Impetus...

Courtesy Melody Ehsani

Just some of the things I like to think about when I'm praising and thanking God....

The Same Thing We Do Every Night...

Bitte ein Kuss

No - not take over the world... Praise the Lord! No, seriously... I praise the Lord every night. Okay, so sometimes I just chat with Him - tell Him about my day, etc. But depending on circumstances in my life and/or the things on my mind, I have more serious conversations with God. Like recently. I won't say that I've been having what are commonly known as bad days - this is categorically untrue. But I'm at a juncture in my life where I need to more closely examine my goals and decisions. To speak plainly, I need to conquer my 'self' - more on this later.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá taught "O seeker of Truth! If thou desirest that God may open thine eye, thou must supplicate unto God, pray to and commune with Him at midnight..."

So last night at shortly after midnight, I sang out with my heart and soul the following prayer:

"I adjure Thee by Thy might, O my God! Let no harm beset me in times of tests, and in moments of heedlessness guide my steps aright through Thine inspiration. Thou art God, potent art Thou to what Thou desirest. No one can withstand Thy Will or thwart Thy Purpose."

Did I mention the part where I have paper thin walls and a slightly tuneless voice (I mean charming)....

To Infinity...

Image credit, Bitte...

Vocabulary lesson or word of the day - as you like.

penumbra \pi-NUHM-bruh\, noun:

1. An area in which something exists to an uncertain degree.

2. Astronomy. The partial or imperfect shadow outside the complete shadow of an opaque body, as a planet, where the light from the source of illumination is only partly cut off.

3. The grayish marginal portion of a sunspot.

Penumbra was coined as an astronomy term in 1660, but gained widespread modern usage after Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas wrote about penumbras in the U.S. Constitution, in the landmark 1965 case Griswold v. Connecticut.

...I'll know it when I see it?

Lost Art, Indeed...

So even though I think I'm finally getting the hang of iTunes and electronic musical filing systems, generally - I still really love record stores (this is my favorite name for free standing shops that sell music. Sue me).

About 5 years ago I was in a computer mega-store (maintaining anonymity because the name currently escapes me - but you know the kind...) :: they always had the best selection and prices. So here I am browsing the harmonious offerings, hoping to find something I couldn't live without - when I saw Carmen Rizzo's "Lost Art of the Idle Moment". Truthfully? I liked the cover art - got it home and totally fell in love with the album.

It is time (and past), methinks, to share it. Unless you and Sir Rizzo are besties ...in which case, where have you been all of my life?

The Wide World of Aimee Piper...

Pretty picture found ...from where I no longer remember.

Give us a shout out if you recognize it....

Sometimes my technological ineptitude amazes even me. Lessons learned today: A server is not a browser - they are not ‘same same’.

A server is, in fact, a computer. But here’s the best part! The little black box doesn’t even need to be fancy! And I quote: “the simplest computer will do – you just need the right code and stuff”.

Okay… I clearly took liberties with the “code and stuff” – but Omid was over my head as soon as he said they are not the same because “;asrh;aoshmnAOwiefhnnknv”.

Thanks for humoring my work related annecdotes. You're the best.

May Day...

3 am :: no makeup

Commemoration of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh

Sunset: Seawall in 'Akká

So I dug out the new (recycled) camera this weekend - I spent Friday afternoon until the pre-dawn hours of Saturday in the 'greater 'Akká area' as one of a relative few priviliged to commemorate the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh at the Spot of His Holy resting place.

I also had a water polo game against Tel Aviv (again) that we lost spectacularly (sigh... again). This time we played in Givat Haim - a kibbutz outside of Tel Aviv. They have a really rad pool - which is no surprise considering that community's long history with water polo and swimming. Alas, I didn't get any pictures from the game - but in my defense I was in the water.

June Gloom...

Artist: Christopher David Ryan

June gloom is a Southern California term for a weather pattern that results in overcast skies with cool temperatures during the late spring and early summer in the mornings and afternoons. For example, June is the cloudiest month of the year in San Diego. [information courtesy wikipedia.]

June gloom is also what happens when your friends leave on jet planes. For permanently. Like Will. ...sigh.