Happy Birthday Leonardo...

April 15, 1452: Leonardo da Vinci is born in the Tuscan hill town of Vinci. Painter, sculptor, anatomist, architect, engineer, geologist, Renaissance Man...

Vitruvian Man pictured above is my favourite piece of art I've ever seen.

Happy Birthday Leonardo da Vinci !

Happy Birthday Sash...

My youngest turns 13 today. I now officially have 3 teenagers in the house. Though attitude wise I've had 3 teenagers for a long, long time :)

Hope you have a great day Sasha!

Love ya...

Nine Inch Nails in Toronto...

Two days ago.... Here I was back in Toronto with less than 3 hours sleep as our buses from Chicago & Detroit were somewhat late and crowded but never mind all that - NIN was playing at the Air Canada Centre Tuesday night and I was taking my youngest son for his 12th birthday. No camera with me this time as I wanted to just watch, listen and totally enjoy the show.

The show was much that same set list as at Lollapalooza but with the addition of the song God Given, which just rocked the place. My son was completely blown away but the sounds, lights and just sheer magnitude of the performance. He repeatedly told me that it was "sick". We were on the floor about 50-60 feet from the stage. I watched him sing and clap along and throw his fist in the air. I love being able to share these kind of moments with my kids.... Not to mention helping foster what I consider to be excellent taste in music....

Personally, I'd go see NIN on every stop of thier tour if I could. Since the early 90's I just haven't been able to get enough of the band. This show was my 4th time seeing them live. Their music just touches something deep inside me and allows me to believe that everything will be alright....

Highlights of the night for me were Letting You, Piggies, Gave Up, the Ghosts material and In This Twilight. Songs from every NIN cd were played and the band was really into the show.

Thanks NIN!!!

Hurry up and wait...

Been a while since I posted here even though I initially wanted to post at least one item daily.... Oh well c'est la vie. Haven't been in the right/write frame of mind lately....

Been having some health issues the last few weeks that finally came to a head with me going to see our family doctor. I hate going to the doctor with a passion so for me to voluntarily make an appointment (actually three appointments now) you know I'm feeling shitty. I'm waiting for the results from the first two appointments of being poked, prodded and scanned to the tune of 2 urine samples, 10 vials of blood and 2 upper body x-rays. Apparently my blood pressure was also through the roof. Still have to go for an ultrasound and a couple of more appointments in the coming weeks as well. In the meantime I'm on antibiotics and Lorazepam (the latter for insomnia). My Doctor, who I must acknowledge is an amazing human being, is not sure what the actual problem is yet - other than the physical signs of swollen, painful lymph nodes under my right arm and general discomfort/abdominal pain. And me? I'm in that hurry up and wait stage. Seems there are several diagnostic possibilities ranging from medium concern to, well, let's not go there just yet....

In sunnier news, yesterday I spent a nice Saturday afternoon with my family and mother to celebrate my daughter's 17th birthday. I can't believe the little tiny pink bundle I drove home from the hospital is now 17. I remember her birth and childhood like it was yesterday.... I made a chocolate cheesecake for her - seems my cheesecake has become a family favourite for birthdays. It was a good, relaxing time. What an amazingly beautiful, smart, funny young woman she has become - brings tears of joy to my eyes....

Haven't been doing much photography lately as I haven't been out for any walks in the last week or so. Hopefully get out sometime this week and take some more shots. Speaking of photography - I found the most amazing photo-blog; The Big Picture, run by The Boston Globe. Click on any picture to load several images related to the main image with lots of descriptive text. I've become addicted to this site - the images are no less than spectacular.... I should also point out that I found the site through John Gruber's always engaging Daring Fireball blog.