Memeville

From Bill:

1. Are you named after anyone? If so, explain?

I am not named after anyone. Sorry to disappoint.

2. Do you have your children's names picked out already? If so, is there any significance?

I have lots of names picked out for my future children. Mostly, they are names from the Middle East, keeping with the tradition of my name. But the middle names are of the more traditional variety since they are the names of people of I love.

3. If you were born a member of the opposite sex what would your name have been?

If I had been a boy, my name would have been Abraham. A good Muslim name and the name of one of my uncles. Funnily enough, Abe Lincoln and I share a birthday. So, in a way, my biologcal dad got his way.

4. If you could re-name yourself what name would you pick and why?
When I was a kid all I wanted was a normal name and blonde hair. But now, I couldn't really imagine being named Jenny or Sue or something "normal" like that. I will keep Jalehlabad; thank you very much.

5. Are there any mispronunciations/typos that people do w/ your name constantly?

Yes. A million. Too many to type here in this space. In fact, the only time I even listen to a telemarketer is if they pronouce my name right. That has happened twice and one of those times it was an obviously Middle Eastern voice on the line.

Signs

Dear Readers,

Do you believe in signs? Do you believe in fate? Or do you think that it all just happens the way it's supposed to and that signs and fate are crap?

I can honestly say I am on the fence about signs and fate. Do I think some things are destined to happen? Maybe. But I do think that sometimes the universe tells us things that reinforce decisions we make.

For example, this weekend I packed up my office. I put all my books in boxes. Wrapped picture frames with tissue paper. I cleaned out my desk drawers. This is when I noticed something remarkable. I don't know it any of you remember a post I wrote on my old site about a ring that I lost. Why would you? This ring meant nothing to you but it means a great deal to me. This ring was a gift from my deceased aunt who was like a second mother to me. When I lost the ring I cried for a day. I remember crying while writing that blog post. I was angry at myself for losing such an important item. But alas, the universe is on my side after all. I found my ring in the bottom of my desk drawer. It must have been there for almost two years. I was so happy when I found the ring. It was like the ring was waiting for me to move again. A sign that I am making the best choice for myself. It completely made my weekend.

I am wearing my ring now. I don't plan on taking it off anytime soon, excepting for washing dishes and taking showers.

So, how was your weekend?

Love,

Jalehlabad

The perplexing of Jalehlabad

Last night was a rousing Wednesday Night Social Club since I told everyone that I am moving back to the Lou. Everyone was so nice and wished me well and some of them even brought me bottles of alcohol. Sometimes it's very good to be liked and it also proves my point that you cannot have too many pals. I assured the crew that they would see me; it's not like the Lou is so far from Cutesville. Plus, someone is throwing me a big going away bash. I even had two offers last night; although I am starting to think I should throw the party myself.

I got home around midnight and this is where things go pear shaped (as they like to say in England). First, I made a little phone call to Squater. I am sure it will bring him joy when he finally hears my message. Then I sat down to watch Project Runway. I loved the dog idea. It cracked me up to see Tim with all the dogs. Anyway, I had several WTF moments and I don't think it had anything to do with the many beers I drank. First of all, WTF was up with judges loving Bradley's outfit? While I think it was nice since it was his birthday, his outfit was just not my taste. I thought it was kind of fug. But the biggest WTF moment was them not kicking off Angela for the second week in a row. That chick needs to go. She's a horrible designer. And what is up with her skirts? Just no. Stop. Step away from the fabric.

Heidi, Vera, Nina, and Ivanka, you have disappointed me. Now go to your room and think about that.

SexyBack

I am sure to get mocked for this but, to be honest, I don't care. Take a look at the Justin Timberlake video SexyBack. Thanks, YouTube!

Anyway, I loved JT's first solo disc and I will be sure to get his new one when it comes out. Something about that kid's music makes me want to dance.

Good Night And, Good Luck: Lived up to the hype

Often times I am the last person to see the latest hit film. It was, I think, the last person on earth to see Titanic. I still want those three hours of my life back. More recently, this was the case with Brokeback Mountain. I know I am supposed to be obsessed with that movie and, don't get me wrong, it was good. But it was basically a love story. A love story involving two hot gay men but a love story none-the-less.

Last night, I watched Good Night and Good Luck. Whatever your political leanings are; I think it's safe to say that this movie makes you think. I loved the usage of black and white film and the music, sung by Dianne Reeves, was fabulous.

I was a little scared to watch this movie. It had so much hype that I thought it wouldn't deliver. I was wrong. If you haven't seen this movie, do yourself a favor and go rent it tonight.

Irreverant t-shirts: I love 'em

I don't know how many of you read Preshrunk but I like to peruse that site every once in a while to find cool t-shirts. Preshrunk turned me on to Threadless.

I have sort of become addicted to Threadless. I am on their mailing list so I know when they have sales, etc. This is good and bad. It's good because Threadless t-shirts are really high quality and well made. Also, they have funny shirts and arty shirts. It's bad because I could easily drop half a pay check on t-shirts some months. Like this new shirt, for example. Or this old fave, The Communist Party, which always seems to be sold out of my size everytime I can afford it (I found the link! Woot!). With my new Pirate obsession, I have been debating whether or not to buy this shirt. Anyway, I love it when they have their $10 sales.

In many respects, I am not sure I should be telling you all about Threadless since I have been looking there more and more often for gifts for loved ones. It's where I found Squater's prezzie last Christmas.

At any rate, since Glarkware denied us Everwoodians a Now or Never shirt, I am a little sad and I need some other t-shirt to fill the hole that I was prepared to fill with an Everwood tee. So, which shirt should I get? One of the items listed or is there some other Threadless tee that screams Jalehlabad to you?

Mail Carrier Blues

For some reason my mail carrier never takes my outbound mail. I don't know why my mail can be dropped off but not taken away. I put proper postage on everything. I even have a little clip so that the mail box looks like it's open and yet nothing. Normally, this doesn't bother me. I have even adjusted so that I never mail out my bills from home. I just drop them off at the post office. However, now that I've joined netflix, this is becoming an increasing problem. I put the discs in my mailbox all proper like. And my mail carrier just ignores it. But, I will not be ignored. In fact, I have entered into a showdown with my mail carrier. I am just going to leave that disc in my mail box until he or she takes it. If that means I have to wait a week to start Scrubs season one, well, so be it.

Do you think I am taking this to extremes? Because I don't. Is it so much to expect my mail carrier to, I don't know, do their JOB? Isn't this what my tax dollars pay for? Because my tax money sure as hell doesn't fund any mass transit or salt for winter roads.

Maybe I just need a beer. Or to get out of this small town.

UPDATE: For some reason, who knows why, my netflix dvd got picked up yesterday. Thanks for the comments. I think I will go have a chat with someone down at the post office.

Chanda's Secrets

This week I read the book Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton. While this book is young adult literature (it won the Michael L. Printz Honor Book award), it deals with a very serious topic. The story revolves around Chanda, a sixteen year-old girl living in an unnamed Sub-Saharan African country. Chanda has a hard life. Her father and brothers die, then her sister dies, then AIDS hits her family and her community. Along the way Chanda learns to deal with the horrible realites of life while trying to make the best life possible for her family and friends. For Chanda this is often difficult since life has given her a huge sack of lemons and few ways to make lemonade. Ultimately, this story is about not being afraid.

It took me longer than it should have to finish this book mostly because it was so sad. Allan Stratton does an excellent job of describing the phobias many Africans had and have about HIV/AIDS. I would suggest that you go out and by this book, especially since proceeds from the sale go to help Africans suffering with HIV/AIDS.

Books Read in 2006:
Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton
Digging to America by Anne Tyler
Princess in Training by Meg Cabot
Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot
Project Princess by Meg Cabot
Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot
Princess in Love by Meg Cabot
Sorceress by Celia Rees
Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The one where I randomly discuss movies, television and other things

Well, B-Mart will be happy to know that I just finished Angel season one. She'll be even happier to know that I started season two last night. But before I get to far into season two, I want to make a few comments about Angel's first season.

• Why did they kill Doyle? I really liked him. I did some digging on the guy only to find out a)he's dead and b)he was Mark (Becky's boyfriend) on Roseanne. WHA? Anyway, I really liked the character of Doyle and the season felt strange after his departure. Also, they barely mention him in the extras. So, BOO!


• I like Wolfram and Hart as the Big Bad but I feel like something was missing in terms of an overarching, season long, cohesive story.


• Faith! B-Mart, I can admit when I am wrong. I think that these episodes with Faith do really redeem her character. Her actions in Buffy's last season make a lot more sense now too.


• The Elizabeth Rohm character is just off. I don't get her silly hatred towards Angel especially when he has only helped her. It's not Angel's fault that her dad was an ass. Anyway, I don't like her character at all. I hope she isn't on as much in the coming seasons.


• I am interested to see how this whole Darla thing plays out. And really, how is that even possible? I know, I know, suspend belief.
  

Overall, I would say that though they try very hard, Angel is no Buffy. This show is missing something but I will keep watching since I said I would and I really want to get to season five and Spike!

Onto movies....I saw Pirates of the Caribbean 2 over the weekend. I thought it was pretty good. I was entertained for sure. I don't think this movie was as good as the first film in terms of story line. However, that isn't to say it wasn't a great flick. Also, the special effects are pretty cool. Plus, I just love Bill Nighy. I won't give away any plot twists but Will Turner is a much more calm person than I would be.

Seeing that movie made this cool History Channel special True Caribbean Pirates even more interesting. Bill can attest to my new fascination of all things piratey. Or well, books about pirates anyway. You all should check out the special. I learned all kinds of cool things about the history of pirates.

I decided today that Terry Gross may just have the world's coolest job. I listen to Fresh Air most days over lunch. But for some reason, while she was talking to Thom Yorke, I just thought, man what a cool job. She gets to talk to all sorts of people involved with entertainment and books and I am super jealous. If only I had been a radio broadcast major! Also, check out the Thom Yorke interview; it was pretty good.

Praise Jesus for Project Runway

I am so geeked up about tomorrow night. Some of you may ask why; others of you already know why. It's the start of Project Runway Season Three.

There is so much to look forward to. There are TWoP recaps. There are Tim Gunn podcasts. There is the burning desire to know who is this season's Wendy or Santino or Chloe or, even better, Jay? Who will be this season's Kara Saun or Daniel V.? Enquiring minds want to know.

I know that B-Mart and Miss Marissa will be watching. Any other takers?

You gotta have friends

Late last week a friend of mine dropped by my house. As she and I were talking I was lamenting the fact that I was a bad pal for forgetting to call my friend, Andi, on her birthday. I had no good excuse. And, we have been friends since I was five so it's not like her birthday is a recent thing I have celebrated. I just forgot to call. Anyway, this really isn't the point of all this. The point is my friend who stopped by mentioned, pointedly, that perhaps I have too many friends. I balked at this assertion but I am still thinking about this conversation days later. Is it possible to have too many friends?

I will be the first to admit that many people I count as friends, including many of you fair readers, are not people I converse with daily, weekly, or monthly. At least not in the conventional way of calling or visiting. But does that mean we aren't friends?

I guess this all comes down to I don't believe you can have too many friends. I feel like I have a lot of disparate friends. Friends from different times in my life but with whom I am still able to connect. Friends whose time in my life overlap but they don't know each other or at least aren't friends themselves. I tried to hash this conversation out with my pal who dropped by and her conclusion was that I drop a few pals so that she could keep my friends straight in her head. As though that is a good reason to get rid of a friend. I informed my pal that she may not like the list I construct if I have to start losing friends. Hee.

In all seriousness, I honestly cannot imagine getting rid of one of the people who I consider to be a friend. Friends shape us and help us and yell at us and laugh with us. Even people who I would never choose to be friends with again have taught me valuable lessons about trust and about who I am and who I want to be.

I hope, if you consider me a friend, I have done the same for you. So, in my mind, the more friends, the better.

X-Men The Last stand: Only slightly crappy

I went to see X3 on July 4th. It was worse than I hoped it would be but it wasn't nearly as horrible as The Davinci Code. I have to say, I know that the X-Men movies are supposed to be action packed, etc. but would a little character development have killed you, Ratner? I mean, why do I even care that Rogue and Bobby seem to be having issues? You give me zero context. Also, the whole film was just flimsy. I barely cared about the forced cure. Also, you cured Magneto. I mean, that is just lame. Yes, you left it open ended; there could be an X-Men 4 but unless you make it a little more about the characters, I won't be watching.

Move, B***h, Get out the way.

Per Mikey T's request I feel almost obligated to post something.

I want to thank everyone for the good wish comments and emails. I have some of the best pals in the world.

Some crazy happenings went down in Cutesville this weekend. In my town, we have a boat race every summer. They even made a movie about it. From what I understand, this race used to be quite the thing to do but apparently popularity has waned a bit. I've been told that the place is crawling with Hoosiers. Hee. But in all seriousness, something quite terrible happened. This weekend, some kid drove his speeding car onto the banks of the river plowing through a crowd of people. Here is an account from one of the rescuers. Luckily, no one was killed but the town was given quite a scare.

Fortunately for me, my holiday weekend was not as exciting as a car crash. And with my crash record, that is saying something. My pal, Tricia, came to visit. We watched lots of Alias, ate too much food, and drank too much beer. All in all, a very fun time. I really enjoy it when I can meet up with my friends from SIUE. In my mind, these are some of the people who know me the best because that time period, in graduate school, is when I feel like I really blossomed into Jalehlabad. So, it's always good to hang with those kids. We even looked at old pictures where I had short hair. It made me miss my shorter hair. For those in the know, I have a picture of Kuhn cake that will be forthcoming.

Alas, all is well for now. I am currently awaiting some big news which I hope, unless my hopes are dashed, to share with you all very soon.

I am currently reading nothing. That needs to change. Any suggestions?