This new version of the Real Life Survival Guide represents the evolution of an idea I had over ten years ago – the notion that one of the best ways to solve “life’s little problems” is to share information and help each other out. (The other option being to become fabulously wealthy and pay other people to solve your problems and help people out.)

A Bit of History

The Guide was launched in 2003 – as a blog called “Famarama” – a resource for, well, families. “The Real Life Survival Guide” was officially launched in 2006, and since that time it’s been a blog, a public radio show, a podcast, a video blog, and then a blog again. Good thing I’ve always had a clear vision for the site…

Epiphany Time

Last summer, it became apparent that if the Guide were to succeed and flourish, it would need to be built on a platform that was easy to customize and highly visible to search engines. Enter WordPress, and the guy I now refer to as “the man behind the curtain”, Gary Choronzy of Connecticut Websites. Within about fifteen minutes of our first meeting, the redesign was “on”.

The Finished Product

The site you’re looking at right now is the result of countless hours of conversations with Gary. The process has involved versions being created and then scrapped entirely. I believe the finished product is some of Gary’s best work to date, and I will always be grateful for his guidance, creativity and perseverance.

The Portrait

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention “the man behind the camera” for the photograph we used for the redesign, Seshu (pronounced “say shoe”) of Seshu Portraits. He did an amazing job when you consider what he had to work with…

Navigating the Site

You can read the blog on the “Home” page, and if you’d like to join the conversation, just navigate to the comments section.

You can also ask a question of your own by clicking here.

I look forward to some great discussions!

Bruce