Day 3268 - In Real Life moments

If there was no photo, did it actually happen?

Deep Fried Fruit and Denyse Whelan Blogs
Two blogs having IRL hugs for the first time

Yesterday the hubster, soccer-mad-lad and I jumped in the KIA (packed to the rafters) for the slow leisurely drive to the Gold Coast for my book release. As with any slow leisurely trip, we factored in a few stop-overs along the way.  First stop - an IRL cuppa with a fellow blogger.



The great thing about meeting up with other bloggers In Real Life (IRL) is they understand the need for photos.  We bloggers photograph our food, our art, our clothing, our walks, our travel, our shopping exhibitions, our handbags .... we photograph it all, because that's what we do.  We capture moments in time to share with the world.

Like the photo above. A moment in time when Denyse Whelan and I caught up for morning tea at a DJ's cafe and randomly asked a lovely DJ's staff member to snap us together in the bedding department.  No judgement, no questions asked, no embarrassment.  We're bloggers. That's how we roll.

Photographic evidence of brunch at DJs PLUS Denyse's bookmark art

Right after having a bunch of IRL hugs with Denyse I then popped in to see one of my uni besties who just happens to share the same air as Denyse. 

After checking out my friends vege patch, chatting about chickens, hearing about her upcoming camp-out and discussing which TV series we should binge on next, we got back on the road.  I was at the top of her driveway before I realised there was no photographic evidence of my visit. 

No can do.

So I jumped out of the car waving at her hysterically to join me for a selfie.  Because if there is no photo, did it actually happen?

Lucky for me she knows me and just laughs at my constant need for photographic proof.  It's part of who I am.  It's how I process and retain the special moments that make up my every day.  That photo went straight to Facebook.

Taking daily pics is part of my "positivity training".  Yep, that's a totally made up phrase I use when I'm having to nurture myself to see the positives in life.  Especially when it feels the weight of the world is on my shoulders.

Taking pictures for me is a way of focusing on the good stuff.  Of grabbing IRL moments and freezing them.  Whether it be noticing the beauty of a blossom or the care someone has taken when plating my meal. 

Whether it be the fact that my accessories match the beautiful new scarf C brought back from Greece or the fact my online make-up order arrived beautifully boxed with a surprise chocolate gift.

Life is good when everything matches

Chocolate for breakfast when my Thalgo foundation arrived

Photos help me to enhance and recall my IRL experiences.  They help me view the world with rose coloured glasses and acknowledge the great in our every day.

What do photos mean to you?

Are you snap happy?

Have you met someone IRL lately for the first time?

If there was no photo, did it actually happen?



My catch up with Denyse was lovely. She is exactly how I expected her to be - warm, chatty, interesting, interested and empathetic. She is just like her bloggy persona - only you can squeeze her for real.  She also looks incredible with her renewed health and new cancer-free smile. So if you ever get the chance to say hi to Denyse for real, do it! In the meantime, you can visit her over at Denyse Whelan Blogs.

Side note: I do believe we may have actually met once before at a conference many many years ago, but it was in passing and there was no hugging so it doesn't count.