Author Archives: f2x

2025 Year in Review

So it’s been kind of a mixed bag this year. Sadly, my Aunt Pam passed away back in February, then my cat, Alex, died in June. On the plus side, I got Murphy in August, and I finally managed to pay off what was left of my old revolving credit card debt that I’ve had hanging over me for 40 years.

Born on June 22, 2025, Murphy is about 6 months old as of this post. I picked him up off Craig’s List for $10 when he was about 7 weeks old. Since then I’ve spent about $1300 over 5 vet visits to make sure he got all his shots and yes that includes neutering. Where Alex merely tolerated Gail, Murphy adores her. and the two are regularly seen snuggling up to one another. Those photos aren’t staged. These two are really that close.

In spite of everything, I’m still gainfully employed. it’s highly doubtful AI is going to take my job anytime soon, so I guess I can be thankful for that. On the other hand I recently found out I have chronic kidney disease, so that’s no beuno. I won’t find out until January if lifestyle and medication changes are going to be enough to keep it from progressing. Fingers crossed.

On a lighter note, I’ve started occasionally live-streaming Tarot card readings on Twitch. No, I don’t actually believe in magical mumbo-jumbo, but there is an art to the craft. I look at Tarot as basically being psychology with flashcards. There are 78 cards, and each card can have different and multiple meanings depending on its context. When you know what you’re doing you can ALWAYS match randomly dealt cards to the context. Form a coherent narrative around the cards and you can actually gain an altered perspective on your situation that may give you more confidence in facing your problems.

So that’s about it for 2025. Not gonna lie: While it wasn’t all bad, this year sucked pretty hard. I can’t make any promises, but I fully intend on putting out more than 2 comics in 2026, and I might even include a few more jokes and rants.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody!

Pax,

-f2x

Murphy’s Moment

As mentioned a few weeks ago, I lost my beloved orange tabby, Alex, on June 19, 2025. While he had an amazing 16 year run, his passing came much sooner than it should have. I still miss him dearly.

Fortunately cats are pretty easy to come by. All you need is Craigslist and a little patience. After watching religiously for about 7 weeks, anyone could find the exact cat they were looking for… and that’s how I got Murphy! Come to think of it, that’s kinda how I got Alex as well.

Murphy was born on June 22, 2025. This tasty little hash brown was listed Tuesday night. I texted the number the next morning and went right round to go see him that afternoon. He was perfect, so I paid the $10 “rehoming” fee and took him to be my newest, bestest buddy.

Ten bucks probably sounds like a pretty good deal, right? Well… Yesterday he had his first vet appointment, and the bill wasn’t cheap. I already knew he had ear mites because he had been scratching at his ears, so I swabbed them and looked at it under an old microscope of mine. Let’s just say they threw in the ear mite cleaning FOR FREE because they were already able to cover a yacht payment with everything else they charged me for!

His follow up booster shot is in 3 weeks. Cha-ching! smh.

As of this Sunday, I’ve had him a total of about 4 days, and so far he’s cost me well over $500! At least he’s comfortable and feels right at home. While he can’t jump up on the bed yet, his needle like claws allow him to climb up the side of the mattress like Spider-cat, and then he likes to snuggle up with me an Gail… Which kinda worries me, cuz him being so small and all, he’s liable to get flattened!

To recap: I got another cat. He’s orange, he’s smol, and he’s a little spitfire. That’s about all I have to say on the subject at the moment, but I’m sure there will be more photo ops along the way.

Pax,

-f2x

Still going strong!

I thought I’d post some happy news today. Gail just turned 6 years old this past Monday, and as you can see, she is just as cheerful and gorgeous as ever.

I’m trying to come up with some other things that are “good news” related, but honestly, I’m just trying to get through life one day at a time.

It’s strange to think about it, but I’m a lot older than when I first started Flush Twice back in 2003, and I wasn’t exactly young when this all began either. I’ve gained sooo much weight, lost so much hair, and honestly, my health ain’t doing so hot either. Dead thyroid, high blood pressure, GERD, recurrent diverticulitis, pre-diabetes, and what’s starting to look like the early stages of kidney disease, and don’t forget about the mobility problems brought on by chronic plantar fasciitis and a busted knee. Yeah… I’m probably not gonna be around in 20 years, but that’s ok! Had a good run.

So for now, let’s give thanks on this hot, lazy, Sunday afternoon, that for a brief moment we are able to step back and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Pax,

-f2x