Letter to Julia 20130930

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

Hello dearest Julia.  How are you feeling today?  I pray you are feeling healthy and confident.  I didn't really do all that much for the weekend.  I cleaned my parents' bedroom, voice trained, cleaned up some files on the hard drive, reorganized my desktop, and watched TV.  Rather boring, huh?  Heh!  It rained all weekend.  I hope I don't get ill.  This is my isolation week again, so I won't be in to blog again until Thursday.  Please forgive me.  I wish you were here.  I love you, Julia.

Qur'an 20130930

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

5:18  The Jews and the Christians say, "We are the sons of Allah, and God's beloved."  Say, "Why then does God punish you for your sins?  No, you are but men: of the men God has created, God forgives whom God pleases, and God punishes whom God pleases, and to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between.  And unto God is the Final Goal."

The Repast 5:18
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Qur'an 20130929

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

5:17  In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ, the son of Mary.  Say, "Who then has the least power against Allah, if God's Will were to destroy Christ the son of
Mary, his mother, and all- everyone that is on earth?  For to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between.  God creates what God pleases.  For Allah has power over all things."

The Repast 5:17
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Letter to Julia 20130928

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

YOOOOOOOOLIIIIIIEEEEE!!!

Well, there it is.  You have to make a decision.  And I can't make the decision for you, because it would be unfair to you.  My position is: yes or no, I am here to love you, to be with you, to marry you, to take good care of you, to help protect you, to help you raise our children.  InshaAllah.

Please don't forget that once married inshaAllah, you cannot travel at the spur of the moment.  You can conduct business as you will, but all travel must be arranged far, far ahead.  This is because I won't allow you to travel alone.  I must accompany you, and therefore suspend all my business here, and I'm trying to build a tourist attraction.  Good thing there's the Internet.  That's all I've been using since 1998, and nowadays I don't even have a cell phone.

I also have to perform my Hajj obligation in my lifetime, which is at least a 2 week commitment assuming I acquire VIP status.  This is not a romantic getaway: it is hard work.  Of course I pray to be able to fulfill this workload while I'm still somewhat strong, so I don't die.  If you choose to perform the Hajj, it is between you and God, and even if I were to accompany you, we would get separated.  It is after all, spiritual.

Otherwise, I have absolutely no intention of being separated from you.  We do everything and go everywhere together.  We are family.  I will wait for you, no matter how long you take to put on your makeup.  Well, I might nag you to hurry up, or get a new hobby like doing you hair and makeup for you.

Letter to Julia 20130926

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

You're probably wondering why the big ships don't stop by the seaport of Kuala Perlis.  You know, I showed you some photos a while ago of the place?  My Dad told me that there's a lot of sediment between Langkawi and Perlis.  Sometimes they trawl that sediment to make way for some of the medium ships, but the really big ships have to go around Langkawi.  Well, if they want to make a major Muslim-friendly seaport between Langkawi and Perlis, I'm sure they'll find a way.  Just don't waste that sediment, because there's a lot of food in there.  No oil tankers, please!

It's been nigh over 4 years since I proposed to you.  Yeah, I'm still too broke to marry you, so I thank you for your love and patience with me.  But I'm sure you have been immersed in the power of the music that Allah has given me mashaAllah, even though the bucks haven't come my way yet, but I'm pretty sure that Allah is sending some over to you.  Sigh.  I can't ignore my obligation to make sure you don't marry into my poverty.  I am sworn to your well-being.  I am very unhappy to be without you, but I assure you of my commitment for marriage.  A pretty blonde is my greatest weakness anyway, and there are none in Perlis.  You would be the only blonde in Perlis when you marry me inshaAllah, unless you invite your friends.  Allah is testing you as well as me, so please be a good girl.  We are as it is, dependent on each other.

Letter to Julia 20130925

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

I finally managed to get that tree off the roof of the old house at Casa de Julia inshaAllah!  WOO HOO!  WOO HOO!  WOO HOO!  WOO HOO!  I just wanna to start singing!  Juuuuuuuliaaaaa... Juuuuuuuuuuuuuuliiiaaaaa...  I had to cut the tree in half, then pull the top branches off before I could pull the trunk down.  A tree is a very heavy thing, Julia.  But it's down, finally.  Alhamdulillah.  Now to chop it into small pieces to burn it.  I'll keep the main trunk intact, though.  It'll be useful for discouraging unwanted vehicles from entering the driveway.

Please don't forget that as my girl, you are also a professional endorser of food products.  This can't be helped, because as long as you are my girl inshaAllah, people are going to go bonkers over what you eat and what food products you buy.  So please make a habit of going to your favorite restaurants with your buddies and enjoying your favorite foods, and please keep it halal.  Put your fear in the right place: fear Allah, not the humans.

Qur'an 20130925

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

5:4  They ask you what is lawful to them.  Say, "Lawful unto are things good and pure, and what you have taught your trained hunting animals, in the manner directed by Allah.  Eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it.  And fear Allah, for Allah is swift in taking account."

The Repast 5:4
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Letter to Julia 20130923

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

Hello Julia my love, my darling, my sweetheart.  How are you feeling today, my precious Princess?  You are MY girl, the most beautiful girl in the world, you are all I could ever dream of in a girl, and I love you so much, my dearest Julia.  It's been a busy day as usual for me.  I started my day by cleaning my parents' bedroom and bathroom, gutted some fish for Batty, cooked up some lunch for me, took a nap before voice training so I don't put myself into a coma, then cut grass until sunset, and ate out for dinner to then come back and do laundry.  I love home and family, but I have to admit I don't like house cleaning.  We're going to have to get a maid for that, inshaAllah.  Especially if I have to do more studio work.  I think I'll do some right now.  Slowly, of course.

Qur'an 20130923

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

176.  They ask you for a legal decision.  Say, "Allah directs about those who leave no descendants or ascendants as heirs.  If it is a man that dies, leaving a sister but no child, she shall have half the inheritance.  If a woman, who left no child, her brother takes her inheritance.  If there are two sisters, they shall have two-thirds of the inheritance.  If there are brothers and sisters, the male having twice the share of the female.  Thus does Allah make clear to you, lest you err.  And Allah has knowledge of all things."

The Women 4:176
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Letter to Julia 20130921

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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.

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.

Letter to Julia 20130911

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

Well, I was all set up to cut some grass over at Casa de Julia inshaAllah.  I had my boots on, I just changed the blade on the grass cutter and refueled it, and I had just cleared out the area by the ancient amra tree, when it started to rain.  So I ran for cover under my porch, and gaped at the rain until it subsided.  Then I began again to cut the grass, then it really began to pour, so I gave it up for the day, and did my laundry instead.  And it's still raining right now.  I'm trying my best to please Allah, and I pray you are being good.  Please be a good Muslim.  My love and my life isn't going to do you any good if Allah doesn't love you.  So please try your sincere best to be a good Muslim.  You don't have to around asking questions about the Qur'an and Islam so much that it makes your life difficult (in fact it's forbidden for you to do so), just do the best you can with the situation Allah has given you.  Nobody's perfect, least of all me, but at least be sincere.  Meanwhile, I'll keep on trying to build Casa de Julia.  InshaAllah.

Say, I saw that headline on Yahoo about Doutzen claiming to be the reason why many women have unhappy expectations about themselves, or something to that effect.  If it's true she said that, then isn't that a rather conceited thing to say?  She is pretty, but if she did say that, then perhaps she not would make a good Muslim.  But I'm not God, so I'm not the one to judge.  Perhaps Allah will forgive her.

Letter to Julia 20130910

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

Well, I haven't gotten around to making chicken stew yet, so I hope you're not getting too hungry, darling.  I did go and buy the white meat, and I cut the bones off, and peeled the skin off.  But my Dad gave me 3 kilos of clams.  3 kilos!  I could eat 3 kilos of clams.  But should I?  You want some?  Whether or not I eat all of them, the clams won't keep, and need to be cooked immediately.  As you know, clam broth is most of the flavor, so I made a fond of garlic, onions, lemongrass, and chilli paste.  It turned out kind of soupy, so I wish I had some noodles.  But I didn't eat all the 3 kilos.  I only ate 2 kilos.

Fresh clam broth is a perfect food- it doesn't really need anything else.  I should have just roasted some clams in a closed pot, but it didn't occur to me to do so until later.  Just like fresh mackerel roe is a perfect food.  All the fish in the half kilo I bought for Batty had roe, which I ate while I was gutting the fish.  All the heavenly foods will be in heaven, minus the corruption and decay.  We can be in heaven together, inshaAllah.  This world has much suffering and heartache, but if we endure and earn our place in heaven inshaAllah, it will be better and more lasting than this world.

Letter to Julia 20130909

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

Hello Julia, my darling!  How are you feeling today?  I pray you are feeling AWESOME.  Today is Monday, and I'm here to blog my love for you.  I love you, Julia.  I'll probably visit the night market tonight.  It's time to buy some white meat, and to pick up more salted fish for snacking.  I have a whole lot of bamboo shoots in my cooler, so I'm planning to cook up some chicken stew soon.  I just use the bones for the stew, most of the meat I save for other purposes.  It's the bamboo shoots that are filling.  I've been making perfect tortillas lately, and they are so good, I can't seem to get enough of them.  Praise Allah!  My Dad gave me a whole bunch of canned sardines, so I've been jazzing up the sauce.  You know how sardines come soaking in a tomato sauce, which is never enough, and never powerful enough, so I spike up the sauce to go with my bread.  I'm somehow missing my rolling pin,  Which is odd, because why would I ever want, or have a reason, to take it out of my kitchen?  I told my Mom this, and she said, "Maybe a rat took it."  So in lieu of a rolling pin, I've been using a drumstick instead.  It works quite well, once I got used to it.

Letter to Julia 20130907

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

I don't really know what drives little Fluffy's craving for carrion.  I think Fluffy used to be a market cat, those cats always ate the leftover, rotting stock.  Perhaps it's just a desire for variety.  Muslims are not allowed to eat carrion.  I do enjoy ripened and fermented foods, but as they are prepared, then they should be OK inshaAllah.  I love blue cheese and gorgonzola, not just for dipping sauce for chicken wings, but just to snack, to nibble while I watch TV.  I can't find blue cheese here in Malaysia, especially with my current economics, so for years I have been craving it.  Then I found a worthy substitute: cured salted fish.  Yum!  It took a while to discover, but it was was worth it.  Now I have something to nibble.

How's business, Julia?  I hope they are not making you feel like a clown.  There is no need to be divided about the hypocrites.  Just squash them.  Unless they refuse to fight, and they keep their peace.  And no, I'm not comparing Fluffy to you.  You are my queen, I am so proud of you, and I want you to be happy and confident.  I try with all my heart not to say words that would hurt your feelings.  Sometimes I like to joke, so you can perhaps smile a little, but I'm not perfect, and I can make mistakes, so please have mercy on me if I slip.  But otherwise, I take great care not to say things that would make you feel bad.  I love you.  You are the most beautiful girl in the world, and I want to marry you.

Letter to Julia 20130904

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

YOOOOOLIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Not just to vindicate the weak and the innocent, but to vindicate them for the love of Allah.  That is what is important.

Fluffy is such a little barbarian, Julia.  You wouldn't think so from looking at her.  She's such a miniature little kitty, and she's so cute with her fluffy, long, blond and white fur, but she's a barbarian.  She refuses to use the cat box, so don't ever let her into the house if you don't intend to keep an eye on her.  And her appetite is out of control... she'll eat anything!  She's been having diarrhea lately, and I've been wondering why.  But today, I saw her eat a 3 day old lizard carcass.  Bleah!  No wonder her tummy hurts!

Qur'an 20130904

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

77.  Have you not turned your vision to those who were told to restrain their hands, but establish regular prayers, and spend in regular charity?  When the order for fighting was issued to them, behold!  A section of them feared men as, or even more than, they should have feared Allah.  They said, "Our Lord!  Why have You ordered us to fight?  Would You not grant us respite to our term, near?"  Say, "Short is the enjoyment of this world.  The Hereafter is best for those who do right.  Never will you be dealt with unjustly in the very least!"

78.  Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up strong and high!  If some good befalls them, they say, "This is from Allah."  But if evil, they say, "This is from you."  Say, "All things are from Allah."  But what has come to these people, that they fail to understand a single fact?

The Women 4:77-78
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Short is the enjoyment of this world.  The Hereafter is best for those who do right.  Never will you be dealt with unjustly in the very least!

All things are from Allah.

Letter to Julia 20130903

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

Rain, rain, rain.  It's raining again, Julia.  I'm writing my love to you, and it's raining.  Well, I pray that Allah is pleased with me.  I had some beef tenderloin in my cooler, which is awesomely tasty and tender, so I cooked it up for dinner.  I picked up some oyster mushrooms at the night market.  Oyster mushrooms don't cook evenly, so I separate the stems from the caps, and I blast the heat on the stems, in this case, when I cooked the steak.  The stems actually had the taste and texture of the steak.  All the caps needed was hot water and salt, for mucho flavor.  Don't forget to drain them.

Before that, I tended to Casa de Julia inshaAllah.  Cutting grass and vines by the ditch.  I've been missing coconuts lately, I sure hope there isn't coconut thief about.  Not that I use them all that often.  I have a few more trees to chop down, but it's  been so wet that I may not have the chance to burn them.  I started a lemongrass patch about a week ago, and it's coming up nicely.  You should check out my aloe vera patch.  Aloe grows wild in Arizona, but not here in Malaysia.  I think it's because it's way too damp, so I planted the aloe on a little hill, so water doesn't coagulate, and now the plant is multiplying nicely.

Some people are confused as to whether or not a population is being oppressed.  It is deluded to think that young children can be members of a subversive organization.  The correct thing to do is to vindicate them for the love of God.  To help and rescue them for the love of Allah.

Letter to Julia 20130902

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

Hi Julia  Mow are you today my love?  Wow, it's September already, huh?  Next month will be October, and then it will be..... November!!!  I'm sure you are busy, so please take good care of yourself.  You must be having your photo taken for Voggooey magazine and showing off the latest Hot Cooter.  I'm sorry!  That was stupid, I know.  But I couldn't resist it.  Just trying to make you smile!  Has the fashion biz become weird and scary?  We'll be OK, inshaAllah.  You're MY girl.  I love you.

It's raining right now.  It started raining after 4pm, beginning with a perpetual rumbling of thunder, kind of like someone holding down on of the low keys on a synthesizer.  The sky was growling.  I'm watching Shadowplay TV.