Tuesday, January 24, 2006

I'm just getting started!

"Metamorphosis isn't always pretty but it is always awesome and absolutely essential." - Oprah Winfrey

I have been sitting here typing and retyping and thinking and stopping for a cup of tea, and trying very hard to write something Good for my first blog entry. I wonder if everyone else who ever started a blog was this nervous or if they all sat down boldly at their keyboards and wrote something they were happy with the first time. It's difficult to do this. I want to write something that will make whoever reads this interested enough to come back, but I also want to use this to capture who I am now and what I am doing. I hope that the second entry gets less scary.

For a long time I waited to do anything. I wanted to be thinner or richer or braver before I took any steps. I am so sad now because I see as I write what a cliche that is. That is why I chose to use the title 'More to Me' for this blog. I have wasted so much energy not liking different aspects of myself. I have wanted to be different based on what other people tell me is okay. But there is so much more to me than my weight, or what clothes I am wearing, or whether or not I have wrinkles. What if we put all of the money and energy that is wasted worrying about those things back into living our lives? What would be possible?

So a little while ago I started to do things. I moved to the UK to teach high school english, but then quit teaching and moved in with Mark. I have finished my novel (only about 12 years in the works) and sent it off to a publisher (please keep your fingers crossed.) I've started a new book that is non fiction. And last October I participated in a 16 mile walk for charity (that was mostly uphill and we're pretty sure was closer to 17 miles!) The picture at the top is us about 1/2 way through. And now Mark and I are working on a new and exciting website. We are both novices at this. As I type he is teaching himself Flash. He's designing the look of the site, our friend Matt is designing the backend dynamic logic system (uh? what?) and me? I am in charge of coming up with the 7000 or more creative things that will make up the information of the site. I am at 627. Talk about a challenge.

I started this blog because I wanted to have a place to come and write every day. I wanted a place to chart our progress on the website. I wanted to chance to become part of a real community of creative and interesting people. There is so much inspiration and honesty and creativity out there. I am excited to be a small part of it.

9 comments:

Jamie said...

Hiya Megg!

Thanks so much for leaving a post on my blog today. It made my morning to hear from you. I'm so glad you're enjoying it :)

And thanks for the info on the link. I've tried it and at my end it works. Weird. If you'd still like to contact me, I can be reached at jamie @ openthedoor . ca (without the spaces) and my website is www.openthedoor.ca.

I really enjoyed reading your first ever post! You know, when I studied acting we were taught that as long as we were honest and real, it would be interesting. I've come to believe that's absolutely true. And I'd say you're off to an awesome start!

And congratulations on finishing your novel! What a huge step and major accomplishment. Woohoo!

It sounds like you're building a creative and interesting life! I can't wait to read more about it :) I'm so glad we've connected!

Claudia said...

WELCOME!!!!!
This blog has really gotten me motivated to get into action. The positive energy from Jamie and other people who I have connected with since starting have really made a difference. I live in a really small village here in Austria and although I have a job and a wonderful family I always felt a bit isolated. Finding all these wonderful, creative people has really made a difference.

Suzie Ridler said...

Awesome blog Meg! I just love it, you're a wonderful writer.

Just so you know, I'm moving to Vancouver Island in a week, I can hardly wait. It's been a hard road but I'm finally going to be "going" somewhere.

I'm also Jamie's sister, in case you didn't already know that, LOL.

Jamie said...

Oooh, look at all the friendly faces hanging out at Meg's! I think it's time to put on a spot of tea! :)

Alex S said...

Hello! I am just visiting your site and so, so glad to be here for the very first entry. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is about your writing style that already resonates deeply with me - is it the honesty? is it the spirit that infuses your entry? Whatever it is, it is beautiful and intriguing, and I can't tell you how very much I relate to wanting to just be seen and loved 'as is,' and wanting for others to see who we really are and work to be within. Congratulations to you! I'm new to the blogging process myself so we can hold hands as we jump in! I look forward to staying in touch!

Kerstin said...

Hello Megg,

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment.

Your blog makes me homesick for the UK where I lived for the past 15 years and have fond memories of visits to small fishing villages like yours, in Devon and also Dorset and Cornwall.

I am actually German and my dream is to go back to Canada (Vancouver & the islands) where I lived for a couple of years in the mid 80s. I never wanted to live in England but got stuck there because of a man and made it my home. So now I am in New England in the US, this time with my (American) husband, and I know I will make this my home, too. But my heart, believe it or not, is in Canada. And that's where we plan to go once my husband's son is out of school.

This promises to be a wonderful, honest and well written blog, I will be back, too!

Take care, Kerstin

tara dawn said...

I am excited to have found you and glad that you have decided to join this incredible community of bloggers. I cannot tell you what joy and comfort these people, most of whom I have never met, have brought to my life in the past several months. And you are certainly not alone with the initial fears. I remember well my own first time of sitting down to write a blog...I typed and deleted and typed and deleted and now I have no recollection whatsoever of what my original entry actually said. But it gave me courage and gradually I have found more confidence. My own journey of self-exploration and growth has only been fostered more by the beautiful eclecticism of the people I have found here. I hope that you find this kindred sense of bonding as well.
I look forward to reading more!
-Tara Dawn

Laini Taylor said...

Hi Megg! My friend Alexandra (Marvelous Madness) directed me to your new site and I really enjoyed it! I love the big leap you took in your life, moving to another country and falling in love, finishing a novel, big big things. I'm a writer, too, and am on a self-imposed deadline to finish the 2nd draft of my first novel by friday! It's very exciting, and I'm deeply impressed with anyone who finishes a novel! (myself included. Yay, me!) One of my big plans for after I meet that deadline is to start a blog and I already have the fears you express at the beginning of your first post, and I haven't even sat down to do it yet! I'm right there with you. I'll check back with your site and see what you're up to. Love to know more about your book(s), too!
Best, Laini
www.lainitaylor.com

daringtowrite said...

Megg, Since that last comment I left, I've been reading back through the rest of your blog and have reached your beginning entry. I don't usually read so much of one blog at a sitting, butI find something in your honest self-exploration and the way you express yourself that draws me to the adventure of your life.

So, now that I'm hooked on your story, I'll be back to hear how it unfolds. Thanks for sharing yourself at such a deep level.