Week In The Life : Monday Morning Thoughts

Makingbed


I forgot how much work (fun "work" of course) this project can be once you get going. The first day is always the most challenging - it gets easier as you get into a groove as the week goes along. I've taken a bunch of blurred shots this morning since it was still pretty dark when we started our day - needing to get out my tripod tomorrow morning or add on the external flash.


Received a great message from my friend Carrie this morning as we were talking about the project, "I think it's important to embrace this even amid life's imperfections...It's easy to say, 'Well, life isn't perfect right now, so my week isn't worth documenting.'  Not true."


BINGO.


Don't beat yourself up if you miss something. If you forget your camera. If your day isn't how you hoped it would be. If you don't write anything down. Hello life, right?


One of the things I am remembering that I love about this documentation process is the awareness of my surroundings that I begin to have again. For awhile, it has been hibernating. I am excited to welcome it back.


As for my writing so far, what is working for me is to have a Word document open on my computer to jot down thoughts/activities as they happen.


Dottedline


Just a note: I am answering questions in the comment section this week as we embark on this project together. Feel free to leave questions and suggestions.


Dottedline


A complete list of posts related to the week in the life project can be found here.

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87 thoughts

  1. Danielle says…
    09/29/2008

    I love that you have a word document open to take notes. I have a small notebook I had from the Target $1 bin - I opted for this so that I can throw it in my bag and write on the go if need be :)

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  2. megbarnes says…
    09/29/2008

    Hi Ali!
    I just wondered what size/type of album you had you class use when you taught this @ CKU. I've looked at several completed projects and love the divided page protectors, wondered if you could give me any ideas where to find some. Thanks for being so inspiring! I haven't been this excited about a project in a long time!
    Megan

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  3. Shannon says…
    09/29/2008

    I started this yesterday. I made it through about 1/2 the day taking pictures. It was hard to remember to capture what I think of as our everyday activities (though I know that is the point). I kept a little journal throughout the day and then made a daily collage this morning (for yesterday). After going through that, I think even though I didn't take a ton of pictures, I was able to capture a pretty typical Sunday for our family. I still want to keep an eye on what you are taking pictures of because I think I am missing some of the obvious things. Thanks for this challenge!

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  4. Ali says…
    09/29/2008

    Hey Megan - I will be doing a big post with ideas/suggestions and specifics tomorrow or Wednesday. That album (the one with the divided page protectors) is the Anthologie (formerly Bay Box) system from Scrapworks.

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  5. jenny says…
    09/29/2008

    This is fun!

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  6. Judith says…
    09/29/2008

    Hi Ali I already started friday :) we were celebrating my husbands birthday, so had to capture it! I love this project, just wanted to let you know, love from Holland, Judith

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  7. ElisabethC says…
    09/29/2008

    I just wanted to say thanks for doing this!! I started today and am sooo looking forward to doing it! I haven't scrapped all summer and have had hard time getting inspired, and this is just what I needed, and it's been so fun this far!!!

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  8. ElisabethC says…
    09/29/2008

    I just wanted to say thanks for doing this!! I started today and am sooo looking forward to doing it! I haven't scrapped all summer and have had hard time getting inspired, and this is just what I needed, and it's been so fun this far!!!

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  9. Margarita says…
    09/29/2008

    Some pictures just seem so silly to me right now (i.e. I took a picture of my Halloween decorations - from the dollar store!) - but I was thinking that in a few years, I'll have the picture and the memories of taking my 3 and 1 year old children to the store...right???

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  10. reenie says…
    09/29/2008

    I had a GREAT first day with the project..then today I was feeling like just starting over...picking another week in my life! So not perfect, son has the flu this morning. Thanks for reminding that life just isn't perfect. I needed to hear that....I'm going to continue.

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  11. Megan says…
    09/29/2008

    Ha! MY morning started out with a dead coffee maker. Talk about a fun-buster...but also part of life. Actually already laughing about what I wrote. (Now that I've had some coffee...)

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  12. vanessa says…
    09/29/2008

    I glad I'm not the only one with blury morning pictures.

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  13. Rebecca G. says…
    09/29/2008

    Thanks for taking us on this journey with you. I've missed out on all of your CKU classes, which is a total bummer. But now I feel like I get to be a part of the class with you. I've been looking forward to this all weekend... even though my life most certainly is NOT perfect right now. I definitely want to take the time to document the imperfections...

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  14. Ali says…
    09/29/2008

    Right Margarita :). Don't judge right now - just document.

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  15. Jen Davis says…
    09/29/2008

    YAY, Ali! I am so excited to get started on this...I was thinking it may be overwhelming this week at first, but after reading today's post I'm going to just go for it! =) I think you are right on when you mention getting more familiar with your surroundings again with this project. I'm so excited to get started in this!
    Thanks so much for doing this, I've been itching to do a group project for awhile now and this is just the thing.
    Jen

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  16. Nora says…
    09/29/2008

    I have 1 question:
    Approximatly (sp? lol) how many photos do you take each day? And how many make it into the finished project/album per day? I know you cant give an exact answer but I'm just wondering if its 5 or 50 sorta.. :D

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  17. Ali says…
    09/29/2008

    I usually recommend 30+ if you can. I will be putting the album together differently than in the past (so I am not really sure yet) but it is always better to have more than less when it comes to putting the project together. I like to have choices.

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  18. Emilyt says…
    09/29/2008

    What legs this project has...so neat to go onto other cyberplaces and see the participation! I started yesterday. Your post today is perfect - I forgot my camera this morning (so disappointing) and I got called to pick up my daughter from school. If that isn't real life, I don't know what is? Thanks for having me. This is a GOOD process - to validate and punctuate my everyday. LOVING this.

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  19. Bree says…
    09/29/2008

    Great quote about documenting imperfect life. It is what it is. I needed to hear that as I felt frustrated by this project already this morning. :-)

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  20. Tammy says…
    09/29/2008

    Ali and friends: I am totally overwhelmed at the idea of taking pictures the live.long.day. So much so that I have considered abandoning the project altogether.
    However.
    Since I really want to give it a go, I have given myself permission to take a picture(s) of the major activity of my day. Today it is steam-cleaning my carpet. A single picture of the torture machine will suffice. Tomorrow I am volunteering at my son's school - a picture of the front door. Along with that single picture I am keeping copius notes that will translate onto a scrap page.
    Just thought I'd share how I'm making this project "my own" - something Ali advocates.

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  21. O says…
    09/29/2008

    I love blurry pictures and use them because they show motion. Life is motion. *Life* is moving along no matter what *we're* doing. Thanks for inviting us to participate in this project. My thought is this: no picture is every too silly or random because it shows a moment gone by. Never gonna get it back. Life is made of many, many moments. I began documenting my moments this morning. :)

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  22. Andrea says…
    09/29/2008

    Hi there ali... I started this project yesterday... and had a blast... I thought about starting it today but knew i would be too overwhelmed with it (since i teach 9th graders) so i started with going to church yesterday... perfect way to start my week. I'm super duper excited for this process and the finished project... i've been keeping my notes on random stuff... like the bulletin from church... my receipt from something and a notebook while i'm at school.... i also made a place to stash the fun random stuff of the day... receipts, ticket stub from the swap meet... etc...
    Thanks lady for the inspiration! YOU ROCK!

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  23. Therese Bradley says…
    09/29/2008

    I took this class with Ali at CKU San Jose. I have 65 photos in my finished project. I made a lot of photo collages with bits and pieces of photos and everyday memorabilia. I included pictures of my sink filled with my son's sippy cups (he doesn't use these anymore so I'm glad I took this photo.) I have a picture of the inside of my refrigerator, my laundry waiting to be folded, the storefronts that I went to that week, the view from my kitchen sink, etc. I included my grocery list, to do lists, bits of envelopes from mail, the plastic thingys from flowers I planted, etc. I'm amazed how much has changed in my life in a few short years, and how much has stayed the same. Hope this helps those who are struggling a bit. Therese

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  24. Ali says…
    09/29/2008

    Sounds perfect Tammy - I am finding as I work here at my desk most of the morning/early afternoon that there is not a ton of variety :). As I move around the house I bring the camera with me to capture whatever it is I am doing (like making lunch in a bit).

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  25. Amy says…
    09/29/2008

    I'm glad that you said it gets easier, I'm tired already! lol Although it didn't help that while I'm trying to document my week, I have a submission at work, and then I lost my cell phone today. (Turns out it was on the floor of the car, under the seat- Had to take the regular phone into the car to call myself. lol) But of course, it's Monday! But you're right, this is all real life. :)
    I have planned to do this project for a while, but I needed some motivation so thanks to everyone participating for the motivation! I'm already enjoying everyone's pictures in the flickr group!

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