Blah Blah Blog...

Yup.
My favorite day of the year is here again...
Doesn't look like anyone is doing anything this year (Ramadan sluggishness I suppose).
Although it was in Ramadan last year as well, we managed to get together (due to my incessant nagging) and we did something, albeit small, but something...
Maybe I'll just do the ol' stay-home-and-watch-a-scary-movie. Oh well...

---sniff---

Again, Halloween
All carved-out, left in the dark
Again, no candy...

Ok...Here goes...

Call me crazy, but I swear, since that "Mecca Cola" post, I have been having really bad Karma (bad luck, bad energy, or whatever you want to call it).
Now, I’m not really superstitious---but I believe in Karma.

Here’s the low-down:

In Buddhist teachings, the "Law of Karma" states:
"for every event that occurs, there will follow another event whose existence was caused by the first, and this second event will be pleasant or unpleasant according as its cause was skillful or unskillful".

(A "skillful" event is one that is not accompanied by craving, resistance or delusions. An "unskillful" event is one that is accompanied by any one of those things.)


Similarly, Newton's 3rd Law of Motion states:
“For every action there is an equal and opposite re-action”.


And from Junior-High Physics, I'm sure we all remember that:
"Energy is neither gained nor lost, only transformed from one form to another".


Therefore, I firmly believe the energy you put out, returns to you eventually (in one form or another).
You send out good vibes -- you get good vibes in return.
And vice versa…

This site suggests that:

• All activities are only the spending of energy – or rather converting it from one form to other with the mass energy equality.
  
• One can get any "puru-shardha" (or desire) fulfilled by converting one’s energy.
  
• The true nature of human efficiency boils down to this: Man is a lazy animal driven by basal needs.
  
• The more basal your approach in life--- the higher the inefficiency or entropy.
  
• Thus, one may spend 100 units of energy, but if the efficiency is only 1 % - one spends 1 unit of energy.
  
• It is not only how much energy one is spending – but it is important to see that the energy has good efficiency or low entropy.
  
• This efficiency factor is called in Hindu system as Dharma or Righteous path.
  

Thus, all human efforts are conditioned by an inherent factor of inefficiency.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term:

Entropy: noun
1) Symbol "S", for a closed thermodynamic system, a quantitative measure of the amount of thermal energy not available to do work.

2) A measure of the disorder or random-ness in a closed system.

3) A measure of the loss of information in a transmitted message.

4) The tendency for all matter and energy in the universe to evolve toward a state of inert uniformity.

5) Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society. (Ummm. Can you say Kuwait?)


Ok kids, here's where it gets a bit technical...

The 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics (Entropy) state that:

Namely, there is something that unifies the world (constitutes it as a continuum) which if you go forward or backward in time, remains entirely the same.

It is, in effect, through this conservation or out of it that all real-world dynamics occurs, yet the first law itself is entirely indifferent to these changes or dynamics.

As far as the first law is concerned, nothing changes at all, and this is just the definition of a symmetry, something that remains invariant, indifferent or unchanged given certain transformations, and the remarkable point with respect to the first law is that it refers to that which is conserved (the quantity of energy) or remains symmetric under all transformations

Note: There seems to be a contradiction between the first and second principles.
One says that heat and energy are two dimensions of the same nature;
the other says they are not, since potential energy is degraded irreversibly to an inferior, less noble, lower-quality form.

Thanks to the mathematical relation between disorder and probability, it is possible to use one or the other of two statements:

1) "left to itself, an isolated system tends toward a state of maximum disorder"

or

2) "left to itself, an isolated system tends toward a state of higher probability."
These equivalent expressions can be summarized:

• Potential energy ---> entropy
• Ordered energy ---> disorganized energy
• High-quality energy ---> low-grade energy
• Order ---> disorder
• Improbability ---> probability
  

The concepts of entropy and irreversibility, derived from the second principle, have had a tremendous impact on our view of the universe.


(Once again, the Principia Discordia comes to mind, if you haven't already, I suggest you read it)

So...
With all these factors combined, I have made the following conclusion:

"Karma is a bitch you don't wanna mess with".


And seeing as how I was so "negative" in my last post, the universe decided to balance things out by giving me an equally negative (a.k.a. shitty) and weird weekend…

And so I will conclude with the Quote of the day:
"How is it possible to understand life when the entire world is ordered by a law such as the second principle of thermodynamics, which points to death and annihilation?"
-- Leon Brillouin

(Taken at a major intersection in Salmiya)

Coincidentally, Tata and I both decided to post about the same thing at the same time... Unfortunately, I was having technical difficulties, hence the post was delayed a day.

Ok...
Basically, I agree with everything he said in his post .

And in this image, you can also see their "slogan"...

I mean, seriously.... "Shake your conscience" --- WTF??

"Like oh my god, like, I no longer have a guilty conscience, like because my money is like spent on a product that like has "Mecca" in its name"...

Pul-ease...
What do these people take us for?

Looking at this pic again, I feel a new pang of frustration.
I mean seriously...
Trying to invoke a feeling of "guilt" by consuming non-islamic drinks?
This---coming from people who manufacture a sugar-filled, caffeine-addictive, tooth-decaying, ulcer-inducing beverage.


What's next on the guilt-free product list?

Mecca-Donald's? (get it, get it?)
Mecca Cigarettes? (inhale your way to islamic lung-cancer)
Mecca Condoms? (sin-less--for her pleasure)
Mecca Vodka?

(ok ok. Ista'3fir Allah for the last one--I am fasting as I type this afterall--But I'm trying to make a point here.)

I realize I'm being harsh, but seriously... Where will they draw the line?

---Sigh---

Beware of the "Beardos" folks...

[This post is inspired by a conversation I had yesterday while I was fasting]

Ok... I'm gonna sound like a 60 year-old, but do you guys remember back in the day, when you could go to the "Baqala" with just a 1/4 dinar and buy tons of shit?

Now, this is not a post about modern economics...
It's simply about our favorite old treats.
And with Halloween around the corner, it makes sense to sit and reminisce about the yummy "goodies of old" (a couple are non-edible)

Here are some of my favorites:

KDD ice-cream sandwich (my all time fave)

Raspberry Lolly a.k.a. "Muthalath toot" (orange was ok too I guess)

Flona Bufak (or rather, Pufak)

Two-Finger Pufak "Bu 9ub3ayn" (shaped like 2 huge cigars)

Sunkist orange drink (that you bite open--it was all sugar and water)

Gum with the ink tattoo inside the wrapper (lick it and stick it on your forearm)

"Bu Nijoom" Chocolate

Rountree's fruit gums "Ma6a6" (They still make them, but they're just not the same)

Umbrella Chocolate "Bu Shamsiya"

"Kitco nice" rings (put 'em on your fingers, then eat 'em up)

Heart shaped lollipop (used to cost like 5 fils or something, we'd always get these with the left-over change)

"Chiraqi" (little firecracker poppers that you throw down on the ground "bil 7osh" or pop between your fingers if you had the balls!

Stinky bubbles (with the tube and straw). Remember those? You use the straw and add a glob of the goo, and then blow bubbles. They smelled like glue and got you really high! (they were so weird-heavy little bubbles, they'd fall right to the floor--- kinda defeating the purpose of being a bubble...)

Man, I’m sure I’m missing some more...

Now I know some of you would beg to differ with the contents of this list, that's why I want to know your version...

Note: I have already been told that KDD’s "Lulu" and "Kulfi" can out-do my beloved "ice-cream sandwich".
But Kulfi is new, so I will dismiss it--- Sorry Tata :)

So, I’m curious to see what y’all think.

(and make sure they're "old school", none of that new stuff we see these days)

-peace out-

Let me introduce you to Sam Brown One of my all-time favorite (and little known) artists.

I've been following up on his work for a couple years now.
Here's how he works...
He has people e-mail him little "captions", and then makes artwork according to his own interpretation of those titles...

I love how he combines whimsical yet crude (almost child-like) graphics, with very mature and complex titles. I check his site often. He usually has something new at least on a weekly basis...

Here are some of my favorite pieces:


Can't let go

It's been so long since I last saw you

I need to know if I can trust you

I loved you at all the wrong times

I never expected this!

Is that really me?

And then it came to me...

I wish I could fly

Hold on, I love you

There is an emptiness inside

I'm listening to sad songs

It was because of you


I could do this forever... I love all his work...Oh, and make sure you check out his Other stuff (a series of rougher sketches etc...)

Is it just me? Or has anyone else been infected by this new virus?
It's called:
MHTMLRedir.exploit

Listening to: Massive Attack (the "100th Window" album)

Wearing: Black

Feeling: Unappreciated (Awww... someone needs a hug)

Having: A weird hair day. I got a curly-huge-hair-thing goin' on... (But it looks cute).

Wish I was: In Paris, writing poetry in a small cafe somewhere...

Wish I could: Quit my job right now. Right now.

Wish I could speak: Farsi (I understand very little. I want to learn it properly though).

Wish I had more time to: Paint.

The Other day I: Went to a place called "Swensen's" (Ice cream Parlour). Dude, they have insanely huge desserts. They have this thing called the "Earthquake"---A dessert consisting of 8 Scoops. 8 Scoops!!!
Can you believe that?
I just had one, with a tiny bit of hot fudge topping and I felt guilty. I went home and did like 200 crunches.
Seriously... What is it with these HUGE, GARGANTUAN American portions lately? Jeeez.. It's like they'e trying to take over the world and make everyone obese while they're at it...
I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the U.S...Hell, I spent about 18 years of my life there, but my God...
Oh well. Enough about that.

Random thought:
Don't you just love getting your fresh new copy of a subscription magazine in the mail?

Quote of the day:
When you feel like giving up, ask yourself:
Will this make me look fat?
---Me (I said this yesterday to a friend on the phone)

Favorite new artist: The graffiti artist "Banksy" (Thanks for the heads-up Senor Botata) I love his work. Amazing Stencil ability. Excellent graphics. Excellent political messages. Top-notch.

My latest dilemma: I can't find cool shoes in Kuwait.
No I am not one of these obsessive females with a shoe-fetish. I simply want some comfy/cool shoes, without having to drive around for a whole day, and then settle on something from the "Athlete's Foot" or over-priced sneakers at Villa Moda. I am aware that we have thousands of places, but nothing strikes my fancy. It's mostly super-trendy gaudy stuff. Or super-uncomfortable pointy heels and shit. I swear the person who designed those needs to be stabbed with that pointy front a few times... See how your toes fit in that one genius... It's not like I'm a Perma-Birkenstocks chick. I just want cool shoes dammit! I don't want to have to order everything all the time. Hmmmm...We must remedy this problem...

Anyway, I feel like this is a completely pointless post.

I mean here I am, bitching about shoes, while people are drowning in floods, children are starving worldwide, and a woman is being raped every 26 seconds in Johannesburg, South Africa.

How's that for some perspective?

I think I need to re-adjust my priorities.
We should be thankful. Always think of the "what I DO HAVE" as opposed to the "what I DON'T HAVE"...
So don't forget to count your blessings people.
Ramadan Kareem
Allah Kareem.
(whoa, this post went a completely direction to what I had imagined)

Yup...
I decided to change the "template".
This one has big fat juicy letters... I kinda dig it.
(But knowing me, I'll probably change my mind about it in a couple days)

Listening to : 99.7 ("Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve is playing)

Wearing: Brown

Eating: Nothing

Drinking: Nothing

Feeling: Sleepy & cold

Latest Obsession: Sufism. Yes. The Sufi sect of Islam. Also known as "Islamic Mysticism". Yes. Those guys who say "Allah 7ay" and spin in an almost trance-like state...
I could go on and on and on about this topic. I've been reading about it non-stop for about 2 weeks. I have been driving everybody around me crazy about it. I keep talking about it. Sending random Sufi quotes via phone messages etc.... So I won't write a lot about it here.
You can feel free to check it out for yourselves:
Here are a few sites (there are so many)

A positive view:
http://www.nimatullahi.org/us/WIS/WIS1.html

A negative view:
http://www.islam.org.au/articles/22/sufism.htm

I'll let you make up your own mind..........


Quote of the day:
Eskimo: "If I did not know about God and sin, would I go to hell?"
Priest: "No, not if you did not know."
Eskimo: "Then why did you tell me?"
---Annie Dillard


Haiku of the day:
Sufi mania
Wool-wearers in ecstasy
You spin me round round...

[How'd ya like that reference to the 80's song "you spin me round (like a record) by Dead or Alive]


And I will leave you with the following thought:
"Love the pitcher less, and the water more".
(An old Sufi saying -- obviously referring to the appreciation of what is internal, as opposed to external).

White
Halo
Aurora
Light
Tight
Frill
Fructose
Comatose
Gore
Liver
France
Rectify
Violin
Red
Reality
Real
Montreal
Real Madrid
Ice-cream
Chocolate chip
Cookies
Blue
David
Oklahoma
Red
Sky
Fall
Wind
Tunnel
Funnel
Love
Butterflies
Peanut butter

It’s that time of year
No more morning java-jolt
Fast-ing makes me slow...

Happy Ramadan everybody...

Hope this month helps everybody remember the important things in life:
Faith
Family
Love
Humility
Respect
Tolerance
Peace

Not a merely a month of:
Sleeping all day
Eating all night
Being pissed-off ("cuz I'm fasting man")
Over-indulgence after dark
Shopping for shit you don't need
Excessive sheesha-smoking
Anxiously awaiting Eid to do things guilt-free...

Hope we all learn to live in moderation.

Remember:
Extremes cause extremists
And conviction causes convicts :p


~~~May all your days be groovy~~~

Listening to: “C is for cookie” - by Cookie Monster
Yes, I actually downloaded a sesame street song, and I’m listening to it at work. It’s part of a weird-ass compilation cd. Go ahead. Call me crazy. I don’t care…
Cookie Monster is my favorite Sesame Street character. (Also a nickname I acquired in college, for my obsession with the delectable genius-invention we call the “cookie”).

Eating: nothing (wish I had some cookies though)

Drinking: nothing

Feeling: Groovy (that’s your “Simon and Garfunkel” reference for the day)

I Still want to be: an astronaut
Yes, I am aware of the new programs that allow “common” folk to go out into space/orbit, however they cost and arm and a leg… And I ain’t goin’ into space as no amputee!

Most under-rated singer: Damien Rice.
This man is amazing. Listen to “Blower’s daughter” (no, it’s not dirty). Such a simple song. So beautiful. He sings it in such a way... I swear...

Here are the lyrics:

And so it is
Just like you said it would be
Life goes easy on me
Most of the time
And so it is
The shorter story
No love, no glory
No hero in her sky

I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes...

And so it is
Just like you said it should be
We'll both forget the breeze
Most of the time
And so it is
The colder water
The blower's daughter
The pupil in denial

I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes...

Did I say that I loathe you?
Did I say that I want to
Leave it all behind?

I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off you
I can't take my mind off you
I can't take my mind...
My mind...my mind...
'Til I find somebody new

----------

And I will conclude with the Haiku of the day: The Red Bull Haiku

Faithful Crimson Tor
For you boost me without fail
Now, Sugarfree---Weeeeeee!

Finally, they updated their site at FUH2.

Check me out at:

http://www.fuh2.com/submissions.php?query=&page=120&limit=10

(4th and 5th images are mine)

Listening to: Swan Dive - by Ani Difranco (an awesome song)

Eating: "Darabeel" (a lady at work gave one to me)

Drinking: coffee again (tea ain’t cutting it)

Wearing: black

Feeling: extremely tired

Wish I was: window shopping for vintage clothes and weird music in San Francisco

Wish I had the guts to: shave my head

Wish I could speak: Japanese

Wish I had more time to: Practice my guitar / read

That’s a lot of wishing…

Last night I: went to a Spanish musical performance called “Musica Antigua” (Music from Medieval Al-Andalus, Spain) at Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiya. It was really good. It's nice to do "cultural" stuff here in Kuwait.
I mean really... How much "mall-loitering / coffee-shopping / restaurant-dwelling" can the average Kuwaiti do ?

So it was a nice change of pace...

Anyway, I feel a bit "blah", so that's it for now.

Listening to : "Com Lag: 2+2 = 5" by Radiohead (Import made for Japan)

Wearing: Blue

Eating: "La Turca" Doritos (Turkish variey of Doritos)

Drinking: Water. But lately I've been drinking more tea than usual (as opposed to coffee). Hmmm...

Feeling: Contemplative (as opposed to omniscient)

Latest Obsession: French Films.
Most recently I watched "Monsieur Ibrahim".
An excellent film (starring Egyptian film-legend Omar Sharif actually). It's a coming-of-age story about a young Jewish boy who befriends an elderly Muslim (Sufi) gentleman... There is some great dialogue in this movie.
There was one scene in particular which had a profound effect on me.
(I won't mention it, so I don't ruin it for anyone). You must see this film. Really...

Quote of the day: "There are trivial truths and there are great truths. The opposite of a trivial truth is plainly false. The opposite of a great truth is also true"--- Neils Bohr (Physicist/Mathematician)


Haiku of the day:
Still uninspired
Still wired and still tired
Still un-acquired


And I will leave you with the following thought:
"Common sense is what tells you that the world is flat"
(A quote from the "Principia Discordia").

I often do a little exercise which I call "random words"

It's just me writing down the first word that comes to mind without thinking, and one words leads to another which leads to another and so on...
It's a good way to clear the "brain cache".
Plus, it helps me see how my brain links words/ideas etc.
You'll be surprised what you can learn about the way your mind works...
I do this every month or so.
I never read the old ones before writing the new ones (so that they don't influence my thoughts) and what freaks me out is I almost always see the same pattern. The type of words I choose, the order I say them in. etc..
They are completely random. No thought. Just close your eyes and write down the first thing.

Here's an actual list of words I did on May 30th, 2004

----------------

Green
Nomad
Heart
Tired
Super
Tyre
Inwards
Ellipse
Rake
Plane
Bird
Go
Joint
Reap
Novacaine
Xenadrine
Sickness
Shake
Quake
Requiem
Bear
Moon
Holes
Australia
Door
Black
Owl
Hearing
Woman
White
Pain
Place
Girl
Tired
Heavy
Face
Lines
Politics
Bills
No
Hello
Fear
Entrails
Hate
Sadness
Sade
Love
Shallow
Halo
Temporary
Hills
Feet

----------------

It doesn't necessarily mean anything...
It's just a way for me to clear my mind.

Anyway, that's my "random" thought of the day