Need input! Medical Update, Artist Search! · 4:51am May 31st, 2014
Hi all. I have news to share.
First up, medical and travel stuff. New information has been made available to me. It appears that, as I have a visitor record document in my passport and intend on staying in Alberta for more than 12 months, I am, supposedly, eligible for Alberta health insurance. We’re going to try to enroll me tomorrow. If this is the case, it represents $1800 in savings on premiums alone over six months.
This also means I will NOT need to stay in the US for months on end seeking expensive treatment for my carpal tunnel. I can spend the time with my wife in Canada.
The bad news is that not only did I spend months suffering when I didn’t have to, but Canada will be significantly slower to treat this issue than the US system would be.
However, it would treat it for free.
My US insurance has a $2500 deductible.
Do the math. That’s a huge, huge savings. I’m fine with getting some painkillers to deal with things in the meantime, and cortisone shots should be a faster thing than surgery in the mean time.
Thus, if it does work out that I can get care here in Canada covered by Alberta, I’m doing it.
This should not affect immigration. If worst comes to worst, there is an all but sure fire way to fix carpal tunnel: surgery. It’s not even an expensive surgery. Sometimes they don’t even knock you out.
So, while this does mean more delays in horse words, I simply cannot ignore that huge, huge amount of money saved.
This also means my US trip will be shorter. 2-3 weeks instead of 2-3 months. I’m flying this Sunday, June 1st.
That being said, I’m hoping I get the COPR (Certificate of Permanent Residency) while I’m down there, as I’m nearing that stage of immigration. It would, however, mean I would spend nearly 2 months in the US, but also that immigration would be complete at the end of it. I’d be up in Canada “for real” after that. No more border or health insurance worries, and I’ll have all my stuff with me instead of 75% of it back in the States.
If it happens that I get the COPR and need to spend that time, I’ll probably get some initial treatment in the US and split the difference.
Chapter 24 is coming VERY slowly. It needs extensive work in certain areas. So much so that I’m going in and fixing stuff before I even hand it off to the editors. So, as I said before, expect a wait on that one.
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Next up, artist search!
Book One of Rites is rapidly coming to a close. The final chapter of Rites Book One is chapter 25. The one after that, Chapter 26, starts Book Two. (This will not be a sequel story on FimFic. It will still be on the same story entry.)
Originally, the plan was to create new cover art for book two. However, Violet is going to be crazy busy this summer, and does not have the time available to pull off an epic new cover. Since we’re likely to save a huge amount of money on health stuff coming up here, we’ve decided to start seeking out a different artist to commission them to make something really awesome for the new cover art.
I’ve talked to a couple of artists already, but I know there are more out there, and that’s where I have a favor to ask of you all. I need your help in the search and compilation of possible folks to hire. Who are your favorite pony artists? (Other than Violet, who will always be my favorite. ;) ) Note: I’m only looking for ones who are CURRENTLY ACCEPTING COMMISSIONS.
The cover art will be large with an expansive background (far away landscape stuff, not close in detail). It will feature several characters, both OC and show based. They should be able to draw ponies, Tia and Luna, zebras, and gryphons. (Whether those last two I’ll include on the cover art, I don’t know yet, but if they aren’t there, other ponies will take their place.) This sucker is going to have 7-9 characters on it (8 being the most likely).
Timeline is generous: it’s likely to be at least a month and a half, if not more, before the launch of book two. Two-three months is more likely given all that’s going on this summer.
I need to see the artist’s prior work, naturally. A DeviantArt gallery is preferred, but tumblr can work in a pinch. Post links in the comments down below and I’ll check them out. Violet will be involved at each step of the process as she knows art and I don’t. Budget is actually rather flexible as we’re looking at saving a ton of cash on my health stuff. (This would not have been possible at all without the savings we’re looking at on medical things. Which also means the project can’t start and funds can’t be transferred until we’re sure I’m enrolled correctly.)
Thanks everyone for all your hope and faith in me, and for putting up with my medical craziness.
I’ll be in chat for a little while. Not too long, though, as I have to get up kinda early tomorrow. 45 min, hour and a half tops.
Joining Info:
Go here: http://webchat.irchighway.net/?channels=fimfiction-rites All you need to do is enter a nickname and hit "connect". That's it! Super-simple!! No intimidating port numbers or anything.
Or, the old way: Hit the "Chat" button on your Dashboard, then hit "Connect", then type in "/join #fimfiction-rites".
-Cv
Ah, US healthcare. Isn't it wonderful?
I'm glad you'll be able to save so much money, even if it means a delay in Rites.
You should check out NadnerbD if you haven't already.
They are a terrific artist, and their prices are really good too.
I will be happy only once I hear you say: "today I wrote 10k words and I've had no pain whatsoever". When that will happen I don't know, but I really hope it will be soon because pain sucks
good luck with your trip!
http://1jaz.deviantart.com/
http://conicer.deviantart.com/ (And his Fimfic account for details http://www.fimfiction.net/blog/39587)
*sigh*
It's really sad when the best artists I know either don't have any "I do/don't do commission" or they just flat-out don't do it
Eitherway, the two I linked are the best I know. Conicer is a bit special, and you can actually get away with paying nothing whatsoever if you're lucky.
Ok then, I tend to recommend Valkyrie-Girl: DA and Tumblr, she has done work before for other stories and is one of the few artists I've struck up a friendship with.
Now only if Huussii was available...
http://huussii.deviantart.com/
Well I have one...she'll be open for commissions in two days...so does that count?
She's frostykat13. (That's her deviant art page.)
Though from what I can gather she's only taking a limited number of commissions, which is unfortunate since I'd also like to get a commission from her.
Maybe not you're first option, but I think she's worth taking a look at.
Right-besides the artist stuff, I'm glad to hear that you're close to getting to Canada "for realzies." Sounds like some good stuff is happening for you!