ask me anything
Dear readers,
I caught glimpses of something akin to Spring today. I thought I might be hallucinating but I dare say, I spotted the tiniest patch of grass this morning and it pretty much restored my faith in life, the universe and everything. Hark! The sound of ice melting and birds singing. Such joy to my soul.
Spring usually brings with it a swelling surge of creativity and yet, it seems I have reached a whole new level of “uninspiration” these days, if that’s even possible. Perhaps I need to wait until winter is cold in her grave before sending out SOS messages to the muses but I was never a patient girl.
I suspect the culprit of my waning creativity is work. Peak season is upon us and we be peddlin’ like mad little mice on a wheel (we’ve gone from insane to batshit over the last 2 weeks). And in the midst of that, I’m trying to juggle the challenges of a long distance relationship (mainly my incessant pining), which drains me so and leaves me doubling my efforts to search for work in the UK because I fully intend to move there come summer, so help me!
Still, I miss blog land. I come here sometimes, to this WordPress page (so white, so blank), and I look at it with my fingers ever poised over the keyboard just waiting for the ah-ha! The moment when inspiration strikes. Alas, those moments are few and far between and generally seem to be reserved for when I’m in the midst of slaying alligators in the work swamp. Nothing like a good financial statement to get the creative juices flowing. And then I come home wiped, ready to write about that thing that seemed so genius earlier in the day and I find myself here again. In front of the screen. Blinking.
A girl emailed me, why just the other day, and she had this to say: “I have to tell you, it’s so weird to follow someone’s life through a blog. There are times when I feel kind of intrusive or something. So many times I was like “hmm maybe I should email her, introduce myself and just let her know I’m peering in.” I love it when people take the time to say hello (hello people who say hello). And I know exactly what the mademoiselle means. I feel the same way about other bloggers. I’m strangely curious about their day-to-day life outside of blogging.
So here I am, dear readers, offering you the opportunity to ask me anything you like in the comment section. Some might say it’s self-indulgent and I’d have to agree that yes, it is, absolutely, unequivocally self-indulgent. Owning a blog is a little self-indulgent in and of itself, non? Might as well indulge the shit out of the indulgence. The fact is, I need some inspiration, people and I’ve come to the conclusion that that inspiration is you. There is only so much blinking a girl can do after all, so I beg of you, ask me a question, give me something to write about. Even if you couldn’t care less about my day-to-day life, ask me what I think about duck-billed platypuses (Are they cool? Hells yes! Did you know that males have a horny spur from which they can eject venom from while fighting; venom that can kill small animals! Whoa! Like I said, cool!)
Alors… until all the work demons are slayed and creativity comes ‘a knockin’ on my door again, I am turning the microphone over to you, mes amis. Go ahead, don’t be shy. It’s easy. For example, you might ask: “Jeanine, what up with the fish photo?” to which I might respond: “Well, reader number 138 (yes, I am delusional), that is a very good question. The fish photo in question is a shout out to all my Pisces friends. Also, I was craving a little escapade so I started looking through pictures of my trip to Spain and found these fish just chilling at The Alhambra. To you, it looks like a photo of a bunch of fish. To me, it feels like the heat and freedom I felt that March day 2 years ago. That’s the thing about photos. Sometimes, they tell a story, sometimes they just say “Hi, I’m a photo of a bunch of fish“.
See how fun that was?
So, ask me anything. There is no such thing as a silly question. And there ain’t no mountain too high, nor no valley too low.
Hell, I’ll even throw in a free print to the person who asks the most original question. Or a mixed CD? Cookies?
Hit me!
With love and gratitude,
J.
UPDATE: Absolutely loving the questions so far. Keep ’em coming! I’ll start answering them next week. (Also. Thank you. xo)
wonderingsandwanderings.com 
Here is your dose of motivation…..hop over to my blog and watch the video I just posted ” two dogs eating”. I love to laugh and this laughed me right into a creative mood. Oops sorry I didn’t ask a question. What is your favorite funniest video?
Hello! Always love to look at what you post here and so, so happy for you about the British Boy! So, here is my burning question:
What are your three favorite ways to feed your soul?
Hi! I started reading your blog a while ago, right around the time you were travelling through Europe and met your British boy, coincidentally. You’re life is cuite the adventure! My question is what are your interests aside from photography and travel? We hear about and see alot about those two things so I’m curious about other things you like to do. Oh, and how friggin excited are you to be moving to the UK? I am so envious! My secret wish was to meet a European and fall in love and move there but instead I found a European here, who has no intention of moving across the pond again. Woe is me!
that’s quite…. not cuite, ha.
you are brave my dear, to give us such freedom!
…so, I’ll might as well just try make a big step…?!
as a young lady in this london town of mine, which I’ve understood that you also enjoy, I would like to know what you would like ME to do here for a day.
like, to give you the possibility to request a little delightful list of to-gos and to-dos so that I can go on an expedition to enjoy this british city for YOU.
if this sounds fun to you, and you want to give me this little adventure, I will ofcourse be very happy to make you a report-post from the day on my blog in return, so you can get the experiences through my eyes as well 🙂
xxx
favorite cheeses?
… i’m not good at this game.
hi!! i just wanted to leave a comment to say hello and let you know i love your pictures and your writing =) what is your favorite breakfast to make and/or eat? and are you a morning or a night person?
I understand how you feel about work sapping your creative muse, I’m there right now myself. (Not work, wedding planning actually, which is not always as fun as one would think.) But spring is coming, closer and closer everyday. I have a very important questions for you. What is your favorite flavour of ice cream and your best memory associated with that flavour?
(I added the last bit just to make your writing muscles workout a bit, you can ignore it if you want.) Personally, I waiver between mint chocolate chip and cookie dough.
please explain how in the well know blockbuster, ‘the muppets take manhattan’ they do that scene where the muppets all bike through central park.
ARE THEY ALIVE?
ok. So as a person betrayed in the worst ways via a long distance relationship, I have to ask (as part of me worries for you), how can you be sure the him you know is the real him? Or rather, what makes you sure?
And, also, if I may ask another (although I may have just missed it if you already blogged it), what did he get you for your anniversary?
well…i already asked this in an email but worried that i was overstepping bounds and that you’d find me nosey. egad!
but now i have freedom to be nosey! oh the wide winged JOY! 🙂
how did you two decide which lover would move across the pond?
Hola:) Long time reader, first time coming out of the shadows to comment! I must first tell you, love! love! love! your writing:) You have a way with words girl…never disappoints me. As a fellow blogger {although not nearly as long in the game as you} I understand that life gets in the way and we sometimes stare at the screen and go “Uhhhh…..” My question(s) for you are about your move to UK. I know you have the boy there and will probably be living with him, so that kinda eliminates your need for a home/rent etc… How exactly are you going about looking for a job over there? What steps have to be taken? I’m curious, because I’d love to do it myself one day…just have to find me a British Boy:) Good luck!
My question is: how do you judge what is the most original question?
If you were given one day where no one would ever remember anything you did, what would you dare to do? {Remember; it will all be erased tomorrow…}
J, so nice to see this beautiful post… as usual, captivating, romantic, intriguing, intimate, fun and thoughtful! I was reading about cliche vs. original writing in Bob McKee’s book on story, and thought you might appreciate the encouragement about your original perspectives on life. We (at least THIS reader does) crave your perspective, whether it is on the fabulous Brit boy, people in the elevator at work, whiskey, your inner-dialogue and worries(how few you seem to have, and openly bare them), or trips to Iceland. I guess that ‘Thank you’ is not a question. But, here’s one: What is in your heart today?
PS I think I met someone… help! 🙂
Gosh, Jeanine, I didn’t mean to leave off some of the main ideas therein. When you write from your perspective it is never cliche, it is your depth and singularity that makes your original message so captivating– worry not, all of your creativity is not burned out, or stifled. No pressure, we (again I) just like you for exactly what you do, what you are, what you show… and THE WAY that you show yourself is always like cake AND pie! AND whiskey, oh my! another round for everyone… to life!
Hello! I found your blog accidentally and it’s one of my favorites. I love your writing style. Here’s a silly question: what would be six impossible things you would like to do before breakfast?
okay, so imagine one of your bloggy friends travels up to Montreal for a visit to make sure she gets to see you before you hightail it for that island near France— and you have three days with her– what would you all do? where would you go? what would you eat? what would you wear?
you know, hypothetically .. . xoxoxo, E
Hey Jeanine! I truly love your blog and I read it often and live vicariously through your travels. Thank you for all the love and effort you put into it! Here’s a question for you, something I have put some thought into myself as someone who has spent lots of time in the UK. I also think your perspective would be interesting since you’ve lived in so many places in Canada. My question: what are your observations of Canadian culture vs. British culture? What defines Canadian culture, or makes it uniquely Canadian? What have you noticed about British culture? What are some things you love and/or hate about either? What will you miss about Canada when you move? XO!
i suck at this game because when i read your blog i am a bit delusional too and imagine us sitting at a cafe or a little bar somewhere and you’re telling me of your adventures. i imagine that you use your hands a lot when you talk because i sense your joy with life. that could be just my imagination. or is it. do you use your hands to talk? i couldn’t talk without using mine – must be the irish in me….or is the the cornish influence? it’s certainly not the native american. 🙂
and oh…do you dance alone in your kitchen while listening to katrina and the waves “walking on sunshine?”
silly question (and not original!): if you had to keep just one CD, which one would it be?
(i still owe you a mix. hopefully, i will send it next week!)
What do you have for bathroom reading material?
What’s your favourite movie? And your favourite ’80s hair band – assuming you were into that scene at the time?
ps – I’ve no illusions about winning the prize for the most original question, but I already have one of your prints for naming your travelling pig. I am content.
Ahem…. what will you name youse and the Brit Hottie’s first sproglet? (nameS if it’s twins?)
(Because you’re thinking about it – while you practice writing Brit’s last name after yours…)
😛
It’s so lovely to drop back into your world and catch up on what’s happenin’. You’re writing gets better every day and your pictures…LAWD have mercy. You’re so gifted, JC.
My question: Beatles or Stones?
P.S. For any of you that win a mixed CD, I can attest to JC’s amazing ability to spin you her world via songs.
There are some really good questions in that pile. You should have enough inspiration to last you until your next visit to see you know who. Still, I come here often enough for inspiration, leaving a question is the least I can do in return. My question is, on your many travels, have you ever gotten help from a complete stranger? Help that just wouldn’t have been the same if it was offered by someone you knew?
Dear J,
I have been following your blog since last year and you never fail to inspire me everytime I visit. I found your blog by accident and it’s really weird to be thankful of something such as an accident. But this accident was really a blessing to me.
I love your work; I love photography as well although I don’t own a DSLR :(. But what I love the most is your writing. Amidst the ‘uninspiration’ period, you still managed to write so much. I for one, have always been struggling to pour my heart out when it comes to writing, which results to my blog left unupdated for a long time. I hated that.
Anyway, my question is: Have you ever felt so empty inside when at the same time all the blessings in life have been pouring on to you like rain? Have you ever felt so lost?
I’ve got one…
can we be friends?
I’m crazily behind with your blog! sorry.
My question is… when exactly are you coming to London? hurry up already! x.
This is my first time here, via Susannah’s (susannahconway.com) flickr. your blog is wonderful! I sense a warm person behind it. I know nothing about you so what question to ask? (That’s not my question, by the way…. although come to think of it, it is quite original. Answer if you so wish) Enough of my babble, what is the single most important thing I need to know about you? p.s. no cheaty long sentences 😉