#me in my mama Noel era

[kingsoowolves]

we need another angst fic 😭😭😭

well, if you’ve been a nice kid, maaaaybeeee Santa we’ll grant you one 👀

[chaneajoyyy]

Alright lady, can you link me some soft boi erik fluff and smut?😊😊😊

SOFTBOI!ERIK FLUFF AND SMUT

- fumbles series, on the rise series (has a mix of both and some angst), warm, home sweet home series- the coninuation to (the very best man series) (fluff), my bad, it’s raining, our house, meet the parents (fluff), just the thought of her, thic(k) ass slice of heaven (fluff), you happy (fluff but will make you cry), my dope man series, three very big words,(good (fucking) morning, remember me series (one of my absolute faves), the end of an era (fluff but angst, evergreen series, coconut series (smut), daddy time? series (fluff)- @killmoncoochie

- barbara walters gives commentary to an exclusive interview with you that feature your husband, rapper erik ‘killmonger stevens and all the blurbs attached (fluff)-search erik killmonger or erik killmonger imagine or rapper erik; erik shows off his new outfit after getting back from the mall (fluff), still not a player (fluff), otis (fluff), you still have time (fluff)- @livingmybestfakelife

- she’s mine fluff), black panther trinity parent drabbles (fluff), nerd, erik’s girl- @black-mcu-imagines

- child of mine series, baby mama, just a friend series (fluff), not your girl mini series - @wakanda-inspired

- kissing strangers series, smile for me daddy series, teach me series, movie night, slow ride, mines, thunderstorm, gir fuck you, eat your breakfast and eat your dinner, secret admirer, amusement park fun, night at the movie theaters, day drunk (fluff), worship, loving the way you love it, just like you (fluff), displays of affection- @thehomierobbstark

- kissing strangers series- @halcyonscry

- all erik fics/headcanons (fluff)- @thebrokenmistakes

- will the bell ring series (with angst), i feel it, you know what i mean.”, you should have seen it (fluff), but if you cannot see it, is it really there?, song of stevens series, n’jadaka’s helpful hands mini series,  @eerythingisshaka

- chunk series, she got game (fluff), written all over your face, baby bump series (with cuddle buddy, and hc: chubby!erik trying on old clothes) (fluff),-@ghostfacekill-monger

- until the quiet comes series, soundtrack series- @muse-of-mbaku

- dance it out (fluff), caught up series- @twistedcharismaaa

- rekindle series, daddy’s here series, bon anniversaire, noel, adoration series- @soufcakmistress

- pretty girl series, bad mood- @i-jus-wanna-writehappy

-piece by piece, keys and a crown series- @iwannalearnhowtoship

- sink or swim, sis; coming together- @janelledarling

- fight like a girl, erik dating an awkward black girl (fluff), reader is secretly in love with erik, erik and nerdy reader, erik takes reader’s virginity series, erik sercretly buying reader gifts from her watchlist (fluff), reader avoiding erik after play fighting/rough sex, reade being intimate with erik for the first time after being in an abusive relationship, eriking being all soft and comforting to the reaer on her first flight (fluff), erik texts his fiance to come to his bachelor party cuz he wants some pussy. his groomsmen panic when they see her, erik watching the reader sleep (fluff), erik telling the reader how pretty her pussy is, erik having a breastfeeding kink, erik and reader having sex for the first time since their baby was born, erik and reader laying freaky hide and seek, drive in movie date with erik, erik helping his wakandan girlfriend speak english, reader being sy and erik bbreaking her out of her shell, erik catches the reader masterbating and she gets embarrased, reader asking erik, “erik, if i was wakandan, what tribe would i be from?”, reader says in the middle of an argument, “i mean look at me! why would erik stevens want to be with a girl like me?”, pillow talk with erik and reader asked, “which scar hurt the most?”, erik helps reader cope with depression after she loses both of her parents a year after each other, erik helping the  reader with morning sickness (fluff), reader is shy/bashfull/ - @nahimjustfeelingit-writes

- ember series, seasons series, happy holidays brielle series, it’s been 30 days, mounds, angel series, wet dreams series, oh daddy series, the lagoon series (with angst), class of 2004 series- @eye-raq

-  rainy day savior (fluff), au where erik’s dad wasn’t killed and took him back to wakanda where he grew up. years later his dad is dead and erik moved back to the us where he met y/n, the most beautiful place on earth (fluff), otto’s shrunken head (fluff)- @eyestheyseeyou

- killing em softly series- @eyeknowmywrites

-  fix my crown series (fluff), #tsr bae blow the whistle, all skate: bounce, rock, skate, roll-  @apantherinmypastlife

- insecure series (fluff)- @erikslulbaby

- overstimualted series (fluff)- @princessstevens

- just about everything (a few scary pieces)- @supersizemeplz

- what we used to be series (with some angst), personal trainer series, good moaning, wet dreamz- @dacreskars

- thanksgiving w/mr. stevens with its companion piece: valentine’s gumbo- @mermaidchansons

** I’M GONNA STAART YOU HERE CAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO OVERWHELM YOU**

[dinrelsanddragons]

A drabble I wrote in early December. Takes place prior to Twilight Princess.

In her little dress, Noel carefully peered around the corner, hoping no one would see her. In truth, several people saw her, but not the two she meant to avoid, for they were quite distracted with each other.

Mama. Papa.

It had been a while since they had talked. Vair hadn't come home for a week now, choosing instead to sleep in the barracks with the other knights. Shanzira couldn't fathom why he would do this– she hadn't done anything, not a thing in years, that would drive him away from her. After first realizing her attractions to him, she'd attentively noted his dislikes so as to avoid them.

"Vair?"

Even as she approached, on those ginger tiptoes that pointed inward with anxiety, she feared this wasn't going to go well. "Vair, please talk to me. What's wrong?" In his years of experience at his post, Vair knew how to ignore distractions and focus on his job. Never before, however, had that distraction been so personal– his wife, the mother of his daughter, his beloved. On the verge of tears, at that. He didn't know what to say, and it was only the thought of his duty that kept his expression straight.

Shanzira gave him a few seconds for good measure. She wondered if he needed a moment to compose what to say to the wife he had been avoiding. But that seemed not to be the case; he seemed intent on shunning her as if they'd never met. "What did I do, Vair? What's going on? Noel misses you." Not returning to the arms of his wife meant not seeing his daughter. His eyes flicked to a corner, around which he could just see a tinge of red hair– oh, goddesses, the girl had followed her mother here. In truth, Vair didn't know what to do. Avoiding Shanzira had been the simplest solution to his problem, but a temporary one, apparently.

He wondered how 'temporary' this marriage was to be.

His wife was under investigation. They had met on the field of battle years ago, Vair saving Shanzira from the horde of monsters and gifting her his halberd for her own protection. But there were absolutely no records of her existence prior to that. None of residence, none of birth, not even gossip about a red-haired, round-eared woman. Anywhere.

He had wondered how this had not been apparent before. How it was that this literal nobody had been able to create an existence for herself, a comfortable life in a crucial position– married to one of the king's guards. She had never spoken of her past, but focused solely on the present. Never of the future, though. Vair had been the one to bring it up, when he had proposed to her. He had never once thought to look the other way...

She had crafted the perfect position for a spy. That was the king's fear. Vair was the perfect conduit to receive information about the royalty from. He was careful never to repeat any sensitive information he accidentally overheard, and he thought he had vetted Shanzira for any sign of a volatile temperament.

In truth, he couldn't imagine her to be anything but who she said she was, who he had seen her be. An artist, a wife, a mother, a storyteller...

"Vair, can't you even look at me?" Her voice shivered with grief from what felt like some distance away as he was in his thoughts, despite there not being so much as a foot of distance between them. A small hand rose up as if to touch his face, but pulled back quickly, as Shanzira feared what his boundaries on the job might be. "Please stop this. Please come home. Talk to me again. Spend time with your daughter, let her see her playmate again."

Zelda. Goddesses, the princess and Vair's daughter got along like two peas in a pod. Shanzira would recite stories to them and the children would listen attentively, mesmerized by every word. Those stories were laced with information only the royals could have known, was what the king told Vair. Shanzira knew such facets and details that it was as if she had personally lived through those events... Vair had had to choose where his loyalties truly lay, and they were with the king. But it was a painful choice to make, and every night he had lost hours of sleep thinking, wondering: Had he been right? Should he have protested further the king's decision? To do so would have been to risk his livelihood... but now he risked his heart.

Out of the corner of his eye, Vair witnessed tears snaking down his wife's face. He had only that brief moment of warning before she turned around and began to sob, unable to stand looking at his face anymore. She tugged her hood over her face and exited, walking briskly to the point that the now-apparent Noel had to run to keep up.

From behind the door Vair guarded, he faintly heard something. If he had to take a guess, it was a deep sigh... from none other than the king himself.

He felt a twinge in his chest. Even the king had his regrets. Perhaps, then, he would be willing to listen to reason, assuming the investigation bore no fruit that would incriminate Shanzira. Perhaps traces of an idyllic past could be brought up, but from what Vair had been able to tell, there was simply nothing to find. As if she had sprung into existence on the day they'd met.

A cry rent him from his thoughts. A child's wail, filled with pain. His child's wail. "Paaapaaaa! Want Papaaaa! Mama, pleeeeeease!"

He closed his eyes, gently as he could when he was so aggrieved. Tears streamed down. Would that his uniform had the luxury of a hood like his wife had, that he could have hidden them...

PART 2

For over a week, Shanzira had been unable to bring herself to put pen to parchment. Inspiring as emotions could be– even the negative– there was nothing artistic about what she felt. She could not continue to write her stories– she had no motivation when she had only Noel to tell them to– and she had thrown out every charcoal sketch she had thus far made. There was nothing to do regarding her work but place her head to her desk and try not to cry. If she hadn't had Noel to look after, she might have gone mad. Something about being responsible for another person kept her sanity in check.

As the little one napped in a chamber adjacent to Shanzira's study, she heard a click. The distinct sound of a doorknob turning. Shanzira twisted around in her chair, wondering who it could be. Perhaps someone had arrived with divorce papers. She prayed not. Or she was under arrest. Or something worse yet... As the door began to open, Shanzira leapt to her feet with a hand on the hilt of her dagger, ever prepared to defend herself. Her thoughts went to the halberd displayed on the wall, with a twinge of pain– the same halberd her husband had given her so long ago.

The door swung wide, and Shanzira dropped her arm by her side in shock. How could she have seen this coming, a visit from the king himself? Trembling in fear and anticipating the worst, she hurried to a kneel– praying that a show in sincerity and loyalty would mitigate whatever punishment lay in store for her.

She betrayed a single glance back up, and noted her husband behind him. What was this? What could it be?

"Rise, Lady Shanzira. I would speak with you."

It called back to her youth, of being summoned to authority figures to be scolded and punished. When being in trouble was the worst imaginable fate. Regardless, Shanzira stood back up, unsteady at first but regaining her balance quickly enough. Averting her eyes, she didn't see the king's expression. Nor did she really know his face that well. She had no indication apart from tone of voice of what his intent might be.

"You have presented quite the quandary of late, a quandary that we should have seen long ago. You are the spouse to a royal guard, and on occasion a caretaker of Princess Zelda. Yet there is no information on you prior to five years ago. Your history cannot be tracked by any means imaginable, though prior to now it has not been a problem. Thus you have eluded any kind of investigation... until your role as my daughter's storyteller began."

With that final sentence, a revelation hit Shanzira like a blow from her husband's claymore.

The dazed look on her face must have betrayed her thoughts, as the king cleared his throat before continuing. "Your tales began as fanciful and clearly works of a creative imagination, though at the apparent request of your daughter turned more historical. So historical, in fact, that they hit the nail on the head. They could not be more accurate. Or detailed. Such information has been privy only to members of the royal family until you appeared. You have paid few visits to the royal library, and you could not possibly know the location of the secret library. This was why I ordered my agents to look into your past. I do not like unanswerable questions."

"They have found nothing. There are no records of you, or anyone like you, existing anywhere. Even one so close to you as your own husband and daughter have no inkling of where you came from. My final recourse is to turn directly to you. So, you will tell me... and we will be here as long as it takes to hear the truth out of you."

A silence followed.

Where to begin. Shanzira thought briefly of Noel, still asleep in her crib, and wondered if she might wake before she finished telling her tale. A tale she had no choice but to share, at this point. She chanced a look to Vair's face, over the king's shoulder, and noted a regretful expression, his eyes cast down and to the side and his brows tented.

"I don't know if you'll believe the truth." She wanted to be clear with that. "I hail from a very strange and technologically advanced world, with no magic or monsters. There is but one intelligent species of life. In this world, the world of Hyrule is known but considered entirely fiction. Stories are told from the viewpoint of the hero, of his struggles against evil. They span many different eras and ages. They are stories that I followed intently.

"I didn't know what to think when I awoke on a battlefield, surrounded by monsters. If Vair hadn't been there that day, I would have died without a clue. I did my best to blend in to my environment and say nothing about this bizarre place I came from, or I'd be written off as a madwoman. I was extremely lucky in that the same man who defended me from monsters also found me a place to live and gainful employment. Not to mention, we ended up falling in love and having a kid. I suppose I couldn't have it all for long, though."

Her eyes drifted downward at the last sentence. She didn't believe it likely, even now, that the king would believe her. And Vair, his regretful expression? It could have meant anything.

"So you do not know how you came to be here." The king scratched his chin thoughtfully. Shanzira had definitely explained the cause of her knowledge, but her presence was a mystery. "Very well."

Eh? Shanz risked a glance at his face, but failed to read his expression in the brief time she saw it. "I am not satisfied, but for now, it will be enough. I understand this investigation has caused your husband and you much grief. I will allow you to resume watching over my daughter... if you know Hyrule as if it were a book, then perhaps your knowledge may come in useful."

"Your Majesty," Vair piped up, "does this mean–?"

"Yes, Sir Vair. You may return to the arms of your loving wife."

Oof!

Shanzira almost fell over from the force with which Vair collided into her, one of his arms wrapped tightly around her upper back and the other resting atop her head. Shanz could barely breathe with her face trapped in her husband's chest. She pushed against him just enough to look at his face, and saw radiant joy upon his features, to the point of tears glistening in his eyes.

"I'm never doing that to you again. Never."

Shanz still needed a moment to process it all, but for now... it was welcome to have Vair back.

"He ordered me not to say a word," he explained at the quizzical look on Shanz's face. "He tried to hide the whole thing from me... but I could see you were being watched."

"Indeed." The king almost chuckled, or perhaps scoffed. "He was beside himself when he came to me with his little discovery. I have work to return to."

"Of course, Sire." Vair didn't so much as turn his head to the king, but kept his eyes focused on Shanzira. Silence followed but for the king's footsteps as he exited, and once those faded from earshot, Vair released Shanzira. "I'm so sorry."

She wasn't a hundred percent sure she had forgiven him yet, but... he'd been between a rock and a hard place. If nothing else, Shanz could forget. She raised a hand to rub out the tension between her eyebrows. "I'm still upset over it, but I at least understand. And you might like to know that Noel is asleep right now..."

Vair blinked. "What... does that have to do with this?"

"I will tell you," Shanzira answered lowly. "It has to do with the fact that you're coming with me to the bedroom. And we're going to be there for a bit while you pay me back for over a week of loneliness..."

[48sarchive]

Takahashi Minami (高橋みなみ )

"My appearance is slightly yankii, but my heart is a glass. Called Takamina, Takahashi Minami!" " (見かけはちょっぴりヤンキー心はガラスのハートたかみなこと高橋みなみです!)"

Nickname: Takamina (たかみな), Minami (みなみ), Souchan (総ちゃん), Miichan (みいちゃん)

Former Stage Name: Harukaze Konami (春風山波) (no3b Rakugo Challenge)

Birthdate: April 8, 1991 

Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Bloodtype: AB

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Height: 148cm

Years Active: 2005-2014

Agency: OgiPro

Group: AKB48

Team: Team A

Generation: 1st Generation 

2005-2014

Trivia

Her hobbies are drawing and reading manga.

Considers her special talent to be copying pictures.

Her favorite colors are black, white, and pink.

Has two cats and had a dog named Ryu. Although she owns (Ten and Hi two, she has an allergy to cats.

Likes all animals, but cats are her favorite.

Her favorite book is Uncle Tom.

She likes the mangas NANA and One Piece.

Her favorite anime movie is Crayon Shin-chan: Calling the Storm; Battle of the Warring States.

Would like to be a voice actress in the future.

Likes music by Flumpool, Aqua Timez, w-inds, and Nakamori Akina.

She wants to visit Egypt.

Likes indoors better than outdoors.

Sensitive to both warmth and cold.

Her favorite seasons are spring and autumn.

Claims to be quite stubborn, and bad at giving up.

Feels happy at times when she can just relax, which she does by closing her eyes.

Her ideal female image is a person that looks perfect, but isn't.

She has three conditions that she looks for in a guy. Someone who is taller than her, funny and someone who manages money well. Also, she likes guys who wear suits, and thinks it is dreamy when they're fixing their collars.

Eats an apple every day to stay healthy.

Dislikes eating sushi, broccoli, and tomatoes (which ironically was her costume as a Veggie Ranger).

Loves katsudon, and eats it when she wants to get pumped up. Also, she would eat mother's katsudon for her last meal. She even has a katsudon year pass for Hotto Motto.

According to fellow AKB48 member Minegishi Minami, she constantly slouches.

Shares the same name in romaji as voice actress Takahashi Minami (高橋未奈美).

When she was 3 years old, she said she wanted to become a vegetable, specifically a cabbage, which was her Yasai Sister costume.

Keeps a Purikura album.

As seen on AKB 1ji 59fun (one of their TV shows), she can't skip properly.

As revealed in AKBINGO! (one of their TV shows), she is very sensitive and would be one of the first to start to cry on an emotional scene such as Bad Boys' Kyoto Oomizu's (MC of AKBINGO!) "wedding announcement" and "reunion with his mother".

In episode 26 of AKBINGO!, it was revealed that she also dislikes plum.

She is a constant target for Dokkiris (hidden camera pranks that are popular on Japanese variety shows).

Along with Mayuyu and Tomochin, her favorite Dragon Ball character is Son Goku.

When she was given the challenge for to perform Rakugo in a no3b's Kimi Shika Promotional Event, she was given the name "Harukaze Konami" as her Rakugo stage name.

As revealed to her in AKBINGO! (July 7, 2010), the only reason Takamina passed the initial written auditions was because of her height (148.5cm) and her birthdate (4/8/1991) both having the numbers 4 and 8.

During a segment in AKBINGO!, it was revealed that since their last check-up, she has been troubled by the result that she lost 5mm (in height, from 148.5cm to 148cm). In addition, during the EX-Episode for Majisuka Gakuen 2, she learned that Ichikawa Miori became taller than her 

She appeared in The Rock City Boy PV of American-born Pop Singer JAMIL.

Her Nogizaka46 counterpart in Aitakatta is Hoshino Minami.

Member of Light Music Club.

Gave Ota Aika her "General Captain Special Version" oshimen badge in HaKaTa Hyakkaten, the badge is so big (bigger than the one used by Oshima Yuko) that it also has it's own built-in stand.

Her audition song was Will by Hamasaki Ayumi.

Always ended up getting outed on every Muchaburi Dodgeball she participated except episode 69 (first Muchaburi Dodgeball episode).

Selected as JT 2016's ambassador of RockCorps

As of May 1st, 2019, she is married to an older man. This was revealed on her Instagram (@taka37_chan) as she posted a wedding pic with him.

She introduced her new husband on the first day of the new Reiwa era.

AKB48 Senbatsu Elections

1st Senbatsu Election - #5 (Senbatsu)

2nd Senbatsu Election - #6 (Senbatsu)

3rd Senbatsu Election, - #7 (Senbatsu)

4th Senbatsu Election - #6 (Senbatsu)

5th Senbatsu Election - #8 (Senbatsu)

6th Senbatsu Election - #9 (Senbatsu)

7th Senbatsu Election - #4 (Senbatsu)

Janken Tournaments

1st Janken Taikai - Round 1

2nd Janken Taikai - Round 2

3rd Janken Taikai - Round 3

4th Janken Taikai - Round 3

Singles Participation

AKB48 A-Sides

Sakura no Hanabiratachi

Skirt, Hirari

Aitakatta

Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru

Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou

BINGO!

Boku no Taiyou

Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka

Romance, Irane

Sakura no Hanabiratachi 2008

Baby! Baby! Baby!

Oogoe Diamond

10nen Zakura

Namida Surprise!

Iiwake Maybe

RIVER

Ponytail to Shushu

Heavy Rotation

Beginner

Sakura no Ki ni Narou

Everyday, Katyusha

Flying Get

Kaze wa Fuiteiru

GIVE ME FIVE!

Manatsu no Sounds Good!

Gingham Check

UZA

So long!

Sayonara Crawl

Koi Suru Fortune Cookie

Heart Ereki

Mae Shika Mukanee

Labrador Retriever

Kokoro no Placard

Kibouteki Refrain

Green Flash

Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai

Halloween Night

Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby

Kimi wa Melody

AKB48 B-Sides

Dear my teacher (Sakura no Hanabiratachi)

Aozora no Soba ni Ite (Skirt, Hirari)

Dakedo... (Aitakatta)

Virgin love (Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru)

Namida Uri no Shoujo (Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou)

Only Today (BINGO!)

Mirai no Kajitsu (Boku no Taiyou)

Viva! Hurricane (Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka?)

Ai no Moufu (Romance, Irane)

Saigo no Seifuku (Sakura no Hanabiratachi 2008)

Yume wo Shinaseru Wake ni Ikanai (Baby! Baby! Baby!)

109 (Marukyuu) (Oogoe Diamond)

Sakurairo no Sora no Shita de (10nen Zakura)

Majisuka Rock'n'Roll (Sakura no Shiori)

Majijo Teppen Blues (Ponytail to Shushu)

Yasai Sisters (Heavy Rotation)

Lucky Seven (Heavy Rotation)

Yoyaku Shita Christmas (Chance no Junban)

Kurumi to Dialogue (Chance no Junban)

Korekara Wonderland (Everyday, Katyusha)

Yankee Soul (Everyday, Katyusha)

Seishun to Kizukanai Mama (Flying Get)

Ice no Kuchizuke (Flying Get)

Yasai Uranai (Flying Get)

Noel no Yoru (Ue Kara Mariko)

Rinjin wa Kizutsukanai (Ue Kara Mariko) (WCenter Maeda Atsuko)

Sweet & Bitter (GIVE ME FIVE!)

Choudai, Darling! (Manatsu no Sounds Good!)

Yume no Kawa (Gingham Check)

Kodoku na Hoshizora (UZA)

Totteoki Christmas (Eien Pressure)

Ruby (So long!) (WCenter Watanabe Mayu

Ikiru koto (Sayonara Crawl) (WCenter Watanabe Mayu)

Hasute to Wasute (Sayonara Crawl)

Namida no Sei Janai (Koi Suru Fortune Cookie)

Saigo no Door (Koi Suru Fortune Cookie)

Kiss made Countdown (Heart Electric)

Mosh & Dive (Suzukake Nanchara

Party is over (Suzukake Nanchara)

Kyou Made no Melody (Labrador Retriever)

Kimi wa Kimagure (Labrador Retriever)

Juujun na Slave (Kibouteki Refrain) (WCenter Kojima Haruna)

Majisuka Fight (Green Flash)

Haru no Hikari Chikadzuita Natsu (Green Flash)

Hakimono to Kasa no Monogatari (Green Flash) (WCenter Kojima Haruna)

Barebare Bushi (Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai)

Kimi no Dai-ni shou (Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai)

Deai no Hi, Wakare no Hi (Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai) (Duet Yokoyama Yui)

Ippome Ondo (Halloween Night)

Yankee Machine Gun (Halloween Night)

Gunzou (Halloween Night)

Senaka Kotoba (Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby) (Center)

365nichi no Kami Hikouki (Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby)

Yasashii place (Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby)

[harringrovehouse]

AU where Steve’s Mother is from a small town in the Northern most part of Alaska and they’re just a little too much into Christmas.

Steve takes Billy ‘home’ the second year they’re together, because now Steve’s sure Billy’s the one, the person he’s going to spend the rest of his life with and Steve wants his extended family to get to know Billy. So he takes Billy with them to Derevnyasanty, Alaska to the village his grandparents own. It’s rustic, and red and everything is covered with wreaths and holly, and all the residents are much shorter than the standard American. Steve talks Billy’s ear off about his four Aunts and their nine daughters.

“Dancers! All nine of them! It’s nuts man, let me tell you how many times I had to watch their routines growing up!!” Billy watches Steve ramble with a dopey smile on his face. “I have to warn you that my Nana, Mary, she’ll probably try to force feed you milk and cookies the second you get inside the house, we can work those off later, and my Aunt Noel will need our help checking her many, many lists! She’s got one for every member of the family, sorry. I hope Auntie Christy isn’t gonna ask you to dress up as Santa with me, they think it’s funny cause I’m the only boy. Every year I get this huge red coat and this massive black boots but we go to the local children’s clinic and I get to play ‘Santa’ for the day so it isn’t too bad. Aunt Carol is in charge of the deer, she makes sure they’re all penned up for the night and by the time we get there she will just be starting to round them up, can’t wait to see you rope a deer.”

“Just after my body, and at Christmas none the less.” Billy winked and Steve snorted, leaning into the wheel as he laughed.

“My Aunt Tinsel is the youngest, so her kids are pretty young too. They always need help repairing gifts and she’s also in charge of wrapping for the older kids so she’ll definitely need our help at some point.” Steve tossed Bilyl an apologetic look as he turned the car down brick road.

“Tinsel?”

“Yeah. Like the decorations. My family is pretty into Christmas, all my Aunts are born in the summer but they all have Christmasy names. It’s weird but kinda cool.” Steve shrugged. “Even my mom’s name is Christmas themed. She’s Eve, and my Aunt Christy is Christmas. They’re twins.” Billy opened his mouth to ask why on Earth anyone would name their babies Christmas Eve when Steve turned the car again and they came to a stop in front a huge white gold gate. It stood open, a clear invitation that anyone was welcome. Billy stared in awe at the gate, marveling at the beautiful red ribbon that wrapped around the bars, making the whole gate look like a million dollar candy cane. “They never close the gate, I don’t even think the pinpad works anymore.” Steve smiled as he continued up the drive.

Billy marveled as the large main house came into view. It was a huge stone and log cabin, it’s many windows adorn with lights and bushy wreaths. Tiny candles sat on each sill, a bussle of holly under them. Steve beamed at him and Billy stared back, this was a damn winter wet dream.

“Come on, we’ll grab the bags later!” Steve smiled wider and Billy wondered when his cheeks became so red.

“Wear your scarf babe! You’re cheeks are so rosy.” Billy followed Steve out of the car, tightening his scarf as he made his way towards the red front door. A huge pine cone wreath hung between the stain glass panels set in the door. The heavy smell of baking hung around the house, and warmed Billy’s insides. Behind them Steve’s mother and father climbed out of their own car, Eve Harrington smiling ear to ear as she rushed forward, throwing the door open for them.

“Mama! Papa!” She called out. “Tinny! Carol! Christy! Noel!” The sound of dozens of voices chattering away stoped and then an explosion of noise happened, and what seemed to be hundreds of people decended upon them. Billy let out a small yelp as a wave of hands pulled Steve and Eve into the house, leaving him and Jack Harrington standing on the porch.

“Don’t relax just yet.” Jack sent Billy a dark look. “They’ll realize we’re here any second.” And sure enough, a woman slightly older than Eve turned to look at them. Her huge amber eyes widening as she detatched herself from the huge group and made her way to them. She beamed at Billy, and gave Jack a curt look.

“And this must be Billy! Our little Stevie new turtle dove!” Billy nodded, he’s never heard anyone refer to someone’s boyfriend as their ‘turtle dove’. “Hi Jack Frost, blow into to any foreign ports lately?” Billy tired not to snort at the look Jack Harrington gave his sister in law. “Come in! Mama is just finising dinner, once that’s done we’ll put the deer away and then we can eat.” So this must be Aunt Carol, the deer hearder.

Billy followed Aunt Carol into the house, eyes wide as he took in the many, many pictures on the walls. Images of a young Steve sitting a top a man dressed as Santa’s knee, pictures of young Eve and her sister playing with some deer, a huge red wood sleigh filled with boxes and boxes of gifts sitting outside a hospital surrounded by the family and a few of the patients. They looked like such a happy family, it made Billy feel like an imposter.

“Aren’t they lovely!” A warm voice whispered in his ear, and Billy jumped. Behind him stood a plump woman, her grey hair tucked under a limp red cheifs hat. Nana. “We take one every year! The one from last year us above the mantle, come on.” She lead Billy through a maze of halls and into a massive living room. A fire roared in the harth, and a massive 10 foot tall Christmas tree sat in the corner. Presents of every color sat under and in it’s heavy branches. Steve and his mother sat surrounded by people in the middle of the room. Their eyes sparkled, and their skin glowed. Everyone in the room looked like something out of a water color Christmas card. Billy’s mouth fell open, as he watched the scene. “It’s so wonderful to have everyone here for Christmas.” Nana said as she tucked her hands into her apron. “Come help me bring out the coco Billy, then I’ll have them all introduce themselves to you properly.” Billy nodded, following Nana into the kitchen. Where a little over a dozen people were working.

They were short people, and Billy felt bad for staring at them until he saw their ears. Pointed ears, that stuck out under their hair and hats. Elfs? One of them smiled, and handed Billy a tray before returning to her large pot. No, people wearing costumes, right! Nana began loading cup after cup onto the tray, smiling as she dropped different colored marshmallows into each of the cups.

“And a blue one for Billy, you’re favorite color.” Billy wrinkled his nose in embarrassment, Steve didn’t need to tell his family everything about Billy! “Come on now dear.” She lead him back into the living room and guilded him to an ornate coffee table and helped him set the tray down. “Okay, now the fun begins!” And then she starter calling out names. The youngest to the oldest. It started with a small girl, Joy, no older than two, who pushed herself up onto shaky legs and waddled over to her grandma. Billy handed her a small sippy cup filled with warm milk and a sinlge pink marshmellow. Five more girls followed little Joy, Faith, Hope, Ella, Fae, Nicole, before Billy was handed his cup, and then Steve, who got a cup shaped like a Santa. His family giggled and Steve blushed, sipping his coco happily nonetheless. Next the last three girls were called, Mary, May and Dove, then their mothers, Tinsel, Noel, Eve, Christmas and Carol. Finally Nana took her cup, blowing softly at the steam. Six cups remained on the tray, Billy glanced down at them wondering for the first time were the husbands and fathers of these girls were. “They’re in the den downstairs dear, watching the game of all things!” Nana laughed. “Papa is in his work shop right now, I was actually wondering if you and Stevie would take him his coco and remind him that dinner is almost ready. He’s so busy at the moment, but his family still needs him.” Nana lifted the only lidded cup and set it in Billy’s free hand.

Steve disentangled himself from his manu aunts and cousins and made his way over to Billy. “Let me guess, we’re on workshop duty?” Nana laughed softly.

“Well someone needs to stay here and make sure the ham doesn’t burn!” Steve pressed a soft kiss to her cheek before taking the cup from Billy and motioning for him to follow.

“My Granddad’s workshop is in the back yard. He builds toy prototypes for a company based in Anchorage.”

“He makes toys?” Billy asked, carefully avoiding a second smaller tree in the hall that lead to the backdoor. A pile of boots lay next to the door, coats of every color and size lay on the bench next to the huge pile, Steve picked through them before eventually finding his and Billy’s.

“Yeah. Toys of every kind! Some stay here in the US, others go overseas to like Japan and stuff.” Billy shrugged his coat on, taking the cup back from Steve who shrugged his coat on while Billy waited by the back door. “You’d be surprised how in demand toys are.” Steve lead him out of the backdoor and down a stone path, to a second even larger cabin. Smoke billowed from the many chimneys and music could be heard from just behind the doors and windows. Steve didn’t even bother knocking, just pushed his way inside. Billy followed at a slower pace, every bit of Steve family home was amazing. This workshop was filled with toys, old toys, new toys, pictures of toys that dated to the victorian era if Billy was correct.

His mind whirled. Steve’s family was in the toy making business, had been for apprently hundreds of years, they employed short people with ears so pointy they could probably pop balloons, they were obsessed with Christmas, had a freaking deer in their yard. This had to be a joke, Billy turned to smile at Steve who seemed utterly clueless that Billy’s mind seemed to be playing tricks on him. There was no way, Steve’s familt wasn’t, they couldn’t be.

“Oh! There he is!” Steve said pointing up the winding stairs to a figure. A figure all in red, with heavy boots on and a fuzzy hat.

Billy watched, mouth open as the man turned around to face them. His cheeks red, and his smile huge. His belly shook as he laughed, a latge booming ‘Stevie!’ echoed around them followed by what could only be described as a ‘hohoho’. Billy felt Steve take the cup of coco from him, which was good because Billy was sure he was about to faint as he watched his boyfriend cross in front of the many workers to embrace Santa Claus.

[zerowastehome]

A Tour Recap or The Undeniable Rise of Zero Waste

Since my last post, I have been quite busy touring. And I would have liked to write this post earlier but it’s only this weekend that I found a couple of hours to myself to go over photos of my most recent adventures. Writing this post and re-living my tour through these photographs made me realize how blessed I am for having found my calling, for the trust that people have placed in me, for the wonderful acquaintances (and friendships) that I have made along the way, for the incredible movement and initiatives that have emerged since the launch of this blog.

Here is a recap of last month’s tour: An 11 day journey through 10 countries.

WARNING: DIZZINESS MIGHT OCCUR IF READ TOO QUICKLY

  Right upon landing from California (thank God I slept on the plane!), I kicked off  my tour in Bristol, UK, with back to back talks,

photo credit: Kelly Cooper

organized by Eqo Living founder, Jyoti (far left), and moderated by blogger Kate Arnell (middle).

We ended the evening with Jager shots: Tough start for a tour, but what else would you expect from a visit to the UK ?   

The next day, I met up with UK zero waste leaders in London (Rubbish Diet, The Dry Goods Store, Silo, Unpackaged, Ecover, and Olio)

The tea, media interviews and the evening’s event were organized by Catherine Conway (left), and her assistant, Maria.

photo credit @leighfarmerphoto

Catherine is the owner of Unpackaged, the first package-free shop of our modern era. She opened in 2006, coincidentally the same year that my family moved towards a zero waste lifestyle. When I wrote about the business in my book, I never thought that one day, I’d meet the woman behind it: I am grateful to her for bringing a full house to my talk,

photo credit @leighfarmerphoto

and book signings,

photo credit @leighfarmerphoto

but more importantly, for setting an example to the hundreds of bulk shops that have since emerged!

The next day, I found myself in Dublin, where these 3 women of Zero Waste Ireland…

had organized speaking engagements at the Catholic University School, the Larkin Community School, and a jam-packed event at Trinity College in the evening…

photo credit Noel Mahon

(an event so packed, that security threatened to kick us out!)

From there, I went to Amsterdam…

for a day filled with activities, organized by Opgemarkt: Meeting with the press and local Zero Waste activists at Eco Mama Hotel, taking a boat tour on the canals, taking count of ponytail holders along the way (more on that here),

lunching at In Stock (a restaurant that makes beautiful dishes from food waste collected from the biggest supermarket chain in the Netherlands),

speaking in front of this large gathering at Pllek (a very cool venue made up of shipping containers),

photo credit Jan Willem Groen

and finally posing for a photo with Inge, a woman that was inspired by my book to launch Bag Again, a line of reusable cloth bags.

The next morning, I was greeted in Luxembourg by Isabel, this wonderful woman…

who spent the day driving me to all my different events: A talk at the BGL BNP Paribas,

photo credit BGL BNP Paribas

a book signing,

photo credit BGL BNP Paribas

a visit to Ouni (a bulk shop that my book inspired – more pics in this post on bulk)

and a talk at the European Commission.

Oh, and look what I found going from one event to another: An orange squeezing machine just like the one I use at my health food store!

The next day, an early start and a very long train ride took me to my pretty walled hometown of Avignon, in the South of France…

I spoke at the College Joseph Vernet…

(the highlight there being fearless questions typical of middle-schoolers: What are the zero waste alternatives to condoms? Do you buy used underwear?)

Sans Transition Magazine  had also planned a round table…

and one of my talks (which my dad attended!) in Mazan.

That night I slept in the bedroom of my childhood.

A car ride, train and tram later, I was speaking at the Montpellier Business School…

an event organized by one of my biggest and cutest fans ;-), Camille.

After battling with delayed train schedules and cursing the inefficient French transport system, I arrived in Switzerland, just in time for my segment on 26 minutes, a satiric TV show (only follow the link to the video if you understand French and have an acute sense of humor).

 I wrapped up my day with an appearance at the Green Film Festival 

The next morning, Eslyne (below, left) picked me up in Geneva for book signings at her two newest Chez Mamie locations:

Chez Mamie Monthey (the owners, at my sides, were inspired by my book to open their store).

and Chez Mamie Martigny.

If you recall, Eslyne and her husband, Olivier, were inspired by my book to launch their first store in Sion last year: Today, they are a franchise with 9 different locations throughout Switzerland!

Along the way, we grabbed lunch at a little organic cafe serving in returnable containers,

and toured the farmer’s market of Vevey (pics in this post on bulk).

That night I gave a talk in Bagnes, a beautiful town in Switzerland, 

which also happens to be the capital of the raclette… So, I made sure to get a taste of it during my visit

Then, I hopped over to Ottignies, Belgium, for media interviews and a visit of the brand new Grasphopper store, the owners of which were inspired by a talk I gave in the area a couple of years ago to launch their business (the upcycled wood sign is by L’Ecorce Vive).

 My talk that night gathered a crowd of 600…

Not bad for a small town!

That night, I also signed the most worn-out copy I have yet seen of my book

A flight later, I found myself in Macedonia, 

a country that I had never visited, a part of the world that felt instantly exotic given the number of minarets dotting the skyline…

I was given a tour of the capital of Skopje and its market (pics in an upcoming post on bulk). Then, the women of Od Nula Do Nula 

photo credit Ivana Batev

had organized an afternoon talk at the University American College

photo credit Ivana Batev

and an evening event – yes, the sign says Bea Johnson, in Macedonian!

My talk was attended by no less than the Ambassador of France (front row) …

photo credit Ivana Batev

photo credit Ivana Batev

and it gathered a crowd large enough, that half of my audience had to be seated in an annex where my presentation was broadcast.

photo credit Ivana Batev

Not only did the interest for the zero waste lifestyle there touch me, but so did the Macedonian’s welcome and generosity. And what better way to celebrate it than with a glass of rakia at the end of the day;-)

photo credit Ivana Batev

I could have spent a vacation there, but I had to go on to my next stop, a trip that took me over the landscapes of Austria which are dotted by hundred of wind turbines, 

past another orange squeezing machine (Vienna Airport),

4 books

to Bratislava, Slovakia. These four women, readers of my book and now zero wasters,

photo credit J&M Photography

had organized a press conference,

photo credit J&M Photography

and an evening presentation

photo credit J&M Photography

in this super cool, nightclub venue.

photo credit J&M Photography

 My talk was attended by no less than Buddha himself (back row)  

photo credit J&M Photography

A fun train ride took me to my final destination: Budapest, Hungary.  Ecolife Magazin – which had me on the cover last month,

gave me a tour of the city’s highlights (last time I came to Budapest was 20 yrs ago!)

and hosted my talk in this  beautiful theater.

And yes, all of this in 11 days…

Sure, I came home exhausted.. but at the same time energized by the findings I made during that trip: One thing is sure, zero waste is exploding worldwide. The demand and attendance of my speaking engagements attest of the growing interest for zero waste. The talks and the interest that they have received from the media, have in themselves already had an impact: I have learned that several bulk shops are now in the works where before they lacked.

My presentation in Dublin motivated a Zero Waste Ireland member to open a zero waste market stall only a few days after my visit (package-free rice, corn, loose tea, chickpeas, dishwasher, laundry detergent, etc). Not a shop yet, but a promising start.

Last week, I spoke in 4 cities throughout Canada, all sold out events… And this week, I am kicking off a tour in South Africa and Mauritius (for cities and dates, make sure to check my calendar of events). I can’t wait to share my journey on social media and subsequently here, in detail.

Evidently the subject of waste reduction is a matter of global interest…

Is Zero Waste growing in your neck of the woods too?

from A Tour Recap or The Undeniable Rise of Zero Waste

[zerowastehome]

A Tour Recap or The Undeniable Rise of Zero Waste

Since my last post, I have been quite busy touring. And I would have liked to write this post earlier but it’s only this weekend that I found a couple of hours to myself to go over photos of my most recent adventures. Writing this post and re-living my tour through these photographs made me realize how blessed I am for having found my calling, for the trust that people have placed in me, for the wonderful acquaintances (and friendships) that I have made along the way, for the incredible movement and initiatives that have emerged since the launch of this blog.

Here is a recap of last month’s tour: An 11 day journey through 10 countries.

WARNING: DIZZINESS MIGHT OCCUR IF READ TOO QUICKLY

  Right upon landing from California (thank God I slept on the plane!), I kicked off  my tour in Bristol, UK, with back to back talks,

photo credit: Kelly Cooper

organized by Eqo Living founder, Jyoti (far left), and moderated by blogger Kate Arnell (middle).

We ended the evening with Jager shots: Tough start for a tour, but what else would you expect from a visit to the UK ?   

The next day, I met up with UK zero waste leaders in London (Rubbish Diet, The Dry Goods Store, Silo, Unpackaged, Ecover, and Olio)

The tea, media interviews and the evening’s event were organized by Catherine Conway (left), and her assistant, Maria.

photo credit @leighfarmerphoto

Catherine is the owner of Unpackaged, the first package-free shop of our modern era. She opened in 2006, coincidentally the same year that my family moved towards a zero waste lifestyle. When I wrote about the business in my book, I never thought that one day, I’d meet the woman behind it: I am grateful to her for bringing a full house to my talk,

photo credit @leighfarmerphoto

and book signings,

photo credit @leighfarmerphoto

but more importantly, for setting an example to the hundreds of bulk shops that have since emerged!

The next day, I found myself in Dublin, where these 3 women of Zero Waste Ireland…

had organized speaking engagements at the Catholic University School, the Larkin Community School, and a jam-packed event at Trinity College in the evening…

photo credit Noel Mahon

(an event so packed, that security threatened to kick us out!)

From there, I went to Amsterdam…

for a day filled with activities, organized by Opgemarkt: Meeting with the press and local Zero Waste activists at Eco Mama Hotel, taking a boat tour on the canals, taking count of ponytail holders along the way (more on that here),

lunching at In Stock (a restaurant that makes beautiful dishes from food waste collected from the biggest supermarket chain in the Netherlands),

speaking in front of this large gathering at Pllek (a very cool venue made up of shipping containers),

photo credit Jan Willem Groen

and finally posing for a photo with Inge, a woman that was inspired by my book to launch Bag Again, a line of reusable cloth bags.

The next morning, I was greeted in Luxembourg by Isabel, this wonderful woman…

who spent the day driving me to all my different events: A talk at the BGL BNP Paribas,

photo credit BGL BNP Paribas

a book signing,

photo credit BGL BNP Paribas

a visit to Ouni (a bulk shop that my book inspired – more pics in this post on bulk)

and a talk at the European Commission.

Oh, and look what I found going from one event to another: An orange squeezing machine just like the one I use at my health food store!

The next day, an early start and a very long train ride took me to my pretty walled hometown of Avignon, in the South of France…

I spoke at the College Joseph Vernet…

(the highlight there being fearless questions typical of middle-schoolers: What are the zero waste alternatives to condoms? Do you buy used underwear?)

Sans Transition Magazine  had also planned a round table…

and one of my talks (which my dad attended!) in Mazan.

That night I slept in the bedroom of my childhood.

A car ride, train and tram later, I was speaking at the Montpellier Business School…

an event organized by one of my biggest and cutest fans ;-), Camille.

After battling with delayed train schedules and cursing the inefficient French transport system, I arrived in Switzerland, just in time for my segment on 26 minutes, a satiric TV show (only follow the link to the video if you understand French and have an acute sense of humor).

 I wrapped up my day with an appearance at the Green Film Festival 

The next morning, Eslyne (below, left) picked me up in Geneva for book signings at her two newest Chez Mamie locations:

Chez Mamie Monthey (the owners, at my sides, were inspired by my book to open their store).

and Chez Mamie Martigny.

If you recall, Eslyne and her husband, Olivier, were inspired by my book to launch their first store in Sion last year: Today, they are a franchise with 9 different locations throughout Switzerland!

Along the way, we grabbed lunch at a little organic cafe serving in returnable containers,

and toured the farmer’s market of Vevey (pics in this post on bulk).

That night I gave a talk in Bagnes, a beautiful town in Switzerland, 

which also happens to be the capital of the raclette… So, I made sure to get a taste of it during my visit

Then, I hopped over to Ottignies, Belgium, for media interviews and a visit of the brand new Grasphopper store, the owners of which were inspired by a talk I gave in the area a couple of years ago to launch their business (the upcycled wood sign is by L’Ecorce Vive).

 My talk that night gathered a crowd of 600…

Not bad for a small town!

That night, I also signed the most worn-out copy I have yet seen of my book

A flight later, I found myself in Macedonia, 

a country that I had never visited, a part of the world that felt instantly exotic given the number of minarets dotting the skyline…

I was given a tour of the capital of Skopje and its market (pics in an upcoming post on bulk). Then, the women of Od Nula Do Nula 

photo credit Ivana Batev

had organized an afternoon talk at the University American College

photo credit Ivana Batev

and an evening event – yes, the sign says Bea Johnson, in Macedonian!

My talk was attended by no less than the Ambassador of France (front row) …

photo credit Ivana Batev

photo credit Ivana Batev

and it gathered a crowd large enough, that half of my audience had to be seated in an annex where my presentation was broadcast.

photo credit Ivana Batev

Not only did the interest for the zero waste lifestyle there touch me, but so did the Macedonian’s welcome and generosity. And what better way to celebrate it than with a glass of rakia at the end of the day;-)

photo credit Ivana Batev

I could have spent a vacation there, but I had to go on to my next stop, a trip that took me over the landscapes of Austria which are dotted by hundred of wind turbines, 

past another orange squeezing machine (Vienna Airport),

4 books

to Bratislava, Slovakia. These four women, readers of my book and now zero wasters,

photo credit J&M Photography

had organized a press conference,

photo credit J&M Photography

and an evening presentation

photo credit J&M Photography

in this super cool, nightclub venue.

photo credit J&M Photography

 My talk was attended by no less than Buddha himself (back row)  

photo credit J&M Photography

A fun train ride took me to my final destination: Budapest, Hungary.  Ecolife Magazin – which had me on the cover last month,

gave me a tour of the city’s highlights (last time I came to Budapest was 20 yrs ago!)

and hosted my talk in this  beautiful theater.

And yes, all of this in 11 days…

Sure, I came home exhausted.. but at the same time energized by the findings I made during that trip: One thing is sure, zero waste is exploding worldwide. The demand and attendance of my speaking engagements attest of the growing interest for zero waste. The talks and the interest that they have received from the media, have in themselves already had an impact: I have learned that several bulk shops are now in the works where before they lacked.

My presentation in Dublin motivated a Zero Waste Ireland member to open a zero waste market stall only a few days after my visit (package-free rice, corn, loose tea, chickpeas, dishwasher, laundry detergent, etc). Not a shop yet, but a promising start.

Last week, I spoke in 4 cities throughout Canada, all sold out events… And this week, I am kicking off a tour in South Africa and Mauritius (for cities and dates, make sure to check my calendar of events). I can’t wait to share my journey on social media and subsequently here, in detail.

Evidently the subject of waste reduction is a matter of global interest…

Is Zero Waste growing in your neck of the woods too?

from A Tour Recap or The Undeniable Rise of Zero Waste

[zerowastehome]

A Tour Recap or The Undeniable Rise of Zero Waste

Since my last post, I have been quite busy touring. And I would have liked to write this post earlier but it’s only this weekend that I found a couple of hours to myself to go over photos of my most recent adventures. Writing this post and re-living my tour through these photographs made me realize how blessed I am for having found my calling, for the trust that people have placed in me, for the wonderful acquaintances (and friendships) that I have made along the way, for the incredible movement and initiatives that have emerged since the launch of this blog.

Here is a recap of last month’s tour: An 11 day journey through 10 countries.

WARNING: DIZZINESS MIGHT OCCUR IF READ TOO QUICKLY

  Right upon landing from California (thank God I slept on the plane!), I kicked off  my tour in Bristol, UK, with back to back talks,

photo credit: Kelly Cooper

organized by Eqo Living founder, Jyoti (far left), and moderated by blogger Kate Arnell (middle).

We ended the evening with Jager shots: Tough start for a tour, but what else would you expect from a visit to the UK ?   

The next day, I met up with UK zero waste leaders in London (Rubbish Diet, The Dry Goods Store, Silo, Unpackaged, Ecover, and Olio)

The tea, media interviews and the evening’s event were organized by Catherine Conway (left), and her assistant, Maria.

photo credit @leighfarmerphoto

Catherine is the owner of Unpackaged, the first package-free shop of our modern era. She opened in 2006, coincidentally the same year that my family moved towards a zero waste lifestyle. When I wrote about the business in my book, I never thought that one day, I’d meet the woman behind it: I am grateful to her for bringing a full house to my talk,

photo credit @leighfarmerphoto

and book signings,

photo credit @leighfarmerphoto

but more importantly, for setting an example to the hundreds of bulk shops that have since emerged!

The next day, I found myself in Dublin, where these 3 women of Zero Waste Ireland…

had organized speaking engagements at the Catholic University School, the Larkin Community School, and a jam-packed event at Trinity College in the evening…

photo credit Noel Mahon

(an event so packed, that security threatened to kick us out!)

From there, I went to Amsterdam…

for a day filled with activities, organized by Opgemarkt: Meeting with the press and local Zero Waste activists at Eco Mama Hotel, taking a boat tour on the canals, taking count of ponytail holders along the way (more on that here),

lunching at In Stock (a restaurant that makes beautiful dishes from food waste collected from the biggest supermarket chain in the Netherlands),

speaking in front of this large gathering at Pllek (a very cool venue made up of shipping containers),

photo credit Jan Willem Groen

and finally posing for a photo with Inge, a woman that was inspired by my book to launch Bag Again, a line of reusable cloth bags.

The next morning, I was greeted in Luxembourg by Isabel, this wonderful woman…

who spent the day driving me to all my different events: A talk at the BGL BNP Paribas,

photo credit BGL BNP Paribas

a book signing,

photo credit BGL BNP Paribas

a visit to Ouni (a bulk shop that my book inspired – more pics in a upcoming post on bulk)

and a talk at the European Commission.

Oh, and look what I found going from one event to another: An orange squeezing machine just like the one I use at my health food store!

The next day, an early start and a very long train ride took me to my pretty walled hometown of Avignon, in the South of France…

I spoke at the College Joseph Vernet…

(the highlight there being fearless questions typical of middle-schoolers: What are the zero waste alternatives to condoms? Do you buy used underwear?)

Sans Transition Magazine  had also planned a round table…

and one of my talks (which my dad attended!) in Mazan.

That night I slept in the bedroom of my childhood.

A car ride, train and tram later, I was speaking at the Montpellier Business School…

an event organized by one of my biggest and cutest fans ;-), Camille.

After battling with delayed train schedules and cursing the inefficient French transport system, I arrived in Switzerland, just in time for my segment on 26 minutes, a satiric TV show (only follow the link to the video if you understand French and have an acute sense of humor).

 I wrapped up my day with an appearance at the Green Film Festival 

The next morning, Eslyne (below, left) picked me up in Geneva for book signings at her two newest Chez Mamie locations:

Chez Mamie Monthey (the owners, at my sides, were inspired by my book to open their store).

and Chez Mamie Martigny.

If you recall, Eslyne and her husband, Olivier, were inspired by my book to launch their first store in Sion last year: Today, they are a franchise with 9 different locations throughout Switzerland!

Along the way, we grabbed lunch at a little organic cafe serving in returnable containers,

and toured the farmer’s market of Vevey (pics in an upcoming post on bulk).

That night I gave a talk in Bagnes, a beautiful town in Switzerland, 

which also happens to be the capital of the raclette… So, I made sure to get a taste of it during my visit

Then, I hopped over to Ottignies, Belgium, for media interviews (segment starts at 16:12) and a visit of the brand new Grasphopper store, the owners of which were inspired by a talk I gave in the area a couple of years ago to launch their business (the upcycled wood sign is by L’Ecorce Vive).

 My talk that night gathered a crowd of 600…

Not bad for a small town!

That night, I also signed the most worn-out copy I have yet seen of my book

A flight later, I found myself in Macedonia, 

a country that I had never visited, a part of the world that felt instantly exotic given the number of minarets dotting the skyline…

I was given a tour of the capital of Skopje and its market (pics in an upcoming post on bulk). Then, the women of Od Nula Do Nula 

photo credit Ivana Batev

had organized an afternoon talk at the University American College

photo credit Ivana Batev

and an evening event – yes, the sign says Bea Johnson, in Macedonian!

My talk was attended by no less than the Ambassador of France (front row) …

photo credit Ivana Batev

photo credit Ivana Batev

and it gathered a crowd large enough, that half of my audience had to be seated in an annex where my presentation was broadcast.

photo credit Ivana Batev

Not only did the interest for the zero waste lifestyle there touch me, but so did the Macedonian’s welcome and generosity. And what better way to celebrate it than with a glass of rakia at the end of the day;-)

photo credit Ivana Batev

I could have spent a vacation there, but I had to go on to my next stop, a trip that took me over the landscapes of Austria which are dotted by hundred of wind turbines, 

past another orange squeezing machine (Vienna Airport),

4 books

to Bratislava, Slovakia. These four women, readers of my book and now zero wasters,

photo credit J&M Photography

had organized a press conference,

photo credit J&M Photography

and an evening presentation

photo credit J&M Photography

in this super cool, nightclub venue.

photo credit J&M Photography

 My talk was attended by no less than Buddha himself (back row)  

photo credit J&M Photography

A fun train ride took me to my final destination: Budapest, Hungary.  Ecolife Magazin – which had me on the cover last month,

gave me a tour of the city’s highlights (last time I came to Budapest was 20 yrs ago!)

and hosted my talk in this  beautiful theater.

And yes, all of this in 11 days…

Sure, I came home exhausted.. but at the same time energized by the findings I made during that trip: One thing is sure, zero waste is exploding worldwide. The demand and attendance of my speaking engagements attest of the growing interest for zero waste. The talks and the interest that they have received from the media, have in themselves already had an impact: I have learned that several bulk shops are now in the works where before they lacked.

My presentation in Dublin motivated a Zero Waste Ireland member to open a zero waste market stall only a few days after my visit (package-free rice, corn, loose tea, chickpeas, dishwasher, laundry detergent, etc). Not a shop yet, but a promising start.

Last week, I spoke in 4 cities throughout Canada, all sold out events… And this week, I am kicking off a tour in South Africa and Mauritius (for cities and dates, make sure to check my calendar of events). I can’t wait to share my journey on social media and subsequently here, in detail.

Evidently the subject of waste reduction is a matter of global interest…

Is Zero Waste growing in your neck of the woods too?

from A Tour Recap or The Undeniable Rise of Zero Waste