[Thread] New Year’s is when I typically post a recap of travel. In 2019 I broke my own record and visited 40 countries and 92 cities. In 2020 I made it to 5 of 45 planned countries before the pandemic hit. I don’t need to tell anyone how much this year sucked so let’s skip../1
...to the good part. I’m healthy. My loved ones are safe. I’m working and kept my clients. None of my friends is sick. I rang in 2020 at the street party in Vienna, something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I made it to two of my favorite countries: France and Egypt. /2
2020 had light too. This lone traveler found out how much fun it is to have a travel companion (thanks @PenlandKW). Katy and I met here and had never seen each other IRL before she planned to join me on my business trip to Jordan and Egypt. She’s brave as shit....😊 /3
...and the trip was awesome. Recap can be found in our TLs but let’s just say it spurred planning for another trip, with many other Twitter friends. Speaking of, that was another highlight of 2020 - finding an amazing group of fun weirdos, I mean, people who joined together../4
...for rowdy, hysterical and sanity-saving virtual happy hours every week. @catvideos6 @PenlandKW @meow2438 @marykerry @roxydavis99 @tonyserrata @baddogs4343 @HolaBallolla @karidoll14 @MelissaJPeltier @guitarviator THANK YOU guys for keeping me happy and hopeful this year! /5
Not everything good was virtual. The feline family grew with #MikaKitten, who should really be called Mika Hurricane. She and #ApolloChronicles got on like a house on fire. Their antics are thoroughly documented and enjoyed by yooman fans. /6
2020 also marked the first steps towards regaining our decency, sanity, and standing in the world. I won’t call it a redemption because we have a shitload of work to do and 30% of the country is still out of their fucking minds, but it was a good sign. Yay Joe & Kamala! /7
In smaller victories, I managed to stay somewhat fit with hiking and living room workouts. I didn’t think I would have the willpower, but for the most part I did ok. Bought sweatpants though. 😬 /8
And then it’s Christmas. The year was heartbreaking and sucked in ways we didn’t know it could, but we made it here. Scientists accomplished the unthinkable, while frontline and medical workers’ enduring strength sets a new bar for humanity. It’s a season of hope and gratitude./9
In just a few hours it will be a new year. Practically speaking, nothing changes. Our lives won’t be instantly better. People won’t stop suffering, and the dead won’t go back to their grieving families just because 2020 is over. But symbolism helps sometimes. So here’s a big /10
FUCK OFF 2020, and a warm welcome to 2021. May we heed the lessons. May we respect science, be more humble with nature, value each other, show kindness, and appreciate what we have. Personally I will never again take for granted the wonder of a warm hug. ❤️ /end

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More from @boardingsoon

30 Sep 20
I know the big takeaway from last night being talked about is Trump’s refusal to disavow white supremacy and his “stand by” call to Proud Boys. But honestly, didn’t we know that already? Do you think his base gives a shit? Even those who aren’t racist themselves had plenty of /1
evidence of it before they voted for him the first time around. Also, his bullying isn’t new. Did anyone seriously expect him to show decorum at a debate when he doesn’t show it any other time? Please. His cult loves it. He’s a one-trick pony performing the same act for /2
The same audience over and over again. Only the setting changes. The important thing last night was that Joe didn’t lose it. He didn’t go down to the mud to wrestle with the pig. He remained composed, made his points, talked policy. He was a normal, boring politician. /3
Read 4 tweets
15 Sep 20
I knew a guy in Brazil in the 90s who sorely missed a corrupt president we impeached soon after getting democracy back. He was a nice guy, upper middle class, well educated, super smart. I couldn’t understand how a guy like that could be in favor of a corrupt government. /1
One day I asked him. He shrugged and said that sure, he knew corruption was bad for the country, but he didn’t trust bureaucrats. Too much of an unknown. With a corrupt guy, he argued, you know everything you need to do to get what you need. Whether it’s a bribe, a favor, /2
some kick back. It’s quid pro quo all the time, and business people get that. You get an honest guy in power, he said, how can you get ahead? I was dumbstruck and never forgot that. We are 7 weeks away from a generation-defining election. We hear about the evangelical vote /3
Read 7 tweets
11 Sep 20
If you want to hear real presidents remember 9/11, here is one (1/2):
And here's another:
What strikes me about both Presidents is the true pain on their faces, as well as compassion for all who live in a world where such horror exists. Both presidents show resolve, dignity and certainty that 9/11 would not come to define America. /3
Read 4 tweets
2 Aug 20
Lebanese/Mediterranean brunch today. My favorite breakfast item in Beirut was Za’atar Man’ouche (flat bread with seasoning). Super easy to make. You’ll need 2.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 75ml olive oil, 150ml warm water, 2 tsp yeast, 1 tsp salt for the dough. /1 Image
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, yeast and salt. Make a hole in the middle. /2 ImageImage
Microwave the water until it’s warm to touch, no hotter than 100 degrees. Add water to the hole then add olive oil to the water. /3 ImageImageImage
Read 10 tweets
1 Aug 20
If you’re putting down Kamala Harris because she’s ‘too ambitious’, ask yourself if you’d say the same of a man. Then ask yourself if you would rather have a meek, timid VP to sit on the sidelines or someone who will fight hard for everything they believe in. JFC it’s 2020 and /1
I still remember all the excuses people made for not voting for a woman president. ‘Too emotional’, ‘No one will respect’, etc etc. Here we are. Do America a favor and judge candidates - of all parties - on their preparedness, experience and leadership. Forget the gotcha /2
Moments, ignore gossip, vet your sources, look at the entirety of their life’s work, their current positions on issues, how they treat other people, how they look at the world, their empathy and humility to admit mistakes, their ability to listen and learn from others, their /3
Read 5 tweets
19 Jul 20
Continuing my “fuck it all” mood, this morning I indulged in the only dish I’ve ever invented: cheese waffles. I was inspired by a hotel breakfast in Mumbai of all places. They served eggs Benedict not on English muffins but on savory waffles. Interested? Here we go: /1
You need 2 eggs (separated), 1.5 cups of buttermilk, 2 Tbsp melted butter, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 Tbsp cornmeal, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1-2 cups of grated cheese (whatever you have at hand), 1 tsp dried herbs. /2
Whisk together egg yolks, buttermilk and melted butter until combined. /3
Read 9 tweets

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