Impromptu Photo Shoot

So.... I'm going to pretend it hasn't been seven weeks since I've posted - I hope you'll play along too. I'm going to blame it on preparations for the wedding and marriage. He's a little something to whet your appetite for the wedding.

Our friends Donnie and Lori did a great job on some unofficial engagement photos back in November; we once again conned them into taking some more pictures this past Sunday afternoon. We hadn't planned to take any photos, but they had stopped by the house (they helped us carry our loot home from a wedding shower), and someone said, "let's take some right now." So... we did. 

Lori designed our Save the Date Cards, and she will be designing a "married address" card for us as well, but I wanted to stretch my creative muscles, so I "shopped" the following photos - a little heavy handed, but they sure are fun.

- across the street, in front of the neighbor's huge Magnolia tree -

- on the driveway, at the side of the house - 

- on the back patio, overlooking the side yard -

Irish Couture

So.... last year I made a hideously wonderful pair of green trousers for St. Patrick's Day. I wore them for the second time ever today (one year later).

The little kids at the clinic love the crazy pants. I'm just not too sure what the two 18 year old guys in for check-ups had to say about them.

New Toy

So.... it has almost been a month since my last post, but couldn't you just watch that wolf video every day? No? Okay, here's something: I got a new toy.

My trusty, reliable (and very heavy) eMac turned five years old this month. I'm sure that's essentially the technological equivalent of a stegosaurus, but it's worked just fine until recently, when it started slowing waaaaaaay down.

I ordered a sleek new MacBook (only after I asked the Soon-to-be-Mrs. Pursuing Pineapple if it was okay). 

That's actually me working on this post.

I also ordered some extra software - which I totally love. ArtRage Deluxe 2.5 is this neat, inexpensive, simple to use art program with which I've totally spent most of my free time. Check out these pics: the first one is a photo of a Salvador Dali lithograph I have, the second one, I did in about ten minutes with ArtRage (within the first two to three hours of playing with it). I recognize it doesn't have the depth of color or emotion of the litho, but, come on, ten minutes. 

I also got a fancy, cool pen and tablet to use with my new laptop and software. 

It makes me feel like I work at Pixar or Industrial Light and Magic. Of course, taking a second look at that picture I made, I should probably keep my day job.

I've got a couple of fun little posts planned for later this week/weekend; maybe even a contest with a real prize. Thanks for checking in...

Best Valentine's Gift. Ever.

So.... here's a video of The Best Valentine's Gift. EVER.



It is so the perfect gift: Duran Duran... stuffed animal... animatronics. What else could a women want for Valentine's Day?

Sorry, Guys, I know I totally put you to shame. Hope your ladies aren't too upset that you didn't have the forethought to get them such an awesome gift. I'll admit - Rachel is one lucky lady.

Going to the Dogs

So.... congratulations to Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee! Affectionately known as Stump, this Sussex Spaniel won the 2009 Westminster Kennel Club's Best in Show last night.



Apparently the USA network gets its highest ratings all year when airing this Dog Show. I realize that it takes a little effort to understand (or care about) what is going on, and last night, watching with some people who had never watched before (including some young 20-somethings), made me acutely aware of how important that little bit of effort is.

All they're doing is walking them around; that's stupid (they're showing the dog's gait and form in motion). That dog is ugly; that's stupid (it was bred to look that way for a specific purpose). That dog's too small; that's stupid (it was bred to get into holes to catch vermin). They should make them jump hurdles; this is stupid (that's another sport - Agility). What are they? Just professional dog walkers; that's stupid (no, they are professional handlers - more like a coach, or even a jockey). They should judge those stupid dog walkers; that's stupid (they do, but not at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show). Those little dogs can't save lives or do any work; they're stupid (no, they were bred for a different reason, like killing vermin, hunting fox, companionship, or acting as "alarm" dogs).

I guess there are situations where I react the same way - when I don't take the time to completely understand all that is going on. Oh well, if nothing else, a lesson learned.

Of course, Stump may have won Best in Show, but Travis is still my favorite.

Authority?

So.... on my authority as an (un)elected (un)official, I call for the swift, immediate, and accurate evaluation of the tax records of each U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative. Yeah, like that's going to happen.

Furthermore, I don't think you have the right to enact laws if you don't obey them (tax cheaters). I don't think you should head up a department (Commerce, for example) if you once voted to disband such department. I don't think you should be confirmed as the Deputy Attorney General if you have fought for the rights of child pornographers.

That's enough politics for now. I promise to be back to the fun stuff later this weekend.

Boo! (and it ain't Halloween)

So.... today the US Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner as the 75th Treasury secretary.

I say BOO!

Appointed by President Obama, this is the person who is in charge of the IRS; uhm....
HE DIDN'T PAY HIS TAXES!

"A careless mistake," which Geithner failed to correct until he was chosen for the position of Treasury secretary. He owed ~$34,000 in unpayed taxes, and finally payed over $47,000 in taxes and fees.

Several Senators said that they wouldn't typically confirm someone with this suspect history, but they felt he was the right person for the job in this time of economic distress. Really? Really? There is only one person in the United States of America who has the competency to steer the Treasury Department? Then, my friends, we are in deeper trouble than it would appear.

I find it interesting that in light of "change we can believe in" and that "our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some" and "those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day," yes, in light of those Presidential quotes, a tax cheat now runs the IRS.

I say boo to the sixty yes-voting Senators! I say boo to our silver-tongued President! I say boo to tax-cheating Secretary Geithner. Yeah, I know they aren't reading this, but none the less, I say boo!