Ornaments

99

2011-06-12T11:35:00.002-05:00

Covered in blood

The greatest sinner cries

“Whom should I call upon..”

“Where shall I turn..”

Filled with regrets of the past

The sinner’s journey began

Don’t need the minarets,

The exquisite stained glasses

The grand piano

Or a sufi’s shrine

For this meeting of the souls

An Alley would suffice

No bowls of zamzam water

Or the serving of bread and wine

It brings more joy

to the heavens

to save a sinner that repenteth

than a ninety nine righteous (Luke 15:7)

inspired by hadith from Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 676.

Bangle

2010-10-17T00:46:00.005-05:00

She is sitting in her dormitory, staring out the window. Unaware of her surroundings. Unaware of my presence. I start to call her name but hesitate to break the silence. Cool November breeze touches her hair and I notice the moon glancing at her. I decide to stand quietly by the door and join the moon in this sight. How simple and beautiful, even her sadness. She looks down at her bangles and holds one hand in the palm of other. I dream to be those bangles on her arm that flirts with her hair when she ties them. It caresses her face when she tries to wipe those tears. The tears invoke me to inquire about her grief. I sit next to her, take her hand in mine and ask, “what’s the matter?” She looks at me and speaks softly, “look, the bangle broke.”

Walking among the angels

2010-02-11T12:09:00.002-06:00

A novice traveler begins his journey

looking for a legend

He carries with him, his hopes and dreams

and a bag full of memories

The dreams keep him awake

and the memories keep him alive

So he moves towards the mountain

where his personal legend awaits

He hums a song as he walks

and his steps follow the beats

The song that only he knows

The lyrics that reflect his soul

Music comes from the wind

and the birds join in

Trees and peaks couldn't resist

and they begin their dance

Silly traveler continues to walk

missing all the signs

He’s blind to the miracles

and the beauty that surrounds him

Passing all the fellow souls

and the angels that make way for him

Reaching for an unknown

on a search that may never end

HAITI

2010-01-13T11:29:00.012-06:00

Photo: Tequila Minsky for The New York Times

Many bodies, lying still, scattered in this land
Many strangers in this field, but there might be a friend

Teary eyes, crying faces, digging rubble of despair

A little girl looks at you, wanting to hold your hand

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 the 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. It was the worst in the region in more than 200 years and left the country in a shambles. Thousands have been reported dead so far. Hospitals, media stations and relief outlets have also been effected leaving the people with limited resources to deal with this catastrophe. You can help by texting 'HAITI' to '90999' and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill. Or you can go online to organizations like the Red Cross and Mercy Corps to make a contribution to the disaster relief efforts. More ways to help can be found here

"This is a time when we are reminded of
the common humanity that we all share"

~President Obama

Swimming

2010-01-11T09:23:00.018-06:00

I am swimming in the alphabets...
dodging all the fishing nets... ships and freaks and crazy jets... carrying thousand giga pets... line them up and play some sets... pump it up as loud as trumpets... piano, drums and clarinets... don’t stop till the sea-horse rests...
I am still swimming in the alphabets.

Painting SEARCH by Rodger Roundy

Christmas Ornament

2009-12-26T15:58:00.022-06:00

I met some phenomenal people this Christmas Eve and just when I thought it could not get any better, I ran into Byronn Davis. 4 years ago, Byronn was hit by a drunk driver while he was helping a complete stranger fix his car on the side of the road. Byronn moved his friend out of the way when the drunk driver drove towards them but did not have much time to save himself. Byronn lost both his legs in that accident.

Byronn is a father of a 4 year old girl who was just 3 months at the time of the accident, and a 12 year old boy. He is also a caregiver of two more children who are currently attending college. He was a maintenance man by profession but since the accident he has chosen a different path to serve people.

Photo taken by OM on December 25, 2009 at Hyatt Regency Hotel
in Dallas Downtown during Christmas Angel Project conducted by
SoupMobile

Byronn speaks to groups of convicted drunk drivers and advises them to do the right thing. He also works at the SoupMobile helping provide food and shelter to many homeless people in Dallas area. Emory Ross was the man behind the wheel in that accident but Byronn has nothing but prayers for him. Byronn has since forgiven Emory Ross and requested court to decrease his sentence. During the hours of conversing with Byronn, I did not sense any negativity from him. He constantly thanked God for showing him the way and making him capable of the things he does.

Thank you Byronn for sharing your story with me!

Check out Byronn's Video Interview and Story covered by Dallas Morning News back in April of 2007

Health Care

2009-12-21T10:17:00.014-06:00

Lil Jony climed up the whata tank to get his mama's urrings that his daddy threw up there. I tole lil Jony not to get up der, i says the urrings were spesial but not as spesial as lil Jony. But lil Jony din lisen. He says I wanna make my mama proud and up he went climin that darn whata tank. Lil Jony doesun like warin the shoe I got em on his birfday. They slow me down mama he sayz. So lil Jony was climin up with no shoe on. He climed all the way up and saw a bird nest up there. He musta scurred the bird away cuz it flew and it scurred lil Jony too and down he fell from the top of the whatta tank. I ran to my lil Jony and saw him lien on the flo with blood ova his clofes. Some nice man of God called the 911 and they put lil Jony in an ambulance. I tried talkin to lil Jony, i sayz wake up lil Jony I tole you not to clime that darn whata tank, them urrings were not as spesial as you lil Jony. But lil Jony din say a word. They took him in the emergency room and I tole the doctor how lil Jony climed up the whata tank to get my urrings with no shoe on. I tole the doctor how I tole lil Jony not to clime up there with no shoe on but lil Jony dint lisen. He wanted to make her mama proud I says to the doctor. The doctor seem nice and he fix my Lil Jony and gave him the wheel chair to sit on. Lil Jony doesun like the wheel chair but he says he likes how fast he can go withit.

"Maa'm all I need to know is how do you plan to pay this bill?"

Oh yah, after the doctor wuz dun with lil Jony, I went up to him. He was lien in the bed and when he saw me he sayz mama look what I got for you. Lil Jony opened his hand and he had my urrings. I cried and say to him, I am proud of you lil Jony. I took those urrings to Mr. Grubbs up at the pawn store. Mr Grubbs is a grumpy ole man but he sayz it wurth enuf to make a few paymens on lil Jonys wheel chair.

09.09.09

2009-09-09T00:00:00.005-05:00

"Nothing can go wrong today," He comforted himself on his way to pick up Object. The car door screeched when she opened it and she gave him the look tacitly suggesting him to buy a new car. He had gotten that look every time Object opened that door but it did not bother him today. Nothing really mattered because he wanted today to be just perfect. He was trying his best to disguise his nervousness by acting cool but the sweaty forehead wasn’t helping. Object had a tendency to sense his nervousness from miles away. But she was oblivious today busy applying her makeup.

"So, where are we going?" she asked. "Somewhere special" he answered with a smile but did not make the eye contact. "mm.." she sighed and started to apply her mascara. Object’s habit of putting her makeup on while he was driving had always been distracting to him. He always had this strong urge to just stop the car and watch the precision of the process. The intimate look at her beauty! Her lipstick had a propensity to make him jealous. But today he had a better control over his desires. He drove comforted by the sweet smell of Object’s musk he loved so much.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He pulled the car into an empty lot of an isolated gallery where Object had never been. To his surprise she still didn't inquire about where she was taken. "Maybe she knows" He thought for a second feeling paranoid. It was unusual for Object to go along with surprise plans without taking at least thirteen shots in the guessing game. She loved it when she guessed right and felt defeated when she couldn’t. He would rather let her know of the plans ahead of time then to put her through this misery. He had a tendency to give up easy for Object but today was different; everything was falling just the way he hoped.

"Am I dressed appropriately?" She asked. He glanced at her and his heart melted. He wanted to shower her with his adornment of her and tell her how beautiful she looked in that elegant brown dress, how her skin looked even more vibrant covered in that silk and how the shade of her hair and her eyes seemed like the pieces of jewelry picked specially to complete the whole ensemble. Instead he smiled and said, "Perfect."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Look in Object’s eyes was to die for when the lights came on. She covered her face in disbelief. Her hair and dress flew with her when she spun all around the rotunda to see what he had put together. She danced around every little piece placed carefully just to entice her. It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. While she was lost in the extravaganza of the expressions all around her, all he could think of was how close he was to the Object of his affection. The violin started just in time and he got on his knees with the humble symbol of their love in his hands.

It was the happiest dream he thought he deserved.

One More Hit

2009-08-11T17:34:00.018-05:00

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Hit me one more time my friend ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ help me take the edge off ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~help me escape this brightness ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ these rays of light~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ are inciting me~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ they're inviting me ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ like the parasite~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ they're surrounding me~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fool was I to fight the sun? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ not a sufi, yet I spun ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ but I failed to escape ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ my own reflection ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~the ugly mirror ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ stared right at me ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~laughed at me ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ I tried to run ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ but it followed me~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ So my tired soul let it prevail ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~tied the boat that couldn't sail ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ like a wounded soldier ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I lied there still ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ It took no time to conquer me ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ violating every thing ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~that mattered to me ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ in a million pieces ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ it shattered me ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I need you now like never before ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ don't you hear me knocking your door ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ today is the day I failed my creed ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ one more hit is all I need ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Close your eyes

2009-07-26T05:59:00.005-05:00

Beauty isn't what you have seen,
O' Silly traveler, where have you been?
Heart is where the love resides,

Close your eyes and look within.

Original drawning by Om with black & white charcoal. Image is digitally edited in Picassa.

Wedding Day

2009-06-29T00:43:00.003-05:00

For my dearest friends Sameer and Rosie

Put on the Kajal with a hint of gray
Paint my hands with Mehandi today
Bindya, Chooriyan and Saari to wear
I want to look my best today

I waited for this moment night and day
My wait will finally be over today
Cliffs will bow and birds will pray
A new chapter of love will begin today

A summer breeze will gently spray
Marking the arrival of my beloved today
Barriers will drop and joys will make way
I will be one with my love today

Stars and moon have a reason to stay
All the enchanting bodies are invited today
Roses and lilies in your finest array
Come dance with me on my wedding day

R.E.C

2009-05-23T13:24:00.006-05:00

REC Commercial - written by TriCities REC 11th grade students

Please click her for the Video
PASSWORD: REC

Ever been asked
Why you believe, what you believe?
If your society has grown from its past?
What you do on Saturday mornings?

Look Beyond
Look Within

We are
Ismailis
Day by Day
Week by Week
We have evolved
We have learned
We have benefited

For three hours
Every week
We're here
Building our success
Person by person
One
by
One

You wonder
What good is this for us?
Come find out

R
E
C

Tainted

2009-02-10T04:42:00.004-06:00

I will let you have
the part of me
the part that isn't
any good to me

I will let you keep
the memories
hoping it will
set me free

The picture of us
for you I painted
doesn't reflect my heart
the heart that is tainted

Merry you may call it
but it would be a lie
the artist may contain
but the canvas will cry

Clog Blog

2009-01-31T04:05:00.002-06:00

I tried tonight... but couldn't write. It's not the pen... think it's the brain. Lacking the sensation... an inspiration. I need a notion... or may be a potion. Looking around... but nothing could be found. Thoughts are shut... stuck in a rut. Desperate attempts to rhyme... which should be a crime. It sounds tame... and mostly lame. So its time to clog.. this utterly mindless blog.

First night of June

2008-06-01T04:39:00.006-05:00

We begin to recite a poem
on the first night of June
The sky filled with stars
but no sign of moon

The heart begins to throb
and pulse becomes fierce
We speak the words with passion
We speak the words with tears

Tears find an eternal refuge
and the pulse quickly fails
She hits the notes of desire
my voice becomes too frail

Her words, metaphor of beauty
my words, nothing but hollow
then her lips start to sing
and mine fail to follow

Your Hands

2008-05-20T00:13:00.007-05:00

Your hands tell the tale of
the meeting of two pure hearts,
they know of the nights spent
under the moonlit stars,
wavering and weeping, softly
they whisper into my ears.
Your hands tell the tale
of the spring and the fall,
the seasons of love and lost
they witnessed them all.
Your hands open the gates
that were never shut,
they reached into my heart
and began to strike the strings,
playing the notes of thunder
tenderly at first, rising slowly
it spoke of the raindrops
that witnessed our love
pouring on your skin
cleansing itself.
Your hands spark the fire
intensifying my rage
like the angels ballerina
the flames began to dance
flowing with the sound of thunder
burning my soul…

Your hands, sweet hands,
they tell a tale...

There's a flaw (part ii)

2008-03-12T01:44:00.005-05:00

There's a flaw (part i)

"I feel like Kate Winslet from Titanic." She said while standing at the edge of the boat.
"Watch out for the iceberg Rose." I said jokingly

This quest of finding "true happiness" has challenged me to define the way one should live. It seems obvious that we all aspire to live the good life, although people differ in opinion as to what it is. It often gets associated to possessing money and goods. I have yet to find a flaw in one enjoying the fruits of his own honest efforts and strive to attain comfortable living for himself. But if that's the good life then where do we place the existence that helps others, true friendship, love, service, giving, character, growth, and spirituality? If the goal is to attain happiness, should we be prepared to sacrifice? And if it leads to our own happiness, then is it really considered a sacrifice?

"If I were to drown, would you come for my rescue?" she asked
"without a doubt." I quickly responded

I had already ruled out the path of attaining true happiness ever meeting the path of satisfying our own material desires. But I can't ignore the role of these desires in living the good life. The notion of reaching for bigger and better seems to be a popular goal in life. If this gets associated with accumulation of wealth, then by simple mathematical formula, the standards will continue to increase unless we fall into the Great Depression again. I can't help but blame the society for doing it's best to raise these standards and continue to feed our desires.

Hellen Keller says: "Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves."

I don't know how to swim.

This blog is inspired by the song Society by Eddie Vedder from the motion picture soundtrack of Into the Wild.

4 am...

2008-03-04T03:57:00.003-06:00

Eyes are dazed and head is turning... body is shut but the heart is running... the clock keeps ticking ... tick tock tick tock... why is it so loud? I wish it would stop... I am feeling thirsty and my mouth is dry... it'd be easy if I could only cry... drank some water and tried to pray... forgive me God, if I went astray... spare my soul and end this war... why won't slumber knock my door?

Perspective (A Short Film)

2008-02-18T22:55:00.006-06:00

Camera queues in red
Audio queues and narrations in blue (narration italicized)

Opens with the closeup shot of 'A Camera Lens'
Next shot: the view of the students in lecture hall from teacher's angle
Sound of Professor walking in from behind the camera
(professor is not visible to the camera)

Professor starts to teach: "Let's take a look at Phaedo"

Camera slowly focuses on students randomly stopping for few seconds while student's thoughts are narrated

David: I still feel sore from the workout...

(Professor's voice indistinct)

Cati: If only I could understand Plato...

(Professor's voice indistinct)

Ryanne: I should knit a sweater for mom...

(Professor's voice indistinct)

Julianna: I've got to catch up on my reading...

(Professor's voice indistinct)

Gayle: Hmm.. he's got a point...

(Professor's voice disappears)

(Complete silence for 2 seconds)

Cameraman's hand becomes visible holding a gun

Sound effect of a loud Gunshot!

Camera drops to the floor

Upside down shot of the white board that says:

"Must not all things at the last be swallowed up in death?"

For the students of NIU, Virginia tech, Columbine and several other schools who got victimized by deadly shootings. May the souls of those who died, rest in peace and may God bless the families and friends with courage to deal with their loss.

Absent Ornament

2008-02-10T16:43:00.000-06:00

Is it ok to ignore
the mistakes you say I made
Is it ok to care
for the dreams we shared

You ask me why I try to win
you ask me why I dare
If you care to look for an answer
You'll find it in the way you stare

Your silence gives it away
and your tears make it clear
warning of the moment to come
it's the moment that I fear

and so I sit here
thinking....

is it ok to care
for the one who was never there?

Om is listening to Belle and Sebastian

Stop n' Go

2007-10-24T11:48:00.000-05:00

I gave her a hug, thinking this might be the last time I'll have her in my arms, grabbed my bags and stood there until I could no longer see her car.

It was a wrong terminal, wrong airline or maybe the wrong time. I passed out in the waiting room, my first nap in past 48 hours. I was then chased by an ax murderer in my dream, she looked much like the lady behind the check-in counter of a local museum. I started running. I ran past a dripping chocolate fountain, a torn down mummy, a magician with an annoying laugh and a Jazz concert. Too late for the band's opening performance, but made it right on time for a big (relatively speaking) surprise, when a hefty boy professed his love for his girlfriend and asked her to marry him. I started running again when the wedding proposal was followed by a loose dog announcement by the Jazz master.

"Would you like something to drink", asked the blond hair lady with long legs, petite body and straight posture. I expected the ax murderer but she had given up long ago. Before I could answer her, I tried to contemplate how I ended up in the airplane from the waiting room? It's often difficult for me to differentiate reality from dreams. I prefer dreams over reality but I also recognize that reality is the only place to get good food. Failing to make sense of the situation I ignored it all together and closed my eyes again. I think she got the point and moved on.

I decided to run back. The Jazz played, the magician laughed and the fountain dripped. And this time, I saw it all in her eyes. "It is 65 degrees in Chicago", the pilot announced. I looked out the window, and thought "Wow, It looks so much like google earth, just less interactive."

Om enjoys the ambiance of The Melting Pot

Shhh..

2007-07-25T22:43:00.000-05:00

Eyes, wide shut
last call from tavern, missed
but the wine drips

Come, she says.

Glasses, misty
rain sneaks in, heavy
vigil jitters

Breathe, she says.

Muted, beautiful,
naive chalice, shattered
desired but unwelcome

Drink, she says.

Aroma, faint
indistinct moan, deceitful
begins to utter

Shhhh, She says.

There's a flaw

2007-05-06T23:09:00.000-05:00

"How far will you go?" she asked.
"Until I get a Nobel Prize" I said.
She chuckled.

I continue to search for understanding "true happiness". I have observed the notion of satisfying one's own desires to attain comfort; I have also observed this notion continue to fail. There's a flaw. I have found that since one's own desires will, without fail conflict with others, so satisfying one's own needs invariably inflicts suffering on others. Do we enjoy the suffering of others? I am starting to believe that the path of satisfying our own desires might never meet the path of attaining true happiness.

"I'll take the filet mignon" she said to the waiter. "Medium well please" she added.
"I'll have the same" I said.
She squinted.

It still seems unreasonable to give up all our desires, as it would be an economical disaster. So material development stays and so does satisfying our basic needs, but expecting to attain true happiness through it all seems unreasonable. Practicing patience, care and compassion while we pursue our desires might be the only way to keep us from causing pain and suffering to others.

Dalai Lama says: "I sometimes find it helpful to imagine myself standing as a single individual on one side, facing a huge gathering of all other human beings on the other side. Then I ask myself, 'Whose interests are more important?' To me it is quite clear that however important I may feel I am, I am just one individual while others are infinite in number and importance".

I forgot to tip.

Om can't get enough of Dalai Lama

Timmy's new plan

2007-01-11T19:31:00.000-06:00

*ring ring*

"Timmy"
Baker: Hello?
"Timmy"
Yeah, Mr. president.... that war in Iraq... yeah... umm not a good idea.
"Timmy"

Hamilton: Hello?
"Timmy"
Mr President, I don't think you understand. Those troops you sent.... yeah, don't think you should've done that.
"Timmy"

Reid: Hello?
"Timmy"
Sir, yeah... i don't think Dems are gonna be behind you with this whole more troops business
"Timmy"

Nancy: Hello?
"Timmy"
No Sir, it isn't happening. I strongly oppose it. It hasn't worked before and it won't work now.
"Timmy"

Duncan: Hello?
"Timmy"

umm I am afraid, it's a negative from some of us Repubs too.
"Timmy"

Cheney: "Timmy"
"Timmy"
"Timmy"
"Timmy"
"Livin a lie"
"Timmy"
"Timmy"

Merry Prisoner

2007-01-08T22:43:00.000-06:00

Whispers... fidgety... sweating bullets
sluggish... dazed... more whispers
Tears... dejection... blues
and then... a smile!

Is it something I said?
Or something I held back?
Is there a sign you seek?
or is there something I lack?

Must I weep to make you believe?
or should i break to make you conceive?

The roaring sea around me,
Is it not of tears?
These gloomy dark clouds that you see,
Are they not my fears?

In this circus of emotions,
I am a slave to my handicap.
Imprissoned in the cage of desire,
struggling to reach your hand,
But you're blinded by the marquee,
and I am too weak to be unchained.

L.B.D

2007-01-01T18:11:00.002-06:00

Silence of the night
creeping inside of me
why does everything seem still
why doesn't anyone speak

Why all these people
yet it seems hollow
I can see the gushy lips
but can't seem to follow

Oh what a shouting beauty
and everything else appears placid

Oh what a stinging sensation
and the rest feels numb

Oh what a staunch desire
against the torpid ego

Is it the moon
Or that little black dress.

Broken Ornament (12/24/xx)

2006-12-24T12:33:00.000-06:00

I had been there before but today was different. That ugly piece of beautiful lying naked on top of me. "Where will this go", I asked and he smiled. He pinned me down gently and bit my lower lip then whispered something in my ear. I couldn't make out of what he said but I knew it was a tacit suggestion to lie still. I could feel the cold wind piercing out of the broken glass of the window. I tried to look out but it was obstructed by an old austere Christmas tree covered with tacky ornaments. Some cracked, some stained and rusty. I studied the tree carefully hoping to find one fine ornament and I did. It was beautiful, well burnished, white and luminous. Hanging on the edge of an anemic branch. I was afraid it was going to fall. I felt a heavy breeze and the fortiuitous ornament landed on a dirty santa doll supported by yet another anemic branch. My teary eyes were pierced on the beautiful ornament. I didn't want it to break. I lied still and there it came. Another breeze.

Om supports RAINN

Fear of Rejection

2006-12-11T11:55:00.000-06:00

I think it worked tonight. I played all my cards right. This dude is trapped. He's not going to sleep tonight, that I am sure of. I know exactly how it's going to play out. He's going to walk into that fancy Brazilian restaurant, probably wearing his favorite black sweater. He's going to forget to smile at first, something he does when he's nervous. Then he'll start out by asking how I'm doing, followed by a compliment and some small talk. He will look around occasionally to catch his breath but I'll keep a constant stare at him to make him a little more uncomfortable. Somewhere in the midst of dinner he will work up the courage to tell me, he will first wipe the sweat off his forehead and then maybe prolong the question with some sort of disclaimer and then it will come. His face will start blushing starting from his ears; He'll try to make some subtle physical contact but will himself shy away. I'll look directly at him and keep a straight face the entire time. He'll pop the question and boom, I'll shoot him down aiming straight for his heart. I have great aim. He waited too long.

I think it's my cue to act. Oh, I can't sleep tonight. It's making me nervous. How am I going to do this? Oh come on, it can't be that difficult. I'll put on something nice, maybe my black sweater. It makes me look thin. I'll walk into the Brazilian restaurant, greet her with a smile, act cool and ask her about her day. Compliments come naturally when I see her, so that will carry the conversation. I'll look around to familiarize myself with the space around us, try to capture the moment. Oh, I hope she's not too attentive, her eyes make me nervous. I will then reach for her hands and calmly ask her what I have been longing for. Oh, who am I kidding? She’ll probably shoot me down and break my heart. It's probably not the right time. Maybe I should wait a little longer.

Om liked the story telling in Melinda and Melinda

Oops I did it again

2006-11-28T22:37:00.000-06:00

I can't help but notice that there's a striking similarity in the careers of Bush and Britney

Bush faced a major challenge when America came under terrorist attack on 9/11.

Poor Britney got dumped by a n'stink heartthrob and cried him a river.

Bush decided to go after Iraq in search of WMDs.

Britney went in search for true love.

Bush didn't find WMDs but he got Saddam.

Britney got intoxicated and found true love in a self acclaimed rappist K-Fed.

This is when America started praying for our beloved Britney and Bush.

Brtiney popped out a baby to prove her true love - America prayed more.

Bush used establishing democracy in Iraq to cover the WMD blunber and sent more troops.

Britney said to hit her one more time and popped out one more baby.

Bush got pressured by the rest of the world, he decided to send more troops.

They both came to a point where there was a decission to be made. Several commisions, Experts, world leaders and even advisors suggested that going into Iraq might have been a mistake. But we're still seeing our beloved Bush with that same smile on his face stating: "Whether you're with us or against us", who is this "us" are we referring to? 38% of Americans? What does it take to admit that there's a boo boo that has been made? How about an apology? It's maddening that there's no cost of being wrong, even if it translates to thousands of people dead and billions of dollars down the drain.

Well Atleast our Britney realized what she had done and left K-Fed. Let's see what our presidents next move is? Let me guess. more troops?

What is she talking about?

2006-10-31T20:24:00.000-06:00

Love brings pain so if you want to avoid pain, you should avoid Love. But it's painful not to be loved. Which means you'll be in pain regardless of love or not. But if you want to be happy you're gonna have to love which means to be happy you'll have to experience pain. But then again pain makes you unhappy. Does that mean love makes you unhappy? If so, then to avoid this pain you must not love but if you want to be happy you might have to live with pain. Wait a minute, is this a trap?

Om enjoyed watching Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind

Rest in peace

2006-09-28T22:45:00.000-05:00

The night was blue, not because of hard day at work, not because those stupid Indian soaps that were pissing me off and not even after an argument with Object. Nothing managed to shake off a thought of a dear friend so close to loosing a loved one. I kept thinking how he must have been sitting on that orange chair recalling every sweet moment that he spent with his loved one his entire life. Slumber somehow caught up to me until my phone rang in the middle of the night, which I wish, was a bad dream but it wasn’t.

The morning was gloomy, everything felt worthless. I started to recall the marriage proposal I witnessed last evening, I remember feeling so happy for the couple and until last evening I was only imagining how beautiful it is to be able to commit to someone for rest of your life. But this morning “rest of your life” didn’t seem enough. How limited is this lifetime?

I was terrified. It wasn’t just feeling for a friend anymore at the funeral. Now is when my selfish instincts started kicking in. I pictured myself standing at his position, I was stunned, and I kept asking myself if I could ever have courage to face this? How much of my parent’s life have I missed already and how much more is left for me to catch on to? Would I ever be able to collect more memories? And if I do, wouldn’t it make it more difficult? Should I be worried about how difficult it would be for me to part or should I be worried about providing whatever it is that I can to my loved ones before its time so there are less regrets? I look up again and this time there’s a kid playing with the puddle of mud on the side unaware of what is happening around him. I wanted to be that kid!

Ornaments that fell (in love)

2006-09-12T19:16:00.000-05:00

"Ofcourse I am. I have felt that tingly feeling in my heart several times before", I said in response to object's analysis of my incapability of ever falling in love or expressing my emotions. She nodded with a smile and I got out of the car. I had to replay the whole conversation in my mind before going to bed which made me think back and remember all the times I felt butterflies for someone.

Surely, object was wrong it all started in the elementary school where I remember standing up to this bully who was trying to take her lunch money.

I remember the time in middle school when I sold all my cds to my friend to buy that necklace for her, hell I even remember imitating this lover from some cheesy Indian movie and wrote a letter with my blood when she decided to never see me again.

What about that time when I would stay up and talk to her all night long and sometimes she would fall asleep but I would stay on the phone just to hear her breathe.

I remember the bet with my friends to jump off the balcony if I truly loved her which I fearlessly did and ended up in the hospital. All the pain was worth when she brought me flowers and kissed my forehead.

I remember the letters, the greeting cards, that box full of her little gifts. I remember the day dreaming, those subtle eye contacts and those fights over small things that ended up with a trail of I love yous.

Wait a minute. That wasn't me was it? It was those damn ornaments. I guess object is right once again.

So she says...

2006-08-22T10:54:00.000-05:00

Poor soul I see,
searching for something.

"What is it that I am searching for?",
she asks.

She asks her pals,
who say it all with their eyes.

So she turns to the mirror,
that glances back at her with confusion.

So she turns to me,
I lack the answer.

So she turns to her soul,
that direct her to God.

So she asks her God,
and then only she finds...

"The perfection?",
"The truth?",
"The satisfaction",
I ask.

"The search",
She says.

Om highly recommends Conference of the Birds

Back from C-Poy

2006-08-11T11:16:00.000-05:00

Now I got that feeling once again.
I can't explain, you would not understand.
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.
(Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd, song that was playing before the first lecture)

For the sake of keeping the conversation going she asks: "Have you ever had an experience that changed your life forever?". I have heard this one before and this question never fails to make me glance back to all that I can remember about my past life in 15 seconds. I don't have just one, I got several of them and they all jump up my memory lane all at once and make their way to the tip of my tongue but don't quiet make it out. "She doesn't really care to hear" beats them to it and then I come up with some stupid meaningless trip that I may or may not have taken in past filled with imaginary details about how beautiful the scenery was mixed with the dream I had the night before to add the adventure. Drive back home after such instances are quiet interesting because I enjoy talking to myself about my life changing experiences.

The trip to the Cpoy land was everything I hoped for. It was 2 weeks filled with exhaustion, sleep deprivation and tons of reading. But it was all worth gaining what it had to offer. I met some truly wonderful people who inspired me to reach for my goals. Also, I felt honored to be in a company of great teachers who made it to "my most influential teachers" list. And to add to that I made some wonderful new friends and ofcourse the object.

Thanks Cpoy for the next time she asks about my experience, you'll be sure to make it to the tip of my tongue and might even further if she deserves it.

Thanks Ali

2006-08-07T08:59:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the post Ali.

http://aligreinvented.blogspot.com/2006/07/on-request-of-friend-passage.html#links

Bomb Shelter

2006-07-17T09:07:00.000-05:00

So I got this toy for Jack, right? and then Jill was like "I wanna play with it" and I was like, let Jack play with it for now. So Jill gets all mad and throws a rocket at Jack. I mean not a real rocket, one of those foamy thingies, you know what I mean?. So Jack gets all mad and then he throws that rocket thingy back at Jill. And while they're fighting over it my girlfriend Jane walks in and goes, "Aren't you gonna stop them" and I was like, "well, Jack wants to play with his toy but Jill keeps throwing that rocket on Jack so Jack's gotta do something about it. right?" and Jane was like: "But if they keep on fighting then they might get hurt" and I was like: "oh well, I'll let them work it out".

I am hopeful today :)

2006-07-11T08:06:00.000-05:00

Sleepless nights continue but I feel hopeful today. Maybe 'cause its Khushali or just a new day, I believe things will get better and this world in NOT coming to an end.

So we've got extremist school of thought very much existing, not just in religious but also in political beliefs. This clash of belief system causes a lot of challenges and it feels like the world is sunk in chaos. It's easy be overwhelmed by these challenges but one must stay motivated to make the change because there's an alternative to just sit and witness. And the answers might not be too far from us:

* Ok, so we don't have cure for Cancer or Aids or many other undiscovered diseases. But if you think about it, not too long ago we were not blessed with Flu shots, or those gel caps that gets rid of common headaches. Did people survive? How did they overcome the pain? Well, they accepted the diseases just like they accepted pollution, poor lifestyles and life which was not dominated by media which could uncover or hide the corrupted politics. Isn't the same human impulse is going to help us through the so called "modern times". I am hopeful.

* Hunger. Noone is unaware of those images of african kids, covered with mud and looking not much different that skeletons we see in our science labs. Is there anyway we can overcome their hunger? Issue here surely is not awareness, and we know people like Gates and Buffet will always be out there to provide the wealth so is it "will" we are lacking? All of a sudden it doesn't feel like too big of an issue to me. The idea of global citizenship is growing rapidly (thanks to internet) so I don't believe it will be too long before those images of moving skeletons will soon be turned into smiling faces with rosy cheeks. I am hopeful.

* Gobal warming. You might be one of the many just like me who have been scared by Mr. Gore about global warming but I hope that you left the theatre feeling positive 'cause you know now what you can do to play your part. And if you're not, know this that despite of US laws and their low standards in pollution control, technology can surprise you like it has several times in the past. Hybrid technology was an unheard of idea not too long ago and similary the technological advancement is bound to control global warming and excessive fuel control. I am hopeful.

* How about the images of what half the world recognizes as war? Another product of belief clash. But if you're the one who is against war then know that half of the world is behind you. Now this may not end tomorrow but investing in future of coming generation wouldn't be vain. The idea of global peace will prevail. I am hopeful.

* Last but not least, you don't have to be Che Guerra to make a difference but you can't imprison yourself in your air conditioned luxury vehicle with a frowny face. It truly is a matter of choice and attitude. We have to change our thinking and stop fearing failure because there's no such thing as failing when we're trying to bring a change its just a matter of time. All we have to do is join the path of millions around us are already walking and feel proud to be a part of it. If we join this walk then change is bound to happen. I am hopeful.

Khushali Mubarak to all my Ismaili friends.

(Blog inspired by Deepak Chopra's "World isn't ending. Now what?")

Bad News !!

2006-07-10T07:50:00.000-05:00

Sleepless night. Not a single good news on TV. 2 accidents on the way to work. Images of Palestine bomb blast all over the internet. Plane crash in Pakistan just an hour ago, leaving 40 dead. Car bombs and gunmen on rampage in Baghdad leaving undisclosed number of people dead. and its only 7:21 a.m.

Ahhhh.... Let's try and have a good day.

Poor Ken

2006-07-05T09:47:00.000-05:00

Wow, how do you respond to that?

Ken grew up as the son of a Baptist minister, sold farm equipment and worked at a feed store, top student in High school, participated in choir and school marching band, worked hard in college and earned a degree in economics and then worked his way up in the business world. Spent most of his free time with his 5 children and 12 grandchildren. And generously donated in church and promoted art through his charity organization, died this morning of a heart attack.

Ken who has been awaiting sentencing after being found guilty for being involved in Enron fraud, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, perpetrating wire and bank fraud, and making false and misleading statements to employees at a company meeting, as well as to banks, securities analysts and corporate credit-rating agencies, died this morning of a heart attack.

Choices in Life.

2006-06-29T14:45:00.000-05:00

Another thing that comes in my mind about Gates and Buffet's charity efforts. Which one is better?

You work all your life, make tons of money and then use your money to make a major impact like what Gates foundation is doing in terms of vaccination and desease prevention.

You dedicate your whole life into charitable work and humanitarian assistance and do your best to make a difference in small little segments to make this world a better place?

Which one is better? Did Gates and Buffet go into business world with a goal, thinking that when they reach that goal, they'll help the needy? or were they just another money and success hungry people who just got lucky and then decided they should do something good now?

Do people who stay charitable and dedicate their whole life in social work, do they ever dream of making it big and succesfull like Gates and Buffet so they can make a real difference in the lives of millions or do they stay content with just improving lives of a handful? do they regret their choices in life?

Om supports Gates Foundation

Exclusive right to "Truth"

2006-05-15T09:55:00.000-05:00

Message of my class over the weekend was "Let there be no compulsion in religion" and I made sure to drill this in all my student's heads very well. I must admit, lots of what I teach my kids is not something I have known for a long time either, I learn as I go. And it's the best feeling in the world to know that your personal belief matches your religious belief.

I asked my kids if they thought our religion believed in "Exlusivism" and most of them confidently said yes. I don't blame them, ofcourse they think that they've got an eclusive right on Truth because they haven't been told otherwise. Then I brought in the idea of "Inclusivism" and all of the sudden they felt more comfortable thinking that this makes more sense and again majority agreed on the idea of inclusivism. And then I introduced to them the idea of "Pluralism" and I gotta admit that I felt a little discomfort and even disappointment from the class when it was revealed to them that No, they don't have an exlusive right to "The Truth" if there's such a thing.

I don't know if the disappointment was because they lost what they thought they had or because their personal belief didn't match with their religious belief. Either way, I am honored to be a part of their journey to self discovery.

Om like the Islamic blog site Islamicate

When I woke up..

2006-05-11T13:35:00.000-05:00

After a night filled with music from Pixies, I went to bed knowing it would be difficult to wake up in an hour but my extreme exhaustion and my strong faith to be able to wake myself up was convincing enough. My faith didn't let me down, I did wake up. Several times. First it was at the Airport for the farewell of a friend. Next to say my goodbye to the favorites. Then at the international house of pancakes. Then outside of a country store sweating like a pig. Next time I found myself in a prison, not a prison but a replica in a prison museum. I woke up again in a shower this time to freshen up just so I can go to sleep without having to wake up again. My sleep was filled with a beautiful lie.

Om likes the Pixies

Escape

2006-05-09T11:49:00.000-05:00

Morning drive, hands down is the high point of my day everyday. Being in my car for over an hour in the morning feels like being in a twilight zone, where I am unaware of anything outside of that piece of metal and glass. I have driven down those roads so much that I need not to pay attention to signs, signals and traffic. My radio usually jumps between BBC news channel, morning show with Rod Ryan, local news and weather channel and a cd of my choice. While lost in those radio waves and the thoughts of my own, nothing can touch me, not the guy flicking at me for cutting him off, not the minor accident that is backing everyone up, and not even the slow drivers in the left most lane. Sometime those lame games like "make yo mama curse" make me crack up, that old song "Last Kiss" by pearl jam almost gives me teary eyes, hearing about poverty in Africa and riots in Kashmir rages me. But all these emotions take me away from me. I have everything on mind except for "my life" and that escape I figured is what I enjoy the most. I can't do that in any other part of my day.

Om listens to NPR

Before 30 (another neverending blog)

2006-05-04T10:45:00.001-05:00

I must I must I must write it down.

1- Sky dive atleast once. (Done!)
2- Learn another language.
3- Learn to play an instrument.
4- Learn to cook atleast one cuisine.
5- Learn to swim (*sigh*)
6- Get my Masters.

that's it for now.

Godot's got it goin on...

2006-05-04T09:29:00.000-05:00

He really does and I don't get it. Loosing hair line, average looks, history of drug and alcohol use, and living with the parents but despite of all that he's the ladies man. Ok, let's list his cool points: umm... cool car, nice house, Educated, good taste in music, adventurous, confident, interesting to hang out with, nice clothes, classy personality, easy to get along and those weird yet cool eyewear... Oh I get it.

Om enjoyed reading Waiting for Godot

All the lonely people.

2006-04-25T07:28:00.000-05:00

I just had the most surreal moment at a local super market. At 5:30a I was walking down the aisles, and every aisle had at least one employee with a scanner in his/her hand marking prices and no customers. So I am walking down those aisle and all I hear is the rolling of my cart, synchronized beeps from those scanners and the Beatles song playing the background

Ah, look at all the lonely people
Where do they all come from ?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong ?

Om wishes to know more about Beatles

Grillz!!

2006-04-21T14:46:00.000-05:00

Got 30 down at the bottom, 30 mo at the top
All invisible set in little ice cube blocks
If I could call it a drink, call it a smile on da rocks
If I could call out a price, let's say I call out a lot

It has always amused me how people get creative with sealing their commitment of love. Some stick to the traditional wedding ring, but even in that, there are billion choices. You can do so much with colors, cuts, shapes and types of stone that the possibilities are endless. Some have decided to get away from ring tradition and use a wedding necklace or bracelet instead. Some indifferent people even have decided to do away with jewelery completely and get a tattoo instead, hell I know a person who has a ring tattoed on her finger with her hubby's name on it. Whatever way you choose to seal you commitment, it's truly beautiful. But just when I thought I've heard it all on the subject I met Theresa.

Just a little intro of Theresa: I met her last night in a bar for the very first time. She is a pretty chineese girl around 21. She knows curse words in atleast 7 different languages, owns a stuffed mono (Thats right, check out GiantMicrobes.com and it will make sense), Knows all of BJork's music, knows the band members of Fall out boy, likes to crack jokes of sexual nature. In a nutshell, pretty interesting person to hang out with. At the same time she seem to have crushes on upcoming famous rap artists.

So, Theresa catches me by surprise when she reveals that she plans to exchange "grillz" instead of wedding rings when she gets married. Now, me being a little naive about the hip hop culture found it really weird and at first I thought she was joking. But she was totally serious, Specifically 6 platinum caps with her hubby's initials on it and her husband is suppose to do the same with her initials on it. she tells me that it's not even anything new, everybody is doing it.

Now, as much as I am accepting of different cultures and their ways, I don't think I can ever be comfortable with the idea of grillz. I mean who likes to see someone smile and show off their shiny platinum grills instead of nice and clean set of teeth? How far are we going to push the idea of body jewellery? Oh well, I guess I am not that hip!

Smile fo me daddy
(What you lookin at)
Let me see ya grill
(Let you see my what)
Ya, ya grill ya, ya, ya grill

Om is amused by Giant Microbes

Absentee Chachu

2006-03-10T13:55:00.000-06:00

I made a quick call to my brother in Pakistan yesterday and this little kid with the softest and most sweetest voice picked up the phone. It was my nephew of 5 yrs, he handed the phone to his dad telling him that its 'chachu'(uncle). This is probably the first time I heard that kid call me chachu and suddenly it hit me, that I have lost 5 years of my first ever nephew's life when he is growing up and learning things from every family member but me. He only knows me from all the pictures he has seen, which hasn't made him feel close enough to me to talk over the phone without shying away.

All of the sudden it made me realize all the responsibilities I have towards this kid and the role I should be playing in his life. Am I always going to be that absentee 'chachu' to my nephew and the rest of the new members of my dear family?

Dobel says...

2006-03-02T16:51:00.000-06:00

Dobel says there’s always a person that you see everywhere you go. You don’t know the name of that person, don’t know where he lives or what he does but everywhere you go, there he is. It’s like you both are living the same life. Does anyone else see him?

Om recommends Anything else

Ornaments - Neverending Blog

2006-03-02T16:45:00.000-06:00

Ornaments

*Dobel – Why? It’s like anything else
*MD – Almost an imaginary buddy.
*Beautiful Lie – formerly knows as walking piece of Art.
*Godot – still undecided
*Object/s – of my affection!
*My precious – precious.
*The favorites

Situations

*Green Leaf
*Waiting Room
*Uncle Sam