Today, October 5, the countdown begins: 30 days until my 30th birthday.
These past 3 decades have brought lots and lots and lots of memories. Good memories, bad memories, funny memories, sad memories… regardless of the type, these they have all come out of events that have served to shape my life somehow. They have helped in shaping my future decisions. They have given me moments of reflection.
Each day, starting today and ending on my 30th birthday, November 4, I will recount one memory from the past 30 years… either one that has helped define me, one that makes me laugh, one that makes me think, one that encourages me… or maybe a little of everything. If possible, I will post a photo to go along with the memory.
It’s my 30/30/30 Project: 30 years. 30 memories. 30 days.
I have chosen today’s memory because it comes from an event that took place exactly two years ago today – the Hot Blogger Calendar photo shoot.
On October 5, 2008, I arrived bright and early at Some Studio in NYC with my parents and my friend, Sarah, whom I had met less than three months earlier. For the previous several weeks, Sarah and I had taken an idea – a calendar made up of “hot bloggers,” as voted by their peers – and made it happen. And on on that day, all of our hard work was coming together. It was photo shoot day.
For nearly 10 hours, we watched magic happen before our eyes.
I don’t say that lightly. Sarah is a PR pro, yes, but to my knowledge, neither of us had ever acted as artistic directors on any major calendar projects. We had our visions, the bloggers had their visions, and the amazing (A.MA.ZING) photographers with whom we worked that day, Bill Wadman and Meg Wachter, seemingly took those visions and, with a click of the camera, handed them to us in photo form. (And I cannot forget to mention our incredible make-up artist, Jillian Villafane, who helped make the bloggers picture-perfect.)
But that’s not the only reason the day was memorable for me. Having the chance to hang out with and share lots and lots of laughs with some of my favorite bloggers – Britt, Dawg, Poppy, Jim, Erika, Amy, Jill and Katja, Francesco, Peter, Riese, Josh, and Shawn – and watching them enjoy the moment really moved me. And knowing they had traveled there from all over the country to take part in something I helped create? Well, I have to say it made me proud.
It’s no wonder that when I sat down to write about the experience a few days later, my first words were: For so many reasons and on so many levels, I had one of the best times of my life this weekend in New York City.
That day two years ago wasn’t just fun, it was life-changing. I really was. It made me think about a lot of things and helped me come to conclusions about others. That may be vague, and I apologize, but it’s not something about which I feel comfortable elaborating.
You’ll just have to take my word for it. October 5, 2008 rocked.
Was that really two years ago?! It seems like so much has changed since then – and it feels like I’ve known you forever! But one thing is for sure, it COMPLETELY rocked – not least because I got a fantastic friend out of it! I think of that weekend every time I see Froot Loops. Or tequila.
I loved this day from the Hot Blogger’s girlfriend perspective. Thanks for letting me hang out with you all. 🙂
What a cool idea to do Jane!
I so remember the Hot Blogger Calendar. You all need to do that again 🙂
Meeting all of those incredible bloggers… people… geniuses… was a highlight of my life. Knowing how these people and this experience changed you and your life will impact me forever and ever and ever. It was a glorious day! Love you… and I am excited about your 30/30/30 Project! Love forever, Mom
Jane: you have the BEST project/idea to move into another milestone in your life! I look forward to reading more of your 30 memories in the next month. I’m sorry I missed the opportunity to know about this first memory but I didn’t even know about the blogging world two years ago – just the ol fashioned diary 🙂
Jane, what a great idea! I loved being a behind-the-scenes part of the calendar and was so bummed I couldn’t be there that day too. You & Sarah kicked ASS with those calendars!
You always come up with these innovative ideas. You’re an “Idea Girl” just like Billy Blaze in Nightshift. I don’t want to wish the month away but I’m anxious for each day to come just to follow the 30/30/30 Project! I love you sweetheart! Dad
Great memory Janie!
Yes, it rocked. I truly felt beautiful and amazing that day and thank you for your (huge) part in that!
I can NOT believe it’s been 2 years!
I loved living through the project vicariously through you! You are so brilliant and it was amazing to watch it all come together with your hard work, talent and drive. Looking forward to reading the rest of your memories!
30/30/30 – another great idea, just like the Hot Blogger calendar was a great idea. I second the notion to do it again… 🙂 Looking forward to the next 30 days!