In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
YOOOOOOOLIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Julia, my beloved! I'm sorry I couldn't come in and blog for 3 days- it was unsafe to travel, so I was confined to the kampung. But I posted Thursday's letter for you to read, if you want to.
Ugh, I hate politics. I did vote, but it wasn't a blessing for me. I was just trying to do my responsibility. I don't really want to be affiliated with any party but I will vote, but above all that, my responsibility is to Allah. If the people turn to Allah, then perhaps Allah would be pleased with my work.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Letter to Julia 20130919
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hi Julia. How are you? How's your mom? Give her my regards. I managed to get one side of the tree on the ground, namely the bottom side. Trees are darn heavy, Julia. The branches are clinging stubbornly to the roof, but inshaAllah I'll get the whole thing on the ground soon.
Like I told you before, my standing ground here has many benefits:
1. It empowers Islam over other religions.
2. It empowers the rural over the urban.
3. It empowers small businesses over the banks and the executives.
4. I get to focus on my family and home.
MashaAllah. Now who wouldn't want all that? Well, I wouldn't want the enemies of Allah to get their way, so I won't gig outside Perlis. Hey, I'm too lazy to travel. I even hate commuting. Allah has granted me the most powerful TV station in the world inshaAllah, so I don't need promotion. And I refuse to sell out on my Islam, so I can wait until Allah grants me the wealth I need from the situation given to me. Sorry, folks. If you want to hear me sing live, then come to the kampung. I refuse to perform outside of Perlis. Come to Perlis. To Allah we belong and to Allah is our return.
Hi Julia. How are you? How's your mom? Give her my regards. I managed to get one side of the tree on the ground, namely the bottom side. Trees are darn heavy, Julia. The branches are clinging stubbornly to the roof, but inshaAllah I'll get the whole thing on the ground soon.
Like I told you before, my standing ground here has many benefits:
1. It empowers Islam over other religions.
2. It empowers the rural over the urban.
3. It empowers small businesses over the banks and the executives.
4. I get to focus on my family and home.
MashaAllah. Now who wouldn't want all that? Well, I wouldn't want the enemies of Allah to get their way, so I won't gig outside Perlis. Hey, I'm too lazy to travel. I even hate commuting. Allah has granted me the most powerful TV station in the world inshaAllah, so I don't need promotion. And I refuse to sell out on my Islam, so I can wait until Allah grants me the wealth I need from the situation given to me. Sorry, folks. If you want to hear me sing live, then come to the kampung. I refuse to perform outside of Perlis. Come to Perlis. To Allah we belong and to Allah is our return.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Letter to Julia 20130917
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hello Julia, my beloved. How are you feeling? I think of you all the time, and I pray you aren't overworking. Please remember that the goal of our marriage is to slow down, stay put, raise a family, and enjoy our life and love together. After all, I'm trying to build a tourist attraction here.
You're probably wondering why I'm not using my time to accumulate as much recorded music as possible. Actually, this music is a very heavy burden, and there is more to do than anyone can ever dream of, and I have had to do everything myself, with little to no equipment. So I slow down. Soooooo sloooooww... For instance, the last time anyone checked, I was redoing the vocal parts for "Shadowplay's Greatest Hits part 3: the Struggle to be Normal". Right now, I'm remixing the bass drum on "Revenge", but I'm doing it oh, so slowly. Sooooo damn sloooowwww... I still haven't come across a slide whistle. I thought it would take some time, but I still can't find a slide whistle. Yeah, I have all this music in my head. When the time comes, I'll have to put them all down faster than how I am now, but now is not the time. Where's the money, so I can buy equipment? Partly. I'm not going to say I have a huge backlog of original music. The music comes from Allah to begin with, so if Allah kills me off whenever, there's nothing I can do other than say my "shahadah", inshaAllah. I want to live too, and be with my Julia. Also, I'm stockpiling a set list as a chick singer right now. No Julia, I don't want the high heels. I don't pass anymore. YOU be the pretty one.
Oh yeah, I'm also very lazy!
Well, I have been doing this for over 30 years now, and Allah has granted me guidance on how to conduct my affairs, and take care of the music. You Julia, my wife, you and I are as one. So please don't prefer the friendship of unbelievers and hypocrites. You know the type, those who don't take their prayers seriously. The good news is that the hypocrites have a nice severe punishment prepared for them.
Hello Julia, my beloved. How are you feeling? I think of you all the time, and I pray you aren't overworking. Please remember that the goal of our marriage is to slow down, stay put, raise a family, and enjoy our life and love together. After all, I'm trying to build a tourist attraction here.
You're probably wondering why I'm not using my time to accumulate as much recorded music as possible. Actually, this music is a very heavy burden, and there is more to do than anyone can ever dream of, and I have had to do everything myself, with little to no equipment. So I slow down. Soooooo sloooooww... For instance, the last time anyone checked, I was redoing the vocal parts for "Shadowplay's Greatest Hits part 3: the Struggle to be Normal". Right now, I'm remixing the bass drum on "Revenge", but I'm doing it oh, so slowly. Sooooo damn sloooowwww... I still haven't come across a slide whistle. I thought it would take some time, but I still can't find a slide whistle. Yeah, I have all this music in my head. When the time comes, I'll have to put them all down faster than how I am now, but now is not the time. Where's the money, so I can buy equipment? Partly. I'm not going to say I have a huge backlog of original music. The music comes from Allah to begin with, so if Allah kills me off whenever, there's nothing I can do other than say my "shahadah", inshaAllah. I want to live too, and be with my Julia. Also, I'm stockpiling a set list as a chick singer right now. No Julia, I don't want the high heels. I don't pass anymore. YOU be the pretty one.
Oh yeah, I'm also very lazy!
Well, I have been doing this for over 30 years now, and Allah has granted me guidance on how to conduct my affairs, and take care of the music. You Julia, my wife, you and I are as one. So please don't prefer the friendship of unbelievers and hypocrites. You know the type, those who don't take their prayers seriously. The good news is that the hypocrites have a nice severe punishment prepared for them.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Letter to Julia 20130916
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hi there Julia, my beloved. How is the most beautiful girl in the world today? Yes, you. I'm feeling feverish. I don't know why. All I did yesterday was chop down that tree I told you about over at Casa de Julia inshaAllah. It was already hanging over my grandfather's old house, so it didn't take long to snap. The trouble is it fell right on top of the house, and now I have to get it down off the roof. I managed to get a long steel cable around the trunk so I could pull it down, but one of the branches snapped off and punctured a hole in the roof, which anchored the tree firmly. Groan (or in Mexican, El Groano). I tried to trim that branch, but the tree embedded itself even further. I'm going to have to think this one out. I hope the tree doesn't grow over again while I struggle to get it of the roof. Then I noticed another tree growing ON the roof. Another groan.
I'd like to remind all of you that I am not some sort of religious leader. I am a follower, not a leader. I am a follower of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), and I worship Allah. I am a musician. The music was granted to me by Allah, and that is my place in life. If the people need guidance, there are 2 imams at the local mosque, and they also have a regular schedule of religious teachers. There is also an Islamic school down the street close to the crossroads.
Hi there Julia, my beloved. How is the most beautiful girl in the world today? Yes, you. I'm feeling feverish. I don't know why. All I did yesterday was chop down that tree I told you about over at Casa de Julia inshaAllah. It was already hanging over my grandfather's old house, so it didn't take long to snap. The trouble is it fell right on top of the house, and now I have to get it down off the roof. I managed to get a long steel cable around the trunk so I could pull it down, but one of the branches snapped off and punctured a hole in the roof, which anchored the tree firmly. Groan (or in Mexican, El Groano). I tried to trim that branch, but the tree embedded itself even further. I'm going to have to think this one out. I hope the tree doesn't grow over again while I struggle to get it of the roof. Then I noticed another tree growing ON the roof. Another groan.
I'd like to remind all of you that I am not some sort of religious leader. I am a follower, not a leader. I am a follower of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), and I worship Allah. I am a musician. The music was granted to me by Allah, and that is my place in life. If the people need guidance, there are 2 imams at the local mosque, and they also have a regular schedule of religious teachers. There is also an Islamic school down the street close to the crossroads.
Qur'an 20130915
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
4:127 They ask your instruction concerning the women. Say, "Allah does instruct you about them, and what has been rehearsed unto you in the Book, concerning the orphans of women to whom you give not the portions prescribed, and yet whom you desire to marry, as also the children who are weak and oppressed: that you stand firm to justice for orphans. There is not a good deed which you do, but Allah is well-acquainted therewith."
The Women 4:127
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4:127 They ask your instruction concerning the women. Say, "Allah does instruct you about them, and what has been rehearsed unto you in the Book, concerning the orphans of women to whom you give not the portions prescribed, and yet whom you desire to marry, as also the children who are weak and oppressed: that you stand firm to justice for orphans. There is not a good deed which you do, but Allah is well-acquainted therewith."
The Women 4:127
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Friday, September 13, 2013
Letter to Julia 20130914
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hello there, Julia my beloved. And how are you feeling today? Have you been busy traveling? Please get adequate rest, and eat properly. You are my love, and I love you so much.
The rain finally stopped, and I finally got around to cutting the grass at Casa de Julia inshaAllah. There seems to be a lot of clover growing there, and at my little house too. I like clover, because it's short, pretty, and it doesn't allow the long grass to grow. The southeast corner is quite congested, and there seems to be a lot of standing water there. Also, tapioca seems to be growing out of control there. My Mom loves tapioca. I'm getting bored with just maintenance. I think tomorrow evening, I'll chop down a tree. Perhaps an oppressive corporation will tumble down as well.
I'm certain now more than ever that little Fluffy Ramadan was once a market cat. I was carrying in 3 grocery bags full of fresh groceries, and she showed an obnoxiously keen interest in them, trying ot rip them to shreds to spill the contents inside. However, when grocery bags are reused for trash, she ignores them. I had a dream about her last night, where I was trying to take her to the vet because she was so hammered, and her internal organs were showing. She kept trying to flee all the way, and then she became transparent. But we did make it to the vet. Then this morning, she looked at me from the corner of her eyes, then flashed her eyes at me.
Hello there, Julia my beloved. And how are you feeling today? Have you been busy traveling? Please get adequate rest, and eat properly. You are my love, and I love you so much.
The rain finally stopped, and I finally got around to cutting the grass at Casa de Julia inshaAllah. There seems to be a lot of clover growing there, and at my little house too. I like clover, because it's short, pretty, and it doesn't allow the long grass to grow. The southeast corner is quite congested, and there seems to be a lot of standing water there. Also, tapioca seems to be growing out of control there. My Mom loves tapioca. I'm getting bored with just maintenance. I think tomorrow evening, I'll chop down a tree. Perhaps an oppressive corporation will tumble down as well.
I'm certain now more than ever that little Fluffy Ramadan was once a market cat. I was carrying in 3 grocery bags full of fresh groceries, and she showed an obnoxiously keen interest in them, trying ot rip them to shreds to spill the contents inside. However, when grocery bags are reused for trash, she ignores them. I had a dream about her last night, where I was trying to take her to the vet because she was so hammered, and her internal organs were showing. She kept trying to flee all the way, and then she became transparent. But we did make it to the vet. Then this morning, she looked at me from the corner of her eyes, then flashed her eyes at me.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Letter to Julia 20130912
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Well, I was all set to come in and blog yesterday, I even shaved and all that, but the rain didn't really stop until the afternoon, and by that time it was time to voice train. The after that, it started to rain again. I sure hope it doesn't flood again. The rain isn't pelting down, but it hasn't stopped yet.
Listening to a singer on a recording is not the same as listening to a singer performing live. Especially a singer with a resonant voice. The air pressure from the PA system can move and vibrate objects, and then there's the reaction of the environment. Subhanallah. I have a bassey voice, which the bass would not be noticed if you were to listen to me on Skype for instance. I want to get an 18 inch speaker with a 1000 watt amp to drive it along with a crossover to go along with my karaoke setup that I have right now, inshaAllah. Then I can really start to move objects. But perhaps Allah will grant me something better and more powerful.
Which makes me smile. Musical instruments really wouldn't have much use, or bring much satisfaction in heaven. But here on earth in this life, they are useful as weapons. To put fear into the enemies of Allah, Who watches them as they plot.
But if they happen to plan secretly for justice, goodwill, and conciliation, then may Allah bless their work.
Well, I was all set to come in and blog yesterday, I even shaved and all that, but the rain didn't really stop until the afternoon, and by that time it was time to voice train. The after that, it started to rain again. I sure hope it doesn't flood again. The rain isn't pelting down, but it hasn't stopped yet.
Listening to a singer on a recording is not the same as listening to a singer performing live. Especially a singer with a resonant voice. The air pressure from the PA system can move and vibrate objects, and then there's the reaction of the environment. Subhanallah. I have a bassey voice, which the bass would not be noticed if you were to listen to me on Skype for instance. I want to get an 18 inch speaker with a 1000 watt amp to drive it along with a crossover to go along with my karaoke setup that I have right now, inshaAllah. Then I can really start to move objects. But perhaps Allah will grant me something better and more powerful.
Which makes me smile. Musical instruments really wouldn't have much use, or bring much satisfaction in heaven. But here on earth in this life, they are useful as weapons. To put fear into the enemies of Allah, Who watches them as they plot.
But if they happen to plan secretly for justice, goodwill, and conciliation, then may Allah bless their work.
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