Archive for August, 2009
pretty qreative
Aug 31st
Thought I’d share this commercial Jay did with Rhapsody for Blueprint III. Love good commercials. Hope his album is as dope.
whether (or not) the storm
Aug 28th
It’s a rainy day in NY. I’m home because freelancing shares the consistency of this summer’s weather pattern. Consistently inconsistent.
Unlike the other days of this week during which I felt like a complete waste…during which I sank deeper and deeper into my futon mattress in unwarranted exhaustion…during which I did nothing more than try extra hard not to let anything touch my body and add to the unbearable heat…during which curbing my usual pattern of food consumption in response to boredom in observance of Ramadan was extremely trying… unlike those days, I feel good today.
The rain reminds me of my time in Paris. The first day off the plane when I lost sight of time and didn’t bother looking for it. When I instead disappeared into the darkness of my foreign flat, allowed myself to be lullaby-ed by the sound of the falling rain and stayed there until time found me again.
Today reminds me of that. I’m sitting wrapped in my “Ashy Plum” bedding and listening to the drops fall on my air conditioner. From five stories up the would-be-annoying precipitation is instead romantic, poetic. The would-be-murky gray sky, calming. My room is the right amount of chilly; a temperature that makes up for the fact that I can’t drink water.
I get up and watch the world from my window.
The heat kicked up by the ever-moving, desperately-rushing-to-wait city has been forced down. The pavement cooled. The tension hushed and subdued. Everything is forced to stop and calm like two teenage boys pulled apart from a heated tussle and forcibly plopped into chairs opposite each other. Gracefully authoritative, this rain is. And I’m submissive.
My mind flutters from one thought to the next. Whimsical in flight and fleeting in commitment. I’m learning to enjoy its nomadic tendencies, its random journeys, whenever I feel stuck in a state. And fasting always makes you think a lot; your brain uses the digestive energy normally spent on your stomach.
So, I sit, mulling over things I usually pay no mind. Contemplating the meaning of all indefinable.
Happily so.
The overcast doesn’t affect the predetermined climate of my day: Content and warm. Slightly fluffed pillows, with a chance of a shower…if I feel like taking one.
I’m comfortable in my bed. In my skin. Alone but not at all lonely.
I’m okay here.
Finally, I am okay here.
Q. Saafir
getting back
Aug 26th
I just realized something, or remembered something, rather. I guess it was somewhat of a re-epiphany, if ever something like that could exist.
This is my blog. Reads painfully obvious, I know. Yet, that fact sort of slipped my grasp for a moment.
Recently, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, my posts have been “qurrent events”. The writing has been minimal. I’ve been uninspired. I think, mainly, because I lost sight of what this site is for. I started this site, not for you, really–I know, sorry–but as therapy for me.
I got a little caught up in (and in truth, slightly depressed by) world updates and that’s what I began to post. But this site isn’t about the world, or at least how the world sees the world. This site is about my take on the world and me taking on the world. And therefore, regardless of the number of visitors or comments, I will write. Regardless of my mood, I will write. Regardless of myself, I will write.
I will sit stooped over my Mac, Schroeder-style (he’s the blonde-headed piano-playing Peanuts character; don’t worry I didn’t know his name either until I googled him), poking away at these keys with the fervor of Ludwig van, conducting my words to shape a masterpiece. Not a literary masterpiece, though if that is one of the by-products of said fervor then so be it, but the masterpiece, I: my soul, my inner-goddess, my mind, my expression, my thoughts, my life-journey, my audacity, my spirit, my universal-connectivity. My purpose. My reason.
Through words I am sure. As will be the legacy I hope to leave through them.
So as I re-discover my fingers and allow them to search out my thoughts, feel free to walk alongside me.
Who knows? You may stumble upon your own work of art.
- Q. Saafir
smh
Aug 24th
So MJ’s death has been ruled a homicide. See story here. Beside the fact that I have still not dealt with his death fully, none of this going on about how he died sits well with me. I don’t even know how to feel.
the president sends a message to muslims for ramadan
Aug 21st
As some of you may or may not know, the Holy month of fasting, Ramadan, is here. It will be one of the most intense as it is taking place during a summer month which not only has temperatures of 90+ but days when it seems the sun is never going to set. lol But I am so excited and energized by the prospect of a deep cleansing and reconnecting with The Most High. I was ecstatic to read that the president addressed the Muslims across the world who will be observing this period of will power, strength, prayer and charity. The following is from Deputy Associate White House Counsel, Rashad Hussain:
“Ramadan Kareem
Posted by Rashad Hussain
As the new crescent moon ushers in Ramadan, the President extends his best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world.
Each Ramadan, the ninth month on the lunar calendar, Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset for 29 or 30 days. Fasting is a tradition in many religious faiths and is meant to increase spirituality, discipline, thankfulness, and consciousness of God’s mercy. Ramadan is also a time of giving and reaching out to those less fortunate, and this summer, American Muslims have joined their fellow citizens in serving communities across the country. Over the course of the month, we will highlight the perspectives of various faiths on fasting and profile faith-based organizations making real impacts in American cities and towns.
This month is also a time of renewal and this marks the first Ramadan since the President outlined his vision for a new beginning between America and the Muslim world. As a part of that new beginning, the President emphasizes that our relationship with Muslim communities cannot be based on political and security concerns alone. True partnerships also require cooperation in all areas – particularly those that can make a positive difference in peoples’ daily lives, including education, science and technology, health, and entrepreneurship – fields in which Muslim communities have helped play a pioneering role throughout history.
The President’s message is part of an on-going dialogue with Muslim communities that began on inauguration day and has continued with his statement on Nowruz, during trips to Ankara and Cairo, and with interviews with media outlets such as Al Arabiya and Dawn TV.
As this dialogue continues and leads to concrete actions, the President extends his greetings on behalf of the American people. Ramadan Kareem. ”
Please see the president’s address below.
in case you missed it…
Aug 20th
I know I’m late but just in case you looked away from the TV for a hot second or blinked, you probably missed this man speed by. Usain Bolt broke his own damn record killing the 100m in 9.58. SMDH. Simply amazing. He makes it look so damn easy. *sigh* “Ni$$as is a beautiful thang.”
**Update** Since the above post Bolt has gone on to break his own record…again. **blank stare** 19:19 in Berlin. Peep it:
In other news, the president was interviewed by a nine-year-old recently. I wonder what I would ask if I ever get the chance to meet President Obama… after I got up off the floor from fainting on him and wiped the drool off his shoes, that is.
hbcu’s feel the recession
Aug 20th
An interesting write-up on the students at Black colleges feeling the economic squeeze
(But really, what else is new? I was working three jobs to put myself through school.)
The question is will alum contributions be enough to turn that around… Because it seems at this point, “we all we got”.
HI!!
Aug 18th
I know I stink! lol I’ve been away for a while but I will return soon! Just handling some business. Check back in soon. -CYU
