You want to reduce the carbon footprint of your food?
Focus on what you eat, not whether your food is local. Transport emissions are very small for most food products.
When I evacuated my second shelter in Rafah in April, I left some belongings behind—partly because we couldn’t carry much, and partly to leave something for the three families who remained in the shelter.
One of those items was a mug I had bought in my first shelter in Zawaida. I thought I’d be able to buy another one when I arrived in Deir al-Balah. But by the time we arrived, about a million others had already taken refuge here, and the markets had already begun to run out of supplies. Since October 2023, anything that runs out—aside from food—cannot be replaced, as the Israeli occupation has imposed a suffocating blockade and completely severed northern Gaza from its south, allowing only specific food items and, occasionally, hygiene products under strict restrictions. To cope with this, people have begun trading used items with one another, including kitchenware, clothes, blankets, mobile phones, laptops, etc.
I couldn’t bring myself to buy a used mug, partly because they were rarely available, and if I did find one, it would be slightly cracked or just a plain transparent cup, and that’s not what I mean when I say I want a mug. Back home in Gaza, I was known for having dozens of mugs, each chosen for a specific mood, season, occasion, or holiday. A mug represents the warmth of home, a moment I steal for myself to stay sane amidst all this madness—a reminder that I can still close my eyes in peace and comfort with the first sip of hot chocolate on a cold night. I didn’t want a cracked mug to symbolize all the things that have shattered over the past year, including our hearts and memories. I refrained from buying a mug for months, waiting until I found one that truly felt like home, rather than a cold shelter.
Two days ago, I stumbled upon a social media post by an artist I had previously bought a mug from in Gaza. I was surprised she was still advertising her hand-painted mugs, this time only in the southern parts of Gaza, since she wouldn’t be able to deliver to the north. Needless to say, I immediately ordered one, even though it cost more than triple its usual price due to the scarcity and the high cost of materials under the ongoing Israeli blockade.
Yesterday, I received my first order in the past 13 months, and I can’t describe how surprised I was by the perfect way it was packaged. The artist lives in Nuseirat, a place that has been relentlessly bombarded by the Israeli occupation over the past few weeks. I couldn't imagine how she managed to source materials and carefully package each order with such love amidst the overwhelming sound of massive bombardments rocking her refugee camp.
For a moment, I felt as if none of this was happening, that we were still home, that everyone was still here, and that no one was gone. It felt like there were no invaders chocking the air of my city, and the sounds of explosions were merely a distant echo.
Like a little child excited to open a Christmas gift, I began to unpack the mug and the small items that accompanied it. Among them was one coffee sachet and a biscuit, wrapped in paper with handwritten text that read, “In memory of my martyr friend Mahassen al-Khatib.”
Mahassen was one of the most creative digital artists in Gaza. She was killed around a week ago along with her family in an Israeli bombardment of their home in northern Gaza.
I read the text and I was suddenly hit by the reality that all of this is actually happening, that many of us are gone, and that the sounds of explosions are actually bombardments that are tearing down our homes and souls.. I wish I had settled for a used, cracked mug.
@AutoGiraffe Been on mastodon for a while. It's a slight learning curve to get on and there's still not all that many people, but I've been quite happy there
Someone else said:
“Art Nouveau is when it looks made by elves.
Art Deco is when it looks made by dwarves.”
And after looking into it, I think they’re a genius and 100% correct.
Solutions nearly always come from the direction you least expect, which means there's no point trying to look in that direction because it won't be coming from there. DOUGLAS ADAMS
With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived.
@truths3aker@HaagseInsider Als je het werk en de metingen van tienduizenden wetenschappers als "nergens" aan wilt duiden...
De documentatie is zeer uitgebreid. Leest u in
@truths3aker@HaagseInsider Hey, je haalt per ongeluk weer en klimaat door elkaar. Klimaatverandering gebeurt inderdaad altijd al, maar wordt hier als kort gebruikt om versnelde klimaatverandering aan te duiden. Dat merken we nu en kunnen veel natuurlijke systemen niet bijbenen. zie verlies biodiversiteit
Its time again for the yearly late may segfest birthday party
This year we're bringing back the sleepwave sleepover, chilled out/ambient/sleepy/nightmare segs all night, Friday May 24th
submissions/inquiries [email protected]
Israel's use of #IHL jargon (warnings, evacuation orders, safe zones) is to create the illusion that its military operations ensure protection of civilians. This "humanitarian camouflage" has de facto turned Gaza into a place "without civilians", where everything is detroyable & everyone is killable.
#StopGenocideInGaza
#Rafah