Transitioning the Blog
It’s time to move ahead. Think of it as an expansion of what I’ve been writing about–and its me keeping in touch with you
Why the changes? As you know, I love Iceland, and I plan to continue sharing my experiences there. However, I’ve been grappling with how much more there is to say and where to draw the line. That uncertainty has stalled me from publishing new posts. I find myself caught between wanting to write more about my time there and questioning when to move on.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed about this blog is using it as a space to write about places and make observations as a geographer. It has also given me an opportunity to share my photography, which I deeply enjoy. Lately, I’ve been considering launching a broader website or blog. But rather than starting from scratch, it makes more sense to transition this Iceland-focused blog into something more expansive. Creating an entirely new site felt unnecessary—and even a bit awkward.
This shift comes from a desire to keep the blog alive. I’ve appreciated the feedback and comments. I still have more to write—just not exclusively about Iceland. Abandoning this blog for a new one didn’t feel right, and I know many of you may want to continue following my work. This transition allows that to happen.
What will Change?–Not much—except that the content will expand to cover more places and spaces. The blog will continue to follow what I’m doing and observing, blending words and photos to bring you into my world. Since I live in Milwaukee, much of the content will be local, but as you know I travel as often as I can–so expect to find me on the road–and expect me to write about it.
The blog will retain part of its original name: Above 63. That phrase resonates on multiple levels. When I first used it, it referenced Iceland, since nearly everywhere I traveled there was above 63 degrees north latitude. But it also reflects a personal transition—this phase of my life began with an abrupt career shift at age 63. Quite literally, I am “above 63.” Kathleen jokingly pointed out that I’m also taller than 63 inches (plus three more), but I told her that stretches the concept a bit too far. The new domain will be Above63 (www.above63.com). Choosing a domain name is no easy task—it has to be unique, short, memorable, and appealing. While JuliosFulbrightIcelandBlog would have been accurate, brighticeland was a better fit at the time. I still love brighticeland, but it’s time for something simpler and more reflective of this transition. Above 63 does that for me. Look for some design changes to the site, but you’ll still find the blog in the same place.
Social Media–The blog will remain my primary space for writing and posting, but I’ll continue sharing these links on social media. My online presence is shifting, and I know my friends and readers are spread across different platforms. The easiest way to stay updated is to subscribe to the blog, but you can also follow my posts here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/above_63
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/above63
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@choropleth1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliorivera/
Tumblr: https://choropleth.tumblr.com/
Substack: https://choropleth.substack.com/
What Else Does Julio Have to Write About?
There are a few things on my mind—and some I don’t even see coming yet. No spoilers, but here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead:
Iceland–yes I can’t help but write some more about it.
Milwaukee-It’s a great city. In 2023 National Geographic named it one of the top 25 places in the world to visit in 2023 (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/best-of-the-world-2023). When that was published, I asked myself–so what would I tell my friends to do and see if they were tourists here. Look for some of those ideas.
My Untraveled Road-I have some travels planned for the upcoming year. There are some destinations I’m still considering. More to come.
New Adventures & Mischief – Let’s just say I’m always up to something.
Adventures with my Friends – Whenever possible, I’ll include my adventures with friends. As always you may see my favorite adventure partner (that would be Kathleen) from time to time. I appreciate you all and you give my life meaning–I wish I could put you all up here.
Letters to You – In my younger days, I wrote letters to my friends. Think of these posts as letters to you.
This blog has always been about exploration, observation, and storytelling. That won’t change—it’s just evolving. I hope you’ll continue the journey with me. Sometimes you can even find me on Google Maps (see below)!
