Joy and Chaos with MP3 experiment

 Improv Everywhere comes to Cape Town, ZA

Balloon battles, and random high-fives.  Peeps got an afternoon of random spontaneity with a lesson in listening in the Bay of sunglasses, six-packs and pouty lips.

The cradle of the West in flames: Another one tears from gas

 This image could be from anywhere at the moment.


Activists are coming out and protesting for what we believe we need as a greater whole. These aren't local issues. We may live within borders but global issues cross and today we are more interconnected to stand in solidarity of human rights than ever before. Greece has started to protest austerity measures implemented by the government which is another stand against a system that isn't working for the people.  The cradle of the west is in flames which well may be a foreshadow of efforts to spark change around the world.  Dictators are stepping down, corrupt governments are being pressured, a call for action towards change is in order.  How many more curtains of tear gas and Molotov cocktails will have to be thrown?

I came across this website: Tips to survive a tear-gas protest which lists first-aid to bring with you and a 101 of all things considered when protecting you from tear-gas at a protest.  We can come prepared and aware, but intuitively I think we are capable to act and stand for peaceful change, educate ourselves and eachother to communicate.  While protesters on ground level are burning and blinding eachother, how can another wave of activism support the same issues and combat on another level without tears from gas?

It's Recess Time at the MOMA PS1, Long Island City, New York City

PS1 outside: an urban beach and inside out playpen 

William Kentridge's Zuma's shower head in the halls of PS1

 Last summer, My friend Claire took me to PS1, Long Island City. It was a rocking party and took you back to the feeling of being at school recess, but this time with beer tents, art and DJ's.

This pool installation fits the perfect vibe for my PS1 'student' school activities. Swim class without the swimming costume.

In Cape Town, the Design Indaba is happening and I can't wait to see all the innovative design projects that are being shared with the public for the first time! I didn't get the chance to dip into Erlich's pool but I love the interactivity it welcomes to the creative playground.

floor of baseball bats

playground love groove

classic PS1 classmate at recess

Leandro Erlich’s installation “Swimming Pool” at MOMA PS1, New York City.
Source: ps1.org via Athena on Pinterest 

Inhumane Energy

Source: via Athena on Pinterest           How can we reverse damage already done to the environment in Ecuador and our brothers and sisters who have been affected by the pollutants?

We can start to clean what has already been damaged by not tolerating inhumane systems of power and economy. I hope this case is a call to form better plans for our future and take on our power to make a change.

“The case really sends a message that companies operating in the undeveloped world cannot rely on a compliant government or lax environmental rules as a way of permanently insulating themselves from liability,” said Robert Percival, a law professor and director of the environmental law program at the University of Maryland School of Law in Baltimore. Click for more 

An apology is due but the money stays in those deep pockets fueling more greed and manipulation. Read more en espanol 
 If business' continue to practice in inhumane systems, then a call for compassion and innovation is pending for us to make change.  Let's create a more sustainable form and can we agree on what is sustainable?  

 "Everything lost can be found again in a new form and a new way" -Roan Robbins

Tunisia ☑ Egypt ☑ Iran ☐

"We are great people and we did something great.  This is the expected end for every dictator." Mahmoud Elhetta, an Egyptian protest organiser.

Source: english.aljazeera.net via Athena on Pinterest

The bridge leading to peace is a strong image. My thoughts and solidarity are with protestors in Iran during anti-government protests and the struggle towards change.

The EL in Chicago

I'm missing the El train.
The signs, the stops and the views above one of my favorite summer cities now covered in snow.

Oceans: See Life

 I saw the nature documentary film, Oceans, by Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud.

 Visually stunning footage of life below captivating me to sea/see life instead of sea/see food and understanding a human role of not using the Ocean as a commercial source but rather as a part of our living natural cycle.

 I read that human's blood and seawater are almost identical in chemical constituency. The Ocean is our life line, not in terms of being a source of seafood, but in seeing life and respecting it.

The Ocean produces half of the Earth's oxygen, so in making efforts to help reverse the negative human impacts to the ocean, you can decide if you are waiting to inhale.

Oceans: From the dark depth to the light of the surface . . .

The kelp laid on the sand like calligraphy. I was struck by these huge brown algaes laying on the sand, each telling it's story. I took these in 2008 when I first moved to Cape Town, KELPstaad a.k.a iKELPa. It was sunset at Long Beach, Kommetjie.

Voices on Obama: Emmanuel

It’s very interesting for an African to become the president in the United States. He’s very interesting, and I’m very happy for the politics.  It’s like Ghana, the democracy needs to be understood, if not, an African cannot be a president in the United States. It’s because of the democracy.

It’s like Ghana too, because of the democracy, if they finish the election, there's no violence.  It’s all quite interesting because even in Africa, some of the countries, like Zimbabwe, after the elections, well, you know what is happening over there; their leader doesn’t want to give up.
If it’s not your turn you have to step down and then let someone else in.

There must be changes, there must be change.

Emmanuel is from Ghana and has been living in Khayelitsha, South Africa for 3 months. He is an entrepreneur and is opening up a restaurant soon.

Voices on Obama: Nathi

I am very surprised to see the Black man ruling in a country like America because it’s a very big country in the world. I am very surprised to see all that in America.

Maybe now is the time to see the Xhosa men rule the world, ya know?

It’s the time to change now. Ya know, it's time to give that guy a chance to see what he's going to do in America.

 I listened to the first speech that man spoke. He was trying to open the minds here because if you say all the minds in South Africa are closing, that guy can open the minds here in South Africa.

Nathi is a petrol attendant in Khayelitsha, Western Cape. He is originally from Umtata, Eastern Cape.