enveri

I had a great weekend. Thank you to everyone that emailed, texted and/or called, your thoughts and well wishes really made my day.

duncandahusky details our Saturday activities pretty accurately. We went down into Evanston to the Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop for brunch. I had no idea where we were going, and was quite pleasantly surprised! Omnomnom Cajun food. :9 (The cheese grits? So. Good.)

After that, we went to Happy Husky Bakery, where resident canine Astaire proceeded to give kisses all over my face. He liked faces, and kept getting my glasses. Slobbery, but so sweet, and the owners are very cool. We definitely want to go back; picked up some doggie treats for Brianna there.

Then... we went to the Spice House. this was my first visit ever, and... it really brought home just how vital the spice trade was in years gone by. You walk through the door and run face first into a wall of spicy scents, and it's just.. amazing. You'd think it would be overwhelming (there's a smelly soap shop here in Antioch that gives me headaches), but it was wonderful. :9 I have been thinking of making my own homemade vanilla extract, so I shall be going back for a handful of vanilla beans. :9

After that, we visited a couple of pet stores so Duncan and Takaza could meet and greet some local dog rescues, see if any of their charges would make a good fit for their home. They found Buddy, who is a real sweetie of a dog, at the second event we attended. He's now happily ensconced in his forever home. :) I was really impressed with the folks running the rescue, and when the time comes for us to bring another dog home, we will probably go to them.

Yesterday I had some more emotional ups and downs like I described last week. I'm convinced now that there are multiple factors that when combined, my emotions slip their leash. I'm frustrated, because for the last two years I've managed (quite well, I thought) to manage my mental state without medication. I am calling the doctor today about an appointment. I realize part of my problem is withdrawal from cigarettes (oh God, I almost caved on Saturday and asked roho to buy some), but the other part is a chemical imbalance in my body, and that... I need a resolution on that.

Overall though, I'm feeling chipper and bright-eyed this morning. I'm catching up on my correspondence, preparing some art for mailing, and I should, if things go well, finish a painting today. I'd like to get some domestic chores done as well, so the painting may have to wait til Wednesday.

So while I prepare for the con next month, I have a question for all of you? What do you like to see on artist tables? Freebies? Impulse buy items? (magnets and bookmarks under $5?) Prints? Tell me in the comments, so I know what to bring!

So, through happy serendipity and the generosity of friends, roho and I will be attending Anthrocon for the first time in... 5 years? 4 years? Something like that.

Anyway. I will likely be in or around Artist's Alley. If you want to reach me, ask with the staff.

Just some items of note - I am not a terribly huggy person, please don't take offense. I am, however, happy to go grab a drink or sit and chat for a bit!

It was a nice and productive weekend. My muse went into overload, and I finished 2 commissions and 8 other various sketches.

We had a fun 4th.

Unfortunately, yesterday, one of my major pet peeves got triggered, and I'm going to rant about it here, just so that anyone that runs into me at AC knows not to ever do this.

When you're eating out with a group of people, if you don't have the money to cover your tab, own up to it. Don't order dessert or the most expensive thing you see on the menu. And most of all... don't sit there and claim loudly that you put in your share and expect the rest of the party to pony up more money to cover it. I watched someone pay TWICE what their meal cost to cover tax and tip because of one person, and you know.... I'm not going to do that anymore. I've had this happen to me before, and it made both Bren and myself uncomfortable; and that time, we're not talking a couple of dollars short, either.

So yeah. If you eat out with me, and you don't have enough, ask for help. Don't claim innocence and expect me to pick up the tab, because you've just made an enemy. I don't put up with that crap.


On another note. I asked for a raise at work today. It was, as I expected, promptly denied. They did say they would review my salary to make sure it was fair, though. I'm gonna be watching to make sure it doesn't dip in the negative direction. :P

We're trying to get ready for the con. Stress stress stress. I think I have all my art supplies. I don't plan on sitting in Artist's Alley, but the mood may strike, and I may change my mind. Either way, I plan on spending as much time with kenket as she'll tolerate trying to pick up pointers. Urrg, and I still need to make music cds and pack. Yeesh.

Later folks.

Oh yes.. there is new art up. Go look and leave a comment.

I hate to start off the morning like this, but..

I'm trimming my 'friends' list a little bit, and I don't want the people trimmed to wonder why. I fully support your right to express your views. I even agree with you on quite a few things. But lately... I'm just not up for reading several political posts a day. I still respect you a great deal and think you're wonderful people, and I hope you won't think less of me for this. When things are more calm and you go back to your old posting habits, I'll gladly re-add you.

On other notes.. a few of you have the unfortunate habit of posting large images without the use of cut tags. ;) I love seeing your photographs, but when I'm at work, reading livejournal is done in quick snatches, and having a large image pop up on my screen is just begging for someone to walk by and ask what I'm doing instead of working. ;)

I really don't want to come across as a shallow person. I've grown quite close to some of you out there, and I think of you as good friends and confidantes. The last thing I would want to do is hurt any of you or seem like I'm criticizing your posting habits. I'm overjoyed to see that LiveJournal is being used as it was meant to be; a forum for your thoughts and a medium for each of you to express yourselves in ways that best suit your personalities.

For the new readers I have picked up, please do not be offended if I don't immediately add you back. I am often pressed for time when reading (see above), and thusly, I try to make sure that the journals I read are ones I find engaging and interesting. I also prefer to get to know someone before offering them access into my more private life. If you're someone that I know elsewhere online, a short note or email letting me know who you are would be greatly appreciated. :)

Lastly, an art update! I have some new sketches to scan; some I'm happy with, others I'm not. I'm still figuring out the watercolors, and I think I have enough of a handle on them to finally (!) finish lanakila's commission. (About darn time, too!) I hope to have it done by the end of the month, Lana, and I hope to be able to do some sketches and pencil pieces to send you as well as a thank you for your patience. You've been a wonderful customer!

I am looking for husky reference pictures, so if anyone stumbles across good facial/body shots of those gorgeous dogs, please shoot me an email or page #mail with a link. I've done several sketches for duncandahusky's livejournal icons and I still haven't found anything I'm happy with, even though he seemed to like them. ;)

And, finally, I have my commission FAQ and pricelist updated. I will be doing sketchbooks in Artist's Alley at Anthrocon (if I can get myself up in the morning to get down there) probably JUST on Saturday at discounted rates. So if you'll be at the convention and want original Genet art for a good price, be sure to find me! I will have a full listing of the prices I'll be charging up on my website soon. I will not have prints available for sale, but I will have bookmarks, and possibly original art. I will not be in the Art Show, as I didn't think I'd have anything finished in time, so you will have to find me in the Alley. My next convention appearance will be Midwest Furfest in November; but I'm on staff there, and thus will be unavailable for large periods of time. Anthrocon is probably your best bet for landing a commission. EEEE! That's NEXT MONTH!! ACK!!

As always, I welcome commission inquiries. I have a few more things I need to put up on the FAQ, and a bit of tweaking to do with the website. My next major project will be building a portfolio of original artwork to present to potential clients to showcase my skills, and building up the front end of Spots to look a little more... diverse.

Have a great day, folks!

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