Caped Crusader

I'm in a sewing phase right now--by hand, unfortunately since I don't have a machine--and here is my second most recent invention: a cape for Tebby's birthday. Tebby's turning six, and I thought a Robin Hood-style cape would suit him, but alas I think he was disappointed that it wasn't a super-hero one, and so the gift failed to reach its mark. But I had a great time working on it. Shown here, modeled by Floppy. I've also made her a fancy evening gown for her birthday, recycled from a scarlet skirt I'd been saving for just such an exigency, but she'll christen it this weekend, hopefully, and I'll put some pictures of it then. Also in the works are a party dress for Sapphira, age 3, and a dress for yours truly, out of that orange polka-dot material stuff that JM gallantly gave me for Christmas, bless him. I just finished working the bodice, and I have to take it apart because of a few marginal mistakes, which essentially disallow me from actually being able to put it on over my head. So much for creativity; but I'll fix it, and hopefully I'll have it ready for Saturday. See y'all around then!

Floppy's Birthday

My sweet little Floppy is FOUR YEARS OLD!! Wowie. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FIRST BABY!!!
We took her to IMAX to watch the new Rapunzel animation--great fun it was, even though it was dubbed in Spanish--and then later we went with the abuelos to the Farola (our favourite fancy pizza parlour). We made sure to bring the camera with operational batteries (a rare occurence for us Martian-Gomezes), but alas, since the screen-thingie is broken, every picture was a literal shot in the dark, and alas, alas... sniff. Not a single blooming picture came out as it should. I'm posting them here as an example of a true photo-fiasco. However, I'm not too proud to say that at least they capture the essence of birthday fun and felicity, which is of course the most important thing.

More Mock-ups

Here are two more mock-ups for Danny's latest commission project. I'm supposed to be holding a great big crowbar (not a long-handled scrubbrush), and alas for my propriety, that plastic spoon thingie is supposed to be a (beuuugh!) cigarette. Ick. I'm still trying to get Danny to find that fighter-pilot picture. It really is awesome. HAHAHAH!


And here is the finished product. Not me, definitely not, har har, though I've always had a secret hankering to be a mechanic. Don't look at the blood...

Caption:
Moe: Is an exceptional mechanic. She rigs bikes for gang members and is simply the best in the business. Most of the time she stays out of local gang disputes, but sometimes she has a hard time getting paid for her work.

Mock-Ups

Danny is an artist, and as many artists do, he occasionally needs reference for his characters' more dynamic poses. He used me as his model for one of his pictures, once... (as a fighter pilot about to crash headlong into something, pointing ahead and looking behind my shoulder with my mouth wide open in a screaming roar) I wish I had the picture; I'll look for it. Danny probably has it on file someplace.

But usually he uses his own person as reference for his work. Here are two examples of his poses:

Dig the mutton chops. Don't they rock? Check out Danny's artwork on his website at: Art of Daniel Cortes

Vintage The Man Who Played God (1932)

This is a beautiful movie, based on a true story. Most of us are acquainted with the story of the elderly deaf philanthropist who watched people in the park through a spyglass, reading their lips, and then sending them the help they required, while remaining incognito himself. D.B. Berg mentioned this film in "My Love is a Legend". George Arliss plays the part of Montgomery Royale, a wealthy concert pianist who is passionately devoted to music. Early in the movie he states that his two best friends are "God, and my [late] mother," and he is as happy as a wealthy celebrated artist can be. Tragedy strikes when he suddenly becomes stone-deaf, and he is faced with a future without any music. Defeated, he decides to end it all, until a fortuitous occurrence gives him new hope for life, and restores his faith in a living, wonderful God, who hears every prayer, and answers them in mysterious ways.

This movie was a battle to find and download from start to finish. And then I happened to find these links to it, and everything went much quicker. The quality is anything but wonderful, but considering this film is from 1932, it's not that bad. Incidentally, it was George Arliss himself who chose Bette Davis for this part, and afterwards she maintained that she owed her consequent long and successful acting career to him, as the one man who believed in her and gave her a chance to show her talent.

Here are the links:

rapidshare.com/files/356026069/TheManWhoPlayedGod1932_silva_romaniainedit.part01.rar

rapidshare.com/files/356026983/TheManWhoPlayedGod1932_silva_romaniainedit.part02.rar

rapidshare.com/files/356027825/TheManWhoPlayedGod1932_silva_romaniainedit.part03.rar

rapidshare.com/files/356028711/TheManWhoPlayedGod1932_silva_romaniainedit.part04.rar

rapidshare.com/files/356029582/TheManWhoPlayedGod1932_silva_romaniainedit.part05.rar

rapidshare.com/files/356030493/TheManWhoPlayedGod1932_silva_romaniainedit.part06.rar

rapidshare.com/files/356031461/TheManWhoPlayedGod1932_silva_romaniainedit.part07.rar

rapidshare.com/files/356032473/TheManWhoPlayedGod1932_silva_romaniainedit.part08.rar

Password: silva

First Nevvy.... ALICIA

I ought to have written this yesterday, but after I sent the congratulatory note to my little niece (the first nevvy of our family!), the internet decided to take a day off (maybe it was its birthday too...???), and all my attempts to access my blog were frustrated.

But without any further ado, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICIA!!! On occasion of your 12th birthday I wish you happiness, loads of fun, and splendid new beginnings, as well as strength and grace to carry you through the year ahead. It's your last year of childhood, so use it wisely and well, and have fun! Do come and visit me when you feel up to it, and if your mum can spare you. BIG KISSES!!

Much love from your favourite old auntie Praisee, whom your mum likes to call the "hairy bear from Zaire"

Feb. the First

I have reason to believe that it is J. M.'s birthday today.... is that correct? If so, why then, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUDE!!! If I got the day wrong, ah well, my bad.

A short dedicatory poem:

A very merry birthday

And happy new year

With a pocket full of money

And a cellar FULL OF BEER!!!!

(Amen...)

In accordance with your wishes (and partly because it would be a trifle sad should you never deign to speak to me again), I shall not post a picture of you here on this site; not even that wickedly awesome picture of you trying to open a champagne bottle on New Year's. Here's a picture of Marilyn instead. :-)

Dear readers, for some elucidation, please follow this link: http://theamazingcat.com The enigmatical character to whom this post is addressed and of whom I am referring happens to be one of the main backbone-elements of this wonderfully fun not-only-for-children site, The Amazing Cat. I'm not actually all that good at eulogies and stuff like that, but I believe I'm sufficiently correct to say that without John-Michael's instrumental presence in the Amazing Cat corps (alongside people like Clara, Luchi, Danny, Arcos, and others), things wouldn't have been quite the same. He is a very talented artist, who employs the greatest of finesse and attention to detail in his charming little creations. I sure wish I had a picture of T-ROT to post here...

Well then, dude, I hereby wish you the very best of fortune and happiness this year; take good care of Clara for us all, and may I presume to offer my finest prayers for your strength, joy and fulfillment for this coming year. Thanks for putting up with our shenanigans for all those months in MdP!

MUCH LOVE FROM THE GOMEZ-MARTIANS!!!

(Especially the tiniest one... I promise to show her pictures of you so she'll remember her favourite old uncle John-Michael next time she sees you.)

So long, and have a good one!