Thank you Falott for taking the question serious and the time to answer. That's some very good advice right there and you've given me both understanding and a couple of ways to attack the problem.
I have zero rigging experience but I suppose a geometry solution would provide a blink opportunity in animation, and also help with rigging as you have something to bind to and paint weights on hehe.

I'll keep you posted on progress once I understand more about how subdiv's behave in tight areas with complex overlaps. Oh, and lots of trial and error

Thanks bud.