Saturday, August 28, 2010

California Dreaming...



His name is Sungha... and he's amazing! He's also, like, 10 years old.

Friday, August 27, 2010

עבודה רבה מכבי חיפה!

Google translator - hooking it up! For those of you who don't read Hebrew [and maybe even for those who do... they always ask if I'd like to contribute a 'better translation'... this doesn't inspire much confidence in me....] what I mean is 'great job, Maccabi Haifa'!

Today was the last day of the National Israeli Women's Water Polo Tournament - and we took a respectable second place. This is particularly remarkable because we didn't win our first game until about 6 weeks ago. We definitely should get the prize for most improved team!

I hope to get some pictures of the team up soon - we even got some fancy medallions!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

CNN Presents a Tour of the Baha'i Gardens in Haifa, Israel



So for those of you who haven't had a postcard from me in all of my time in Israel - sorry - but CNN has done us a solid and provided a brief video of the beautiful Baha'i gardens here in Haifa, Israel.

No, Mom... I'm not in the video - but a colleague of mine, Rob Weinberg, is.

As of today, the 7 Baha'i leaders in Iran who have been held for over 2 years, are still imprisoned. Just this month they were sentenced to 20 years prison, each.

I humbly ask that you keep these people in your prayers and positive thoughts... in the meantime, you can read more about their story and their false imprisonment here.

Quintessence....

Image credit: Garance Doré
Support the artist!

So lady Garance has recently moved to NYC - and they're totally lucky to have her!

I know that the whole world seems to be craving fall (I see how you roll, blogging community!) - but I really appreciate all of the ways that this picture captures summer. I feel like you have to hold on to these little moments - the balmy nights, the lovely dresses... there's a softness to summer, a vulnerability that you don't see at other times of the year.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Upgrades....

This comic has totally been taken from XKCD.

As I have developed an affinity for addressing otherwise inanimate objects...

Dear better seats - I'm coming for you!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Dear Vacation...



I feel like I've been stalking my own vacation.... I know - a little on the random, but it's how I roll. I haven't had a serious day off in almost 18 months. And while I should have prefaced this entire thing by telling you all how much I truly love my life, I think that this song [Multiply: live! Jamie Lidell with Gonzales, Mocky and Feist - in Paris!] pretty much sums up all of the reasons I need you, dear vacation - and why we're going to have so.much.fun!

Major shout out (and sincerest of thanks) to Tralalere! for the head's up!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Historical Perspective...

Head's Up Courtesy: Tralalere!
Support the Artist: Geekologie

Well played, kids... well played.

**sorry for the x-ratedness.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

More of This... Less to Miss

Meet Vetiver...

So a dear friend - MaSovaida - hooked a girl up with some awesome tunes (relatively) recently. One of the tracks was 'More of This' by Vetiver. I like this song. A lot.

And since I'm in a good mood [...I know, it doesn't take much!], I thought I'd share it. In my efforts to track down the band's interweb contact information, I chanced upon a REMIX.

Dear friends - treat yourself to the best listening party you've had all summer... seriously. I give you More of This: The Neighbors Remix.

Enjoy!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Repetition of a Theme...


How awesomely unifying is music? Moment captured at one of NYC's 'play me I'm yours' pianos....

Beautiful.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Give Us A Sick Beat...

How often do you hear "I only like the beat, I don't even listen to the lyrics!" "I just want to move my body!"

Small Disclaimer: I will, upon occasion, hear songs that I L.O.V.E. loved in high school - and I sing along. And I think "what the H was I doing listening to this!" Well... I'm a grown-up woman now, and it's time to get 'sharing is caring' with the knowledge here.

Okay... so back to how the words don't even matter - I'm just exploring the groove....

If this is true, and the lyrics are so unimportant, then are violence and misogyny really necessary themes?

All I'm saying, I suppose ultimately, is let's get some positivity mixed up in those sick beats of yours - yes. I mean you. I'll bet you could even keep your street cred.

Peace.

Oh... and stay tuned for some truly sick beats! I first heard of these women when my sister got back from doing a Baha'i Youth Year of Service at the Native American Baha'i Institute in New Mexico.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

For The Heart On Your Sleeve Kids...

A shout out....



I love it - so beautiful and lovely! In related news, Ra Ra Riot has a new album out that you can preview on NPR. It's amazing.

Take Note...

Via Oh Joy!
Support the artist: Lulu Dee.

80s classics make the best greeting cards!

Monday, August 16, 2010

The Future Looks Bright...

Via Bitte Ein Kuss

I would like to shake the hand of everyone involved in the making of this picture... getting older seems so much cooler, now!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Fortnight....


In two weeks, exactly, my plane will be lifting off! Vacation - here I come! ...I hope you're ready, I've been waiting a long time for you!

Dreaming Out Loud...

Well, Reader... we had our first two games (of six) in the Israeli Women's Water Polo League tournament last night. We won the first game (!!!) - but lost the second. We played really well, but by the second game were just tired....

Enter my current day dream/fantasy:

Image courtesy Bitte Ein Kuss

It has everything I could want in a perfect lazy Saturday afternoon (or future home situation...) - loft library, warm lighting, ginormous windows and a hammock! Hecks yes.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Awesome Quote of the Day...

“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”
— Henry David Thoreau

All credit to From Me to You

I suggest you peep the original post over on From Me to You - totally makes me want to participate in a community garden!

...Summer Night Edition

So last night started out innocently enough... the Israeli Women's Water Polo League starts day 1 of a 3 day tournament (to be spread throughout the week) today - so our team has been practicing when and where we can. This has made for a pretty random practice schedule - but I'm sure it will pay off.

Enter last night.... Practice was scheduled for 9pm, which is no big deal in and of itself - but oh the things you will see on a hot summer's night!

While on the bus [dude. Take the bus - it's awesome!] I saw 4 guys who looked just like Ferengi's! Minus the handy and amazing Star Trek costumes and standard issue brow-ridges, of course.

Anytime I can flex my geek factor is a good time.

Like a gift from the universe, the night just kept getting better! Walking towards the pool [big shout out to Tivon. If you're ever lucky enough to get to Israel, you should come hang out here.] I noticed that a small high school/garage band was playing in the plaza I was crossing.

At first I heard some really cool ethnic/tribal-style drumming, but then to my absolute delight it was punctuated every-so-often by the dulcet tones of a COWBELL!

Yes. You heard that right. Cowbell. It's the new tambourine.

So that's my night of awesome, in a nutshell. I'll let you know how the games go - I'm in for a double-header. In the meantime?

More cowbell!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Tightly Produced Melodrama...



Still one of the tightest songs [and videos] of all time. Enjoy.

Just Because...

Artist: Peggy Wolf

I just love this and think it's beautiful. That's all... as you were.

Do You Hear What I Hear...?

Image Courtesy Oh Joy!

Henry David Thoreau, in support of my late-blooming, weird and more than a little eccentric self (how ever unwittingly)...

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace....

The Baha'i World News Service has just posted that the 7 leaders in the Baha'i community in Iran - who have been wrongly accused, imprisoned and tried for over 2 years - were each sentenced to 20 years in prison today.

Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations states that "We understand that they have been informed of this sentence and that their lawyers are in the process of launching an appeal".

CNN provided the following information yesterday, "Iranian authorities have detained more than 45 Baha'is in recent months, and as many as 60 Baha'is are imprisoned in Iran on the basis of their religio[us] beliefs, the U.S. State Department has said."

Earnestly and sincerely I pray that justice comes to envelop the earth....

"No radiance can compare with that of justice. The organization of the world and the tranquility of mankind depend upon it." - Baha'u'llah

Saturday, August 7, 2010

After School Special...



This video could save your life - hilarious things generally do....

Brought to you by the fine creative talent of Hyperbole and a Half.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

...Strikes Again!

Image credit.

This is probably the funniest thing I've seen in [insert superlative time reference here]. As someone who has worked in retail for most of her 'adult' life, brand logos make me extremely uncomfortable. I've always been of the opinion that wearing a brand was like offering to give a particular company free advertising space.

They should pay me.

Anyhow, I digress... the real exciting part is that Layli of 'This Is Samimi-Extremie' fame now contributes to a new project with some friends of hers. They call it 'The Merits of the Scheme'.

Go on... try not to have a blog crush. I triple-dog dare you!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The Finite Things In Life....


The first time I saw the 'thx thx thx' blog, she (Leah) had written a thank you note to a meeting. For being over. Yes, I know... I've been hooked since.

But this one really takes the cake. I find it to be particularly timely as when I go home to visit the fam I plan to rock up on any book store that will have me and read all of their printed material. Okay... just the interesting stuff.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Time... And Past.

**Disclaimer: if you have a delicate constitution or are sensitive... you may want to take a pass. You won't hurt my feelings.**
The article: from Time magazine.

I imagine that by now this article has caused quite a stir in the States (and other areas where people regularly read Time). And I know that I'm wont to be an optimist - but I tell you truly that I will be disappointed if this doesn't cause a stir in the people who read it.

I've been thinking lately, though, about how this kind of ferocious misogyny isn't so uncommon - and neither is it limited to the developing world, to safely be "their problem".
As you will see in the video, the brand of misogyny marketed to westerners is actually worse, because we (as women) have been conditioned to hate, abuse, and disfigure ourselves....



I originally spotted this video on 'This Is Samimi-Extremie' [thanks for the head's up] and I've been sort of obsessed with it since then.

If I'm going to be perfectly honest (here goes nothing...) the stuff that you see here in this video [dude, just watch it already!] is pretty much the root of the anxiety I feel whenever I think about going home to visit the family. My family is cool - Orange County is murder on a woman's self-esteem, though. Suffice it to say that Israel has been very good to me. Not least because I don't have to look at tabloids and billboards any more....

So we'll see how long I last and in the meantime I invite you to start thinking constructively about the reality of women in your society - wherever you are - and to start thinking about the way you consume your culture.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Coming to America...

Remember these places? Yeah... I almost don't either. But I just got my tickets today to go home and see the family! I'm a little nervous - it's been more than 2 years.

What if I've forgotten how to be American? Do you think the immigration people will know!?
Oso Parkway and the 5
Laguna Beach: the Boardwalk at sunset

Dear 'the OC' (or whatever trendy name you prefer these days): be nice. It's been a while.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

We've Come A Long Way... Baby

Bathing Beauties circa 1922
Image credit.

So the Maccabi Haifa women's water polo team had another game last night - this time against Petah Tiqva. And we won!

All of our hard work is finally paying off, I'm very happy to report!
 
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