How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I needed the shelter of someone’s arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotion
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night
Wondering where would I be without you in my life
Everything I did was just a bore
Everywhere I went it seems I’d been there before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

You were better for me than I was for myself
For me, there’s you and there ain’t nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

asalamualaikum…
~~huhu..
clean record…a.k.a rekod bersih…
ap y brsih sgt 2…??

mm…bersih sbb….
mggu ney ktaowg xdew gdo2 ag…
~~hahaha…
bek2 jew g2…
agk best la kn klu xgdo2…

y sbnarnyew ak pm xprasan,
smlm time dop msg2 dye tnyew ak,
ak prasan smthing kew x…??
ak pk2…asewnyew xdew papew kowt…
myb dye nk ckp dye mkin chubby
n ak mkin slim kowt…
~~hehehe…
agknyewla….
agpm mmg ak mkin slim kowt..
time blik rya ai 2 ak sggah kt stesen timbang jpj kt umah ak,
agk mnurun la kowt dr y slalu2…
~~huhuhu….
mknenyew…mkin slim la 2…

mcm2la…
xgdo pm bising,
klu gdo…lg2 la bsing…
~~hehehe…
oops….
ktew sjew jew xmo cri psl…
kang nnti xpsl2 ad y muncung2,
last2 berair mata…
haaa…

~~hehehe…
p/s:
xmo gdo2 ea..
~~peace g2…

خشک پتّے

خشک پتّوں کی طرح میری آرزویئں ا ُُڑ گیئں
جہاں سے چلی تھیں وھیں آکے ر ُک گیئں
میں سمجھی تھی اِن پتّوں میں کتنا عروج ھے
ھوا تھمی ، حقیقت کھلی کہ یہ ا ُڑنا بےسود ھے
ا ُڑتے ا ُڑتے بادلوں پر محلوں تک پہنچ گئے
لمحے بھر میں یہ محل بھی روئ میں بدل گئے
جس طرف لے چلے ، ا ُس طرف کو چل دیے
اوپر جو گئے تھے اب بارشوں سے د ُھل گئے
گُونجتی ھوئ بجلیاں جو اِک لمحے کو تھم گیئں
تو یہ ردھا ا ُوڑھ کر قدم اِن کے جم گئے
اِس چمک سے آنکھ بند ، جو ذرا دیر کو ھوگئ
خوف سے چہرہ بھرا ، حشر سے دھل گئے
سہم سہم کر گھومتے ، گردشوں میں جھومتے
مایوسیاں لپٹ گیئں ، کفن میں سمٹ گئے
آخرکار ، یہ زمیں پر چاروں ا ُور بکھر گئے
ا ُتھانے جو آگے بڑھے ، پھر ہاتھ سے نکل پڑے
جھونکے جو ٹکرائے تو ، خشک کر کے چل دیے
قدموں کے سنگ سنگ تھوڑی دور ھِل پڑے
تیز ھوا کہ شور میں یہ پر کٹے ا ُتھ پڑے
سفر کے اختتام پر پھر اپنے گھر آبسے
نیلگوں آسماں پر تارے جب جگمگا ا ُٹھے
تو اِس روشنی کے راستے ، وہ اپنا در کٹھکٹھا سکے
اپنے گھر کے راستے ، اپنے گھر کو آچکے
آواز جو دب گئ ، دل پھڑپھڑا ا ُٹھے
جہاں سے چلے تھے وہیں واپس آبسے
ابتدا کو اختتام سے یہ دیوانے ملا چکے
میری آرزوؤں کی طرح خشک پتّے بکھر گئے
جہاں سے چلے تھے وھیں آکر رُ ک گئے
خشک پتّوں کی طرح میری آرزویئں ا ُُڑ گیئں
جہاں سے چلی تھیں وھاں آکے ر ُک گیئں

by Zuellah Huma Ahmed

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————

Khushk Pattay [Dried Leaves]

Khushk pattoun ki tarah, meri arzoain urh gayeen
Jahan say chali theen, waheen akay ruk gayeen
Mein samajti thi, in pattoun mein kitna urooj hai
Huwa thumi, haqeeqat khuli, k yeh urhna baysoud hai
Urhtay urhtay badaloun pur mehloun tak puhunch gayay
Lamhay bhur mein yeh mahal bhi roee mein badal gayay
Jis taraf ley chalay, us taraf ko chul diyay
Oper jo gayay thay, ab barishoun say dhul gayay
Gonjti huyee bijliyan jo ik lumhay ko thum gayeen
Tou yeh rida orh kur qadam inke jum gayay
Is chamak say ankh bund, jo zara deyr ko ho gayee
Khouf say chehra bhura, hashar say deyhul gayay
Sahum sahum k ghomtay, gardishoun mein jhoumtay
Mayousian lipat gayeen, kafan mein simatt gayay
Akhir kar, yeh zamee pur charoun or bikhur gayay
Uthanay jo agay burhay, phir hath say nikal parhay
Jhonkay jo takraye tou, Khushk kur k chul diyay
Qudmoun k sung sung, thori dour hil parhay
Tez huwa k shour mein, yeh pur katay uth parhay
Safar k ikhtatam pur, phir apnay ghar ah basay
Neelgoun asmaa pur taray jub jugmaga uthay
Tou is roshni k rastay, wo apna dur khatkhata sakay
Apnay ghur k rastay, apnay ghur ko ah chukay
Awaz jo dub gayee, dil phurphurha uthay
Jahan say chalay thay, Waheen wapis ah basay
Ibtada ko ikhtitam say yeh deewanay mila chukay
Meri arzooun ki tarah Khushk pattay bikhur gayay
Jahan say chalay thay waheen akur ruk gayay
Khushk pattoun ki tarah, meri arzoain urh gayeen
Jahan say chali theen, waheen akay ruk gayeen

I didnt really want to enter the kitchen ( leave alone cooking) after a good long weekend.We went shopping like crazy..been to all the stores..had a birthday party to attend, a potluck with friends.Lots of food, fun and laughter.We packed some left over fried rice from the birthday party we attended yesterday and I decided to make this quick cauliflower pepper fry to go along with it.I didnt have to slog much in the kitchen on a Monday morning.

Ingredients:

Cauliflower- 1 medium size or roughly about 2 lbs

Pearl onions-6 to 8

Garlic flakes-5

Mustard seeds- 1 tea spoon

Star aniseeds-1 or 2

Curry leaves- few

Ghee-2 table spoon

Salt

To grind together:

Black pepper-1tea spoon

Red chillies-4

Cumin seeds-1 tea spoon

Pearl onions-6

Method:

1.Cut cauliflower into bit sized florets.Peel garlic and  pearl onions and chop them. Heat ghee in a pan, season with aniseeds and mustard seeds.

2.Fry the to-grind together ingredients in little ghee and grind it to a fine paste.

3..Add chopped pearl onions, garlic and curry leaves and fry until brown.

4.Add cut cauliflower with little water, close with a lid, keep in a low flame, till cauliflower is cooked and water is absorbed completely.

5.Mix ground paste with little ghee and add salt to it.

6.Fry in a low flame constantly till the ground mixture coats the cauliflower and the ghee is seperated.

7.Serve with fried rice or chappathis.

Serves:2

Here's a brewery I'd ike to visit.

Hailing from Lake Mills, Wisconsin, Scurvy IPA by Tyranena Brewing Company opens with a good “pish” and a whiff of brown sugar and hops.  Lots of carbonation and lots of suspended particles, along with a frothy white head greet the eye upon pouring.  The beer is orange-gold and shows a lot of Brussels lace as the head recedes.  The bouquet reveals flowery, fruity, hoppy essences with an underlying rich maltiness.  It is brewed with orange peel, and that may explain the fruitiness, although I wouldn’t call it citrusy.  The texture is naice and the richness of the malt and persistence of the hops end with a dry finish, almost like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on steroids.  This is a really good, over the top, ballsy IPA.

I never promised you a rose garden in the desert…

Recently, The Milwaukee Business Journal posted a Business Pulse Survey asking “Should regional leaders offer free water to lure businesses to southeastern Wisconsin?”  Although the majority of readers voted “NO,” there were still some folks in the area that wondered if “YES” might be an OK answer if the proposed plan contained provisions for the water to be cleaned and returned, and that assurances would be made that our plentiful water in the region would not be depleted by this practice.

In Milwaukee, we have many very talented, resourceful and creative business leaders, who sincerely want to help develop the floundering economic climate in the Milwaukee area.  I’m not trying to take anything away from their goals to bring new businesses to Milwaukee, however, I’m not convinced that this “free water” deal would be a sound, sustainable, long-term solution. 

I’m a member of the Milwaukee 7 Water Council – World Water Hub group and I am passionate about Water.  Working with other individuals, businesses and organizations to keep water plentiful, available, clean and healthy for all of us –  everywhere, not just in Milwaukee, or the “dryer” states in the US, but for everyone in every state, country and continent is an important goal of mine.  To that end, I would not feel that I was acting as a responsible caretaker of our water supply if it were used as a ”free gift” for businesses to move to our area.

When considering this idea further, here are some other thoughts I had:  

What kinds of businesses would/could be lured to Milwaukee by the promise of free water?  If I owned a company that used lots and lots of water, I would accept that offer and move my business here.

Has criteria been set for capacities, cleanliness standards, or the maximum number of companies that Milwaukee could afford to give free water, etc? 

 What if Wisconsin is pulled into the national issue of sending water to Western or Southern states? 

In an article in Salon.com, Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico  ”…had his region’s plight in mind when he told the Las Vegas Sun that Northern states need to start sharing their water: ‘I want a national water policy. We need a dialogue between states to deal with issues like water conservation, water reuse technology, water delivery and water production. States like Wisconsin are awash in water.’”

 It’s my opinion that Milwaukee’s treasure of “BLUE GOLD” should be carefully watched over by conservative stewardship. I don’t believe it should be given away “free” to lure businesses to the area, or sent via pipeline to drier states. If a business can no longer be sustainable in a dry climate, then the company owner/s should learn more responsible business practices and move the business to the appropriate climate. If that happens to be Milwaukee, then they should pay for their water the same way I pay for it – quarterly! 

I applaud our business leaders for looking for innovative ideas to help the Milwaukee econonomy, but isn’t just advertising the idea that our region does have plentiful water for their businesses a good enough reason to lure them here? 

For further reading on this topic:

Business Pulse: Tap jobs with free water – The Business Journal of Milwaukee:.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/01/07/water_problems/index.html

Watching foreign people in a foreign land.
Like in a movie.

Slow.

Motion

Images

Sounds deferred.
Flow foreign in this corner of the World
Flow foreign these situations

.

A fish out of water

A fish without water

click

huhhuu…
tgk tjuk entry pm da sayu….
tp…xdewla sayu sgtkn..
aidiladha jew kowt….
klu raye aidilfitri,
agk la kn..
nnti la tggu ak g abroad,
bley la mrasa raya btol2 kt prantauan…
~~hehehe…

haaa…mood mnaip ak da kmbali da…
myb agak pnjag kowt entry neh..
stelah skian lama xmnaip
kt cni..gian la plak…
oopsss…hehehe..
ssuai kew ea ak gunaan
pkatan ‘gian’
kt c2…??
seram sjuk la plak rsewnyew…
ish3….

mm…
nk taw smthing…??
biaq ah klu xmo taw pm….
ak habaq gk…
sukew ati la…
blog ak kn…
klu xmo taw,bek xyh bca dr awal..
apewla…..
ni ag 1 y ak xsukew…
nk bca,bca la…
klu xsukew xyh bca…
ni x…xsukew,
pstu bca gk…
pstu mula la komen bukn2…
si*l….
haaa..kn da kne…
ak xckp kt ssapew…
tp klu dye wt,
dye taw la kowt..
~~hehehe…

neh…
ak nk ckp psl sowg roomates ak…
syg gilew kowt kt awek dye..
biasewla..da syg nk mati,
jeles la kowt dye tgk ad owg edit
gmbaq awek dye pstu upload kt fb…
suasana dinner plak 2….
uh…natam mnew x jeles weih…
klu ak,lbey dr jles la…
~~huhuhu…
xtdow kowt smalam…
kcian gk ak tgk…
dop mndap nset jew…
nseb beknset ad torchlite…
smbil dop mndap2 nset,
smpat ag kowt men suluh2 ak tdow…
gorm…!!!?
ak pm cian gk…
ak epi2 jew dop bgayut d blik bntal…
mamat sekor neh dop cdey2…
mgharapkn msg di’reply’…
tp nk reply cmnew,
delivery report pm xmncul2…
sah da awek dye off nset….
pmpuan3….
klu yew pm,
xyh la off nset…
y kwn ni tseksa jiwa bakul,
dye wt derk jew…
kcian3….
sbar jewla ea zaim…
smoga c dia mmahami ko…
p/s:
oppsss…
tslh ’state’ la plak nama ko zaim..
~~hahaha….
sowi……
btw…spcial crdit 4 me…
sbb ak ad gk support ap y ptot kt mamat 2 smlm…
~~huhuhu…
papew pm…
keadaan da kmbali nrmal…
bley la ko smbung angau plak…
cmtu la bwu bmakna oliday…
moody2 time oliday apew jadah…
lgsung xbmkna…da la oliday sgkat..

da la ckp psl owg…
ngumpat jew taw…
tp mamat 2 xkesah sgt kowt…
klu da angau2,
kain tlondeh pm xsdar..
~~hahaha…

mm…psl ak plak…
psl ak ngn bdk cumel 2….
cumel kew ea…??
mm…cumel3….
lg2 klu dye tdow,
ak kjutkn..
uh….cair dow….
mumbling ntah papew…
oppss…thnk +ve…
..(“,)
p/s:
xmo state lbey2..
nnti xpsl2 dye wt abuse report…
naye ak…

mm…
2,3 ai lps kowt..
moody gler ngn ak…
psai pa pm ak xtaw…
ak wt e2 ini pm cm
kuwg respon..
rasewny ak da abis blembut da kowt…
klu ikowtkn…
nk jew pulas2 tlinga…
yewla…xpsl2 moody ngn ak…
ak ajk e2 xnk…ini xnk…
ckp da lamew xkuar p psar mlm…
tp ai 2 ak ajk dye,
dye gk xmo…
ish….apew ag la….
msalah3….
mm….biar jewla….
ak pm kuar la sgsowg…..
bajet nk g gunting rmbut ngn roomates ak…
tpkwn ak ckp mamak parya 2
bham rm10 per kpala,
xjd ah….
rm10 uh….bnyk mndew da ak bley wt ngn rm10…
siot btol…..
ak pm blik lenggang2 la…
tp….tpk gk…
ak nk bli ap ea nk wt blik kt putri sowg 2…
kowt2 bley mnyjukkn ati kew…
~huhu…
ak call la ‘ma’…hehehe…
tnyew pndapat la…
ma 2 ckp ap ntah…
dinner la..supper la…
apsl x ckp skali ngn  breakfast trus…
~~huhuuhu…

ok3…da abis ak round2 trun nek bbrapa kli,
ak pm blik la…..
time ak msk jew,
owg stat azan…
ingtkn nk trus g msjid…
tp xkn ak nk bring along bndew2 y ak bli td…
susah3….
ak pm msg la…
suh tuan pu3 2 smayag ciap2 dlu…
nnti 2run….ak tggu kt bwh…
lamew kew ea ak nggu….??
agkla…
byk tmpat gk ak bralih..
dop kt mula2 2,
pnuh nyamuk urung ak…
bralih tmpat len plak…
bralih c2 cni smpaila dye mai…

mai2 2…
uh…muka mncuka glew…
ak da la nggu lamew c2,
pnat2 jln…
klu yew pm,
bgla sdikit snyuman kt ak….
biar la x ikhlas pm…
plg kuwg,
bmanis muka g2….
ckp nk jd istri solehah…
ooppss…
~~hehehe…

ak pm cpat2 blah…
da lewat kowt time 2…
smayang ag..mndi..mkn…
klu smpat nk g jemaah isyak kt msjid…
mlm 2 ak mkn sket jew kowt 4 diner…
dala tghari xmkn…
klas abis awl,
trus nek blik…
da ak xdew sesi ptg,
so mls la nk turun g bli kt cafe…
biar g2 jewla….ngn arapn
nk qada’ time dinner…
tp xtr’qada’ ‘ gk….
naye3….

mm..
lps isyk kt masjid 2,
trus ak g kt amf…
ak xmsg pm dye…
slaluny klu ak g mnew2,
ak gtaw…tp mlm 2 x..
bkn pew,
nnti ak msg..dye rply cm xbrapew nk rply,
ak gk y trasa nnti….
so…bek ak diam..
mlm 2 ad talk psl qurban..
oleh ustaz zamri a.k.a ustz mai mengaji…
..(“,)
agk njoyla kowt talk 2…
dptla ak snyum2 time dye mlawak…
thibur wt smentara wktu….

tp…
mlm 2 ok2 da..
spew pjuk spew ak pm xtaw..
~~hehehe….
kn best klu xmoody2….

<3~~cayam dye~~<3

esk da nk rya….
slamat raya cyg…
tp esk myb nk g gempur qurban lembu kt machang kowt…
specified ag….kt kg maka….labok…
can i…??
..(“,)

~~hehehe….

]]> http://thaqif91.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/salam-aidiladha-1430h/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:01:52 +0000 thaqif91 http://thaqif91.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/salam-aidiladha-1430h/

assalamualaikum…

mm..
lame gk xbrupdates blog neh..
bknny ak xon9,
tp npew ntah…
xtaw napew nk publish kowt..
~huhuhu….

esk da raya weih….
raya qurban..
tp ak masih d sini…
ak masih d pj…
waaa….nk blik….
sobbs3…..

kmarin kowt seingt ak,
ak ad attend talk psl aidiladha neh…
y d brikn oleh ustz zamri
dalam rancangan ‘mai mngaji’..
tjuk mndew ntah….
‘ menghayati qurban mlalui sirah ‘
lbey kuwg la kowt..
~~huhuhuu….

2 jew kowt ak nk potpet3..
xdew mndew ah nk ckp..
nnti2la..
~~hehehe….

haaa….pg td ak ingtkn
nk kjutkn sowg budk 2…
bajet bgun awalla ak neh…
tp da klas pkl8 xdew,
tlajak tdow..
ak bgun tgk jam mmg mati2 ak
ingtkn pkl7.20…
jarum pendek kt angka7,
jrum pnjang kt angka 4…
mamai ag kowt time 2..
~~huhu…

ak pm usya la lu kowt bdk 2 tdow ag…
tgk2 dye reply y
dye da kt klas…
aik…awal gler…
ak tgk jam blik….
lorh…upewny da 8.20…
aduih…malu gler..
~~hahahaha….
xmo da kjutkn dye…
weekkk….

]]> http://tictaek.com/2009/11/25/quickity-quick-quick/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:27:11 +0000 tictaek http://tictaek.com/2009/11/25/quickity-quick-quick/

So, you’re thinking this is going to be related to that parade I mentioned last post. Well, you’d be wrong to do so. I’m be putting that one up tomorrow. So there!

I just wanted to say that I’m drinking a good ‘ol classic Canadian drink, Canada Dry Ginger Ale. Nothing cures the homesickness like a nice cold glass of the goldish bubbly. Not saying I’m homesick at all, cause, well, I ain’t. I’m doing just fine, but if I was, I know that this would do the trick.

This afternoon I visited my nearest Bookoff store. Pretty much the greatest used bookstore in the world. I have no problem spending 105¥ ($1.25 CDN) on what to me seems like a practically brand new book. The only way you can tell it’s been used is the lack of a plastic wrapping and the Bookoff price tag on the back. Other than that, the book is in solid condition.

I bought two volumes of Bleach (Vol. 1 & 2). Vol. 1 was actually 250¥ while Vol. 2 was 150¥. The only reason for this being books/manga priced at 250¥ are in “better” condition than those priced at 105¥. I couldn’t find Vol. 1 for 105¥ so I had to pick up its more expensive version.

“Aaron, I thought you said that those priced at 105¥ were practically brand new, so are those at 205¥ brand new?” Nope. Everything is used. The subtle difference between better and worse is well that, subtle. I compared the same volumes of multiple Bleach mangas and the only thing that really stuck out at me were that those priced at 105¥ might have a slight tear on the sleeve or a fade in the writing. And even then, most are fine. The Vol. 2 I picked up was perfect. No rips or anything. To me, Vol. 2 should have been priced at 205¥, but I wasn’t going to complain.

Either way, I’m sure you don’t really care to much about the pricing of books at a bookstore, and frankly, I’m starting to wonder why I am so interested in such a thing.

What can we learn from this? Well…If you’re planning on going to Japan and are intending to pick up some manga or other reading material while you are there, check out a used bookstore first before you buy a book brand new. You will save yourself some money (to buy more books) and you might find some other rare oddities while you’re at it.

I mentioned Bookoff earlier and I suggest to check them out for sure. They have tons of locations throughout Japan and you shouldn’t have a problem finding one at all. Be sure to click Bookoff to visit their website.

Well, I should get back to studying/reading. じゃあね

Joy came to me.  I said, Now?  But yes is joy’s only word.  The wind says yes.  The earth says yes.  Even the distant sea says yes.  Under the waves the many armed yes, which clutches everything says, Yes.  Then two yeses meet when a shipwreck drowns.  Here, on dry land or here, in the trees, the singing yeses desire flight.  Joy lies on the ground.  It is a seed.  Now it unfolds on my tongue.  I listen for the rain.  Its pattering says, yes, yes, yes.  And joy came to me, and I was ready for its word.  When I was a boy, there were no end of noes.  But now my body floods with yeses even to the noes.

As winter nears, the air gets progressively drier and drier, unless it snows. Otherwise, the dryness makes it very easy for one to generate static electricity, simply by removing one’s coat or sweater. I used to dread going home just because I knew that I would get shocked the moment I touched something after removing my coat. And it wasn’t a tiny shock, either – it was the kind of static shock where you can actually see the spark between skin and object. So I was surprised to discover a painless way to discharge the shock: to touch something with an elbow instead of my hand.

Since the elbow is one of the least sensitive part of the body, you can do cool things with it like elbow someone really hard, or discharge static electricity through them. You can even let lightning strike them as a survival technique: if you’re ever caught in a storm in the middle of flat land, where you are the tallest thing for miles around, then all you do is get on your knees, bend over till your head touches the ground, and raise your elbows upwards while keeping your hands on your hips. This causes potential lightning bolts to strike your elbows first, reducing the pain you feel, while the current is redirected down towards the ground and hopefully bypasses your heart. I’m sure it would still hurt (understatement of the year), but at least you’ll survive. Neat, huh?

This Week 11/23-11/27 :

Monday– Career Shoes

Tuesday–BooTuesday–figure out what winter boot will keep your feet warm and dry!

Wednesday–Wednesday Mensday!

Thursday–THANKSGIVING–no post today, just be thankful for all your gorgeous shoes!

Friday–Made Ya Look Friday–start submitting pics for the vote on Friday now!

*Click here to view all the results from last Friday’s vote!

The book series and now two films can boast impressive numbers. But, can they brag about creativity or intelligence? No.  There are countless stories of vampires. Boy is vampire, girl is not, they fall in love. Uh-oh. It’s a gothic rendition of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet… With sharper teeth, of course.

The Twilight series, penned by Stephenie Meyer, was originally geared towards the young adolescent crowd. Those who were in between short chapter books and true literature could find a cozy spot in the pages of Bella and Edward. The writing is simple, and entertaining.

Simple and entertaining has now become a thriving empire. Not only does Twilight put young teens in frenzy, but also adults. Devoted readers put the book before sleep, school and normal activities. Now, the town of Forks, where Twilight is placed, is being run over by readers. Sure, the story may be intriguing. But with writing that lacks intelligence, how much can a reader truly gain from the plot?

As someone who finds true pleasure in reading a well-written and constructed book with fantastic characters and a thrilling plot, I find nothing in Twilight. To me it is dry, and frustrating. There is nothing left to the reader’s imagination. Everything is spelled out precisely. Which, when looking in to who the novel was meant for, is not surprising.

What happened to everyone’s deep admiration for J.K. Rowling’s lovable Harry Potter? A young, awkward and charming boy cursed with a lightening bolt on his forehead and magical powers. The Harry Potter series was filled with imagination. A book of deep characters, self-created creatures and magical spells; is a creative person’s dream. J.K. Rowling’s writing is pleasing, and suitable for both teens and adults. Her words create a fantasy most wish they could experience; Harry Potter has everything.

One might argue that at least Twilight is getting young people to read since Harry Potter has finished. That fact is something good to hear. Still, however, to be such a trend is unbelievable. If Twilight must be anything more than a drearily written book, why has it not become a stepping-stone in to more acceptable literature? Dracula for Twilight fans? Anyone?

Ideapaint

….A single-coat, roller-applied paint that can transform any smooth surface (including drywall, plaster, chalkboards, wood, and laminates) into a dry-erase writing surface AND that will work with every brand of dry-erase markers?  And it is low cost   AND produces no seams AND will not stain or dirty over time AND erases easily AND formaldehyde free?  Ideas could include a wall in your kitchen for notes…kids rooms…play rooms…office spaces…meeting rooms…home schooling…corporate think rooms…wall by the door so you never forget your grocery list again…endless possibilities!   And then invite me over and lets play an endless game of Pictionary!

Recap:

• single-coat
• roller-applied
• work with every brand of dry-erase marker
• low cost
• no seams
• will not stain
• erases easily
• formaldehyde free

assalamualaikum….

LEADTRAIN bwu jew brakhir…
no cmment psl 2…
ak nk kta xbest pm,
tgk cm ad y enjoy jew…
tp seriuosly….
LEADTRAIN 4 da second day,
im not in mood…

klu in mood,
ak pm njoy gk kowt….
da la bgun pg td tsedar pkl wpe ntah…
7lbey kowt…
klu ikowt tentatif,
pkl4 pg ad qiamullail…
pstu cntinue smbung sbuh kt msjid trus…
tp dua2 ak miss….
bbdk blik ak y join LEADTRAIN pm sme gk…
bgun pkl7 2 pm ak y kjutkn gk kowt…
time bgun 2 y len2 da bkumpul kt pdg kowt…..
awal gler…
ad xplorerace mndew ntah….
xminat ah ak mndew2 g2…

argghhh…
no in mood…
~~daaaaaaaaaa…

A few weeks ago I went with some friends to see Where the Wild Things Are (Were?). I haven’t chrystallized an opinion on the film yet – I know that I think the idea is noble, and the soundtrack, and Dave Eggers. And that I was struck with how muted and undynamic it was– in a deliberate, lulling way: the background and the foreground were always similar colours; little contrast but a few notable instances of bright blue sky or sweater. The landscape of events was similarly solomonic; most scenes seemed to have been rationed the same degree of intensity, so that new events weren’t relieved too sharply against the old.

I’m suspending any other judgment partially because the context of the experience – the continual economy of snacks and spiked drinks (spikejonzed! haha…) passed sideways along the row – was not that conducive to serious attention. Afterwards we went to a local bar where we applied free jukebox credits to bad songs. And still afterwards, one of the friends and I had breakfast, at a nearly empty twenty-four hour diner, served by a lovely oldish, doting waitress. It was downpouring, and she said: “I hope it dries for you”.

I love how she said that: earnestly, in a hearty New York accent, and vaguely enough that I could quote it, in theory, in a pinch,in reference to other circumstances without compromising its (unexpected, 3 am) eloquence. It feels like a good phrase to know exists, like a kind thing to be able to say when wounds or paintings are still fresh.  Too lofty and overwrought, of course, to ever actually say out loud of anything but the weather*. Case in point: a painter-friend recently told me about when he started using oils rather than acrylic, accidentally buying a tube and being confused when it wasn’t drying. His brother called him an idiot and taunted him with the fact that oil paint didn’t dry “FOR A HUNDRED YEARS”!** So it’s waitress vs. brother, I guess.

*Just as we wouldn’t say it ‘for me’: Kant says when we judge something (drying, eg.?) beautiful, we never admit to the ‘for me’ by saying it aloud; though it’s true, the admission ruins the objectivity (confidence; integrity) of the judgment. I think this is not unrelated to suppressing the giddiness that someone made something beautiful (themselves, eg, on some special occasion) for me.

**More of Austin’s (dried, oil) paintings, including the one above so uncannily like the Wild Thing scape, at www.austinfurtakcole.com