) A person who farts continuously for 6.5 years expends the same amount of energy as an atomic bomb (or so say some of my students). (But its true. See here - along with some other interesting facts.)
2) Don't park in the main parking lot at Seef Mall on Thursday night. It just may take you an over half an hour to get out. (You'd think I'd know this - but its never been THAT congested when I've been there)
3) Most big American companies - Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, Pepsi, Coca-cola - they're all donating their next two weeks revenue to Israel. Info compliments of "comments" posted on various websites. "I got a text, so it must be true!"
4) Obama is Jewish. Apparently there's a new video of him praying with some Jewish people and he revealed this in a private interview.
It's interesting that now people are starting to say this about Obama, possibly as a reaction to Obama's mild reaction to Israel's war in Gaza. More accurately, the stance he's taken that doesn't look to force Israel to end. I say to my students often that "Barack Obama has come to save the world! He will fix everything for everyone! And end poverty! And give everyone free education in the United States!" Don't get me wrong - I like Obama and think he'll do some good things. But people have grand expectations for him that he won't be able to fulfill.
He may be running into another problem, though. Having not defined himself strongly for any particular demographic, he may end up being defined by everyone - in ways he doesn't like.
By not taking a strong stance against Israel, he may be starting to lose the Arab "vote" (and thus new rumors that he's Jewish). By not taking a strong stance against Hamas, he may start losing the confidence of the conservative Christians. By asking Rick Warren to pray at the Inaugeration, he may infurate the liberal left. But in having the gay priest from the Episcopal church speak, he will anger the conservative right.
We'll see what happens, but in his desire to please everyone, he may end up pleasing no one. Obama's smart, though. If that actually happens, he'll learn quickly and take stronger stances - at least making some people happy and leaving the rest of the people unhappy.
Jan 15, 2009
Jan 12, 2009
Ashura and Definitions I've forgotten
1. Its Raining. Right now.
2. Winter has started.
3. Ashura.
Ashura is observed by Shia Muslims in the days leading up to the 10th day of month of Muharrem (first month on the Muslim calendar). I wouldn't call it a holiday (though we have days off from school), and its certainly not celebratory.
Quick history lesson about the difference between Sunni and Shia. After the Prophet Mohamed died, there was disagreement about who the leader should be. Should the new leader be the next of kin - Hussein and Hassan? Or should it be the disciples of Mohamed? The debate was more than an intellecutal debate and turned into a battle of sorts.
The struggle ended at the town of Karbala (in modern day Iraq), where the family of Mohamed was staying. There an army of men attacked the followers Hussein, killing him, his familiy and many of his followers. The result: Sunni are those who come from the disciples of Mohamed and the Shia are those who follow the teachings of Hussein (though don't ask me the theological differences between the two. My knowledge about that is cursory at best).
Ashura remembers this event, and large gatherings take place all over Bahrain. Most siginificantly are the gatherings in the city center of Manama. One of our friends asked us if we would come down and meet him, so I donned black clothes (symbols of mourning) and Alison wore a habiya (black cloak the women wear) and hijab (head covering).
We walked around the area, watching the people, most of whom were standing around themselves. There must have been thousands of people walking around (and apparently, over 100,00 people descend on the area of about a square km the final night). We went into a tent that had many paintings, most of illustrated various events around Karbala. We waited for our friend, but by the time 11:30 rolled around, we were exhausted and had to leave.
/reɪn/ water that is condensed from the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere and falls to earth in drops more than 1/50 in. (0.5 mm) in diameter. Compare drizzle (def. 6).We've almost forgotten what it was like...
2. Winter has started.
/ˈwɪnBahrain has been cold the last few weeks. Its been a chilly 60 degrees. It doesn't sound bad, but when you don't have heat or insulation, it's downright earth chilly. Gotta bring out the long sleeve shirts. It was warmer yesterday, so I think winter might be over.tər/ the cold season between autumn and spring in northern latitudes (in the Northern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox; in the Southern Hemisphere from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox)
3. Ashura.
Ashura is observed by Shia Muslims in the days leading up to the 10th day of month of Muharrem (first month on the Muslim calendar). I wouldn't call it a holiday (though we have days off from school), and its certainly not celebratory.
Quick history lesson about the difference between Sunni and Shia. After the Prophet Mohamed died, there was disagreement about who the leader should be. Should the new leader be the next of kin - Hussein and Hassan? Or should it be the disciples of Mohamed? The debate was more than an intellecutal debate and turned into a battle of sorts.
The struggle ended at the town of Karbala (in modern day Iraq), where the family of Mohamed was staying. There an army of men attacked the followers Hussein, killing him, his familiy and many of his followers. The result: Sunni are those who come from the disciples of Mohamed and the Shia are those who follow the teachings of Hussein (though don't ask me the theological differences between the two. My knowledge about that is cursory at best).
Ashura remembers this event, and large gatherings take place all over Bahrain. Most siginificantly are the gatherings in the city center of Manama. One of our friends asked us if we would come down and meet him, so I donned black clothes (symbols of mourning) and Alison wore a habiya (black cloak the women wear) and hijab (head covering).
We walked around the area, watching the people, most of whom were standing around themselves. There must have been thousands of people walking around (and apparently, over 100,00 people descend on the area of about a square km the final night). We went into a tent that had many paintings, most of illustrated various events around Karbala. We waited for our friend, but by the time 11:30 rolled around, we were exhausted and had to leave.
