Starting on 11/22/09, we’re going to take a photo a day every day for a year two years three years. This is much like all of the other 365 projects out there, only this is just for us.
We feel that 11/22 is an auspicious starting point, because it is Ryan’s birthday, and Rena’s last day living in Boston. Also, 11 and 22 are awesome numbers, so there’s that.
Sometimes one of us takes a few days (ok, so we’ve gone a couple of weeks) to catch up with posting. We work, we travel… we live. We’re taking photos, though, and we’ll catch up.
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As of February 2011, Ryan is taking a break from the project to focus on life and career. Rena’s friend Counsel (who she hasn’t seen in about a decade) has graciously agreed to step in to keep Rena accountable until Ryan can find the time to return.
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It came to our attention early on that there are other sites by the same or similar names. We swear we were just looking for something simple that wasn’t taken yet on WordPress, and didn’t realize that the name had been used elsewhere. Sigh. They’re great sites/projects, though. Check this one:
http://www.3191ayearofmornings.com/
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 08:37
Hello. I’m enjoying your images much. Luck to both of you.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 04:03
glad you’re enjoying them! and, thanks.
Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 18:28
Thanks for this.
Monday, January 18, 2010 at 21:41
xo
Monday, January 18, 2010 at 19:37
i love how you express yourself. you make me smile rena.
Monday, January 18, 2010 at 20:47
glad for that. :)
Friday, October 8, 2010 at 04:29
Metafilter bought me to your site and its fabulous. Im loving all the pictures you guys have taken. Its a real inspiration. Im moving to another city soon and its given me an idea for a snapshot of my new life for my family ..Thank u..Have you thought of what you might do next as this project is nearly at an end?
Friday, October 8, 2010 at 07:46
Thanks so much for saying so, Mando. It has been a learning experience for us – it’s hard to take a photo every day, even when you don’t feel like it! It’s also hard to have to post and look back on images that you weren’t satisfied with! It has been really rewarding to stick with it, though, and roller coaster though it is, we’re loving it. We’re going for a second year.
As Ferris Bueller reminded us, life moves pretty fast. Having the documentation to trigger memories of what you did each day is pretty incredible; I highly suggest that you embark on your own photo a day project. Your family will love it!
Friday, October 8, 2010 at 12:44
Hey, guys — love your project, and can’t believe you’re almost finished! I’m just two months into mind, trying to do One Good Deed a day for a year. Happily, it’s been bought as a book, but it’s inspiring to see how you guys have soldiered on through the year. I’ve just found you, but congrats. I’ll stick with you until 11/22, and then see what happens!
Check out my project — photos aren’t as great (or are frequent!) as yours, on http://www.onegooddeedbook.com
Thanks for the inspiration.
Erin
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 19:27
That sounds like a great exercise, thanks for sharing. I’ve only had a chance to look at a couple of the entries on your blog, but I really like the wrap-up/lesson lines at the end of each. I look forward to reading more of them.
Have you ever heard of This I Believe? Your blog reminded me of an episode that left a particular impact on me (perhaps because I heard it right after attending the funeral for a new coworker’s husband): Always Go to the Funeral.
While I’m at it, one of my very favorite StoryCorps episodes is also related to good deeds: Judge Olly Neal and his daughter Karama.
If you ever find yourself at a loss in your project, spend a little time listening to either of those projects… I find them to be remarkable.
Good luck! And, we plan to go for 730.
Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 09:31
I love your site. I check it frequently. I also came across it via metafilter.com. You are both extraordinary photographers and your accompanying titles are always intriguing. One of my favorites is Oct. 3 by Rena – the line on the computer about silence. A job well done indeed!
Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 11:36
Kind words appreciated… glad you’re sticking with us! One of my favorite things about all of this is going back through sometimes and remembering. I’ll have to swing back by Oct. 3, for I’m forgetting the quote at the moment. Thanks.
(edit: Good thing I went back. I had never attributed that quote to Rumi like I should have, so this gave me a chance to make the note in my comment.)
Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 16:48
I was wondering who said it – a Rumi fan myself.
Keep it up!