LUCKY Zippo Windproof Lighter with State Seal of Alaska

Pictured here is an authentic Zippo Windproof Lighter engraved with the State Seal of Alaska. An all brass Zippo lighter, manufactured in the USA, March of 1998. It is currently up for auction on my ebay account (check out my links) CuttingThroughChaos. Part of the collection from my Room of Chaos - it has traveled from Alaska to California and now to Nevada. It's history is quite unusual, and for the lucky bidder, I will certainly reveal how it came into my possession.
Being that I am a non-smoker, it is like new on the inside, just signs of being in my pocket as a lucky charm.

A lesson in what really sells on ebay

Will this little piggy stay home?

Auction ending soon.

Too cute!

Don't let him go to the thrift store!

...well, I managed to get one bid on this vintage piggy/penny bank from posting this on my ebay blog. Then, I started surfing what was selling for over $100 dollars on ebay - amazing!!

I learned you can actually sell a "traveling toilet paper roll" or if you are a hunk/airline attendant; you can sell advertising on your rolley bag. Or you can even sell "paranormal"- rings, vases..heck, you name it paranormal and apparently it sells!

So, I am going to try to change it up a bit this week - I believe I have a few items that could have a "wild" auction. Hard to find, bizarre, off the charts, freaky stuff - and the pictures to back it up!

Wish me luck!

Laughing Dogs and second languages

***Laughing Dog !***
****note cards!!****
Last night, I completed the first of what I intend to be many items, offering my original photography in the form of note cards and some framed prints, for sale on ebay. I think the listing turned out pretty nice actually. I am starting to get the hang of the tools, and between ebay listings, the blog and my pet photography website; feeling more and more comfortable with reading and writing html code. Still, as a second language, it is fairly dry...

Speaking of second languages...

There is a chance I could be traveling to France in a few months, so in preparation, I am attempting to learn the language. I say attempt, because is seems like a Herculean task to learn any new language - French being an incredibly tough one. Much like English, in that there are many words that sound the same and mean something different, words that are spelled differently than they sound and sound different than they look like they sound. It is a beautiful language to hear a native speaker speak, I hope I am able to do it justice.
What will I do in France, you ask? Well, work on the book of course!

La Luna Bella! Ah, The Full Moon, she's a beauty!

I managed to get out of the city and into the desert this week, for a good look at the Full Moon. Quite nice.

Also met this really cool pooch at the Booky Joint in Mammoth Lakes, California. Her name is Tang - she's the book store dawg. Gave the clerk my card for www.pawsitiveimagery.com my pet photography website. I wish I could be taking pictures of people's pets 20 hours a day. There is nothing more truth-full and soulful, than a dog, looking you straight in the eyes.

Meanwhile, as far as the web commerce goe, I barely managed to list 2 items on my ebay today. It is really difficult to keep the flow going strong, but I think is it essential to make a better attempt. I feel like if I get some momentum going, more people will keep an eye on my listings. If I let it drop, so will the amount of avid ebay watchers...just a theory, but it sounds good doesn't it? So, my big plans for listing everything this Sunday, today, went out the door. Maybe I will just have to count on the work crowd- wanting to play "hookey" at their desks on a Monday afternoon!

August Already! Where does the time go?

Yes, yes, yes..it is August !
Time to quit napping and get outside.
'Course if you are living in some place like...
Vegas, well, that can be a challenge. Most days we're looking at 100*F by the time the sun is just getting up. I am finding it is better to get up before the sun, to do any work out in my yarden.
Trying to convince people to do a photo shoot with their animals at such an early start time has been tricky. Here's the thing, animals are really much smarter than people when it comes to common sense things like, "Why the heck are we out here taking pictures in the midday sun?" Even the most cooperative hound, is seeking the cool respite of (under the porch) shade, once the sun is high.
I have found it fairly easy to be inside working on my eBay stuff in the afternoon, heading to the post office early in the morning. If the mercury falls bellow 95*F in the evenings, a little walk to get some watermelon gelato is always a welcome treat.