January 2005

The Archives

• imperial watch

  Coronation

  01.20.05 | Permalink | 4 Comments

  Many friends have forwarded emails asking not to spend a dime today or turn my back or stand upside my head. Lot of hoopla over the $40 million tag, lot about the corporation money flowing into the ceremonies, lot on the lameness of the celebrities. Here on campus, there are elaborate counter-Inauguration talks and happening. [...]

• imperial watch

  Shadow of the Future

  01.19.05 | Permalink | 5 Comments

  Let’s talk about wonderful phrases, today. Just before the election there was a flurry of declarations on reality-based and faith-based worlds or somesuch. There is room at the table for another one, I think. Future-based. As I was getting ready this morning, Barbara Boxer had Rice pinned on Iraq. Why couldn’t you have dealt with [...]

• straw polls

  Popularity Contest II

  01.18.05 | Permalink | 6 Comments

  My humble thanks to all those who voted for me in the Brass Crescent Awards as deserving of wider recognition. I can only say that while fame will inevitably bring the coke, the hookers and the Behind the Blog retrospective, I will never forget those that have sustained me in my humble beginnings. Commentators like [...]

• holydays

  The Mountaintop

  01.17.05 | Permalink | Comment?

  Maha was in the first grade and I picked her up from school and we went to Raynulds Club for lunch. As we were waiting in line for our pizza, she looked up at me and said, “Daddy, am I white or black?”. Slightly startled, I looked down and said, Uh, light brown? Why do [...]

• optical character recognition

  Baring My Religion

  01.14.05 | Permalink | 6 Comments

  In Brooklyn, a brouhaha is brewing about bare breasts amongst burqas. I am so lame but it is friday, so forgive me. A Polish magazine, The Forum, put up a cover story called “Ile jest Kamasutry w‚ĆKoranie?” which I am guessing means “Is it the KamaSutra or the Koran?” [my polish friend isn't answering the [...]

• homistan

  The Baluchistan Issue

  01.13.05 | Permalink | 35 Comments

  So, what is going on in Baluchistan? Baluchistan is one of the 4 states/provinces of Pakistan. It constitutes roughly 40-43% of the land mass with only 5%-7% share in the population. It has the richest mineral and natural resources in the country, yet, is the most improvished area of Pakistan with the lowest literacy, health [...]