Thursday, October 4, 2012

K.Sizzle...



My dear friend Kelsey Bulkin has announced her upcoming album. Color a million and two kinds of excited.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Mid-Summer Night's Dream...

Bahji, Israel
Courtesy Paul Aziz Netherwood

Once a home, always home... now it's just closer than my life's vein.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Wise Guy...


Pretty sure that Albert Einstein is one of my all-time favorite people. Sense of humor, deeply spiritual, didn't take himself too seriously...? So awesome.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Take Your Marks...


Courtesy Boston Review

So I don't know about you guys, but I think that NBC did a terrible job in covering the Olympics. I know... strong language - but I'll stand by it. Anytime you concern yourself with maintaining a monopoly, you have to expect that folks will be unhappy. Should anyone at NBC (or its affiliates) be interested in my reasoning - holler. I'm also still on a quest to get (give?) some Neilson input. By which I mean "stop cancelling quality tv in favor of reality tv".

Next time I'm watching the Irish version.

Warning: This is really funny... unless you like competitive sailing. Then you might take offense.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

...Be Happy!


Just a casual head's up... I also have a Tumblr. You know, for those of you who like pictures as much as I do.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

A Year in the Life....

A year ago, dear friends, I left the Holy Land.... seeking parts unknown in places I navigate with my eyes closed. And so began a year of transition. In many ways I feel like I had unrealistic expectations [6 months. Definitely only 6 months and then I'm good to go!] - but I've been learning how to be more gentle and understanding with myself.
 East.
West.

Some funny and some true stories (anecdotes? tales?) from my year of transition:

It may be helpful to know that, while I moved nearly every year as a kid, I did most of my "growing up" in Orange County... and yet people still ask me where I'm from. I know that the Baha'i World Centre has its own accent going on [the result of the in-gathering of hundreds of people from hundreds of countries communicating and making themselves understood in a single language]. It's somewhat a mash-up of the Commonwealth accents, with incredibly heavy American overtones - and all sentences end up sounding like a question, as though you're making doubly sure that everyone understands you. So yeah. We sound (to my ears) Canadian. Many people have confused me for a well-educated mainland European ex-pat who either went to an American school or watched a grip of American TV.
When I slide into my BWC accent (never apurpose, I assure you) lately, however - local folks ask me if I'm French. French. Well, merci beaucoup to you and you and you! [But it's still weird. Trust.]

I really (really) love the service opportunities I have here. You should know that I miss Haifa, like, e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y - but! I had a really interesting dream yesterday (the actual and factual one year anniversary of my last day in Israel). I dreamed that I was back in Haifa, and I really felt like a fish in water - so natural to be there, and 2 weeks into my visit... I was offered a chance to stay. Permanently. And my first thought to the people I serve with here. To the children and youth I mentor (but who really mentor me), to the friends who help me - everyday - to be the best person I can possibly be... and without hesitation, I felt that I should decline the offer. An offer that at alternating points in the last year I'd have jumped at. I'm not saying that missing the Holy Land is easy... but I realize that (particularly as a result of prayer and service) it is closer to me than my life's vein. Confirmations abound.

This has been a year of learning for me. Learning how to be a gentler person, learning how to detach from those things you thought would make you whole... would make me better, learning how to learn. Road rage is an irksome beast... but there's always the hope that my next community will have public transportation and be pedestrian friendly! Until then, if you happen to be in south Orange County, don't cut off the girl in the '90 Ford Bronco. The Bruiser doesn't slow as quickly as some would like!

Friday, July 27, 2012

When I Grow Up...


Word of the Day for Friday, July 27, 2012

intrapreneur \in-truh-pruh-NUR\, noun:
An employee of a large corporation who is given freedom and financial support to create new products, services, systems, etc., and does not have to follow the corporation's usual routines or protocols.

Intrapreneur
 was coined in the 1970s as a variation of the more common word entrepreneur. The prefix intra- means "within."

Dear Dictionary(dot)Com: thanks! How did you know?!
Courtesy Tralalere!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

...Want Me Back



In the face of the gross amount of impotence and frustration I've been feeling lately, this song gets in my bones and cheers me up. Enjoy.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

For Serious...

 Mid-hike photo-op...
 More nature exploration... this time: tide pools in Dana Point, CA
 Junior Youth and animators in the park...
Thinking 'outside of the box' about the creation of a moral structure...

So I have been taking a small hiatus from 'sharing deep thoughts with the internets' as of late... but I have been roused from my figurative slumber.

You may wonder why I include pictures in which I am in full-swing field trip mode (errr... exploring nature!) and frolicking in the park. Well, that's because those are the pictures that tend to survive such things as children's classes and junior youth spiritual empowerment programs.... 

But I think the fact that they are not very remarkable at all, other than as mementos to those actually in the pictures, is what makes what I'm about to tell you all the more profound.

7 youth and young adults were arrested in Iran (at least one is being held in Evin Prison in Tehran) on Monday for doing the exact same thing you see my friends and I doing in the pictures above.

Again? Okay... 7 youth were arrested on Monday for such crimes against humanity as teaching children's classes and for empowering junior youth. They might also have had the crazy notion that they should go to university.

Service to one's community and seeking higher education are not the hallmarks of criminal activity... but those arrested happen to be Baha'i. Like me. If you, like me, recognize the injustice in this treatment of Iran's largest religious minority, I encourage you to speak out - city officials, congress persons and representatives, news sources, your FB wall (or twitter, tumblr, blogspot, wordpress site). Tell your friends and family!

The internet is a useful medium, and your voice is a powerful tool. To Justice!

Monday, July 9, 2012

New Music I Love Monday...



So the heatwave that's sweeping the USofA is finally making its way west... and while I have spotty success with heat of any kind (wave or no), I am tired enough of 'June Gloom' to welcome the break.

This jam just magically appeared on my Beirut station on Pan.Dora and I instantly swooned. And I started to email it around... so here we are. Enjoy! Such perfect summertime music! 

Thursday, July 5, 2012

May I Present....

So remember all of that exciting news I mentioned? This is a small part of it: the tip of the excitement iceberg? Okay. Weird analogies aside - I was in a play last weekend.

Set in 1912, the play chronicles the events surrounding Abdu'l-Baha's epic visit to the West and the profound impact that visit had on the early American Baha'i community. I had the opportunity to play Juliet Thompson - and had so much fun working with my new friends! [ps. we are none of us professional actors - but we had a GREAT time!]
 Backstage: finishing touches complete!
 This is one of my favorite photos!
Lua! (she seemed to say)
 Meeting the press...
 Candid shots (amidst the melee) are the best!
 With our director!
 Catching some pre-show vitamin D
 Last minute running of lines
"...I have a confession to make"
 The ladies
 Nancy, chilling in the green room
Painter's bag: check!

In case there was any confusion... my favorite part might be the dressing up part. Just saying.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Holy Snaps, Batman...!


Okay. So in 24 hours (give or take), I will be sharing with you all some really exciting news... but in the meantime! Can we talk about this video and the completed unexpected (to me) talent in these girls, er... youth?! Well, you'll probably have to discuss amongst yourselves, or exclaim in your head with multiple and enthusiastic pseudo-expletives and exclamation points (@#$Q!!!!!!) thusly.

That's all. As you were.

Oh. ps. They have a Twitter... you know what to do!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Here Comes the Sun...



So the sun is making a serious 'college try'... and this song is so happy and catchy - and this version is just the most fun thing I've seen all week - so! Enjoy!

In other "trying so hard I can't hardly stand it" news... I'm going to be in a play this month! On the 29th, specifically. And I'm pretty nervous about memorizing my lines. To help, I recorded myself on my phone so I could listen and learn (thanks for that, 2012).

Um... have you ever listened to yourself? Like outside of your own head? Turns out that I sound like an NPR reporter. Lakshmi Singh - call me (maybe...)!

But yeah, if you're in OC circa 29 June 2012, holler at your girl. It won't be profesh, I'll probably blush AND sound like I'm presenting on This American Life - but I'll keep it real!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

On Marine Layers...



On this day... in this girl's life, beating back June Gloom one song at a time.

Friday, June 1, 2012

On Hiatus...

So I received a very loving email from my aunt the other day... informing me that I've been a little lax in updating this little niche of interwebs. Mea Culpa. To be perfectly honest, I feel as though I'm not really seeing anything I love enough to put up here - and simultaneously, the work I'm doing is somehow too precious to me to share in whatever tiny snippets I could share here. It's nothing confidential... I'm just usually too tired from my long days to pull my thoughts together in any meaningful kind of way! But I'll try.

In somewhat related news, I went to Coachella this year! I had really been looking forward to going - I even made plans to attend before I left Israel nearly a year ago! Here are some pictures... and some anecdotes about my time in the desert..... [yes. it's like that.]
 Beautiful balloon sculpture [I didn't name it...]
I took this peaceful picture mere moments before I lost my phone.
If you know me, you know that this is not unusual - but let's see what else I got before the weekend got truly interesting....
 The fine folks at H&M set up tent (of sorts) in which they provided water, air conditioning, a myriad beauty products with which to freshen up [because temperatures averaged 105] and a few really awesome waterbed/reclining lounges.
Also? A kissing booth/Instamatic fundraiser for AIDS research. Awesome.
 Picnic blanket & multi-purpose shawl (the Bedouins know what is up!), chilling in the Mohave tent.
Mandatory selfie...

Now friends... you should know that my vanity factor is pretty high. So why would I include such a photo as this?

I literally passed out not 2 hours later from heat exhaustion. In fact, I missed 2 whole nights of Coachella. I know. But let this be a cautionary tale. 
I will tell you what the nice nurse told me as she was hooking up my second bag of saline solution (I'll spare you the deets - but it was NOT pretty):: in extreme heat, for every 2 or 3 bottles of water you drink, have a bottle of gatorade or some other such "sports" drink.
Cheers.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Lend Me Your Ears...!



Ashley Judd is my new hero.

Seriously. The mind trip that our culture puts us through - that we have been trained to put ourselves through (!!) - is crippling. Crippling in every way, shape and form.

That she would passionately and eloquently challenge cultural norms is, to me, so completely inspirational. You can read more about it here.

...because sharing is caring.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Introducing...

I fancy myself a stylish woman... I tend to have strong opinions and correspondingly a strong personal voice that is manifested in the myriad ways I express myself.

But if there is one woman whose style I consistently admire, it is my friend Mojan Sami

courtesy Mojan Sami

The rad thing about Mojan (okay... one of the rad things) is that she really does her homework. And this is why she is my ad hoc stylist - not only does she have her ish put together, but she legitimately knows what she's talking about. 

Like light blue for spring, which will supplement my deep love of all things orange very nicely!

Now only for some past due warm weather for spring.....!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Happy Friday...

                                                                                  Source: Uploaded by user via Aimee on Pinterest

Thursday, March 15, 2012

All Aboard...!



All images courtesy The Sartorialist

I apologize for the gross neglect and inattention this little slice of my life has received, of late. Ironically, as I am not really (by which I mean at all) a "label" girl... it is Louis Vuitton's fine Fall/Winter 2012 collection that has propelled me out of my blogging hibernation.  

I feel like they have examined and redefined the steam-punk movement ...no longer riding the pop culture underground!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Friday, February 24, 2012

Masterpiece...

Victorian wedding party styled by BHLDN

I know. As per usual, the cart is very much before the horse... (my kingdom for a horse! ...too much?) That's never stopped a girl from day dreaming pretty things, right?

Because I think that a party - wedding or otherwise - populated with Downton Abbey-esque styles would be amazing! And super fun. By which I mean happy Friday!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

A Flare For The Dramatic...


You may not know this... but orange is my favorite color. I think it's just about the happiest color alive, so naturally I'm digging this lady's trousers - but what I really love is how free the layers are in this shot. The movement is so vivid!

Orange You Glad, indeed!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

On Love As Inspiration...

Photo courtesy my friend Nilou via my other other site
The freedom to be yourself and to be happy in that self.
Me. In the red cap at the top of the photo.

So on this day where people focus so intently on what and whom they love, I thought that I'd share some things that make me smile. Like did you know that I had 2 water polo games this weekend?! And that we won both of our games?

Well. Now you do.

Thanks for sharing in the things I love magic. Now get out of here! Unless you love the interwebs, in which case: carry on.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Fun Fashion Friday...


Okay, I concede that I may have gotten carried away with my alliterative self... but that's just how I roll. [Monday Morning Morrissey Madness, anyone?]

Anyhow, I spotted this on Honestly...WTF and was a little nonplussed by the stills. This is likely because I have very strong opinions about logos and brand image that rhyme with "it looks like you're sponsoring a fashionista - you should pay me to wear that", but I digress.

What I liked most about this video was watching the people at work! I love to see good craftsmanship in action - and whatever your thoughts on the LV aesthetic, you can't deny that the construction is legit.

Enjoy!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Adventuresome...


I don't really think that words are necessary here... this will be glorious and you will watch or you will not. But I am six thousand kinds of excited.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Thank You For Taking Action...


Most of you who know me know that I am a member of the Baha'i Faith. It is, after all, the reason I spent 4 glorious years living in Haifa, Israel and the reason why I continue to incorporate service to my community in my daily life. If you check in here periodically, or if you read the news... you'll know that the Baha'i community in Iran is under intense scrutiny and that members of that community face persecution daily.

One of the most tragic ways that the Iranian government seeks to cripple the Baha'i community in their country is through the blatant denial of access to higher education. Yes, you heard me right. All Baha'is are summarily denied access to college or university education.

Ever resilient, Baha'i students have managed to matriculate remotely through accredited universities in the United States and elsewhere - clearly via distance learning. [Three cheers for technology].

Now the government of Iran is arresting these students, their mentors, and even their lawyer in further attempts to quash their spirit.

So I have joined thousands of people, including Nobel Laureates Desmond Tutu and Jose Ramos-Horta, in a call for change. A peaceful request that all students in Iran be treated with justice, equality and fairness.

What number will you be?

La Prima...!


My dear friend Yasmin alerted me to this truly awesome video collaboration between OK Go & Sesame Street.

Interestingly enough (or not...), I never really watched Sesame Street when I was a kid. When I was the right age to be falling in love with Big Bird and Snuffleupagus, my family lived in Kachina Village on the outskirts of beautiful Flagstaff, AZ. Yes, friends. I spent my formative years in a cabin in the Rocky Mountains... with limited tv reception - certainly not enough for PBS.

The good news is that I'm still alive, and this video is still the boss. So everyone gets a win! Enjoy!

*Side note to Yasmin* :: I got the skype. Let's have an intercontinental reunion, yes?

Game Night...?

Marilyn Monroe

In case you needed further evidence as to how rad Marilyn Monroe is....

Also, if you've never played Maiden, Trapper, Bear :: bring it to your next game night. It's an interactive, fun and potentially silly (ready your rad pantomime skillz!) interpretation of rock, paper, scissors.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

As Promised: Seattle...!

Home of the best Salmon and Chips... of life!
Thai food out on the town: legit!
Dessert times: espresso float
Farmer's Market: Cauliflower!
[so damned cute!]
Lucky Strike Bowling alley with the bride & some random guy I don't know.
Why do I love bunny ears SO much?!
Because they are awesome.

My good friend Joanna and her husband Stephen hosted a North American reception in Seattle last weekend following their wedding in El Salvador.... Such good times!

Who... Me?

Just when you thought they weren't listening.....

Part 1:


Part 2:


Okay... I know that these have been making the rounds, but this one is probably my favorite so far. I can't tell which side of the joke I'm on - and I don't really care.

All credit to Fashion Is Spinach.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Monday Morning Musings...


The more I read about Marilyn Monroe, the more I think I would really have liked to be her friend.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A Preview...


I spent last weekend with some great friends in Seattle - one of the raddest cities on the west coast, methinks. More photos in due course.

In the meantime... I've created a sort of homage to the Mediterranean: culture, fashion, views, foods and attitudes. You can peep it here.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Like a Boss...!

Courtesy A Cup of Jo

So I just finished Tina Fey's classic rendition of her life until now: Bossy Pants. As she predicted, I borrowed it from "a woman at work"... and I loved it!

I particularly love the way that she talks about the women she has worked with: everyone from YMCA ticket takers to Amy Poehler. She's totally respectful of their work and talks of their contributions with a sort of dignity that more people should use. And her bold assertion of how we need to not tear each other down all of the time made me want to vote for her.

Another awesome woman on the topic of "why we don't ask Donald Trump what it feels like to be the boss of all those people" (that's me, paraphrasing Tina Fey) is Nicki Minaj. Whose body of work I honestly don't know that well. But I like what she has to say about the difference in attitudes about what happens when a man tells it how it is... and when a woman does it. You can watch the interview here.

#Baws.

...Keeps the Doctor Away

All images courtesy {this is glamorous}

Notwithstanding the fact that I own (and am still learning to properly use) an iPhone... this article from Saturday's NYTimes gives me serious pause when I consider the incredible mark up. [Workers in China who build the fancy gadgetry we're gaga over earn $17 a day.]

But the folks at Apple do know a thing or six about design. I present to you the Apple store in Paris.
 
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