concerning the name fee-oh-na

tumbling over

2011-02-01T17:45:00.002-05:00

I got a tumblr. Well, I had done, but I am switching over for reals.

Two my three devoted readers (you know who you are), here is the link: fionaruddy.tumblr.com

two omar morning

2011-02-01T12:27:00.004-05:00

Omar Suleiman, new (soon to be old) VP of Egypt, also 'spymaster':

Omar Souleyman, OUD MASTER:

2011-01-31T13:03:00.001-05:00

perfect for thawing out after a weekend up north.

full on detroit

2011-01-25T20:10:00.004-05:00

My Great-Grandfather's fruit peddlers licence from Eastern Market

'Food culture' in the City of Detroit began with my French ancestors and ribbon farms on the river. Later, my Sicilian family continued the tradition by selling fruit at Eastern Market. My exploits in the food world haven't been in the city, but I have a keen feeling that sometime in my life I will become part of its production chain, keeping the legacy alive.

So, as the descendant of the original G's of Detroit food culture (and avid researcher/consumer) this article from The Urbanophile by Jim Griffioen is deeply meaningful to me. Shout outs to Honeybee, Supino's, and the beautiful chaotic teeming monster confluence of delight itself.

Not only does Griffioen use maps and beautiful photographs to de-bunk the myth of the olde food desert, but he does it with clarity, grace, and a hunger for those outside the region to stop essentalizing the City.

Well done!

NB: I did go to Pinwheel Bakery in Ferndale today after traffic on 75 got to hectic. Although there are awesome bakeries below 8 mile, this 9 mile treat did offer me one hell of an oatmeal cream pie (with cream cheese frosting filling) and a dulce de leche macaron with a hint of glitter. Yum!

2011-01-25T12:05:00.004-05:00

Today's fortune I found while cleaning the kitchen:

The pleasure of what we enjoy is lost by wanting more.

[Question: Does this apply to hummus?]

2011-01-24T21:39:00.001-05:00

today's acoustic cover at yoga:

groupo corpo

2011-01-23T13:09:00.002-05:00

Last night I had the opportunity to see the Brazilian dance group Groupo Corpo. They were fantastic. Dance amazes me because of the amount of grace and memorization involved. The 45 minute performances flew by, and I just wanted more "strangeness and indescribable beauty" set to original scores of Brazilian space-jazz.

The best part of the night is when walking through the green room an usher looked at me and said "wonderful performance!" Oh yes, I was mistaken for a Brazilian dancer. Did I say anything? Nope, just rode the wave of an impostor and smiled. Little does she know I dance more like this:

2011-01-22T16:38:00.002-05:00

"When I drink bourbon, I like the sense that I’m playing with fire."

all tied up

2011-01-20T13:12:00.002-05:00

Just after Christmas I went spelunking in my basement. Above is the best treasure I found, a bow tie from my Papa Ruddy.

Thanks NYTimes for this Thursday's vindication.

[Although I adore the idea of legions of young ladies wearing bow ties, doesn't it make one feel a little lovelier if they are from their grandpas, not Ralph Lauren?]

pretend summer

2011-01-13T14:30:00.002-05:00

tennis - cape dory

[do you want to go where it never snows and the mid sixties are the extreme lows?]

kills

2011-01-07T20:52:00.003-05:00

cute swedes, liquid eyeliner, radio rap.

yes, please.

no name brand

2011-01-06T21:53:00.004-05:00

No Name Brand Peaches/Rosebank Pick N'Pay /Jo'burg

Design blogs and GOOD have been buzzing about minimalist brand design. Since the launch of the new Starbucks cup yesterday minimalism is really going to drop (or drip) in the hands of millions. My counterpoint is that this has been happening since Delillo's White Noise and my favorite passage in all of American literature, as well as in any Pick N' Pay store in a Republic of South Africa near you.

It's not new. It might just take a discerning eye to find.

food shock

2011-01-06T14:45:00.002-05:00

World faces spike in food prices: The Food and Agricultural Organization, a UN body, warned of a global "food price shock." Its indices of commodity prices rose steeply last month, surpassing the levels of the food crisis in 2007 and 2008.

Now, I don't know how, but this memo from Foreign Policy was beamed down to every over-65 couple in Royal Oak, Michigan. My 2:25 hummus run was poppin off with oldies stocking up.

Brace yourself Trader Joes, brace yourself.

tiny tins

2011-01-05T11:45:00.005-05:00

I have a weakness for candy. And beautiful little tins. The combination of the two proves fatal.

Leone Violet Lozenges

($3.99 Eataly)

I found these little guys on Black Friday when I was avoiding "free range organic slow-cooked locally grown sulfate gluten free baby strollers" in Park Slope by taking refuge for hours in Eataly (which in itself was a quasi-religious experience). I started laps around the store before the marketplace proper opened, and on every circuit came back for another Leone Lozenge flavor. Highlights also included absinthe and red currant, but the violet was made for me. I love florals, and the little tin was so perfect to stick into my bag. They are the just the right size to pop while hopping from borough to borough, and the purple package matches the 7 train beautifully.

Dos Cafeteras Café au Lait Candies

($19.99 Zingerman's Delicatessen)

I fell in love with the Dos Cafeteras while I was trying to facilitate a staff meeting. And let me say, it's hard to be professional while wrestling with these delicate little hard candies that subsequently melt into a wonderful chewy caramel (something like the thinking man's Razzzles). Back in October my colleague Margot wrote a wonderful piece on them in her newsletter (see link above for the full scoop). What I really love about the candies is that they are aged for three months in a cellar in order to have the flavors mature. Well worth the wait.

What is the most exiting thing about these candies, is that their memory will stay with me long after I have consumed them. Now the only question is, what on earth is worthy to fill their wonderful tins!

it's great to be

2011-01-03T17:38:00.003-05:00

Did the Wolverines get blown out in the Gator Bowl? Yes.

Are we still awesome? Based on this video, as well as the capacity of women's sports, I would venture to argue yes.

It's the little things people, the little cute ferocious things.

2011-01-02T14:12:00.003-05:00

And then after yoga, a run to the grocery store, a batch of sugar cookies, and a dose of fish oil, it hit me.

I am living the suburban dream.

2010-12-30T11:01:00.002-05:00

Taking a break from Ann Arbor. Drinking homemade forts from the Francis Francis! of Christmas, reorganizing, stretching, and (per usual) reflecting on rights issues.

december sprinkles

2010-12-17T11:02:00.003-05:00

In honor of my love of sprinkles, holiday cookies, hot drinks, and the movie Ladybugs.

Also, here is my Brother's "semi-famous, seriously potent" hot toddy recipe:

1 1/2 oz makers mark (or johnnie walker black/green label or jameson)
1/2 a lemon squeezed
1 tsp of honey
a sprinkle of sugar
3 whole cloves crushed
4-5 oz of boiling water
garnish with a slice of clove-injected lemon.
repeat.
often.

glory glory man united!

2010-12-13T16:04:00.002-05:00

Why I love Man United:

1) Both legends and leaders, always.

2) I can watch them on TV now, but still remember the days when my family would gather around a short wave radio.

3) They the invited Chilean Miners to today's game v. Arsenal.

Pure class.

moral: listen to t.i.

2010-11-23T22:19:00.007-05:00

My former colleague continues to amaze me with her online venture, Jean Jean Vintage. Everything one could want for a dazzling holiday season. And by everyone, I kind of mean people like me. [You know, a girl wedged in the middle-west, listening to escapist songs by rap moguls about dumping their video vixens while packing bags full of treats to visit brothers for the first annual peruvian chicken Thanksgiving.]

Your wrists and fingers glisten ice cold like Michigan.

don't cha which your espresso was ...

2010-11-16T19:46:00.002-05:00

[as pictured with the ladies of the Next Door]

Served Matthew Dear the 'best espresso of his life' at work yesterday. Came back for seconds today.

Don't cha wish you were as caffeinated as me.

this (red) tornado

2010-11-10T20:47:00.002-05:00

Is it wrong that because I am (now) a redhead I am drawn to them?

(NB: Newly gingered Rianna does not make my shortlist.)

the kids love the maps

2010-11-09T01:31:00.005-05:00

My father teaches 8th grade social studies. He has instructed the same world cultures curriculum for roughly 30 years. Needless to say, he has developed some bomb taglines, as well as a quirky and quick reputation. Perhaps his most iconic phrase is, "The kids love the maps!"*

Clearly, this kid loves the maps.

[via KABOBfest]

*This phrase has been known to show up on disparate gchat statuses, as well as build intergenerational bridges. It has also been immortalized in a felt mobile and a 4 inch fimo clay sculpture.

lil missed connection

2010-11-05T13:03:00.003-04:00

"I was dressed up as lil wayne for halloween, and realized I only have one picture of myself. I was in orange everything grill and black-face. If you were one of the many who took a picture with me please send them to me, It would greatly be appreciated!! here is the one picture I do have."

Perhaps the most problematic missed connection ever (stay classy Ann Arbor).

In other news, the real Weezy is free!

sanity now

2010-11-03T15:39:00.004-04:00

Election morning after was one hell of a walk of shame. Let's forget it and rewind to the blur of this weekend.

I went to DC with a rag-tag crew of Midwestern travelers for the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. It was wonderful. The Roots, John Legend, Sam Waterson, Yusuf (aka Cat), Ozzy, The O'Jays and their sparkly white suit coats, Mavis Staples, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, R2D2.

I just wish there would have been more sanity in John Stewart's moment of sincerity, or rather, that the sanity would have hit home. How many people in the crowd voted? Was this or was this not just a star studded entertainment explosion in the heart of American Democracy?

And in other news of crowd standing, I also went to a Lupe Fiasco concert in the parking lot of a Georgetown University gym. The opening acts were a total joke, but Lupe hit it home in being a total cutie. Sure, he forgot the words to his new single, but as he said "You don't know your name when you are born." The words are below.

More on the impromptu sandwich tour to follow.

palestinian parkour

2010-10-28T09:59:00.003-04:00

Great little story about Palestinian Parkour.

I am running full speed ahead to DC for the Rally to Restore Sanity.

guilty pleasure casual fridays

2010-10-22T08:05:00.002-04:00

This song is too good. Thanks to my brother (happy birthday!) I have always had a soft spot for dancehall, a love which started in the kitchen I am in now, wrapped in the same art deco blanket.

Even though this is dacehall's devolved pop cousin (I mean, how sophisticated can you get with Nicki Minaj quasi seizing), I love it.

I guess now it really sums up Fall.

2010-10-18T18:54:00.001-04:00

After a hard day one must take a cue from Sesame Street Remixes.

fruits of our labor

2010-10-17T17:34:00.003-04:00

Went apple picking last weekend, and finally got around converting those little guys into a finished product.

Margot made apple-ginger jam in the European style. I made these muffins from the NYTimes. [NB: You do not need a whole stick of butter to sauté the apples - 1/2 a stick will do.]

A wonderful crisp fall success.

falling in 'twenty ten

2010-10-13T15:36:00.002-04:00

Last October, as I was easing into summer in South Africa, I missed fall. This year to make up for lost time I have embraced the season with all of my might. Pumpkin infused everything, running detours through leaf piles, apples for days, really everything.

takin' it to the streets

2010-10-12T11:28:00.003-04:00

I have recently been working on a project called Take a Stand. It is an campaign inspired by the film Bilal's Stand (trailer above) to use "socially conscious media to inspire positive action towards bettering yourself and your community."

Part of my work has been contributing to their blog, so feel free to read what I did over there.

The Cliff's Notes version is that I decided to run a marathon in the style of the organization Run For Congo Women (video below).

Fast forward to yesterday. A friend dropped out of the Marine Corps Marathon because she is suffering from a horrible hip injury. I might be able to run it. I have three weeks.

Can it be done?

Apparently Runner's World says yes. I don't have time to do the 'moral marathon' or 'physically safe' marathon of my dreams. But, the challenge is on for me. Per usual, I have been using the Blues Brother's as motivation.

2010-10-10T19:41:00.003-04:00

a vignette of yesterday.

things i did today

2010-10-07T15:20:00.002-04:00

Made the above mascot out of a giant abandoned zucchini I found in the office.
Walked to the daily charity church breakfast to donate 3 expired birthday cakes. People cheered, then paused to ask me why I was bringing cake for breakfast.
Ate a pie with 6 tablespoons of rum in it.
Ate another pie with an entire jar of Askinoise Hazelnut Spread drizzled on top.
Ate yet another pie I made last night while watching one of my great friends on CNN.

Bizarre days here in Michigan. Beautiful, delicious, and bizarre fall days.

idle and unemployed

2010-09-28T19:59:00.003-04:00

Thanks WFMU for reminding me how I spend my time.

Yes, it also involves watching Godard films and hopefully writing cover letters so this banner doesn't hit so close to home.

cakes and things

2010-09-27T20:18:00.004-04:00

Happy birthday google image by Wayne Thiebaud.

Way to class it up interwebs.

In other news, I say next to a chocolate sheet cake today, made by a grandma, and chose to actively eat eggplant instead.

Have we entered an upside-down world of behavior reform?

tropical storm

2010-08-31T13:16:00.003-04:00

I have been waiting for this my entire life. Literally. It's about damn time the tropical storm gets with my program.

falling in love with americana

2010-08-25T14:42:00.002-04:00

[the most photographed law quad in america]

I have been running all over this town all summer. It has been wonderful to see the little cherry tomatoes on Geddes turn to a luscious red, the grass in Burns Park bloom to clover, and my little Arb fawns grow up into real deer.

Recently my (former?) peers have been, well, reappearing. Every morning there are more Marching Band members sprouting on Elbel Field, high stepping and huddling in tweeting flocks. The winds are changing, and I am quickly realizing that I am not going back to school.

Additionally, a weird realization came over me that I am back in America for fall. One which let me to scoop up DeLillo's first novel, Americana. I picked it up after I sent my brother to South America with White Noise. How novel to read American novels outside of the country. Perhaps even more novel to read them fully aware of your surroundings. And the doubleplus good of it all, so far Americana has been the fix to sting me from Mad Med to Mad Men.

sad men

2010-07-23T19:56:00.001-04:00

Sunday. Can't wait.

2014 or bust

2010-07-11T20:29:00.002-04:00

Well, it is over. It was an overwhelming month that increased my happiness everyday. Personal highlights included blowing my bright yellow vuvuzela at work, tirelessly defending the beautiful game to naysayer proles that I often refer to as friends, waking up at 7am after going to bed at 4am, hating on the awful 'african' interlude, and wishing that the North Korean goalie is still alive.

4 hours after the fact I am beaming that Spain won. The Dutch winning in SA, in my humble opinion, would have been an affront to justice. But I am also misty and distraught. I have to wait another 4 years to do it all again.

But tomorrow I start my quest to learn Portuguese. We will be there. We have grand plans. And vuvzelas to travel. And carne do sol to eat.

Now, just let is end with this heartwarming video of overflowing joy with Iker and his hot correspondent boo:

paul wins the world cup!

2010-07-07T16:57:00.002-04:00

With Argentina out there is no one left to root for. Of course, there is Spain, but only because it would be historically cruel for the Dutch to win in South Africa.

Oh yeah, but the real winner is Paul. Perhaps my one true love.

Other questions for Paul include: When will I get a job? How can my brother properly do his taxes? Will Maradona continue on as head coach? Who is the momma of CRon7's baby?

beautiful, emotional, agonizing games

2010-07-03T18:25:00.004-04:00

The past two days have been a roller-coaster of emotions. Penalties to penalty kicks, ejections, hands of god, tears on the face of the hand of god, incapacitated professional athletes, continents and countries plunged into despair.

To try and get over the Argentina disaster I went to the Farmer's Market to gorge myself on cherries. On the way I saw an Argentinian friend who looked at me in my 1986 Maradona jersey, and could only say "we lost everything."

...This is part of what makes this tournament so amazing, why this year and every four years until I die, I will somehow spend a month watching the World Cup and little else. I made this promise to myself when I was a child, and I intend on keeping it. Every four years my faith in drama is renewed.

gluten.

2010-06-30T12:58:00.004-04:00

Choose the best seeds and strive for high yields.

[via Maopost]

Without coffee and bread I would be nothing. Seriously, I am fueled by amber waves of two-day-old grain and ebony flows of liquid c/o my place of employment.

However, working in food service in the throws of Ann Arbor has made me resent gluten allergies. I know, it is not one's fault when they are allergic, but I am convinced that at least 80% of the people who say they cannot have wheat or gluten are, simply put, liars. Three years ago when I started no one requested gluten free. Now we carry a product that confirms that Ann Arbor was the birthplace of the gluten allergy and a hotbed of celiacs .

The NYTimes coverage of the Fancy Food Show (which many of my colleagues had the forturne to attend) also confirmed that gluten allergies may be a larger plot:

“Judging from this show you’d think the whole world had celiac disease,” said Jennifer Lea Cohan, a publicist who works with the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, which runs the show.

Some examples: Famous Organics falafel chips; Mediterranean snacks gluten-free baked lentil chips; Zocolo’s line of “heritage” flours from quinoa, mesquite and amaranth; and raw vegan ice cream made with cashew milk (Raw Ice Cream Company’s mint chip was tolerable).

Nonetheless, gluten, I still love ya. Those vogue high protein ancient grains will never supplant you in my heart/stomach.

indomitable lions

2010-06-25T14:46:00.002-04:00

Here is my homage to the first team to be squeezed out of group play, Cameroon's Indomitable Lions.

They rock.

Why? Because one of their defenders could also be their mascot:

fin.

POR 7 - PRK 0

2010-06-21T09:19:00.004-04:00

This will hurt less than being re-educated in a DPRK gulag. Poor North Koreans, poor paid Chinese actor fans, and poor Ivorians who now have to make up a 9 goal differential.

protect me from what i want

2010-06-18T20:08:00.002-04:00

"Her politically spiked statements underscore many issues that plague children who are growing up under a still-fragile democracy embroiled in corruption and surrounded by violent crime. Other T-shirts remind us, “The sum of your actions determines what you are” and “Everyone’s work is equally important.”

A perfect confluence of things I love. Jenny Holzer and SA2010.

BOS 44 - LAL 36

2010-06-17T22:34:00.001-04:00

Q: Lakers or Celtics?

A: Argentina

[true story]

2010-06-17T14:32:00.002-04:00

All I eat is hummus. Literally. This is the result of me living in a world full of killer e.coli strands.

It's cool. "Everything is possible ... through hummus, we can achieve so much.”

1976

2010-06-16T12:39:00.006-04:00

Today is the anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Thankfully FIFA will be laying a ceremonial wreath on the Hector Peterson Memorial.

When I went to Soweto our tour bus stopped long enough for us to take a picture, grab a bunny chow at a spaza shop, and get back on the bus so we could go to the mega mall. Below is my one picture.

How tokenistic, all around.

Here is a great little piece from the NYTimes Goal blog about today. And here is another piece about the dark side of African soccer. If anyone has Current TV let me know, I want to watch this. Human trafficking is whack.

ps. Happy Bloomsday!

algeria v. slovenia

2010-06-13T09:15:00.002-04:00

Yeah, US/England was yesterday. Yeah, big tie, whatever.

Now, let's take a look at the other teams of Group C, live, from the raw consciousness of my parents and best friend:

Slovenia's jerseys look just like a green alpine version of Charlie Brown.
Algeria's #19, Hassan Yebda, uncannily resembles Tin Tin (see above, replace Snowy with new evil ball, and take away all scary French colonial implications, because that would surely be a conflict of interest)
Slovenia's post-goal celebration was actually bhangra (screwin' in the lightbulb). Who knew that sub-continental moves were hot in a country of 2mill!

More from the next game Black Stars v. War Crimin ...

christmas in june

2010-06-11T12:48:00.001-04:00

It is here. Thank you Desmond. Thank you nkosi sikelel' iafrika for making me weep on this magical and amazing morning.

2010-06-04T17:08:00.002-04:00

Yeah, Drogz, that is basically how I feel about you. Maybe the groups of death isn't so deadly anymore?

2010-06-03T17:58:00.003-04:00

Always end your book with Nelson Mandela saying something about rainbows or renaissances. Because you care.

[thanks brother]

2010-06-02T13:26:00.003-04:00

nation building though sport, yes please!

rhubarb galette

2010-06-02T11:28:00.009-04:00

Rhubarb is in season right now. And I have been taking full advantage of it. At work I did a dance when the rhubarb pies came in. But, three bites of pie per-shift is not sustainable. And the apple/rhubarb crumble I made was too sweet, and the apples were too mushy.

And then, in a true baby bear moment I made a galette that was just right. The best part was, the only thing I had to buy was the rhubarb, from the Farmer's Market.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

7 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 tablespoons (or more) ice water

Topping:

1 pound trimmed rhubarb, cut into 2-inch-long 1/4-inch-thick matchstick-size strips

1/4 cup plus 5 tablespoons sugar, divided

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 large egg yolk, beaten to blend

For crust:

Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 2 tablespoons ice water; stir until dough clumps together, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and chill at least 2 hours.

For topping:

Combine rhubarb and 1/4 cup sugar in medium bowl; let stand at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour. Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Place large sheet of parchment on work surface; sprinkle parchment with flour. Roll out dough on parchment to 12-inch round. Transfer dough on parchment to large baking sheet. Starting in center of dough round, arrange rhubarb strips in concentric circles and slightly overlapping atop dough, leaving 1-inch plain border at edge. Gently fold dough border up over outer edge of rhubarb topping, folding and crimping dough to create decorative edge. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar over rhubarb. Dot rhubarb with butter. Brush dough edges with beaten egg. Sprinkle edges with 1 tablespoon sugar.

Bake galette until rhubarb is tender and juices are bubbling, about 1 hour. Cool galette at least 30 minutes.

[via epicurious]

[anthropomorphic] foods

2010-06-01T12:57:00.003-04:00

Now that I am not in school I have found in the time/space continuum hours to cook. Let's be honest, that means bake in 85 degree Michigan humidity. Hopefully I can also get a sweet jumpsuit or a crown so I can stay fresh to death while melting.

So, until then, wait for the pictures.

[video via D$]

fever pitch

2010-05-31T10:55:00.003-04:00

Even Ban Ki Moon is feeling the heat.

13 days

2010-05-28T12:04:00.003-04:00

The World Cup is 13 days away. Holy hell.

[via from a left wing]

I am prepared to only work past 4pm for the next month and a half in order to watch all of the games.

I also live dangerously close to Conor O'Niell's, apparently Ann Arbor's home for the World Cup. Hmmm. I think I will be the judge of that.

meatballs meets boerwors

2010-05-13T13:33:00.007-04:00

When I was writing a 19 page paper about xenophobia in a computer lab in Johannesburg I kept coming across lines about Mozambican and Zimbabwean migrants investing in beds to take home, and how beds were one of the most important parts of their stay in South Africa.

Then when I was at the border I saw this happening. They were huge and bulky and couldn't cross the international frontier in any efficient way. Furniture is out of sorts in South Africa. The region is begging for an Ikea.

Thank you David Smith for agreeing with me.

And thank you for naming some of my favorite spots in Johannesburg, Narina Trogon and Gramadoelas.

On a related note, today is a day to make malva pudding. The weather in Michigan has been tragic. All of my house mates are leaving. And I just ate half a loaf of challah with my hands.

a dictionary of curiosities

2010-05-09T21:29:00.002-04:00

For graduation my dear brother got me the volume pictured above. Now that I am a little freer time-wise, and sick in bed, it is the perfect companion. Every page has reproductions of the original engravings from early editions of Webster's Dictionary. There is something so monumental, but so minute and meticulous about the task of cleaning, printing, and alphabetizing all of these illustrations.

But what has been even more charming than the book itself is further cultivating my stores of useless information. For example, p.107 depicts a dugong. Not knowing what this sea-cow-esque creature was I went to the olde Wiki (yes, this is a never-ending web of reference) to find that it is "the only strictly-marine herbivorous mammal." It is also adorable.

these days

2010-05-03T20:18:00.002-04:00

I have been listening to this song since I was 14. But it still gets me. And speaks volumes upon volumes about every time of transition.

I now have a BA from the University of Michigan*. That means I have credentials. I also have business cards [don't worry, they are printed on recycled cereal boxes and avoid a type-A business card model]. I am also going to start working 40 hours a week. I have to-do lists that involve re-doing my resume.

This, ostensibly, means that I am a real adult human.

Watch out cruel world, watch out.

*This guy spoke, it was kind of a BFD. But, in my humblest of opinions, I have to say that President Coleman really captured the spirit of commencement. Props M.Sue, huge props. Fast forward to 26:30 and get ready to get misty.

international women's day

2010-03-08T17:58:00.004-05:00

Below is a message from Ban Ki-Moon.

Below that is a message from Beyoncé.

Happy International Women's Day!

first paragraph good - third paragraph bad

2010-03-01T19:42:00.002-05:00

US President Barack Obama is planning "dramatic reductions" in the country's nuclear arsenal, a senior US administration official has said.

This would come as part of a sweeping policy review designed to prevent the spread of atomic weapons, he said.

He added that the new strategy will point to a greater role for conventional weapons.

a tisket a tassel

2010-02-26T18:33:00.004-05:00

Tassels have been on my mind recently. I have loved them ever so much for many years (I think since 2006, to be precise) but, lately there has been a certain revival.

The Winter Olympics has shot tassels back to prominence with the advent that is Johnny Weir, making him the touchstone of all tassel-dom:

This suspicion was confirmed not only by the NYTimes, but also through a long conversation with my mother (also a tassel fan) and an individual who I had known for 14 minutes tops. Striking, indeed.

But I am also excited for tassels for my (immediate) future. Aka when I graduate. Aka when I graduate with Obama. Nothing is going to make me happier than strutting around bedecked in maize and blue cords. The, literal, pomp and circumstance looms large. And I am happy to be a part of it.

But, I think here I also need to get back to my tassel roots, with Mira. It seems like The Pursuit Of Happiness hasn't crossed into 2010, which makes me so essentially sad. Every post was like a visual treat, and a reminder of how I want to act and be in the future. Maybe now I just have to start drawing my own tassels, even the ones I get to wear.

sweet and hot

2010-02-25T15:49:00.007-05:00

I miss thai chili flavored popcorn in South Africa. I want winter to pack it's bags. I want more aztec elixir. I want more movies to watch. I yearn for porches and mason jars.

it's a small world

2010-02-22T15:31:00.007-05:00

The Winter Olympics are a little bit more special this year for everyone in the Roeper School and University of Michigan Community (and doubly special for those in both) due to the pending great success (and already established phenomenal performance) of Charlie White and partner Meryl Davis.

But last night when I was watching their fellow competitors I felt like something about Ice Dancing is royally backward.

Perhaps it is the costumes, or the facials, or the wicked intersection of those two things.

Perhaps it was the raw essentialism and twisted nationalism in the themes (yes, Americans did a Western theme, the French Can-Can, and Italians some sort of Apline goat-herding motif).

Perhaps it was the fabricated tramp stamp on the back of the Lady Scott.

Or the fact that "loosing the face paint" was enough for NBC to OK the Russian team.

Yeah, stay classy Russia.

So Gawker already beat me to this, for the full visuals click.

[thanks too hip for the internet Brother!]

hrte conference!

2010-02-11T02:22:00.007-05:00

My last big event with my student group Human Rights Through Education (HRTE) happened this past weekend. It has been a lot to digest. We had an incredible array of speakers: Emmanuel Jal, M-1, two of the former editors of Adbusters Magazine, and Professor Nick Tobier.

They are all so amazing.

But maybe what was more amazing was pulling off the event and the magic of 20 people putting on a 15k conference, bringing in over 450 students, and opening dialogue on campus. It makes me so proud, and so honored and humbled to be a part of this whirlwind of ideas to reality to detailed logistical nightmares.

I am reading Grace Lee Bogg's autobiography Living For Change for my senior seminar. In it she quotes Gwendolyn Brooks, and aptly for my experience with HRTE:

we are each other's
harvest
we are each other's
business:
we are each other's
magnitude and bond.

everyday i'm hustlin

2010-01-24T22:02:00.003-05:00

The blog has been dead largely due to the madness that is planning at $10K conference. I apologize. There have been some great things to bubble to the surface in the past week though.

Perhaps the most notable is continuing my mad hustlin' tradition: Human Rights Through Education made $1000 in 12 minutes. Mad props to business casual and rollin' 3 deep.

Thank you, Institute for the Humanities for making sure that Emmanuel Jal has food to eat. (But in all seriousness, they are amazing generous people, and I am so thankful that faculty on this campus recognizes the hard work that students put into facilitating quality programming. Check out their brown bag lecture series, you will not be disappointed.)

In other news, I am deeply troubled by the song "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha for many reasons (mostly because I should have banked on white girls rapping earlier for bourgeois commercial success), but this mash-up is so saccharine and delectable I can't stop listening to it as I read Habermas.

Oh, the juxtaposition.

zuma zuma

2010-01-05T16:18:00.003-05:00

This is how getting cleared to graduate from college makes me feel.

(Too bad I don't have five wives.)

2009-12-13T20:14:00.002-05:00

There is nothing worthy to blog about in the United States.

Except for the potato I found at work that looked like Richard Nixon.

home

2009-12-04T11:52:00.001-05:00

Being at home kind of feels like this...

rotating kitchen from Zeger Reyers on Vimeo.

...it also feels like this.

happy birthday 20th CRC!

2009-11-20T04:28:00.001-05:00

Many happy wishes to the first UN treaty to tie together civil & political and social, cultural, & economic rights! For more information check out the state of the world's children.

Oh yeah, only the USA and Somalia have yet to sign.

Glad we are chllin' with failed states in upholding internationally accepted human rights norms. Stay classy, USA!

[Reposted from HRTEBlog]

seven more days

2009-11-18T12:33:00.001-05:00

One week to go.

Bouncing along.

[Thanks D.]

cross border trading

2009-11-18T12:01:00.002-05:00

Everyone is leaving, fleeing, taking off, etc.

As part of the pre-departure preparations we are all concerned about US Customs and Border Protection. I want to bring home things that may, or may not be, contraband. To try and solve some dilemmas (biltong? candy? honey?) I went to the CPB website. Instead of finding anything useful I found this:

CBP Officers in Miami Confiscate Prohibited Sweet Potatoes Wrapped as Candy

Miami - With the holidays around the corner more people are traveling to their native countries to visit with family and friends to share in holiday traditions and enjoy the food items typical to their culture. These travelers are eager to come home and bring back some of those food and fruit items that might seem harmless but could pose a menace to our agriculture and/or their health.

On November 7, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists intercepted 18 fresh sweet potatoes from a passenger arriving at Miami International Airport from Santa Cruz, Bolivia. After a thorough search of passenger’s luggage agriculture specialists were surprised when they discovered small fresh sweet potatoes that were neatly wrapped in commercial candy wrappers and disguised as a popular Bolivian candy.
The passenger did not declare the sweet potatoes as accompanying items in their baggage, therefore, the passenger was issued a $300 civil penalty in violation of 7 CFR 319.56 and the sweet potatoes were seized and destroyed under CBP supervision.
According to 7 CFR 319.56, fresh sweet potatoes from Bolivia are prohibited from entering the United States. Sweet potato tubers are known to host a wide range of soil borne pathogens like Streptomyces ipomoeae, which causes soil rot, a destructive scab disease of the sweet potato plant and other pests like Spartocera batatas (Fabricius), a type of weevil known commonly as giant sweetpotato bug.
“Our specialists and officers are among the best in the nation, they take great pride and produce significant results in the performance of their duties,” said Harold Woodward, director of Field Operations for Customs and Border Protection in Miami.

[emphasis added]

I am glad my tax dollars are working to keep our nation's sweet potatoes safe.

candyday #13 - senzi

2009-11-17T15:10:00.002-05:00

Senzi: Rippled wafer with caramel and chocolate cream covered in Galaxy chocolate

Tasting Notes: Just like the Oriental pleasure of those eyes this mysterious bar hails from the continent to my Northeast. Two of my comrades brought this back from Amman, per my request. These dolls lived up to the request with the Senzi, a chocolate bar which is like a posh Twix.

The tagline of Senzi is "more delicious taste." Although this may be missing a few key words in order to make strict grammatical sense, it still works for me. Why? Because, indeed, the taste is more delicious. I tasted with Alicia, the last American international student to grace my candy trials. Alicia agreed that this was like a flowery Twix. She thought the chocolate was a little overpowering, I thought it provided a nice milky balance. We were both disappointed, however, with the lack of caramel ripple, instead, it was just caramel flavored chocolate. But the wafer (even though I am usually a wafer hater) just melted in your mouth.

All in all, a great bar that crossed many continental borders.

Scoring: [Fiona / Alicia ]

Chocolate Quality - 7 / 7
Filling Quality - 7 / 8
Representational Accuracy - 6 / 9
Overall - 7 / 8
Bonus Points - 8 / 8
Overall Score - 7.5

JHB to CPT

2009-11-13T08:24:00.012-05:00

Candy flew by the wayside this week. I blame it on the 7 days and 7 nights of rain that happens once a year in Cape Town. A week which overlaid nicely with our trip to the Mother City.

No matter, we made our own fun that had nothing to do with the splendor of the outdoors. But did have a lot to do with museums and sweets.

Museum Roll Call:

South African National Gallery
South African Museum (has nothing to do with South Africa and everything to do with taxidermy - unfortunately the White Rhino was badly damaged as robbers pulled out his tusks last year)
Robben Island Gateway (think if Disney did apartheid)
Robben Island Prison (a well run and efficient tour ... kind of like being in prison. we were also the youngest people by 35 years)
The Iziko Slave Lodge
The Castle of Good Hope (impossible to find, despite being the biggest thing on the map of Cape Town other than Table Mountain, see above)
The William Fehr Collection (great exhibit about AIDS and art, we stayed for over 2 hours in one room)
District Six Museum (forced relocations suck, living memory and giant maps are awesome)
AfroGem Factory Tour
Bo Kaap Museum (tiniest museum in the world, worked a hustle to get the R5 student entry price)
Robben Island Launch Point (preluded by baby seals, below)

Sweet Roll Call:

Woolworth's sweets all the time (to keep us fueled we needed chocolate covered rose Turkish delights, I swear)
Brownies and cupcakes and muffins at Charly's Bakery (Oprah approved)
Croissants and cupcakes chez Josephine
Individually baked Lindt chocolate cakes at Baia
Afternoon buffet tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel (aka see below, aka living the colonial dream)

Sidebar:

This was a bad week for my boys in Red. However, upon eating a chicken shwarma sandwich the size of my forearm I came up with an equation that equals perfect happiness:
Beyonce 'Get Me Bodied' underscoring Jonny Evans cleating Chelsea players in the chest whilst inhaling the previously mentioned gastronomic delight. Epic.

seven (hundred more words)

2009-11-05T07:37:00.003-05:00

November smoke and your toes go numb

A new colour on the globe

It goes from white to red, a little voice in my head says oh

candyday #12 - FFWD

2009-11-03T23:44:00.006-05:00

FFWD: FFWD body >> FFWD mind [Not suitable for children and persons sensitive to caffeine. Consume responsibly!]

Tasting Notes: This bar may have been one of the most frightening things I have ever consumed in my life. Clearly, there is no mention of chocolate from the description, and the only reason I knew it was chocolate was from its position on the shelf (between Inside Story and Snacker). What the package did boast was ample amounts of caffeine, guarana, and a pick me up potential for finishing my last assignments.

It never mentioned blue.

That being said, FFWD was sweet and nougaty, but really had no distinct flavor of anything. There was no taste associated with the lurid blue insides, it only served as a very real distraction and point of utter confusion. It took away from what appeared to be caramel lurking just under the surface, while distracting from the fact that the chocolate coating may or may not have been chocolate at all. My co-taster, Gail, was likewise baffled. To quote directly, "the message is shady, I can't tell if it is candy ... or something ... else." So, in the strict department of chocolate, FFWD was an epic fail. Granted, it never boasted to be a candy bar, but it certainly left its mark:

Scoring: [Fiona / Gail]

Chocolate Quality - 5 / 4
Filling Quality - 4 / 5
Representational Accuracy - 2 / 2
Overall - 4 / 4
Bonus Points - 7 / 2
Overall Score - 3.9

no technology

2009-11-03T15:48:00.002-05:00

Earlier today the most advanced piece of technology on my person was an analog watch [no phone, no pod, no 'puter, no usb]. It reminded me of when we were in Mpumalanga chillaxin over pap with AIDS orphans. Upon finding out that I didn't have a cell phone I was dubbed "Fiona No Technology."

In honor of that I created a youtube playlist of the same name.

Check for more videos as my low tech life continues.

imagined communities

2009-11-02T14:16:00.006-05:00

I think about it all the time, especially here when I have informal polls with South African's to help build my paper about xenophobia & South African nationalism, and I am in the throws of World Cup fever (220 days), and I just finished Soccer in Sun and Shadow.

So, thank you Hollywood for vindicating me and my love of nation building through sport.

[thank you KRS1]

a prelude to thanks

2009-11-02T05:49:00.006-05:00

Thankful for going to Botswana this weekend and eating more beef than imaginable. And seeing more giant slabs of raw flesh than I ever imagined could be held in a single family home.

Thankful for making the bus that almost left without half of our comrades, thankful for the cab driver that chased down said bus. Thankful for not sitting 3 people in a 2 person seat for 5 hours.

Thankful for my ability to take party naps and play Monopoly Deal while waiting 7 hours for a wedding to start in a balloon festooned taxi. Later thankful for the power and the glory of "hot seat" and the refreshing taste of Hunter's Gold. Thankful for good company and good friends.

Thankful for the Halloween party at one of Gaborone's three clubs. Thankful for the father who compulsively sends me pictures of autumn at home.

Thankful for toasted sandwiches (which I am convinced are the perfect food) and their ubiquity in the SADC region. Thankful for Guava juice and Schweppe's Lemon Lite.

Thankful to be back in Jozi, but also thankful to be going home soon.

candyday #11 - lunch bar

2009-10-27T14:44:00.005-04:00

Lunch Bar: Milk chocolate crammed with wafer biscuit, caramel, peanuts, and crisped rice.

Tasting Notes: This week has been the definition of hectic. KRS1 and I have had a wild ride, and in honor she has been invited back for a second guest tasting. We threw it back and put our first South African candy, yee olde Lunch Bar, to the test. To make this quick: we love Lunch Bar. As a direct quote from KRS, "I have a cavity in my back left, this is the only candybar that aggravates it, but I don't even mind." Packed full of cookie and nut-trition, the Lunch Bar is perfectly balanced. The name is too true as well - if faced with a vending machine and no lunch, I would immediately pick a lunch bar ... or two.

Scoring: [Fiona / KRS1]

Chocolate Quality - 5 / 6
Filling Quality - 9 / 8
Representational Accuracy - 8 / 9
Overall - 8.5 / 8.5
Bonus Points - 8 / 7
Overall Score - 7.7

[Decorative backdrop c/o Vice South Africa, Issue 2]

big things poppin'

2009-10-26T02:26:00.003-04:00

I know I have posted before about gargantuan record breaking items in the Middle East. But this week, again, Arabs take the cake (and hummus and dress.)

Moral:

adventures in the cbd

2009-10-24T06:30:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I ventured into the Joburg CBD for the first time. It was a magical adventure that warrants the following bullet points:

I took my first legit taxi ride. The driver was wearing a shirt with Kipling's Law of the Jungle printed on the back. This was too fitting since taxis seem to operate under completely different laws that do not have anything to do with traffic norms. Also, I am still completely baffled how anyone knows where taxis are going or where they pick up. There are no signs, only an elaborate system of hand signals and honks.
One of the first things I bought was a giant bag meant for cross border trade. I am thinking about filling it with kip kip (colored stale salty popped corn bits) and cool times (guava juice popsicles in a plastic pouch).
We interacted with the Joburg Metro Police. The officers in question had Prada sunglasses and gold teeth.
I had chicken on a stick at place called "Funky Chicken" (don't worry kids, it was halal).
We saw the Rea Vaya (map above) in action. It is really shiny and sleek. Mad props to public transportation.
As I walked by the Walter Sisulu House, aka home of Gauteng ANC, a group of men who where keepin' the struggle alive tried to incorporate me in their song. I politely declined, but knew in my heart of hearts I could have joined, since the struggle is also kept alive by the Wits Women's XI, and therefore I knew the song.
I bought a pair of bootleg ManU shorts for R20 ($2.67 on today's exchange rate).
When trying to buy a Lady Di-esque high waisted pink skirt (also R20) the shopkeeper asked me how much my lobolo would be. K.Savage decided it would be 10 cows. I was incredibly honored and humbled by such an assessment of my worth.
In Gandhi Square there is a restaurant called "Gandhi's Kitchen" which led me to seriously question what Gandhi ever ate. (You've seen him, you know what I mean.)
Finally, I acquired through bartering and flattery perhaps the most amazing item of all time. It is about the weight of a small child, incredibly awkwardly shaped, and partially soiled. I carried it from Newtown, over the Mandela Bridge (aka the narrowest walkway known to man), and to the homefront. Along the way there were many quizzical looks beneath an oncoming hailstorm. Once I land in the Land of Liberty it will be unveiled.

(Sorry for all of the links about migrants. Bogo on the brain, as always.)

candyday #10 - bar one

2009-10-21T06:27:00.002-04:00

Bar One: Thick milk chocolate with nougat and caramel centre.

Tasting Notes: Although the tag line for Bar One is "for a 25 hour day" T.Le and myself left this experience thinking that Bar One would leave us with an extremely shortened day due to a massive pillowy nougat induced sugar coma. We both thought it was like a 3 Musketeers, but even thicker. To be honest, I don't have that much more to say about the Bar One, it was a pretty standard in every way, no big pros or cons, other than being extremely sweet. It would be a great fun size bar, however, and US halloween candy bags would profit immensely from its addition. While T.Le gave it bonus points based on it's extremely unnatural and concerning one-year shelf life, I had to morally award it negative points because 1) it is a Nestle product and 2) it subsequently most likely contains Grace Mugabe milk solids.

[apologies for the late post and the awful photo - this is what happens when you don't have a computer ... more on that later]

Scoring: [Fiona / T.Le]

Chocolate Quality - 5 / 5
Filling Quality - 5 / 4
Representational Accuracy - 9 / 8
Overall - 6 / 7
Bonus Points - -3 / 7
Overall Score - 5.4

2009-10-19T12:55:00.002-04:00

the good: Apparently I am some sort of shoe-less tennis prodigy, and T. Le came back to us with the glory of bagels, despite 38 hours of tri-continental travel.

the bad: I have 4 exams and a paper in the next 2 weeks. Oh yeah, and I blitzed my computer screen so I am now operating as an internet grifter who takes spontaneous naps without regular computer access. Posts may be a bit more sporadic.

the ugly: Because of this reduced internet consumption I have 458 unread items in my google reader. Additionally, because of this increased food-from-home consumption I am missing many of these things much more.

[props Neil for the sharing!]

socioeconomics breaking even

2009-10-15T01:32:00.003-04:00

Instead of convincing me one way or the other, this semester has left me even more conflicted about going to law school. South Africa, why do you have to be so fickle when it comes to socioeconomic rights jurisprudence!

Last week the Constitutional Court concluded that prepaid water meters are not illegal and that courts cannot decide how much water individuals should be allocate to individuals (surely the court could realize that one flush a day is not enough, but I digress).

That led to a - 1 for legal advocacy.

But then today, as I am casually reading the M&G, I stumbled upon great news from Durbs about the Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement (we know them from my ramble on 2010 contradictions). Apparently the Constitutional Court has declared that the Prevention of Re-Emergence of Slums Act is unconstitutional.

+ 1 for legal advocacy.

Which leaves us breaking even.

And continues my confusion.

a season closing ramble

2009-10-14T02:28:00.002-04:00

Soccer season ended (epically) on Monday. Below is adapted correspondence chronicling the last game:

Comrades,

Last night was one of the top five most frightening experiences of my life (I don't know what the other four are, but I know they exist). That being said, I thought I would share with you:

Basically, picture an overly enthusiastic Fiona on her way to her last soccer game as the heavens open up - I am talking thunder, lightening, rain, borderline hail, gale force winds. Despite my well-intentioned protests for caution and sense the game proceeded. I ended up playing 45 minutes in a lightning storm, every second thinking happy non-denominational thoughts to some higher power to ensure I don't get struck by Thor's Hammer. I seriously thought I was going to die out there. I also thought I was going to die as I was walking home next to giant trees and metal poles and holding my steel block-M waterbottle.

Even though it was terrifying, the panic attack it produced sparked some real fire. This included thinking about y'alls, and what a shame it would be if I ended up dead right before a whole slew 21st birthday celebrations.

It also reminded me, as I was running around trying not to get struck, about how bad I wanted a bagel. Don't take them for granted, and please eat one on my behalf.

I love & miss you guys a lot.

candyday #9 - inside story delectable truffle

2009-10-13T13:56:00.002-04:00

Inside Story Delectable Truffle: Soft hazelnut truffle in smooth milk chocolate

Tasting Notes: Inside Story, the outside may look like a trashy romance novel that you would get at the Paperback Trade Inn of Clawson, MI, but the inside looks more like a Lincoln Log. Even though superficially it is conflicted, me and my co-taster Tapiwa agreed that Inside Story was thoroughly consistent in almost every regard. We both were a little disappointed that the outer chocolate layer lacked crunch or any distinguishing feature from the truffle, but other than that the bar had a nice taste and some pleasant hazelnuttyness. Where Inside Story was spot on was representation. This guy looked almost identical to the packaging, and the description was spot on. Tapiwa gave high bonus points for this steadfastness, and wisely stating that he "rates honest highly" (sidebar: T wants to be a politician, please use this blog entry to hold him to account in the next 10-60 years). I gave it high bonus points based on the combined image of romance story outer and lumberjack innards (visual below).

Scoring: [Fiona / Tapiwa]

Chocolate Quality - 6 / 7
Filling Quality - 6 / 6
Representational Accuracy - 9 / 8.5
Overall - 7.5 / 7.5
Bonus Points - 7 / 8
Overall Score - 7.3

ballin', shot callin', walled in

2009-10-11T17:25:00.000-04:00

I have been meaning to write about the culture of fear and security in South Africa for awhile, I guess this article from The Economist finally prompted me to. It speaks to the new pressure, due to 2010, to increase shoot-to-kill force (I mentioned this briefly in my last post). It also gives incredibly startling statistics about the extent of private security:

More fortress-like gated communities are being built, guarded around the clock by armed men. Most of the white and black middle class barricade themselves behind increasing layers of security: bright lights; high perimeter-walls topped with electric fencing or razor wire; guard dogs; panic buttons and an alarm system linked to one of the many armed rapid-response security firms that promise to arrive within three minutes of a call. Since 1996 the government has quadrupled its anti-crime spending. But private spending has risen far more, by a factor of 400. Private security in South Africa is now worth 14 billion rand ($1.9 billion) a year, with 300,000 registered guards.

When South Africans ask me what is the most surprising thing about being here I usually speak to this culture of fear and the extent of private security. I hate that swiping access cards, signing in guests, tipping car guards, private cc-TV feeds in houses, booms within booms, looming 12-foot walls, and 'temporary' closures of public roads are the norm. Besides it being a little razor wire thorn in my side, I also feel like it creates alternate sovereignties within the country. The legitimate force of violence is no longer controlled by the police, rather it is patrolled by Stallion and Bad Boyz.

I also engaged with this point last night when talking to one of my teammates about Halloween. She was telling me how Halloween has just never caught on here because of security, and how in the suburbs (where people would have expendable income to celebrate) there are physically too many walls for children to go trick-or-treating.

We had just spent all day gardening, playing soccer, and (failing at) playing netball in a township, and during our conversation about security she stopped and expressed how much better living in a township is, just because you know your community. You are a part of an authentic neighborhood that isn't floating in islands of alienating transnational capital. And after being in a township, at least in this respect, that makes so much sense to me.

Plus in Katlehong Township you can be a part of this amazing majorette group and do a glorified version of the macarena:

fahrenheit 2010

2009-10-09T13:03:00.005-04:00

Moses Mabhida stadium, Durban

Recently I have been having very mixed feelings about 2010. Yes, I can tell you everyday what the countdown to kickoff is (244), and what I have done to hustle myself back next summer. But I also feel like I am a living contradiction.

This week in class we did a case study on Abahlali baseMjondolo, a shackdwellers movement based out of Durban. After some noodling on the internet (mainly to try and find some more material to make it to the 4th page of a response paper) I discovered this Democracy NOW! video and transcript. One of the Youth leaders of Abahalali, Mazwi Nzimande, speaks some mad truth to power:

The only thing that is being remembered is to build stadiums for the 2010 World Cup. They don’t talk about the poor people anymore.

Indeed, this film really seems to put it in perspective...

[via The Offsides Rules & THT]

...as do the recent moves to re-institute lethal force as a standard operating procedure for the South African Police Service.

So, in the South African context, can one be a football fanatic and a humble human rights lover at the same time? (This is really a question for me ... and the ANC.)

candyday #8 - mmmmallows

2009-10-06T12:49:00.004-04:00

Mmmmallows: Soft strawberry mallow smothered in chocolate & coconut.

Tasting Notes: Oh, Mmmmallow, your lurid colors lured me in the battleground of the Pick n' Pay express line. But those lurid colors cannot get you out, you coconut enrobed siren. This week's compatriot, Nathan, and I, who are both self professed sweet addicts, couldn't get over the negatives in this bar. They include (but are not limited to): The overpowering strawberry chemical taste, the radioactive innards which look like Candyland + Chernobyl, the

rather unsatisfying log exterior, the rush of delicious sweetness followed by a rapid and unredeemable fall from grace, and lastly - coconut - my personal kryptonite.

That jolly crocodile knew he was playing a trick on me when the dynamic movement and slickly marketed packaging popped out among the rows of granola bars.

Damn you croc, damn you coconut, damn you croconut.

Scoring: [Fiona / Nathan]

Chocolate Quality - 7 / 6
Filling Quality - 2 / 8
Representational Accuracy - 8 / 6
Overall - .5 / 5
Bonus Points - 0 / 3
Overall Score - 4.5

draggin

2009-10-06T07:08:00.004-04:00

Today I woke up at 5am. Don't ask. 6 matés and an americano have proved fruitless in perking me up. But then I had awakening:

EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT B

Can someone please give me any substantive differences between (a) RuPaul, First Lady of Drag and (b) Chantal Biya, First Lady of Cameroon?

overcoming barriers: human mobility and development

2009-10-05T09:26:00.005-04:00

This morning I attended the regional launch of the United Nations 2009 Human Development Report. How fortuitous for me that this year's theme is "Overcoming Barriers: Human Mobility and Development." Perfect for my newly hashed love of all things related to migration, and my old love of interactive maps (the kids love the maps).

The launch was held at Constitution Hill, an aptly ironic choice since it was once a prison, and is now home to the Constitutional Court, and a legal system that has essentially failed migrants in South Africa. Additionally, many of the solutions that the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs presented to solve migration issues in South Africa seemed to me like measures that would ultimately increase a climate of criminalization. He discussed the roll-out of new biometrics for incoming immigrants, and adding them to a national register. While this make sense to me because the state does need to know who is in the country to protect them, I feel like in the South African context this information will be used to further isolate and victimize migrants.

As seen from last years xenophobic attacks, South Africa is one of the most inhospitable places for refugees and migrants, regardless of legal status. And the articles about anxiety related to immigrants staying for the 2010 World Cup only support a culture of unfounded fears about the "threat" of low skilled workers from other African countries. Even the Deputy Minister noted how "South African's think every African is on their way to South Africa, or has already arrived."

Nonetheless, it is encouraging that liberalizing the global migration regime is so high on the global agenda. I just hope that this liberalization will continue to focus on human rights, and stay away from scary neoliberal justifications for freedom of movement.

Another concerning thing about this event was the decor. I felt like I walked into a UNDP wedding tent, complete with really nice fig cookies and Twinings vanilla tea. My question is, how many basic supplies could the UNHCR have gotten with just the floral budget from this event?

(By my rough calculations: 250 blankets, 10 survival kits, 8 clean water access points, 5 family-sized tents, or food for 100 children.)

49 years of independence

2009-10-04T15:46:00.003-04:00

"Between 1960 and 1999 Nigerian leaders wasted or stole nearly $400 billion in oil revenue. That is roughly the same amount as all of the foreign aid given to all of Africa in the same period."

A lot of the research I have been doing at the Commission is about Nigeria and oil. It is a little bit convoluted to be doing research about West Africa in South Africa, but such is life. The above video is a great piece from Current. It is incredibly sad considering Nigeria is now the beacon of democracy in the region, and just celebrated its 49th birthday.

re: autumn and despondency

2009-10-03T10:32:00.008-04:00

"We never can say what is in us. I most certainly should not be despondent. Per aspera ad astra."

- James Joyce, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

The cosmic forces appear to be on my side. The above quote materialized just when I needed it. And the above picture is the beginning of my daily dose of fall.

2009-10-01T11:52:00.002-04:00

Realization: I missed all of summer. Now all of my beautiful colorful fall. And I return when the weather of Michigan is its coldest.

Fail.

2009-10-01T01:25:00.003-04:00

[via The Big Picture]

Happy Birthday China (and Cyprus and Nigeria)!

May the revolution live on with force and consumer kitsch.

cloudy with a chance of despondency

2009-09-30T03:20:00.002-04:00

Too many hours spent reading about violations and how litigation, social movements, democracy, and activism are not a way out. Too many cloudy days in a row. Too many business emails sent across the Atlantic.

But there is always the Pursuit of Happiness.

candyday #7 - snacker

2009-09-29T12:37:00.003-04:00

Snacker: Muesli with fruit pieces on a delicious bed of Milk Chocolate

Tasting Notes: There are a few things I look for in a candy bar. The only thing I outright refuse, however, is coconut. Yet, the Snacker (another Cadbury creation) was bestowed upon my by my great friend, (and the sweetest girl who hates sweets) Rutendo. I trusted her opinion and moved beyond the 3.5% coconut content of the bar. Indeed, I am glad I did. Snacker has a lot going on. It rests in a liminal space somewhere between a candy and granola bar, a space that proved to be a magical frontier. The combination of oats, chocolate, fruit, nuts, and and coating all came together in a multi-textured, multi-layered sweet (but not too sweet!) experience. It was really lovely after a long day analyzing the philosophical underpinnings of public participation. Rutendo agreed that bar was extremely well rounded, but admitted a bit of a bias towards Snacker. I have an extreme bias towards oats. With out biases combined Snacker came out on top.

Scoring: [Fiona / Rutendo]

Chocolate Quality - 4 / 7.5
Filling Quality - 7 / 9.5
Representational Accuracy - 7.5 / 7.5
Overall - 7.5 / 7.5
Bonus Points - 7 / 7
Overall Score - 7.2

In other candy news: I really don't need any more reasons to hate Nestlé, but just in case I did here is a this really seals the deal.

Moral: That Crunch bar is funding Grace's Ferragamos.

pollsters

2009-09-28T17:29:00.005-04:00

Got back from Durban yesterday (more on that later). For now, here is the poll that graced the Mail & Guardian website this morning.

Fitting and telling.

But maybe not as frightening as polls gracing the American corner of the internet.

(Fucking Prawns.)