Photography by Waldemar & Max
This weekend I took a writing class with the amazing Laurie Wagner, and as a result of that, I am starting this week very inspired by storytelling.
{I love Waldemar & Max‘s editorial featured here and their idea of collaborating to create “fashion stories” together. Aren’t these shots amazing? More shots at their blog.}
Also, I wanted to invite you to play with me this week and practice storytelling.
I’ll explain…
Photography by Waldemar & Max
One of the things we did in the writing class is what Laurie calls “story slices”. Instead of proper introductions, we went around the circle and each one of us said something completely random about ourselves, our families, or something we saw or experienced, past or present. It was so lovely and way more meaningful than knowing someone’s name, occupation, etc. You totally get a sense for who a person truly is by learning something that is simple and true about them, by getting a slice of their life.
My random slice for you today is this:
“I’ve been carrying my new SX70 camera with me all over the place for one week, looking for the perfect shot to start with. Yesterday, I finally said “screw it” (there is no perfect time or perfect shot, as a matter of fact)… Which resulted on me going through the entire first pack of tz film, simply shooting my breakfast! Yoohoo”
And you? What is your story slice today?
Please delurk, people! This is the best way to do it.
I want a random slice of you ~
I made paper toys with my son :)
(we’re both sick with swine flu and home from school)
I am realizing more and more that life is all about experiences, love and compassion.
when i was younger i danced in a dance company, and i got to dance with the Joffrey Ballet, but soon realized i was months away from being taller than all the male dancers! I knew then that ballet wasn’t going to be a career for me (and i am not that tall!)
feeling crummy today I decided to leave work and take care of myself, resulting in coming home to a comfy bed and sun streaming through my windows
I witnessed a tiger chuffing and moaning to a woman (that saved his life years ago) while she scratched him as he pressed his head against the fence. If anyone deserves to pet a tiger it is her. I admire her dedication and love immensely.
today i came away from my parents with so much sadness and frustration and anger in my soul that i groaned in such a way that the dog got concerned…it had to be the most visceral sound i have made since childbirth…but it helped let go…
it was a toss up between that story and the one about being caught, sitting in my car, dealing to my ingrown leg hairs by the guy who collects supermarket trolleys….
it’s been a day!
a tiny gift of sand
one of my early memories of me with my mother was collecting all the different kinds of sand on the beaches in the area where i grew up. we would pour them into tiny jars, then line them up – row upon row- in a machine that jiggled them, really fast, until they all settled in beautiful sandy layers. we used to sell them – tiny momentos to the tourists of golden bay sand.
years later, i discover that a girlfriend’s parents have one of those tiny jars of sand on their shelf.
:)
Listening to Chris De Burgh inspires me to paint, write, dance, smile, reminise, love, forgive, and be content.
alright, madam, i will delurk just because you asked me to ~ i though it very amusing how you said it..!
right now i am sitting in bed eating rice porridge with blueberries, snuggled up with two sleepy kitties.. i’m reading my favourite blogs and soaking up the inspiration, thinking about how i need to pick up a paintbrush or a pen and put something onto paper, even if i don’t feel compelled to. (i believe we all need to practise creativity in order to sustain it.)
ingrid
Thank you guys for sharing!! I’m loving our random stories strung up together like colorful christmas lights! xo
Slice of me…hmmm. About to pop out my 5th baby and couldn’t be happier in life. Went to a “photography workshop” in Philly and came away with one of the top 3 best expierences of my life. I’m really wanting to wear a fake mustache to the grocery store this week. Me and all 4 of my kids… I think we will.
Today was a glorious fall day, one of the few we get here in Minnesota in November. As I was driving through the countryside, I was aching with the overwhelming need to burst….overflowing with love to give and share; with the need to create something, anything; with the realization that anything was possible in that moment; with wanderlust; with loneliness; with contentment in that moment…..
I love your story and equally all the comments placed here!
My little Ayanna said a real “mama” today, accompanied by a kiss with a “mmmmmmmmmm”-sound. So I melted. I was in love, high up there in the clouds, all day long. It is that simple, life and love can be that simple and pure!
I love your story and equally all the comments placed here!
My little Ayanna said a real “mama” today, accompanied by a kiss with a “mmmmmmmmmm”-sound. So I melted. I was in love, high up there in the clouds, all day long. It is that simple, life and love can be that simple and pure!
I love your story and equally all the comments placed here!
My little Ayanna said a real “mama” today, accompanied by a kiss with a “mmmmmmmmmm”-sound. So I melted. I was in love, high up there in the clouds, all day long. It is that simple, life and love can be that simple and pure!
Gosh! You guys are making me cry! I think I’m going to suggest random stories every week from now on. Aren’t these amazing!? Thank you for sharing your light ~
I went to Alaska a couple of months ago with no real preconceived notions about what I would see there. All the same, I was somewhat surprised by how water seemed to be the central focus of my visit. Not only was it the prevalence of waterfalls, glaciers, lakes, rivers and oceans; but the unexpected colors of the water that still stick with me. The light greenish tint of the rivers and lakes coupled with the bright blue cast of the icy glaciers linger in my mind. What a beautiful surprises were revealed to me there.
I’m so proud of being the inspiration for the lead female character in a spy novel set in Gaza that I made the author write in the front of my copy that he was thinking of me when he wrote it. Humble? Hardly!
Everyday while teaching I learn more about myself than my students learn about literature and writing. Today I learned that the only way to set myself free of my guilt and depression over a failed marriage is to get out side of my head and to be come an observer/ participant of life outside of me. To live life like a kick ass first person narration. Thank you 3 a,m. Epiphany!
This was too much fun to pass up.
I am starting “the artists way” this week. After loving all things cultural and artistic since I was young, I’ve started to consider the possibility I might be creative (never took an art class at all – scared that I wasn’t creative in any sense of the word). It’s been so much fun considering that possiblity.
Today, I am realizing that the reason I am afraid to do the thing isn’t because I don’t want it, it’s because I want it so much that it has been imbued with all the weight of the world. So I will be gentle with myself, and take the time I need. And possibly buy a cake – to celebrate just because. (Ooooh, or make an eclair cake which someone just shared the recipe for on their blog – just because it is definitely not something I would normally make: graham crackers and frosting and pudding.)
Delurking…
I spend ALL day at work (8 hrs in a corporate cube)reading blogs, cruising the internet, creating art in my head & endlessly daydreaming about being able to spend my days in a much different way.
When I packed for my current trip I didn’t pack enough socks. Luckily I bought a pair of socks yesterday before I knew this.
My 3 year old and my husband have both been on a baking spree lately so I have been enjoying Apple pie turnovers, fresh homemade bagels, and oatmeal white chocolate chip cherry cookies.
I’m leaving as soon as I type this to go to my metalworking class. I am actually completing my first pendant tonight.
Loving all your slices! Thank you for sharing a part of you with me. It makes me smile so big you wouldn’t believe…
I’m sending my children’s manuscript back out to editors starting today. Five years ago it was a published book but I was unhappy with the practices of the publisher and I pulled my contract. It was devastating and it’s taken me all these years to get back the courage and determination to try to be an author again. I feel excited to take this next step.
Today is a story evenly split between the sheer pride of accomplishment (yes, I am a professional, grown up woman who can have and do it all – as long as my husband cooks dinner ;) ) and then the wall of inadequacy – am I ever going to measure up to all these lovely working, blogging, selling ladies? Jealousy is a green-eyed monster that truly needs to be recycled into motivation.
Any other day and my story might have been more exciting than that. I’m really enjoying seeing everyone else’s though; what a fabulous idea.
i just might be the only person i know who can take 50 or so photos of dew drops in the overgrown grass of a random field in the early morning just because the sun makes the dew sparkle like the most perfect diamonds ever. not because i care that much about diamonds, but the scene creates such an incredible sense of peace. and it’s so random. nature at her best.
my first time here {i think!} and i love it. what a wonderful idea! :)
It is a big stressful time in my life, but often as I tune inside, I have images of beauty.. what does this mean?
I can’t wait to go upstairs and curl up to sleep with my children..
One of my friends from high school studied medicine at college and when he was at 2nd grade, he helped a doctor giving birth to a baby and the baby’s parents asked my friend if he knew any nice names to give to the baby and my friend told them my name and that baby was named after me.
It’s just exciting to believe that there is a soul on earth which shares my name and my feelings and I still feel awesome today. :)
I discovered David Sedaris, baba ghanouj, and Chinese Karaoke all in one wonderful week.
:)
I was born and raised in a cult.
~
I love your photography.
Two days ago I spanked a cat for peeing in my basil plant and felt terrible about it. I planted the seeds and watched them grow… and for the past week I’ve wondered why a couple of the plants were dying off. When I saw little Roma, I just reached down and swatted her. Then I was left with this terrible hole in my gut. Now whenever I see the basil I can’t help but think of spanking Roma. What guilt. It’s really a good thing I’m not a mother.
I am obsessed with my chickens and I cook for them! They love oatmeal, carrots with ginger sauce, pear salad, mixed wild greens and most fresh veggies.
I spent today wallowing in self loathing and crying because of things my partner said to me and am considering staying in a hotel tomorrow night.
I had visitors this week and I barely saw them, and the weather was dreadful, and I didn’t feel quite myself. But in spite of the brevity and other factors, it was good to see these wonderful strong reliable people I haven’t seen for a long time. And it threw the next international relocation into sharp focus. Yet more distance to insert between self and good old reliable loving giving treasured people. Yet more time between meetings in the flesh.
On the upside; yet more good old reliable people to meet in the next town.
Would have to agree there, couldn’t have said it any better myself.