Collaboration
October 10, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: Ginnie 
col·lab·o·rate intransitive verb \kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt\: to participate or assist in a joint effort to accomplish an end.
Synonyms band (together), concert, concur, conjoin, conspire, join, league, team (up), unite.
Related Words connive, affiliate, ally, associate, combine, confederate, hang together, interface, co-operate.
For starters, today is Robin’s day to post here at V&V. Which is why she’s all over the place up above. She’s there because…we collaborated!
It was a no-brainer once I had the brain fart. Here she was on my side of the Pond, “short of eyes” while out-n-about in both Belgium and the Netherlands, often without internet access, flying home today (as we speak), and…let’s face it, outside her own world.
So, after hanging together for 3 days this past weekend, Astrid with us, of course, we banded together and made the swap. You’ll see her next Monday in my spot.
That got me thinking about virtual realities, the blogosphere, our websites…and collaboration.
Vision and Verb has been around now for almost 3 years, thanks especially to Marcie, our founder. A handful of us still remain who can remember those early days. And while we’ve watched many come and go, we’ve connived to protect a sense of “family” through our daily cooperation with women “of a certain age” around the world. Even with some men who’ve dared to show up!
When it’s possible to actually meet bloggers in real life, virtual collaboration takes on a whole new meaning. I, for one, will never “see” Robin in the same way again. Trust me. I will read her posts with a different knowingness and hope you will, too, because of all those smiles you see above.
I felt the same way about Petra and Cherry…2 other collaborators I’ve been privileged to meet...along with scads of photo-bloggers at my own Shutterchance site when Astrid and I met up with them in England 3 years in a row.
Marcie and I have talked about how fun it would be to have a Vision and Verb meet-up. Can you imagine conspiring to unite one day, teaming up for a day or weekend of interfacing with each other! Sure, it would be nigh impossible to get us all together in one concerted effort…but even if it’s one person at a time, why not! Next year I hope to meet Sue, just north of Atlanta. And Marcie…maybe in NYC with Robin. These things take planning, you know.
To be honest, I’m thinking about this because of a recent discussion about our joint effort here. And because of my August trip back to Michigan with my family! I know it’s not the same for everyone; we all see things differently. But to and for me, you are sometimes a better “family” than my own biological family. They say blood is thicker than water but my own experience allies more with “you can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends.”
Okay, so I’m the sister everyone else can read like a book, and maybe you’re not, but at least I come to our “home” each day to see/hear you. You talk. I pay attention. I listen. I try to get to know you a bit better. You do the same. Together we team up to make something very special happen…something unique.
I don’t care what anyone else says, I just have to say THANK YOU. Thank you for participating in this joint effort. Thank you for being part of this association to accomplish an end.
And thank you for making me feel like I belong! I hope you feel it, too!
Meet-ups, collaboration
Reader Comments (19)
Those smiles say so much. The sort of smiles which leave a face aching. Truly wonderful to see. And a privelege too.
Great stuff Ginnie. It is a great truism that you can choose your friends but not your family. It is also true that you can love your family but not necessarily like them! I would never have imagined when i joined shutterchance that I would end up with so many new friends. Which reminds me. Ange is going to fill out her passport renewal form today so we are a step closer to visiting Amsterdam and seeing you and Astrid!!
Love the pix of you guys all together like this. Everyone looks like they're having such a joyous..happy time!! And - as they say - 'next year in Jerusalem' (even if Jerusalem is only NYC!!). Y-E-S-S-S!!!
Sheesh, a brain fart! What a start. To a cloudy thought process. Had to laugh about your expression and had some visuals ...
I have had the experience in my life that once you get people to work together to reach the same goal, a lot of team cohesion grows from that. The simplest form was when I did my national service and especially in the basic training period, when they drive until you assume a different personality. Mine was the ability to get along with very little sleep. The main idea was; whenever it may required, you shouldn't doubt your buddy's contribution. It will be there.
Later-on - just the completion of a successful project brought people closer together. Once people are close, they tend to be willing to collaborate.
But just never let a blogsite, club membership or similar be your reason for existence. That is so sad.
It's a glorious effort-a terrific idea, blog and vehicle for understanding. Great pics too!
Great post Ginnie...How funny the way we both placed the dictionary definition of a word in our post! A great idea to come together.
Fantastic pix!!
Ginnie, I love this post! You've said so many things here, not just with words but also with those lovely images. The photos are full of love and laughter and friendship.
I've been part of the blogosphere for two years now, and from that time there are some friendships that have evolved into something more, and we are inspired to meet up in person or even on Skype. What draws us together is the common interest shared through our words and images. These friendships I think are the exception rather than the common result of being online. The comment by Louis earlier is a good caution to take to heart, yet the hanging together and sharing our Vision and Verb is an enriching life experience.
I feel this like family as well - and as you said, we can chose our friends. Not our family.
So far I haven't met any of my blogging friends - and I even have some not too far away from where I live. When I was younger (much younger...) I had many penpals, and some of them I got to meet in person. Most of us moved on, but a few of them are still friends. Some I found on Facebook again (or they found me). It's a beautiful collection.
Perhaps one day... if I could chose a place to meet, it would be Eliza's... (I can still dream, can't I?)
Fun photos ~ it's so cool that y'all got to hook up!
I'm honored to be here Ginnie! And we'll have to do coffee one day:)
I keep saying it, 'blame it on the Internet'. My first pen-pal was a girl from Germany, I met on a camping. We wrote for years and we met a few times. People we choose, people we share things with. Shutterchance started out for me, taking and posting pictures. Now it is almost more about the people behind the picture. I love it. 'Family', I only have one brother, 'family' does not exist for me, for the family made the decision for me, they did not want to meet me any more. Fine, don't cry when I choose my own friends and be very happy with it.
This post is wonderful. Total strangers meet, for they have the same love for photography. We communicate, and then there is that chance to meet. I just love it.
I loved the time we spent with Robin. I hardly can wait a year before we will meet again (and Marcy will come for a day too....... )
Oh, what fun! You are right about those smiles, just lovely! Our group here really is a wonderful treasure... and it is so great to be a part of it all. We really are a fabulous group of "sisters," and I am so glad to be a part of it all!
It looks like you were all having such a fabulous time as I did when I met up with you and Astrid.
I have been a follower of Vision & Verb since day one and was thrilled when I was asked to join the family. I have very much enjoyed hearing the words and seeing the visions of those collaborators and watching it grow and develop over those years.
The idea of a group meet up does sound like great fun :-)
I think about that too -- how fun it would be to all gather together in person. I wish I'd been able to do a similar meetup when I was visiting my son in New York. Maybe someday...
Your joy in togetherness is contagious, from the photos, and from your words. Human relationships can be fantastic, and difficult! So when we get abundance of joy, it feels amazing.
And even though I'm family, I choose you. : )
Awe. I send a great big hug your way! :)
Ginnie, it's so true about the importance of collaboration, but I want to also mention TRUST. You asked me about using certain photographs and we chatted and I said that I trust whatever you decide to post. It is so much about trust, isn't it? Words can't describe what outstanding hosts you and Astrid were to share with me your beautiful country. From all of our emails and posts from our blogs, I never once felt uneasy or concerned about our meeting up and spending time together. That is TRUST. I will always be appreciative of V&V for our introduction. That's why there was this continuous smile throughout my stay! Beautiful post! Thank you Vision and Verb!
Getting to meet another blogger in "real life" would be such a thrill, Ginnie. I can not help but smile at the thought of one day making it a reality and meeting any one of us, or even better all of us, for a Vision and Verb gathering of sorts :-)
I may be 'late to the party' - but am wearing a great big smile! Oh my goodness; it looks like you had such a grand time with Robin. As you know, Ginnie, I'm envious!
Your photo collage was wonderful; your post absolutely delightful. But...reading everyone's comments, priceless. Love our 'global family.'