This is my personal journal, I just choose to share it publicly. Positive and negative comments from friends are always welcomed. Honest anonymous comments are cheerfully encouraged. If you fail to identify yourself and I find you annoying, I will have fun at your expense or contact the appropriate legal authorities. IP numbers are logged and tracked.
| I spoke to our local Librarian (at the non-self-service library just outside of Rice) about the stupifying situation I find myself in (that I cannot really go into detail because the case is pending.) She actually understood the hell I am enduring because she was an advocate for battered women and children. It was so empowering to actually have someone who didn't just emphasize. It was incredible to have some one actually get it from my angle, and endured it more than once. It was even more incredible to have it be the person I least expected to find such solace from. The Universe rocks! With that said, there is something I can talk about. The chemical abusing roommate we kicked out, sent my in-laws a copy of the unreleased limited edition Velvet Rasputin (kind of like Rasputin Catamite without the censor button) comic book in retaliation. It probably would've been an amazing piece of evidence against her, but unfortunately my in-laws ripped it up in disgust before telling us about it. D'oh. According to my husband, his father believes that I have sullied the Wojtanowicz name in perpetuity and I have brought shame upon the family name... like I did in the now forgotten incident when my in-laws found out I modeled nude and made money exotic dancing, five years ago. At first I was sad, but then it dawned on me, I've been here before. I'm still exotic dancing. I'm making more at modeling than at the loathed print shop. Frankly, they are pretty much over themselves on those topics. *Grins* I suppose this saves me from having to explain my outrageous art to them. Then again, the first few shocks are always the hardest. When I was thirteen, it was awful listening to my mom scream at me because I was making underground art in Junior High. In 1999, she gave me a nasty lecture about degrading myself, when she bumped into my figure work at the art gallery. Then, I started making money and minor fame for my art and modeling work. My mom realized I wasn't a freak and her opinion of my work sort of mellowed over the years because. She realized that I wasn't going to change who I was to gain her approval. By 2004, mom read the first issue of Polska, Sucka! in front of me and actually told me that it was hilarious. A few years later, she was bragging up my modeling and outsider art with her colleagues at art openings. Last year, she was actually lobbying for an arts Co-op in Little Falls, so I could actually do more art model work closer to where she lived, thereby giving me an excuse to visit her more often. Even my dad, who is more Born-Again Christian than Born-Again Christian still loves me and respects me in spite of my work, which he chooses not to look at. It took my poor parents nearly thirty years to get used to my responsible shenannigans, and the Colon-Ortiz family names still stands proud. Loki's parents just need some time to get over themselves and used to the person I am. I love them very much, even if I give them heart attacks every once in a while. I send kisses and hugs from Vanesa Barbara Littlecrow Colon-Ortiz y Wojtanowicz, (told you my name was too freaking long for my Social Security Card.) The proud daughter, artist, model, food connoseiur, anti-chemical-abuse activist, person of confusing sexual identity, helper of people (even those who suck,) atheist who thinks that Catholicism is the bees-knees for the most part and all around awesome person. People might try to bring me and my family down, but people, I am here to fly to the stars. Success is inevitable. Abundance is all around me. Humanity will trump the suckas. GO ME!!! | |
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| I am at mom's house right now, drooling as she prepares an early St. Pat's dinner. (Mmmm... slow-cooked corned beef, potatoes and cabbage!) Here's the highlights for this week.
- Congratulations to Thien on her new design and illustration jobs in the Cities! Now you'll have better food to devour, and more money in your pockets. Working in the Cities worked for me! (Sweating at the idea of Lucinda, Thien, AJ, myself and future disposable income on all three of our parts being invested in high-brow gluttony. Ooh! *Shivers.*) All I need is a few thousand more bucks and a ticket to kidnap Ashbet, and however else who wishes to volunteer for a epicurean adventure of massive proportions. YEAH! I totally need to make a reality show out of this so I can get funding. I really like that idea. "Foodie Attack" on at 7:00 pm on Food Network. YES! Who needs reckless sex, drugs and anger at the world when you have nummies.
- While modeling at MCAD, I had a twilight zone moment. I met an artist with my name, who also happened to be a cartoonist. We had a freakish amount of commonalities. My name has one "s" whereas hers has two, but her boyfriend and her really good friend also had a double letter difference in their names. I will be sure to share her site when I am back in the office. Weird! Bonus: The teacher recognized me from modeling ten years ago! :D
- I went to Not-Old-Friend-From-High-School Anna's birthday party after the above-mentioned interesting modeling session at MCAD at Merlin's Rest Pub. We had a grand old time. I loved all of her friends. They were absolutely charming peopIe.
- Her Russian friend was especially amusing to me. At one point she was silly with booze and her friends were trying to get her to slow down. I screamed, "She's just honoring her cultural traditions," and the cute Russian woman just laughed her head off. No wonder I have a soft spot for Eastern Europeans.
- Lucinda had a winner too when she brought a chocolate high-heel shoe as Anna's present. I remarked, "Wow, two fetishes in one present." With a cocky smirk and a deliberate nod, Lucinda replied, "Yup." Speaking of funny fetishes, cute Russian woman brought up the subject of the wonders of "gay men." Having a weird fascination with homosexual males myself, I simply had to join in the effusive conversation. More women joined in the praise of gay men as time rolled on. In the midst of our conversation, one of Anna's friends asked, "What about bisexual men." All of us ladies shrugged our shoulders and said, "Meh." Explain that one.
- I want to cry because I left my leftover cottage pie behind after I left the party. *Cries*
- Fortunately, the abandonment of cottage pie was redeemed when I stopped by AJ's place to say hello to her, her sweetheart and the kids. She gave me a vintage Laura Ashley dress that was supposed to go to the thrift store. It's so pretty.
- Bio-mom got her aid back! It took hell for her to get help, but she got it. Now she can focus on getting ready to get her GED and go to college. I was even prouder when she told me, "Once I get everything in place, the government can keep its damn money. I am going to be a car mechanic and nothing's gonna stop me." Little Blond also is starting to behave again. Between Bio-mom's determination, my stubborness, her therapy and her incredibly compassionate teacher, she's on her way to success again.
- Speaking of the child... Little Blond came home with a sweater that didn't belong to her. Bio-mom and I freaked, "Where did you get it?" She nonchalantly explained that she "borrowed" it from the lunch room. We freaked again, gave her a spiel about stealing, and drove her little blond butt to school.
We expected her to tell her teacher what she had done and find the owner of the sweater. We didn't expect her teacher to tell us, "She was so cold this morning, and I didn't want her wearing a coat in class. So I had her pick up a sweater from the lunch room. I would suggest you include an extra sweater in her backpack. She gets cold very easily." Bio-mom and I apologized up and down to the teacher and Little Blond in complete embarassment. Little Blond was happy, but she still had to do the homework she missed during her absence. BWHAHAHAHHA!!! >:D
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| I am tired. I don't feel as overwhelmed as I used to feel in the print shop days, but there's a lot on my plate nonetheless. I am getting caught up on my art, and modeling still moves forward. My diet is suffering from the stress.
Taking care of Little Blond is a full-time job that is as exhausting as it is rewarding. Having to drive Bio-mom into a seemingly endless gauntlet of medical appointments, bureaucratic nightmares and other fiascos, while she's being distrustful of everyone is a lot less fun.
I am hoping that she will go ahead and sign the Delegation of Powers documents at the county office. It's hard to take care of LB's needs and signatures, when the one person legally authorized to do so is passed out on a hospital bed with an IV full of antibiotics. Of course, that would involve actually getting to the appropriate office at the county building long enough to do so. At least, we are on the verge of getting that taken care of next Tuesday. Let's just hope mom makes it long enough to do do. At least her family is finally on our side. I just wish there was something I could do about kiddo's undestandable stress. Ice cream, homework and helping dad cook make a difference, but it's rough to see her go through this madness.
LB prayed the rosary with Vas when she had a nightnare and nothing else calmed her down. She reminded me that she was a Christian, so I acted accordingly. Bio-mom was pissed at me when she found out that her child took part in Marian devotion. "Catholics aren't Christians." I just told her to shove her opinion up her ass. I'm an nontheist, neither a Christian nor a bigot who knows nothing about the Reformation . She softened and let LB know that she would get her family's heirloom rosary.
If a little girl tells me that she wants to pray to Jesus and go to church, I'll do my best to help her out. Part of what makes us human is our search for community. She's old enough to begin her journey, I'm old enough to continue mine. Even if we walk separate paths. | |
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| Kidlet...- Little Blond started school at her new school and pushed some girls for being too nosy. She got punished for acting like a bully on her first day of school, and got a talking to about the difference between valuing privacy and being an antisocial asshole. After thinking about it for a few hours in her room, she got over herself and realized that it was a good lesson to learn. Little Blond proceeded to have fun writing her first fable while sneakily doing a block printing exercise. (NOW THAT'S THE KIND OF HOMEWORK I'M TALKING ABOUT! Useful and devoid of worthless busy work.)
- Shared her lunch menu with us. Bio-mom, Loki and I felt envious when we read that she was eating better than we were. I wish I had the option to eat a meal of brown rice, roast chicken, corn, salad and fruit for school lunch!
- Made new friends.
- Left her homework at school, but was able to finish it before class. She now understands why everything needs to go into the backpack.
- Beat daddy at Mancala. This has definitely turned into the ultimate ritual of daddy-daughter board game death-matchery.
- Rolls her "R"s like a champ, but for some reason insists on rolling her "L"s too during her Spanish lessons. Feh!
- Is missed sorely by Nana Vas. My new agency has been kicking my ass with promo work.
- Got chased by boys, but was able to outrun them. Stupid boys.
- Loves her new teacher team.
- Chopped lots of wood, and continued putting on moulding around the doors and windows with daddy.
- Insisted on having her upcoming birthday party at Space Aliens. It's expensive, but my blondie is worth it.
Art and Lit- I created 22 drawings in a single weekend. Two of these drawings managed to make scatological fetishism look adorable. (Lucinda and Anna MM, know for a fact that I possess this amazing talent.)
- I actually entered the G1 Sasha puppet into a juried art exhibit, with a real artist's statement. Whether I get into the exhibit is up for grabs, but this is a major accomplishment for me. Hopefully, I can start getting into a few more exhibits.
- As I type this, my submission to the latest Lutefisk Sushi bento box is in the process of being printed.
- I decided to start the new issue of Polska, Sucka! from scratch, because I was stuck. What's appearing seems like a vast improvement. I am happy.
- If you are subscribed to P,S! You are getting a gifty in the mail very soon to make up for the lack of comic.
- I want to cry because I have to reinstall all of my 3D content... again!!! The worst part is that Catnose is past due, and she was supposed to make her 3D debut. *Head meet desk*
- In case you didn't notice... I wrote new poetry.
- The idea of the real Bitch Fu site is gestating and growing. It shall be soooooo delicious.
- I need to draw more naked people. Pretty, ugly, fat, skinny, it doesn't matter. I've been doing 'toons for so long my anatomy has turned to shit. Anyone interested in letting me drawing them naked and/or otherwise? I can negotiate trades (Lucinda... that fancy paper is staring at you.)
- I need to draw more adult matter.
- I need to flag my questionable LJ posts, so the kiddies can't see them. I am totally in favor of that new feature! Thom, should we flag the P,S! community for "Adult Concepts" to keep the kiddies and the real pervs out?
- I have sucked at blogging. Sorry.
- RC and Somewhere in Fargo really have a schedule. I have been awful about keeping up with Ace and Bog, and SlaveButt. GRRR!
Work- I finally broke down . I purchased a 500 gig backup drive and a smartphone. My sanity depended on it.
- I discovered that standing at a demo for 5 hours kills 1050 calories, thanks to SparkPeople (which categorizes standing under fishing, but it works for me.) This probably explains why I've remained relatively slender, even though my eating habits went to pot this winter. Thankfully, I am fixing the latter problem.
- SparkPeople is my new best friend when it comes to helping me get back into fitness model shape. If you want to nag me along, go to my profile at my.sparkpeople.com/VASLITTLECROW.
- I am up too late accomplishing too much. I am happy.
Gotta go to bed... | |
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| The Key1- I am gone for a week, so I miss the RWOT meeting. 2- I get a call with no return number asking me what to do with the key to the Lions' Building after the meeting. 3- The secretary gives the key to my husband. 4- My husband calls me and asks me where to drop it off. I tell him that it needs to be dropped off at the Rice City Hall or the hair salon. 5- Both of these buildings are closed so my husband drops it off at the post office and tells the postmaster that it needs to go to the Rice Legion. 6- The husband fails to inform me of this over the weekend. 7- The treasurer calls me letting me know that the owner of the hair salon got a stern call from City Hall asking her about the key. 8- I am supposed to straighten this mess out, so I call my husband. 9- He tells me about #5 after I call him asking why the owner of the hair salon didn't have a key. He informed me that he didn't think it was an important detail. 10- I go to the post office. The postal clerk has no clue about what the hell I am talking about. She tells me to check in after 1:00 pm to see if the postmaster knows anything. 11- The postmaster informs me that he indeed got the key, and he indeed put it in the Legion's mailbox. 12- The Legion already picked it up. 13- City Hall directs me to the Legion's manager. 14- The Legion's manager knew of the key, but had no idea why it was in their PO Box, so one of the guys brought it back to the Post Office. 15- This is news to the postmaster, and he calls the clerk. 16- The clerk was out of the house. 17- City Hall giggles at me. 18- The owner of the salon is about as amused as I am, but we take it in stride. 19- I won't know anything else until morning. 20- I also find out that I left the paperwork for an unrelated promos in Monticello. So, I'll probably have to drive there. The Rub
I feel like I've just been in a clusterfuck, except without the wet, naked and sweaty action. *FAINTS* On the bright side, I might be going on an all-expense trip to the Southwest for a hot springs photo shoot in April. I'll get to make up for the lack of wet and naked part without having to be in the middle of a clusterfuck. That makes me happy. Speaking of modeling, here's the latest Catnose -- the first one written by Stef. YAY! | |
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- This morning, I finished post-production for "Khuy," the first promo clip/music video for Upir's Mark. I am going to be making a censored version as well for general, but this one should be a pretty good introduction for what the band is... extremely perverted, Soviet-ish, violent, disturbing and stupidly kitsch-generic-pseudo-satan-occult-ish. Thanks to you-know-who for all the good feedback for the video. I will be getting it critiqued for one final time before I release it, and then I shall release it into SlaveButt.com (not-safe for children or work) and if I can find some clubs that can deal with the content... THE WILD. If any of you (who don't have a membership there) want a downloadable copy or a DVD, let me know and tell me where to send it. Feel free to reply with your mailing address/download link request via email, or here, as all comments will be screened. You have to be over 18 to play.
- Speaking of videos, our roommate Jim and Stickmin who is visiting from Detroit (I hope I spelled that right,) maneuvered marionettes, while I digicam recorded a bunch of stuff for the Rasputin Catamite vlog. Jim even had trained mice for these latest adventures. We also did a small portion of a rather odd "documentary" film about what goes on behind the scenes in the RasputinSpace. It will probably take a while, but there you go.
- Speaking of Jim and Stickmin, Loki and I went to St. Cloud with them and gorged cheap happy hour food and booze. The latter not for me, alas. We met up with Maria and Naomi to grocery shop and gawk at Weekly World News, before it gets canceled. (Thank you Ayperi!)
- Krissy's best friend's brother is among the missing in the 35-W bridge disaster, and his father is trapped in the control building beneath. I am hoping the best for them, but also bracing for the worst. Also Jim's sister's school bus avoided falling off the bridge by about 40 seconds. Thankfully, she and her fellow students, are okay.
- I've been working on business cards, and finally I'm almost done collecting my accounts receivable. I only have one left! This means that I am closer to paying off the business credit card debt. I am very happy about this. Hopefully I get a few more big money jobs, so I actually feel like I'm going SOMEWHERE! Considering I needed no money to subsidize my click-counts and sales tax, I am absolutely thrilled. Although it was really scary to only have $40 in the bank.
- AJ is visiting tomorrow. YAY! It will be nice to have a visitor.
- That's it for now.
I realize that most of you hate the following song, but I don't care. It's the most perfect 80's Mexican soap opera cheese ballad EVER! I love singing this song, and I have the stupidest parody ever. | |
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| Okay, I have been all missing-in-action and stuff and sleep deprived, but with good reason! Lots of stuff has been going on in the world of the elusive butterfly of Vas. I am REALLY behind on my blog reading and phone calling, so if there is something major I need to know about, either email me or drop me a comment with revelant links or a summary of what's up. Thanks! - I have been getting some absolutely nice big print jobs for local and out of town clients. I finally feel like my little print shop here in Rice, MN, is finally going somewhere.
- Misty and I went shopping on Saturday. It was loads of fun in spite of a horrible downpour and me forgetting to bring a means to pay for my groceries. D'oh!!! Naomi, my mom and I went out for lunch, zoo, art and conversation the previous week when it was actually less unpleasant outside. We had a nice breakfast with Loki's family yesterday.
- While I am still waiting on word about the blog and film adaptation comics projects, I am currently in the midst of negotiating for the privilege of VAS Littlecrow illustrating its third book for Dybbuk Press. I am super-pumped about the art style we are going to take for this one, so I'll keep y'all posted.
- Speaking of wheeling-dealing, am negotiating with LJ coverboy, incurable fiancé, soon-to-be-Brit, and Ace and Bog co-writer/lead artist alumnus, Nik Arnoldi, for the publishing rights of a SUPER SECRET project that I am sure his fans will be REALLY excited about. I cannot say what it's about. I can't show you anything. It's not even a for sure thing at this point. But, if we come to an agreement where all of us are happy, and if the VAS Littlecrow #2 and #3 come to a consensus, IT'S GOING TO KICK ROYAL ASS ON SEVERAL LEVELS!!! Trust me.
- Speaking of Nik: Over the last five days, I implemented of really cool backend features that Mr. Arnoldi suggested I implement several months ago. I tested some of the changes that he proposed at KillerDyke.com. After enduring php coding hell and tinkering with the Modern template for Singapore by Ross Howard. Catnose.com, KillerDyke.com and RasputinCatamite.com, all have easier navigation, RSS feeds for individual galleries. The latter site has a completely different look (I did it for you Caylie!) Oh, and I also did a massive makeover for the Rasputin Barxotka site (which I won't link to here because, it's not suitable for ANYONE who isn't a completely sick mofo over the age of anything who doesn't get offended by ANYTHING.)
- In regards to both Rasputin series, Loki and I finally decided what the overall sound of Upir's Mark will be like. WOOT! If all goes well, you will be able to download pseudo-Siberian industial-Asian-gore-rock in about six months! Fortunately, a groovy video vlog and some disgusting animation may come sooner.
- On a the topic of inanimate objects being brought to life, I am now officially the Copier-Whisperer. I can figure out any problems my copier might have before looking at the error screen just by the sounds it makes. I know when my
expensive but, tax-deductible toy Kyocera is about to run out of paper just by it's hums. Kiki and I really understand each other, and this is leading to a more harmonious relationship between homonid and automaton.
- Someone narrowly escaped getting terminated from VL after I was able to separate ongoing personal and professional issues, and s/he actually taking ownership for the result of his/her and correcting the mess s/he created as much as possible, restoring professional operations, and letting me know what the deal was. To my amazement, this individual succeeded in convincing me that s/he was not a total cockmaster/cuntmistress by... um.. being professional, putting the ego aside and gee actually comprehending the consequences and taking responsibility for being a gossipy dick/bitch in the personal arena. I'm not going to be their best friend or even trust him/her too much, but at least we can work together without me ripping out throats in a fit of rage and this person going into fetal position and singing, "LA LA LA!!!" Thank you person for growing the balls necessary to actually communicate what the hell was going on with your ass. Sometimes, confession is the best way to gain forgiveness. It works that way in church and it can work outside as well. So yeah, thank you sir or ma'am as the case may be.
- Loki has been working hideous hours at the farms in preparation for planting and hauling corn. I have been working hideous hours at the office. We finally saw each other this weekend and we spent all of this Sunday rearranging the office and getting everything organized. On the positive side, we are getting closer to actually being ready to get all our tax stuff together and do the filing thing. So much work though. :p
- WOO! We got hate mail for Ace and Bog!!! Click here to see how I handle someone who thinks that my work is utter shit. This guy, to his credit had some really valid point, and I can respect them, even if I think he's trying to critique tastelessness by the standards of high comedy -- which is kind of silly. However, several people who think too much, along with some feminazis and PC pussy boys were showing hate to Nik over the fact that he was the art behind an offensive comic strip about a Dyke who is using a cop as a cat tree. People, he's not the mastermind of this game. If you want to show some hate, don't shoot the unarmed messenger, deal with the Multiracial Carpetmuncher, the Polack Gypsy and their heavy artillery. We're not some young, fresh out-of-college kid trying to gain experience as an illustrator doing a humiliation fetish and/or stoner pulp comic that isn't meant to be for mass consumption. We are the sickfuggs who call the shots. FREAKIN' DEAL! Don't like the freaking stickers, don't take 'em. That simple. But, if you are not easily offended, read the rant, and I will send you a free comic. No kidding.
That's it for now. | |
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