From Lisa:
It’s funny to look at all of your Badass portraits and then look at ours, because we look so NOT badass. It’s almost embarrassing…like who are these two women who only laugh and dance when everyone else looks cool…or mysterious…or just simply kick-ass?
So, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to answer the questions. What I’ve realized is what makes us badass is that we’re low-key, on-the-down-low badass. If you see us or meet us casually, we probably don’t give off the badass vibe. The truth is, individually we are badass, but together we are BAD-ASS. I’m glad we took these pictures as a duo because together we are exponentially badass. What we have is complementary…what I’m weak about, Sam is strong about. What I lack, she’s got. Where I fail, she succeeds. And vice versa. And the best part about it is that we would never tell the other how she was weak, or what she lacks, or where she fails…we just know it and put our own strengths on the other side of the scale so it all balances out.
I will tell you specifically why Sam is a badass…she graduated with a “man’s degree” in a “man’s field” and walked into their worlds as a smoking hot young women, and yet has always been recognized as being as smart and badass as she is. I guarantee you that’s a rarity.
So that’s that.
In response to some of your actual questions…
What makes you nervous about having your portrait taken?
I can tell you that there’s really nothing that makes me nervous about having my portrait taken.
Can I share your images?
You can certainly share my images, even the ones sans clothes…I’ve decided that I don’t care who sees them. (I actually decided that the first day, but have taken months to decide whether that’s the wrong decision.)
What makes you feel kickass?
It makes me feel kick ass when I throw a good party…when I can find Census data that no one else can seem to find (nerd)…when I cook something really tasty…when I put someone in their place who has doubted me…and when I help people see the best in themselves (cheesy).
What inspired your portrait?
The fact that you had a sparkly dress inspired my portrait because I love being sparkly…and I was very happy that I didn’t have to hold any doll parts (because I’m a big baby).
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by badass women every single day, from famous people to friends to random people in articles. I feel like pretty much everyone is badass in their own way.
From Sam
Dear Lisa, Something in your 13-year-old brain decided that you were going to be a combination of best friend and third parent for your newborn sister. Most teenagers wouldn’t have time for a baby, but that immature teenage shit wasn’t for you. Thanks for deciding to be my champion. Something in your 16-year-old brain didn’t mind sharing a bedroom with your 3-year-old sister. We fell asleep listening to the radio, and somehow it never seemed weird that we were roommates. Thanks for treating me as a peer, even when I wasn’t. Something in your 20-ish year old brain decided that it was a good idea to host your 5-or-6-or-7-year-old sister at your college for the weekend. I hit myself in the head with a dart. And I was also an asshole. Thanks for always putting up with me, even when I haven’t always deserved it. Something in your 28-year-old brain decided that you should find me in a high school parking lot after a marching band performance so that I could be the first to know that you were getting married. Thanks for always prioritizing me, even when I was distracted with life. Something in your 33-year-old brain decided to travel to the United Kingdom -- twice -- in my three-month “adventure”. I was a kook, and you accepted me. Thanks for always, always being there, even when I was “gone”. Something in your 37-to-39-year-old brain decided that even though I was going through the hardest years of my life you wouldn’t let me drift too far away. Thanks for fighting for me, even when I stopped fighting for myself. Something in your 47-year-old brain decided that you were going to be a fun, engaged aunt to my kid(s). You very purposely take any opportunity to engage the little ones while you preserve my sanity. Thanks for knowing what I need, even when I haven’t realized it. ... Something in my 38-year-old brain can’t imagine a life without you. You’re my first role model, my best friend. Thank you for defining “badass”.
