Wishcasting Wednesday

What Do You Wish To Read?

This was the question on Jamie Ridler's page today! This is relevant to me for two reasons. First, because I made my way home this afternoon on the verge of finishing YES MAN (I am one of those people who walks and reads when it gets really good). Second, because when I did get home there was a new pile of books my sweetie ordered about Photography, as a business! There's a particularly yummy one on Wedding Photography. The fun part will be getting through that one with a dry eye. I've had a browse through it already and every time I saw a picture I really liked I imagined myself in that moment, and bam! The tears welled up. I get really excited at the idea of shooting weddings, because once mine passes in June there will still be many more to be involved with in the future.

Another question that I've been spending time thinking about lately is What is the Purpose of my Blog? I've come to realize that I value community, and I want to make a difference and contribute to this incredible community I am a part of here. You were all so warm and supportive when I was getting back on my feet, and you continue to encourage my creativity. I want to give back. So, on the topic of furthering business I would love to share with you two fellow bloggers.

Jodi at Living Life Photographically has had her photos up on etsy for a little while. What she's doing now is adding her photos, or yours, to glass jewelry. Really cool!!

Emily at Broke Down Artist has started selling her wood block prints on etsy! Check them out:

So I guess it will be my turn next. I am gladly welcoming input and feedback on where people are posting their photos or art for selling. Etsy? Flickr? Something else? Pros and cons? Please share!

And I would love to hear what you are reading, or what's next on your reading list. And what you're doing to create or further your business!

Hugs and heart,

Kat

Wishcasting - Artist

Wishcasting Wednesday:
What aspect of your personality do you wish to express more of?

The artist. I know I bang on about this a lot. It's on my mind right now as I prepare my application to the Visual Arts BFA program I'm completely excited about. It's a double major paired up with Computer Science, and just the idea of it makes me drool. Like Pavlov's dog, thinking about spending my days having art education poured into me, and releasing it onto canvas, clay, or film.

Oh, and confidence. I'd like to express more of that too, please :)

Click here to help me sort through my Portfolio submissions!

Wishcasting - Dare!

I think when you've been broken, you gather up the pieces, and stash them away. In many different places.

If the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, then I wish to dare to be whole. To unwrap the pieces from their bubble wrapped hiding places, and bring them back together. In the light.

I am a daughter
I am a sister
I am a niece
I am an aunt

I am a partner
I am a friend

I am loved

I am an artist
I am a photographer
I am a model
I am a writer
I am a poet

I am joyful
I am perceptive
I am healing

I am the pieces
I am the whole

In response to Jamie Ridler's question:

What do you wish to dare?

Wishcasting Wednesday

Making Room

The load I carry is larger than my back

My eyes are bigger than my plate

I will loosen

where I need to loosen

I will tighten

where I need to tighten

I will find freedom

in structure

Less is

more

Joy

Check out Wishcasting Wednesday at Jamie Ridler Studios

So much to Enjoy!

Before I tell you some new good news, I want to share something with you. Yesterday was my first day at a new job, in a completely different field of work. It was bliss. There were no children tugging on me, demanding my attention, or sneezing on me. I was able to choose my clothes for the day based on what I felt good in, and looked good in. I didn't have to worry about whether or not my toes were protected from being stomped on, or secure enough to take chase at a moment's notice. My earrings dangled deliciously and my ears were not strained from being on alert for the earliest signs of unrest.

I popped over to Jamie Ridler's site while I was contemplating this, and how apropos that the wish for this week is:

What do you wish to enjoy?

• more of this physical freedom in the workplace.
• being in a positive work environment.
• learning new skills and tackling new challenges.
• teaching people who are eager to learn.
• meeting deadlines.
• asking for help and being supported.
• having my input and ideas respected and sought out.
• being creative and the appreciation of my creativity.
• having energy to live a whole life outside of work

Here's a visual interpretation of how I felt about my work day yesterday and the potential of this new job :) [I was water colour painting with my fingers when I came home from work! You can click through to see the full size on flickr, and the other painting I did with it too].

Okay, one more picture, before I move on to the good news. I was just so excited that I had the energy to art journal after work yesterday. My 365 picture was influenced too :)

Without further ado, drum roll please...
I was given another blog award!
Seriously!

Noel over at French Christmas, the queen of sharing her perceptive perspective in beautiful prose, gave me the

Wow! Thank you Noel. You've always been a supportive cheerleader of me and my writing and I really appreciate it! I'm really looking forward to that moment when you're ridiculously rich and famous from all the books you've written and published, and I can say, I knew you when... :)

The rules. Share seven things about myself. Then pass it on to five other stylish bloggers.

Things about me, huh?

• I love playing board games. Especially creative ones. And ones where a little competition adds to the fun.
  
• I once left the house without any pants on. I was about 9 or 10 and it was a lazy summer morning and I had wandered downstairs to the tv to watch cartoons in nothing but my fave Disney World sweatshirt, and my undies. My sister had to run an errand within walking distance and I distractedly ambled out the door with her. Sadly, I didn't notice until we were on our return. Luckily we hadn't gone back the same way, since that would have meant a second pass through a parking lot full of cute young boys playing road hockey, and giggling. Blush.
• I am the youngest of three children.
• I didn't finish high school.
• If I could have a free pass to eat whatever I wanted for one day without the fear of having a reaction, I would want baked macaroni and cheese, a butterscotch sundae and peanut butter cookies.
• I wear earplugs when I sleep
• I can build a wicked camp fire.
  

That's my seven, now on to my five.

Five fabulous bloggers. I'd love to give a nod to a collection of bloggers who are not in the eye of this blogger award tag storm that's been circling

Sweet Limes - who I met at the beginning of my blogging journey and immediately connected with. Everything she does is stylish. A beautiful, artistic, creative soul.

Cowgirl Red - I've only just met her, and I love the way she shares her innermost thoughts. It makes me feel so much less alone in what I experience. Her fabric creations are stunning, and I hope she doesn't mind if I show up one day at her breathtaking ranch and play cowgirl with her.

Pieces of Me - Jen's photography is just gorgeous! Another fellow reverber who is chasing after their creative dreams. Follow along for some adventures in New York City.

Mujerzen's Blog - At some point during reverb I found my way to this blog. Now I know whenever I stop by I can count on a hit of the most delicious poetry.

Live, Love, TRAVEL - I don't know Jaymi very well. I do want to thank her for sharing not just her beautiful photos. I love that she always explains her photo experiments and projects, making it a great place to be inspired to try something new.

Hope you find one in there that you enjoy as much as I do.

And remember... 5 more days until the JOY photo challenge closes!

Wishcasting - Full Wolf Moon

As the wolves of January howl their hungry, I will howl mine here, in wishful words. Jamie Ridler asks us this week What hunger do you wish to feed?

Plain and simple. I am ravenous for more travel. Places I can't get to (reasonably) by car. Yes, we are planning to hit New York on our trip to see family out east. Yes, I am trying to find a way to make San Diego part of my August. What I hunger for is to get off this continent. It's dawning on me that it might have been eight years since I have. What the?! I want to explore this world. I want to spend time in the International departures and arrivals terminals. I want to find a way to make it work with my food allergies.

This is what I wish for! Now boarding...

Wishcasting - Renew

Jamie Ridler at Wishcasting Wednesday asks: What do you wish to renew?

There are a lot of things I'm working on developing in my life right now. Except most of them were never really there to begin with. So today I am wishing to renew my physical strength and energy.

I have been in a sort of state of hibernation since the marathon at the end of July. It's been wonderful. Probably the most kindest and accepting I've been of my body, since... ? I'm ready to start being more active. Ease my way back into training. It will be more rewarding this time around, because it will be balanced with that acceptance and appreciation.

The part that requires wishing power is the energy. I'm like a well that has run dry. It replenishes just enough to draw from it again, which then leaves it barren once more. (It's interesting that I used to describe my emotional energy the same way). I want to be active, and not have to compensate with eight o'clock bed times, or a full day of rest. I want my energy to be renewing, to feed and nourish itself. I want my desert to grow a damn garden.

Wishcasting - Yes!

Jamie Ridler's wish prompt had me thinking and scratching my head today. There may have even been a little smoke.

What do you wish to say yes to?

There is a big list of the easily accessed answers. Me. More money. Money from my art. Taking on less and being more productive with the things I do choose. MicroMOVEments. More energy. More rest. Balance.

What I decided I really want to wish for you, and give more energy to - is being outside every day. Even if it's five minutes. This can sometimes be a challenge for me. A girl who loves the outdoors. Who also likes to cocoon, and clings to her apartment at times. So, I am wishing that it will be effortless. And bring me joy, and maybe more of the things above :)

Many MEs, Traveling, and Wishing

From: Me, 2015

To: Me, 2010

Hey there little lady. Hope you're enjoying the lead up to the holidays. And getting enough rest! I know how much you like to take on. You're taking the right steps, and you will figure it out. The taking care of yourself. Just breathe and know that everything will work out the way it needs to. And remember to appreciate that man of yours, you make such a great team. That's all I can say about that, without letting on too much of what's to come ;) It's been great these past five years watching all the unconnected pieces fall together, weaving into a cohesive tapestry. Rich with detail and experience.

Enjoy the rest of reverb,

Be gentle to yourself,

Big hugs,

Love, Me

~

From: Me, 2010

To: Me, 2000

What fun you're having in your life right now! Wasn't the turn of the century so anti-climactic? Those 2000 shaped fireworks were pretty cool though, hey? I can't tell you where I'm at as I write this, because I don't want anything to change. Be patient with yourself. Enjoy what you're learning. There are no wrong turns, because every one will lead you here. Some of them may hurt, and you will survive. Please hold on to that tenacious hope of yours, and that belief that everything will work out. Because it does. I want to tell you that you're beautiful and smart and talented. And you won't believe me. And that's okay. The journey getting to know these things is an incredible one. I want you to have it.

Here waiting,

Love,

Me

P.S. Enjoy that lovely skin of yours while you have it!

reverb 21 - Future self.

Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead?

(Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)

Though I would love to tell my past me about so much more. Like running the marathon in San Fran this summer, and then driving up through Napa so that my sweetie could visit some amazing wineries, and then spending a couple of nights in a cabin in the Redwoods. Oh, that was so lovely. Restful and recuperating. Napping in that giant bed and reading and hot tubbing under the stars. Mmm, and the drive down the Sonoma coast on the way back to San Fran. Stunning.

Or the road trip to the Oregon Coast for my birthday/our anniversary. Falling in love with Oregon. Listening to the pounding waves from the hot tub. Amazing home cooked meals. Stunning views along the water in Arch Cape, Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park. Seeing one of my fave duos play at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland. And all the synchronicity around that. Sleeping in a heated platform tent in Washington, and finally having a fire. Gratitude for amazing weather at the end of September and the feeling of making up for summer.

Not to mention the surprise trip to the Washington pacific northwest coast in the spring, the many visits with a friend after she moved out of town and two fab hotel stays in Vancouver. One for a spring wedding, which happened to coincide with a visit from a friend from out east. And a combo trip that included a fun filled visit with a friend returning back to the west.

Wow, what a year. 2011 - To you I say "more please"! And more planes too please :) So far we're planning a New York City, Montreal, Toronto loop in the late spring/early summer. San Diego might be checked off my list in August (Fingers crossed). Somehow, I'm not sure how yet, I would really like to get to Mexico or somewhere lovely and tropical this year too. Also, I need to find a way to get back off this continent really soon. Maybe not this year, though I wouldn't say no if something came up :)

reverb 22 - Travel

How did you travel in 2010?

How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

Now, one more order of business until this meeting is adjourned. Wishcasting Wednesday. I had no trouble with this one this week.

What is your winter wish?

Simple, I want to make a snow angel. It used to be a tradition for me. Kind of like HeadTheGong's leaf catching. It didn't feel like winter until I had got down in the snow and waved my arms and legs with glee, making the perfect angel. I was kind of a pro at it. I still have photos somewhere I took of the ones I made with a dear friend in high school. This may not be possible, since I no longer live in the land of snow. However, if the opportunity presents itself I will take it. Hopefully, I won't be in a dress and heels...

Wishcasting Wednesday - Soar

I took a peak at the Wishcasting question today, and turned the other way. For some reason I am more vulnerable sharing my wishes and dreams for the future, than sharing the challenges and misadventures of my past. I gave it some more thought and returned to it, deciding to push on.

How do I wish to soar?

The biggest thing on my mind right now is the New Year. The new term. The return to school and work land. I wish to soar in my classes. I wish to always feel afloat, aloft. I wish to avoid the feeling of being weighted down, dragged under, overwhelmed. I wish for balance. I wish to maintain my creative endeavours and exploration, and good grades. I wish to find work that will be flexible, and support the energy needed to absorb new learning. I wish to be excited, inspired, successful.