A life online

It's hard to imagine a world without the internet. So much of my life happens online, and so much is recorded there too. This blog is my own little corner, however rubbish I am at updating it. Facebook, though, is another story. I resisted joining it in the beginning, figuring it was just another 'thing' that would pass. But in 2007 I gave in and signed up, and despite occasional weeks when I try and cut myself off, it's been an integral part of my life ever since. As someone who is really bad at keeping in touch with people, it's an easy way out. And as much as I would like to say I miss handwritten letters and postcards in the post - who am I kidding, I never wrote any letters.

The idea for this page came about when one friend was going through another's Facebook profile photos. And I realised that they are a mini-autobiography all of their own. Facebook keeps them in a folder and it's super-easy to go through and chart out my life. So much has changed since that first picture in 2007 - not least my hair - and making this page seemed like a good opportunity to bring it all together.

35 photos on one spread is definitely a record for me. Also, a great opportunity to use some office-themed supplies. I know I can't actually use a typewriter to go on Facebook, but it kind of fits the theme. The Facebook logo and 'like' symbol were downloaded and printed on photo paper to make my own embellishments.

I love this. I love the grid of photos. I love the way it charts my life. I love that it feels like progress and reminds me how far I've come. And I am absolutely going to do another one in another five years' time.

The sweetest feeling

Oh, it feels so good to be back. 

I took a long break from choir earlier this year, and walking through the door to my first rehearsal in months? Very hard. But after about five minutes it was like I'd never been away, and as soon as we start singing I remember why I love it so.

As I write this, I've just got back from our big summer performance. The photos on this page are from a rehearsal earlier in the week, when everything came together and we realised that it was going to be ok. And tonight it was more than 'ok'. Honestly, nothing beats singing in a big group of people when you can hear the harmonies blend and you know that your voice is joining with everyone else to make a sound that is bigger and richer than anything you can do on your own. And when you know a piece really well, and can sing your line with confidence (I'm still working on that bit) so that instead of concentrating on the notes, you can just feel the joy of singing...that is the feeling that I strive for, and it is sweet indeed.

Creativity is not dead

I've had a bit of a shuffle around on my desk. Do you ever find that you never use the stuff that's neatly put away? EXACTLY. I've been saying this for years as my reason not to tidy up. Anyway, I realised that the reason I wasn't using all my fabulous embellishments was because they were carefully hidden on a shelf. So I've changed that:

A friend came to my house the other day, and remarked 'You have enough to scrapbook forever!'. I didn't have the heart to tell her that she was only looking at my scrap paper basket. (It's in the top right, off the edge of this photo). The good stuff is tucked away so the cat can't sit on it. I do, though, make a point of going through my folder every time I need a piece of paper, so at least it gets used.

But the rearranging has paid off, with a great crop of pages lately. I've been having a real urge to scrapbook and haven't been able to do anything about it, because I'm just so busy right now. But there's always next weekend, and I have a few days off work lined up. All this rainy weather is perfect for staying inside and playing with paper.