Hey amigos.... do you miss me??? Sorry for my lack of response to your wonderful comments- I am still out in sunny Cali-for-nigh-yay (or Cullyfawnia, if you're Ahhhnold)... anyway, I haven't been able to get on the 'net much here, got stuff going on and it's been rather hectic...

I will be responding to your comments (in a ridiculously LATE fashion- yes) when Lobo & I get back to TX (which should be sometime this weekend) Heh, sorry bout that ;)

Since I just had a few minutes to get online here, I wanted to show you guys something- my new website.... woo hoo! It's really just a kind of 'resume' site for my 'nom de plume', but I do have a ton of my photography on there (for sale even!)... some of it of course along the lines of my usual creepy-spooky-freaky-oooky LD stuff, but some of it is very different- cute wittle animals, pretty flowers, sunsets, rainbows, yadda yadda. Yes- it's the softer side of Shady- who knew?!! Ha ha. Anyway, I would love for you guys to check it out and let me know what you think...

The site is HeatherShade.com ...check it out if you are so inclined... *wink*

I will be home soon. In the meantime, I will say hello to the palm trees for you guys. Til then, take care my friends... *hug*

...and now, a totally random icon:

Ok guys... I need to pick your brains for a minute (don't worry I said pick, not EAT....)

I've been trying to make this decision for months now. And even though I'm 90% swayed toward my answer I just can't ever make up my damned mind. So now I'm gonna get you all involved. Ha!

See, I sorta need to pick a 'name' that I am gonna use for some of the projects that I am getting professionally involved in. Besides the stuff I do on LD, I am still working with the Marks on some of the book stuff, and was also contacted by the Ruidoso Lodge about doing some stuff for them (photography mostly), and also my dear friend Jen in IA just might, if I'm lucky, feature a bit of my photography in her art gallery one of these days. So, I have some opportunities coming up...

But my quandary is- what NAME do I use for all this stuff? I need a name (preferably first AND last- I'm not freakin' Cher, haha) for my credits, etc, if I do any work. And Shady is more of just a casual nickname.

Most obvious would be to just use my NAME. My real name. But there are a few issues with that one... first, a privacy one, as I DO NOT like to make my actual last name public. EVER! Paranoia, LOL. I just really really really really am not comfortable doing that. Long story ;)

And by now, most of you know that my actual first name given at birth is 'Heather'... I don't mind people knowing that so much. But, thing is, people have been calling me by the nickname 'Shady' for well over a decade now- ALL of my friends, my husband, my stepkid, even a few family members (!!) call me 'Shady'... and have for years. So I rarely hear 'Heather' unless it's from an older family member, heh. But even though I don't hear it much, 'Heather' is still an integral part of my persona... my childhood and growing up, my ties to family, etc... plus, it's the name that my dear Mom (R.I.P.) chose for me. But I would have to say the name 'Shade/Shady' is equally a part of who I am, and the name that most people know me by nowadays.

So, I have come up with the idea of using the name 'Heather Shade' for my professional credits, because I think it honors both sides of me, yet still stays anonymous enough for my liking, and it will also be recognizable to people who know me as either 'Heather' or 'Shady' too. And it doesn't sound all ridiculous like... BOBBY TRENDY! or some such stupid shit... LOL

Also, from an artistic point of view, I like the meanings... 'heather' is a flowering plant, and a purpley-gray color... 'shade' is also a degree of color (or something else), or a dark shadowy place... both words have resonance in both the artistic and photographic universes...

Sooooo. Even though I think I like the idea of using it, I have decided to post a poll to see what you guys think. I really respect your opinions, you crazy freaks, you!! So... vote. Thanks!! *blows kiss*


Poll #405014 A Shade By Any Other Name.....
Open to: Friends, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 22

What do you think of 'Heather Shade' as an artist name for my work?

And of course, feel free to pitch in with the comments!!

...and now, a totally random icon: