I've written quite a few Be Enough blogs. And each one of them is a feather in my cap, a reminder that even on my bluest days, I am enough. I go back and visit these posts on a regular basis. They are, without a doubt, some of my best writing. Why? Because it allows my readers (and in some cases, me) see a part of That Gabby Abby that may not otherwise appear on this blog.
And so, when I found out that Just Be Enough is celebrating their birthday, I wanted to participate in celebrating a site that gave me the tools to do some serious soul searching. And their idea of a party was to ask us to create a self-portrait.
Now, for those who have read Abby Gabs for any length of time, you already know that self-portraits are a way of life for me. I'm a pro at the stretch-the-arm-out-and-point-the-camera-at-myself shot. I have also perfected the set-camera-on-a-mostly-stable-surface-and-take-a-delayed-picture shot. I had to, if I was ever going to get shots like this:
...so I could Photoshop them into shots like this:
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| Courtesy of THIS POST. |
Most recently, I've taken to using a tri-pod (or my husband) to get shots like this one:
So I could turn them into something more along the lines of this one:
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| Courtesy of THIS POST. |
When I think of what I want my self-portrait to say about me, I think of the pictures I've used in my blog banner over the last two years. Sure, I wanted them to be relatively pretty (read: no visible zits, chin hairs, or food stains.) I wanted my readers to view me as Confidant, Cheeky, and/or Cute. So I set up my tri-pod (thanks, honey), and did my best posing.
Note: I always tilt my head, I always cover my chin-scar, and my bottom lip ALWAYS covers my wonky front tooth. (All tips given freely by Tyra Banks.)
But in reality, the thing I should be conveying in those portraits is the MAIN thing you should know about me. I am silly. I never take myself too seriously. Humor is my thing. I like to make people laugh---nay, snort. And none of these pictures (despite how well-lit they are) scream "Look at me, I'm a comedian!"
So when it came time for me to take a self-portrait of myself for this post, I struggled with the concept. Once again, I found myself wondering how I would capture this silly part of me in a self-taken photo (without resorting to Photoshopping myself in front of a red brick wall, hecklers at the ready.)
And as usual, while perusing my own photos and graphics, hoping for inspiration, the answer came to me. The PERFECT self-portrait of silly, awkward, sort-of-terrific me would be one of my badly drawn graphics. And really, it captures me--as a person, as an "artist" (anyone who owns the 96-Count Bonus Box of Crayola Crayons gets to use that word), and as a blogger--just right.
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| Notice the sparkles for flare and fabulousness. |
The only thing missing is my cracked tooth, but I couldn't figure out how to put that in without making myself look like a hobo.
Happy Birthday Just Be Enough!!! May you change as many lives, and touch as many hearts, in your 2nd year as you did your first. With love, from That Gabby Abby (She's the chick in desperate need of a haircut pictured above.)
Come join the party and help us celebrate!
And share your self-portrait with the world!
(Feel free to make yours less kindergarten-ish
than mine. Unless you have the big box
of crayons, too. )
