Summertime

We're fully into summer.  First big heat wave.  Garden growing.  Trips to the beach.  Landscaping.  Popsicles.  Barbecuing.  Convertible rides (yes, that has been a very fun addition to life...we highly recommend it).

We've also been doing some headshots for business owners and will have the studio open on one or two Saturdays (Saturday, July 21st is the first one if anyone else would like to book in).  The evening light has been gorgeous and the mosquitoes not too bad.  If you've got your family together this summer, why not consider an outdoor family session?

Rodney is enjoying his new position at Red River College, developing their program and teaching two additional courses in the fall/winter.  We've been making some improvements to the studio.  It's still for sale as we're eager to build closer to home, but for now we're still on Selkirk Avenue.

Sonya has been learning about health and nutrition lately and still doing some writing.  But mostly focused on the kids, yard, and house this summer.  And trying to fit in some dates.  The new "date car" (Volvo C70 convertible) will increase the fun factor.  Now we can drive to Lockport and back and feel like it was special.  Joy is always in the simple things!  Also reading some interesting books from the library:  Committed (the sequel to Eat, Pray, Love), Peace and Plenty by Sarah Ban Breathnach, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, and The Proper Care And Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger.  I'm not sure how I'll get through them all, but it was fun to take out so many books that intrigued me.

Hope you have an excellent summer!  And remember you are beautiful!

bouncing around in my head

I thought it would be fun to include Rodney's first blog posts ever in our month of blogs. You'll catch a little bit of his philosophy, his passions, and his personality. Enjoy!

First things first, this is the first time I have ever blogged and as such I have really no idea what I'm doing. Secondly, my wife is out tonight and I have the kids in bed so I'm asking myself what the heck I'm doing blogging and not doing something useful like watching a movie or something especially because the only person likely to care enough about what I'm thinking is probably my wife and I could just save myself the time and tell her directly when she gets home, but here I go.

Just one more disclaimer before I go into my thoughts, if you came here to read perfect grammar and spelling than kindly head on over to my wife's blog. If you wish to correct any of my grammar or spelling, before doing so I will have you know that I really don't give a rat's smelly end so please save your time.

That being said I spent the day today working on my studio, the job really quite a sucky one, trying to chip the mortar off of the chimney that goes through my future lobby. You see when the building was built the brick chimney was plastered with about half to three quarters on an inch of mortar so that no one would ever see the beautiful job that the builders sometimes did. As I was standing there chipping the old mortar off of the chimney breathing in all of the mortar dust and being assaulted by the chips of mortar that came flying off the thing I was asking myself the question, "Why do we hunger for beauty?" really, why the heck is it really important to us how we look, or how the people or things around us look?? Why not just go with ugly, it's much easier!!

You see I capture beauty for a living, I photograph women in such a way as to capture the beauty within and without, or so I hope; but why really is beauty important to us, and why do we strive so hard to get it. Why did I spend the whole day chipping away at the chimney when I could have just slapped a coat of paint over the mortar and left it at that?

I have a theory, God created beauty, God Enjoys beauty and being made in God's image we too enjoy beauty and creating it. I know that is over simplifying it just a tad but it's the best I can come up with. You see first God created the world, he (I'm not implying that God is male, the English language just limits how we can communicate making us choose a gender) said that's pretty good. God then decides to make the animals and says, wow, that's really quite good. God then proceeds to create Man, he say's "holy camoly, I think I'm probably done!" Then as one last act God creates woman, she and the man are still there in the garden naked and what is God's response to his creation, probably something like this "Hot damn, it doesn't get any better than this, I'm done!!!"

Everything was beautiful and perfect. Fast forward however long it took to get to now and God has trumped me, I have a desire to create beauty, but the world is already created, the animals are also created, people are around, and I have a mere fraction of the power and creativity of God so what can I do?? Well after years of asking this question and a little dumb luck I have come to the conclusion that If I can't create Beauty, I will try to capture or restore it instead. Here enter two of the things I really enjoy doing, Renovating my new studio (an old building in the north end that was paid no attention for decades and was in need of a little (read huge) facelift. The other thing I really enjoy doing is Photographing. It seems I will photograph almost anything if I can make it look good, but when it comes right down to it my favorite has got to be photographing the last of God's creating, Women, the way God created them, that is nude.

That is a little of what I spend most of my life doing, and why, I'm not really sure why my passions end up offending so many people but when it comes right down to it, as I said at the beginning, I can't control the thoughts of others and we are all entitled to our own opinions. As for beauty, I'm amazed at how beauty can lift the spirits and warm the soul. When I'm in a bad mood there is very little that can turn it around as much as my beautiful little princess coming up and giving me a hug, just looking into her beautiful face, seeing her adorable smile, and touching her as she hugs me can make me so happy I just want to cry. By the same token, seeing an amazing sunset, a crop of sunflowers or the crisp beauty of a park with hoar frost on all of the trees speaks so much of beauty to me that it can just lift the soul to new heights.

So I ask again, why do we hunger for beauty?? Why do you hunger for beauty (if you are really out there??) I think if we all just spent a little more time thinking about the beautiful things in life and a little less time dwelling on the ugly, the world would probably be a better place.

So long all you blog readers, have a beautiful day or night, for beauty is not God but it is definitely from God.

Faith, Fun and the Circus!

I’m tired and it seems there aren’t enough hours in the day. On the bright side the sun has come out a few times in the last two days and it has been a real mood booster to say the least to see that beautiful piece of fiery goodness.

This weekend we had a family outing on Saturday, we went to the circus together and then worked on some landscaping as a family. The circus, what a feeling of electricity I felt from our kids as we walked into the big tent in the Grant Park mall parking lot. We bought “Circus” Cotton Candy, and “Circus” Popcorn , a “Circus” Balloon and a “Circus” hotdog and mini doughnuts. What was so special about the “Circus” Food, to us it was simply really really expensive but to our children it was magical. It seems I have something on my forehead that says “Pick me” because in the whole tent full of people the clown picked me to come up on stage, be an idiot and ultimately get shot backstage (My kids were more than a little concerned about that) before ultimately emerging from behind the curtain to new life and a new lease on life.

Speaking of that I have had a number of people ask me about my faith, views on faith and all the rest of that mumbo jumbo so I will take a moment to let you into the deepest part of my being and share with you where I am at.

Firstly, I’m not a terribly religious person in that I define religion as a list of rules to follow to appease the gods or God. I do however have a deep faith and here it is:

I believe that God loves me (and you) and has a plan for my (and your) life.
I believe that I (and you) have missed the mark that God has set out for us, and are therefore sinful and separated from God.
I believe that God sent his very own son Jesus die on the cross 2000 years ago to bridge the separation between us and God.
I believe that God gives us the opportunity to either accept or reject the gift of his son and thereby accept or reject the opportunity of having a relationship with him (although God is not a boy or a girl, history has generally given God the Masculine words like he, him, his) should we choose.

To put it another way, Dad just wrote us a check for a million but the money isn’t actually ours until we decide to deposit the check or cash it.

As a Christian I don’t somehow feel as though I’m any better than anyone else because I’m not, I have simply chosen to ask for forgiveness for my many imperfections. I have also been asked how as a Christian I can do the type of work I do at Eve Studios or the types of projects I do such as Just As I Am. The answer is a simple one, when I look at the universe around us and the world in which we dwell I see such incredible beauty everywhere I look and I feel as though God is the ultimate artist. I also look at the body that God created and marvel at the beauty and complexity of it and quite frankly feel as though it is the ultimate slap in the face to God to not appreciate and capture the beauty of the human body and spirit.

I know this is sort of the readers digest version that I’ve just given you but when it comes right down to it faith is not nearly as complex as many make it, God’s biggest command is “to love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind and all your strength; and to love your neighbour as yourself." I feel as though if we all lived even a little bit like this the world would be a much better place.

I hope this answers some questions, if not, call me up and set up a time to bring me a beloved Pepsi and we can sit down and discuss anything that’s on your mind.

Love you all,

Rodney

Waiting

You've probably been waiting for us to update this blog. We're all waiting for spring to arrive (or stay). If you've been driving in this weather, you've probably done your share of waiting in traffic. And if you're like several in our family, you're waiting for a persistent cough to clear up.

Waiting. Most of us aren't that crazy about waiting. Or good at it. My kids are notoriously impatient. I think they come by it honestly. Where am I going with this? I'm not even sure. That's what I like about the creative process. You never know where it might lead. It's like a great novel or an exciting adventure.

My friend is doing a lot of waiting these days. She broke her ankle in three places. Now she waits for it to heal. And waits for others to do things for her, when normally she is the one making things happen (and a lot of things happen at once, I might add).

I have experienced the waiting that comes with pregnancy three times. With the first came lots of reflection and anticipation...and a little trepidation. The second and third went by much faster, with less time to savour the experience.

With our business, we've done a lot of waiting...waiting for the breakthrough...where everything we've done starts to come together in synergy and our business takes off. Well, I think the waiting is over. It feels a little surreal at times, to see our dream becoming a reality, but I think it's slowly sinking in. It's been a long time coming.

I think the waiting has enlarged us (like being pregnant). I think it has expanded our capacity for hope. I think it has increased our ability to trust. I think it has opened up our hearts to be more grateful. I hope so.

Rodney and I often find it difficult to find the balance between "doing the stuff"and trusting. Sometimes it comes down to receiving the wisdom to do the "right stuff at the right time" and sometimes it is simply receiving a gift we could never have orchestrated ourselves. Those gifts "out of the blue" remind us of the vastness of God, so that we don't over-inflate (or over-work) our limited selves.

What are you waiting for? Have you been feeling desperate? Have you nearly given up hope? Do you wonder if you are foolish to believe it will happen? Are you afraid of disappointment?

The one who created us waits for us to turn to him. He knows our hearts. He knows what we need. He is fully capable of meeting those needs. Our part is to wait...in expectation (and with a bit more "stillness" than my children!)



Well, I think I got to where I needed to go. I hope the path was scenic enough.

I'm waiting to hear from you!

Welcome to Eden!

Don't you love Carolin Vesely's writing?!! "...the North End business was created to be a photographic Eden of solely feminine energy" She's got punch!

For those of you just hearing about us for the first time, welcome! We are so happy to be spreading the news of what we do at Eve Studios and we're glad you've come to learn more. As you've read, Eve Studios was created by my husband and I in order to capture women's beauty and build their self-esteem. It has been so fun to do a business with such a narrow focus...just to be known for one thing (and be really good at it...I can say that without bragging because it's my husband who is responsible for what our clients experience). We've always loved being creative and taking risks and being a bit "on the edge". Well, I guess it rubbed off on me...I started our marriage almost thirteen years ago on the more conservative side. But although Rodney has been the visionary, I have been the one to encourage him to make the leap from paramedic to photographer, and from employee back to entrepreneur. Maybe it rubbed off too much!

Rodney has always loved photography, but never really started taking it seriously until he began to burn out from youth ministry. I told him he needed a hobby. And he taught himself the guitar and started studying photography. But it was photography that became his passion...the kind of thing you just can't get away from. And he has pursued it ever since.

I have a musical background and did a bit of computer business training after we were married (university just wasn't doing it for me). Worked a couple of years and then became a full-time mom. I love doing that. I could be happy doing just that. But it turns out that I came up with this business idea and over the past year we've been in business, I've undergone such a transformation myself, that one of my friends told me I've been "Eve'd". It started with a few cold calls for prizes for our Grand Opening, moved to press releases, brochure design, and then networking and becoming a part of a breakfast business group of amazing women...and soon becoming a major spokesperson for what we do. It's amazing how I've grown in confidence and competence over the year, as I've been part of our business.

Shopping Local for fun Gifts

If you're looking for beautiful, unique gifts, I have three ideas for you today.

Cornelia Bean on 417 Academy Road has a great selection of teas, coffees, teapots, the amazing BrewT (loose leaf tea made easy), honey infusions (so you can get your lemon and honey at the same time) and so much more. Their staff is friendly and helpful and their store is just fun to visit. Warm someone's heart and insides with a gift from Cornelia Bean!

Orange Poppy Feng Shui Gifts & Decor, 1 – 433 River Avenue, is having an inventory clear-out as they are shifting their focus away from retail and completely onto feng shui consulting/classes. Last I heard, they still have some really beautiful wrapping paper and cards as well as lots of gift ideas...all up to 60% off.

If you have someone who's hard to buy for, is looking for "un-stuff" and is female, check out the LifeStyle Pass. Created by Sam (Stephanie) Manchulenko to help women in Winnipeg and area find new ways of adding healthy and enriching experiences to their lives, the lifestyle pass is like a passport to amazing Winnipeg businesses and is chock-full of great deals. Only $40. Available online and various locations.

And of course, Eve Studios has gift certificates available. So if you'd like to come in for a session, why not put it on your wish list?! We donate $25 from every $200 gift certificate to Alpha House, protective living for women leaving abuse, so you'll be giving and receiving a gift all at the same time! By the way, have you checked out Rodney's fine art photography? It's a little late to order a piece for Christmas, but a gift certificate could also cover something for hubby or parents, too! Check out the link at sidebar. He's done some really amazing work!

Thankful

We are extremely thankful to God in the Braun household today. As Rod was headed down Main Street on his way to a meeting this morning, a man accidentally ran a red light at Logan and broad-sided our van on the passenger side with such force that the van was tipped onto its side. Many thoughts raced through Rod's mind as he was skidding along down Main, face inches from the pavement with his window open.

Construction workers came to rescue him immediately. An off-duty police officer quickly assessed the situation and told Rod he was concerned about fluid leaks and getting him out as soon as possible. A bunch of guys got the van back on its wheels and Rod was able to get out. Miraculously, he has the mildest of skin abrasions on his cheek and chin (not even really visible) and a tiny cut on his forehead (from a shard of glass I assume). There were some glass shards in his shoe. Of course, his left shoulder and hip are getting increasingly sore and stiff. But it could easily have been so much worse. The car following him ended up somehow in between both vehicles with minor scratches. Also a miracle. The driver of the other car is also "okay". Rod had a chance to talk to him...a very nice guy who just happened to miss the light change as he was adjusting his sun visor. Traffic was blocked off for a four-block radius for about an hour.

So many phone calls today already. We will be replacing three car seats (as a precaution) and looking for a new vehicle. Rod just went to pick up a rental and will be heading to the chiropractor after that. Lots of decisions and uncertainties ahead, but we are so grateful that Rod's life was preserved and that no major injuries were sustained. The accident will probably be in the news...lots of cameras and reporters. I don't even know if I want to see the aftermath.

Life is precious. It is good to be reminded of the fragility of life. Each day we have with those we love is a gift. So enjoy today. And be thankful. I sure am.

Don't Wait!

You don't have to wait until you're perfect to come to Eve Studios. You may wish your thighs were a little trimmer or your tummy was a little less "jelly-belly", or whatever it is you feel a little insecure about.

The purpose of Eve Studios is to celebrate you the way you are! And to have fun doing it! If you've never watched "How to Look Good Naked" on "W", I encourage you to try it, even just one episode. Although I'm not as crazy about some parts of the new hour-long British version as I was about the two half-hour shows they aired in fall/winter, I never cease to be moved by the incredible shift in body image and self-acceptance that occurs in each woman as she takes a long look at herself, discovers the untrue beliefs she has about herself, and has a chance to learn about the best fashion and undergarments for her body and get a new hairstyle/look that suits her face well. One of the last things every woman does on the show as she journeys towards greater acceptance and confidence is a photo shoot--sans clothing. This is usually quite a big step to take, but well worth it.

While we're on the topic of the photo shoot, I have to say, an Eve shoot is way more relaxed and fun. The ones on the show seem more posed and static, while the shoots at Eve are much more natural and organic (if you will...just more movement, seeing where things go...that kind of thing). Rodney has a knack for making his clients feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. And he knows how to encourage and build up people in a genuine way. It's just what he does best. So whether you decide to bare all or not, you look great and feel great during the entire experience.

I guess what I'm trying to say is--if you're intrigued by the idea of the Eve Experience, but you think you need to wait for a more ideal time...don't wait any longer! Just come in, have a consultation, set a date, and go for it! You'll be so glad you did.

Hello Again

Well hello again, I hope you didn't miss me too much. As Sonya mentioned we spent some time in Saskatchewan with family, photos will be around soon (they are sitting on my laptop right now). Something that you might want to know about me (or not) is that I sometimes will see things that need to be done (like a haircut or painting something) and all of the sudden I need to have it done-right now. It really sucks when this happens with my hair at 10:30 pm on a Saturday night; as Sonya can attest there have been a number of times where Sunday morning my hair hasn't looked quite like it did the day before because I HAD to have it cut, well the same was true today when it came to my Main entrance door. For those of you coming to the studio in the near future, feel free to come to the RED door, and yes it is very bright red!! By the way, I want to take a moment to thank Alicia for the Email about why we should go with red for the color, I hope it doesn't disappoint.

My grass is also coming in quite nicely, for those of you who have not been to the studio lately and the clawfoot tub upstairs has just been re-enamelled and looks very nice.

Along with the work being done to the studio and grounds we have also been working very hard on new promotional pieces for the studio and soon we will be updating our website (read: it should be done in the next week or so).

I want to say a quick thank you to all of our clients for all of your support in the past year, I can't tell you how much your support means to us.

Enjoy the heat, talk to you soon.
Rodney

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has sprung!!! As I write this I am looking out the window and it is snowing, how ironic. Spring is one of the neatest feelings; everything is new and fresh (Except in the studio backyard where the snow had nicely covered over the unlandscaped yard and some of the old shingles that the roofer just through on the ground just before the snow fell.) I'm feeling optimistic about the "spring" in my own life, I feel as though maybe I have a new start at becoming a fit and healthy individual or a better father and husband. I'm also looking forward to the chance to get outside and do some landscaping and make the outside of the studio look a little more like the inside.

I am also starting to live a new chapter of life, I have made what could be the last submission of work for my Masters. For the last number of years I have been working hard to become a master of the craft of Photography and am very close to completing the requirements for a Master of Photographic Arts. I realize that that really doesn't matter too much for any of my clients or potential clients; they just know that the work that they get is what they expect, the very best; but there is something nice about having my peers look at me and my work and say "He really is a master artist."

I gotta go, life is just too busy, thanks for reading my musings; here are a few quotes for you:

Love of beauty is taste.
The creation of beauty is art.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

If Rembrandt were alive today he would probably be a photographer. And he would probably be photographing woman. I suspect that his work would be a lot like what we see here.
-Anonymous

I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say “He feels deeply, He feels tenderly.”
-Vincent Van Gogh

Have a great day,

Rodney

the down side of optimism

OK, I admit there is a downside to optimism at times, take the roof I just spent two hours shoveling snow off of, right now it's right back where I started last week. I guess to any negative there is a positive; I now know that my heart can handle doing a lot of work without my life ending in a heart attack, that's good isn't it??? I also now have a little bit better of a body for my wife to admire and I guess if Sonya had her say I'd be out on that roof shovelling snow on a daily basis. Well that's all for tonight, it's getting late and to the worker go the spoils;)

Rodney

Bad, Bad Rodney

Ok, I've been told I'm a "bad" blogger; apparently the frequency with which I blog is unacceptable so I'm going to try to change.

What to say, what to say.

Well I'm sure you will all be very interested in the way I spent the afternoon today. I decided to get out on the roof of my studio and shovel the snow off of the building before the big melt comes (hear great optimism in my voice there) because last year I ended up on the roof because water was in fact running down the wall of my studio (not the nicest feeling in the world.) Spending a few hours up on the roof watching the world below you function is actually quite interesting; but far more interesting by far will be the aches and pains I feel tomorrow when the physical work I've just endured comes to say Hi again!!

On a completely different note the studio was featured in Winnipeg's weekly papers this last week; we were thrilled to have the media attention and they seemed to think that the work we were doing here at the studio was both unique and worth telling the city about. Thank you to Canstar and all of it's community papers for the article, we have to do it again very soon.

Well that's all for today folks, talk to you again soon.


Rodney

More on Michelangelo

Hello again, back to Michelangelo; I was really amazed at the depiction of this amazing artist. Michelangelo was arguably the greatest artist in history and yet he was so driven to be better that it just about killed him. Not only was Michelangelo a great sculptor, which was his chosen art, he was also one of the greatest painters to walk the earth, not by choice though, he only painted because the Pope challenged him and his pride was at stake. Can you imagine the Sistine Chapel (I haven't been there yet!) without the artwork in it, it would be just another beautiful church.

Alright where am I going with this, as artists we need to be constantly learning new and wonderful ways of enhancing our craft. Learning to draw made me a better photographer, spending the first weekend of February going to an intense photoshop course has further enhanced my artistic abilities.

Back to Michelangelo, later on in his career he was hired to do a very large project that was cancelled three years after being started. His employer (the city I believe) said that it was costing too much money and that he should bill them for the costs up until then. Michelangelo was so upset he said something like this "How can I bill them enough for what they have stolen from thier citizens and from the whole future of humanity? I was creating the greatest piece of artwork in history, how can I bill them for stealing that from the future?" Wow, if only we as artists saw the impact of our work in the same way as he did his.

Sometimes people ask me why I have such "Big" portraits up on the walls of my studio and home. The question is actually quite an interesting one, and the answer I have is simple: if the Sistine Chapel was a series of 8x10 portraits on the walls and ceiling would they be truly appreciated no matter how good they were?? If Michelangelo were doing a portrait of you would you find it adequate if he pulled out an 8x10 piece of canvas for the image?? I find myself constantly striving to better my art and I am so honoured when my clients appreciate it enough to say we want to have that as a feature piece in our home. Art is meant to be seen and appreciated for generations to come.

Well thanks for looking into my mind and listening to my muses about art and artists, I'll be back soon. Until then, "All the best in Love and Laughter!" Enjoy this family day if you are in the parts of the world that celebrate it and enjoy a beautiful day wherever you are.

Rodney

Well how the time does fly right by eh??(I'm truly Canadian if you didn't know that by now) I was just thinking about art and was reminded of some of the TV specials I have watched in the last few months with family members especially the two on Michelangelo; wow he was amazing and driven. I'm afraid the intro is all you will get today, you will hear more on the subject in my next post.

Have a great night.

Rodney

Did you know?

Rod is now the president of the Manitoba chapter of the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC-MB)?

And there will be a chocolate fountain at our grand opening?

Three more sleeps!

(Sonya)

Well it's Thursday night and I have already been working for about 50 hours this week, I'm very tired.
This past week I have spent a fair bit of time photographing contemporary dance and am again amazed at what the human body can do and how beautiful and powerful dance and movement are.

Good night all.

The most beautiful smiles

Well it's winter here in Winnipeg, we have lots of snow and it's freezing outside but with winter comes outside fun with the kids. This last two weeks my kids have gotten a new hobby, it's called having daddy pull us around on the sled before he goes to the studio and until he's on the brink of a heart attack. Why do we do these crazy things?? The answer to this is very simple, all I had to do was turn my head while on Clydesdale duty and see the expressions on my kids faces, they were giggling and laughing all the while holding on for dear life. After seeing this my cold face was balanced by my warm heart, and that's all the beauty I could handle in one day.

Well, well, well, my how the time does go by so quickly. My family and I recently spent a week in the mountains of BC and a total of 5 days on the road going to and from our destination. It really amazes me how a change of scenery can do amazing things for our clarity of thought, on our time away I was blessed with the chance to sit out on the deck on one particular evening and just soak in the sounds on the stream running by while I spent an hour enjoying a great cigar. I truly believe that this "stopping to smell the roses" type of thing is an incredibly spiritual experience. I came back from BC renewed and refreshed although in no way caught up on sleep.

My children also had a great time, they knew that for 12 days daddy was theirs, no studio to go to and no renovating to do, it was great.

Photos will come soon, right now I'm exhausted and must sleep.

Rodney

Well I can't believe it's been weeks since I have shared myself with the world, sorry to those of you who live on the edge of your seats just waiting to read another of my posts.

It seems as though I'm perpetually tired lately. I'm not sure if it's the three small kids or the constant renovations on the studio, but my body finally gave in to the flu this last week. On the positive side, I feel blessed to have the life that I have, I feel sometimes as though I'm living a dream.

The studio, good question. The renovations are going slower than I had hoped for, but on the positive side they are actually going. This week we got new windows on the second floor, there is now twice as much light up there and it's very nice. My lobby is coming along quite quickly as well, we hope to be putting the slate flooring in the next week or so, pray for me!!!

As far as the rest of life a week ago was the annual convention for the professional photographers of Canada - Manitoba and as always there is an image competition. The Images I entered did very well, I won the "Most Creative Image" for Manitoba, and also brought home two of the six "Judges Choice" awards. It feels good to be recognized by my peers for my work, but quite frankly it all left me with quite an empty feeling, I much prefer the feeling of making a client feel beautiful, changing a woman's life is much more satisfying than the accolades of peers.

Speaking of beauty, I saw the nicest little car the other day, it's the 2007 Pontiac Solstice, nice, very nice, in fact WOW. Did I mention that the car is almost completely impractical and pales in comparison to a hug from my wife or kids, yet I would really like one someday (maybe you have a used one you would like to loan me for the next few years)

Anyway, alas it is time to bid you adue, I hope all is well, God Bless.

Rodney