Flash Experimentation

I've never really liked flash. I've always thought it makes otherwise nice pictures look icky!
But I was playing around with flash today and this was the best shot I could get. Yea, I know, not great.
I really want/need a couple of 'off camera' flashes to get super creative! Need money to afford some flashes and a couple of 'PocketWizards'. Hmmmm, that shan't be easy!