Bonny, that's an awesome post -- I found it a breeze to read in spite of the length (in fact, it didn't feel particularly long at all), because you have a good grip on structuring things well for the web, with short sections, clear subheadings, flow from one bit to the next. It's the long slog through endless gray text that makes long writing fail on the web, not the overall length.

(Plus, I need to keep the actual content in mind. We're good at the sharing and agreeing after having made ourselves learn to be, but following the plan, not always so much. Sigh.)

By the way, Erin, I meant to write about your site launch. I have to say, I love it. The humor and competency come through beautifully.

I like the way you changed the 'about' page. Nice one!

Thanks, bonny! It's still in-progress, but I am becoming increasingly pleased with it...thanks to Ginger and Amy's gracious help.

I cannot make Zazzle work. Do we have any buffistas out there selling bumper stickers? I would buy

"BECAUSE they LOVE each other and they DESERVE to be HAPPY"

if you would make it.

love, -Laga

I need to do some zazzle stuff, so I'll try to add that bumper sticker to my shop today.

"OOh, I've bought a bunch of your paintings and I love them! I want more! Will you give me one free?"

Speaking as the child of two fine artists, this shit actually happens.

Raq, I can believe it. It's on a par with people who meet a doctor or lawyer and ask for free medical or legal advice.

I actually don't mind when people ask me things on the fly. If I'm in the mood, I will too often 'give it away.' But, I can also draw good boundaries when I want to and can calmly offer my card.

The thing that grinds my gizzard is when people are actively disrespectful or entitled. After all, since what I do just comes from my mind then I SHOULD just give them whatever they need.

Sometimes I wish I was a shopkeeper.

Not really. But, a less complex career choice on my part might have been good.

I blame the restaurateurs who have conditioned us to expect free things from our friends (but not a whole meal for cying out loud!)

I am grateful when I get comped, but I do not expect it and I never ask for it. I might ask to barter, yes.

When I worked as a server at a popular restaurant in a Chicago suburb I could go places I would never have afforded otherwise because managers and chefs would recognize me and give me free stuff. I have gotten free meals but yeah, never expected it. Sometimes I miss those days of being 'in the biz'.