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Thursday, April 17th, 2008
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11:35 am - The Lovely Linda (better than wife #2, that's for sure!)
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Lady Linda Eastman McCartney
September 24, 1941 - April 17, 1998
Rest in peace.
current mood:  mournful
current music: The Lovely Linda - Paul McCartney
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| Sunday, April 13th, 2008
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10:01 am - Paulie!
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Paul McCartney is supposedly gearing up for what I've called the "Alimony Tour."
PAUL MCCARTNEY SETS SIGHTS ON WORLD TOUR
I am so there! :-P (Well, assuming it isn't too far away...)
I also like the stories about how he supposedly has three girlfriends. Back to your old slutty, manwhoring ways, eh, Paulie? Good for you, that you can still pull it off at 65! XD
current mood:  amused
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| Sunday, April 6th, 2008
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9:50 pm - WHY????
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Why is it that whenever there is a Q&A session, or an internet chat...some inane idiot gets their long, meandering, pointless question in, while you (of course) don't get yours in?!? :-/
current mood:  annoyed
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| Saturday, March 29th, 2008
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6:01 pm - Neil Aspinall, RIP.
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I suppose I should really update more often. :-/
I was quite sad to read about the death of Neil Aspinall...so many Beatle-related people gone. Here's hoping they're all jamming in heaven, or something of the sort!
I was pleased to see that his son with Mona Best (Pete Best's mother), Roag Best, was acknowledged in the obituaries. What an awful thing, for your father to never acknowledge your existence!
Oh...wish I could be at the Fest for Beatles Fans, a/k/a Beatlefest, this weekend, but I'm too broke and too far away! *sobs*
current mood:  sad
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| Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
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9:18 pm - Holidays
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Purim is coming up in a couple of days, the 14th of Adar II (March 20th).
So is Mawlid an-Nabi, the Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal, also March 20th (give or take a day or two, depending on when the lunar month is reckoned to have started). It is celebrated on the 17th of the month for Shi'ites, or the 25th of March, again with the same caveat about the lunar month. That would make him, what, 1482 (lunar) years old, assuming he was 53 at the time of the Hijra, the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Tradition holds that he was 40 when he received the first revelation of the Qur'an, and spent thirteen years preaching in Makkah (with little success) before leaving for Madinah (the Hijrah), which was 1429 lunar years ago. I suppose it would be hard blowing all those candles out, and you'd need a pretty big cake to hold them all! XD
It's interesting that these two holidays should happen to coincide this year...and then, as if that weren't enough, it's also the Christian Holy Week! March 20th is Holy Thursday and of course Sunday is Easter. So all three monotheistic religions have something to celebrate!
Yeah, this is kind of a cheesy entry...oh, well.
current mood:  cheerful
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| Thursday, March 13th, 2008
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11:34 pm - I should really update more often.
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But I've been busy! :-/ I'm overworked and underpaid, dang it!...even if I just got a promotion so I'm making a whole dollar more an hour! :-P
I have a hugely amusing anecdote to tell--well, at least I think it's amusing!--but it'll have to wait...zzzzzz. I HAVE to go to bed, I've barely slept all week, and I have to get up in roughly five hours!
Oh, ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ragdoll, did you get my present yet? :-P
current mood:  tired
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| Saturday, February 23rd, 2008
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9:22 pm - Book review.
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I finished reading The Sublime Quran, billed as the first translation by an American (-Iranian) woman, Laleh Bakhtiar. This has been in the news for its rendering of the Arabic word idrib in 4:34 as "go away" rather than the more traditional "beat." ("As for those women on whose part you fear disobedience, admonish them, refuse to share their beds, and beat them"). In this edition, it becomes "But those (f) whose resistance you fear, then admonish them (f), and abandon them (f) in their (f) sleeping place, then go away from them (f)"--the (f) indicates the pronoun refers to females.
Anyway, to me the matter isn't that important, as it's just one word, although an important one! What I was more interested in was the rest of the translation. It's really literal, following Arabic word/sentence order, which can make it a bit slow going to native English speakers not used to it. The author states that her intent was to translate all instances of an Arabic word by the same basic English word, so if you see something like "those who believe" you know that the word mu'minun is in the text. Sometimes the translations of a word are a bit unorthodox, though they are based on the literal meaning of the Arabic word. For example, deen, usually translated as "religion," is "way of life," kafir (usually "unbeliever") is "one who is ungrateful," ayah (in the sense of a verse of the Qur'an) is "sign," muslim is "one who submits," and Islam is "submission to God." But that's OK--it provides a different perspective on the meaning of the text! Words not actually in the Arabic, like most instances of "to be" (not usually used in Arabic) are denoted by being in italics ("that is the book--there is no doubt in it").
Also, I liked how feminine nouns and pronouns in the Arabic, often not translatable in English, are marked by having a (f) after it, in this manner: they (f), or by stating explicitly "those who are female believers" and "those who are male believers." Sometimes that changes the meaning of a phrase quite a bit, when you know it's referring strictly to females; a mixed group or a person of either gender are always referred to with the masculine...the same in every language I know (Spanish, French, Portuguese, Latin, etc.)! Sounds kinda sexist to me! :-P Anyway...a distinction is also made between second person singular (you) and second person plural (also you in English, but different in Arabic). The singular is bolded, so you know, for example, if a revelation is being addressed specifically to the Prophet (peace be upon him) or to the believers at large. Some older-style translations use "thou" and "ye" for the singular and plural, respectively, but of course the problem with that is that it's archaic and I suspect that most people aren't even really aware of what the difference is between the two, since this distinction has been collapsed in modern English which always uses "you."
This edition is just the English translation (albeit also containing indications that exist in the Arabic text for when to stop, pause, not pause, keep going, optional pause, etc.) and is in nice big print. Big print is good! :-P The verses are not broken up into individual bits but are set in a continuous center column, so the flow of the narrative is not broken, though there are markings for each verse, juz' (thirtieth part), manzil (seventh part), and ruku' (section used for one unit of prayer, a rak'ah--though not for hizb (60th part) or quarter/half/three-quarter hizb). They're going to come out with an Arabic-English edition, which I think should be interesting. You may not go for ultra-literal renditions of the sacred text (whether Qur'an or Bible), but I like to know exactly what the words are. Alas, my knowledge of Arabic is pitiful, and Hebrew and Greek (for the Bible) pretty much nonexistent, so you have to depend on translations. Just remember that all translations are merely approximations of the original (Hamlet in French just ain't the same!) and this is doubly so for the Qur'an, and keep in mind all the different ways in which words can be translated or understood. Translations are basically tools to help one understand, but they can't take the place of the original.
current mood: thoughtful
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| Sunday, February 17th, 2008
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12:03 pm - Kosovo Independence Day
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Kosovo has declared its independence from Serbia, so that means 1) the Serbs (and Russians) are unhappy, and 2) the total break-up of what used to be Yugoslavia is pretty much complete (unless Bosnia and Herzegovina decide to split up). Oh, well--if they don't want to hang around, perhaps it's better to let them go!
Muslims are happy, or supposed to be, anyway, as the new state of Kosovo is a majority-Muslim country (90%, even if they're by and large rather secular), so they're no longer under the thumb of the Serbs. Well, unless war or something breaks out by Serbs or Russians or somebody demanding that they not leave! Let's hope that war does not break out in the Balkans AGAIN...in sha' Allah.
current mood:  bouncy
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| Sunday, January 27th, 2008
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4:12 pm - This story kinda speaks for itself...
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Loneliness Breeds Belief in Supernatural
People who feel lonely are more likely to believe in the supernatural, whether that is God, angels or miracles, a new study finds.
Humans have evolved as social creatures, so loneliness cuts to the quick. Living in groups was critical to the survival and safety of our ancient ancestors, and "complete isolation or ostracism has been tantamount to a death sentence," said University of Chicago researcher Nicholas Epley, who led the study.
While group living isn't critical to survival in the modern world, feeling socially connected is. Feeling isolated and lonely is a very painful emotional state for people, Epley said, and can lead to ill health, both physically and mentally.
"Being socially isolated is just not good for you," he said.
When people feel lonely, they may try to rekindle old friendships, seek out new ones or, as Epley's study suggests, they may create social connections by anthropomorphizing nearby gadgets, such as computers or cars, pets, or by believing in supernatural events or religious figures.
( More )
The joke here is far too obvious--"you're lonely so you start trusting in an Imaginary Friend!" Well, an atheist type would say that! :-P
Also, I'm basically screwed according to this, as I am too antisocial and timid. Sigh... :-/
current mood:  isolated
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| Saturday, January 26th, 2008
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5:26 pm - Slightly delayed...
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This is from majorcate:
1. Leave me a casual comment of no particular significance, like a lyric to your current favorite song, your favorite kind of sandwich, or maybe your favorite game. Any remark, meaningless or not.
2. I will respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. Update YOUR LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. Include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in your own post.
5. When others respond with a desultory comment, you will ask them five questions.
1. What eventuality would you be quite prepared for?
Uh...well, as I am in a sorta morose mood right now, I'm going to say...death! Which goes along with George's "Art of Dying" and his whole outlook (post circa-66-67, when he got into the Indian religion stuff), as well. :-P
2. What is your favourite vegetable, and why?
Potatoes! Technically, they're "tuber vegetables." You can do so much with them...bake them, fry them (and make fries or chips out of them), grind them up and make crisps, even use them as a battery (if you remember that old toy where you put electrodes in two potatoes and they would power a clock).
3. Do you have any trophies/awards/medals/ribbons in your house? If yes, are you particularly proud of any of them?
I got an award for being the best French student and winning a scholarship to go on a student exchange program in France. Also, I got a certificate for reading 50 books in kindergarten, which I still have...see, I could read way before I went to school! But mostly I'm not the type to enter competitions and stuff!
4. Is it really better to give than to receive?
That depends...you probably would rather give bad news than have it given to you. On the other hand, you might prefer to receive money than give it, especially if you're broke (like me, ha ha ha...). And to get really cheesy, when you give love you get 100 times more back.
5. Have you ever had really low expectations of some show or movie or book and then turned out incredibly impressed by it? What was it, and what was impressive about it?
Hmm, it's been a while. I didn't think much of Harry Potter but I read it/watched the flicks and it wasn't that bad! :-P
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| Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
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1:00 am - Ugh...
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Man, this virus is totally kicking my ass...my sleeping patterns are TOTALLY out of whack because I keep hacking at night, despite taking stuff to dry out mucus. X_X Plus, I have NO energy, not helpful when I have to drag my ass to work every day, because I feel it is my DUTY!!!
So, feeling "creative," I "drew" a picture of how I feel: Me Being KO'd By King Virus!
I actually have that Giant Microbe plush virus, and it's perched on my desk at work, where I picture it guffawing over the success of its zillions of tiny cousins! :-P
current mood:  "creative"
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| Wednesday, January 9th, 2008
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11:36 am - Happy New Year! Finally it's 1429!!!
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It's the first of Muharram, 1429 according to the Islamic calendar...well, at least in some Islamic countries. In many others, it won't be until tomorrow! And, heck, according to the Ismaili Dawudi Bohras, it's already the 3rd of the month! :-P
Unusually, the Islamic year 1429 will be entirely contained within the Gregorian year 2008; usually an Islamic year "spills over" into two solar years.
Also, this is the beginning of the Shi'ite commemoration of the battle of Karbala and the death of Imam Husayn and much of his family in 680 CE/61 AH...or 1368 Islamic years ago. It culminates on Ashura, on the 10th of the month (and that's what ashura means, "tenth").
But for Sunnis, that just means there's 10 days until the optional fasting day of Ashura! At some point seems to have coincided with the Jewish Yom Kippur, when Jews fast and so Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, decided that the early Muslims should also fast that day...but it was eventually superceded by fasting during the ninth Islamic month, Ramadan. But it is still considered meritorious to fast on Ashura.
As for me, I'm still feeling like crap...I haven't been to work all week, but I can't even ENJOY it, because all I do is hack, wheeze, cough, and sleep! X(
current mood:  sick
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| Monday, January 7th, 2008
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6:45 am - Sam's Club is Wal-Mart on steroids.
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It's true!!! Although I think Costco has a better selection, at least in these parts! :-P But then the Costco near my house is so overloaded with people it sucks to go there; you have to wait 20 minutes in line (EVERY checkout lane has a long line at all times) Unlike the one on the other side of town, grumble...
Sick as a dog today with the flu or a virulent strain of the cold or something. *whimpers* Oh, my poodles object--they're not sick! :-P
I think I'll go back to bed, instead of going to work... X_X
current mood: sick
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| Sunday, December 23rd, 2007
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10:33 pm - This is the funniest story I've read all day! :-P
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Tee hee.
Iranian police remains puzzled over porno images on city billboard
Tehran - Iranian police on Sunday were still puzzled over pornographic images broadcast on an LCD billboard in downtown Karaj, 30 kilometres west of Tehran, ISNA news agency reported. The images were shown for several seconds last week on the billboard - usually reserved for state-authorized advertisements - in Azadesgan Square in Karaj, causing surprise among the people in the square at that time.
( More )
Snerk. I can just imagine the scene: porno pix being displayed on a huge LCD billboard with both men and women (properly veiled, of course) staring openmouthed at the sight...and everybody who can taking pix on their cell phones! Me, I think that either 1) some bored employee wanted to spice things up, or maybe 2) some mullah wanted to see what he could get away with. :-P
Also, it just goes to show how well mass repression (particularly in matters sexual) works, especially in this day and age of technology and pirated DVDs and internet--not very! You'd think these idiot mullahs (and all other would-be censors) would learn...nope!
current mood: amused
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| Saturday, December 22nd, 2007
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3:20 pm - Marks of prostration
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This is a most intriguing story--well, I thought so, anyway. It's about people in Egypt who are so religious (or who want to be seen as religious) that they go to great lengths to get that "spot on the forehead," called a zebibah (raisin), from praying a lot, and specifically from the sajda (prostration) of one's head to the prayer rug/mat. It must be noted that "normally" you don't get that kind of a mark from regular praying, or at least not that visibly; you have to really work at it!
Example: mullahs in Iran don't usually have "the mark," even though they not only pray a lot but also prostrate onto a piece of dried clay called a turbah. Actually...I kinda like the mechanical one that shows how many sujood you've done in the prayer, so you don't miscount! XD You'd be surprised how many people, so intent on being close to Allah, end up forgetting where they are in the prayer!
This mark is mentioned in the Qur'an: "You will see them (the believers) bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Taurat (Torah)." (48:29)
Fashion and Faith Meet, on Foreheads of the Pious in Egypt
CAIRO — There is a strong undercurrent of competition in Egypt these days, an unstated contest among people eager to prove just how religious they are. The field of battle is the street and the focus tends to be on appearance, as opposed to conviction.
It is not that the two are mutually exclusive, but they are not necessarily linked. As Egyptians increasingly emphasize Islam as the cornerstone of identity, there has been a growing emphasis on public displays of piety.
For women, that has rapidly translated into the nearly universal adoption of the hijab, a scarf fitted over the hair and ears and wrapped around the neck. For men, it is more and more popular to have a zebibah.
The zebibah, Arabic for raisin, is a dark circle of callused skin, or in some cases a protruding bump, between the hairline and the eyebrows. It emerges on the spot where worshipers press their foreheads into the ground during their daily prayers.
It may sometimes look like a painful wound, but in Egypt it is worn proudly, the way American professionals in the 1980s felt good about the dark circles under their eyes as a sign of long work hours and little sleep.
( More )
current mood: cheerful
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| Saturday, December 15th, 2007
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12:53 pm - Books!
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Man, I've been reading a LOT lately--books, not internet!--so I haven't got around to posting much. Then it feels like I'm constantly having to do 800 things all the time...Sigh.
Giggle of the day: Britney isn't good enough for American Idol, as she's apparently a bad role model. Well, I can think of a different reason--I'm not sure she CAN sing without the benefit of having her vocals doctored and multitracked and edited and AutoTuned until they're practically unrecognizable as hers! Then there's the little matter of lip-synching each and every concert...surely NOT a good example for aspiring AI contestants! :-P (Sorry, Brit!)
Oh! I looked at the gifts you can buy on Livejournal, and they have an Eid virtual gift! :-D Recall, I was throwing a fit about them not having it last year and writing them an email on the subject, and this year they have one! So I'm going to buy some, especially as Eid is right around the corner (the 19th or 20th of December this year, on the Gregorian calendar--but on the Islamic calendar it's always the 10th of Dhul-Hijja, ha ha...)! So if you want one, let me know!
current mood:  busy
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| Saturday, December 1st, 2007
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1:56 pm - Esfahan, nesf-e jahan (Esfahan is half the world)
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Something nice for a change...while surfing Yahoo! News Pix, I came across these pix of the famous 17th-century Masjed-e Shah (Shah Mosque), renamed Masjed-e Imam (Imam Mosque) after the revolution, in Esfahan, Iran. Now, I've seen plenty of pictures of the mosque, but never of it in actual use as a mosque! These are from yesterday's Jomeh (Friday) prayers.
First, some general pix of the mosque, along with the surrounding maydan (square). (So I can admire it, ha ha!)
( More pix )
See, I want a mosque like that in MY neck of the woods! Then I'd NEVER miss Friday prayers (even though I'm supposed to be at work on Fridays)! XD (I do have pictures of this mosque on my cubicle walls at work, ha ha...)
current mood:  content
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| Thursday, November 29th, 2007
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7:00 am - George Harrison (1943-2001)
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Hard to believe it's SIX YEARS already...
...and 20 years since Cloud Nine! *cranks up the super-'80s "Got My Mind Set On You"* Heck, I remember when that song came out, when I was 10, before I even knew anything about who it was by! (Also don't miss the parody, "(This Song's Just) Six Words Long" by "Weird Al" Yankovic.) I miss the '80s...
current mood: thoughtful
current music: Got My Mind Set On You - George Harrison
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| Saturday, November 24th, 2007
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12:38 pm - Dreams
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I had this exchange in one of my dreams last night. I was a reporter of some kind (!), interviewing a woman from Pakistan (?!) or Saudi (!!) or somewhere (no headcovering, though), and apparently it wasn't going all that well. She had this image of me as an ignorant American, I suppose, and was super-condescending. I happened to ask, "Are you aware that (something; can't remember exactly) has been legal in Brazil for 9.67 minutes?" Her: "Is that how long you've known that Brazil exists, 9.67 minutes?" Me (getting up to go): "I don't need to sit here and be insulted like this. Goodbye." What really shocked me was how not-shy I was about standing up for myself! Dang, I wish I were that assertive in real life! :-P
current mood: amused
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| Thursday, November 22nd, 2007
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12:48 pm - Happy Thanksgiving...
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...well, unless you're Canadian, in which case Thanksgiving was last month. Presumably because now is actually winter up there, and if you want a fall harvest-type festival, it HAS to take place quite a bit earlier than late November! :-P
IN ANY CASE...I'm hoping, in sha' Allah, to use this opportunity to "cound and be thankful for my blessings," instead of whining about how much life sucks and how I hate everything and everybody! XD Oh, and stuff myself with mashed potatoes...not turkey so much. Turkey is OK, in small quantities, especially when super-processed so it can hardly be recognized as turkey (ha ha), but what I really love are the potatoes. Just give me a heaping plateful and I'll be happy! :-P
current mood:  hungry
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