Surfside Sunday

For some reason I keep forgetting what a wealth of treasures Texas has to offer regarding nature. I went to Surfside, TX today with Crabby and our friends and friend-family. We had a blast! (Blast is one of those words that always makes me giggle because it's so over-the-top) The water was shallow very far out and the waves were awesome, so we were just a-frolicking to our heart's content. I'm definitely going to keep exploring this big ass country state.

Stuntin' and mermaiding on all you hoes

Me and Crabby saltwater'd up

My hair post-oceanwater. The salt defines and separates the curls so crazy-like.

Oh yeah, I saw District 9 on Friday. It was weird. Like, hella weird. I don't even know what else to say about it. I enjoyed it overall, but wouldn't want to see it again. The beginning was really blatant with comparisons to current world issues and that annoyed me. After that, it was just weird man. Has anyone else seen it yet?

Goats!

In case you didn't know, I looooooove the Morocco aesthetic. I fantasize of turning my home into some sort of Moroccan lounge. In the book I have below, I saw the following picture:

Yes. There are goats in the tree. They are straight up having a goat festival in the tree. Apparently, this happens throughout Morocco. The goats say eff the grass and climb the trees to eat the leaves and stuff.

Fainting Goats

These goats have a genetic condition that causes their muscles to freeze up when they're startled. As they get older, they learn how to control it a bit.

Whimsical Eye-Candy

One of my favorite inspirational blogs is My Marrakesh. Maryam and her family moved to Morocco to build and open their own boutique hotel called Peacock Pavilions. She has a wonderful way of weaving thoughtful words and magical images together and inviting readers into her life. For one of the boutique hotel rooms, painters from Modello Designs created this fanciful wall mural:

I have always been part-unicorn so I love this type of aesthetic. I can't wait to see how the room will look when it's completely finished.

The same painters created this floor design for Maryam's son's bedroom:

Love that they included a Barack Obama quote.

So creative, and just a perfect complement to a child's imagination. I think everyone could use an inspirational spot in their home.

Maryam's son is at the age where innocence can be harder to hang onto, and the cruelties of other children and life come into play. She wrote:

If only she could provide some protection against the hardening of his nine-year old heart.

Perhaps if he slept among the wise words, among the magic numbers, among the street signs, it would penetrate some how and leave an indelible imprint just below the surface……… for times when he felt lost in the maze of his little boy life…..

Click on the link above the floor design to see more of her blog.

Octopus/Squid

I have a fascination with the animal kingdom, and particularly those who dwell down below in the great blue beyond. One strange creature that I am obsessed with is the octopus (and to a lesser extent, the squid). They are just so weird and mysterious. I have always believed that there is so much we don't know about ocean life and it's clues to the evolution of organisms. There have been winged and finned animals found who show traces of having had feet at one time (and footed/hoofed animals showing signs of fins/wings). Many creatures have straight up evolved right the hell up out the ocean, so it's clearly a hard-knock life down there.

Anyhoo, the fact that the octopus gets all dramatic and cunty when something/someone bothers it and shoots out ink to make itself disappear and getaway is just marvelous to me. Also, just look at them! They look like some sort of marine alien-pod/hippo/spider hybrid. If I could see one in real life, that would be wonderful. I don't mean on a plate in a restaurant, either. I mean in the ocean (or a very nice/spacious aquarium, even).

Another clue that we just don't know much about ocean life: Giant squid keep getting discovered.

Look at this mother-loving beast. If he/she could, best believe he/she would eat you and everyone you care about.

This lends credence to my theory that there is a supreme, all-powerful, possibly vengeful octopus overlord down below in the depths.

This depiction may not be accurate.

Sand!

One of my greatest goals is to see the world, like many people. I have many wonders that I want to see. I have a fascination with the different colored beaches that exist, and want to set foot upon one in each color. We all know about the white and tan sandy beaches, but I want to share with you the magic of the lesser-known colored beaches. Join me, won't you?

Black sand beaches

These are found throughout Hawaii's Big Island. When I visit Hawaii, this is the island I want to experience first. It is not as touristy as some of the other islands, and many hotels do not have TV, phone, or internet. It's just you, your hammock, and nature. The black sand was created by the volcanic activity on the island; when the lava meets/met with the ocean. Black sand beaches are also found in Santorini, Greece.

Pink sand beaches

These are found in the Bahamas, specifically Harbour Island. I hope the next reuinion I go to in 2012 I can visit more of the outer islands, and Harbour Island is on that list. The pink sand is a result of the color of the shells of a microscopic creature. Check out these lovely pink sand beaches in Barbuda that Farsighted Fly Girl posted about. Pink sand beaches are also found in Bermuda.

Red sand beaches

This is found in Hawaii; Maui specifically. It's secluded and not really meant for swimming. Word on the street is nude sunbathers often visit here. Look at the gorgeous contrast with the ocean; I love it! There is also a gorgeous red-sand beach surrounded by breathtaking cliffs in Santorini, Greece.

Green sand beach

Another Hawaii beach--I am so wanting to do an island-hopping spree--this one is also on the Big Island. The sand gets its coloring from olivine crystals. This beach is supposedly difficult to access; a lot of hiking involved etc. If you have an adventurous spirit, this will be worth it. There are only two green sand beaches in the world--here and in Guam.

Have a Magical New Year...YOU CAN DO IIIIT!

Any New Year plans, resolutions, goals, etc.? I hope to exude more confidence, stop procrastinating, and manage my finances more responsibly. I plan to travel to Detroit and hopefully San Antonio, time will tell the rest. I hope to get some new furniture this year. I hope to take some fierce pictures for my 25th birthday (coming this Memorial Day). I hope to begin my thesis. Tell me your hopes for 2009 in the comments!

Aurora Borealis

Images found at National Geographic

I have to see this before I die. I hate cold weather like Americans hate not value-sizing their fast food meals, but I have always wanted to experience this natural wonder. The colors that are created against the night sky; so ethereal. My mother remembers as a wee Bohemian Bookworm I was always staring at the sky, and pointing and saying "Moon? Moon?" Yes, that makes me sound a litte "special" but shut up. I just know this would be an amazing experience for me, probably the closest I will come to a spiritual experience.

The Aurora Borealis, or northern lights occur in the northern hemisphere in Spring and Autumn months. I think I would want to visit Alaska or Finland to see this. For more scientific tidbits about this phenomenon, click here.

Also, I can't find a video clip; but here is dialogue from one of the funniest Simpsons episodes:

Principal Skinner is hosting Superintendant Chalmers for dinner:

(Skinner walks into kitchen, kitchen is on fire, he walks right back out)

Skinner: (faking a yawn) Well, that was wonderful. Good time was had by all. I'm pooped. Chalmers: Yes, I guess I should be -- (notices kitchen is on fire) Good Lord, what is happening in there?

Skinner: Aurora Borealis?

Chalmers: Aurora Borealis? At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country? Localized entirely within your kitchen?

Skinner: Yes.

Chalmers: May I see it?

Skinner: Oh, erm... No. (Skinner and Chalmers walk outside)

Agnes: (screaming from inside the house) Seymour! The house is on fire!

Skinner: No, mother. It's just the Northern Lights.

Agnes: (screaming) HELP! HEEEEEEEEEEELP!

End scene. Ah, good times.

Black Children with Blonde Hair and Crocodile Scars

In Melanesia (also referred to as the Black South Pacific?), a sub-region of Oceania, there are black people with blonde hair. This is seen more frequently in children. Click here for an article about the blondism trait in genetics and some theories on the isolation of this occurence.


Photo Credit-John Friedlander



Found at this link




Found here.


I saw this interesting episode of Taboo on National Geographic about Rites of Passage. Featured were boys from Papua New Guinea who "become men" through having their skin cut thousands of times to then heal and scar over to resemble the flesh of the crocodile. The boys featured were aged 14-18 years old, and they must go through with this ritual to be considered men. One man interviewed said villagers will refer to a boy/man who has not gotten cut as a man-woman. It is said the blood from the cuts represents the bleeding out of the mother's essence, so that all that is left is manhood. Below is video from the show. If you are squeamish, then sweet, minty Jesus don't watch it. Also, NSFW.



I would love to learn more about the Oceania region of the world, so I gotsta find some good reading material.

National Geographic-Places of a Lifetime

National Geographic has compiled a list of places of a lifetime; cities all curious travelers should consider. They include very detailed information and amazing photos of each place. Here are my favorites from the list (click the destination name for info about it):

Amsterdam
Budapest
Istanbul
Moscow
New York

Click here for the full list.

Black Leopards

The Black Leopard (also referred to as Black Panther, or Jaguar) is so beautiful. It's coat is a gleaming dark brown with darker spots; stunning to see in the sunlight. I would love to see one in person so I'm making a list of sanctuaries that house the Black Leopard.

Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation

Black Pine Animal Park

Peace River Refuge and Ranch