Super frustrated this week and I really do not need the stress. A few months ago, we approached our insurance agent and informed her that we had a child whom just started driver's education and has driving with a permit and asked what would be the increase to add him to out policy. At the time, we were with Progressive Insurance; however, she informed us if we switched to Safeco Insurance, as their policy was cheaper (She quoted us a $60 a month increase) for teen drivers. Therefore, we switched. 

A few months later, Steffen (our middle son) passed the written and driving test required for the State of Washington and we drove him down to the Washington Department of Licencing, paid the $89 dollars (highway robbery!!!) and we had a licensed 16-year-old. We then went across the parking lot to our agent's office and added him as a driver in our household. We thought with him going part-time to college (Running Start) next year, it would be better for him to drive himself then for Mom or his grandparents to keep chauffeuring him and in the long run save time and gas money. 

However, we were mislead. I believe Safeco pulled a bait and switch on us. Safeco said it was all a miscommunication. Instead of a $60 increase to our monthly bill, we had an $250 dollar increase. Miscommunication - my ass!!! 

I had not planned on shopping for car insurance over the summer and here I am doing just that. I am super angry at Safeco, as if I had known what I know now, we would have put off Steffen getting his license. He might not have liked it, but he could have driven the bus for a few months until we sorted this all out. I am also mad at our agent, who should have been on top of things. Every time we went to her office, she would say she was working on it, yet today we received a phone call from Safeco saying that had not received a copy of Steffen's grades. I sent a copy to our agent weeks ago - so a huge rant to both Safeco and Vern Fonk Insurance. We really do not have an extra $200 a month - as we are barely keeping our hands above the water as it is. 

Sadly, the insurance companies have us over a barrel. We have done some comparison shopping and not finding any good rates. Which I just do not understand. We all have good driving records. We have played by the rules; Steffen has all A's and took driver's education and all the required hours driving with an adult in the vehicle with him. He is a good kid and a good driver, yet insurance companies brush young male drivers with the same broad paint brush. Unbelievable and maddening!

Over the years, certain fan fiction sites have become defunct, including one of my personal favorites: Bromfield Hall. 

To locate this and other defunct sites, go to Internet Archive Wayback Machine's home page. 

In the search box, next to where it says "Browse History," type in www.bromfieldhall.co.uk/archive1.htm and click browse.

Then click the box over the year 2007. That shows dates the site was saved, then click on the blue dot date on the calendar, and that should take you to the Bromfieldhall Hall site.

Temporarily this link should take you to the site directly, but not sure how long it will be active. 
Bromfield Hall 

Here also is a temporary link for Toto's and Swoope's stories. 

Thanks for the heads up NancyH from the SMK Forum Page. 

Update: I know understand the link for Blue Boxers and Beyond is also no longer active. Click on the title for a temporary link. Again, do not know how long this link will be good. I suggest copying and pasting favorite stories to a word document and saving. Sad to be losing such good quality fiction. 

Yes, I know I am super behind on my blog, especially when it comes to talking about comic conventions I attended this year. There is not a lot to report, as money been a bit tight, and I haven't had the opportunity to do everything I would have like to have done, but I did attend a couple of cons this year and did have a blast being there. 

The first con was Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Washington. Just as in the previous years, I volunteered at this con. I enjoy being behind the scenes as well as attending, as you get the opportunity to witness cons from a different prospective. This year was no exception. Most of the weekend was spend working with Molly Quinn (who sadly I have to admit, I did not recognize her name at first. It was not until I saw her did I realize who she was). I have to tell a funny side story. When another "Minion" and I were assigned to work her line, the other Minion asked me who Molly Quinn was, I shrugged my shoulders, and said, "I don't know who Molly Quinn is, but I know who Martha Quinn is." The other Minion asked perplexed, "Who?" *Facepalm* I just showed my age. 

Anyway, Molly Quinn portrays Alexis Castle on the television series Castle. She was very lovely in person and appeared very genuine with her fans. It was a privilege to "help" her most of the weekend. The two other assignments I had over the weekend was the watching the doors of the panel rooms with afforded me the opportunity to "sit in" on Richard Dean Anderson's (MacGyver, Stargate:SG1) panel. I had hoped to catch him during one of his autograph sessions, but just ran out of time. Hopefully, I can catch him at another con. I also did crowd control for the photo-op lines and food runs for the full-time Minions. Legs and feet ached by the end of the weekend, but look forward to doing it all over again next year. 

I have always volunteered part-time at Emerald City Comic Con, but next year thinking about becoming a full-time Minion, as they seem be assigned to one specific department. It makes for a long weekend, but it sure can be amusing and the energy from the crowds is contagious. The only thing to remember is for next time NOT to park in downtown Seattle. I made the mistake on Friday afternoon and not only arrived late as there was little parking to be found, but just about had a coronary when the parking attendant told me it was $29 dollars. There went the autograph money I was going to use for Karl Urban (Almost Human, Star Trek). Sigh. 

The following weekend, my husband and I attended Tacoma Comedy Club and the headliner was Mark Christopher Lawrence (Chuck). After the show, I had the opportunity to have my picture taken with him. He had a great comic routine and after the show was selling items for autism awareness. (A cause near and dear to my heart). He was also appeared very accommodating to have his picture taken with fans. On a side note, I highly recommend Tacoma Comedy Club. The ticket prices are very friendly. Heck, you can't even get into a movie for much less nowadays, and the audience is entertained by live comedians and the food was not half bad either. 

Then is April, I had the opportunity to attend Fan Expo in Vancouver, B.C. It was a last minute decision after I heard Bruce Boxleitner was going to be there. I contacted my friend, Elaine (who lives in Oregon) and we hastily made plans to drive up to Vancouver. She took the Amtrak train to Olympia/Lacey and then spent the night at my house. The following morning, we woke up early and drove up to the Kingston ferry terminal crossing the Sound, before making our way to 1-5. The weather was nice and we were fortunate enough to witness a beautiful sunrise over the Olympic Mountains. A short ferry ride over and we entered Edmonds and then drove to the Canadian border. Traffic was a nightmare and waited over an hour and a half before we crossed the border and then we continued on our way to Vancouver. We got a little lost trying to find the convention center, but a super helpful cabbie pointed us in the right direction. Once we checked into the hotel, we walked less then a block to the convention center. And then after purchasing our tickets, we went straight to Bruce's booth. He immediately recognized Elaine and chatted away with her. I was a little ticked when even though the Fan Expo's website read Canadian and US dollars accepted, the lady collecting money at Bruce's table was not happy we were paying in dollars. I had not even thought of exchanging the money before we crossed. Heck, the exchange is super close, neither has the edge at the moment. After chatting with Bruce for a good half hour, we wandered the exhibit hall and made some purchases. Then we waited in line for Bruce Boxleitner's panel to begin. We were first in line, of course. When Bruce came out on stage he winked at Elaine. Super jealous! Elaine received the Bruce wink! I liked Bruce's panel a lot, as there was no moderator asking stupid questions and Bruce seemed happy, relaxed, and super talkative. He did allow audience members to ask questions. Someone asked, "What has been your favorite role?" He said, "Lee Stetson, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, right Elaine?" And then mentioned John Sheridan from Babylon 5. He also shamelessly plugged Cedar Cove. After the panel, Elaine and I continued to hang around Bruce's table chit-chatting with him between the time other fans came up to get his autograph, until it became time for him to leave. We asked him were Cedar Cove was being filmed and he told us the name of the two towns where most of the filming was done. So the following morning, Elaine and I drove to "Cedar Cove," which in reality is Fort Langley. Fort Langley is a quaint little town, next to the Fraser River. It was Easter weekend, so most of the shops were closed, but hope to visit again as it looks like a fun place to shop and visit. We ate breakfast at the cutest little 50's style restaurant (Planet Java) and then walked around town until we found the fake facades for the Cedar Cove Chronicle and Cedar Cove Art Gallery.  Yep, most definitely hope to visit again some day. 

My good friend Sarah (who makes the amazing avatars, signatures, and wallpapers), has started a Scarecrow and Mrs King blog discussing the progression of Lee and Amanda's relationship. I look forward to joining in on the discussions. Check it out: Scarecrow and Mrs. King - Getting to Know You. 

In addition, if wanting to join Scarecrow and Mrs. King episode discussions, I highly recommend IWSOD's Just Walk With Me site. 

A few years ago, my cardiologist told me about a new subcutaneous implantable defibrillator doctors were experimenting with in Australia and was hoping for FDA approval in the States soon. It was a device that required no lead wires to the heart and since I had an issue with breaking the lead wires, he had hoped this would be an option for me. However, both him and I had hoped that since twenty years had passed from my my sudden cardiac event, that hopefully I would never need one. What do they say about famous last words? 

Boston Scientific: Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator 

In addition, I am going to have to wear a Medical ID Alert Bracelet at all times from now on. I found this design. I love the double links with all the hearts. My only complaint is the bracelet doesn’t turn over, which could cause problems. Someone would have to unclasp the clasp. However, I do get lots of compliments. I had S-ICD engraved on the inside, so EMT's would be aware of my device in an emergency. My only other complaint are the daily emails spamming my inbox to buy ID bracelets. Thanks. I bought one.