Sylvia's long distance relationship blog

Looking for help from LDR couples!

(Photo not my property)

Hi guys, 

Are you interested in helping me help LDR couples?

Anyone who is now or was once involved in an LDR can me update the technology section of my modest little book The Long Distance Relationship Guidebook. Right now, I'm in the process of gathering data to update that section and others, and I would really appreciate any ideas you might have have about personalizing technological communication in an LDR. 

I'm particularly interested in which apps you use and how you use them to feel more connected with your partner. But actually, I'm interested in any information you are willing to share.

I'm attaching my 2-page survey so  that you can scan and email, or simply type the info into a gmail at  sylviashipp. To make things  easy, I'm also posting the survey below.  Download General LDR SURVEY 1-27-13

 

LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP (LDR) SURVEY

 Hi, my name is Sylvia Shipp and I’m interested in hearing about how you use technology to communicate with your partner (or friends & family) back home.

 Your name will be kept private if you wish; however, some of your comments may be included in the revised version of The Long Distance Relationship Guidebook.

 This survey may take 10-20 minutes. Thank you for your time!

 Two ways to send your information:

1. Scan and attach this survey to an email to me at sylviashipp (at) gmail.com
2. Write your response directly into an email to me.

Personal information

Name (optional)
Age
University
Date

 Basic LDR information

Male or female
Total relationship length of time
Total amount of time physically together
Length of time apart (on average or total)
Your locations or miles/kms apart
Frequency and length of visits

 LDR information

1. How would you describe your relationship?
2. Describe special things you two do (e.g. send gifts) to feel more connected.
3. What advice would you give to someone starting an LDR?
4. What kind of LDR information would be most helpful to you?

  Which technology do you use? Rank the three items (1 = most important and 3 = least important).

Phone _____  (Circle: cell or Smart)                                     How often per day or week

talk
video chat
text message
send photo
send video
Apps you use to personalize communication:
Apps you plan to use:
Other:

 Social network _____                                                 How often per day or week

instant messaging
write on your partner’s wall / page
play games together
Which games:
Apps you use:
Your social networks:

 Email _____                                                                         How often per day or week

write email
instant messaging
video chat
send photo
send video
other:

 Comments: 

An LDR song that speaks to me

Whenever I hear this song, I get that bittersweet feeling that comes with long distance relationships.

From the Jimmy Kimmel Live show last week.

 

Before Midnight

Drumroll, please!

Enter Linklater's third part to the trilogy: Before Midnight  (as a follow-up to Before Sunrise and Before Sunset). The Guardian is being a little stingy with its movie rating, but according to the comments that follow the movie review, it might be well worth the watch. 

The Evolution of the Long Distance Relationship

An infographic by www.rounds.com

Creative wedding proposal for long distance relationship couple

This inspiring and creative film clip of a man's wedding proposal to his long distance girlfriend (lucky girl!) was created by David Pogue (New York Times technology columnist, Missing Manual publisher, and Emmy-winning CBS news correspondent). 7 minutes and worth every minute of it.

Campus news article on serious relationships

Here I'm quoted in another great article dealing with serious relationships written by the soon-to-be legendary university journalist Allison Duncan:

http://www.hercampus.com/love/together-forever-reality-serious-relationships-college

Campus interview on long distance relationships

Seems like more people are getting involved in long distance relationships these days. Here's a great  article on LDRs written by Allison Duncan for The University of Missouri "Her Campus" newspaper:

 http://www.hercampus.com/love/how-make-long-distance-relationship-work-over-summer

Thank you, Allison, for being part of the solution to this challenging relationship hurdle :)

Across the evening sky all the birds are leaving...

That feeling of bittersweetness that accompanies long distance often carries me back to this haunting but lovely song.

Fairport Convention was one of the most innovative and influential 1960s British bands and still record and tour today. The lead singer during their greatest period was Sandy Denny. Perhaps the greatest female vocalist of any era, the dynamic emotional range of her voice has been unsurpassed by any other singer. Thanks to Elfman101 on YouTube for posting.

 

 

Another long distance relationship song "See you in the Spring"

This moving long distance relationship song is "See you in the Spring" by Jakob Dylan and the Court Yard Hounds. This one is edgier than "Hey There, Delilah," but I like it because it shows the disharmonious struggle that sometimes happens when trying to figure out how to together. I think the couple in this song should learn something about compromise or they might not ever manage to come together, don't you? 

 

A long distance relationship song "Hey There, Delilah"

I dedicate this song to Marcia and Joe :) Lately I've heard a couple long distance relationship songs emerge on the air. "Hey There, Delilah" by the Great White Ts is one of them. It has the kind of pining and anxiety that go hand-in-hand when you're braving your way through an LDR. Embedding isn't allowed, so you'll have to click on the "Watch on YouTube" link. I hope you enjoy listening to it. OH-OH: Embedding has been disabled, but you can still click on the YouTube link.