Hi Everyone!
Whelp, it’s official. I’ve entered the blogging world. It’s about time I caught up with the rest of the world, right?! Truth be told, I have wanted to start a blog for some time. I simply couldn’t come up with a fitting title…until about a month ago!
I was reading Tina Seelig’s book, inGenius, where she mentioned she asks her students to introduce themselves in her creativity courses at Stanford University using a unique six-word memoir. Though I didn’t have the chance to take a class from her when I attended Stanford my freshman year in college, I wondered if I could apply this intriguing concept today to my own life.
As a photographer, I try to fill the frame with a visual story as every “picture is worth a thousand words.” As an author, I often must adhere to specific word counts for articles and books. But trying to come up with a six-word introduction that adequately captured my entire life seemed daunting!
In Seelig’s book, she also recounts a situation where someone dared world-famous author Ernest Hemingway to sum up his memoir in a mere six words. He reportedly wrote, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
After a few minutes of pondering my own short story, I decided on – probably not surprisingly for those who know me – “You can sleep when you’re dead.” Yep, that’s right. Not only do I try to live my life according to this motto, but I also I fully believe we ALL can sleep when we’re dead and should make the most of our time on this Earth.
Voila! The blog name was born!
As the header above suggests, I’ve started this blog to share my adventures and learning’s in photography, the outdoors, and life in hopes it inspires you to get outside to experience the beauty of the world, record photographs you’re proud of, and have some silly fun along the way. Through sharing my successes and failures (and I have a lot of those!), I hope it helps encourage you to follow your own passion and give you confidence that you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to, whether that be in photography, your job, hobbies, relationships, or life in general. It might take a lot of work and a lot of time, but in the end, you’ll live a much more fulfilled life.
I also hope this is an interactive community where you’re sharing your comments and ideas as well. So don’t be shy – feel free to chime in via the comments below. In fact, why don’t you start off by introducing yourself with your own six-word memoir? I can’t wait to hear what you come up with!
Alright! Finally, a place I can circle-back some thoughts and ideas about my passion for photography. Welcome to the blogging club..
Thanks, Chito! Looking forward to hear your thoughts and ideas!
Congratulations Colleen – I’m sure it will be entertaining! I’ll add you to my blog roll as well – thanks.
Oh geez, there’s already high expectations for entertainment, Ron?!! 😛 Thanks for stopping by…and for sharing your photos and insights on your awesome blog too.
Colleen, this is just amazing that you still find time to share your thoughts with so many who can appreciate what you have to say….Thanks for being such an inspiration and for walking the walk in life!!! 🙂
Thank you, Denise, for being so enthusiastic and so supportive over the years. You’re truly a gem!
Woohoo now I can stalk you via your blog LOL!!! Love ya lots!!!
Whooohooo, I’m so excited! I have stalkers?! HA! Love ya lots, too, Katie.
The new digs look great Colleen, looking forward to what you have to share here on the blog!
Thanks so much, Ian, for stopping by!
Rock on!
“Rock on” is definitely YOU, Ambika!
This is fantastic! Here goes IMAGES ARE BORN FROM MANY RELATIONSHIPS. Thanks for this opportunity to relate about photography, the outdoors and life. You’re the best.
LOVE IT, Muriel! So fitting for you. I totally agree too, especially after reading your great book, “Relationships are Everything.” Thank you for being so willing to share your insights with us all.
So happy for you and all your readers who will learn so much as you share your thoughts. I’m subscribed and ready to enjoy the ride.
Thank you, Pete, for your comments and inspiration! Now buckle your seat belt, put your hands in the air, and get ready for a crazy ride!
What won’t you do next, Colleen? Very impressive. Look forward to keeping up with you in another way!
Bungy jump. I’m just not a fan of bungy jumping, Jim. 🙂 Thanks so much for coming by the new blog. Hope to hear from you often here!
Didn’t quite have the six words sorted out earlier this morning so I pondered for a bit and I’m back to post what I came up with… so in the tradition of stealing like an artist I have taken three words from a famous quotation and added three of my own…
Explore Dream Discover Laugh Learn Love
Our time on this blue marble is pretty short and whatever number of trips around the sun we end up getting on this journey called life I think those six words make for a memorable ride.
Pete, you’re six-word memoir just makes me smile. Like Muriel’s, it’s perfect for you. Very wise words to live by each and every day. Thank you for sharing!
Oh no, you did NOT just use that as your blog title! Hahahaaaaa… 🙂
A picture is worth a thousand words… but which thousand, and in what language? I think the combination of visual and linguistic expression can be really powerful, so welcome to the blogosphere. Looking forward to reading your thoughts to go along with the image-making.
As for a 6 word memoir, interesting challenge. A bit like doing a haiku. I’d like to rip off David duChemin’s old tagline — “Gear Is Good, Vision Is Better” — but that would be downright rude. 🙂
So here’s another one based on some nascent thoughts from our escapades a few weeks ago: “Experience To Know. Imagine To See.” Needs work but there’s a kernel of an idea in there than I’m turning around in my head…
Oh yes I DID, Royce!! HAHAHA! See what you and Pete inspired?! 🙂 (BTW, I’m mulling over an idea that involves haiku’s. We’ll see if it pans out…stay tuned…).
I tremendously enjoy your start for the six-word memoir. In fact, it’d be an awesome finish just the way you have it. Very inspiring and very true. It doesn’t need it, but if you do polish it up, please be sure to share your final results with us!
“May Cause Serious Injury or Death” – (i.e., most of my extracurricular activities?)
Welcome to the blogosphere – looking forward to following your art and your adventures.