I Was a Six Year Old Feminist

Preschool Women's Lib Chapter

When we were very young, my little sister and I would drop off our “babies” at “daycare” with my mom. Then we’d go to our women’s lib meetings, where we marched around the living room, raising fists and chanting, “Women’s… women’s… womennnnn’s… WOMEN’S LIB!” There we were—two little Jewish girls holding a fascist rally for…

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What Nightmares Are Made Of

Few things are more horrifying than the thought of someone going through my search history. Nobody needs to know of my morbid fascination with people who hide bodies in their homes. Like many humans in the digital age, I spend a lot of time online—usually looking for answers to questions I wouldn’t have bothered asking before the internet was invented. It’s…

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Can’t You Hear the Whistle Blowing

In 1998 I moved into a questionable neighborhood to shack up with an equally questionable guy, in a house almost as shady as the street it sat on. Yet despite its beach towel curtains and unidentifiable odor, Squalor Manor had potential (and as it turned out, so did the guy). One thing I forgot to consider before moving in…

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The Not-So-Glamorous Life

Today I spent 16 hours designing two pages of a 32-page brochure. I wouldn’t say this is normal, but it’s not a first. If I had the energy, I’d be embarrassed or depressed, but who’s got the time? The life of a small business owner isn’t glamorous, and it isn’t always fun. So what drives…

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Book Cover Review with WeenieVision

My friend Maura and I were at a bookstore a while back, when spontaneous video broke out on the discount rack. This is why graphic designers have trouble enjoying vacations—their work is everywhere. Of course, enough tequila, and even bad design starts looking pretty good. If you’re having trouble viewing this video, click here to…

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Independent Study

As much as I joke about my lack of kitchen skills, I rarely make a truly inedible meal. There was the time I forgot to put noodles in a lasagna, and my recipe for “barf tuna” is legendary, but most of the time my cooking doesn’t repulse. That said, a giant pot of putrefaction has…

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10 Ways to Tell “Weather” or Not You’re in Texas

Here in Central Texas, we’re in the middle of what some would call a mild summer. Today we’re only expected to hit 95°, and while not what I’d call “invigorating,” it’s a relief just to be able to walk from the car to the house without stopping at the halfway point to hydrate. One thing that distinguishes a Texas summer is its endlessness.…

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San Antonio’s Latest Jewel: Carnival Ride Minus the Nausea

San Antonio, Xavier de Richemont, San Fernando Cathedral, video mapping,

8/9/14 The Weenies went to San Antonio yesterday for some work and a visit with Mama Weenie. The highlight of the day was after the sun went down and we headed over to the San Fernando Cathedral to see the city’s new multimedia production, “San Antonio | The Saga,” by French artist, Xavier de Richemont. Using projection mapping technology, Richemont was able…

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I tried (and failed) not to use “SXSW” in this headline.

If you remember this, you're old.

Austinites have a unique relationship with their hometown, especially during SXSW. Technically, its residents don’t own the city, but many of us feel that we do. Here’s a helpful list of the colorful neighbors you’re likely to find in Austin and what you should expect when encountering them. A-TEAM: “Get off my lawn.” Those who remember Armadillo World Headquarters,…

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Ethics, Schmethics

I was recently asked to contribute a post to Krystle Lilliestierna’s wonderful blog, PaperFort Studio. As I nosed around the site, a bulleted list on the about page caught my eye. It is there where Krystle sets forward her “Code of Ethics for Creative Endeavors.” And that’s when it hit me. I was staring into the face of my direct…

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