Hey Paula hugs :)

and sorry for the typos et, symptom of the illness, amongst other things (dysphasia, too), my hands hurt like I've been punching brick walls, so it doesn't help with the typing :P
Just had hot shower and taken painkillers so get relief for an hour or two, so that's why at times I'm not as bad...just can't live in a shower, lol

Art and RPG gaming are the only things I've ever had any luck or success with in this life well, had good family, which probably is why I am what I am, rather than one of the huge number of ignorant, vicious nasty scumbags we call "Neds"...really tragic when you see sooooo many youngsters with absolutely no brains, self respect, decency etc, sigh.
Usually end up dead before they are 50 from knifings or alcoholism, pal's nephew died aged 28 form alcholism, because now, it's not just super strength dirt cheap booze, they mix it with Valium and Tramadol...dear God :(
And plenty who are innately good or talented, get nowhere because of the blights of poverty, fear etc that are endemic here. Many are too scared to "lift their heads above the parapets", to show they have talent, in the face of the scumbags omnipresent scorn etc.

My best mate, his Dad was a grade A asshole, my pal is incredibly talented artist (drawing), but to his dad that was "for poofs!" (i..e homosexuals) and beat him. ugh. And his Dad was a nothing, he wasn't a hard man he was just a wee frustrated bully. 
By comparison, my grandpa was huge man, hard as nails (ex-bouncer, and he literally could bend 6 inch nails with his hands) but was gentle and very funny and granny was one of the most sweet funny people I have ever know, a real laugh riot, so my family was full of humour, art, playing cards and games with each other etc.
Just cause yer poor doesn't HAVE to mean you are broken or worse...it is not easy though. Few folk have such good families in such trying situations
 Thing is, Marvel comics has a studio in Glasgow, and if my pal had been let live his dream (he adores comic art) I'm pretty sure he'd be earning a fortune working for Marvel or the like. At least now he's thrown off the crap of his Dad, and enjoys tattooing and taken up falconry, something he's wanted ot do since youth as well!
I'm not sure of a US equivalent, does Detroit have slums? Sort of if someone from decaying "rust belt" of US slum takes a falcon into his daughter's "show and tell" class :P
Really proud of my mate :)
A LOT we went to school with are dead.

Anyway back to art and RPG...
So those are only things I've ever had any luck with, being published, noted etc, and love writing tutorials etc to help folk :)
So being forced into not being able to do that...on TOP of having already lost damn near every other thing I did in life, sucked...big...very big.

Mum's in hospital again, oddly, that's a relief, because I know she'll get care and come out miles better. She has COPD or as I was taught, emphysema and heart failure (plus diabetes, spinal damage/partial paralysis and arthritis).
distressing seeing yer Mum suffer like that :/
Dad's dementia (not Alzheimers, different) increases, some times he's lucid, other times his mind slips back 30 years

Anywya back to more fun and origijnal topic ;)

Anything I have missed particulalry I should "gen up on"? :) I was playing aorund a wee bit  for short while with the Vue10 prerelease, but I'm well out of form
I bought Dax Phandi's book, and couple of tutorials by GeekAtplay form C3D
anything you'd recommend I look into?

 

"I'd rather be a Fool who believes in Dragons, Than a King who believes in Nothing!" www.silverblades-suitcase.com
Free tutorials, Vue & Bryce materials, Bryce Skies, models, D&D items, stories.
Tutorials on Poser imports to Vue/Bryce, Postwork, Vue rendering/lighting, etc etc!