After a 1940 defined by gathering strengths and refinement across the feature, the early months of 1941 bring a few troubling portents behind-the-scenes for Fox's affectionately termed Grainy Gladiator. Nothing ruinous in itself, but signs of an upcoming radical shift away from what the character represented to start.
For one, the April issue of Adventure Comics (#61) brings with it a new cover feature, Ted Knight AKA Starman, courtesy writer-artist Jack Burnley. Already the second lengthiest entry in the book at nine pages, Starman quickly managed what neither Sandman nor Hourman could during their respective years as star attractions and upgraded to a full thirteen pages by his third appearance in #63. For context, Sandman only went from six pages to ten with its upgrade, while Hourman has remained rockstaedy at eight pages, and neither took down another non-superhero supporting feature to justify the page increase like Starman did Barry O'Neil and Mark Lansing. Moreover, from Starman's second appearance on, he is only drawn by Burnley; writing duties now belong to the Sandman's own Gardner Fox.
Which loops in with two other issues at play over Wesley's tossing, turning figure. Starting with issue #61, available online sources no longer fully agree who wrote what for the Sandman feature. You must understand, outside superstar figures with major pull like the creators of Superman or Batman, very few creative teams are properly credited in these Golden Age comics - my credits the last few posts have all been crossreferenced across numerous wikis and databases who owe their credits to investigative work by fans like Jerry Bails back in the 1960s. Such work was sadly not exhaustive, and while a few places (like DC Continuity Project and Wikipedia) state or else imply Fox stayed on as writer for the next few issues, from June to November there is no consensus as to who penned the stories.
I shouldn't be surprised if Fox's involvement terminated with the March issue, for April also saw All-Star Comics shift its format slightly, with Fox writing all nine interior stories for the 64 page mag in addition to his duties on the longer Starman feature. Man would have to work double time to keep pace, even if Sandman didn't drop to eight pages with #62 in May. Either way, Fox is certainly gone following #64 in July, as that issue features the final story drawn by regular artist and co-creator Creig Flessel, who departs to work on Shining Knight later in the year. As I say, things are changing fast for Sandman, and not all changes seem necessarily for the better. Best, however, to take the stories on their own level before drawing any final conclusions!
^{Coverage note: This entry goes to July rather than June for the sake of my sanity. If I stopped midway through the year, I'd only need cover seven features here, but the back half of '41 would require coverage of eleven. A nine-nine split feels much more feasible.}

• ADVENTURE COMICS #58 (January)

Orchids of Doom - Gardner Fox, Creig Flessel, Chad Grothkopf

Once again, a socialite friend to Wes and Dian is at the center of a minor mystery with big implications - namely, how can Pedro Nogades, father to Carla, rightly claim he breeds otherwise purely wild orchids in captivity? Investigating as the Sandman, Wes and Dian find a dead man in the Nogades greenhouse with his head stripped to the bone, and in following another fellow who sniffed an orchid before promising a shipment of such to some ruffians on the bad side of town, see his own face dissolve to bare skull. A visit to the police chemist reveals the orchids on the dead men's persons were laced to release a deadly flesh-eating gas on exposure to natural air, which is enough probably cause for Wesley to enlist Carla's boyfriend Bill in staging a raid on the Nogades manor. Some close shaves and fisticuffs end with the group discovering a diorama of the local coast, laid out to assist enemy agents in an invasion. Pedro is put away and the orchids revealed as concealing microfilm copies of the coastal plans, but how do we square the mystery that started it all? Simple: Nogades was no botanist, and called the flower by the wrong name when concocting his cover story!
An alright yarn to kick of the calendar year. As per usual when Fox tries for a somewhat complicated mystery, he's no adequate means of tying off loose ends other than large blocks of text, but it's lively and keeps the situation evolving with decent justifications for mid-story action and dragging Bill along for further fisticuffs. Hooking the entire mystery on, "Oh, the bad guy misspoke," is a tad lame, if understandable in the context of Fox's passion for slipping general knowledge flexes into his stories. Flessel and Grothkopf get some good mileage out've the skull imagery that crops up whenever the flower kills, and I rather like the brief bout of fisticuffs towards the end. The minor social awkwardness when Bill gets in the car with Wes and Dian is pretty good too, and I'm sorry to report I can't add this story to the "Wesley getting shot" count, as the bad guy only plugs his hat. Kinda funny having a Golden Age Sandman story involving orchids given Neil's own pre-Sandman work with Black Orchid, innit?

• ADVENTURE COMICS #59 (February)

The Story of the Flaming Ruby - Fox, Flessel, Grothkopf

There exists a ruby of blazing red, which has driven men to rage and madness wherever it appears, and today it sits in the hand of a young man in the local jeweler's shop, who flashes it cross Dian's vision. Later in the evening, she wakes in a trance consumed with the urge to kill her father, stopped only by Sandman as he rushes in from investigating a similarly queer case. A bank teller friend from his private life has found himself driven to steal from the vault and deliver it to some crooks on a lonely road every night, all after one of those men flashed him the ruby. Wes and Dian are unable to stop this night's transaction (on account of the ruby briefly turning Dian against Sandman), but seeing the gem in action gives Wes an idea on how to counteract its effects, and go into battle during the next drop armed with blue cobalt glasses. A brawl puts down all the blackmailers except one, but Wes opts instead to go after the head of the operation, knocking him out and lurking in the dark to catch the last as he reports in, revealing the bank teller! Turns out the ruby DOES have hypnotic properties and was used to assist their robberies, but the teller - hoping by playing at the victim to lure Sandman into his cohorts' midst and rub him out - spoke as if he remembered the whole experience, where Dian forgot herself on every exposure. Oops!
Same basic mystery structure and resolution type here as last month, complete with overly-wordy explanation, although I find the hook of pitting Dian and Wesley against one another gives it a minor leg up, as does the relatively straightforward nature of the criminal operation compared to planting microfilm in deadly flowers. There's a more even balance between the rush in bust 'em up style of crime-fighting the feature has developed and the stealthy skullduggery I think suits the character best, with nice action art to match each. Dian has some silly faces whenever she wakes from her hypnosis, and the four panel sequence of Wes halting her murder attempt works pretty well. This is, unfortunately, the final pencil-inking collaboration between Flessel and Grothkopf, and much as I've kvetched over the second man's solo work, I'm sorry to see the back of him in this capacity. When the two were in proper tune, they were the best artistic team Sandman enjoyed yet.
(Stop dodging bullets, I want to see you gunshot.)

• ADVENTURE COMICS #60 (March)

Mystery at Malay Mac's - Fox, Grothkopf

^{Hey, a rare post-Hourman, pre-redesign cover appearance! That's always nice. "Hello, officer? Yeah, coupla chucklefucks right here, the alley off Fourth, can't miss 'em."}
What's this? Dian breaking into a notorious criminal slumlord's safe in the bad part of town? A safe, as Wes discovers after he scares the lady off, filled to the brim with poison gas! Evidently not, as Dian is sound asleep when Wes arrives at Belmont manor to investigate, and a subsequent visit to Mister Mac reveals the only person who'd know the safe was booby-trapped is a local kidnapping organizer. Some blind, flailing fists turns up the girl, Dian's perfect duplicate, snatched from out of state to replace Dian and gain leverage over the cops. Too bad the kidnapper's made of strong stuff, knocking out Sandman and taking both woman for a ride to get back at Mac. Fortunately, Dian leaves Wes a trail of jewelry out the window, enabling him to follow and take down all the crooks with one throw of his gas pistol, revealing in the process 'twas Mac himself who tipped Dian's duplicate to his safe, in hopes of spoiling his rival's big plot.
Art-wise, this is probably Grothkopf's best work for Sandman to date. His tendency to exaggerate is translated into some properly goonish faces for the villains and really, really strong action poses, with some properly atmospheric shots sprinkled in for good measure. He cannot draw the gasmask for piss, but there's such an improvement I almost thought this was a Flessel joint before checking the wiki credits. Makes me wish we could see what he'd do if he kept on as a solo artist - free from the impulse to treat the feature as a cartoon, he produces damn fine work. As a story, this makes good time to mention my misgivings with Wesley's tendency to burst through windows and start swinging long before he thinks to use his sleeping gas. While it's great fun to describe and hype up as the mark of a madman who's even cooler as the badass normal than Batman, it also encourages a faster degradation in the character's identity. I'm sure you'll notice it's been yonks since lurking in the shadows and thinning the ranks by knocking them out in advance has factored into the stories. That Wes handles the bad guy by literally clonking him over the head with the gas gun rather than pulling the trigger speaks to the influence other, punchier superhero features have exerted over the strip.

• ADVENTURE COMICS #61 (April)

The Menace of the Metal Gun - Fox?, Flessel

From aboard a mysterious aircraft, a madman fires upon the city with a metal-melting ray that dissolves the skyscrapers into slag! Alerted to Doctor Borloff's activities, Wesley meets with swift defeat when the rogue scientist melts his gas gun and escapes in his cylindercraft to terrorize afresh. There IS a bright side, as seeing the ray firsthand gives Wesley some idea how to counteract its effects, and he sends Dian and her father warning for the local airforce to coat their planes in sand as a silicate buffer against the ray. Alas, only one officer heeds his message, leaving Sandman alone to get aboard the machine via his new wirepoon gun and defeat Borloff from within. For his brawling process, a good midflight fight is nothing if the hero gets tossed out an open door, but fortunately he can grapple onto the lone surviving plane, recover his bearings, zip back up, and put a stop to Borloff's dreams of world conquest once and for all!
Action is the name of the game here, and even without Grothkopf's inking enhancements, I think Flessel does a fine job on his own. I'm wary of the wirepoon in the future, as by year's end it will completely replace the gas gun as Sandman's sidearm of choice in further drift from the original Christman concept, but taken as a neutral in its debut, giving Sandman greater aerial mobility does lead to some cool shots and enhance the sense Wes goes stark bananas in the mask by pulling some stunts that would almost certainly pull his arms from their sockets in real life. There are, however, some particularly stiff action shots, and in one panel Flessel cocks up the design on the mask worse than Grothkopf last ish. Based on the opening vignette, Borloff decimated millions of innocent lives in addition to all the planes he melted out of the sky, making him easily the deadliest foe Wes has faced to date, and in turn making the "We did it, gang, everything is bright and peachy again!" ending sorta offputting. They'll have to organize mass funerals tomorrow, Wes. Show a little respect.

• ALL-STAR COMICS #4 (April)

For America and Democracy: The Grey Shirts - Fox, Grothkopf

In the top-level story, the JSA learn of their mission for the FBI: a group of Nazi insurgents known as the Grey Shirts are plotting subversive and destructive activities all across America, and are now posed to badly destabilize the nation in a series of disruptive attacks. Each is assigned a mission at critical points cross the nation, though given the widely-ranging disparity in their powers, their usefulness to the cause varies equally wildly. The Atom humiliates some goons spreading Nazi ideology at a single college, Hawkman barely prevents the destruction of an aviation plant in California, and Hourman's defense of an Oklahoma oil field ends with him toppling one of the oil towers to stop his quarry. Meanwhile, Green Lantern detonates a zeppelin secretly jamming radio transmissions nationwide, the Spectre casually annihilates some otherworldly vampiric globes sympathetic to Hitler's cause, and Doctor Fate uses his magic to out every single spy on the eastern seaboard. Uneven efforts or not, the group converge on the Grey Shirts' ringleader, and with a little help from Johnny Thunder, turn him over to good ol' J. Edgar Hoover's custody. Alas, Wesley does not get the blood he's thirsting after.
(Also Doctor Fate alerts Wesley to the identity and location of the ringleader before his mission starts rather than letting him figure it out on his own like everyone else. Prick.)
For his six-page leg of the assignment, the Sandman is off to El Paso, Texas to assist a local newspaper under threat from the Grey Shirts for printing pro-democracy and anti-Hitler editorials. Of course, this being Wesley Dodds on the job, he gets this information by roughing his way into the newspaper offices, then acts on it by beating on the guard at the Grey Shirts' camp and pounding down a band of brainwashed young men to prove he's a better American than them. After sending the wannabe Nazis for a whirl by running their bomb shipment off the road, Wesley doubles back to completely break the recruits' spirits, daring them to prove their hard enough by shooting an unarmed man in Hitler's name, chiefly himself. When none can cut the mustard, he marches them back into town with collars strapped to his car, and inspires the lot to join the Army to a few shirtless bars of "God Bless America."
Cripes but jingoism produces some heady results, doesn't it? I'm not sure I can rightly condone the ridiculous levels of patriotism on display here, even against such classically anti-American enemies as Nazis, yet at the same time, look at this and tell me it isn't the hardest shit you'll see all week. Again, though I've my misgivings about Wes as a brawler no matter how entertaining the results prove, there's something endearing about him being so raring for a fight his first move is to altercate the receptionist at the place he's assigned to defend. On the whole, Grothkopf's final Sandman contribution also shows refinement from his earlier works, the broader, thicker elements of his linework now tempers on a somewhat more grounded approach. Certainly the Sandman himself keeps a consistent look better than he does in any other issue published thus far this year. I DO notice he reused Flessel's design for the District Attorney wholesale on the newspaper publisher. Since he's going and heading out on a job well done, let's not hold it against him, eh?

• ADVENTURE COMICS #62 (May)

The Purple Death Ray - Fox?, Flessel

At the nightly planetarium show, a member of the audience screams and falls down dead, stricken by a litany of strange symptoms with no obvious cause. Wesley, believing the man was killed by a death ray, examines the auditorium's projector, only to find no obvious alterations or fault. Undeterred, he purchases himself a seat next to the murdered man's for the next show, which is now occupied by another fellow who received a last-second courtesy invitation. Acting quickly, the Sandman reexamines the projector from the shadows and finds a replacement bulb screwed into the socket pointed directly at the man's chair. With assistance from his wirepoon, Sandman swings down and wrenches the man from his seat just as the show starts, the bulb bathing his seat in deadly radiation. On learning the man is a former judge and the deceased a former DA, it's not long before Wes ferrets out the killer; it's the cashier, a former scientist sent to jail for misappropriating university funds years ago, out for revenge and now stopped cold.
See, while I'm skeptical about the growing presence of science-fiction elements in the series, they make fine fodder when they play to Sandman's strengths. Lurking high above a crowd of people seeking the answer to some deadly mystery is exactly Wes' bag, and plus or minus some strange mask drawings, Flessel captures that thrill of closely examining a big deadly machine in secret before it fires. I'd submit the page where Sandman saves the judge from the beam as an easy contender for best of the year thus far, and the shot where [Wes pushes Dian away from the killer's bullet](blob:https://imgur.com/7247f414-8a57-489f-a9bd-d85bc9e19a6a) is another fine piece of work. My memories of this one before sitting down to reread and write were a lot chillier, probably because I wish the series remained in crime pulp rather than raygun pulp, but a good outcome is a good outcome. Seriously, though, why is the mask going so bobble-eyed of late?

• ADVENTURE COMICS #63 (June)

The Voodoo Sorcerer - ???, Flessel

As Dian and Wesley tiff over his interest in an exotic dancer they know through a mutual friend, the woman's tail-lashing dance is interrupted when she sees a great glowing triangle materialize before her eyes. With the shock straining her bad heart, the Sandman brings her to boyfriend's house, where he reveals the triangle is a voodoo witch doctor's means of accusing someone of murder - just as news comes over the wire that the man the woman lashed with her costume tail has died! Smelling a rat, Wes rushes to the scene of the crime to find the taile barbed with poison quills, only for the titular sorcerer to bumrush him out the window. It's a big misunderstanding, thankfully: he's as shocked by the murder as Sandman, and only summoned the triangle on suggestion from an acquaintance, forgetting the dancer would know its significance through her partner. By happiest coincidence, this provides Wesley the solution to the mystery right quick, for only his friend's chauffeur would have motive, opportunity, and knowledge to frame his employers and their associates for the murder of a stock broker who owed them money.
Hmm, ah, see, on the one hand, it IS nice that the voodoo guy is innocent of everything except a lapse in judgement and the real twist is an unassuming little man exploiting the mystery and fears around his craft to cast suspicion off his person. On the other hand, eek, yike, zoinks! None good. Bad, even. Outside unfortunate depictions of non-white persons from the 1940s, the story's pretty weak for a murder mystery, as numerous elements are evidently known to the characters well in advance, yet only made clear to the reader right before they become relevant, like the exact identity of the murdered man. It's only eight pages, so there's little opportunity to piece information together on your own time, and as such it is heavily reliant on narrative cheats to generate cheap surprise. About the best thing here is the big page-dominating panel of Wesley swinging through the city on his wirepoon, unconscious woman tucked under arm. Kinda hard to convincingly raise my dander about what it means for the character and his feature when it's successfully operating on the long-standing principle of "masked mystery men swinging on a wire through skyscrapers looks really cool." S'like a solid fifth of the formula behind why Spider-Man is so enduringly popular.
(Also not a big fan of how Wes dismisses Dian from participating in the case without any adequate reason why. She calls him out over it, even, and nothing in the story justifies his decision to fly solo on this one.)

• ADVENTURE COMICS #64 (July)

The Unseen Man - ???, Flessel

Dian's purchase of paints from a local hobby shop includes quite the unusual accidental item: a paint that turns anything and everything invisible on contact. Determined to solve this mystery on her own, Dian investigates the shop with the dealer's cooperation, only for the dread Unseen Man to get the drop on her. Fortunately, Sandman is there to save her because he won't let Dian do anything on her own; unfortunately, Dian doesn't know Wes can see her attacker through his blue cobalt lenses and pulls him away, thinking him mad and letting the Unseen Man go free. As reward for her screw up, she's targeted in her home the next night, only for Wes to barge in again, having anticipated the only possible secret identity for the crook would make him likely to strike back at Dian. It is, unsurprisingly, the hobby shop owner, who Wes turns over to the police before heading out to patent his invisibility paint with the United States Army.
Alright, it's definitely not Gardner Fox writing anymore, because I cannot imagine Fox treating Dian so poorly. I gave her some dignity in summary, but this story is plain dumping all over her as a fussy, incompetent tryhard who fails at investigating on her own on account her womanly ways. Just look at the sheer antagonism between her and Wes; you two are partners, she's saved Sandman's skin like a dozen times, worn his costume and wielded his gas gun to do it once, even! Don't try to BS me into thinking Wes would run this paternalist "let me handle it, Dian, I wear the pants in this relationship" crap on her. You're only alive because she's worn your fucking pants. Otherwise, 'nother instance where the story and art alike don't give me much of note. I reckon Flessel was about done with the series with Fox gone and sorta phoned in his last few assignments. They're nowhere near the standard of his early solo artistic duties on the title. There IS another good wirepoon swinging shot, if one counterbalanced by a crummier instance with yet another weirdly-proportioned mask.

• ALL-STAR COMICS #5

The Mysterious Mr. X: The Kidnapper's Union - Fox, Cliff Young

The Justice Society are bored. Bored, bored, bored. Why are they bored? There is no crime. Not a single ruffian or scoundrel or roughneck lawbreaker anywhere in the city! Where did crime go? Crime has taken an enforced vacation, courtesy the plans of big crime boss Mister X (hats off), as prelude to his big plans for taking out the JSA and putting all his criminal enterprises back on easy street. It's quite the collection of rackets out against the superheroes - an arsonist ring for Flash, a jewel snatching gang for Hawkman, leader of the phony fortune teller underworld against Doctor Fate, even hard-pressing gym membership shakedowns for the Atom! Naturally our heroes triumph, though every one also encounters a strange little man idly strolling through their battlegrounds. He's so omnipresent despite his mousiness, he's even there when they convene at the police station to organize Mister X's (hats off) arrest. Except this unassuming slip of a man? He IS Mister X (hats off), and with the Justice Society having taken all the fun out've crime, he's turning himself in to live comfortably on the state's dollar in jail. WHOOPSY-DOODLE!
For his six-page part in the game, Sandman must contend against the kidnapper's union, who naturally enough have abducted Dian to get his attention. Not only have these lowlives taken Dian hostage (though she doesn't particularly mind), they've taken out phony accident insurance claims against themselves should the hero injure any of them en route to his untimely death! Nobody quite expects Wes to avoid the sniper-guarded roads to their remote hilltop hideout, though, and a quick wirepoon swing over the canyon (complete with Mister X - hats off - sighting) puts him right in the criminal den. From there, it's a simple biff wham boom to take down the punks and disarm their supporting fire. Alas, Sandman is once again only in the loop on the true nature of the threat against the JSA because someone notifies him from their own investigation, this time Flash via telegram. Let him do his own detective work, you pricks!
Right. You see these panels? You see Dian being calm and collected in the midst of a kidnapping operation? You see Wes trusting her with a submachine gun to keep watch on the fools who mean them harm? Yeah, THAT'S Fox writing Dian. Whoever's writing the Adventure feature at this time ought've taken notes. Artistically, Young makes a fine replacement for Grothkopf and Flessel in Adventure - he can match the first for goons, the second for action, manages a nice turnaround effect before Wes swings on his wirepoon, and even gives us a by-now all-too-rare heavy shadow shot on Wes and Dian. I'm a big fan of the lead kidnapper who calls the JSA the "Justiss Sassiety," and find this instance of Mister X (hats off) the second best in the book, behind only his appearance in the Hourman story, which I think speaks for itself. Probably the only time I'll express preference for something Hourman related over Sandman.
The loss of all three major contributors to the Sandman feature across early 1941 and the crunch down to eight pages has certainly made the Adventure Comics side of the Sandman line a rockier experience. It's still possible to derive enjoyment from the wonky mysteries and higher-concept criminals, but one must accept atmosphere and and particularity have been near-entirely sacrificed for generalized bombast and louder appeal. Don't misunderstand, I've become a fan of Wesley Dodds, Fist-Swinging Bullet Sponge, and my past praises for him aren't diminished by the realization of what this has done to his integrity as a character circa today's stopping point. The trouble is, while I enjoy this half-mad, impossibly reckless read on the character, it simply no longer bears any resemblance to the early days' lurking and creeping through the seedier parts of town. There's a great series of justifications running through the Sandman concept - he's no powers, so he uses the gas gun, so he needs the gas mask, which hides his identity so perfectly it frees him to wear the ordinary business suit, which highlights his vulnerability. Fling him around like a ragdoll who knows no fear of injury or death, although I'll clap for the bravado of it all, I must object if it means any notion he should be sneaky or cautious degrades.
Especially if it means the gas gun vanishes from the character. It hasn't met its final end just yet, but for this seven month block it's proven a very perfunctory aspect of the strip, hung by his side and occasionally brandished without acting as an integral part of the action or storytelling. The wirepoon has subsumed its function as the sidearm, and while I must stress there are plenty aces shots of Wes swinging that fully justify its prominence, taking precedence over the thing that makes him the Sandman, Crimefighter What Fights Crime By Putting The Criminals To Sleep plain rubs me the wrong way. Be awful nice i we could have both without the new toy putting the old out to pasture, y'know? It's not led to anything I'd full-throatedly object over just yet, but... ach, you'll see next time. Speaking of...
Next time! 1941 comes to a close as Wesley picks up another feature to his name, and also a stupid, ugly new costume!
(Previous write-ups: 1939, 1940 pt 1, 1940 pt 2)

This excuse is getting repetitive: GP keeps saying it can't change so quickly, it's like turning a battleship, people are set in their ways, and so on.
But there are some problems with this excuse. The first obvious one is that they've said this for a long time. We're talking decades now. Is there a time table? Even if it takes a battleship a long time to turn, it will eventually turn.
Secondly, if I was comparing GP to a government, I'd say they're nothing like, for example, a large democracy. The United States government gets flak for getting nothing done - parties are entrenched, they can't change, there's layers and layers of bureaucracy and red tape, and so on.
But GP doesn't have such a leadership structure. They're probably closer to a corporation (or an authoritarian regime). They have a CEO or small group of leadership at the top that can make all the decisions, and employees follow orders. If the CEO wants to make a certain change, the change will get made, barring extreme circumstances. If Bob Iger wants to cancel a building project, he can do it unilaterally. If the leader of China wants to lockdown a city for a COVID outbreak, or seize land to build a dam, he pretty much can. There is no significant check or balance to push back.
What I'm saying is, if PED wanted to change, he could. He could make edicts and yes there's some cultural stuff in GP that makes it hard to change all at once, but eventually they will change. It's really up to PED, KK and a few at the top.
The more likely explanation is that PED doesn't want to change *cough* give up some power *cough*. Or doesn't know what to change. But I don't buy the excuse that it's too hard and slow, it's impossible, so they can't change but they're trying, and everyone else has to keep patiently waiting. I want to stop hearing about how it's going to take a long time.
Years ago, in the BBC days, there was a mass shifting of pastors to various cities/campuses. The pastor of San Jose/ silicon valley went to LA, staff from Davis went to Washington DC to start a church plant, pastors from Boston went to San Jose, I think some international BBC had a pastor change, probably a few other cities, it was a lot of moves. And it's not just the pastors and their families uprooting themselves. There were several JDSN and staff under them that moved too. Entire families. This wasn't an anomaly either. People are uprooted and moved around for church plants constantly. Large moves like this were never off the table. GP can make huge changes if it wanted to.

Hi all, I've had Vitligo since I was 6 years old. I'm going to condense some wisdom down into an easy to read post so you can just get on with your life. I've spent most of my life researching vitiligo because mine was really noticeable, and I've functionally conquered at times in my life only to have it re-emerge and have to find some other way to handle it. I believe I've now come to the ultimate knowledge and can help others. And I put the knowledge out free because no doctor should be able to make a living charging people in a compromised position to not even fully heal most of them.
This is going to be a post with a lot of Truth in it. If you can't handle it, please keep scrolling. The Truth is of immense value to people because it will help them deal with the real situation and not a fuzzy, make believe world that they don't actually belong to, and then can't understand when things just aren't working out.
1) Vitiligo puts you in a compromised position in a lot of cases because it reduces your value in society. It is considered a flaw and therefore you will have a hard time in dating and sometimes jobs, friendships etc depending on what the vitiligo looks like and it's severity. Some people get lucky but for the most part, people with vitiligo get shunned because people have the instinct to not be around those that show signs of a disease. Although vitiligo isn't a contagious disease, it looks like one. In addition, the shapes it makes on the skin can be scary such as looking like a "skull face" on top of a real face, etc so kids can start crying etc if they see someone who looks like that, no matter how nice they are. It's a real mindfuck for the person who has it. It goes without saying that it's a barrier to dating as well.
2) Doctors are making a ton of money researching vitiligo but notice how they don't just simply put an end to the vitiligo. Why would they when their whole career is based off of it? If people just got rid of it and got on with their lives, that income source would end. So you go to the doctor and are mindfucked AGAIN when you are filled with hope that a treatment might work, and it never, never does. I've tried PUVA, topical steroids (a disaster, they made me get spider veins on my ankles worsening my situation), Eximer laser (did fill in one of the areas but then created dark spots as well), and a melanocyte transplant that failed and also created a new spot on my outer thigh from the "doner" area. Looking to Doctors to provide relief has been a fail. The new JAK inhibitors, "Ruxolitnib" has a ton of warnings on the package, such as "don't use if you've ever lived near the Ohio River because parasites that are infesting your body can overwhelm your immune system" - whaaaat? Ok Skippy. I've long ago learned not to use "new cures" that come out every decade or so.
3) there is ample evidence of what is actually going on but it's not in doctors best interest to connect the dots. But I have. I went through a period of sickness that required me to take 6 years off just working on my health. During that period, I pretty much figured it out. So read on.
4) 23andMe is now widely available. In 2016 I ordered mine and spit in a cup, mailed it off and got my printout of my genes. I uploaded the raw data to Prometheaus and found out that I have a Vitamin D Receptor Mutation or VDR mutation, mine is called VDR-TAQ. I didn't understand that AT FIRST. But I kept researching. Turns out that people with VDR-TAQ only make a little bit of Vitamin D from the Sun when they are out there, compared to normal people. They operate on low D for their whole lives. Vitamin D controls the skin's pigmentation as well as many other body processes like hair, nails, bones, teeth etc. Long ago, we used to spend from sunrise to sunset outside gaining vitamin D. Then we would have enough to last us through the Winter when there is no D available in the sunlight. But we are all inside now, making anyone with low D much worse. If D gets too low for a long enough time, it will affect some people's skin pigmentation, especially if they are under stress, using up nutrients at a high rate. I came from an abusive family of alcoholics and was under a lot of stress, so my Vitligo appeared very early, at age 6. It wasn't understood so I continued to suffer low D until I figured it out at 40+. My D had consistently been low whenever measured but I wasn't told how to bring it up and why I should.
5) Bringing up your Vitamin D level isn't easy or simple. D requires cofactors in order to raise the level if you're using pills. You have to take it with magnesium and B complex or else it won't absorb. Further complicating things is that all magnesiums are not equal, you have to take a "good one", not magnesium oxide which is a cheap version that can actually harm your body instead of helping. So I took mine with magnesium bisglycinate. Also I become sick from commercial versions of the B vitamins and have to order special "activated" B so I could even take a B complex. I use the Quicksilver activated B complex liquid and it's about $50 with shipping. Was it hard to figure these things out? Yes it was. But I wanted to get better, so I did it. At the end of the day, I spent 2 summers sunning 3 times a week in a private back yard, AND supplemented with D and it's cofactors especially in winter, and my level did go up but not all the way, so I ended up buying a Sperti vitamin D light that cost me about $400. This is not PUVA which for most people does not work. This is just a regular Vitamin D light that gives off UVB rays like the sun's. Using this light, I began to have productive winters where I didn't have Seasonal Affective Disorder and see real progress on my Vitiligo. I also use a cream directly on the spots that contains vitamin D and A called Infadolan that I order online, it's about $20 for 3 tubes.
6) Since I began raising my vitamin D level with supplementation, sunning and a SPERTI UVB sunlamp, my vitilgo has slowly gone away. But there are some areas that refuse to budge. My lower abdomen is one of them. I feel that this is because there is no dark hair on the area, and it's also the largest. It also gets the least sun. Areas that have hair repigment much easier that those that don't (the pigment cells live in the hair follicles) - also areas that get sun every single day like the face. It's well known that most people find the face much easier to repigment than other areas of the body. I feel that this is because the melanocytes there get stimulation with sunlight almost every day.
7) I've read that some people get vitligo in response to chemicals found in rubber - my most persistent spots are where I used to wear rubber next to my skin growing up such as the elastic in sandals or girl's underwear. I also used to wear a latex mini skirt in my teens and early 20s, and ended up with a band of depigmentation where the skirt rested against my lower abdomen. These are very stubborn areas to treat. My advice would be if someone has vitligo, stay away from rubber, latex etc. resting against their skin. It's not necessary. Also stay away from skin bleaching agents - I got more spots from using a skin lightening cream that I got from a beauty store to take care of dark areas that had developed in intimate areas. Don't use those creams.
8) to make it through life, I've had to use camoflages for my vitiligo. I have worked as a performer and needed to appear "normal". Often, people with vitiligo are beautiful and vibrant people who have amazing gifts. Ive found to my surprise that they are often in the entertainment industry (Michael Jackson, etc). What has worked in my particular case, is using non toxic spray tans and mousses - so far I've found that Sephora Sun and Loving Tan are 2 of the least toxic. Use the Yuka app to determine the toxicity of a product. Don't use really toxic stuff as body makeup, it can affect your health. In a small glass cup, I mix the 2 mousses together into a shade that approximates my skin tone, and let it melt in to a liquid in front of a fan or heater. I use a Q tip dipped in this liquid to coat the spot initially, then use a wet washcloth to blend the edges so that there isn't such a sharp contrast between the areas. After adding that layer, I then load the rest of the liquid into a small rechargable spray gun that you can find on Amazon for about $100. I spray the areas with the spray tan artfully and enhance my abs, bustline etc while I am at it and end up with a pretty good look that can fool most people. This coating lasts for a day or 2. It takes about 30-45 minutes to re-coat myself. I usually give myself a day or 2 rest between applications. But sometimes I have to do it back to back.
8) I'm still only 3 years into using the Sun and a UVB light as a treatment for vitiligo. I've seen great progress, but the most stubborn areas aren't gone. I did, however get rid of most of the areas. When I think about how miserable I was with the amount of vitiligo I had, I want to cry. I got it to where people don't stare at me in the street, on my own - and that is very exemplary. Areas that have almost no vitligo now - face, arms, hands, chest, upper stomach, shins, thighs, lower back. Areas i still have it - ankles, foot tops, underarms, private area, lower abdomen. There is a process called MicroArt that can tattoo over those areas. It's a form of permanent makeup. At the end of the day, I want it all gone and don't want to have to deal with it at all, so I may end up getting MicroArt over the areas that are remaining so I can stop with the spray tan and just be normal. The MicroArt isn't a 100% solution because it's a permanent makeup and can't change color with tanning like your normal pigment can, but I bet it could be a 90% solution, and that might have to be the best result for me in a timely manner. You could get a professional spray tan over the Microart in the summer so it would all match, or do it yourself. I don't want to have to pursue a cure for the rest of my life. Had my parents been aware that this was a low D gene and a low nutrition problem, maybe I could have been saved in childhood and never had to go through dating and all the rest with vitligo. But unfortunately, I was the one who had to put the time/effort into finding these things out as an adult and that took precious time. MicroArt is expensive just so you know. Maybe you can find a camoflage tattoo artist who could do a servicable/acceptable job who isn't Microart and who wouldn't charge as much - more and more are popping up across the country.
9) a noteworthy site is this woman, The Vit Pro, who figured some of these things out on her own, and had a lot of success in regaining her pigment. Again, it's someone who simply took the time to figure it out on her own. I think you will find more help from individuals like me and her than from the doctors, sadly. I have seen A FEW success stories where someone was healed by a doctor, but not many. And did they stay that way? This is her site - thevitpro dot com. Good luck!

Because someone asked me about a comment I made on another post, here's an edited version of a writeup I did back in 2011 of the 8 page outline from Heinlein's papers that became Spider Robinson's Variable Star.
When I first Read Variable Star a few years after it came out, I thought it was OK but disappointing. It's a Spider Robinson novel, and while I enjoyed the first few books of his I read, he has a limited range and by the time I read this one I had gotten bored with him.
But, a huge deal was made in the afterword and the cover blurbs about the source of the novel being a book outline by Heinlein that he had never expanded to a full novel - an 8 page outline that tragically had lost its last page by the time Robinson got hold of it. (I don't know how much of the story of the missing page is marketing BS, but there's no reason Robinson would have been unable to get a copy of the last page if he really wanted to see it) .
Anyway, I got curious and went looking for the outline. Like every other scrap of paper from his writing career that Heinlein didn't destroy, it's in the UC Santa Cruz library, and scans of everything in the Heinlein collection are available for sale online at the Heinlein Archive website. The 8 page outline (which is complete, no missing last page) is part of the "Story ideas, part 1" PDF, catalog number WRTG201a-01.
I paid $2 and got a 150 page PDF, including the 8 page outline and a bunch of other quite interesting material - very much worth the pittance.
TLDR: The outline is clearly for a Heinlein juvenile. While Heinlein never turned the outline into a novel himself, he did did not abandon it as the marketing for Variable Star would imply. Rather, he took one core idea (near-light speed travel as a form of time travel into the future) and used it as the basis for Time For the Stars. Then he took the other core idea (poor boy suddenly finds himself dealing with a family more wealthy and powerful than most governments) and incorporated it into Citizen of the Galaxy. Finally he took the last idea from the outline (boy and girl seemingly separated by one-way time travel into the future discover that their ages are not incompatible after all because they've both travelled forward), and used it in The Door Into Summer.
In 2011 when I wrote this up, I could not find anyone talking about the outline, so I wrote a detailed summary on my blog. Here's that summary:
The outline is eight single space typewritten pages, plus 12 handwritten notecards. The notecards are pages 115-128 and the typed outline pages 129-136 of the PDF. I'll be focusing on the typescript, which I can read without straining my eyes. The notecards are very brief, so we're not missing much this way.
The MS begins "Notes for a novel - 5 Nov 1955," which places it (going by publication dates) after Tunnel in the Sky and before Double Star or Time for the Stars. The second line gives a working title "The Stars are a Clock," and then there are several other titles handwritten at the top of the page:
Dr. Einstein's Clock, The Starship Nautilus, The Starship Naughty Girl, The Star Clock, The Einstein Clock
It's not clear whether the two "The Starship X" ones are meant to be subtitles for "Dr Einstein's Clock" or standalone titles in themselves. Page 2 is headed "Star Clock (The Star Clock, maybe)" and the rest of the outline has "The Star Clock-[page number]" as a running head.
The only named characters are Joel Johnston, age 18, the protagonist; Jinny Jones/aka Jennifer Conrad (Joel's steady high school girlfriend, age 17); and "Mr. Conrad," Jinny's grandfather and head of the Conrad financial empire. A few other characters are described in terms of the real-world people the character should be modelled after (in speaking of the starship, he says "I think maybe Ron Hubbard is her skipper").
This was clearly intended as a juvenile novel - Joel is 18, and when saying he "should have more girl trouble aboard ship," Heinlein adds "(keep it clean, of course!)" One reason Heinlein set the outline aside and started over may be that he decided he couldn't get a book whose plot was centred on a romance accepted for the (at the time) sexless juvenile market.
Joel and Jinny are in love, but Joel is an orphan with no money and he thinks he needs to get through college and start a career before he can get married. If Joel can't get the scholarship he's applied for, then it's going to take even longer, since he'll have to work his way though school.
Having gotten Joel to admit that he would like to marry Jinny if only there was a way, Jinny lets him know that her surname is not Jones but Conrad, and that she is not just a Conrad, but the "'crown princess' of the Conrad industrial empire... which is larger than the Hanseatic League, Rothschild family, and General Motors combined and just smaller than space itself."
Two paragraphs in a row start with a variation of Joel "finally gets it through his head" that Jinny is wealthy enough to pay his way though school, so Joel is yet another variation on the "smart but slow witted youth" that Heinlein used as protagonist again and again.
There's a couple of paragraphs mentioning the marriage and courtship customs of the time, which again probably would not have been acceptable in a novel for the juvenile market: "some discussion of 'student contract,' the trial marriage used" by most college students who wish to get married before they graduate, rejected by Jinny, ("marriage isn't a ticket to an amusement park") who wants an old fashioned life long marriage.
Jinny doesn't "park, diddle, go on no-chaperone weekends... she is old-fashioned and chinchy" because she has been taught since age three that she has a responsibility to the Conrad family to produce an heir with an acceptable father - and she has decided that Joel is that man.
Joel "finally gathers" that he has been tapped not just to marry into the Conrad family but to produce its heirs, and is dubious about being a kept man/prince consort. Jinny says "it isn't like that at all!" and makes him promise to go talk to her grandfather about it.
All this takes just over a page of the outline.
The next morning, Joel is summoned to an audience with Mr. Conrad. There is only one "Mr. Conrad" at any one time, all the other male Conrads go by "Mr. Joseph, Mr. Robert" and so on. Conrad takes Joel's consent for granted and proceeds to tell him how he will live his life from then on -- he will be educated, trained, and groomed to take a top executive position. Joel was thoroughly investigated before Jinny was given permission to propose to him. Mr. Conrad knows all about him - including confidential medical/psychological records.
Joel objects, respectfully, saying that having his life planned out for him like this is not for him. Conrad brushes his objections aside and leaves, still failing to realize that he's just been turned down.
Joel is unable to contact Jinny after this ("she has been gently kidnapped, of course - family stuff"), and once he fails to respond to further messages from Conrad, the screws start to turn: his scholarship (controlled by the Conrad foundation) is turned down.
Unable to continue school, sore at Jinny for not contacting him, and at his wits end, "he sees the ad for 'gentlemen adventurers'" applies, is accepted, and is shortly on his way to Beta Aurigae.
All this takes a page and a half of outline, most of it devoted to a detailed summary of Mr. Conrad's interview with Joel.
Now there's just under two pages of background material, detailing several things:
First, the economics of space travel in this future society - relativistic starships that go out on voyages of exploration often fail to come back, but those that do return invariably show an immense profit, more than enough to pay for the lost ships. Starship exploration is one area where the Conrad empire has competitors, and the ad Joel sees is not affiliated with the Conrad conglomerate.
Second, the nature of Joel's poverty - he has an "orphan's allowance" which ran out on his 18th birthday. Joel's father bought some stock for him but the market shifted and Joel had to sell it low to pay for his last (post 18th birthday) semester at prep school. Without the scholarship, Joel has no money at all. He could do many things at this point, from indentured service to a stint in the military, but he's so discombobulated by the whole Jinny/Conrad business that he is in a "what the hell frame of mind" and signs up for this star voyage.
Third, the starship in question is "a pile of junk," old and poorly equipped, carrying low value cargo (emigrants), with low likelihood of returning, but Joel doesn't know that. "She will be a quaint mixture of madhouse and hellship." Subjectively, the trip out and back (to a star 10 light years away) will take a year, but 40 years will pass on Earth.
Fourth, there's a half page of brainstorming, with Heinlein throwing out multiple ideas as to what may happen (is the skipper incompetent, or is he in on a stock market manipulation scheme to delay the ship's return? Perhaps Joel still has some stock his father bought in an old starship that is long overdue, which he instructs his solicitor to invest in Joel's starship if it ever pays off? Perhaps they pay off, but his solicitor put them in a "safe" investment instead, and Joel is penniless - again! - at the end of his trip?)
Joel applies to go on the starship, along with a large crowd of "down-at heels rabble" and he is among the few provisionally accepted. They'd like him to marry one of the single women who have also been provisionally accepted, but he'll have none of that. "He is accepted anyhow and we rush him aboard."
And then there's a bit more than a page of further brainstorming about what happens aboard ship - with an note that "we've got plenty to happen when he gets back; what we need now is adventure and humour" and twists on the ship and on the alien planet.
Heinlein makes several mid-course changes in the story: the back-at-home duration of the voyage gets increased to 60 years, with Joel ageing just three years; the ship goes through two names (Nautilus and Naughty Girl) and goes from making an out-and-back voyage to making a 4 or 5 leg journey. He tosses out the idea that an emigrant on the original trip out from Earth (then a 5 year old girl) grows up to be someone he might want to marry on his return to that colony world, and the idea that another girl from his high school is on the crew of the ship, and he falls for her, but she marries one of the officers instead.
One thing he is certain of is that while Joel's ship is still travelling, FTL ships are perfected and the relativistic starships become obsolete. He also mentions that Joel will find a "space bat" as a "cute and cuddlesome and smart e.-t." pet.
Eventually Joel has to go back to Earth (whether his stocks end up making him well-heeled or broke Heinlein waffles on), still single. A page is devoted to discussing the "Out-of-Phase Club, Anachron Lounge, etc" and Joel's meeting with the secretary of the club, who explains to him the club's purpose of helping relativistic starship crew by acting as trainers/translators and as a place where they can meet people from their own time period, since they are almost always going to find Earth's society, language, and customs to be bafflingly different from when they left.
Finally, the last page and a half of the outline is devoted to Joel's arranging to meet Jinny (who he imagines is now almost 80), the girl he ran away from and who has continued to haunt him, keeping him from marrying any of the "half a dozen other nice girls" he met on his travels. After getting to the Conrad house, he first sees Jinny's granddaughter and great-granddaughter, and (once again) is slow on the uptake when Jinny (still young) finally walks into the room.
Because, of course, she took a starship out too, after marrying, giving birth to the requisite heir, and then finding herself both widowed and orphaned in quick succession. So, sixty Earth years later, they are now the same age.
They fight, they make up, they "clinch." They decide, since they are both now anachronisms from the past, to buy their own starship (Joel's old ship) and travel around relativistically, coming back to earth every century or so to "see what's new."
Now a bit about Robinson's novel: it is extremely faithful to the first five pages of the outline (up to the point where Joel leaves on the starship). Robinson used just a few of the brainstorming ideas Heinlein put in page 6 (the trip), and ignored page 7 (Joel's return to Earth) completely (and it is claimed that he didn't have page 8). Robinson also borrowed some material from Time For the Stars, the Heinlein juvenile which did get written on the theme of relativistic star travel - there's mention of telepaths keeping the starship in touch with Earth, for instance.
Then (avoiding spoilers here) Variable Star utterly abandons the outline (well before the alleged missing page 8) and strikes off in an entirely new direction. By staying so faithful to the initial outline, then diverging so widely from it, Robinson ended up with a book that egregiously violates the Chekov's Gun rule - the ending of Variable Star comes from nowhere, with very little buildup or foreshadowing, while the beginning of the book puts a good many plot threads in motion that are discarded abruptly without resolution to make way for the ending.
Finally, a bit about the other material to be found in the "Story Ideas part 1" PDF: There are numerous newspaper and magazine clippings that Heinlein evidently found evocative; two articles by Jerry Pournelle (one typescript, one journal reprint); some handwritten pages that I did not try to decipher; 19 pages of worldbuilding notes for "A Martian named Smith" aka Stranger in a Strange Land, dated 1949; and finally two typed letters, one to "Sarge" (dec 1963), and one (missing the first page, probably from the same time period) to "Buz," both talking about race relations. Buz is probably F.M. Busby.

If you’re planning on moving to Texas, you’re not alone. With its low cost of living, booming economy, and diverse culture, Texas has become a popular destination for people from all over the world. However, moving to a new state can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the area. In this guide from the Moving Truck Driver website, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know to have a successful relocation to Texas, including tips for finding housing, navigating the job market, and making the most of your new home.

Tips for Finding Housing in Texas

When it comes to finding housing in Texas, it’s important to start your search early and be prepared for the competitive market. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect place to call home in the Lone Star State:

1. Research the Area: Before you start looking at specific properties, take some time to research the areas you’re interested in living in. Look for information on crime rates, school districts, transportation options, and local amenities like parks, shopping centers, and restaurants.
2. Use Online Resources: There are many online resources available for finding housing in Texas, including popular sites like Zillow, Trulia. These sites allow you to search for properties by location, price, size, and other factors, making it easy to narrow down your options.
3. Hire a Realtor: Working with a local realtor who is familiar with the area can be a great way to find the best properties that fit your needs and budget. They can also help you negotiate lease terms and provide valuable insight into the local housing market. Moving Truck Driver has relationships in most areas of the country, working with countless realtors throughout the years. If you would like a recommendation for finding a the right realtor for you, please let us know and we will be happy to make the connection.
4. Attend Open Houses: Attending open houses is a great way to see properties in person and get a feel for the local real estate market. Be sure to bring a list of questions to ask the agent or landlord, such as details on the lease agreement and any additional fees or deposits.
5. Consider Roommates: If you’re looking to save money on rent or want to live in a larger property than you could afford on your own, consider finding a roommate or roommates. There are many online resources for finding compatible roommates, such as Roommates.com.
6. Check Social Media Groups: Social media groups can be a great resource for finding housing in Texas, particularly in larger cities like Houston, Austin, and Dallas. Look for local groups that cater to renters or those looking for roommates, and be sure to ask for recommendations from members.

Popular Cities and Locations to Consider

Texas is a vast state with many popular cities and locations to choose from. Here are some of the top destinations that you may want to consider when moving to Texas:

1. Austin: Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is a vibrant city that offers a diverse culture, outdoor activities, and a thriving tech scene. It’s the state capital and home to the University of Texas at Austin.
2. Houston: The largest city in Texas, Houston is a hub for business and industry. It’s also known for its world-class museums, restaurants, and performing arts scene.
3. Dallas-Fort Worth: This metropolitan area is home to two major cities, Dallas and Fort Worth. Dallas is known for its shopping, dining, and nightlife, while Fort Worth is famous for its Western heritage and cowboy culture.
4. San Antonio: This historic city is home to the Alamo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the famous River Walk, which features shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
5. El Paso: Located on the border with Mexico, El Paso has a unique culture that combines Mexican and Texan influences. It’s also home to the University of Texas at El Paso and the Franklin Mountains State Park.
6. Corpus Christi: This coastal city is known for its beaches, fishing, and outdoor activities. It’s also home to the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay.
7. Galveston: Located on an island off the Gulf Coast, Galveston offers historic architecture, beautiful beaches, and a vibrant arts scene. It’s also home to Moody Gardens, a theme park and nature reserve.

These are just a few of the many popular cities and locations to consider when moving to Texas. Each one offers its own unique culture, attractions, and lifestyle, so be sure to research them thoroughly and choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences.

Navigating the Job Market in Texas

One of the first steps in navigating the job market in Texas is to research the industries that are thriving in the state. Texas is known for its strong energy sector, with a large number of oil and gas companies based in cities like Houston and Dallas. Additionally, the technology industry is growing rapidly in Austin, which has been dubbed “Silicon Hills” due to the high concentration of tech companies in the area.
Once you have identified the industries that interest you, it is important to start networking with professionals in those fields. This can include attending industry conferences and events, joining local professional organizations, and reaching out to people in your network who may have connections in Texas.
Another important aspect of navigating the job market in Texas is to tailor your resume and cover letter to the local market. This can include highlighting any relevant experience or skills that are particularly valuable in Texas industries, as well as using language and terminology that is commonly used in the local job market.
Finally, it is important to be flexible and open to opportunities in different parts of the state. While certain industries may be concentrated in specific cities, there are often job opportunities in other areas as well. By keeping an open mind and considering a variety of job options, you can increase your chances of finding a job that is both fulfilling and financially rewarding.

Making the Most of Your New Home in Texas

Texas has a lot to offer, from its diverse culture to its unique geography, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy your new home. Here are some tips for making the most of your new life in Texas:

1. Get to know your community: Texas is a state with a strong sense of community, and getting involved in your local neighborhood can help you feel more connected to your new home. Attend local events and festivals, join a community group or club, or volunteer for a local charity to meet new people and become more engaged in your community.
2. Explore the outdoors: Texas is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the country, from the rolling hills of the Hill Country to the rugged canyons of West Texas. Take advantage of the state’s many parks, hiking trails, and outdoor recreation opportunities to stay active and explore your new surroundings.
3. Embrace the culture: Texas has a rich cultural heritage, from its cowboy and ranching history to its vibrant music scene. Take in a live music performance, visit a historic site or museum, or attend a local rodeo or county fair to experience the unique culture of your new home.
4. Try new foods: Texas is known for its delicious cuisine, from barbecue and Tex-Mex to kolaches and pecan pie. Sample the local cuisine and try new restaurants and food trucks to discover your new favorite dishes.
5. Take weekend trips: Texas is a big state with plenty to see and do, so take advantage of weekend trips to explore different cities and regions. Whether it’s a beach trip to Galveston or a wine tasting tour in the Hill Country, there’s always something new to discover in Texas.

Why Choose a Moving Service that Specializes in U-Haul and Penske Trucks

Choosing a moving service that specializes in U-Haul and Penske trucks has several benefits. Firstly, U-Haul and Penske trucks are known for their reliability and durability, making them ideal for long-distance moves. These trucks are regularly serviced and maintained to ensure they are in top condition, which reduces the likelihood of breakdowns and delays during the move. Secondly, these moving companies, typically have a large fleet of trucks available in different sizes, allowing you to choose the truck that best suits your needs. This is especially important if you have a large household or need to transport heavy or bulky items, as you can select a truck with a higher capacity.
Moreover, moving companies that specialize in U-Haul and Penske trucks often have experienced and well-trained drivers who can handle the logistics of a move efficiently. They are knowledgeable about the best routes to take and the regulations that need to be followed when transporting goods across state lines. They also have the necessary equipment and tools to load and unload your belongings safely, minimizing the risk of damage or loss. Additionally, many of these companies offer additional services such as packing, loading and unloading, and storage solutions, making the entire moving process more convenient and stress-free.
Overall, choosing a moving service that specializes in U-Haul and Penske trucks can help ensure that your move to Texas is a smooth and successful one. With a reliable truck and experienced drivers, you can focus on settling into your new home and starting your new life in this exciting and dynamic state.

A Practical Checklist for Moving to Texas

With a practical checklist, you can make the process much smoother. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your move to Texas is successful:

1. Plan Ahead: Make a detailed plan for your move, including the date of your move, the items you need to pack, and any services you may need, such as a moving truck, packing supplies, or professional movers.
2. Declutter and Donate: Before you start packing, declutter your belongings and donate any items that you don’t need or want anymore. This can save you time and money in packing and moving unnecessary items.
3. Change Your Address: Be sure to change your address with the United States Postal Service at least two weeks before your move to ensure that your mail is forwarded to your new address.
4. Update Your Utilities: Contact your utility companies and inform them of your move, so that they can discontinue service at your old address and start service at your new address.
5. Research Local Services: Research local services in your new area, such as schools, healthcare providers, and grocery stores. This can help you feel more comfortable and settled in your new home.
6. Prepare Your New Home: Make sure your new home is ready for your arrival. Clean it thoroughly, unpack essential items first, and set up necessary utilities and services.
7. Meet Your Neighbors: Introduce yourself to your new neighbors, join community groups, and attend local events to get involved in your new community and make new connections.

Conclusion

Moving to Texas can be an exciting and life-changing experience. Whether you are relocating for a new job opportunity or simply seeking a change of scenery, the Lone Star State offers a unique blend of culture, diversity, and natural beauty. However, it’s important to be well-prepared for the transition and to take steps to ensure a successful relocation. By utilizing the tips and tricks outlined in this ultimate guide, such as utilizing a moving service that specializes in U-Haul and Penske trucks like Moving Truck Driver, researching popular cities and locations to consider, navigating the job market, finding housing, and making the most of your new home, you can make your move to Texas a seamless and enjoyable experience. So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to embark on a new adventure in the Lone Star State!

Today's Game

San Diego Padres (24-28) @ New York Yankees (31-23)

First Pitch: 10:35 AM

Probable Starters

Team	Pitcher	Record	ERA	IP	H	ER	BB	SO	WHIP
	Yu Darvish	3-3	3.67	54.0	44	22	17	57	1.13
	Gerrit Cole	5-0	2.53	67.2	54	19	23	70	1.14

Broadcast Info

Team	TV	Radio
SD	Bally Sports San Diego	KWFN 97.3,XEMO 860 (es)
NYY	YES	WFAN 660/101.9 FM,WADO 1280 (es)

Pick-The-Stick Top 20

Sign up at Pick-The-Stick.com. Be sure to get your picks in before the first pitch.

Rank	User	Points	Total Picks	Position Change
1	bbatardo	176	51	0
2	Nandobatflips	166	48	0
2	ritchrock	166	48	+2
4	Hammond89	163	52	-1
5	Yungbillcosbii	161	52	0
6	ChipsB	161	50	+1
7	jrobertson2204	159	46	-1
8	Dull_send	151	47	+2
9	Lingererrrrrrr	150	51	+3
10	camarobh	150	50	+3
11	Speacialk333	149	50	-3
12	M57drew	148	52	-3
13	Drewvagen	147	52	+1
13	kuttysark2	147	52	-2
15	drizzle	144	52	-1
16	mrsjoeysuch	144	48	0
17	SwinginFriar619	144	45	0
18	JonnyG	143	52	0
19	Pererez35	143	47	0
20	og_sandiego	142	52	+4

Started this on RCDLC.com and will continue on here with the academy updates monthly. Remember that San Tirso is also part of the club in the Cadete and Infantil Divisions to play in the top division alongside the older Deportivo group Their Juvenil group is still in Liga Gallega, one division below Juvenil B.
Juvenil A (U19), Juvenil B (U17) Cadete A (U16) San Tirso Cadete (U15) Infantil A (U14) San Tirso Infantil (U13)
SUMMARY
Abegondo has never been in a better place with Fran leading the way. Multiple champions, national team call-ups, and big clubs scouting and poaching players. It is up to the first team this next month to do right by these youngsters and get us promoted back into professional football, where players then see a pathway to the elite. I'll post every few weeks who resigned from the academy as many Cadete A players will sign professional deals in the coming weeks (whether it is here or elsewhere). So far...
Hugo Rios (GK)-renewed until 2025
Dani Barcia (CB)-renewed until 2024 w/ a first-team spot (and in talks to renew until 2026)
Fabril- The team dominated the division and is now awaiting the start of the 2RFEF season. Many decisions will be delayed as the club awaits to see what happens to the first team. A team led by RDLB in 1RFEF will probably feature a few of these players, whereas a team in Segunda may lead to a few loans to 1RFEF teams. Mella debuted with the 1st team this past month, while Barcia and Diego Gomez also completed some training. I’m excited to see this group in 2RFEF against professional teams. This is an excellent league for Fabril to stay in (less travel-cheaper budget, still competitive with “bigger” regional clubs). Chasing promotion would be a massive mistake (especially financially with the travel and salary minimums of 1RFEF), and the goal should be to finish mid-table while having 3-4 of its players debut with the 1st team. Look for most bench players to move to other 3RFEF teams in the area while the core group of Rios, Puerto, Val, Jairo, Ruben, Najera, Diego, and Ochoa stay together in 2RFEF.
Juvenil A- Finished in 2nd behind a strong Celta team. Kevin and Manu were called into YNT camps and should be starters with Fabril in 2RFEF next season. Strong rumors exist that Damian, the top GK in the Division with Sporting, will join this summer and become the starter. With a solid finish to the Juvenil B season, I’d expect Juvenil A to be the Championship favorites and make a run at Copa de Campeones (assuming the leading players from Juvenil B/Cadete A stay). There was a big dropoff after the Starting XI, and I’d expect 8-10 players to leave the club on June 30, finding their way onto other local clubs in 3RFEF or heading to the USA to play at a university. There’s already confirmation that Hugo Baldomar will be the first to head to another 3RFEF and Noah.
Juvenil B- A miraculous turnaround after an awful start to the season. Juvenil B won Liga Nacional and used many Cadete A players at the end of the year. This group will see some reinforcements come this summer. Players from Cadete A that resign with the club on professional deals (hopefully Ruben, Jose Rey, Samu, Pablo, Lucas) will most likely do training camp with Juvenil A or Fabril and have those 2-3 weeks to cement their place in that higher age group.
Cadete A- Easily the most impressive season in the academy. Over 105 pts, a goal differential of +150, and only 1 loss to San Tirso, that was done to ensure the affiliate U13s stayed in Division de Honor for next year. I can’t think of many age groups that have had this much talent, and it is imperative that we sign 5-6 of these boys to professional deals as soon as possible that hopefully keep them at the club until 2025 and beyond.
Cadete ST- In what I thought would be a relegation battle until the end, San Tirso turned it around at the end and finished the league comfortably in 8th. With another year of growth and the addition of 1-2 players, look for this group to once again finish at the top of the league next season in their return to Cadete A. Miguel De Labra scored 20 goals with Cadete ST and could make a run to chase Ruben's tally of this year (38 goals in 35 games)
Infantil A- The team finished 2nd, 13 pts behind Celta, but ended up winning the Infantil Playoff after defeating Celta. Some potential here, but the club will bring in a few new faces as this group heads back to San Tirso to start their Cadete careers. Look for Samba Wade and Adrian Bernandez to stay in Abegondo and play with Cadete A next year.
Infantil ST- At the bottom of the table, our U12s at San Tirso finished 8th in the league and will return to Abegondo to put on the blue and white stripes again as Infantil A players.

San Diego Padres (24-28) @ New York Yankees (31-23) Sunday May, 28 10:35 AM

Pick-The-Stick Top 10

Sign up at Pick-The-Stick.com. Be sure to get your picks in before the first pitch.

Rank	User	Points	Total Picks	Position Change
1	bbatardo	176	51	0
2	Nandobatflips	166	48	0
2	ritchrock	166	48	+2
4	Hammond89	163	52	-1
5	Yungbillcosbii	161	52	0
6	ChipsB	161	50	+1
7	jrobertson2204	159	46	-1
8	Dull_send	151	47	+2
9	Lingererrrrrrr	150	51	+3
10	camarobh	150	50	+3

Team	TV	Radio
SD	Bally Sports San Diego	KWFN 97.3,XEMO 860 (es)
NYY	YES	WFAN 660/101.9 FM,WADO 1280 (es)

Starting Pitchers

Team	Pitcher	Record	ERA	IP	H	ER	BB	SO	WHIP
	Yu Darvish	3-3	3.67	54.0	44	22	17	57	1.13
	Gerrit Cole	5-0	2.53	67.2	54	19	23	70	1.14

Starting Lineups - Season Stats

#	Player	Pos.	Avg	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI		#	Player	Pos.	Avg	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI
1	Fernando Tatis	RF	.254	138	35	5	9	18		1	Gleyber Torres	2B	.263	194	51	8	9	25
2	Jake Cronenworth	1B	.213	178	38	8	5	18		2	Aaron Judge	RF	.286	154	44	9	14	33
3	Juan Soto	LF	.263	179	47	14	10	24		3	Anthony Rizzo	1B	.303	201	61	8	11	31
4	Xander Bogaerts	SS	.258	190	49	7	7	19		4	DJ LeMahieu	3B	.257	171	44	9	6	21
5	Matt Carpenter	DH	.179	106	19	7	4	21		5	Harrison Bader	CF	.250	84	21	0	5	17
6	Rougned Odor	2B	.208	77	16	5	3	15		6	Willie Calhoun	DH	.230	87	20	3	3	9
7	Ha-Seong Kim	3B	.239	155	37	7	5	17		7	Isiah Kiner-Falefa	LF	.206	97	20	3	3	7
8	Trent Grisham	CF	.185	162	30	12	5	14		8	Kyle Higashioka	C	.173	75	13	3	3	11
9	Austin Nola	C	.134	97	13	2	1	7		9	Anthony Volpe	SS	.197	188	37	5	7	20

Fallout 1:
Pros:

• Best tone of any Fallout game. Perfect mix of light touches of dark comedy but a very serious vibe overall.
  
• Rich with all juice from the RPG golden era of the late 90s and early 00s.
  
• Fantastic writing and worldbuilding. Really top class.
  
• Believable and well-thought out world. Stands up to scrutiny.
  

Cons:

• Dated and clunky.
  
• Poorly balanced in many ways. Some skills are useless. Others are near mandatory.
  

Fallout 2:
Pros:

• Similar to Fallout 1 in many ways but expanded.
  
• Some of the most interesting quests and locations in all of Fallout. New Reno, Vault City, etc.
  
• The first half of the game is peak Fallout.
  

Cons:

• Too whimsical and jokey in many ways compared to the first. The tone is not as good.
  
• The final act of the game is kind of weak.
  
• Shares same issues with being dated and clunky as FO1.
  

Fallout 3:
Pros:

• Great fun to explore. Basically built as a post-apocalyptic theme park to get lost in.
  
• More modern and inclusive design which is nice for some. Interesting to see Fallout in 3D.
  
• Cool setpieces and atmospheric storytelling is top tier.
  
• Put Fallout into the mainstream.
  

Cons:

• The world doesn't make much sense. All logic of the world breaks if you stop to think about it even for a second. The famous example is the lack of food but everything that this question represents is an issue.
  
• Overall poor to mediocre writing.
  
• Buggy (mods are near mandatory).
  
• Can come off a bit juvenile with the binary morality and with the tone in general.
  
• Arguably disappointing reimagining of previously complex factions. BOS generic good guys. Super mutants mindless orcs with guns, etc.
  

Fallout New Vegas:
Pros:

• Good mix of 3D Fallout and old Fallout RPG design.
  
• Great writing and quest design.
  
• Highly ambitious game.
  
• Rich worldbuilding. A lot of effort has clearly been spent on imagining how a realistic world would look under this premise and which issues would plague such a world.
  
• Complex dilemmas and interesting concepts. Overall quite sophisticated.
  

Cons:

• Less fun to explore for many. Less of a "go have an adventure" game than Fallout 3.
  
• In the same vein: dungeon design is often boring.
  
• Buggy (mods are near mandatory).
  
• Feels undercooked in some areas. It's clear that Obsidian didn't flesh out everything they wanted to. This is the downside of the "Highly ambitious game" point. Caesar's Legion for instance is a clear example of a faction that needed more development.
  
• Balancing issues in some ways. Speech is way too good for example.
  

Fallout 4:
Pros:

• Much improved combat. Best in the series.
  
• Many technical improvements.
  
• Fully fledged out crafting system.
  
• The "pick a direction, go on an adventure and explore" theme park strength of Fallout 3 remains.
  
• Much better companions than Fallout 3.
  

Cons:

• Departure from RPG to instead move into more of an open world adventure game / RPG hybrid. An improvement to some, a big step back for me.
  
• Very strange design choices: Voiced protagonist, 4 wheel dialogue system, etc.
  
• Little to no smaller settlements. Basically every location is a somewhat generic enemy spawn.
  
• Weak main quest.
  
• Very big departure from the original tone of Fallout.
  

(reuploaded to fix typo in title since titles can't be edited).

Because if you are anything like me, you already have your next purchase (or 2 or 3...) planned out for the year and are actively trying to find them in stock and make it work financially.
So what's next up for you?

1. New semi auto before C-21/CFAC?
2. New hunting rifle before the fall?
3. First shotgun/levebolt gun etc.?
4. Another milsurp before the prices jump yet again?
5. Ammo, Gun Safe, Accessories etc?

I have my eyes set on a new bolt gun platform in a cartridge that I can reach out further with, and have settled on 7mm RemMag. I haven't narrowed down the specific rifle choice yet but am leaning towards Sako or Tikka.
A semi-auto milsurp battle rifle is also a top contender, leaning towards a 7.62 Garand (or similar) for that selection.
Lastly I'm looking to add a double rifle to the collection in 470NE from one of the German double manufacturers (Merkel/Heym/Kriegoff) but this will likely be a year or 2 out.
What about you?

Top 30 Prospect Performance
Low-A Modesto

Prospect	Performance	Position	Age	Ranking
Cole Young	1-4	Shortstop	19	Mariners #3
Gabriel Gonzalez	1-3, RBI	Outfield	19	Mariners #7
Michael Morales	6.0IP, 9H, 0BB, 5ER, 5K	Pitcher	20	Mariners #20

High-A Everett

Prospect	Performance	Position	Age	Ranking
Harry Ford	0-4	Catcher	20	Mariners #1
Tyler Locklear	3-5, 2B, 2R, BB	First Base	22	Mariners #10
Axel Sanchez	1-3, HR, R, RBI	Shortstop	20	Mariners #15
Alberto Rodriguez	4-8, 2HR, 2B, 2R, 5RBI	Outfield	23	Mariners #27

AA Arkansas

Prospect	Performance	Position	Age	Ranking
Jonatan Clase	1-4, R, BB, 2SB	Outfield	21	Mariners #12
Prelander Berroa	1.0IP, 0H, 0BB, 0ER, 3K	Pitcher	23	Mariners #14
Robert Perez Jr	0-4	Outfield	22	Mariners #21
Travis Kuhn	1.2IP, 2H, 1BB, 2ER, 2K	Pitcher	24	Mariners #22

AAA Tacoma

Prospect	Performance	Position	Age	Ranking
Zach DeLoach	1-4, 3R, BB	Outfield	24	Mariners #26

Unranked Excellence

Prospect	Performance	Level	Age	Positon
Reid VanScoter	7.0IP, 6H, 0BB, 1ER, 6K	High-A	24	Pitcher
Brian O’Keefe	3-5, HR, 2R, 3RBI	AAA	29	Catcher
Jake Scheiner	3-5, HR, 2R, 3RBI	AAA	27	Third Base

Final Scores
San Jose defeats Modesto 7-1
Everett defeats Eugene 4-2
Everett defeats Eugene 8-6
Frisco defeats Arkansas 7-2
Tacoma defeats Las Vegas 11-3
Highlights
No Highlights Today
Standings

Affiliate	Record	Standings	Diff	Level
Modesto Nuts	22-22	3rd in division	-7	Low-A
Everett AquaSox	22-22	5th in division	+14	High-A
Arkansas Travelers	27-17	1st in division	+40	AA
Tacoma Rainiers	24-26	4th in division	+8	AAA

Prospect Performances Index.