technical difficulties

While Monsieur Blogger has an app, there are technical difficulties. Posts aren't always published upon request, so the dates do not coincide with the date the posts were written. For those who, like me, organize their lives according to the calendar, I apologize for the jumbled world I've helped create. Happy New Year!

steinbeck or hemingway

There is a book, a short novel, of a couple on a beach, alone, honeymooning perhaps, in which the girl sets a goal to be as dark as possible. She is topless or naked, I can't remember. I have no memory of what happens next or the theme of the book. It's the only thing that has stayed in my mind, and the feeling associated with it is one of romantic freedom. The intimacy, the simplicity, the nakedness of being kissed by the sun. In a small way, I have honored that.

tiaras and gum

At a kiosk in the airport, along with the things you usually see in airport kiosks, there was a tiara. Ah, Mexico.

When I opened my packet of gum, sand spilled out. Ah, Mexico.

wrapping up

The end of a remarkable year. A year of change.

To have met people who attest to the genius of Arrested Development, people who do not ask me to repeat when I say I am from Palestine, people who can talk about books for as long and as passionately - a sign of good things to come.

Friendships that had just taken flight, in mid-air we went our separate ways.

color

Day 1, pre-sun, a Mexican guy said to me - I like your color - and pointed to the skin on his arm.

And here I've been, non-stop, taking in their skin color. The browns and whites, the red undertones of the indigenous Americans. Sunset-ish.

Where are you from? Acknowledging that my skin color doesn't fit the place and that he noticed.

There's honesty in the simplicity of his statement. Why stifle that with race-censored PC-ness? In the US people would be embarrassed to bring up your skin color even in a compliment. How silly.

obama unplugged

I hadn't seen this when I wrote the previous obama blog, but there's more here. Sincerity undoubted. 

pretty sure

Mother: Do you need to go to the potty?
4 year old: No.
Mother: Are you sure?
4 year old: Pretty sure.

Potty control: so-so. Subtleties of language: 100%.

obama

He wiped the corner of his eye at the memorial service for the CT children. I've never believed a politician more. Is it possible he's the exception??

He knows the only thing that matters in this moment is to join them in their vulnerability. An amazing speech. I've never been so moved. I'm riveted.

You can watch it here.

rated R

Elmo and Mrs. Santa putting their clothes on (after?).

Cover your children's eyes. And in the subway no less.

untitled

In a previous life, I was a mermaid.

UN (again)

It seems appropriate to pick up where we left off - the UN vote to "upgrade" from entity (one step above ether) to non-member, non-voting, non-everything state. And with that little bit we are prouder.

Thank you, Mr Blogger, for finding yourself an app. You, too, can toast to your new status.