Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Ally Cat

 
One of my friends (Bella) recently called me "Ally Cat" -- and I like it!  It's wordplay on the old expression Alley Cat which refers to a domestic cat who lacks a home.  I feel like that at times.
 
There's something naturally feminine about felines.  When I was young, I mistakenly thought all cats were girls and all dogs were boys.  That's the impression I got from cartoons. 

Is there a totemic animal you identify with?

Oh, and something else.  I like to play with photographs for art purposes.  This morning, I selected and edited a picture from a recent photoshoot.  The thing I like best about the picture is the shadow on the wall -- the shadow reveals the silhouette of my dream.  Both dream and reality are displayed here, side by side.  The real-me (unshapely, unfeminine) is looking at the dream-me (idealic), with poignant, aching, palpable desire.  Physically, the dream-me is larger, as it is symbolically in my mind.

Who knew a picture could say so much?!



20 comments:

  1. Beautiful picture Ally - I agree, a picture can be so reflective and say so much without words. This one is truly beautiful. I'd say it's frame worthy!

    And I think Ally Cat is a fitting nickname for you! I don't know what animal I'd most identify with.

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  2. I really like that photo! Very artistic. And kind of sad, but beautiful in that way.

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  3. I love cats. If I get reincarnated, I want to be a cat :) I also love octopuses. They're super smart and just cool looking.

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  4. you are so creative too.. I love the photo with the shadow in it.. and I love those tights from the other day.. the white dress and colorful tights look awesome.. and you have some great and very feminine looking poses too.. very awesome!! xo J

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  5. Stunning photo. Ally--you are becoming the dream you more and more each day!!

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  6. I like that picture a lot. I'm drawn to photos with shadows in them too. I like the play of light and dark, inner and outer selves.

    Birds are my totem animals. They inspire me, like the challenges I face in the real world are just illusions but I can fly away to bigger and better things anytime I want. There's something freeing about birds. You know the saying "the sky's the limit"? Well, for birds, the sky is no limit at all!

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  7. Beautiful photo. I like the name 'Ally Cat', good play on words! I'm currently looking for a name for my 4x4 desert driving team. If you have any creative ideas let me know!
    take care
    bel
    http://b-by-bel.blogspot.com/

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  8. Ally Cat - sounds good :)
    There is a totemic animal I relate to and that is of course some sort of reptile. Vegetarian, lazy, feisty when needed and not going with the pack. :) Could be iguana or some of dinosaurs.
    x, Lara

    http://rockteraptor.blogspot.fi/

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  9. LOVE it! You are a true Ally cat, not feline for the alley but a mix of playful and fierce. I'm so glad you like your nickname! xo.

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  10. Ally Cat is the perfect nickname for you! It's strong but feminine at the same time.

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  11. Beautiful picture!!!

    Oh gosh, how funny that you do this post and as I click to read it I'm listening to the CATS soundtrack. :-) Is Ally Cat your Jelicle cat name? ;-)

    I definitely identify with birds. I had a friend who said I reminded him of Michelle Pfieffer's character in Ladyhawk and I always took that super personally. If I were an animal I like to think I'd be a bird.

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  12. Wow. I absolutely love that shot. And I dig Alley Cat, bit I'd make it AlleyC. Just cause I do stuff like that. It's not as in your face but YOU know what it means. And it's cool. In my opinion.

    I don't identify with any particular animal.

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  13. Thanks for Ally Cat with us. I do think it suits you well (and plus that's a new expression I might use).
    the picture is very beautiful indeed. it reminds of illustration of old lady in the wheel chair looking at her shadow where her chair looks like a a skirt when dancing. It's very different but it shows off the dreams and having the shadow idea :)

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  14. PURPLE!! You know, I did think Tom was a girl cat now that I think about it! I would probably be an animal who hibernates in the winter. I love to sleep :P

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  15. I don't think the real you is unshapely or unfeminine at all in this picture - after all, you made the graceful shadow.

    Squirrel. No, not attention deficit disorder - ME...lol.

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  16. Shades of Mehitabel? But a much happier life.

    Shadows are brilliant. As are clouds and reflections of water. All different ways of visualising, the eye "unfocused".

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  17. Echoing Lynn's feedback on your photo; the longing in your posture speaks to sometimes missing all the ways you already are. I would guess that many, many of us relate.

    Deer. bird. Passing beyond many years of fish.

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  18. I'm so glad you told me about this because I just love a tutu. And your long long legs. Well, it just isn't fair. I think I am a busy little bird or a happy seal.

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  19. I've always majorly identified with Egyptian-looking cats like that, ironically.

    I have to disagree...I don't think you look unshapely OR unfeminine in that picture!!

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