A Reader's Request for One More Kidney Stone

Unbelievably, I had an audience request (or at least a wistful wish) for another kidney stone picture. Dear Readers, I always aim to please - so here, one more time, is a KIDNEY STONE.


In deference to other's delicate sensibilities I have posted a more tasteful image (sort of - kind of). This kidney stone is reminiscent of the Great Pyramids of Giza. It's really quite beautiful when you think about it.

And to put KIDNEY STONES in a broader perspective - I thought I'd include some quotes from William Shatner (another kidney stone sufferer). Shatner - a true Canadian Icon, auctioned off his kidney stone which fetched a hefty $25,000. The proceeds were donated to Habitat for Humanity. Shatner remarked "This takes organ donors to a new height, to a new low, maybe. How much is a piece of me worth?"



One of the many things I love about Mr. Shatner is the way he bends and shapes the sound and tone of the english language. Just imagine the sonorousness with which he described his excruciating experience -"It was so big, you'd want to wear it on your finger. If you subjected it to extreme heat, it might turn out to be a diamond. The purity of the pain--they had to give me morphine...It was just unbelievable pain. It made you kind of think about what pain is. It was awful."

We are still awaiting the lab analysis of Brad's little stony birth. I'll keep you "posted". I know you're all waiting with bated breath.

FAKE CAKES

I heard a funny story last night while listening to Marketplace on National Public Radio. It was about two women who have a business making "fake cakes" (you'll see their cakes pictured above). They create ornate wedding cakes made of styrofoam and icing that help couple's save money on wedding costs. (Luckily guests still get a piece of sheet cake so nobody goes hungry). To hear the story about Susan Lobsinger and Wendy Hunters business hit this link at Marketplace or check out their cake website Rent the Cake of Your Dreams.

I've been intrigued by fake cakes ever since I saw Amy Sedaris' recipe for them in her book "I Like You - Hospitality Under the Influence". Here's Amy, who quite magically, remains cute and sexy while being both gross and funny.


I assume Amy's whipped cream photos are a tribute to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass' stupendously classic album "Whipped Cream and Other Delights".

"Whipped Cream . . ." was my VERY FIRST favorite album (before I discovered Rock and Roll). I juggled my mother's wigs to the sound of Mr. Alpert and his snazzy, jazzy brass section. His songs are permanently burned into my neurons. My first Rock and Roll album purchase was The Beach Boys (I was hooked by "Good Vibrations").

Anyway, back to Fake Cakes - Amy also makes her cake base from styrofoam but she uses spackle, plaster of Paris and latex paint to create the icing. I just LOVE Amy's book - it's hilarious, practical and full of fabulously strange pictures. Here are a few examples of her cakes which are on sale at fredflare.com.

I would love to make a whole bunch of fake cakes to sell or give away as Christmas presents. You could make super-snazzy 3 tiered cakes, put them on ornate cake stands and decorate them with beads, sparkles and other craft store items. Fake food is something that stirs great passion in my soul.

YET MORE DOGS!!! - but honestly, that's it for awhile.

This is Sam. Sam is Frederica and Jim's new dog! They just adopted her! Yeah! Yipee!

This is significant because Fred and Jim just lost their dog Maxine to a mysterious illness. It was a very painful experience for all three of them - especially because Maxine was so young. They did everything they could to help her get better. It was so sad to see them all suffer.

I think Fred and Jim had the right instinct to look for another rescue dog as soon as possible. It's a very happy outcome - a new canine companion! Sam is so beautiful - look at those gorgeous eyes!

Just to remind you - Fred is my friend who makes the great T-shirts and linocuts. Here's Jerry Lee Lewis from her Musician's Series:


Jim is a student and lover of modern architecture. I've learned a lot by sitting down with one of his books and hearing him explain the history of modern design. I hope to learn more when I get back to the homeland (Canada). I remember Jim's excitement when he went to visit the Montreal Expo building:


Congratulations Sam, Fred and Jim! Here's to a fun future and a very happy home!

Bach Flower Remedies - Believe It Or Not!

Oh boy! I had my Bach Flower Remedies appointment today and do I need help. This will be interesting. Here's more about my inner psyche than you or I have ever wanted to know! Wish me luck!

LARCH - for lack of self confidence
AGRIMONY - for acting according to what you think will please others
CENTAURY - wanting to please and serve others first to self-detriment
RED CHESTNUT - for worry about other's welfare
WHITE CHESTNUT - for the mind that won't stop
CHERRY PLUM - for fear of losing control
ASPEN - dread and anxiety
STAR OF BETHLEHEM - soothing old wounds and traumas

Yes, and HAVE A NICE DAY!!!

Multi Media Mogul Paul

I just got an email from my pal Paul about his television debut on "Pet Central". The "Pet Central" program runs on the Canadian cable channel "Pet Network" which is devoted to 24 hours of pet related programming. 24 HOURS OF PET PROGRAMMING! I'm just repeating that to REALLY let it sink into my brain (and maybe your's for that matter). It's another mind boggling example of living in the modern media age. Here is my TV Star friend Paul pictured above with his very cute and well behaved dog Noah. You can see Noah's super cool portrait in the background too.
I've included the links to Paul's video. It's really fun! It features lots of Paul's paintings and highlights both his process and inspiration. There's also a "blooper reel" ending that's great - it made me laugh just hearing Paul laugh. I miss you Paul! Gotta call you soon for the rock swap talk. Go to Paul's Website or direct to youtube. The only misinformation in the video is Gesso's gender - she's actually a female and not a "he" but Paul hasn't met her yet so I'm not holding that against him.
A posting on Paul just wouldn't seem right without an incriminating polaroid. I've included this one from 1995. Paul and I seem to be a Viking Couple in the middle of a fist fight. I'm not really sure what we we're doing. I do know Paul ended up wearing my wig at some point that night.


In the "Pet central" video Paul very kindly mentions my dog Gesso and that the background colors in her portrait were meant to reflect the atmosphere of our house. He also talks about us rescuing her from a shelter after the death of our Lab. The Lab he mentions is my first dog Junior. I've posted about Junior before - so you know I have absolutely no objectivity about him. Junior was just the bestest of the best. I've heard lots of complaints that blogs and websites end up being all about people's pets. It's true! We're more insufferable than new parents! Just to prove the point here's a picture of Junior and Paul:

And since I'm taking this opportunity YET AGAIN to talk about Junior I'll post ANOTHER picture. Junior had a big patch of white fur on his chest. Whenever I dyed my hair with Manic Panic I dyed his hair too (as you can see below). My friend David (an actor and improvisational scat singer) made up a song called "Junior - The Punk Rock Dog from Bayview Street". David created a whole imaginary TV show about Junior's punk rock antics. I guess we all had too much time on our hands back then.


More importantly though - back to the matter at hand. I'm really impressed that Paul has been doing this work for 16 YEARS and doing it so well! Way to go Paul!!! You have worked SO hard and your art has developed in amazing new directions. After watching Paul's video and a documentary on The Sex Pistols AND The Pixies this week I am forever in awe of people who have a totally unique aesthetic and have the drive and the guts to get it out there. That kind of creativity inspires me and keeps life so interesting. I'm really proud of you Paul.

WOOFSTOCK - Toronto's Doggy Festival

My pal Paul has been participating in Toronto's WOOFSTOCK Festival for years. You can see the portrait of my dog Gesso at the front of his booth (bottom left corner). I wonder if people look at her portrait and assume "Now there's a good doggy!" If only they knew that her shrill and constant barking is like fingernails on a chalkboard.

WOOFSTOCK has been dubbed "the summer of canine love" as well as "the largest outdoor festival for dogs and the people who love them." 140,000 come together to see the latest "pooch food, fashion, furnishings and unique services". A perfect occasion for many of us childless (or child free) people to overindulge our transference issues.

Good Luck Paul!! Sell lots! Break a Paw (not literally)!

Drowning In Self-Consciousness

So I've hit the wall again and am drowning in self-analysis. I begin a project enthusiastically and then I freeze and stop. I write this to explain my lack of posts.

What happens is everything becomes far too complicated in my head and small creative tasks become monumental. Instead of a pleasant diversion - my self-expression just seems formidable. I figure it's also a form of "performance anxiety".

So, my new approach is to imagine a complete lack of audience (which is quite close to the truth).

(Though I mean no offense to anyone who is infact reading this)!

Instead, I'm just gonna let it fly right from my brain to this blank page - so watch out!

Hah! Let's see if I can make this major psychological breakthrough.