Kobi and me

Each picture tells a story. Who knows the whole story? The subjects? The photographer? Even the viewers can make up their own story.

What do you think the story is behind this photograph?

mouseover for before image

Here's Kobi's story. At least today's story.

Hey mom, whatcha doin' down there? I usually have to look up to you. I kinda like it like this though. I feel a bit bigger when there isn't four feet between your face and mine. I like being close to you. Wanna come sit with me on this chair. It's my favorite. But you know that. This is where I nap. I get to see what's going on in the world just outside the window from here. I know, you spoiled me by letting me claim this chair. But that's why I love you so much. 'Cause you take care of me. 'Cause you love me. It's pure love. Pure because that's what happens with me and you. Pure, cause there are no games, well not those funny kinda games people play with each other sometimes. Oh, I love to play games with my ball. And you do such a great job trying to fool me by pretending to throw it one way, then tossing it another. I always figure you out though, eventually. Yea, you fake me out sometimes. But it keeps things interesting. Thanks for loving me so much, Mom.

Texture thanks to Pixel Dust: Etched in Stone
Textures thanks to Kim Klassen at Beyond Layers: Simplicity

Linking to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday: The Story eDition
Also linking to Lisa Gordon's Creative Exchange.

My story in 6 little words

As you know if you've been following me recently, I am involved in lots and lots of creating endeavors. Kim Klassen has challenged us (her peeps) to consider telling our creative stories in a six word memoir. In addition, I had a Flickr friend challenge me to doing a photo project that could answer the question, Who Am I? I'm still contemplating the latter, but for now I'll address the six little words.

My first, off-the-top-of-my-head effort, which reflects the entire timeline of my life.

Left alone. Adopted. Loved. Left alone. 

The second left alone represented that my parents are now gone.
I decided I didn't want that to sum up my life, so I changed it to:
 
Left alone. Adopted. Loved. Finally dreaming.

As I proceeded through my day, I passed a car with a bumper sticker that truly made me laugh out loud. Odd what strikes our funny bones. Sometimes it is only momentary and later we wonder why we found it funny. This is the case with this, which I also find amusing. Not much of a picture, but it did serve as a foundation for my story.

By the way, did you notice that beautiful sky in the side-view mirror?

And it made me think further--combining the caution sign and my friend, Karen's, What If? exercise. She encourages me to consider "What if [fill in the blank with something good]?"

Caution: What if I might succeed?

I have read that our greatest fear is not that we will fail, but that we might succeed. There are times I think this is exactly the crux of the matter. It is easier to settle for mediocrity, for average, for coasting. If we succeed, we could no longer hang our shingle on blaming someone else. We wouldn't have much to complain about.

And all this takes me farther down the road to:

Proceed bravely. Enjoy the ride. Celebrate!

I love the process of transformation. It can take years and years, but can also happen in the blink of an eye. We get to choose. Sometimes I choose the long road. I think that's because there are many little lessons to encounter along the way.

Guidance tools

I haven't used these tools regularly in some time. I don't know why because I know when I do, things go more smoothly. I love how while I was working on shooting different angles, Kobi rolled his ball into the mix. I suppose that also gives me guidance. He and the ball bring me hours of pleasure and smiles.

mouseover for before image

Since I love macros, I couldn't help myself. Had to get up close and personal and play with different angles. I didn't arrange for the abundance card to be on top. It fell that way. I would say the divine is supporting my choice to focus on that word this year. As each day passes, I feel more and more hopeful that this is going to be a very good year.

mouseover for before image

mouseover for before image

As I was down on Kobi's level, he was so comfortable with me being there that he just laid down within the frame.

mouseover for before image

The Rune figures are painted red, but since I plan on posting this to Macro Monday and the theme is monochrome, I changed it to black and white. I pick my daily Rune in a couple of ways. Often I will just put my hand in the pouch and pull one out. Other times I pour them all out in a pile to choose.

mouseover for before image

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen.

The Magic of Manifesting!

More words than pictures today, but I' hope you'll hang in there with me.

Manifesting. It really works. I know it because I've experienced it too many times in my life. Set an intention. Wait. Think about the intention. Take some action. Wait. Get serious about that intention and focus every bit of attention I have on it and BAM! things start to happen. Bits fall into place. And suddenly what I've asked for comes into being.

I wonder then why it's not sustainable. We go through ebbs and flows. Well, that's a good metaphor. The sea doesn't always stay at high tide with great surfing waves crashing upon the shore every day all day. So, why should I think or expect that I could/should be able to manifest instantly whatever I want whenever I want? It would be helpful if I even knew what I wanted all the time. Processing. That is … well, a process. It takes time.

I've also discovered over the last year that sometimes in order for me to move in a different direction and really be clear I even have to experience something unpleasant or down right awful! Another metaphor--sometimes creeks/rivers are beautiful and twist and turn in the directions they do because of the obstacles in the way of the flowing water. See, those rocks often cause the waves, splashes, and white water that we love to photograph. It's what makes the image more enticing.

So, how did I get off on this tangent? Well, 2011 was a challenging year. There were lots of good things along the way, but it was the rocks in the creek bed that caused me to venture out to local walking paths with my camera. It was my commitment to find beauty in the world in the face of adversity that led me to taking pictures every weekend and consistently writing about my experiences for a year. It was The Stroll that helped me keep my sanity and move forward. And when I was laid off in December, I was ready for a change.

The stars aligned. Oh, I know that sounds so cliche, but how else might you describe it. The dominos had been set and someone just pushed the first one setting the flow in motion. File for unemployment. Pursue job opps from Indeed.com and craigslist. Talk to people about what I was looking for. Get some sound advice. Move in a positive direction. Be at the right place at the right time.

Several months ago I wasn't ready for all this. I couldn't figure out what it was I was looking for. What I'd rather do and be. I remember saying to friends that there wasn't anything out there that called my name. But thirteen days ago, there was. With that said, I didn't even know it in its fullness until I began the interview process. The good news is I found a creative outlet in customizing the header of each submission to the brand of the company I was pursuing. All I needed was for one person to appreciate the effort; to see the value. Then I found a group of people who seemed to think like me and have a mission to work with companies that want to make a difference in this world. They made the interview process fun. Maybe not fun for some folks as some of the steps felt quite risky, but I came away feeling energized. It all makes me smile.

So here I am. I embark on a new journey next Wednesday. I'm really excited to walk this path, just as I was excited about My Camino. Hmmm, suddenly I remember a friend of mine asking if I'd experienced a shift after I walked 36 miles in four days. I think I've experienced several shifts since those four days at Thanksgiving 2011. ;-> I'm holding on. Guessing its going to be an exciting ride.

I'm working my One Little Word 2012: ABUNDANCE. In the world of gems, this moss agate represents abundance and new beginnings. It is also known to attract new friendships, new business opportunities, increase trust, and remove negativity.

I can only see from the vantage point from where I stand on any given day. This is my vantage point today. And it feels really good. I'm grateful for the trials now. Can't say I was very graceful while in the midst of them, but the experiences taught me things. Things I wouldn't have understood or known otherwise. Things that helped me grow and move forward. Looking forward to new possibilities!

There's magic in manifesting.

Texture thanks to Kim Klassen: ifonly
Join me at Kim Klassen's Beyond Layers.

You gotta ask

Abundance is my word for this year and it's already showing up! Sometimes, you just gotta ask.

Earlier this week, I went to Tokyo Joe's for lunch with my friend Jill. The fellow at the counter asked if I wanted a "frequent flyer" card. Jill said, "Lissa, you should really do that!" So, I jumped on it and half-teasingly asked if I could get punches for the last three times I was in! The answer was yes! Now how do you like that? I'd made a point of asking the fellow's name and he knew I'd been in at least once before. It helps to be nice.

A couple days later, I went to Dairy Queen. I ordered a hot fudge sundae. The gal rang me up and then I thought to ask if I could get nuts. She said, "Sure, and I won't charge you since I've already swiped your card." Gee, that was nice. It's the little things that bring us back and I can guarantee you I'll be back to Tokyo Joe's and Dairy Queen. This isn't big money, but the pennies add up and in some ways it's more about the symbolism.

Abundance is also showing up in getting together with friends. In addition to meeting with Jill, I had coffee with my friend Shirley today; tomorrow I have coffee with Janet; Saturday coffee with Carrie; and Sunday a photo shoot with a new Flickr friend Meegan. Wow. And one of the things I put in my ABUNDANCE Wordle cloud was companionship! How do you like that? Well, I like it a lot!

By the way, I accepted a job offer today! Yay!!

Texture thanks to Kim Klassen at Beyond Layers: awaken The exercise was less is more. If you haven't joined Beyond Layers, it's not too late. Come join the fun!

My Creative Story for Beyond Layers

My creative story ... for Beyond Layers. Oh my gosh, do you have time for this? Well, if not, just look at the pictures!

First, I gotta say ommwriter (http://www.ommwriter.com/en/) is a very cool little program with a background layer and meditative background music. Thank you, Kim Klassen!

I think I have been a creative since I was born! I certainly know that by the time I was five I enjoyed coloring and finger painting. When I was nine I loved paint by numbers and box kits that my mom got me. The one I remember most is one where I glued cording as an outline to a board and then glued rock chips inside the outlines. I also expressed my creativity while baking in my Easy Bake Oven. Oh, how much fun I had with those things. I wrote my first neighborhood newsletter with a friend (I only remember her first initial was M) when I was ten. We called it the L & M News. I think we only wrote one issue. Ha! Unfortunately, I don't have any of these or pictures. That's what happens when you grow up in a military family. We just couldn't keep everything.

Anyway, as I got older I found different avenues. Journaling was a big one for me. I used to choose a new journal every year and I found as the years went by I liked writing in different kinds of journals: spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, twin-loop journals. I tried bound journals that actually looked like books, but I didn't like them much. I preferred those that could flip back on themselves. I also found I couldn't write in really fancy journals. It felt like whatever I wrote in them had to be perfect. I still feel that way. I've had trouble choosing one for this year as I've gone more digital. I can write faster and keep up with my thoughts better while typing. I've also found that my journaling has taken different forms: emails, essays, poetry, blog posts. So I tend not to journal as much or as regularly as I used to with paper and pencil/pen. My journal was more for processing challenges, so when things are good I don't journal as much. This is sad because I haven't regularly documented the good things!

My creativity has also taken physical forms. I went through phases: sewing, quilting, embroidery, cross stitch, cake design, pottery, dream boards, painting (rooms), photography. Oh, I can't forget food--baking specifically.

One of my favorite phases was my pottery phase. I created a piece I called a candleglobe: two pinch pots fused together with a star on the top to vent the candle flame and a hole in the bottom so it could be slipped over a votive candle cup. Then around the circumference I carved a theme-oriented design through which the light would shine.

2011 Dream Board

This dream board manifested in some interesting ways. The most significant bits are "money is simple," "leading from the heart," the crystal piece full of money, and the friends with angel wings. The money didn't come in the form of cash flow, but in further education (Masters in Liberal Studies/Creative Writing) paid for by the company I worked for and an old fashioned pension that I became fully vested for a month before I was laid off. It's all good. Then I developed deeper relationships with some girlfriends. Relationships I treasure.

I started taking pictures with a Kodak Instamatic 124, then an Instamatic Pocket 20, then a Polaroid Swinger. Got my first 35mm from my former husband--a Nikon FG-20. I loved that camera. It was a sad day when it was stolen on my move from Arizona to Colorado. Insurance paid for a replacement and I got a Nikon FG. It was never quite the same and after a bit, the camera spent more time on the self than in my hands. But something happen in December 2010. I was going through a tough time at work. I started walking and taking pictures with my Blackberry. People were telling me my photos were great. I laughed because I wasn't using a "real" camera! So, I treated myself to a Nikon D5000. I fell in love all over again and haven't stopped since. This is a really bad Photo Booth (Mac camera) pic of my current equipment. It includes the FG and D-5000, several lenses, flash, remote, and my Blackberry.

I dabble. I get bored. I move on. I rarely go back, although I have kept boxes of fabric from my quilting days (maybe I'll do it again) and I still have my kiln even though I haven't used it in years. My dream boards are posted in my room. I didn't do one this year. I decided to do Ali Edwards' One Little Word 2012 thereby doing my collage in a different fashion-using my photography rather than magazine pictures. In addition, I chose to spend New Year's by myself rather than inviting friends for the dream board party. I chose ABUNDANCE as my word for the year. I'm already seeing it manifest in a variety of ways.

My latest creativity is the adaptation of digital photography. Kim Klassen's Photoshop Essentials opened a new world for me, as did creating my photo-journal, The Stroll, in InDesign. Interesting that I embarked on those things as an endeavor to expand my work skills.

I digress. I have found that taking pictures and working with textures has opened new windows for me. I spend an inordinate amount of time on my computer now. I think it is actually my best friend. And I do find good friends there through Flickr. I've even connected with some local folks so I can meet in person.

Housekeeping is not one of my best venues for creativity. One thing I do want to accomplish is cleaning up my house and recreating my office that has become a flop off, drop off storage room since I moved my bedroom downstairs about two years ago. It used to be my favorite room in the house. Now I sit in a chair in my living room with the TV on in the background, even if I don't really listen to it. OK, so just turned the sound off and can actually hear the background music on ommwriter and the sound of water drops as I type individual letters. It is very cool.

If you got this far, thanks so much for sticking with me. ;->

Making Happy!

For the first time in my life (I think), I've been having some fun with a job search. I've customized each application by making a header for my cover letter and resume that brands to the website of the company I'm applying to. Using my creative talents makes the effort fun.

The second interview I had today went well and surprise, surprise ... it was fun! They had me participate in an interactive "game" that is designed to further determine the candidate match to the company culture. So, I'm on to the next step in the process. Not counting my chickens yet, but it looks promising.

So, this evening I'm "making happy" as I "Reach high ... for stars lie hidden in your (my) soul." I'm open to possibilities and smilin' as I sip my hot cocoa. ;->

Texture thanks to Kim Klassen: evolve