Linden -- Mermaid!

Linden Wolbert's Interview on Australia's Today Show

Lovely Linden Wolbert, the California mermaid was featured via satellite on Australia's Today Show!

Have a look-see! She is amazing and sweeter than honey. Linden's mermaid counterpart helps with drowning awareness for adults and children. A noble and brilliant cause! Her amazing tail was designed by a Special FX friend of hers in Hollywood. The tail alone weighs quite a bit I am sure!

Here's wishing love, hugs and fishes to Miss Linden and her increasing success! : )


http://www.mermaidsinmotion.com

Check out her website! <3



Sorry for the delay in blog entries, I should be back on track today! : ) Again, thank you all and keep spreading the word! <3


with x's and o's
Noel
Mermaid Aiyana

...and the ocean waves do roll...

Maritime music. Is amazing. Need I say more? Oh, alright alright. I will say more. (to your dismay. Bwaha.)

So, there is this astounding group. Of astounding performers. Who are astounding people. Hearing them for the first time at Port Washington Pirate Festival in 2009... I fell in love and there was no turning back. (Seriously, this wild bunch will wrap you in net and literally drag you aboard. Erm...maybe that was just me. Drat!)

Bounding Main. http://boundingmain.com/

They are an amazing, hilarious, witty, and refreshing group of sea shanty singers that (whether you love the sea or not) you could just hug and collect the whole set! With traditional tunes and even original songs all their own, their creativity and calamity only continues to grow and flourish! Their taste in music is excellent and good for both children and adults alike. And fishy folk like me.

Even singing about me! *gasp!* Okay, well...not me per se, but my cousin! She was a sweetheart. Except...well...she...sank...ships .... and such... *Scratches head nervously*

"The Mermaid"

 HEY!

We mer-girls need to make a living too! And your fine ships sure work well as our furniture in the fathoms below. So...sorry 'bout that Bounding Main! :( (Not really. Your ship in specific serves as my parlor. Just sayin'.) : P

So, if you are lookin' for a good hearty tune to tap your foot (or fin) to, (Seriously, I totally just made that terrible pun. and I am NOT takin' it back!) Bounding Main would be the catch of the day! (Yep, Just made that terrible joke too. Hey now! No one said Mermaids were good with jokes.)


Give them a gander! If you like what you hear, make sure to support them, tell them, hug them, and buy their CDs which you can also hug! (Best part!) : )



<3

With x's and o's
Noel
Mermaid Aiyana

No Calorie Left Behind!

As you may know, we mermaids DO eat!
And I love love LOVE my food. I have no shame or embarassment about what and how I eat. I am fairly "good", but when I have my dessert...I Do Not PANIC! Most people, (especially women and girls) panic in guilt when they eat a single brownie! This spurs on eating disorders which are tragic and horrible...


There truly is a mind body connection that many people have not tapped into that can save their sanity, love of food and self-image.
To truly believe what you eat will make you feel better, to truly feel that what you take in is what you need and want and will benefit you...science has proven that it WILL help. Given that we all still eat in healthy moderation for all we intake, you CAN eat that brownie and not destroy yourself over it.

My dearest friend and practically cousin-in-law, Kelli Blanchard has begun blogging about her culinary capers and adventures for this new year! It is inspiring, insightful, truthful, and witty. And Sweet! : )

Kelli is an amazing baker, and I have undoubtedly chosen her for making my wedding cake in the future times. She is so creative, wonderful, funny, and passionate!

Please follow her blog if what she says inspires you as well! She surely inspired me to ENJOY life. ENJOY food. ENJOY what that life can offer! and that darn well includes CHOCOLATE! :)

https://nocalorieleftbehind.wordpress.com/


Enjoy and send love, suggestions, insight to Kelli on her path to show us how to embrace Food! : )
Thank you all!

With x's and o's
Noel
Mermaid Aiyana

submersion

Underwater photoshoots. Need I say more? Oh, how BADLY I want an underwater photoshoot! Just need to find someone to scuba dive and take photos! Hmmm...who's up for that? : )

I also need to work on opening my eyes underwater (sans the contact lenses) but so far so good!

Here are a few quick videos of underwater shoots!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ghzGd_AsMw&NR=1

There is 2 seconds of partial nudity in this video! But you can hardly tell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKYZJGCEzck&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7D3C65kv-U


Hope to get shooting below the surface soon! : )


with x's and o's
Noel
Mermaid Aiyana

tail, tail,.....goose!

So today I thought I would blog about some ideas I had, have, want, and desire! Why not? : )

So, I am in planning stages for 3 brand new tails (all of spandex fabric base and monofin)

Asayo - Asayo is a new tail/name/mermaid entirely from Aiyana. Asayo (Japanese for Morning World) is a japanese koi river mermaid! I am looking at a soft white spandex base and hand painted koi "markings" in orange, burnt orange and black. Also a white flowing dorsal fin and flowing pectoral fins as well! Koi are so graceful and entertaining to watch! With the kanji for "Morning" tattooed into the tail some place or possibly drawn on the shoulderblade, I think Asayo would be an amazing look for river and underwater photoshoots!

Ratana - An incredible experiment! Ratana (Thai for Crystal) is a prototype tail resembling a Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta Fish). These little bruisers are so beautiful and are even bred and shown! With a vast variety of colours, fin length and texture and size, these fish are absolutely stunning. I would love to once again start with a spanex fabric base, and using airbrush paint, slowly ease the white into red, into burgundy, into maroon, then into a sudden violet at the tips of the fluke! Using fringe that flows in the water angelically, I am SO anxious to start work on this tail! It would clearly be for underwater use only. It is much too ethereal in the water to just be used so flatly on land! Long beautiful strands dancing in the water as if in fantasy...

Mahina - This is the most challenging tail I've ever imagined. Mahina (Polynesian for Moon) is based on the Lionfish! These aggressive-looking fish have venomous spines all over their well protected body! They have few to no predators in the waters of Polynesia, Australia, and Malaysia. A tail of spandex base and many well-placed and constructed barbs down the sides of the tail, at the end of the flukes, and dorsal fin! This will be a real challenge indeed! What will I make those barbs out of? Hmm...

Well, I hope you all are as excited as I am! I still have yet to finish re-painting the tail I already have! Yikes! : )
Always mermaid-y work to be done! Stay tuned! <3 thanks for swimming by!



With x's and o's
Noel
Mermaid Aiyana

Upcoming Events!

Here are a few events I should be attending this year!

ConVocation - Feb 24-27 - This is a 4 day convention in and gathering of people of mystical spiritual faiths and paths such as Pagan, Wiccan, Mystic, Druidism, Etc in MI! I have several Pagan and Wiccan friends, and it'd be awesome to learn from their perspectives! So fascinating to be open to new experiences! So, with a few dear friends of mine, we are going to learn, gather, make new friends, and have fun! Figured it'd be good time to swim about in the hotel pool as a Mermaid. Why not? 

http://www.convocation.org/ 

Ghost Ships Festival - March 25-26 - Ever wondered about the mystery and history that lies in the cool depths of our own great lakes? Those majestic steamliners, beautiful ships, incredible watercraft...that met their untimely doom under the surface of the freshwater? Ghost Ships Milwaukee is a 2 day event with presentations, exhibits, demonstrations, etc. involving scuba diving and exploration beneath our waves to the very treasure below! Come with us and discover the wonders, so close to you! You can scuba dive in the ocean...See colourful fish and intricate ecosystems...but only in our great lakes can you be face to face with history itself. So come aboard! Mermaid Aiyana will be attending the Diver's Delight Scuba Diving Charters Booth. I'll be there to answer questions, and take pictures with you or your little ones! : ) Come see us also at the Urge to Submerge Dive Club Booth! Urge to Submerge is our awesome local dive club! They are hilarious, but avid and experienced divers with all the know-how you need to start scuba diving today! Many people are intimidated by the notion of Scuba diving, but no fear! We are here to make it simple, efficient, and FUN! Join the club, and come aboard in the summer and autumn (even winter!) on the Diver's Delight boat and explore your world at new depths!

http://www.ghostshipsmilwaukee.com

http://www.diversdelightcharter.com

http://www.urgetosubmerge.com

Pirates of the Caribbean 4 : On Stranger Tides Midnight Premiere - May 19th-20th - Of course, no mermaid can miss out on the greatly anticipated fourth installment to the well-known and loved POTC saga! I am so excited to see my favorite pirate, Barbossa back in action! Along with Capt. Jack Sparrow, a motley crew as usual, and new characters! Including MERMAIDS! I think they finally got my memo, huh?! : ) Mermaid Aiyana will be carried into the theatre by her amazing friends and cohorts and piratical pals! 

Anime Central (ACen) - May 20-22 - As a costume...r. :) I am a nerd as well! I love foreign pop culture and music, but most of all, Japanese pop culture/fashion/music/animation! My friends and I never miss ACen! One of the largest Japanese Animation conventions in North America! Between the amazing costumes, the hilarity and random chaos, the photoshoots, new friends, 2 amazing rave/dances, a masquerade show, fashion show, concerts, and more, its no wonder more and more people are attending and having a ball! Cannot wait! : ) I love a reason to dress up! up up and away!

http://www.acen.org 

Port Washington Pirate Festival - June 3-5th - My beginnings! Port Pirate Fest is a newer festival here that I LOVE! It's exactly as it says and is total mayhem and fun! This is the reason I became a mermaid! There are TONS of pirates!  Nice ones, smelly ones, drunk ones, little ones, big ones, female, male, evil, kind, etc! There are shows with music! belly dancing! tons of stuff for kiddies, rides on the lake on true pirate ships! Food, music, and vendors! Scuba divers, treasure, mermaid! It always seems to rain and storm during pirate fest, but it makes for good mysterious and eerie pirate weather indeed! This is the place to be, people! Admission is free! Come aboard!

 http://www,portpiratefestival.com

Distant Worlds Chicago Concert - June 26th - An incredible 2-show performance touring through Chicago, London, and Sydney and back to Tokyo showcasing acclaimed musician Nobuo Uematsu (the composer behind the Final Fantasy (video game) saga. He is incredibly talented and has composed the musical selections from every Final Fantasy game to date! Distant Worlds will showcase several of his works for the public in Chicago, with Uematsu himself in attendance. I am a huge fan of classically composed music. Joe Hisaishi (also of Japanese descent), being my all time favorite. Eric Whitacre being my favorite in the department of vocal composition. Uetmastu is a close second! I will be attending possibly in cosplay to promote the show and add to its incredible and awe-inspiring pizazz! I should be receiving my PR press it soon to promote the show! If you are a fan of amazing, tear-jerking, music, and/or Final Fantasy, Please attend! You will astounded.

http://www.ffdistantworlds.com/ 

Here is a video of  a performance from Distant Worlds. "To Zanarkand". Gives me chills! I absolutely play this song in my mind when swimming!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0pj-Bhvvzk&feature=related

 Fish Day - July 16th - The World's Largest One Day Outdoor Fish Fry! That's right, you heard me! and NO! I am NOT on the MENU! Thank you very much! Hmmph! :) Come for a fish fry, awesome parade (I'll be there with the Diver's Delight crew!), live music, and a good time! 

http://www.portfishday.com/

Cyphan - July 29-31 - As I said, I am a NERD! Cyphan is an awesome convention for Sci-Fi series fans! I am in LOVE with Doctor Who as of recent and I just can't stop the love for it! I will be attending this summer with some awesome people! Between mermaiding in the pool and fountains in Rosemont, Illinois, and portraying a hissing and frightening vampire from the Doctor Who series, you should be able to spot me easily! : )

http://www.cyphan.org

More events to come as the time approaches! Including Maritime Heritage Fest, and Bristol Renn. Faire! : )

I hope to see each and every one of you at at least one or a few, or all those events! Come say hello and give me a high-five or hug! Kids are welcome to all events listed! 

Thank you again for all your love and support and increasing following! You are mer-aculous! <3

With x's and o's

Noel

Mermaid Aiyana

Here are some photos of Mermaid Aiyana with lovely and amazing people! I love you all and thank you for your support and x's and o's! <3

Billie Beach and Mermaid Aiyana!

Mermaid Aiyana and the lovely Andrea Jones (Author of "Hook and Jill" ! If you don't already have a copy of this book, be sure to get one! Andrea perfects and re-envisions JM Barries masterpiece in an astounding and thrilling way!, This is Captain Hook, Wendy, Peter Pan and all the awesome characters in Neverland  like you've never seen ! It is deep, dark, fun, romantic, mysterious, and exciting! Check it out!

 http://www.hookandjill.com/

Mermaid Aiyana at Fish Day parade with Jen and Tanya of Diver's Delight!

Aiyana's plunge into the marina! With an unsuspecting man! Gasp!

Preparing to hop in! Pouring rain, fog, and murky water is just a typical Saturday for this mermaid and these divers!

Aiyana with her love, Bryan! (Yes, he dresses as a gorilla for fun! Ya think HE is crazy? Well I dress as a fish! I guess we are a good match. :)

Mermaid Aiyana with her buddy Matt, Who is indeed a NINJA! Oh look there's a hot dog in the picture too! Nomnomnom

Mermaid Aiyana sun-bathing on deck with Julianne! :)

 x's and o's!

In the beginning...

10 followers over night! Oh My Goodness! Okay okay...so one of the followers is actually me. Following myself. But hey! I am my own best stalker. Thank you ALL! You are making the mermaid endeavors possible with your love and awesomeness! : )

So, a quick little bit of info about Aiyana. Mermaid Aiyana is my mermaid alter-ego. She is the confidence I never solely had til now. She is the outlet and ambassador of awareness for our great GREAT Lakes and ambassador of smiles for those little bright eyed cuties who see that tail and allow the belief of magic begin to stir within their hearts like a little firework! The best part of my job. 

Aiyana is supposedly native for "eternal blossom" or "forever blooming". The name was so ethereal and soft, I absolutely grabbed onto it and felt it. Aiyana's story begins with a water lily. Nymphaea is the order of flower they originate from. Amazing flowers. And protected by many authorities and departments! Born in an untamed wild river in the midwest of America. In a smoother creek connected to the river, many incredible water blossoms grew and opened to the sun above. In the warmth of the shallow water, Aiyana was born. (yes, technically hatched :). Aiyana was named of course after the sweet, delicate but sturdy flowers around her in the river.  Travelling where the water and current take her, she roams and pops out onto land frequently to explore her world above and below the waters edge. Now, Aiyana tells her stories and adventures with children and adults where'er she goes. 

Aiyana has met some incredibly fascinating people along the way such as magicians, fire eaters, dancers, singers, people of all ages, pirates, royalty, adventurers, fishermen, scuba divers, captains and crew, writers, animals, treasure hunters, jewelry makers, photographers, comedians, and etc! She continues each day to meet and explore new realities and lifestyles and interests with new and enthralling people on land. 

So Aiyana. The idea for her character and generally the idea to don a swimmable mermaid tail. Why? 

A local pirate festival sprung the idea of being a mermaid. Why not? They are often mentioned in Pirate lore often and yet, I haven't seen a mermaid yet at the festival! How strange.) So I asked those in charge of the festival at the time, if it'd be okay if I hopped into the cold murky harbor for fun. Surely, they thought I was out of my darned mind. They were spot-on correct. 

As fate would have it, They are Scuba divers! Just as wild as I am! Perfect match. They had a huge pirate ship float for parades, and were looking for something to spice up their pirate ship float. I was looking to be silly and dress up. 

Perfect match once again. :) They got a nice little macrame hanging chair prepared for me to sit in hanging from the bow of the pirate ship float. And you bet your bottom I dove into that harbor! 2 years strong now doing the festival with them! They have become my second little strange and kooky family that I love and adore. Scuba diving is so incredible. It is an amazing way to get up close and personal with magnificent shipwrecks right here in our great lakes! That's right. Right HERE! Imagine being inches away from history itself, settled in deep peace at the bottom of a freshwater sea. It's breathtaking and awe-inspiring to learn more and dive more! There is so much treasure (literal and metaphorical) to be had from diving, whether in saltwater or fresh. There is always something to discover. So what's stopping you? Grab your flippers and come aboard! 

http://www.diversdelightcharter.com/

These awesome people really set my inner mermaid free and wilddd! :) I will be doing more events with them very soon! (More details to come as events approach)

My first mermaid tail was a burgundy and bronze velvet fabric and Wave monofin 

My second mermaid tail was blue shimmer spandex fabric and Wave monofin (cut to shape flukes)

My third mermaid tail (current) is a green latex over neoprene fabric custom tail

Future tails (to be explained in further blogs) - Japanese Koi tail, Betta Fish tail, and Lionfish tail. : )

Photo credit Steve Spitzer

A simple idea to jump into the harbor water as a mermaid, turned into a full fledged passion, and a love to make people smile! I'm only getting started! : )

Thanks for stopping by lovelies!

With x's and o's

Noel

Mermaid Aiyana

Testing 1,2,3

Testing my new blog here on blogger.com. Seems awfully spiffy. I am so juiced to start blogging my mer-aculous adventures, exploits, expeditions, journeys, excursions, quests, voyages, crusades, confessions and memoirs of a strange upside down and inside out woman on the path of discovery of everything she is not, everything she wants to be, but most importantly, what she IS and could be. Will be. With a bit of love, odd new friends, fairytales, waves, hot tea, hope, family, passion, tails, and laughter.

This is the expose of my endeavors of all the things that make I and all of us unique. All the characters in the stories of each day. The soundtrack in the minutes. My revelation, my endeavors, my exhibition of the fin-tailed counter-part that changed my life... the emancipation of my wild and colourful soul. So if you are reading this and are game for a taste of creative, passionate, and just a bit magical, welcome aboard and please make sure all seat backs and tray tables are in their upright and locked position as we prepare for take off. :)

Happy new year - 2011. Here's to making it count. 

By the by, for those who do not know me personally, my name is Noel. And I am a mermaid.

I hope to get to know you more and I promise you'll learn to understand my oddness as well as time goes by. Pinky promise. 

with x's and o's

Noel

Mermaid Aiyana