Monthly Archives: August 2018

Aug31

shared humanity.

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in yet another amazing case of serendipity

i was recently at school (in the united states)

attending a professional development session

with colleagues who were describing a wonderful project

they had undertaken with their students.

during the last school year they had worked on design thinking projects

intended to help our world’s environment in some way.

throughout the process

the teachers provided the students

with a wide range of sources of information having to do with their area of interest.

during our seminar, they passed around some of the sample articles they had used.

imagine my surprise when reading the random article that i was handed

and i saw the photographic credit on the back page

realizing that i had a connection to it.

it read:

‘michel porro – getty images.’ 

michel porro is a long time friend of mine who i happened to meet

when we were both working at the world cup in my city 24 years ago.

michel, at the time was a photojournalist from the netherlands, stationed in hong kong, working for reuters, and covering events all over the world. i was in advertising, taking time off to working in the media tent for the duration of the event. we met there and continued to run into each other in a variety of places, though we never had the chance to meet up outside of a working situation, try as we might.

we finally had the chance, and it was the last night before he was to leave. unfortunately brazil won, causing a chain of unusual events, that led to our last chance to meet not ever happening.

since that time, (24 years ago), we’ve stayed pen pals, and followed what’s happened in each other’s lives. i wrote an earlier blog about our long distance unlikely long term friendship and the link is below, but i’ve somehow lost the photo part of the post.

—

https://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/2014/06/22/what-a-wonderful-thing-is-the-mail-capable-of-conveying-across-continents-a-warm-human-hand-clasp-author-unknown/

—

upon seeing his name again last week, i texted to tell him about my surprise. he texted back surprised as well. our paths continue to cross in the most interesting ways.

B Kennedy
to Michel pastedGraphic.png

small world, Michel 

Sent from my iPhone

——–

Michel Porro

to me pastedGraphic.png

Wow Beth, that is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing. Boyat (the subject in the photo) is a quiet man with a big mission.  I met him twice for 2 photoshoots.

How are you doing? I’m in Italy at the moment. The world is a turbulent place isn’t it?

You do good work.

Best

Michel

—

“this idea of shared humanity and the connections that we make with one another – that’s what, in fact, makes life worth living.”

-clint smith

Aug30

marshmallow.

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it’s national toasted marshmallow day

and all i can think of

is my very favorite dessert –

s’mores.

introduced in the united states years ago

by the scouts of america

the s’more

is still much loved by so many.

—

actual marshmallow health and safety tips from the boy scouts of america guidebook:

When roasting your marshmallows, a light brown skin is sufficient. Having the marshmallow engulfed in flames may cause panic and flinging of hot marshmallow onto someone.

Have a properly stocked first-aid kit available (and have trained first-aid Scouts and adults on hand).

Roasting marshmallows can be fun, but care should be taken so that participants do not become injured by burns or punctures.

If you are on a campout, thoroughly clean your hands and face before hitting the sleeping bag. The smell of marshmallows and chocolate are known to attract various animals.

S’mores are great for an evening snack or cracker barrel, just before bedtime. On campouts, the sugar rush is just enough so that the youth will sleep soundly through the night.

 —

“my favorite vegetable is the marshmallow.”

-jim gaffigan

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photo and tips credits: scouting magazine
Aug28

what is a hero?

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President Richard M. Nixon honors John McCain at the State Department

after McCain was released by the North Vietnamese in 1973

after more than five years as a prisoner of war.

(U.S. Navy)

—

RIP Senator John McCain

a maverick in the truest sense of the word

—

“I’ve tried to serve our country honorably. I’ve made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them. I’ve often observed that I am the luckiest person on Earth. I feel that way even now, as I prepare for the end of my life. I’ve loved my life, all of it. I’ve had experiences, adventures, friendships, enough for 10 satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life in good or bad times for the best day of anybody else’s.”

-John McCain – from a letter he left to be read upon his death

—

“a hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” bob dylan

 

 

 

 

—

image credit: washington post

Aug27

walking heads.

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update on the talking heads –

seems they’ve become the walking heads.

and may have found me.

asking me to step up

to become their new organizer

as i am 

one of the ‘top members’ of the group

though i never joined

only looked upon it in horror.

i may have to move.

—

Hi Beth Kennedy,

Ferris stepped down from organizing Learn and practice Ventriloquism and puppet skills.

You are one of the top members of this Meetup, so I think you have what it takes to be a great organizer. Stepping up would help ensure that this community continues to survive past Thu Sep 6.

You can step up as organizer here:  _________________

Best Regards,
Meetup Community Experience Team

—

“no, because I am not a ventriloquist.”
-russell bank

 

—

image credit: vintage pinterest

Aug26

wondering.

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after walking up to this truck

i wondered about all the stories it could tell

where it’s been, who it carried, what happened

no one knows for sure

all that’s left is to imagine.

what a ride it must have been!

—

“i like stories that leave you wanting more,

leave you wondering, but don’t tell you everything.”

-viggo mortensen

 

—

ann arbor – summer 2018

Aug25

talking heads.

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*LEARN AND PRACTICE VENTRILOQUISM AND PUPPET SKILLS!

(*This offer recently popped up on my local Meetup Group feed, inviting me to join. It would be one of my worst nightmares. Hopefully, the puppets don’t know where I live.)

‘This group is for anyone who wants to learn to do ventriloquism. After buying a puppet and learning to do ventriloquism, I decided to form this group.We will go through all the basics. I have a guide that will help us and we will follow the lessons. I will only use the skills from the best ventriloquists in the country. This group is something that I have wanted to get together for a long time. This group is open to the public. ‘

noooooooooooooo……..

“here’s something you never hear:

now that i’ve worked through all my emotional issues,

i’m free to dedicate my life to ventriloquism!”

– dana gould

 

 

 

—

image credits: google images

 

Aug24

not so random.

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what do a pair of winter boots, a dinosaur, a net, and a light

 have to do with each other?

at one point they were all important to someone

now it’s clear they’re not

 hoping they’ll be important

to someone else very soon. 

—

“random things are luxurious to people. it’s personal.”

-l’wren scott

Aug22

time travel.

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grandie m

shared his formula

for time travel

with me

but has not come up 

with a return formula

as of yet.

he even made me my very own copy.

i love the cover

and hopefully

everyone’s copy looks like this. 

 

—

“the truth is, time travel is hard, and people are lazy.”

-margaret person haddix, Redeemed