Welcome to the launch edition of You Said It

A visual diary

Heya

Deep breath. Here we go.

A year ago I opened a Substack account. So did Patti Smith. While Patti actually wrote posts, I was only thinking about writing.

Why I’m here

I just came back from a week in Beijing. For my husband, it was a business trip. For me, it was a pleasure to be back in the place where we have so many memories, where we met, married, and had a child. There’s a lot more to be said about my relationship with Beijing, so that will be a few posts.

I’m pretty good with visuals too. But my husband - let’s get to know him, he’s Peter - is a truly gifted photographer. He doesn’t leave the house without a camera. Usually a Fuji. Nothing fancy, no massive tele-lenses. He’s always encouraged me to pick up a camera, says I have a good eye. Now’s the time.

We live in the middle of Europe, an hour from the Frankfurt airport, three hours by train to Gare de l’Est in Paris. Our sons live in beautiful cities - at the moment, Vienna and The Hague. I always long to be elsewhere, to be a stranger in a new place. I find it exciting. I write about my experiences in these places.

If we met at a cocktail party…

…I’d be drinking dry white wine. Unless they had champagne. I would ask you how you know the host. I might remark on your outfit. I would probably find an opportunity to ask if you’re on Instagram. I like people, like to talk, and hear your stories. Consider this a garden party, or a tea party where we connect.

What you can expect here

Substack tells me readers love clarity. Listen, I’m just getting started. I have a backlog of content. Let me get that up and then we can get clarity on when and how often I’ll publish. For now the content is free. Eventually, if this takes off, I’ll create premium content. If we’re related, you get it for free. Deal?

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