lol. The ride home was uneventful other than the occasional bickering between Sebastian and Cody (Ashley's Son). I'm happy to report neither Sebastian, nor I, really got sunburnt. So its only the aches in my muscles I'll cuddle up with tonite. Tune in next time for a picture of lightening I captured just as I was finishing this bloglet ;)

Leaving for Mississippi

Have you ever been to Mississippi? I've been there a few times mostly to go gambling at the casinos on the water front in Gulf Port. I had no idea they have lakes though lol. Pont De La Hash (I'm positive that is NOT how you spell it), is where we are going water skiing. .. Sounds like there are problems with the boat.. this could be a really long weekend.. Time to drive now.. 2 hours.. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Travel and Adventure

A good friend of mine, whom I have often referred to as being like a sister to me, is dragging me along to go pick up her son. Her son has been visiting grandmother the past few weeks for summer vacation. I don't have all the details just yet, but we are meeting them somewhere between here and there, and that somewhere in the middle is going to have water skiing! I was born and raised in Minnesota, land of over 10,000 lakes. I grew up on the water, and used to water ski all summer long. I can't wait. She asks, "have you been water skiing?", I tell her the same I just told you. She asks, "well, can you drive a boat?", I laugh and say yes. I hope this doesn't mean I'll be stuck behind the wheel all day. I'd much rather be on the skis!

I'm leaving shortly to discuss the details, but I'm already looking forward to it! I used to love water skiing, of course I've told everyone in my near vicinity this very thing. I hope I can still get up on the skis lol. It has been literaly 15 years or more since I water skied. I'll let you know how it all turns out of course. One thing is certain, I will return sun burnt and in pain, so be ready with the aloe. :)

Another Dragon...

My new watch arrived today (picture shown in previous post). It is even better than I thought it would be. It has the dragon on one side of the watch face (as shown). To switch it to the clock the entire front lifts up, the two sided center spins around. Much to my surprise underneath all of this upturned watch face is a little mirror. I figure it is a survival watch. If I'm ever out in the wilderness, lost, I can flag down passing airliners to come to my rescue. lol. Anyway, we're considering it my father's day gift and I can't think of anything I would have rather had (except for the hand drawn picture that seb made, but I got that too).

For those reading this that know me, yes I still have all my dragons. The collection grows constantly. If you are just getting to know me, believe me when I tell you, I have everything dragon. Dragon beer, hot sauce, belt buckle, candles, pewter, ceramic, plates, stickers, watch, lol.. so many dragons... Olivia's Tattoo I and Tattoo II (signed & numbered lithos).. I have a Jeff Easley (well known for his dragon art in AD&D books). One of these days I'll get around to posting some pictures of my dragons knick knacks.

Sebastian woke up feeling ill this morning. He was very hot to the touch and felt nauscious (sp). Poor guy. He was feeling better after some medicine and a couple hours laying around watching TV. He was talking about wanting to try out baseball, so I'm now looking for a T-ball league for him this summer or fall. I know when I was younger, sports really helped me learn to focus and deal with my own ADHD issues. I sincerely hope he can find the same sort of comfort thru sports.

I've tried to ignore the sadness Father's day always brings me. I miss my daughter. She lives with her mother in MN (my exwife) whom won't let me even talk to her on the telephone. I even moved back to MN to try and establish some steady contact. Spent over two years there trying. Every attempt to talk to my daughter was denied. It was very frustrating and it was like adding salt to a wound. I just look forward to the day when my daughter turns 18 so she can make her own decisions regarding whether or not she wants to get to know me, her father. I can't even describe how I wait for that day, it will be very interesting to see what kind of trash mom has been saying about 'ol dad over the years.

I never have done any of that with Sebastian, missing parent bashing that is. Although he does know his mother is in prison, I certainly don't run around telling him all the horrible things she has done. Even knowing all the things this girl has done (she has 8 children now I think, she is responsible for exactly 0 of them), I would never disallow her contact with her son (apparently I'm the only one of the baby daddy's that do). It's just not fair, he deserves the chance to get to know his mother, all the wonderful things she is, and all the defects she carries with her. I certainly wish I had that opportunity with my daughter, so how could I even consider not giving that opportunity to seb's mom. Most people around me think I'm absolutely crazy to even let her talk to him, (she's done some really interesting bone brain things over her years living and growing up in the french quarter.)

Maybe one day you will come and read my blogs Martina. Please know I love you with all my heart, I always have and I always will. I miss you terribly and I so look forward to when we will be able to be together again. I still carry my very outdated picture of you in my wallet. It's time for me to get going, I don't allow myself the luxury of crying often, for some reason tonite, I think its going to be inevitable...

Until next time...

Blogging Inspiration!

Hello once again. Since I began blogging I've been surfing other blogs and reading and reading and reading. Recently I came across a blog that I commented on and I thought I would share what I wrote. For reference the blog entry that inspired this is located here.

"Your blog has captivated me. I especially enjoyed this piece on Net-oriety. As I am infantile in my blogging experience I too wonder, what will the purpose of my blog be?

I am a business owner, am I looking to sell one of my products? Not really but maybe? I own a web hosting company, because its internet related, guess what, its on my blog. But advertising alone is not a good enough reason to open my personal me up to the world. There are many better safe ways to advertise that would keep me very annonymous.

Am I looking for fame? I've had it, I still do in many respects.. I don't really need anymore so .. no not really. But then again, I like to be known. Over my 30 years on this planet I've been a Radio DJ, Fire Entertainer, Business Owner, .. all very "Hey look at me" type jobs.

I think, after processing all this as I write, my true reason for writing this blog is simply to record my life. Something my son and his son can go back and read and marvel upon.

A long time go, I came to the realization of that ever elusive answer, you know, your purpose on this earth, your reason for existing, your why. I am here to observe, to learn, to experience as much as I possibly can, all for the purpose of telling stories. :) Yup, that's me... over there --> rocking in my chair, children and adults gathered around, listening to GrandPa Dragon spin his stories. The difference between me and the proverbial person I speak of? I want my stories to all be true.

So I suppose, this blog will give some validity to my stories. That I think is the reason I will blog.

Thank you for such an inspiring blog. I will be adding a link to you from my blog so I can keep up ;)"

My Biz Cards Arrived!

After my 2 mile walk to the house from work today I was happy to find my business cards for My-WebHoster.com have arrived! Now I can start passing these guys out and drum up some web hosting business. Want to see what the business cards look like? Click Here.

My friend I mentioned in my last post was found. It seems he was shacked up with a stripper chick... Only in New Orleans... I'm glad to hear he is safe anyway.

I finally got ahold of my dad today. I wished him a belated fathers day, he got his gift on saturday so it all worked out. He narrowly escaped going to jail for getting into some fight (he lives in MN), I didn't get all the details. He said he ended up getting 2 years probation but no jail time which is good. Poor guy can't smoke weed for two years hahaha, that is far worse than a few months in jail for him. My family is definately a drinking and smoking bunch, dad will just have to stay away from family functions for a couple years. I told him I'd smoke one for him in honor of fathers day, he laughed and called me a prick hahaha.

Tales of WebDesign and ...Trouble

As I sit down to write in my blog tonite it reminds me of the days of working radio. That is the only thing I ever went to college for in fact, radio/tv broadcasting. Oh I had a great time working in radio, even if it was 100 miles north of Amarillo (nowhere) Tx. Yes way up in the Texas panhandle, there I was talking to 3 counties live on air! I graduated top of my broadcast class and moved a week after graduation to .. Texas. More on this another time, texas is where one of my many 'lives' took place which I'm sure you'll come to hear about over time. This blogging reminds me of on air work because I did what I'm doing now, rambling on about whatever comes to mind to thousands of people whom I will likely never see, talk to, or get to know... Only difference now is I am typing not talking, and I'm not worrying about each second as it passes by to synchronize my words in time for the next scheduled song to start.

Today I spent more hours on UberDragon.net and I can honestly say I'm proud of what I've come up with this time. Yesterday I had made this little circle on the design, I wasn't sure why it just seemed right. Well today I know why, it was the perfect place to put another little dragon head! I thought the site needed a bit more color so I made my navigation system red as your mouse hovers over it, and for fun I made the dragon head turn white as you navigate. 3 days ago I had no idea what I was going to do with my personal domain and today I sit with layout done, a concept in mind and my vision taking shape.. it's looking good!

Sebastian was very obnoxious today. He just couldn't settle himself down. Running around like a madman and just refusing to cooperate with the most basic of requests. Yes his ADHD was extremely apparant today, its frustrating and sometimes I wonder if the medication even does any good but I try to keep positive about it. He's a really good kid deep down but when he has 'hi-energy' days challenge isn't the word for it. His behavior has kept me from going to many social events over the years. I look forward to him growing out of this phase as he gets older.

I'm beginning to worry about a friend of mine, he's been missing in action for over 48 hours now. He had been staying with Sebastian and I for a few weeks as he got his things situated from being dumped by his wife (with child). He normally calls and let's me know whats up, but it's not just me; nobody has heard anything from him in over 2 days now. He slings the cronic so it's possible he is in jail, could be in the hospital, or he could just be out trying to patch things up with the wife it's hard to say. I do hope everything is ok.

Wow who knew I had so many things to say, without radio maybe this blogging thing will be good for me. The weekends done and what did I do? I stayed in all weekend working on websites and playing with my kid. Typical weekend around here.

New Site Design and Daily Events

Today I spent a few hours making my personal website (finaly!). I still need to fill in some content but I'm glad I have something more than a links page now. Do you like the new design? I'd love to hear your comments. I feel much better now that I have the one dragon :) I haven't decided if I will leave that circle alone or do something else with that. Don't ask me where the circle came from, it just felt right lol. Although I do many things computer related, I'm usualy the first to tell you I am not a graphics artist. Lately though, I've been really surprising myself. Check out the flyers I made for a party recently. Here is the front and the back.

Sebastian was so funny today. He made a sign that reads "Sebastian Garage Sale - Their are toys and". Its great, it has a teddy bear drawn in the upper right hand corner and some box type thing in the lower left with dollar signs. The best part I think is the piece of duct tape attached to the top of the page (its currently hanging up on the wall). I wonder when this garage sale is to be.. I do hope it's not while I'm at work, never know what might be sold off heheh.

He was really good today. Even got a few workbook sheets done. Sebastian can be so much fun on days like this. We built some lego creations today and had a blast.

I think I'm going to try and go to sleep a little earlier tonite. I got up at 11am today.. not much sleep at all......

Sleepless Nights

Once again I find myself up all night. I got my blog all situated I think. I need to position some dragons around to make things more homey here. I went to Googles Image Search to see if I could find anything that I liked. I found some kewl 3D dragons but nothing I really wanted to put on my blog. I came across this watch image, clicked on it and found it was an auction at ebay. Well before I knew it not only had I bought the watch but I even completed the paypal checkout in seconds of auction close. I know, I know impulse buys.. but check it out! Tell me it isn't awesome!




I'll do some more work on the blog and uberdragon.net tomorrow (today) when I wake up. I gotta get atleast a couple hours of shut eye. I'm off to pass out now.

Who Dare venture forth upon my cave?

Well, I've finally done it. Started a blog. I had been thinking about it for quite some time. Do I really want to have a journal accessible on the internet for anyone to happen upon? I guess I do because here I am. I imagine I will use this space to rant about nonsensical things. I suppose I'll update you on what I've been doing lately to get things started.

First thing I did after getting back on line (I took a 2 year digital sabatical) was rebuild my son's website. I still have many new things in store for his website as well. Check it out at Sebastian.UberDragon.net, sign his guestbook. :)

My-WebHoster.com, my latest business venture is coming along nicely. I have new business cards coming any day now to pass out around the New Orleans Metro. That should drum up some business :)

DressToKill.com, a current webdesign client, has just gone live with their shopping cart. Still some fine tuning to do to make the website a fashion portal, lots more merchandise to digitize and enter into the database. I've had alot of fun with this client, I'm looking forward to watching their success.

And now I will start working on my personal domain www.UberDragon.net. It was the first domain I registered when I came back from the digital dead. I've left it alone for months but its time to start making it more than a links page lol. I suppose this blog is the start of all of that.

Thats it for today, look for more strange ramblings from me soon. I plan to try and make posts aleast weekly.