Snow Thunder?

So I hear someone mention this today at work and thought it was a made up term. Id never heard of Snow Thunder. My thought was that we dont call it Rain Thunder, its just called Thunder. but after a brief moment of research I found out it indeed is a real term. Snow Thunder. I also found out that wintertime lightning is much m ore dangerous than summertime lightning due to the fact that the strikes in winter carry a much stronger current.

IlloFriday: Blue

So this weeks topic is blue, and holy crap I have one finished and its only Tuesday! WooHoo. For this piece, I decide to just play around with some images and some brushes in photoshop. I had this great photo of my youngest sister Chana that I really wanted to incorporate. Im on the fence about it right now, I think if I play around with it some more it will flow more smoothly. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Im sure Chana will throw in her two cents ;)

Walk the Line

So if you havent seen it yet, you need to! In fact, go right now. This is one of the best movies ive seen in a while. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon did an absolutely fantastic job with this movie, not to mention the fact that they did all their own singing. I just cant stop applauding this movie. Ill be picking this one up as soon as it comes out on DVD.

Whats your pilot say?

So you know your plane has landed in Florida when the pilot says this..."Ok folks, shouldn't be much longer now, were just a 7 iron from the gate." There obviously wasnt a lot of golfers on my flight because there was only a chuckle or two, including my own. The best part though was listening to the lady behind me ask her husband what he meant followed by him explaining it. This incident reminds me of the time I was flying back to Boston and a big Red Sox game was on and the pilot would chime in over the intercom and tell us the weather, what we were flying over, followed by the score of the game and a "Go Red Sox". Cant wait to hear what the pilot will have to say on my next flight.

My new toy...

So after almost two years of being ghetto fabulous with a broken digital camera, I gave in and finally bught a new one, a Nikon Coolpix 5200. Since Im going home to Florida in two days and I, as usual, waited til the last minute to order it, I had the camera Fed-Ex overnighted right to my sisters work in Florida. She got it today and called me after she opened it. Man I cant wait to start taking pics. Im sure Ill be sure to take a ton of photos while Im home for the holidays, especially ones of Charleen, plastered, on her 23rd birthday ;) Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Bubbles, Bubbles everwhere , but not a drop to drink...

Well I'm not quite sure what to think. Tim Kehoe, a 35-year-old toy inventor from St. Paul, Minnesota, has developed colored soap bubbles. I've always loved blowing bubbles. Its one of those simple childhood pleasures, something that could keep you occupied for hours. For me it still does. But what's with this thought of having colored bubbles? Man those fuschia ones rock I must admit, but one of the joys for me was having a bubble land and not pop and being able to see the rainbow of colors reflected in the bright sunlight. Like I said, I'm just not sure what to think. Guess Ill be picking up a bottle in February 2006 when they become available for purchase. Here's the website to check them out.

IlloFriday: Strength

So for this weeks topic of strength, this piece instantly came into my head. All I could think of was my mom, and all moms for that matter. They have to balance so many things in their everyday lives, and not just for themselves but for the entire family. That to me takes an enormous amount of strength! This is an older piece that I did. Its acrylic on cardboard.

Slacker! Who Me?

Ok so Ive gotten off my lazy behind and finally updated this site. I would have posted much sooner but I came to realize that I hit max capacity on my old photo album site. So Ive spent some time trying to find a new company, rebuilding some of the old albums and also adding a couple new much anticipated albums. So the pics below are the albums that ive posted, click on the picture and it will take you right to that album. Im going to be adding new albums as events arise and I want to try and get up some albums from past events. So check back, there will definitely be more to come. Leave a comment or two and let me know what you think, of the photos and the new photo album site. Enjoy!!

Pats vs. Bills - MA - Oct 2005


PHD Halloween Party - MA - Oct 2005


311 Concert - FLA - Sept 2005


Figawi Weekend - Nantucket - May 2005


Katie & George Wedding - NY - June 2005


JukeBox Off - NYC - April 2005

Tag Im It!

Ok so Ive been tagged and I have to post 20 random thoughts about myself so here goes...

1. I love coffee
2. I dont think I could live without my computer/ipod/digital camera
3. I dont eat red meat or pork
4. I am really tight with my family
5. I miss my close friends alot
6. The soundtrack of my life would be all over the board
7. Contrary to belief, brown is not my favorite color ;)
8. Im seriously thinking about a career change, but Im not sure to what
9. Im scared of losing loved ones
10. I am totally happy with my hair, curly or straight!
11. Im outgoing, yet have a hard time making new friends
12. I love Tim Burton films
13. Im seriously envious of people who can draw really well
14. My most favorite moments/memories are those spent with my friends and family
15. I love vegetables, especially asparagus
16. I love the smell of oranges and clean laundry
17. I work out at the end of my day to help me wind down
18. I still sleep in a twin size bed
19. I may be 29 but I still act like a 5 year old at times
20. I hate winter

IlloFriday: Escape

So its been way too long since I last posted on here. Yeah I can hear Jordan now busting my chops saying that last time I came back from a hiatus I said I was going to post more consistently and then didn't post at all. Well I went without an internet connection at my new house for almost 4 week and I almost lost it. Things are finally back up and running and I'm going to try hard to keep up with my posting, If in the least posting an IlloFriday every week. On that note, here's my illo for this weeks topic, escape. I had this finished on Monday but Blogger hasn't been letting me post anything. But nonetheless here it is. Let me know what you think.

Out with the old....

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So there it is. My hoopty, the etcher-mobile, in all its old and run down glory. I bought it when it was just a year old back in '97 with very few miles on it. Now, in 2005 with over 120,000 miles, a few trips from Mass to Florida and back, two hit & runs, one small fender bender and a whole lot of snow Ive decided its seen better days and its time to say goodbye. This picture barely does justice of the rough shape this car is actually in, it was on its very last leg.


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For those of you who know me, know Im a yankees fan and also know that I have had that Yankees vanity plate on the front of the car for almost as long as Ive owned the car. Thanks Jeff ;) Well it too has seen better days and I have decided to let that plate sink with the ship. Most of you up here in Mass are very enthusiastic about this especially since I now have Mass plates, which are required to be in the front and back, which means no vanity plate replacement. I have also decided to return the Florida plates to my dad and let him begin a new generation of etcher-mobile, it is after all his business. So drum roll please....I present...the new ride...


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2005 Black Jeep Wrangler SE. 4 Wheel Drive. 6 Cylinder Automatic. Soft top, A/C & CD player. Can I just say I absolutely love this Jeep! It fits me to a T. Im sure the enthusiasm will wear off eventually, but for now I cant help but have permagrin every time I drive it. Its great driving down the interstate with the top down on a beautiful day. Its also great knowing that if I, for some silly reason, forget to put up my windows and there is a terrential down pour, all I have to do to drain the three inches of water that could gather on the drivers side floor is lift up the carpet and pull the drain plugs. I can also breathe easy knowing that the seats dry almost instantly and one would only need to sit on a towel to keep ones clothes from becoming damp. I think I read all about that in a brochure or on the web, it doesnt come from first hand experience, I mean come on...its only a week old, would I do something silly like that? I must also comment that Im even more excited about it because its my very first brand new vehicle. Ive only owned the '88 Chevy Cavalier and the '96 Mitsubishi Mirage and bought both of those used. Ive worked really hard and I think I deserve a new vehicle. Watch out kids, Im moving up in the world...Im getting a little bit older, a little bit wiser and deeper in debt, isnt life grand ;)

IlloFriday: Sport

Dont ask me why I came up with tennis, Ive never played nor do I watch it on TV. It was weird I saw sport as the topic and this instantly popped into my head. I quickly sketched it out and then eventual got around to making it digital. So here it is. What do you think?

IlloFriday: Heroes

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Watch out kids...two in a row. So this weeks illo topic is heroes. I must honestly say the very first thing I thought about was a sandwich! I cant help it I love food. So I went and fed my stomach and the second thing that I thought of is the US Military. In the last few years my life has been surrounded by the military. I would say a good majority of my friends are all in the military, different branches and different states. I figured I would use this weeks topic to honor them for not only working hard within an organization that fights for our countries freedom but also because they are some of the greatest people I have met. They have become some of my closest friends and I know I can count on them for anything. My thought is, if you dont have friends and family to help you through the bad times and to enjoy the good times with, what do you have? I hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th!

IlloFriday: Black & White

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So I figured id come back full swing and start off with an Illustration Friday post. Its a charcoal sketch on newsprint that I did a few years ago and I reworked it yesterday in Illustrator. Ive always been really proud of this piece for one major reason, I cant draw people worth crap! When I finished the original sketch I was actually amazed that I drew it myself. Let me know what you think.

If I havent mentioned previously, I work in a great place, which will again remain nameless. We have a great deal of freedom to do alot of things that wouldnt normally occur in your average work environment, ie tin foil your co-workers cube. One thing we truely enjoy is food day. Everyone brings in a dish of something and we pick and snack all day. Well today we had a penny candy day. You know penny candy...wax lips, rootbeer barrels, wax bottles, buttons etc. One of my co-workers was great enough to bring in a bunch of retro toys and things to decorate the table and everyone brought in a type of penny candy to share...check out the pics below of our penny candy day table. These are the things that make my tough days at work a bit easier!

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So this is what I did to the cube of one of the guys I work with while he was away on vacation this past week. Why you might ask? Well, one night it was past work hours (probably close to 8pm) and I had thought everyone had gone home for the night. I was still working hard at my cube, seriously I had blinders on to anything outside of my computer screen. My cube is in the basement level of the building (of which is haunted) but I do have a ground level window. This window has a huge shrub in front of it so you really cant see in from the ground level. Well the previously mentioned guy was nice enough to scare the crap out of me that night by throwing pebbles at the window. When I stood up to look out the window I could just barely see him and this mischievous smirk. Sooo...this is what happens when you pick on me constantly and then scare the crap out of me, or if im really bored ;) Well tomorrow morning should be interesting. Yeah and he also has a meeting first thing in the morning in the conference room. Its a weekly meeting and everyone sits in the same chair every week and, yup you guessed it, I covered that chair in tin foil too!

So I had originally seen this commercial (click on the top commercial of the three) for Diet Coke and was instantly hooked. Why you might ask? Well its people roller skating to Starry Eyed Surprise by Paul Oakenfold feat. Shifty.
Then this commercial came along and blew the diet coke ad away. Why again you might be asking. Apple Ipod, Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz and again Roller Skating....does it get any better?

Ok so I actually had a moment to toy around and make a few changes to my sidebar...check it out. Yeah I know...just more stuff to keep updated. I swear im gonna get back on track and post on a regular basis again. Promise!

Yeah I know, Im a scrub who hasnt posted in a while. Work has been absolutely crazy, again! Can I say that its 7pm on Wednesday and im posting this from work because I know that im going to be here at least another two hours and i wont want to post anything when I get home! I promise to start posting again real soon, I swear!

Betty Crocker anyone?

More and more everyday I turn a little bit more into Betty Crocker. I still havent figured out if thats good or not. Im assuming since I love food its probably a good thing. On that note...Im going to a fondue party tomorrow night. It should be a really good time...i mean how bad can it be? Good food + good wine/beer + good friends = Good times! Im stoked. And in true Betty Crocker fashion I decided that we couldnt just have cheese and chocolate to dip our food into. No way...too boring. So I decided to make some fun sauces from scratch. 2 Hot sauces: a Peanut Butter sauce and a Sweet and Sour sauce. 2 Chilled sauces: a Dill sauce and a Horseradish sauce. Hopefully they will taste good and noone will become ill ;)