Round Robin Challenge: Looking Forward

"Life is not about looking back and wishing that today is the same with the past. Life is about moving on, accepting changes and looking forward to what makes you stronger and more complete because it's never been too late to have a life and never too late to change one."

~Unknown

RRC: Looking Forward

For this round of the Round Robin Photo Challenges, Karen has asked us to represent, with our photos, the concept of "Looking Forward." In that we just crossed over into a new year, that could have been the focus, keeping my eyes looking toward the future, and I thought of going with a series of photos that made that the main message, but it seems since the first of the year I have been in a constant state of looking back, in order to Look Forward. Both in my personal life, and my photography. Anyway, here is a retrospective of some key photographs I have taken in the past, which really represents my efforts in Looking Forward to new sights, and experiences. I chose them, because with each one, I moved a little closer to who I am today, and who I will be tomorrow. I hope that makes sense. Anyway, here is my contribution...

The Golden Gate Bridge
Facing Forward Toward The City
From Marin County


The View From Just North Of The Bixby Creek Bridge
Monterey, California
Just Before Heading Across


The Bixby Creek Bridge
Monterey, California
A Little Later In The Day


Looking Forward To The End Of The Day
Near San Simeon, California
March, 2005


Looking Forward To Tomorrow
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Santa Cruz, California
October, 2009


Looking Forward On An Autumn Road
Plumas, California
October, 2010


The photo at the very top was taken in a cemetery in Pacific Grove, California. I love Pacific Grove for so many reasons. Not only is it known as Butterfly Town USA, because of the annual Monarch migration, which pretty much covers the town, but it is some of the most beautiful coastline of anywhere in California. It is stunning, and rich in history, so it is definitely one of the places I look forward to visiting each October, when I grab my camera, allow myself to float where the camera tells me to go.

Pacific Grove is usually the one place that I will not compromise on. Imagine watching, at a certain time, on a late October day, when as many as 20,000 Monarch butterflies turn toward the setting sun... all at once! It is nothing short of magical! It's truly spiritual! Unfortunately, this past October came and went without my being able to visit Pacific Grove, but it is on my list for this coming autumn, it is probably the main thing I am Looking Forward to next October!

Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary
Pacific Grove, California
October, 2011


Okay, that's my post for this topic of the Round Robin Challenges! Please drop by and see what all the participating photographers are up to! Simply click the link at the top of this post to be redirected to the official Round Robin blog, where you will find the link to each participant, plus all the information you need to play along!

Mood: Encouraged

~Me :)

Note: Karen, sorry about once again pulling from the archives. Life has been crazy! I owe you an all new photographic essay next round! I promise! :)

California Poppy In Sepia... Just Because

Instructions For Living A Life.

Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.

~Mary Oliver

Good advice. I think I have transitioned from black and white to sepia. It's natural I think. Not ever day can be black and white... right? Come what may, some days will be sepia, with or without consent. That's neither good or bad, just... sigh... sepia. Do my words go into a void? Sometimes I hope so, because it feels good to just be honest, without regret. Does that make sense?

I like strange, absurd moments.
I like the surreal. 
I love the ordinary. 
I identify with the common. 
I don't sing in the shower, because it scares the cats.
If you passed me on the street, you wouldn't notice me.

                           That's A Good Thing.

I like that I am a "nothing special woman with a camera in my hand."

                            Also A Good Thing.

Sometimes I find my car keys under my cat.
I think Albert Einstein is super sexy.
Someday, I would like to see a ghost. As long as it's not my own. 
          
          Although if I did, that would mean I lived my life.

I like to make people laugh.
I love to point out how special someone's smile is. 

Just because.


Mood: Reflective

~Me :)

Yesterday Was A Good Day!

"A kitten is, in the animal world, what a rosebud is in the garden."

~Robert Sowthey

Joey is my baby. He is also my little bud. There... I said it! I am happy today, because yesterday was the first day that no major fights broke out between the 3 cats, Dylan, Joey, and Hendrix, over this is mine! NOT YOURS! LOL. If you don't own a cat, or cats, you might not know... THAT'S HUGE! Yesterday was a good day!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Common Gray Poodle In Black And White

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between dog and man."

~Mark Twain

Continuing the series "The Common... In Black And White" I saw a cute little gray poodle awaiting it's owner, while enjoying the warmth of a blue Mini Cooper. The car and the dog were a perfect set! So imagine my surprise when a 300 lb man with a beret on got into the car. "Hmmm... look at that!" I thought to myself!

Mood: Reflective

~Me :)

The Common Candy Vestibule In Black And White

"Remembrance in things past, is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were."

~Marcel Proust

Candy vestibules have changed dramatically since I was a child. I think. Well, gone are the candy necklaces, a personal favorite because you could eat it right off your neck! Gone are the Jaw Breakers, that no one could actually eat, at least not in one sitting, and gone are the dispensers with super balls and tiny plastic engagement rings... another personal favorite! Oh well, at least there is something from my childhood that is still cool today, the common candy vestibule lives one!

Hey... does anyone remember Gobstoppers?

Side Note: Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, I cannot get a straight line in a photo. The world is a crooked place!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Common Laser Mouse In Black And White

"I feel in love like an elephant rides a mouse... like a cowboy, driving a race car backwards, like the word race car, which is a word that is always driving forward and simultaneously in reverse. Yeah, I fell in love exactly like that."

~Jarod Kintz, My Love Can Only Occupy One Person At A Time

Day two of exploring black and white photography, of common objects, around the house. Today is devoted to the common laser mouse. We have 3 cats now, so there are plenty of catnip mice, laser mice, fuzzy mice to ponder. I like the laser mouse best I think. It's sleek, and it shoots a cool red laser out it's nose. How many things can you say that about?

Mood: Silly

~Me :)

The Common Paper Clip In Black And White

"I never made one of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking."

~Albert Einstein

The Eagles lost. My cold is better, but my Carpal Tunnel is acting up... now on both hands! I have been sleeping way too much and I am not sure why! Is it the doldrums? Probably. Could be old age. Maybe good old fashioned boredom. Who knows? It's hard to go out and get any photography done when you are exhausted both your hands are completely numb. I thought I would feel better when the jerk neighbor with the constantly barking dog moved away... and I do... but it kind of feels like my body is finally relaxing for the first time in 4 years!

I am probably playing too much Word Bird or spending too much time looking up stupid stuff on the Internet. Shrug!

Dumb Carpal Tunnel!

But who knew paper clips were so darn photogenic? Fancy that!

Mood: Bored

~Me :)