Friends can take you places, Part 1.

First off, I’d like to apologize for the LACK of blogging. My intent was to post once a week, and obviously that hasn’t happened so far. In my defense, the Renaissance Festival was going on during February and March, so I didn’t have a whole lot of days “off”. And since a lot of my license plates go together in themes, it takes me a while to put them together into a cohesive, fun-to-read format. Contrary to popular belief, these words don’t just roll from my brain and onto the screen as fast as thoughts happen – though come to think of it, that would make this process a whole lot easier! Until that day arrives (or until I focus more), you’ll just have to put up with my semi-infrequent ramblings.

Now down to business! Not surprisingly, quite a few of my friends have strong personal interests as I do, and have also chosen to express themselves on their license plates. Here’s a few of them.

This is my friend Becky's plate. While this happens to be very descriptive of her boxy Scion XB, it holds an even deeper meaning for her – it’s a reference to her favorite band, The Cruxshadows. They have an EP and a DVD by the name of Shadowbox. The Cruxshadows are to Becky what Styx is to me. She is the biggest Cruxshadows fan I know, and I don’t mean in body size. Becky is so into this group, she auditioned to be their violin player a couple of years ago! She didn’t get the job, but that doesn’t stop her from enjoying their music, nor from starting her own band, Inis, instead. While I harbor absolutely NO illusions that anyone in Styx recognizes me when I go to their concerts, Becky IS known by The Cruxshadows, if not by name, then at least by sight.

Becky is definitely no stranger to the personalized plate. SHADWBX is her third one. LABRNTH made public her fondness for the Froud family’s fairie, troll, and goblin puppet work (not to mention David Bowie’s fantastic hair!) in Labyrinth. And before that, she was WICAGRL. Well, technically she still IS a Wiccan, it's just not advertised on her license plate any longer.

http://www.cruxshadows.com/

http://www.myspace.com/inisphoenix

My friend Helen is an animal fanatic. Dogs, cats, ferrets, an iguana, a parrot, a tortoise: all these and more have been graced for a time by her love and ownership. Lately, while she does still have two cats, her focus has been on dogs. Small dogs. MEEEEEEELYUNS of them. Well ok, not millions. It just seems like that when they all come to visit at my house! Specifically, Helen volunteers with the Arizona Chihuahua Rescue. She fosters these little boys and girls until they are well enough to be adopted by other families. The Humane Societies and various organizations from around the state contact the ACR when a Chihuahua is turned in or found, and if Helen has room she takes them in and helps them to become more socialized. She is VERY dedicated to this task, and the dogs in her care soon adore her. Sadly, a lot of these little ones come from puppy mills, or abusive situations. Because of this she has to take on the role of “alpha” dog quite often, training them not to bite, or pee inappropriately. Some of them are so afraid of people, or so malnourished, it takes months for them to become “adoptable.” Helen never falters in her care and attention, though, and many cuties have been saved from euthanasia and successfully adopted because of her efforts. Don’t you want a cute little Chihuahua of your very own? Visit the Arizona Chihuahua Rescue website to find out how. Maybe one of Helen’s doggies will be the one, because she really does RSQ4U.

http://azchihuahuarescue.org/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=355200238749&ref=mf

Stay tuned for Part 2!