AI Podcast about Life Trove

I've just discovered the wonders of Notebook LM, an AI resource powered by Google's Gemini.

I gave it the URL of Life Trove and it created a wonderful, interactive podcast that provides some profound reflections on it. It's so wonderful, it had me close to tears at times. 

I particularly liked how it described my life as a combination of external adventure and internal introspection and how these two activities can create a virtuous circle. I'd never thought of it that way before but it resonates as beautifully true.

Listen to Podcast here

Older versions of this blog

In May this year, my blog celebrated its 20th birthday. Blogging has been a wonderful journey. It is what inspired me to get into photography. It has also created a record of my life (3382 posts and counting!) as it unfolds, creating the ultimate digital scrapbook and a kind of gratitude journal to look back on with great satisfaction when I am old.

Yesterday, I found some old versions of this blog archived by The Internet Archive.  Very cool!  

See live versions from 2005 and 2007.

Nov 2004  (After 6 months of blogging)

Feb 2006 (After 9 months of blogging)

Nov 2007 (After 3 years of blogging)

After scanning the family photos

Can’t believe the amazing job you’ve done on collating all the family history on your blog! Thank you so much. I’ve spent a lovely snowy morning scrolling through them all. I’m certain I’ve never seen much of it and listening to Dad’s voice on tape was amazing. Hopefully it will be treasured by the next several generations. I know how much effort it took for Jill and I to come up with limited memoires.

Much love as always, Trish

Thanks Trish for your lovely email.

I had such fun going back over the old photo albums, going back over old memories, capturing it all. The older I get, the more precious it all seems. Getting intimate with Gran and Gramp's lives, for example, is a way to keep them alive. I'm haunted by the idea that inevitably one day we will all be completely forgotten, all our precious moments and experiences "lost, like tears in the rain."  Maybe my blog is a primal urge to delay that.  Irrespective of all that, I do love all the curating and recording, it makes me happy.  And I look forward to looking back on it all when I am old and grey and feeling grateful for the amazing life I've lived and the beautiful friends and family I got to share the journey of life with.

G

Fotojet Collage Maker

Picasa was discontinued so I needed to find another app to create my collages on Life Trove.  Fotojet has been a wonderful find.  It gives me far more control than Picasa in determining the layout and what photos show where.

A labour of love...

When I first started my blog on Blogger over 8 years ago, I was unhappy with the way they handled comments.  So being a high tech wizard at the time, I integrated a 3rd party's comments system onto my blog.  Since then, my wonderful friends and family have left over 1500 comments on the blog and they are a much beloved part of it; as important to me as my memories and photos.

Imagine my absolute horror and dismay then, when I discovered that the company who ran the comments system were no longer supporting it and were not providing a way for me to transfer the comments into any other system.  All those cherished comments sitting on a legacy system that was going to die.

Then, being the low tech wizard I am these days with no ability to program, I had a moment of inspiration:  copy and paste!!!

So I have basically spent the whole day, over 12 hours, copying the comments from my old system and pasting them into the new system.

It's been a labour of love because it's been a wonderful opportunity and excuse to go back and read all the old comments from family and friends.

So thank you to you all for leaving comments on G-Trove since I started blogging.  You've inspired me to keep it going through the years and now it has a life of it's own - an electronic scrap book brimming with memories for my old age.

I'd like to especially thank Mum, Jo, Russell, Robyn, Kerry, Carleen, Ingrid, Eva, Nicola and Ana.  You've been particularly prolific commenters and I really appreciate it...

Photographing Sydney

I've been on a bit of a photographic mission of late to photograph Sydney and her surrounding areas.  I've created an index of Sydney places I've photographed since coming to Australia to help me keep track.

It might also be of use to anyone visiting Sydney to see all the beautiful places on offer.

Encouragement that has inspired Life Trove

Family

Mum

• It's lovely to know you are feeling the urge to do more photography as we love seeing your blog and makes us feel closer to you.
• I have just been reading your new sections and ended up spending over an hour looking back at some of the holidays you have been on.  There is plenty still left to keep me amused for days.  I love both new sections!   I must really sit down and do something similar about my own memories.  

Trish

• Just been feeling sentimental browsing the family photos you assembled. Miss having you all closer but so grateful for all the times we’ve shared.

Keira

• Wow.....that really is all there is to say.....wow, and amazing, and spectacular, and inspiring.....wow

Elaine 

• Graeme - I think your blog is absolutely fantastic and it will be such a wonderful permanent record for you of everything you do and your young life etc. I have watched your tours around South America with great interest - what a wonderful trip you have had. 
• Amazing life you lead!! x  (after Antarctica and camping trip)

Robyn  (Ally's mum)

• Love your photo's. Love your news of outings, sightings and family. Thank you over, and over again, for keeping everything posted and up to date. Visiting your blog is one of the highlights of my week.
• The scenery, birds and leaps bring your holiday alive for me. What a treat! Thank you so much G for all the care that you put into your blog. I enjoy it more than I can say.
• Have brought my Dad in to see your blog. Ally is taking him though the site showing him a bit of everything. he is amazed by the technology and the fact that you will have this scrapbook for your children's children. Reminds me of the Egyptian belief that, if your name is kept alive, then you are immortal.
• Robyn: I have sat here at Reddam with tears streaminmg down my cheeks. Everyone is being very polite and leaving me be but I want you to know that I have been deeply moved by your tribute. It is also the first time that I have seen a photo of your Dad. He has a very kind and gentle face just like you. Robyn.

Ian (Ally's dad)

• Happy 5th B'day G-Trove. It is a pleasure to read and to be able to share your adventures .I just love the photography. May the good work continue.
• Beautiful pictures. What a wonderful experience you are both enjoying . Those memories are for a lifetime. Keep going.

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Special connections

Dani

• I love that you wear your heart on your sleeve and are not afraid to put yourself out there on your blog.

Lizzy

• I really like your idea of a digital scrap book.
• I’m really impressed with your website … and your life list. YOU write really well, and I’m intrigued by the photo of you covered in mud!?! I have a gratitude book I write in daily, but think your list and aspirations are commendable, because they are do-able. Maybe that’s why life is a little harder for us, we think too damn much!

Chrisel

• I lost myself for a couple of hours in your treasure trove...what an incredible collection of memories you have created there. You must be so proud of yourself; seriously to be so in touch with all your most valued people/experiences is very admirable. And the photos! Those South America photos are amaaaaaaazing!
• Wow, you really are a master photographer and writer (I still believe that you have missed your calling and should be a writer/photographer!). Thanks also for being so complementary about my family and your time here - I showed them all the entries about them and they loved it!  

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Sydney friends

Liz

• Since you gave us the link, I have been snooping around your blog. And all I can say is WOW!!!! It is an absolutely extraordinary piece of work.  
• Firstly, Your photos are beyond amazing.  I don't know if this sounds odd, but all of your photos have this very positive, uplifting feel about them.  They give a sense of hope, wonder, awe and a general sense that everything is right with the world (sorry for getting a bit deep there).  Anyway, there is definitely a gallery waiting with your name on it!  A few of my favourites are the "Torres Del Paine, Chile" with the sunlight hitting the peaks, the lion sitting so grandly and looking so majestic, the moon setting over the 12 Apostles, the sun setting behind the elephant, the sunset one with the boat in the water (you must have taken it recently)....really I could name so many more....
• Your memoirs are so warm, honest and funny.  Its great reading about your family and seeing photos when you were a boy...with hair  (haha).
• Your poetry brought me to to tears (particularly the one entitled 'The Child' for a couple different reasons).  I love poetry and used to write heaps as a child and in my teens but I haven't done so for ages.

Truc

• I’ve always loved the honesty of your blog G - the reflections/perspectives and experiences you share are insightful and inspiring.

Sharon

• What a fantastic opportunity you took! I love 'catching up' via your site and seeing all those great photos!

Eva

• Amazing stuff, you make me me want to do more!

Gavin

• My mum spent an hour in your blog. I always send her the link. I look at it on the loo.

Beata

• I read it [your blog] all as well. It’s very exciting. And your images at the polar arctic circle are wonderful. Beata

Ana (English student)

• A huge labour of love, but like said a Brazilian poet "we don't live without love". Your words and pictures are the testimony of the life, a beautiful life. Our comments just to express how is fantastic your look about the world. I'm glad to had met you one year ago in Sydney.

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Old friends

Julian

• Looking at your blog brings back all kind of great memories, I get so tied up in work and getting on with life that I forget what it was like to be young!
• Hi Graeme, I have recently been struck by pangs of nostalgia and have been going through your blog (again) just to try and catch a glimps of what it felt like to be a little younger and a little more in awe of life. I'm touched by how often you refer to our friendship and treasure the carefree memories. Stay in touch and see you soon. 

Sean

• Hi Graeme, a blast from the past but I was thinking about my old school friends on the weekend and looked you up. I read your blog and wow, you live life to the full. 

Jane Cully

• Graeme, my long lost friend. This site was sent to me by my mother and I just cant seem to leave it.  I have read so much and cried so much.  The letter you wrote for your dad was truely moving and it really makes me miss those days so much when we were young. I now have 3 girls, twins of 1 and and elder daughter of 3.  I hope we can meet up sometime in the near future and remember the old times together again.

Shirley

• Your blog made me cry. Thank you.

Colleen

• Your photo's are out of this world! What an amazing trip you have had and memories to last a lifetime. I feel like (in some small way) I have been travelling with you...I have loved reading every part of your journal! Tons of love

Amanda

• Thank you so much for the news and for the reminder of the blog site - it is great.  You guys are sooo good at recording your lives unfolding - such fun and what a lovely memory - I must get some advice how to get started and maybe make it a maternity leave thing!   I think I have 4 years of digital photos that haven't got very far.  J's mom and family would love a way to keep in touch like this.

Nicola

• I read your blog regularly - every week at least. Your activities & photo's have kept me smiling through some lousy times at work and now that I am dating an Australian I see your blog in a different light.  Australia will one day become my home and you and I could end up as neighbours.

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Volvo colleagues

Caroline

• Can't resist sending a note after a visit at your blog together with Marcus - we are both equally amazed by your stories but maybe most of all by your photos!!! I 've always known that you are an EXCELLENT photographer but this is totally AMAZING!! Thanks for bringing some sun, clear waters and great adventure to a winter cold Sweden... still snowy outside and minus degrees (celsius). Anyway, lot's of love to you both and enjoy... I/we are certainly enjoying your stories here at home :- ) Hugs from caroline and Marcus sends his regards

Tony Carlyon

• I just have to say that I have never been so impressed with either a blog, photographs, or someone’s life in general. I am amazed by everything you have done, and even more amazed that you have documented it so scrupulously, and have been kind enough to share it with everyone else! Thank you!  I almost feel guilty that I worked with you for so long and never really knew what you were about and even more embarrassingly, just how interesting you really are, I suppose to an IT guy, you were ‘just another user’ anyway, for that I apologise!  I wish you & your wife the very best on your remaining travels and if I ever get to have 1% of the excitement and thrills that you have had, I will be happy!  As for the subject, “A century in the blink of an eye” I find facts and figures like that amazing, and I wanted to forward you the following attachments, they also put things once again into perspective for us mere mortals!  Thanks again for an amazing insight into your truly remarkable life!

Andreas

• The fotos are fantastic especially the ones with the Glaciers and the landscape with the fjords and the mountains. I was looking at your photos yesterday. My first reaction was “What the hell am I doing here?” I wanted to go to the next travel agency and book a flight. I envy you for your fantastic journey. Your fotos really hit the mark and add insult to my insuries. But that’s life. You guys go and have a great time.

Sharon (Volvo Trucks)

• You wouldn't believe how envious I am of you and Ally...what a wonderful adventure you are having! Next life...I'm gonna do EXACTLY what you're doing. In fact, I plan to have a copy of your journal with me to be sure I don't miss anything!

Andrew Pocock

• Howdy … I’ve been following your exploits on the blog (my spell checker keeps recommending that I should say bog instead of blog). I am very impressed that you find the time to keep it up to date so well.  It is a fantastic record:  I take back all I said about blogging!  Still…. you have to get out a bit to make it worth while!  You really have taken some fantastic pictures.  I’m trying to convince Sue that when the kids have grown up, we should go for a backpack round South America and maybe the Far East; I think it’ll take some selling effort on my part to get her to agree.

David Freilich 

• Love the blog site!! Great going !  An inspiration! My best- David

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Friends we met on our travels

Hamish

• I must confess I am something of a ghost on your blog - I surf it often but never leave any comments which I'm aware is a horrendous sin! As always, it's brilliant and it was great to stumble accross the poetry section (I wish we'd seen the horses on Cotapaxi). I am pleased you have a sexy new SLR Graeme -  you won't regret that purchase for a second. And you will be pleased to know that we finally got around to setting up our own blog toward the end of trip - I think our families found it really useful and when we get internet some time next week we intend to give it a bit of a revamp as I have a hoard of photos from Uni to put on there. Pales in comparison to your own , but its a start: http://www.geandhw.blogspot.com
• Merry Christmas guys. A great list to summarise another great year in your life - you are a real inspiration to us!

Carissa Kasper

• You're pictures and stories are incredible. Thank you so much for documenting your travels, it's been very helpful in planning my upcoming travels to South America.

Brigid

• I just wanted to say I love your blog...it's wonderful!! I enjoyed seeing all your travels. It was great to meet you both; I had a wonderful time running into you everywhere! You both helped to make our trip special. Hope you're settling into Australia!  Brigid (Mullen)  aka crusty, I believe....

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Strangers who stumbled upon Life Trove

Frenz Fries

• One amazing blog! Haha I'm so envious of all the beautiful places and the wonderful memories you have and still creating. keep up the good work guys.

Coimbatore

• Wonderful site of wildlife, I have never seen anyhing of this kind in the blogs before. I have to appreciate your photographs and articles.

Steve

• Reading your blog is really amazing - I'm inspired to do my own! I went straight to the poetry of course. Poetry is such a special and personal thing. Yours is very good.

Roberta

• What fun to surf here, it must not have been a mistake since I enjoyed it so much! Best wishes from Michigan, USA

Christophe and Karine

• We have visited your "blog" , Wouah , wonderfull pictures (animals , countries ,travels ...... )  When did you intend to visit and take some pictures from France ? Don't hesitate if you intend to travel to France

Anna

• Hi mi name is Anna, Im from Argentina. You've got a nice blog, with excelent pictures wich show great experiencies! good luck!

Lesa Harper

• Beautiful pictures!!! I envy the fact that you can travel all over the world and I am stuck here in Hampton, GA. Thanks for sharing your adventures. At least I can dream with the help of you photos.

Louis (size of universe)

• Your blog is incredible, as is this post! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.  

Cindy Swanson

• I stumbled upon your blog... …and just wanted to tell you how absolutely beautiful it is! The photography is breathtaking. It only fuels my lifelong passion to visit the UK. Thanks for blogging.

Sasha

• Just discovered you, looking for excellent rollerblading tracks in Melbourne. I was captivated by the beautiful photographs, then entranced by your exuberance for living, very inspirational...I look forward to reading more. I live in melbourne with my 12 yr old son, and love to travel. Thank you, happy adventures!

John Hejl

• I love your site. It's the best one I've ever seen, and the spiritual vibes vibe totally with my own. I've been dreaming about my home-page for a while and I imagined something like yours (before I saw it). Unfortunately you're 35 years in front of me, so I can't catch up. I'll have my page working soon. Please give me some advice or maybe just a greeting. Definitely your friend,

Unknown

• Aow, these photo's are great, your great at photography, your blog is fab too, well done. thanks for your lovely comments on my work/blog.

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Related

• Affirmation and encouragement in all areas of my life  (to pep me up when I feel down or lose confidence)

Student Site

I've recently created a blogging site for my students.  The aim of the site is to help the class get to know each other (and me) better and to provide some fun writing practice.  I'm very chuffed with the site and it's been very well received by both the students themselves and the school.

You'll notice I have been a bit lazy when it comes to the design of the site.  It looks exactly like this one!  Sometime, I'll give it a spiffy new look.

You can see the student site here.

Dedicated photography site

I am very proud to announce that G-Trove (this blog) now has a sister. She is over at g-trovephotos.com . I have been taking photos now for over 4 years and my portfolio is growing. The new site provides a nice interactive way to view some of my better photos. I am hoping to get some photographic commissions for paid and charity work as time goes on and the site should help. Its been a lot of work but I think you'll agree its been worth it. Thanks to Charles for finding the template. Check it out and let me know what you think!

My favourite post

I am fast coming up to my 1250 th post on G-Trove. That's a lot of posts! I was wondering what my favourite post is - but didn't have to think long. It's undoubtedly the post about our trip to Galapagos. In celebration of this fact, I used some of my newfound Adobe Lightroom skills (what great software!) and tweeked my Galapagos photos (improved exposure, sharpening, contrast etc.) and upped their size. It was great to revisit my memories of this amazing place.

If I was hardpressed to name my second favourite post, it would be Uyuni Salt Pans. I would love to go back there one day.

Happy 5th birthday to G-Trove!

Would you believe it! Its exactly 5 years since our first blog post on G-Trove. 1050 posts later and we are still going strong. Our blog has brought us much fun over the years and I know the family has greatly enjoyed it too. It's also awoken my passion for photography. It's a wonderful treasure trove of memories for us to cherish in future years. So please join us in wishing G-Trove a happy 5th birthday...

Peer pressure made me join...

...and I must say it's pretty cool

Facebook Me!

Happy 2nd birthday, blog!

It is exactly two years since our first post.

Blogging is now firmly entrenched in our lives as a habit and a source of fun. It has provided great benefits:

• A fantastic way to keep our family in South Africa and Canada up to date with what we are up to
• Great way to keep in contact with friends too. One does not need to repeat the same old stuff in every email - but focus on more personal stuff
• An incentive to take lots of photos. Photography has since become a big passion and I have taken literally thousand of photos.
• A fantastic scrap book to look back on later in life
• Often an incentive to get up and "do something" (especially when we were working and we realised from our blog we had done nothing exciting in weeks).

So, don´t worry family, we will keep up the blogging!
If anyone wants to start up there own blog, its extremely easy !

Mind mapping with Mindmanager

I love mind mapping.  Mr Suttle, our Latin teacher, taught us how to do it at school. I used it extensively in both senior school and university. Then at Volvo, I discovered the wonders of MindManager, mind mapping software that took my mind mapping to a whole new level. I used it extensively at Volvo and Blackglass and in my English teaching. Most of all, though, I used it in my own life and it created the start of Compass (My life management system) and Wisdom Trove.  Much of the content in the maps also became parts of Life Trove (this blog).

I don't use mind mapping so much anymore since moving to Evernote, but I'm very thankful for the role it has played in my life.

Purpose 

Vision

Life as an art     View large

Values and Life Pillars

Focus
 

Self-knowledge

Affirmation

Habits

Compass

Taking action

Decision making

Life design

Insights

Humour

My life in review

Life highlights

2005 Highlights

Work experience

Guiding wisdom (that would become Wisdom Trove)

Decision making

English teaching

Happy 1st Birthday, Blog!!

Well, we've been officially blogging now for a year. When I put up the first experimental blog on May 14 2004, we never guessed it would become such a fun part of our lives. We enjoy going back and seeing what we were up to in months gone by - and it will become more fun as time goes on and memories fade: like a great big digital scrap book except it doesn't get fish moths or take up cupboard space. I know the family has enjoyed it too - it's a wondeful way of keeping in contact. I've also enjoyed having a reason to take and post photos - it's been a fun new creative outlet. We're looking forward to our second year of blogging.

Random memories now added to this site

I've recently migrated my photos to a new online album that offers all kinds of wonderful functionality. It called flickr. If we ever travel, it will allow us to blog our photos from any internet caffee. If I had a mobile phone that took photos, I could even post them to this site directly from the road. An added touch is the ability to post a strip of random photos from the album (see the right hand menu). Cool. I've said it before but I'll say it again. I love technology.

My favourite software just got better!!

Picasa is a free photo organising package that is powered by Google. They've just brought out a new upgrade that catapaults the functionality into a new league - especially when it comes to correcting and improving photos. It also allows you to do automatic "collages" and all kinds of other special effects at the touch of a button. The collage above literally took 10 seconds to create. I can't recommend Picasa more. 

Happy Anniversary, dear Blog!

It's 6 months now that we started this blog. It has been lots of fun. In fact, this site is fast becoming our digital scrapbook to look back on in years ahead. So, we're going to keep going! After all, Mum wouldn't forgive us if we didn't!!

A blogging landmark: 20 000 words

Wow, this blog has just reached 20 000 words, as indicated by our blog stats. Also 270 links to other sites and an average of 12 posts per week. Haven't we been prolific! It's been just over three months now that we've been blogging and we'll definitely continue. Both a fun way to keep you up to date with what we're up to - and also a nice archive for us later in life. As Ally says, it's like a big digital scrap book but doesn't take so much space.

Life Trove (2004 - )

Introduction

• I started Life Trove (this online journal) in 2004 while living in Cambridge. 

Purpose


For myself

• A curation of all that I treasure most.
• A gratitude journal celebrating my most cherished memories. 
• A digital scrapbook I can look back on in my old age.
• A place to put my photos and see my photographic journey.
• An incentive to get out and take photos, add to my collection of memories. 
• A celebration of wonder and beauty.
• A celebration of the sacredness and specialness of life.
• Inspire Wisdom Trove (html knowledge, multiple views, curating)
• A way to express love and gratitude. 
• Connect to mum and Jo and close friends.

For others

• Inspire others to curate their lives.
• Raise consciousness of people who view it.
• Inspire others to embrace and appreciate life.
• Express love and gratitude to loved ones (letters, priceless moments)
• Give loved ones a window into me: openness, intimacy.
• A legacy for future generations.
• Open eyes to wonder and beauty and the joy of life. 

Vision   

• My entire life curated showing the life of a passionate liver, love of life and photographer.
• Looked back at by future generations as one of the first true examples of digital life curation.
• Life Trove regarded as a work of art.
• I live an inspiring life worth blogging about.

Guiding principles

• Gratitude, Celebration, Appreciation
• Enjoyment, Savouring
• Sacredness of life and the experience of life: a gift to appreciate and savour
• Wonder, Beauty
• Love, Connection, Expressing love
• Big picture
• Narrative
• Spiritual awakenings

Guiding quotes

• I want what we all want," said Carl. "To move certain parts of the interior of myself into the exterior world, to see if they can be embraced. Jonathan Lethem 
• Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy. Dietrich Bonhoeffer 
• We do not remember days; we remember moments. Cesare Pavese 
• Good days are to be gathered like grapes, to be trodden and bottled into wine and kept for age to sip at ease beside the fire. If the traveler has vintaged well, he need trouble to wander no longer; the ruby moments glow in his glass at will. Freya Stark 
• Pleasure is the flower that passes; remembrance, the lasting perfume. Jean de Boufflers 
• To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward. Margaret Fairless Barber 
• A pleasure is not full grown until it is remembered. C.S. Lewis 
• The years teach us much the days never knew. Ralph Waldo Emerson 
• Cherish all your happy moments: they make a fine cushion for old age.  Booth Tarkington 
• Memory is the personal journalism of the soul. Richard Schickel
• I really think that anyone who’s fortunate enough to live to be over fifty years old should take some time, even if it’s just a couple of weekends, to sit down and write the story of your life, even if it’s only twenty pages, and even if it’s only for your children and grandchildren… You’ll be surprised what you find. Bill Clinton  
• Your birth certificate says you were born. Your death certificate says you died. Your photographs say you lived. 
• People will look at your life and think, My God, it’s magic. They’ll be right: You created that magic. James Arthur Ray 
• Your blog is your unedited version of yourself.  Lorelle
• According to research, looking through photo albums make you happier than chocolate, music or even your favourite TV show.  Mark Goldstein

Related

• Life Trove purpose, vision and strategy on Evernote
• Posts tagged as "blogging"