With the new look blog, I made the decision that it was time to get rid of the blogroll.  I’ve never really been convinced of its value to my readers or the people I was linking to, and there were so many people I wanted to link to that it was becoming just [...]]]>

With the new look blog, I made the decision that it was time to get rid of the blogroll.  I’ve never really been convinced of its value to my readers or the people I was linking to, and there were so many people I wanted to link to that it was becoming just a big long list that nobody ever clicked on – the sheer length of the list discouraging engagement.

This doesn’t mean, however, that I’m averse to linking out – quite the opposite, in fact.  I love being able to share sites that make me shiver with delight, move me to tears, inspire me to better.  And I wanted to be able to share them in a way that was a bit more meaningful than the way I have in the past.  Hence, the new Less Ordinary Links page.

First off, I want to state that there will be some sites that I may have missed accidentally.  This is a work in progress, and I hope to continue adding to it as the months pass.  I have listed the links alphabetically – I did think to try to categorise them, but this has just proved too tricky and not only that, but contrary to my own personal beliefs.  I know how much I rail against being pigeon-holed, and so I really don’t want to do that others.  I would much rather the writers listed kept on evolving and growing – placing in a box can place  in stasis.  Not something I wish for myself or for anybody else.

So, please have a look at these Less Ordinary Links – they’re gems, every single one.  They bring me untold joy, reflection, and inspiration, and I hope that they bring you the same.  Enjoy!

It’s been a week since we transitioned from 2009 to 2010, and in many ways, I’ve felt that the new year needed to be a time where changes were made, life-affirming habits were formed, and self-imposed limitations were relinquished.  And, perhaps inevitably, this needs to be extended to my blog.

I feel that, somewhere [...]]]>

It’s been a week since we transitioned from 2009 to 2010, and in many ways, I’ve felt that the new year needed to be a time where changes were made, life-affirming habits were formed, and self-imposed limitations were relinquished.  And, perhaps inevitably, this needs to be extended to my blog.

I feel that, somewhere over 2009, I lost my way, and that this has been extremely evident on my blog with its sporadic posts, its unfinished projects, its lack of direction.  For a while now, I’ve been posting on Posterous, and this week I’ve started sharing a photograph a day on Blipfoto, and I’ve been very happy doing both of those things.  For me they felt like a release – they felt liberating.  And it struck me that I should feel this way about Less Ordinary… but I don’t.  And I haven’t for a while.

I have considered that maybe it was time for Less Ordinary to finish up.  Maybe I had really said all I needed to say, and now I needed to say goodbye to my blog altogether.  I have also considered that maybe Less Ordinary just needed to become a life-stream site: a place where all the feeds of my various other online activities could be aggregated.  However, I’ve decided on something different…

I’ve decided I need to get back to what this blog was original set up to be – a personal blog.  It needs to be true to me and what I’m about and what I feel I need to say.  It needs to be about me stepping forward and standing behind my beliefs, my dreams and my aspirations.  I’ve been apologetic and sheepish about my lack of engagement with Less Ordinary for far too long – I need to reclaim it again as my own, in order to find any sense of flow here.

So what can you expect?  To be honest, I don’t really know myself yet.  I would imagine that I’ll continue to share my photography, my words, my stories.  I would imagine that I would work out what I think about certain things that I encounter on my journey through life.  I would imagine that I would share experiences, plans, thoughts and opinions.  And if this sounds familiar, its probably because that’s what this blog was about in the first place.

Back in August 2009, I asked for feedback on the blog and suggestions for changes that could be made – at this point I was still looking outside myself for the answers.  And what struck me about the majority of the answers were that I needed to take the blog in whichever direction I wanted to.  At the time, when I felt so directionless in my life, I couldn’t fathom how to take it in any direction – it’s been just as caught within that moment of indecisiveness as the rest of my life has!

It’s only really now that I see what all my beautiful readers already saw – that Less Ordinary needs that personalised focus, and it needs me to be willing to take the lead, otherwise our dance descends into an embarrassing episode of trodden toes, stumbles and missed beats, and we’re asked to vacate the floor – lol!

So – renewal by flame.  When a fire sweeps through clearing away all that was obstructing new growth, the result is an irrepressible fertile burst of new life.  And that’s what I want for Less Ordinary.  I want this post to be the cleansing flame that permits the fresh start – that let’s me hit the reset button.  I want to go back to the roots and rediscover why I fell in love with blogging in the first place.

I’ve started by redesigning the blog, so if you’ve been reading this in your feed-reader, you may want to click through and have a look at the revamped Less Ordinary.  I’ve changed the theme, the headers, and I’ve adjusted the sidebars accordingly; however, the sidebars will be reconfigured in a much larger way shortly – I still have plans of integrating my other online activities into Less Ordinary.

I realise this might all come across as being rather self-involved, but I don’t really feel the need to justify that – I need to do this, so I have.  I do want to say a big thank you though, to all my readers over the years who have not only encouraged me and supported me, but have also provided limitless inspiration.

Thank you & big kisses to you all!

As you will probably be able to tell, if you’re reading this on-site, I’ve changed the header & colour theme for September.  I was shocked when wondering through the Braid Burn Park in Edinburgh that the cherry trees had already begun to take on their autumn colours.  I found this leaf [...]]]>

As you will probably be able to tell, if you’re reading this on-site, I’ve changed the header & colour theme for September.  I was shocked when wondering through the Braid Burn Park in Edinburgh that the cherry trees had already begun to take on their autumn colours.  I found this leaf lying on the thick green grass, and loved the bright amber edging against the verdant blades deeply satisfying.

I have uploaded the picture to my RedBubble photography shop, so it can now be purchased as a print or as a greetings card.  While you’re there, why not have a browse through the rest of the gallery.  There are some lovely photos there to grace your walls

In other news, I have a new post over at The Calm Space called Who Are You Not To.  I am so enjoying writing in my Nature Space there – please do pop over to read this month’s article and, if you haven’t seen my other articles there, you can find them all listed under The Nature Space.  Also please do make a point of having a read of the other articles there.  Karen Wallace has assembled some really wonderful writers there, and their articles are so interesting!  Great for when you want to dive in and submerge yourself in some great writing, or if you just fancy a refreshing dip.

Lastly, it was a very special someone’s birthday recently.  Patti Digh, author of Life Is A Verb and blogger over at 37 Days, turned 50 and as a special treat, Caren KH got in touch and asked if I could read out one of Patti’s posts as a voicethread.  Patti has in the past professed her love for the Scottish accent, so how could I refuse such a request!?

Here is Patti’s post Dance in Your Car as read by yours truly:

I thoroughly recommend that, if you don’t already, you go and subscribe to Patti’s blog, always a treat, and that you buy a copy of her book, which I have now added to Books Less Ordinary.

Happy Birthday Patti!

And with that, I think we’re all up to date.  What’s your September Scoop?

Today is the 2 year anniversary of Less Ordinary.  I can hardly believe that 24 months have passed since I first tentavely posted in this space.  I remember feeling nervous, uncertain and generally a little lost when I began writing.  I didn’t have a direction, a community, or a clue!  However, [...]]]>

Today is the 2 year anniversary of Less Ordinary.  I can hardly believe that 24 months have passed since I first tentavely posted in this space.  I remember feeling nervous, uncertain and generally a little lost when I began writing.  I didn’t have a direction, a community, or a clue!  However, slowly but surely, I found my blogging voice and along the way I have learned so much!

I learned that I could take photographs.  I learned that I actually liked being out and about in nature.  I learned that I could lose myself staring at the centre of a flower.  I learned that I could create a corner of the internet which was unique, inviting and inspiring.

I want to use this birthday to roll out a couple of new projects, as well as giving the wonderful Less Ordinary community a couple of opportunities to participate in the celebrations.

I’ll let you have a sneeky peek at what I have planned:

• A Less Ordinary book
• A Photography Less Ordinary e-book
• A Less Ordinary group writing project
• A Photography Less Ordinary photo challenge

Intrigued? Over the next wee while, I’ll be posting on all of these in more detail.  However, what I’d like to hear from you is how you think we should celebrate this Less Ordinary birthday.  Please share your suggestions!

I would like to announce one of the first changes to Less Ordinary.

In response to my recent request for feedback, Jonathan Woodward suggested that I create seasonal headers and change the colour scheme accordingly.  Fortunately, Mandigo offers a variety of colour schemes making it very easy for me to [...]]]>

I would like to announce one of the first changes to Less Ordinary.

In response to my recent request for feedback, Jonathan Woodward suggested that I create seasonal headers and change the colour scheme accordingly.  Fortunately, Mandigo offers a variety of colour schemes making it very easy for me to choose a colour to co-ordinate with the header.

I have also decided that I’m going to make the new headers available on RedBubble for purchase as a laminated/mounted/framed print or as a greeting card.  You can find this month’s header Dancing Petals on my RedBubble Gallery.

I’m really pleased with Less Ordinary’s new look & I’m excited about changing the headers on a much more regular basis.  To me it feels like a breath of fresh air.  How about you?

A couple of days ago, I threw open the door and invited your thoughts on where I should go with my blog, and the response was extremely generous.  The support I received for what I have built here at Less Ordinary really blew me away, particularly as I haven’t been a very attentive [...]]]>

A couple of days ago, I threw open the door and invited your thoughts on where I should go with my blog, and the response was extremely generous.  The support I received for what I have built here at Less Ordinary really blew me away, particularly as I haven’t been a very attentive blogger of late.

Interestingly there was a real consensus throughout all the comments, tweets and emails I received.  In particular there were quite a few comments than pick up on my practice of sharing my love of the ordinary details of the everyday to show their inherent extraordinariness:

I can’t imagine an Amy blog called Less Ordinary without your lovely photos. Always zeroing in on something quite fantastic, or marvelous, something that’s crossed your path, or something you’ve gone seeking. And the “just so” words you choose to go with them. Being aware and mindful of your world, your life at that moment. I can think of nothing more delightful. And isn’t that enough ~ Jan Cartier

Amy, some of the things that attracted me most here were the photos of those often overlooked, yet profoundly simple things you see around you. Whether during one of your walks around town, the countryside, or whatever, your thoughts, along with the truly wonderful images, never fails to cheer me up. (I’m also one who likes to find those things most folks might simply walk right by, so I understand the point of view.) ~ Robert Hruzek

As a photographer myself I love your use imagery to challenge viewers to think and see more deeply. As a blogger and writer I love reading insightful well written work that takes me to depths I hadn’t explored and opens my mind to yet more intriguing surprises. ~ Bill Weaver

Karen Wallace quite rightly struck upon one of the reasons why I’ve begun questioning the direction my blog has taken:

We all love your photos, your writing – and I have a feeling you’ve found a bit of the spark in the writing you’ve been doing for us at The Calm Space, Nature Space is so inspirational and beautiful… ~ Karen Wallace

I have so enjoyed the writing that I’ve produced for The Calm Space, and I think one of the reasons for that has been the freedom that comes from writing on someone else’s blog!  However, I also think that another reason has been writing with the guidance of themes.  Interestingly, Lea Woodward suggested in an email that I think about adding monthly themes to Less Ordinary, and it’s an idea I’m definitely toying with.

Another suggestion that I really liked came from Joanna Young who, in a tweet, planted the idea that I think of my blog as my playground.  This taps directly into the way that I originally perceived the blog – a place to share whatever my creativity happened to produce with no limitations or expectations.  Somehow, along the way, I’ve lost that & I look forward to finding it again!

Jonathan Woodward also sent me an email commenting on the design of the blog, which I feel needs a bit of a birthday makeover.  His suggestion was to choose seasonal headers and adjust the colour scheme accordingly.  Fortunately, the blog’s theme, Mandigo, has several colour options, so this is definitely something that I’m technically capable of doing!  Also I think it would tap into my love for the new & would refresh my approach to the blog – it’s amazing how much an alteration of the visual opens up my imagination and my motivation to create.

Lastly, Christine Kane left a wonderfully empowering comment about tapping into “what it is in YOU that needs to be born here” and taking the lead:

People love to be led. Especially audiences. I always advise upcoming songwriters not to ask things from the stage like, “Do you want a slow song? Or a fast song?” cuz that puts the audience into a leadership role. Most of them just want you to lead them! So, as for your blog — I would love ANY direction you went in, as long as it’s a clear voice coming from your oh-so beautiful self, Amy. ~ Christine Kane

All of the other ideas, suggestions, opinions seems to support this with messages such as the following filling me with enthusiasm and excitement for the future of Less Ordinary:

Keep writing, snapping photos and sharing your thoughts! ~ Ada Lovelace

I’ll love your blog whatever you do and wherever you go with it… ~ Joanna Young

I do hope that you continue to share your view of the world around you, through your colourful photos and favourite poems. But whatever you choose, I hope that it’s fun for you! ~ Jasmin

Wherever you go with it, you’ll take us all into a good place with you ~ Julie Gibbons

Continue… Doing what you do, Being who you Are, Sharing your Joy, Following your Heart – and the Way will surely appear. ~ Kathleen

I hope you continue blogging, in whatever form appeals to you… ~ Naveen Bachwani

Share it with us how ever the inspiration leads you. We will follow. ~ Wendi-Kelly

Be yourself as usual. ~ Roland Hesz

Special thanks also go to Alex Fayle for his comment, which has sparked off an exciting idea that I hope to put into action soon – more details soon!

Given that so many blogs out there are all words words words, the posts I like most of yours are the ones with photos with only a few lines that ask us to somehow see the world in a different way.  That to me is Less Ordinary and a whole lot More Interesting! ~ Alex Fayle

One of the things that I’ve learned from this process is that I need to have a little more faith in myself and in the kind of content I share here on the blog.  An extremely valuable lesson that I’ll be taking forward as Less Ordinary enters its 3rd year.

A huge thanks go out to everyone who took the time to address my blogging issues laid out in that post and for responding so graciously and enthusiastically.  A great way to start off this blogiversary month!
Amy
xx

Did you know that this month will see the 2nd anniversary of my blog?  It started as Lives Less Ordinary on the 22nd August 2007 before becoming Less Ordinary on 12th June 2008, when the blog moved from Wordpress to self-hosted.  It was a rather steep learning curve, but a move [...]]]>

Did you know that this month will see the 2nd anniversary of my blog?  It started as Lives Less Ordinary on the 22nd August 2007 before becoming Less Ordinary on 12th June 2008, when the blog moved from Wordpress to self-hosted.  It was a rather steep learning curve, but a move that I don’t regret for one minute.

Now, that it’s been almost 2 years since I began sharing my words and my photos online, I thought it was time for a bit of a change.  I am looking to revamp and relaunch Less Ordinary this month as a way of celebrating the blog’s birthday.

I have always loved posting to Less Ordinary, but lately I have felt that I have lost my way somewhat.  I’m hoping that you can help me to find my way again.  To this end, I am requesting feedback.  What is it that you like about Less Ordinary, and what would you like to see more of?  Is there something that you think I should be including here and is absent at present?

In a couple of days, I’ll put together a post highlighting some responses & suggestions with a few ideas for how I’m going to move things forward.  Your input is very much welcomed and the time that you spend helping me out is, as ever, extremely appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Amy
xx

It’s been quite a long while since my last post here – feel like I’ve lost my way with my blogging recently.  Also, the effort that it has taken to get through the final stages of my phd has been far more draining than I could ever have anticipated.

However, over the last couple [...]]]>

It’s been quite a long while since my last post here – feel like I’ve lost my way with my blogging recently.  Also, the effort that it has taken to get through the final stages of my phd has been far more draining than I could ever have anticipated.

However, over the last couple of weeks, I have started writing for myself again.  So far, my writing has been mostly confined to private notebooks, but I have shared one piece online, which you can find here: Waves of Kindness.  In fact it was through writing this piece that I became inspired to pick up my pen and start engaging again with my words and with my photography, and so I’m looking forward to writing more for The Calm Space.

I’ve also been reading a lot of poetry recently, and I have been greatly enjoying Sage Cohen’s Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry.  I have added this book to my Amazon bookshop (in the category Creativity) and I thoroughly recommend you get yourself a copy!

While I’ve always blogged quite a lot about poetry, I think you’re going to see a renewed interest in the topic here.  Maybe it’s because I’m enjoying drawing upon the energy of the poet archtype

Anyway, I’m looking forward to getting back into the habit of blogging here at Less Ordinary and I look forward to building back up the fabulous community that graces the Less Ordinary comments!

PS If you want to keep up with my professional life, check out my other blog, AmyPalko.

Yesterday I defended my thesis in an oral exam and….. I PASSED!!!

Thanks go out to all of my friends & family who offered both online & offline support.  Every expression of encouragement, consolation and belief was appreciated more than I could possibly write here.  You are all stars and I am so fortunate [...]]]>

Yesterday I defended my thesis in an oral exam and….. I PASSED!!!

Thanks go out to all of my friends & family who offered both online & offline support.  Every expression of encouragement, consolation and belief was appreciated more than I could possibly write here.  You are all stars and I am so fortunate to have you all in my life, cheering me on to complete the most challenging journey I have ever embarked upon.

From the bottom of my heart – Thank you.

Just a wee post to let you know that I launched a new blog today.  It’s a more professional blog than Less Ordinary focusing on social media, community and connection, but Less Ordinary is still where I’ll be posting on photography, environment, creativity, inspiration etc.

If you leave a comment on the new blog [...]]]>

Just a wee post to let you know that I launched a new blog today.  It’s a more professional blog than Less Ordinary focusing on social media, community and connection, but Less Ordinary is still where I’ll be posting on photography, environment, creativity, inspiration etc.

If you leave a comment on the new blog before 12pm GMT tomorrow, you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a copy of Chris Garrett and Darren Rowse’s book Problogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way To A Six Figure Income courtesy of Chris Garrett (thanks Chris!).

Looking forward to seeing you over there!