Monday Music: The Perishers

The Perishers are a pretty awesome Swedish band that's been around for a while. "Nothing Like You and I" is my favorite song by them. It's pretty great. Enjoy:

P.S.
I know, I know. I took the day off yesterday. Mental health break :)

Happy Friday!

Unexpected Awesomeness- photo by Traci Griffin

It's the weekend! I've got family coming into town and all sorts of wedding-related errands to run, but it should be plenty of fun. I hope you have some lovely weekend plans as well. Per usual, I have some links for you before I dash off:

Would you like to live on a houseboat?

A lovely paper collection from Darling Clementine

These illustrations are made out of tea!

Pretty, creative invitations

All sorts of literary classics are coming to theaters this year- are you excited?

Make fun and festive folding chairs 

So many pretty pillows!

Shoes

An amazing, unexpected community-filled wedding

These backyards are awesome

Why we wed

Have a wonderful weekend!

Improv Everywhere

Improv Everywhere is a NYC-based "prank collective" that aims to induce chaos and joy around New York City (and beyond). And they usually do a pretty great job. These are a few of my favorite missions:



For our latest mission, we turned a mini-golf course into a major golf championship. We surprised random mini-golfers with caddies, commentators, an ESPN camera crew, and a huge crowd. The "winner" was presented with the actual Claret Jug from The Open Championship. We surprised several groups throughout the day, appearing out of nowhere each time.
Full story at Improv Everywhere
http://improveverywhere.com/2012/07/16/the-mini-golf-open/





For our latest mission we turned a carousel into a horse race. A single jockey was joined by two announcers, a roaring crowd, and a trumpeter. The children on the carousel had no idea what was going on. The mission took place at Le Carrousel in New York's Bryant Park.
Produced by Improv Everywhere
http://improveverywhere.com/

For the Third Annual Black Tie Beach, hundreds of participants spent a day at the beach in black tie attire. We covered Coney Island and Brighton Beach with a diverse group of people of all ages laying out, playing games, and swimming in the ocean in formal wear. Agents were instructed to find cheap tuxedos and ball gowns at thrift stores for the occasion.
Full story at Improv Everywhere
http://improveverywhere.com/2012/09/10/black-tie-beach-2012/



For our latest mission, we staged a reenactment of the first Princess Leia / Darth Vader scene from Star Wars on a New York City subway car.
Produced and Created by Charlie Todd
http://improveverywhere.com/charlie_todd/

I hope this brought joy to you as well.

What's happening in Libya and Egypt

Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, photo by Ben Curtis, Associated Press

As an International Studies major, I like to keep up on my news, and I've been following the events unfolding in Libya and Egypt. I thought I would share some of the better articles I have found describing the events of the last 24 hours and their significance, along with the significant reactions to these events from key U.S. political figures.

An overview of the last 24 hours from Al Jazeera (my go-to news source) 

This Foreign Policy article on the Salafi Movement provides a good primer on some of the conflicts going on between groups within Islam and questions of governance

An Egyptian blogger responds to the protests in Egypt

Slate's Fred Kaplan analyzes the events in Libya and Egypt and the US response

The New York Times coverage, BBC coverage, Newsweek coverage and the Guardian's coverage of the Libya attack

The Secretary of State's statement regarding Libya 

The President's statement regarding Libya and tribute to Amb. J Christopher Stevens

The Republican presidential nominee's statement regarding Libya and Egypt

The official twitter feed of the US Embassy in Cairo

Bernard Henri Levy remembers J. Christopher Stevens

I hope this is informative. 

Central Asian Adventures

I just turned in my Fulbright application that might take me to the Caucasus next year. There's something exhilarating about pushing the "submit" button on an application to an overseas adventure. It brought back fond memories of my last adventure in Central Asia...

The Presidential Park

Afternoon on the lake

Sunset over Issyk Kul    

Picking flowers

All photos by Kara Haberstock, all rights reserved

Inspired: Louise van Terheijden

I stumbled across these lovely watercolors by Dutch artist Louise van Terheijden today, and I just love the range of colors and simple patterns in her works. She sells these paintings and more in her Etsy shop, (which you should go check out of course).

I think my new goal for the next few months is to learn to use actual watercolors. I love my watercolor pencils dearly, but I'd love to try my hand at something new.

Sea Glass

Harvest

Constellations

Green Dots

All images belong to Louise van Terheijden

On Support

Bridges need support too!! :P (photo by Kara Haberstock, all rights reserved)

This last week has taught me a lot about the immeasurable value of support.

My anxiety disorder decided to display itself in full force this week, probably more severely than it ever has. Panic attacks came everyday. I had trouble sleeping and near-constant nausea. Eating was a struggle. Small tasks could reduce me to tears, and prolonged social exposure could be overwhelming. I was not at all a "fun" person to be with. But through all of this, Nate supported me, in just about every meaning of the word. And I learned a great deal about the incredible benefits of partnership and the support that comes with it.

According to Merriam-Webster,"support" can mean the following:

1. to endure bravely or quietly2. to assist or help3. to pay the costs of
4. to hold up
5. to keep from losing courage
6. to keep (something) going

And support took all of these meanings this week.

Nate sat with me on the floor of my bedroom, in the corner of the bathroom, and in the car in the dark, quietly holding my hand until the tears and the shaking subsided. He made me food and convinced me to eat when I didn't want to.  He prayed with me and for me, listened as I tried to verbalize what might be causing my anxiety to flare up like this, and told me I wasn't crazy or defective, that this wasn't my fault or my choice. He reviewed applications before I submitted them and reminded me that it's perfectly okay if I'm not accepted, that it's more than fine to take a year off, and that what I do next year in no way defines me.He served as a buffer with friends and family when social interaction got to be too much. He was patient with my changing moods and general unpredictability. And now we're going through the process of finding a therapist for me together. 

It wasn't very much fun to need support. I hated the fact that my mood was so volatile, that seemingly anything could trigger a surge of adrenaline and fear, that even simple tasks could seem like too much. I hated feeling like a different person. And I'm terrified that this all could happen again. But this I do know: I have support. Nate and I are a team; we support each other. We're all in. And that is a source of comfort and strength.

P.S.  

1. The American Psychological Association has some great resources concerning anxiety/panic disorders if you'd like to know more.

2. This APW post is one of my favorites about panic attacks and marriage

3. If anyone can recommend good therapists in Tucson, I am still in the search process and would love a recommendation!

A Song for Sunday: Evening Hymns

Evening Hymns' new album, Spectral Hymns, is absolutely fantastic-- full of haunting melodies, beautiful harmonies, and simple instrumentation.  I've been listening to it for the last two weeks straight. "Family Tree" is their latest single from the album.

This record is now available to buy: http://eveninghymns.bandcamp.com/

Video by Istoica in collaboration with James Cooper, with editing by Mary Gerretsen.

http://www.istoica.com

http://thisisjamescooper.com

http://marygerretsen.com

Oh, and he has an awesome beard.

Happy Friday!

Graffiti in Myanmar depicting Aung San Suu Kyi, photo by Michel Cizeka, Getty Images

It's the weekend! I am highly looking forward to a chance to relax a bit this weekend. Our Second Mile community group is headed up to Oro Valley for a collective "staycation" to hang out, have fun, and get away from work for a little bit (though I will unfortunately be taking a bit with me). It's coming at just the right time for me. But before I go, I have some links for you:

Images of resistance in Myanmar

Is it just me, or is fashion really weird sometimes?

The best DIY project I've seen all week

Is Gangnam Style more than just a viral video?

Cool Russian CGI infographics (about Rosneft oil production and profits for the non-Russian speakers)

Audrey Hepburn's bran muffin recipe

Amazing book posters

More weirdness

On change in marriage

Have a wonderful weekend!

Short Film: The Ballerina Stunt

This is technically a commercial, but this stunt was breathtaking. Nate and I calculated it out, and the trucks were driving at approximately 50 mph. I can't imagine trying to slackline at that speed. Check it out:



World record-holding highliner Faith Dickey battles to cross the line between two speeding trucks. Will she make it?

The stunt was set up to show the precise handling of the new Volvo FH. Filmed on an unopened highway in Croatia in cooperation with Hollywood stunt director Peter Pedrero (James Bond, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean.) Directed by Academy Award nominee Henry Alex Rubin. Music by J. Ralph / The Rumor Mill.

Inspired: Anna See

Indian Peacock

Anna See is a Nevada-based illustrator and designer who creates beautiful lithographic prints and illustrations of cities, animals, and all sorts of things. She also keeps a great little inspiration blog of lovely things she finds. And all of her prints are for sale on Etsy!

Bike Types

Victorian Houses

Raccoons

See more on Anna's blog or on Etsy!

Amused: Shake

I came across this fantastic photo project this weekend. Carli Davidson captures hilarious stills of dogs (and a kitten) mid-shake. Who can be cross when you're looking at these faces?

Check out the rest of the project on Davidson's website!

All photos belong to Carli Davidson

Visualizing Palestine

"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty." 

 - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,  Article Two

I came across this media project over the weekend, and I felt it was important to share. I know this issue can be divisive, but for me this is not a matter of being pro-Israel or anti-Israel, but rather of being pro-human rights. Over a period of decades a group of people has been disenfranchised, stripped of their homes, their security, their freedom, and their voice, largely on the basis of ethnicity, language, and religion. Comparisons to South Africa under the Apartheid system are quite appropriate. As with most contested political issues, this is not simple nor is there a clear-cut solution; I challenge you to look at these infographics and to find out more.

Find out more:

Visualizing Palestine

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions

Amnesty International

United Nations Palestine

Songs for Sunday: Army of 3

AKA: Ingrid Michaelson does it all.

As an Ingrid Michaelson fan, I'm greatly enjoying these covers of current pop songs. (I might like them better than the originals.)

This is the first session of the ARMY of 3 Series.
ARMY of 3 - "Somebody That I Used to Know" - original by Gotye
Instruments and vocals by Ingrid Michaelson
Produced, arranged and mixed by Chris Kuffner
Filmed, directed and edited by Dylan Steinberg
Check out the new album, Human Again by Ingrid Michaelson, featuring the single "Ghost." http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/human-again/id476116291

This is the second session of the ARMY of 3 Series. 
No instruments were used in the making of this video.
ARMY of 3 - "We Found Love" - original by Rihanna
All vocals and sounds by Ingrid Michaelson.
Produced, mixed, cut up and put back together by Chris Kuffner.
Filmed, directed and edited by Dylan Steinberg.

Oh, and here's a single off Ingrid's new album. (I couldn't resist- it's so pretty)

Words and Music by: Ingrid Michaelson
Director: Jeff MartinRecorded and Mixed by: Bill Sanke
Original version from the album "Human Again" available now at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/human-again/id476116291