tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90622222109644447682024-02-18T23:20:05.046-08:00Perpetual VagabondAn Indefinite Residence for Heather LouiseHeather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-73358464242191239232012-12-01T18:25:00.000-08:002012-12-01T18:29:57.441-08:00Stay on the PathI don't do waiting well. The thing is that I've been doing an awful lot of it lately, at least when it comes to my graphic novel, school, work...OK, I've just been waiting a lot. But I'm a little nervous about it because this time, as I wait for the next move for my book I'm starting to lose the feeling that it's actually happening. It's not a logical feeling, because it is happening and these periods between steps are perfectly normal in the creation of a book. But it makes me apprehensive.<br />
<br />
I find that when my life opens up, the way that it has lately, all kinds of distracting fillers flow in, and it's not easy to tell which are blessings and which are not. I believe roller derby was one of those fillers. A good, educating experience, and in many ways, The Right Thing, just in The Wrong Time. In that case, I screwed up, over estimated my power and resources, and ended up missing registration for school. That Cannot Happen Again.<br />
<br />
Then along comes my friend Tara. Tara is the mother of a friend of Lala's. She's a personal trainer, sells health & wellness products, and is a text book Type A personality. She's also a sweetheart. But that is neither here nor there. Tara calls me the other day and says that she wants to tell me about her company because "With your self motivation, your health values, your energy, your need for flexibility right now- you'd be perfect!" I sniff a pyramid scheme, but there are a few factors that lead me to bite:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>She's nice and talkative and I want to go have tea</li>
<li>She's the sole income of her house, and she's loaded</li>
</ol>
I'll never get her off my back if I don't<br /><ol>
</ol>
I meet her at Life Alive and we have a nice visit. We talk about me leaving my job and different kinds of tea and our girls. Then she tells me about the business. It's called Arbonne. I'm not wrong in the type of business model it is- you get bigger if others get bigger too, but on the other hand, it's the highest compensation program in the industry (I looked that up). I don't want to be the Mary Kay lady by any means. But on the other hand, they encourage a more casual, natural recommendation model. So she talks to me about the products. They're vegan- bonus. They remind me a lot of products like Juice by Alicia Silverstone. And she tells me that she can get them for cheaper than Clinique- which is the only thing to this point that's done me a lick of good. And she's brought samples for me. OK, OK, I think. Can't hurt if it's free.<br />
<br />
This is where I've fallen to pieces.<br />
I love the samples.<br />
My laugh lines, eye lines, and worry lines are all gone. I've had worry lines since I was 16.<br />
<br />
I don't know what to do. I want these products and I want them cheap. This is stupid. Am I getting distracted? Do I want to spend my time doing what she does? What if it was just a little bit of time? Can I do it all, or am I going to screw up again? Not if I get to class registration on Monday, right? Right!?Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-18828289183686642712012-11-28T21:33:00.001-08:002012-11-28T21:33:56.827-08:00Epic Move...KindaSo I've decided that it was time for me and the Jewelry Shop to part ways. I finish my stint there at the end of the December.<br />
<br />
What? you say? You've only been there since spring and I thought you loved it?!<br />
<br />
I know, but there comes a time to grow and move forward from everything stationary, and this was my time to move on from the Jewelry Shop. The facts are that I feel I've been dropping the ball when it comes to Cal and school, that I need to devote more and more time to my writing and impending Kickstarter campaign (all my research has concluded that a successful kickstarter equates to a full time job), and school is starting soon and I HAVE to get in this time or I'll go crazy! These things are just more important to me than a retail job that barely pays for the day care costs it requires.<br />
<br />
On a completely unrelated note, what does everyone want for Christmuka?Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-45175152073207185382012-10-30T12:38:00.001-07:002012-10-30T12:38:26.728-07:00Happy Best-Two-Days-of-the-Year!We survived Sandy safe and sound, and I've lived to see another birthday. I admit this one is a bit weird- good, but weird. I'm officially at that age- that age where things need to be moving. Like, sure, I've still got plenty of time, but I should have something to show for my time by now. <br />
Good thing I'm almost finished with this script. My ideal day would involve getting off work and going home to find the kids pooped out from a great day, the house in moderate order, and to settle down an finish the story. Then, of course, to send it to one of my writing-savvy friends to read and tell me it's brilliant. <br />
Tomorrow Jase and I are going as Death and Dream from The Sandman comic series. I think we'll take the kids to Beacon Hill. What are your plans for Halloween?Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-86342432288894396902012-10-29T18:55:00.002-07:002012-10-29T18:57:35.928-07:00A Break to Say Where I've BeenAs I'm sure you probably already knows by now, I went to New York the weekend of ComiCon, but there's a back story.<br />
<br />
Soon after the last post I wrote, I had an epiphany of awesome proportions. I've had this little pet story line for a couple years, which I've picked at and played with, but never gotten to formulate into a full-on plot. While I was mulling over what to do with my webcomic side project, questioning ad nauseum if it was even a good enough story to put the effort to, I thought of my old story, <i>"What a perfect graphic novel!" </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The flood gates opened. As soon as I considered the format, it was like the entire plot came spilling out and I had to write! I decided that it was the perfect excuse to run away to my favorite New York couch for an impromptu writing retreat. While I was there, it just so happened that Shane had an extra pass to ComiCon. It was a killer opportunity to get an idea for what I was getting into- to speak with other writers, illustrators, network, and maybe taste the industry a bit. It was overwhelming, but in a good way. I came away fully charged, and with a goal: I was going to have my own booth for ComiCon 2013.<br />
<br />
It's lofty, I know, but still...<br />
<br />
I've been writing like crazy ever since and I'm about three quarters of the way done with my first draft. There is a long way to go, and a lot still to figure out, but I'm feeling the progress and I'm pumped. Maybe I'll get lucky and finish before NaNoWriMo (November is National Novel Writing Month)- that would be fantastic!Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-6295057230780862282012-10-06T20:22:00.001-07:002012-10-06T20:25:31.764-07:00Art Dilemma I've been all sorts of distracted for a few weeks. So many fun new disasters have come along that I almost forgot what I want the most!<br />
I was having the most fun in ages when I was regularly writing the comic collaboration with Jason, but the breaks got slammed when life happened to my artist and I was churning out pages faster than he could meet them with panels. <br />
I tried to compensate starting another comic project. This time I intended to draw it myself. Dusting off my art supplies, however, proved harder than I expected, and I haven't even tried Photoshop yet. <br />
So now I face a dilemma. Do I spend triple the time drawing for the end of a writing medium, or do I try to find another artist?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEQvdD6s1q5cdWT_R6unAwM83CAVZFMY1xJVn_SIRC2qw6twYoDDFSjjEov9d-MP6KwJ7RP3oZNrDvhz3VAtpCNdNExWa32GNPqhLpT6kq5INiRJ4mXsX8DwiFo6wAzTzPYYgBpULtBQp/s640/blogger-image--1806119196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEQvdD6s1q5cdWT_R6unAwM83CAVZFMY1xJVn_SIRC2qw6twYoDDFSjjEov9d-MP6KwJ7RP3oZNrDvhz3VAtpCNdNExWa32GNPqhLpT6kq5INiRJ4mXsX8DwiFo6wAzTzPYYgBpULtBQp/s640/blogger-image--1806119196.jpg" /></a></div>
Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-15790881903843204882012-09-22T19:38:00.000-07:002012-09-22T19:38:36.016-07:00The CatsThis week we adopted a couple of furry family members.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure how long ago we first spoke of getting a pet, but the discussion ended last week with a mouse. Living in this city, mice are just a part of life. But this little bugger avoided every trap, precaution, and tactic we threw at it. Late one night, standing in his underwear with a salad bowl in hand, Jason declared we were getting a cat and that was that.<br />
<br />
We considered just getting a kitten on craigslist- kittens are playful, cute, cheap, and perfectly trainable, clean slates. But when I started browsing the website for the Animal Rescue League of Boston, I started to melt. There are so many sweet animals in shelters waiting for forever-homes. And for the amount of vet care that the ARL puts into them, adoption is an amazing deal. A new kitten would cost upward of $500 for first year care alone. I asked Jason and he agreed adoption was the way to go.<br />
<br />
The ARL site listed a pair of cats that caught my eye- a 1 year old black and white tuxedo American Short-Hair and his all-white brother. I called the ARL and was given scads of information. I learned that they had come from a placed that was overpopulated with cats. This left them neglected and drastically shy. Their socialization had been the focus of their care, with great results, but they still had a way to go. This, their age, and a prior rash on the white cat's neck had all worked against them when it came to adoption. They'd been there for 5 months (that's a long time to be in a shelter, in case you didn't know). But there was wonderful news. Because of their special case, the ARL was willing to adopt them out for the price of one!<br />
<br />
Funny little coincidence- that night I found out that it was "Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week."<br />
<br />
We hadn't told the kids our plan, in case something didn't work out. So we broke the news the next morning to much excitement. Before I said anything about the cats I'd found, Lala said "Can we get an all-white kitty?"<br />
"As a matter of fact," I grinned.<br />
<br />
We went to the ARL after Cal got home from school. We finally got to meet the cats, and despite their timidness had a great experience with the children playing with them. Five minutes in the room with them and I was in love. They were so sweet and full of personality! As we moved forward with the adoption the shelter started buzzing- volunteers kept spreading the news "The Brothers are getting adopted!" There were cheers and high-fives, congratulations and assurance of the cats' general awesomeness. It was such a happy day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/298506_464004403644551_1575997095_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/298506_464004403644551_1575997095_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were already in their carriers, so we had to hold up their pictiures </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now the newly named Sherlock and Watson are getting acclimatized to their new home and family. I'd be lying if I said that their timidness didn't get to me now and then. But they are warming up in strides and I have great hope and assurance from my Cat-people friends. And it's nice to just have them around. They are already a pleasant addition to the household.Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-10333466465485637032012-09-14T21:00:00.000-07:002012-09-14T21:02:59.529-07:00Scary ThingsHave you ever tried something that scared you a little?<br />
<br />
Somewhere growing up, in between the American Dream and New Wave Feminism, I got the impression that if it scares you a little, you're doing it right. I can't say that I actually ever <i>experienced </i>what that means, being alternately too crazy/stupid or too cowardly. Yes, my name is Heather Louise and I am a chicken.<br />
<br />
Now I'm experiencing it.<br />
<br />
I've been skating with a few other beginners about twice a week for three weeks. It's done about a tablespoons worth of good. Saturday was the first day of Fresh Meat Training and I got the piss knocked out of me. Seriously. By time I got home I was bruised from my butt to my ego. I started to question whether I could actually do this.<br />
<br />
Part of me wavered till the other day when I got a good talkin-to from an unlikely source- my mother. Ms. I-don't-like-this-but-I'll-play-along-with-your-shenanigans. She spent a good ten minutes telling me about all the skills Derby would give me and how they could be applied to the real world. She talked about how when we pay attention to life, life tends to hand us exactly what we need. And she told me that if I was feeling chicken, so stare the situation in the face and say "Bring it on!" It was just what I needed.<br />
<br />
It got me thinking about other things that scare me, like speaking up about values I believe in and "getting involved." I think it's time I make a list of scary things and start doing them.<br />
<br />
Am I still afraid for the next practice? Yes. But I'm ready to face it head on. And I'm armed with a puke-bucket.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MV8mNsvwQkbucJ0JjedKwaVjlu4kzmSWm0cBN0G_uB3ZHf9GXQ28lUyCqQuwI_3MhXgPAblbnpObrMC5zgIDvF514acKVvTZAPqPzjWkXgMHsiM38gQBAkcj4Fohgcgs9BA8GeobK7Wq/s640/blogger-image-1286788510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MV8mNsvwQkbucJ0JjedKwaVjlu4kzmSWm0cBN0G_uB3ZHf9GXQ28lUyCqQuwI_3MhXgPAblbnpObrMC5zgIDvF514acKVvTZAPqPzjWkXgMHsiM38gQBAkcj4Fohgcgs9BA8GeobK7Wq/s640/blogger-image-1286788510.jpg" /></a></div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-84489984221124302222012-08-19T09:13:00.001-07:002012-08-19T09:48:20.327-07:00Trippin'This is coming to you via my phone because I couldn't use a keyboard if I tried. Trust me- I have tried. It all started a few weeks ago when a slight tweak in my medications caused (among other things) the forgetting of appointments, one-off tasks, and the watering of my plants. I took my crisp menagerie as a cue to find a more resilient hobby. <br />
For ages a friend had been talking about a newfound love of Flat Track Roller Derby, swearing it was perfect for me. After a little encouragement I started researching. A few YouTube films and a book later, I was seriously crushing. After my first live bout I was completely in love. <br />
I ordered my skates over the phone to make sure they would ship over night (indie retail trick), then waited all day for them to arrive. When they finally came I could've been more pleased; a perfect fit, wheels that practically move on their own- if we didn't live on the second floor I'd be living in them! <br />
But they were going to take some practice- these were no Roller-rink skates. I only got about 20 minutes of practice in before sundown on day one, but decided to skate to work the next morning anyway. I put on all my gear except elbow pads, because seriously, who hurts their elbow except in derby? <br />
Well, after about the 4th fall I decided I had better walk for the time being, lest I be late for work.<br />
That's when I noticed the pain in my arm. The more time passed, the less I could move it. By the afternoon I had a useless throbbing right angle of an appendage. Lesson learned: always wear ALL your pads. <br />
The worse part is that now I have to wait to skate again. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-TOhlPxwvpHSBKJmQSicxMhX0GjQYb0ZgizQcUABEDL83Oh_9lEJ2MQBUAD2XpP0A59ho-Sy8sp4x8dYkRDNQ2BggYyyBqtqxLHZxsohs6UD030XLzP63AdPVv6y2M5tA45AiGtkBiUH/s640/blogger-image--983576574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-TOhlPxwvpHSBKJmQSicxMhX0GjQYb0ZgizQcUABEDL83Oh_9lEJ2MQBUAD2XpP0A59ho-Sy8sp4x8dYkRDNQ2BggYyyBqtqxLHZxsohs6UD030XLzP63AdPVv6y2M5tA45AiGtkBiUH/s640/blogger-image--983576574.jpg" /></a></div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-57712139208101803102012-07-22T20:01:00.001-07:002012-07-22T20:05:20.604-07:00Adventures in Electronics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm one of those weird people that likes to personify inanimate objects. Mind you, I'm not random about it- I don't go around naming toasters. I stick to electronics. After all, you have to "register a device name to activate" the darn things most of the time anyway, so you might as well come up with something creative, right? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Somehow my new phone was definitely a dude. I decided to name it Crowley after my favorite sleek, sexy, super smart character who always wears black (all the more appropriate given that my computer's name is<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Omens"> Aziraphale</a>).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'd been complaining since I got the phone that it needed a case before I scratched it to pieces. I spent way more time than I care to share combing the internet for "just the right case." It was quite pathetic. Finally Jase said "There are some alright cases at Target- I'm just going to pick up one for you next time I go." So the other day Jason came home with this sweet little phone case that's just right. It's pretty and feminine without being overly girly, and neutral without being too kitsch. And I didn't have to deal with picking it out- see? Perfect for me. Except...now Crowley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj04BD6OdKhzIzwE0X1_ckfMU918lmeEAAVQ1X3oK1sAsUWj6PbmB7nIlOImQEqmZbzfGqRZDjjpcUTt3d0GsEm2IetmM1ZKe2V-Y6lgZeC9LvY2pHJ-6u-bSqAXJzNREUqIjGrexbOF6/s640/blogger-image--545425919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj04BD6OdKhzIzwE0X1_ckfMU918lmeEAAVQ1X3oK1sAsUWj6PbmB7nIlOImQEqmZbzfGqRZDjjpcUTt3d0GsEm2IetmM1ZKe2V-Y6lgZeC9LvY2pHJ-6u-bSqAXJzNREUqIjGrexbOF6/s320/blogger-image--545425919.jpg" width="240" /></a>is a man in a dress. </div>
Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-70961439879373062112012-07-01T19:13:00.000-07:002012-07-01T19:13:13.032-07:00Keep It Real Challenge I wasn't sure about writing this post until two things happened. First, I listened to a speech by Neil Gaiman in which he says, roughly, that right when you start to feel unsure- like you're about to walk naked down the street- that's when you might actually be getting it right. Second, the friend I trust most for advice in artful ventures swore on my Facebook page. I guess that was enough for me. It's a few days late, but better late than never.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everything I’m about to tell you sounds absolutely crazy,
and it is. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was small -5 or 6 years old- I hated my nose. My role
models were animated princesses, women on TV, and my big sisters - and every
one of them had a narrow nose. By Kindergarten it was clear that the heroines
of the world had dainty snouts and I had an Opus beak. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pulling the reins of
Western society are two juggernaut industries. On the one hand, the food
industry, which taps into our basest instincts to feed us crap from pretty
boxes and wrappers, often plastered with bogus “health” claims while slowly
killing us. The obesity rate in the United States has officially passed 33%. On
the other hand, the fashion industry manipulates us by taking an unhealthy,
immorally narrow subset of models then digitally alters them to an impossible
level of perfection. It’s a social fabric woven of self-loathing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was 10, a hand full of people started commenting
about my weight, and it stuck. I wasn’t overweight. Sure I was on the bigger
side of average, but even a little more out-side-play and puberty would’ve
taken the “bigger” part out. But come on- I wasn’t thinking about average.
There was no average. There was thinner. Thinner was better. It was important,
like brushing teeth or getting haircuts. I don’t know why- it was just
important. So I started exercising. A lot. Do you know an 11-year-old whose
proudest achievement was doing 100 crunches every day for a year? You do now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By junior high it was an absolute social game to diet. We
would all go to B’s house every night, weigh ourselves, and compare. We would
flip through women’s magazines and try out the latest “Europe’s Secret Miracle
Diet” or “What Every Brazilian Woman Knows.” Tai Bo was all the rage and I
couldn’t go to sleep without doing a tape (yes, they were still tapes). We’d
pass around Dexatrim at lunch time. It was an unspoken medallion of honor to be
the one who went with the fewest full meals.
I started counting calories and restricting my fat intake to 15 grams a
day or less. I would exercise and exercise and it was never about being healthy
or strong. It was about being thinner. At 104lbs I felt too fat because I wasn’t
100. At 98lbs I was frustrated because I wasn’t 95. I told myself that what I
was doing was fine as long as I didn’t drop below 90lb. If I ever got to 90lbs
I’d stop. I never did. I was only socially rewarded. I was gifted with praise
and compliments and I’d go up to my bedroom at night and cry because I was
ugly. I liked my hair, and my eye color was kind of cool, but my knuckles were
knobby, my nose was huge, my boobs were too small and I always needed to be
thinner. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I joined the track team when I was 13 and suddenly, I
couldn’t control my appetite. Calorie counting went out the window. I’d do my
best to consume the “right” kinds of foods, but enough was never enough. So I
started throwing up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I never did get back down to 98lbs- I’d fluctuate between
102-115lb depending on my activity level and over all diet, but that’s how I
kept things in a manageable rang. I threw up 1-3 times a day, 5 to 7 days a
week for the next 7 years, like brushing teeth or getting a haircut. <br />
<br /> It was my socially acceptable dirty-little-secret. I’ve talked to countless
women and girls who’ve all tried something unhealthy or extreme for the sake of
being thinner. Never once in my life have I heard a woman say that she’s <i>not </i>done something unhealthy. We sit in
gym classes and watch cheesy Lifetime network movies about the one girl with
anorexia and it rolls off like a load of crap because everyone is doing it. The
extreme was normalized from birth!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The misrepresentation of women in the media has become so
rampant, Photoshop abuse (yes, that’s what I called it) so common place, that
whether it’s weight, skin color, or feature size, we are raised from the very beginning of life
to be unhappy with our bodies because we’re not “perfect” and “perfect”
is…just, important. It’s sick. And I’ve had enough. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when I heard that Seventeen Magazine had refused a
Change.org petition to include one non-retouched photo spread per issue, and
the responding Keep It Real Challenge, I decided to get on board.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things won’t change until we start talking about it. Things
didn’t change for me until I finally talked about it with someone I trusted-
till something was more important than “important.” And you know what? One of
the first things that they ever told me was that they loved my nose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>The official challenge may be over, but we can still tweet to editors, stop buying the magazines and products, something- anything!- to get them to drop the Photoshop. Enough is enough.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sparksummit.com/2012/06/25/join-the-keep-it-real-challenge/">http://www.sparksummit.com/2012/06/25/join-the-keep-it-real-challenge/</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.missrepresentation.org/blog/">http://www.missrepresentation.org/blog/</a><br /><br /><br />
</o:p></div>
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<br />Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-49404370591442804122012-06-18T22:09:00.000-07:002012-06-18T22:09:50.263-07:00Joining the Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX_Y0VhY0IKEVnLT3RXUjRktVqyYzZSQckao701AnRjcEQqwSQfAmYFvTBm4Rx2_pqqUhJA5tE_hENG7EJYyGuxXACwykYgMj9OZbNHHkmjaCGSB3N5lsvEx-_lpyQ1w165xINR0HbSWD/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX_Y0VhY0IKEVnLT3RXUjRktVqyYzZSQckao701AnRjcEQqwSQfAmYFvTBm4Rx2_pqqUhJA5tE_hENG7EJYyGuxXACwykYgMj9OZbNHHkmjaCGSB3N5lsvEx-_lpyQ1w165xINR0HbSWD/s200/photo.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
How do I talk about my new favorite toy?<br />
<br />
Do I talk about the financial and familial circumstances that led to my inevitable purchase of a new phone?<br />
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<a href="http://distilleryimage8.instagram.com/8b4a5b56b8b411e1abd612313810100a_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://distilleryimage8.instagram.com/8b4a5b56b8b411e1abd612313810100a_7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">Do I tell you of my zombified camera or the promises to go without personal spending for a while, leading to getting the latest model? </span><br />
<br />
Do I gush about the apps or the user interface, or how I danced around the kitchen with NPR in my back pocket today?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage2.instagram.com/89dbd512b97a11e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://distilleryimage2.instagram.com/89dbd512b97a11e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Do I tell how Siri keeps my work schedule, reminded me to get Lily signed up for preschool, texts Jason, and calls me Catwoman?<br />
<br />
I know what to say...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage4.instagram.com/e2790b32b97911e1bf341231380f8a12_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://distilleryimage4.instagram.com/e2790b32b97911e1bf341231380f8a12_7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
...I totally get it now.Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-41322651082110813792012-06-17T11:05:00.001-07:002012-06-17T12:48:50.022-07:00Teaser<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf_885qkoUxFpda9ZUSNHfy0xmbn-Ks8zAYNsxMadcPzjSdWlLeGvDLdBsqzHnR5aT7Vdx2o_UgASgI3_v_53QdjxwnGjezitoQ1remMDGTRvzpk16Xwk5jmaOwuxxVTVmIGoBQkOPhH4/s640/blogger-image-2125652628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf_885qkoUxFpda9ZUSNHfy0xmbn-Ks8zAYNsxMadcPzjSdWlLeGvDLdBsqzHnR5aT7Vdx2o_UgASgI3_v_53QdjxwnGjezitoQ1remMDGTRvzpk16Xwk5jmaOwuxxVTVmIGoBQkOPhH4/s640/blogger-image-2125652628.jpg" /></a></div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-49890071850758469822012-06-13T20:41:00.001-07:002012-06-13T20:41:50.629-07:00Caring is HotMore working on the comic whilst camera plans are pushed back till Friday. While searching, I tumbled onto <a href="http://tmblr.co/ZhC7FyNH_Ojz">this</a>. Language warning. If you can get past that, the message is one of importance. It's not put so eloquently nearly as often as it should be.Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-39461580434691085982012-06-11T20:47:00.002-07:002012-06-11T20:47:13.954-07:00Comics are for Everyone! My camera is broken, and I think that is what has been holding up my posts, for the most part. But this will be the last post without good photos. The game's afoot. For, you see, I received my first paycheck today, and I know exactly where it is going, after I set aside for fall tuition. <div>
In the mean time, I've been eyeballs deep in this new writing project. I completely underestimated how fun it would be! I'm learning so much. I think the first thing I'm learning is to not be afraid. Instead of worrying about writing a stunning conglomerate of words- just telling the story exactly how I want the story to be told and letting the rest follow. Instead of stopping from inexperience of the style, just making it legible and fixing the format as I learn. Instead of molding a mediocre story around what I know, molding an awesome story around things that I'm researching the heck out of. </div>
<div>
I have to say that something else that excites me, is that I'm excited about it. I haven't been this excited about a project in a long time, and it feels better than ever. </div>
<div>
So then, here are a few of my favorite web comic, to give you a little taste of the kind of fun that is out there to be had. Web comics for people who don't really troll for web comics: </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://dresdencodak.com/2007/02/08/pom/">Dresden Codak:</a> There are so many things I could say. </li>
<li><a href="http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=247">Questionable Content: </a>Indie rock and your best-friends-kinda-humor, with artificial intelligence</li>
<li><a href="http://www.johnnywander.com/comics/33">Johnny Wander:</a> Indie rock and your best-friends-kinda-humor. </li>
<li> <a href="http://www.harkavagrant.com/">Hark! A Vagrant:</a> Best for classic literature fans, feminists, and anyone with a pulse. </li>
</ul>
</div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-31989081102327468732012-06-05T18:44:00.001-07:002012-06-05T18:48:51.754-07:00Tuesdays With Jason is Back!Good evening, Friends! Though it's been an interesting, busy couple of weeks, but we've come to a settling. It's time to resume the weekly spot light on our favorite lovable character. This week with Jason:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>"Calvin, don't wrap your head in duct tape!"</li>
<li>Me: I don't feel well, but I feel like I have to make a good dinner.<br />Jason: Don't worry about it- I brought cereal"</li>
<li>"K time to force myself to draw."</li>
<li>"I heard Russel Brand talking and thought he was just obnoxious, but then he kept talking and I though-'this guy is brilliant!'"</li>
</ul>
<div>
And for your viewing pleasure, a little treat that Jason and I agree just might be <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/785877/the-black-keys-gold-on-the-ceiling-featuring-johnny-depp-live.jhtml#id=1686022">the coolest thing ever</a>. </div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-54491614492007030632012-06-04T21:09:00.001-07:002012-06-04T21:10:31.530-07:00Being the BossI decided that I never want to be a business owner. Maybe cool enough to have a personal assistant some day, but there's no way I want to interview and hire an entire staff. And all I've had to experience so far is the vetting of babysitters.<br />
We've gone through every avenue from spreading the word at church to posting job adds on the Harvard website, to looking up postings on Craigslist. What we've come up with seem to be of two camps.<br />
<br />
<b>On the One Hand: </b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Has experience babysitting or working as a nanny for a friend. </li>
<li>Uses an excess of typos and grammatical errors, including the non-word "alot"</li>
<li>Moved hear for "personal reasons" </li>
<li>Expects to be paid anywhere from $5-10 more than I make. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>On the Other Hand: </b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Has a BA in one of the following: Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Global Health and Population with a minor in Arabic Studies; Performing Arts and Theater</li>
<li>Speaks French, Spanish, Arabic, and/or Chinese</li>
<li>Volunteered with Special Olympics in Africa, Habitat for Humanity in Venezuela, or worked as an Au Pair in France. </li>
<li> How can I possibly ask you to take minimum wage? But <i>please </i>babysit my kids! </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
I'm just trying to figure out how other people do it. </div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-45083330272051650692012-06-01T21:38:00.000-07:002012-06-01T21:39:22.702-07:00It's Better as a Comic Do you ever start with an idea for a project, then half way through the project realized that it would work so much better in a different format? A sewing project that just needs a different fabric, or a sketch drawing that would translate so well as a watercolor? I have a tendency to think of writing topics and, much more frequently than my actions justify, I realize "That would be so much better as a comic." Take for example, a little conversation Jason and I had yesterday about recent developments in The Windowsill Experiment, Pt. 2:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWmUVnNYodagBbxkiupOBk2BxB2IRUcZHzpHdjROntuoDlCeMJVULQBwQRoHnh8tLkBQ1nKjR3ojPGHhD8FxQcZtXXCkZhiuTqV1d4O3qHDxKyJAgUbd-BGSDvdyVIW-4VSjF_0kOf2Y5/s1600/mo-plants-mo-problems.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWmUVnNYodagBbxkiupOBk2BxB2IRUcZHzpHdjROntuoDlCeMJVULQBwQRoHnh8tLkBQ1nKjR3ojPGHhD8FxQcZtXXCkZhiuTqV1d4O3qHDxKyJAgUbd-BGSDvdyVIW-4VSjF_0kOf2Y5/s400/mo-plants-mo-problems.png" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's no big deal, but it would've been untranslatable as prose. Blah. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A while back Jason planted the seed of a wonderful plot line in my head. It stewed and grew till this last weekend I decided to turn my time alone into a handmade writing retreat. I packed my laptop to <a href="http://tridentbookscafe.com/">The Trident Cafe</a>, a tiny part of me hoping that Amanda Palmer and <a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/">Neil Gaiman</a> would stop by, and got my butt to work. Three hours later, what I had sucked. Everything sucks in the beginning, but this was really making me unhappy. And I knew exactly why. It just needed to be a comic. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lucky for me, I'm married to a graphic designer who's constantly pursuing the art of the web comic. We've been talking about doing a collaboration for some time, and even made a couple attempts, but they hadn't gotten very far. Yet something about this idea gripped me and I was determined to see it through. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My biggest problem was that I had no idea how to write a comic. Que game-show-loser-music. Try to Google "How to write a web comic." The results are a lot of bad writing about nothing. I have to thank Jason again for being such a comic buff; he directed me to a guide by the writer for <a href="http://www.thezombiehunters.com/index.php">The Zombie Hunters</a>, which, though still sparse on the topic of writing itself, was the most comprehensive guide I was able to find.</div>
So armed with a nickle's worth of knowledge on a writing format, I decided to go for it. I swallowed a big gulp and just started writing. And this time it work! It shocked me how much easier everything fit on the page. I got the whole first scene written. I started a collaborative storyboard with Jason on <a href="http://pintrest.com/">Pintrest.com</a> and he began the first sketches of characters. So hopefully soon, we'll be seeing the first panels of a web comic by Heather Louise and Jason. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm kind of excited. </div>
<div>
</div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-18421878969609367252012-05-30T22:16:00.001-07:002012-05-31T07:47:41.725-07:00Happy Birthday, Jason!This month we celebrated 28 awesome years of Jason. Grandma came by and swept the kids off for a few days at the D.C. cousins' house, so we hit the road again- just the two of us.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoprPEfMIWbMrrJ39oUp1C3nwFtcQZ9Q4QWSMrH4Kb3Wi0EKSWUcssO67ifQHwbKWx_PxODJa0jEpIlR7YPbzkkK6AYDT6nav9ji-z8nKb16GaoOA466cuXVctkflb716djiclUygt_YZ/s1600/birthday28+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoprPEfMIWbMrrJ39oUp1C3nwFtcQZ9Q4QWSMrH4Kb3Wi0EKSWUcssO67ifQHwbKWx_PxODJa0jEpIlR7YPbzkkK6AYDT6nav9ji-z8nKb16GaoOA466cuXVctkflb716djiclUygt_YZ/s320/birthday28+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason G, Age 28</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWUNZAh49aJ_AE1PbJdPDi9qGMdVL1GVHqQT72IqS7IftzlFwxpyc0-jqGD9xzv2qKTiuR-mby56FCNSZQn_dax2LL2usBqNobRYochx_vIf028HS6XdoWJ04v21QxOGW54ruyDRE6TfX/s1600/birthday28+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWUNZAh49aJ_AE1PbJdPDi9qGMdVL1GVHqQT72IqS7IftzlFwxpyc0-jqGD9xzv2qKTiuR-mby56FCNSZQn_dax2LL2usBqNobRYochx_vIf028HS6XdoWJ04v21QxOGW54ruyDRE6TfX/s320/birthday28+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casual Comfort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We arrived in New York to the welcome of friends with unending warmth and generosity. We had a blast in our signature style of goofy party games and even goofier prizes for the winners. We sang happy birthday over cupcakes and talked about our favorite things about Jason. It was perfect. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9zlDvzJqOQQWb76e1zamxWSTMDnbTeRyo27Z5hLkjB56Rvyem07BGdbYSTdwiO38DtQdBtevqbz-Gmog8AHqb4-20-V7fWS4uR75fAYFSeVH49yNog425m7r8tBravk5bU0PG64zsMq3/s1600/birthday28+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9zlDvzJqOQQWb76e1zamxWSTMDnbTeRyo27Z5hLkjB56Rvyem07BGdbYSTdwiO38DtQdBtevqbz-Gmog8AHqb4-20-V7fWS4uR75fAYFSeVH49yNog425m7r8tBravk5bU0PG64zsMq3/s320/birthday28+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole W family came for the fun! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ-mQ_4zougdPUhGRyVhklpLm7wvMDXBzIc0AbYtljPft8Ew4JpJtthmHGgD21GYLxW0MCuJn7SFCUwQJOlmJL0MxSG2yszJkOM7dU1TERmmBMqBGCTCQt21attcCQyCbsLDIJFR67qvW/s1600/birthday28+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ-mQ_4zougdPUhGRyVhklpLm7wvMDXBzIc0AbYtljPft8Ew4JpJtthmHGgD21GYLxW0MCuJn7SFCUwQJOlmJL0MxSG2yszJkOM7dU1TERmmBMqBGCTCQt21attcCQyCbsLDIJFR67qvW/s320/birthday28+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're The Cthulhu Worshiper! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T_f7U6UvIkFLvDvFX99AbExdR-EifgJEREKJnTIlEZpAyqAAGnvEXPV8qybux_jEFUBkSf80p3vWR_v0XqrxdC00IixRnGA7CujutQlx5fj6FJWJtGzifZgs5n47xJ9aFs6coiiQclm7/s1600/birthday28+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T_f7U6UvIkFLvDvFX99AbExdR-EifgJEREKJnTIlEZpAyqAAGnvEXPV8qybux_jEFUBkSf80p3vWR_v0XqrxdC00IixRnGA7CujutQlx5fj6FJWJtGzifZgs5n47xJ9aFs6coiiQclm7/s320/birthday28+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe Wins! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoJC36R2ZUTIgtCUs7FS414yt69HGjgjHtCuw55mzSVvahFUz98d-2Ak58a0YLCQGH3eSCRB8GydX8VeA_9K3borjA35ld2B8q42cfAIh0EDUAuZWvlmu-som5yYb3YiPd9n7b62PupSd/s1600/Jason_Grover_28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoJC36R2ZUTIgtCUs7FS414yt69HGjgjHtCuw55mzSVvahFUz98d-2Ak58a0YLCQGH3eSCRB8GydX8VeA_9K3borjA35ld2B8q42cfAIh0EDUAuZWvlmu-som5yYb3YiPd9n7b62PupSd/s320/Jason_Grover_28.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday too You! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
As the guests left, we settled down to cups of tea and good conversation with our dear hosts till the wee hours of the morning. The next day, just as my camera battery died, we walked to the Natural History Museum, the Flea Market, and a Farmers' Market. We studied bio-luminescent creatures and read about the future of the space program. We ate maple cotton candy and looked at Chinese relics and handmade jewelry in the sunshine. We couldn't imagine a more perfect weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love you madly, Sparky. This year will be the best one yet!<br />
Love, Bunny</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-53992204160304279322012-05-29T21:02:00.001-07:002012-05-29T21:06:28.454-07:00You Tell MeHoly-Radio-Silence, Batman! It's been a busy two weeks and I've been wiped out. But that means I've got a lot to write about! Here's just a bit of the buzz:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li> Going to New York for Jason's Birthday party</li>
<li>The tragic conclusion of The Windowsill Experiment, Pt. 1</li>
<li>A whole week with the kids at cousins'</li>
<li>5 days of just Me, Myself, And I, for the first time Ever</li>
<li>New adventures in writing...comics?</li>
</ul>
<div>
Now it's your turn- what do you want to hear about first? </div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-53821243291667898072012-05-14T18:00:00.000-07:002012-05-14T18:01:11.236-07:00The Bright Side of Monday Mondays can be pretty detestable. Thank you Captain Obvious. But so can a lot of other things be, depending on how you look at them. So today I've been trying to take a page out of my Lala's book and look on the bright side (she is <i>the most </i>optimistic child ever!)<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>Monday means tomorrow is Tuesday: Tuesday is Pay Day! I get to go grocery shopping with my new cook book in tow. I get to go to my new job that I love. I'm <i>so </i>getting something new to wear for work! Maybe that dress I've been drooling over for a week. </li>
<li>My aching back means that I've got one hellofa clean kitchen! </li>
<li>I have a wonderful, supportive husband who's been showering me with positiveness all day.</li>
<li>There are French bulldogs in the world. </li>
</ul>
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What's on your bright side? </div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-61998254931631251732012-05-13T21:15:00.000-07:002012-05-14T11:40:43.166-07:00Veggie Mama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkbOl_hEVziPILM2rlx2CP5EP6Tz6rYGJ48qd8N3FDs_742alpyAmsrAma0PMrKS2ktG1IIvm2zsh_cXM0bidpitFmpXMfzthxIBjzdD9jI-v8eOXSVyc9dKVqYFdkYENFWi5G3Oj1uiX/s1600/Picture0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkbOl_hEVziPILM2rlx2CP5EP6Tz6rYGJ48qd8N3FDs_742alpyAmsrAma0PMrKS2ktG1IIvm2zsh_cXM0bidpitFmpXMfzthxIBjzdD9jI-v8eOXSVyc9dKVqYFdkYENFWi5G3Oj1uiX/s200/Picture0075.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Happy Mother’s Day! <br />
I hope your mother knows you appreciate them, or if you’re a mother I hope you
feel appreciated. <br />
I sure do! This morning, after sleeping in very late I woke up to kisses and
hug, hand-drawn cards and a delightfully thoughtful gift, but I’ll get to that
in a minute. For the rest of the day was amusing chaos as I watched Jason take
on the bulk of the household/parental-drudgery. When he crumpled on the bed
after saying goodnight to the children, I couldn’t help but feel simultaneous
pity, awe, gratitude, and satisfaction. I think this has been the best Mother’s
Day yet and I know my family loves me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As for the awesome
gift, it starts with a story. Now stick with me- I’m not going to get all preachy
and whatnot- I’m just going to tell it how it happened. About a year ago I was
feeling pretty crappy about myself and life as a whole. I was having prolonged
bouts of low grade depression, trouble with my weight, my skin, my energy
level, and generally feeling yuck. I’d tried a number of methods to treat each
individually, but needless to say, nothing worked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One day I was
wandering through a book store as aimless as anyone could be without bumping
into stuff, wondering what exactly I was going to do about it. Then I
realized I was in the cook book section. I’m no chef. I follow the back of the
box, thank you very much. But I was moved to pick up <u><a href="http://www.thekindlife.com/">The Kind Diet but AliciaSilverstone</a></u> (another weirdness since I’m definitely not the Us Weekly type).
But cover bragged a forward by <a href="http://www.nealbarnard.org/">Dr. Neal Barnard</a>, of whom I’d read several
times. But what hooked me was inside read a list of everything that had been
bothering me; all could be solved, allegedly, by eating a vegan diet with the
processed sugar cut out. There wasn’t much I wouldn’t have tried at that point
and the serendipity was a little much for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So I went for it. So how did it turn out? In two weeks I was
feeling better than ever. Everything improved! It wasn’t perfect, but neither
was I- but <i>everything </i>improved. I was
feeling better than ever. Then life happened, stress happened, money didn’t
happen, and I fell off the wagon. And trust me- the list of symptoms has reared
its ugly head. It hasn’t been hard to stay vegetarian and that has been
helpful, but it’s not a vegan-friendly world. It takes a conscious effort till
you <i>really </i>get in the habit. Not to
mention that while I have all the support imaginable, I’m the only one in the
family doing this. <br />
I’ve known all this time that I wanted to get back in the boat, and in this
recent burst of ambitious energy I’ve decided that now is the time. I’ve been prepping
food differently for a couple of days and feeling pretty good about. I’ve been
scouring the interwebs for good vegan blogs, and reading up on new cook books
to try. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcObpAuUDZsxLRxgfLh8sXDTjS6MA-TSPUp2AWr5vMCrJDmX4NTy70QsuRc-nHdJqt_lNEp2lMco1F9TbeK6j8DyMXJQEOmWxzEo7iotdXGzKb5wACFZA7iA4pS_83Aw7k1eZfDCw-TAE/s1600/Picture0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcObpAuUDZsxLRxgfLh8sXDTjS6MA-TSPUp2AWr5vMCrJDmX4NTy70QsuRc-nHdJqt_lNEp2lMco1F9TbeK6j8DyMXJQEOmWxzEo7iotdXGzKb5wACFZA7iA4pS_83Aw7k1eZfDCw-TAE/s320/Picture0076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8SR0CVZTuXGCWol7AUo3Q_76wMHEVw8y_CcqgsSfHUh6fDLcs9aL1E4hhe7znkJPYMKWMyewIILFL0AAE0TfmE-254nTnT2Qu8xq3cDdwKr9TBhj6nxexjerjIxCRAH4_PMZuBKmL2cT/s1600/Picture0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8SR0CVZTuXGCWol7AUo3Q_76wMHEVw8y_CcqgsSfHUh6fDLcs9aL1E4hhe7znkJPYMKWMyewIILFL0AAE0TfmE-254nTnT2Qu8xq3cDdwKr9TBhj6nxexjerjIxCRAH4_PMZuBKmL2cT/s200/Picture0077.JPG" width="200" /></a>And just how supportive has Jason been with all of this?
Look what he got me for Mother’s Day! <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Veganomicon-The-Ultimate-Vegan-Cookbook/dp/156924264X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336968455&sr=8-1">The VEGENOMICON: The Ultimate VeganCookbook</a></u>. No way am I eating these by myself! Now I'm really stoked. Step back! Mama’s in the kitchen! <o:p></o:p></div>
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What did you do for your mother today/ what did your kids do for you? Have you ever been interested in eating vegan/vegetarian? </div>Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-46646162668321062202012-05-10T21:00:00.000-07:002012-05-14T10:36:26.803-07:00First Day LessonGuess who's got two thumbs, a job, and likes it! C'est Moi! Today was my first day working at "The Jewelry Shop," as it shall hitherto for be known. I'm definitely in the learning period, and it's funny finding nuances that I have to adjust to, having been out of the work place for several years. But I'm learning fast.<br />
The first lesson, unexpectedly, has been that my wardrobe needs an update! Seriously- it says right in the employee handbook, under Dress and Appearance, "[Clothing should be] fashion forward."<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa-i3QgJxXcOf0MkYl3Eh3-9Hb1fok4d8jAE8F69zfPCPeq1I8jM8frlL4dbiuIH24BOpRnPUEmXNYeHYpT7w9bD9iZ3_c7eN5EaDZ2Wir3Ijr8NHM6G2vB9Sb_H9E_ZzutNdGEZEV6mf/s1600/beauty-shot.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa-i3QgJxXcOf0MkYl3Eh3-9Hb1fok4d8jAE8F69zfPCPeq1I8jM8frlL4dbiuIH24BOpRnPUEmXNYeHYpT7w9bD9iZ3_c7eN5EaDZ2Wir3Ijr8NHM6G2vB9Sb_H9E_ZzutNdGEZEV6mf/s320/beauty-shot.png" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh, Fashion Quick-Fix?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At first glance I'm all, "<i>That's </i>a requirement? What a cool place to work!" And then I realize that my normal uniform of Forever21 jeans and Tokidoki tee shirts isn't going to cut it. I don't exactly have the dough to fork out for some new work clothes (remember, I'm trying to go back to school here), so how do we solve this problem?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Phase one: shake off the dust and try on <i style="font-weight: bold;">everything. </i>Two or three times may be necessary. Try them on in every conceivable combination. </li>
<li>Phase two: Suck in <b><i>really hard. </i></b></li>
<li>Phase three: employ safety pins, duct tape, and Plaster of Paris to fix it or fake it. </li>
</ul>
Doing so, I think I've managed to come up with enough to wear to get me to pay day, but it's going to have to be a clever few days.Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-73843469417361089192012-05-08T20:16:00.002-07:002012-05-14T10:37:51.912-07:00Multifaceted I think that demon that's possessed me of late is running for Martha Stewart Impersonator of the Year. Oh, yes, the unprovoked craft-craziness continues!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVKAwtQb7gH4nlPigtjxRW_sJCLGx4GVTpMLXmCduQ5IVHX2Mv1pN69pSG2hD2kApA-n9x5SOXKriRr5szqXeDzjMoVoYm6_LMqHkc4Ig2uwg8Buo-R-aH-1Jy6uBcfd4ToR5DxowE7Kg/s1600/craftcrazy+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVKAwtQb7gH4nlPigtjxRW_sJCLGx4GVTpMLXmCduQ5IVHX2Mv1pN69pSG2hD2kApA-n9x5SOXKriRr5szqXeDzjMoVoYm6_LMqHkc4Ig2uwg8Buo-R-aH-1Jy6uBcfd4ToR5DxowE7Kg/s200/craftcrazy+006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFJQZHYj2VV7I5kL2CLSd_bb2-QM7znnoy8c8XJtXqgvzaX8OkE1HuwYKtnI53ywNh8-D3WAUzCwZm5IGYfEQaoCAzICcTXcutHMNptnXoxdWDTU3LSht4oif9M-3EJVmmVchUQ3ehqA6/s1600/craftcrazy+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFJQZHYj2VV7I5kL2CLSd_bb2-QM7znnoy8c8XJtXqgvzaX8OkE1HuwYKtnI53ywNh8-D3WAUzCwZm5IGYfEQaoCAzICcTXcutHMNptnXoxdWDTU3LSht4oif9M-3EJVmmVchUQ3ehqA6/s200/craftcrazy+001.JPG" width="200" /></a> But first and foremost: I can make plants! Yes, my friends, the Windowsill Experiment has been a success so far; we have six peat cups filled with teeny tiny green sprouts. I couldn't be more proud of not killing something.<br />
But leaf had hardly touched air before I was seized once again, this time with the urge to sew-anything! Mind you, I suck at sewing. Really suck. I haven't sewn anything but the hem of Jason's pants in about two years. But this Spirit must have known what it was doing, because I got Lola (my machine) down from her top shelf, dusted her off, and I tell you it was like magic. I ironed, I pinned, placed, and in 2 and a half hours I had a new skirt! Just like that- and not a half bad skirt, either! I wasn't finished, though. This afternoon I was at it again. With a little sweat and imagination I got this strawberry tart apron.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QAkdZmy5CpW0Wc4KTGcYRTRfpDfLfzXGQkZ8J6wkQE618GnfwA1-NX1LT751QMNTqR77RuAz0evoIG-xJuuwoOBlb2FdQTmcCNA2dZngHtv0tc5hurH-VYWmuh6BcUCquw22ycwcnOa9/s1600/craftcrazy+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QAkdZmy5CpW0Wc4KTGcYRTRfpDfLfzXGQkZ8J6wkQE618GnfwA1-NX1LT751QMNTqR77RuAz0evoIG-xJuuwoOBlb2FdQTmcCNA2dZngHtv0tc5hurH-VYWmuh6BcUCquw22ycwcnOa9/s200/craftcrazy+012.JPG" width="200" /></a> Being of multiple minds is effecting more than just my crafts though. Last week I had three job interviews: the coffee shop, the jewelry store, and the hat shop. I wanted the hat shop the most and in all my conversation with the manager, he's practically spouted sonnets to me. But he wanted to wait on the second interview until his co-manager could get back from a business trip. In the mean time, first the coffee shop called me up and offered me the job. They don't want me in till Monday, so I still have time to change my mind. But today, the jewelry shop, which I wanted second, sent me an email offering me the job and asking me to come in on Thursday!<br />
I'm in over my head. Maybe I should stick with plants- they're so much less complicated than people.<br />
<br />
What would you do? Should I just take up Watercolor next?Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-21433637090984280152012-05-05T18:48:00.000-07:002012-05-14T10:38:40.174-07:00Growing Obsession Have you ever admired something obscure only to wake up on a random day and say "I'm going to be a carpenter!" or "I'm going to train for a marathon!" with no prior experience? Good, then you'll understand when I tell you I got possessed by a gardening demon the other day.<br />
I tell you, nothing inspired it. I simply went from "I'd like a container garden...maybe sometime," to "I will garden NOW!" I can't even really recall how I got from the initial thought to eyeballs deep in mail order seed websites.<br />
With super speed I ascertained that growing a container garden was cheap ( or at least cheaper than I thought or could spend on something else), easy to maintain, and possible on my little back porch. All of these have yet to be determined. I also found out that my favorite garden flowers- can you guess what?- were sold out across the board. But unfettered, I found a distributor of seeds through Amazon, and managed to order the precious seeds from the bowls of the Earth. Hopefully they'll be here before growing season is over. From another, reputed, company I got some container-friendly strawberries, Bells of Ireland, and Zinnias that are supposed to grow deep wine red and chartreuse.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJ-5QDdzLsrVOJI3ygJIGWpcxsZT_SkL7Oii5b9wkJDBmbkITf4CgD4xWsBgZTRQnYRMlJAWcktasX8Sqfs84T1nNbkCJ8B1xCXlbMRbxrGUxcJF03raJnhQ5YMTCAmrIn7QZgEthyZfA/s1600/Picture0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJ-5QDdzLsrVOJI3ygJIGWpcxsZT_SkL7Oii5b9wkJDBmbkITf4CgD4xWsBgZTRQnYRMlJAWcktasX8Sqfs84T1nNbkCJ8B1xCXlbMRbxrGUxcJF03raJnhQ5YMTCAmrIn7QZgEthyZfA/s320/Picture0069.JPG" width="320" /></a> I loaded up the kiddos and trekked to the hardware store for the basics, which turned out to be MiracleGro soil, peat cups, and the kids' choice of seed- Shasta Daisies, Primroses, and Heirloom Green Beans. With some messy fingers and a few spills, we created a germination science experiment on the windowsill that my or may not determine if I'm totally off my rocker with this project.<br />
But wait! The craziness continues! After much review I selected the book <u>I Garden: Urban Style</u> about how to start and keep an urban garden (obviously) but with as relaxed an effort as possible. I read it in two days.<br />
Today I was tending to the Windowsill Experiment, anxious for something to show, to make it real, and it was too much. I couldn't start <i>everything </i>from seed; couldn't someone do <i>some </i>of the work for me? I wanted a baby plant! Thus entered Verdenand the Tomato. He's my beautiful new pet. And the others will be too, when they sprout, but for now I can tend to Verdenand and wait.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVE_dv3iojseu6MOCDEGge1jcPqdOs8Ol2CGZzM69WNAs6_UvgEHVlJy_SeBpwFcSb8qUaBrCSBB132LXE46ybIWKczPVAagLBtZt6Bxqq-PzrjFbbl4GQBltLMZxvdqgcS1FvvQIFsP7/s1600/Picture0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVE_dv3iojseu6MOCDEGge1jcPqdOs8Ol2CGZzM69WNAs6_UvgEHVlJy_SeBpwFcSb8qUaBrCSBB132LXE46ybIWKczPVAagLBtZt6Bxqq-PzrjFbbl4GQBltLMZxvdqgcS1FvvQIFsP7/s320/Picture0071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
He also holds a deeper significance- that of eating what we grow. When I decided to get a tomato plant, part of the incentive was cost; at $3 there wasn't much to lose. Then I went to the Harvest Coop and picked up some tomatoes for dinner tonight- you guessed it- $3 per pound. That gave me a fun idea to see just how much this gardening thing pays off. Every time we use tomatoes from Verdenand per day, I'll add $3 to a running total. At the end of the summer we'll see just how much money our little green friend has saved us.<br />
<br />
Have you ever been possessed by a hobby demon? Do you like to garden? Do you have a container garden? What is your favorite flower or homegrown veggie? Is this totally bonkers?Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9062222210964444768.post-22317267035938599042012-05-01T17:28:00.001-07:002012-05-14T10:39:01.411-07:00Top It Off<br />
<br />
Oh my gosh. OK. Breath...<br />
<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4619257594_92b94f7482_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4619257594_92b94f7482_z.jpg" width="136" /></a><a href="http://www.goorin.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/85x85/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/0/v4/100-3140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.goorin.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/85x85/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/0/v4/100-3140.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goorin.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/85x85/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/0/v5/101-3328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.goorin.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/85x85/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/0/v5/101-3328.jpg" /></a> I'm a little excited right now. K, I'm really excited. It's just an interview, but it's to my number one potential-employer: <a href="http://www.goorin.com/hat-shops/harvard-square">Goorin Bros. Hats</a> in Harvard Sq. They're beautiful. The hats are incredible and the shops are awesomely designed. It all has the gritty, old time feel with a modern aesthetic. And Alex, whom I spoke with over the phone, seemed so freaking nice. I couldn't think of a place I'd rather work! Can you just see me strutting around, wearing and selling hats that look like they walked off the pages of a Hemingway, then turning around with hats fit for a 50 Cent video? Gah! I love it!<br />
<a href="http://www.goorin.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/85x85/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/0/v5/505-1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.goorin.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/85x85/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/0/v5/505-1855.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goorin.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/85x85/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/0/v5/105-3157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.goorin.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/85x85/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/0/v5/105-3157.jpg" /></a> I fully advocate bringing back hats of all shapes as an essential part of the American wardrobe. Speaking of wardrobes, I went to their website for ideas of what the employees were wearing, to get inspiration for my outfit for tomorrow. What I found was a glove-slap-level challenge. Every shot looked like the set of Oh! Brother, Where Art Thou? But I like a challenge.<br />
<br />
I'll keep you posted with how the interview goes. Wish me luck!Heather Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16143089995202093193noreply@blogger.com0