Self Portraits...

I've been playing with Catherine Just, again, and her In Plain Sight class.

This round a few self portraits. 

How appropriate that this year's new word is selfie! 

(which by the way blogger tells me is spelled wrong)

I recently visited Santa Barbara and fell in love.

Me, the first night, as I walked on the beach at sunset.

Toward the end of stay at the beach in Carpinteria playing.

Here's wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm taking MY life back...

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjures emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

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Sometimes the universe send you messages that are subtle...

Well, not today.

Sometimes the universe realizes that you need to be

slapped up aside the head with a frying pan.

Wow, where have I been?

I've been swallowed by the corporate monster.

I've allowed it to seep into every part of my life.

I've allowed it to push me down,

to make me tired/exhausted...

which has made me disappear.

To all my blog world friends I'm sorry I haven't been around much,

to all my friends that I see in real life (well haven't seen lately)

I am sorry that I have disappeared.

It has just felt like too much to balance my world.

I've shut down.

Stayed closed off.

I admit, I gave "them" the keys.

I have allowed someone else to drive my life

while I sat back in zombie mode, 

stressed out beyond recognition

and thus I disappeared.

I'm here to today to let everyone know 

that I'm taking back the keys.

Even if only for small moments at a time

I'm going to drive.

It is my life and not theirs. 

Two Girls on Train - Divided by Space

This was taken during rush hour...

it is rare to have an empty seat on the train.

I was fascinated by these 2 ladies.

One totally lost in her reading, unaware,

and the other totally bored but aware of all that surrounded her.

Snapping Out of Zombie Mode...

I have a day job...

a stressful,

busy,

not creative,

day job.

I've allowed the corporate stress 

to swallow me - 

thus I've been absent here lately,

and for that I apologize.

To find balance

I've been playing along with Catherine Just

during the past few months.

First in her In Plain Sight course

and I am now participating in The Deepening.

I've consciously chosen

to set my intention,

for the course, to be where I am.

To consciously notice where I am.

I live in NYC,

and I admit,

 I commute in "zombie mode".

Early Train...                     (c) 2013 Lori Moon

I get on the subway or bus and I put my nose in a book

or my phone. I ignore the person standing next to me.

By the way, they are probably standing too close,

I can probably feel their breath, 

I can tell if they brushed their teeth,

or not, after their morning coffee...

So, I choose to not make eye contact,

to not say hello, to pretend they aren't there.

This month, though, I have made a promise to myself

to notice where I am during my commute,

to snap out of zombie mode,

to deepen, to be present,

to take photos.

Discretely take photos, very discretely.

Plugged In...                     (c) 2013 Lori Moon

I'm choosing to use the Hipstamatic app

during the whole month

and to use the same film (D-Type Plate) 

and lens (Tinto 1884). 

Daydreaming Captured...        (c) 2013 Lori Moon

I am so very thankful to Catherine.

For her bravery to teach,

her ability to embrace fully what she shares but

also her willingness to be vulnerable, 

in my opinion, a good teacher shares an intimate 

part of themselves through the content of their class,

which she does with graciousness
and a tenderness that is infectious.

Something inside of me is awakening and I like it.

I promise, I'll back soon with a few additional photographs

of my travels on NYC public transportation.

Morning beginnings...

A little coffee...

a little paint..

How do you begin you mornings?

Missing in action...

Hello online blog world,

Java here. I've hacked Lori's blog 

to let you know that she's alright 

- well, alright as she can be

 since she has been swallowed by the day job monster.

That beast is stressful and she's trying to hold it together.

I think she's doing a good job but boy is she tired.

Sorry that you haven't seen or heard a lot 

from her recently.

She'll be back.

She has this huge client meeting next week

and hopefully after that she'll be able to breathe.

She's been doodling at night

thanks to Joanne Sharpe

to help keep her balanced.

By the way, I'm so happy

to be part of Lori's world.

She adopted me a little over a year ago

and I sure was not an easy cat

to love, at first.

My situation before wasn't so good

and I had trust issues with humans.

I have to say Lori's world is pretty awesome, 

Superman isn't half bad,

and Tucker is a big teddy bear.

I hope you'll give Lori a little comment love

to let her know that you've missed her too.

Thanks for visiting!

May Flower Challenge - Day 31

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

I've had so much fun this month.

Thank you to those who played along,

who visited,

left comments,

and hopefully you all paused a little 

to notice flowers in their every day.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Thank you again!

May Flower Challenge - Day 30

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

Central Park...

I'm in love.

You come alive in the Spring.

More people walk your paths.

The flowers bloom.

The days are longer.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting

the flowers of Central Park today.

May Flower Challenge - Day 29 - NYC Subway

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

Sometimes, 

more often than I like to admit,

I am oblivious,

and

I don't notice what is right in front of me.

For the past 4 years,

I have commuted to work

by entering the subway

under this beautiful mosaic.

Check out that central flower!
How did I miss this?!?

On the platform

this fire box hangs on the wall.

Check out the rust pattern -

it looks like a flower to me.

Thanks for visiting and playing along.

A flower a day during May.

May Flower Challenge - Day 28 - Allium

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

Central Park - 

you make me smile.

The Allium are in full bloom.

Thank you, Central Park,

for balancing my

concrete city life.

May Flower Challenge - Day 27 - Memorial Day

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

On this day,

we remember all

the men and women 

who have given their lives

to defend our freedom.

Thank you for being so brave.

It is Memorial Day in the USA

and on this day

we remember those who have

died defending our country 

and upholding our freedom.

Pause today to say thanks,

to remember, and

enjoy your freedom

that someone else

so selflessly defended.

May Flower Challenge - Day 26 - Gift Bag

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

What do you get a 3 year for her birthday?

Well, I get normal 3 year old gifts (clothes & books).

BUT...

The gift bag is another story.

I took a shopping bag

and decorated it with flowers.

I encourage you to upcycle your shopping bags.

Thanks for stopping by.

May Flower Challenge - Day 25 - More Egg Carton Flowers

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

Another flower from an egg carton.

You can see my previous post here.

This one might be my favorite so far.

Cut out each individual egg compartment.

Cut petals (leaving the center intact).

I chose to make the tips of the petals pointed.

I then took a round head fastener

from my office supply store and 

pushed it through the center.

I put 4 layers together.

This is the end result.

I think I will make a few to sit on my desk at work.

Thanks for visiting.

May Flower Challenge - Day 24

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

Just a simple bloom today.

Thanks for visiting and playing along.

May Flower Challenge - Day 23 - Daisy

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

One of my favorite flowers is the Daisy.

I love the simple beauty.

Thanks for visiting 

and embracing a flower a day during May.

May Flower Challenge - Day 22 - Tie Dye Painted Flowers

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

I've been playing around in 21 Secrets,

learning new techniques,

new products,

and simply having fun.

I've adapted one technique

and painted some tie dye flowers.

Outlining the flower in water.

Then touching the water outline

with the paint.

Tucker sat in the window

and watched as I painted.

A few minutes later he decided that he 

was supposed to be the center of attention.

He had a little purple and orange 

paint on him when he got up.

Giggle.

I'm linking up with Julia over at 
Stamping Ground for WOYWW.
(What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday)

Thanks for visiting!

May Flower Challenge - Day 21 - Seed Pods

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

A few of you playing along have highlighted

seed pods during my May Flower Challenge.

Bravo!

I love the shape, the beauty, 

the flower that is frozen in time.

Remember to enjoy the beauty of a flower at every stage.

Thanks for stopping by and playing along.

May Flower Challenge - Day 20 - Tulips

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

On Monday's I typically do a Soul Whispers 

(message from the universe) post.

I've linked one of my favorite so you can check it out.

Tulips, they always remind me of my parents house.

My Mom has hundreds of tulips planted in her gardens.

Above: Tulips at Madison Square Park

Above: Tulips Park Avenue

Do flowers remind you of people?

Share your story in the comments.

I'd love to hear about it.