And then there was that

About a month ago, the lovely Kate Theimer got in touch with me to see if I'd be up for writing a chapter on social media and archives for a SAA textbook. I said OK, albeit a little hesitantly as I'd never written anything like this before.

Today I passed in my draft and am feeling immensely relieved and a little bit proud of myself. All those pages took a while to pull together, but through a lot of late nights and help from the talented folks at Historypin, The New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Wisconsin Historical Society, Archives Next, and the CBC Digital Archives, it all came together. Working with such interesting organizations and institutions was really humbling... I'm still in awe that they even replied to my emails!

What has been great about this experience is the confidence I've gained in my own knowledge and abilities. If I'm able to pass on my experience to others and it helps them, then I must be doing things right. As someone who previously hid in the bathroom to have a panic attack before public speaking in university and had to have term papers wrenched from my hands, feeling sure of myself was pretty cool.

A few months ago I was a guest speaker at a MSVU social media class, along with the fabulous Kimberly Walsh. Before the class I fidgeted and felt my heart race, but once I started talking, everything gradually calmed down. This is stuff I know and practice every day. I understand it, and I can help others understand it. What an amazing feeling. I 'll probably always get the urge to run off and hide when asked to talk to a group... heck, even some meetings make me squirm, but I'm getting better. I'm learning to recognize myself as something other than a ball of nerves.

Zombie Transformation 2010

The Halifax Zombie Walk happened yesterday. In the pouring rain. During Spain vs. Netherlands. Huh.

A zombie walk is an organized public gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes. There is no direct motive or reasoning for the walk. It's fun to dress up. Even more fun when there's a crowd of hundreds. This year's walk took us from Camp Hill Cemetery to "the wave" on the waterfront. Police escorts and "zombie security" helped the walk to go smoothly.

I didn't go all out with my make-up/costume, because, as predicted, the rain just washed everything away.

Here's what I put together this year...

Step 1: Be naturally pale, or appy a white cream foundation. Green or grey works, too. Be sure to cover up any signs of good heath, i.e. pink lips, rosy cheeks. Zombies don't tan.


2. Apply black/brown eyeshadow around your eyes and on your cheeks to give a "sunken in" appearance.

3. Apply prosthetics, if you're going to use them. I like the Woochie brand (I used the "gash" kit, this time). Ben Nye is also great. Use spirit gum to apply. Make sure it's tacky before adhering to your skin. Don't apply over areas with hair. It will kill to take off.


4. Apply make-up on your prosthetics, especially around the edges to blend them in with your own skin. I used Woochie's Injury Stack (black, red, dark-red, yellow). Use stipple sponge to apply. Yellow is a nice touch, because your wounds will look infected.

5. I applied blood gel to the wounds sparingly. The gel melts as your skin warms it up, so it create a "bleeding" effect. I also applied red lipstick under my eyes.

6. Using the stipple sponge and injury stack again, I applied black/red/dark-red on and around my mouth. I then prepared blood gelatin (needs to be submerged in boiling water for several minutes before you can apply) and applied it in the same area. Blood gelatin will harden and remain fixed in place, but looks wet. Great for a rainy day like yesterday.

7. I splashed lots of fake blood on myself before leaving, but the rain washed it off in minutes. What a drag.

Final Product:


I was going for "Victorian" zombie... I ever wore a snood (yes, Victorian ladies wore snoods). The dress was great--almost felt bad for bloodying it up.

Zombie Behaviour Tips:

1. Zombies don't emit high-pitched squeals.
2. I don't really think they yell, either. One of the more annoying aspects of the Halifax walk is that everyone screams.
3. Dressing in "sexy" ripped clothing with BARELY any make-up is lame.
4. Dressing like a Tim Burton extra is lame.
5. Pick one: fast zombie or slow zombie. Go with it for the full walk.
6. Don't bug civilians. Obey traffic laws.
7. HAVE FUN.