Working out Bugs

Just to let you know - I can't stop changing my profile. It's rotating on it's head all the time. You can check who I am on an almost daily basis. Also, Brad showed me how to write links into the posting text so you can click directly on the link to the "subject" I'm talking about. I've gone back and thrown these into my earlier posts.

Oile Initsoga - Birthday Boy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS. YOU ARE A FUNNY AND WISE FRIEND WHO KEEPS ME LAUGHING AND SHOWING ME THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS TO EXCHANGE AND COME FROM A PLACE OF LOVE. Today (March 27th) is Dad's birthday. There is a lot I could say about how deeply I love him and how precious our relationship is. So many of the words I wrote in my draft have become cliched and hollowly hyperbolic. Suffice to say my Dad is a man of such compassion and heart that I don't know what I'd do without him. It was difficult for us at the beginning. When we caught up to each other on our paths it was an amazing thing. Thank you Dad. You've saved my skin over and over. So many calls where you've talked me down when I thought I was losing my mind. You help me shake off the negative and always lead by example and innate wisdom. You're my Hero and my Best Friend. Cheers Dad - All my Best Wishes & All that is Wonderful for You - Elio Agostini. OH, yes, also - you can read more about Dad's book and how he's following one of his passions: Dad's Website

My Space Baby - Enough is enough!

Sorry Folks, this is assbackwards. I posted my "Flower Babies" bottom to top instead of, well, the other way - so it's screwy. Really, so sorry! (I would have no meaningful vocabulary if it weren't for the word "sorry"). Sorry too if the "Flower Baby" colors look weird on the screen (too dark, no whites) - I have some monitor problems. Oh, anyway. I'm suffering BLOG REMORSE because I can no longer see all my posts - it's my first time seeing them slip into the archives. I didn't expect this to disappoint me so. And I'm eternally SORRY that I have always, AND CONTINUE to use quotation marks incorrectly. Maybe I can rely on this "ALL CAPS" thing instead?

My Gummy Baby - background reminded me of gummy bears

My Flower Flower Baby

My Scharf Baby - Inspired by Kenny Scharf

My Fire Baby

Meet Gesso -This & All Posts Inspired by Jennifer Jellie Joolz (for inspiring me to BLOG) and of course Paul Boddum and his Amazing Dog Portraits

This is a portrait of our dog Gesso (soft "G") as rendered by my pal Paul Boddum. Paul is the "Michaelangelo" of Dog Painters. He's even painted a portrait for (Oprah's personal Chef) Art Smith of his pooch T Ron. Check out his incredible Gallery of Mid Century Modern/Pop Art Pet Paintings at the following link Paul Boddum's Pet Portraits
Back to Gesso. We call her the Paris Hilton of the dog world due to her cute yet somewhat vile nature (Gesso also runs around without underpants). She is a Shelter Dog and no doubt 95% Pitbull. We were completely hoodwinked by her unabashed beauty and pretence of good behavior at said Shelter. When we got her home it was a completely different story . . .

Gesso's Crimes Against Humanity:
- Sexual Deviance re: Toe Licking
- Continual Violations of Town Noise Ordinance
- Indiscriminate Consumption of Cat Feces
- Excessive Leash Pulling
- Unlicensed Usage of Family Mattress in Accordance to Size and Family Status
- Intent to Harm or Maim Random Canines
- Assault with Deadly Weapons - via Claws/Talons used to Jump On and "Greet" Visitors

I think the list is really much longer than this but I'll stop there. Here's the kicker - we have 2 dogs and Gesso is the better behaved. Coming up: Part 2 Dakota -"Trembling, Fear and the Excrement" or "Doggy Prozac Nation"

My First Rant (more coming but I'll try to keep it at a minimum)

Today I only scratched the surface of our dreaded yearly health care enrollment (and I've spent 2 days so far devoted to it). It's easy to understand why so many people are uninsured in this country and that's a damn shame. For assorted reasons I have to enroll. Through the "news" I'm reminded of the obscene profits these companies, CEOs and pharmaceuticals make - to the detriment of those that are insured. Coming from Canada, one of the many countries that offer a national health care policy I am SO dismayed by the state of health care in the USA. There's not much else to say beyond gritting my teeth and finding the least bank breaking option. I can say "don't believe the hype" - national health care WORKS and should be a right for any so-called, evolved country and it's citizens. Sorry to be a bummer with this post. On to more pleasant topics. But I'd be lying if I said I haven't been tearing out my hair over this.

The Giant Chocolate Bunny is Coming

Thanks to Sarah and Matt who helped me make the weirdest f*#cking Easter Egg Tree in 2006. Though we didn't use shards of glass or razor blades we did have an S/M egg (wrapped in chains) and one dedicated to "Kevin Federline". You can never use enough glitter or Mod Podge (trademark). We spelled out our names with cake decorating letters - those eggs disintegrated really fast - which made me cherish them all the more. They were like little ticking time bombs of sugary love. My goal will be wrangling with my digital camera to show you my 2007 Dollar Store Easter Diorama. I'm sure you can't wait.

My Mega-Talented Sister-in-Law - Andrea Shriver

I just wanted YOU, my vast audience (yeah, right) to know that my very talented sister-in-law, Andrea Shriver took the picture of that handsome devil - Brad. This is another super swell photograph she took. Her business is called Focus 360 Photography. I'm going to check if she has any links to her work. You can also sign up to receive one her photos per week via e-mail. Her images are universally beautiful. I'll keep you "posted" on that!

"Driver Brad"

Our "Jill Stasium Commerative Hallway"

Our hallway is dedicated to one of my Bestest Buddies - Jill Stasium. She created all the kick-ass paintings you see. I highly recommend you take a gander at her website to view all her joyful, technicolor art. Even better - you can find Jill herself, selling her paintings on the streets of Soho most every weekend. Just look for the map on her website. Jill and I met here in the Backwoods until she hightailed it for greener pastures. I'll be posting pictures of us in the crazy get-ups we wore when we were still young and overindulging in just about anything pleasurable. I love ya Jill! Here's how to find her on the internet: Jill's Website