LOVE IS...

Once upon a time, many moons ago, $pachunka asked me, "What is love?"  I'm not sure the kind of answer he was expecting, but he received the following response:

Pretend that you're hungry.  Really, really hungry.  Famished.  You come home after a long day at work and fix yourself the most perfect sandwich ever.  It's the sandwich to end all other sandwiches -- made from the freshest of materials, exactly to your specifications.  Just as you're about to take the first bite, your significant other comes through the door and mentions how good the sandwich looks.  You then give away your sandwich away without a second thought.  This is love.

The holiday season provides an opportunity for people to reflect on, and be thankful for, the good things in our lives -- health, family, friends and success.  But after a conversation with a good friend, I've come to believe that the "reason for the season" is to see the love that's around us all the time.  It's about recognizing the warmth, comfort, and joy brought about by the people and elements in daily life.

• Love is the person who holds the elevator
• Love is the fleece blanket on a cold winter night
• Love is the sound of the crowd cheering after a home-run
• Love is the smile that needs no explanation
• Love is the call that's always answered

"Merry Christmas" and "happy holidays" are sentiments echoed throughout the month of December.  They're greetings used at holiday parties, phrases said to strangers in passing, and terms etched inside millions of holiday cards.  But when I say them here, please know that my versions of "Merry Christmas" and "happy holidays" are said with sincerity and love.


To all my deviantART friends,

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!  I hope your 2012 is full of only good things, and that you're able to find love around every corner and in every sandwich.

~$Heidi


P.S. - Should anyone feel like sharing, please feel free to chime in with your own versions of, "Love is..."  

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  5 QUESTIONS FROM 39,000 FEET!

It's currently 12:02 PM Pacific on Friday, October 7th and Toby ($Ayame-Kenoshi), Dan ($Dan14Lev), and I are headed from Los Angeles to Brooklyn for the Dr Pepper Photo Op.  In fact, we're in the air right now, traveling at 536 mph around 39,000 feet, somewhere near Cleveland.  Toby and I are sitting side-by-side, she's at the window and I'm on the aisle, and we decided to have a quick Q&A session with each other.  The following are my answers to Toby's questions.  To find Toby's answers to my questions, go here.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), how annoying is the guy sniffling next to you?
Oh, it's highly annoying.  I'll say 9.  He could achieve a perfect 10 by finding a crying baby to hold.  I'm not trying to be mean, we've all had the sniffles, but tissues or handkerchiefs do work wonders.  

What is a day in the life of Heidi like?  Please use the phrase, "It's rough" as many times as possible.
Like many Internet start-ups, the early days of deviantART were pretty bare bones.  We didn't have a much in terms of manpower and for a while it was just Angelo (+spyed) and me working out of our Hollywood "office" (aka his bedroom).  We worked typical Internet start-up hours -- all the time -- and there would be many days when the two of us would only interact with/speak to each other -- about the same things/issues, over and over.  Angelo and I have always gotten along well, but I'd be lying if I said there weren't days when I wished for new people to talk with.  

Cut to over ten years later and deviantART is now comprised of about (give or take) 100 people, 35 of which work from a real Hollywood office.  Now, instead of being concerned with wanting new people to connect with, I worry about things like when Dan  came to me in the middle of the day and said his stomach hurt (it was appendicitis) or when Meg ($Dollwithagun) and Matt ($eStunt) need to schedule time off to have knees and shoulders operated on.  Building the deviantART family has been an amazing experience, but now I just want to bubble wrap everyone.  It's rough.  

Other reasons a day in the life of Heidi is rough... my office is as cold as the arctic, there are never enough Cherry Pop-Tarts, and Lauren ($laurenkitsune) is constantly trying to belittle my self esteem.  Life is hard.

Approximately where is Nebraska on the map of the United States?  
Nothing that I say within 30 seconds of waking up on an airplane can be used against me in a court of law.  This is fact.  If I'm talking to you with only one eye open and half my hair covering my face, I cannot be held accountable if I think that Nebraska is closer to Ohio than it is to South Dakota.  At least I knew the capital -- as I know all my states' capitals.  Go ahead and quiz me.  

What kind of food do you wish was offered on the plane?
Considering that this plane is out of all food except nuts (which I'm allergic to), my initial response is anything.  If you're looking for something more specific, a fruit, cracker, and cheese plate would be delightful.  Or, a nice sliced apple with caramel sauce for dipping.  

Bonus question: The Internet is on fire and you can only save three pieces of fan fiction. Which do you keep?
Nice try!  Nothing to see here.  Move along...

The end.

~$Heidi

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  SRS BSNS NEWS TO KNOW!

Over the last few weeks, a fair amount of my time has been dedicated to working with $pachunka (Simon), who runs deviantART's Product division.  We've spent a number of late nights tackling two main projects...

1.  Surf deviantART Ad Free for 24 Hours
The concept is simple.  Watch a short, one minute, video that promotes the deviantART Shop and you'll be granted the ability to enjoy an advertisement-free deviantART experience for 24 hours.  That's it.  This special, limited time, promotion is available to all deviantART members.  If you like the idea (or not), let us know!  The video is a deviation -- comment on it, it, share it with fellow deviants, etc.  

2.  Reports of Malware and Virus Advertisements    
This project is still under wraps, as it's not quite ready for prime time, but I will say that it's focused on keeping deviantART safe from malware and virus advertisements.  Much is going on behind the scenes regarding this topic, and we're putting (and have already put) a ton of effort into combating the issue.  Stay tuned for more.  You'll likely be hearing the first rumblings in the next two weeks.  

CONVERSATIONS WITH GEEKS!

So, that's the "real work" stuff. The stuff that results from long, but rewarding, discussions and brainstorming sessions. The following is what happens on the way to accomplishing "real work."

Simon and I had just finished discussing something we both thought was lame -- not either of the above projects! The following conversation ensued. For context, you should probably know that Simon's a developer, I'm tall, and we're both terribly uncool. Also, has Simon apparently named our future child Tillius, which is definitely not on my list of approved baby names.

[3:32:09 AM] $pachunka:  heidi, it is imperative that if I am ever involved in the creation of something that you think is lame, that you inform me

[3:32:20 AM] $pachunka:  unless it's a baby or something

[3:32:23 AM] $pachunka:  then I might be hurt

[3:32:44 AM] $Heidi:  Wait, did we just have a baby together?  Because now I'm offended that you think our baby is lame.

[3:33:11 AM] $pachunka:  you're the one who hypothetically said it was lame!

[3:33:13 AM] $pachunka:  and it's not an IT

[3:33:18 AM] $pachunka:  it's a he/she

[3:34:14 AM] $pachunka:  heidi, our baby would be a monstrosity. he/she would like programming, but be too tall to reach the keyboard at a reasonably sized desk

[3:34:19 AM] $pachunka:  poor Tillius

[3:34:40 AM] $Heidi:  Wow.

[3:34:41 AM] $pachunka:  tragically tall technically-minded Tillius

[3:34:54 AM] $Heidi:  "Our baby would be a monstrosity."

[3:35:10 AM] $pachunka:  that might have been bordering on harsh

[3:35:30 AM] $Heidi:  I'll say.

[3:35:33 AM] $pachunka:  5% probability

[3:35:51 AM] $pachunka:  but it's ok heidi, they can't feel insulted until at least 3

[3:43:11 AM] $pachunka:  she hates me

[3:43:13 AM] $pachunka:  woe is me

[3:43:36 AM] $pachunka:  5 billion years of evolution only to be insulted as a potential mother

[3:43:44 AM] $pachunka:  she's only right to be furious

[3:44:01 AM] $pachunka:  and I shall fade into the pale dark moonshadow of obscurity

The end.

~Heidi

P.S. - I wasn't mad. Not even a little.  I may have fallen asleep.  

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  Let's Make Physical Art!

I have six posters for a TV show that I love.  But these aren't the normal-sized, hang in your room-type, posters.  They're large.  Each poster measures 4 feet by 6 feet (4'x 6') and features two characters from the show.  I've wanted to do something with the posters for a while, but dedicating wall space to six posters measuring 4' x 6' each is a bit much, even for a dedicated fan like me.

  That's where you come in! Hopefully.

I'm looking for a mixed media and/or collage artist who can help me turn the six posters into one awesome poster.  As I mentioned, each features two different characters and I'd like the end result to include all twelve people.

  This isn't a "cut and paste" request.  I'm not interested in simply cutting out the characters gluing them all on one poster.

  This is a request for someone who is serious about working with me to ultimately create something we'll both be pleased with.  I'm open to including all kinds of mixed media and really want the end result to be fun.  This is also a paid commission.  

  Sound good?

I'd prefer to work with someone in the Southern California area, but won't rule out anyone who thinks this sounds like a fun endeavor and wants to participate.  The posters can always be mailed.

If you're interested, I'd love to hear from you!  Please send me a note so that we can get the ball rolling.  (I'll likely ask to see any physical mixed media work you've done in the past and inquire about why this project caught your eye.)  

If you're not a mixed media artist, but know someone who might be interested, please send them my way.

Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome.  Thanks to all!

~Heidi

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  It's funny, because it's true!

[12:22:54 AM] $Heidi: Still awake?

[12:23:26 AM] $chris: yes

[12:23:44 AM] $Heidi: Is it still trolling if you *know* you're being trolled? Isn't that the work of a crappy troll? And thus, not real trolling?

[12:24:35 AM] $chris: if you know you're being trolled, or if you know who you are trolling knows they are being trolled?

[12:25:21 AM] $Heidi: If you know you're being trolled.

[12:25:27 AM] $chris: I think trolling usually ends once it's obvious

[12:25:34 AM] $chris: but it's up to the trollee to end it

[12:25:45 AM] $chris: with the words "you're a troll"

[12:26:07 AM] $chris: past that, they're just desperate

[12:26:41 AM] $Heidi: But the troll(s) don't know that I know.  Who am I to end their fun?

[12:27:14 AM] $chris: in that case you're an übertroll

[12:27:24 AM] $chris: and are better than they are

[12:27:43 AM] $chris: you're trolling the trolls

[12:27:48 AM] $Heidi: The game will continue.

And so it does.  

~Heidi

  Relevant!

   :thumb182331564:   
      :thumb203135237:

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  Remember that one time when...?

During the last few years, I've become very familiar with Alzheimer's disease and how it can quickly change someone's life and the lives of those around them.  My maternal Grandpa was diagnosed roughly six years ago and after he passed, my Grandma began exhibiting the same loss of brain function that occurs with the disease.  (For those who are unaware, Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior.)

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer, I swear!  In fact, the idea for this journal was born from a recent conversation I had about Twitter and its different uses.  

I have friends who use Twitter solely for professional reasons -- microblogging, socializing with industry colleagues, finding a new job, and so on.  I also have friends who use it purely for fun -- to keep up with the news (both the real and more salacious kind), to stay in the know about the latest Internet memes, and to act as a Twitter witness (aka twitness) reporting live events and interesting things as they happen.

I definitely fall into the latter category.  I rarely tweet about anything worth merit -- no links to industry trends, no thoughts about case studies or reports I've read, and no problem solving tips or tricks.  Instead, I'm much more likely to recount a funny quote I heard or random situation I was part of.

Which brings us back to Alzheimer's.  In the event ::knock on wood:: I ever suffer from some form of dementia, I hope to have enough wherewithal to re-read my tweets.  Why?  Because I use Twitter for me.  Even if I can't remember the context, I want to be able to derive joy from knowing that my younger self felt the desire to document a certain moment in my life.  My Grandma isn't always able to remember how many children she has or what year it is, but she will always, always laugh at a good joke or funny circumstance.  She loves to talk about the "old days" and happily reminisces about her youth.

If I ever find myself in the loony bin, I will take to Twitter and recall things like:

• That time when I used my iPhone to take a photo on the sly, but forgot to turn off the flash.  Feb. 16th.
• That time when `crgriffith told us about her new friend.  Jan. 3rd.
• That time when $eStunt and $chris made out with an orange.  (Or each other?  My mind is already foggy.  )  Dec. 25th.
• That time when the universe sent me a sign from above.  Oct. 8th.
• That time when I wanted to kill `Puglife29.  Sept. 19th.
• Those times when I called `trowlandson a douche.  Sept. 21st and Sept 22nd.
• Etc., etc. etc.

I'm not using Twitter to save the account of my personal life and experiences.  But should Alzheimer's rob me of my memory, or even if it doesn't and I grow old with full mental capacity, I take stock in the fact that I'll be able to recount snippets of my adventure-filled life, 140 characters at a time.

So, that's me!  If anyone else has thoughts to share about why they use social media for one thing vs. something else, I'd love to hear.

~Heidi

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  First ever town hall meeting!

On Thursday, March 31st, deviantART held our first ever town hall meeting at Shakey's Pizza in Los Angeles.  Not to be confused with the Shakey's in Hollywood.  (Who told you the town hall was being held in Hollywood?!  That person is clearly an idiot.  That's what we call an inside joke, friends!)  All kidding aside, the goal of our event was simply to interact with fellow community members and hold informal discussions about all things deviantART -- ranging from new features and upgrades, to issues about art theft, to site functionality, Points, search, and everything inbetween.  Due to the fact that we wanted to keep this an intimate event, where deviants and admins could interact on a personal level, only twenty-five deviants from the Los Angeles area were asked to attend.  (There were eight admins in attendance.)

Instead of posting my own summary for everything that took place, I'm going to point anyone who is interested in learning more about the event to ^KovoWolf's journal: DeviantARTS First Town Hall Meeting - Summary.  She wrote an in-depth review that is a good read for any fan (or critic) of deviantART.

Update: Additional deviants who attended the town hall meeting have also summarized their experiences:

• dA Meeting! by `dedredhed

• Townhall: Results by =ESDA06

• I was at the Secret DeviantArt Town Hall Meeting! by `johnpaulthornton

• DA's First Town Hall Meeting 3-31-2011 by ~karinkanzuki

• Grand Theft Autumn by ^lightningmonkey

• Adventures in internets by ~LynxGriffin

• Deviant Town Hall Meeting 3/31/2011 by ~youkai-hime

• devART's TH Meeting/$LaurenKitsune's Oreos by ^0JennxYukina0

Simply put, in my humble opinion, the event was a success.  We completed what we set out to do, learning much along the way.  I sincerely thank everyone who attended and look forward to holding future town hall meetings with both new deviants and old friends.

~Heidi

P.S. - Extra thanks to $Dollwithagun, $Ayame-Kenoshi, $eStunt, and $laurenkitsune for their help event planning.

P.P.S - Inb4 the haters gonna hate.  

P.P.P.S. - Hey, look!  It's the Shakey's in Hollywood.  (Again, sorry!)

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  All About Me!

When are you happiest?
Anytime the sun is shining and I'm outside doing something active.

What is your greatest fear?
Getting stuck in an elevator (or any small space).

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Selfishness.

What's been your most embarrassing moment?
In college, for my public speaking class, I had to give a five minute speech with no notes.  Things were going swimmingly for the first few minutes, until I noticed a girl in the front of the class who kept nodding her head and agreeing with me.  I became so distracted that I forgot my train of thought and ended up not speaking for 10 seconds -- which is a lifetime when you're in front of a room full of people.  After class, I went straight to work at deviantART headquarters.  Upon hearing my sob story, +spyed laughed and said, "It's only college.  No one cares.  Now, go put out that fire in the community."  He was right.  And I still got an "A" in the class.  

What is your most treasured possession?
My baby blankie, pillow, and bunny.   

What is your most unappealing habit?
I can be uncompromising.  The more I like someone/the better friends we are, the more uncompromising I become.  I figure, you're already my friend.  I've sucked you in.  You'll probably let me get my way if I hold out long enough.

What do you owe your parents?
Everything.  

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Money.   

What has been your biggest disappointment?
That I don't have a giant vault of money I can dive into and swim in like Scrooge McDuck from DuckTales.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?
To the 80s.  Big hair, neon colors, The Cosby Show, and the Dodgers won the World Series twice.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Visiting the church that was featured in Sister Act.

What keeps you awake at night?
I recently moved to the Hollywood Hills, but sometimes it feels more like I'm in an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies.  Owls, roosters, geese, and dogs are just a few of the things that tend to ruin my slumber.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Follow your instincts.

The end.

So, that's me, but how about you?  Feel free to answer these questions and leave your responses in my comments.  

~Heidi

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  Simon and Heidi talk about an acorn!

Once upon a time, while at deviantART headquarters, I left my office to grab a soda.  Upon returning to my desk and sitting down at the computer, I found that the world's most perfect acorn had been left on my keyboard.  After a little sleuthing, I learned that my magical acorn had been gifted to me by none other than Captain Fast himself (aka $pachunka, aka Simon).

The following recounts how the glorious acorn came into Simon's, and then my, possession.

Me:  Simon, where did you get the acorn?  Before you answer, please don't tell me you stole it from someone else -- romance the story.

Simon:  It is hardly stolen!  Far, far away on the Middle East mountaintop of Silvertop Abubu, there is a single acorn tree.  I had to use my "other" passport to fly there without arising suspicion.  (My other passport is Tuvaluvian -- .tv, baby!)  The lone acorn tree lies at the peak of a mountain in Rub al Khali.  The empty quarter that borders Saudi Arabia and the great country of Yemen.  I had to evade many bandits to make my claim.

There, on the mountain, I met a great king -- King Winterbottom.  He said his nation was only the mountain.  Who was I to question him?  I then explained that I must retrieve an acorn for a fair maiden.  He nodded and understood, and I received the acorn.  I cherished it and bowed to our friend Winterbottom.  

He offered me a camel to return to society.  I gratefully accepted.  The camel's name was Neil Young and we rode through the desert.  I had a thermos of water from the great land of America.  I then flew back to the airport and to my apartment in Hollywood.  $scir will vouch for me being missing for two days.  It was time most excellently spent.  

A secret that I did not disclose was that, this year, the acorn tree only produced one acorn.  King Winterbottom named it Alagammuchalangistapo.  Treat it with great care.  For it is one of a kind.

Me:  Wow.  Can I make this into a journal one day?

Simon:  You may do so at any time.

The end.

~Heidi

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