In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hi Julia, my beloved. I pray you are doing well, and feeling confident. You should have figured out by now that to be sincere in Islam is to take that leap of faith to Allah, to conduct worship solely for the sake of Allah, and that there is no turning back. The best is to strive in the cause of Allah with all you have, for then Allah gives that the highest reward. I have tried to do so, may Allah accept my work.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Letter to Julia 20121215
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Oh Julia! How are you today, my princess? You must be busy as always. That's the trouble with work in mass media: one has to work 24/7 it seems. Oh, the lack of privacy! And I still haven't cleaned off the cobwebs off the windows since I moved into this house. Hey I like spiders, and since I'm by myself, I might as well let them decorate the windows. Oh, I'm so lazy! That's the real reason. Since I'm working all the time, then I might as well be lazy, because it doesn't matter what I do, I'm still working. Maybe I'll take a nap.
Oh don't worry, Julia my love. I'll chip in with some of the housework, and I'm capable of doing my own laundry. I'm just waiting for you, my beloved. Fame certainly is not a blessing, but perhaps Allah will grant us an easy life and happiness together in spite of it. Meanwhile, you please maintain your prayers in sincerity.
Oh Julia! How are you today, my princess? You must be busy as always. That's the trouble with work in mass media: one has to work 24/7 it seems. Oh, the lack of privacy! And I still haven't cleaned off the cobwebs off the windows since I moved into this house. Hey I like spiders, and since I'm by myself, I might as well let them decorate the windows. Oh, I'm so lazy! That's the real reason. Since I'm working all the time, then I might as well be lazy, because it doesn't matter what I do, I'm still working. Maybe I'll take a nap.
Oh don't worry, Julia my love. I'll chip in with some of the housework, and I'm capable of doing my own laundry. I'm just waiting for you, my beloved. Fame certainly is not a blessing, but perhaps Allah will grant us an easy life and happiness together in spite of it. Meanwhile, you please maintain your prayers in sincerity.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Letter to Julia 20121213
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hi again, my Julia! Kiss kiss! Thank you for your love. I love you! How are you feeling today? I just had some "nasi lemak" and "laksa" over at Ina's restaurant, so I'm stuffed. You must be fascinated with the local cuisine here, and you may have learned a few tricks and recipes. I want you to master German cuisine. The local food is everywhere here, well because it's local. But I want halal sausage, cooked in sauerkraut! I want you to teach our children and me German, I want our children to be trilingual.
I'm sorry to bore you with talk about Shadowplay music, and an old man's memories. But I'm sure that you can see that now is not the time for me to talk a lot about the fashion business. This is your time to blow the fashion scene to pieces, and be the fashion mogul. It's your turn to shine in the business you've worked so hard in. I am here to love you, and marry you. Remember the goal of our marriage, is to make them come to us, so we can slow down and stay put, and enjoy our family together.
Maybe you want to be nice and all that, but just don't be too nice to your enemies. And it may be that Allah may grant love between you and those you hold as enemies, for Allah has power, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your home, and support in driving you out, from turning to them in friendship. And remember, there are the completely lost souls, on whom is the Wrath of Allah, and they are in despair of the hereafter. Keep away from them.
Hi again, my Julia! Kiss kiss! Thank you for your love. I love you! How are you feeling today? I just had some "nasi lemak" and "laksa" over at Ina's restaurant, so I'm stuffed. You must be fascinated with the local cuisine here, and you may have learned a few tricks and recipes. I want you to master German cuisine. The local food is everywhere here, well because it's local. But I want halal sausage, cooked in sauerkraut! I want you to teach our children and me German, I want our children to be trilingual.
I'm sorry to bore you with talk about Shadowplay music, and an old man's memories. But I'm sure that you can see that now is not the time for me to talk a lot about the fashion business. This is your time to blow the fashion scene to pieces, and be the fashion mogul. It's your turn to shine in the business you've worked so hard in. I am here to love you, and marry you. Remember the goal of our marriage, is to make them come to us, so we can slow down and stay put, and enjoy our family together.
Maybe you want to be nice and all that, but just don't be too nice to your enemies. And it may be that Allah may grant love between you and those you hold as enemies, for Allah has power, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your home, and support in driving you out, from turning to them in friendship. And remember, there are the completely lost souls, on whom is the Wrath of Allah, and they are in despair of the hereafter. Keep away from them.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Letter to Julia 20121212
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hello there, my beautiful Julia. Yes, you are the most beautiful girl in the world to me. I love you, and I want to marry you. I pray that you are staying healthy and confident.
Oh dear, "Revenge of the Sith" is on Shadowplay TV right now. I guess I'll fast forward it. I don't want to turn into Darth Vader. Ah, "Gigantic Killer Fish" on MonsterQuest. Much better. Actually, I wrote "Revenge" waaaay back when I was still in Salt Lake City. Andre, Terry and I had a daytime gig, I think it was the Sabbathon... I'm not sure. Hazy days, you know. I believe it was outside the Cinema Bar. As far as I remember, there was a pause... oh yeah, Andre broke a string! So I took out a brass slide, and started jamming alone on my bass. I played bass back then. Terry joined in on the drums, then when Andre was done restringing his guitar, he joined in too. I barked out some stupid words, and behold! "Revenge" was born. That was 1994, I think. Years passed by, Terry quit, Andre died, I rewrote all the instrumental parts, and "Revenge" is what it is today. I still have the version Andre, Terry and I recorded. I wonder if it would sell? Nah, it's only good for my nostalgia.
There is a difference between treating your enemies with justice and turning to them for friendship. Allah loves those who are just, but making friends with your enemies and the enemies of God is wrong. Then there is the case of women refugees, who become Muslim, then turn to you for help. First make sure their faith is sincere. Once you are sure of that, then it becomes haram (unlawful, forbidden) for you to send them back to where they came from. You must help them somehow.
Hello there, my beautiful Julia. Yes, you are the most beautiful girl in the world to me. I love you, and I want to marry you. I pray that you are staying healthy and confident.
Oh dear, "Revenge of the Sith" is on Shadowplay TV right now. I guess I'll fast forward it. I don't want to turn into Darth Vader. Ah, "Gigantic Killer Fish" on MonsterQuest. Much better. Actually, I wrote "Revenge" waaaay back when I was still in Salt Lake City. Andre, Terry and I had a daytime gig, I think it was the Sabbathon... I'm not sure. Hazy days, you know. I believe it was outside the Cinema Bar. As far as I remember, there was a pause... oh yeah, Andre broke a string! So I took out a brass slide, and started jamming alone on my bass. I played bass back then. Terry joined in on the drums, then when Andre was done restringing his guitar, he joined in too. I barked out some stupid words, and behold! "Revenge" was born. That was 1994, I think. Years passed by, Terry quit, Andre died, I rewrote all the instrumental parts, and "Revenge" is what it is today. I still have the version Andre, Terry and I recorded. I wonder if it would sell? Nah, it's only good for my nostalgia.
There is a difference between treating your enemies with justice and turning to them for friendship. Allah loves those who are just, but making friends with your enemies and the enemies of God is wrong. Then there is the case of women refugees, who become Muslim, then turn to you for help. First make sure their faith is sincere. Once you are sure of that, then it becomes haram (unlawful, forbidden) for you to send them back to where they came from. You must help them somehow.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Letter to Julia 20121211
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hi Julia! My love! Are you feeling good? I'm reprogramming Shadowplay TV right now, and snacking on fried peanuts. I had fried chicken for dinner which I bought at the night market, and my Dad gave me some fried noodles. I'm pretty full. Alhamdulillah.
I'm reworking "Revenge" right now, and it's a pretty long song. 8 minutes and 32 seconds. The original version is already very good, at first I didn't want to rework it. But I know I can sing it better today insyaAllah, so I changed my mind. I originally produced it in the summer of 2005, in the blazing heat of Phoenix. It's definitely a desert song, kind of country hip-hop, with tribal drums. There's nothing wrong with the song, except that I'm sure I can sing it better. The problem is that the instrumental track I have is missing the slide whistle part, which is an important element of the song. Nobody takes the slide whistle as a serious musical instrument except me. It's considered a toy, and only used in cartoons and comedies. But it can be played very expressively, and I managed to get a very haunting take. But the take is lost, and I can't find another slide whistle here in Perlis, even at the toy stores. Oh, lament! Who out there hears the lament of a musician without musical instruments? Oh, oh, oh! I need a set of drums, I need a tube stack, I need a mixer and microphones, I need a slide whistle, I need a whole lot of stuff! Ya Allah, please help me! Anyway, if I can't get the slide whistle, I'm going to have to use a slide guitar, which I don't want to use, because the part is written for a slide whistle.
By the way Julia my love, you must stop offering love to your enemies and to God's enemies. If they had the chance, they would lead you to ruin. It should be obvious to you now who your enemies are, so just stay away from them. Do not offer them love, not even in secret. They had their chance, now leave them alone.
Hi Julia! My love! Are you feeling good? I'm reprogramming Shadowplay TV right now, and snacking on fried peanuts. I had fried chicken for dinner which I bought at the night market, and my Dad gave me some fried noodles. I'm pretty full. Alhamdulillah.
I'm reworking "Revenge" right now, and it's a pretty long song. 8 minutes and 32 seconds. The original version is already very good, at first I didn't want to rework it. But I know I can sing it better today insyaAllah, so I changed my mind. I originally produced it in the summer of 2005, in the blazing heat of Phoenix. It's definitely a desert song, kind of country hip-hop, with tribal drums. There's nothing wrong with the song, except that I'm sure I can sing it better. The problem is that the instrumental track I have is missing the slide whistle part, which is an important element of the song. Nobody takes the slide whistle as a serious musical instrument except me. It's considered a toy, and only used in cartoons and comedies. But it can be played very expressively, and I managed to get a very haunting take. But the take is lost, and I can't find another slide whistle here in Perlis, even at the toy stores. Oh, lament! Who out there hears the lament of a musician without musical instruments? Oh, oh, oh! I need a set of drums, I need a tube stack, I need a mixer and microphones, I need a slide whistle, I need a whole lot of stuff! Ya Allah, please help me! Anyway, if I can't get the slide whistle, I'm going to have to use a slide guitar, which I don't want to use, because the part is written for a slide whistle.
By the way Julia my love, you must stop offering love to your enemies and to God's enemies. If they had the chance, they would lead you to ruin. It should be obvious to you now who your enemies are, so just stay away from them. Do not offer them love, not even in secret. They had their chance, now leave them alone.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Letter to Julia 20121210
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Wha.... where's my sweetie? You're not in the latest Victoria's Secret fashion show? Well, that's actually a good thing, because it shows the world that you are modest. I'm glad that you realize that you are a role model for millions of young Muslim girls, and you are my princess. I wish you had told me that you weren't going to be in the show, so there would have been less drama. Maybe you did tell me in not so many words, and I'm just dense. I guess it doesn't really matter. May Allah reward you.
As for Victoria's Secret, I'm afraid I cannot endorse your show or your product if my sweetie Julia isn't involved. Thus endeth the Victoria's Secret fashion show saga on Shadowplay TV, except for the shows that feature my sweetie Julia on regular programming when picked by the randomizer. I strongly suggest you guys quit while you're ahead, and try to get back to a basic showcase of your product in your fashion shows (like in 1998 and before) with minimal loss, or axe the fashion show altogether and just rely on commercials. It is impossible for you guys to get bigger and better without limit, because you are human beings and you sell underwear. Oh God, I hope they don't try to cast wrinkley old women in mummified makeup to walk the catwalk in skimpy lingerie just because these women have power and influence, and try to call it sexy. Eau de formaldehyde! But I guess that could be a bigger and better approach to the show, from a certain point of view.
Wha.... where's my sweetie? You're not in the latest Victoria's Secret fashion show? Well, that's actually a good thing, because it shows the world that you are modest. I'm glad that you realize that you are a role model for millions of young Muslim girls, and you are my princess. I wish you had told me that you weren't going to be in the show, so there would have been less drama. Maybe you did tell me in not so many words, and I'm just dense. I guess it doesn't really matter. May Allah reward you.
As for Victoria's Secret, I'm afraid I cannot endorse your show or your product if my sweetie Julia isn't involved. Thus endeth the Victoria's Secret fashion show saga on Shadowplay TV, except for the shows that feature my sweetie Julia on regular programming when picked by the randomizer. I strongly suggest you guys quit while you're ahead, and try to get back to a basic showcase of your product in your fashion shows (like in 1998 and before) with minimal loss, or axe the fashion show altogether and just rely on commercials. It is impossible for you guys to get bigger and better without limit, because you are human beings and you sell underwear. Oh God, I hope they don't try to cast wrinkley old women in mummified makeup to walk the catwalk in skimpy lingerie just because these women have power and influence, and try to call it sexy. Eau de formaldehyde! But I guess that could be a bigger and better approach to the show, from a certain point of view.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Letter to Julia 20121208
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hello there, my beautiful Julia! How are you feeling? Today is my parents' 52nd anniversary. They've been married to each other for 52 years! I'll buy them some ice cream on my way home. They are kind of difficult to shop for, because they don't really like anything except for what they get for themselves. As a couple, they don't seem to have similar interests. My Mom is a sugar addict, while my Dad is a chain smoker. Their other tastes and habits are equally divergent. Their only common interests are lying in bed with each other, and eating rice with mixed entrees (nasi campur). Ya Allah, thank you for keeping my parents alive. Please give my parents long, happy, healthy lives, forgive their sins, allow them to enter heaven together, and have mercy on my parents as they cherished me in childhood.
The Internet cafe was out of order last Thursday, so I didn't get to blog. Please forgive me. But I am so looking forward to seeing you in the fashion show. And our show! Remember, our goal is to slow down and enjoy our lives together. InsyaAllah.
Please do not be fooled by hypocrites and disbelievers who appear united against us. Listen again, and you will hear lies and dissent among themselves. Look again, and you will see fear.
Hello there, my beautiful Julia! How are you feeling? Today is my parents' 52nd anniversary. They've been married to each other for 52 years! I'll buy them some ice cream on my way home. They are kind of difficult to shop for, because they don't really like anything except for what they get for themselves. As a couple, they don't seem to have similar interests. My Mom is a sugar addict, while my Dad is a chain smoker. Their other tastes and habits are equally divergent. Their only common interests are lying in bed with each other, and eating rice with mixed entrees (nasi campur). Ya Allah, thank you for keeping my parents alive. Please give my parents long, happy, healthy lives, forgive their sins, allow them to enter heaven together, and have mercy on my parents as they cherished me in childhood.
The Internet cafe was out of order last Thursday, so I didn't get to blog. Please forgive me. But I am so looking forward to seeing you in the fashion show. And our show! Remember, our goal is to slow down and enjoy our lives together. InsyaAllah.
Please do not be fooled by hypocrites and disbelievers who appear united against us. Listen again, and you will hear lies and dissent among themselves. Look again, and you will see fear.
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