"There is a story about the Greek Gods.
They were bored so they invented human beings.
But they were still bored so they invented love.
Then they weren't bored any longer, so they decided to try love for themselves.
Then, finally, they invented laughter.. so they could stand it."
This is a quote from a movie called Feast of Love. I like it. The concept that our existence is the result of callous exercises in creativity is at once incredibly liberating and wildly depressing, but it has an ironic simplicity to it that, somehow, rings true in the soul.
Plus, Morgan Freeman was narrating the lines, so it sounded pretty legit to me. Seriously, there's something in that man's voice that inspires complete confidence. I'd believe him if he said I was a pigeon, reincarnated as a lesbian, trapped in an antelope's body.
Either way, I guess that means that if/when I ever say, "I don't know about 'love' man.. it's all Greek to me..", there may actually be some truth to that statement after all. Ha.
In other news, *SO COMPLETELY PSYCHED* about The Dark Knight coming out this Friday. Probably won't get to see it until Sunday due to various commitments over the weekend, but can barely contain the excitement. Keeping my eyes closed and fingers crossed so that I see no spoilers and can continue to pray that it doesn't disappoint!
July 16, 2008
July 13, 2008
Superpower Love
Wonder Woman is restraining and talking to Superman after he is transformed into Doomsday form by Circe:
Wonder Woman: "I won't let you give into your pain or guilt. The whole world needs you right now because of who you are and what you do. Because of what you mean to everyone. Because of what you mean to me. Just by being as good as you are."
Superman (changing back and crying): "Diana.. what have I done to you?"
You've done nothing, you stupid stupid man. She *loves* you. Don't you get it? That's what love is. Gawd, for a man with super-strength and x-ray vision, you're pretty dumb.
Wonder Woman: "I won't let you give into your pain or guilt. The whole world needs you right now because of who you are and what you do. Because of what you mean to everyone. Because of what you mean to me. Just by being as good as you are."
Superman (changing back and crying): "Diana.. what have I done to you?"
You've done nothing, you stupid stupid man. She *loves* you. Don't you get it? That's what love is. Gawd, for a man with super-strength and x-ray vision, you're pretty dumb.
July 8, 2008
Song of the Week
Current mood: Sad
Current song on repeat: Kahin Toh Hogi (Jaane Tu.. Ya Jaane Na)
Why: The film was totally adorable and while most of the songs are simply magical, especially Kabhi Kabhi Aditi , this track really hit home with me (both were sung by some dude called Rashid Ali, whose voice I'm becoming a big fan of because of its sheer newness and youth).
This is a sad, teenage-angsty song that is reminiscent of Michael Learns to Rock love songs which felt so deep and meaningful when you were a teen in the late 1990s. It takes you back to that age, when heartbreak made you so sad that you thought you had seen the worst of things to come... but you also knew inside that you were only a kid so there was actually lots of time left for you to experience real life and there was hope that it would, eventually, be wonderful. Who would have thought that just ten years later you'd be looking back at your teen years with such nostalgia? Boy, I feel old :)
Current song on repeat: Kahin Toh Hogi (Jaane Tu.. Ya Jaane Na)
Why: The film was totally adorable and while most of the songs are simply magical, especially Kabhi Kabhi Aditi , this track really hit home with me (both were sung by some dude called Rashid Ali, whose voice I'm becoming a big fan of because of its sheer newness and youth).
This is a sad, teenage-angsty song that is reminiscent of Michael Learns to Rock love songs which felt so deep and meaningful when you were a teen in the late 1990s. It takes you back to that age, when heartbreak made you so sad that you thought you had seen the worst of things to come... but you also knew inside that you were only a kid so there was actually lots of time left for you to experience real life and there was hope that it would, eventually, be wonderful. Who would have thought that just ten years later you'd be looking back at your teen years with such nostalgia? Boy, I feel old :)
July 4, 2008
July 2, 2008
Song of the Week
Current mood: Pensive, a little hopeful.
Current song on repeat: Pehli Nazar Mein (Race).
Why: Atif Aslam manages to minimize the angst in his voice and actually sound a little tender/romantic, as he tactfully warbles his way to some really enjoyable high notes, in a sweet love song that.. hmm.. kinda makes you wanna run around a flowery valley with a lover. Y'know?
Enjoy :)
Current song on repeat: Pehli Nazar Mein (Race).
Why: Atif Aslam manages to minimize the angst in his voice and actually sound a little tender/romantic, as he tactfully warbles his way to some really enjoyable high notes, in a sweet love song that.. hmm.. kinda makes you wanna run around a flowery valley with a lover. Y'know?
Enjoy :)
July 1, 2008
June 28, 2008
June 27, 2008
Murder on the Fitchburg Express
Creepy things are afoot on the Boston T lately. This past week, three people were killed by a train on three consecutive days.
On Tuesday, a 15 year old boy got hit by a commuter rail train; on Wednesday, another man got hit by a commuter rail train - the one that stops at my station; and on Thursday a woman was hit by the Orange line in Sullivan Square.
Sadly, the man who was killed on Wednesday was actually one of Sarwar's favorite math professors at Clark. We were shocked and saddened to hear the news.
What's going on? Why has the MBTA suddenly become the most dangerous mode of transportation? Perhaps it's the phenomenon of the copy-cat crime coming into play. Sometimes all you need is the media to start buzzing around one kind of freak-accident tragedy, and then everyone else who wants to commit suicide decides that that would be a fantastic way to go.
In general, there has been way too much drama surrounding the T nowadays. A few weeks ago, a Green line train crashed into another one, killing the T driver. Then, there were two subway fires on the Red line in the span of a week, forcing half the stations on the line to shut down - which, along with construction delays, made that line painful to ride on. And just a few days ago, a Green Line operator was fired because a woman reported that she saw him asleep at the wheel of a train.
It's madness. It seems like every day you turn on the TV or go to Boston.com, and there is a new T-related tragedy to deal with. Next thing you know the ferries will start sinking, buses will begin self-combusting, and the Blue line (so far, the only train line to be spared) will come to a screeching halt, too.
When does it end?
On Tuesday, a 15 year old boy got hit by a commuter rail train; on Wednesday, another man got hit by a commuter rail train - the one that stops at my station; and on Thursday a woman was hit by the Orange line in Sullivan Square.
Sadly, the man who was killed on Wednesday was actually one of Sarwar's favorite math professors at Clark. We were shocked and saddened to hear the news.
What's going on? Why has the MBTA suddenly become the most dangerous mode of transportation? Perhaps it's the phenomenon of the copy-cat crime coming into play. Sometimes all you need is the media to start buzzing around one kind of freak-accident tragedy, and then everyone else who wants to commit suicide decides that that would be a fantastic way to go.
In general, there has been way too much drama surrounding the T nowadays. A few weeks ago, a Green line train crashed into another one, killing the T driver. Then, there were two subway fires on the Red line in the span of a week, forcing half the stations on the line to shut down - which, along with construction delays, made that line painful to ride on. And just a few days ago, a Green Line operator was fired because a woman reported that she saw him asleep at the wheel of a train.
It's madness. It seems like every day you turn on the TV or go to Boston.com, and there is a new T-related tragedy to deal with. Next thing you know the ferries will start sinking, buses will begin self-combusting, and the Blue line (so far, the only train line to be spared) will come to a screeching halt, too.
When does it end?
June 25, 2008
You
You
You are still a whisper on my lips
A feeling at my fingertips
That's pulling at my skin
You leave me when I'm at my worst
Feeling as if I've been cursed
Bitter cold within
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Without you
Without you
You
You are still a whisper on my lips
A feeling at my fingertips
That's pulling at my skin
You leave me when I'm at my worst
Feeling as if I've been cursed
Bitter cold within
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Without you
Without you
June 24, 2008
Things on My Mind
1) I love BIC ballpoint pens. I'm using a blue one right now and getting the best handwriting ever.
2) The word slap can be said in Hindi/Urdu in at least four ways: chaanta, thappar, jhaapar and tamaacha. Fascinating isn't it? I wonder if there are more.
3) James McAvoy, Richard Hammond and James Blunt are three extremely talented and good-looking British men. mmMmMm.
2) The word slap can be said in Hindi/Urdu in at least four ways: chaanta, thappar, jhaapar and tamaacha. Fascinating isn't it? I wonder if there are more.
3) James McAvoy, Richard Hammond and James Blunt are three extremely talented and good-looking British men. mmMmMm.
June 23, 2008
Hey Papitay!
Mad props to Vish for introducing me to this song from Kismat Konnection. It's on e-volver but how could I not post a Shahid song on here?
It's incredibly catchy. I love the (sax?) hook in the background. I love the vocals. And needless to say, Shahid's dance moves leave one (well, me) salivating as well. It's possible that Vidya Balan is in the video, but I never had a chance to notice.. I was, ahem, otherwise preoccupied.
And I have no idea what the chorus means or what the words are exactly.. but to me it sounds way too much like 'heya pappi, hey papitay' so I have even more reason to lurve this song. (For those of you who don't know, my mIRC nick, email address, and general nickname for most of my cyber-life was Papitay. Don't ask why, long story.)
So now there's another Shahid song, calling my name (remember when Shahid wore a Northwestern sweatshirt in Fool & Final?) and I cannot help but wonder if someone, somewhere is trying to send a sign... *sigh*
Oh well. Enjoy the song. I have a feeling it's gonna be this year's Mauja Hi Mauja.
It's incredibly catchy. I love the (sax?) hook in the background. I love the vocals. And needless to say, Shahid's dance moves leave one (well, me) salivating as well. It's possible that Vidya Balan is in the video, but I never had a chance to notice.. I was, ahem, otherwise preoccupied.
And I have no idea what the chorus means or what the words are exactly.. but to me it sounds way too much like 'heya pappi, hey papitay' so I have even more reason to lurve this song. (For those of you who don't know, my mIRC nick, email address, and general nickname for most of my cyber-life was Papitay. Don't ask why, long story.)
So now there's another Shahid song, calling my name (remember when Shahid wore a Northwestern sweatshirt in Fool & Final?) and I cannot help but wonder if someone, somewhere is trying to send a sign... *sigh*
Oh well. Enjoy the song. I have a feeling it's gonna be this year's Mauja Hi Mauja.
June 18, 2008
Apathy
Last night's episode of The Daily Show featured Lara Logan, chief foreign correspondent for CBS News. I couldn't place the accent, but don't be fooled by her babeness, people: she means business.
Among the many things that she said in her gutsy and forthright manner, I especially liked that she questioned how the U.S. news media never shows dead American soldiers on television (see video below for that portion of the interview).
This is an idea that I've struggled with in the past. In fact, I've heard that there's actually an unwritten rule about this in the world of broadcast journalism: you can show dying/dead black people, brown people, yellow people, old people, women, and even children - but not white people.
Think about it: if Katrina had hit the Upper East Side, do you think you would have seen a single image from the death and destruction that followed? Would you even know how to begin imagining such a picture? Lots of homeless white people, sitting on crates in hunger, with flies on their faces. Hmm, have we ever even seen a picture like that?
Would people, the government, the world have responded faster than they did if they'd seen white people suffering instead of the typical image of a poor black person struck by calamity?
The U.S. news media actively protects the ordinary public from such images, and in doing so reinforces all of our worst and deepest cultural/racial/social stereotypes. In the case of not showing dead American soldiers on television, they perform an additional (and even greater) disservice to not just the public, but the soldiers themselves.
By not honoring and reminding the public about the sacrifices made by the very people who are protecting them; by not bringing the war into the living rooms of ordinary Americans; by not making a visually compelling case that the war must come to an end, the media is acting irresponsibly and playing a big part in shaping our apathetic attitudes towards this war.
We continue to feel that the war is 'someone else's problem'; we become numb to the situation, and learn to ignore the rising number of casualties and fatalities each day; we drive ourselves to focus even more inwardly into our own lives, and not give a crap about the world around us. Instead of worrying about the common good, we think, "as long as it doesn't affect me, I don't care."
I don't know about you, but I don't like being insensitive and blindfolded. All of this sounds suspiciously like the age-old 'divide and conquer' strategy to me, and we all know how great that worked out in the 20th century.
Don't we owe it to ourselves to remain vigilant? To keep asking questions? To keep caring?
Among the many things that she said in her gutsy and forthright manner, I especially liked that she questioned how the U.S. news media never shows dead American soldiers on television (see video below for that portion of the interview).
This is an idea that I've struggled with in the past. In fact, I've heard that there's actually an unwritten rule about this in the world of broadcast journalism: you can show dying/dead black people, brown people, yellow people, old people, women, and even children - but not white people.
Think about it: if Katrina had hit the Upper East Side, do you think you would have seen a single image from the death and destruction that followed? Would you even know how to begin imagining such a picture? Lots of homeless white people, sitting on crates in hunger, with flies on their faces. Hmm, have we ever even seen a picture like that?
Would people, the government, the world have responded faster than they did if they'd seen white people suffering instead of the typical image of a poor black person struck by calamity?
The U.S. news media actively protects the ordinary public from such images, and in doing so reinforces all of our worst and deepest cultural/racial/social stereotypes. In the case of not showing dead American soldiers on television, they perform an additional (and even greater) disservice to not just the public, but the soldiers themselves.
By not honoring and reminding the public about the sacrifices made by the very people who are protecting them; by not bringing the war into the living rooms of ordinary Americans; by not making a visually compelling case that the war must come to an end, the media is acting irresponsibly and playing a big part in shaping our apathetic attitudes towards this war.
We continue to feel that the war is 'someone else's problem'; we become numb to the situation, and learn to ignore the rising number of casualties and fatalities each day; we drive ourselves to focus even more inwardly into our own lives, and not give a crap about the world around us. Instead of worrying about the common good, we think, "as long as it doesn't affect me, I don't care."
I don't know about you, but I don't like being insensitive and blindfolded. All of this sounds suspiciously like the age-old 'divide and conquer' strategy to me, and we all know how great that worked out in the 20th century.
Don't we owe it to ourselves to remain vigilant? To keep asking questions? To keep caring?
17th Time Lucky!
Boston Celtics Win!
A blow-out finish to a fantastic run, and a record-breaking team turnaround.. after 22 years, the Celtics are NBA champs for the 17th time. Game Six tonight was completely AMAZING - Celtics took control in the first quarter and sealed their victory by half-time... seamless defense, awesome offense.. it was a breathtaking game. That's what basketball is about, people. That's what I'm talkin' about.
Yeah, I know, it's weird for me to be this excited about a sport, but a good game is a good game. And after cricket, basketball is the only sport that gets me pumped. So, good stuff.
June 17, 2008
Go Irish
Well, not literally. I could never support Notre Dame.. gasp. Hmm, just to clarify and make sure I don't get sued, let me say: GO CATS! *jumps up and down with purple pom-poms*
But it's an Irish sort of day. Why? Well, I started off the day by drinking in the soundtrack from Once, which I've fallen completely in love with.. not just because of its Irishness and Czechness, but because every single song is a complete story and is just.. magnificent.
To be honest, though, I couldn't take the sadness and emotional investment required to enjoy the songs, so after a while I decided to shift gears and delved deep into 1990's pop music.
That's right - I brought out all the Britney, N*Sync, Hanson, Enrique, Backstreet, Take That, Five, and Boyzone I could find (and, err, I had plenty). I had so much fun re-discovering all the old music that defined my teen years, it turned out to be quite the remedy for a sad heart. I was literally dancing around town in a wonderfully cheerful mood (c'mon, how can you resist Relight My Fire?).
But one song in particular has lodged itself firmly in my head and gets the award for Best Rediscovered Song of the Day.. remember the flash-in-the-pan, teeny-bopper Irish band - B*Witched?
Yep. Now that's what I call blast from the past. I've been listening to this song and skipping around like a merry leprechaun all afternoon. Most fun.
And then of course, tonight is Game 5, Celtics-Lakers, so I wore green today and will be glued to the telly tonight, rooting for the team. Let's go Celtics! *clap clap clap clap clap*
So yeah, it's been an Irish sort of day. I guess all I need now is some lager and potatoes, and the day will be complete :)
But it's an Irish sort of day. Why? Well, I started off the day by drinking in the soundtrack from Once, which I've fallen completely in love with.. not just because of its Irishness and Czechness, but because every single song is a complete story and is just.. magnificent.
To be honest, though, I couldn't take the sadness and emotional investment required to enjoy the songs, so after a while I decided to shift gears and delved deep into 1990's pop music.
That's right - I brought out all the Britney, N*Sync, Hanson, Enrique, Backstreet, Take That, Five, and Boyzone I could find (and, err, I had plenty). I had so much fun re-discovering all the old music that defined my teen years, it turned out to be quite the remedy for a sad heart. I was literally dancing around town in a wonderfully cheerful mood (c'mon, how can you resist Relight My Fire?).
But one song in particular has lodged itself firmly in my head and gets the award for Best Rediscovered Song of the Day.. remember the flash-in-the-pan, teeny-bopper Irish band - B*Witched?
Yep. Now that's what I call blast from the past. I've been listening to this song and skipping around like a merry leprechaun all afternoon. Most fun.
And then of course, tonight is Game 5, Celtics-Lakers, so I wore green today and will be glued to the telly tonight, rooting for the team. Let's go Celtics! *clap clap clap clap clap*
So yeah, it's been an Irish sort of day. I guess all I need now is some lager and potatoes, and the day will be complete :)
Onced
"I watched Once this past weekend. Worth it? Most definitely. Would I watch it again? Not for a long while. I don’t know why, maybe it hit a hidden button on me, but I found it to be a downer, which ironically I don’t think the movie is meant to be. I guess it’s the fact that it revolves around two people who belong together, but pitfalls of a previous commitment hinder any possible future.
I am hooked on the soundtrack though. The music in the movie was absolutely perfect, I fell in love with every song right away, that’s tough to do, on the first listen anyway. Also, the songs are quite uplifting, but the lyrics are dejecting. The contrast kills me, my heart doesn’t know which way to turn. I guess it’s akin to an addiction, you know it’s bad for you, but you want it anyway."
June 16, 2008
Scourgify!
Why? If you saw the grime on my microwave and stove, you'd wanna be a wizard too. Euurghh.
Am I weird?
Am I weird?
June 14, 2008
Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness.
~ Robertson Davies
I think I'm gonna need a few days to chew on that one and decide how I feel about it.
~ Robertson Davies
I think I'm gonna need a few days to chew on that one and decide how I feel about it.
June 10, 2008
The Freedom to Fail and Imagine
Below are two videos chronicling J.K. Rowling's commencement speech at Harvard last week. Unlike most addresses, it was actually refreshingly wise, humble and thought-provoking. Do watch, there is much to reflect and chew upon..
Out with the old...
Recently spotted at Coolidge Corner. Fun eh?
Y'know, now that I think about it, I'm so bored of Superman. I think it's time we retire the old man and bring in a newer, fresher super-hero. Like Spider-Pig.
Why don't we get to see Spider-Pig anywhere? Do we discriminate against animal heroes? In that case, explain the cult status of Super Ted.
Yeah. That's what I want. A neon Spider-Pig sign. Gimme.
Y'know, now that I think about it, I'm so bored of Superman. I think it's time we retire the old man and bring in a newer, fresher super-hero. Like Spider-Pig.
Why don't we get to see Spider-Pig anywhere? Do we discriminate against animal heroes? In that case, explain the cult status of Super Ted.
Yeah. That's what I want. A neon Spider-Pig sign. Gimme.
Lost & Found
You know it's hot when your just-out-of-the-shower wet hair is 90% dry in the three minutes it takes for you to run from your apartment to the train station.
Of course, your shower is meaningless by the end of those three minutes because you're a sweaty pig by then, but that's besides the point.
It's hot, people. Scorchingly so. I might need to break out the Fair & Lovely at this rate.(*)
Funny things happened today. As I sat down in the train, I noticed that someone had dropped an iPod Nano on the floor. It was in a velvety black case, so I picked it up and opened it.. it was a red one, like mine (oh yeah, I replaced the Mini - rest in peace, Poddina) and strangely it was still playing a song (I think it was a band called The Happening?) which is odd considering the iPod stops when headphones are yanked out of it accidentally. More importantly, how did the person who lost it not know it had dropped when the music stopped playing in their ears? Tres bizarre. Of course, I turned it into the Lost & Found at North Station, hope the rightful owner gets it back.
Then, I was walking behind a guy who dropped a quarter. And then he dropped a penny. I picked up both, tapped him on the shoulder, and returned them. I figured that keeping that penny wasn't really going to bring me the kind of good luck I needed, so I should do the honest thing and not rob a man of his $0.26.
So those were my two acts of kindness for the day. That's me: always the finder, never the keeper.
Midterm was alright. I got there late (damn you Green line) so I was pretty flustered to begin with, and then I totally didn't pace myself, so it ended up starting great and then ending a little disastrously. Plus my back was (and still is) killing me from lugging my laptop around and I couldn't concentrate. Meh. C'est la vie.
The good news is that I'm seeing Landon Pigg live tomorrow! It's at a really tiny venue called Club Passim in Harvard Square (which also serves the most amazing veggie pizzas, as I learned first-hand on Sunday), so it should be pretty intimate, up-close and personal. Super excited.
Umm, that is all. For now.
(*) FYI: there is no Wikipedia entry for Fair & Lovely. Who thinks I should create one?
Of course, your shower is meaningless by the end of those three minutes because you're a sweaty pig by then, but that's besides the point.
It's hot, people. Scorchingly so. I might need to break out the Fair & Lovely at this rate.(*)
Funny things happened today. As I sat down in the train, I noticed that someone had dropped an iPod Nano on the floor. It was in a velvety black case, so I picked it up and opened it.. it was a red one, like mine (oh yeah, I replaced the Mini - rest in peace, Poddina) and strangely it was still playing a song (I think it was a band called The Happening?) which is odd considering the iPod stops when headphones are yanked out of it accidentally. More importantly, how did the person who lost it not know it had dropped when the music stopped playing in their ears? Tres bizarre. Of course, I turned it into the Lost & Found at North Station, hope the rightful owner gets it back.
Then, I was walking behind a guy who dropped a quarter. And then he dropped a penny. I picked up both, tapped him on the shoulder, and returned them. I figured that keeping that penny wasn't really going to bring me the kind of good luck I needed, so I should do the honest thing and not rob a man of his $0.26.
So those were my two acts of kindness for the day. That's me: always the finder, never the keeper.
Midterm was alright. I got there late (damn you Green line) so I was pretty flustered to begin with, and then I totally didn't pace myself, so it ended up starting great and then ending a little disastrously. Plus my back was (and still is) killing me from lugging my laptop around and I couldn't concentrate. Meh. C'est la vie.
The good news is that I'm seeing Landon Pigg live tomorrow! It's at a really tiny venue called Club Passim in Harvard Square (which also serves the most amazing veggie pizzas, as I learned first-hand on Sunday), so it should be pretty intimate, up-close and personal. Super excited.
Umm, that is all. For now.
(*) FYI: there is no Wikipedia entry for Fair & Lovely. Who thinks I should create one?
June 9, 2008
To the Time Killatorium!
Midterm tomorrow morning. Meh. Did some studying but mostly spent today in hardy procrastination. It's hard to be motivated when your grade carries no relevance to life, except having the power to either boost or wound your ego, but since I possess very small quantities of pride anyway, that's not such a big deal either way.
Something smells funny. Hmm. Could be me. I haven't gotten out of my PJs in, umm, 28 hours. Yes, it's probably me.
In other news, I have developed a bizarre Internet gut instinct. I get the feeling that something intangible has changed in my online 'trackings', even before I know for a fact if it has. I know when I have important email even before I open my inbox. I know that the blogs I follow have been updated before I see them in my iGoogle RSS feed. I know that the xinugeist visitor counter has spiked and people have been reading it, even before I check.
It's kind of spooky and I don't know why this is happening. I used to feel this way about my cellphone a long time ago - I knew when the phone would ring and who it would be, even before it rang. Nobody calls me anymore so that ability eventually died away, but it seems that the animal instinct has channeled itself into another form of 'survivalist' skill.
Hmm. I don't believe that we descended from apes, but we are clearly evolutionary creatures. Cool. Word to my fellow homosapiens (did I use that right??).
Alright, enough putzing around trying to avoid sleep and disturbing dreams. I shall turn in now.
G'nite, world.
Something smells funny. Hmm. Could be me. I haven't gotten out of my PJs in, umm, 28 hours. Yes, it's probably me.
In other news, I have developed a bizarre Internet gut instinct. I get the feeling that something intangible has changed in my online 'trackings', even before I know for a fact if it has. I know when I have important email even before I open my inbox. I know that the blogs I follow have been updated before I see them in my iGoogle RSS feed. I know that the xinugeist visitor counter has spiked and people have been reading it, even before I check.
It's kind of spooky and I don't know why this is happening. I used to feel this way about my cellphone a long time ago - I knew when the phone would ring and who it would be, even before it rang. Nobody calls me anymore so that ability eventually died away, but it seems that the animal instinct has channeled itself into another form of 'survivalist' skill.
Hmm. I don't believe that we descended from apes, but we are clearly evolutionary creatures. Cool. Word to my fellow homosapiens (did I use that right??).
Alright, enough putzing around trying to avoid sleep and disturbing dreams. I shall turn in now.
G'nite, world.
Your Friendly, Neighborhood Faux Pas
So I was channel surfing and found Spider-man 2 playing on FX. Couldn't remember which one that was, so I clicked the information button and read:
"Peter Parker fights a man who has mechanical testicles."
WAIT. WHA.. !?!?
Oh.
You mean TENTACLES.
Talk about mental Freudian slip, eh?
Incidentally, the movie was at its climax (ha ha) when Spidey is saving MJ from Doctor Octopus. He's holding up this huge metal girder so that it doesn't fall on her and kill her, it's very heavy, he's sweating bullets and dying under the strain, they could all be crushed to a million pieces... and this is what he says:
"I didn't mean what I said earlier."
And MJ, all teary-eyed and smiley, says "So you do love me?"
And Spidey, who can barely breathe under the weight of steel pylons and is clearly dying, grunts, "Uh huh."
And MJ, who is totally clueless and oblivious to the situation continues in her soppy voice, "Even when you said you didn't?"
Ugh. Seriously woman, I know it's great when the guy actually admits to feeling emotion when he's been acting like a prick, but is this really the time? Somebody get me a trash can. Imagonna hurl.
"Peter Parker fights a man who has mechanical testicles."
WAIT. WHA.. !?!?
Oh.
You mean TENTACLES.
Talk about mental Freudian slip, eh?
Incidentally, the movie was at its climax (ha ha) when Spidey is saving MJ from Doctor Octopus. He's holding up this huge metal girder so that it doesn't fall on her and kill her, it's very heavy, he's sweating bullets and dying under the strain, they could all be crushed to a million pieces... and this is what he says:
"I didn't mean what I said earlier."
And MJ, all teary-eyed and smiley, says "So you do love me?"
And Spidey, who can barely breathe under the weight of steel pylons and is clearly dying, grunts, "Uh huh."
And MJ, who is totally clueless and oblivious to the situation continues in her soppy voice, "Even when you said you didn't?"
Ugh. Seriously woman, I know it's great when the guy actually admits to feeling emotion when he's been acting like a prick, but is this really the time? Somebody get me a trash can. Imagonna hurl.
June 8, 2008
Love In The Time of a Heatwave
Dil ke badle mein dil de
Tu sauda humse karle
But I just wanna be your lover-girl..
Is that really what love is? A sauda? Merely a transaction?
"Here you go luv, all my hopes and dreams and desires, and as a special bonus - my heart and my soul - just like you ordered, all yours for the cost of a burrito lunch and some yellow tulips."
Hmm. I probably shouldn't be taking my cues from Alisha Chinai, but blame the E-volver comments section for reminding me about cheesy 90's pop music and sending me down this train of thought in the first place.
In other news, it's bloody hot. We finally made it to Kickass Cupcakes in Davis Square yesterday, and while the deep-friend cupcake was really quite amazing, it was too hot to enjoy it when I was feeling so damned deep-fried myself. There was no wind, no air, it literally felt like a sauna. And the heat wasn't helping my feet either; I have penny-sized wounds at the backs of my feet because of wearing bad shoes on Thursday when it was all humid and rainy (yes they've got band-aids on them, but I have to change them frequently because of all the oozy stuff they're oozing.. v. painful and gross.. damn summer shoes) and the heat made them ITCH.
Later in the afternoon, we checked out the Coolidge Corner Arts Festival, and while the raspberry fruittata from J.P. Licks did help, the mercury hit 90F and I went from fried to boiled. But I did enjoy the Arts Festival; it reminded me of our neighborhood Bucktown Arts Festival in Chicago. There was lots of wonderful hand-crafted jewelry, hand-painted silk scarves, beautiful photography and also, interestingly, sock monkeys (yeah, toy monkeys made of socks).
Two artists stuck out of the crowd for me: there was an Israeli lady named Tami Rodrig, who made the cutest silver jewelry and accessories out of bottle-caps. She told us how she went to India and collected so many of her bottle-caps there because the refrigerators have bottle-openers attached to the door handles and they collect caps in a tube at the bottom, so she was like a kid in a candy store.
And then there was this photographer called David Stern who had shot the most breathtaking pictures of Italy, and then printed them, in gorgeous and stunning resolution, on ceramic tile so you could hang the pieces in your kitchen or living room. Simply amazing stuff. There were sunflowers, and rivers, and crumbling Italian houses decorated in flowers and vines, and boats, and sacks of chillies and red peppers... it was so beautiful, I was literally left salivating. I need to go to Italy. NOW.
And then I finally got around to watching Atonement, which is quite possibly one of the saddest movies I've ever seen. It's about (what else?) true love, although love that is only experienced for a few, brief, stolen moments before being snatched away because of misunderstandings and confusions. The kind of love that is enough to sustain years of separation and, eventually, depressingly, death.
The eternal love story - isn't that what we're all striving for and dreaming of? The kind of love that isn't a transaction, isn't a negotiation, isn't a calculated risk.. but is mad, desperate, all-encompassing, ever-lasting, flawed, painful, insatiable..
Can it be real? Or is the dream all we will ever really have?
I am a dreamer
And when I wake
You can't break my spirit
It's my dreams you take..
Tu sauda humse karle
But I just wanna be your lover-girl..
Is that really what love is? A sauda? Merely a transaction?
"Here you go luv, all my hopes and dreams and desires, and as a special bonus - my heart and my soul - just like you ordered, all yours for the cost of a burrito lunch and some yellow tulips."
Hmm. I probably shouldn't be taking my cues from Alisha Chinai, but blame the E-volver comments section for reminding me about cheesy 90's pop music and sending me down this train of thought in the first place.
In other news, it's bloody hot. We finally made it to Kickass Cupcakes in Davis Square yesterday, and while the deep-friend cupcake was really quite amazing, it was too hot to enjoy it when I was feeling so damned deep-fried myself. There was no wind, no air, it literally felt like a sauna. And the heat wasn't helping my feet either; I have penny-sized wounds at the backs of my feet because of wearing bad shoes on Thursday when it was all humid and rainy (yes they've got band-aids on them, but I have to change them frequently because of all the oozy stuff they're oozing.. v. painful and gross.. damn summer shoes) and the heat made them ITCH.
Later in the afternoon, we checked out the Coolidge Corner Arts Festival, and while the raspberry fruittata from J.P. Licks did help, the mercury hit 90F and I went from fried to boiled. But I did enjoy the Arts Festival; it reminded me of our neighborhood Bucktown Arts Festival in Chicago. There was lots of wonderful hand-crafted jewelry, hand-painted silk scarves, beautiful photography and also, interestingly, sock monkeys (yeah, toy monkeys made of socks).
Two artists stuck out of the crowd for me: there was an Israeli lady named Tami Rodrig, who made the cutest silver jewelry and accessories out of bottle-caps. She told us how she went to India and collected so many of her bottle-caps there because the refrigerators have bottle-openers attached to the door handles and they collect caps in a tube at the bottom, so she was like a kid in a candy store.
And then there was this photographer called David Stern who had shot the most breathtaking pictures of Italy, and then printed them, in gorgeous and stunning resolution, on ceramic tile so you could hang the pieces in your kitchen or living room. Simply amazing stuff. There were sunflowers, and rivers, and crumbling Italian houses decorated in flowers and vines, and boats, and sacks of chillies and red peppers... it was so beautiful, I was literally left salivating. I need to go to Italy. NOW.
And then I finally got around to watching Atonement, which is quite possibly one of the saddest movies I've ever seen. It's about (what else?) true love, although love that is only experienced for a few, brief, stolen moments before being snatched away because of misunderstandings and confusions. The kind of love that is enough to sustain years of separation and, eventually, depressingly, death.
The eternal love story - isn't that what we're all striving for and dreaming of? The kind of love that isn't a transaction, isn't a negotiation, isn't a calculated risk.. but is mad, desperate, all-encompassing, ever-lasting, flawed, painful, insatiable..
Can it be real? Or is the dream all we will ever really have?
I am a dreamer
And when I wake
You can't break my spirit
It's my dreams you take..
June 7, 2008
A Good Sign
Finally. Today, Hillary Clinton suspended her presidential campaign and Barack Obama is now the presumptive nominee for the Democratic party. After all the drama and mud-slinging, and a historic primary season, everyone's coming together. We're all celebrating how American politics (and the American public) has become re-energized as a result of this process, and how, in the grand scheme of things, it is an incredibly huge step forward for the country, having come this close to electing a woman, and actually having nominated an African American for president.
So, when President Bush is asked about this situation, one would expect him to speak with great pride right? To reflect upon this unique moment and remind us, in deep and meaningful words, that history is being made as we speak, and he is honored to see such times?
Sha right! Can there be a deep moment that Bush does not entirely ruin with his complete lack of articulateness?
"I thought it was a really good statement, powerful moment when a major political party nominates an African-American man to be their standard bearer. And it's good for our democracy that that happened. And we also had a major contender being a woman. Obviously Hillary Clinton was a major contender. So I think it's a good sign for American democracy."
Yeah. No tenses, bad grammar, chewed up sentences. This man couldn't sound eloquent if you threatened to send his country to war. Oh wait a minute..
Boy, I miss having a lucid president. The countdown to January 20, 2009 begins..
So, when President Bush is asked about this situation, one would expect him to speak with great pride right? To reflect upon this unique moment and remind us, in deep and meaningful words, that history is being made as we speak, and he is honored to see such times?
Sha right! Can there be a deep moment that Bush does not entirely ruin with his complete lack of articulateness?
"I thought it was a really good statement, powerful moment when a major political party nominates an African-American man to be their standard bearer. And it's good for our democracy that that happened. And we also had a major contender being a woman. Obviously Hillary Clinton was a major contender. So I think it's a good sign for American democracy."
Yeah. No tenses, bad grammar, chewed up sentences. This man couldn't sound eloquent if you threatened to send his country to war. Oh wait a minute..
Boy, I miss having a lucid president. The countdown to January 20, 2009 begins..
June 6, 2008
Virtual Facelift
For some reason, I decided today that it was time to change the blog template and freshen things up a little around here.. so, voila! We've gone 180 degrees from cute polka dots to dramatic silhouettes.
Must admit, I do like this new look, but I'm still not entirely sold on it. Considering how much time I spent today perfecting each aspect of it (damn XML, and all computer languages) you'd think this was going to be permanent, but I have plenty of time on my hands, so you may see me going through a couple of iterations before settling on the final look. My biggest peeve with this one is the fact that I can't seem to get the Blogger NavBar to show up at the top of the page when I log in; I think it's because the header image is so huge.
To be honest, I was hoping to find a chartreuse-based template, and did find one that I really liked but unfortunately it wasn't compatible with the new Blogger. So I guess I'll keep searching until I'm satisfied. General criteria include something stylistically bold, in the darker (and greener) color palette, and sticking (for now) to the two-column layout.
Hmm, I wonder if I should put so much energy into this, given how I am inevitably moving to WordPress anyway? Oh well, it can't hurt to play around a little.
Let me know what you think and thank you for your patience while the site is under construction. *ding ding*
June 5, 2008
I'm so tired. Just so so tired. Tired of wanting and waiting; tired of not speaking and not knowing; tired of living a half life of uncertainty, confusion and self-sabotage; tired of lacking self esteem and will power; tired of parsing right from wrong; tired of constantly disappointing myself, despite very low expectations, and falling to ever deeper levels of self loathing and disgust; tired of the tears and headaches, chest pains and binge eating; tired of being.
I want to go to sleep and never wake up. I want to get into a shower and never get out. I love this city, but I can't live here anymore. I want to get out of here, move away, go some place else, a place where I know no one, and nobody knows me. I want to go to the top of a snowy mountain in the Himalayas and do nothing but soak in the natural beauty, pray for serenity, let the cold numb all my senses, and then wait until my soul succumbs at its appointed time so I can go join my Maker and finally say farewell to this meaningless blip of a life full of pain and loss and enter the eternal afterlife, the only place I'll be able to find true, real happiness and peace.
I'm physically, mentally, emotionally.. simply.. exhausted. I'm done, man. I'm done. I'm so done.
I want to go to sleep and never wake up. I want to get into a shower and never get out. I love this city, but I can't live here anymore. I want to get out of here, move away, go some place else, a place where I know no one, and nobody knows me. I want to go to the top of a snowy mountain in the Himalayas and do nothing but soak in the natural beauty, pray for serenity, let the cold numb all my senses, and then wait until my soul succumbs at its appointed time so I can go join my Maker and finally say farewell to this meaningless blip of a life full of pain and loss and enter the eternal afterlife, the only place I'll be able to find true, real happiness and peace.
I'm physically, mentally, emotionally.. simply.. exhausted. I'm done, man. I'm done. I'm so done.
Wise Words
"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it. Your problem is, you just can't let this one go. It's over, Liz. David's purpose was to shake you up, drive you out of that marriage that you needed to leave, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light could get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you had to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master and beat it. That was his job, and he did great, but now it's over. Problem is, you can't accept that this relationship had a real short shelf life. You're like a dog at the dump, baby - you're just lickin' at an empty tin can, trying to get more nutrition out of it. And if you're not careful, that can's gonna get stuck on your snout forever and make your life miserable. So drop it."
"But I love him."
"So love him."
"But I miss him."
"So miss him. Send him some love and light every time you think about him, and then drop it. You're just afraid to let go of the last bits of David because then you'll really be alone, and Liz Gilbert is scared to death of what will happen if she's really alone. But here's what you gotta understand. If you clear out all that space in your mind that you're using right now to obsess about this guy, you'll have a vacuum there, an open spot - a doorway. And guess what the universe will do with that doorway? It will rush in - God will rush in - and fill you with more love than you ever dreamed. So stop using David to block that door. Let it go."
~ From Eat Pray Love, by Liz Gilbert
There were many parts of this book that I loved, but this particular exchange really moved me. Everything about it is perfectly true, and like all truths, it is an elegantly simple idea that is extremely hard to discern and understand until it is made obvious to you. And then it makes perfect sense and you wonder why you didn't see it before.
Almost everyone has felt the sadness and disappointment of losing a soul mate, or wondered about 'what could have been'. Here's hoping that this passage, and the rest of Eat Pray Love, helps its readers ease that pain and move on.
"But I love him."
"So love him."
"But I miss him."
"So miss him. Send him some love and light every time you think about him, and then drop it. You're just afraid to let go of the last bits of David because then you'll really be alone, and Liz Gilbert is scared to death of what will happen if she's really alone. But here's what you gotta understand. If you clear out all that space in your mind that you're using right now to obsess about this guy, you'll have a vacuum there, an open spot - a doorway. And guess what the universe will do with that doorway? It will rush in - God will rush in - and fill you with more love than you ever dreamed. So stop using David to block that door. Let it go."
~ From Eat Pray Love, by Liz Gilbert
There were many parts of this book that I loved, but this particular exchange really moved me. Everything about it is perfectly true, and like all truths, it is an elegantly simple idea that is extremely hard to discern and understand until it is made obvious to you. And then it makes perfect sense and you wonder why you didn't see it before.
Almost everyone has felt the sadness and disappointment of losing a soul mate, or wondered about 'what could have been'. Here's hoping that this passage, and the rest of Eat Pray Love, helps its readers ease that pain and move on.
June 3, 2008
It's official. My iPod is dead.
It won't come on. Is giving me the sad face error. Isn't being recognized in iTunes. Won't go into Disk Mode. Can't be restored. And being a first generation mini that would have been three years old in August, is no longer covered by warranty. The original battery died a few months ago and I had replaced it at home, but looks like the old thing has given in, once and for all. It, like all things, has run its course and is now.. dead.
Why? Why does everything always happen at once? Why is it that when your nights are sleepless and your heart is restless; when you're being brave and not giving in; when you're trying to ignore the signs and do the right thing; when you've given up hope and are trying to take comfort in the little things; when the only thing you want to do at 2AM is update your iPod so you can make sure that songs about sadness and pain will accompany you on the morning commute because those are the only things that make you feel better nowadays; why is it that at that very effing minute, your one friend and constant companion deserts you? What's your problem, God? I have enough problems as it is. Did you really have to take my music too?
FUDGE.
It won't come on. Is giving me the sad face error. Isn't being recognized in iTunes. Won't go into Disk Mode. Can't be restored. And being a first generation mini that would have been three years old in August, is no longer covered by warranty. The original battery died a few months ago and I had replaced it at home, but looks like the old thing has given in, once and for all. It, like all things, has run its course and is now.. dead.
Why? Why does everything always happen at once? Why is it that when your nights are sleepless and your heart is restless; when you're being brave and not giving in; when you're trying to ignore the signs and do the right thing; when you've given up hope and are trying to take comfort in the little things; when the only thing you want to do at 2AM is update your iPod so you can make sure that songs about sadness and pain will accompany you on the morning commute because those are the only things that make you feel better nowadays; why is it that at that very effing minute, your one friend and constant companion deserts you? What's your problem, God? I have enough problems as it is. Did you really have to take my music too?
FUDGE.
June 2, 2008
Objects of My Desire
Ok I admit it - I'm a geek for all things ThinkGeek. I just got their most recent catalogue in the mail, and I can't believe how many things I asterisked for future reference to give myself (and some for other peeps). A couple of things that I'm lusting over:
Doormat with "Welcome" in Binary ($39.99): Not that I can read (or decode?) binary, but I'm a wannabe geek so this is just plain COOL. Plus it's actually a pretty attractive doormat and it matches my living room. Hmm.
Equal Measure Cup ($12.99): I have a feeling that this would make cooking a much more entertaining and educational experience, no?
Outdoor LCD Window Thermometer ($14.99): C'mon, who doesn't want to know the temperature outside without having to turn on the TV or laptop? You could just look at the window and read this screen. Tres convenient.
Office File Folders with Attitude ($7.99): If I was still working, I would get these in a heart-beat. Why? Because they'd really make it easier to remember what's in the folders that I used for precisely these purposes anyway :P
Mini Business Card File Cabinet ($12.99): Again, cube goodies don't make sense to buy right now, but I always did want a funkier way to store my stacks of business cards. Sigh, this would have been perfect.
Various T-shirts ($14.99-$18.99): Need I say more?
Aaargh. So many choices, such little ability to indulge oneself.
Doormat with "Welcome" in Binary ($39.99): Not that I can read (or decode?) binary, but I'm a wannabe geek so this is just plain COOL. Plus it's actually a pretty attractive doormat and it matches my living room. Hmm.
Equal Measure Cup ($12.99): I have a feeling that this would make cooking a much more entertaining and educational experience, no?
Outdoor LCD Window Thermometer ($14.99): C'mon, who doesn't want to know the temperature outside without having to turn on the TV or laptop? You could just look at the window and read this screen. Tres convenient.
Office File Folders with Attitude ($7.99): If I was still working, I would get these in a heart-beat. Why? Because they'd really make it easier to remember what's in the folders that I used for precisely these purposes anyway :P
Mini Business Card File Cabinet ($12.99): Again, cube goodies don't make sense to buy right now, but I always did want a funkier way to store my stacks of business cards. Sigh, this would have been perfect.Various T-shirts ($14.99-$18.99): Need I say more?
Aaargh. So many choices, such little ability to indulge oneself.
The Interpretation of Coincidence
Why is it that, no matter where I turn nowadays, I bump into Carl Jung? The ghost of the old man seems to have taken it upon himself to haunt me. Fictional books, away message quotations, personality tests... he's everywhere. I'm beginning to miss good ol' Siggy Freud.
May 31, 2008
Shame on You, Dunkin Donuts.
Dear Dunkin Donuts,
I am outraged at your decision to stop running a commercial based on the possible perception that it contained an Arab kaffiyeh.
Symbols are certainly important in any corporation's advertising and PR, but an item of clothing, that has been used simply as a fashion accessory by a spokesperson, should not be cause for prejudice against an entire people. All Palestinians are not terrorists, and wearing a paisley pattern on a scarf that is popular in all of the Middle East, not just Palestine, is hardly akin to supporting terrorism. One would have imagined that your PR department would be able to respond to Michele Malkin's baseless comments with that kind of integrity and firmness, and taken a stand in the face of such petty attempts at fear mongering.
However, your response has been far from adequate. By removing the ad from your wesbite, you have simply caved in to the narrow-minded beliefs touted by Malkin et al. It's additionally disappointing that a company of the stature of Dunkin Donuts, which, might I add, relies heavily on vast numbers of Muslim (and Palestinian) employees to run their franchises, has succumbed to conservative propaganda perpetuated by close-minded and ill-informed individuals on a cheap soapbox.
Until your company issues an official apology for yielding to anti-Arab racists, I am boycotting all of your products and stores -- and I'm encouraging all my friends and family members to do the same.
Signed with much disappointment and disgust.
To send your own letter of disapproval to Dunkin Donuts, sign this petition.
I am outraged at your decision to stop running a commercial based on the possible perception that it contained an Arab kaffiyeh.
Symbols are certainly important in any corporation's advertising and PR, but an item of clothing, that has been used simply as a fashion accessory by a spokesperson, should not be cause for prejudice against an entire people. All Palestinians are not terrorists, and wearing a paisley pattern on a scarf that is popular in all of the Middle East, not just Palestine, is hardly akin to supporting terrorism. One would have imagined that your PR department would be able to respond to Michele Malkin's baseless comments with that kind of integrity and firmness, and taken a stand in the face of such petty attempts at fear mongering.
However, your response has been far from adequate. By removing the ad from your wesbite, you have simply caved in to the narrow-minded beliefs touted by Malkin et al. It's additionally disappointing that a company of the stature of Dunkin Donuts, which, might I add, relies heavily on vast numbers of Muslim (and Palestinian) employees to run their franchises, has succumbed to conservative propaganda perpetuated by close-minded and ill-informed individuals on a cheap soapbox.
Until your company issues an official apology for yielding to anti-Arab racists, I am boycotting all of your products and stores -- and I'm encouraging all my friends and family members to do the same.
Signed with much disappointment and disgust.
To send your own letter of disapproval to Dunkin Donuts, sign this petition.
May 30, 2008
Tears and Rain
By James Blunt
How I wish I could surrender my soul;
Shed the clothes that become my skin;
See the liar that burns within my needing.
How I wish I'd chosen darkness from cold.
How I wish I had screamed out loud,
Instead I've found no meaning.
I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.
How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind;
Hold memory close at hand,
Help me understand the years.
How I wish I could choose between Heaven and Hell.
How I wish I would save my soul.
I'm so cold from fear.
I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
Far, far away; find comfort in pain.
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.
By James Blunt
How I wish I could surrender my soul;
Shed the clothes that become my skin;
See the liar that burns within my needing.
How I wish I'd chosen darkness from cold.
How I wish I had screamed out loud,
Instead I've found no meaning.
I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.
How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind;
Hold memory close at hand,
Help me understand the years.
How I wish I could choose between Heaven and Hell.
How I wish I would save my soul.
I'm so cold from fear.
I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
Far, far away; find comfort in pain.
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.
May 29, 2008
Salman's in town for 4 days! So psyched. Going to see him in a few hours and take him to Harvard Square where he can drool at Ivy League-ness for a while. Maybe will catch dinner some place nice too.
Finished reading "Eat, Pray, Love". Quite possibly one of the most uplifting and inspirational books I have ever read, comes a close second to "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" by Mitch Albom. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever felt depressed about anything, or confused about their place in the worl, or wondered how to make life more meaningful.
Speaking of healing, can I just say that I really don't understand people who sit in pain and sickness for days and days and don't go to the doctor. Why put yourself through the torture? Isn't that what doctors are for - to help you get better quickly? If someone picked you up and tossed you in jail, would you wait for two weeks until the gang-rape was totally unbearable before you called your lawyer to get you out of there? People can be so stupid. The desire to be healed should be a moral imperative, not an option. Otherwise you're just being ungrateful for the body that God has blessed you with.
That is all.
Finished reading "Eat, Pray, Love". Quite possibly one of the most uplifting and inspirational books I have ever read, comes a close second to "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" by Mitch Albom. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever felt depressed about anything, or confused about their place in the worl, or wondered how to make life more meaningful.
Speaking of healing, can I just say that I really don't understand people who sit in pain and sickness for days and days and don't go to the doctor. Why put yourself through the torture? Isn't that what doctors are for - to help you get better quickly? If someone picked you up and tossed you in jail, would you wait for two weeks until the gang-rape was totally unbearable before you called your lawyer to get you out of there? People can be so stupid. The desire to be healed should be a moral imperative, not an option. Otherwise you're just being ungrateful for the body that God has blessed you with.
That is all.
May 28, 2008
[Updated 11:49PM]
You mean it's not.. it's never been.. real???
Oh well. It all still looks pretty darn delicious to me. Hard to believe that a computer created that. Tres cool. I think I'm going to make one of my kids an SFX person, or an animator at Pixar. And another one must be an architect (it's a perfect mix of art and science). The third can do whatever he/she wants, although I'd be secretly rooting for musician (of the non-Marilyn Manson genre).
Also, it appears that I'm being followed on Twitter by a whole bunch of people that I don't know, people who are also following thousands of other Bostonians. Is this normal? Creepily enough, one of my followers happens to be "BostonPride". Yes, the gay parade organization. Maybe they add everyone they can find in Boston. Or maybe "Suhaani" is just a gay-sounding name. Dunno. Doesn't matter, I blocked them anyway!
In other news, it's Wednesday. And for the first time in nine weeks, I don't give a damn!
You mean it's not.. it's never been.. real???
Oh well. It all still looks pretty darn delicious to me. Hard to believe that a computer created that. Tres cool. I think I'm going to make one of my kids an SFX person, or an animator at Pixar. And another one must be an architect (it's a perfect mix of art and science). The third can do whatever he/she wants, although I'd be secretly rooting for musician (of the non-Marilyn Manson genre).
Also, it appears that I'm being followed on Twitter by a whole bunch of people that I don't know, people who are also following thousands of other Bostonians. Is this normal? Creepily enough, one of my followers happens to be "BostonPride". Yes, the gay parade organization. Maybe they add everyone they can find in Boston. Or maybe "Suhaani" is just a gay-sounding name. Dunno. Doesn't matter, I blocked them anyway!
In other news, it's Wednesday. And for the first time in nine weeks, I don't give a damn!
May 27, 2008
Treasures in Time
The weatherman predicted that it would rain today. Not just any ol' rain mind you - major thunderstorms, with lightning and hail, were going to roll in today afternoon to break the spell of heat and humidity from the last few days.
At around 1PM, I looked up at the clear blue sky and figured the weatherman got it wrong again. There was not a cloud to be seen, the sun was glaring down on us, it was hot and sticky (well, sticky by U.S. standards.. let's not even begin to compare to Dubai).. basically it looked like it would be another bright, sunshiny day.
But by the time I got on my train at 3PM, the sky had completely changed. The horizon was suddenly stuffed full of dark grey, cottony clouds, the air was cool and moist, the sun was gone.. I half expected Dementors to come sweeping down on us. But oddly, I didn't think it was dark or gloomy or scary - in fact, I found the whole scene quite picturesque. The air felt charged with a kind of energy, an intense anticipation, like when the monsoons finally arrive in India and you're so excited, you go to the rooftop with your cousins and dance in the rain (except, in India when you dance in the rain, you get head lice. I don't know why, but it's true).
When I got off the train at 3:15PM and began walking home, it was raining lightly. Bizarrely, I was a little bummed. Normally I despise rain, but for some reason I wished that I would get caught in a rainstorm. I didn't care that I was wearing sandals (which I knew would begin to cut into my feet if they got wet), or that I was wearing a white skirt (which I knew would definitely get splattered with mud). I thought it would be great to get soaked in warm, summer rain.
You know how they say that every day, God listens to one prayer and grants it to you? Well looks like I had God's ear at 3:15PM because I had just gotten off the train and walked ten steps, when suddenly the drizzle turned into a downpour. Lo and behold, my wish had come true. I was caught in a rainstorm.
It was amazing. Water began pouring from the sky in buckets, as if a huge faucet had been turned on (in fact, the water pressure was definitely better than my shower at home). Suddenly the wind was blowing water every which way, my skirt was drenched, my hair was soaked, my umbrella turned inside out, I couldn't see through my glasses, my sandals began cutting into my feet...
.. but I didn't care. I was.. happy! I laughed out loud and ran across the bridge, getting totally soaked, while the river below swished and swirled and swelled in the wind and the rain. People around me dashed to get indoors and stay dry, but not me. I really enjoyed myself, and took my time getting to my apartment building. I smiled at the befuddled wet people around me and sang out loud to 'Mauja Hi Mauja' which was conveniently playing on my iPod.
(Much as I wanted to, though, I didn't relinquish the umbrella and get thoroughly soaked. That kind of madness requires company.. there's no point being all silly and dramatic and ridiculous if there's no one to share it with, right?)
Still, moments like these are miracles, little treasures in time. When coincidences add drama to mundane, ordinary life; when small prayers are immediately answered; when events line up so logically that it seems like we must all be playing our parts in a grand story.. you are reminded that there is a bigger picture to all of this; that Someone is listening; that we're all marching towards our own happy endings; and that we will, all of us, get there.
I know. It seems like a lot to be inspired with, just by spending six minutes a rainstorm. But, when you think about it, isn't that just the point?
At around 1PM, I looked up at the clear blue sky and figured the weatherman got it wrong again. There was not a cloud to be seen, the sun was glaring down on us, it was hot and sticky (well, sticky by U.S. standards.. let's not even begin to compare to Dubai).. basically it looked like it would be another bright, sunshiny day.
But by the time I got on my train at 3PM, the sky had completely changed. The horizon was suddenly stuffed full of dark grey, cottony clouds, the air was cool and moist, the sun was gone.. I half expected Dementors to come sweeping down on us. But oddly, I didn't think it was dark or gloomy or scary - in fact, I found the whole scene quite picturesque. The air felt charged with a kind of energy, an intense anticipation, like when the monsoons finally arrive in India and you're so excited, you go to the rooftop with your cousins and dance in the rain (except, in India when you dance in the rain, you get head lice. I don't know why, but it's true).
When I got off the train at 3:15PM and began walking home, it was raining lightly. Bizarrely, I was a little bummed. Normally I despise rain, but for some reason I wished that I would get caught in a rainstorm. I didn't care that I was wearing sandals (which I knew would begin to cut into my feet if they got wet), or that I was wearing a white skirt (which I knew would definitely get splattered with mud). I thought it would be great to get soaked in warm, summer rain.
You know how they say that every day, God listens to one prayer and grants it to you? Well looks like I had God's ear at 3:15PM because I had just gotten off the train and walked ten steps, when suddenly the drizzle turned into a downpour. Lo and behold, my wish had come true. I was caught in a rainstorm.
It was amazing. Water began pouring from the sky in buckets, as if a huge faucet had been turned on (in fact, the water pressure was definitely better than my shower at home). Suddenly the wind was blowing water every which way, my skirt was drenched, my hair was soaked, my umbrella turned inside out, I couldn't see through my glasses, my sandals began cutting into my feet...
.. but I didn't care. I was.. happy! I laughed out loud and ran across the bridge, getting totally soaked, while the river below swished and swirled and swelled in the wind and the rain. People around me dashed to get indoors and stay dry, but not me. I really enjoyed myself, and took my time getting to my apartment building. I smiled at the befuddled wet people around me and sang out loud to 'Mauja Hi Mauja' which was conveniently playing on my iPod.
(Much as I wanted to, though, I didn't relinquish the umbrella and get thoroughly soaked. That kind of madness requires company.. there's no point being all silly and dramatic and ridiculous if there's no one to share it with, right?)
Still, moments like these are miracles, little treasures in time. When coincidences add drama to mundane, ordinary life; when small prayers are immediately answered; when events line up so logically that it seems like we must all be playing our parts in a grand story.. you are reminded that there is a bigger picture to all of this; that Someone is listening; that we're all marching towards our own happy endings; and that we will, all of us, get there.
I know. It seems like a lot to be inspired with, just by spending six minutes a rainstorm. But, when you think about it, isn't that just the point?
May 26, 2008
Is there such a thing as a shopping coma? If so, I think I may be in one.
Today I spent five (yes, five) hours at the outlet mall, and I dropped a godawful amount of money at ten (yes, ten) different stores, indulging in a way that I never have before. Those who know me well are aware of just how little I spend on myself. But today, I was like an uncorked bottle of champagne, fizzing around, leaping from store to store and whipping out that credit card like my life depended on it.
I suppose I shouldn't feel too guilty - after all, we were just doing our part in stimulating the economy, just as President Bush wanted right? (come to think of it, we didn't even spend half of what we got in the stimulus rebate, so I suppose it wasn't so bad).
Anyway, shopping included: four shirts, two skirts, one pair of pants, one pair of earrings, one funky blue necklace, one bag, salon hair-care products, and.. (wait for it)..
FOUR pairs of shoes.
Yes. *I* bought shoes. And not just one or two pairs, people. FOUR pairs of shoes. Yes. Me. Shoes. It's insane. I went into Naturalizer, Nine West, Easy Spirit.. and came out with way more than my usual scowl. I bought shoes. And I liked it. I liked the shoes I saw, and I liked the experience of buying shoes.
God help us. I'm becoming a girly-girl.
Not surprisingly, much of what I purchased was chartreuse in color, including the bag and a pair of shoes (yup - green shoes, people). I am quite obsessed with this shade of green now, which is odd considering I've avoided green for most of my adult life (you would too if you wore it every day for twelve years as part of your horrendous school uniform). But then again, I'm also becoming rather obsessed with raspberry/burgundy. Hmm. It appears I may be turning into a watermelon.
Anyway, it's late at night and I have stacks of reading to do for my class tomorrow morning so I shall hit the books now. I might indulge in some late-night chocolate... although I'm still pretty stuffed from the Super Fennel crepe at Mr. Crepe this afternoon, and the Shumai/Chilli Shrimp dinner at Sugar & Spice. Not to mention, I think I'm still digesting the Toblerone I inhaled this morning for breakfast. *burp*
Yes sirree. Who needs real therapy when you've got chocolate and shoes?
PS: Indiana Jones was a total let-down. Bah.
Today I spent five (yes, five) hours at the outlet mall, and I dropped a godawful amount of money at ten (yes, ten) different stores, indulging in a way that I never have before. Those who know me well are aware of just how little I spend on myself. But today, I was like an uncorked bottle of champagne, fizzing around, leaping from store to store and whipping out that credit card like my life depended on it.
I suppose I shouldn't feel too guilty - after all, we were just doing our part in stimulating the economy, just as President Bush wanted right? (come to think of it, we didn't even spend half of what we got in the stimulus rebate, so I suppose it wasn't so bad).
Anyway, shopping included: four shirts, two skirts, one pair of pants, one pair of earrings, one funky blue necklace, one bag, salon hair-care products, and.. (wait for it)..
FOUR pairs of shoes.
Yes. *I* bought shoes. And not just one or two pairs, people. FOUR pairs of shoes. Yes. Me. Shoes. It's insane. I went into Naturalizer, Nine West, Easy Spirit.. and came out with way more than my usual scowl. I bought shoes. And I liked it. I liked the shoes I saw, and I liked the experience of buying shoes.
God help us. I'm becoming a girly-girl.
Not surprisingly, much of what I purchased was chartreuse in color, including the bag and a pair of shoes (yup - green shoes, people). I am quite obsessed with this shade of green now, which is odd considering I've avoided green for most of my adult life (you would too if you wore it every day for twelve years as part of your horrendous school uniform). But then again, I'm also becoming rather obsessed with raspberry/burgundy. Hmm. It appears I may be turning into a watermelon.
Anyway, it's late at night and I have stacks of reading to do for my class tomorrow morning so I shall hit the books now. I might indulge in some late-night chocolate... although I'm still pretty stuffed from the Super Fennel crepe at Mr. Crepe this afternoon, and the Shumai/Chilli Shrimp dinner at Sugar & Spice. Not to mention, I think I'm still digesting the Toblerone I inhaled this morning for breakfast. *burp*
Yes sirree. Who needs real therapy when you've got chocolate and shoes?
PS: Indiana Jones was a total let-down. Bah.
May 24, 2008
Memorial Day Weekend
Today is likely to include dinner (place TBD) and Indiana Jones.. woohoo! So excited.
Looks like I'm going to spend all day tomorrow in Davis Square, thanks to Phantom Gourmet. Definitely getting Sunday brunch at Mr. Crepe (I'm heading straight for the spinach, basil, mushroom and brie crepe) followed by dessert at Kickass Cupcakes (you may have to pry me away from the deep-friend cupcake). MmMMm. This could possibly be the highlight of the entire Memorial Day weekend. Can't wait.
Later, will need to head to Wrentham Premium Outlets for some summer shopping.
And maybe Sunday (when it's supposed to be 80 degrees!) a trip to Kimball Farms may be on the cards.. mmm.. best ice cream EVER.
Nothing like a weekend full of food to cheer one up, eh?
Looks like I'm going to spend all day tomorrow in Davis Square, thanks to Phantom Gourmet. Definitely getting Sunday brunch at Mr. Crepe (I'm heading straight for the spinach, basil, mushroom and brie crepe) followed by dessert at Kickass Cupcakes (you may have to pry me away from the deep-friend cupcake). MmMMm. This could possibly be the highlight of the entire Memorial Day weekend. Can't wait.
Later, will need to head to Wrentham Premium Outlets for some summer shopping.
And maybe Sunday (when it's supposed to be 80 degrees!) a trip to Kimball Farms may be on the cards.. mmm.. best ice cream EVER.
Nothing like a weekend full of food to cheer one up, eh?
May 23, 2008
Ugh. Food coma alert.
First there was all the brownie batter. Then there were the brownies.
Then we went over to Porter Exchange. Grabbed dinner at Cafe Mami - miso soup, shrimp shumai and the frickin' best donburi EVER. Stocked up on Pocky at the Japanese supermarket, and proceeded to devour half a box in the car on the way to Toscanini's, where much Kulfi ice cream was subsequently had.
Basically *burp* somebody get a stretcher. I can't move.
I'm still angry though. Grr.
First there was all the brownie batter. Then there were the brownies.
Then we went over to Porter Exchange. Grabbed dinner at Cafe Mami - miso soup, shrimp shumai and the frickin' best donburi EVER. Stocked up on Pocky at the Japanese supermarket, and proceeded to devour half a box in the car on the way to Toscanini's, where much Kulfi ice cream was subsequently had.
Basically *burp* somebody get a stretcher. I can't move.
I'm still angry though. Grr.
May 21, 2008
Cook Is King!
It's official: David Cook is the new American Idol!A total of NINETY-SEVEN AND A HALF million votes were cast last night (including five from me!), and he won by TWELVE million votes. That's a lot man, no matter how you slice it.
I have to admit, though, I am stunned by the result. Cook totally deserved to win, of course, but I didn't think he actually would. His performances last night weren't quite up to his own standard, and the judges said so. In comparison, David Archuleta did a really good job, and given his cutesy appeal among young girls, I was fairly certain Archie would win. Just goes to show that the voters are not necessarily swayed by the judges and people have decided to really use their vote after the Season 5 Daughtry debacle.
Either way, very well-deserved for Cook. I am quite happy with all this :)
Yet again, I am faced with the beginning of a new Wednesday. Damn Wednesdays. Actually, I don't know if the curse of the Wednesday holds anymore, considering that I've now added Thursdays to the list of evil days too. Damn Thursdays. Bah.
Anyhoo.. thanks to those of you who voted in the poll. It is now closed and the results have been rather interesting to compute because I already knew who I would pick as my ideal TV date, and wanted to see what the aam janta would think and if you guys are really friends who know me. Yes, it was all a cruel experiment! Muhahaha.
So, let's dissect this a little and see who 'won' the poll shall we?
First up, Jean-Luc Picard. Ok guys, you're right. He didn't deserve a single vote. I feel bad for him, but it's probably true, I'd never really date the man. I admire him for his mad leadership skills and the authoritative way he wiggles his hand when he says "Engage!" (it inspires complete confidence, seriously). I don't even mind the baldness so much, and the British accent is always a plus.. but I think I'd like to work for him, have him as my boss perhaps, but not a date. Sadly, I am a bit of an ageist when it comes to these things, and the senior-citizen thing did it for me. Glad y'all agreed.
Up next, Sam Seaborn, who got just one vote. It's sad, but true - I wouldn't date the guy. Again, I admire him for his idealism, spirit, articulateness and (how can we forget?) awesome good looks.. but I think I'd like Sam for a boss, a mentor, maybe even an older brother, but not necessarily a date. He's the kind of person I'd like to ideally be myself, but is it wise to date people who inspire awe, admiration and respect, but not accessibility, love and friendship? Probably not.
And then there were two. It all comes down to Petrelli vs. Dorian.
Aah, I can see why these two had to battle it out for the win. Save-The-World-Hottie vs. Good-Hearted-Funny-Dork? It's a seemingly impossible choice, knowing just how much I love superpowers AND stupidity. Not to mention, both are in medicine (don't forget, Peter was a nurse before he decided to become professional superhero) so my parents would probably approve of both.
But here's the truth: Peter may have the Italian good looks, the sensitive manliness, the superpowers and save-the-world complex going for him (which are all extremely desirable, trust me) but at the end of the day I like a guy with a sense of humor, and I don't think Peter's even cracked a joke in two seasons of Heroes.
So the winner, my perfect TV date, really would be JD - he's funny and random, but warm and sincere. He'd be a really good friend, someone you can talk to, someone who sticks by you through the rough times, and makes you laugh. Also, he comes with a personal monologue which is very heartening, because until this show, I thought I was the only one who talked to herself in her head, but clearly I am not alone. So we would be able to connect on a bizarre-daydream and constant-monologue level very well.
So those of you smart people who voted for JD, pat yourselves on the back. You won the poll, and can be proud of the fact that you know me well. As a prize, you can ask me for any one wish and it shall be granted :D (*)
As for the rest of you, has this blog taught you nothing? Do you want me to revoke your reading privileges? Ok Ok, I'm kidding. Settle down.
Alright, I must go do homework now. Yes, the BU class started yesterday and it was great. I'm so glad I signed up for it. It'll keep me busy for a few weeks, and God knows I need to stay distracted. An empty mind is a devil's workshop, after all.
Ciao folks.
(*) Offer lasts until Thursday May 22nd, 11:59PM EST. You must identify yourself as a person who voted for JD via comment, email, IM, SMS, or phone in order to claim your prize. Prize value cannot exceed $10 USD and Standard Genie Rules apply, i.e. I can't kill anybody, can't make anyone come back from the dead, and I can't make anyone fall in love with you. I also reserve the right to come up with more disclaimers later on to preclude me from giving you a prize I don't think you deserve.
Anyhoo.. thanks to those of you who voted in the poll. It is now closed and the results have been rather interesting to compute because I already knew who I would pick as my ideal TV date, and wanted to see what the aam janta would think and if you guys are really friends who know me. Yes, it was all a cruel experiment! Muhahaha.
So, let's dissect this a little and see who 'won' the poll shall we?
First up, Jean-Luc Picard. Ok guys, you're right. He didn't deserve a single vote. I feel bad for him, but it's probably true, I'd never really date the man. I admire him for his mad leadership skills and the authoritative way he wiggles his hand when he says "Engage!" (it inspires complete confidence, seriously). I don't even mind the baldness so much, and the British accent is always a plus.. but I think I'd like to work for him, have him as my boss perhaps, but not a date. Sadly, I am a bit of an ageist when it comes to these things, and the senior-citizen thing did it for me. Glad y'all agreed.
Up next, Sam Seaborn, who got just one vote. It's sad, but true - I wouldn't date the guy. Again, I admire him for his idealism, spirit, articulateness and (how can we forget?) awesome good looks.. but I think I'd like Sam for a boss, a mentor, maybe even an older brother, but not necessarily a date. He's the kind of person I'd like to ideally be myself, but is it wise to date people who inspire awe, admiration and respect, but not accessibility, love and friendship? Probably not.
And then there were two. It all comes down to Petrelli vs. Dorian.
Aah, I can see why these two had to battle it out for the win. Save-The-World-Hottie vs. Good-Hearted-Funny-Dork? It's a seemingly impossible choice, knowing just how much I love superpowers AND stupidity. Not to mention, both are in medicine (don't forget, Peter was a nurse before he decided to become professional superhero) so my parents would probably approve of both.
But here's the truth: Peter may have the Italian good looks, the sensitive manliness, the superpowers and save-the-world complex going for him (which are all extremely desirable, trust me) but at the end of the day I like a guy with a sense of humor, and I don't think Peter's even cracked a joke in two seasons of Heroes.
So the winner, my perfect TV date, really would be JD - he's funny and random, but warm and sincere. He'd be a really good friend, someone you can talk to, someone who sticks by you through the rough times, and makes you laugh. Also, he comes with a personal monologue which is very heartening, because until this show, I thought I was the only one who talked to herself in her head, but clearly I am not alone. So we would be able to connect on a bizarre-daydream and constant-monologue level very well.
So those of you smart people who voted for JD, pat yourselves on the back. You won the poll, and can be proud of the fact that you know me well. As a prize, you can ask me for any one wish and it shall be granted :D (*)
As for the rest of you, has this blog taught you nothing? Do you want me to revoke your reading privileges? Ok Ok, I'm kidding. Settle down.
Alright, I must go do homework now. Yes, the BU class started yesterday and it was great. I'm so glad I signed up for it. It'll keep me busy for a few weeks, and God knows I need to stay distracted. An empty mind is a devil's workshop, after all.
Ciao folks.
(*) Offer lasts until Thursday May 22nd, 11:59PM EST. You must identify yourself as a person who voted for JD via comment, email, IM, SMS, or phone in order to claim your prize. Prize value cannot exceed $10 USD and Standard Genie Rules apply, i.e. I can't kill anybody, can't make anyone come back from the dead, and I can't make anyone fall in love with you. I also reserve the right to come up with more disclaimers later on to preclude me from giving you a prize I don't think you deserve.
May 19, 2008
What a waste of a day. All I did was catch up on episodes of Law & Order on the DVR and inhale an entire tin of Pringles (sour cream and onion, if you must know).
Currently waiting for the aalu qeema to finish cooking and then will eat and head to bed. Why so early? My class at BU starts tomorrow, yay. At least now I have something to do on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 1pm, even if it means getting on the B line.
Random thought: I once had an AIM login called AlooKiMaa... get it? get it? Although in retrospect I don't quite see what was so clever about me calling myself Mama Potato. Hmm. I actually have stacks of random AIM logins. I created them in sophomore year to stalk someone (useful since you can add people without them approving you first) and for some reason they never expire so I still have them. Hmm. I should probably not talk about my stalkerish tendencies here. Forget I said anything. Obliviate!
In other news, my sister sent me a copy of a Eat, Pray, Love and instructed me to read it pronto. Guess I have my B line reading all set. I had started reading Atonement in Toronto and brought it back with me, but I just set up a Netflix account and I'm getting the movie in my first shipment tomorrow so I think I'll settle for that instead. Also receiving Once tomorrow - super excited about that one, given all the hype generated by readers of this blog :)
That's all folks. G'nite.
Currently waiting for the aalu qeema to finish cooking and then will eat and head to bed. Why so early? My class at BU starts tomorrow, yay. At least now I have something to do on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 1pm, even if it means getting on the B line.
Random thought: I once had an AIM login called AlooKiMaa... get it? get it? Although in retrospect I don't quite see what was so clever about me calling myself Mama Potato. Hmm. I actually have stacks of random AIM logins. I created them in sophomore year to stalk someone (useful since you can add people without them approving you first) and for some reason they never expire so I still have them. Hmm. I should probably not talk about my stalkerish tendencies here. Forget I said anything. Obliviate!
In other news, my sister sent me a copy of a Eat, Pray, Love and instructed me to read it pronto. Guess I have my B line reading all set. I had started reading Atonement in Toronto and brought it back with me, but I just set up a Netflix account and I'm getting the movie in my first shipment tomorrow so I think I'll settle for that instead. Also receiving Once tomorrow - super excited about that one, given all the hype generated by readers of this blog :)
That's all folks. G'nite.
May 18, 2008
"Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution just yet."
I always did love Mae West. Atta girl.
In other news, I've been watching the Zee Cine Awards today (all three and a half frickin' hours of it) and all I have to say is that the entire awards scene in India has become nothing but an exercise in mutual self-admiration on the part of all those in the upper echelons of Bollywood royalty. I mean, we always knew they were rigged events, but now they're not even trying to pretend that it's anything more than a popularity contest.
Karan Johar and Sajid Khan host the awards, make jokes about the Khans and Kapoors that have now become their extended family, present awards to the Khans and Kapoors, and - when not available - accept awards on behalf of the Khans and Kapoors. Sometimes they give themselves awards too, and then, in their acceptance speeches, thank the Khans and Kapoors.
And now it's simply a given now that Shahrukh Khan will take the stage and accept a minimum of three awards per event, regardless of whether he deserved them or had anything to do with the award itself. Case in point, the "Bollywood Icon" award sponsored and presented by Dubai Lifestyle City to Shahrukh Khan for being.. err.. a movie star. Even SRK was lost for words when he accepted the stupid Z shaped statuette, saying, "I'm not quite sure what I've done to receive this award but.. umm.. Dubai's a great place, so, yeah, thanks." Seriously, what's next? Will they create a new category for Best "Thrills" just so that they can give him another award?
It's a tedious and frustrating affair and one can only help but admire Aamir Khan for still refusing to attend the damn things. I think I'm going to take a page out of his book and boycott watching them from now on myself.
That is all.
I always did love Mae West. Atta girl.
In other news, I've been watching the Zee Cine Awards today (all three and a half frickin' hours of it) and all I have to say is that the entire awards scene in India has become nothing but an exercise in mutual self-admiration on the part of all those in the upper echelons of Bollywood royalty. I mean, we always knew they were rigged events, but now they're not even trying to pretend that it's anything more than a popularity contest.
Karan Johar and Sajid Khan host the awards, make jokes about the Khans and Kapoors that have now become their extended family, present awards to the Khans and Kapoors, and - when not available - accept awards on behalf of the Khans and Kapoors. Sometimes they give themselves awards too, and then, in their acceptance speeches, thank the Khans and Kapoors.
And now it's simply a given now that Shahrukh Khan will take the stage and accept a minimum of three awards per event, regardless of whether he deserved them or had anything to do with the award itself. Case in point, the "Bollywood Icon" award sponsored and presented by Dubai Lifestyle City to Shahrukh Khan for being.. err.. a movie star. Even SRK was lost for words when he accepted the stupid Z shaped statuette, saying, "I'm not quite sure what I've done to receive this award but.. umm.. Dubai's a great place, so, yeah, thanks." Seriously, what's next? Will they create a new category for Best "Thrills" just so that they can give him another award?
It's a tedious and frustrating affair and one can only help but admire Aamir Khan for still refusing to attend the damn things. I think I'm going to take a page out of his book and boycott watching them from now on myself.
That is all.
May 17, 2008
May 15, 2008
Snarling Buds of May
It is May. In fact, today marks the Ides of May. Frickin' unlucky Ides.
And it has begun.
It started out as a tingle.. mild, inconsequential. You ignored it, swatted it away like it didn't matter.
But gradually it grew.. to a tickle.. a persistent annoyance that reminded you of what's on the way and your heart filled with dread..
.. and then BAM! Suddenly you're a sneezy, itchy, wheezy, watery mess for the next 4 weeks.
Oh yes. Break out the antihistamine and Kleenex, people. Allergy season is here.
And it has begun.
It started out as a tingle.. mild, inconsequential. You ignored it, swatted it away like it didn't matter.
But gradually it grew.. to a tickle.. a persistent annoyance that reminded you of what's on the way and your heart filled with dread..
.. and then BAM! Suddenly you're a sneezy, itchy, wheezy, watery mess for the next 4 weeks.
Oh yes. Break out the antihistamine and Kleenex, people. Allergy season is here.
May 14, 2008
After 11 days of stuffing myself with meat and carbs at home, I'm now back in Boston. Feeling ok, sort of quiet.
Had an interesting encounter today, though. I was coming back home after attending a graduate student reception at Emerson, but because the Red Line decided to act very Green-Line-like, I missed my commuter rail train out of Porter Square (damn commuter rail). Had no option but to call Sarwar, and ask him to come pick me up.
As I waited for him, I settled down on the stoop outside Porter Square station, listened to Landon Pigg on my iPod, and enjoyed the setting sun and slightly chilly wind of a perfect spring day. It was quite a relaxing and calming wait, I must admit.
Anyway, after about 20 minutes, Sarwar called and asked me to come stand by Mass Ave since he'd be there in a few minutes. So I got up and started walking towards the street, but then I was stopped by a man. I think he was Native American; he was wearing a purple sweatshirt, had his silver hair tied in a pony-tail and carried a beat-up old guitar. I had noticed him earlier sitting a way away from me, strumming songs for passers-by, but I hadn't heard any of his music since I was listening to my iPod.
Anyway, this man passed me by and he said, "Oh, you got up! I was just coming over to you to sing you a song. You looked so sad and lonely, I thought I'd cheer you up."
Isn't that the sweetest thing? I was so touched. I thanked him with a stupid grin and told him that I had to leave now but I'd hopefully hear his song some other time. He asked me for the time and then, as I left, said "God bless you". My heart swelled with happiness at this random act of kindness.
It's days like these that make the harder ones a little bit easier.
In other news, it's official: the American Idol finale is a David vs. David encounter. Of course, I'm voting for David Cook - I cast two votes for him by phone last night - and here's hoping that other people also overlook Archuleta's 'treacly' brand of ballad-singing and instead vote for the far-more-mature and uber-cool rocker dude.
Also, I finally pick up my glasses tomorrow in Harvard Square. Yes, these are the ones that got the least votes on the blog poll :P (speaking of which, check out the new poll and vote!)
Hmm.. since I have to be there at 12PM for an eye-exam (they're dilating my pupils before giving me my glasses.. eek), thinking about spending an afternoon out like last time.. burgers at Bartley's, ice cream at Baskin Robbins, and reading in the Square (assuming I can use my eyes?). Yup, fun times. Yay for unemployment.
Had an interesting encounter today, though. I was coming back home after attending a graduate student reception at Emerson, but because the Red Line decided to act very Green-Line-like, I missed my commuter rail train out of Porter Square (damn commuter rail). Had no option but to call Sarwar, and ask him to come pick me up.
As I waited for him, I settled down on the stoop outside Porter Square station, listened to Landon Pigg on my iPod, and enjoyed the setting sun and slightly chilly wind of a perfect spring day. It was quite a relaxing and calming wait, I must admit.
Anyway, after about 20 minutes, Sarwar called and asked me to come stand by Mass Ave since he'd be there in a few minutes. So I got up and started walking towards the street, but then I was stopped by a man. I think he was Native American; he was wearing a purple sweatshirt, had his silver hair tied in a pony-tail and carried a beat-up old guitar. I had noticed him earlier sitting a way away from me, strumming songs for passers-by, but I hadn't heard any of his music since I was listening to my iPod.
Anyway, this man passed me by and he said, "Oh, you got up! I was just coming over to you to sing you a song. You looked so sad and lonely, I thought I'd cheer you up."
Isn't that the sweetest thing? I was so touched. I thanked him with a stupid grin and told him that I had to leave now but I'd hopefully hear his song some other time. He asked me for the time and then, as I left, said "God bless you". My heart swelled with happiness at this random act of kindness.
It's days like these that make the harder ones a little bit easier.
In other news, it's official: the American Idol finale is a David vs. David encounter. Of course, I'm voting for David Cook - I cast two votes for him by phone last night - and here's hoping that other people also overlook Archuleta's 'treacly' brand of ballad-singing and instead vote for the far-more-mature and uber-cool rocker dude.
Also, I finally pick up my glasses tomorrow in Harvard Square. Yes, these are the ones that got the least votes on the blog poll :P (speaking of which, check out the new poll and vote!)
Hmm.. since I have to be there at 12PM for an eye-exam (they're dilating my pupils before giving me my glasses.. eek), thinking about spending an afternoon out like last time.. burgers at Bartley's, ice cream at Baskin Robbins, and reading in the Square (assuming I can use my eyes?). Yup, fun times. Yay for unemployment.
May 13, 2008
May 11, 2008
Today's Canada Update:
1) I discovered that Mississauga is Pocky Heaven. Honestly, there are dozens of Asian stores here, and they all carry a million types of Pocky. Yesterday, I went looking for some Chinese massage oil my mom wanted, and encountered more varieties of Pocky than there are toothpaste in most regular stores. There was even a Hello Kitty strawberry version! I bought a couple of boxes (different types) and the whole family is now hooked. In fact, I think they're already all gobbled up and gone. Yum-O.
2) My brain woke up. Yup, I spent about 3 hours today brainstorming with my sister on how to brand, position, edit, produce, distribute and run the Faith of Life Network (FLN) magazine, of which we are both editors. Well, I'm sub-editor as of the last issue, in which I also published a piece. These were probably the most professionally productive few hours I've had in a very long time, maybe since leaving Chicago. Made me feel very positive about grad school and having the opportunity to formally train my brain as a marketer and do something *smart*. InshaAllah.
3) Sarwar went to a Faakhir concert yesterday. I'm bummed that I missed it because it was really good.. but at least he got to enjoy himself for an evening :) Personally, I'm looking forward to Summer Beats 2008 at the end of May (Atif Aslam, Kailash Kher AND Amanat Ali Khan!) and the Landon Pigg concert in June. Good times!
Hmm. Upon further reflection, it occurs to me that it's actually rather odd that one person could feel excited about Atif Aslam and Landon Pigg at the same time, considering the two artists are totally on completely opposite ends of the 'cool music' spectrum. Strange eh? Oh well, labels have never worked for me have they? :)
1) I discovered that Mississauga is Pocky Heaven. Honestly, there are dozens of Asian stores here, and they all carry a million types of Pocky. Yesterday, I went looking for some Chinese massage oil my mom wanted, and encountered more varieties of Pocky than there are toothpaste in most regular stores. There was even a Hello Kitty strawberry version! I bought a couple of boxes (different types) and the whole family is now hooked. In fact, I think they're already all gobbled up and gone. Yum-O.2) My brain woke up. Yup, I spent about 3 hours today brainstorming with my sister on how to brand, position, edit, produce, distribute and run the Faith of Life Network (FLN) magazine, of which we are both editors. Well, I'm sub-editor as of the last issue, in which I also published a piece. These were probably the most professionally productive few hours I've had in a very long time, maybe since leaving Chicago. Made me feel very positive about grad school and having the opportunity to formally train my brain as a marketer and do something *smart*. InshaAllah.
3) Sarwar went to a Faakhir concert yesterday. I'm bummed that I missed it because it was really good.. but at least he got to enjoy himself for an evening :) Personally, I'm looking forward to Summer Beats 2008 at the end of May (Atif Aslam, Kailash Kher AND Amanat Ali Khan!) and the Landon Pigg concert in June. Good times!
Hmm. Upon further reflection, it occurs to me that it's actually rather odd that one person could feel excited about Atif Aslam and Landon Pigg at the same time, considering the two artists are totally on completely opposite ends of the 'cool music' spectrum. Strange eh? Oh well, labels have never worked for me have they? :)
May 10, 2008
By Invitation Only
Welcome! If you're reading this, you're one of the people to whom I've extended an *exclusive* invitation to access the xinugeist. Don't you feel special?
Indeed, for a limited time, the blog is going private and won't be open to the public. Why? Somehow my dad found out I have a blog. Yeah. My DAD. And he's quite the curious type so I wouldn't put it past him to start Googling me in an attempt to, y'know, invade my privacy yet again (as if he hasn't done it my whole life!). So I'm going undercover for a while until he forgets about it entirely.. then I'll come out of hiding again.
It's at times like these you wish you could just say "Obliviate" and be done with it.
Indeed, for a limited time, the blog is going private and won't be open to the public. Why? Somehow my dad found out I have a blog. Yeah. My DAD. And he's quite the curious type so I wouldn't put it past him to start Googling me in an attempt to, y'know, invade my privacy yet again (as if he hasn't done it my whole life!). So I'm going undercover for a while until he forgets about it entirely.. then I'll come out of hiding again.
It's at times like these you wish you could just say "Obliviate" and be done with it.
May 9, 2008
I'm officially sick of Mother's Day. I've been getting about 17 emails a day for the last week from the whole damn world and his uncle, suggesting how I should reward my mom for giving birth to me. Seriously, if I had ever been inclined to celebrate this ridiculous, manufactured and unnecessary holiday before, I am totally turned off now. So, please, RedEnvelope/ 1-800-Flowers/ Hallmark: leave me alone, for God's sake. For all you know, my mom could be dead and each email you send could be digging up an old wound. Have you no tact? Bugger off.
Has anyone heard of Henry Brooks Adams? If you haven't, don't worry - you didn't miss anything. Clearly the man had a penchant for smoking something strong. Why? Check out a quote from him that Google coughed up:
You say that love is nonsense. I tell you it is no such thing. For weeks and months it is a steady physical pain, an ache about the heart, never leaving one, by night or by day; a long strain on one's nerves like toothache or rheumatism, not intolerable at any one instant, but exhausting by its steady drain on the strength.
Yeah? Well, you've given me an intolerable toothache and pretty bad rheumatism with that bullsh*t quote. Piss off, old man.
Now excuse me while I curl up and die.
Has anyone heard of Henry Brooks Adams? If you haven't, don't worry - you didn't miss anything. Clearly the man had a penchant for smoking something strong. Why? Check out a quote from him that Google coughed up:
You say that love is nonsense. I tell you it is no such thing. For weeks and months it is a steady physical pain, an ache about the heart, never leaving one, by night or by day; a long strain on one's nerves like toothache or rheumatism, not intolerable at any one instant, but exhausting by its steady drain on the strength.
Yeah? Well, you've given me an intolerable toothache and pretty bad rheumatism with that bullsh*t quote. Piss off, old man.
Now excuse me while I curl up and die.
May 8, 2008
Out of Reach
Sometimes the random setting on iTunes really hits the jackpot. Rediscovered a song that I haven't heard in a while but always really loved.
Out of Reach, by Gabrielle.
From the Bridget Jones soundtrack, the song has got a distinctly Brit sound to it that I miss hearing here in the U.S. It's a sad song, but it's very real, and above all - hopeful.. precisely like Bridget (whom I adore).. which is why it was a perfect song for the movie too.
Enjoy.
Out of Reach, by Gabrielle.
From the Bridget Jones soundtrack, the song has got a distinctly Brit sound to it that I miss hearing here in the U.S. It's a sad song, but it's very real, and above all - hopeful.. precisely like Bridget (whom I adore).. which is why it was a perfect song for the movie too.
Enjoy.
May 7, 2008
Because I'm Easily Amused
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
"He really has a very sketchy idea of what is appropriate to sex, age, class, or even species, you'll discover."
Courtesy: C-Flat, 2004.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
"He really has a very sketchy idea of what is appropriate to sex, age, class, or even species, you'll discover."
Courtesy: C-Flat, 2004.
On Not Having a Baby
Paresh says: (11:28:00 PM)
my uterus, my decision
Umm. Is there something you're not telling us, P?
my uterus, my decision
Umm. Is there something you're not telling us, P?
You know you're distracted when..
..you go to the bathroom to do wuzu for Asr prayer, but come out having brushed your teeth instead.
Blockbusters Begin
Now I feel like the summer blockbuster season has begun.
I had watched Harold & Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay last week and was sort of disappointed. It definitely was funny (NPH was great!) but it didn't surpass the original by any means. There was just too much unnecessary nudity (male, female, full frontal - all of it) and that sort of killed the humor for me.
But last night I watched Iron Man and OMFG!! It totally ROCKED! It's been a while since I enjoyed a superhero movie this much. Fantastic plot, brilliantly acted and executed, phenomenal special effects and an awesome climax. Big thanks to my brother-in-law who insisted I watch this movie since he's a complete comic book freak. I didn't know anything about Iron Man, so I went in with zero expectations - but came out totally blown away. I haven't watched every superhero movie in the last few years - I gladly skipped Fantastic Four, Hulk and Hellboy - and maybe it was not as good as Batman Begins (I'm just partial to the Bat) but it's definitely up there in the list of 'can be watched over and over on cable' movies. Robert Downey Jr. has definitely joined my list of great Hollywood actors (the list currently includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Adrien Brody, Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale.) Can't wait for the sequel in 2010.
So I'm optimistic that it's gonna be a great summer, which we desperately need since it's been a shitty 2008 so far. Currently on the must-watch list:
May
5/16: The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian
5/23: Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
June
6/13: The Incredible Hulk
6/20: Get Smart
6/27: WALL.E
July
7/18: The Dark Knight
7/25: Untitled X-Files Movie (geez.. you've had 6 years to work on this movie and still don't have a name for it??)
August
8/1: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
8/8: Pineapple Express
8/15: Tropic Thunder
Hmm 10 movies in four months. I can do that. I guess being unemployed has its perks :)
I had watched Harold & Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay last week and was sort of disappointed. It definitely was funny (NPH was great!) but it didn't surpass the original by any means. There was just too much unnecessary nudity (male, female, full frontal - all of it) and that sort of killed the humor for me.
But last night I watched Iron Man and OMFG!! It totally ROCKED! It's been a while since I enjoyed a superhero movie this much. Fantastic plot, brilliantly acted and executed, phenomenal special effects and an awesome climax. Big thanks to my brother-in-law who insisted I watch this movie since he's a complete comic book freak. I didn't know anything about Iron Man, so I went in with zero expectations - but came out totally blown away. I haven't watched every superhero movie in the last few years - I gladly skipped Fantastic Four, Hulk and Hellboy - and maybe it was not as good as Batman Begins (I'm just partial to the Bat) but it's definitely up there in the list of 'can be watched over and over on cable' movies. Robert Downey Jr. has definitely joined my list of great Hollywood actors (the list currently includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Adrien Brody, Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale.) Can't wait for the sequel in 2010.So I'm optimistic that it's gonna be a great summer, which we desperately need since it's been a shitty 2008 so far. Currently on the must-watch list:
May
5/16: The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian
5/23: Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
June
6/13: The Incredible Hulk
6/20: Get Smart
6/27: WALL.E
July
7/18: The Dark Knight
7/25: Untitled X-Files Movie (geez.. you've had 6 years to work on this movie and still don't have a name for it??)
August
8/1: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
8/8: Pineapple Express
8/15: Tropic Thunder
Hmm 10 movies in four months. I can do that. I guess being unemployed has its perks :)
May 6, 2008
Heartbreak
After months of searching, I have finally found it! The scene from Fida that made me a Shahid Kapur fan!
Shahid's character, Jai, has just realized that the girl he is madly in love with, Neha, (Kareena Kapoor) is actually a complete bi*ch. She's already married to someone else, and only pretended to be in love with him all this time because she wanted to use him to to pull off a complicated heist that would frame him, while she and her husband ran off with the money.
In this scene, Jai is on the run after having committed the crime and after having discovered that he's been taken for a ride by Neha. Sadly, he found out about this because he caught her, with her husband, in.. erm.. the shower.
What I love about this scene (0:00 to 1:38) is just how realistically Shahid conveys the complete shock, panic, anger, and madness of being betrayed by the one he loves. It may be a little hard to appreciate the scene without watching the movie, but when I saw this scene for the first time, I froze and thought,"Oh my god, I know how that feels." That's when I knew this guy was going to make it big someday. Very very awesome.
Shahid's character, Jai, has just realized that the girl he is madly in love with, Neha, (Kareena Kapoor) is actually a complete bi*ch. She's already married to someone else, and only pretended to be in love with him all this time because she wanted to use him to to pull off a complicated heist that would frame him, while she and her husband ran off with the money.
In this scene, Jai is on the run after having committed the crime and after having discovered that he's been taken for a ride by Neha. Sadly, he found out about this because he caught her, with her husband, in.. erm.. the shower.
What I love about this scene (0:00 to 1:38) is just how realistically Shahid conveys the complete shock, panic, anger, and madness of being betrayed by the one he loves. It may be a little hard to appreciate the scene without watching the movie, but when I saw this scene for the first time, I froze and thought,"Oh my god, I know how that feels." That's when I knew this guy was going to make it big someday. Very very awesome.
Papa Don't Preach
My dad has a blog. Why? He heard that Amitabh Bachchan started one and said that if the movie star can have one, so can he. I suppose that's a good enough reason, but I know it's really because he's a secret technophile who spends about 18 hours a day on the computer and wants to be "in" on everything new. He's certainly come a long way from yelling at his kids for being addicted to the Internet and being suspicious of all online activity.
Anyway, I'm not going to publicize his web address, but suffice it to say that it's quite hilarious to read your own dad's blog. He has a profile picture and everything. It's quite endearing, despite being strangely awkward. Of course, he has no clue that *I* have a blog, because he would surely become a regular reader and we can't have him finding out about the twisted thoughts that pervade his daughter's mind can we? It would make him weep.
In other news, I'm totally in love with Landon Pigg. He's coming to Boston on June 11th, definitely going. And before you pounce on me for lusting after a 23 year old, let me assure you that the fondness extends only to his musical prowess. Ashton-Kutcher-lookalikes are certainly pleasing to the eye, but otherwise don't do much for me. Sorry, Pigg - maybe if you looked and danced like Shahid you'd have had a chance.
Anyway, I'm not going to publicize his web address, but suffice it to say that it's quite hilarious to read your own dad's blog. He has a profile picture and everything. It's quite endearing, despite being strangely awkward. Of course, he has no clue that *I* have a blog, because he would surely become a regular reader and we can't have him finding out about the twisted thoughts that pervade his daughter's mind can we? It would make him weep.
In other news, I'm totally in love with Landon Pigg. He's coming to Boston on June 11th, definitely going. And before you pounce on me for lusting after a 23 year old, let me assure you that the fondness extends only to his musical prowess. Ashton-Kutcher-lookalikes are certainly pleasing to the eye, but otherwise don't do much for me. Sorry, Pigg - maybe if you looked and danced like Shahid you'd have had a chance.
May 5, 2008
Water, water everywhere.. and not a drop to drink.
I am an idealistic defeatist.
This means that I want and dream and hope for perfection, for the day that my cup runneth over. But deep down inside, I don't believe that it will actually ever happen to me. Maybe it's because I feel I don't deserve it, but I sabotage my own chances at happiness. And since I am convinced that the oasis I see in front of me is only a mirage, I don't expect to ever get anything other than a half-empty glass of desert sand. So my life is simply a self-fulfilling prophecy of manufactured disappointments.
There, I said it. Do I still need a shrink?
This means that I want and dream and hope for perfection, for the day that my cup runneth over. But deep down inside, I don't believe that it will actually ever happen to me. Maybe it's because I feel I don't deserve it, but I sabotage my own chances at happiness. And since I am convinced that the oasis I see in front of me is only a mirage, I don't expect to ever get anything other than a half-empty glass of desert sand. So my life is simply a self-fulfilling prophecy of manufactured disappointments.
There, I said it. Do I still need a shrink?
May 4, 2008
Eating Humble Pie-ya
Ugh. Currently in a serious food coma. My dad is a fantastic cook when it comes to traditional-meat-dishes, and he loves to feed us when we come, so he went all out and made some awesome paaya today. I normally don't eat the stuff but today even *I* couldn't resist it.. but now I'm.. ughhh.. paying for it. *burp*
And although I have come to expect this, each time I come home I am still surprised by just how much my family's entertainment revolves around food. If we're not eating or cooking, we're discussing what must next be eaten or cooked, or what was eaten and cooked the day/week/month/year before (this usually ends in my parents accusing each other for having produced too-liquid daal or over-salted bhindi etc).
Or else we pontificate on cuts of meat, the best way to cook a sabzi, the best cooks in the extended family, or how food was cheaper/better/fresher in the good ol days vs. now. I wonder if this is normal desi family behavior, or if we're just a little food-crazy in just the Rasheed household?
Today was tiring. Spent most of it auditioning girls/women for my sister's next documentary that she's writing/directing/producing for Faith of Life about breaking stereotypes for Muslim women in Canada. It was fun, took me back to undergrad film-making days. Since I'm here for a while now, I'll be helping her with getting it off the ground with more auditions and initial scripting. She's also (rather presumptuously.. hmpft - I kid, I kid) volunteered me for other FLN stuff and got a whole list of projects for me to work on, so I suppose I'm going to be busy while I'm here! :)
Ok going to eat ice cream at Dmitri's now. So what if I have no room for anything in my tummy? I'm on vacation.. I shall be a pig.
l8rz.
And although I have come to expect this, each time I come home I am still surprised by just how much my family's entertainment revolves around food. If we're not eating or cooking, we're discussing what must next be eaten or cooked, or what was eaten and cooked the day/week/month/year before (this usually ends in my parents accusing each other for having produced too-liquid daal or over-salted bhindi etc).
Or else we pontificate on cuts of meat, the best way to cook a sabzi, the best cooks in the extended family, or how food was cheaper/better/fresher in the good ol days vs. now. I wonder if this is normal desi family behavior, or if we're just a little food-crazy in just the Rasheed household?
Today was tiring. Spent most of it auditioning girls/women for my sister's next documentary that she's writing/directing/producing for Faith of Life about breaking stereotypes for Muslim women in Canada. It was fun, took me back to undergrad film-making days. Since I'm here for a while now, I'll be helping her with getting it off the ground with more auditions and initial scripting. She's also (rather presumptuously.. hmpft - I kid, I kid) volunteered me for other FLN stuff and got a whole list of projects for me to work on, so I suppose I'm going to be busy while I'm here! :)
Ok going to eat ice cream at Dmitri's now. So what if I have no room for anything in my tummy? I'm on vacation.. I shall be a pig.
l8rz.
May 3, 2008
Clearly, the folks at MSN responsible for taking over Facebook's display advertising business are working through some kinks. Because they really shouldn't be serving this ad to me on my homepage... (bottom left)
Considering I've identified myself in my profile as female and, more importantly, already married.. am I really the target audience for engagement rings? Shouldn't this ad be trying to reach single guys who are "In a Relationship"?
Although that really is a stunning ring and I wouldn't mind more bling of course.. hehehehe.. so maybe these guys really know what they're doing after all :D
Considering I've identified myself in my profile as female and, more importantly, already married.. am I really the target audience for engagement rings? Shouldn't this ad be trying to reach single guys who are "In a Relationship"?
Although that really is a stunning ring and I wouldn't mind more bling of course.. hehehehe.. so maybe these guys really know what they're doing after all :D
May 2, 2008
What a surprise, eh?
I'm in Toronto. Yep. Decided to drive up here and surprise my family today. Arrived an hour ago and the expression on my dad's face when he opened the door at 10:45pm was priceless. You live for moments such as these, really. It was totally hilarious. He was missing me a lot these past few days, and was insisting I use his frequent-flier miles to come over for a few weeks. Little did he know that the reason I kept turning him down with a non-committal "dekheinge..." was because we were planning on coming anyway. His ridiculous grin when we yelled "Surprise!" was totally worth the 8.5 hour drive through rain and fog (which I actually really enjoyed, but then again, I wasn't driving).
Sarwar will probably drive back on Tuesday. I'm here until.. well.. until I feel like it I guess! The advantages of being unemployed, eh? Oh no. The Canucks are getting to me already!
l8rz y'all.
Sarwar will probably drive back on Tuesday. I'm here until.. well.. until I feel like it I guess! The advantages of being unemployed, eh? Oh no. The Canucks are getting to me already!
l8rz y'all.
May 1, 2008
Happy May Day
Yes it's the first of May. Supposedly that means that spring has definitely arrived, but that's obviously not the case here in Massachusetts since the weatherman last night said that we'd have frost on the ground today. Yippee.
Also, doesn't "Happy May Day" sound like a total contradiction? "May Day" is a cry for help, an announcement of a bad emergency. How can that be happy?
Farhat used to work at the Accident & Emergency department in Mayday Hospital in Croydon. Ha. How apt was that?
May Day is also LaboUr Day in the rest of the world. All I know is this means that people get a day off in the UK and Pakistan (not sure about India). But the UK gets LaboUr Days, like, 8 times a year. So how is this special?
There is the May Day Maypole Dance (I think that's what it's called?) where there's a big pole stuck in the ground (much like the eyesore in front of P&T's apartment) with many colored ribbons tied to it. Girls hold on to one ribbon each, and then (to music) dance around the pole in choreographed steps so that the colors are all weaved together to create a nice umbrella effect. Why do I know this? Because our completely wretched P.E. teacher Mrs. Kapoor made us do a Maypole dance once on a Sports Day. Don't ask me why, but at least it was more relevant to sports than the bhangra she once made us do.. or the time we did the *shudder* Arabic hair shaking dance (the boys did a corresponding Arabic stick shaking dance that year).
Hmm, now that I think about it, I think I'm going to start taking belly-dancing lessons. I've always wanted to, and now I have the time. Should look that up.
Did anyone notice that April 2008 saw a record number of blog-posts for any month in the history of the xinugeist? Yep. Clearly I was in hyper-drive last month. And the number of posts? 69 dudes!!!!! (oh come on, don't tell me the Bill & Ted reference was lost on you lot?)
Seriously, though, this is bad news. I'm clearly over-expressing myself. I'll work on it, I promise. I'm going on a .. a.. blog diet. I will overcome this debilitating problem. Really, I will.
That is all (for a while!).
Also, doesn't "Happy May Day" sound like a total contradiction? "May Day" is a cry for help, an announcement of a bad emergency. How can that be happy?
Farhat used to work at the Accident & Emergency department in Mayday Hospital in Croydon. Ha. How apt was that?
May Day is also LaboUr Day in the rest of the world. All I know is this means that people get a day off in the UK and Pakistan (not sure about India). But the UK gets LaboUr Days, like, 8 times a year. So how is this special?
There is the May Day Maypole Dance (I think that's what it's called?) where there's a big pole stuck in the ground (much like the eyesore in front of P&T's apartment) with many colored ribbons tied to it. Girls hold on to one ribbon each, and then (to music) dance around the pole in choreographed steps so that the colors are all weaved together to create a nice umbrella effect. Why do I know this? Because our completely wretched P.E. teacher Mrs. Kapoor made us do a Maypole dance once on a Sports Day. Don't ask me why, but at least it was more relevant to sports than the bhangra she once made us do.. or the time we did the *shudder* Arabic hair shaking dance (the boys did a corresponding Arabic stick shaking dance that year).
Hmm, now that I think about it, I think I'm going to start taking belly-dancing lessons. I've always wanted to, and now I have the time. Should look that up.
Did anyone notice that April 2008 saw a record number of blog-posts for any month in the history of the xinugeist? Yep. Clearly I was in hyper-drive last month. And the number of posts? 69 dudes!!!!! (oh come on, don't tell me the Bill & Ted reference was lost on you lot?)
Seriously, though, this is bad news. I'm clearly over-expressing myself. I'll work on it, I promise. I'm going on a .. a.. blog diet. I will overcome this debilitating problem. Really, I will.
That is all (for a while!).
April 30, 2008
Close to Home II
You say goodbye
And I say hello
Hello hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello
And I say hello
Hello hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello
I heart Zach Braff
Seriously - he's my second favorite Northwestern alum (Stephen Colbert gets first place of course). And I love Scrubs. And I love this particular scene from an episode that I just caught on Comedy Central. Aah JD, sometimes I wonder if you and I are just meant to be together :P
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Daydreamin'
Love this song.. has a very quirky, slightly Brit, White Town feel to it even though it's clearly NOT sung by that kind of artist. Apparently its in an AT&T ad nowadays too, but I discovered it a while back on MTV during afternoon channel surfing. Enjoy.
Daydreamin'
By Lupe Fiasco, feat. Jill Scott
Daydreamin'
By Lupe Fiasco, feat. Jill Scott
Hmm.
I have a serious 'chapped-lips' problem. I spend an inordinate amount of time chewing away dead skin from my lips. Which, while being kinda gross, is a strangely comforting exercise. Wonder why.
Just learned that Baskin Robbins in Harvard Square is doing 31-cent scoops today. Doesn't beat yesterday's Ben & Jerry's Free Ice Cream CONE promotion.. but since I'm gonna be in the area anyway, ice cream is now on the itinerary for the afternoon. Mmmm... Imagonna get me some Gold Medal Ribbon. That flavor always reminds me of the good ol' Baskin Robbins on Al Wahda Street. Remember, TBG? :)
Must run now, gotta catch the 11:32 train. Damn commuter rail.
Must run now, gotta catch the 11:32 train. Damn commuter rail.
And the winner is..
Thanks to all who voted in the poll! It is now closed and it seems like the Black & Blue frames emerged the winner. I'm quite surprised, I wasn't very crazy about those ones since I currently have blue frames anyway. I was sorta rooting for the purple ones... so.. thanks for the input and all, but I think I'm going with the first pair (Black & Purple) anyway :D
Before y'all go all indignant on me, let me explain why: today is the last day of my health insurance coverage from MPG, so I must go get these glasses today. (Tomorrow I go over to Sarwar's insurance and am planning to use that to get prescription sunglasses you see.. assuming I can double-dip into the insurance system!).
So if I have to go somewhere today, a weekday, I must go by myself. Therefore, the stores must be T-accessible. That narrows down the choices to glasses #1, #3 and #4.
#1 is being sold at Harvard Square Eye Care in (you guessed it) Harvard Square, and the other two are at a store called Eyes Over Copley in (doesn't take a genius) Copley Square, which is near my old office in Back Bay.
But I am so frickin' sick of Back Bay - I associate it with my commute to work and I really don't want to feel like I'm going back to the office again. Too much frustration and anger still there. In general, I'm pretty tired of that whole area, including the damn T stop.
Therefore, today I will treat myself and hop onto the Red line instead, and go to the far more pleasant Harvard Square. Get my glasses, enjoy some Bartley's burgers for lunch, read some Harry Potter.. basically, make use of the sunny weather that has finally showed up after three days of non-stop rain.
Hmm. Now that I think about it, none of you probably care to know any of this. Oh well. Tough. I'm unemployed now, you'll have to deal with train-of-thought crap like this.
That is all.
Before y'all go all indignant on me, let me explain why: today is the last day of my health insurance coverage from MPG, so I must go get these glasses today. (Tomorrow I go over to Sarwar's insurance and am planning to use that to get prescription sunglasses you see.. assuming I can double-dip into the insurance system!).
So if I have to go somewhere today, a weekday, I must go by myself. Therefore, the stores must be T-accessible. That narrows down the choices to glasses #1, #3 and #4.
#1 is being sold at Harvard Square Eye Care in (you guessed it) Harvard Square, and the other two are at a store called Eyes Over Copley in (doesn't take a genius) Copley Square, which is near my old office in Back Bay.
But I am so frickin' sick of Back Bay - I associate it with my commute to work and I really don't want to feel like I'm going back to the office again. Too much frustration and anger still there. In general, I'm pretty tired of that whole area, including the damn T stop.
Therefore, today I will treat myself and hop onto the Red line instead, and go to the far more pleasant Harvard Square. Get my glasses, enjoy some Bartley's burgers for lunch, read some Harry Potter.. basically, make use of the sunny weather that has finally showed up after three days of non-stop rain.
Hmm. Now that I think about it, none of you probably care to know any of this. Oh well. Tough. I'm unemployed now, you'll have to deal with train-of-thought crap like this.
That is all.
April 29, 2008
Back to School
Deciding what class to take at BU this summer... right now, seriously considering this one since it sounds right up my alley.
COM CM561-A1 New Media and Public Relations
Explores the effects of new media on the fundamental theories, models and practices of public relations. Studies how websites, blogs, citizen journalism, social media, direct-to-consumer communication, podcasting, viral marketing, and other technology-enabled changes are affecting interpersonal, small group and mass media relationships. Also covers and uses the interactive tools that are re-defining the practice of public relations. The course combines lecture, discussion, guest speakers, case study and research to help students uncover and appreciate the power and potential of interactive media.
Interesting, no? Plus, the professor is a bloke called Quigley, and I simply cannot pass up the opportunity to know someone with that name! It reminds me of... hmm... Quirrell! Maybe I'll take the class just to make sure he's not wearing a turban to hide and transport the most evil wizard of our times...?
However, there are some cons to this class. It meets twice a week at 9:30am *groan*.. but that's not half as bad as the fact that it's at frickin' BU which means.. yes.. it's on the dreaded Green line!! Aaarghh.
Damn you, T.
COM CM561-A1 New Media and Public Relations
Explores the effects of new media on the fundamental theories, models and practices of public relations. Studies how websites, blogs, citizen journalism, social media, direct-to-consumer communication, podcasting, viral marketing, and other technology-enabled changes are affecting interpersonal, small group and mass media relationships. Also covers and uses the interactive tools that are re-defining the practice of public relations. The course combines lecture, discussion, guest speakers, case study and research to help students uncover and appreciate the power and potential of interactive media.
Interesting, no? Plus, the professor is a bloke called Quigley, and I simply cannot pass up the opportunity to know someone with that name! It reminds me of... hmm... Quirrell! Maybe I'll take the class just to make sure he's not wearing a turban to hide and transport the most evil wizard of our times...?
However, there are some cons to this class. It meets twice a week at 9:30am *groan*.. but that's not half as bad as the fact that it's at frickin' BU which means.. yes.. it's on the dreaded Green line!! Aaarghh.
Damn you, T.
Universal Poem
I miss you in so many ways
On moonlit nights and cloudy days;
I sleep so I can see your face
And dream of your perfect embrace.
If you were here, you'd stand and stare
And watch me as I brush my hair;
Scoops of ice-cream we would lick
And dream of trips to Reykjavik.
I wish you could be here, damn damn damn
(The name of this poem is an anagram);
If you were a disease, you'd make me cough
But I don't feel sick, could this be love?
On moonlit nights and cloudy days;
I sleep so I can see your face
And dream of your perfect embrace.
If you were here, you'd stand and stare
And watch me as I brush my hair;
Scoops of ice-cream we would lick
And dream of trips to Reykjavik.
I wish you could be here, damn damn damn
(The name of this poem is an anagram);
If you were a disease, you'd make me cough
But I don't feel sick, could this be love?
Just Peachy
According to StatCounter, I have a major fan in Atlanta, GA. Someone in that fine town really likes to read my blog.. a LOT. He/she almost always has the highest daily pageloads for the xinugeist, followed closely by somebody equally mysterious in Fresno, CA, Ms. Cambridge Warehouse@MIT, and some lamers in Minneapolis, Digital River and Monmouth Junction, NJ who clearly have a lot of time of their hands *waves to y'all... muah*
But who is this Atlanta person? I'm rather befuddled. I don't really have friends there.. I do have some distant in-law relations but I seriously doubt they're aware of the xinugeist's existence?
So, dear reader from the land of Jimmy Carter, I implore you - show thyself. Remain not shrouded in this cloak of mystery. End this game and tell me who you really are.. well, unless you actually are not in Atlanta at all, and are somewhere else entirely, and simply masking/faking your IP address to remain elusive and somewhat untraceable. In which case, don't bother revealing yourself to me, you're probably dangerous and I don't want to know you. But I still don't mind being stalked so you may continue to read this blog, but do it quietly. And please, don't hurt me.
Also, just a reminder that the poll closes tomorrow, so all you people who read but don't comment or click, get off your lazy asses and express an opinion for Christ's sake. Do you want to be labeled as simply Consumers in the information economy, and not Contributors? Yalla yalla! Shake your bon bons! Rock the vote!
But who is this Atlanta person? I'm rather befuddled. I don't really have friends there.. I do have some distant in-law relations but I seriously doubt they're aware of the xinugeist's existence?
So, dear reader from the land of Jimmy Carter, I implore you - show thyself. Remain not shrouded in this cloak of mystery. End this game and tell me who you really are.. well, unless you actually are not in Atlanta at all, and are somewhere else entirely, and simply masking/faking your IP address to remain elusive and somewhat untraceable. In which case, don't bother revealing yourself to me, you're probably dangerous and I don't want to know you. But I still don't mind being stalked so you may continue to read this blog, but do it quietly. And please, don't hurt me.
Also, just a reminder that the poll closes tomorrow, so all you people who read but don't comment or click, get off your lazy asses and express an opinion for Christ's sake. Do you want to be labeled as simply Consumers in the information economy, and not Contributors? Yalla yalla! Shake your bon bons! Rock the vote!
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