Thursday, June 30, 2011

Weekend Plans...

Marilyn, courtesy Bitte Ein Kuss.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I Spy, With My Little Eye...

A golden jackal.

Just when I think that I've seen just about everything that Israel has to offer....

So the other day I was walking through the Baha'i Gardens here in Haifa - as I do every day on my way home from work - when I see this small fluffy animal sort of scampering or hopping down the hill and into the bushes. And I thought "oh my gosh - it's Peter Rabbit!" which of course came out "ah! A bunny!" [sometimes when I get really excited I experience a disconnect in my brain between my thoughts and the words that come out of my mouth].

Small fluffy ball of animal cuteness, noting my fascination and adoration, pauses and sort of looks back at me - and I think, "fox?!" [with more than a little excitement].

And then a colleague of mine catches me up and spies what I spy and says "jackal".

Dear friends, I finally - after nearly 4 years of living in Israel - saw my first jackal. Specifically a golden jackal (yes, the italics are really necessary. This is a big deal!) who, according to wikipedia, are the only jackals to live outside of continental Africa.

Oh! And it was a baby golden jackal. And would totally have let me pet him had other people not been around.

Dear Israel - thanks for always being ready with a great surprise!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Happy ...To Me!


If I made videos... okay - they probably wouldn't be this good. But I'd want them to be.

As per of course, all head's up credit for my awesome music you see here on Mondays goes to Black*Eiffel. This woman has rad taste!

I'm particularly stoked to note that Fleet Foxes have a new album out because I've been thinking of what I could get myself for my birthday this year. This and Bon Iver's eponymous nearly (in Israel) released album sound - literally and figuratively - perfect.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Lovely Israel...

As promised... pictures from my adventures with Sanaz in Israel:
Eilat.
What happens in Eilat stays in Eilat.
Take public transportation - it's good for you.
...it also allows you to take goofy pictures at will.
Back in Haifa.
Heading down the upper terraces of the Baha'i Gardens.
Dinner at Duzan Haifa's German Templar Colony district.
This place is, like, world famous!
Sanaz on the terraces at night.
Remember, San :: man artist-am!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Random...

Well... I guess not so random, if you're up to speed with my life. And it probably doesn't take more than a quick peek now and then to know that I'm prepping to embark on a new adventure - for as yet unknown shores - and I may or may not be t.o.t.a.l.l.y freaking out - but that's part of the adventure, right?


Anyhow... one of the myriad benefits to serving at the Baha'i World Centre is all of the accomplished (have their *ahem* act together) people I serve with. Plans to chat up future options are on my horizon....



And this little slice of lovely is courtesy Laily of Fleur and {this is glamorous} fame. Oh, and Flower Girl. So I guess we could say that Laily specializes in keeping the interwebs beautiful and interesting - one post at a time.


More random and jumbled thoughts and excerpts will, I'm sure, be coming soon. Until then, have a nice 'first weekend of summer'.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Keeping It Real...










Courtesy the funniest guys on the world wide interwebs.
...because it's the weekend somewhere?

In Transit...


STUCK from Joe Ayala on Vimeo.


Head's up on this amazing video courtesy Tralalere - who has this to say: "Two guys made this video after being stuck in an airport in Dallas, with there flight delayed overnight. Homeland security is wondering how they got away with this."


My friend Sanaz finally got back to LA - after a not inconsiderable delay in Jersey. Next time, San. Next time. [Sanaz back in LA is relevant to you, dear readers, because this means that pictures from our Eilat vacation and awesome times in Haifa are forthcoming. Ahem.]

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

I'd Like to Meet You...


I don't Know - Lisa Hannigan Music Video from Stitch Films on Vimeo.

Sweet, sweet song from Lisa Hannigan - and such a lovely and crafty (dare I say dreamy?) video!

Or... some more rad music to last you through the longest night of the year: happy summer!

Bring on the Summer...

Bathing beauties circa the Victorian Era


So one of my besties is here in Israel - and we went down to Eilat on the north coast of the Red Sea this weekend. It was a pretty boss weekend, as evidenced by my tan.... But having a friend in town/prepping to move across the universe precludes other rad things like blogging. In due course, friends. In due course.


In other awesome news, Bon Iver's eponimous album, Bon Iver, comes out today - well... for those of you in the States, at least. And if you live in Israel - or in another cool place - you can hear it streamed here. Thanks, The Guardian (dot co dot uk). I appreciate you.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

What Song are You Listening To...


I would like to shake the hand(s) of whoever made this video and had this idea - so awesome!

All credit to Will (of Doghouse Diaries and Forgotten Quotes fame) for the head's up.

I'm listening to Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones - part of my game day mix. The rhythm and tempo are good to get in your bones for pacing (to my runners and swimmers). Right now I'm hoping that it will conduce to motivate me to clean my house! Ha!

But I'm really stoked on the new (to me) songs I'm suddenly aware of! How about y'all? What are you listening to?

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Protect Yourself...

My friend sent me this list of helpful assault-prevention tips. Think of them as a public service announcement...

1. Don’t put drugs in people’s drinks in order to control their behavior.

2. When you see someone walking by themselves, leave them alone!

3. If you pull over to help someone with car problems, remember not to assault them!

4. NEVER open an unlocked door or window uninvited.

5. If you are in an elevator and someone else gets in, DON’T ASSAULT THEM!

6. Remember, people go to laundry to do their laundry, do not attempt to molest someone who is alone in a laundry room.

7. USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM! If you are not able to stop yourself from assaulting people, ask a friend to stay with you while you are in public.

8. Always be honest with people! Don’t pretend to be a caring friend in order to gain the trust of someone you want to assault. Consider telling them you plan to assault them. If you don’t communicate your intentions, the other person may take that as a sign that you do not plan to rape them.

9. Don’t forget: you can’t have sex with someone unless they are awake!

10. Carry a whistle! If you are worried you might assault someone “on accident” you can hand it to the person you are with, so they can blow it if you do.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Gl-Gl-Glorious!

Namibia - via 19 Months


So I've just booked a small vacation in Rome! I'm really looking forward, particularly as I've never been to Italy (I know...). If you have any recommendations about things a person should absolutely do - and things that should be seen only if the time presents itself, holler at your girl!


But I think this little holiday - planned to coincide with my transition from Israel back to the United States - will be just the thing I need to look forward to to lessen the nervousness I feel about living in Orange County again.


Who knew that 4 years could be so long - or go so quickly!


...but seriously, sorry I'm so MIA. One of my besties is coming to visit next week, and I'm kind of (read: actually) freaking out about moving half-way around the world in less than 2 months. And finding a j.o.b.


Excuse me while I go breathe deeply - and stuff.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

The Kid's Speech....


This little boy's enthusiasm is as catching as it is indefatigable!

And his 'keep trying' attitude? I love it!

Thanks to Tralalere for the head's up ...rock and roll!
 
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