" To be hopeful in bad times is not foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact, the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage and kindness... what we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst. it will destroy our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places- and there are so many- where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of the world in a different direction... And if we do act, in however small a way we don't have to wait for some utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live in defiance of all that is bad around us, is its self a marvelous victory"- Howard Zinn
Parts of a long amount of quotes listed on rethinkingschools.org from the day of his passing this January. I had pieced it to read to a group of High School students from Spain that were growing and being challenged as they built in Dakar, Senegal that week. The words, as many of this man, are well worth repeating.
http://www.zinnedproject.org/ a link for classroom use or anyone else interested The Zinn Education Project
Thursday, September 9, 2010
bare foot
I want to be where
your bare foot walks,
because maybe before you step,
you'll look at the ground.
I want that blessing.
-Rumi
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
smelling the seven roses
"And we confirmed once again that those who do not sing cannot even imagine the joys of singing."
Today passing, lounging in the deep wine valour and soft satin cloak my mother wore when she was my age. In the depths of another Garcia Marquez novel interrupted thought for food preparation and the correct time for taking my expanded library of pills and tinctures for healing, now at seven bottles lining the ironing board in the kitchen. Lutui come and goes. He curles up to get a tummy rub or encircles my chair to be sure I am noticing and giving proper attention to the moment I'm in and more specifically him.
I was to be on the road over a week ago. Continuing my fluid landing in the states by visiting many states in a few months, many family members and many trees. My plans, if I can propose to make such things, were to be still after these coming months. Maybe some time at Kripalu, Omega or with a teacher keeping myself "outside" of myself and giving myself the space and environment to "let the weeds grow" like farmers allow for thier land every 7 years. A meditation was pulling at me, to breath deeply and get a rythem in place.
This is not something to plan for. As it seems I have my meditation. It exists without judgment or argument behind my lens. Film, not digital, is essential for letting go of knowing and being still... has been prescribed, along with the bottles, from my doctor. Resting, stillness, joy, clean eating. Seems just what I needed. The slow down that is work to listen to in my mind has been directed from the other side of the counter...And on my back porch I stare at the trees and REALLY enjoy the light.
A bike ride with my Leica slung over my chest, black and white roll inside and a smile on my face. So glad to be back with my best friend, in an environment where we live together just occasionally put aside for a tree that needs my large format instead. My daily rides are only matched by the daily walks with mom. These weeks are being enjoyed and learned from.
Today passing, lounging in the deep wine valour and soft satin cloak my mother wore when she was my age. In the depths of another Garcia Marquez novel interrupted thought for food preparation and the correct time for taking my expanded library of pills and tinctures for healing, now at seven bottles lining the ironing board in the kitchen. Lutui come and goes. He curles up to get a tummy rub or encircles my chair to be sure I am noticing and giving proper attention to the moment I'm in and more specifically him.
I was to be on the road over a week ago. Continuing my fluid landing in the states by visiting many states in a few months, many family members and many trees. My plans, if I can propose to make such things, were to be still after these coming months. Maybe some time at Kripalu, Omega or with a teacher keeping myself "outside" of myself and giving myself the space and environment to "let the weeds grow" like farmers allow for thier land every 7 years. A meditation was pulling at me, to breath deeply and get a rythem in place.
This is not something to plan for. As it seems I have my meditation. It exists without judgment or argument behind my lens. Film, not digital, is essential for letting go of knowing and being still... has been prescribed, along with the bottles, from my doctor. Resting, stillness, joy, clean eating. Seems just what I needed. The slow down that is work to listen to in my mind has been directed from the other side of the counter...And on my back porch I stare at the trees and REALLY enjoy the light.
A bike ride with my Leica slung over my chest, black and white roll inside and a smile on my face. So glad to be back with my best friend, in an environment where we live together just occasionally put aside for a tree that needs my large format instead. My daily rides are only matched by the daily walks with mom. These weeks are being enjoyed and learned from.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Miami Dolphin spring break 2003
Strange I try to write our story. Just for me to have. A love story yet I find the words, I have so come to play with, are lacking on this one. Maybe its not over. So here is one I wrote...maybe not love but timing and location and something else …
The diversity of love by a woman with a bad memory…
Spring break filled with saying goodbye. The woman, core backbone of our family is on Hospis in the condo. The man, who didn’t show tenderness, sitting in deep emotion and processing with my mother by his side and me over her bed. I am loving, confused and photographing our angel.
A friend has come for me…to spend a few days on the beach and at her moms. Next door to Celine Dions and then to South Beach…to be some proper Spring Break…meet up with a crew of her friends at the hotel..and find myself alone one phone call. Sorting plans to get picked up and head back to the condo and airport.
I walked and the clouds moved. Grandmother there saying goodbye, saying hello, as they splash in the pool. I wander to the beach. Feel the water as I wade in, the pressure so much and I lay back to float. The rain has started to come down softly and I close my eyes as I allow all the water to wash over me. All the warm water, my tears washed into the sea and I am flying. Heavy and light and lifted out of the water, I am in the arms of a man. As I open my eyes I watch concern turn to a smile and he asks if im alright. I nod, he is not placing me down but I am still at peace and he does some introduction, Miami pro football player. He asks if he can support me. I can’t remember more. I close my eyes again, in my state of collapse the support brings grounding in some stability. I am laying back with the rain falling and breathing. Time passes slowly. Still with the water everywhere in motion, freeing me. I lifted my head and rolled back into the water and stood facing the quite stranger that needed no explanation. A soft small kiss of rainfall shared and I turned towards the beach and walked. Towards the people, to await my ride, to join the family, to take our flight …and to her say never goodbye.
The diversity of love by a woman with a bad memory…
Spring break filled with saying goodbye. The woman, core backbone of our family is on Hospis in the condo. The man, who didn’t show tenderness, sitting in deep emotion and processing with my mother by his side and me over her bed. I am loving, confused and photographing our angel.
A friend has come for me…to spend a few days on the beach and at her moms. Next door to Celine Dions and then to South Beach…to be some proper Spring Break…meet up with a crew of her friends at the hotel..and find myself alone one phone call. Sorting plans to get picked up and head back to the condo and airport.
I walked and the clouds moved. Grandmother there saying goodbye, saying hello, as they splash in the pool. I wander to the beach. Feel the water as I wade in, the pressure so much and I lay back to float. The rain has started to come down softly and I close my eyes as I allow all the water to wash over me. All the warm water, my tears washed into the sea and I am flying. Heavy and light and lifted out of the water, I am in the arms of a man. As I open my eyes I watch concern turn to a smile and he asks if im alright. I nod, he is not placing me down but I am still at peace and he does some introduction, Miami pro football player. He asks if he can support me. I can’t remember more. I close my eyes again, in my state of collapse the support brings grounding in some stability. I am laying back with the rain falling and breathing. Time passes slowly. Still with the water everywhere in motion, freeing me. I lifted my head and rolled back into the water and stood facing the quite stranger that needed no explanation. A soft small kiss of rainfall shared and I turned towards the beach and walked. Towards the people, to await my ride, to join the family, to take our flight …and to her say never goodbye.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
A letter to a friend. mystery drink
Up a mountain, around a corner and over a cliff we go on the way to grandmothers house, wrong story, on the way to affiliate community in a town. Arrive at the house we have been looking for of the blacksmith, here thought of as the people with magic so ostracized. Normal introductions, blah blah, purpose of me being there etc. and I give my traveling colleagues the look, they all leave and Im with the family to make fotos and generally entertain. He shows me some ring working and his wife joins. To the next room and it’s the kitchen, energy saving stove and children for the pictures. Another contraption, two bowls and something else. I take a couple pictures and she returns with a water bottle full of clear liquid. I guess this thing is what they use to make it and a shot glass is filled to the brim for me. Its 9-930 in the morning so I just taste a tiny bit, I mean drop on the tongue bit, and am warm instantly. A smile on my face and close to a cough. Haha. If I had taken that shot, oh they would have been some lively photos to follow back to the living room. More photos then we relax they put music and the little girls are up and dancing then the 20 something boy and then me. In aww of this crazy shoulder movements I have not seen EVER. Such shoulder gyration! Shit my shoulders hurt when I left that house to call to my colleges to do their interviews while I wonder around the community to make more photos and be entertained and entertain. A push up competitions on some boulders of balance with some boys soon came to follow.
Just a normal unpredictable morning like most days of this year all over. I figured it out 17 countries in 12 months, definitely a record for me. But Eastern Asia…I have never been past central Asia (ex USSR area). My volunteer status for a year doesn’t make it bankable for me to come travel but its with a frown that I say that. Turning down travel with good company is hard for me. But Id like a rain check for adventure some time. And if finance changes suddenly in the next couple months Ill be asking where to meet up.
The rows had for three days now. I was giving photo training to colleague while in one of the leprosy communities here. He had to make photos I stayed still, so a woman braided. Easier then dealing with hair since my scarf flew away but they are not meant for my slippery hair its just getting to be a big ol mess and a group of international volunteers arrive tonight and I have to look presentable, being Habi staff and all.
Just a normal unpredictable morning like most days of this year all over. I figured it out 17 countries in 12 months, definitely a record for me. But Eastern Asia…I have never been past central Asia (ex USSR area). My volunteer status for a year doesn’t make it bankable for me to come travel but its with a frown that I say that. Turning down travel with good company is hard for me. But Id like a rain check for adventure some time. And if finance changes suddenly in the next couple months Ill be asking where to meet up.
The rows had for three days now. I was giving photo training to colleague while in one of the leprosy communities here. He had to make photos I stayed still, so a woman braided. Easier then dealing with hair since my scarf flew away but they are not meant for my slippery hair its just getting to be a big ol mess and a group of international volunteers arrive tonight and I have to look presentable, being Habi staff and all.
Friday, July 2, 2010
World Cup part 3 The Abduction
USA Vs. Algeria and Yos is coming to town. To be honest I will get all into it for the US game with my hometown Man crew and others and because it’s the world cup how can one not?! I will 
really support our country. But my hearts just not in it like I am for Ghana. I will get a bit up in for Argentina as well. So the crew showed up. Two cars deep, one being a Land Cruiser so packed. I didn’t even see everyone who rode in till after the stadium. Loftis, very different stadium then the glowing one in Cape Town. We sat with maybe 50 kids. The non-profit Chris works with is partners with FIFA to bringing local kids to the matches. Those girls had worked out dances, lots of vuvus as usual and security of removing the people who just would sit down because we were closer than their seats.As I understand it assigned seating is something new to the area.
Highlight was my bug. Girls ran screaming than when we were wandering, I saw its beauty and people just almost stepping on it. I lay my hand down it climbing on and i began
the dissent to leave the stadium. It was about the size of my palm and beautiful. After some walking I found a tree for it where we returned for Yos to boost me to take out of the stadium blocked area and all the horns. We walked the distance back to the field at the boys school and found the party at the cars. Lots of star spangled banner singing with random Americans who saw the painted faces of those with me. More Ithacans then I knew where there. I love seeing I-towners in other countries I hung with the bug and them until there was talk of an abduction to be talking place. The bug was placed in a tree and I was directed in the way back with caleb to be handed face paint and get ready to head to Joberg and see Ghana!!! And Germany. And train back to my city the next day.Traffic crazy, cars stopped in the middle of the high way, cars on fire, total chaos, two were instructed out of the car to run towards the stadium parking…to many details in general for the night. Stadium incredible! Fifth row back, just behind where all the photographers sit, perfect. Screaming to lose my voice until my second day in Ethiopia. A night of Jolly after 
meeting new people bouncing to various locations, dancing of course…the next day hours figuring out how to get home with my camera in bag and bottle of whiskey brought from the states so I can give it to a well deserving person in SA and a train ride that I covered the bag with my jacket, as the passengers on the train asked why I was on it and warned me against people. But you don’t need to go to the market if you ride it everything is sold on there. I arrived safe with a new person to ring for lunch or another round of pool, a hall had been stopped in as we awaited my ride to the office some hours, home to pack and then to Ethiopia.
World Cup part 1 Opening ceremonies
Lyrics to Waka Waka
“Time for Africa ”
You’re a good soldier, choosing your battles
Pick yourself up, and dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle
You’re on the front line, everyone’s watching
You know it’s serious
We’re getting closer
This isn’t over
The pressure’s on; you feel it
But you got it all; believe it
When you fall get up oh, oh
And if you fall get up eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Listen to your god; this is our motto
Your time to shine
Don’t wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising their expectations
Go on and feel it, this is your moment
No hesitation
Today’s your day, I feel it
You paved the way, believe it
If you get down, get up oh, oh
When you get down, get up eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Did I mention Im I've been in South Africa for the start of the World Cup and all its amazingness.
I admit I started wanting Cameroon to take it all...thier first match spoke to that not being possible...
GO GHANA it has been since!!!!!
Opening ceremonies found me on the Eastern Coast in Cape Town.
Starting the day early in Mufali, Township. A Habitat Youth build. Great people and almost everyone in the township seemed to be smiling. The party had started and the home owners-to-be had the normal quotes of transformation the house would bring to their family. The family could avoid some of the sickness that was brought on from the freezing houses made of aluminum and cardboard or other materials. The damp would stay out and they would have space to move and sleep in the house. We are so excited we will be able to invite friends over to watch the World Cup. The TV is being brought over and we can all watch together in our home.
I watched Mexico and South Africa playing on the screen, talking to my father in Spanish as I rooted for the home team, not mine but where I live now. And the first goal was ours! Of the World Cup! I can't put into words how important that kick was for Africa. HUGE!! The streets were wild. Vuvuzelas blowing, the people were together, proud, and FEELING IT. Another phone call to my friend, the French Ambassador and upon the earlier request, it was a stop by and pick up that extra ticket for her and we were off. Race to the spot to grab the tickets, to the apartment to grab warm cloths because night time is C.O.L.D. in SA and walk over since the apartments close to the stadium…Beautiful, silver and lit something like I would imagine the starship enterprise, style modernized for when we all take off to Pluto.
Energy and people painted , I matched with blue and white coat and pink/red checkered WOOL pants. There with the French ticket so the dress supported. NO face painting. Good seats but not the best I’ve sat yet….
Afterward we found a Brazilian party in a library, live music and directions to return a few days later for the mask night of keys in a Bowl…and see who you end up with sort of night. Didn’t make it to that one.
The next couple days were spent with Chris and Micah as I-town crew plus more. Face painted with an American Flag and Fan Park, bar and all over. !!!The street were ALIVE and Vuvuzela beer bong was created…no participation from me as I still am not the beer drinker.
“Time for Africa ”
You’re a good soldier, choosing your battles
Pick yourself up, and dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle
You’re on the front line, everyone’s watching
You know it’s serious
We’re getting closer
This isn’t over
The pressure’s on; you feel it
But you got it all; believe it
When you fall get up oh, oh
And if you fall get up eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Listen to your god; this is our motto
Your time to shine
Don’t wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising their expectations
Go on and feel it, this is your moment
No hesitation
Today’s your day, I feel it
You paved the way, believe it
If you get down, get up oh, oh
When you get down, get up eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Did I mention Im I've been in South Africa for the start of the World Cup and all its amazingness.
I admit I started wanting Cameroon to take it all...thier first match spoke to that not being possible...
GO GHANA it has been since!!!!!
Opening ceremonies found me on the Eastern Coast in Cape Town.
Starting the day early in Mufali, Township. A Habitat Youth build. Great people and almost everyone in the township seemed to be smiling. The party had started and the home owners-to-be had the normal quotes of transformation the house would bring to their family. The family could avoid some of the sickness that was brought on from the freezing houses made of aluminum and cardboard or other materials. The damp would stay out and they would have space to move and sleep in the house. We are so excited we will be able to invite friends over to watch the World Cup. The TV is being brought over and we can all watch together in our home.
I watched Mexico and South Africa playing on the screen, talking to my father in Spanish as I rooted for the home team, not mine but where I live now. And the first goal was ours! Of the World Cup! I can't put into words how important that kick was for Africa. HUGE!! The streets were wild. Vuvuzelas blowing, the people were together, proud, and FEELING IT. Another phone call to my friend, the French Ambassador and upon the earlier request, it was a stop by and pick up that extra ticket for her and we were off. Race to the spot to grab the tickets, to the apartment to grab warm cloths because night time is C.O.L.D. in SA and walk over since the apartments close to the stadium…Beautiful, silver and lit something like I would imagine the starship enterprise, style modernized for when we all take off to Pluto.
Energy and people painted , I matched with blue and white coat and pink/red checkered WOOL pants. There with the French ticket so the dress supported. NO face painting. Good seats but not the best I’ve sat yet….
Afterward we found a Brazilian party in a library, live music and directions to return a few days later for the mask night of keys in a Bowl…and see who you end up with sort of night. Didn’t make it to that one.
The next couple days were spent with Chris and Micah as I-town crew plus more. Face painted with an American Flag and Fan Park, bar and all over. !!!The street were ALIVE and Vuvuzela beer bong was created…no participation from me as I still am not the beer drinker.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
swimming in the sea
If my memory serves me, which it rarely does, I will try to recall this embedded ultimate emotional time in the sea. ACS British Virgin Islands Trip. What a crew. Autumn, Davida and Sophie snorkeling, Dalie and I declined. We wanted so much to explore the rock formations, code for we were terrified of everything in the ocean so to explore something else we went.
Crawling through the rocks in the shallow puddles for lots of time and distance. Beautiful. Around a corner we turned and one of us, can’t remember who, fell off the side. And the other followed, I believe out of eternal support for the other one. Right out in the ocean, nowhere near shore we discovered when swimming out from the rocks up high that blocked our view.
It followed with a bit of panic. Taking turns jumping on each other’s backs while the other swam…until a small boat passed and picked us…just in time to look down at the octopus directly below us. My ultimate fear….
part 2: a whole new world
All of my dreams have been filled with underwater traversing and motion of corrals expressing the current. On the second day of two we dove deeper then I had been. 30 feet of relaxing buoyancy. Coasting the coral and bottom in the pull we danced with the fish in. Feeling a rhythm of breathing and peacefully smiling with content in the newness of what I saw. A fun group to dive with blaring rock music as we coasted after resurfacing for a few minutes until a fin was spotted. To my surprise we all put the snorkels on to jump in the water next to the shark. A whale shark got us back in the water. my back drop landed me at her eyes. And I swam with her at a fraction of her speed while she passed, little fish glowing bellow her tummy and I swam with the others to a point and then boarded. A bit of fear swimming with something of the enormity and power. I did not know that people will dive for 15 years and never see one. I would have swam harder to keep up if I had known. But my moment is memorable.
It started years ago when living in Prague my desire to Scuba Dive. A fear so strong of the dark unknown made me want to go into it. In coming to South Africa I decided that the two things I must do was taste a particular bottle of wine coming very highly recommended to me and get trained to Scuba Dive. I didn't know Sadwona Bay is ranked one of the top places in the world or how I would end where I wanted to be...deep in the water. This weekend after some previous studies and diving. I was free and wet.
And I recommend it!!!
If your in SA go to ScubaDoo diving. They are amazing! make even me tranquil breathing where air comes from a cylinder on your back
Crawling through the rocks in the shallow puddles for lots of time and distance. Beautiful. Around a corner we turned and one of us, can’t remember who, fell off the side. And the other followed, I believe out of eternal support for the other one. Right out in the ocean, nowhere near shore we discovered when swimming out from the rocks up high that blocked our view.
It followed with a bit of panic. Taking turns jumping on each other’s backs while the other swam…until a small boat passed and picked us…just in time to look down at the octopus directly below us. My ultimate fear….
part 2: a whole new world
All of my dreams have been filled with underwater traversing and motion of corrals expressing the current. On the second day of two we dove deeper then I had been. 30 feet of relaxing buoyancy. Coasting the coral and bottom in the pull we danced with the fish in. Feeling a rhythm of breathing and peacefully smiling with content in the newness of what I saw. A fun group to dive with blaring rock music as we coasted after resurfacing for a few minutes until a fin was spotted. To my surprise we all put the snorkels on to jump in the water next to the shark. A whale shark got us back in the water. my back drop landed me at her eyes. And I swam with her at a fraction of her speed while she passed, little fish glowing bellow her tummy and I swam with the others to a point and then boarded. A bit of fear swimming with something of the enormity and power. I did not know that people will dive for 15 years and never see one. I would have swam harder to keep up if I had known. But my moment is memorable.
It started years ago when living in Prague my desire to Scuba Dive. A fear so strong of the dark unknown made me want to go into it. In coming to South Africa I decided that the two things I must do was taste a particular bottle of wine coming very highly recommended to me and get trained to Scuba Dive. I didn't know Sadwona Bay is ranked one of the top places in the world or how I would end where I wanted to be...deep in the water. This weekend after some previous studies and diving. I was free and wet.
And I recommend it!!!
If your in SA go to ScubaDoo diving. They are amazing! make even me tranquil breathing where air comes from a cylinder on your back
Monday, June 14, 2010
the comfort of rest
Half asleep in my mind, just enjoying the sun going down through the window as night came. I am at my most peaceful state feeling the soft breathing of the beauty sleeping on the back of my hand. Scales cold, tummy warm and I rest with a deep smile. The old man they call him, not that old yet but an appearance of being very aged. He is one of the few of the longest chameleons in the world.
I have come to be apart of a home and family. Taking me to weekends on the farm and home in the week to rest with the lizard and pythons I so enjoy reading in the sun with.
On the farm a pace of life is just to my liking with trees and fields and flowing water. I run in the fields over cabbage heads sloshing in mud and avoiding the watering that is coming down until I remember i WONT melt and I begin springing through the water as I get onto the squash rows and begin my harvesting of organic vegi's.
The farm house we stay in is next to the main house and not like the farm houses im used to. Workmanship of the family has made it exquisite...And its available for guest to rent world cup time if anyone's interested. some pics I took of it...6 bedrooms,2 floors balconies, 4 full baths :)
The room I stay in and bath I really stay in!
The workshop, security and a sweet tree.
Lovely moments of life I am enjoying.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
three encounters
As in traditions it is when you encounter for the third time by chance that their is something to be noted, extra liberty is allowed for extending energy to understand why you have met. A few days ago I encountered for the third time in lobby of my hotel in Amman (capitol of Jordan) someone whom I met with two other times in the small town of Gor Al Safi some hours away. Therefor I accepted the cafe invitation for the evening. Ignoring the language barrier we would inevitably encounter without the usual people around who do translating.
We met and in the first minutes in the car I realized asking if we were going close or far was not so simple and the referencing of space and using hand gesture began for an evening of actually much discussion. We passed the club I had danced in with some volunteers after being taken there by a gentlman from the national basketball team, as you need to be on a list to get in anywhere here it seems, after singing in streets and generally amusing the people we passed. In a land where women are covered from head to toe we found where the wealthy play and with not nearly so much cloths on. We were the ones looking conservative. And not to worry we did Americans proud on that dance floor as usual.
I digress, back to my cafe evening now. arrival scurry up rounded stairs from the alley from the main street we left behind and a very full large room. Many eyes on me as I walk alone, my companion grabbing something down stairs, and I realize as I am sat by a waiter with another three trailing behind me just to walk with us,,, its seem almost all men in the place. Laughing, having a grand time, the live guitar playing wonderful music and the different smelling tobaccos from the Hucka or hubbly bubbly as its called, rising in the air and the spices of the cafe...and I ask to move to the patio. I didnt mention I realized I was feeling quite sick again. This much I could express and he knew about my illness in Gor Al Safi, as did all the governing community people it seemed. I had been very ill and thought it was going to be something like my Romanian adventure where I ended up in the hospital for days but luckley I recovered and while out for cafe realized I hadn't.
I did not let that get me in my way, although no yummy Turkish cafe for me and the dancing that was to follow was canceled we enjoyed the smoke, i only a very tiny bit and continued about talking sometime with a friend translating on the phone and sometimes alright on our own. More ladies showed up at tables. But it was still a lively room of smoke and smiles and men with dark hair and speaking Arabic while doing some clapping to the music.
It was on the top of the building and enjoyable to look at the lights. then we walked a bit since we were in the center of the city but short I was on the path for home due to the re occurring nausea. One last stop. this is where my recommendation comes in. We went to an exclusive hotel called Le Royal. through the security guard frisk and the marble entrance way. up the elevator,,oh not helping the tummy. out to a door that cant be opened but i can see through the glass the city glowing, so beautiful!!! and then we start looking around corners for another door and through a restaurant we find and to that patio on the other side of the door. It is magnificent. The shimmering of the lights against the true dark of the sky outskirts. If you are in Amman go to the top of Le Royal, have a drink or just go and gaze at night. SoOO beautiful. and im not even one who enjoys city views but this one took my breath and left me full and smiling.
and the pic is of me in Gor Al Safi at the end of the dead sea. Thats what all the white is. salt. soon to cover me since i was in it making photos...this is due to getting the comment of no photos of me ever. I'll try.
capetown and old friends
It is something extraordinary that feeling when you have spent some extended period “on the road” and you find yourself in a shared space that so deeply feels like home. I am heading back to Pretoria now after a short stay in Cape Town where a childhood friend is living. Arriving tiered, the first time not on the move I have had since something close to July but being at peace, comfortable and relaxed just on entering the door and the hug greeting me. I relayed to him a memory that got brought up at the dinner party of his girlfriend later that week as Tahila used to run around naked. In turn I told the group he was right there with the rest of kids, all minus the cloths…
The memory: As children on Beach Hill Pond, clothing was option at the pond; swimming with something on would get in the way of the water and never occurred to me as something to do. One frightful day Chris brought someone from school to the Pond. Someone mainstream could be said. In the moment I saw him and ran behind a bush I became conscious that we were not suppose to be running around naked together still at age 8 or at least that the way we lead our life was quite different then most of the kids I went to school with.
One of the most enjoyable parts of my life are those moments now. I seem to move and listen and explore as to have those shocking moments of confrontation. The feeling is a jolt my system craves and then the processing of my new consciousness. A fractured reflection of many instances, of my life experienced. Or a readjustment in confusion as I’m sure was just the beginning of my processing at that young age.
Cape Town was a breath of air and a deep education in the South Africa that I only touch in the city where I get to visit my apartment now and again. Pretoria and Johannesburg are known to be very unsafe cities. This morning I got an email from the office of an alert to not open your car windows even a crack at intersections. With a new tightening of guns the new high jacking strategy is a particular liquid to your face, carried in syringe or cup. It might be the chemical sprayed when braking into a house so that the occupants don’t wake. Leaves you a bit debilitated but im sure happier than with repercussions of catching someone in your house. Everyone has a story. If it isn’t with a violent component than be happy and move on.
In my arrival to South Africa it was nice to see other “white” people. A month of people being interested to touch my hair and standing out so extremely made the first glance of cultural diversity of multiracial streets make me feel safer from lack of standing out. Soon the realization kicked in that in the square near my place where we were sitting there were so many people and so many tables. Mixing of people at each establishment but not within the tables. Egual cuando caminando los calles. There is some mixing of groups, seemingly from the work place at lunch time, but in my university area it is hardly the norm.
The beautiful day spent in Joberg going to the Annual Art Fair was incredible for some of the work, the textile lecture, the gallery that re inspired me to possibly share my work again, the performances pieces, incredible work from a collective university group from Sawato and the integrated room and groups of people. The night followed to see a concert of Freshly Ground. I highly recommend this group who are opening for the World Cup and had a house of alive people dancing and clapping and emotional. They are sometimes political and have energy in live performance that I have not seen in a while. Their new CD will come out in May. Joberg is different than Pretoria. Pretoria is the commercial/ governmental “filing cabinet”. Me in the most conservative of locals it seems…
Not to be mistaken by these words, I have met some wonderful people and gone to surrounding cheetah saving/education sanctuaries, seen incredible things and danced some wonderful nights here… but cape was still wonderful! and I look forward to my return in June.
In cape I enjoyed a couple days off to lounge in the park and paint, go to Museums, meet some lovely new friends, good food and not to leave out the beautiful wine of the wine region. And I rode my first public bus, no problem but not for the night time or dusk.
was to be continued...but this is some weeks old already and a trip has happened to Jordan in the meantime..so...
The memory: As children on Beach Hill Pond, clothing was option at the pond; swimming with something on would get in the way of the water and never occurred to me as something to do. One frightful day Chris brought someone from school to the Pond. Someone mainstream could be said. In the moment I saw him and ran behind a bush I became conscious that we were not suppose to be running around naked together still at age 8 or at least that the way we lead our life was quite different then most of the kids I went to school with.
One of the most enjoyable parts of my life are those moments now. I seem to move and listen and explore as to have those shocking moments of confrontation. The feeling is a jolt my system craves and then the processing of my new consciousness. A fractured reflection of many instances, of my life experienced. Or a readjustment in confusion as I’m sure was just the beginning of my processing at that young age.
Cape Town was a breath of air and a deep education in the South Africa that I only touch in the city where I get to visit my apartment now and again. Pretoria and Johannesburg are known to be very unsafe cities. This morning I got an email from the office of an alert to not open your car windows even a crack at intersections. With a new tightening of guns the new high jacking strategy is a particular liquid to your face, carried in syringe or cup. It might be the chemical sprayed when braking into a house so that the occupants don’t wake. Leaves you a bit debilitated but im sure happier than with repercussions of catching someone in your house. Everyone has a story. If it isn’t with a violent component than be happy and move on.
In my arrival to South Africa it was nice to see other “white” people. A month of people being interested to touch my hair and standing out so extremely made the first glance of cultural diversity of multiracial streets make me feel safer from lack of standing out. Soon the realization kicked in that in the square near my place where we were sitting there were so many people and so many tables. Mixing of people at each establishment but not within the tables. Egual cuando caminando los calles. There is some mixing of groups, seemingly from the work place at lunch time, but in my university area it is hardly the norm.
The beautiful day spent in Joberg going to the Annual Art Fair was incredible for some of the work, the textile lecture, the gallery that re inspired me to possibly share my work again, the performances pieces, incredible work from a collective university group from Sawato and the integrated room and groups of people. The night followed to see a concert of Freshly Ground. I highly recommend this group who are opening for the World Cup and had a house of alive people dancing and clapping and emotional. They are sometimes political and have energy in live performance that I have not seen in a while. Their new CD will come out in May. Joberg is different than Pretoria. Pretoria is the commercial/ governmental “filing cabinet”. Me in the most conservative of locals it seems…
Not to be mistaken by these words, I have met some wonderful people and gone to surrounding cheetah saving/education sanctuaries, seen incredible things and danced some wonderful nights here… but cape was still wonderful! and I look forward to my return in June.
In cape I enjoyed a couple days off to lounge in the park and paint, go to Museums, meet some lovely new friends, good food and not to leave out the beautiful wine of the wine region. And I rode my first public bus, no problem but not for the night time or dusk.
was to be continued...but this is some weeks old already and a trip has happened to Jordan in the meantime..so...
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
MAPPing
The visited and plain tickets bought for visiting in my 6 months over here. But I am thinking Mozambique will be added for diving certification and just general beach enjoyment
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
purple clouds- a true ramble
As large as my head
baby Nile MonitorI have been enjoying some days of rest, in honor of Easter time. This meaning some days in my home spending hours talking via Skype to my parents, two of my brothers and a new sister-in-law to be. The possibility of viewing each other or just voices through my newest joy of Black beans and Jalapenos discovered by the Costa Rican, and other such great moments in life to be shared for hours on end continent-ally.
I am here in Botswana (the country)now with the Batswana(the people) motswana(a person) not understanding Setswana(the language) yet but as always intrigued in what the language spells out about the culture I am in. Ever since I was learning czech and discovered the lack of "should" as in "should have" in the language and how that played into the people I was with for that year.
He will be eaten when she is done mating, poor little guy
Its nice to be away from the racial hot zone of South Africa, hitting the media in many representations over the week, at least on this continent. I am finding a nice place there in my recent trip with a couple friends to see lizards and snakes. Generously I was invited into the enclosure with some of the Monitors and later we skipped off to the base of the dam to scuffle through reeds and trees along the water and hike up a bit in search of more Monitors. Many spiders encountered and trees. oh lovely trees. Cacti in the middle of lush greenery caught me off guard. it was summer Danby, NY overgrowth with El Paso, TX cactus in the middle of it. A new sort of ecosphere mixing for me.
Rock Monitor
My luggage again did not arrive with me, just me and my cameras. Leaving me to believe these are notes in detachment and a lean towards Buddhism.
Oh and the purple clouds of the brewing storm on our three hour drive today from the airport were stunning over the forest of low trees. The rain that followed cleaned the air but the image is imprinted, in my mind, and on film. sorry no dig. Yes film because Erik and Chelsea brought my Hassy back from the states with them. I am mobile again in my creations, not limited to South Africa only due to not being able to transport my 4x5 when visiting other countries...until my film runs out, 220 is not sold in the country of SA.
SA dam- where the water runs beautiful blue and neon green from the Township above.Saturday, March 20, 2010
In honor of Sakagawea
In honoring and exploring....and notice the t-shirts of everyone. In editing in post these stood out :)
Also as every impressed with these guys.
www.clenchedfistproductions.com
to Charles Mintz
if I could say something in honor of you it would be thank you
For always believing I can achieve my potential
For pushing that nothing comes before family
That you and grandmas love is everlasting
i appreciate your aptitude
For being critical and challenging one's self and mind
For demanding the hot soup you rightfully deserve
For trying to support and understand my ways and our families when they naturally conflicted with your aged beliefs of life as you had known it
And respected the challenges and change of the world you experienced and importantly how you watched us go through in our personal best approaches and navigation
you are forever my inspiration
To lead as loving and full and hardworking of a life I can
Always placing family at my core
i love you
And through my tears of longing to sit and talk with you for hours
I am deeply happy for you. That you led a very long and full life
And are now back with grandma where you belong.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
postive hip hop making change world over
Festival International de Hiphop et de Cultures Urbaines Dakar Senegal5 édition 18 - 27 Juin 2010
Contact:
festa2hfestival@googlemail.com
myspace.com/festa2hfestiva
MATADOR
MATADOR
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
as a blond in guatemala
And on the bus ride out of the business capitol to the government capitol my stomach is tightening, my body alive, erect, pushing from every pour as if it is trying to reach out to this intangible reality outside of myself. This, something to experience on the first bus to Xela from Guatemala city. Everything is the same because we are all humans love, life, water, shelter, food, anger, hope.
But here there is no blending in for me to experience silently. My ach as I take in faster then i know what to do with. As I can only allow it to wash over me and swallow me in to be saturated, confused at peace and smiling.
In Guate the illusion of my physicality placed me as local but from the capitol city, unless I opened my mouth.(until later when English was not my regularly used tongue and I could fully own my disguise if I wanted). Here no cover.
The sun is not so strong yet and everything looks brown. Even the things brightly painted are dim in the light. Just the bright foliage stands out. It could be after my two weeks in
Thursday, January 7, 2010
love the wool pants weather
On the road again. This time in the states. The sun has come up and nothing but snow covered factories, lakes towns and bridges pass by my train window. I am directed back to NY after, never enough time with my grandfather and family. He is such a beautiful being. One morning I woke before him and before his nurse arrived, meaning 6 am I was up. He caught me as I wondered past his door to brush my teeth and sent me for water for him. I sat on the edge of the bed and we talked about all the family stages that have passed, represented in the images on his walls. And I just looked over at him, appreciating him, so pleased when he relaxed into his smile or laughter of a memory or abstract thoughts about my life he likes to mention with proudness in his voice. Behind him are individual portraits of his mother, his father, him as a soldier and grandma as the nurse, must have been the time period when they met. At 97, 8 years waiting to join Grandmas side again, he is still the intellectual of always but confined by the vessel more now. Family comes in to town to join everyone already here and we spend a glorious afternoon together. Smiles, clothing exchanging and a bit of football viewing.
Snow so much snow. Feet on the ground blowing and balancing on the bodies of the trees angles from the strength of the wind over time and on the top of the heads of trees that hold pine needle or anything else that can survive this weather and sticks around.
Grandparents engagement story…
Grandpa was fighting in the world war and was injured. At this time there were women employed by Red Cross as well many volunteers who would run around dong many things. The soldiers on Charles floor got together some money to buy a women employee a gift to show her how much her work meant to them. They gave the collected money to a volunteer to buy roses while she was out. The women did not return. After some time Charles went as the rep to find out what they could about the women who had disappeared with the money. The answer the grunt of my grandfather was Toby… Surely she proved herself the calming spirit she is to calm my grandfather from the Bronx when making a complaint. After a couple weeks passed in the hospital, he asked her for a date. They dined and he proposed on that first date. She was catching a train home for the holiday break and told him she would tell him after talking with her parents. The answer was yes. I would like to thank the women who ran off with the money they all collected, a mitzvah without meaning to.
Snow so much snow. Feet on the ground blowing and balancing on the bodies of the trees angles from the strength of the wind over time and on the top of the heads of trees that hold pine needle or anything else that can survive this weather and sticks around.
Grandparents engagement story…
Grandpa was fighting in the world war and was injured. At this time there were women employed by Red Cross as well many volunteers who would run around dong many things. The soldiers on Charles floor got together some money to buy a women employee a gift to show her how much her work meant to them. They gave the collected money to a volunteer to buy roses while she was out. The women did not return. After some time Charles went as the rep to find out what they could about the women who had disappeared with the money. The answer the grunt of my grandfather was Toby… Surely she proved herself the calming spirit she is to calm my grandfather from the Bronx when making a complaint. After a couple weeks passed in the hospital, he asked her for a date. They dined and he proposed on that first date. She was catching a train home for the holiday break and told him she would tell him after talking with her parents. The answer was yes. I would like to thank the women who ran off with the money they all collected, a mitzvah without meaning to.
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