Giraffes

My favorite animal on our safari was the giraffe. They seem other worldly, almost awkward, until you see the grace of their movement. Our first experience was at the Giraffe Center in Nairobi, which allowed Roslyn to feed a giraffe. But far more satisfying was our game drives. In the pictures you will see the mating ritual known appropriately, as necking. You might also notice their unique method of walking. Both right legs in unison and then the left. Enjoy

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The above are from the Giraffe Center.  They care for injured giraffes, and promote the welfare of the animals.


We enjoyed the sweetness of the giraffes necking.

\Being in a conservancy allowed us to get remarkably close.

We enjoyed seeing the giraffes on the horizon.

Other than the big cats, the giraffes peacefully coexist with other animals.

A few more shots on the savanna.

 A babe giraffe above

Top 5 Reasons to Stay in a Conservancy Rather Than Masai Mara National Park

1. Off Road.  In a play on the oldest joke, "Q.  Why did the buffalo cross the road? A. He didn't."  In a conservancy, like the North Conservancy, guides are allowed to go off road.  Instead of the happy accident of seeing a lion or cheetah near the road you can travel to where the animals are.  Proximity has a financial benefit.  You can get by with a lighter, less expensive. lens. 
2. Walk in the Park.  In the national park you must always be in a vehicle.  In conservancies, with a guide, and sometimes a Masai warrior, you can go on nature walks.  You can also arrange for a "Bush Breakfast."
3. Night Life.  Only in conservancies can you go on night game drives.  The many nocturnal animals are not viewable in the park.
4. Peace and Quiet.  Enjoy tranquility of being the only Land Cruiser in the savanna.  Many people stay in the National Park.  Additionally, day trippers are permitted.  Only those staying in one of the hundred rooms in the Northern Conservancy are permitted to go on game drives.  That amounts to 700 acres per room.
5. No Traffic Jams.  A major sighting in the park can result in 30, 40 or more jeeps, fighting for a view.  In the conservancy, even when a sighting draws a crowd, only 5 jeeps at a time are allowed.  In those occasional events in which more than 5 beat you to the scene, you wait until one leaves.

Masai Mara Preview

Just a few photos to whet your appetite.  Staying in a Conservancy allowed us to get amazingly close to the animals.

Revisit the Broad

If you haven't been to the Broad Museum for a while, it is time to return.  The featured exhibit is "Soul of a Nation," exploring the interrelationship of art and Black activism.

A new light installation has a much shorter wait than the infinity exhibit on the first floor.

A Jeff Koons recently sold for 91.5 million dollars.  You can see them for free.

The Wrong Path

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez poked the conservative bear when she proclaimed that Donald Trump is taking us down the path to fascism.  The bear roared and rumbled before returning to its dumpster dive.

Most assuredly America is far, far from fascism.   But we are closer than we have ever been.  Here are the degrees of proximity.

Fascism and Trumpism are populist movements fueled by fear and hatred of "the other."  For fascism it was the Jews, for Trumpism it is brown immigrants, although hate crimes against minorities, including Jews, is on the rise.  Trumpism and fascism attack the basic structure of civil society and government in order to centralize power in the hands of the leader.  As part of that, both Fascism and Trumpism label the free press, "the enemy of the people."

Fascists created the "big lie."  Say something often enough, and boldly, and the public will believe.   Trump follows in their footsteps.

Trump does not have "brown shirts," but although mouthing the occasional criticism, has been remarkably tolerant towards white supremacists.

The biggest difference is than while Hitler murdered millions in death camps, Trump is merely separating asylum seekers from their children, and mistreating both parents and kids.

As we watch our president stage a totalitarian style military parade on this precious 4th day of July, we must question whether he is taking us on the right path.

Feeling a Draft

After 8 years in a bubble, Michelle Obama is reveling in family, friends and pet projects.  She has no personal political goals, and has pointedly eschewed a presidential run.  Running for president is a multiyear slog, with the first debates starting nearly 15 months before the election.  She wants no part of it.

But for Democrats the allure of Michelle is irresistible.  Michelle Obama was the most admired woman in a recent poll.  But unlike the prior winner, Hillary Clinton, who may also have been the most disliked woman, Michelle has few haters.  Her approval/disapproval differential is off the charts.  She would fire up the base without inspiring the opposition.

She must be furious at her husband's legacy dismantled, and his reputation trampled, by an odious imposter.  Opposition to Trump is not political, it is moral.  No one expects Michelle to throw her hat in the ring,  Instead, if the Democratic presidential nominee comes as a suitor on bended knee, we hope she will accept the Vice Presidency.

Running for VP is not the marathon of the presidency, but just a 4 month sprint to the finish.  As Vice President she could accept as much, or as little responsibility as she chooses.  With Trump out of office, she could decline to run for a second term.

The stakes are so high, that we are humbly asking Michelle to go all in on a game she does not want to play.

Pathway to Hell

I have long expressed my "Pathway to Heaven Theory."  Each individual believes that his or her greatest strength is the most important virtue.  Those gifted with great brain power value intelligence above all else.  Those who are at perfect weight consider that fundamental.  Wealthy men, like our president, give that preeminence.

But only now, is it clear that the opposite is also true.  Those with serious character flaws believe all others have the same deficiencies.  For we all want to think well of ourselves.  The President is hellfire in chief.  He, did, and would, accept help from foreign powers, because anyone would do it.  An inveterate liar, he blames all others for spreading fake news.

Because of his low moral standards,  Trump can only maintain his ego and sense of self worth by dragging the entire country down to his level.  We are going to hell in a Trump branded hand basket.