Embracing Change...

   Good afternoon!
   Happy Friday!

   So many momentous things have been occuring in my life this past week! From features on LisbonSky to YouTube, I have certainly been feeling the love on this digital scape. The past week has really been a hustle for me on a few different levels. Long ago- before so much changed in my life and confuddled my routine with wishy washy ... confusion, I was once an avid yoga and fitness lover and partaker. I realize that a large part of my unbalance at this time is because I did not stick with my routine- and therefore,  went through multiple physical & emotional changes that I personally say have not been positive. What I'm getting at here, is I finally sat down this week and assessed my current situation and decided to go for my Yoga certification this may at the Samarya Center in Seattle. I feel focused and progressive and am diligently working on a plan to organize my finances by that time- including a radical sale! - at my shop :) In addition to that new development, I'm hopping back across country next Tuesday... (i think?) to Washington to pursue this education and wrap up the home improvements there with Dave. And then I believe we are looking at houses down here in St. Petersburg?? Hahaha- who knows anymore?!

So just a final tidbit- I've been sticking with my project 365 on flickR ( see right for my most recent uploads). Some acid-free fine art prints are available at my Etsy and I am happy to take on custome orders! Here's my pic from yesterday, March 4th.

Much love & happy weekend!
Lola

ReBirth

Continuing on the note of chaos and crazyness-

So through death comes new beginning. It's just strange how quickly one may follow the other.

SaFire's workshop was this past thursday in Seattle. It was something I had been eagerly awaiting since I joined her online community HoopCity, an amazing place for hoopers, poi artists, and all those spiral loves! I couldnt wait to meet the creator of such a great community as well as one of the women whom I have watched hundreds of times on YouTube- where she provides some great tutorials on basic hooping. My digital hoop mentor! I was also excited to meet some local (kinda) hoopers and just hoop with other people! I swear Olympia is barren of hoopers.



This was the amazing hoop group who converged for SaFire's workshop. SaFire ran through some nifty tricks with us for about an hour, making rounds to us individually to work with us on any troubles we were experiencing. I have very bruised knees from trying to learn to walk with my hoop at my knees. Knee hooping is... my downfall. I swear as soon as it gets to my knees I'm essentially just waiting for it to fall- must practice! Here are a few shots from the workshop and the gathering.




Also I finally got hoop with my first client from Seattle- Ms. Amanda. She is so amazing! And somehow she has knee hooping down pat! :) It was lovely to get to hoop with her and she gave the Oddity a new home, as well as the Caramel Apple Swirl which her friend Jenn bought!

This lady is going to be an amazing hooper! As a matter of fact she is participating in a Duathalon right now I think! ( Sending some best wishes not to puke ! at 11:08 this Sunday mornin Amanda!) :)



While at the workshop- I met Anne of Seattle Hoopla ( picture below) ( shes the lady to the right of me ( I m the lady on the right!:))




Anne teaches hoop classes weekly in Seattle- check out her site here so you can get the low down on Anne & her classes. So through Anne I got my first batch order of hoops & I will be doing some design for her as well.

See- so quick, the cycle of up and down, round and round!

SO here are some new hoops I made for her fall class- super pretty!


If you want a custom hoop- message me on my Etsy! I love making hoops- I love to create these items which will bring smiles to so many people!

Ok, so at the close of the workshop portion of the meetup SaFire had us do a breathing, energy focus type practice that made for some cute pictures! Look at all these hoops & all these hoopers!! So happy!








Then of course- the sun went away and LED came out to play! Time to let the pictures do the talking! We <3 getting FUNKY! I didnt get the opportunity to personally meet everyone- so if you are here come give me a shout at HoopCity I m Lola!






LED Hoops are amazing and make for fantastic pictures and video! And they are super fun to hoop in just watching everything go round and round in a swirl of bright light and color!


I was amazed at this guys ground hooping! It was like he was blending breaks & hooping- awesome! ( See picture below- if you look closely you can see a large swirling hoop off his foot!! )





And voila, the day began- so the day ended.



THANKS TO DAVE FOR TAKING SO MANY GREAT PICTURES ( I EVEN SAW HIM HOOPIN XD)
&
THANKS SO MUCH TO SAFIRE! For being great inspiration, and so kind- and for creating hoopcity. MWA!

Seattle HempFest- Gotta Love Greenery!

The Seattle HempFest is arguably one of the largest gatherings for hemp supporters and marijuana enjoyers to meet up within the states. Dave & I decided to check it out and see for ourselves what kind of shenanigans were taking place.

Thankfully he and I ended up arriving a bit late in the day so the masses were moving out like lazy cattle. Cops hearded hordes of stoners of all natures through crosswalks and traffic in downtown Seattle. A humorous site in itself... masses of stoney folks? Haaha!!

The best things were the conversations we heard as people passed by. Ridiculous people just realizing that they and their friend were rambling about two completely different things. :)


Some sites that made me sad were the fact people did not respect the ground which was hosting the gathering of fire friendly folks. Trash was strewn across the entire area and bags were over flowing as volunteers did their best to pick up after a giant crew of munchy maddened smokers. This was a point that gets a big fat "Grr!" from me- REALLY? Hippie stoner folks can't even do their best to respect the property and lovely grassy knolls enough to throw their teriyaki kabobs into the garbage? Lame.


Regardless I got some fun pictures of fun activities and Dave and I had a blast blazing up amongst a posse of friendly burners. Nothing too bond worthy- no sweet drumcircle- guess we missed most of the jams except for one last lyricist on the stage. I had fun watchin all these different crews and styles of friends gather in one place to well... puff puff... pass!

So Dave and I are active supporters for the cause... love too burn babe!





Dave took some amazing shots tonight! I love how he always surprises me with his innate talent to view things artistically. Makes him extra dreamy! :)


Of course I brought my hoop! Don't be silly, I don't leave home without it! Like I said, we missed the jamz or there would be a done more pics- but you know what, I am totally grateful for this one more then anything that might ve been!





And on a final note-

This is totally Seattle: