awkward firsts.

Well, here I am. I never know what to say in a first entry. Be it a blog, or a new journal...or whatever...the first one is always the most awkward for me. So...I figure that I may as well just get it over with.

I have a lot of new photos that I want to post. I'm really trying to learn how to use photoshop...I know, I'm kind of late in the game. And I suck at it right now, and I have no idea what I'm doing. But I'm really tired of feeling like I have no hobby, no outlet. I used to be sooo creative...I had my little crafts and hobbys that I used to occupy my time with when I was younger. Things like...writing, drawing, knitting, cross stitching, bracelet-making, baking even. Granted I was homeschooled and highly sheltered sooo..what other choice did I have? Haha. But the point is...I've always been creative, and I've always had ways to express that creativity. Somehow, along the way, and due to a certain unfortunate chain of events, I lost that. I lost myself. Life got in the way, and I forgot how to do a lot of those things...I didn't even try to get into anything creative and then I just got to a point where I kind of felt like...it was too late. I don't know how to do anything...besides write...and I don't know where to start.

But, none of that matters. If I keep that attitude...I may never get anywhere. I was created with a very artistic side to me, and it makes me feel good when I am actively expressing that side. So...oh well, that I don't know how to use photoshop. It's frustrating right now, cuz I'm just starting out...but I am going to learn. I'm going to figure it out and learn how to edit my photos and make them my own creation. I also want to learn how to scrapbook..and I have no idea where to start with that, either. But, I have to start somewhere. And I'm going to...

So, that's what this blog is for. This is me taking control of myself. I'm going to post photos now...even as I'm learning photoshop, even if they aren't the most beautiful photos you ever saw in your life. I think it will be better that way anyways cuz...as I learn, I'll be able to look back and see how far I've come. I know I'm talking a lot about photos right now, and this isn't a photoblog per se, though I will be doing some photo blogging. It's just the thing that's on my mind right now and so that's what's coming out. Haha. I also want to post stories and poems and random thoughts and whatever else I may feel like doing.

Anyway, I've got some goals for myself. These aren't to be completed in any specific timeframe or anything like that. Just...some things I want to keep in mind, some things I want to try or improve upon.
My goals:

*photoshop
*scrapbooking
*blogging (consistent upkeep)
*story writing
*take one photo per day
*practice my guitar

BTW...my blog banner was entirely designed by...Moi. :) See...I was looking around for a blog template and getting depressed because I wanted something that was entirely mine for my blog, and getting more depressed because I feel like I am horrible at coming up with ideas and making designs. Well, nope. My blog banner is my statement, and maybe it's not the best ever and maybe I'll come up with something better later on as I learn more and develop my skills. But it's my statement to me that...I can do it, I can come up with cool designs and ideas. It just takes some effort and it takes practice. So yes. My blog banner is my own little labor of love...for me. :)

Well, that's about all I have for today. This is a living record of my creative journey, and hopefully I can entertain a few people along the way.

Love,
Lisa