The Face On The Cup

"I wish you'd help me look into a more interesting problem... namely, my sanity."

~Kurt Vonnegut

I took this picture in, I believe, 2007. I was still going to once a week therapy sessons, and working really hard on eliminating the pain and sorrow that had plaqued me for what felt like forever, but in reality had been since the late 90's. A decade of pain... it can feel like forever, because it was difficult to sit on that couch every week, knowing that for that hour I couldn't ignore that pain.

There was a lot to look at in the therapist's office, but my eyes were usually drawn to his desk. There was a stuffed Sigmund Freud doll. A lot of books about love, and a stack of cups, which never seemed to go down in size. One day I happened to notice that the stack of cups, that usually sat on the side of the desk, was a little off from it's usual position. Rather than sitting on the left side of the desk the stack of cups was now on the right side, fairly close to the couch I was sitting on. The bottom cup seemed to have something written on it, but it was turned so I couldn't quite make it out.

During the session, and in an effort to change the subject we were discussing, I reached over and turned the cups around to get a better look at it. To my surprise, there was a face staring back at me! And the face, not surprisingly, seemed to understand how I was feeling!

I am not sure who drew the little face. Was it the supervising doctor? Was it a patient? I had no way of knowing, but over the next few months I made friends with the little face on the cup. It, in an odd way, made me feel less alone. Clearly the cup face had seen, and probably heard, a lot of stories. Some sadder than mine, some not as sad. The face had wisdom and experience. You can't ask for more than that in a good therapist. Right?

All I know... the face on the cup seemed to understand. :) I miss the face sometimes, but like an old friend I haven't seen for a while, I will never forget the times we spent making friends!

Mood: Happy... and WELL ADJUSTED! LOL.

~Me :)

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #153: Here Come The Holidays

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!."

-Amanda Bradley





Hi Folks



This will be our last Monday Photo Shoot for 2011! I am taking a little time off during the holiday season to catch my breath a bit. Things have been busy behind the scenes of Ellipsis, including the gift of a new camera (Fujifilm Finepix S2950) from my hubby Alan! So, while I am getting to know the ins and outs of the new toy, I will be busy out and about snapping away and thinking of you! Take lots of photos during the holidays, as you know, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

See you back here on Monday, January 30th 2012


EMPS #153: HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS.
December has a ton of holidays, and ready or not, HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS! So, show me what you have to do to get ready for them. For this assignment, I don't want to see decorations, I want to see the boxes that they are stored in. I want to see someone up on a ladder hanging decorative lights. I want to see a parks and recreations staff putting a Christmas tree in place, or hanging holiday banners on street lamps. Let's see all the work that goes into making the HOLIDAYS sparkle!

Extra Credit: BOWS. It's a simple one this week for the Extra Credit portion of the assignment. Show me BOWS. Any color, any style, I just want to see some pretty BOWS.

Guidelines for Assignment Submissions...

1.The EMPS closes each Sunday evening at 9:00 PM (ET). No submissions will be accepted after that time.

2. Submit your entry by getting your photo, uploading it to you blog or website, and then comeback here and leave me your link in the comment thread. PLEASE REMEMBER... THE LINK YOU LEAVE MUST GO BACK TO AN ENTRY WHICH IS SPECIFIC TO THIS WEEK'S ASSIGNMENT! A general link to your site will not do and will not be added to the list of those participating the following Monday. HYPERLINKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED!

3. Please be sure to provide a link back to the assignment in your submission, so your readers can find the assignment and join us. Everyone is welcome to play along!

4. Please keep in mind that the image you submit for the EMPS assignment, must be your own original photography. NO LIFTING!


Participation List for EMPS #152: In The Clouds 11/28/2011

Leovi

Jama

Ranu

Karen

Carly (Yep, that's ME!)

Participation List for EMPS #153: Here Come The Holidays 12/05/2011

Leovi

Jama

Karen

Be sure to check back here on Christmas and New Years for my holiday wishes for you, as well as, any updates or sneak peaks regarding the Monday Photo Shoot in 2011! Have a wonderful, magical and safe holiday season! See you in the NEW YEAR!

January 30th 2011 TO BE EXACT!

-Carly

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Working Outside

"Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars."

-Henry Van Dyke

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Take a picture of people working outside. Because now the weather's right for it (mostly). If you have a photo in your archives of people working outside, that works too.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

My friend Steven inspired me to choose this photo for the Monday Photo Shoot, he posted a similar photo of a clown just the other day. You can see it here. I admire folks who put on these costumes and advertise for companies. It can't be easy to have folks driving by all day, shouting at you or possibly making fun. I don't know, I think seeing these characters is kinda fun. :) It makes me smile.

Still, folks can be so judgemental sometimes. One day, several years ago, a friend and I were driving down the road, when we came across a similar character, standing on the sidewalk advertising for another restaurant, and she remarked to me something to the effect of, " I don't how some people could lower themselves to take a job like that!." To which I replied, "It's honest work, would you prefer they either starve or sign-up for public assistance?" Sometimes we do what we have to do. Sometimes we take jobs, we don't necessarily aspire to, so we can pay for college or put food on our tables. Sigh. Needless to say, my friend and I had quite a conversation that afternoon.

"Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true."

-Julius Caesar

-OndineMonet
"Hail Caesar"
Castro Valley, California
March 7, 2007
Late Afternoon