Relaxing Sunday

Sunday morning quiet. 'the book' is off at the graphic designer's for another cut at it. I should be getting a PDF back today. Another run through. Meeting tomorrow to go over final changes/layout/edits (only minor need apply) and then.... one last PDF. One last proof and Wednesday morning it is off to the printer.

Whew!

I was telling my daughters last night that one of the things I've loved most about working on this book is the team. there are five of us. Myself, a co-worker, Jordan, the two photographers, christina (plus) nathan and the graphic designer, Rebecca. We each feel connected to this project. Connected and committed. The two photographers have donated countless hours coming to the shelter to take photos over the past six months. They've set up lights and taken 'Mona Lisa' shots of staff and clients and volunteers. They've chatted with clients, getting to know their stories before taking a perfect shot that reflects their humanity and their uniqueness.

Rebecca has translated an idea and hundreds of words and photos into concrete beauty on the page. She's created a visual space for each photograph to sing and for the words to resonate in hearts and minds.

Jordan, who is the Volunteer Coordinator and PR Assistant at the shelter, has created sanity in a sometimes insane process. He's pulled together threads of ideas, set-up photography sessions and ensured the details keep getting crossed off so that the final product becomes a reality without any missing pieces.

As a team, we have gelled together, laughed and flipped pages, teased and turned to another photo. We've spent hours at Bumphy's and at the Good Earth, crowded around a table, checking out Rebecca's laptop screen as she's shown us design alternatives. We've touched the screen of Christina's IPad and voted into the book, or off the page, the shots that speak to us or not. And we've done it all collaboratively, without one person feeling left out, vetoed or criticised.

it was been a dream team to work with.

Tomorrow, we will meet in the multi-purpose room on the sixth floor of the shelter where all 124 pages of the book will be laid out. We will juggle pages, balance text and colour and feel. We will do it all and in the end we will know,

Job Well Done.

These past two weeks have been particularly hectic as the 'end' has neared. Doing the creative work of writing for some of the words that were missing their meaning simply couldn't/didn't happen while I was at work. Not enough space to think clearly, to feel the muse calling, to hear the rhythm of the words flowing. I've had to do it at home and so, after working all day, I'd come home, take Ellie for a walk to clear my head, and then, pour myself a glass (just one glass because more diffuses the muse), I'd grab my laptop and wine and crawl into bed or sit on the settee in our bedroom and I would write and edit and flow into the words.

It has been a wonderful process. Enervating and exhilarating all in one.

and hopefully, within the next week, I'll be creating balance in my life!

that's my goal! that's my dream! And I can make it happen!

nameste.