My wife and I just returned from Tampa Bay and the 2009 Tampa Bay Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day. Since I have a bunch of thoughts just running through my head, I figured I'd share a few:

Walking 22 miles in the 95 degree sun is way too hot until you see all the smiles.

There’s something inherently fun about sleeping in a tent at the 3-Day. Maybe it’s because it brings us back to our childhood, maybe it brings out a sense of community, maybe it’s because you’re just SO exhausted.

I’m sure the Pinellas trail in the Tampa area is a wonderful place to bring your family or walk your dog, but when it’s that hot, it probably a pretty good place to avoid.

Every three day walk we’ve walked or crewed has been supported by nice people but the people involved with the Tampa walk have been the nicest by far.

Apparently Heather Van Nest is some sort of local celebrity in Tampa, but we only got to know her mom, who is an absolute sweetheart.

The cheering station by the drawbridge on day two was the best cheering station ever! Who knew frozen Girl Scout cookies could be THAT good.

We were just a few houses away from the car accident on day 2 and saw the whole thing. A grey SUV hit a curb and loss control and ended up in the bushes. Thank GOD no one got hurt. The guy was drunk and tried to drive away, then tried to walk away, but some locals detained him. Cops were there by the time we crossed the street.

I’m really glad Sam (remember her?[link]) got to share this with us.

Chicas kick ass.

I'm really glad the day 2 lunch wraps had no pineapple. I HATE pineapple.

Women with fake boobs aren’t as funny as men with fake boobs.

We would like to walk in more than one walk next year, but we will probably need some corporate, big money sponsorship, since it took all of our friends, family, and co-workers to walk just one.

At my first walk, in Boston, 2006, I had a little reluctance to use port-o-potties, at this point, just get out of my way.

Speaking of port-o-potties, do they spike the food with something to keep us all regular?

Walking 60 miles in a weekend doesn’t seem as long as walking a mile and a quarter when you have to pee.

According to a sign at the nature preserve on day 2, ‘gator molesting' is a problem in Florida.

We made the news 3 times on day one. If they shoved a mic in our faces again, I was gonna hit them with a ‘no comment’! (J/K)

We didn't get that tired after our walk and our travels until the Wednesday after we got back.
Hmmmm. That’s it for now.


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Weight Loss Update:

After a summer of house guests, vacations, and cookouts, I entered a 'Biggest Loser' contest with some friends and family members, and I am happy to report that I am back on track:

1/6/09: 282.3 lbs (my high score)
08/16/09: 265.1 lbs (my weigh in)
Weigh in on 10/28/09: 227.5 (I won!)

See why I need to lose weight: [link]

Read about our two newest family members: [link]
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ABOUT MY ARTWORK

If you don't give a crap about my life as an artist, feel free to stop reading now, I realize I can be a wordy SOB.
All of my work is pen and ink (why do they call it pen AND ink anyway?). Specifically, India ink. I used to work in pencil, and will occasionally do something in just pencil, but I have grown to love the contract and sharpness I can get from ink. Everything starts with rough pencils and is eventually embellished with Micron graphic pens. I used to use Penstix, but they tend to fade over time while the Microns hold up very well. They also come in better line depths and also a variety of colors, which I started experimenting with not too long ago.
I also wanted to make everyone aware that I do commissions (both pictures and cases) if anyone is interested. You see my style, you see what I’m capable of. If you are interested, please contact me. I also want to let you know that many of my originals are available for sale. If you are interested in anything specific, please let me know. This applies to both of my accounts.
Hey look! New Stuff! (click the little picture to make it a big picture)
What else am I working on? I'm done penciling a really cool picture involving a DA model , am considering an anniversary sequel to one of my other pictures, and still waiting for the right time to begin that epic breast cancer awareness pic.
I recently uploaded all of my Custom Computer Case Mods. Here’s one now: . Find out why: [link]
On Saturday, January 28, 2006 (my dad’s birthday), this picture:
was chosen as a Daily Deviation. It was recommended by and selected by .I wanted to express my gratitude to both of those deviants and to all the members who commented and faved this piece who I didn’t have a chance to properly thank. Lame as it may sound, it was one of the most gratifying, important, and proud moments in my life as an artist. Recognition by one’s peers may be the most sincere compliment and artist can receive.

My best work:
Which is not only a masterful piece of art I would hold up to anything ever produced by any artist, but also is touching tribute to someone my entire family loved dearly.

Some others I consider to be among my best:



I also very much like the abstract pictures that come straight from my imagination:



And let me shout out to my Amazing, beautiful, lovely, CANCER FREE wife by sharing some of the overly sappy, lovey dovey pictures I drew for her that always seem to come out pretty good:



Make sure you visit my kid’s gallery. She’s a recent UCONN grad who needs to upload some of the amazing stuff she’s done in the last few years:

Also, say hi to one of our family’s real-world friends:

I also wanted to mention a few pictures that either didn't live up to their potential, or just simply suck:



And I would be remiss if I didn't throw in a few nudie girls, big boobed babes, and scantily clad super heroines:



Later!