In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hello, my dearest Erin. Now don't get frantic, I have to get your house ready before we can marry. I'm just getting you prepared for receiving your ring, which I pray will be soon inshaAllah. I hope you have a solid vision of what your house will be. As far as I understand, there are no building codes to adhere to out here in the sticks, but that doesn't mean that you can build Rapunzel's tower. A nice, normal home with all the modern amenities. A huge and accessible tank of backup water on the roof. A nice, huge, shady water tank where we can relax and sip our afternoon tea. Yeah, shade for the water tank: you don't want bugs and droppings in the water, do you? Plus a gas powered generator for automatic backup power. A house that's easy to clean. That's what I want.
They'll be repairing the water mains around here for the next 2 days, so I guess I'll have to eat out. Yeah. I bought some fried noodles for dinner tonight. Want some? I have to practice bass tonight, and guitar tomorrow night, so if you please excuse me, I must get started. Erin, please take sweet loving care of yourself in my absence. I love you, and I need you.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Letter to Erin 20150129
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hi Erin. How are you feeling? I'm full right now alhamdulillah, I just had a great dinner. Oh no, I didn't leave any for you! Sorry, sweetie. Maybe next time. I found a great deal on cuttlefish Tuesday. It's basically a squid with more meat. Cuttlefishes are quite smart, and generally do not lend themselves to being caught, especially the big ones. But they had a huge pile of big ones going for RM8 per kilo, which is awesome. When I gutted them, I found out why so many of the big ones got caught at the same time: they all had been feasting on baby fish when they got caught. Truly a blessing from Allah. No, I didn't cook up the baby fish. Not even the cats wanted them after being in the squid's belly. My Mom gave me some fried rice, and I wanted to cook the squid up with my Mom's recipe, but I didn't have any turmeric powder. I had a lot of mustard powder, so I used that instead. Seems to work the same, Mom. I fried up some onions, mustard powder, tamarind juice, and soy sauce with the innards. When it was hot enough, I chucked in all the chopped up squid heads. Tastes great, Totally filling. And I still have all the meat left for fried calamari.
When the time comes, I will have to give you a ring. Will you marry me, Erin? If yes then inshaAllah, I will make arrangements with a New York jeweler for you to pick up your ring. But before that, we're going to have to start talking to each other, so I know for certain that you get your ring. I'm thinking Skype for video conference calls. I admit I've never used it, so I'm going to have to figure it out. So when the time comes inshaAllah, I will post a photo of me here so you know if not already what I look like. I'm an old man, Erin. An old man with a young man's job. Will you marry me, Erin? I love you, and I need you.
Hi Erin. How are you feeling? I'm full right now alhamdulillah, I just had a great dinner. Oh no, I didn't leave any for you! Sorry, sweetie. Maybe next time. I found a great deal on cuttlefish Tuesday. It's basically a squid with more meat. Cuttlefishes are quite smart, and generally do not lend themselves to being caught, especially the big ones. But they had a huge pile of big ones going for RM8 per kilo, which is awesome. When I gutted them, I found out why so many of the big ones got caught at the same time: they all had been feasting on baby fish when they got caught. Truly a blessing from Allah. No, I didn't cook up the baby fish. Not even the cats wanted them after being in the squid's belly. My Mom gave me some fried rice, and I wanted to cook the squid up with my Mom's recipe, but I didn't have any turmeric powder. I had a lot of mustard powder, so I used that instead. Seems to work the same, Mom. I fried up some onions, mustard powder, tamarind juice, and soy sauce with the innards. When it was hot enough, I chucked in all the chopped up squid heads. Tastes great, Totally filling. And I still have all the meat left for fried calamari.
When the time comes, I will have to give you a ring. Will you marry me, Erin? If yes then inshaAllah, I will make arrangements with a New York jeweler for you to pick up your ring. But before that, we're going to have to start talking to each other, so I know for certain that you get your ring. I'm thinking Skype for video conference calls. I admit I've never used it, so I'm going to have to figure it out. So when the time comes inshaAllah, I will post a photo of me here so you know if not already what I look like. I'm an old man, Erin. An old man with a young man's job. Will you marry me, Erin? I love you, and I need you.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Letter to Erin 20150127
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Ah, it's almost mango season. The old mango tree in my front yard is sprouting creamy blossoms on long buddy stems. A-WOOOOOSH-OOOO
!!! AH-HISSSH-SHOOOOO!! **sniffle** Oh yeah, I get seasonal allergies. I have to completely drain my sinus cavity, or all that snot ruins my voice. I'm sun burning easier nowadays more than ever, and sunblock doesn't really work, in fact I may be allergic to it. It's almost as if God is punishing me for something.
Erin, will you please make an effort to dress modestly? I understand that you are under contract to work, and I accept that. I saw your outfit at the Curve party, but worse than exposing too much skin was that the top and bottom of your outfit didn't seem to match, even though they were black. Perhaps it was because the aspect ratio of the monitor of the computer in the Internet cafe was incorrect. A shiny sparkley purple jacket with short sleeves would have fixed that. Your updo was awfully cute, though. Did you do that yourself? Well, you are cute. My love.
For dinner, I had clams. I didn't intend to buy clams. I had to make a batch of dough, so I went to the grocery store right before sunset for some flour, and on my way back I stopped by the local night market, and they had clams for sale, so I bought some. These particular clams were about the size of a penny each, known locally as "Lala". Imagine shucking a kilo of penny-sized clams. But it wasn't too difficult. After heating them up in a covered pot until they gaped wide open, then I poured the lot into a strainer, and kept the broth. Lala isn't slimy and sticky like other clams, so I grabbed them by the handful and flicked the meat into a bowl. It did take an hour though, so I had to pray the night prayer before continuing. Then I sauteed some chopped garlic in butter, poured in some milk plus the clam broth, and brought it to a slow boil. I added shredded seaweed, and a brick of ramen noodles. When the noodles were done, I put it all in a large bowl and dumped all the clam meat on top. Want some? It's very rich.
I may be able to publish this letter today, but I'm still closed to the local Internet outlets. Because I chose you as my girl. But I don't regret the choice, my sweet Erin. I'm just reminding you that I may not be able to blog regularly until further notice. Erin I love you, and I need you.
Ah, it's almost mango season. The old mango tree in my front yard is sprouting creamy blossoms on long buddy stems. A-WOOOOOSH-OOOO
!!! AH-HISSSH-SHOOOOO!! **sniffle** Oh yeah, I get seasonal allergies. I have to completely drain my sinus cavity, or all that snot ruins my voice. I'm sun burning easier nowadays more than ever, and sunblock doesn't really work, in fact I may be allergic to it. It's almost as if God is punishing me for something.
Erin, will you please make an effort to dress modestly? I understand that you are under contract to work, and I accept that. I saw your outfit at the Curve party, but worse than exposing too much skin was that the top and bottom of your outfit didn't seem to match, even though they were black. Perhaps it was because the aspect ratio of the monitor of the computer in the Internet cafe was incorrect. A shiny sparkley purple jacket with short sleeves would have fixed that. Your updo was awfully cute, though. Did you do that yourself? Well, you are cute. My love.
For dinner, I had clams. I didn't intend to buy clams. I had to make a batch of dough, so I went to the grocery store right before sunset for some flour, and on my way back I stopped by the local night market, and they had clams for sale, so I bought some. These particular clams were about the size of a penny each, known locally as "Lala". Imagine shucking a kilo of penny-sized clams. But it wasn't too difficult. After heating them up in a covered pot until they gaped wide open, then I poured the lot into a strainer, and kept the broth. Lala isn't slimy and sticky like other clams, so I grabbed them by the handful and flicked the meat into a bowl. It did take an hour though, so I had to pray the night prayer before continuing. Then I sauteed some chopped garlic in butter, poured in some milk plus the clam broth, and brought it to a slow boil. I added shredded seaweed, and a brick of ramen noodles. When the noodles were done, I put it all in a large bowl and dumped all the clam meat on top. Want some? It's very rich.
I may be able to publish this letter today, but I'm still closed to the local Internet outlets. Because I chose you as my girl. But I don't regret the choice, my sweet Erin. I'm just reminding you that I may not be able to blog regularly until further notice. Erin I love you, and I need you.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Letter to Erin 20150125
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hey there, my Sweetie Erin. Yesterday I went out to blog my this love letter, but the 3 places I went to closed as soon as I arrived there. Fame is not a blessing. I had to do some planning and extra travel to be able to blog today. I think the problem, and the solution, is that YOU are my girl. Yeah, I prefer blondes, but YOU are my girl. This being said, I want you to know that it may be more difficult for me to write, but it won't be for lack of trying, and I possibly might not be as regular as usual. Wish you were here. So please stay strong, don't be sad, and know that I will not abandon you inshaAllah. Erin I love you, and I need you.
Hey there, my Sweetie Erin. Yesterday I went out to blog my this love letter, but the 3 places I went to closed as soon as I arrived there. Fame is not a blessing. I had to do some planning and extra travel to be able to blog today. I think the problem, and the solution, is that YOU are my girl. Yeah, I prefer blondes, but YOU are my girl. This being said, I want you to know that it may be more difficult for me to write, but it won't be for lack of trying, and I possibly might not be as regular as usual. Wish you were here. So please stay strong, don't be sad, and know that I will not abandon you inshaAllah. Erin I love you, and I need you.
Letter to Erin 20150124
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hey there, Tough Girl. Are you a tough girl? While it's good to be strong, it's more important that you be a good girl. Shine with goodness and light. What a beautiful girl you are. I love you, and I need you.
It's been a hectic week for me, with my getting an average of 5 hours sleep a day. So this morning after completing the dawn prayer, I woke up at 8:30. A decent hour, for a change. I still haven't had much motivation to experiment with food: my mind is working overtime on music and computers. I finished off the last of my last batch of home made halal beef sausage this morning with a sausage, egg, cheese, and sauteed onion burrito, with a tomato sauce dip. I took it slow in the kitchen, spending most of the time petting my kittens. After voice training and after the Asr prayer, I dug up a huge tapioca for my Mom. About the size of a small pig. Do you like tapioca? I don't really care for it myself, but my Mom loves it. Then I trimmed the bamboo, and watered the plants. I bought some rice for dinner at one of the village restaurants. I don't have many places where I eat out, because Allah gave me some knowledge in cooking. So I prefer my own cooking because I eat what I want with the portions I want, I'm not likely to poison myself, plus it's cheaper. Is that conceited? I think it's practical, especially for me. For us.
And by the way Erin the Designer, a Muslim home is not to have statues and pictures of celebrities, so as to be representations of idols and the like. If you have accumulated such items, please unload them before we marry. Photos of friends and relatives are OK.
Hey there, Tough Girl. Are you a tough girl? While it's good to be strong, it's more important that you be a good girl. Shine with goodness and light. What a beautiful girl you are. I love you, and I need you.
It's been a hectic week for me, with my getting an average of 5 hours sleep a day. So this morning after completing the dawn prayer, I woke up at 8:30. A decent hour, for a change. I still haven't had much motivation to experiment with food: my mind is working overtime on music and computers. I finished off the last of my last batch of home made halal beef sausage this morning with a sausage, egg, cheese, and sauteed onion burrito, with a tomato sauce dip. I took it slow in the kitchen, spending most of the time petting my kittens. After voice training and after the Asr prayer, I dug up a huge tapioca for my Mom. About the size of a small pig. Do you like tapioca? I don't really care for it myself, but my Mom loves it. Then I trimmed the bamboo, and watered the plants. I bought some rice for dinner at one of the village restaurants. I don't have many places where I eat out, because Allah gave me some knowledge in cooking. So I prefer my own cooking because I eat what I want with the portions I want, I'm not likely to poison myself, plus it's cheaper. Is that conceited? I think it's practical, especially for me. For us.
And by the way Erin the Designer, a Muslim home is not to have statues and pictures of celebrities, so as to be representations of idols and the like. If you have accumulated such items, please unload them before we marry. Photos of friends and relatives are OK.
Qur'an 20150122
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 have We 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?
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 have We 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?
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Letter to Erin 20150122
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Whew. What a long day. I'm still updating, programming and troubleshooting. My Mom gave me a little bit of money, which I used to update the equipment I work with. Thanks, Mom. It's not much money, but badly needed. Today was blistering hot, and full of commute. I learned to abhor the desert from living in Arizona for 13 or so years. Gag, I hate hot weather. I burn easily, so I cover up all my skin if I go outside. I cover up my mouth too, so I must appear extra menacing. I loathe commute, too. I had my fill of travel when I was young, and now that I'm old I don't even want to commute. Perlis is becoming congested. Even the back and village roads were congested today, but I did have to drive during rush hour. Trees don't have to commute, and they survive hundreds of years. Coral and sea anemones don't commute, either. Neither do clownfish.
I apologize for bitching. While you are still young and enjoy the experience, please do all the traveling you desire before we marry inshaAllah. For after we marry, we will stay in one place and raise a family. OK? I want to make you happy, and I want you to be happy with me. I love you Erin, and I need you.
Whew. What a long day. I'm still updating, programming and troubleshooting. My Mom gave me a little bit of money, which I used to update the equipment I work with. Thanks, Mom. It's not much money, but badly needed. Today was blistering hot, and full of commute. I learned to abhor the desert from living in Arizona for 13 or so years. Gag, I hate hot weather. I burn easily, so I cover up all my skin if I go outside. I cover up my mouth too, so I must appear extra menacing. I loathe commute, too. I had my fill of travel when I was young, and now that I'm old I don't even want to commute. Perlis is becoming congested. Even the back and village roads were congested today, but I did have to drive during rush hour. Trees don't have to commute, and they survive hundreds of years. Coral and sea anemones don't commute, either. Neither do clownfish.
I apologize for bitching. While you are still young and enjoy the experience, please do all the traveling you desire before we marry inshaAllah. For after we marry, we will stay in one place and raise a family. OK? I want to make you happy, and I want you to be happy with me. I love you Erin, and I need you.
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