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I've made sure that not only is the company making donations, but I'm personally branching out to help more worthy causes this year than ever. It's a difficult time for a lot of people--changes in the world make futures uncertain--so we give back wherever we can.

If anyone is looking for venues for charitable donations this holiday season, please consider the following:

Toys for Tots
OC Food Bank
Laura's House
Equality California
World Wildlife Fund

A long time ago in my dreams, I dreamed that I dreamed that we were all stuck in a forest and then Tika was fighting draconians while I was trying to pick a lock and then the draconians killed her and the door killed me and it really wasn't a great dream but it was kind of exciting. Right up until the dying thing, at least. And Raistlin was there too, and he was evil, and then he walked right past us!

But last night I dreamed the same thing, only it wasn't a dream and we weren't in a forest but in these tunnels under a temple, and Tika was fighting Draconians and they almost beat her and then I was picking a lock and Tika wasn't being careful at all and jostled me and then the door poisoned me again and I definitely thought we were going to die, not that dying's such a bad thing all the time but it sure would be inconvenient especially since we were so close to ending that horrible war that I've been dreaming about, but then Raistlin came and he was evil too! It was all very deja vuy. And I've said it before but Raistlin really does look better wearing the black robes. It's a really good look for him, let me tell you.

But instead of walking past us, he saved both our lives! Thanks Raistlin! And Takhisis was defeated (I wish I could have seen that, how great would it be to see a battle with an actual god? Not that we didn't have a god on our side too).

So, I guess the War of the Lance is over and we won! Which is just great, because I don't even want to think about what the world would be like if we had lost. Luckily we don't have to!

My pops is friends with Shaq! At least, in my dreams he is. I still can't get over it. I can't believe I got to hang with The Diesel, even if it was just in my dreams. I'm a little star struck. I even got a point on him when we played some one-on-one with a little help from Static, at least.

He's a real cool dude.

Called Pops to check to see if he's been holding out on us, so now I think he thinks that this place is doing funny things to my head. Nothing quite like explaining to your pops that you think he knows a basketball legend because you had a vivid dream about shooting hoops with him.

Shaquille O'Neal though. My dreams are ill.

So my dream self has brought this orphaned child to live with the wolves, but can't seem to part from him. There's something oddly charming about the situation - a boy being raised by wolves, but being taught how to be a wolf by a panther.

I also think that dreaming of being a nocturnal animal has made me a bit more nocturnal.

I'm ready for the holidays to be over with.

We're back. We survived Afghanistan. Thank goodness, because that was a very, very rough trip for me. But it feels good to be back to doing the work I know I am good at. So much was accomplished, so it was well worth it. But I've never been happier to be home.

Thanksgiving with the horde of coworkers at the studio is just too much fun. I skipped the Black Friday madness and have slept off my turkey coma all weekend. Christmas is coming, and that means more time off from work (we don't have a lot scheduled for the moment) but I'm hoping we get more to do soon. I hate sitting idle.

Had a great trip back home to see the folks. You know, I haven't been gone for all that long, just what? 8 months since I moved out here? Jesus, it seems like a lot longer than that. Still, it was good to see my parents and my aunt again and a few of my old friends.

Still, kinda nice to be back.

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I am done shopping for Christmas. This has never happened to me before. Usually, I'm still trying to buy up until Christmas Eve. I'm sure all this free time will give me plenty of time to reflect on the dreams I've been having.

The most recent dreams I've had are really intriguing. One dealt with rituals that has peeked my interest to learn more about it. Plus my first ex-wife made an appearance too, which I had not been expecting. Then another dream started with a supposed death twenty years prior to the death that happened in the present. Turns out that the woman everyone thought was dead, was still alive. And the best part of my dreams had to be seeing my little girl looking all grown up and going to prom (though I'm not at all ready for her to be a grown up and not needing me).

I can't wait to be graduated from high school.

I'm already counting the days till Christmas break, Thanksgiving break just isn't long enough.

Still, having guests over on Thanksgiving was quite nice. Nothing like having dinner and then relaxing around the small firepit on the patio in back, while strumming guitars as the sun went down.

In exciting news, we got a gig this weekend! Looking forward to playing.

What is it about flying that makes you so exhausted. Between that, the holidays, and helping dad in the shop I'm thinking I could sleep for a week. Maybe more. But I really missed home and I enjoyed the visit.

Of course now Christmas is right around the corner!