Yours truly, the author! Forty-nine (come November 2007) year old Arizonan, transplanted from the Midwest back in 1987, when Laura and I got together. I would describe myself as introspective, reflective, spiritual, and a dreamer. I'm generally optimistic and have a sense of humor. But am I, as one horoscope said, a Scorpio who is ''a formidable enemy, and prone to intense likes and intense dislikes?'' Do I have powerful eyes with ''If looks could kill''? Nah, couldn't be. That same horoscope did advise, however, to give myself ''permission to enjoy unusual relationships with outstanding characters''. I didn't really need the silly horoscope to tell me that, for I have, indeed, enjoyed such a relationship with both Laura and Julia, 'outstanding characters' if there ever were! I like writing, poetry, drawing, music and fun. But then, you might have gathered that already!

Another silly horoscope I read said ''remember that when you're involved with an Aries, you're involved with an explorer, a risk-taker, a thrill seeker and a pioneer.'' Laura was indeed all those things. If it weren't for her spirit of adventure, we might not ever have adventured into web-land (at least not as early as 1995), and we certainly wouldn't have begun the Metro'on website. I, who can be naturally timid at times, have enjoyed Laura's outgoing and playful nature, along with her vivacious and lively spirit. She and I were together since February of 1987, and have had a good union, until the fated 'death do us part'. Of course, there's lots more I shall always love about her. Transsexuality was another of her fascinating characteristics. She brought both a strong material nature, and a dynamism to that element that denied none of the full spectrum of masculine/feminine expression. With that, she had lots of interests. Cartoons, historical matters, heavy intellectual debates, and spontaneity were among them. Sadly, my brave warrior left this earth July 31, 2002, but her spirit lives on in my heart.

Laura and I met Julia back in 1993, and she joined us for good in August of 1994. We both fell in love with her gentle, sweet, calm disposition. The earlier mentioned horoscope said of Julia's Librian nature that she's a ''peacemaker, a diplomat, a balancer and a glamor puss.'' Glamor puss? She does enjoy dressing nicely and having her picture taken. She, like Laura, is also transsexual, but brings more of the 'traditional' femininity to that equation. She also likes fancy teas, deep intellectual debate, classical music, and puns. Even though Laura has passed on, we are still the very happy Triad!

August of 1998 Laura's Mom and spouse Glen moved into our apartment adjoining our house. When we had to move, she still kept near us, and lived only a couple of houses away. She's literally a sweet 'little old lady', (being less than five feet tall!) and we were glad to have her close to us. Now that we've moved AGAIN, we hope she'll join us in moving to our new city.

My Mother was no conventional seventy five year old! Until her death in November, 2004, she had a wide range of interests, such as current events, spiritual matters of a freethinking sort, and all things dealing with airplanes and flight. She even had a scanner to hear all the flight reports from her nearest airport, Chicago's O'Hare. We got along very well, and found ourselves getting closer as the years go by.

Anton is Laura's youngest son, born in 1969. He used to live near us, until we had to move to Yuma. They are both in the Society for Creative Anachronisms and enjoy roleplaying games. Anton has long been known as a creative 'dungeon master' in those genres.

James is Laura's second youngest son. He has an affable, easygoing manner. At present, he's working as a security guard.

Glen was Laura's Mom's spouse. He used to run a window cleaning business. His last days were spent coding a 'vector' drawing program he hoped would make them rich. Sadly, he never finished the program. He tried, with the last of his cancer riddled brain, but he never finished it.

Serena and I are good e-mail pals. She's my most faithful journal reader. She has a quiet gentle manner and enjoys her household of cats.

Tasting Life Twice - From August 20, 2005, onwards, The Constantly Updated Journal
Weighty Matters - The Constantly Updated Journal - until August 16, 2005
A Tale Told With Time - The Older Journal, October 31, 1996 to June 18, 2000