QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
"What's the difference between Sarah Palin and a pit bull? The dog knows it's not qualified to be Vice President."
"The music that becomes valuable in the world's repertoire is formed by a combination of a man with a power beyond himself." - John Philip Sousa
************************************************************
***************
I am an illustrator of some level of fame... seemingly getting higher and higher. No joke, and no boast - I'm one of the finest talents in the business. Curious? Then pay a visit to www.bennignus.com - you won't regret it. I live life fully, and seek only to fit more and more perfectly into the niche I was born for. I live for deeply sensual experiences - nude swimming, aromatic foods, vintage perfume, antique textiles, waltzing to a live band, wildroot in my hair, aesthetic delights of all sorts. I'm a lover of historic ballroom dances (1830-1930), and know how to do a hell of a lot of them - quite well. As a member of a performing troupe here in town, I get to Castle Walk, Maxixe, Schottische and more, all to my heart's desire (in full costume, to boot).
I'm also an unapologetic fanatic for all things dealing with historic amusement parks - as such, Coney Island is my soul's home. As part of this fixation, I am an enormously proud member of the world famous Coney Island Polar Bear Club, regularly putting the tough guys to shame by staying in the frigid brine for inordinately long spans of time while belting out the rebel yell I picked up during my years spent in Kentucky. I sincerely pity those people who think us Polar Bears are crazy - there is absolutely nothing else quite like it. I mean that in a very, very good way.
I come from a very oddball line of pretty amazing people, to put it bluntly. Among them, you can count several deeply accomplished musicians, a pharmaceutical baron, a radio and television personality, two signers of the Declaration of Independence (CT and GA, if you're curious), any number of survivors, a corporate giant, a New York Yankee, and a hell of a lot of blatant characters. Only recently did I learn that I'm related to Jack Kerouac and Amelia Earhart.
Very importantly, I am intensely in love with, and deeply loved by, a wonderful man who unexpectedly walked into my life one day on Coney Island. Kind beyond words and possessing of a keenly old soul, he has brought me happiness beyond anything I could have previously imagined - I am grateful to say that I've done the same for him. Being in this kind of relationship has made me understand what potential love holds, and the beauty that it can bring to life... I only hope that more people can come to experience it. The world would be a far kinder place, that I know for certain.
Plainly stated, if there's anything I've learned in life, it's to know, and be, oneself... unapologetically. Gnothi Seauton, my friends - learn its meaning, and live it every damned day. Live your life, be happy, love freely and be forthright... be who You are. Heaven is right here on earth - it's yours to live right now. Remember the words of the immortal Auntie Mame ("Saint Mame", as my late and wonderful father called her) - "Life is a banquet, and most of the poor suckers are starving to death".
... and for "My Public" out there, here are some of the joints I've done work for:
Waterford Crystal
Wedgwood Pottery
Rizzoli Books
Infinity Publishing
Debra Moreland for Paris
Bar Nine
Dan Levinson and His Canary Cottage Dance Orchestra
HX Magazine
Cincinnati Magazine
Broken Wheel Bison Ranch
Bloom NYC
Robert Marc Opticians
Wearkstatt
Coney Island Polar Bear Club
Greyhound Adoption Expo
New Jersey Greyhound Adoption Program
Aid 4 Greys
Ricki Lake - club kid segment
Greyhounds in Art
Greyhound Pets of America - Emerald Coast Chapter
Rosemont Police Department Canine Unit
Elizabeth High School Marching Band
Milford High School
Kings Island Amusement Resort
Cayuga Wine Trail
Flying Cloud Academy of Vintage Dance
Our Lady of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church
Pro Image
Animal Friends for Education and Welfare
*******
And have a look at this - broadcast three years ahead of my baby, but you can still get an idea. Huzzah for the great American gigantor station wagons of old!
