StoryCorps is coming to PDX, August 12-14, 2010
It was a looooong while ago when StoryCorps' airstream trailer planted in the middle of Pioneer Courthouse Square. Was it 2005? I remember it. We were still relatively new to Portland, and the StoryCorps project had *just* launched. Have you heard StoryCorps? The program is designed to "provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives."
Well, five years later, StoryCorps is one of those features that the kids and I love to hear on OPB. Our ears perk when we hear the StoryCorps jingle. Well, now, we have the chance to try to record our stories. StoryCorps is coming to the Central Library on August 12, 13, and 14.
In specific, they are looking for stories "that capture the roles that public libraries have played in people’s lives," a very particular angle on the StoryCorps. I, for one, love retelling stories, commemorating them for later, reading and rereading about moments of our lives that seem like just yesterday. Our lives are one anecdote after another. Sometimes, after listening to a StoryCorps episode, I will think, "if I ever have the opportunity to record via StoryCorps, what story would I share?" Many of my most meaningful and powerful anecdotes are stories of me with my mother, father, grandmother or grandfather. I would love to archive stories of me as mother, too.
If you could share *any* story for the StoryCorps project, what would it be? And, don't forget, be sure to call the Library if you are interested in sharing how libraries have changed *your* life.
My new children's books would would be perfect for StoryCorps. How can I submit my books?
Posted by: Geneva Rochester | July 01, 2010 at 12:23 PM
I definitely would want to tell my daughter's birth story. Natural labor. Five days. Making it all the way through two hours of pushing only to find out no baby was coming and then ending up in labor for another three days. There was a lot of fear and uncertainty and in the end relief and such great happiness. I've done a lot of intense things in my life but it really took the cake.
Posted by: Tanya | July 02, 2010 at 10:37 PM
I love story corps! I would like to talk about how my Mom's illness, cancer diagnosis, and death has shaped my life. It'd also be great to tell the story of our family. The day my wife called me on her way to work with the news she was ready to have a baby. Choosing a donor, getting her pregnant, having our daughter. How entirely different it was for me to get pregnant with our second daughter, my disillusionment with pregnancy, and her beautiful birth. I'd love to talk about the relationships between families who have created families using the same sperm/egg donor. Or jeez- how about my expectations of myself as a parent vs. how it's all turning out!
At any rate I love Story Corps!!
Posted by: momazon | July 10, 2010 at 11:06 PM