American Glass Paintings

Oh how I like. These are from New Orleans St. Louis Cathedral.

Don't stop me now

Three years ago I realized that in order to do some extra shifts as a doctor I desperately needed wheels. The Internet was full of alternatives and I was puzzled. Finally dad offered his help and before I knew it I was the proud owner of a beautiful Toyota. (Though I didn't really own it. I owned a long payment deal, but that's not the point.)

I loved that car! It meant freedom. I could go and do what I wanted. A whole new world opened. 

Gradually that car became natural part of my life. I used it everyday. On holidays I did amazing road trips. I've eaten and slept in it. Used it as a dump or a closet. Done my make-up and changed outfits. And music. There is nothing like driving your car on a summer night listening to your favourite band. 

And that car never failed. I always got home safe. Not once did it break down.

Here comes the but.

I started to wonder what it would be like to live without a car. I was surprised how hooked I had become. Even with more eco friendly alternatives to make a trip again and again I ended up on taking the car. I gained weight. And then there's the money issue with taxes, insurances etc.

Last August I said it out loud. "I'm thinking of selling my car."

For the last few weeks I've been cycling to work. It's not always pleasant, but I've enjoyed it anyway. A whole new home town has opened to me with the public transport and calling a cab is quite normal. I can't believe how easy it feels - a transition of this magnitude. (Though snow and cold cold winter are coming so regrets are likely.)

I'm not saying that I'll never buy another car. But this kind of change is refreshing.

All the leaves are brown

Thank you Lord for colouring this chilly time of year.

Survival of the smartest

A few nights back I was watching a television debate on religion. The setting was somewhat unusual and the comments much wittier than we're used to hearing. At one point intelligence was raised on the table referring to claims that atheists have higher IQ than believers. "Huh? I didn't get that," was the funny reply by the visiting pastor. Later one mouth said that this is proven by the popularity of religions in developing countries. !!! No one blinked or raised their eyebrows and the talk continued.

I was surprised how such comment can be acceptable in the year 2013.

In his book Guns, Germs and Steel Jared Diamond is arguing against such a claim. What seems to us as less developed does not imply to less intelligent. An example would be a New Guinean who knows thousands of plants and their possible uses. Or an aboriginal in Australia, who can easily survive in hot desert where yours truly would dry out in few hours. And he's not the first or the last making this point. 

Apparently the whole book is there to explain why Europeans attacked and conquered other continents. Many have used the concept of IQ in justification of this history. Diamond's explanation is more or less due to things like chance, evolution, environment and climate. Somehow it's not enough. Though very understandable for a firm believer of evolution.

Biology does not explain greed, oppression, violence or hatred. Conquer of the New World was not about survival of the fittest it was about the dark nature of human being.

I believe that given the chance anyone of us could be the oppressor to some extent. This is where we need religion. Smart are those who realize it.

Best bit of the day

 This is amazing. Rokia Traoré knows what she's doing.

Whose point of view

Few days before our departure from the US we heard what had just happened in Boston. It felt like for the first few hours everyone was in a state of anticipation. I personally thought the bombs were a diversion for something much more horrid just like in Norway. Luckily they captured the bomber and whatever plans he had are now belied.

All major TV channels were all about Boston - naturally. But literally this one event excluded every other piece of news. After the first day one might have like to hear wether or not North-Korea is attacking anyone or say know if there still is a Europe with all its' financial problems. Did the senate pass new laws, was there any natural catastrophe going on, how were things with the army or the legal system?

What is shown on TV is always someone's point of view and those making the decision have their interests and motives. (OK I admit I've been watching The Newsroom lately.) With Boston there were hours when nothing new truly happened, they were just repeating the same news, showing one runner take a fall again and again and finding people who commented jus how terrible it was to set a bomb in Boston.

I don't think I was the only one hoping to see or hear something else. Or was I?

Food for the soul

Enough with the traveling for a while now. These are from Sculpture Garden at New Orleans. One of the best parts in town. 

From the top by: Robert Indiana, Jaume Plensa, Coosje van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg, Arman

Big easy

Rainy day in New Orleans gives a good reason to stare at your laptop. I've had a wonderful holiday here, seen and done plenty. People in the South are friendly and open. I've been talking to strangers the past week more than last year altogether.

Everywhere you go one way or the other the discussion is turned to Katrina, the hurricane that hit here hard in 2005. You can still see the results of the storm nearly anywhere you go. Abandoned houses big and small, remnants of various buildings and sad looking port.

There's also sunnier topics, plenty of them. I've been watching one family nearby in the neighborhood lifting their house. It's literally raised on poles so that if the water level goes up they'll be safe. I like that kind of attitude. "Come what may but we'll make it."

Louisiana baby!

Quick change from Africa to the South. Here's my theme song for the past few days. Overwhelmed.

Wild Africa... well almost

 Don't do safari if it's rainy season. These were my top shots. 

We had fun though.

Oh and saw some of the cast from Lion King.