Charlie and Alex on Summer Camp

1 - Tell me three things about yourself aside from having gone to camp.

A – I play hockey. I like sports. I’m addicted to video games.

C – My favorite sport is hockey. I like swimming. And I love trampolines.

2 - How old are you?

11.

3 - How do you guys know each other?

We met at Laura Secord School in Grade 3.

      4 - Which camp did you recently go to?

Camp Stephens.

      5 - How long were you there?

We were there for 12 days.

      6 - Can you describe the camp for me?

It’s mainly a sports and water activities camp, like kayaking, canoeing and sailing. It is a boys and girls camp, but boys and girls are separated into different cabins. It’s on a little foresty island in the middle of Lake of the Woods.

      7 - How many kids were there and what ages were they?

Probably around 200 kids, 8-17 years old.

      8 - Was it your first time at summer camp?

C – It was my third. A – It was my first.

      9 - What was the best part?

Being in each others' cabin.

      10 - What was the craziest thing you did while you were there?

 We snuck a bunch of junkfood at midnight with our first counsellor, while there was section coordinator right around the corner! He didn’t know until we told him. We were not allowed to have pop, but we sure drank it that night!

      11 - What was the funnest thing you did?

Sneaking junk food, water trampolining and Camp Stephens Games.

      12 -  How was the food? What was the best meal?

Delicious. Chicken and fries.

      13 - Who was the best counselor out there and why?

Ben. Because he was really nice to the kids.

      14 - Did you miss home?

C  - No, because it was my third time there.
A – At the end I was happy to be going home. I started missing my little brother after talking to him on the phone.

      15 - How did you get through hard times?

We just sat in our bunks. Our counsellor would bring in tonnes of junk food when we were sad.

      16 - Did you make new friends or just stick to the people you knew?

We made new camp friends. But we didn't get their phone numbers.

      17 - How did you feel the day you were coming home?

A - Very, very happy. I'm very emotional.
C - And a bit sad to leave camp and all of our friends. 

      18 - What is your best memory from camp?

Getting candy!!

      19 - Do you think you’ll go back next year?

Definitely! It’ll be better, because we’ll have a better counsellor. Our counsellor this year was mean, and broke every single camp rule.

      20 - How do you think you changed because of going to camp?

A – I’m stronger.
C – I learned more about trails, and overnight canoe trips.

Chris on Being a Photographer

1 - Tell me 3 things about yourself aside from being a photographer.

I love talking with people.

I need a girlfriend presently.

I love stand-up comedy – it’s my other obsession. (I’m trying to figure out a way to combine this with photography.)

2 – How long have you been taking pictures?

Probably as long as I can remember, at least I’ve been pretending to take pictures for as long as I can remember. I used to take my mom’s camera and hold it, and eventually she put film in it.

3 – When did it become serious?

In Grade 9 or 10 it got more serious. In 2008 I went to school and it got really serious.

4 – Who is your favorite photographer and why?

Right now, Martin Parr because he is very funny, satirical. His work is documentary-style, not staged. He documents the absurd, ridiculous things of the world.

5 - Tell me about a great moment you’ve had with your camera recently.

I went on tour with the Ripperz one month ago. It was one of the funnest things I’ve ever done. It was 10 days, and I got to hang out with friends the whole time.

6 - How did you come to be a photographer?

My mom was one, even though she doesn’t say she was. It was just one of the jobs of the moms back in the day. I liked putting on the different lenses and looking through at the different focal points. My parents had reels and reels of slides. I looked at lots of pictures as a kid.

7 – Say something about Digital vs. Film photography.

You can never believe digital like you can film. There’s no such thing as digital truth.

8 – What do you love about having photography as part of your life?

I’ll have captured/documented a lot of memories. I have an unlimited supply of gifts for my close family and friends. And I keep reading about how I’m providing/upholding a long-standing tradition – although I’m not sure how much of that remains true nowadays.

9 – Are there any difficult parts to being a photographer?

Yeah. I’ve had a few tough times. When people want you to take pictures of something that’s difficult to photograph, although that’s often when it has significance. Also, there are fewer moments when your expertise is recognized these days.

10 – In your experience, what is the secret to taking a great photo?

Patience

Focus (not being distracted)

Geometry (finding balance)

Confidence – something I have a hard time with.

11 – What makes a photo great, in your eyes?

There’s a subconscious thing that has to happen. When people are looking through pictures, they’ll stop at one even if they don’t know why. This is what separates great photos and not great photos. Also, emotion.

12 – How do people generally respond when you have a camera in your hands?

Now strangers are very skeptical because of Facebook and everything. They’ll usually ask, “Is that going on the internet?” People are more guarded. People I know well are getting more comfortable with it. 

13 – Who is the most supportive of your art?

My sister Tracy, she’s the most excited when new opportunities come in. My parents too, even if they don’t really know where it’s going. My friends also, I have good friends.

14 – What’s the greatest gift photography brings you?

Access into peoples’ lives, or situations I wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

15 – What are your best qualities as a photographer?

I think I’m pretty accessible and patient. I can be alone if I have to be, I can be with strangers for days on end. I’m empathetic.

 16 –If your camera could speak in words, what might she say has been her experience of being your tool?

“Enough with the weddings!” She’d probably give me a jab for spending too much time not taking the pictures I’m supposed to be taking. Also I probably treat my cameras rougher than most people. Cameras I have weren’t built to be clean and spotless.

17 – What is your favorite thing to photograph?

Documenting people, whatever they’re doing.

18 - What has photography taught you about life in general?

It’s not fair, but it’s beautiful. Although it hasn’t taught me anything new, it’s intensified life. It’s brought me a lot closer, more intimate with a lot of people. It’s intensified what life has to offer.

19 - What have you learned about yourself through your practice of photography?

I can get along with just about anyone if I want to. I didn’t know I was as patient, or that I liked most people as much as I do. It’s brought out all sorts of human parts of me I didn’t know were there.

20 – At the end of your life, how might photography have made a difference for you?

I got to meet so many interesting people through it and experience crazy amazing things I otherwise wouldn’t have. It’s given me adventures and stories to tell. Also, it gives me something to always work on, there’s no end really.

Jackie on Cabin-ing

1 - Tell me 3 things about yourself outside of being a cabin-owner.

I grew up in rural Manitoba.
I live/work close to downtown Winnipeg.
I don't really like being the subject of blogs (but I like Jen H.).

2 - Where is your cabin?

Berry Lake, Ontario

3 - How long have you had it?

One year.

4 - What’s it like over there at this time of year?

Lush and green, not very windy and the lake water is warm.

5 - Tell me about a great moment you’ve had at the cabin lately.

Looking out at the lake from the dock on a calm day/night – it's just really beautiful.  It's ridiculous really.

6 - How did you come to purchase a cabin?

My partner really wanted a cabin.  He looked for 2 years until he found one that was affordable but still suitable.

7 - What do you love about having this cabin?

Four things: I love hosting friends and family, I love being there alone with my partner, I love diving off the dock into the lake and I love being in the Canadian Shield (rocks and trees!).

8 - What are the difficult parts of having a cabin?

I feel guilty about my privilege, to 'own' such a beautiful place.

9 - What has surprised you about life with a cabin?

How relaxed I feel when I'm there.  

10 - How have your family and friends responded to you having a cabin?

They're pretty happy for us.

11 - Who is the most supportive of this change in your life?

My parents.  They were super supportive and have helped with all kinds of things, including building us a new outhouse!  It's a pretty stellar outhouse.

12 - Do you come across people who are a bit funny about you having a cabin now?

Just myself.  I have trouble with the privilege thing but also the fact that a cabin is so stationary.  I grew up camping and exploring different places – I don't want to lose those opportunities. 

13 - What is the best part about having a cabin?

The area is beautiful and it's starting to feel like home.

14 - What sort of cabin-owner would you describe yourself as?

 A learner.

15 - If your cabin could talk, how would it say it finds you as its cabin-owner?

It would probably say: once things are unpacked and put away, I'm super relaxed.  I like a mix of doing things and sitting around, doing nothing.  And I need to make the space feel like my own.

 16 -Describe a perfect day at your cabin.

I wake up momentarily to see the sunrise over the water (this happens almost each day due to a strategically placed window in our bedroom).  A few hours later I get up a do a bit of yoga on the dock and then jump in the lake.  I make tea.  My partner gets up.  We eat breakfast and sit around all morning, going for short swims or maybe tinkering on something.   After lunch I go for a short kayak.  In the afternoon friends/family arrive.  More swimming and eating.  We plays cards or a game late into the night.  I go to bed, not too late.

17 - What have you learned about yourself since owning your cabin?

Three things: a) I need to make a space feel orderly – that means I need to unpack before I can have fun;  b) I need to make a space feel like my own – usually with art; c) I need to relax more.   

(This suddenly seems like a challenge to have fun/relax in an unpacked, artless environment!)

18 -  Who are the best cabin-guests to have?

People I enjoy, who want to be there, and who are up for an adventure or two.

19 -  If you could change one thing about your cabin, what would it be?

Add another small bedroom so we could host more people.

20 - At the end of your life, how might this cabin have made a difference for you?

For me, being among rocks and trees and water is pretty rejuvenating, in all kinds of ways (physically, spiritually, emotionally).  I anticipate it will also be a great place for people to gather and be together – and help add some good times to all our lives. 

I guess that means it will make my ability to be happy and relaxed a little easier.

Andrea on Being A Mom

1 - Tell me 3 things about yourself outside of being a mom.

I love the outdoors, taking pictures and rap music.

2 - Who is your kid?

Willa Margaux: funny, stubborn, hungry.

      3 - How old is she?

A year and a half.

      4 - What’s she into these days?

Dancing, watermelon, hats and jumping on the couch.

      5 - Tell me about a great moment you’ve had with her recently.

Today, after I came home from running a few errands, I saw Willa in our front window. She saw me, smiled huge and yelled ‘mama!’ and when I came in the door I picked her up and she wrapped her chubby arms around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder and then took a nice long sigh. I live for those moments, and even though they happen every day, I know I will never, ever tire of them.

      6 - How did you come to be a mom?

I am very lucky. After being married for a few years, my husband and I decided that we wanted to have a kid and we got pregnant on our first try. The decision came after my Dad battled cancer. We almost lost him, and going through that I realized that I really, really wanted my kid to know him. We named her after him. They are great pals.

      7 - What do you love about having this kid in your life?

She has simplified everything about the world. She’s taught me how to take everything less seriously and that I don’t have control over very many things. I love watching her learn new things, there’s nothing quite like it.

      8 - What are the difficult parts of being a mom?

Post-partum depression was definitely the hardest part of motherhood so far. Thankfully I made it through with a lot of help from a few great people. It took me a little while to get used to being in demand by a (mostly) helpless person. Most of the time I love it, but sometimes it can be hard.

      9 - What has surprised you about life with this kid?

How easy it has gotten, all of the sudden, after being really quite hard at first.

      10 - How have your family and friends responded to you having a kid?

My family is big, loving and very intertwined. Everyone is kind of always in everyone else’s business, which sometimes has been annoying, but when you have a kid, it becomes so necessary. It’s really great to watch her be raised by everyone. My oldest siblings both have children, so I have learned a lot from them, just by observing. Also, Willa’s cousins are all older (between 9-17) and so she learns a lot from them.

My friends have mostly responded positively to Willa, and we are also really lucky to have a few close friends who started families at the same time as us. So we’re all in it together. There are definitely a few friends who sort of wrote us off and stopped calling when we had Willa, but that’s just how it goes. Some people don’t like kids and I try to respect that.

      11 - Who is the most supportive of this change in your life?

My sister. She is probably the most supportive person in my life, besides my husband. She knows how to love me actively, not just with words, and that is huge. She has a busy life with her own kids and work, but she always makes time to see Willa as much as possible. In the early days, when I was at my worst, she just got it and was there in the way that only a sister can be. Now days, she has Willa over for sleepovers and that is a nice treat for us every once in a while. She will be my drinking buddy at the end of a hard day, or have us over for dinner when we’re broke with an empty fridge. I didn’t have the energy to build a garden this Spring, so she planted a bunch of vegetables for me. She’s like that. Just the greatest.

      12 - Do you come across people who are a bit funny about you being a mom now?

Not really. For years my nickname amongst my close friends has been ‘Babymoms’ and there are a number of reasons for that. I think I have a bit of a hovering, bossy, maternal side that comes out often with the people that I love, so they have always visualized me in that role pretty easily.

      13 - What are your kid’s best qualities?

Her grit, her humor and her curiosity. And her ability to sleep a lot. (Is that a quality?)

      14 - What are your best qualities as a mom?

My compassion, my open mind and my silliness.

      15 - If your kid could articulate in words, what might she say has been her experience of being your daughter?

Oh man, that’s a tricky one! I think she would say that it’s been a good road so far. I think she would champion our shared ability to cheer each other on in the hard moments. I think she would tell you about all of the people we experience in our day-to-day life, and all of the dogs and cats. I think she would say that her experience so far has been a joyful one with lots of excitement along the way.

      16 - What is your kid’s idea of a perfect day?

Watermelon and blueberries for breakfast, followed by a morning at Grandma’s house with all of her kid pals and dog friends running around in the backyard. Long nap followed by a big lunch of as many crackers as she can fit in her mouth at one time, and green grapes. Afternoon spent playing alone (no sharing!) with all of her toys and books with mom and dad sitting on the floor nearby. Dinner of ice cream and Big Gulps and cake and then the rest of the evening spent jumping on things (bed, crib, couch, rocking chair) and chasing her cats around. Falling asleep in my arms.

      17 - What has this kid taught you so far?

Patience, simplicity, courage.

      18 - What have you learned about yourself since having her?

That I am more capable of unconditional love than I previously believed. I’ve learned that I’m strong, and that I’m intuitive and it is good to follow that inner voice.

      19 - Generally speaking, what are your thoughts on parenthood vs. non-parenthood?

For me, I never knew for certain that I wanted to be a mother. In my adult life, I went back and forth on it all the time. Before Willa, I had a pretty clear vision of my life without kids and my life with a family.

I had a really great childhood with a lot of adventure and innocence. I had so much fun in my teenage years, and my twenties were really formative with lots of challenges but also lots and lots of fun and selfishness.

It’s hard to explain in words, but there was that day sitting in the hospital room beside my Dad where I felt more courageous than ever in my life. I thought so much about my life and who my Dad has been to me through all of those years, and somehow I all of the sudden really wanted to be a parent. I wanted to go through that journey from his side of it, I guess. You could say that I felt really inspired. From that moment, that feeling never left.

Looking back on that moment, it all makes more sense than ever. Life has blown up and bloomed in the most beautiful way since I met Willa. My life before her was good and pretty flawless, but it all sort of blurs into the background now. I just love living alongside her.

That said, I have a few friends who don’t ever want to have kids and I think that is so great. I don’t think it is for everyone, and I don’t think people need to have children to feel fulfilled or complete.

      20 - At the end of your life, how might this kid have made a difference for you?

As I’ve touched on earlier, I feel like having Willa in my life has simplified my worldview. I think that she has given more meaning to my days, and she has definitely given me a self-confidence that I didn’t have before. She has shown me what unconditional love is and she has lit a spark in me – I think we will have very many adventures together for many years to come. I cannot imagine my life without her.

same but different

Here we are. My little blogchild and I. Something new has squeezed out of my imagination, and I can't wait to start sharing it here. 

Thanks for following along. I hope you are soul-soothed, or at least moderately riveted by what is about to come.


I always welcome feedback, questions, or new ideas. 

Let's go!

jen