Meet Mimi

I've only had Mimi for about a year and a half. She's mostly Himalayan, flat faced, long fur everywhere and quite a personality. She's the most jealous cat I've ever met, and likes to chatter. Thankfully her meow is a pleasant little trill. She's not big on being petted but if I'm petting my other cat Hazel, Mimi has to come over and get her scritches too. She was abandoned with her 4 kittens at the vet hospital where my bf works and was emaciated weighing 5 lbs at the time (two of her kittens survived and found good homes). When I saw Mimi, I loved her attitude and despite that long hair, took her home. Unfortuately she was just diagnosed with lymphoma. She's doing well on steroids, though they won't cure her, they will extend her time. It's hard news to take but I find some comfort knowing I've provided her with a nice home and affection these 18 months or so, time she might not have had (and get) otherwise.

Sneak Peak

I am not keen on showing my work before it's finished. Partly I think that it might jinx it and cause it not to turn out. However, I thought you might enjoy getting an in-progress glimpse of what's on my drawing board. This face is not done, even as I upload this snapshot I see things I want to change. For me the faces in my work are the most critical part. Once I am happy with the face, I am fairly confident the rest will come together.

My iTunes Top 10 for the week

1. "Kiss Me" - Robbie Williams
2. "The Last One Standing" - Ladytron
3. "Circuit Breaker" - Röyksopp
4. "All Good Things (Come To An End)" - Nelly Furtado
5. "Satellites" - September
6. "Conversations" - Camouflage
7. "Don Turbulento" - Yello
8. "Love’s The Only Drug" - Ultra Naté
9. "In Love With Myself" - Dave Guetta
10. "I Will Stand" - Claudja Barry

10 Percent A**holes

It's sad to me when a company presents itself as supportive and nuturing to the LGBT community (or any particular group for that matter) when it's soley out to make a buck by exploiting peoples allegiance to their own community. Such seems to be the case with 10 Percent Productions a.k.a. Village Lighthouse. A retailer/wholesaler of everything LGBT from cards to calendars, videos to underwear that is sold in countless Pride stores from Seattle to Sidney.

I entered into a licensing contract with this company. I was a bit dismayed by the meager 5% royalites offered but what the heck they were luring me in with the notion of doing a calendar of my work and I thought that would be great exposure. Anyway the calendar didn't happen but instead they put my work on a handful of cards and a few magnets. Which was fine. I knew the calendar was not guaranteed. I had read the contract and I was aware of and accepting of all the items in it.

My issues did not arise until later when it came time for me to receive my quartely royalty payment. From the first one and every quarter since I did not recieve my meager royalty check within the time frame THEY set forth in the contract. In fact I only get it when I finally write and demand payment. This is not what I signed up for. Their low regard for their artists and unwillingness to adhere to their own payment conditions, also get's me wondering if these double digit checks are even accurate. I later learned, by contacting to several other artists, that getting payment from them is never easy. I truly believe if the artists never asks for their money, 10Percent would simply keep it. So don't think that you are supporting the LGBT community and the artists that create all the images and photography on their merchandise. You are just supporting those who exploit your community in the name of your community.

Romney hates children, America

Ok that may be overstating things. But if lame duck Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is going to present himself as patriotic and pro-children then he better take another look at himself. Romney, has decided to rally support for his Presidential campaign by appealing to bigotry by using same-sex marriage and children as his maypole.

Romney against America
He may disagree but America’s core foundation, the pricipal's it was founded on, are freedom and equality for all, regardless of class, race, religion, disablities etc. If two consenting adults wish to marry, it does not harm or affect anyone else if they are of the same sex. By excluding certain Americans the same rights and freedoms afforded others simply because of their gender is simply un-American.

Romney against children
Romney recently said at a same-sex marriage rally, “What (the judges) ignored is that marriage is not primarily about adults; marriage is about the nurturing and development of children. ... Every child deserves a mother and a father.” So, what about Romney’s oh so heartfelt concern for children? What about gay and lesbian children? Does he care about them? What message of nurturing development does banning same-sex marriage send to 12 or 14 year olds at that awkward stage of sexual discovery. It says, you are different and unacceptable; you are a sub citizen, its okay to ostracize you and exclude you. You are not worthy, America rejects your kind. What kind of damage does this do to a developing child? This is the message from someone who cares about children? I don’t think so. More like the selfish aspirations of a power hungry politician willing to harm children to get to the top. Marriage is not a prerequisite for being a parent. Nor does being a parent require you to be married. Marriage does not guarantee that children will be loved and nurtured by both or even one parent. If ‘every child deserves a mother and a father’ shouldn’t Romney also be campaigning to ban divorce for couples with children? Ah, but that would be unpopular, better he stick to hating the gays.