Suicide Prevention and Blue Hair

September 10, 2011 by ·

A few weeks ago Cristi and Lizz and I were tweeting about Cristi’s commitment to dye her hair completely blue if she raised $1,500 for suicide prevention. If she didn’t get there, she said, she’d get blue streaks.

Blue streaks? Hey, that’s #54 on my life list! Before I knew it, Lizz and I had agreed to get blue streaks if Cristi reached her goal. (Don’t tell her, but I’d have done it whether she reached her goal or not.) Several others jumped on the Smurf train and agreed to go blue as well.

Well, she got there. And then some. She worked really hard, with a dedication that was incredible to watch. I’m so proud of what she’s done – not only the fundraising but the awareness for such an important cause.

I have been touched by suicide and I know how devastating it is for those left behind.

I also know what it feels like to be so clouded by depression that not living anymore seems like the only option.

There are always options. No one is alone. It’s okay to ask for help. I learned that when I reached my lowest point and I’m so glad I didn’t stay silent.

Life list or not, I was totally prepared to add some blue to my ‘do.

So yesterday, in three different cities, Cristi and Lizz and I went blue.

getting hair cut

The blue's in. Time to get rid of the mullet.

blue streaks in my hair!

Why yes, I do have blue hair.

 

blue streaked hair

See? Blue!

 

We #bluebloggers tweeted during the process, and knowing that two friends – people I’ve been lucky enough to meet in person – were doing the same thing at the same time for a good cause was totally inspiring.

Cristi – who looks great with totally blue hair – vlogged about it. Please go and visit her and tell her she’s awesome.

Lizz looks pretty great in blue herself, and she has posted something really brave in revealing her new streaks. Please go and love on her.

Huge thanks to everyone who supported Cristi’s fundraising. I’ve seen you step up and I love you for it.

Sincere thanks also to Sarah Rae at Studio 1284 here in Victoria for not only doing my hair but being excited about it (and charging me less because it’s for charity).

And, of course, thank you to Cristi for speaking out to stop suicide. I love you, my soul sister.

***

I’m talking to YOU. #youarebeautiful #youareloved #youareNOTalone #StopSuicide

Filed Under: Better world, Happy things · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Today on Just.Be.Enough: I argue with Yoda

September 7, 2011 by ·

I have a new post up on Just.Be.Enough (in the Be Enough Kids category) in which I argue with Yoda’s philosophy.

What?

Just come and visit.

Filed Under: Motherhood · Tagged With: , , ,

Syndicated on BlogHer

September 6, 2011 by ·

A few months ago I wrote a post about becoming a mother and losing part of my identity. Today it’s syndicated on BlogHer!

When I wrote that piece I didn’t even really know how changed I would be as a result of my journey into motherhood. I do now, and the gist of that piece is even more true now.

I’m beyond excited to have this on BlogHer Moms, a new channel devoted to the journey of motherhood.

Sparkles and comments gratefully accepted.

Syndicated on BlogHer.com

 

Filed Under: Happy things, Motherhood · Tagged With: , , ,

Edit Me: Striped Socks

August 27, 2011 by ·

One of the things on my life list is learning how to use a graphics editing program properly. I also want to take more pictures in general, but (a) I don’t really seem to be doing that and (b) when I do take pictures they seem to stay on my camera (just ask my husband). When (a) and (b) are combined, it makes it sort of difficult to do much editing. Resourceful little me, however, has found a solution!

I came across the Edit Me Challenge a while ago, and I love love love this concept. The host provides a photo and those participating edit it as they see fit and submit their edits for judging. Fab idea, no?

When I first looked I noticed that a lot of people who participate are photographers or photo bloggers, which I am not. (So if you’re visiting from the challenge, hi! I’m not a photographer, but I’d love it if you’d offer your best tips or suggestions for resources or links to stuff of your own that you’re proud of. I would love to browse!)

I saw the photo for this week and decided it was time to work up the nerve to participate. This photo provided by Jamie from Mommy’s Camera, this week’s guest judge, is just so great:

I’m using Pixelmator, and I played around with a whole bunch of different effects. Because of the colours in this photo, some of the filter tools create really artsy looks.

With all of these edits, I adjusted the contrast, colour and exposure just a little bit. Then this one was done using the pointillize tool:

A photo of girls' dresses and striped socks edited using the pointillize tool.

This one is just a simple click in the spot colour tool, with the levels adjusted to define the stripes:

A photo of girls' dresses and striped socks edited using the spotcolor tool.

I like those and actually think the first, especially, would look good framed. But for the judging (ha ha, please don’t laugh at me) I’m going to submit this one:

I cropped this one, and focused on sharpening the details in the dresses, socks and in the rocks. I adjusted the colour map, then did a gamma adjust on it and sharpened it to bring it really into focus. That left it just slightly dark and I really wanted the sunlight to show, so I adjusted the contrast just a bit to bring that back.

I was pretty happy with that in the end – it gives just enough of the dresses for interest, but really focuses on the striped socks, which I love.

Whaddya think?

Filed Under: Photos · Tagged With: , ,

On the Move: Being a Scary Mommy

August 24, 2011 by ·

There are a number of things about me that are scary. Like my inability to deal with heat. And my sense of humour. And my weird facial expressions.

Today I’m taking my scary self over to Jill’s place for a Scary Mommy guest post. It includes a shot of whiskey, so come and visit!

 

***

Quick note about something that is not scary: my new design. Huge, huge thank you to Kate from Mommy Monologues for doing it for me. She’s a star, and an absolute sweetheart to work with. 

Filed Under: Guest posts, Motherhood · Tagged With: , ,
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