Encore Again….
When the idea of being a voice on social media first took up residence in my head, I ventured onto Facebook, where I post my own photographic images and my own words. Then I got going on the idea of doing a blog, although I didn’t get off the dime with that for a long time. I needed to explore the reasons why. I kicked the can of that question around for quite a while because it was tied up with another question: how I felt about being visible. Eventually, I cobbled together a rudimentary blog shored up with some pretty good motives at the time. It worked until it didn’t.
After I let Renascent Road doze off, I settled on a strategy to re-envision it so that it fit me a bit better. I tossed some ideas around with my new designer, Kim LeClair, and we decided I could either rebirth the blog or midwife a website. We decided to branch out with the website renascentroad.com. At the time, it was the machine that would be better able to carry my work. We built a hefty, authentic container, more like a stoneware mug than the crystal goblet that was my first blog. A place that could provide safety and inclusiveness, built on a strong foundation. But at the same time, a place that left space for risk taking, for going deeper and farther in. And then….
What do I say? I draw on the words I wrote in renascent road. Life got in the way? Where was the clause in the contract that said it was okay to jump the rails for long periods of time without committing with intention and contributing? MIA. As I’ve said already, creating my site and diligently posting to it was more about re-learning about myself and my habits and testing the waters. It was a process and still is.
Kim and I built a good thing with which we were very satisfied. But my failure to post lived in several houses on the street. There’s no one reason. Other work imperatives, moving briefly on sabbatical, divorce, moving permanently from my home, putting out a doormat at a place that I refer to as Alcatraz East. Life circumstances that pushed my boat into the shoals. Searching for my North Star, trying to figure out a new terrain in which I feel adrift and perplexed. Sometimes I just get bogged down in emotions and thoughts that sabotage me and trip me up. Monkey mind. The detours that, nonetheless, often help me set my course.
So. I contacted Kim and said, “What are the chances we can midwife this thing another time?” She was game, and, as usual, came with an armful of ideas. How about we turn the whole business into my work space, my notebook? You get to see what’s going on if you want to. I’m working and stuff filters in when I open the door. Sure, there’s a “Home” page so you know where you are. The requisite “About” that got carried over from the old site. This time, “Chronicles” is what used to be called a blog. No timeframes or expectations. Just a place for observations and thoughts — mine and yours. “Library” is the repository of those little writings that often first appear in Facebook or other places, or maybe just here. The “Studio” is the illustrated journal, the workshop, the notebook — made public. You wander in off the street and it’s where I’m working with ideas and projects and inspirations. The “Gallery” is just that. Probably mostly images, but finished things. And, of course, the “Connect” for those who want to subscribe.
A different animal. Something different for websites, I hope. And there was another idea in the mix this time. Community. We’re figuring out how to connect the elements of my site so you can contribute more and better. How we might be able to link with other sites. Because people are looking for more connection of substance, and growing tired of social media that comes loaded with a lot of dross and sometimes collateral damage. So we’ll see how it goes.