for, all the while you speak, I can’t help but think that this is more important to one of us than it is to the other; and, to whom it matters more is (ironically) irrelevant — just as the side to which a boat tips before it eventually capsizes.

(a stagnant thought finally spilled by the rocking force of a wiseguy’s post.)

This is what we need to expose our kids to.

(photo from reuters, via photos.yahoo, via mostafa)

by: Salman Rushdie

A man who sets out to make himself up is taking on the Creator’s role, according to one way of seeing things; he’s unnatural, a blasphemer, an abomination of abominations. From another angle, you could see pathos in him, heroism in his struggle, in his willingness to risk: not all mutants survive. Or, consider him sociopolitically: most migrants learn, and can become disguises. Our own false descriptions to counter the falsehoods invented about us, concealing for reasons of security our secret selves.

A man who Invents himself needs someone to believe in him, to prove he’s managed it. Playing God again, you could say. Or you could come down a few notches, and think of Tinkerbell; fairies don’t exist if children don’t clap their hands. Or you might simply say: it’s just like being a man.

Not only the need to be believed in, but to believe in another. You’ve got it: Love.

If peace does not come to Aceh…I’m afraid we will be destroyed worse than by the tsunami…Everything here begins with peace.”

Rufriadi,
a prominent Acehnese human rights lawyer. (via KAIROS)

The news of a peace deal between Aceh (Gam) rebels and the Indonesian goverenment, after about 6 months of talks, is being received with cautious optimism. After all, the last deal lasted for mere 6 months. This time around, however, things should be different. For one thing, last year’s tsunami (undoubtly) has factored in the priorities for people in the region. Below are excerpts from news articles shedding some light on the role of the tsunami (and the reconstruction effort in its wake) in forcing peace:
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If you are into physics, the article linked below might make you wish you weren’t — that is, if you don’t blow your heads off before you finish it. (On the other hand, if you’re not into physics, you might think that it’s just ridic-ollas — believe me, it’s worse!) The conclusion is: don’t read “The Quantum Middle East?”.

I am not sure why I find myself very attracted to this particular subset of literary works: arab (particularly middle-eastern) authors writing fiction in english. (Not that I have read much of the genre, but the interest level seems to hold high pretty much with everything I’ve attempted). Now, you might say that the reason is very obvious, and it has something to do with (easily) relating, but that’s why I pre-empted you with the phrase “I am not sure” — that is to say, I have some speculation (the obvious ones) but I think there’s something more to it than just that.
(more…)

why is that?
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by: Ahdaf Soueif
London : Bloomsbury, 1996.

I think of you often. I think of you often, and I remember. I remember, for instance, your old nanny coming into your room, the edges of her tarha [headscarf] bitten between her teeth to hide half her face. Her eyes, filmed with cataracts, were so dim she must have been seeing you as though through a mist. I remember your husband turning from the phone, and the small gesture of your hand that stilled the impatient words on his lips. The old woman muttered indistinctly as she moved towards you, her arm describing cramped, arthritic circles with the smoking incense-burner. Through the window, the darkness of the Cairo night was so intense, it seemed that if I reached out my hand I would touch black velvet.”

(from “I think of you”, page 129)

Drown out annoying roommates and co-workers today, in pink noise, for free! Please use responsibly!

Where is the crickets’ mix when you need it!?