Sunday, December 12, 2010

Winter Wonderland


Or not. People including myself are always in remembrance of the good old days, “When I was a kid we used to always spend time outdoors and never dawdle around in malls…” Everything always seemed better “back then” regardless of when that was. But there’s one thing that transcends (most) age groups, cultures and backgrounds: people’s talk about the weather. When I was in high school which was what, seven years ago (wow that is a while back) I remember my mom and I would take out my winter clothes including my thick, wool, navy coat which was the most ideal thing to wear on a chilly morning in November. But now, November came and went and I still find myself wearing my summer clothes to work with the exception of a shawl or a light cardigan.


I think by now everyone is aware of the effects of global warming. I see it as one step toward our doom, the umbrella being desire which I believe is the demise of humankind. My mother once told me, “Never begin a sentence with ‘I want…’” And it’s true. Fine, you can work toward your goals but don’t ever be blinded by them; always take a step back and appreciate what you already have, from family and friends, your education and overall security and well-being. If you don’t have any of the above, you should still be grateful because you’re alive and kicking and you still have a chance to do something worthwhile, something that doesn’t involve cruising around aimlessly in malls or watching TV for four hours straight. To me, the worst thing anyone can do in life is regret something, anything. I’d hate to think, “I could have done X if I hadn’t wasted my time watching reruns of Seinfeld.” Like everything, TV is good in small doses, especially if you had a long day at work.


Where was I?

Well whatever, I was somewhere.


Jazzy, Christmasy MP3's...

Sonny Rollins - Winter Wonderland

Vince Guaraldi Trio - Tannenbaum

Dexter Gordon - The Christmas Song

Ahmad Jamal - Snowfall

Wynton Marsalis - Let it Snow

at 6:38 PM 5 comments

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Question of the day: Do pretty girls get a bad rap?


Before I ever met Jude*, I asked my friend about her, “How is she like?” My friend grew quiet for a minute, drew a deep breath before she replied apathetically, “She’s all right I suppose.” Naturally, I was curious about my friend’s not so reassuring response. After a few raised eyebrows and questioning looks, my friend sighed and said, “She’s just really arrogant and full of herself.” I remember thinking, “Oh well that’s too bad… before I accepted my friend’s opinion of Jude as the truth.


Many weeks went by before I finally got the chance to meet Jude. There were two things that I noticed about her: she was one of the prettiest girls I have ever seen in Kuwait and she did not have an arrogant bone in her body. Rather, she was down-to-earth, charming and at times, wonderfully quirky.


I know of many girls that fall right into the category Jude is in. They’re drop dead gorgeous women with a good head on their shoulders and admirable humility, elements that – when combined – make some people seethe with wild envy to the extent that they feel obliged to chip away at the girls’ wholesome package whether it is a snide comment about their so-called snobbish mannerisms or mentioning false information that concerns one’s private affairs and even worse, honor.


On the other hand, I know a few beautiful girls who cannot pass through doorways because of their swollen pretty heads. I also know average looking girls who, in my point of view, see as the most stunning people I’ve ever laid eyes on because of the goodness of their heart. Alternatively, I know shamelessly conniving homely girls with the coldest heart imaginable.


When I think about it now, I think I’ve heard far more untrue comments about the so-called snootiness of pretty girls than plain-Jane ones.


* Name changed for privacy


MP3’s for your years…

Tom Waits – Crazy ‘Bout My Baby

Eddie Floyd – Knock on Wood

Marvin Gaye – I Want to Come Home for Christmas

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing

at 8:30 AM 0 comments