Winter weather and waves on the Beach

Considering the weather we have been having lately, this was inspired.

Meme meme meme

My Liberal Identity:

You are a Reality-Based Intellectualist, also known as the liberal elite. You are a proud member of what’s known as the reality-based community, where science, reason, and non-Jesus-based thought reign supreme.

Take the quiz at www.FightConservatives.com

The difference one answer makes: It was a toss up on which book to take. There were two, Origin of the Species or America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction.

Origin of the Species choice had the results above.

America (The book) Scored me as Peace Patroller, also known as an anti-war liberal or neo-hippie. You believe in putting an end to American imperial conquest, stopping wars that have already been lost, and supporting our troops by bringing them home.

I guess that makes me a reality based neo-hippy.

It was bound to happen

Took a few years, but it did.

Yesterday, I had a dry throat feeling, and I kept trying to convince myself that it was just because of the small heater I was using.

About 9pm last night, I felt chilled and oh so tired. I went to bed, only to wake up with aikidomayland complaining that I was snoring. Well shit, nose clogged, throat sore, asthma kicking in and he is surprised? If I did this 'waking him up every time he snored" to him he would NEVER get any sleep. He kept doing this until I got pissed off and said "Your compassion about me not feeling well is truly underwhelming." I got up and tried to sleep elsewhere, but it was just too frigging cold!

I finally crawled back into bed, telling him to in no uncertain words "To zip it, I didn't want to hear it." He woke up at the usual time, whining that he wasn't feeling well and would call in sick.

I glared, or at least tired to.

"I.... don't..... care."

This might seem harsh, but he is always, and I mean always, umm unkind if I or Alan are ill. It's as if we are faking, slacking off or something, I dunno. But when he is ill.... it's the return of the pnuemonic plague.

I prepared LEMSIP for us both. His was the nighttime variety. He sleeping again.

Perfect weather

For home made beef and pearl barley soup. *urp*

Sometimes change is necessary

I have been using Version Tracker Pro for several years. But lately, it hasn't been reporting the right versions of drivers and software, even though I do scan to update what I have installed.

You can't get a straight answer from computer manufacturers on what drivers are needed, and even if you do, the downloads tank out with server errors. *sigh*

I installed "The Witcher" and it's good, but I was having video issues, so went searching to find the newest, RIGHT, video drivers. VersionTracker kept failing on the download, and then would error out when I tried to update and rescan installed drivers.

Many bad words born of frustration. I know what version of software I have (nope, don't always see the need to upgrade/update software, unless there is a problem with it that a new version fixes) but I needed definitive identification of drivers. So, I have jumped ship and got Device Detective. Ran it once, it correctly ID'ed all the installed drivers as installed for a Win XP system, and downloaded the appropriate ones. No waisting time with Vista drivers.

Sorry VersionTracker, but you snooze, you lose.

Sunday in the Park with Deluge

Archery today was our club hosting the local "Parents Without Partners" group. We set up targets, bows, arrows and bow stands aikidomayland and I volunteered to help out. The guests really enjoyed themselves, and braved the rain and cold to get at least 3 ends of three arrows each.

They left just in the nick of time, as less than 5 minutes after they left, the skies opened again. *Sploosh!* We managed to get everything put back in quick order.

One of the group moderators on Redbubble has a serious 'English typed as a second language" even though it's not a 2nd language. She sent out this message to all the people in the group, and it was incomprehensible. I asked her, very politely (I politically said "You must been a hurry, and have typed it out really fast and didn't have time to proof it first) for a bit of elucidation. She sent another equally incomprehensible message. Whohuhwha? So, I sent yet another one, with easily answered with either a yes or a no.

Another message from her that was word salad.

My brain hurts trying to figure it out.

Flowers and Vases

Digital art: Delicate flowers and jade vases on an black surface. This is digital version of “Painting on Black Lacquer”

Doing what I can

Paul Haines, a much-loved member of the Aussie specfic commuity is going through a tough time. After being diagnosed with bowel cancer, having sections of his bowel removed and enduring six months worth of chemotherapy, he has recently discovered he has spots on his liver. Paul has met this news by reloading his guns and is going to fight it with two other forms of chemotherapy for cancers like his, combined with a monoclonal antibody called Avastin. Avastin, however is not part of Medicare or the private health system's funding at this stage. It costs $20,000 to do it. Money that he doesn't have.

So we're going to try and help him raise it. Over the coming days, we're going to start outlining our plan of action. In the meantime, if you'd like to make a donation through paypal to FundsForPaulHaines@gmail.com

Sunrise in Morning Fog

Thick fog obscures the sun, allowing for direct focus.

Lumix DMC-FZ30
Focal Length 18mm
Exposure 1/640 at F/5.6
ISO-100

From the "LA LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" denial files

Christianity is not an 'outgrowth' of Judaism, Christianity has no kinship with Judaism, it is a CORRECTION and a REFORMATION of a pagan system gone MAD. Christ was trying to end the daily human sacrifice in the so-called "temple" by declaring Himself the Final Sacrifice. He introduced the symbolic sacrament of bread and wine to replace the LITERAL cannibalism in the so-called "temple".

Look up the origin of the word "cannibal", it derives from "Khana-Baal", a priest of the temple of Baal, the false demon god that required blood sacrifice to appease itself.

Rayon Mather, Godlikeproductions [Comments (44)] [2008-Jul-24]

Corporate 'parties'

Business function tonight. "Evening wear" edition. *sigh*

aikidomayland went to work early (Casual Friday) so he can skate out and get into suit and tie.

For me, I have the dress I'm going to wear hanging in shower steamed room to pull the wrinkles out and to get the 'been in the closet for 4 months' smell. Manicure done, and wondering if I want to try giving pedicure. I think I'll pass on that.

Getting sympathetic back ache just thinking about wearing heels, but I really can't wear sneakers with formal evening wear. (laughing) Or maybe I should start a trend.

Lost track of time

I have been working with the Wacom today, and the next thing I noticed it was dark outside. I am getting more and more comfortable experimenting with the painting program. It's got some preset object, but I prefer to paint/draw out my own. I have no problem with once I get one flower just right to duplicate it.

I made a lovely greeting card:

And now I am in in the process of making a critter. It's of an experimental nature, but who knows. Might come out perfectly.

"I'm NOT a Morning Critter"

Archibald always felt different from the other butterflies, somehow.

Gah!

I pushed myself at the gym last night. I don't think I over did it, but I definitely feel it.

Got my full 20 mins on the bike, varying from break neck speed to cool down speed. Jelly legs when I was done.

Some idiot who couldn't read the "PLEASE PUT WEIGHTS BACK WHEN FINISHED" sign, in bold red letters 2 inches high, and left 120 kilos on the leg press. Got some help from a very nice man to put them back. He was nice enough to load my itsy bitsy weight limit. Made the rounds on the rest of the machines, and finished my routine.

Got up this morning, too early due to our furry alarm clock going off too early, again. And then I felt every exercise I did yesterday. I asked aikidomayland when does going to the gym stop hurting. The smart-assed answer I got was "About two days after."

Butterflies Butterflies

A colorful arrangement of butterflies on a vivid gradient background.

Three word meme

Answer each question in exactly THREE words. It sounds easy, but it's harder than you think*!

Where is your mobile phone?

On the futon

Your boyfriend/girlfriend husband/wife?

not boring accountant

Your hair?

long reddish brown

Where is your father?

Who f**king knows.

Cheesecake?

I bake them

Your dream last night?

Don't remember much

Your favorite drink?

Fresh Brewed Coffee

Your dream car?

Don't have one

The room you're in?

My warm sanctuary

George Bush?

Should be jailed.

Nipple rings?

I will pass.

Who did you hang out with last night?

Loki, Keito, hubby

What you're not good at?

Forgiving hateful people

Your best friend?

Long since dead

Student loans?

Paid my way.

Where did you grow up?

Eastern United States

The last thing you did?

Brewed some coffee

What are you wearing?

Lots of layers

Tattoo on the lower back?

No, upper back.

Ketchup?

When mood hits

Your computer?

Three too many?

Your life?

Never ever boring

Your mood?

Mellow and calm

Missing?

Swiss army knife

What are you thinking about right now?

Gym workout tonight

Your car?

He has it.

Your summer?

Get here soon!

Your relationship status?

Right second time.

Your favorite color?

Shades of red

When is the last time you laughed?

Early this morning

Last time you cried?

Two weeks ago

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow?

Creative, gym, recovery

High school?

4 year hell.

*wasn't a problem for me.

wandered in from all over the place

Ah, it had to happen sooner or later

Earlier this year aikidomayland got his Imperial Dragon tattoo. For months, he has been hiding it from his parents.

IT was only a matter of time before he goofed up and his mom would notice. He wore a shirt that I had told him over and over 'gapes at the neck' and leaves the tattoo visible.

Guess who forgot that and and wore that shirt to his mother's house.

"What is that? Are you ok!?" (grabs neckline of the shirt and pulls it away to look, probably expecting that black stuff to be necrotic tissue?)
"Oh, it's a tattoo. Hmm, it's a dragon. Did it hurt?"

That was the entire dialog, no implosion, or explosion, no telling him he is going to get sick.

But I do wonder how she would have reacted if it had been something other than an Imperial Chinese Five Toed Dragon.

Moon Shot - deep violet filters

I finally got off my butt and completed this.

It's a composite of 4 photographs. I used a violet filter to prevent over-exposure. Then added a purple tinted 'starfield' in the background to mask any evidence of joins.

This might seem petty

But it matters to me.

I had posted a while about, about how .I entered "Cuddle Time", a pic of Loki cuddling his toy cow, in the RedBubble "Give Us a Hug" contest.

I took a screen cap 2 days after the voting had been closed and the tally was done.

Here is the link to the administrators Forum

I got many kudos and congrats for winning days after the contest closed.
Am only posting public congrats, will not be posting private comments. There were 17 private Congrats right up until 10 or so days ago.
LJ posts:
[info]stephbg at 2008-07-01 15:34 (local) (Link)
IP Address: 117.102.144.25
It is indeed an astonishingly cute picture. Congratulations!
Select:
(Your 2¢) (Thread)
Transcendancing
Delete Screen Freeze Track This
[info]mynxii at 2008-07-01 15:57 (local) (Link)
IP Address: 203.62.236.34
Mushroom cloud of cute indeed :P

*hugs*

Congratulations :)

RedBubble posts

Matt Mawson, 22 days ago <-- this one important, as he was 1st Runner Up. And now his is the 'Winning Photograph"
This is acutely cute! Congratulations on the “Give us a hug” win, Sandra.

Barbara Morrison, 22 days ago
Congrats on winning the Hug comp! Hands down winner

Kathie Nichols, 20 days ago
Congrats on winning the Hugs Challenge….so cute!!!!!!!!!

 

A friend of mine went to visit the "Winners Page" to show her Mom, and guess what?

Sometime during the intervening 2 weeks since I had visited the Winners Page, my winning photograph is no longer the winning photograph.

I questioned the administrators about this, and I was told "It takes a few hours for the votes to be tallied". Excuse me?  Since when? It takes seconds to count these (as it had in other challenges) because it's computerised.  Even if I agreed with the few hours, 2 frigging DAYS?  And then for 2 weeks afterward Cuddle Time was listed as the winner, and then some mysterious computer hiccup 'fixes' incorrect count?

I am angry, and I feel cheated. "Contest Fixing" comes to mind.

It has arrived

Earlier this month, I had blogged about  huge difference in book prices. That it cost twice as much to get it locally than it did to order is abroad and have it shipped over.

Here it is. A brand new "Adobe Illustrator CS: Classroom in a Book" the 'Official training workbook from Adobe Systems, with supplemental CD included.

Oh, I am gonna be busy.

Take one Harvest Moon photograph

Add a pen tablet, and this is what I come up with.

The Night of a Thousand Curries (Minus about 986)

There was a beautiful harvest moon last night, and for once I had my camera with me, and we were able to find a place to pull over to get a few shots.

Now, onto the Night of Curry.

This is Harrul and Lorinda, our hosts (aka the house we all descended upon bearing gifts of Curry!)

Yum, curries! Many varieties, including vegetable, fish, a warm Asian salad (must get recipe for that) and other nibbles.

aikidomayland lurks behind the flowers, chatting with Darrin.

David, Muni, Sean, Harrul and Teresa natter.

Russel watches as Harrul fights with bottle opener.

Muni talking to someone, while the fight with bottle opener continues in the background.

Darrin and Muni discuss aikido techniques (and how they are going to nag aikidomayland into opening his own school, now that he is a 4th level Shodan)

Sean wrestles a wedge of lemon into his brew.

David and Teresa chat with Harrul.

"The Neighborhood"

As my personal friends know, I am an amateur astronomer. I haven't been able to use my 'scope, DSI, or 'McGuyvered' webcam for a few years now, because of the amount of weight I am allowed to lift. I have a few photographs that I took of Mars during it's recent 'close' flyby, the moon, Saturn, Jupiter and three of its moons and Venus.

So, I decided to do a Neighborhood "Space view" of us and our nearest neighbors. I did used the planet brushes, but picky me then painted on the landmasses, ice caps, clouds and other planetary features.

They aren't too happy with me

But it was for their own good.

Keito and Loki went to their V.ery E.xpensive T.echnician today, for their F5 and FIV boosters, and a physical. The vet was very impressed on how he was able to easily examine their eyes and teeth and ears. I told him I had them used to me handling them that way as it makes it easier for examinations and treatments. He said he wished other owners would do that. He has been bitten often trying to examine eyes/ears/nose/mouth of cats or dogs.

Keito is no longer overweight, and Loki is just right. Their teeth are in perfect condition, no tartar or cavities, and they are in excellent health. Next month, I get pet insurance. The cost per year to cover both cats should they get hurt is about as much as one emergency vet office visit.  Definitely value for money. It's kind of like having a condom. It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Fractal Fishtank

Digital Art, using Wacom Bamboo Fun (Medium) and TwistedBrush Pro Studio.

All Super Hero Dolls/Action figures aren't created equal

You can have the HULK in ripped shorts, you can have Batman or Superman in their skin tight outfits, but have a limited edition doll specifically for collectors dressed like "The Black Canary",  and watch out!
The "Christian Fun Police" come crawling outta their fundie homes to protest it!  They have decided to label the doll "S&M Barbie" and then protest it.

"But religious group Christian Voice said: “Barbie has always been on the tarty side and this is taking it too far."

Jeeze people, get a life

Not fun

I have been having this feeling like I am being choked. Not like on drinking or eating something wrong, but tightness like something squeezing. Doesn't happen all the time, but enough to have gotten my attention. That and sometimes when I am eating, it feels as if it's gotten stuck. Have to hold my arms above my head for it pass. And yes, I am chewing properly and not inhaling huge mouthfuls. Must talk to Dr N.

Went to gym tonight. Worked my butt off... right until that tightness in my throat made me slow down. *sigh* I throttled (no pun intended) back a bit and got the full work out.

Came home, had a light dinner. Feel like going ka-thud. Yeah, that's a good idea. Zzzzzzzzzz

More work done on it

And the more I have done, the better it looks.

This time: three more layers of color adjustments (highlights on feathers, details on some of them) cleaned up edges. Smoothed and changed the shading on the perch to make it more ropey/vinelink, and other branch. Blended the leaves. Added tree in 'the distance' to not leave the canvas blank there (it also looks pretty good there too)

Click for full sized (about 1000x1500)

Hat tip to my friend, D'Arcy E.

I knew there was something missing/not quite right with the lorikeet painting. I showed it to D'Arcy and he pegged what was tickling my brain, but I couldn't pin down. Too two dimensional. So, I have been working adding more depth and layers of colors, highlights on the edges of feathers, quill lines, etc etc. I looked at them, before and after style, and the difference was very noticeable. The edits and layers added depth.

My thanks to D'Arcy for the use of his fresh eyes.

Mondays aren't always bad

Had some good company yesterday. Delicious_Irony came by bearing gifts. One loaf of freshly baked sourdough bread. *bounce bounce bounce* Was so yummy. Had good conversation, made aikidomayland blush (I call it 'creating alternate heating source') several times.

'Finished' my digital painting, but still want to do more with it. I guess I will figure out what sooner or later.

Archimedes, digital painting, (almost) final result.

I guess this is a collaboration, as I got some good advise Alan to put some foliage behind Archimedes head, so the colors really stand out.

As always, click on image for full sized.

Almost done

Whew, this has kept be busy for many hours. It's almost complete, but I want to clean up some smudge areas, and work a bit more on the wing feathers. They aren't quite the way I want, but have a mental roadblock on how to continue.

The biggest reasons I like using Pen tablet for artwork

There are several reasons I prefer using the pen tablet for doing drawings, paintings, abstracts etc.

No nose bleeds from paint fumes and cleaners, no headaches for same reason. No more throwing away "Omigod that's TERRIBLE" attempts, so paper waste. No worry about frisky feline knocking something over, or headbutting your elbow at just the wrong time. And storage. When you save/store your digital work, there is no worry about fading, insects, humidity etc etc. It's as bright and vivid as the day you created it (unless you want to run it through an aging filter)

And anyone who does work with digital painting programs, not image generating programs, but painting programs know the end results are just as breath taking and dynamic as the 'real' methods.

(looks at the stylus) Nib is almost worn down. Luckily, it came with three replacements.

New Project: Archimedes, my rainbow lorikeet

As you can see, I.ve sketched the outline of the body. Getting the blended shades of blue, lavender, violet to look like his head was a lot of trial and error with different brushes, and 'substances' (as in acrylic or oil or chalk etc). I love working with layers. Each one keeps any mistakes easily correctable. The fun part is going to be making the feathers on the body, and avoid 'cartooning' or sloppy edges.

Weekend wrap up

Pillaging was minimal this week, due to me making a stock pot of hearty minestrone, and fresh baked corn bread. Oh yum, and perfect weather for it. Poor Graham, the guy clearing/maintaining the yard. He said he could smell it cooking outside and it was making him hungry!

Archery on Sunday. Got to see good friend of ours, Michael S., who moved to Bunbury because of teaching opportunity. Was good move, but he is missed. Was using my hunnish bow at 30 meters, trying for consistency with the new arrows. Turns out the nocks are too tight on the string, making consistency next to impossible. Switched to my vintage target recurve. I had forgotten how sweet and easy that recurve is to shoot. Nocks not so tight on that string, so consistency was established. I quite after one end of 3 golds, 2 reds and one blue, leaving off on a high point.

Michael did mention that I am walking a lot better and faster than I did earlier this year. True, not as fast as I did prior to me becoming a cyborg, but getting there.

Another archer, John, asked me if I 'brought my camera today?" There was at least three instances of suppressed laughter behind me, as it's well known I always have a camera with me. I smiled, nodded "Of course.". He wanted to get some shots of his posture and drawing technique. He did find what he was looking for, so all good.

Headed off to Foo Gwai afterward, whereupon aikidomayland and I made pork bun sacrifice to akire-yta. *urp*

aikidomayland is still having trouble wrapping his head around the fact it's not his diet causing his high cholesterol, but his liver doing it. He still thinks he has to give up anything if it even sat next to a frying pan. He has totally forgotten that Dr N said he wished all his patients had as healthy diets as we do. Silly man, he is still thinking that after 3 months of taking the meds to lower cholesterol, he wil be able to stop. He's just not getting it. Maybe the next lecture from Dr N will sink in.

Haven't slept too well the past few nights. Been cold, and between aikidomayland and the two cats vying for warm bed space... well, any pet owner knows this routine.

My biggest problem using my Bamboo (Pen Tablet)

Loki doesn't realise he has gone from this sized:

To this!

Takes two hands to hold him up!

On the advise of MelJane

I finally got a copy of Donny Darko to watch.

Love the evil "Harvey"

Gah

Looking at the home repair tally for the last 18 months. Not only what needs repair, but has been.

Solar water tank: $2400
Fence $ Gate : $2300
Front of house: $950
Gutter repairs : $295
Wall oven : $1400
Down Pipe: $215
Yard Clean up: $560
Trees Cleared: $400
Ouch.

There is more to being a home owner than just paying a mortgage.

Sky Horse, revisited

Something about it was bugging me, then I realised what it was (other than Loki using me as a bypass from floor to window sill). Not enough shading or highlights on the barrel of the horse, and lack of 'back lighting FX.

Such small things make a difference.

The Shore Leave, she has started

Shadoutcarver is away at Shore Leave #30. Don't know what aikidomayland and I are going to do about 'video viewing' tonight. It started off as a way to help aikidomayland with Pop's passing, but it's become part of his routine. Yes, my dearest is a creature of habit.

One of these days, some how,aikidomayland and I will be in the right place, at the right time to attend either Farpoint or Shore Leave with shadoutcarver.

Woe be to the republic. *cackles maniacally*

A bit of fanciful artwork

Sky Horse. (It's drawn as if back lit)

Yes, still using the Bamboo. This time, multi layered (see, Mellehbelleh, layers this time *chuckle)

 Note to self, next time I think of doing a line drawing of anything, color it in before trying to incorporate it into something.

This is what happens with "Abstinence Only" sex education

Of course 'experts' are saying they don't have enough data to figure out why teen pregnancies are on the rise.

Report: Teen pregnancies up for first time in 15 years

Teen pregnancies rose in the United States for the first time since 1991, the National Institutes of Health reported Friday. Federal health experts said they don't know why the teen pregnancy numbers went up from 2005 to 2006, and that not enough data have been collected to say whether it's a trend

Gee, like this is difficult to figure out? I guess we need 'experts' to tell us that abstinence only for sex education isn't working. This is proof that abstinence only isn't going to make kids not have sex. They just won't know how to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies or STDs. Way to go, Bush Admin, way to go! You pedal those faith based initiatives, and cut funding to any and all who dare want to educate teens and women about reproduction and birth control.

Stupid is Global

But this time, it's in the UK.

Toddlers who dislike spicy food 'racist'

Toddlers who turn their noses up at spicy food from overseas could be branded racists by a Government-sponsored agency.
The National Children's Bureau, which receives £12 million a year, mainly from Government funded organisations, has issued guidance to play leaders and nursery teachers advising them to be alert for racist incidents among youngsters in their care.

This could include a child of as young as three who says "yuk" in response to being served unfamiliar foreign food. The guidance by the NCB is designed to draw attention to potentially-racist attitudes in youngsters from a young age. It alerts playgroup leaders that even babies can not be ignored in the drive to root out prejudice as they can "recognise different people in their lives"

I wonder if this will be equally applied to immigrant kids who say YUK to UK foods?

Golden Orchid, digital painting

Finished product

I decided to add fronds and tall grasses as background instead of fence and shed. Also cleaned up a lot of the lines and curves.

Overall, very satisfied with first serious attempt with digital artwork. I didn't go for photo realistic, as that isn't what I wanted.

Zee deeegital painting.. Shee eeez evolving!

I have to fill the upper background a bit more. There is a fine line between filling it all out and making it look like grafitti. I save the work under 3 different file names so I can import at an early stage if where I have gone isn't satisfactory.

Work with the Wacom

It's not finished, but had to take a break. Using "Twisted Brush Pro". I plan to fill out the background with some more of the orchid stems and fronds.

EDIT: IF it looks familiar, the reference for it is the previous Orchid post.

A Perfect Golden Orchid

I looked through all the potted orchids until I found one.

Lumix DMC-FZ30
Exp 1/30 Second at F/4
Focal Length 7.4 mm
ISO 100
Spot metering mode

Just when you think he can't get more repugnant

JOSEF Fritzl, the man accused of imprisoning his daughter for 24 years and raping her, is reportedly planning to sell his story.

AUSTRIAN dungeon-accused Josef Fritzl reportedly plans to profit from the alleged 24-year imprisonment and rape of his daughter Elisabeth by selling his memoirs to the highest bidder.

This biped is beyond being a bucket of vomit. But should this piece of human garbage sell his confession of imprisoning his daughter, raping her and fathering 7 children, every damned cent should go to his daughter for her to try to have a life. The only thing this piece of shit should get for selling his story are extra years in prison.

Golden Orchid

My father in law passed away earlier this year. I was surprised to find out I inherited his prized potted orchids.

They have just started to bloom. Gently backlit by late afternoon sun and soft bounce flash.

Lumix DMC-FZ30 with Twin Thyristor Flash
Focal Length 8mm
Exp 1/30 sec at F/4
ISO 100
Spot Metering Mode

The Stage is Set

Taiko Drums On Stage in preparation of a concert. Digitally manipulated, and lighting enhanced to have oil painting texture. (click on image for larger image)

The lighting was perfect to give this image an oil painting texture. Since where I have it for sale can print to canvas, using lighting and texture filters on this photograph was the right choice.

Happy Fourth of July!

I might be far away,
But my heart will never stray.
I'm glad that I'm American,
I'm glad that I am free.
I wish I was a puppy dog
And Bush was a tree!

To all my family and friends stateside, have a safe and FUN Fourth of July!