Words according to Ashley Jackson, MPH, CCRP, Coordinator, SHE II’s Number 1 Fan, Cheese Board Aficionado, and no connection whatsoever (besides blood) to Raven Vanguard

Dakota (the ever mighty, strong-willed, tattooed badass that she is) reached out to me – her not-so-creative older sister who works in the medical field – to write this week’s Weekly Once-Over. I wasn’t sure where to begin since design experience is not my expertise (watching HGTV and Fixer Upper does not count people). That being said, after we discussed what this forum is about (freely expressing thoughts and opinions about everything and anything from current events to whatever is on your mind), I knew exactly what has been weighing on my heart and mind these days. I’m a new mom as of September 23, 2018 (“YAAS AUNT LIFE” - Dakota), and my life has changed in so many ways that I am still trying to navigate through. In just these short few months, I have grasped how incredibly important it is to share with fellow parents, especially moms, that we are doing our best.

Words according to Thomas, Co-Founder, Jack of all Trades, and Creative Director of Raven Vanguard

Do you believe in surrounding yourself with beautiful things? I do. Raven Vanguard does, and our Clients surely do. More on this in a few moments. First, I need to provide context to this Weekly Once-over.

This Weekly Once-over starts very differently from the way it will end. While some of you may not particularly care for the way it begins, I am hoping that you will not object, maybe even concur, with the way it ends.

Words according to Dakota, SHE II, and Raven Vanguard’s third member, also known as Sloth
The Interconnectivity Between Art, Music, Design, and Sense of Self

It is my turn to write the Weekly Once-over. I have been thinking about how I want to reflect, and what I want to say now that it’s a new year, and for what reason I don’t know, we’re all supposed to say “a new me.”

My thought process while writing this is coming from a singular moment while I was struggling with a glue stick, and suddenly Tom started playing the track Orenda from Cosey Fanni Tutti’s upcoming solo album, Tutti. I thought, “well this is weird. But it’s cool, and I like it.” That’s the vibe here. SO WEIRD AND CRAZY AND ODD but cool. And, well, I like it — a lot. Personally, I’ve had short but thorough experiences in a few different cities and towns with different jobs. But here, I fit. It works. I’m home. That feeling derives from so many different things; I’ll get into those in a bit.

Words according to Brooke, Co-Founder and Boss Lady of Raven Vanguard

I stare at my computer screen for what seems like an eternity with a blank Word document page open wondering WTF to write about on this first day of 2019. Is it possible that 2018 took all of my brain power? Perhaps it did, or maybe there is just a residual cloud hanging over me from the last few hours of 2018? After all, Husband did wake me up this morning by yelling out of pure concern: Brooke! Brooke! Are you alive?! I did contemplate my answer for a minute or two- before I finally jolted out of bed at 10 am to attack this year like the pig that it is.

Introductory words according to Thomas, Co-Founder, Jack of all Trades, and Creative Director of Raven Vanguard

As difficult as it is for me to fully comprehend, that in what seems like no more than just three rapid blinks of an eye, the final suffocating, dying last breaths of 2018 are already upon us. Meaning, believe it or not, this is our final Weekly Once-over for this utterly thought-provoking and baffling year.

Today’s cautionary tales and between-world admonitions have been benevolently composed for each one of us by a Once-over newcomer who is skillful in the art of spiritual transmigration; her earthly nom de guerre is Karla Joy Vandenbergh, but in every other inter-galactic realm she is known by a different sobriquet, one that I dare not speak publicly, as I am not worthy to even pronounce it intelligibly, let alone speak it aloud.

Introductory words according to Thomas, Co-Founder, Jack of all Trades, and Creative Director of Raven Vanguard

So after a week of dealing with Tumblr’s discordant, and unenlightened ban on adult content, I have concluded that #FemalePresentingNipples, although undoubtedly and intrinsically evil by their very nature, are not the primary transgressors in Verizon’s attempts to uproot and eradicate all examples of the essence of eros in art. There are other evil forces at play here — that being, Verizon’s ill-fated exercise of its corporate-thinking moral majority. More to the point, Tumblr is now dead to us as an artistic platform.

Introductory words according to Thomas, Co-Founder, Jack of all Trades, and Creative Director of Raven Vanguard

Today, with great pleasure, and a sense of moralistic duty, we agreeably bring you another one of our commandeered Weekly Once-overs from another virtuous contributing observer, this one, from our good friend, Jennifer X.

And Jennifer, like those trailblazers who preceded her, freely accepted our invitation to speak her profoundly prophetic and philosophical words of comforting circumspection for the urgent betterment of our natural world.

Words according to Thomas, Co-Founder, Sacrificial Goat, and Creative Director of Raven Vanguard

Today’s Weekly Once-over touches upon two vexatious subjects that are near and dear to Raven Vanguard’s artistic, aesthetic, cultural, forward-thinking and open-minded soul, #FemalePresentingNipples and blatant forms of misogynistic censorship over genuine artistic attempts to show appreciation for the naked human body. This Once-over can also be viewed as an Open Letter to Tumblr, and to other companies like it that engage in quixotic acts of censorship over the essence of eros in art.

Words according to Mike Hungerford, People-Mover, Business Executive, Board Chairman, and the husband of Mrs. Hungerford, and no connection whatsoever to Raven Vanguard

Will 2019 be better than 2018?  How was 2018?

Pros:

Taught Ella how to ride a bike.  Was proud of Dylan for learning to swim.  Excited that Remi learned English.  

Cons:

I’ve been trying to learn Spanish for like ten years (if downloading the app counts as trying).  It only took Remi two years, and English is supposed to be way harder to learn. 

They say that the best way to learn a language is to have a boyfriend/girlfriend that speaks the language.  Maybe if my Wife spoke Spanish, I’d finally learn.  Although, Remi didn’t have any boyfriend/girlfriend, so I’m not sure that would help.

Words according to Dakota, SHE II, and Raven Vanguard’s third member, also known as Sloth

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, a rather controversial holiday to many, almost as much as Columbus Day. To some of my friends, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning and remembrance. Native Americans across this nation have spoken out about genocide, the white-washing of Native history, and the fact that many Americans are either incredibly unaware or choose to ignore the facts.

Words according to Nicky, SHE III, and Raven Vanguard’s Student of Design

Sometimes it’s ok to say no. I don't mean this in the context of consent culture (still a relevant topic that we’ll save for another future Weekly Once-over), but rather when it comes to everyday tasks and obligations. Some people, including myself, have a tough time saying no for a variety of reasons; wanting to please everyone, fearing confrontation, guilt or rejection. But when you never say no, your plate can become so stacked with responsibilities that suddenly you’re spread paper thin, and you’re unable actually to put your whole self into any project or responsibility.

Words according to Bhakti Sharma, Professor, Diva, Brown Sugar Purveyor, and no connection whatsoever to Raven Vanguard

The Power of these Monosyllables: One, Om, & I

Black background. Five concentric circles. Each circle is a different hue of blue. The Sanskrit letter for Om (Aum) sits divinely at the center of these circles. The line below reads ‘The One becomes many.’

Words according to Brooke, Co-Founder and Boss Lady of Raven Vanguard

I'm a firm believer in signs; signs in the heralding sense, that is.

I’ve learned that signs are the universe’s way of stopping us dead in our tracks, giving us guidance for life’s next lesson, or a glimpse or forecast of what’s awaiting us. Through experience, I’ve learned that the more attentive we are to these signs, the closer we tend to listen, and the life-lessons seem to be a little less harsh when we take the time actually to hear and pay attention. Life has a funny way of showing and teaching us things, the more we resist, the harder the lesson, the greater the struggle.

Words according to Thomas, Co-Founder, Sacrificial Goat, and Creative Director of Raven Vanguard

My idea for today’s Once-over is by no means unique, nor is it even my own. Mark Schaefer ({grow})(www.businessesgrow.com/blog), and a number of other well-respected writers have touched upon this same perplexing subject matter recently, and with considerably more insight than I can provide for you given the intended brevity of our Weekly Once-over format.

Words according to Dakota, SHE II, and Raven Vanguard’s third member, also known as Sloth

Preface: I am not a writer (well, not in the author sense of the word anyway). I am a thinker, an observer, a creator, but not a “writer.” Sometimes, I find that I have a point to make, and I allow my words to spill out onto paper, or in this case, a digital form of writing. However, I have never found my personal expression to be eloquent, well-worded or even grammatically correct. Most times, it is just messy, emotional, and passionate word-vomit that emerges at random, or regrettable substance-altered hours.

Words according to Nicky, SHE III, and Raven Vanguard’s Student of Design

Death and I are old friends. We have a love/hate relationship. He takes things from me, and I hate him, yet those things made me who I am, helped me mature beyond my years, and I think, gave me a greater understanding of the world than most people my age. My relationship with death makes me especially sensitive to news stories that end in tragedy. Unlike Brooke, from our last Weekly Once-over, I am unable to turn a blind eye to these news stories. Perhaps I’m a masochist, but as she said, “shit happens” and I can’t bring myself to look away from it. I feel a personal connection, not so much to those who have passed (because I’m evidently not dead), but to the ones they’ve left behind, as I’ve already worn those shoes more times than a 23 year should have to.

Words according to Brooke, Co-Founder and Boss Lady of Raven Vanguard

Write? Me? Wrong. I just don’t do that; well not in the same way he does anyway. Who’s he? My Husband and Raven Vanguard Co-Founder, that’s who.

I don’t write, was my short, but honest, answer to my Husband when we first started discussing the idea of all of us here at Raven Vanguard taking turns writing in connection with what we now call our Weekly Once-over. We planned that the Once-over should be somewhat topical, so Husband suggested signing up for The New York Times’ Morning Briefing, and CNN’s 5 Things as a way for us to keep pace with the world around us.

Words according to Thomas, Co-Founder, Sacrificial Goat, and Creative Director of Raven Vanguard

People who think and act differently than me, even radically different than me, are not my enemy. Tolerance and understanding are among the most generous and mediating forms of intercession humankind has at its disposal, while the act of forgiveness is every bit their equal. And please know that invoking tolerance, understanding, and forgiveness does not mean the same thing as cowardice.