Blessed, Playa Escondida, 2008.
Come to the edge, he said.
They said: We are afraid.
Come to the edge, he said.
They came. He pushed them
And they flew.
Guillaume Apollinaire
***
When I started this year, I named it the “year of flight”. It turns out that it has been so far ~
I got married and
I had two incredible ceremonies ~
I got a new job offer
I am working on my creative dreams
I am connecting with kindreds
I am building a nurturing and supporting community
I am taking more ‘risks’
I feel lighter in general…
Which does make me feel like
I can actually fly!
Imagine that?
Even the “unthought-of” happened last week.
I’ve attempted jogging!
Truth be told ~
I’d always been a little jealous of runners.
Oh. Shucks! (Am I getting in trouble here?)
For a lack of a better word…
They’ve always seemed so damn “cool”
Too cool…
With their fancy shoes and music gadgets.
For some reason I idealized the whole thing
And I just never thought I could be one of them.
But for some reason…
I decided it was about time I tried it.
And so I’m proud.
I’m jogging!
Little sprints alternated by walks
That is where I am at right now.
Little sprints of joy!
But I am indeed jogging
And that makes me happy.
It makes me feel like that kid
Who will no longer need to hide from PE class :P
Anyhow.
I wanted to tell you this,
because it is from this perspective
that I want to share some other thrilling news with you:
I opened my very own Etsy store!!!
GYPSY GIRLS GUIDE PHOTOGRAPHY ~
I’ve also added little snippets about the stories behind the images
Check it out and let me know what you think :)
I’m slowly uploading the images. So stay tuned.
I was going to announce it only when it was all done.
Silly. There is never such a thing is there?
Since I picked up the prints
I’ve been running around in circles
I’ve been in such euphoria…
I could not even post about anything else
(hence why it’s taken me long to post here)
I can hardly describe it.
It’s a great feeling ~
I guess this process made me come alive!
I remembered:
Little sprints, Alex.
Little sprints will do.
So…
I am a little shy
As I stand before this cliff
Just before I hit “publish”
And just before I take flight.
On the other hand…
I know you will cheer me and hold me ~
I know it does not matter how far I go ~
I know it’s all about feeling the wind on my face ~
Here I am
Arms, Wings, Heart
Wide Open.
1-2-3
I’m flying!
Taking Flight!
June 18, 2008
Awesome! A gypsy jogger!! You are the epitome of cool!! :)
ROCK ON!! So much beauty and excitement…heading over to your new shop right now!
congratulations alex – you totally rock!!!
i too have always thought the “runners” were cool and i couldn’t be one of them..you inspire me lovely, you inspire me!
xoxo
GREAT new shop… your images are wonderful… and the cool thing, I am guessing you might be cool, even before the running…
Your shop is wonderful, your work is beautiful, and I’m so excited for you.
Congratulations on all of your achievements and inspirations taking flight. I cannot wait to see how lovely events unfold for you.
I giggled when I read of the jogging… I’ve also admired the joggers from a far…
One specific day I was quite upset and told my friend if I was a jogger I would have gone for a 20km run! Then we burst out laughing (cause that will not happen!:-)
Yay!!! for you for joking..oops…JOGGING..it’seven a difficult word to type! :-) I’m proud of you for taking this huge leap… i trust you are doing it for all the jogging admirers?! :-)
Beautiful photos Alex! Hoorah for your own etsy shop! xx
Bravo, Alex for all your joys and accomplishments so far this year – and many more to come! Just a few days ago I sent that GA quote to a friend in Canada who needed a little push. It is one of my all-time favourites, since I first read it while living in Jordan years ago.
I once was a runner – but knee surgery, thanks to damage from one very steep hill in the Sunset – put a stop to that. These days I walk or bike and am just as happy. Am so glad you’re following your bliss! Now am off to check out your beautiful photos. Wishing you much success in this exciting new venture. xoxox
You are flying , for sure !
I ‘m going to etsy to see your shop !
I love the picture on this post
oh my!!! i fell deeply in love
with your photo
called ‘simple life’ in your shop
it’s gorgeous!!!
i am so proud of you bird girl:)
Hi Alex,
I saw you on Persisting Stars announcing your new etsy shop and I’m always curious to look – it’s looking very nice, by the way.
I have one too :) I also saw your name was de Souza and I’m guessing you’re a portuguese descendant (?).
Wish you luck!
Little sprints of joy….yay! And a store!!! Mabrouk!
Your etsy store rocks. I love that you added the images’ stories. I’ll need to spend some time with all of them.
Congratulations on your new etsy shop! That is so exciting, Alex! Your photographs are beautiful. :)