In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hi Princess! Hi Angel! How's my love doing today? You are so beautiful, I wish I were as beautiful as you. I just finished my dinner- it's pizza night again! I wish you had been here to share it with me. I've been eating a lot of pizza lately, and it looks like I'm going to eat more tomorrow. But that avocado I bought is due to ripen finally, so I'm thinking chicken and avocado in mole sauce with fresh tortillas. Wanna come over and join me? I don't know why I've been eating so much pizza lately. But it's so yummy! Ach! I want another pizza!
No, I can't eat another pizza. After this, I have to set up for recording vocals again. I'm singing a song for somebody's birthday. I'm very fussy about recording vocals, especially about how I feel. The worst part is trying to get comfortable, which can take hours, or even days. I hate singers! I wish I could give her a diamond ring, but I hope she'll be OK with a song for now. I love her dearly. And I need her.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Letter to Erin 20160214
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hello Beloved. Hi Sweetie! Are you having a great day? I'm just kicking back right now, watching TV. It's an episode of "Daria": "The Lost Girls". I'd share it with you, but MTV won't let me embed it. It was their exclusive cartoon, back when they had music videos. But I gave up on MTV back in 1986.
I'm in the process of setting up vocals for recording. One year ago, I didn't even have a pair of headphones, but this time I should do much better. You probably haven't come across Shadowplay material on the Internet, but I'll give you a hint: CD Baby. Keep in mind that they haven't given me a penny. I have been working on a new cd/album. I actually started it in 2007, then I lost my home and stuff like that. But I was able to save the music, the most important being the last drum tracks I did. The album is called "Woo Hoo". When I was younger, I would put all my time into finishing albums. I'm sure I would eventually get back to that attitude, but right now I'm taking my time. "Woo Hoo" is a dark album anyway, and if you connect with the concept of music being the soul of the composer (like in the movie "Amadeus") then you would understand that I'm really cautious about the music manifesting into reality. It's inspired by the Qur'an. It's a story based on the curse of Allah on those who impose interest and slavery. It's actually one song away from being done: I just need to do the last song, all the vocals, plus I promised an old friend to put down piano tracks. Hey, anything to slow it down, huh? I don't think I will ever trust a record company with the music again. I'm just going to set up a stall by the side of the road, and sell cds like a fruit seller or burger vendor. I'll probably make more money that way, and reach more people. I should probably get my ass in gear and start putting down all this music in my head on cd, but I don't have all the equipment I need. Ya Allah, please grant me all the computer and musical equipment I desire.
There are other important items on my agenda, of course. Like marrying you. Oh, how involved that is, huh? But I do love you. I sincerely love you. And I need you.
Hello Beloved. Hi Sweetie! Are you having a great day? I'm just kicking back right now, watching TV. It's an episode of "Daria": "The Lost Girls". I'd share it with you, but MTV won't let me embed it. It was their exclusive cartoon, back when they had music videos. But I gave up on MTV back in 1986.
I'm in the process of setting up vocals for recording. One year ago, I didn't even have a pair of headphones, but this time I should do much better. You probably haven't come across Shadowplay material on the Internet, but I'll give you a hint: CD Baby. Keep in mind that they haven't given me a penny. I have been working on a new cd/album. I actually started it in 2007, then I lost my home and stuff like that. But I was able to save the music, the most important being the last drum tracks I did. The album is called "Woo Hoo". When I was younger, I would put all my time into finishing albums. I'm sure I would eventually get back to that attitude, but right now I'm taking my time. "Woo Hoo" is a dark album anyway, and if you connect with the concept of music being the soul of the composer (like in the movie "Amadeus") then you would understand that I'm really cautious about the music manifesting into reality. It's inspired by the Qur'an. It's a story based on the curse of Allah on those who impose interest and slavery. It's actually one song away from being done: I just need to do the last song, all the vocals, plus I promised an old friend to put down piano tracks. Hey, anything to slow it down, huh? I don't think I will ever trust a record company with the music again. I'm just going to set up a stall by the side of the road, and sell cds like a fruit seller or burger vendor. I'll probably make more money that way, and reach more people. I should probably get my ass in gear and start putting down all this music in my head on cd, but I don't have all the equipment I need. Ya Allah, please grant me all the computer and musical equipment I desire.
There are other important items on my agenda, of course. Like marrying you. Oh, how involved that is, huh? But I do love you. I sincerely love you. And I need you.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Letter to Erin 20160213
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Is something wrong, Erin? Something is wrong, isn't it? Now look at me, and let me hold you. I want you to know that I love you deeply, and I will marry you inshaAllah. I want to kiss you, Erin. You are my girl. I love you, and I need you.
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I remember we once had an argument about it, that I told you I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. You didn't seem to accept my spiritual reason why I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. So let me explain in a business way: as I am a servant of Allah, it is in conflict of interest to my mission to please Allah with music for me to endorse Valentine's Day. That said, I repeat that I don't need one day a year to love you. I love you every day.
Is something wrong, Erin? Something is wrong, isn't it? Now look at me, and let me hold you. I want you to know that I love you deeply, and I will marry you inshaAllah. I want to kiss you, Erin. You are my girl. I love you, and I need you.
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I remember we once had an argument about it, that I told you I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. You didn't seem to accept my spiritual reason why I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. So let me explain in a business way: as I am a servant of Allah, it is in conflict of interest to my mission to please Allah with music for me to endorse Valentine's Day. That said, I repeat that I don't need one day a year to love you. I love you every day.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Letter to Erin 20160212
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hello Peaches! Hi Strawberries! Are you hungry for sweets? I'm sorry, I don't have any desserts right now. I've been eating leftovers all day, and I just had some leftover curry puffs for dinner. Hey, can't let them go to waste, right? Maybe I'll go out for ice cream later, and you can share it with me. OK? I love you, and I need you.
There was recently a new opening of a supermarket around these here parts. Perlis is still technically rural, so the opening of a large supermarket is big news with the locals. It's nothing like the malls you and I are familiar with, but the building does house the supermarket plus a food court, some kiosks, and some extra shops. I was there this morning, and it was crowded. There was a traffic jam going into the place. and the place has been open for a week already. The locals sure are thrilled about it. As for me, I did find some items I usually can't get locally. So I bought a ceramic omelet pan, an avocado, and a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos. The Doritos were made in Saudi Arabia.
Ach! I just got back from an ice cream run, and they were out of the big tubs of vanilla ice cream! All the big tubs were gone. Everything that's left is chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. I know you like chocolate, but I prefer vanilla. But there wasn't anything vanilla left. In the end, I bought a pomegranate ice cream bar.
Hello Peaches! Hi Strawberries! Are you hungry for sweets? I'm sorry, I don't have any desserts right now. I've been eating leftovers all day, and I just had some leftover curry puffs for dinner. Hey, can't let them go to waste, right? Maybe I'll go out for ice cream later, and you can share it with me. OK? I love you, and I need you.
There was recently a new opening of a supermarket around these here parts. Perlis is still technically rural, so the opening of a large supermarket is big news with the locals. It's nothing like the malls you and I are familiar with, but the building does house the supermarket plus a food court, some kiosks, and some extra shops. I was there this morning, and it was crowded. There was a traffic jam going into the place. and the place has been open for a week already. The locals sure are thrilled about it. As for me, I did find some items I usually can't get locally. So I bought a ceramic omelet pan, an avocado, and a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos. The Doritos were made in Saudi Arabia.
Ach! I just got back from an ice cream run, and they were out of the big tubs of vanilla ice cream! All the big tubs were gone. Everything that's left is chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. I know you like chocolate, but I prefer vanilla. But there wasn't anything vanilla left. In the end, I bought a pomegranate ice cream bar.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Letter to Erin 20160211
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hi Precious! Hello Cutie! How are we today? Is everything running smoothly for you, and fun? Well, please take good care of your health and get lots of rest. Please maintain your prayers. Of course I want the best for you, and for you to be happy and happy with me. Because I love you and I need you.
Oh, not much happening here today. I mostly did a lot of taking care of my plants today. I went to get a deterrent for those pesky little white moths, which by now have gained so much confidence in my yard that I can see their cocoons underneath the leaves of my eggplant. I also sprayed some pesticide over my mother's jasmine.
I wasn't too pleased with my fried flat noodles with cockles. It's the boiled cockles I bought: all the flavor had been cooked out. Which is a good thing, because it's sanitary for public consumption. I don't want to be blunt about this, because fried flat noodles with cockles is such a local delicacy. Let's just say that the cockles carry most of the flavor. So the trick with pre-cooked cockles is to put the flavor back. I marinaded it in a broth of anchovy bouillon, fermented anchovies and "belacan" (fermented shrimp cake), which tasted passable by itself, but not within the context of the dish. I guess I'm getting fussy in my old age. Fried flat noodles with cockles is the only dish I make with anything close to a formula. I still have half of those cockles left in my cooler. I'll try again in a week or so.
Hi Precious! Hello Cutie! How are we today? Is everything running smoothly for you, and fun? Well, please take good care of your health and get lots of rest. Please maintain your prayers. Of course I want the best for you, and for you to be happy and happy with me. Because I love you and I need you.
Oh, not much happening here today. I mostly did a lot of taking care of my plants today. I went to get a deterrent for those pesky little white moths, which by now have gained so much confidence in my yard that I can see their cocoons underneath the leaves of my eggplant. I also sprayed some pesticide over my mother's jasmine.
I wasn't too pleased with my fried flat noodles with cockles. It's the boiled cockles I bought: all the flavor had been cooked out. Which is a good thing, because it's sanitary for public consumption. I don't want to be blunt about this, because fried flat noodles with cockles is such a local delicacy. Let's just say that the cockles carry most of the flavor. So the trick with pre-cooked cockles is to put the flavor back. I marinaded it in a broth of anchovy bouillon, fermented anchovies and "belacan" (fermented shrimp cake), which tasted passable by itself, but not within the context of the dish. I guess I'm getting fussy in my old age. Fried flat noodles with cockles is the only dish I make with anything close to a formula. I still have half of those cockles left in my cooler. I'll try again in a week or so.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Letter to Erin 20160210
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Hello, my love. How are you feeling, beautiful girl? Are you keeping busy as usual? There's nothing out of the ordinary going on here today. My waking and sleeping hours have been strange lately, and I trying to take my time. As usual. I went to the main market downtown right after dawn prayer. I have a craving for fried flat noodles with cockles. I bought almost a kilo of pre-cooked cockles. No flavor whatsoever: all the flavor had been cooked out for public consumption, so I'm going to have to put flavor back somehow. So I didn't eat that today. I grilled a fish instead. I grilled the scad I bought yesterday. I had a lot of leftover "sambal" (red hot chilli pepper condiment) which I wanted to use up, so I stuffed the fish with sliced tomatoes and drowned it with "sambal". Awesome. Alhamdulillah.
I spent the evening with my chainsaw. I had to sharpen the chain, which is a tedious task filing the blades one by one. Then I cut down some stumps by the side of the street which were in the way of my weed whacker. There was also an dead tree leaning towards the old house which my Mom had been bugging me to cut down. Fascinating. The dead tree was being held up by dead vines, so when I cut through the tree, it wouldn't fall. So I threw a cable around it and pulled it down. Macho work, huh? Army ants crawled up my pants and bit my balls while I was trying to cut the tree. I'm sure you will never have that problem. Having ants bite your balls with a 2 ton tree looming over your head. My chainsaw was smokin' hot!
Praise be to Allah that you are at the top of your game. I don't want you to overwork! Please choose your work wisely, and take your time. Slow down your stride, and relax your heart. Please pray. I want you to know that you are loved. I love you, and I need you.
Hello, my love. How are you feeling, beautiful girl? Are you keeping busy as usual? There's nothing out of the ordinary going on here today. My waking and sleeping hours have been strange lately, and I trying to take my time. As usual. I went to the main market downtown right after dawn prayer. I have a craving for fried flat noodles with cockles. I bought almost a kilo of pre-cooked cockles. No flavor whatsoever: all the flavor had been cooked out for public consumption, so I'm going to have to put flavor back somehow. So I didn't eat that today. I grilled a fish instead. I grilled the scad I bought yesterday. I had a lot of leftover "sambal" (red hot chilli pepper condiment) which I wanted to use up, so I stuffed the fish with sliced tomatoes and drowned it with "sambal". Awesome. Alhamdulillah.
I spent the evening with my chainsaw. I had to sharpen the chain, which is a tedious task filing the blades one by one. Then I cut down some stumps by the side of the street which were in the way of my weed whacker. There was also an dead tree leaning towards the old house which my Mom had been bugging me to cut down. Fascinating. The dead tree was being held up by dead vines, so when I cut through the tree, it wouldn't fall. So I threw a cable around it and pulled it down. Macho work, huh? Army ants crawled up my pants and bit my balls while I was trying to cut the tree. I'm sure you will never have that problem. Having ants bite your balls with a 2 ton tree looming over your head. My chainsaw was smokin' hot!
Praise be to Allah that you are at the top of your game. I don't want you to overwork! Please choose your work wisely, and take your time. Slow down your stride, and relax your heart. Please pray. I want you to know that you are loved. I love you, and I need you.
Qur'an 20160210
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
189. They ask you concerning the new moons. Say, "They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in men and for the Hajj." It is no virtue if you enter your houses from the back: it is virtue if you fear God. Enter houses through the proper doors, and fear Allah, that you may prosper.
(The Heifer 2:189)
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They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in men and for the Hajj.
189. They ask you concerning the new moons. Say, "They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in men and for the Hajj." It is no virtue if you enter your houses from the back: it is virtue if you fear God. Enter houses through the proper doors, and fear Allah, that you may prosper.
(The Heifer 2:189)
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They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in men and for the Hajj.
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