Oh Mane!

Oh Mane is in major need of an update... I have been slacking but right now I feel like I've got a lot to share so share I shall.

Life is good... I am getting ready for my first Christmas away from home, which is sad-ish but exciting! I am looking for a job and I feel lucky that I am able to work. I am meeting lots of new people, which means meeting lots of people that I will meet again "for the first time"... before I actually remember their names. And I am getting to know good friends even better.

To keep it short and sweet, I have done lots of things in the past 3 months (woah) that I have never done before, and for that I am grateful. I moved out of Pittsburgh. I traveled to California (Sacramento, LA, Santa Monica, Venice, and Joshua Tree, which was the coolest). I rode the subway in NYC. I went to Philadelphia and Atlanta, both firsts. I am unemployed for the first time in let's see... 8 years. For the first time I am in a new city, making new friends, doing new things and going to new places. It has been a little scary but I have to say that to date, it is the best decision that I have ever made.

With all of that said, I have also been given the opportunity to do something that I have done before. I am super pumped to be participating in my 2nd Help-Portrait event. Only this year I will be in Nashville where HP was actually founded. That's pretty neat! ;)

I feel privileged to know that Help-Portrait exists, and more privileged that I am able to participate in it. I want everyone to know that such a thing exists. It is actually the real reason for this post.

Help-Portrait means giving (refer to previous HP post for more details). One day a year, in cities all over the world, people of all backgrounds come together to offer up what they've got. And what better time to offer it up than the holiday season? A time when some people don't have anything to give at all.

After seeing HP in full swing last year, I feel like I have a better understanding of what it's all about. The idea is so simple. It's not about "taking" a photo, it's about giving one. It's about changing the lives of those less fortunate while it may unexpectedly change yours. It's not about being all, for lack of better words, "Hey look at me, I volunteer so I am automatically a better person." It is simply about seeing the look on someone's face when you hand them a photo. Someone who has NEVER had their photo taken before. Someone who has no assets but now they have a photo. Someone who has never seen herself as "beautiful" but now sees otherwise. Everyone has a story to tell. Help-Portrait gives people a chance to tell their stories and to feel loved. It's all about people loving on people.

If you're telling me that I can change someone's life, heck even just their day, by feeding them lunch, listening to them, maybe putting a little lipgloss on them and giving them their photo, then heck yes, that is something that I want to do.

I was bummed this year that I wouldn't be working at Pittsburgh's Help-Portrait with my dear friend Kevin Lorenzi, who introduced me to HP. Not anymore! I still get to do it!

Seriously peeps, if you can't be there to physically participate, check out www.Help-Portrait.com to donate. Get on youtube and watch some videos that will help your brain cells thrive instead of kill them. I'd be surprised if you didn't tear up... it's good for the soul.

SIDE NOTE: ANYONE can participate in Help-Portrait. You don't have to be a photographer, editor, hair stylist or any of that biz. You can sign up to just plain old help out! Chances are in a city near you, people are already doing it so climb on board.

As I'm getting ready for tomorrow I feel excited! Crazy- last year when the day was done AND I got a good nights sleep, I remember thinking, " When is next years? I can't wait!". Holy crap- it's tomorrow!!! Stay tuned, I can't wait to share my experience!