chatter

Since I decided to be 'positive' I haven't had much to say. That says a lot in itself, eh? I've started reading the esteemed Wall Street Journal on my way in to work, to fit in with all the other boring bankers and brokers who share the train platform during the wee hours of the morning with me. It's not the best writing I've come across, I must say. Work is going pretty well, aside from the incident on Friday evening when three of the dumbest people I've ever encountered ganged up on me spouting things like "Would you ever die for your religion?" and, my personal favourite: "I thought you were a normal Italian girl when I met you, I never would have guessed you were Muslim." There was a bit of "The Qur'an says that you have to kill all Jews!", and of course the classic "Muslims hate Jews." I find myself mentioning my faith on here a lot, and at times it may seem I have a chip on my shoulder or something. Well, I get that impression from myself. I don't feel that way at all. In fact, I think faith is an intensely pesonal experience and don't particularly like talking to others about it, unless of course I sense that an interesting conversation or some new knowledge is just around the corner. However, I don't mind offering an odd bit of explanation to clarify a misconception. I hope I don't approach it in a defensive manner, moreso like the simple information that it is. I actually like to fan out some of my thoughts on here as this tends to be on of my few outlets. I hope you don't mind. You can understand why getting into an argument with a bunch of morons like those mentioned above is such a disconcerting experience. I wasn't arguing, though I enjoyed making them dizzy with circles of logic. The absurdity of the scene becomes especially clear when I describe the characters. One was a disabled Black man, an Italian and a Russian Jew. The first complains constantly of discrimination, demands everyone call him African American and tried to tell my why Al Sharpton is such a good guy. The Italian gets annoyed when people associate him with the mafia. And the Russian Jew is the one who asked me if Muslim and Islam are the same thing. I should elaborate.

Actually, I've decided to sod describing them because I was enjoying it a bit too much. And I shouldn't take such glee in illustrating the faults of others. Have enough to worry about myself. Like that lovely piece of upside down cake I was unable to resist tonight. Let's talk about that. Actually, let's not and let it manifest itself in the extra bit of pudge that makes my stomach that much softer. I can feel it now.

Early this week was utterly beautiful, signs of warmth were all around. Hopes were high for the onset of spring, only to be drowned in the sleet, rain and snow that covered everything the following evening. It's like a cruel game. I'm going to start running and running as soon as it's warm enough not to freeze the inside of my nose. That's a promise. But I'll stop if my knees hurt.

This is nonsense, but it is written nonsense and sometimes this is all there is, my friends. I'll be happy if you have any suggestions on writing topics. No political commentary to offer. Kyrgyzstan has new leadership. I love how every newspaper article or radio commentary begins with: "The Central Asian nation of.. ". I mean, if someone said Kyrgyzstan do you, if they could say it at all, you'd have an idea of where on the map to put your finger. Not knowing the capital is Bishkek is understandable for someone who didn't have Ferdinand as a father. Ferdinand used to quiz us on countries' capitals on a regular basis. This isn't why I remember, however. When I interned at the State Dept, I would be amused for hours by reading the daily wires that came in from all the embassies around the world. They were each titled by the capital city in which they were hosted and it was pretty cool to read developments as they were reported to Secretary Powell. That was pretty wicked, actually.

Bloody hell, I didn't say anything about Amina Wadud. This whole process is so exciting. Finally, steps are being taken to separate the historical context from the actual tenets of the faith and things will start moving forward. God willing.