Letter to Julia 20120630

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Hi Julia!  Lately I've been getting the sensation that you are really close by.  I think it's because the men are getting increasingly belligerent around me.  **snarl**  You are so beautiful, I suppose that's part of life.  Ya Allah, please protect Julia and I and all the ones we love.  I don't know if you're getting a chance to read my love letters lately, but since I do love you, I feel obligated to write them since I have be here anyway.

Anyway, next month is fasting month.  You know how to fast, right?  In a nutshell, no food, drink, sex or swearing from dawn to sunset.  If you are on your period then you are exempt from fasting, but you have to make the days up later before the next Ramadan.  You have to voice your intention to fast the day before.  I've been looking for a specific incantation for the intent to fast that the Prophet (peace be on him) used, but I couldn't find it.  I'll keep looking.  What I've been using my whole life, may Allah accept my worship, is (in English) "I hereby fast tomorrow in the month of Ramadan of this year, for the sake of Allah, the Most High."  Of course, before any act of worship, you seek protection with Allah from Satan the rejected, and you invoke the name of God by saying, "In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful."

Letter to Julia 20120628

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Hello, my beloved young lady Julia.  How are you feeling?  I pray you feeling secure and confident.  The compound of my grandfather's old house is clearing up slowly but nicely.  I've been the only one doing all the work, and vegetation springs back up quickly.  The place used to be a miniature jungle, but now it's beginning to look a little civilized.  I'm at the point now where I'm tearing down the house little by little.  My grandfather built some ramshackle wings to the house for some reason: the main house is well-built and looks good, but in their later years my grandparents lived in primitive, squatter-like extensions to the house.  I don't know why.  I've torn down one extension, now there is a large tree in my way which I have to chop down.  But before I do that, I'll tidy up the grounds and collect scrap metal for the scrap metal guy.  I work like an ant: slowly and meticulously.  While I do this, I also have to tend the grounds of my own house, and my parents' house.  I've been growing red hot chili peppers.  Things are growing like mad right now.  Praise Allah.

Julia, for dinner tonight, how about you have a steak with sliced peaches and grapes, and a bottle of that raspberry flavored sparkling water?

Letter to Julia 20120626

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

This little house I live in now can get so awfully hot, especially in the afternoon, and between sunset and midnight.  I don't stay indoors after the late afternoon prayer, because that's my time for yard work.  I think it's because circulation is poor, and the air stagnates in here.  The circulation is poor in my parents' house too, because I'm always vacuuming a lot of dust in there, but it keeps much cooler than my house.  Subsequently, they consume less power for air-conditioning.  I can't fathom why my little house is so hot.  I hope the house I share with you stays much cooler.

Qur'an 20120626

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

12.  Truly do you marvel, while they ridicule.

13.  And when they are admonished, pay no heed,

14.  And when they see a Sign, turn it into mockery,

15.  And say, "This is nothing but evident sorcery!"

16.  "What?  When we die, and become dust and bones, shall we be raised up?"

17.  "And also our fathers of old?"

18.  Say, "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated."

19.  Then it will be a single cry, and behold, they will begin to to see!

20.  They will say, "Ah! Woe is us!  This is the Day of Judgment!"

21.  This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose Truth you denied!


Those ranged in ranks 37:12-21
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Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.

Letter to Julia 20120625

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Oh, my dearest sweet beautiful young Julia.  How I love you so much, you are all I could ever dream of in a girl, thank you so very much for your love.  We have such an old-fashioned love, don't we?  So formal, so many people involved.  And I, this old soldier, waits patiently for Allah to allow our marriage to happen, with great happiness and security.  You are so very innocent.  You must pray that Allah grants me the wealth necessary to give you the life of a princess.  And you are a princess, you are MY princess, and I love you with all my heart.  Even with money, whether it be whatever Allah gives me or yours and your bridal purse, it takes time to build a dream home.  Attention must be paid to detail, and workers must be personally supervised.  Where are you going to live until then?  Even with this tiny home I live in now, modifications need to be made for you even to stay for a short while.  Doorways need to be made taller, and you need your own bathroom, because you are a princess.  You are MY princess.  And most likely you will be pregnant quickly, insyaAllah.  Have you thought about that?  Well, like the chaotician said in "Jurassic Park", "Life finds a way".  InsyaAllah.  Please pray with all your heart that Allah will grant us everything we need together, and more.  I love you, Julia.

Letter to Julia 20120623

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Hi, my dearest Julia.  It's nearly the fasting month of Ramadan?  Are you excited?  Are you?  Are you?  I love the fasting month.  So many people dread the fasting month, but I love it, especially because so many wacky things happen during that month.  Wacky, I mean strange.  The whole month is a celebration to me.  Most people buy their presents at the end of the month when the Eid comes, but if I had money, I would buy special treats and gifts everyday, and decorate everyday.  But since I'm poor and lazy, I compensate with a change of habit.  I usually have 2 large meals daily, a quick one before the afternoon prayer, and another after sunset.  For the fasting month, I will take a quick meal for breaking fast, and a big meal for the pre-dawn repast.  Vocal training will be difficult, because I won't be drinking coffee, and I'm liable to put myself into a coma, but perhaps a nap before I start singing will fix that.  Are you ready to fast?  Ramadan starts on July 21!

Qur'an 20120623

74.  Yet they take gods other than Allah, that they might be helped!

75.  They have not the power to help them, but they will be brought up as a troop.

76.  Let not their speech then grieve you.  Verily, We know what they hide as well as what they disclose.

77.  Does not man see that it is We who created him from sperm?  Yet behold!  He is an open adversary!

78.  And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own creation.  He says, "Who can give life to bones, and decomposed ones?"

79.  Say, "God will give them life, Who created them the first time!  For God is well-versed in every kind of creation!"

80.  "The same Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold!  You kindle therewith!"

81.  "Is not God Who created the heavens and the earth, able to create the like thereof?"  Yes, indeed!  For God is the Creator Supreme, of skill and knowledge!

82.  Verily, when God intends a thing, God's Command is "Be!" and it is.

83.  So glory to God in Whose hands is the dominion of all things, and to God will you all be brought back.

Ya Sin 36:74-83
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God will give them life, Who created them the first time!  For God is well-versed in every kind of creation!

Letter to Julia 20120621

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Have you ever wished you go back in time and redo some of the things you did that weren't good enough?  Well, Allah has given me such an opportunity.  I lost all the masters to my music when I lost my home in the USA, so I can't remix or re-record any of the old songs I've done.  Which is a shame, because Allah increased me in knowledge as a singer at that same time.  But as I was trying to crack this home design software problem, I discovered a folder of instrumentals I did from "Shadowplay's Greatest Hits part 3: the Struggle to be Normal" in the deepest recesses of my ancient laptop!  Not that it means anything to anyone except me, but I'm very grateful to Allah for the second chance.  I'm a much better singer now than when I copyrighted the album in 2006.  Something else to do!  But in a strange way, it's also perfect timing.  **secret**

Meanwhile, it's looking like I'm going to have to divide a rectangle into smaller squares for the plan of your house, which sucks because my mind is still a blank regarding the matter.  And I will have to draw what the house will look like from all 4 facades, not just a top view.  So PLEASE help me with the plans of your house, Julia!  Don't you have a dream about your home?  Obviously there's no rush, because I'm still dirt poor.  But when the money comes insyaAllah, everything will be in panic mode, mostly because my parents are old.

Letter to Julia 20120620

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Hi there, my beautiful, beloved young lady Julia.  How are you feeling?  I used to think you enjoyed all the attention being focused on you, after all it is part of our business.  I'm sorry for thinking so.  Please remember that the goal of our marriage is to slow down, and raise a family.  Ya Allah, please protect and heal us.

I have been clearing out the compound my grandfather's old house stands on.  I think I first told you this about a year ago.  Back then it was overgrown with vegetation, vines, trees, thorns, snakes, monitor lizards, etc etc.  Since them I have managed to make the area comparatively safe to walk around, insyaAllah.  There is still much work to do, plus I'm always having to cut grass with my trusty weed whacker, because weeds grow lightning fast out here in the tropics.  Then there's all sorts of rock, metal and asbestos planted into the soil.  Plus, my family used a section of the lot to dump cement and tile, which have since frozen in place.  I either need a backhoe to remove it, or think of a creative way to turn it into a work of art, because only vines can grow on that.  Most of the lot is still fertile, despite its neglect.  Except by the drain by the road to the elementary school on the east side, is very hard and barren, but if weed and thorns can grow there, then anything else can, right?  Phew.  The south side of the compound is the largest and most fertile, with many banana trees.  My grandfather built some outdoor bathrooms which I'm in the process of tearing down right now.  Hey, I like destroying things!  I work like an ant, taking things apart little by little, and patiently.  InsyaAllah.  Or it could be that I'm lazy?  Yes, I'm lazy.  I need to vacuum my bedroom, and scrub the shower.  Yawn.

When some of them are asked to spend in charity, they say,"Why should we feed those who if God had willed, God would have fed?"  Then they say, "When is this promise that you speak of?"  What they are waiting for is a single blast, and it will seize them while they are bitching among themselves.

Letter to Julia 20120619

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

It's almost ridiculous how much difficulty I'm having getting started on your house plan.  One program after another, into the trash.  Contaminated data too: it's like playing Russian Roulette with my computer.  Someone tried to make a suggestion that I use a draw program, like CorelDraw, which I already have.  But they don't get it: draw programs are for people who can draw.  I can't draw.  I need visual aids to help me with my vision when it comes to drawing.  Sure, I could divide a box into smaller boxes, but I want to build something you would love.  This house is all about you.  Also, I don't think it's that simple.  Ya Allah, please help me build a beautiful home for my Julia.

Letter to Julia 20120618

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Julia!!  I TOLD you I couldn't draw!  So please don't get mad at me.  I haven't even started  on the house plans yet.  Well' I have, sort of: I've been staring at a blank square for the past week.  Those home design programs I bought were worthless: software out here in the Orient is not the same as that out  west.  Even if you were to dig through the bargain bin at Staples for a 10 year old program, it would be more reliable than anything you would get out here.  Plus, I can't draw.  But I think I've found a program I'm comfortable with...

Letter to Julia 20120616

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Hi there, my beautiful young angel princess Julia.  How are you feeling?  I suppose you could call it insanity to watch nothing but the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show over and over again, but as long as I get to see my sweetie, then I have no problem with it.  I'm crazy about my Julia!  Besides, YOU are the one who participates in it, so I guess that makes us compatible or something.  Um, yeah!

What IS perceived as insane is that I am trying to build a rock and roll business out here in the Perlis backwoods, but Allah inspires me to stand my ground here.  InsyaAllah.  Just call "The man who can't be moved".  Allah can make anything happen!  At the very least, Allah has made it nearly impossible for others to "jack my style" or "copy my swagger", or even my "digital spit".  No!  Please don't play anymore Black Eyed Peas!  Play something out of "Ghost in the Machine" instead.  Do you remember the basics of the supernatural?  There is not one, but two dominant species on earth: the humans and the jinns.  There is no relation between God and the jinns: the jinns are banished to earth like the humans, until Judgement Day.  Those who worship the jinns are in error.

The 3 messengers said to the people of the city, "Truly we have been sent on a mission to you."  The people accused them of being mere humans, and liars at that.  The people said they saw an evil omen in the messengers, and threatened to punish them.  THe messengers said, "Your evil omens are with yourselves, if you are admonished?  No, you are a people transgressing all bounds!"  Then there came running from the farthest part of the city a man, saying, "O my people, obey the messengers.  Obey those who ask no reward of you, and have received guidance."

Letter to Julia 20120614

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Have you ever noticed if you were to buy a diamond ring, say a simple one carat diamond in a classic 6-prong setting, that everything is firmly set in place, and is as hard as metal and diamond can be?  Then ponder upon 5 million dollars worth of smaller diamonds sewn into a bra, shouldn't the bra be as hard as metal in order to firmly hold all those rocks, which happen to be very, very close to each other?  For if pressure were to be applied to a bra the way a bosom can, wouldn't it stretch the material of the bra, and pop those diamonds out as if one were to pop overripe pimples?  Say if an excited girl, intoxicated with having to walk the runway with 5 million dollars worth of diamonds caressing her boobies, starts screaming and throwing her hands in the air, puts sufficient pressure on the bra to pop a diamond out of its setting, and puts the eye out of some unfortunate wardrobe attendant?  In that case, the stone would probably be found.  But a small diamond would most likely be lost within the glittering dust on the runway.  The same uncertainty principle would apply if the bra were made of titanium: never underestimate the power of the bosom.  Which would explain why the Fantasy Bra has been going down in value, and the stones not so densely packed together.  Meanwhile, the next Fantasy Bra falls to ground with a loud CLANG!!!!

Remember that you cannot admonish most people, as they are stuck in their ways like mules propped up for ploughing.  But there are some who fear God in secret, and for these people God has promised them a great reward.

Once upon a time, there was a great city.  God sent 2 messengers to the people of the city to warn them, but they were rejected.  Then God strengthened them with a third...

Letter to Julia 20120613

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Hi there, my beautiful young princess Julia.  How are you feeling today?  Have you figured out what this "fame" thing is yet, as it pertains to you?  It's basically the situation backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, but it's 24/7 and not so hectic (sometimes),  and they follow you everywhere.  Kind of like Shadowplay TV!  But please don't blame me for it, I'm in the same boat as you, except I've been tolerating mass media for 20 years more than you.  I am here to give you your own family, and some love, happiness and security.  InsyaAllah.  You are in this situation because Allah gave you great beauty, and I am in this situation because Allah gave me a little music.  That also makes our situation a spiritual one, so please trust in Allah and do not despair, for the loop is a very deep and complex one, and does not end with death.  But in the next life, Allah grants the righteous escape from the hellish loop, into something much easier and blissful, with none of that raging emotion and dissatisfaction of this world today.  Wouldn't that be nice?

Today, I confirm again that I love you, and I want to marry you.  So please excuse me now as I am thirsty, and I need to drink some water.

Letter to Julia 20120611

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Hi there, my young lady Julia.  How are you feeling today?  I pray you are feeling secure and confident.  Please know that you are my girl, and that I love you.  I am having the darndest time getting this home design software started.  The computer is making me use only advanced or irrelevant programs so far, and it's bad enough that I can't draw.  I pray you a working on a design, because I'm getting a sinking feeling that I won't be able to come up with a plan that you like.  But hey, only you would really know what your dream house is like, right?  Because to me, that is what matters: I would probably fall asleep on the floor in front of the computer most of the time, whatever room that may be.

Qur'an 20120611

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

39.  God it is that has made you inheritors in the earth.  If then, any do reject, their rejection is against themselves.  Their rejection but adds to the odium for the unbelievers in the sight of their Lord.  Their rejection but adds to undoing.

40.  Say, "Have you seen 'partners' of yours whom you call besides Allah?  Show me what it is they have created in the earth.  Or have they a share in the heavens?  Or has God given them a Book from which they refer?  No!  The wrongdoers promise each other nothing but delusions."

The Originator of Creation  35:39-40
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Have you seen 'partners' of yours whom you call besides Allah?  Show me what it is they have created in the earth.  Or have they a share in the heavens?  Or has God given them a Book from which they refer?  No!  The wrongdoers promise each other nothing but delusions.

Letter to Julia 20120609

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Hello again, my beautiful young princess Julia.  How are you feeling?  It certainly is hard on the nerves, being the center of attention.  Yet so many people crave fame.  You are not like other women, because of your great beauty, your connection with me, and your Islam.  InsyaAllah, once we are together, you can hide behind me, and I will absorb all those flashing lights and all those bug-eyed stares for you.  You are my girl, and I am very protective of you.  You must be patient, and pray.  Pray that Allah brings us together soon, in security and happiness.  You must be patient, because patience overcomes despair.  It is the purpose of your enemies to put you in despair: they will try to intoxicate you, scrutinize you in order to amplify your despair.  Don't let them.  Be patient, and pray.  Your patience is from Allah.  We need Allah.  Allah can save us, and make the actions of evil into their despair.  And when we are together insyaAllah, I will distract them from you.  Meanwhile, if you are not working, don't seek them out.  Just hide in your home.  When you are alone and lonely, read a little bit of the Qur'an out loud.  Just a little bit: whether it be a random page or in sequence doesn't matter.  Then compare it with what happens to you that day.

Ah, your home.  I pray that Allah gives me the means to build a house for you soon.  In the meantime, I'm working on a plan, and I hope you are thinking about your house too.  I forgot to mention that the north and south sides of the house are longer than the east and west sides.  The front door should be on the north.

Please be patient Julia, and take good, loving care of yourself, because I love you.

Letter to Julia 20120607

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Argh!  It figures... this software I bought doesn't work.  To tell you the truth, I'm not good at drawing.  I can do a lot of things, praise Allah, but I can't draw.  If I could draw, I would have never left my room when I was young.  I probably would never have picked up a guitar.  I pray you will work with me on this, because this house is all about you, and I want you to be proud of it, and happy with it.  Of course I'll try, and I'll come up with something insyaAllah, but in my heart I'm counting on you to draw up your cozy little house.  I can work on the yard: my Mom says I'm good at gardening.  But I can't draw.

Letter to Julia 20120605

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

I pray that Allah will guide me closer than this to the right path.  Nothing happens without the Will of Allah.  Please pray that Allah will grant us success, love and happiness with each other, in this life as well as the hereafter.

That being understood, I need you to help me design a house.  Perhaps you could get a home design program for your computer, and design a 2 level house that you would love, and fit it in the space of 15 x 20 meters, not including the garage.  Please also draw up a picture to the best of your ability of what the house would look like from the outside.  I will draw up a plan as well, and we will combine our plans for the best design, insyaAllah.  It doesn't have to be a box-like house, but please try to be moderate and practical, and not give me the plans of a miniature Kremlin.  The doorways will have to be tall enough to at least fit you with high heels on, that means the ceilings have to be tall as well.  The kitchen has to be on the ground level of course, and try to fit in a small gym.  Try to keep all the bathrooms and the plumbing concentrated on the west side.

And pray.

Letter to Julia 20120604

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

**It's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV**

Hello, my beloved young lady Julia.  Let's go over the logistics of my attending or performing at the fashion show, assuming that I'm wanted there.  First off, we have to be married.  I'm not going there without you as my spouse, I don't care how much I'm paid.  I'm not going to abandon my station here even for a short while, until what is being built here produces its rewards, and I can afford to marry you.  That means having a house and good living prepared for you before I pick you up in Germany.  Then we can go to New York together after you've settled down, if you absolutely have to.  I have absolutely no desire to go to New York, not for any amount of money.  I'm thoroughly unimpressed with glitz and glamour, and with arrogant billionaires who are useless to others without their money.  Yet there's still a lot of poverty in America....

Letter to Julia 20120602

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Yes, it's still the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show marathon on Shadowplay TV.  I don't think I want to sing live on the fashion show.  Not that they'll ever ask me to: they'll probably just get Lady Gaga or something.  Be my guest.  I'm too lazy to travel to the stinking city just for one appearance... urgh, I HATE the city.  Yeah, I know I'm not going to let you travel alone, but I don't even want to see the show live as a spectator.  What?  You want me to see the show live?  Are you mad?  I'm not the smartest person in the world, but I'm not dumb enough to be caught on camera ogling half-naked girls in the same room as my wife!  No, thank you.  I'll just wait for you in the lobby.  Maybe there'll be a place to plug in my laptop so I can play Krush, Kill and Destroy.  The only reason I would ever sing at that show is because of you, and we're not even married yet.  And if I do, then I'll be blindfolded: you're going to have to hold my hand all the time.  Forget it!  I'll be in the lobby nursing the baby.

Qur'an 20120602

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

46.  Say, "I do admonish you on one point: that you do stand up before Allah, in pairs or alone, and reflect.  Your companion is not possessed: he is no less than a warner to you, in face of a terrible penalty."

47.  Say, "No reward do I ask of you: it is in your interest.  My reward is only due from Allah, and God is Witness to all things."

48.  Say, "Verily my Lord does cast the Truth.  God that has full knowledge of what is hidden."

49.  Say, "The Truth has arrived, and falsehood neither creates anything new, nor restores anything."

50.  Say, "If I am astray, I only stray to the loss of my own soul.  But if I receive guidance, it is because of the inspiration of my Lord to me.  It is God Who hears all things, and is near."

Sheba  34:46-50
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I do admonish you on one point: that you do stand up before Allah, in pairs or alone, and reflect.  Your companion is not possessed: he is no less than a warner to you, in face of a terrible penalty.

No reward do I ask of you: it is in your interest.  My reward is only due from Allah, and God is Witness to all things.

Verily my Lord does cast the Truth.  God that has full knowledge of what is hidden.

The Truth has arrived, and falsehood neither creates anything new, nor restores anything.

If I am astray, I only stray to the loss of my own soul.  But if I receive guidance, it is because of the inspiration of my Lord to me.  It is God Who hears all things, and is near.