Alternative Lifestyle Solutions, LLC

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Prejudice is a horrible thing. I know many who’ve suffered with it, and it’s rotten when it affects where you live – it’s terrible to have that uncertainty that even though you’ve been open about who you are and how you’re ‘drawn’, some clueless idiot will finally get a clue, and then *poof* you’re looking for another place to live. In my past, I had an issue with a landlord who suddenly ‘got it’ when I had openly told him that we were involved with each other and raising our child … then suddenly, we were given 2 weeks to get out. So, I get it. It royally sucks. And not being out just feels creepy, like you’re hiding something that you shouldn’t be, and constantly sneaking. And you shouldn’t have to. So. MY mission: to provide an environment where anyone can come, and be confident that they will be treated equally, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship preference, lifestyle preference, or HIV status. *** The Story Behind The Flying Pig Logo: I was off of work, so after the usual kid/school chaos I headed out to run some errands. My last stop before home was to visit a little 'nook' shop. If you've ever been to Magazine Street in New Orleans, this shop would have fit in perfectly there. Although there was a large selection of goods to look through ... what I kept coming back to in my rotations throughout the store was this section of pigs. PIGS! I could understand any number of other things, as I tend to shop ahead for holidays and other special occasions - but I didn't understand what was pulling me back to this display time and time again. So I browsed through the store for about an hour, and every time I looked up, there'd be those damn pigs. *sighs* ... I know when I'm being pushed. When I took the time to actually look through the (gaudy as all hell!) display, peeping out from the far back right were the tips of a pair of bronze wings. Upon careful extraction from the ceramic herd, I discovered a metal sculpture of a pig, standing stiff-legged, snout and tail out, wings up and poised to fly. And I'm holding this, examining it, and about to turn to put it up, when I get this overwhelming feeling of 'this is it, this is what you're supposed to get' ... *push* So, again, I think. And then the mallet hits between the eyes. I think most of us have heard the expression 'when pigs fly'. Well, I've been told that 'X' will not/can not happen - more times than I can count. "You'll never have a child" "You'll never be able to use your arm again" "No one will ever want you" "You'll never be able to buy a house" "You'll have to come back to me (an abusive relationship)" "You'll never be able to find a job" "No one will ever stay with you" I've been watching pigs fly for years ... and apparently this one was supposed to come home with me to remind me that the seemingly impossible - no matter how long it takes - is never unconquerable or unattainable, given enough stubbornness and effort. So now ... I've got a pig. *** Once upon a time, I wrote an expanded version of this for myself, but I've decided to share it here. It's important to me that I, personally, remember this. Heck, that little pig made so much of an impact on me that when the time came to come up with a logo, guess what I was drawn to draw? I know that if I set a goal and work towards that goal - whether it