My name is Vivienne and this is my life.
Twenty some-odd years ago I moved to Boulder and thought I died and went to heaven. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Film Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
I live in Boulder, it totally rules.
Aside from acquiring a pretty cool party trick (ask me anything about any movie) and a job as a curriculum advisor in Film Studies, I found myself uninspired. I realized that I had not yet found my calling.
I am married with two kids.
I got married, divorced, married again and had kids. For a time my life was all about my family. Then the boys went to school and I asked myself what’s next?
I write, make art, and am obsessed with fitness, nutrition and finding inner peace through the purging of junk.
At first I rattled around the house and stared at the walls. I shopped too much. I couldn’t face going back to the 9 to 5, especially being at the mercy of my kids’ schedules, and I didn’t want to be that person who raced to get the kids to school, then raced to work, then raced to the store, then raced to pick the kids up, then raced to get dinner on the table. And I didn’t want to be the person that bought things to fill the void.
At the end of the day, I want to feel like I did something. Like every other mom with a kindergartener, I dipped my toe in the waters of independence and took a ceramics class. I fell in love with it.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Lee Cantrell
Then I fell in love with pole dancing and became a student and an instructor. I took up blogging at the same time.
Something was still bothering me so I took a good look at my life and asked myself what I would like to change. The answer was obvious. I needed more space: in my house and in my head. That’s when I started getting rid of stuff every day, photographing the detritus from my life and writing about it.
I successfully completed my initial year-long goal and got rid of 7300 items. The result was transformational and in more ways than I ever could have imagined possible. Read about it here.
I’ve never been good at being appropriate or acting my age.
Writing is my passion. Art is my sanctuary. Food is my language of love. Pole dancing is my joy. Ridding my life of clutter is my mission. Family is the reason I live. Thanks for reading!
I love that you’re a pole dancing instructor. That’s like the best conversation piece ever! I’ve never tried it but I bet I would be awful at it. But I’m sure it would be so much fun! You seem to have a great life!
Thanks for following my blog!
It is fun and makes for interesting (awkward) conversations because no one really knows how to talk about it. Hm. Maybe I’ll write something. LOVE your blog. You’ve got a great voice.
Thanks so much! You’re so sweet!
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Damn, you are an amazing, beautiful, rock star. 40 never looked so good.
I only post the good pictures. There are lots of bad ones, believe me.
While I know the point of this is to get rid of your clutter, I’m adding a small stone gargoyle to the mix- I’m nominating you for a prestigious Gargie award. Because it’s cool…like you. http://ameliesbookshelf.com/awards/
What? Are you kidding? WOW! Thank you! Um. What do I do now?
So… I think I want to be you when I grow up. However, I’m a little older than you so I’m not sure how that would work. 🙂
That has to be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. I’m following your blog, BTW. You had me at “EPIC, METRIC FUCKTONS”
Vivienne, I super duper love your new banner pic. That is awesome. You have the best pics!
Thanks! Clearly you haven’t seen the picture the newspaper took of me, though. I knew the photographer had it in for me. Based on the photo he took, public commentary is leaning towards me being a zombie.
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Tag, you’re it! You’ve been nominated for a Liebster Award; check it out: http://mancakestheblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/liebster-fever/
Shut the fuck up! Thanks! Now I can change my “Award” tab to “Awards” Thank you so much!
Ha ha, you earned it girl! 🙂
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Funny, I love throwing things out… and a friend of mine keeps encouraging me to try pole dancing, but I’m a little heavy now and afraid I will simply slide to the floor. Looking forward to following your fun blog!
Thanks! That’s so nice of you to follow me. Don’t let anything stop you from trying pole dancing, if that’s what you really want. Many of my students are a little heavier, it doesn’t matter. Sensuality comes from inside. I’ve taught enough moms as well as young women, usually the older woman are way more connected with their bodies. And it shows.
Check out what I wrote about who really pole dances. http://vivblogs.com/2013/04/11/a-response-to-teachers-condemning-raunch-culture-for-fueling-sexism/
Its great that you things the make your life fulfilling. I’m still trying to figure out that aspect out, but I’m still way young and have plenty of dumb in me. How long have you been writing for?
Thanks for the follow! I’ve been writing professionally for about eight years now, but this blog is a little over a year old. It’s my first foray into blogging, which has been tremendously satisfying. I’ve “met” so many great people and talented writers as a result.
I am a girl that lives Fort Collins, Colorado and I noticed you live in Boulder. In Reader’s Digest I saw the article you were in and was really interested in seeing your blog. I am in Girl Scouts and would like to ask for your opinion on a project that I am doing for cancer. Do you have any ideas that can help with cancer? I just thought it would be good to ask someone who is very inspirational as you are.
Wow! Thanks for reading my blog and being so kind and being so kind. I think it is great that you are doing a cancer project, there is so much you can learn by studying the subject. As far as helping with cancer, do you mean fundraising? Awareness campaigns? I know my personal frustration lies with skin cancer.
I think people need to be careful about what they put on their skin. Do they know what’s in it? Are there any carcinogens present? You’d be shocked how many sunscreens have known cancer causing agents. Check out the EWG.org, they have loads of great information. Perhaps a “read the label” or “know what’s in it” campaign.
The other thing is the school and public parks system. Did you now that Australia has the same sun exposure risk as the Front Range? But in Australia, children are not allowed to go outside for recess unless they are wearing a protective hat. Their parks have ample shade as well. Yet in the U.S. children run around in the full sun without any protection and parks are built without adequate shade. Perhaps you could talk to your school about a hat campaign.
So I guess I have lots of ideas. Feel free to email me on my “contact me” link and we can talk more.
Thanks I will email you more details
Pole dancing? Now that’s hot.
Rowr!
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I feel more peaceful just being here. I look forward to following you. Blessings.
I am glad you can find peace in my chaos. It is ultimately what I am looking for as well.
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*^^* I saw your comment on my webcomic Pole Dancing Adventures and your story is amazing! xoxo
Thanks! I love your comic. Every single one makes me go, “Yep, that’s me!”
<3 I saw your comment on Pole Dancing Adventures and thought I'd check your blog out. You're amazing! Love your story. xoxo Leen Isabel
I love your blog and ADORE your webcomic. You nail the pole dancer moments so well. Thank you for reading!
Hi Vivienne,
I have some chickens that would like to say hi, but I seem to have lost your email. Let me know a good time and we will make it work!
Maybe I will have a chance to grill you about your exercise and Halloween costumes….good stuff!
I just emailed you at luvkitty. Ping me if you don’t get it. I’m happy to talk costumes. Was that you I saw this morning?
i really like the enthusiasm and joie de vive here. Great job!
Why thank you!
You’re really hot, and funny. And I like that you don’t act your age. I’m 26 but I still like to act like a kid sometimes.
I can’t tell if this is a real reaction or some kind of bot trolling me. Whatever, I’ll take it.
Not a bot hahaha. And not a reader of blogs either. But I wanted to learn more about that guy that just Gazes at people and killed his mentor and that lead me here. Which I then decided to read some of your blogs which I have never done before. Never really understood “blogging”.
Ahh. Braco. What a loon! Thanks for reading. I don’t really understand blogging either but it is endlessly amusing to do.
Not a bot hahaha. And not a reader of blogs either. But I wanted to learn more about that guy that just Gazes at people and killed his mentor and that lead me here. Which I then decided to read some of your blogs which I have never done before. Never really understood “blogging” or blogs in general.
Do you have to respond to everyone that sends something to you? That must get tiresome. Especially when someone like me is being inappropriate and just wanting to tell you that you’re hot and funny hahaha. Also do I get notified on my phone now every time that you “blog” about something? I know I’m supposed to be all about “social media” cause I’m 26…but I’m really not hahaa
I would be tiresome if I was famous and got a ton a comments but I only have 12 followers so it’s quite pleasant. If you signed up to follow my blog, then yes, you will get a notification every time I post, about 3x a week at the most. The best ones are when I’m drunk. And I don’t think you are 26. I think you are 75 and pretending to be young.
Jesus, it sends you A LOT of emails when you subscribe or follow your blog.
That it does. I don’t make the rules baby.
Ha hahahhaha. Well you are wrong! Go look at my Facebook. I don’t know how to send you a link cause I’m not good at stuff like that. Bryan Jones Braintree MA.
Oh my profile picture is not of me right now btw though, it is a picture of my best friend from Highschool and growing up who died last week from an overdose…. It’s been a tough week. But there are plenty others of me on there
Ooh. Sorry about your friend. Really. Loss. Ouch.
I just messaged you on your Process of Elimination FB page…I think. Also I don’t understand why I have to write my name and email every time I say something to you on here hahaha
I dunno. I don’t make the rules.