Eid-ul-Adha 2006
December 29, 2006 | 08 Dhul-Hijjah 1427

The International Muslim Brotherhood is hosting the Eid Salat at The West Philadelphia YMCA located at 52nd & Chestnut Streets (entrance on Chestnut St.) Sunday, Dec. 31st. Doors open at 7:00am ~ Salat is at 8:00am. There will only be one Salat. Everyone is encouraged to be on time. Also: please bring your own prayer rug. Food will be served at 9:30am (Sisters will be served first). Stollers are not allowed in the prayer area during salat and khutbah times (there will be a room to check your stroller). Festivities end at 2:00pm. If you have unwrapped toys for the toy drive you may bring them with you to the Eid Salat. For more information contact Event Coordinator at 267-408-8423 or email at events@imbrotherhood.org. Kullu ‘amm, wa antum bikhayr.

Posted in Events, Islam | No Comments »

ALIM Winter Program 2007: Holla’ At Ya’ Boy
December 29, 2006 | 08 Dhul-Hijjah 1427

Sherman Jackson This year’s ALIM program will take place in NYC from January 12th to January 15th. Dr. Sherman Jackson will be there along with several other notable scholars. For more info, watch the YouTube video. Hat tip to sister Heather for the info. Be there or be very, very bad.

Posted in Events, Islam | No Comments »

Synthesize
December 23, 2006 | 02 Dhul-Hijjah 1427

If there is one word that comes to mind in regards to the America Muslim condition, it’s synthesize. We have for us a couple of different definitions:

To form (a material or abstract entity) by combining parts or elements.
To combine (constituent elements) into a single or unified entity.

The combining parts are the various cultures and histories that Muslims either bring with them here or more significantly, the history they and their ancestors have already lived out on this soil. To detach wholly from one’s history is impractical, detrimental and perhaps not entirely possible. Instead, an amalgamation should be sought that will both validate the new found religious and spiritual teachings while grounded not only in the realities of one’s past, but most importantly in one’s present. Read more this entry »

Posted in Culture/Politics, Islam, Musings | 8 Comments »

Spanish Diner - A Small Skit
December 22, 2006 | 01 Dhul-Hijjah 1427

As usual, based on my funnier-than-life, true life events. Enjoy.

He was starving. Two hours in the gym last night left him famished. His stomach was growling in its empty protest. Despite it being noontime, the diner was relatively empty. He stepped inside and sat at an empty chair at the counter. The busboy approached him, asking if he wanted anything.

“You take ‘a something to drink?” the man asked.

“Yes. Coffee, please.”

The man stared back at him. “Hablas Español?”

“Sí, yo hablo.” How in the hell did he know that?

“You speak ‘a Spanish?”

What the hell?, he thought to himself. “Yeah, I speak Spanish.”

“¿Quieres café, no?”

“Sí, café.” I’m speakin’ Spanish to you, man!

“Okay, coffee. One moment.”

Weird. He took a book out of his backpack and sat at the counter reading, waiting for the waitress.

“Café, señor.” said the busboy.

“Gracias.”

“No problem.”

Did this guy not speak Spanish? He shrugged his shoulders and continued reading. Engrossed, he missed the waitress’s first query.

“Can I get’cha somethin’, hun?”

“Oh, yeah. Sure. Um – do you have turkey bacon?”

“Nope. Just turkey sausage.”

“Okay, I’ll have three eggs, soft scrambled, with home fries, wheat toast and an order of your turkey sausage.”

“’Kay. Comin’ up.” She scurried off to the kitchen to turn in his order.

He went back to his reading. After a few moments the busboy returned to warm his coffee up.

“¿Quieres más café?”

“Sí, por favor.”

“You wan’ s’more cream?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

“De nada.”

What in…, never mind. He kept reading but he was beginning to get annoyed now.

Startled by the busboy’s silent approach, he jerked his head out of his book.

“Huevos con pápas.” said the busboy. He seemed pleased and happy to have someone to speak Spanish with.

“Gracias.”

“You wann’a ketchup?”

“No. Está bien. Gracias.”

“¿Algo más?” asked the busboy eagerly.

“No, joven. Gracias por todo.”

“Okay, sir. Enjoy your meal.”

He ate his meal in silence. Was he playing at something? This made no freakin’ sense!

“How’s ya’ eggs, hun?”

He looked up to see the large face of the waitress looking him square in the eye. “You a lawya’ or somethin’? I see you comin’ in a lot, all dressed up.”

“No,” he chuckled. “I just work for a lawfirm. No one important.” She smiled a toothy smile back at him. He swallowed hard and put his face down and shoveled food in his mouth. Gotta find a new breakfast spot. Locals are too friendly, he laughed to himself. In truth, he loved it here. Diners were his favorite places to eat. The waitress sauntered back over and left his check there. “You’s have ‘a good one, okay hun?”

“Thanks, Miss. You, too. Happy holidays.”

Grabbing his coat, he paid his bill at the counter.

“Adios, señor.” The busboy had a big grin on his face.

“Sí, nos vemos.”

“Haffa’ nice holiday. How you say “feliz navidad”, no?”

“Yeah, man. Merry Christmas.” With his bag on his shoulder, we stumbled out, bewildered and smiling. “Merry freakin’ Christmas”, he mumbled under his breath to no one in particular.

Posted in Musings | 5 Comments »

Ragdoll Avalanche II
December 20, 2006 | 29 Dhul-Qadah 1427

I’d like to think that I normally post topics of substance, but given my current post-baked state, this’ll make perfect sense. Ragdoll Avalance II - just play it.

Posted in Arts/Cinema, Geek | No Comments »

D. O. N. E.
December 18, 2006 | 27 Dhul-Qadah 1427

Reach
I am briefly waking from my self-imposed coma to post one quick image. I cannot describe the wave of fatigue that has washed over my body. Fall Semester 2006 is over and so is my body. So I saw fit to make a quick image with some lyrics from a PJ Harvey tune I like to listen to when I crash out. See you when I resurface.

Posted in Manrilla | 1 Comment »

Thoughts On Technology In the Modern Age
December 09, 2006 | 18 Dhul-Qadah 1427

Writing Tools - Shot w/LG-V camera phone I suppose I should preface my post here by stating that I am, first and foremost, still alive. I have dropped off the radar for a bit due to heavy school and work obligations. But rest assured, I am still here and have not been idle. I am working on a new series of photographs entitled Philadelphian: The Low-Fi Shots Series (series info here), with a focus on city life and public transportation. The two themes interweave, showing what it’s like to travel around in a city like Philadelphia. It’s also an exploration into the technology of photography. Some may take that to mean mega pixels and CF cards, which it could. Rather, my intention is to explore the limitations (if any) and the nature of photographing with what I term a “low-fi” technology: my cell phone camera. By using a small camera like my LG-V (9800), I am able to artistically crawl into tighter spaces, producing images that are both intrusive, candid and emotionally revealing. But the purpose of this post isn’t to talk about the new body of work per se, but rather the role of technology, not just in photography but other aspects of modern life as well. Read more this entry »

Posted in Culture/Politics, Music, Musings, photography | 8 Comments »

Philly Shots - Low-Fi Shots XVI - The Big Pay Back
December 04, 2006 | 13 Dhul-Qadah 1427

I have been gone, lost in a crunch of time and work. School’s coming to the brutal end. Papers are due. Finals are looming on the horizon like a dark thundercloud. Here are several from the past week or so. Enjoy.


Man On Broad Street Line


Waiting For Subway, City Hall


Drinking Man On the #34 Trolley


The Conversation, #34 Trolley


Lunch, Temple University


Vent, 18th and Locust


Waiting For Change #1, 20th and Chestnut


Waiting For Change #2, 20th and Chestnut


“S”, 49th and Chester Ave


“3-9″, 49th and Chester Ave


Old Man, Broad Street Line


Business, Broad Street Line


Sign Post, 19th Street Trolley Stop


#13 Trolley, West Bound


Sunglasses At Night #1, Trolley #13


Crowd, Trolley #13


Sunglasses At Night #2, Trolley #13


Late-Night Journey, Trolley #13


Lamp, 48th and Chester Ave


Forlorn, 17th and Sansom


Crosswalk, 18th and Market


Reading, Market Street Line


Laura, 18th and Market


Conversation, 18th and Market


Sunday, 18th and Market


Untitled, 2nd and Girard

Posted in Low-Fi Shots, Philly Shots | No Comments »

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