I haven't really been updating much lately. I just haven't really felt inspired lately. Maybe there is just too much going on. I don't know. My brother has fallen ill and i am worried about him. I guess i'm hoping that maybe some of you will share some inspiring stories to help me out of this rut. I hope you all are doing better than i am at this very moment. I know this is what life is all about so i know that everything will get better. But i'd still like to hear some good stories from some TIG members. It'll put a smile on my face. :)

I have not been around for a while i know. I am excited to be back though and hope to start getting some work done. i hope you are all doing well. To all of those people who took the time to send me Birthday e-cards, thank you so much. It means so much to me that you thought aboutme on my birthday! I also want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy new year!! I hope 2005 brings all of your hopes and dreams to reality. I also want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to all of those who have been affected by or involved in the Tsunami. My heart goes out to you all. May the year ahead be one of strength and courage to face the obstacles that lie ahead. You are in my thoughts and prayers. And if can be of any assistance to anyone just send me a message and i will help where i can.

Funny how we become accustomed to what surrounds us. Often times we complain about the little everyday things that annoy us. Like how jammed the train is everyday when your trying to get home after a long day of work or how your significant other feels the need to poke fun at you when your really trying to have a serious conversation. Truth of the matter is that life just wouldn't be as interesting if all of the things that annoyed us didn't exist. I wouldn't trade the man who steps on my shoe everyday in the train station for anything in this world. Funny how it works isn't it? I've just become so accustomed to it that my day just wouldn't feel right if all those little things we take for granted and sometimes view as negatives didn't take place. hahahahahaha Aint life grand?

I can't even begin to describe to you how much i love painting!! My house is littered with current and past works that i have worked on. They're all along the walls. They even line the baseboards waiting patiently to be hung.

This week the best thing happened to me. My washing machine broke. Yes i know that doesn't sound like a good thing, and nothing sucks more than hanging out at the coin laundry waiting for your clothes to be clean, but because the washing machine brole i had to get a repair man to come in. He came in and fixed the machine, Yippee!!! But he also noticed all of the art work lying around and really liked my stuff. I was flattered when he asked me to do a painting for him, but i didn't really think he was serious. He came back the next day and it turned out he really was serious!! He commissioned me to do 5 paintings for his house!!! I'm totally stoked and already started the first one!!! I love it when negative situations turn positice. There is nothing more satisfying then how good you feel when you feeel appreciated. :-)

Over the last two months i have read quite a few books. I love reading. Since i have travelled extensively this summer reading was all i did on flights and whenever i had an opportunity to. One book i would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys philosophy, and is in touch with there spiritual side is, "By the River Piedra I sat Down and Wept." It's written by Paulo Coelho and is absoloutely amazing. I loved it. It's a book that you can definitely relate to your own life.

If you are more interested in modern romance a good book is "One for my Baby," by Tony Parsons. It's really good. It's a story of, love, loss, and starting over. It's a very good read and definitely a tear-jerker.

Now if your into really hard core romance, "The Notebook." by Nicholas Sparks is soooooo good. It will make you cry. It's very sweet. It's also been made into a film. If you haven't watched the movie yet, read the book first and then watch the movie.

I am currently reading "Blindness," by Jose Saramago, which so far is very interesting. I love reading so if you've read a book lately that you really enjoyed let me know. It may be my next read.

I think that too often we take books for granted. We either don't have time to read or we just forget that there are people in this world who don't have the same access we do. Let's share the wealth and our knowledge. Recycle your books. Donate them to your local libraries, schools, or recreation centres when your done with them.