tender mercies @bodyhouse-blog - Tumblr Blog

October 17, 2016

lindazahra-deactivated20180610

EGYPT Cairo 2009 “ The last bath of cairo “ (American University Press 2009). © Pascal Meunier

“ In Cairo, the turkish baths (steam baths or hammams) are ineluctably dying in general indifference.”

I know this is a well know mid-twenties realization, but, shit, dude your insecurities never go away. You just get better at hiding them.

foldupthemap

The members of Mashrou' Leila have faced hatred themselves. At the Tiny Desk, the Lebanese band performs a song with haunting parallels to Sunday's events.

I always knew Mashrou’ Leila would make an amazing Tiny Desk concert if they ever came to DC. The fact that they had a song ready about a parallel tragedy in Beirut a day after Orlando makes this all the more relevant.

Commute Journal #2

It's game day. Train is packed. It's too crowded to do this. - It's a seed. Maybe pumpkin? I don't know but I ate about 20 of them. - These are my parents. They're visiting. But my dad doesn't shake hands. - The best sport is raquet ball. I used to play old guys. Let's just say it was a city gym. - It was, like, alright. -

Commute Journal #1

There are a lot of busy looking people commuting on Caltrain. They are always composing e-mails, fingers determined and focused. Or they are reading books, and newspapers, and smartphones, and laptop screens. Reading, never skimming. They are wearing glasses and stern expressions of can-do and yes ma'am. They get on the train eagerly, they get off the train eagerly. They have all their items: briefcases, extra coats, lunch bags and helmets. They never forget anything. They never slow down. They are always on top of it.

I’ve never considered myself a busy person. Life keeps me busy, yes, but I am not a busy person. Truly I am a lazy person, a person of naps and overdue books. My to-do lists are long and meandering, sitting somewhere, waiting to be done. My life is puddles of light. My life is a slow jog. I’m not a busy commuter. My laptop is open, but my inbox is closed. I am not reading anything, and you can bet I’ve already dropped something under the seat. I’m probably eating, or looking out the window.

It’s hard for me to be around all of them everyday– those organized, on top of it all people. They make me feel small and slow and broken. It’s not their fault, they don’t mean to make anyone feel bad like that. They’re just excelling, and getting ahead for their own betterment. Heck- They’re just making good use of their time.

Not me. I am eating time. I am rubbing into my skin and holding it to my eyes. I am savoring every languid second and letting everything else slop off the plate. I am taking seconds, thirds, fourths– ignoring the need to stop, refocus and get back to work.

actuallygrimes

self reflection feels impossible.

worlds collide (L WORD)

EuroTrip friends

sexpigeon

You think you’re doing the world a favor, trying to stick your finger in the bursting dam of brand-speak. No, you’re just a grump. You should let people celebrate each other’s newfound brand partnerships. They and their brand partners share a vision, they are mutually thrilled to be a part of the same creative community. It’s inspiring.

Let the dam crack. Besides, it’s filled with money. Everyone should have friends with money. Brands are just friends with money. Everyone should have a brand to share their life with.