How To Prepare Your Apartment For A Long Vacation

With holiday season upon up, lots of us are getting ready to travel or even run away to someplace sunny. How timely is this guest post by Amandalee?! If you like it, pop over to her blog and say hello!

I’m going to be gone for twelve days (wow, that seems like forever when I put it that way!). I’m actually waiting as I type this for my cab to pick me up! However, I’ve just finished my checklist. I’m stoked. These are all the things I do to prepare my apartment for a long absence, ensuring safety, ease of travel, and a stress-free return. Read on!

• Get rid of old food.
  You don’t want to come home to a moldy, sticky, smelly refrigerator. Throw out milk and dairy products that will go bad, as well as eggs, any open jars or beverage containers, and fruit. Or better yet: eat it yourself, or give it to a neighbor.
  
  
• Do your dishes.
  Here again: you don’t want to come home to a sink full of flies (or, if you live in Brooklyn, possibly mice). Wash and put away your dishes before you leave.
  
  
• Take out all the garbage and recycling.
  Here again, ad nauseum: garbage smells after one day. Imagine that smell multiplied by the number of days you’ll be gone. Get rid of it all.
  
  
• Put open nonperishables in sealed containers.
  This is actually something you should do all the time. Don’t keep bagged or boxed rice, beans, pasta, or pet food in your kitchen. Rodents can easily chew through those bags and boxes, so keep them safe in plastic containers with lids. (I actually use 4-gallon Rubbermaid containers under my sink to store dog food.)
  
  
• Deal with your laundry.
  If you don’t have time to do all of it before you leave (or if you’re a drop-off laundry devotee like I am), at least get it together so that it’s easy to combine with all the dirty laundry you’ll be bringing back with you when you come home.
  
  
• Change your sheets and make your bed.
  When you’ve been sleeping in someone else’s bed for twelve straight days, coming home to your bed after the exhaustion of travel can feel borderline orgasmic…but only if it’s clean. If your sheets are covered in dog hair and night sweat, getting into your own bed will be a chore. So make sure your bed is good-night’s-sleep-ready before you leave.
  
  
• Make sure the space where you’ll do your unpacking upon returning is clear of clutter.
  Don’t stress about cleaning and decluttering the entire house, but unpacking will be so much less of a chore if it’s done in a decluttered, visually peaceful environment.
  
  
• Stock up on essentials.
  It really sucks to come home and realize you don’t have any toilet paper in the house. Or to unload a sack of laundry that you’ve schlepped across seven relatives’ houses only to find that you don’t have enough detergent to clean it all. So don’t let this happen to you.
  
  
• Unplug appliances.
  It’s no secret that leaving your appliances plugged in during a long absence is a fire hazard, but did you know that leaving them plugged in while they’re not in use actually uses electricity—even if they’re turned off? Unplug them and save a little bit of cash on your next bill.
  
  
• Turn the thermostat down.
  No one’s around to enjoy the heat, so why would you leave it on?
  
  
• Pay your bills in advance, or arrange for them to be paid on time.
  If you take care of your impending financial responsibilities before you leave, then there are no ugly surprises when you come back—”Oh, shit…I forgot to pay my student loan, and I spent that $500 on dresses while I was gone!” I used Chase’s Online Bill Payment to send my bills in advance—the money is withdrawn from my account when I schedule the payment, but it’s sent whenever the bill is due. Convenient! (I use this compulsively, by the way…as soon as I have the money in my account, I set it aside for future bills.)
  
  
• Have someone pick up your mail or stop the mail delivery.
  If your mailbox has a lock on it, you may be okay without doing this. But you don’t want someone stealing your mail. So don’t let it happen. If you’re in the United States, fill out the form
  
  How do you guys get ready for a big trip?
  

True Story: I Manage A Tattoo Parlor

This is one of many True Story interviews in which we talk to people who have experienced interesting/amazing/challenging things. This is the story Nova and her job managing a tattoo parlor!

How did you end up managing a tattoo parlor?
I started out working in grocery stores, as a beekeeper, in an insurance agency, in a pipeline location agency as a receptionist…I was all over the map. I had been getting tattooed by the owner of the shop I currently work in for around a year when a reception job opened up. I applied and … didn’t get the job. They ended up hiring an awesome girl with experience in a veterinary clinic, as she had some idea of what it was like working with biohazardous materials and needles. (Hi Becca!)

Around a year after that, I was still getting tattooed in the same place and had developed a friendly rapport with everyone at the shop, and another part-time receptionist position became available. I was determined to work there, and brought a resume by. I had been the only person to include a cover letter. I actually remember the boss exclaiming over it and me replying “What am I, a savage? Of course there’s a cover letter.”

I was asked back for an interview later that week. In the interview, the boss told me that he didn’t really want to hire me because I had multi-colored dreadlocks and he was trying to project a more professional, unintimidating image that I didn’t fit into. I told him the reason I wanted to work there was because I sincerely believed that I would fit in, and that it was the type of job I felt I could really be myself in. I was hired, but I think it was only because nobody else who applied fit the bill either and I was the lesser of all the evils.

When did you become interested in tattoos? Do you have any yourself? Can you tell us the stories behind them?
I became interested in tattoos around high-school age. I knew a few older boys who had terrible tribal dragon tattoos and jail-house stick-and-pokes. I thought they were the coolest.
I have probably sat for around a hundred hours of tattooing over the past seven years. The sleeve that my friend Bryan is working on at the moment is of a My Little Pony having a tea party with a mummy, which I am getting because of a story my mom always tells, about when my brother and I were children and we used to play together, me with my ‘girl toys’ and him with his ‘boy toys’. We would do ridiculous things like have tea parties, weddings, or wars, depending on our mood.

I also recently got another one on a slow day at the shop, it says "C’s get degrees" around a graduation cap, because I just finished a bachelor’s degree. It’s to remind me that anybody can do anything if they try hard enough, and just because a person has a degree from university doesn’t mean they are smart, just that they made it through something that thousands of others have. It’s the whole “don’t judge a book by its cover” thing.

Most of my tattoos don’t have any special meaning though. I just like the pictures. That’s something that has really spun out of control with the whole tattoo TV show trend; people feel the need to justify getting work done. Guess what folks…most of us don’t care what it means to you. Really. Sorry, but we don’t.

Tell us about your shop!
You can see some of our work here or here. It’s a busy shop in downtown Victoria, B.C., Canada and we are open seven days a week: Mon-Sat 11-6 and Sun 12-6. Right now there are five tattooers working there, and they are usually booked solid for a week to two weeks in advance, with little gaps here and there for walk-in appointments. We also host guest artists from all around the world, which is pretty exciting.

Do you do the hiring? If so - what qualities do you look for in a tattoo artist? How much money can a good tattoo artist make?
No, I don’t do the hiring, the owners do. I honestly don’t know what all the criteria are for hiring, but I do know that it’s a really tough industry to break into. Even if you are experienced and have a portfolio of tattoos you’ve done, it’s hard to get a spot at a good shop. And to get an apprenticeship somewhere awesome is nearly impossible.

I think if you really want to be a tattoo artist, the most important thing is to know how to draw. And the second most important thing is you need to be willing to work really hard for long hours and little to no pay for years. It’s a tough business, from what I’ve seen it’s very closed-off to newcomers, and it’s not nearly as glamorous as people think.

I don’t really feel that I can share information on how much money they make, but the ones I know seem to be doing alright. :)

What are some tattoo "no-no's"?
Ha, well we do tell people that getting your significant other’s name tattooed on you is fine, as long as you come back to us to cover it up after you break up.

In my opinion, some of the most important “no-no’s” are being rude to the person at the front desk (or as my boss calls me, the gatekeeper), not knowing what you want before you set foot in a shop (we are not your research assistants), bringing an entire entourage with you to watch/take pictures/hold your hand/get in the way, not looking closely at an artist’s portfolio before making an appointment (I cannot stress the importance of this, guys), and NOT TIPPING. Always tip your tattooer. They have a really hard, high-pressure job, and they are highly skilled artists who are altering your appearance for life. I’d say a good tip is in the range of ten to thirty percent.

Also, a huge mistake people make is not being prepared for their tattoo to hurt. It might seem obvious but people come in all the time and seem shocked that it’s painful. Duh, needles+skin=OUCH. It’s important to be physically prepared so you don’t pass out or throw up (have a good meal before, bring some juice along, try and relax and stay in good humor) but it’s almost more important to be mentally prepared. I usually end up going to my ‘happy place’ after an hour or so, and I personally hate having spectators around when I’m getting tattooed.

I go into a whole tirade about face/neck/hand tattoos and all my various pet peeves on my tattoo FAQ page on my blog, as well as tips on how to be the world’s best tattoo client, so if you want to know more, check it out.

Tell us about some of the best and worst tattoos you've seen?
I don’t really think it’s my place to judge people’s tattoos, as my personal taste may vary from others’. For example, if you go on a website like Ugliest Tattoos … some stuff on there is actually really great, but the subject matter may be questionable to some people. Some of it is poorly done, but hilarious. Some of it is just straight up awesome. And you should see some of my tattoos. I mean, hello, My Little Pony sleeve…I’m sure there are people out there who think it’s completely ridiculous. I don’t care.

I do really hate seeing tattoos that people had done in their friend’s basements by some scratcher. Hepatitis or gross infections are easy to pick up in those kinds of environments, not to mention I’ve never seen anything half-way decent come out of them. Seriously guys, go to a reputable shop. And if you’re going somewhere you know nothing about, do your homework. Check their website, go to the shop and talk to people, look at portfolios to make sure they know what they’re doing, ask about their sterilization procedures, whatever it takes to feel confident in the tattooists before you get any work done.

How do people react when you tell them what your job is? Do you see yourself doing this long-term?
Everybody thinks I want to be a tattoo artist someday, or that I’m a piercer. I am neither of those things. I have a degree in Hispanic Studies and my passions lie in writing and languages. I just really enjoy the job, I love watching those guys work (they’re like magicians, man. I have no idea how they do it sometimes) and the people I work with are extraordinary in every way. They’re intelligent, hilarious, fun people. I love my job.

I don’t know if I see myself doing this long term. Maybe? Like I said, it’s awesome, so the plan is to do it until it’s not fun anymore.

What advice would you give to someone looking to get a tattoo? What advice would you give to someone who's interested in becoming a tattoo artist?
Basically, when you come into the shop I want you to know what you want, where you want it, and how you want it done, but at the same time keep an open mind because not everything is tattooable, or it may not work on the part of the body you were hoping for.

Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are awesome tattoos. The shop I work in is so busy that the artists are usually backed up seven or eight drawings deep. You need to allow them time to do their thing and trust their instincts. If they don’t think something is going to work, they’re probably right.

Don’t listen to your friends, and don’t get tattoos for anybody but yourself.

To those of you who want to be tattooer, I say ... reconsider. Seriously. It’s a mean business, full of tough guys who will not help you out. It is NOT easy, and it is NOT glamorous. If you’re a hundred percent determined to become a tattoo artist, nobody is going to help you or share their secrets. Good luck.

Do you have a tattoo? Any questions for Nova?

Inside My Makeup Bag

I do not have this lipstick, but I wish I did.
Though I'm not sure if I'd actually use it, or just constantly look at it and laugh.

Do you guys want to know what's in my makeup bag? Then you should pop over to Beauty Bets and read my Real Beauty guest post!

Hint: I will tell you about foundation I love that's from The Future, the hair product I use almost exclusively because of the smell and a product I lovingly refer to as 'Robot Face.'

P.S. Have you listened to the podcast that Elizabeth and I made about makeup? It's pretty good! And there's another one on the way!

A Five Step Plan

Don't Give Hate a Chance

Dancing gorillas + irresistible dance groove + awesome message For The Win!

Notes From The Road: Good bye, India. It's been real.

On November 29th, I'm flying out of Bangalore, spending the night sleeping on my backpack at the Delhi airport and then flying into Kathmandu for two weeks of trekking and three weeks of volunteering at the Timai refugee camp (the same camp lots of my students came from).

India has been great. So great! Here are some of the things I loved about this huge, diverse, delicious country.

* The lovely, amazing girls that I've met here. It's oddly comforting to know that girlfriends are the same the world over - talking about what we want out of life, trading tips on cooking/fashion/money managing/relationships. A weekend with girlfriends in India (going out dancing, checking out the newest movies, getting coffee, shopping) isn't that different from my weekends at home.

* Fresh juice every.single.day. Watermelon! Carrot-Ginger! "Sinful Banana"! (the latter is my regular - it's banana, coffee, a tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce)

* Indian Sweets! There are approximately 8 million different Indian sweets and I've yet to encounter one I don't like. And let me assure you, I have been doing my best to try all 8 million.

* Getting mendhi on the sidewalk for a pittance. Apparently the spectacle of a white girl, outside of the tourist district, getting mendhi is crowd-worthy. At one point, eight people had gathered to watch the process and a little old lady said to me "We are just very curious."

* School children who work up the nerve to talk to me. Usually involves lots of nudging and stare/smiling and then a question like "Are you from Australia?"

* The occasional camel, standing on a street corner, eating a tree. Obviously.

* Being in Bangalore long enough that I have My Juice Place, My Coffee Shop, My Bangle Place, My Favorite Restaurant, My Internet Cafe. I walk the same route so often the vegetable vendors have taken to greeting me every morning.

* A gaggle of goats being herded down my street

* The fact that nearly everything has a vegetarian option. Never in my life have I been able to order absolutely anything off a menu!

* Saris and Salwaars! These Indian ladies are on to something - leggings, scarves, flats, heaps of bangles and comfy tops; I could dress like this forever! And saris somehow manage to be conservative yet sexy. How is that even possible?!

* Street cows - and street calves! There are two sweet little, thigh-high guys that wander around my neighborhood and I'm constantly trying to entice to hang out. Currently, they're only interested in me when I'm offering them something to eat.

* My students who ask if my hair is real, if they can touch it, if I eat pizza for lunch every day, if I can bring in a picture of my cat.

* Vegetable vendors who wander the lanes of residential neighborhoods with blue carts, selling produce door to door. (How incredibly convenient!)

* Drinking soda out of a glass bottle - it feels so lovely and old fashioned! And it's actually an appropriate amount of soda, rather than the big-gulps that I'm used to consuming

* flowering trees that drop orange, hand-sized flowers into the street

* My amazing Indian family. My friend Megi's mum and sister have been looking after me - picking me up at the train station, taking me to dance performances and movies, inviting me over to celebrate Diwalli and just generally being as awesome as humanly possible.

* Going to the doctor and getting four precriptions within 10 minutes, for $10.

* Showering out of a bucket. I realize this seems totally dire, but I assure you it's not. It's somehow oddly gratifying and very ... wet?

* The toilet bidet system. The rest of the world owes India's 1.8 billion inhabitents a huge thank you for not using toilet paper. Can you imagine the impact on the environment? Also, to engage in a bit of oversharing, bidets are quite refreshing.

(this is my walk to work)

* Giant trees shading the street

* Vintage tourquise vespas, humming down dirt lanes

* Indian Vh1 and MTV and the fact that they actually play music videos. Like, most of the time. Shocking!

* Not having to tip everyone 20%.

* Proper tea time. Every day between 4:30 and 6:30 my dorm offers up tea and biscuits for all of us. And we cluster around the dinner table chatting about our days and gossiping about Bollywood stars.

* The woman who sells beans on the street and yells 'Hi!' at me every time I walk by.

Have you been to India? What did you love?

P.S. I mailed off all of the 'thank you' packages. Will you let me know when you get them? I feel slightly nervous about the Indian postal service!

Buy 3, Get 1 Free Calendar Sale! One Day Only! Black Friday, But Without The Lines!

In honor of Black Friday, I wanted to offer all you lovely kids a special sale on the 2011 'Year in Yes' calendar. And you don't even have to stand in line and wrestle people to get it!

Until 6 pm on Friday, November 26th if you buy 3 calendars, you get 1 free. Yes! Shopping for you mum, sister, workmate and bestie done in one fell swoop, you clever thing, you!

Web Time Wasters

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Americans! Instead of digging into my mom's very good twice-baked potatoes and old-fashioned cranberry relish this year, I'll be hanging with my girl Meghan in Fort Cochin, hopefully booking a houseboat with which to explore the backwaters of Kerala. It's not the same as pumpkin pie, but equally good in a very different way. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

To get you through your food coma, a few great links from around the interwebz!

Awesome! Cookie cutters that imprint messages of your choice into cookies!

Aimee Marie interviews me and I tell her about my average day at the moment (it involves showering out a bucket) who's my spirit guide and where I hope Yes and Yes is in five years.

In my humble opinion, Sassy was the greatest lady magazine to ever grace this earth. And now uber-blogger Tavi Gevinson (of Style Rookie fame) and Jane Pratt (of Jane magazine fame) are teaming up to create what will hopefully be The Best Magazine In The Land!

Photos of pets photobombing each other. 'Nuff said.

If you're a book lover and you have a kiddo in your life, you probably need these awesome, literary inspired kid's tees!

Super interesting! Apparently fewer than 10% of Dutch women work full time. What?!

"Studies show that Dutch women don't want to spend more time at work: They refuse extended hours at their jobs, even if they don't have kids. And one news bulletin has concluded that any attempt to get more Dutch women to work full-time will fail, because "nobody has a desire for this."

Dress up your ho-hum flats with these adorable shoe clips! (Pssst! You can also use your grandma's vintage clip-on earrings!)

I can has a globe chandelier, plz?

Hilarity ensues: Cocktails inspired by objectionable people. I particularly like The Smoosh on the Beach "Inspired by the cast of Jersey Shore: vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, and lots of orange juice, garnished with a pickle. Drinking this will make you yell at people a lot and put used pads in their beds."

Ooooh! Did you hear that Carey Mulligan has been cast as Daisy Buchanan in Baz Lurhmann's Great Gatsby remake? I think she's the perfect fit. The Great Gatsby was one of my favorite novels in high school (so sparkly yet dark!) F. Scott Fitzgerald is actually from St. Paul, Minnesota (where I usually live) and lived in penthouse across the street from my apartment!

Some great ideas for paying forward the good karma on this most thankful and grateful of holidays.

Adorable i-phone app that makes texts look like vintage holiday cards. Glittery snowman not included, sadly.

New born zoo animals. And you're welcome.

More animal awesome-ry. "

The year was 1944. An orphaned squirrel was adopted by a family and named Tommy Tucker. The lady of the house decided to dress Tommy in specially-made ensembles; Life documented the critter in photographs."

How to dress after you dress a turkey

And from the Yes and Yes archives How To Survive Thanksgiving Dinner. (It involves advice on dealing with both annoying children, martyr-y MILs and prying relatives)

What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

For Your Favorite Little Girl (Or You)

Never have I encountered posters that made me want to yell "Hell yeah!" and fist pump. But then I saw these posters. Wouldn't these be perfect for your niece's/daughter's/your bedroom wall?

November Network of Nice Hook-ups!

Friends! Welcome to another edition of The Network of Nice in which we all help each other out - sharing our areas of expertise, our couches or our free time. Awwwwww!

If you see someone here that you can help, email away! If you're looking for help and someone is nice enough to email you, please email them back (manners!). And if you're looking for a hook-up and you don't see what you need here, take a look through the Network of Nice archives! Heaps of lovely people offer help and knowledge every month!

I need a hook-up!

I need a couch to crash on in Sydney
I'm currently in the process of planning a life changing trip down under but my plans have fallen through for the beginning of the trip. I'm looking for any kind soul to offer me a couch (or floor!) for a night or 2 from the 28th December. I’ll provide wine, food and dazzling wit and conversational skills in return for accommodation in Sydney! I’m a fun loving 23 year old travelaholic who’s not often in the same place for long. I’m a friendly girl who loves getting to know people and meeting new friends. I hope some wonderful person out there can help!
alison.stott (at) gmail.com

I am need to meet people at Purdue
I'm an Australian student attending Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Being a knitting, baking, crafting, musical-minded Liberal Arts students at a school that is comprised of 99.9% Engineering students has made it somewhat difficult to meet lovely, like-minded, yes-and-yes-esque friends around here. I really want to meet people to go to gigs with, drink tea with, go on yarn-purchasing expeditions with, and so on and so forth.
nikkeeboyle (at) gmail.com

I am looking for Philadelphia housing and 1st year teaching advice

I'm moving to Philadelphia this summer for a Teach for America position and am looking for some advice on finding affordable, safe housing (as in under $800/month, less is definitely preferable!) in the area.Also, I'm looking for elementary education/first year teacher advice in abundance!

jschraug (at) smith.edu

I am looking for friends in Austin, Texas
My husband and I just moved to Austin after spending the summer in Japan. We have a yard, a love of eggplant pizza and laughing on riverboats, but we'd like to do it with friends! If you're interested we can bake bread or go dancing. Whaddaya say?
e2theipie (at) gmail.com

I need to know about Bali
Hiya! I’m off to Bali (and surrounds) for a two-week holiday in January. With Bali often portrayed as a bit of a tourist trap it wasn’t my first choice of destination, but with affordable flights and my traveling partners keen, off I go! So I’m wondering if anyone out there can give me tips on off-the-beaten tracks spots, village home stays or cultural delights I shouldn’t miss? m_a_d_d_i (at) yahoo.com

We really want to work in advertising
am looking to meet any contacts within the advertising industry that might be willing to share their insights, advice and possibly even work with me as a mentor. I've recently begun a Master's program for advertising, but I consider myself to be quite the novice in the field. I'm located in Chicago, but more than open to communicating via email for anyone that's not local.
sharper2002 (at) gmail.com

I've recently graduated as an Art Director in Sweden, and I find it hard to find jobs. My dream is to work in England or somewhere in the more central parts of Europe. Is there anyone who works within the advertising business or know someone who does, that can hook me up with some nice agency somewhere in the world? I needs to be some kind of salary, but the most important thing is that there will be room for creativity! I have my portfolio ready to send out, and I'm a very flexible, creative person.
emma.soderberg (at) learningpartner (dot) se

I'm looking to meet people in Minneapolis, MN.
I recently moved to Minneapolis from Seattle to go back to school for Computer Science, and would love to meet some cool people in my new city. Ideal candidates would be old enough to remember the nineties and enjoy talking about things other than computers. In addition to being a huge nerd, I’m into good books, cooking, traveling, languages, dancing like an idiot, meditation, art, all kinds of music, and chillin' in coffee shops. Hit me up, Yes and Yes readers!
n00botics (at) gmail.com

My sister needs friends in Tacoma, Washington
I am actually writing on behalf of my sister. She just moved out to Tacoma, WA and is looking for some new friends. he is 28. She loves reading, knitting, traveling (most recently to Scandinavia), and art museums. She is an excellent baker, and loves watching movies and going to Point Defiance beach for a stroll. She is a great girl, but a little shy. She is also looking to join a book club and a knitting group.
elizabethminnie (at) gmail (dot) com

I need to know about working with special needs kids in Canada (I'm British)
Hi, I recently qualified as a UK, I’d love to know about working with children with special needs in Canada. I’m thinking on occupational therapist in thef applying for a temporary work visa in order to get some work experience there and a proper feel for the culture (I’m hoping to emigrate there in the next 5 years!). I have some work experience in this area and I’d love to expand on that, in any capacity, not just OT! I’d like to know about requirements, qualifications and any opportunities you know of. Thanks very much!
georgeiscurious (at) hotmail.co.uk

I need to know about to applying to grad schools in London (I'm Canadian)
My name is Kate and I am in my senior year at a university in Oregon. I'm looking into applying to a graduate school in London but do not know anyone who has lived in London let alone gone to grad school there. I'd be super appreciative if anybody who's gone through this could share their expertise!
klundqui (at) uoregon (dot) edu

I can offer you a hook-up!

I can offer advice and help for music licensing.
If you are wanting to use music in a film or tv show, or put together a compilation, or pretty much anything else of the sort, I know the processes and the issues to consider and can help you out with getting it done!
mishkasan (at) gmail.com

I can tell you about traveling in France
I can hook someone up with info about traveling within France -- student discounts, where to find train maps and schedules, what to do once you're actually at the train station, what happens if you lose something important. On a related vein, I can also help anyone out who's either trying to learn French or is a fellow French major and wants someone to look over their papers. (I'm a geeky sucker for helping people re-craft sentences and restructure their paragraphs for a cohesive argument!)
ch.pestana (at) gmail.com

I can offer advice on living in Prague or Teaching English in Europe.
I can tell you about going back to school for a second bachelor's degree, and offer advice to people considering it.
n00botics (at) gmail.com

I'd love to help anyone planning an East-to-West road trip
My husband and I did a three-week trip this summer and it was amazing! Lots of lessons learned and tons of fun had.
nubby.tongue (at) gmail.com

I can help with questions about domain name registration
How to register, renew, transfer, or update your domain. And how to choose a good provider.
outcastspice (at) gmail.com

I can tell you about getting a book deal or show you around Rio de Janeiro
I work in a small book publishing company and I think I can give some advice on getting book deals, dos and don'ts when sending a publisher your original work, things in that area. I can also help anyone coming to Rio de Janeiro (travel tips, maybe taking the person out for a day if they need someone to show them around).
sotersofia (at) gmail (dot) com

What Do You Want To Look Like?

Sal is a fellow Twin Citian, cat lover and fantastic writer. You can read more of her fantastic ideas on style and body image, daily, at Already Pretty.

What style of dressing are you most drawn to? Boho? Rockabilly? Classic? What style of dressing is the one you'd adopt if you had unlimited cash, unlimited time, a completely nurturing environment, and the ideal body shape to pull it off? Arty? Girly? Rocker? What style of dressing have you wished to emulate for years? What do you want to look like?

Now. Why can't you look like that?

I'm not being cheeky, I swear! I want you to think about the barriers that stand between you and your this longed-for personal style. Consider what is keeping you from dressing, looking, and feeling the way you've always dreamed. Jot down a list. Seriously.

Then take a look at these workarounds. I've applied these, in one way or another, to the barriers that I've encountered on my personal stylistic journey. At this point, I've figured out how to live and dress around the roadblocks, and I look almost exactly the way I want to every day. But I'm sure there are obstacles I'm not thinking of, barriers I didn't encounter myself, and I'm counting on you to shout out the ones I've missed.

But first!

"Wrong" body shape
You want to dress like Joan from Mad Men, but you're built like a granola bar. You want to dress like Agyness Deyn, but you've got curves galore. You want to dress like Michelle Obama, but you're a shortie.

• What key pieces can you appropriate? If you can't go all-out-all-the-time, are there accessories, dresses, shoes, even styles of makeup that you can utilize so that you feel connected to this look?
  
  
• What colors, accessories, and textures are key? Can you incorporate those into your daily wear?
  
  
• Can you adjust this style's signature silhouettes to your figure? Use belts to create waists, shorten hems to better suit a petite figure, pair specific bottoms with looser tops to accommodate a plus-sized figure?
  
  
• Can you focus on details like necklines, footwear, hairstyles that fit into the style without adopting the look in its entirety?

Broke
You want to dress like Gwen Stefani and Posh and Madonna. You want designer styles and loads of bling and everything of-the-moment. You haven't a penny to your name.

• Can you shop thrift and vintage, with a list of styles in hand? Seek out pieces that look just like the designer duds currently sashaying down the runway, but for a fraction of the price. Very little is actually "new."
  
  
• Can you DIY? Learn to sew, bead, embellish? Can you rip out pages from mags, create an inspiration board, and figure out how to recreate some of the simpler stuff yourself?
  
  
• Can you stomach knockoffs? Can you shop Forever 21, Go Jane, and Aldo and be happy sporting a STYLE you love instead of a label you covet?
  
  
• Can you borrow from girlfriends who own the duds you lust for?
  
  
• Can you make do with wishlists and very slow accumulation of key items?

Conservative/intolerant environment
You want to dress like a rock star, a pin-up girl, a circus performer, a mermaid. You want to do your hair big and wear monstrous combat boots and pile on bangles from wrist to elbow. Your parents or teachers or boss or officemates or friends or lover will be scared/disappointed/angry if you do.

• Can you amass pieces and tools that contribute to your look, but deploy them in small enough amounts that it feels like your little secret?
  
  
• Can you learn to deflect biting comments by laughing with the commenter? "Hahaha, I know! Isn't this WILD?"
  
  
• Can you talk to a select few people about why dressing this way is important, so that you have some supporters amongst the dissenters?
  
  
• Can you dress down Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and dress up Tuesday and Thursday? Gradually get your environment used to what appears to be an experiment until the time is ripe for full transition.

Scared
You want to dress like Sarah Jessica Parker, Tilda Swinton, Sharon Stone. You want to break out of your rut, your shell, your feelings of boredom with how you look and dress and feel. But you don't know who you'll be if you do that, or if you'll still like yourself, or if you can pull it off. You don't want to be laughed at, or be disappointed in yourself.

• Can you be gradual about trying the new style? Make your bedroom the testing ground. Get up 20 minutes earlier each morning and just PLAY in front of the mirror. Make yourself branch out just once a week.
  
  
• Can you start by just wearing items from your coveted style around the house? Make sure you feel comfortable, love the look, have it honed so it feels like your own.
  
  
• Can you wear one or two signature pieces at a time? Don't go full-Carrie, just tack a giant flower to your blazer. Don't wear a wiggle dress and bright red lips and a string of pearls, just strap on your Minna Parikkas with your simple sheath.
  
  
• Can you take photos of yourself and look at them THE NEXT DAY? Get some distance and then evaluate. Learn how awesome you are one photo at a time until you feel ready to try out your new signature style in public.
  

Not enough energy
You want to cultivate your boho side, polish your prep, rock out with the studs and leather ... but you're so danged tired all the time. School, work, the kids, your pets, your lover, the house, the car, and your social life suck up all your time and there's nothing left for a makeover.

• Can you talk to the important figures in your life about how important this is, and get their buy-in? That way, they'll be more understanding when you aren't around as much. They might even help!
  
  
• Can you make this a priority? Something that you carve out one hour per day, or two hours per week, or a weekend a month to focus on? Every little bit helps. Spend that time making wishlists and inspiration boards, reading blogs and magazines, picking out the key items you need ... and then, shopping!
  
  
• Can you admit to yourself that changing your look might not take as much energy as you fear? Can you figure out what else might be preventing you from transforming your style? (See above.)

Don't know how
You'd love to change. You know exactly what you want to look like, have the time, energy, money, and desire to make the change. But how will you put the pieces together? How can you keep your new, unfamiliar look consistent and true? How will it all WORK?

• I felt like some of the advice was a little wonky, but have heard many stylish ladies sing the praises of the Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style. This book outlines some iconic styles, recommends key pieces, and shows how to mix and match.
  
  
• You can always ask your friendly neighborhood bloggers! Ask ME! Ask Imogen! Ask Angie! Ask Doe Deere! Ask Omiru! Ask absolutely any blogger who writes about style and fashion. We love you for reading our blogs, and the vast majority of us love to answer reader questions.
  
  
• Trust yourself: Read, draw, take notes, experiment. No matter what anyone or any publication may lead you to believe, there is no wrong way to dress. There is no wrong way to interpret a style. Go with your gut. You'll be surprised how much your gut knows about fashion.

So, back to you. What is keeping you from dressing the way you want to in your heart of hearts? What have I omitted? What other obstacles can stand between a girl and her dream style? Tell me so I can tell you how to dress your way around them.

What style would you like to emulate? Is there a style you feel like you can't rock?

A Life Well Lived ... On Facebook

How do you guys feel about Facebook? Love it? Hate it? Obsessed with Farmville?

I haaaate many of the privacy-invading changes that have been made and how non-transparent Facebook's policies are. But I love looking at my friends photos and chatting with them when I'm thousands of miles and several time zones away. I guess thatt's where I'll be until a viable alternative pops up!

How do you feel about Facebook? P.S. we can be friends!

True Story: My Family Was In A Cult

This is one of many True Story interviews in which we talk to people who have experienced interesting/challenging/amazing things. This is the story of "Jane" and her family's involvement with The Way International, a Christian cult.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I have two brothers, 2 and 4 years younger than me, and a mom and a dad who are still together. When I was a kid my dad owned his own printing business and my mom worked as a nurse. Until I was 8 we lived in Miami, Florida. Even though we live in Kentucky now I'll probably always say I'm a Florida girl. As far as personality, my dad is gregarious and likes active conversation but values his alone time. My mom is incredibly sweet and has been actively fighting shyness her whole life. She's always searching for ways to be more sociable.

For those of us who don't know, can you tell us a bit about The Way International?
The Way International started in the mid 1900s by Dr. Victor Paul Weirwille. I grew up with a picture of him displayed prominently in the house. He was a priest or minister for a church and I was taught that he discovered that what he was teaching was incorrect and because the church leaders told him to shut up and not teach what he learned through his own research he left and started his own religious group. From what I understand about Christianity (I've never attended church) we were taught basic Christian tenets.

The main differences seem to be that we separated Jesus (Son) and God (Father) and did not view Mary as a deity. We were also taught that Hell did not exist, though a temporary lake of fire would exist for awhile. And of course traditional religion was pure evil and the work of the Devil corrupting, over generations, people who genuinely wanted to learn the truth. That idea? Terrifying to a small child, that the devil could trick you and you would NO idea and think you were doing right. I still struggle with that idea: I think I'm doing right, but really I'm doing evil? How am I supposed to tell the difference? What if I've been taken in? What if I think I'm smart but I'm really nothing but a gullible lump of clay?

The official website is here. The Wikipedia page seems accurate and is another good source if you're curious.

How old were you when your family became involved? How involved was your family?
My parents became involved when they were both in their early to mid 20s. They completed a training and education program called Power for Abundant Living and were WAY Ambassadors, which means they were assigned places to live and their main purpose was to teach people in the community. I don't know much at all about that time in their lives, but I know that they met while involved in this program.

There was a big emphasis on small community and family. Meetings were held in "believers" homes multiple times a week - the "church" was considered the people, not a building. The idea was to recreate as closely as possible the early church, around the time of Jesus. The meetings were simple: prayer, singing, teaching from the Bible, speaking in tongues, and snacks. My parents were leaders, which meant they hosted meetings in their home. We usually had a Sunday morning meeting and a Wednesday evening meeting, but sometimes we met more often (ie: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday).

My parents gave a lot of money to TWI. I don't know how much, but I can tell you that even small children (toddlers) were expected to tithe, or give 10% of what they had at each meeting. My mom recently admitted that when she was in her late twenties TWI convinced her to give them her life savings. We were taught that it was better to be poor; being rich was evil because it meant you weren't helping others.

There is a headquarters in Ohio, Weirwille's converted farm, but we never lived there. We used to attend Rock of Ages, a yearly festival, there, and when we moved to Kentucky we tried to go to the Sunday morning meetings every week.

As a child, what were your feelings about the organization?
It was just life for me. I wasn't really aware that it was possible to live any other way. I told friends at school a little about what I learned sometimes, but never tried to minister to or convert anyone. Sometimes I didn't want to go to the meetings because they were boring.

How did The Way effect your family's daily life?
It seemed like every part of life was directly linked with the WAY. We prayed before each meal, of course (referring to God as "Father"), and we were constantly memorizing Bible verses, commenting on the wonder that God was or had made, preparing for meetings or cleaning up from them. My parents spent a lot of time doing research, and as I reached adolescence I started doing more of my own reading and research. If somebody broke a rule, for instance speeding on the highway, it was linked to God somehow. If we saw an accident we prayed for the victims. I wasn't allowed to read Goosebumps books or watch MTV because these things were "devilish."

When and why did your family break away from The Way?
In 1997, when I was 12, I was just finishing my first time through the Power for Abundant Living class. We were required to speak in tongues in front of everyone, and I was so shy I couldn't do it. The man hosting the class (which was taught via video by this point) put his face very close to mine and essentially bullied me into speaking in tongues. My parents were standing across the room, visibly uncomfortable with what was happening. I was crying and the man was inches from my face and he was using language of love in the most terrifying, bullying way.

During the same time we were planning a trip to the Grand Canyon. We were not given permission to go, and given how bad things had become my parents decided to go anyway. That's how we left. We were not allowed to come back to meetings or talk to anyone from The Way again. We were labeled "Mark and Avoid."

Has the experience effected your relationship with faith as an adult?
I don't trust religion. I struggle with the idea of faith. As I mentioned above, how am I supposed to know what's right? If I was involved in something dangerous I thought was good, and organized religion is evil, and determining your own beliefs without guidance is dangerous and evil then what's good? I realized recently that I've become agnostic. I LOVE the idea of God, but I'm not able to trust others or myself when it comes to my beliefs.My family and I no longer discuss faith or God in any capacity, and we haven't for over a decade. This silence has contributed to my level of discomfort with the topic.

What advice would you give to someone whose family or friends are involved with a similar organization?
First of all, they should find a support group made up of people who are not involved. When we left my parents had to stop contact with most of their friends and acquaintances, and if we had family involved we would not have been allowed to see them anymore.Beyond that, unfortunately I'm not sure what advice I can give. If they are happy with their life it seems wrong to try to change it for them. If it's dangerous, and you've seen the effects, you'll have to somehow make the one involved see all of that.

It will be hard. It will take time. They will probably think you're trying to keep them from truth and beauty and salvation and all that. I would seek contact with people who used to be involved but left of their own accord. Since I was a child when I was involved I was shielded from a lot and don't feel comfortable giving specific advice.

Have any of you ever experienced anything like this? Any questions for "Jane"?

Conan + India = Awesome

This is not quite an accurate representation of my time here in India. I haven't ridden an elephant.

Yet.

Time To Be

Beautiful Bullets!

Yet another deeply awesome Yes and Yes sponsor! Please say a hearty hello to Jasmine Turner and her awesome accessories.

Name: Jasmine Turner

Online haunts: Facebook, Twitter, website
Awesome things on your blog and shop:

I have been making gorgeously powerful pieces from bullet casings and natural materials like crystals, raw stones and ethically harvested deer antlers. The bullet jewelry has been really popular lately, and I am happy to bring it to my hometown of Austin, TX for the cool boys and girls here!

I also make darling sterling silver "Initial" necklaces that are 100% custom & one of a kind, in a delicate cursive script with drops of color in the gemstones of your choice.

The latest "project" is handmade leather bags, soft and deconstructed, with lots of fringe and pockets. Each bag is one-of-a-kind and has a unique appearance, sometimes including colorful vintage textiles from around the world. Expect these up in my shop this month!

Karaoke song of choice? Anything Joan Jett, or maybe Patty Smyth's "Goodbye To You"! I prefer to work to dubstep, but this does not lend itself well to karaoke.

Sources of inspiration?
I find my inspiration in Nature, where the intricacy of colors, patterns and materials provide a never ending stream of new ideas. Looking at natural stones and minerals always provides me with inspiration. I hope that whoever receives a piece of my work will be as inspired as I was to go forth, create, and see the beauty of the world through new eyes.

If you were a superhero, what would your super power be?
Definitely to be in more than one place at a time, doing multiple awesome things at once. Or to slow time while I continued to function at warp speed...no matter how hard I work, I always wish for more time! I sometimes think about implementing 48 hour days, but apparently this is difficult to sustain.
Yes and Yes, you can check out rates here.

Thanks so much Jasmine! If you're interested in advertising on Yes and Yes, you can check out rates here.

Dear Dude's Thoughts on Friendly Exes

You can go ahead and imagine this is me and Dear Dude
playing a game of 'telephone.' In a field.

Dear Dude is a twice-monthly column in which my good friend, The Dude, answers some of your questions about the hairier sex. Dear Dude is an industrial designer by day and a serial flirt by night. He owns entirely too many bikes and a fairly well-behaved dog. He loves good food, good music and smart ladies.

Dear Dude, I have an ex-boyfriend who, after nearly ten years since our breakup, still texts (or calls!) me a couple of times a year to update me on his life. e.g., "moved in w/ my girlfriend," or "starting a new job on Monday," etc.

We live in different states and I am now happily married to someone else. I don't want to be rude, so I keep my responses brief and friendly, but it baffles the mind! Is he seeking my approval? Or just trying to stay connected? Should I say something to help him "move on"? Or do you think it will peter out in (more) time? Thanks!

Dear (noun plural),
You will have to pardon me here, but I guess I don't see what is so baffling... texting or (gasp!!) calling a couple of times a year? How dare he! Can't he just be obsessed with his current girlfriend, that he lives with, like a normal guy, and leave you alone for those precious minutes of your time?

Yes, I am being sarcastic. And a little bit of a dick. Why? Because I think most people (men and women) would gladly trade their memories of a douchey ex for what you are experiencing right now.

Have you ever stayed friends with an ex? Was it a bad break up? Was he hung up on you after, pestering you? Begging to take him back? Did he cheat? Hurt you? There really isn't enough information here to make even a reasonable assessment, but to be completely honest and frank, every time I read your question I get the impression that perhaps you think he is still in love with you. Nothing you wrote seems strange to me except the fact that you don't understand why an ex would want to stay in touch.

So you had an amicable breakup, and he still wants to talk to you? Congratulations! Revel in that! Not everyone can be so lucky! Not convinced? Then TELL HIM. You don't have "put up" with these unwelcome, occasional, seemingly warm updates about his life, when you clearly want him 110% out of your life.

So lets just assume that you still feel this way after reading my guilt trip: how do you let him know his updates are no longer welcome? Try saying this:

"Sir, while I am happy you are successful in your career, and are happily pursuing new relationships since we dated 10 years ago; but I feel that whatever connection we had has since faded, and I am no longer interested in your life."

Ok, so maybe not super nice, but he will get the point. You could even text it! Otherwise, just stop replying. Clearly being "polite" is sending him the wrong message.

I hope this helps, and is not too harsh, but I am a bit mystified by your question... I am not kidding when I say that I think this is one of the toughest questions I have read, only because I think what you have is actually pretty ideal. Occasional, genial conversation between two people who have shared something deeper (hopefully) than fluids, and have no bad blood?

That is all I have,
xoxo,
Dude

How would you guys respond to very occasional messages from a long-past ex? Are you friends with your exes? What advice would you give our friend?

Inquiring Minds Want To Know...

... what the rest of the 2011 Year in Yes calendar looks like! While a lady needs to keep a few tricks up her sleeve, I'm happy to give you guys a sampling of the other months. If you're keen to buy one (or two or three) check out the side bar!

Notes From The Road: How Rude!

One of the best things about travel is regularly having your mind blown by other cultures - their concept of time! how they eat! their social mores!

And attempting to navigate the latter? It's frequently embarrassing/hilarious/really challenging. If you visit another country there is a 99% chance that, at some point, you will inadvertently do something incredibly rude. And of course, at some point, a local will do or say something to you that will make you huff "Well, I never!" (Or, you know, mutter some choice swears)

Things That I Have Inadvertently Done That Were Culturally Inappropriate

* Not taken off my shoes when entering someone's house

* Not accepted a second serving of food

* Pointed at something with my foot

* Totally refused to engage in double cheek kissing and greeted everyone with a hand shake

* Threw rubbish in what I thought was a rubbish bin but was actually a ghost money burner

* Didn't tip

* Made direct eye contact and raised my voice. To, um, my manager.

* Wrote a thank-you note in red pen.

* Wore pants into a Fijian village.

* Talked to people while wearing mirrored sunglasses.

|* Responded to someone's questions with the answer "I don't care"

Shocking Things People Have Said To Me/I've Witnessed

* "You're pretty, but a little fat."

* "What happened to your face?" (When I got a tan!)

* "There's nothing in here that fits you!" (This accompanied by the saleswoman crossing her arms in an X shape)

* "Americans start working when they're 9 years old, right?"

* "You eat pizza and burgers for lunch everyday?"

* Witnessed public urination about a million times

* "You are very pretty. Why doesn't your boyfriend want to marry you?"

* Very nearly hit with bettle nut (or normal) spit about a million times

Part of travel is developing a thick skin - both in terms of what people say to you and how you may accidentally offend others. The vast majority of the time, people are incredibly sweet and very likely to cut the well-intentioned gringo some slack. After all, the apologetic smile is international.

What rules of local etiquette have you accidentally broken while traveling? What "rude" things have you heard or seen while abroad?

$50 Worth of Adorable Stuff! For You!

Have you guys been checking out my lovely sponsor efreeme? It's a lot like that, uh, other online market place for handmade goods and vintage yummies ... except the sellers keep more of their profits and efreeme will give you $5 to open a shop!

And now, efreeme is giving away a $50 gift certificate, redeemable at any efreeme shop! How generous are they?!

I'm personally quite keen on this cute, hippie dippie detergent.

Or this adorable vintage dress...

or these sweet earrings.

To enter, pop over and check out efreeme, and then leave a comment telling us what your favorite hand-made purchase has been!

Best of luck!

Just FYI

But you already knew that, right?

A Package Full of Love From India!

I'm sending off my first set of thank-you packages to those incredibly kind readers who have helped sponsor my trip.

These thank-you packages include:
* a hand-dyed silk scarf
* some shiny, shiny bangles
* bindis (so you can pretend you're Qwen Stefani circa 1999)
* some awesome big earrings
* a gold-trimmed picture of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god
* some mango candy
* a wee letter from yours truly

Do you want a package? Proceeds help cover my living expenses while I volunteer at the Brindavan Eduacation Trust, at a Nepali refugee camp and with hill tribes in Thailand.

People Want To Help You

Guest blogger ALEXANDRA FRANZEN has been lauded as "Spock, but with a sense of humor. And better hair." At the mo', she's co-writing a digital book called "Lifescripts for Hustlers." Contribute your "I-dunno-what-the-eff-to-say" story, and get a copy of her Personal Branding Toolbox as a "muchas gracias" gift.

It’s easy to get jaded. It’s difficult to trust. But a lot of people — people you know very well, people you barely know at all — want to help you. Why? People like being helpful. It makes them feel happy and useful.

Your boss wants to help you develop your professional skills. Your mom wants to help you find true love. Your BFF wants to help you remember that one time in San Bernadino when you had the Best Burger Of All Time and then saw The Dukes of Hazzard before the Nocturnal Wonderland rave. Your utility representative wants to help you manage your monthly bills. Your local S.C.O.R.E. branch wants to help you start a successful small business. Your pharmacist wants to help you understand your dosage instructions. Your favorite DJ wants to help you discover new music.

People are constantly trying to help you. And if they’re not, they’d probably be happy to … if you just ask. Kinda awesome, huh?

Who can help you? Who are you going to help?

Do You Need A Hook Up? Can You Help Someone Out?

It's almost time for another Network of Nice - our little effort to spread good karma an help each other out. Do you need a hook up - meeting people in your new city? A couch to crash on in a far flung locale? Advice on how to start your own taco truck?

Or do you have knowledge/friendship/a couch to spare?

Either way, you can email me at sarah_vonbargen (at) yahoo (dot) com with a 100 word paragraph on the hook-up you need or the hook-up you can give. Spread that good karma around!

True Story: My Leg Was Amputated

This is one of many True Story interviews in which we talk to people who have experienced interesting/amazing/challenging things. This is the story of Ashley and the amputation of her leg at age 14.

Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hello! My name is Ashley and I come from a small town in Kentucky! I'm a southern girl through and through. I grew up in a single parent household, just me and my mother. She's my best friend and my biggest supporter. I work as an Executive Assistant for a non-profit organization in the equine industry. I love anything outdoors from camping, boating, fishing, 4-wheeling, etc. I also love crafts, blogging, writing poetry, scrap booking, traveling, and spontaneous road trips!

How did you lose your leg?
I lost my right leg when I was 14 years old after a 2 year battle with cancer. I was diagnosed when i was 11 years old, right before my twelfth birthday. After a long bout with chemotherapy, and numerous surgeries to try and salvage my leg, amputation was the only option left in order for me to get on with my life and to do so healthily.

Did the you and family and the doctors think about other options before amputation was decided on? How did you feel when you heard that your leg was going to be amputated? -We tried every option that we could possibly think of. My orthopedic surgeon (who was absolutely fabulous) was known for "limb salvages" as they like to call it, so the word amputation was something that he tried to avoid at all costs, but this is one instance when it couldn't be avoided any longer. Strangely enough I had been preparing myself for amputation. I was scared/nervous but knew that it would be my key to get on with my life and live it as normally as a 14 year old can live. I had come to peace within myself, which helped tremendously.

Have you ever experienced any 'phantom pain' that we always hear about in movies?
Oh yes! It's the strangest feeling, ever! Right after my amputation the phantom pain was quite severe and would happen often, but now as the years have passed it only happens every now and then. It's something that I have learned to deal with and can pretty much ignore for the most part, unless they become severe which does happen from time to time. Although, I do still have phantom sensations which feel funky! Your "missing limb" will itch, which just totally sucks because you can't scratch it! Ha!

Do you have a prosthesis? How long did it take you get used to it? Did you try several different prostheses before you found one that you liked?
I do have a prosthesis. I was fitted for one two months after my amputation. The first time that I stood up on it, I was terrified that it wouldn't support me. My crutches were my best friend for a long while. I endured physical therapy for a lengthy amount of time, and still learn something new every single day. (10 years later).

Do you have different ones for exercise, wearing heels, etc? How often do you need to replace a prosthesis?
About once a year I end up having to get a new prosthetic device, simply because of building muscle mass/losing weight etc, which makes the current prosthesis not fit as it is supposed to. I actually only have one prosthesis which allows me to do everything that I need to do in my daily life. I am able to wear high heels although I haven't mastered this. I just learned to run about a year ago, and am able to do that as well in my current day to day prosthesis.

How does having a prosthesis effect your daily life?
My daily life is pretty normal compared to yours! (If there is such a thing as normal!) There are instances when I have to come up with a different way of doing things than most, but that doesn't hinder my ability to try. Going up and down stairs take me longer than most as I have to take one step at a time, but it's not something that is life altering. I believe your prosthesis only affects your daily life if you allow it. You have to take charge and allow yourself to live the life that you want, not what you think you can/can't do.

How do people react when they notice that your leg was amputated?
It seems as the younger generation is okay with the fact that I have a prosthesis and have had my leg amputated. They ask the basic questions of how it happened and don't treat me any differently than anyone else. I have come across the older generation of people reacting differently, not knowing what to say, saying crude remarks, stares, etc.

I'm sure lots of people are unsure of the "appropriate" reaction when they discover that you've got a prosthesis. I imagine that people want to look at it and ask you questions, but that's not necessarily polite. How would you prefer people to behave?
I know that seeing a young woman with a prosthetic leg is not something you see day to day, so you naturally can't help but look or stare. I would love nothing more for people to come up to me and ask questions, than to stare and gawk. If you see someone out with a "disability" of any sorts, please don't stare or treat them any differently than you would want to be treated. They are a normal human being that just happened to have a different way of life than yourself.

Do you know anyone who's had something amputated? A friend of mine lost his left pointer finger in a metal press when he was a furniture maker! Any questions for Ashley?