A couple of days ago, I wrote about starting a revolution - not the bloody type, mind you, but one about bringing artistic and social change. Well, let me tell you, my girlfriend Nikki is doing it right now! I’m so proud of her and frankly am just a little more than awestruck. I’ve written about her before, but just in case you’ve forgotten, I’ll mention our history again. I met her in Boston when we were both flight attendants for United Airlines. After our intial introduction and a rocky start, I won her over. Over time, we decided we really liked working together and began bidding the same routes. For about 2 years until 9/11, we worked together and would sit on the back jump seat bitching about our jobs and dreaming about what we would do if we ever quit.
After 9/11, I took a leave of absence and finished my degree in art, Nikki continued working until she met her soon to be husband who I think changed her outlook on life. He inspired her to do things she had never done before - including attending Burning Man. Soon she moved out to San Francisco, resigned from United and began her new passion designing clothing for Burning Man. Her fashions were so well received that other people began asking for her work and Wild on the Inside was born. She’s taking her wild and colorful designs to the public today when she has a guest spot on View from the Bay (archived video) and will present Dusty Dreams: A Playa Fantasy Fashion Show, which is part of Prepare for the Playa series of events. She’s organized three local events to promote Burning Man related vendors and frankly, I just know she’s going to soar!
Artists are often colorful people - but most likely you wouldn’t notice one walking by you on the street, save maybe Andy Warhol and a few others. I just love that my friend Nikki is treating her body (and others) like a canvas - it’s wild - colorful and definitely not boring - a far cry from the navy uniforms and black pumps we used to wear. I love that we have so many choices and today, I celebrate Nikki for being willing to stand out in a crowd and to march to her own drummer and voice. I wish more of us would be willing to do so! The closest I got was when she flew out for my 40th birthday and she made me wear a crazy wig when we went skiing in Steamboat.
We live in such a homogenous society, isn’t it refreshing to see something colorful? frankly, I think it scares people to be different and some are threatened by those of us who don’t conform. But,if Nikki has her way, we’ll all be eye candy and there will never be a dull moment!
Let your wild out everyone,
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WOW! Thank you Cindy, your comments brought tears to my eyes!
Radical self expression, whether the art is something you do or is something you are… is an amazing liberation! Freedom in the truest sense.
I am so blessed to be surrounded by such creative and outside the box thinking people. The ‘norm’ or paradigm has shifted.
Everyone has a Wild Streak… let yours come out every once in a while! You will smile and laugh - guaranteed!
That is so cool! I love it. Dare to be different=:)
How inspiring! I need one of her fun outfits to go clubbing in Hollywood tonight :o) Hurray to you both! For having the courage to leave your 9-5 jobs (well not really since you were both flight attendants) to pursue your passions.
that is totally awesome, no wonder you are proud of her. One of my friends is going to Burning Man for the 2 time and she LOVED it. I will have to show her your friends site.
Darn! I must be getting old, but the mere thought of me out in the desert with hot feathers makes me a little nauseous! Still, it looks like fun! Especially for the fit and funny! Go Burning Man! I guess!
How wonderful Cynthia! It’s just sooo outstanding that you both met and became such good friends.
Sounds like your friend’s husband really inspired her as well.
Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing this with us!
*HUGS*
Nikki - loved your spot on TV! You looked great and not a bit nervous.
You said it Diana - dare!
The best part about our jobs, Chi, was our irregular schedule. I was high enough on the food chain that I worked 3 days and had 4 days off. Sometimes, I miss that. Except the night before last, I had a work dream and I remembered why I left. It’s amazing those things still pop up and I haven’t worked at United in a long time.
Nikki is begging me to go to Burning Man, Jafabrit. It’s just a matter of convincing my husband to go along with. I’m trying to plan for next year…
That’s what my husband thought, Mary - he said fur in the hot August desert? But, it gets cool at night!
Angela, it’s weird how some people come into our lives when we most need them. It turns out that Nikki and I were actually based in Denver at the same time before transferring to Boston and had never met each other!
How fun. She must be a great resource for inspiration. I hope you make it out there next year.
Yay Nikki! I am naturally drawn to risk takers (in life) and have found that certain of my old friends were actually repelled by that aspect in me. It’s a weird thing, being yourself, because there’s rarely a neutral reaction. I love your reaction to what Nikki has done with her life; it shows the same element in you (of which quitting UA and going back to school is an example), though we all express it differently.
Nikki is so inspirational to me Janet! I wish we lived in the same town because I just know there would never be a dull moment!!
Well said, Andrea. I know certain people who are also repelled by risk takers and it’s very hard to see. Why are people afraid??