Archive for announcement

Lyme Lags

Posted in announcement, bugs, horror, sci-fi with tags , , , , on July 16, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

I’ve been skipping a bunch of days on SWS recently due to spending every moment of my days in such crushing full body pain that it’s difficult to move…even breathe. It’s utterly indescribable (this is post is punctuated with centipede monsters because a search for “spirochete monsters” turns up nothing).

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This is nothing new. I’ve had pain of this kind without one second of relief for eight years straight. I do my best to push through it, despite being housebound since 2011.

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But it has reached unprecedented heights, and there have been massive delays beyond my control and allergies to all of my Lyme Disease treatment options thus far. That’s the worst part…feeling these bugs squeeze the life out of me in the most slow, agonizing way without any major recourse in the immediate future.

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I’ll be attempting to orchestrate treatment through my diagnosing physician on Monday via phone, although he is across the country (it takes months to years to get in with a Lyme literate doctor so I still have months to go despite making an appointment immediately upon diagnosis).

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In the meantime, forgive me if I miss a day here and there!

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Kintsukuroi: Sacred Scars

Posted in announcement, art, Books, photography, surreal with tags , , , , on May 1, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Around the time I made this post, I began to conceive of ways to creatively share the transformative metaphorical implications of Kintsukuroi (objects “repaired with gold,” considered more beautiful for having been broken).

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The result was a labor of love, drawn out over many months due to health complications, but finally taking shape. I’m partnering with the remarkable Nina Pak to create an art book with a series of human Kintsukuroi photographs; surreal, evocative portraiture of subjects with compelling markings and stories. Each image will be a vignette unto itself, inspired by the symbols, archetypes and myths to which the subject feels a particular connection.

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But I didn’t want to limit artistic expression, narrative or empowerment through this material to a book project, so I developed Sacred Scars where anyone can submit a story and be celebrated in a community of those who appreciate that we each have a unique, valuable Hero’s Journey.

There is also a Facebook Group which will offer its own exclusive content and opportunities for involvement.

If this profound topic resonates and you’d like more information; if you or someone you know has a story to tell and would like to be featured in the book or website (we are taking model applications right now!), please head over to:

SacredScars.org
Facebook Group
Mailing List

This project means the world to me, but I am admittedly a totally inept social networker and physically unable to do much promotion. I’d truly appreciate anyone’s help spreading the word via email/networks (I’ll be sending fun prizes to my biggest helpers!).

*Stay tuned for the Kickstarter! Members of the mailing list and Facebook group will have access to a preview of the campaign before it goes live.

Twist of Lyme: My Diagnosis at Last!

Posted in announcement, medicine with tags , on April 24, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

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Anyone who has followed this blog for a while probably saw me allude to my failing health. What I’ve represented here in the occasional post is not even the smallest fraction of my daily experiences. I wanted this site to be about creative discovery, not my own maladies.

Another reason I was not so forthcoming: I ran the gamut of dozens upon dozens of debilitating symptoms, but an actual diagnosis beyond my myriad nutritional/hormonal deficiencies, strange blood anomalies, and seemingly discrepant individual conditions eluded every practitioner.

After 8 years of crippling pain, 70 different specialists, countless hospitalizations, hundreds of tests, medications and supplements, wacky alternative remedies, a host of complications in every system of my body, losing my ability to walk more than a few steps, type, speak/chew (due to jaw pain) and just about any other function required for daily life…one doctor solved the mystery two days ago.

I have late stage chronic Lyme disease.

I belong to the largely invalidated subset of patients that has had Lyme for so long (possibly 27 years!) that it no longer shows up in bloodwork; it hides in organs, tissues, and coagulated deposits. My doctor was savvy enough to examine a sample under a microscope himself, after many negative standard labs, and sure enough…he saw classic Lyme spirochetes (which I got to see squirming around on video of my own cells. Not the ideal home movie, yet somehow vindicating). They are kind of disgusting, but under extreme magnification look like they’d be delicious with butter.

I’m hovering somewhere between shock, regret, anger at the treatment I received during my past decades of suffering, and full-on Parasite Assassin/Lyme Advocate mode. As days go by, I expect to embrace the latter as I embark on a lifelong course of supportive care designed to keep the parasites at bay. These buggers damn near killed me…but they did not.

Spirochetes, your days in this host body are numbered.

Calling All Brainstormers! Join My Kickstarter Team!

Posted in anatomy, announcement, art with tags , , on March 26, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

From what I’ve seen, this blog has some incredibly creative, talented, bright, out-of-the-box readers…
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Soon, I am debuting a Kickstarter campaign very dear to my heart. No public spoilers quite yet, except for the fact that it’s a gorgeous photography book commemorating the triumph of the human spirit, via surrealist art and narrative.

JOIN MY BRAINSTORMING TEAM!

What does this mean? You’ll get the first look at everything, before it’s posted anywhere, including Kickstarter…and some nifty little perks as the project goes forward. And candy. Definitely candy.

Lengthy feedback is never required, so this is not a time commitment. You don’t even have to say anything at all unless you feel moved to comment.

Leave a comment or contact me to get our little focus group going!

Next Theme Week: Strange Remains!

Posted in announcement, death with tags , on March 13, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

I’ve had a folder of bizarre, shall we say, “death options” for years now, so it’s time we have a theme week! If you know of any interesting modern methods of preserving, honoring, disposing of, or creatively using human/animal remains, please share (think “ashes shot into space” etc).

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*Note: I’m restricting the contents of this theme week to modern death customs since I could write a whole other blog about the wealth of historical examples.

Mini Spinal Hiatus

Posted in anatomy, announcement, art with tags , , on December 9, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

I recently returned from the hospital after having an outpatient procedure for the damaged, pained nerves at the base of my spine. Resting up today, but hope to be posting tomorrow!

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(image by caryndrexl)

Also, if anyone has come across weird and wonderful holiday items, please share! Have a good evening…

See You All on Monday!

Posted in announcement, thanksgiving with tags , on November 27, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to my readers here in the US! I’m most likely taking a couple of days off to spend with my little family (of two). Have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you on Monday!

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The Countdown Begins!

Posted in announcement, halloween with tags , on October 2, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

It’s that time of year again…Halloween approaches! I’m once again taking place in the annual Countdown to Halloween.

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In addition, I’ll be posting extra goodies on the SWS Facebook page every day, so please follow/friend request!

I appreciate (and credit) all reader submissions so don’t hesitate to use the comments or contact form to share this season’s treats.

The beinArt Collective is Back!

Posted in announcement, art, surreal with tags , , on September 25, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

Many years ago, when I was beginning this blog, I could always find inspiration at The beinArt Collective. After a hiatus and a complete site makeover, it’s up and running again!

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The beinArt Collective is an international network of highly skilled figurative artists with a shared fascination for surreal and imaginative themes. Over the years we have published books, curated group exhibitions and maintained a strong online presence under the beinArt banner. Our projects have helped generate opportunities for our artists to network, collaborate, share resources and connect with a broader audience. We delight in sharing their work and hope that by viewing the journeys of these artists, those who light upon them will be inspired.

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The Collective hosts many of my all time favorite visual artists. So glad it’s back, and I look forward to its evolution through the years.

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The beinArt Collective

Call For Halloween Submissions!

Posted in announcement, art, halloween with tags , , on September 13, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

It’s a little early, I know. But I want to make a quick request: if you fellow admirers of the strange and unusual come across memorable Halloween art, decorations, products, costumes, clothing, food…or anything else that deserves a spot on SWS over the next month and a half, please comment or send links via the contact form on the right. I happily credit those who share articles with links to their personal pages/projects.

TREEEEEEEEEATS!
Robb Vision

I already have some goodies I’m excited to share and can’t wait to see what we come up with as a community!