Open Shutter Hobbies

12/05/2025

WIP of my up to date Humblewood map, including 380 years of in-game history.

11/10/2025

And that's another year of weddings complete!

A lot went on this year, and I don't just mean politically. I had a little health scare (no big deal) but still did a full wedding season with 10+ weddings, mostly my own but a few as a second shooter; my daughter's wedding was in there as well! As always, each wedding was amazing. Each wedding was....

04/28/2025

https://www.richarddufault.com/blog/three-weeks-since-the-operation/

It's been three weeks since a surgeon removed a 3.4 cm tumour from the upper meninges of my brain, and things are good! Since the operation, I've had ups and downs; things seem to have stabilized, with each day better than the last. Unless something big happens, this is going to be the last post on....

04/23/2025

I missed and 's wedding, but happily my two wedding photo partners and .nathalie were there to capture the moments.
But I did send the obligatory bag of lightsabers!

04/10/2025

https://www.richarddufault.com/blog/im-alive/

Hoo boy. You never know how you're going to feel after a routine, easy craniotomy performed by a well respected brain surgeon. I guess I didn't need to worry too much, because after 6-ish hours of digging inside my head, the surgeon called it good.

04/07/2025

This is it, people! Less than 12 hours to go.

Last blog post before my little operation. Everything will go well, I'm sure. 1-4 days in the hospital, then back home for a top down rest. The surgeon says patients like me could be back to 100% within 2 months, but it's more like 2-6 months for a full recovery.

04/04/2025

We are go for April 7

I got the call from the hospital - the date is confirmed for my surgery on Monday, April 7. I'm to show up at 6:30 am in soft pants with no belongings; my spouse is to bring a bag to take all of my clothes away. I'll be in for 5-6 hours, then in recovery. I'll not go to the ICU unless there are comp...

03/28/2025

All pre-reqs are a go

We went in to the hospital to meet with the final two bosses to get cleared for operation - the anaesthetist and the nurse.

03/24/2025

More health news! But it ends well!

Friday night, I got sick, and the symptoms of left side paralysis got really bad. As recommended by the surgeon, we went to emerg at the Hull hospital at 8am on a Saturday - best time, I guess. We were seen in less than 5 minutes, and the nurse had my info and had me hooked up to vitals in no time.....

03/21/2025

https://www.richarddufault.com/blog/more-good-news/

After that (admittedly) bad call with the surgeon, I stewed for a bit. Then I got another call (you know they are coming from the Quebec healthcare system because they are blocked/private numbers): I thought it would be the surgeon dropping me as a patient or some other bad news.

03/18/2025

Reminder I am no longer posting on any Meta platforms.

https://openshutterphoto.mypixieset.com/blog/i-might-have-a-brain-tumour-for-a-long-time/

Ugh. https://www.richarddufault.com/blog/i-might-have-a-brain-tumour-for-a-long-time/