I Remember Halloween

Today is my favourite holiday ever! Well, ok, maybe it’s not really a holiday, but it should be! I’ve loved Halloween since I was a little kid. I love dressing up and planning my costume, staying up late and of course all that candy. As I grew up I came to love the spooky side, as I got over my fears and eventually became obsessed with horror movies and all things scary and weird. Every day is a little Halloween for me, but that doesn’t make the real day any less special.

Today I’m in college, and I don’t get to make as big a deal of Halloween as I wish I could. But I still always manage to dress up and show off my costume somehow, even if it’s just to go to grocery store. Which is exactly what I did!

This year I went as Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I've actually tried going as this twice before, the first time wasn't very successful because it was a long time ago, Alice wasn't very popular so finding a good dress or costume wasn't easy. The second time I ended up changing it at the last minute. Now there seems to be Alice costumes everywhere! But being a busy student I had to assemble mine from stuff I already had lying around. Despite that I think I did a pretty good job! This is definitely one of the classiest costumes I've ever worn.

Outfit Breakdown:

Boots - Ardene

Tights - Costume store I think, I've had them for years

Skirt - Wal-mart

"Apron" (It's a slip that I tucked into the front of my skirt. Best I could do!) - Thrifted

Shirt - Suzy Shier

Vest - Sirens

Pocket Watch Necklace - Icing

You can't see my earrings, but one was shaped like a teacup and the other like a rose - Claire's

I had lots of work to do during the day, but I ended the night with a special Halloween dinner and a scary movie. I watched Cabin in the Woods, and holy crap, AMAZING! I think I have another new favourite movie. The plot is that five friends go to a mysterious cabin in the woods, and scary stuff starts happening… AND THAT’S ALL I CAN TELL YOU. If I told you any more it would ruin it. Take my word that it is not what you are expecting.

And for dinner - Pumpkin pancakes and some bacon. I've never made pumpkin pancakes before, and I pretty much had to eyeball all the measurements, since pancake recipes always get you to make them for like eight people. They ended up being really good! 

Original Recipe

Ingredients:

Pancake mix (yeah, I cheated a bit.) Water, Canned pumpkin, Ground cinnamon, Ground ginger, Cooking spray, Maple syrup, Butter, or whatever you like to top your flapjacks with.

Directions:

Make your pancake mix as usual, and add your cinnamon, ginger, and the pumpkin. Mix it all together, but not too much as this mixture will be lumpy and thick. Spray down your frying pan/griddle, and cook them a little longer than you would normal pancakes. They'll come out really thick, and even when they're cooked they might be a little mushy in the middle. As long they're not cold or like, liquid, you should be okay.

And finally, to end a good Halloween you need good Halloween music. And I don’t mean that orange tape of spooky noises you’ve got lying around. I’m lucky that most of my favourite bands are pretty Halloween-y all year round, and some of my favourite songs are perfect Halloween songs. Every year I make a big playlist of all my spooky songs, but I chose my personal favourites to make this mixtape. I hope you like it!

I Remember Halloween

Source

Interview with Lana Hicks, Tattoo Artist.

photo taken by Lisa Christine

       Lana Hicks is a tattoo artist based out of my home town of St.Thomas, from her very own studio, Lady Unlucky Tattoo. I first experienced Lana's work when I saw it on my friends - she came highly recommended. St.Thomas is a town with at least four tattoo studios (the last time I checked, and that I know of.) I knew when I planned on getting my first tattoo I wanted a place close to home, with an artist I could get to know and trust. I needed to be able to contact my artist before and after my tattoo, and someone who could deal with me being a nervous Nelly and possibly bothering them with thousands of questions.

        With Lana I got more than I asked for, and I am eternally grateful for it. I went in for my consultation and was immediately put at ease by the friendly, cozy atmosphere of her little in-house studio. It was set up simply with a chair, and all the complicated machinery set off to the side. I knew I wouldn't be crowded with other people staring at me or machinery constantly buzzing before it was my turn.
  
        Lana is a sweet, friendly lady who is of course, covered in tattoos. So there's no doubt she knows what it's like to be in your place as well as her own. She happily answered all of my questions without a moment's hesitation, and seriously gave me some advice and rules for my first appointment. A week or so later she e-mailed me her sketches for my design, and we exchanged back and forth over that. Being an artist myself I was worried about imposing on her art or her vision - I know what it's like to work with someone else on a piece of art and what kind of process it can be - but at the same time I was sure about what I wanted and how it would look - since it was going to be on me forever. Lana was completely understanding and flexible during this process, and welcomed and encouraged my opinions, the perfect attitude for a tattoo artist.
  
        My first appointment didn't go exactly as planned, but just helped to show Lana's wonderful personality and endear me to her even more. On a hot summer day scheduling conflicts left me without a ride to my appointment and no one to come with me. I rode my bike there - bad idea. And being alone I became so nervous and scared I couldn't go through with it - I was totally ashamed. But Lana was very sweet and comforting to me and easily rescheduled my appointment to go with a friend's so not only would I not be alone, but I would be able to see another tattoo in action before I got mine. She explained the process to me down to the details, not sugar coating anything but not trying to scare me either, just an attention to detail and honesty.
  
      When I told Lana I would most likely be bothering her with questions long after my tattoo was finished, I don't think this is what she had in mind. But I thought about all the questions I had, and all the other people I've known who've wanted tattoos but knew nothing about them. Many people are still intimidated by tattoo parlours and the people that work in them, even I was pretty nervous, even though I've known people that worked in parlours and are heavily tattooed. Lana was the perfect pick to answer some questions about tattooing, the industry, getting a tattoo, and of course, reality TV.

    Tell us a bit about your life in the world of tattooing. How did you get started?
I started when I was 17 purely out of curiosity. Back then tattooing was not what it is now. There wasn't a tattoo shop on every corner and it wasn't so accepted and mainstream. I didn't get back into tattooing until approx. 8-9 years ago. I did a second apprenticeship then started back at it full time and have been doing it every day since.

    What sort of advice would you give to someone trying to get into the industry?
It's not easy. Getting an apprenticeship is hard and getting through it is even harder. Everything you do during that period is important and for a reason, and no it's not fun or glamorous, but it has its purpose. It is a 24 hour 7 days a week job, not a 9 to 5, so be prepared for it to be your life.

    Are there any sort of art techniques or schooling you would recommend to someone interested in tattoos?
Apprenticeship! There is no other way. These so called "Tattoo Schools" are bogus. No, you cannot learn how to tattoo in two weeks. It's a long learning process and you never stop learning.
    
    What kind of art are you interested in besides tattoos? Tell us about your other projects.
I am a painter, renovator/interior designer. I make one of a kind Art Dolls and I used to do pin striping. I recently completed a book and designed the logo and T's for a female Roller derby league as well.
   
  Who are some of your favourite artists? In tattoos or any other kind of art.
Hmm, there are so many. Top favs in the industry would have to be Nico Hurtado and Joe Capobianco and Victor Portugal for starters. In other mediums, Greg Craola Simkins, Brian Viveross, Sylvia Ji, David Stoupakis, and Natalie Shau are just a few of my favs.

   What inspires you? What makes you want to put pencil to paper, or needle to flesh, as it were?
That's a tough one. I am always looking for something new to inspire and motivate me. I think the love of art of course but when you do it day in and day out you are always hunting for inspiration in everything.
    
    How about some advice for potential clients? What should someone do to prep for their first tattoo, or any other tattoo for that matter?
Take your time and really know what you want. It's a life long commitment. Find the right artist for you and never let price be your determining factor. You get what you pay for.

    What should someone think about when choosing what they want to get as a tattoo?
Why do you want it? Is it something you can live with forever? Placement! Think about what you may want to do in the future, because a tattoo can interfere with that as well.

    What should someone keep in mind when looking for an artist?
Look at their portfolio, look for client feedback. Make sure it's someone you feel comfortable with and who's willing to do a consultation to talk to you about your ideas and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
    
     What makes a good tattoo parlour? What should people avoid?
Atmosphere first off. If you feel uncomfortable when you walk in imagine sitting there for a few hours. Are there people just hanging around? Cleanliness of course! Ask questions about sterilization practices. If they are reluctant to answer your questions you have to ask yourself why. Look for portfolios.
   
    Be honest. What do you really think about all those tattoo-related reality shows, like L.A. Ink or Ink Master?
Hate them for the most part. They give a very unrealistic portrayal of how this industry works. No you cannot get a sleeve or back piece done in a couple hours, and it takes longer to create the design than the time it takes to have a cup of coffee. Those people on those shows have applied and submitted their designs months in advance. They did not just walk in off the streets. The worst was TLC's "Tattoo School." It was the most reckless, irresponsible garbage I have ever seen! The only plus is that they have helped tattooings popularity. It's more accepted and common now. It has also helped people finally see it as an art form and what's possible beyond roses and stars and tribal and flash on the walls.
  
    What do you say to all those naysayers who ask, “What are you going to look like when you’re older?”
Older but more colourful! I'll be wearing my story with no regrets.

      When I finally got my tattoo, Lana's gift of gab really helped me out by keeping me distracted. We chatted about everything from school and work to comic books and movies. So I knew when I went to her for an interview she'd give me some good, full answers, and I was right! I hope you've enjoyed this interview and found it informative. If you're London/Elgin/Middlesex area and are considering a tattoo, go to Lana!

My tattoo!

(I originally did this for my Writing for the Web class, and it was posted to my class blog at Spineonline.)

Decorating a Dorm

        I’ve spent the majority of my college years in a single room – a dorm room. I like living in Residence at my school because it’s just across the parking lot, so I never have to go very far or long to get to class, and it has essentially everything I need within in reach. As much as I like exploring, when I’m at school I’m very busy pretty much all the time so being able to get things quickly and easily is very important.

           

           But living in a dorm can come with drawbacks too. First thing’s the lack of room: I get my own room as well as a kitchenette and a bathroom, so I’m actually lucky. I’ve had friends who’ve had much less. My parent’s house is also far away, which means that when I come to school every year I can’t pack much, only the necessities. My first year, I spent the entire summer worrying about what to bring, what I would need and what would take up too much room and just be useless. Now that I’ve had some experience, I think I finally got it right, and found that balance between what I need and what makes the place I have to live in for 8 months feel like home.

          

            So, here’s a mini tour of my dorm!

 

          We’ll start with the wardrobe side of my room. Storage space is very limited in dorms, you most likely won’t get shelves or dressers, and there probably won’t be much room to put any extra furniture. I get two drawers with my desk, which I use to put things like sweaters in, big things that take up a lot of room. For little things like socks I have these storage cubes. Though I kind of wish I had pink ones now to match my colour scheme… If you’re that kind of person, picking a colour scheme or ‘theme’ for your dorm can help a lot in making things look put together. I obviously like pink. Even my luggage matches – unintentional, I swear! I use my luggage as extra storage space and impromptu furniture.

As you can see, I was given a TV with my dorm, which is very nice but I’m not a TV person, so I had my dad get it off my desk and out of the way for me. I also have this fuzzy rug that I love. Very nice in those cold mornings rolling out of bed and going to class. I could write a whole post on my wardrobe alone, and I probably will, so I’ll leave the details of that for some other time.

Let’s talk about my bed. Blankets and sheets and stuff can be expensive, but it’s worth it to buy yourself some nice stuff when you go to school. Leave the old worn blankie you’ve used forever at home. And always buy an extra set of sheets and pillowcases, and an extra warm blanket. I have one my grandma knitted for me, but it’s not in this picture because it’s not cold enough for it yet. My sheets and pillow cases are actually an amalgam of different sets I’ve owned over the years. Oh and I have a fuzzy blanket to match my rug. I never bring stuffed animals, so I have to make up for the fuzziness somehow. I don’t recommend bringing stuffed animals or figures or anything either, but I know not everyone has the willpower I do…

  

Here’s the desk side of my room. The desk came with my room, as did the lamp and the phone on the left corner. Being a writer and a drawer, I need a lot of desk space as well as places to put my materials and whatnot. I’ve tried to divide my desk up into two sections, one for personal stuff and one for work stuff, with open space in the middle for my computer and for my note/sketchbooks.

If you’re lucky enough to get a lamp from your dorm, it will not be enough. At least not for reading, writing, or studying. Get another desk lamp that gives really good light. And get some organizational things, because if you’re like me, you’ll try to organize on your own and in a week everything will be in a giant pile. Right now, all my school stuff is in the middle, and all my comics stuff is in the two standee things on the sides. I also brought some books from home – every year I try not to because my teachers usually give me enough to read, but this year I didn’t have any fiction courses so I brought my own. And there are some pictures of my family.

On the other side is the personal side of my desk. That’s my jewellery box, makeup bag, and my hair stuff. Underneath my desk I keep my printer and my art kit, with all my drawing materials and extra notebooks. There’s my Zombies calendar above them – let’s see what else is on my walls.

   Above my desk is my “inspiration board.” Over course every wall is an inspiration board to me, but since I do all my writing and drawing at my desk, these are all images relating to that. As you can see, I’m working on something relating to churches. And I’m not working on anything relating to Nirvana. I also have a flyer I found on the ground for a show featuring a band I like (but didn’t get to go to, sadly,) and my autographed Adventure Time poster. The cross-shaped bunch of pics is on the wall at the end of my bed. I have another fashion related inspiration board beside my closet, featuring some of my style icons, so I always have ideas for what to wear. And finally, above my bed, I have glow in the dark stars I got at the dollar store. I love them so much.

I didn’t take any pictures of the kitchen or the bathroom because they’re both pretty boring; I mostly just try to keep my stuff out of the way instead of making it look “stylish,” hahaha. But, I will show you my fancy mug collection. I believe everyone should have a huge collection of drinking apparatuses. This is mine so far – and you can tell I took it after doing the dishes because my Toxic Boy mug is on the shelf – in the other pics I was drinking tea out of it! My grandma gave me the pink one on the right, it has cats all over it and it was my favourite one to drink out of when I was little. And in front are my dinosaur salt and pepper shakers.

Well, that’s the tour! Now I can go back to living in the mess this place usually looks like.