Fearless!

Salaam Jackson Heights Series

2011-11-19T16:08:00.002-11:00

Well folks, if you (or your missus) are in a mood for a light read, I have written a little book: Salaam Jackson Heights. Please do check it out on:

Smashwords for many formats
Amazon for Kindle
Facebook for more info

Devis, light-keeper goddesses, are abound as a 'desi' sisterhood is formed in Jackson Heights, Queens.

Driving Courage

2011-06-17T16:36:00.001-11:00

We stand with you, courageous sisters ... for the basic rights to live, breathe, travel, speak ... for the basic right to be free. May the light within us, light the light within you.

India Wins ...

2011-04-02T16:37:00.004-11:00

... congrats!

Bengalis are happy - after all, most of them are from India

Bangladeshis on the other hand, probably not so much - you see, they would rather Sri Lanka had taken the cup, if not their beloved Bangladesh or Pakistan

Since Bengali is one of the most spoken languages in the world, there are a lot of conflicting Bengali words flying through the airwaves right now.

"eesh, ki hoilo!"
"shabvaas, shabvaas!"
"vbhaa vbhaa ..."

Either way - the world cup is back in the sub-continent where it belongs. So here's to the Indians (and certainly the Bengalis), here's to the Sri Lankan, here's to the Bangladeshis, here's to the Pakistanis. ... Here's to the Indian subcontinent ...

Happiness and Facebook

2011-02-20T07:47:00.003-11:00

Deepak Chopra's "Power, Freedom, Grace" has touched me. In reference to Vedanta, he quotes that happiness is blocked (or cloudied or obscured) by a number of things, one of which is our identification of who we are to our 'image' and 'what we do'. By extension we block happiness by stressing on what others think of us, or what we think they think of us. How very stressful.

It occurs to me that status update aspects of social media like Facebook and Twitter, where the main purpose is to draw constant attention and to garner outside reaction, is a deterrent to the Vedantic definition of happiness and to truly connecting and identifying with the 'power and grace and freedom' of our oneness and consciousness to the universe.

I need to give this more thought ... especially due to the current relevance of social media in the middle east.

potential shows no one would watch ... and other opinings

2011-01-10T17:07:00.006-11:00

potential shows no one would watch:
"the Real Housewives of Amish country, Pennsylvania"

"Classroom Tonight" - as opposed to "Entertainment Tonight"

"Access Albany (NY)" - as opposed to "Access Hollywood"

glowing recommendations for some R & R:
Music:
'Sitting on the Moon' - Enigma
'Grenade' - Bruno Mars

Great Read (excellent for book club):
'The Help' - Kathryn Stockett

guilty recommendations for some time a wastin':
'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' - that Lisa is a laugh and a half!

'Jersey Shore' - I regret watching my first episode ever (opener of the 3rd season) in a misguided attempt to find out who exactly were Snookie and The Situation. Simply awful, mind-bogglingly trivial show - and yet I watched the entire 1 hour unwilling to change the channel... dear Lord!

Heroes Through and Through

2010-10-22T04:00:00.003-11:00

Sometimes a large cauldron of reality washes the myopia from my eyes and gives me a panoramic vision of what “effectiveness,” “busyness,” and “making a difference” is really all about. These heroes imbue my being with inspiration and humility – and yes heroism does indeed begin in our own homes, in our own community, within our own surroundings:

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow who helps provide daily meals to 400,000 children worldwide

Narayanan Krishnan who gave up a high brow international chef career to help feed his own peeps

Evans Wadongo who shows us that age is no pre-requisite for heroism and ingenuity

Anuradha Koirala who has the courage and compassion to rescue young girls sold into sex-slavery

Mackenzie Bearup, a girl after my own heart, who gives abused children the gift of book

What a Hero!

2010-10-21T05:06:00.001-11:00

this story ... the image of a little girl wanting to learn - and the woman who had the courage to make it possible ... touches me to the core and makes my day!

Islamaphobia/ Xenophobia ... hello fear-ridden world!

2010-09-13T01:42:00.012-11:00

In the midst of a hurricane-speed few years it takes hurricane-force indignation at world affairs to drag me to the blogosphere to air my views. However the foaming dementia of the so-called Ground Zero Mosque, International Koran-Burning Day and the current rise (or resurfacing) of ugly Islamaphobia (a word that is not even a recognized word by MS Office) has churned up enough indignant concern to do just that.

So to Muslims and Islamaphobes of the world:

1. Get over it - Islam and Muslims are here to stay - Koran-burning and angry feet-stomping vehemence will not make this world religion disappear. It makes you as uncivilized and angry as you claim "they" are. Get over it and focus on living your own day in peace and prosperity and love and laughter, because tomorrow is not promised to you.

2. Muslims, stop having riots and killing each other and dancing about in pent up anger because of what other crazy people are doing or saying about your religion. Get over it! You are as crazy as the Islamaphobes in your reactions. Be proactive and gracious, not reactionary and uncivilized. Through peaceful action and peaceful words you will carry the banner of Islam.

3. Christians - what would Jesus do? I have not met him, but from what I know of him, he would light up the world with warmth and forgiveness and greatness. He would not be seething, disparaging and denigrating with fear and intolerance. I believe he would say "I love you, neighbor."

4. Muslims - pick up your Hadith; what would The Prophet Muhammed do? I have not met him, but from what I know of him, he would light up the world with warmth and forgiveness and greatness. He would not be jum[img about in anger or retaliation by killing others. I believe he would say, "peace be upon you, brother/ sister."

5. Yes the abhorrent devils of the 9/11 terrorists considered themselves Muslims. But their actions are not representative of Islam. Much like the priests who molest toddlers and children - they consider themselves of Christ, yet their actions are not representative of Christianity. It's convenient to mask your Islamaphobia under that brand, but it is counterproductive and ignorant.

6. As for the Muslims - take back your religion. It was hijacked in the same attacks. Fight back in definitive actions and words of peace. One effective way would be to denounce the deranged and oppressive regimes like Saudia Arabia which is equated to Islam and hides behind the flag of oil and Islam - but is the absolute antithesis of Islam ...

7. A community center that reaches out in goodwill, (there IS currently NO Ground Zero Mosque - though there actually WERE TWO WTC mosques where Muslims, who also perished on 9/11, prayed) is more respectful of the WTC memory than a strip club. If you are too blinded by hatred to see that, then you must accept that you are indeed an Islamaphobe and ruled by fear - as opposed to faith and humanity. You are practicing that which you say you hate.

8. Muslim fathers and husbands, be extra kind to your wives and children. It is through your actions that you can counteract the abhorrent perversion of Islam practiced in some parts of the world. The stoning, the killing, the raping, the destroying of womanhood in some Islamic countries are to be loudly denounced. That's one good reason to go to the streets to rise in anger against such perversion.

Thank goodness for the likes of John Stewart (Jewish), Keith Olberman (Christian), Mayor Bloomberg (Jewish and Republican), Fareed Zakaria, (Muslim and American) President Bush (Christian and Republican), President Obama (Christian and American) for infusing some rational and obvious dialogue; they give the world hope in the face of hopeless paranoia. And they risk unpopularity in the American media to stand up for truth and normalcy.

At the end of the day, when you take your last breath, there is no "us" against "them"; it's just you and your conscience and the life you have lived, Whatever you conceive of God to be - hopefully God is tolerant and forgiving and gracious and accepting of you - with all your fears, follies and fortitudes.

cannot believe England!

2010-06-28T16:09:00.001-11:00

I just recovered from the England-Germany 1-4 game!!! Every World Cup, I dream that this will be their year. Perhaps I should not be shocked - they just are not good or cohesive enough for the young, conditioned, gelling German team.

Rooney - what happened? Where was the Manchester United glory at the world cup games against Germany? Thanks for the efforts, though

And yes, Lampard, that was a goal. The world saw it, even though the linesman was blind to it. But still. Germany's 4 goals were pretty decisive so it still does not excuse the poor performance.

On a more positive note, Brasil and the Netherlands played with spirit, finesse and confidence and won their respective games.

...thoughts on Guns and Tolerance...

2010-03-10T04:43:00.002-11:00

Today while driving to work, I saw the common sticker, “guns don’t kill people, people kill people”. True that.

However - the fact remains that there are some people who should not own guns. Period!

Guns in the hands of children have had tragic consequences - but knives and other seemingly innocuous household objects have had the same effect.

Guns wound and maim and kill. But so do words, in a way. So do cars. So do drivers with cell phones, for that matter. Though one could argue that guns are specifically designed for that purpose.

I am, in fact, a passionate pacifist and have no leanings towards the NRA, but it occurs to me that weapons are all around us and therefore it is our responsibility to counteract them with kindness, care, and concern - all the time. Now I am stuck with Bill Idol's "don't need a gun in my head"

Tolerance is a word steeped in patronization and condescension. It implies, "I know I am right, but I will bear the burden of leaving you be." Come on! Acceptance is the key. And yes I know, tolerance is better than hatred and prejudice. But rise to the occasion and accept that the world belongs to you and to everyone else too.

That's my four cents, folks. Rise to the occasion and be kind - because tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

Embrace Life

2010-02-22T10:25:00.003-11:00

...lives are worth living ...

... now if only we had a powerful video against driving while texting/ drinking

"Get off the phone. Save a life. Don't talk and drive. You've got precious cargo in that car. Your life. Your children's life. They are not worth a phone call, a text, an e-mail."
~ mother of a child killed by a driving texter

The XX

2010-02-19T07:30:00.002-11:00

The music in the AT&T ad featuring Apolo Ohno is breathtaking: Intro by The XX

Tiger Wood's apology was calculated but heartfelt. Let the golfer and man be.

This week I lost 2 colleagues: one a dear friend who died peacefully after a life well-lived, and another too good and too young. From Alex I will always remember the values of marriage and family and science. From Frank I will remember the art of kindness, respectfulness and professionalism, even at meetings - especially at meetings. In peace.

Helping Haiti

2010-01-15T07:28:00.003-11:00

Friends - here is an easy way to help those devastated by the earthquake in Haiti: text 'Haiti' to 90999 to donate $10. Also here are links for other resources to help: Help Haiti, Oxfam, World Vision, Red Cross

today is so 2000 and fine

2010-01-01T17:47:00.002-11:00

yesterday was so 2000 and nine
today is so 2000 and fine
tomorrow suns will shine (even if we can't see it through the clouds)
inevitably, till the end of time

so my resolutions are, and always will be
to live while i live, to unencumber my soul free
to follow my conscience, to honor the life tree
and to borrow from Avatar, to really 'see'

the ideal face ...

2009-12-21T20:14:00.005-11:00

...this report by Canadian researchers have coined the term "the golden ratio" to define beauty - in women

the report finds that average women fall within the golden range, yet Angelina Jolie does not (well she is not average, but she is certainly beautiful to most eyes)

Shania Twain measures up to this golden ratio (vertical distance between the eyes and mouth, and horizontal distance between the eyes). Shania is indeed beautiful, but i don't buy the conclusion of the study

beauty is so assorted, so cultured, so subjectified, so intangible, that a numeric value of parts of the whole, do beauty no justice.

... incidentally, all the subjects were white, which, in my opinion, further speaks to the limited conclusivity of the study since the other races are more representative of the world

gaga

2009-12-01T15:48:00.001-11:00

Lady GaGa rocks, kids! Jiving to the nonsensical but heart-beating "Alejandro" while pulling an allnighter writing my lecture & paper (the aforementioned deadline).

the illogic of logic

2009-12-01T08:56:00.002-11:00

I have a deadline - and therefore I procrastinate. The logic? Non-existent. Much logic is often over-rated in my opinion. Unlike alliteration - all alliterations are always awesome, albeit aggravating. Anyway, I came across this note I had written, possibly for posterity, when I was rummaging through my inbox - for no purpose other than neglecting the said deadline:

"The confinement of religion defies the purpose of religion – which is to evoke in humanity in its entirety, a personal guide to the source of the universe."

It is true and it is false, and thus defies logic. Or does it?

As for the deadline, since when is a line that is dead of any use to anyone?

it's deceptive ...

2009-11-17T16:05:00.003-11:00

does "deceptively comfortable" mean
it is comfortable, even though one would not normally think so?
or
it is not comfortable, even though it appears to be?

'need you now,' Lady Antebellum

2009-11-15T19:17:00.003-11:00

this is a good song - when I first heard the lyrics, it sounded inane and without substance. However, while burning the midnight oil, preparing for lectures beyond midnight, it's a good song to have playing in the background. Because the lyrics fade to the strength of the tune.

p.s. ante bellum translates to "before the war" ... was there ever such a time? only nella fantasia

toodle-oo Lou, you 'tough guy' you

2009-11-12T02:49:00.003-11:00

so long, adieu
bid you farewell Lou
you made my blood boil
our opinions like water and oil
but that's just middle class smack for you

bits of love

2009-11-10T09:43:00.000-11:00

Who said Computer Science was not romantic?

Giraffe kebabs ...

2009-11-08T18:51:00.001-11:00

... are not on the menu!

Loss of Human Lives Humanity

2009-01-05T19:58:00.005-11:00

How could this be justified in the name of anything? Every person has the inherent right to life - irrespespective of which side of the fence they are born. Any argument about rights to land does not compare to the right to live - "tonight thank god it's them instead of you."

On a different note, here are some clear and present dangers to social networking ... MySpace and Twitter - though it is not just a danger for teenagers - plently of adults and professionals post pictures and comments online that would be of concern to prospective employers and partners. When we post online, weare revoking privacy.

Song of the week: Kate Perry's "Hot N Cold"

Mamma Mia

2008-08-26T06:52:00.000-11:00

Great movie to watch with the girls - especially if you are a "dancing queen".

Hello World

2008-08-26T05:08:00.001-11:00

Brian Kerninghan and Dennis Ritchie described the first complete program in their 1978 book "The C Programming Language Program" called "Hello World".

Thus started the trend in other languages like C++ and Java where the first program we usually learn is the "Hello World" program.

This semester i was going to change it to "Hola World!" but it seems rather blasphemous.

Raila Rocks

2008-07-01T04:23:00.002-11:00

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on the African Union to suspend President Robert Mugabe over Zimbabwe's widely condemned election.

"Mugabe should be suspended until he allows the AU to facilitate free and fair elections. AU will be setting a dangerous precedent if Mugabe is allowed to participate in its meetings. Right now Mugabe is a crisis, they have no president with legitimacy to run the country."

The Shame of South Africa!

2008-06-28T07:14:00.001-11:00

The world stood by South Africa in the fight against Apartheid - and South Africa blocks the move to delegitimize the illegitimate "ONE-MAN", murder-ridden Zimbabwean elections!

What did the world fight for??

Bloddy Hell!

Mapping Terror

2008-06-26T04:43:00.003-11:00

source: sokwanele.com

Enough is Enough: no kidding

"ZANU-PF will mess you up big time": converse to "live free or die"

UN condemns Zimbabwe: high time - after 8 years of continued corruption

Zimbabwe crisis deepens: CNN video

Robert Mugabe: A Despot's Cruel Resolve: Time article

Shame on Mbeki!:

a Malaysian interpretation of Islam

2008-06-24T09:38:00.000-11:00

... don't wear bright lipstick and noisy heels ... a directive "intended to prevent sexual assaults and "illicit sex."

How about curbing and arresting men who dare to sexually assault women!

Another Anti-Islamic "Scarf" Incident ...

2008-06-19T03:28:00.003-11:00

... and this time, dishearteningly from the "Democratic" front ...

Check out this story about the so called "political climate" in the US ...

Hardly a "change we can believe in"

(addendum)
I understand why Obama's campaign did what they did but the fact remains that it is the anti-Islamic "political climate" that persuaded that situation. It doesn't make it right. I would have had the same reaction if someone with a Magen David or other attire were treated that way. Certainly a "Christian" attire would not have promoted that reaction from their camp. There is a clear discrepency - and that is what is not right.

EVIL has a new synonym: Mugabe

2008-06-15T08:57:00.000-11:00

The men who pulled up in three white pickup trucks were looking for Patson Chipiro, head of the Zimbabwean opposition party in Mhondoro district. His wife, Dadirai, told them he was in Harare but would be back later in the day, and the men departed.

An hour later they were back. They grabbed Mrs Chipiro and chopped off one of her hands and both her feet. Then they threw her into her hut, locked the door and threw a petrol bomb through the window.

Zimbabwe security forces hijacked a truckload of food aid intended for hungry school children. U.S. officials say the stolen food was handed out to political supporters of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe

Other African leaders offer a few reprimanding words, and sit back to watch murders in daylight ... they have forgotten the pain of being forgotten

Western leaders offer profuse condemnation, and sit back to watch murders in daylight ... would things have been different if Zimbabwe was an European country, or one with energy sources

the "perfect woman"

2008-06-10T03:09:00.001-11:00

cooks, cleans, and understands... and does not argue, does not talk back, does not disagree, does not espouse political views, does not have informed views of the world ... the perfect woman, it turns out, is a robot!

... she is so rare, no wonder she had to be created by man ... gives me renewed awe of "God".

... and she comes with some variations: blonde, brunette, redhead, casual - but all with white skin tone ... what does that say?

Who Will Rule the New Internet?

2008-06-09T09:03:00.002-11:00

the socializer?

or the searcher?

or the omnitasker?

TIME article

Xenophobia or Patriotism?

2008-05-30T03:49:00.007-11:00

At the behest of Michelle Malkin, an arch right wing conservative, Dunkin' Donuts has pulled this online ad. Why, you ask?

Is it because Dunkin' Donuts regrets advertising fatty foods that are raising the obesity numbers in the US?

Nope. It is because the fringed black-and-white scarf that the celebrity chef wore in the ad apparently offers symbolic support for Muslim extremism and terrorism!

Now as for Michelle Malkin who is Asian, she may remind ignorant people of North Korea (the so called "axis of evil") - so should she be banned from becoming a "mainstream" of the US culture? Let's see, how about wearing a red scarf - that's symbolic of the communist governments. Or if one wears red, green, and yellow - that's symbolic of the dictator Robert Mugabe. Oh, how about the colors "red, white, and blue" which appear on the Cuban flag?

But, more importantly the scarf (Keffieyh) is simply a design worn by a number of Arab countries - not a symbol of terrorism. This is another sad example of the xenophobia, racism, and cultural ignorance that exists and mars the beauty and the truth of the USA. Naturally most Americans are lovely and warm (indicative of the comments here) - but that does not take away from the fact that racism, xenophobia, hatred against humanity is alive and well in the US - as it is in many other countries in the world.

United: Champions of the Champions League

2008-05-21T11:32:00.000-11:00

match up of giants

ronaldo rules

it's a good year!

Manchester United clinch their 10th Premier League title

2008-05-11T10:44:00.002-11:00

... we are the champions, my friend

Chincoteague, Virginia

2008-05-01T16:34:00.008-11:00

in red ...
in blue ...in green ...

Cornus florida ...

2008-04-30T17:09:00.004-11:00

Cornus flordia: same species - different colours

... Homo sapiens: same species - different colours

The Alchemist

2008-04-18T10:45:00.003-11:00

“Continue in the direction of the Pyramids”, said the alchemist. “And continue to pay heed to the omens. Your heart is still capable of showing you where the treasure is.”

“Is that the one thing I still need to know?”

“No”, the alchemist answered. “What you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream. That’s the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one ‘dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.’

“Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested.”

Hapana Mugabe

2008-04-02T12:06:00.004-11:00

There was once a man from Zimbabwe
Widely known as Comrade Mugabe
It's time for him to accept his loss
Because he no longer is the boss
And let makorokoto reign again in Zimbabwe

Mugabe Out

a Waterloo limerick

2008-04-02T11:20:00.005-11:00

There was once a bloke from Waterloo
Who dreamt he was eating his shoe
He woke up in the night
With a terrible fright
And found it was perfectly true

Babangida Boogie as modified by Mugabe

2008-03-09T07:59:00.004-11:00

The Babangida Boogie is "one step forward, two steps back": George Ayittey

Now it is modified for greater impact by Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe in the Fibonacci sequence - one step back, one step back, two steps back, three steps back, five steps back ....

V-Day

2008-02-13T02:18:00.012-11:00

Saudi Arabia has done it again: stunned the world! Banning all things Valentine and all things red! No red roses, no gifts, lest they encourage "immoral relations between the umarrieds." One may argue that is the rule of the country and all who live under that sky must abide. But this is a country where a girl who has been gang-raped is lashed, where a woman is punished for being any more than a subservient property - what moral code are we talking about? This is like saying, in segregated America, that the rule of separating black and white should have been followed because that is the law of the land. Wrong is wrong - there is no justification. Not to say that Valentine is a necessary day - because any day can be a day for love - so spread the love to our fellow man!
Talking of fellowship, I have warmed toward Australia, which has joined a handful of governments in history who have apologized to the indigenous inhabitants of lands they took over. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologized in parliament to all Aborigines for laws and policies that "inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss", singling out the "stolen generation."

Onto Denmark where newspapers are reprinting the "offensive" Mohammed cartoons. Yes it their right, but what is the point of recreating the ire of millions of people when it has already led to turmoil and deaths? But equally seriously, Muslims should see this for what it is and not consider a threat to their faith - if anything denounce the people who allegedly were plotting a "terror-related assassination" of Kurt Westergaard!Spielberg has withdrawn his services from the Beijing Olympics as a show of support to Darfur. China feels this direct implication of their impotence against the injustice in Darfur is unfair. Actually what is really unfair is the fact that hundreds of thousands of our fellow man in Darfur have been massacred, raped, and left for dead while we celebrate the greatness of the human race at the Olympics.
I sound like a bleeding heart liberal - but what I am is just as mortal and just as human as my brother and sister human anywhere in the world. No label can strip away the frailty of life.

Touché

2008-02-11T05:21:00.000-11:00

I used to think that touché was in reference to someone being "touchy" about a comment. Actually it means "well done, old chap, bravo, good for you, that was a witty come back." Well something like that. The word stem is the French verb, "toucher", to touch, and is used in fencing to acknowledge when one has been hit or touched.

Talking of old chaps, I am reminded of one of my most favorite fictional characters, Reginald Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse. Jeeves, a gentleman's gentleman, is a title character of the likes of "Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves" and "Well Done, Jeeves", amongst many other thoroughly charming books. In fact, the name of the search engine "Ask Jeeves", is inspired by the original Jeeves. And in the midst of a heavy semester, across an ocean from Totleigh Towers in Berkshire, I can still dive into a Jeeves book and laugh in guiltless delight. And truly the world does seem lighter.

We watched "Atonement" this weekend. It was fine, but expectedly, the book is richer in words, feelings, and alignment of characters. We also watched "Meet the Spartans" last week and there is nothing to which to compare this movie.

English is not my first language - as I conveniently remind people when I am at a literary loss, literally - but it is the language which allows me to express the thoughts within me. It is in expressing thoughts, especially the ones deep within, that we are able to understand ourselves, to form ideas, and expand the horizon of our perspectives.

"Oh jolly good," Jeeves might say, "if I may express myself, perhaps you should expand your horizons by resuming your work day."
"Touché. Yes indeed, rather, my good man. Hand me my hat would you? Thank you."

Busby Babes

2008-02-06T07:46:00.001-11:00

"The Munich Air Disaster of Feb 6, 1958 rips the heart out of Manchester United with 8 of its brightest young things perishing in the twisted metal of the plane crash". They were known as the Busby Babes, incredibly talented and incredibly young - an incredible loss to be felt by all United Fans across the world, for years to come.

Currently, there are three books on my reading radar:
Ornament of the World - how the Muslims, Jews and Christians created a culture of tolerance in Medieval Spain: by Maria Rosa Menocal
Atonement- about perceptions, misunderstanding, consequences - and endless love: by the Booker Prize winner, Ian McEwan
Brick Lane - a Bangladeshi woman in a foreign land coming to her own: by Booker Prize nominee, Monica Ali

Both "Atonement" and "Brick Lane" are fiction and have been made into movies recently. "Ornament of the World" is non-fiction, if only it was current reality.

Fastnacht, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras ... Super Tuesday!

2008-02-05T03:38:00.000-11:00

Mardi Gras: "the last opportunity to feast and have fun, before 40 days of self-denial". The name sounds exotic, but it means "Fat Tuesday" in French.The most famous celbrations are in Nice (France), Cologne (Germany), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and New Orleans (USA). The official colours for Mardi Gras are purple (to represent justice), green (stands for faith) and gold (which symbolizes power).

In Venice, the practice of wearing masks for disguise reached its pinnacle in the 18th Century, when Venetians of different social classes used Carnival as an excuse to mingle.
Not to be outdone, there are also fastnacht parades in Germany. Also not to forget Pennsylvania, where the PA Dutch celebrate Fastnacht by using up all the fat in the house by making fastnacht pastries. Try some recipes.
Others call this pre-Lenten Tuesday (before Ash Wednesday), carnival - in Latin root, "kiss your flesh goodbye."

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. gets its name from the ritual of "shriving" that Christians used to undergo in the past. In shriving, a person confesses their sins and receives absolution for them. In fact, over 1000 years ago a monk wrote in the Anglo-Saxon Ecclesiastical Institutes, "in the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him."

"Dear Confessor, I danced in the carnival, hid myself behind a mask, ate lots of pancakes and I feel fat this Tuesday. Please shrive me so I may strive to turn into a new leaf in the next 40 days."

In Olney, UK, Shrove Tuesday is celebrated with a Pancake Day Race - which, as the tales have it - started in 1445 when an unknown woman, cooking pancakes, heard the shriving bell summoning her to confession. In haste, she ran to church wearing her apron and still holding her frying pan and thus, this English Rose started a charming tradition. Try some. Also there is a tradition of having semla on Shrove Tuesday.
OH - and I nearly forgot with all this carnival hoopla! It's Super Tuesday 2008! Barack and Hilary in dead heat. McCain moving forward. Romney feeling the love from "conservatives", the likes of Hannity, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, and the party of one, Ann Coulter.

The Perks of Perkiness ...

2008-02-04T04:27:00.000-11:00

Last Friday I heard, through the proverbial grapevine, that a couple of ladies (whom I had considered to be smart and friendly colleagues) had been saying how "lively" and "perky" I always was, even at 8:00 AM - and how it annoyed them! That hurt me. In fact, one of them had recently remarked, in what I had thought was a friendly, genuine conversation, "Nazli, you are always so happy". And I replied delightedly, "yes, I am so happy to be alive".

Now, gentle readers, my life is no better than yours - believe me. I have my own share of hurt that have cut to the core, and sets of obstacles that constantly need to be overcome. However, I am happy, for example, for my eye sight, for the use of my arms and legs, for being able to breathe, for my basic brain functions, and for what I value most - I am so happy for love! So yes I am generally very happy and excited - even at 8:00 AM in the morning. I am not a morning person, mind you - but I am bloody happy to be alive - any morning.These 2 women don't like me much because they think I am always "perky". At first I felt sad - then a few minutes later, I looked up "perky", and here are the synonyms: "lively", "vivacious", "playful", energetic". I'll take a dose of "perky" any time, thank you very much. Incidentally, the antonym is "lethargic". I'll pass thank you.

But I have faced this issue before, people thinking that my friendly nature is to be eyed with suspicion because how could someone always be genuinely "perky". Well, certainly if the depth of my character is undermined due to my friendliness, there is nothing I am willing to sacrifice - except the company of such skeptics.

Ok - I am not hurt anymore - I woke up just as happy and excited. But coincidentally, I saw one of the ladies this morning at a coffee shop. Other than the mild "good morning", I had little to say because I certainly did not want to "annoy" her. But it felt odd, not to be "genuine" and bubbly. Suddenly an elderly gentleman walked in with a Manchester United" cap; I forgot my melancholy act and with the exuberance I felt inside, I greeted my fellow man and talked about the best team in the world! It was as though Life was reminding me to be exactly who I am, and not to cater to the doldrums of negative opinions. What a boost to feel like Life is on your side.Here's to all you happy, perky people out there! Here's to the Giants for winning Superbowl 42 (Roman Numerals need not apply). And here's to the hilarious "what is love" Pepsi Max ad, and the unibrow Planters ad. Talk about perky ;-)

ambiguous ...

2008-02-02T05:43:00.000-11:00

is a word that connotes skepticism and wariness - it's root is from the Latin "ambi-", meaning 'in two directions' and "agere", as in 'to lead'. Basically - to lead about in two directions. so an ambiguous concept is not "clear" in that it is neither one or the other, i.e. neither black or white.

what, then, is the word then for, "to be able to see both sides"? 'considerate', 'reasonable', 'bifocal', 'ambi-something or the other'? what is so bad about not committing to one of two ways; instead, either seeing both ways OR actually having the depth to consider another perspective altogether. thus i suggest that the word "ambiguous" be redefinded.

so now 'ambitious' could be viewed with aplomb and warmth as well as with skepticism and wariness - because, after all, the word is by nature "ambiguous" and should invoke an undefined feeling of "awe, surprise, stunning possibilities, foreboding", the "who knows" and "que sera sera" sort of 'ambiguous' kind of feeling!
this picture taken last October is either a "sunset" or a "sunrise" - ambiguous, wouldn't you say? :-)

Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania saw his shadow today and has forecasted 6 more weeks of winter. Ambiguously, Gen. Beauregards Lee of Georgia did not see his shadow and an early spring is on its way. That would be ambiguous, except for the simply fact that GA is 3 states south of PA, and it was probably cloudy in PA and sunny in GA, thus the shadow.
Happy Groundhog Day!

chimichanga!

2008-01-29T06:01:00.000-11:00

the next time, you forget a word - you know the "whatchamacallit" type, just say, "chimichanga". Apparently, in Mexican Spanish, that is the derivation of "chimichanga" - a burrito food item.

in no relation to that, the dolphins of Bangladesh are in danger due to over-population of man. Seriously the concept that "man has dominion over earth" is criminal. Why would such a flawed, emotionally-charged species be given dominion over other species? Because we have "thought" and "conscience" and "intelligence"? Oh chimichanga! A tree is far more capable than me - what, with making it's own food, depleting pollution, regenerating its own limbs, providing shelter and food to many - and looking fashionable any time of year without the help of designers.

a company called Pangea Organics sell their soaps in a biodegradable fiber box that are infused with seeds and will grow amaranth and sweet basil. Environmental capitalism, I say.

Lao Tzu says: "he who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still". Now I am not going to try to contradict Lao, but from my perspective, "one who controls others is severely insecure and does not appreciate the inherent worth of all people" - and "one who masters oneself appears rather self-centric".

having said that, it is lunch time here and I would so love a, uumm, what do call it ... a chimichanga!

ciao chimi

Bewilderings to Behold

2007-11-30T05:26:00.000-11:00

There are some events in the world that leave ordinary people numb (and enraged) in astonishment. It makes you wonder about the inhumanity of cultures, religions, and ultimately the capacity of humans to deceive themselves - possibly for some promise of heaven. And it makes you glad to be "ordinary"

Saudi Arabia

Sudan

Supremacists

Spears media core

Surfin' on a Rocket

2007-10-30T16:18:00.000-11:00

Here is a piece of art. Certainly knowing English is empowering; enabling one to communicate and integrate into a "new" world. But to insist that English is the language of the US is Cherokee to me. So much for Geno's Steak in Philly; “This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ’PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.”’

The Democratic Debate has just taken place on MSNBC. Kucinich says he has seen UFOs - people laughed. Yet when satellites "see" weapons of mass destruction we go to war and kill countless people.

According to the viewer polls, Obama did well. By the way, Barak Obama is equally white as he is black.
Evolution is just a theory ... so is the theory based on which we surf on rockets; gravity ... I don't know where I stand without gravity

Faith is no theory ... it's sheer hope ... I don't know what I am without hope

Sunday Sunderings ... on "the pile"

2007-10-28T11:08:00.000-11:00

It's the weekend, and I am sitting at the office with a pile of work that I must do - my dismissive stares and eye-rolling sighs do not magically diminish the pile. In fact, lest my eyes deceive me, it is growing taller. I've put them in neat folders so as to create some order in the pollution of lists and notes and agendas. There is even a folder that reads, "SCMA"; I cannot recall what that stands for ...

In any case, I come upon my much neglected blog, only to find some bloody comment spamming. I was momentarily orange with indignance (partially because I am wearing an orange colored jacket), but my "pile" distracted me and left me kinda blue ...

This is hardly what I would call my normal level of "Sunday Sundering" ... but forgive my self-indulgence for one more paragraph before I light up in brilliance and tell you my stance on Iran and Turkey and the state of Democratic Congress. It's the end of October, the leaves leave me breathless in their colorful wonder ... we went to a breathtaking canyon that overlooked paradiseThe rapid drop in temperature, along with a desperately busy week, the absolute need to drop off to bed; the eyes, heavier than clamps; and that fevered feeling, has left me with that foreboding feeling that I am about to be sick ... very sick (but that could just be "the pile").

Iran sits itself betwixt Afghanistan and Iraq and Turkey; Turkey borders Iraq and Iran. So in the current state of world affairs all I can say is, "I ran away from the turkey, which had been caught in a rack; this year there's beef for Thanksgiving." Now if you did not find that funny - blame it on "the pile".

... precarious ...

2007-07-13T07:38:00.001-11:00

... my drink of choice is diet coke with lime ... thus I was carrying one into the office in preparation for a long day of paper writing. The can fell and the bottom bulged out. It will not stand, so the open can is perched against the wall and speaker, ready to fall and soak my desk of papers any moment! ... precarious ...

... chocolate covered orange peel sets my blood on fire ... that is precarious for the blood, wouldn't you say? There is a love poem in every packet - if you ask me, it's a bit off - even precarious to one who is reciting it ...
... went running yesterday, 5 miles on trail, along a lake, through fields of wild flowers and steep hills - nothing precarious about that - however, afterwards, due to lack of cool water in the vicinty, I indulged in 2 sips of non-alchoholic beer ... now that was bloody precarious! ... the Beckhams are in town. David was dead to me when he left Manchester United. And apparantly Victoria is a load of laughs ... perhaps not quite precarious, but certainly hilarious ...

... media mogul Conrad Black convicted ... whoa ... notorious ...!

... North Korea wants to talk to "belligerent US" ... yikes ... egregious ...?

... bangawoyo! That's the friendly greeting in Korean. Talking of which, did you know that "mung mung" is the Korean equivalent to "woof woof"? .. curious ...

... and OH! Friday the 13th! ... my how nefarious! ...

This is Zimbabwe

2007-07-12T06:19:00.000-11:00

Have you heard of the phrase - TIA - This is Africa?

From the age of 5 to 17, I grew up in Zimbabwe. It was beautiful (it still is), prosperous, vibrant – a heaven on earth. Zimbabwe is a former British colony which gained its independence in 1980 and at that time the gallant freedom fighter and new leader, Comrade Mugabe, inspired its people to live together, black and white and brown, as one people. And then after a decade of paradise (incidentally just as I left to study abroad) power and greed seeped into every core of Mugabe. He, along with his blood thirsty inhumane cronies, destroyed the country by falsely promoting the notion of “land redistribution”. They practised racism, inhumanity, and injustice at their heights. And the world watched – but let’s not blame the West only. How about other African countries? They gave Mugabe their silent support. In particular, the South African premier, Mbeki, he who does not believe in AIDS, seems to empathize with Mugabe. (cartooon from: www.sokwanele.com)

The group Dispatch is holding a 3 day concert at Madison Square Garden this weekend for Zimbabwe. Here is a 4 minute documentary on the current state of Zimbabwe. It is worth watching – heartbreaking and breathtaking.

On Tuesday I went running with the running club. There was a 3 mile and 7 mile run; naturally I went with the 3 mile route. I thought I was doing just fine until a lady with a limp and a 67 year old man overtook me. Here is a picture of part of the route - hey at least I kept under the sped limit.

In humanity and humilty,

Nazli

The Deficiencies of I …

2007-07-10T10:47:00.000-11:00

My deficiencies are considerable – I could state at least one for every day I have lived. The major one is my ego – the part of me which needs and feeds to no end. And ironically for no purpose. It just needs to need. I can look back at many entries on this blog and clearly see my ego at work. I needed to regroup my Being.

Some years ago, when I was working on my doctorate and trying to make ends meet, I felt so stressed that one day I had enough. I read of books by sages of the world. It was a miracle for me. I surrendered to the universe and nature – if the universe can run in perfect order, there is reason for me to worry. I became so humble and so centered and so happy. I stopped worrying – and I won scholarships, and my world just fell into place. I don’t how – but it is true.

Then I became absorbed again. In finding the right job, in trying to assert my own independence, in trying to prove myself right. Humility and surrender were replaced by my impatience at wanting everything my way at my time. I do not think I was a bad person – but I was hardly fearless, hardly ambitious (at least not for the right things), hardly bold. I was unaware.

But the universe reminded me with ferocity - so after many moons here I am – a work in progress – in absolute humility, with total faith in love, such awe of the universe, unrelenting hope that I live the fearlessness of my fantasies.

Oh, how have you been fearless bloggers? It's been awhile - but I am excited be back in the blog mix with my bloggers! Did you know there is a place called “Truth or Consequnces” in New Mexico? Isn’t that grand? This summer I am teaching one class and working with some students. And this summer is going to be the best summer of my life – because whatever happens, my ego is denied. I am alive – and oh so grateful. "Dear Ego - you are hereby relieved, love Nazli."

Caco and Maliha have written some beauteous things to me in their comments - I don’t know what they see in me – but in reading them, I can only strive to be. Thank you!

See you tomorrow.

With much warmth,

Nazli

This is a picture of Chickies Rock (click to enlarge) - I love the stars and the moons and skies - but the beauty this earth leaves me breathless!

How TSA is keeping America safe ... and other stories!

2007-03-14T05:29:00.001-11:00

There is a reason why some animals hibernate. The weather should not affect my mood, but there is some chemical reaction to the sun and warm breezes that exhilarates me. Currently we are on Spring Break and yesterday I went for a drive along a stream. The sun was shining, the sky clear blue, the air nonchalant. I stopped at a bank to survey the land and to breathe. There was a bevy of cows and a flock of birds (homage to my English teachers in Zimbabwe) who ignored me as I almost burst into tears in gratitude for being alive (cry baby).

Last week I was at the SIGCSE conference in sunny Kentucky. The conference focused on Computer Science education; I participated in panels and sessions focusing on computer security, programming discrete mathematics and other applications. I left the conference feeling absolutely rejuvenated and excited about being a Computer Scientist.

Minus the option of purchasing a horse or carrying KFC, I bought some coffee beans in a whiskey bottle (Kentucky is known for their bourbon), along with their famous sauce and bottled cherries. I check in, take off my boots, jacket, laptop, go through that "air-emitting device" that magically checks the body for who knows what. I exit to retrieve my belongings, when a burly grey haired TSA agent stops me and says with grave importance, “ma’am we have a problem.”

I don’t respond because I can’t imagine what the problem could be, other than the book of global warming in my bag.

“You cannot carry liquid; federal regulations”

Still I say nothing, because I remain clueless as to what he is implying.

“You cannot take whiskey onto the flight”, TSA agent repeats.

“Ok,” I offer trying not to appear as uninterested as I actually feel.

TSA agent takes out the whiskey bottle with the coffee beans. It is wrapped in tissue to prevent it from breaking.

“It’s coffee,” I explain, trying to undo the tissue from the bottle to show him

“Ma’am, I know what this is and you cannot take this on the flight. It is illegal,” he pushes my hand away from the bottle.

“It’s coffee,” I am still calm.

“I know exactly what it is and it is illegal because it is liquid.”

“Alright, throw it away, but before you do I want clarification as to how you categorize that as liquid.” I reach out to undo the tissue again.

“Ma’am,” he starts warningly brushing my hands away again.

“I want clarification,” now I am ready to take it on.

He undoes the tissue, sees the "solid" coffee beans and exclaims, “well I’ll be darned.”

Long story short, he still made me check in the bottle of sauce and cherries. So I had to be escorted out, check in a little bag and then go through the whole security process again. When I walked through to the gates to board my flight, I saw bottles of the sauce at the concession stands ready for passengers to purchase and take onto the flight. To make my day, when I landed in Philadelphia, I smelt my little bag before I saw it since the bottle of cherries had smashed into pieces.

Hello Fearless Bloggers! ...How I have missed my blog! See you tomorrow.

Nazli

This Time This Year

2007-01-18T07:51:00.000-11:00

This time last year was undoubtedly the most heart-wrenching time of my life - everything that was comfortable and sacred and safe - everything I counted on unconditionally melted into moments that left me in disbelief. Perhaps in retrospect I shall consider it a part of being born in a culture where choices and freedom are nothing compared to the consensus of a family ruled by the medieval notion of patriarchic power and might. But certainly I had to take my stand against the very person who taught me to be fearless and ambitious and bold. He surely thought I was the Frankenstein monster - his product who rebelled against his absolute control using the tools with which he equipped me.

My dearest friend reminded me that having the courage to be true to myself is true fearlessness. I gleaned through world news to find camaraderie with the world around me. My heart was filled with empathy for every injustice anywhere – the final transformation to the rest of my life. I realized that my life was indeed beautiful because at least I could exert my right to live on my own terms - while many others have ceased to be alive because they are 'casualties of war'. Blogging engaged my mind and kept my spirit intact because it gave me perspective and forced me to be deeply self-reflective. Also I found that in being sincerely concerned for humanity and being genuine and warm to everyone only lights my heart to heights from which I will not fall. In the end, what I discovered made 2006 the best year of my life – and you the fearless blog list enhanced my understanding and perspective. Thank you.

This time, this year let me say that I am truly grateful and glad to have come across you – Caco, Maliha, Mr. Angry, Tom, Cristiana, Joe, Zee, Jeff, Lo … because even through the coldest medium, your words touched my heart. Wishing you the happiest 2007 ever! How was your Christmas and New Year? Mine was wonderful - in fact the best ever. The Winter break from school was spent working on a grant proposal and then preparing for the new semester. This semester I am teaching computer security and discrete mathematics. In addition, I am going to take on some ambitious projects that I have neglected. It is GREAT to see you again!

Oh – what is with Big Brother UK – Shilpa vs. Jane? Racism or a cultural conflict? Either way – I am happy to see it being addressed. Have you heard of the discovery of a lost civilization in Peru?

Recommended Movies:

Apocalypto – brilliant visuals, gory, underlying love story, hidden messages

Blood Diamond – if there is one movie to watch from 2006, this would be it

Casino Royale – the best James Bond movie ever – and I have watched all of them!

Recommended Music: (on my iTunes, in my car, at the office)

“Say it Right” Nelly Furtado

“Irreplaceable” – Beyonce

“Eurydice” – Sleepthief featuring Jody Quine

"Beds are Burning" - Midnight Oil

Wednesday Wanderings ... on Lovely Things This Season Brings

2006-12-06T09:00:00.000-11:00

Feliz Navidad & Santa Baby are

World Aids Day 2006 - Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise

2006-12-01T03:16:00.000-11:00

the World Health Organization report the world AIDS epidemic continues to grow, with an estimated 39.5 million people living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS

this means every eight seconds somebody in the world is infected with HIV, resulting in 11,000 people becoming newly infected every day

approximately 4.3 million became newly infected with HIV and 2.9 million died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2006

according to the World AIDS Campaign, sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicenter of the AIDS pandemic, but no country is unaffected, and incidence rates are rising in a number of developed countries

India (5 million people affected - the largest number in any one country - the AIDS epidemic is fastest growing in Asia)

Eastern Europe (many are IV drug users)

USA (about 1 million people affected, 25 % don't know)

AIDS is a 100% preventable

new strategies for overcoming the pandemic of AIDS

2006 slogan: Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise

Thursdays That Thrill The Thoughts!

2006-11-30T05:42:00.000-11:00

"The great secret ... is not having bad manners or good manners ... but having the same manner for all human souls: in short, behaving as if you were in Heaven, where there are no third-class carriages, and one soul is as good as another." - George Bernard ShawThis quote warmed my heart - to me it the epitome of humanity and compassion. And then I challenged myself - lest I become complacent or self-righteous in my own humanity. When it comes to my friends and the person with whom I choose to spend the rest of my life - I am very particular. In other words, in my relelntless pursuit of being alive, I allow only people I consider to be beautiful within & warm & loving into my life and I categorically keep out any that I consider to be a negative. So does that mean that I do not consider all souls as being good as another? Or that in considering all to be equal, can I not be discriminate in the company I keep? I am thinking about it - meanwhile ...

... there are 2 more weeks left in the semester and I tell you it has been the busiest but the best semester! Lately, I find myself more relaxed than ever. Ultimately I feel that I know 100 more people who chisel me into what I am meant to be. Yes - I consider every single one of the students to be equal souls (who would I be not to), despite their varying academic performance.

Dr. Ahmadinejad sent a letter to the American people : should the Americans a) read it or b) return to sender c) mark it as spam and delete it?

A $2 million dollar apology for a man wrongly accused of terrorism. Is this the only "wrongful" case? Will we ever know or is not knowing the price of freedom. I certainly don't know.

Manchester United - the bestest team in the world - maintaining it's lead in the English Premiership.

Here is an article from TIME Magazine that lists, "The Five Fatal Mistakes of Bush's Mideast Policy".

"It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserves a repulic" - Thomas Jefferson (I must say that contrary to popular opinion, Americans are some of the warmest and spirited people I have ever met - genuine warmth beats cool proper manners)

"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer (agreed - personally I think good manners are a mark of high self-respect)

I have been rude recently - by being passively aggressive - that's terrible and unbecoming. Never again! Also I have found that I remember strangers who have been rude to me (not too many) because they leave a raw and jarring imprint on me. I am resolved to never be rude to anyone at all - ever - from now till the end of time - especially to those I love.

Hope this is the best Thursday of the week for you! Peace and Warmth and Good Manners to your soul that is certainly second to none!

Tuesday Thoughts ... on being Thin, Overhelpers, and Patronizing Parents

2006-11-28T04:54:00.000-11:00

Have you heard people complaining that there is such pressure by society to be thin. Young girls depressingly thin, models dying of anorexia, bulimia - because of "society's pressures". But if you bow down to the pressures of society - it's on you. It's your life, it's your responsibility to think for yourself, to know what is healthy for you. Exercise, have fun, be nice to a stranger, read up on world news, help an orphan and you will find that society's so called pressures may soon be meaningless.

The greatest lessons in life have been thrust upon me in the last few years. If I may share one with you; "nothing is all about me". When I think it's all about me, I will be hyper-sensitive, on the defense, too fragile to enjoy life. When I do not take anything personally, there is greater confidence in my gait, I feel free, I am at ease with the world and thus I can put the world at ease with me. The world existed and night became day before me, and certainly it will do so long after me. Society's pressures? Gimme a break - you have your own life to lead!

I was reading an article about "overhelpers". People who think it is their responsibility to save the world and to save you. And should you not accept & appreciate them as your saviour, they will take it personally and feel scorned. They may mean well but the final imapct is that they irritate people and are considered to be meddlesome and intrusive and judgmental. It is their way of feeling important and needed. Relax, the world does not ride on your shoulders, live your own life, enjoy it :-) and let others live theirs.

Parents can be like that sometimes. Parents who feel it is their birthright to overhelp/rule their grown children just because they are genetically linked. Why not enjoy your own life and allow your grown children to do the same :-)

Borrowing from dear Oprah, who graces her own magazine with her own dazzling picture every single month, "live your best life". These days living my best life involves knowing I am leading my own life on my own terms. That is the basic happiness that shoots through my heart. So how about all those in the world who do not have a choice to live their own lives but must live by "society's pressures" and are ruled by prehistoric laws, and controling fathers and husbands, and gossiping neighbors, and economic burden? Well at least they should remind us that "society's pressures" to be thin and beautiful is pretty petty.

Here's to you and your own life - you are so beautiful - on your own terms! Much happiness to you!

Burkahs, Happiness, The Pope & I

2006-11-22T06:33:00.000-11:00

The Dutch Interior Minister Rita Verdonk, has proposed banning the burkha. Verdonk is a hardliner who has introduced a series of anti-immigration measures. She has been quoted as saying the 'time for cosy tea-drinking' with Muslim groups was over. Verdonk's proposal followed a request from right-wing MP Geert Wilders, who claimed the burkha was a threat to security.

Ok - let's get to the point - the time for sugar-coating anti-Islam is over. In my opinion, this measure by the right-wing Dutch party is indeed anti-Islamic. HOWEVER a burkha is not inherently Islamic - it is inherently a cultural imposition - a cruel one. I even understand the fear of some European countries against this type of culture dominating their liberal way of life. But they must not be patronizing and mask their anti-Islamic leanings in the name of "security".

As a woman - no as a human - my face is a part of my physical identity. It is not a matter of beauty at all - because that is subjective. But the expression of my eyes when I smile, when I laugh, when I see the world around me through a 3 dimensional periphery - these are all a part of my identity and my connection to the world.

It is a violation of human rights to force a woman to cover herself from head to toe in a shapeless dark cloth! This inhumanity is propogated by fathers, brothers, husbands, imams, politicians, and by other women, who paint the burkha as a necessity for pious Islamic behaviour. One might argue that some women choose to wear the burkha. Ok - but most of these women who "choose" to cover themselves completely have not been brought up with the freedom to think otherwise. A woman must be allowed her the birthright to celebrate her physical womanhood by dressing in elegant, beautiful outfits and lighting the world with her smiles. And yes, I know there is poverty and war in the world - but wearing a burkha will not stop that.

The Pope is taking a stance on Islam - even though he already has a lot on his plate - what with those child molesting priests.

There was a recent study that connects the genuine smiles in year book pictures to enduring happiness. Those who had genuine (Duchenne) smiles were seen to have led happier lives, while those with fake (Pan American) smiles were found to have led less fulfilled lives. So I would say keep smiling, keep smiling, keep smiling!! Show off your dazzling smile - at a stranger, at the one you love - if just to say "I am so glad that you are alive!"

As for the burkha - denying a handful of women the right to wear the burkha will NOT make the world safer. In fact being anti-Islamic is as much a secuirty threat as it is anti-human. Same applies to anti-Semitism and anti-Christianity. And forcing women to wear the burkha is no ticket to heaven.

I Recommend Caco :-)

2006-11-21T05:21:00.000-11:00

Recommended Movie: from Caco - Pedro Almodóvar's Volver (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441909/) Almodóvar tones down the usual impact of his sexually 'diverted' characters. This time, women of different ages - equally talented actresses - have been gathered in a brilliant achievement. Touching and optimistic, the film is a must-see.

Recommended Music: from Caco - Bedouin Soundclash - When the night feels my song - Rock and reggae surprisingly well blended. Listen to it just before leaving for that fantastic party where you will meet your good old friends and get ready to have a good time

Wednesday Wanderings on the scale of things ...

2006-11-15T16:50:00.000-11:00

Earth is approximately 5 billion years old - give or take some millions of years. The creation of the Earth was in tandem with many other massive formations. As we all generally know our solar system is an invisible spot in our galaxy, and our galaxy is but a small part of the universe. We fight over a piece of land. I am convinced God doesn't care about that particular piece of land much, given his current real estate.

That's not the central theme today, however. I came across a professor who makes his class take a calculator roll - about 5 meters - and draw up a time scale of the Earth's existence with respect to human existence - and with respect to the birth of the great prophets of the world. Guess what, in the scale of things, they are barely a pencil mark. That gave me such perspective.

Nuns are on the rise - and they have playlists and blogs too - who knew?

South Africa is the first country in Africa to legalize gay marriage - the thing about South Africa is that when they were racists, they were racists openly. When they decided to come out of the dark ages of inhumanity, they came out in full force. How many other countries can share this accolade?

Manchester United (the best team in the world) is number 1 in the Premiership!

My computer crashed last night at 12:30 AM as I was finishing up an exam for my class at 9:00 AM today - I couldn't disappoint the cherubs by postponing the exam, so I walked into the office at the crack of dawn to rewrite the exam again - 3 versions.

Recommended Movies:

Recommended Music:

More later - must dash for now! :-)

Veterans Day

2006-11-11T14:09:00.000-11:00

... to fearless defenders of freedom ... everywhere

At least it's not "terrorism" ...

2006-11-09T03:57:00.000-11:00

On Wednesday November 8, 2006, at least 18 Palestinians civilians were killed and 40 wounded by Israeli tank fire in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun. Anywhere else, this massive violation against humanity would have been decried as TERRORISM - but of-course these are not acts of terrorism because it is just sleeping Palestinians who are killed by uniformed armed soldiers in armored tanks who were hunting for the "real terrorists".

People all over the place are offering words in their worldly wisdom ...

UK Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett offers a very well-mannered rebuke (one has to be courteous), "it is hard to see what this action was meant to achieve and how it can be justified... Israel must respect its obligation to avoid harming civilians."

Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said the strike, which hit a civilian area, was the result of a "technical failure". He also added, "I'm very uncomfortable with this event. I'm very distressed. I checked it and I verified it. This is not the policy."

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter told Israeli radio that the deaths were the result of an "operational mishap". But he insisted that Israel's military activities in Gaza were justified against a backdrop of continuing rocket attacks by Palestinian militants against Israeli towns.

In the US, the White House and the state department called for restraint from Palestinians, and President George Bush expressed his sadness at the deaths .

UN Special Co-ordinator for Mid-East Peace Process, Alvaro De Soto: "I'm appalled and shocked. It's really condemnable. This has just gone too far. So [Israelis] need to take a long hard and very professional look at it. And also they need I think to step back, suspend this operation and look at the policy. This is not the way to stop Palestinian rocket fire. And to the Palestinians I have to say firing rockets is not the way to get the Israelis to stop this onslaught against them."

In Palestine one man claims that if the blood shed in Beit Hanoun were wine spilled in the salons of the political Arab elite, then the anger would have been great and protest marches would have been organised. The shedding of Palestinian blood has become something only noted in passing, something which does not trouble the Arab and international conscience.

UN Special Rapporteur, John Dugard: "This brutal collective punishment of a people, not a government, has passed largely unnoticed by the international community. The Quartet... has done little to halt Israel's attacks.

An Israeli lady contends, "a regrettable mistake, past and present politicians and army officers said yesterday. This is not a mistake. This is a disaster. A regrettable mistake is when you step on someone's foot, not when you kill 11 members of one family. Someone has to stop this madness."

Another Israeli reaction, "someone has to tell the people of Beit Hanoun, the citizens of the Gaza Strip, the Arabs of the occupied territories, the whole world, the one simple, poignant truth: He who fires thousands of Qassam rockets at the civilian [Israeli] population for years; he who hoards thousands of tons of explosive materials for months, should understand that it is impossible to hide behind women and children. Such behaviour has a price tag."

source of the above: BBC.com

Click here for an editorial from Haaretz

*************************************
247 fatalities in Gaza from June 28 to October 27
155 civilian deaths
57 deaths of children
996 wounded, including 337 children (34%)
Source: Physicians for Human Rights

... but hey, at least it's not "terrorism" ...

Miami Mon Ami

2006-10-26T12:49:00.000-11:00

Miami at Dawn

Miami at Dusk

Miami at Night

Miami Mi Amigo!

Wednesdays Wanderings ... light & lovely things

2006-10-18T16:19:00.000-11:00

Shout out to Beautiful Maliha, and the Fearless Mr. Angry, dear Caco :-), Totally Tom, Before Sunrise, Lovely Louise, Beth, Oh Joe!, Jeff, Fer, Candancim, the folks at Culture for All, Zee Ya! and of-course the Incomparable Dr. Sasquatch.

Red is my favourite colour! And y'all know that I am a girly girl who believes that being fashionable is as important as being bold & intellectual in the art of fearlessness :-) Every Sunday, I scan through my closet and mentally plan my wardrobe for the week ahead. Often I forget my list and find myself putting together the outfit 30 minutes before I have to leave. Dressing up delights me! Then there is matching jewelry (limited) and make-up (light) - oh I love being a girl! :-)

So imagine my happipness in being able to wear a red t-shirt, knowing that half of the profits go to Aids in Africa - and it is inscribed with "INSPI(RED)". Tomorrow I teach lab sections of my class and it's the day I dress casually to work. So I am going to wear my "inspi(red)" t-shirt ! With blue pants with turquoise necklace and earrings ... ? Or with brown dress pants and red & brown necklace ...? Such important decisions. Heels of-course. Gosh, I am so inspi(red) to wake up tomorrow :-)

Hope you are laughing with me at my frivolties :-)

Can't wait to wear my gorgeous new CBGB limited edition this weekend - thank you, Baby!

Movie Recommendations: "The Lake House" - romantic movie that made me cry and sigh in relief at the endlessness and timelessness of true love

Music Recomendations: "Oh L'Amour" : Erasure - keeping with the love theme - why not ;-)
The album "A Posteriori": Enigma - I downloaded this last night and it is simply enigmatic

from Fernando - (Jamaica) "The Skatalites": Occupation, "Joya Landis": Midnight Lover, "The Clarendonians & Augustus": Ruddie Bam bam, (Angola) "Bonga" Mulemba Xangola

Book Recommendations: "The O'Reilly Factor": Bill O'Reilly (all in the spirit of fairness &amp;amp; balance ;-))
"The Truth": Al Franken (the truth shall set you free, I hear)
"War on the Middle Class": Lou Dobbs (apparantly if your e-mail to Lou Dobbs is read out during his show, you will receive a free copy. I am composing a note right now)

Tuesday Thoughts ... on the human syndrome

2006-10-17T07:21:00.000-11:00

I feel most alive when I remember that tomorrow is not promised to me. I feel most human when I remember that no politician, no law, no culture, no job, no religion can save me from mortality. I feel most free when I am myself.

But I am not alone, I have not made it alone. There have been people standing by my side, loving me, lending me their hand when I certainly would have fallen. I feel most grateful, most human, most vulnerable, most free, most me, when I remember that.

You know there is no redemption to war. None whatsoever. We can try to justify it. Yes wars have gained "freedom" - but why was that freedom ever taken away in the first place? I adhere to New Hamshire's spirit - "live free or die". Many of us are not free at all. We are worried about our own future, Lou Dobbs of CNN is worried about "the Middle Class of America", dear old Bill O'Reily of FoxNews is worried about the leftist media and retaining America's moral imperilaism, people are worried about jobs going overseas to those Indians. Hey - they are human, those Indians. Smart, savvy, and ready to take the challenge to survive. How inhuman some of us can be, how self-righteous and boring! It breaks me to see that people are treated as lessers because of the longitude/latitude under which they are born.

Thank goodness that Al Gore is worried about the environment, thank goodness that Zainab Salbi is worried about women who are victims of war, thank goodness Mohammed Younus is worried about enabling people living in poverty - thank goodness for doctors without borders, thank goodness for mothers who love without limit, thank goodness for people who care for people.

People quabble about how many Iraqis died - hey even one human death is one too many. What if it was you? Palestinians use desperation as an excuse to be suicide bombers. There is no excuse for murder! Heaven does not wait for you. Israelis think they are the chosen ones - what exactly did God choose you for? Why do any of us think we are one iota more special than the next person, than the person across the ocean? We are all as mortal, as human, as vulnerable, as anyone else. Some extreme groups in the Indian subcontinent keep their women under lock and key and some fathers believe in honor killings of their daughters. I don't know what god they worhsip.

Don't you see it does not matter, Indians, Israelis, Americans, Zimbabweans. In defining ourselves by nations, we allow ourselves to be defined by man-made boundaries. Man created these maps of boundaries - but they should not define us. My family used to despair when I refused to acknowledge my country of origin and declared myself a citizen of the world. I am not denying my race or heritage - I am defying man-made boundaries. The world belongs to me - as it does to you. If an Iraqi dies, if an American dies, if an Israeli dies, if a Palestinian dies - it is no different from me dying. Another human, another citizen of the world leaving, hopefully for a better place.

Do you see - you are no different from me - and I am no different from you? Do you see? Our points of view or places of birth or locations don't make us different, or better. We share the same human syndrome of mortality.

The French lower house of parliament passed a bill making it a crime to deny that Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks after WWI. In retaliation, the Turkish parliament is drafting a bill to make it illegal to deny that the French committed genocide in Algeria. People are up in arms spending time and money passing bills about PAST genocides, when nothing has been done about the CURRENT cases of rape and murder and cold-blooded genocide in Darfur? There is massive genocide and violation of human rights - right now! Infuruating!

If I were to die tomorrow, I would not give a damn about being right or wrong, or about which land belongs to whom, or about the left or the right or center - I would just want to express to the people in my world that they mean the world to me. I would want them to know that they shaped my life, that they made me feel so much, that they made my day, any day - that I am so grateful to them. I don't plan to die tomorrow, I plan to really live and love tomorrow - and today!

This is an original water color I purchased recently from a living artist, feisty delightful 85 year old Margaret Hart.

"Laugh to forget, but don't forget to laugh" - Arnold Glasgow

Sunday Sunderings ... all cried out

2006-10-15T18:44:00.000-11:00

Once a year, in involuntary introspection and self-evaluation, my mind rejuvenates itself. It heeds no other command from me but takes me through a reflective process that I cannot deny. Thus was my last several days. 180 degrees (well maybe 145 degrees) change in perspective. On Wednesday I was writing about the frivolous topic of “you must be kidding me” when by chance, I came across a documentary on Aids in Africa. Everyday there are deaths equivalent to 2 World Trade Centers - everyday. Just children who don’t have a chance to live because they do not have access to the few dollars that I use so carelessly to buy a soda. Then a documentary on the rape and killing in Darfur. I spent hours crying over Aids and Darfur – but crying is useless, it is action that matters.

Fearless! Ambitious! Bold! I like to think I am fearless, but it was essential for me to acknowledge that which frightens me the most. I did so these last days. I acknowledge what I fear most – and there is nothing that can erase that fear – except to be fearless. How helpful. Thank you for that introspective edge.

There is a debate and denial over whether or not 655,000 Iraqis died. That is the debate? Bloody Hell! (yes I am swearing - in anguish and disgust!) You have got to be kidding me! Ok – let’s halve the number, no let’s diminish that number by a factor of 100, in fact let’s cut the number down to 1 and let’s not even consider the nationality - and that would be a bloody loss of 1 human life too many!

My models for fearlessness are the following - my goodness - they define FEARLESSNESS!:

Bono: (Red) products - no politics just humanity

Zainab Salbi: beautiful woman helping one woman at a time and changing the world - no politics just humanity

Mohammed Younus from Bangladesh: Noble Nobel Peace Laureate 2006 - no politics just humanity

Anna Politkovskaya: fearless Russian journalist murdered on October 7, 2006

Red Cross: for reaching out to the “inhabitants” of Guantanamo – no politics just humanity

Watched a movie this weekend called “Water”. It is set in 1937 India, about the lives of widows, who according to Hindu customs had to live a rejected life in seclusion. This life-denying custom, along with the deplorable caste system still exists. Yes, I cried heartily while watching it.

Also this weekend we had a bachelorette party for my friend Jenny – and to be perfectly honest, I forgot all about world affairs and crying and such, and just had much fun with a bunch of crazy girls.

Fearless Movie Recommendation: "Water" by Deepa Mehta – this movie was made by the fearless Director, despite massive protests by extremists groups who were afraid that their deplorable customs of widowhood would be highlighted. Go Deepa!

Fearless Product Recommendation: "(Red)" - so I rushed to Gap and bought a t-shirt, half of whose profits could go to help a mother buy medicine for her children. My t-shirt reads “inspi(red)”. Oh, I am so inspired! There are also other t-shirts like "empow(red)", "desi(red)", "admi(red)" and get this "bo(red)", "hamme(red)" :-)

Fearless Music Recommendation: “Nothing In My Way” by Keane – the words say it all
“All Cried Out” by Allure - the words say it all
"Já sei namorar" by Tribalistas - recommended by my fearless friend, Caco

this is where we went canoeing in Upstate New York

this is where we went rafting in West Virginia

Wednesday Wanderings ... on "you must be kidding me!"

2006-10-11T07:40:00.001-11:00

Wednesday Wanderings ... on Religion, Politics, and Prismatic Colour

2006-10-04T10:19:00.001-11:00

So tonight I was invited to an Interfaith banquet. There were people from all faiths who started with the celebration of the breaking of the fast. I sat at a random table with Christians, Jews and Muslims, before which I had flitted about introducing myself to perfectly lovely strangers.

After dinner, which was a splendid affair, there were 4 speakers: the Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim perspective. This was then followed by representives of the 2 Senatorial candidates, Bob Casey and Rick Santorum. Oi vey, Religion and Politics ...

The Jewish perspective mentioned that Islam borrowed the tradition of fasting from the Jewish people and made reference to the Day of Atonement - this to show the similarities of the 2 religions. He then chided the general populace for not causing an uproar against the pronoucements of Dr. Ahemedinejad.

The Muslim perspective agreed that indeed Islam was an extension, in many ways, of Judiasm and Christianity.

The Christian perspective spoke of brotherhood and love - and referenced the support after the recent tragic shootings in the Amish town.

The speaker I applauded the most - because it encompassed the concept of interfaith & humanity - was the Hindu perspective. He spoke about what was close to my heart. We should not "tolerate" diversity - we should "value" diversity. He uses the example; what if you returned to your room mate who said to you, "I tolerate you", how would you feel? He also referenced Mahatma Ghandi who when asked by Christians what he would have them do replied to the effect, "help the Muslims be better Muslims, help the Hindus be better Hindus, help the Jews be better Jews, and we will help you be better Christians".

Lovely night, lovely food, lovely talks, lovely people - but do you know what I came back with? The affirmation with which my parents had brought me up, "God-created man is greater than man-created religion". It's humanity that matters. I feel more than ever that life is short, so short, and I just want to live while I am alive - a happy, simple, lovely life with people who matter to me. So much to do, so much to see ... what a wonderful world! I really am so happy to be alive.

Oh and I also tried to colour my hair - spontaneous decision in the middle of the afternoon. Perhaps I was inspired but the Autumn colours. Let's put it this way, the results of "Brazilian Brown Prismatic Color" is such that my dark hair is as dark as ever! No one will notice any change and therefore I will have to tell people, "excuse me, I know you cannot tell, but I did colour my hair, prismatically in fact, thanks."

Music Recommendations: anything Brazlian (Caco, Cristiana ?) ... :-)
Movie Recommendations: "City of God": set in Brazil on Brazilian gang life - so vivid that you can feel actually feel the heat and the desperation and the life ...

Picturesque Mondays ... say anything

2006-10-02T03:33:00.000-11:00

During the premiership soccer season, I live for Manchester United games without logic or reason. I soar in delight for every wining goal, and for a loss, no words can console. The team makes me happy

...talking of happy, when my brother was 8 he wrote a poem and the last two lines were, "the dragon was happy, still in his nappy". It still makes me laugh out aloud

...talking about laughing out aloud, I have this awful habit of remembering funny things at inappropriate times. For example, someone might be talking about their car problems at tedium and suddenly I will think about the happy dragon in the nappy and then have to fight the urge to not burst out laughing

...as for fighting urges, the month of Ramadhan is a testament to discipline and will power and committment. Imagine not ingesting anything at all, including water, from dawn to dusk. It's formidable and the degree of introspection is incomparable. It is especially a time for kindness and warmth and friendship

... another shout out for my frriends at the Campaign for Kindness ! Just be kind. Why Not? To anyone, anytime, anywhere - be kind. Why not? But be especially kind to those who care about you. They deserve your kindness more than everyone ... show them you care even more!

... in a lovely show of caring, during each of the last 3 years, 3 separate friends had fasted with me for a day each. One friend "fasted" all day after having a business breakfast ... another "fasted" but had water during meeting presentations ... and the third one apparantly "fasted" twice in one day, since he had lunch in the middle of day ... :-) The thoughtfulness touched my heart...

... talking about thoughtfulness and heart, last week, I received some flowers in a fleaker - they meant a lot to me and it was the sweetest start to my Autumn season...

... talking of season, hey here is to Manchester United's winning season, for I support them with no logic or reason!

Wednesday Wanderings ...on "the Big Bang or the Big God"

2006-09-27T06:50:00.000-11:00

Yesterday we went to a presentation at the University by Dr. Jobe Martin on "The Big Bang or the Big God". While I am eager to learn different viewpoints, I was rather taken back at the way he handled the Q&A session. He made some good points for creationism, using science where it suited the argument, yet dismissing science when it countered his argument. A small example; he deems that dinosaurs existed along with man - because according to Genesis (as accepted by Jews, Christians, Muslims), God created the world within 6 days. One of the students asked why there have been no human skeletal remains found within carnivorous dinosaurs. Good question, but no good answer.

Another asked why he was relying on a changing book to explain the natural world. Because it is the word of God and it has not changed, was his general answer.

Chris, who has a doctorate in Biology (evolutionary), kindly excused several inconsistencies in the presentation and only noted politely that Darwin wrote at the end of his "The Origin of Species ..." that he believed in God. Dr. Martin retorted that Darwin did not really believe in God and "salvation". Obviously he knew Darwin personally. I inquired about the geocentric claims of the Bible, as opposed to the heliocentricity of our solar system. He basically implied that perhaps from the outer galaxies, the sun could be revolving around the Earth.

Dr. Martin did say that according to the Bible, there is only one race - the human race. I respect that very much. I am open to Science and Academia, and Faith, and Feeling, and Intuition, and the Holy Books etc. I am open to the fact that I do not know much, but I am not open to blind close-mindedness.

There is nothing that can define the Creator of the Universe by any formula. Faith is distinct from self-righteous definitions. I think defining God by any book or by the word of man, limits God. What does man know, anyway? We cannot even stop fighting wars during a temporary time on Earth, let alone define the Creator of the unending universe. There is indeed something between Heaven and Earth - in fact there is a whole universe of galaxies and stars and unimaginable unknowns. The possibilities are endless and so exciting! The Creator of the Universe, is magnificent beyond the limiting description of man. So Big Bang or Big God - why does one preclude the other? Both require faith, and actually, as humans, we don't really know, therefore, in a sense we all are reyling on the application of some faith in something.

Here is to the relentless pursuit of knowledge... !

Quote Recommendation on the pursuit of Knowledge:
"The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr." "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave." "The best form of worship is the pursuit of knowledge." "Scholars should endeavor to spread knowledge and provide education to people who have been deprived of it. For, where knowledge is hidden it disappears.": Prophet Mohammed

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind": Albert Einstein

Further quotes on the pursuit of knowlege

Music Recommendation: "Suspicious Minds" - Elvis Presley, "Woman" - John Lennon, "I've Been Thinking About You" - Damae & Londonbeat

Movie Recommendation:

Sunday Sunderings ... on the Kindness of my Parents ...

2006-09-24T02:54:00.000-11:00

The Campaign for Kindness touches my heart.

2006 has been a defining year for me; in particular because I now define myself ... but it will never erase what has defined my past. In my relentless pursuit of being alive on my own terms, I will not forget the credit that belongs to my parents.

My parents taught me about kindness - through consistent and constant example.

My father was very strict about certain things with respect to me - only A's in class and no boys ;-). He spent hours studying my school books so that I could ask him any question on any subject. At university I would fax him engineering problems and we would solve them together. Formidable Father-Daughter Team. My father was so so kind & loving to me. So kind that I could not see beyond him. The most handsome, smartest man I had ever met - and I certainly the apple of his eye. For my overflowing confidence, the credit belongs to my father.

One Friday evening, an employee of his made a very costly mistake. My father was understandably angry. But after a few minutes he said to my mother, "I am feeling bad; everyone makes mistakes. I am so happy and lucky to have my family to come home to." He then took the bunch of flowers he had bought for my mother and gave it to the stunned employee, wishing him a wonderful weekend and telling him not to worry about anything. My hero.

My mother's priority were my manners. I regret to say that in my younger years, I confused my burgeoning confidence with self-importance. My father indulged me, because I was his little girl - but not my mother. She made me include unpopular girls in my group, to my absolute chagrin. She once made me apologize publicly to some irritating girl who had started crying because I would not talk to her. My mother told me that wht matters in life is heart and compassion. I did not believe her then. My mother cried with anyone who was hurt, and laughed with anyone who was happy. I have never ever met a kinder, lovelier person than my mother. I am that lucky girl to have been brought up by her.

In my relentless pursuit of being alive, I pray for boundless blessings to my parents. I am forever grateful for their kindness. As for that which broke my heart - they have brought up with enough kindness to remember that heros are human too ...

...besides, my heart cannot really break ... it overflows with happiness and confidence ... what can be against me, when the Creator of The Universe is with me ...?

… ooh and I found a dress in the specified green colour … :-)

Wednesday Wanderings ... what teaching has taught me

2006-09-20T10:28:00.000-11:00

... during my first year of doctoral studies, I had started teaching at a university - I was so excited about the opportunity - but oh I had so much to learn! My father had given me the good advice of emulating all the good things I loved about my favourite professors. In primary school, we could not use the word, “nice” because it was over-used and not descriptive enough. But I have found that being nice is what really matters. I am not always nice – sometimes I am irrational, inconsiderate and unsympathetic – my ego takes over and I think of only myself. But luckily academe grounds me and over the last several years, teaching has taught me that:

Say something with sincere sunny smiles – and you are winning the room!
Say anything with a raised voice in anger and irritation – you are so losing the room
The most aggravating irritating unpleasant person can be turned around – with empathy. The power in the words, “I can see your perspective, but here is another one …” is tremendous :-) You never know what the person is going through, but just giving them the respect of empathy, could melt them.
The ability to say, “I don’t know the answer to your question, but let’s look into it” is honourable and people respond to it with respect - I learnt this from Cristobal
Being judgmental and self-righteous are ineffective and unattractive - in fact it’s idiotic. I remember what a colleague on Wall Street often told me, “Nazli, get over yourself!” ;-)
Sincere charm disarms adversaries and makes friends happy to have you as their friend! And actually it is lovely to be in your own company when you are charming.
Being irritated and short-tempered does absolutely no good to anyone – it increases your blood pressure, ruins your mood and your day, you make other people feel awful, the bad day follows you around - you don’t solve anything …! On the other hand, being sincerely pleasant puts others at ease, your mood remains sunny, somehow life seems fantastic – and people work with you
Being hard does not equate to strength - sometimes the nicest, kindest people you will ever meet are the most resilient and self-assured
Appearance sometimes counts for nothing
People can sense sincerity - or the lack of
Underestimating people is folly
Remembering a name makes a big difference
When people count on you - it inspires you to never let them down
You cannot always make everyone happy - and that's just fine!

To sum it up, a winning smile and a dazzling laugh can win a day!

This leads me to "Campaign for Kindness" initiated by the Beautiful Maliha. I LOVE it! So ecxited! Let's got for it. Be nice, be kind, be happy, be dazzling - it only makes you beautiful to be around!

Peace and sunny smiles and dazzling dreams to you!

Music Recommendation: Clay Aiken's new CD - listen to it for free

Callas on La Wally Aria, Ebben, Ne andrò lontana' recommended by Caco

Movie Recommendation: "Little Miss Sunshine" - sunny, crazy, ecclectic - but not ecclesiastic

"O Brother Where Art Thou" recommended by Caco

"Roma" (Spain/Argentina production) - super nice film, "Malena" - a very good one, "Cinema Paradiso" - well we know.. recommended by Fernando

"High Fidelity" recommended by Beth

Sunday Sunderings ... on Bluegrass and Greenhouses

2006-09-17T15:41:00.000-11:00

Having grown up on the concept that “God-created man is greater than man-created religion”, I firmly believe in humanity – irrespective of colour or culture or creed or religion. We all live, we all die – we are all bonded by the human gene.

From the ascension to his papacy, I had thought that Pope Benedict XVI skirted some anti-Islamic tendencies. His opinions are wholly irrelevant to me. What do I care of the opinions of any mortal man, when the Creator of the Universe created me and gives me the opportunity to be alive and to experience this beautiful world? What do I care when the world belongs to me – as it does to you, equally? But to hurt 1 billion people is no good.

However, I find an advantage in the Pope’s recent unfortunate comments. It gives the opportunity for Muslim scholars to present dialogue and discourse that clarifies understanding of the religion by stating the beauty of Islam, e.g. the Koran states to the effect - there is to be no compulsion in religion, true direction is in fact distinct from error …, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alteration of the night and day are the signs for those at heart.., when even one person is killed, God judges that it is all of humanity that has been killed..., etc.

I was at a planetarium recently, looking at moving images of stars, the galaxies and the possible worlds beyond. My soul soared and I felt invincible because I too am a part of that magnificent creation.

At the beginning of this year, I had written that Venezuela and Iran were countries to watch carefully and that underestimating Dr. Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez as “just crazy, idiotic guys”, was dangerous. Better to overestimate and over-reach, than to underestimate and lose.

This weekend was absolutely fantastic! We met Kelly at the bluegrass event, after which we went to a happening spot in town. The man in the Union Jack skirt and plastic spikes on his head with a sticker on his head proclaiming, “I will destroy you” was equally spectacular as the impromptu dance from the girl at the next table. So much laughter and fun; Kelly and Cris bonded till the early morning, which delighted me. Saturday was an all-girls day – dinner, movies and girly-girl stuff and of-course the gorgeous greenhouse.

This summer Cris taught me the magic of panoramic photography; pictures are taken and then pixilated together to create one photo.

A panoramic view of Kelly and me and some unknown man who was determined to stay in the middle of our shot

A panoramic view with my beautiful friend, Kelly

The Pope

2006-09-15T21:03:00.000-11:00

"God," the emperor, as the pope quoted, said, "is not pleased by blood -- and not acting reasonably is contrary to God's nature."

How is it re

Still the Fearless, Still the Fabulous ... Friday

2006-09-15T15:29:00.000-11:00

Perhaps I could consider this to be the worst year of my life because the losses are irrecoverable, and the sources of disappointment continually unbelievable. But in fact it is simply the best year of my life, because I discovered what is worth everything in the world to me. That's pretty sexy!

The lessons are too many. But a most critical one being that my instincts are unbendingly supreme. I second guessed myself, conceded to the illusions, ignored the obvious signs, believed the self-righteousness defensiveness disguised in goodness. But alas I see now ... Isolated it would matter not, but in context, smashed my rose tinted glasses and the heart.

Perhaps I could consider that I am a fool - and I am sometimes - but so what ... ? I am a fool for myself, and that's sexy!

On a more essential note, have I mentioned the 3-day Human Rights Symposium we are organizing at the University? In particular I work with the team responsible for the politics and ethics of intervention in human rights – can you imagine how thrilled I am?

Classes are fantastic! Some of the newer students, not familiar with academic protocol, refer to me as “Miss”. Normally I would expect “Dr” at the very least, but given that this is obviously the year of reckoning for me, I realize how unimportant protocol and perception is in the face of basic humanness. I walk out of class on such a delighted high. What does a title matter to the elation of earned respect?

So today is my Fearless Friday again and I am going to win it – rain or shine, mortal or divine. I could give up on anything in the world, but never on my relentless pursuit of being alive. What a year. What? You say it’s only September?

… and of-course my best friend from college, Kelly, is coming to visit for the weekend. Friday is bluegrass (do you know what bluegrass is ? :-)), Sunday is golfing, Saturday is anything revolving! Please do have a wonderful weekend!

Music Recommendation:
"Cosi" by Vittorio Grigolo: it reaches me
"Sun Zara Soniye" by Sonu Nigam

Movie Recommendation:
Can't think of any, off-hand - feel free to suggest :-)

Picturesque AnyDay:

My 'artistic' panoramic rendition of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Fearless, The Fabulous, The Friday!

2006-09-08T14:48:00.000-11:00

work in progress ...

Maybe Monday I'll ...

2006-09-04T16:01:00.000-11:00

... update my calendar with my weekly, bi-weekly, monthly meetings
... write the thank you notes and overdue greetings
... send the card to Susan, overdue by 3 years
... prepare the abstract, heads and spears
... map - with alternates
... schedule work dates
... compose the letter
... be a trendy setter
... make that call
... forgive but never forget the fall

this weekend I came across a quote engraved on a stone
I had read it long before, but this time it shone:
"Let me do all the good I can, to all the people I can, as often as I can, for I shall not pass this way again"
this weekend of sunny rain

Picturesque Monday ...

2006-08-29T04:46:00.001-11:00

Saturday Sunderings ... waspy fashionistas

2006-08-26T14:55:00.000-11:00

There is a wasp in my apartment. It has flown about since last Wednesday. It even sat on my shoulder today for a few seconds before flying onto my laptop screen where it crawled leisurely, stopping only to critique the spelling mistakes underlined in red. I have a wasp for a pet. I am not sure what to feed it, and it seems too polite to help itself. The next step will be to name it.

Manchester United won 2-1 against Watford, keeping my beloved team at the top of the charts!

I was skimming through my monthly dose of fashion magazines littered with glittering girls and one of the adverts for a perfume claimed, "lovely on the inside”. Wow, these magazines have a sense of style and humour too!

The Fall colours, according to InStyle are as follows:
fair skin - "monochromatic palette of steely blues & city grays illuminated with dusty lavenders"
olive skin - "smoky, haunting, poetic forest of grays, plums and mosses"
dark skin - "punctuate fall's deep romantic hues with pieces in black"

This semester, starting Monday, one of the classes I teach has 75 students. Usually it is 25-35 students - so I am naively excited ;-) ;-)

The most unlikely person - one for whom I have no respect - reminded me of something I needed to remember - on magnetism and market value and perception.

Received an e-mail today about this dashing, lively young man of 37 who was pursuing his personal passion of marine biology; he perished in the waters off the coast of Melbourne Beach while diving to capture the greatly elusive sea turtle. Reading about him is simultaneously heart-breaking and uplifting.

Who said the following:
"Whenever there is the possibility of an invasion, people unite and forget about their political criticism. I am sure you cannot impose human rights through falling bombs."

Wednesday Wanderings ... on Tell Me Why?

2006-08-23T10:32:00.000-11:00

when i was 10, i was gifted a book for my birthday called, "The Big Book of Tell Me Why". i read it day and night; it posed and answered quesitons like: "what does a sponge eat?" "how are seashells formed?", "what is pellagra?", "how is fshion decided?", "why is a four-leaf clover considered lucky?"

i would then pose these questions to my 4 year old brother, and since he did not know the answers, i took great care to explain them to him in my best professor voice.

though my small library is now replaced with computer science books and other seemingly grown up cultured material, I wish there was a big book to tell me why:

diet coke with lime tastes better than diet pepsi with lime? (drink water, you unhealthy girl)
all my favourite foods are fattening? (try living in Bangladesh or Rwanda)
i can't have exactly what i want all the time when i want it? (yeah whatever, cry us a river, Nazli)
a new planet was not named, Nazli, after me - what kind of name is 2003 UB313 anyway ? (ok, you actually do have a point there)
will my hair not grow faster? (now you are just being over-indulgent)
does my neighbour Ron, with an 8th grade education, understand what Harvard/Yale educated politicians cannot? (since when do you equate education with intelligence and empathy, Nazli?)
the phrase, "i couldn't care less" does not mean, "I care so much that I could not care any less"? (we really couldn't care less, Nazli)
it is acceptable to have "black/ asian" magazines and "black/ asian" fraternities and "black/asian" clubs when "white" equivalents would be mired as racism? (now you treading on dangerous ground, you brown girl you)
when the "royals" of Saudi Arabia die they are buried as "ordinary" people in an unmarked grave - why humility in death but extravagance in life? (oh Nazli, you are too ordinary to understand royal affairs)
do people value the words of dead people who lived thousands of years ago, over the basic needs of poor people who are alive today? (you ask too many questions, Nazli, go braid your hair or weave a basket)

Eye in the Sky - Tell Me Why

Movie Recommendations:
The Green Butchers: Danish movie with subtitles about 2 butchers who have a "secret" formula for success - healthy sense of humour required ;-)

Music Recommendations:
From Fernando: "Lost Cause" by Beck and "There She Goes" by Bob Marley (great and simple songs)
From Beth: "Whole Other Bottle of Whiskey" by John Corbett

"Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap (good for any mood)

“What Hurts the Most” and "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts (country music at its best)

“Kabhi Khabie” by Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh (timeless Indian love song)

“Eye in the Sky” by The Alan Parsons Project (I’ve finally discovered this 80’s sensation)

Picturesque Monday - under the same blue sky ...

2006-08-21T15:12:00.000-11:00

On my way to my office, I looked up at the sky - and it took my breath away - what a beautiful world
Panoramic view of the blue blue sky from two angles
Ronaldo y Rooney
My team, Manchester United, won our first match of the season: 5-1 against Fulham. United Forever!

Oh and bit of "brown" news .

"Suspicious" pair were taken off a plane - no details of their "suspicious" behaviour were revealed (oh come on, don't mind our feelings, admit it - their browness made them suspicious)

Family turned away from London Eye for speaking Arabic (self-preservation or paranoia or pure profiling)

... but on the contrapositive note, the 11 people charged in the alleged transatlantic terror plot are indeed brown

... here is a BBC article with reader comments that is relevant

... and by the way, i went back to the same post office today and was faced with a postal worker sporting a mullet; she was distinctly rude to me and only me out of the 6 people in the line. i stopped smiling and became cold & curt, but then i thought, "how could i allow her to erase my smile and warm manners?" (the word is getting around - there is a brown girl in our all-white town)

Wednesday Wanderings ... what not to do if you are brown...

2006-08-16T06:44:00.000-11:00

(or have an middle eastern name) ... don't ...

1. question the clerk - on Tuesday I went to post a flash drive to the UK but I was not allowed to, in case it had "sensitive" material. People in front of me were sending sealed boxes but I was stopped on my tracks. The postal clerk said, "how do we know you are not sending dangerous documents in this thing?" I told him him to check for the content of the disk (which was all in English) and also asked to see the documentation of items that can be shipped. He said to me, "don't you people know we are on terror alert? We have to protect our citizens."
Imagine the headline if I had lost my temper: "foiled: woman with degree in chemical engineering caught in major computer terrorism US-UK ring"

2. carry or buy more than one cell phone - oops I guess I have to cut down on efficieny between my Palm Treo for business and the Sony Ericsson camera phone for pleasure

3. photograph bridges, buildings, beaches, buses, basics ... best not to take photographs of anything because anything could be a terror target ...

4. travel ...or go on vacation ... in fact don't leave home if you are brown

5. have any documents in Arabic - they look "dangerous"

6. mention peaceful words like 'insh'allah' or 'salaam walaaikum' - they sound "dangerous"

7. air your opinions about the Arab-Israeli war, as humanitarian and unbiased as they may be

8. ask for a glass of water or any liquid on a plane - what? you are flying? no - remember - stay at home

9. lighten your hair in an attempt to blend in - you still look brown, dear - but do try a British accent, it distracts people from the browness

10. sun tan in the hopes of becoming darker - that opens up another barrage of problems

11. think your rich personal cultures of thousands of years matter - what culture? you are brown and thus a possible terrorist and that's that

12. stand around in groups talking in non-English - you may make others uncomfortable (because hindi/ bengali/ arabic/ urdu are all the same and "dangerous")

13. get degrees in chemical engineering or computer science (oh, why did I not pursue my childhood dream of becoming a superstar?)

14. wear an hermes scarf of a particular print and be mistaken for you know who

15. wear long coats - even in winter - freeze rather than be mistaken for a you know what

16. change your currently 'brown" surname of Ahamed/Ali/ Azim etc. to Brown (come on now, that's just silly ;-))

17. recite the Koran on the NYC subways - look, just because that guy in white recites the Bible and damns you to hell while you are trying to catch your morning nap on the train, does not mean you too will receive the same indifferent sleepy reaction from the passengers on reciting Sura Al-Fatiha

(18-20 contributed by Maliha)
18. Dare to have an opinion contrary to the official version of Truth from the FOX NEWS table

19. Express your opinion in a public place; like a rally: (the last time we went people yelled "if you don't like it here: GO HOME!"; we ARE at home idiots; and protesting/dissent is as American as you can get.)

20. Walk around in a Hijab/Scarf for a woman/ bearded for a man (worse still is being a couple) and daring to display your Muslim-ness in public.

these apply heavily to male browns - while female browns can sometimes counteract the impact of being brown by being pretty, smiling and appearing docile and simple

Movie Recommendation: "An Inconvenient Truth" - Al Gore presents scientific research articulately using effective graphics. I am inspired to do my part (even as inconveniently brown as I am)

Music Recommendation:
"My Universe": Minerve - the music takes me on - in my car, office, ipod, laptop, my universe
"Ae Mere Humsafar": Alka Yagnik & Udit Narayan - popular Indian anthem of some of the brown people from the movie "Qayamat se Qayamat Tak", takes my breath away (English Translation)

Best Regards,
Nazli (Brownyn for the day)

Picturesque Monday ... this unforgettable Summer

2006-08-14T07:42:00.000-11:00

as the summer ends and the Fall semester starts, i resume my professional life with deadlines and "to do" lists ... yes, yes - i can hear your collective sighs of symapthy for me ;-)

but before i begin even item 1 (of 291) of my "to do" list, i must reflect on the first half of this year leading to unforgettable my summer. there were a some raw days of disbelief, but then there were days that made me soar in complete happiness (how human). it changed something irretrievably for me, this unforgettable summer ... and i am so grateful to Life.

this summer has rendered me feeling more alive, more fearless, more relentless, more true to myself ... in my relentless pursuit of being alive ...
Summer of '06: panoramic view of our summer river

Angels of Heaven & Earth: memorial for the men and women of Pennsylvania Rail, who gave their lives during WWII (angel holding a fallen hero)

Intersection of Culture: an Amish buggy trying to make a left turn at an intersection ... do you see it? ;-)

Weekend Wanderings ... the Amish ...

2006-08-12T07:07:00.000-11:00

We went on an Amish village tour. It consisted of groups of foreigners, notably a loud German gal and her quieter boyfriend, Americans, Latin Americans, and of-course us - international citizens of the world ;-)

The Amish culture was born in Europe as a reulst of Jacob Amman breaking away from the Mennonites; he felt they did not adhere to their rules strictly enough. There is much to know about this static community within kinetic United States.

The tour guide took us around a typical Amish house: the front room that is used for prayer services which are held every other Sundays is furnished with a few rows of wooden benches . Then we went into the kitchen. The first thing that caught my eye was a mixer since I had heard the Amish do not use electricity ... mmmhh

According to the guide, most Amish do not use electricity because the don't want to be connected with the world. However they can buy convenience like ovens, washing machines and mixers - but instead of running it on electricity, they can use natural gas ... how many of you think electricity is not natural?

They make their own clothes using sewing machines - the German gal inquired: "did they bring their sewing machines from Europe, this machine is a Singer?" The American woman countered, "you can buy sewing machines in America!"

The women wear outfits that are held together with pins. Married men have beards because they don't wear rings - their word in front of God is enough. The girls have a lovely "hope chest" in which they collect household items for their future homes.

The Amish do not have anything in their homes for which there is no purpose ... so no wall paintings. However, the necessary items can be colourful and ornate, so e.g. a scissor holder is sewn with colourful patches ... I suppose fashion houses would probably classify scissor holders necessary items too

They don't have pictures taken as that is seen as a graven image, which is not permissible. The Amish hang their clothes to dry so the Italian lady asked, "what happens when it is raining?"... seriously

Fearless Friday ...

2006-08-11T01:46:00.000-11:00

during the cold war, people who questioned the authority were considered "communists" and were blackballed and ostracised

the same on the other side - people were killed for their desire to live a life of free choices

what is different today in the "modern" age for people who question the authority?

the tip for the terror transatlantic flights came from a muslim - this seemed to be so surprising that it has become new itself ;-)

while I follow no religion except that of my own conscience, i question the value of futher alienating moderate muslims - better they be friends in peace than "bristling" with insult .... the art of war

true freedom comes with fearlessness from within
grace, fearlessness, compassion, intelligence, consideration, humanity, civil rights, respect for all life, understanding, heart ... freedom ...

Wednesday Wanderings ... opinings ...

2006-08-09T17:26:00.000-11:00

What in the world do socialites do?

Pose at parties in the name of charity, gossip about this and that, and hope that their pictures show up in magazines ...

What made my so happy?
Swam in this river. Oh yes! Made friends with 6 year old Edrie and his 4 year old little sister, Millie – such gorgeous kids! Edrie insisted on swimming with us in the current and nearly drowned but JB gallantly saved him! Made my day and my heart swelled in pride.

What websites caused me pause?
http://www.newamericancentury.org
http://www.politicalcortex.com

Lamont vs. Lieberman?
Lamont won the primaries as the democratic candidate for Senator of Connecticut; Lieberman will run as an Independent – splitting the Democratic vote and potentially handing CT to the Republicans

A minor thing that matters?
Space

A realization that matters?
Some things just don't matter anymore, and some things matter forever

My thought for this week?
House of cards, Castles in the sky, Shattered to shards, Some fall some fly

Iran is exerting its presence – from Lebanon to Iraq. What is the message?
The author Vali Nasr has an idea…

Music Recommendation:

“Why Does my Heart Feel So Bad?”: Moby (courtesy of my friends, Caco and Before Sunrise)

“Sometimes My Heart”: DJ Rock - currently hot on my playlist

"Alive (Chai)": Ofra Haza (Israeli singer who believed in humanity)

"Movement VII": Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Ofra Haza (the 2 worlds as one)

"B-Boys Fly Girls": Lictenfels – for all the B-boys and the fly girls out there ;-)

Movie Recommendation:

“The Gods Must be Crazy”: the funniest, most heart-warming movie ever! incomparable, simple, beautiful – set in South Africa

Wednesday Wanderings ... Poetry in Motion ...

2006-08-02T17:44:00.000-11:00

Susquehanna River

... ok, for Wednesday Wanderings, I am going to spend exactly 5 minutes (I promise ;-)) and write a random poem dedicatd to my "fearless blog" friends:

Somewhere, anywhere, where I would be
If only you could see, what I can see
If only you could know what it feels to be me
Perhaps of this cruel intolerance we could be free

But who knows when, where, how or why
In this lifetime that belongs to you and to I
Why we don't see eye to eye
Because really, I could be you, and you I

(12:53 to 12:56)

.... this was inspired by Caco raising the topic of intolerance ....

Music Recommendation: "Anthem" by Moby from the Miami Vice soundtrack (2006) - nothing like the music from TV but very unique and appealing
Movie Recommendation: "Chocolat": Juliette Binoche & Johnny Depp - magical, beautiful, uplifing, light, lovely (2000)

Hot! Hot! Hot!

2006-08-01T08:24:00.000-11:00

It is so hot today in the East Coast of the United States!

And also PM Blair talks about modernizing within Islam: I wonder - how about the tandem modernizing of other institutionalized religions too?

People ask: "how do I know when I am in in love?"
I think: "when you don't even need to ask the question."

Picturesque Monday ... colour the world!

2006-07-31T12:57:00.000-11:00

Hearts of Colour - from Caco, with a heart of gold

Malawian Day Flower - from botanist extraordinaire, Cristóbal

see the bridge ...? see the colours of the rainbow ...? see the connection ...?:-)
Nazli

Sunday Sunderings ... "getting to yes"

2006-07-30T03:50:00.000-11:00

Critics say a root cause of the continued Middle East bloodshed conflict is that one side is given free reign to do as they need to "protect" and "defend" themselves ... while the other side is branded as terrorists. In my humble opinion, because I have the luxury of thought from an ocean away, under those terms and definition, there will never be any peace at all.

The best way to reach a sustainable argreement to truly understand the other viewpoint. The book, "Getting to Yes", postulates to this effect. Understanding the other perspective is not as selfless or as altruistic as you may think. When one party (A) tries to understand the viewpoint of the other party (B):

1. B will recognize and appreciate the efforts of A and will then be more open to understanding B's point of view
2. in recognizing and understanding B, A may have a renewed/ enlightened/ empathetic feeling towards the situation
3. now we have both sides who are open and willing to work towards a mutually beneficialy (and human) solution because each has a level of trust that they are both working towards a common and fair goal.

Currently there is obvious bias in the Middle East crisis and this only fuels the hatred and intolerance. Favouring one side, without concern for the massive loss of human lives, will never bring about "lasting peace". Instead it will rally the forces.

I am no diplomat and my dealings with Israelies and Arabs are minimal, but I simply refuse to see people as Israeli/Jewish or Arab/ Muslim. They are humans, just like me, and I grieve for any loss of innocent life - irrespective of the side - because the ground in which they are buried doesn't know the difference between black/ white or Muslim/ Jew/ Christian/ Sabian or man/ woman/ child. Truly I grieve.

(the pictures appear disturbing - but it is the inhumanity of the situation that is , in fact, disturbing)

Fearless Friday ... and Fearless Tuesday too ...

2006-07-28T17:24:00.000-11:00

It is hot and about to rain and thunderstorm here in the East Coast of the United States. This afternoon I was having lunch overlooking an open golf course and the wind was so strong it blew potato chips from my plate onto that of my colleague. I was not sure whether to aplogize since I actually have no control over the wind. Additionally, I thought it may be rude to take back the chips, which I did not want anyway, so I simply smiled and commented with studied nonchalence, on the state of world affairs.Now, if you recall, I mentioned that I only have one superstition; I do not wear red on Tuesdays. This terrible tradition began 10 years ago when I an awful day. I had been wearng red, my favourite colour. If I think about it carefully, it was actually a Monday, and not a Tuesday. So why develop a mad "no red Tuesday supersition"? Beats me. So this week, because I am "fearless" ;-), I decided to be brave and wear a red summer dress on Tuesday and free myself of this travesty! Yes I did! I waited all day, in my red summer dress - and other than the few compliments I received, nothing happened. So I am finally free! Yes I am free!

Al Qaeda and Madonna have something crucial in common. No, I don’t mean choice of odd outfits or love of media attention – though those similarities cannot be denied. They redefine themselves to suit their current cause. E.g. Al Qaeda exploits every opportunity to appear to take on the cause of the underdog Arab, redefining itself as the liberators of oppression. The current Israel/ Hezbollah offensive will be a cause for them. Do you disagree?

Purple is underrated. But what in the world does “purple rain” mean?

Wednesday Wanderings ... on the 4 Agreements

2006-07-26T04:38:00.000-11:00

Cristiana! Parabens pelo seu aniversario! Happy Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl! All the best wishes in the world to you!

I watched Amelie as per the recommendation - it was simply delightful!

It's raining and thundering here. Delightful

Have been reading up on Feng Shui - according to their charts I am "fire" so there are certain things that bring harmony to my environment. In any case, while I was shopping for a table, I came across a vase of bamboo shoots. I do not know if they are harmonious to the fire of a gal like me, but they looked feisty enough. To complement them, I also bought pink and orange roses. Yes, and I did acquire the table too ;-)

A teenage sniper began to shoot randomly because he was angry - and an unlucky passerby was killed as a result. No, there are some things that just don't make sense. Some years ago, I read "The 4 Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz, which postulates that you cannot take anything anyone else does personally at all. In that way, you are liberated.

Actually, talking of the 4 Agreements, they are as follows:

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you wonít be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

All simple, basic truths that fall under the category of "live your best life, on your own terms, be happy, take on the world that belongs to you and win it, be happy, be free, don't worry about the opinion of others, be accountable to your own conscience, be happy". Voila - the recipe for happiness. Now if only I could follow as simple recipe for making peach cobbler, life would be just peachy!

Sunday Sunderings ... on Miss Universe and Floyd Landis

2006-07-23T16:46:00.000-11:00

Today is my favourite day of the year.

For Sunday Sunderings, I am keeping it light ... oh yes, I watched the Miss Universe contest every year - for reasons only a girly girl could understand ;-). Predictably South Americas, India, USA make it to the top 15 most years and then after that I am not at all sure on what criteria the winner is chosen because most of the answers appear scripted and unbelievable but they all look incredibly beautiful. Miss Universe 2000 and Miss Universe 1997, Lara Dutt and Brooke Lee, respectively, were exceptional; articulate,dazzlling, confident, elegant and certainly beautiful.
The Miss USA contestant said her weakness was carrying her heart on her shoulders and caring too much about others ... The top 3 contestant were Switzerland, Japan, and Puerto Rico and I was convinced that Miss Japan would win since she was articulate, could speak several languages and was very confident. But Miss Puerto Rico won and I am losing no sleep over it. The best part of this year's Miss Universe competition were the musical performers: Vittorio Grigolo and Chelo.

Floyd Landis is the winner of Tour de France 2006. What a spectacular achievement! He hails from Eastern Pennsylvania and comes from a Menonite family - they have strict values and he broke from that at the age of 20 to be who he wanted to be. Read the SI article for further insight. A church member said of him: "We are disappointed with the lifestyle he lives, but I love him as a friend and care about him."

Disappointed??? Floyd Landis chose the lifestyle of a winner - he trained hard for half his life to be where he is today - on his own terms. He touches and inspires millions of people worldwide - so how exactly is he disappointing?
And my perspective on a question posed below: I have been absorbing BBC History magazine lately, and it appears that often it is blind religious fervour and undue self-righteousness, at the expense of doing the right thing, that renders a superpower, powerless. This is true of people on an indivual scale too, n'est pas?

Wishing you a winning week ahead!

Minor Things that Matter

2006-07-20T11:49:00.000-11:00

When I was growing up in Zimababwe, there was a lovely tale that ladybirds are good luck and my little friends and I would run about the playground looking for them. This morning I was sitting upstairs and from nowhere I know, there was a ladybird on the carpet next to me. It is a minor thing - but it matters ... as do:

The Fanta advert - "wanna fanta, don't you wanna fanta"? - have you watched this advert? It's minor, but it matters because it makes me laugh

Amnesty International- it's "minor" but it matters majorly

This wish bracelet I am wearing - my friend bought it in Buffalo - when the bracelet falls off, my wish will come true. What did I wish for? ;-) Something minor, but it matters to me

10:00 PM Summer evening that feel like 6:00 PM - lifts my heart

Warmth in words from worlds away

Cotton summer dresses ... matching heels ... pretty earrings ... (I did say minor things that matter ;-))

Reading 'History Magazine' on the porch

Illusion or Ignorance or Idiocy?

2006-07-19T09:54:00.000-11:00

This is a poster I saw last week at Philadelphia International Airport and I apparently blocked traffic as I took the photo. "Excuse me ma'am, you are impeding passengers from reaching their gates".

Current iTunes Playlist includes:
"Extraordinary Ways": Conjure One - this song is about having an priceless gift ...
"Just Be": DJ Tiesto - the title says it all
"Olo Lipis": Despina Vandi - Greek superhit
"Promiscuous": Nelly Furtado & Timbaland - hey it's all in the beat!
"Bohemian Rhapsody": Queen - Galilleo, Figaro, Magnifico. Incomparable!
"Faith": George Michael - my friends and I used to sing along to this in high school and I had no idea what the words meant - sounded reasonable to me though - ' you gotta have faith', right ;-)

Current DVDs on sight:
"Love Actually" - atually I watched this when it was first released - and I loved it, actually
"The Libertine" - anything implying liberty is worth watching

Sunday Sunderings ... "into every life a little rain must fall"

2006-07-18T14:23:00.000-11:00

It was oppressively hot today in the red car and I felt the sun sear through my skin. The air conditioner was of no use and the windows only allowed the heat wave to filter through me. I had a particular matter in mind. I try to keep my life very simple. I have worked very hard to be where I am today (like many of you), I am confident in who I am, I love whom I love, I pursue my ambitions with tenacity, and avoid all complications. But my easy going manner has given certain people the illusion that I am guillable. I don't mind being underestimated because my intelligence affords me that luxury. I am rarely ever angry because my joie de vivre affords me that luxury ... but today the anger makes my heart ache.

It took many years for me to get to this point. The reason I ignored the circumstances for so long was simply because blood is thicker than water. I knew that my retaliation would impair them - so I let it be - to allow them to save face. But I realize now that enduring these people who are so desperate that they would hurt me to further their own cause - makes me the biggest fool.

But on this hot day, with such heavy thoughts on my mind, I suddenly remembered that every life has problems. Some people are handicapped, some lose their mind, some lose the loves of their lives, some die never having lived - so if my greatest problem is a few people who are desperate enough to try to hurt me, then I am well off. And will you believe it, as I came to this realization, the rain fell - so hard. The air became fresh and cool and I caught my own smile on the rear-view mirror. Queen played on the radio, "into every life a little rain must fall." Do you know, I love the rain?

There are hundreds of civilians who have died needlessly in Lebanon and Israel in the last week. The "official" number of Iraqis killed this year is 14,000. Children in Africa die of Aids by the minute, people in Asia die of floods every month, people are killed in the line of fire everywhere. Yet I have everything - my life, my health, my intelligence, the ability to defend myself and to fight back fearlessly, the options in living. I am lucky that I am not the desperate one - because surely it is absolute desperation that made their blood thinner than water. My problems are nothing compared to the world - and I know this heartache that I feel today will only make me even more fearless, more ambitious, more bold!