Destination: Mankato!

This summer I spent the day in Mankato, MN for a destination piece in this fall's Minnesota Meetings and Events. Up until that point, I had only ventured to the city once, and spent most of my time on my friend's boat. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with what I found—a city working on becoming more bike friendly, arts supporting and sustainable. Plus, there is a really awesome winery (three in fact!). You can (sort of) check out the piece in the digital version of the magazine here. Photos to come!

Doing more art, taking it to the next level

As much as I love working on C.L.A.P., it bums me out to not work on any creative expression that is all my own. With that in mind, I decided to take advantage of the colder, darker days by doing more art, relaunching my art blog  Double Peace and adding art to the Double Peace etsy site. I also have been spending a lot of time going through my old blogs and social media platforms to archive all the work I've done in the past, both visual and written, which has been a wild ride. I've also been watching a lot of Northern Exposure. Isn't that what fall is for?

New Blogs Take Time

Anyone who has blogged on a regular basis is familiar with the unexpected time suck that doing so can be, not just in terms of posting but also in terms of maintenance. That said, it is (as I recently pointed out here), one of my favorite activities to do as a writer.

I am currently in the process of transitioning between several past personal blogs and including content from my current various projects (most notably C.L.A.P. (Creative Ladies are Powerful), the community-oriented publication and organization that I edit and head) on this blog, which will be my "main" blog/website. This means that the material you see on here will not necessarily be up-to-date, nor comprehensive. If you have any questions about my work, please contact me at holly.hilgenberg@gmail.com.

In the meantime, check out the most recent pieces I have worked on, including Twin Cities METRO magazine's cover story from August 2012, "Ladies Last: Why gender inequality is alive and well in the Twin Cities" (co-written by former METRO editor Dana Raidt), and the most recent issues of C.L.A.P., including our Summer 2012 "Weird Things" issue and our just released Fall 2012 "Peace, Love and Happiness" issue. I also wrote two pieces for the "Meeting Notes" section of Minnesota Meetings and Events' Summer 2012 edition ("Studio Visit: Bastian + Skoog" and "Mobile Juice Bar") which can be accessed through this digital version of the publication.

The Art of New Technologies

The look of Instagram

As someone who has studied media intensively, I'm fairly certain I muse over media and its uses and effects more than the average person. Lately, I've been thinking about blogging, Instagram and other ways that creative types use free internet-based tools to tell stories about their lives—and how using these tools seems to create a strange effect in which those who use them become immersed in them, to the point that it becomes difficult to remember a time before Facebook, and instills an (incorrect) understanding that everyone uses these tools to the same extent. That is, if they use them at all.

A couple months ago, I was hanging out with my very fabulous, smart and talented friend Cortney, and we started discussing how creative types use social media. At some point in our conversation, Instagram came up. I was rather shocked to hear the admission that Cortney believed that "blogging was dead" and Instagram was where it was at.

Now, of course, we were discussing creative types, such as fashion hounds, crafters and artists, whose use of Instagram versus a blog made more sense than a writer, particularly one who has a soft spot for rambling narratives (ahem, me).

Initially, this discussion left me feeling disheartened for two reasons.

One, I love blogging. To me, blogging represents that perfect intersection of image and text, and, other than the sheer time commitment, is free and accessible to anyone with access to a computer and internet access. It is akin to being able to make a magazine, for the common people.

Two, I don't own an i-phone or android. My uncle actually made fun of me during the holidays last year for having a flip phone. My lack of a "fancy" phone has as much to do with expense as it has to do with a need to have some distance between myself and my "online life." Not to say that I will never get said type of phone, but for the meantime, my crappy flip phone with terrible T9 will do just fine. So I thought.

After my conversation with Cortney, I let seep in what I was facing. As someone who enjoys social media and has worked professionally utilizing such tools, who was I to snub my nose at Instagram? Even if I was perhaps...jealous...why not figure out how to utilize Instagram in a way that would supplement my other online activities...including blogging?

Fortunately, I am resourceful and my boyfriend's father worked for Intel for years, which means he often is gifted with fun Apple products. Like an i-touch. With his permission, I circumvented the whole "not having a smart phone barrier" and created an Instagram account using his i-touch. Of course, I can't link it my Twitter or Facebook accounts (as his personal accounts are the ones hosted on the device), but I did figure out a nifty way of linking my feed to the C.L.A.P. Facebook page. This killed two birds with one stone—I was able to figure out a way to access my photos for whatever use I may have for them, and I added a new visual dimension to our page (jury is still out on whether or not anyone looks at it, but that at least allows me time to hone my new Instagram chops).

I have to admit I am a novice at the Instagram. Not only is using the app more cumbersome than usual given my unique shared device situation, but I am still getting the hang of how to frame and filter my images. Maybe I am using the app "incorrectly," in that a lot of the photos I take are for specific purposes that may not make sense to whoever is checking out my feed (i.e. random photos of thrifted and/or busted clothing for Operation Sparkle, ones of flowers in my backyard for a future C.L.A.P. newsletter, and a lot of my dogs (this, I am told, is a common theme in Instagram, so at least I'm not totally off my rocker)), but isn't that what the whole purpose of adapting to new technologies (and vice versa) is about—finding new ways to make it work for you? I'd like to think so.

In the meantime, I am working on securing my own i-touch (no need for the extra phone plan!), and perfecting my own Instagram "voice." I'll get the hang of it one of these days, but in the meantime, it is fun figuring it out.

"Better Homes and Bloggers" in Bitch Magazine!

Illustration by Leslie A. Wood

Finally, finally, FINALLY, my feminist critique on lifestyle blogs is up on Bitch Magazine's website! This was really quite a piece of work (three months worth, give or take), and a real learning experience to boot. While the piece will run in the upcoming "Frontier" Spring 2012 issue of the magazine, you can check out the digital version it all its glory here!

"Retro Rentals" in Minnesota Meetings and Events

Just got my copy of this season's Minnesota Meetings and Events! You may asking yourself why this is, as I am not an event planner (unless you count our numerous, amazing C.L.A.P. events). It is because I contributed a rather lovely (if I may say so myself) article featuring three area retro rental companies. Lime Canary Vintage Rentals, Antique Door Vintage Rentals and On Solid Ground Vintage Rentals are all companies recently started by women that specialize in providing materials and planning for that perfect old timey event of yours. You can check out the article here or in the online version of the issue.

Winter 2011 Issue of C.L.A.P. out!

Finally! Our winter 2011 issue is out and raring to go! With the theme "Ourselves, Our Bodies," this issue covers topics ranging from winter biking tips, to at home spa treatments (on the cheap), to Trichotillomania. Read more about the issue here, and if you aren't in the Twin Cities and want to pick up a copy, you can order one on our Etsy site here.