An amusing flow chart
Saw this over at Boing Boing and felt the need to share:
Summing up Bush's presidency:http://www.wellingtongrey.net/miscellanea/index.htmlThe best flowchart I've seen all semester! :)Labels: Amusements, Color-Race-Politics
Dear Reader
Dear Reader....I don't usually do this because I don't really mind who reads this blog and because I too am usually an anonymous lurker so I understand the need to not comment or reveal your identity. But here I go. Dear reader from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I'm quite astonished, grateful, and well a little concerned that you visit our little blog 5 times a day. In fact, we quite appreciate your dedication to reading our frequent nothings quite regularly. However, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind letting us know who you were, maybe just a single comment, and more importantly, tell us what brings you to this wonderful little site. Please don't take this the wrong way. We truly appreciate your visits and your privacy and respect your concern to remain anonymous and a lurker. And this blog of ours is really open to anybody, not just to our friends. We think of ourselves as very hospitable bloggers and enjoy your visits. But if you could just de-lurk once in awhile, share a thought, or even drop a praise (ok i'm getting a little greedy and going overboard here ;)) that would be great! Thanks, A concerned yet greatly appreciatve blogger,~PLabels: Something about Nothing
The Battle in Bollywood
Did you even know there was a battle? I certainly didn't. And for all we know sitting in our lovely homes in America, there probably isn't. Talk about a bunch of hype. What am I referring to exactly? Well, low and behold, Time Magazine is yet again trying to prove that it's on the down low on all things, including Bollywood gup-shup and drama.
(courtesy of Time. com)
With the big headline, When Superstars Feud, the article proceeds to discuss and analyze what exactly, if one exists at all, the feud is about between Big B and Shah Rukh Khan. There's talk of generation gaps, age, acting critique, and of course, the big one: STATUS. Apparently, this little dispute is so newsworthy, it's even made into TIME.
First it's CNN, and now it's Time Magazine. Geez...what's going on?!
Labels: Amusements, News, Times are a changin'
Look through these lens...
Independent Lens that is.
Last night on PBS's Independent Lens, I saw this wonderful documentary, Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes . I really enjoyed watching this documentary. Filmmaker and narrator, Byron Hurt, talked about making conscious hip-hop and confronting issues within hip-hop culture such as misogyny, homophobia, and violence.
I really liked how he interviewed various rappers including Chuck D and Mos Def as well as academics, students, and journalists/pop-culture enthusiasts who cover hip-hop in the media. The diverse perspectives were interesting and particularly, the fans who don't find anything wrong with many of the rappers' lyrics. Also, an amusing moment in the movie occurs when Hurt interviews a white man from Columbus, OH who claims that he too can claim hip-hop music as his own (which is fine)....and it's not just for the "colored folk." Yeah. He seriously said that on air. Hurt responds by saying something like, "Did you just say "colored folk?!" Very funny. And awkward!
While the documentary really didn't give any clear solutions or answers to solve these issues, it did promote a much needed discussion and possibly hope for those of us who are hip-hop fans but are disgruntled with the current direction of mainstream hip-hop music and the social attitudes and stereotypes that some rappers promote.
By the way, I would recommend that you watch Independent Lens in general every Tuesday evening at 10/11 EST. Independent Lens promotes thoughtful, eye-opening, and unique independent film-making. Here's a schedule of their upcoming programs: program guide.
Check it out!
Labels: Color-Race-Politics, Music to My Ears, visual appetizers
Today's headlines
I'm quite busy this week, but I couldn't resist posting about these headlines that I was confronted with as I opened my google homepage this morning:From cnn.com, this gem:Smith's mom: 'She liked downers'...referencing of course to Anna Nicole Smith and her whirlwind life(style). Was it just me, or did anyone else burst out laughing after reading that headline. And, apparently, yes, I have a dirty mind.From Wiki's "How to of the Day":How to Start a Conversation With Someone on a Train, Bus, or Subway...and why exactly is this something we all need to learn how to do??? Is your ride really that long? I mean I have nothing against the occasional lovely conversation you may have with strangers or other frequent riders, but really, do these types of conversations need to be taught, choreographed?Oh Google, I'm so glad we have these moments together every morning!Labels: Amusements, Something about Nothing, This is IMPORTANT...apparently
The Amazing Earthmuffin Like You Wouldn't Believe
Well you might. It's my M&M character name ;) What's yours? Create your own character, movie, and photo here.
Enjoy!
Labels: Amusements, Brown, Images, Randomness, Something about Nothing
Sublime Snow Days...
White, messy, frustrating, peaceful, and scary snowstorms. Gotta love them. Well at least for one thing: SNOW DAYS! And, no not just one of them, but TWO SNOW DAYS in a row!!!!! That has, like, NEVER happened to me before! In all my years in the midwest, school has always been on even in the worst of snowstorms, because as we all know, education comes first;)....so screw bad weather, horrible driving conditions, and possibly life endangering moments as you try to make it to school. It's not about the journey, it's about the destination. Or is it the other way around? ;)So, needless to say, I'm just thrilled that we have 2 snow days in a row. However, that means more expectations that you should have all your work done and in top form come Thursday. But whatever, because today is v-day dammit, and those damn hw assignments are not going to come between my love for doing nothing and being a good productive student. So to burst my bubble and my perfect rebellion of this awfully commercialized day, in came 4 nice men. Uh...no this is not a dirty post, so STOP what you're thinking. Stop it. NOW.Here's the story....I needed to run out for a bit. So, dreading the fact that I will now have to spend the next hour shoveling my parking spot and cleaning my car, I cover myself up in layers and get ready to get down to work. Except for one small problem. I don't own a shovel. Ok, so now you all are going to be like WTF? how do you live out in the mw and not own a shovel!! But, it's never been so bad before and there's always been to help (aka parents, roomies, neighbors, and occasionally strangers) so I just never ended up buying one! So anyways...I tried using my hands to form a bucket and dig out the snow. But as you can imagine, it was pretty futile. Well, a few cars down from me... a dude was helping another frantic, lonely chica like myself with her car. Except I thought he was her boyfriend or something so I felt weird intruding and asking for help. Plus, I hate looking like I'm desperate for help and I wanted to keep thinking that I could magically make all the snow disappear. Well ten minutes later, the chica eventually got her car out and the dude helped her push it out of her spot and onto the road. But he never got in the car! *Secretly thinking: YAY!!! Maybe I SHOULD ask this dude for help! He seems like a nice guy...and well, at this point, I'm covered in snow and not getting anywhere so I AM desperate!* So I shyly go up to said dude and am all girly, "Um...hi..there. Hey, so I'm like, really sorry to do this to you, but I was wondering if you could help me. Pause. Do you think I could borrow your shovel? I'm kinda desperate and I know you're probably tired, so I won't make you do it, I just need a shovel cuz, like, I don't own one."Nice dude: "Sure! Of course...which one's your car!" (he almost jumped at the chance to help! I heart nice people:) )A few minutes later....Nice Dude: "Here, let me help. You can take over if I get tired. So you don't own a shovel? Is this your first winter out here?"Me: "Uh....yeah....I'm new here (true) and I just forgot to buy a shovel (lying through my teeth). Stupid I know. hehe(insert innocent smile here)!" Nice dude: "Oh, yeah, no problem. I just moved here last year...and just bought this shovel last winter. "Then he went on...and started recommending me different shovels to buy. I kindly listened and tried to take mental notes, but also realized that I'm probably going to forget all of this when I make it to Home Depot or some store anytime soon!Ten minutes later when we are both out of breath....Nice Dude: "You know what, I'll be right back. Me: "Err....ok. " (Oh my god!! Is he leaving me here like this. No!!!!!!!!!)5 minutes later....Nice dude brings back 2 of his nice dude friends along with him, who have with them 2 big shovels and they all start digging and helping out almost immediately. They all say howdy and have big smiles on their faces as if doing this on a Wednesday morning was their only joy in life and the most glorious part of their day. Meanwhile, I stood around uselessly and observed the helpfulness of this young men unfold around me. (Gosh..I'm such a girl!)10 minutes later....One of the nice dudes: "Ok...well I think this is good enough...why don't you get in and we'll just help push the car out."Me: "Um...ok. Sure. Thanks so much for all of your help." I get in the car and after 5 minutes of hard work, my car manages to make it out of the parking spot and onto the messy, icy road. Whew!!I open the window to thank the men and shower them with praise, but almost have to yell as they're walking away already...probably to help another desperate soul. They yell back thanks but it seemed like they were just doing what needed to be done and didn't really mind doing the work!!So now you're probably thinking...aww what a cute story. But wait:20 minutes later, pulling up to my spot....My car gets STUCK and now I'm in the middle of the parking lot blocking the freakin' exit alley. Me: "SHIIIIIT!"But as v-day would have it, another very nice dude (apparently there are plenty of these men who you just happen to pop up in moments of desperation. who knew they existed! now if only they were single and desi....jk ;)) who happened to be walking up to his car at the very same moment. He noticed my frustration and managed to help push my car back into my spot. Sigh. I double heart nice people. Just DON'T ask me how I'm going to get my car out again. So, on this lovely snow day and V-day, remember that inspite of all of your efforts to be in your own little world, to act like you don't need someone else, and to do everything possible to hate this very day and all the cheesiness it stands for, nice things can happen to good people. When you least expect it, some people can just turn out to be wonderfully nice, warm, and helpful and it makes all of your anger, fear, and sadness melt away. Random strangers can sometimes be the most friendly, genuine, and kind-hearted people you all will ever meet. Nothing new, but it's always nice to reaffirm that belief. So give in a little, and let all the red, white, and chocolate bring a smile to your snowy day!Was that V-day message corny enough for y'all?? However you may be spending the day, stay safe and warm, and have a happy hearty day!With pyar,~PLabels: Amusements, happy moments, Once upon a time..., Times are a changin'
Be back shortly....
Hey all,These next few days are going to be extremely busy, so there will be sporadic posting. But stay tuned...I have several posts that I would like to share with you soon!~p
Citizen of the World
The Trib has an article on Vikram Chandra, who's in our city today promoting his new book, Sacred Games.
From the article:
It is, in various ways, a thriller, a police procedural, a mystery and a traditional Indian epic, all wrapped up in the elegant, nuanced language of a literary novel. It has been called Dickensian and labeled a South Asian version of Mario Puzo's "The Godfather."
"In a sense, reading is all about that. When we read a book, we read along, but we're also looking for structure, for resonances and rhythms. Whenever you are reading anything, but especially a novel, you, in a sense, become a detective, trying to figure out that world." (link)
I'm looking forward to reading this book soon, although seeing that it is some 900 pages long, I'm thinking it'll be awhile until I get around to it!
Labels: Desi, Literary Love
Some more lovin'...
From the hilarious, excellent, soon-to-be-finished (sigh.), and adorable show, Scrubs, I present to you: Guy love. Enjoy =)Labels: visual appetizers
We've switched!!!
So...finally we've switched to the new Blogger!!! We'll try to makes some new changes to the layout and design shortly. Let us know if you have any suggestions or would like to help our poor technically impaired souls. Anyway, just felt like announcing our new change :)Labels: happy moments
Let the "Rainfall"
I'm currently in love with these songs from Nitin Sawhney and I thought since, it's close to V-day and all, I would share some of my lovin' :) Enjoy:RainfallHomeI'm working on inserting the youtube clips for easier viewing. But until then, click away on these links!Labels: Brown, Desi, Land of The Accent, Music to My Ears, visual appetizers
Help a brother out
Hey guys,I know many of you are in the city and some of you are even students at Loyola. Here's an article about 2 men helping out Pravin Patel and his family, owners of the Kaffecino Coffee Shop in the university's Lake Shore campus. It's great to see students and community members helping a family out in times of need.The story:"Steve Hill, a junior at Loyola University, Chicago, started the campaign after coming to know that Nikit Patel, the 22-year-old son of a university campus coffee shop owner, has been diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML. Hill and Chicago real estate developer Tom Pierce organised an all-day event last week as part of the Nikit Patel Benefit Project."The purpose:"The whole idea is to provide support for the family and maybe take a little pressure off and allow them to buy some medication for a month," Hill told The Phoenix about last week's event. "This definitely raises awareness."What you can do:"Apart from last week's event, donation boxes have also been placed at Carmen's Chicago Pizza on Sheridan Road and the subway on Broadway and Berwyn Avenue in Chicago."If you're on your way to class, know somebody who lives in the area, or you're going to be in the area yourself, stop by the shop or one of the above locations, donate, and help a brother out!Labels: Be the Change, News
Stupidity is a defense
Apparently, and contrary to what we may be taught in school, studipidy is a defense:"A judge who sentenced a couple to probation for delivering a 20-pound package of marijuana to a friend said he did so because the pair acted out of stupidity." (link)Labels: Amusements, Times are a changin'
MAC-up
I read this article today in the Chicago Tribune and found it rather interesting: Ethnicity plays a role in beauty habitsWhile some of the results were pretty obvious, it was interesting to see the statistics/breakdowns:Asian: The most likely to use sunscreen and after-sun products. They also are most likely to use facial moisturizers, cleansers and lip-care products. In color cosmetics, Asians are the most likely to use bronzers and shimmer sticks every day.
Hispanic: The leaders in everyday use of mascara, blush, eyeliner and lipstick.
Black: The most frequent wearers of lip gloss and fragrance.
White: The most frequent users of foundation, with 43 percent of Caucasian makeup wearers using foundation every day.
I wonder what the survey would be like if it was more narrow and looked at particular communities such as South Asian women. Just from my observations, I'd say South Asian women are more likely to use foundation, lip-care products, eyeliner, and mascara.
What do you think? Plus do you think it's hard to find a good shade of brown for all of us when we're searching for foundations/cover-ups? I find mixing different shades helps. I guess, much like our personal diversities, no one shade that can truly cover up our physical ones!!
Labels: Color-Race-Politics, Girl Talk
